Johnsons team up to help Rainbow Garden bloom

Aberdeen-based landscapers and one of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries and BALI Registered Affiliate member, Johnsons of Whixley, teamed up to help create a memorial garden at Hazlehead Park.

The Rainbow Garden is a peaceful haven away from the bustle of the park, where bereaved parents and families can reflect. At the centre of the garden is a stunning bronze sculpture, Fleeting, with a flowing design of flying birds encircling a seat. The garden has an arched entrance and further private seating areas, in addition to a dedicated area where flowers can be left.

The Rainbow Garden opened in summer 2019 in response to a request from families affected by past practices around the cremation of babies at Aberdeen Crematorium. Parents had input into the design of the garden, by TGP Landscape Architects, taking inspiration from the song Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

Soft landscaping works were completed by Life Landscaping, including installing lawns, trees and thousands of plants supplied by Johnsons.

Among the 2,500 plants supplied were 335 Miscanthus sin. ‘Morning Light’, 260 Aquilegia vulgaris 2L, 250 Rhodendron in variety 7.5L, 160 Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ 2L, and over 100 Lavandula ‘Hidcote’ 2L.

Hazlehead Park is rich in history, including land gifted to Aberdeen by King Robert the Bruce as part of the ‘Freedom Boundary’ in 1319. Today the 180-hectare park is enjoyed by families, walkers and runners and includes two golf courses, a maze, mini zoo, woodland walks, nature trails, a café, children's playground and two formal rose gardens, the Queen Mother’s Rose Garden and the North Sea Memorial Rose Garden.

Life Landscaping owner Ryan Pedersen said:

It was such an important project to be a part of and we were very honoured to take part.  With this space, families now have a place to remember those who have passed and it can be visited all year round.

Johnsons of Whixley’s Marketing Manager Eleanor Richardson added:

We hope the garden provides an area where bereaved parents and families can remember and reflect in a quieter area of the park that is surrounded by beautiful flowers, sculptures and outdoor space.