SALISBURY Cathedral welcomed the return of the popular outdoor Easter Garden for its third year last week.

The space along the west front of the cathedral has been transformed into a stunning floral display based on the native plants of the Holy Land.

This includes drought-resistant aromatic trees and shrubs that burst into flower when there is sufficient rainfall early in the season as well as plants from other areas with a warm Mediterranean climate.

The display includes three crosses that have been mounted behind a symbolic tomb made of Chilmark stone (the stone used in the building of the cathedral) that stands amongst the array of Mediterranean plants – including rosemary, laurel, olive and santolina – all reminiscent of the landscape and story of Jesus.

On Easter Day the sealed tomb will be opened to represent Jesus being raised from the dead, three days after he was buried.

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The crosses and tomb were made by the cathedral’s works department.

This is the third year Hampshire-based award-winning horticultural designer Andy McIndoe has returned to create the garden, working with the cathedral’s works yard.

Andy is the winner of 25 consecutive gold medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and received the prestigious Veitch Memorial Medal (one of the Royal Horticultural Society’s highest accolades) in 2017.

The Revd Dr Kenneth Padley, Canon Treasurer, who has oversight of the Easter Garden, said: “Our team have been receiving enthusiastic compliments and encouragement from passers-by as they have constructed the garden this week.

A symbolic tomb was created in reference to the story of Jesus Picture: Finnbarr Webster

“Like a crib at Christmas, the Easter Garden is a simple way of visualising what God does for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus, overcoming our faults and guilt with the hope and joy of eternal life.

“We offer this garden to worshippers and visitors as a sign of this holy and happy season.”

The Easter Garden will stay in place until Pentecost on 8 June, the day when Christians recall how God’s Holy Spirit was given to the disciples after Jesus’ Ascension.

The cathedral is also hosting its ever-popular Flower Festival from May 13 to 18.

Organisers have said this year will be even bigger and better than before with around 500 arrangers preparing for this year’s theme ‘The Spirit of Water’.