Freenotes were delighted to be asked to supply a musical sculpture to feature in Jo Thompson's Courtyard Garden 'Demelza' at the 2009 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Sight, smell, even taste are the normal senses associated with gardens, but it is hearing that is accentuated in this garden, designed for the children’s hospice charity Demelza.

Gentle, musical sounds infiltrate the garden, reflecting the importance of music therapy in bringing happiness into the lives of terminally-ill children. A water harp plays quietly in one corner; this metal structure set in a low pool is strung with stainless steel wires, which create soothing sounds as water plays down them. A Japanese sui-kin-kutsu, an underground water chamber, introduces an invisible, mysterious, echoing sound, while the aluminium chimes from Freenotes give children the opportunity to make their own music.

Multi-stemmed Betula pendula, inspired by a grove at Merriments Gardens in East Sussex, are underplanted with a colour scheme of cool blues and greens. This gradually develops in intensity until it finally explodes in a riot of bright oranges, yellows and reds using plants such as new red Iris ‘County Town Red’ and Geum ‘Prinses Juliana’.

The entire garden will be relocated to the Demelza House Children’s Hospice in Kent after the show.

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Click here 'Demelza' for further details on this inspirational garden.