Petals for Peace: A Botanical Journey through Eric Liddell’s Life
The design of the garden has taken its lead from Eric himself, to tell his story in botanical form. Each area is distinct in telling this story.
Gold Medal Bed
One of the most prominent features is the “Gold Medal” bed, which focuses on flora with golden flowers or foliage. Most plants are
perennial and wildlife friendly. These include: Eryngium x zabelii 'Neptune's Gold', Hypericum olympicum 'Sulphureum', Potentilla ‘Gold
Star’ and Hebe ‘Golden Pixie’. Christian Aid is encouraging tree planting to mark 80 years since its founding. A yellow-fruiting crab apple tree ‘Golden Hornet’, following the golden theme, was recently planted in the middle of the bed.
Holy Herbarium
Beside this is our herb bed, which all feature in the Bible, thus reflecting Eric’s Christian beliefs. It is hoped that they can be used to create food, thus as in John 11 “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
Behind these areas are Briza maxima, which will sway and rattle to mimic Eric’s running and cheer of the crowd be it in athletics or rugby. The fence they stand beside, like the wall around the garden are not boundaries, but protection, enabling peace and reflection.
Be Still My Soul
We also have a ‘be still corner’, which features Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' with a small pond and bird bath. This area reflects Eric’s favourite hymn - “Be still my soul”.
Caledonian Corner
A small bed reflects Eric’s Scottish heritage with native Scottish plants including heathers (his daughter’s name). Not only did he attend Edinburgh University, but his family church was here at Morningside United, making it a special place for him. He also played international rugby for Scotland.
Bridge of Blossoms
A large bed reflects not only China but reconciliation with Japan and The Cross of Nails. Thus, tell of his birth and life as a missionary and teacher in China. Although, a prisoner of war, the importance of peace and reconciliation feature heavily in the plants, from acers to Japanese anemones. Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you”.
Ancestral Alcove
The final bed is the family bed with plants important to Eric and his family, either directly such as carnations he had in his wedding bouquet to Mondrian ‘Cambridge Scarlet’ as lived on Cambridge Street in China. Eric let his wife and children go to Canada while he remained in China.
Growing Minds Mural
This final bed will feature a mural painted by local children to tell of not just Eric’s life as a teacher, but fitting with the Eric Liddell 100 campaign of educating people who Eric was and how we can use his legacy to what his values and beliefs are today. Just as we are all God’s children.
Eco Splash Pad (Bird Bath)
In the middle is a bird bath gifted to the garden by Sue Caton, Eric Liddell’s niece.
Eco Friendly Credentials of the Eric Liddell Peace Garden
•Native Scottish Plants
• Low carbon footprint
• Plants bought from local businesses (Edinburgh and Lothians)
• Local community involvement
• Rainwater harvesting
• Pollinator-friendly plants
•Natural pest control
• Water features
• Leaf composting
The Eric Liddell Peace Garden became an international partner of Community of the Cross of 10 Aug 2024 - the first Scottish member.
CCN is a network of Churches and Christian organisations who, inspired by the story of Coventry Cathedral, share a common commitment to work and pray for peace, justice and reconciliation. There are now around 260 partners and friends in 45 countries across 5 continents. CCN visitors have planted some garden features for us. A Polish CCN intern planted the welcome bed, and Delene Mark from Cape Town, the chair of the South Africa board of the CCN and CEO for Hope Africa planted agapanthus.
The design of the garden has taken its lead from Eric himself, to tell his story in botanical form. Each area is distinct in telling this story.
Gold Medal Bed
One of the most prominent features is the “Gold Medal” bed, which focuses on flora with golden flowers or foliage. Most plants are
perennial and wildlife friendly. These include: Eryngium x zabelii 'Neptune's Gold', Hypericum olympicum 'Sulphureum', Potentilla ‘Gold
Star’ and Hebe ‘Golden Pixie’. Christian Aid is encouraging tree planting to mark 80 years since its founding. A yellow-fruiting crab apple tree ‘Golden Hornet’, following the golden theme, was recently planted in the middle of the bed.
Holy Herbarium
Beside this is our herb bed, which all feature in the Bible, thus reflecting Eric’s Christian beliefs. It is hoped that they can be used to create food, thus as in John 11 “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
Behind these areas are Briza maxima, which will sway and rattle to mimic Eric’s running and cheer of the crowd be it in athletics or rugby. The fence they stand beside, like the wall around the garden are not boundaries, but protection, enabling peace and reflection.
Be Still My Soul
We also have a ‘be still corner’, which features Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' with a small pond and bird bath. This area reflects Eric’s favourite hymn - “Be still my soul”.
Caledonian Corner
A small bed reflects Eric’s Scottish heritage with native Scottish plants including heathers (his daughter’s name). Not only did he attend Edinburgh University, but his family church was here at Morningside United, making it a special place for him. He also played international rugby for Scotland.
Bridge of Blossoms
A large bed reflects not only China but reconciliation with Japan and The Cross of Nails. Thus, tell of his birth and life as a missionary and teacher in China. Although, a prisoner of war, the importance of peace and reconciliation feature heavily in the plants, from acers to Japanese anemones. Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you”.
Ancestral Alcove
The final bed is the family bed with plants important to Eric and his family, either directly such as carnations he had in his wedding bouquet to Mondrian ‘Cambridge Scarlet’ as lived on Cambridge Street in China. Eric let his wife and children go to Canada while he remained in China.
Growing Minds Mural
This final bed will feature a mural painted by local children to tell of not just Eric’s life as a teacher, but fitting with the Eric Liddell 100 campaign of educating people who Eric was and how we can use his legacy to what his values and beliefs are today. Just as we are all God’s children.
Eco Splash Pad (Bird Bath)
In the middle is a bird bath gifted to the garden by Sue Caton, Eric Liddell’s niece.
Eco Friendly Credentials of the Eric Liddell Peace Garden
•Native Scottish Plants
• Low carbon footprint
• Plants bought from local businesses (Edinburgh and Lothians)
• Local community involvement
• Rainwater harvesting
• Pollinator-friendly plants
•Natural pest control
• Water features
• Leaf composting
The Eric Liddell Peace Garden became an international partner of Community of the Cross of 10 Aug 2024 - the first Scottish member.
CCN is a network of Churches and Christian organisations who, inspired by the story of Coventry Cathedral, share a common commitment to work and pray for peace, justice and reconciliation. There are now around 260 partners and friends in 45 countries across 5 continents. CCN visitors have planted some garden features for us. A Polish CCN intern planted the welcome bed, and Delene Mark from Cape Town, the chair of the South Africa board of the CCN and CEO for Hope Africa planted agapanthus.
