The Volunteers' Garden
A Beautiful Border at BBC Gardeners' World Autumn Fair 2026
Theme this year is "Once upon a time..."
The garden tells a story of care and human connection, inspired by the volunteers of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, whose time and dedication sustains the hospice gardens.
The Prairie-style planting takes inspiration from the grasses and Birch trees in the Hospice gardens, and creates a gentle journey through changing seasons, with autumn as its
defining moment.
The multi-stem Birch provides dappled shade, while a curved path suggests a shared journey. A simple bench offers a quiet place to pause and reflect. The mug and garden fork are a nod to the volunteers.
Plants List
Achillea millefolium
Aster × frikartii 'Mönch'
Betula pendula
Bistorta amplexicaulis 'Alba'
Echinacea pallida
Echinacea purpurea
Erigeron karvinskianus
Geranium 'Rozanne'
Geranium sanguineum
Hylotelephium 'Autumn Joy'
Hylotelephium 'Matrona'
Molinia caerulea 'Edith Dudzsus'
Molinia caerulea 'Moorhexe'
Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue'
Scabiosa 'Pink Mist'
Sesleria autumnalis
Thymus serpyllum 'Pink Chintz'
Thymus serpyllum 'Snowdrift'
Tiarella 'Spring Symphony'
Behind-the-scenes ...
About Arthur Rank Hospice Charity
The project is sponsored by supporters of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, who support people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition, and those who need end-of-life care.
They care for over 3,750 patients each year at their Hospice in Cambridgeshire, the Alan Hudson Centre in Wisbech and in patients' own homes via the Arthur Rank Community Team.
Their outstanding care is provided free-of-charge to patients and their families.
For further information and donations, please visit arhc.org.uk
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