AS a garden designer, one of the most rewarding moments is when you see a plan become reality. It was over six months ago that a colleague asked me to step in and visit a garden that needed designing. I consequently found out that the job was more than I could manage on my own in my very small spare bits of time. I asked if it could be something that Nature's World could do as a community project. I floated the idea with all of my wonderful trainees. On both counts, the response was positive.

The task was to redesign and build a restful garden in what was a gravel filled courtyard in the Neonatal unit of the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. This is the ward that deals with extremely small, sick and premature babies. There is an awful lot of stress on this ward. The staff work constantly and have to be ever-vigilant. The parents are worried and anxious beyond belief. Admittedly, a beautiful garden wouldn't offer any medical assistance to staff or relatives, but it could be an area to escape from all the hustle and bustle.

I decided to maintain the theme of the hospital and try to recreate something that would reflect the areas visited by Captain Cook. I went for a tropical looking theme. This meant loads of lush greenery, and foreign looking plants. Many of the plants did indeed originate from places such as New Zealand, but would survive quite happily here in Britain. I suggested plants such as Phormiums, Fatsia japonica, Magnolia grandifolia and Cytisus battendieri. My 'piece-de-resistance' though would be a New Zealand tree fern. All the plants would be evergreen, or provide interest during winter months. There would be an abundance of floral fragrance and colour from the flowers and foliage. The plants had been chosen for their ease of care. They would need minimal attention during the growing year. They would need no dead-heading or cutting down. They would all be frost-hardy and remain outside even during winter. None would be poisonous or spiky.

Most of the planting would done in wooden containers, so if after a few years the garden is looking a little tired then they can be moved around, painted, replanted or mulched with alternative materials

The courtyard would be transformed into an area of peaceful tranquillity where all the senses would be aroused. There would be meandering pathways and hidden seating areas. The pathways would be covered with soft crunching slate paddles, the rest would be filled with the smell of woodland in the form of bark chippings. The use of wood and decking would add to this pacific theme. There would be plenty of private and secluded places for users to escape from the crowds. There would also be open- decked areas for groups to gather and sit together.

Instead of a water feature, there would be a selection of large grasses and bamboos which would catch any wind and produce a similar rhythmical rustling sound.

The plans and costings were drawn up and approved. B&Q agreed to supply all the materials and some of the plants. Peter Barratts supplied the rest of the greenery. Work began in March. The trainees worked even harder than they do at Natures World. There was an admirable team spirit amongst us. We all learnt new skills, we all got backache and we all got blisters. The staff looked after us well and, in return, we showed them how to look after and propogate their new plants.

At the end of our endeavours (Captain Cook link!) it was all we could do to sit down on one of the decking areas and just admire our creation. It had worked well. Some of the original design ideas had to be altered slightly, but that's the sign of good gardening.

It still remains a topic of conversation amongst the trainees, even though most of those involved have now finished their term. They enjoyed being part of a project that had a permanent end product, one that thousands of people are going to benefit from. They all experienced a rewarding moment.

The James Cook University Hospital Neonatal courtyard will be officially opened on Friday.