Johnsons Nurseries provided all planting stock for the dementia-friendly garden at Coronation Park in Cramlington, a flagship project delivered by Brambledown Landscape Services Ltd. As part of Northumberland County Council’s Cramlington Regeneration Programme — backed by a £3.5 million investment, including support from the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund — the garden was officially opened on 19 May 2025 by Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland, alongside local dignitaries.
Brambledown set out to create a safe, accessible, and sensory-rich garden tailored specifically for individuals living with dementia. This required:
A carefully selected planting palette that offered seasonal interest year-round, delivering colour, scent, and texture to aid orientation and engagement.
Coordination with hard landscaping schedules to ensure seamless integration of plants and features like pathways, seating, and biodiversity elements.
Tailored plant selection to meet both therapeutic goals and dementia-accessibility guidance.
Johnsons Nurseries supplied the full planting stock for the project, delivering over 2,000 carefully selected plants and trees. Working closely with Brambledown, the planting palette included over 150 geraniums, 80 astrantias, 70 salvias, 80 Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, 75 Viburnum tinus, along with Daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance’, lavender, hellebores, Hydrangeas, Skimmias and cornus. These species were chosen to stimulate the senses and provide visual and tactile interest across all seasons.
Brambledown installed the planting as part of the wider landscaping scope, which also featured dementia-aware resin-bound pathways, a PEFC oak-framed gazebo, raised planters with integrated seating, and insect hotels to support biodiversity. Mark Harvey, Deputy Town Clerk for Services at CTC, emphasised that level paths, comfortable seating, and sensory variety were key to making the garden a safe, engaging place for users.
The Coronation Park Dementia Garden has become a well-used, therapeutic public space, praised for its inclusive design and community benefit. The official opening on 19 May 2025 drew local dignitaries and residents, and is recognised as a valuable first phase in the site’s ongoing redevelopment—future plans include community allotments, an orchard, and ecological areas.
Johnsons Nurseries is proud to have played a vital role in this collaborative project, delivering quality planting stock that supports both the aesthetic and therapeutic aspirations of Brambledown’s scheme.
