Dedicate a rose to someone you love in our Garden of Memories
Our Garden of Memories installation at Harcourt Arboretum has now ended, however, you can still dedicate a rose to a loved one and display it at home.
Remember and celebrate the life of someone special with a beautiful handmade ceramic rose.
Each rose you dedicate will form part of our stunning Garden of Memories at Harcourt Arboretum in Oxfordshire on the 5th of April.
Afterwards, your rose will become a precious tribute to your loved one that you can display in your home or garden and treasure forever.
Each rose costs £40 and could help pay for an hour of bereavement support for a family who has lost their child.
“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk through my garden forever.”
– Alfred Tennyson
Above: Our previous Garden of Memories installation at Waddesdon Manor.
The Roses
The roses are designed and made by artist Alison Gray. You can choose between a white, pink or yellow design. Each glazed ceramic rose measures around 10cm in diameter and is attached to a mild steel rod. The roses stand around 65cm tall. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Price: £40 per rose.
"They are like having a little memory of my parents near to me, as I can’t visit their grave often. It was lovely to see them... and even more lovely to have them close at home." - About our previous Garden of Memories product
Please note: The images shown are examples. Each rose is handcrafted and one-of-a-kind, the final product may differ slightly.
The Garden of Memories & Private Viewing
All the roses will be displayed together in our stunning Garden of Memories installation within the beautiful natural surroundings of Harcourt Arboretum.
The Garden of Memories will provide a peaceful and tranquil moment to celebrate the person you’ve lost, remember the time you shared, and reflect on the memories you hold in your heart.
If you order before 16th March, you can choose to include your loved one’s name on the memory board next to the display.
Private Viewing
You can see your rose at our free, private viewing for friends and families on Saturday 5th April at Harcourt Arboretum at 10:00am.
If you would like to attend the private viewing, please complete the relevant section of the form when you order your rose.
We would love to see you there.
If you are unable to attend the private viewing but would still like to visit the Garden of Memories to see your rose, it will be open until 2pm on the 5th April. Please be aware that if you arrive after 11:00am you will need to pay the Harcourt Arboretum entrance fee.
“We were lucky enough to view [the Garden of Memories] on your special opening & were so moved by the display. Thank you to all involved, these special memories are precious.“
– Garden of Memories visitor, 2023
Key Dates
14th March – any orders placed after this date may experience a delay in fulfilment.
16th March – Please order your rose before this date if you would like your loved one’s name to be displayed beside the installation.
5th April – See your rose at our private viewing at Harcourt Arboretum from 10:00am.
10th April – 24th April – Roses will be available for collection from Helen & Douglas House in Oxford on weekdays between 9.00am and 4.00pm. We can post it to you if you are unable to collect it from the hospice.
From 10th April – Roses will be sent to those who have chosen to have them posted.
With every rose, a memory blooms
Each rose you purchase could help fund an hour of bereavement support for parents like Michaela, whose son Finley died in May 2023, aged 14.
Finley first came to Helen & Douglas House when he was 18 months old and was a regular visitor throughout his life.
“When Finley passed away our whole world fell apart. Even though we knew he had a life-limiting condition, each year that he was alive meant that we felt more relaxed that it wouldn’t happen. When he died, we were devastated that it happened so quickly.”
“We have been lucky to have the support of Helen & Douglas House who provided us with the chance to engage with other families going through the same thing as us.” – Michaela
The Butterfly Bimble in memory walk
Our Butterfly Bimble in memory walk is also happening at Harcourt Arboretum on Saturday 5th April.
Celebrate and reflect on the life of a loved one by joining our relaxing springtime walk through the Arboretum’s native woodland and open wildflower meadows.
If you would like to take part, please register for this event separately.
The Butterfly Bimble in memory walk is free to attend.
FAQs
Can I order more than one rose?
Yes! You can order as many roses as you like. All funds raised will be used to care for local terminally ill children and their families.
Do I need tickets to Harcourt Arboretum to view the installation?
If you are joining us for the private viewing on Saturday 5th April, you do not need to purchase a ticket.
We have exclusive access to Harcourt Arboretum on Saturday 5th April from 9:00 – 11:00am. If you arrive after this time, you will be required to pay the venue’s entry fee.
Will my rose be engraved with the name of my loved one?
The rose will not be engraved. We will be displaying the names of your loved ones on a display board by the installation – you will be asked if you would like them to be included on this board when you order your rose.
When will I receive my rose?
All roses will be a part of our Garden of Memories installation at Harcourt Arboretum on Saturday 5th April. Roses will not be posted or available for collection until after this date.
Please note, any orders placed after 14th March may experience a delay in fulfilment.
Postage
We can post your rose to you at a cost of £5 per rose. Roses will be posted from the 10th April.
Collecting your rose
If you have chosen to collect your rose from the hospice, you will be able to do so from the 10th April – 24th April, on weekdays between 9.00am and 4.00pm. We can post it to you if you are unable to collect it from the hospice.
Please visit the Douglas House reception at:
Helen & Douglas House
14a Magdalen Road
Oxford
OX4 1RW
You can park for up to 2 hours on the surrounding streets and there are usually plenty of spaces available close to the hospice.
Contact Us
Our friendly Community team are always on hand to help. If you have any questions about our roses or the Garden of Memories please email [email protected] or call 01865 799150.
About the artist
Alison Gray
Alison is a ceramic artist who lives in the West of Scotland. She creates her pieces using traditional hand-building techniques and enjoys incorporating the texture of the surrounding landscape into her work.
Her creative method means that each rose is unique and varies in size and shape, as they do in nature.
Creating the roses has allowed her to reflect on her own family’s experience with hospice care, and she is pleased to support the families and children at Helen & Douglas House through her art.
About the artist
Greg Ryder
The beautiful illustrations of our Garden of Memories and ceramic roses were painted by Greg Ryder, a local illustrator and author.
Greg also supports Helen & Douglas House through sales of his children’s book, The Wallingford Fairies, which is available from The Wallingford Bookshop and Champions & Co.