Southport Flower Show is to feature its first-ever Menopause Garden, building a haven for women to explore health and wellbeing.
Organisers of the show, which marks its 99th year this August, commissioned award-winning designer Carolyn Hardern to create the showpiece space.
The garden will be built by Jackie Knight Landscapes, a regular medal winner at Southport Flower Show.
The garden – titled “Circles of Strength” – will feature plants used in the production of menopause remedies and described by designer Carolyn Hardern as a ‘riot of colour’.
It is a project inspired very much by Carolyn’s own personal experience. Ten years ago she feared she would have to give up her successful career as a garden designer after suffering a series of unexplained panic attacks.
She lost her confidence and self-esteem and couldn’t see a way to carry on with her work.
But a conversation with a friend and relative, and then a doctor, helped the Cheshire-based designer to understand that her condition was linked to the menopause.
She went back to the drawing board to come up with more award-winning designs, including a top prize for best planting at the Southport Flower Show in 2019.
Carolyn said she was delighted to be invited to design the showpiece Menopause Garden at this year’s show, which she hopes will celebrate ‘women reaching an inner-strength and empowerment’.
Speaking about her plans for the garden, Carolyn said she hopes it will start a conversation about health and well-being.
She said: “My doctor once described me as ‘the most level-headed person she knows’ but ten years ago I experienced panic attacks.
“Not knowing it was the menopause, I was at a point of low self-esteem and seriously thinking about giving up garden design altogether. Some months later I opened up to a good friend, a relative (in floods of tears) and then a very understanding doctor.
“Just knowing why and sharing made all the difference; and years later with confidence restored, I’m involved in amazing projects with great people, what a difference!”
Carolyn Hardern
The design features plants used in production of menopause remedies and also many plants with female names.
Supporters of the garden include Bridge Inn Community Farm, JA Jones, Jenny Pickford, Massams Supplies Ltd and Total Timber.
Alan Adams, General Manager of Southport Flower Show, said: “I am delighted to feature our first ever Menopause Garden, it will be an important addition to the show this year.
“I want to thank all of our supporters who have helped to create Circles of Strength and we are looking forward to opening it up to visitors in August.”
Circles of Strength is one of eleven show gardens which will be open to visitors at this year’s Southport Flower Show – including gardens from professional landscapers and charities.
With its combination of garden and floral displays, cookery demonstrations, shopping village, arena entertainment, live music and much more, Southport Flower Show is a great day out for the whole family.
This year’s star guests include Countdown host Rachel Riley and her Strictly Come Dancing partner Pasha Kovalev.
Celebrity chefs John Torode and Lisa Faulkner are among the top names in the demonstration kitchen along with Masterchef’s Gabriella Margiotta and Lizzie Acker from the Great British Bake Off.
Kids go free to Southport Flower Show and younger visitors will be entertained by children’s TV star Justin Fletcher, who is returning with his acclaimed stage show.
And sharing their growing expertise will be Gardeners’ World presenter Frances Tophill, Garden Ninja Lee Burkhill, urban gardener Jason Williams and broadcaster James Wong.
Southport Flower Show, sponsored by Harrison Holidays, runs over four days from Thursday 17th August to Sunday 20th August and is held in the 34-acre Victoria Park close to the centre of the seaside town.
Some of the nation’s top growers compete for prizes every year at Southport and the show is famous for its spectacular grand floral marquee.
Tickets are £28 on the gate but buy in advance for an early bird discount with tickets purchased before 11.59pm on Wednesday 16th August available for £25.
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