As part of its 25-year anniversary celebrations, the Palm House in Sefton Park is hosting its very first Show Gardens on its East Lawn.
Displayed between 10 and 21 June, the gardens have been developed by local charities, schools and community groups, to create plots of 2 x 3 metres, spanning education, health and wellbeing, environmental action and community growing.
10 groups have been involved to create gardens that not only represent the values of their individual organisations, but also messages of hope, collaboration, remembrance, joy, recovery and resilience, in honour of the Palm House’s mission to root for People, Plants and Place.
Kate Martinez, Head of Visitors and Communities at Sefton Park Palm House, said:
“This year marks 25 years since the Palm House reopened following renovations, and we’re celebrating by hosting a series of events that align with our purpose and relationship with our community. The impact of nature on health and wellbeing is so key to what we do, that we wanted to give people the chance to experience designing and building their own gardens, while also providing a platform to showcase the important work that they do.
“The Palm House began as an ‘indoor garden’ for its Victorian visitors, but since reopening 25 years ago, the building has become so much more. We’re proud to be known as a beautiful wedding venue, but our purpose as a health and wellbeing resource and a haven for our local community is just as important to us.
“The Show Gardens are a tangible way of representing and celebrating this and the incredible work of all the community groups that we’ve been lucky to work with over the years. As well as children and young adults from local educational settings, it’s also been very special to work with organisations such as Let’s Talk CIC, Growing Sudley and Alfie’s Squad among others, who do such valuable work in our local community that has a real impact on people’s lives.”
The 10 gardens have been designed, created, and arranged by children, service users, volunteers, and community members, and include a garden for wellbeing, connection and belonging from Let’s Talk CIC; a garden devised, designed and developed by members of Growing Sudley’s therapeutic horticulture group for adults with stroke and brain injury; gardens to remember loved ones from Alfie’s Squad and Woodlands Hospice, and a Wizard of Oz-themed garden designed by Monksdown Primary School to celebrate kindness, courage and community.
Hayley Smallman, Corporate Partners Manager at Woodlands Hospice, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Palm House for giving us the opportunity to create such a meaningful garden, shaped by every part of our Woodlands Hospice community. Our Forget Me Not Garden reflects who we are – a place of care, connection and remembrance for those we support. As we celebrate 30 years of Woodlands Hospice, it feels like a truly special way to honour our community and showcase just how wonderful they are.”
Kate Martinez continues:
“We’re so proud to have all the garden designs on display. We know how much work has gone into them and we hope people will visit to learn more about each organisation through the power of plants.”
The groups representing each of the 10 show gardens are:
| · Let’s Talk CIC | Community-led organisation promoting mental health and wellbeing for all through the power of language, working with multicultural communities, including people seeking asylum, refugees, newly settled individuals, and those experiencing isolation or barriers to accessing mainstream services.
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| · Bentinck Street Community Garden | A community-led project to regenerate a derelict plot at Bentinck Street, Birkenhead, turning it into a safe, welcoming garden.
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| · Growing Sudley | A community-developed social enterprise incorporating a Therapeutic Garden for health, wellbeing and play through nature; and a Therapy and Wellbeing Centre.
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| · Monksdown Primary School | Primary School based in Norris Green.
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| · The Friends of Sefton Park | A group of local people and from those from further afield who love and care for Sefton Park and want to see it thrive for people and nature.
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| · Alfie’s Squad | Alfie’s Squad provides specialist suicide bereavement support for children, young people, and their families. Through peer support groups, we help children feel understood, less alone, and supported after the loss of a loved one to suicide.
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| · Home education Science & Nature Club; ‘The Friendship Journey’ | The Friendship Journey was designed and created by home educated children age 2 – 15. It explores the diversity of the children’s interests and passions and celebrates the unique contributions they each make.
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| · Woodlands Hospice | Provide specialist palliative care and support for people living with life‑limiting illnesses, as well as their families and carers.
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| · Petrus | Petrus provides residential and day support services to people who are homeless or in housing need. It offers a safe environment where people can develop their skills and independence to empower change.
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| · Myerscough College | A specialist land-based college.
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The Show Gardens are part of a wider series of events throughout the year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Palm House reopening, and the original year it opened 130 years ago in 1896 as the centrepiece of Sefton Park. Events include a display at Liverpool’s Central Library, a programme of talks, late summer openings, and a Grow Your Own Harvest Festival.
The Show Gardens are open every day except Saturdays, from Wednesday 10 June at 1pm until Sunday 21 June.
Sunday – Wednesday and Friday: 8am – 5pm (Palm House open from 10am)
Thursday: 8am – 3pm (Palm House open from 10am)
Saturdays: Closed for life celebrations
Categories: 2026 | Community & Participation | News
