The British Red Cross ‘Here for Humanity’ Garden

The garden is inspired by Henri Dunant – the Swiss visionary founder of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement – and the countless volunteers who have dedicated their lives to impartial and compassionate service supporting people in crisis in the UK and overseas.

A contemporary twist on an alpine garden, with large stone column-like planters which mimic traditional trough alpine displays, while areas of scree and crevice planting allow for a unique collection of plants to be shown. Alpine species come from areas where the Red Cross has recently provided disaster relief including Morocco, Turkey and the UK. Specimen trees including Pinus cembra (Swiss pine), a nod to the charity’s origin, wrap the landscape while calming mountain streams tumble throughout.
 

At a glance

Who would use this garden?
A public garden.
Where is the garden set?
London.
Who or what is the design inspiration for the garden?
Henri Dunant, the visionary founder of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and the countess volunteers who have dedicated their lives helping those in crisis.
 

Garden legacy:

The garden will be relocated to the grounds of Maudsley Hospital South London. South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust provides the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK. The garden will be a space for patients, carers and staff to relax and enjoy the healing power of nature.