Professional nurserymen Johnsons of Whixley are sponsoring trees and plants for a show garden dedicated to mental health awareness at this year’s Harrogate Flower Show.
The Mental Health Garden has been designed by Jo Manfredi-Hamer Garden Design and is proudly supporting Leeds Mind, the Leeds mental health charity which provides support and information when people need it most.
Johnsons is providing the trees and plants for the garden which also includes different shades of pebbles to represent depression and improved mental health through counselling and support.
A semicolon, sometimes worn by mental health sufferers, has been incorporated into the design, along with features to represent self-harm, strength and activities often chosen to combat mental health issues.
The garden includes Kernel, a design by the award-winning sculptor David Harber. A beautiful polished stone sphere, Kernel has a mirror-polished stainless steel wedge cut into it to reveal a shiny core of oxidised steel, representing inner strength. Also involved in the garden’s creation are Marshalls and Stone Warehouse.
Eleanor Richardson, marketing co-ordinator at Johnsons of Whixley, said: “The garden’s designer, Jo Manfredi-Hamer, is a customer of ours and we wanted to show our support for this incredible design that highlights mental health awareness.
“Research shows that gardening can be extremely beneficial for people with mental health problems. It improves communication with others, teaches practical skills and enhances concentration.
“Gardening gets people out in the fresh air, it’s great exercise and it allows them to express their creativity – all of which makes them happier, healthier and more confident. It’s the ultimate feel-good pastime so we were obviously extremely keen to be involved with this project.”
Garden designer Jo Manfredi-Hamer was inspired to create the garden after seeing the impact of mental health issues on someone close to her and wanted to highlight the issues whilst communicating a message of positivity.
She said: “There is help available and, with help and support, people can learn to manage their mental health.”
The Harrogate Flower Show runs from April 25-28, with garden construction commencing on April 15.
Johnsons of Whixley is one of the largest commercial nursery businesses in Europe, and a trusted supplier of plants and trees to the amenity sector in the UK.
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