However, Stewarts, which has garden centres in Broomhill, just outside Wimborne, and in Christchurch has found a home for some of its plants.

It has donated around 50 annual plants to Lewis-Manning Hospice Care patients. 

Ruth Burnhill, director of clinical services at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, said, We are delighted to accept this offer and the plants will be dropped off safely during home visits. Patients will be able to enjoy a sense of wellbeing which comes when they can see these spring blossoms beginning to flower. These beautiful plants will certainly brighten up our patients’ day, so thank you so much Stewarts Garden Centre for your incredibly generous donation, it will mean a lot to our high risk patients.”

Paul Hilliam, centre manager at Stewarts Christchurch Garden Centre, who underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer in 2013, added, “Due to this unprecedented situation we have had to make the difficult decision to close our centres, however we are running a new online service for certain goods such as plant bundles, compost, furniture and barbecues, available from www.stewarts.co.uk.

Martin Stewart added, “Lewis-Manning Hospice Care provides incredible support for patients throughout Dorset, and these plants flower repeatedly making a cheery addition to any garden or small space for patients to enjoy.”

From its new premises, at Longfleet Road, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care exists to help the people of Poole, Purbeck and East Dorset with life limiting illnesses. Its aim is to increase physical and social wellbeing, reduce isolation and loneliness, support people to stay in their homes longer, and alleviate the huge pressures on family and carers.

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care has recently launched its first Virtual Glorious Gardens competition in a bid to find some hidden treasures across Dorset. So if you’re proud of your patch, however big or small, why not give it a go.

Entries are open from 1-30 June 2020, with the following categories: best allotment or vegetable patch; best general garden; best small creative space, and best children’s garden picture or artwork (drawing, painting, collage etc).

The entry cost is £5 per category for adults, or £2.50 for a child (under 12), and can be made online via the campaign page justgiving.com/campaign/virtual-glorious-gardens-2020.

Visit lewis-manning.co.uk/virtual-glorious-gardens-2020/ for more information about this unique competition and how to get involved.