There was a creative and colourful display in Kingston Hospital gardens last week, as staff from 10 different departments each unveiled their own planter in a competition judged by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Both medical and non-medical workers at the hospital had been working on the mini-gardens in teams, decorating and filling their planter with beautiful blooms.

As well as showcasing their green fingers, the project was designed to give staff an outlet for looking after their wellbeing during the pandemic.

The planters were created with the support of the RHS by teams including admin and clerical staff, doctors, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals.

Pollinator-friendly planting, upcycled crutches and innovative drip watering systems are among the features of the mini-gardens which will remain in the grounds of the hospital for all to enjoy.

According to the hospital, "there is a growing mountain of evidence that gardening is good for our health and wellbeing.

"Just adding a few plants to a bare front garden can make us feel happier and more relaxed," the hospital stated on its website.

And a recent RHS study found that daily gardening is as good for mental wellbeing as regular vigorous exercise.

Last week, on July 27, the planters were finally judged by the RHS team following months of work by hospital staff.

Check out our gallery above for some of the highlights of the competition, and see the hospital website for the full list of winners.

Congratulations to all the teams for their hard work, we loved putting together this gallery of beautiful displays!

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