Alitex donates cold frames to Harefield Healing Gardens

British greenhouse manufacturer, Alitex, has donated a set of freestanding cold frames to the Healing Gardens at Harefield Hospital in Uxbridge. The NHS’s Harefield Hospital provides specialist heart and lung expertise for patients, and the healing garden – which provides a calm and therapeutic space for patients, visitors and staff – is funded entirely by charitable donations.  

As a specialist heart and lung centre, many of Harefield’s patients have life-threatening conditions, often requiring a transplant or surgery, and many spend months at the hospital. The Healing Gardens, which were conceived by Rosie Pope OBE, whose son underwent a heart transplant, and Catherine Perry, whose father spent 12 days at Harefield following an unexpected heart attack, aim to provide a sanctuary during challenging times.  

Catherine comments: “We want to ensure that the garden endures, evolves, and is sustainable. The Alitex cold frames will help us achieve this by allowing us to propagate plants from cuttings and seedlings, as well as providing protection for tender or delicate plants. In addition, they will allow us to expand our wildflower meadow areas, increasing biodiversity in the garden, and enable us to extend our activities and workshops. Most importantly, of course, everything nurtured within the cold frames will add to the healing properties of the garden and the well-being of its visitors.”   

Crane Garden Buildings has also generously donated a potting shed, which together with the Alitex cold frames, has become the beating heart of the garden.  

Nelly Hall, Brand Director for Alitex, added: “As a business, we are committed to reducing, reusing and recycling. Our cold frames are made from our signature aluminium, meaning that they are entirely recyclable, but crucially, can be taken down and rebuilt. These cold frames were part of our award-winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 stand, and we are over the moon that they have found a forever home in the wonderful Harefield Healing Gardens, where they can have a long-standing positive impact for all of the garden’s users.” 

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Editors notes

Alitex designs and produces the most beautiful, bespoke Victorian greenhouses in the world.

Established in 1952, it has since become the leading luxury greenhouse manufacturer on the market, boasting over 70 years of horticultural heritage and paving the way with a pioneering approach to the planet, its people and purpose.

Since laying down its roots in the 50s, Alitex has developed its flagship Thomas Messenger glasshouse, launched the National Trust Collection in 2004, established a flourishing overseas market and earned a prestigious endorsement from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Alitex’s home on Torberry Farm in the South Downs includes an impressive show site and factory where all of its greenhouses are created, providing customers with the unique opportunity to gather inspiration for their own dream greenhouse, walk through the production process and chat with its passionate experts in person.

It prides itself on offering every customer a fully personal service throughout their Alitex journey, from the initial design and planning stages through to installation and aftercare.

Key to the company is its most important ingredient – its people. With a team of 100 dedicated individuals that make up the heart and soul of Alitex, they are central to driving forward its purpose and passion for all that grows.