7 November 2025

As a hospital community, we are reminded of the importance of care, compassion, and healing — values shared by all who serve. We recently funded this beautiful border for our Garden of Life at QA Hospital, in support of our heroes and veterans.

“We wanted to express thanks to our veterans, to honour them and to recognise the Veteran Aware status of Queen Alexandra Hospital by planting a border as a permanent tribute.

At the heart of the border is a redbud tree “Eternal Flame”.   The glossy red leaves will turn to orange and yellow from May until the autumn.  In time, we will also be able to enjoy dark pink flowers in the spring.

Framing this beautiful tree are two roses (officially Madame A Meilland after the grower’s mother) known throughout the world as the Peace rose to commemorate the end of World War II.

Cultivated in France in the 1930s cuttings were sent to the US on the last plane to leave the country before the German invasion.  Peace roses were given to each of the delegates at the first meeting of the United Nations in 1945 with the message:

“We hope the Peace rose will influence men’s thoughts for everlasting world peace.”

The blooms are a light creamy yellow, tinted with pink which deepen to red with age.  The roses will be in flower from summer to autumn and have a wonderful scent.

The rest of the border is filled with red and white poppies (symbols of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future) with deep violet- blue salvias (from the Latin for healing) offset with pink geraniums (love, friendship and protection) and daisies (reminders of resilience).

Snowdrops will be added later in the year to symbolise hope and new beginnings.”