A GARDEN which won recognition as a feature at the BBC Gardeners’ World Live event in Birmingham last year is to be formally opened in Cornwall on Sunday, June 23.

The Fontana Tranquillity Garden which was created for the BBC event has since been transported back to Cornwall and redesigned for Mount Edgcumbe Hospice, which is run by Cornwall Hospice Care in St Austell.

The garden was first designed by 92-year-old Derek Bishop, from Tywardreath, and Kim Parish, of Landscapes of Distinction at Mitchell, for the Birmingham show, winning a silver merit.

“We wanted the garden to have a purpose,” said Derek who owns the Fontana Garden at Trenython.

“We had the idea of donating it to the hospice where it will now provide a place to find peace, comfort and calm for patients, their carers, families and friends, the staff and volunteers.”

At the centre of the garden, which has been redesigned by Kim, is a replica of the tree house that features in Derek’s own garden.

Kim, who felt the design should reflect the diversity of Cornwall’s gardens, said: “We wanted the garden to showcase the best of Cornwall’s planting.

“Tree ferns (Dicksonia) are centre stage in the semi-shaded garden and will lead you through to the tropical zone where the banana plants (Musa) occupy pride of place.

“A patio surrounded by Mediterranean planting provides an opportunity to sit or indeed lie in a hospice bed and view the garden and, of course, the focal point is the magnificent tree house which creates a viewing platform into the garden and the tranquil landscape beyond, a room outside to enjoy a garden for all seasons.”

Cornwall Hospice Care clinical lead Lisa Shephard said: “We're extremely humbled by Derek Bishop's generous donation of the garden to our hospice where it offers a wonderful outdoor space for everyone from our patients and their carers, families and friends to our own staff and volunteers.

“It’s overlooked by four of our hospice rooms and our patient conservatory, benefitting patients who can either enjoy the view of it or go outside and experience it at firsthand.”