A Scottish-based charity is to showcase a prestigious ‘show garden' at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Down’s Syndrome Scotland will showcase the garden at the event - considered the world's greatest flower show - between May 20 and May 24 next year, before it is installed at Watch US Grow in Palacerigg Country Park in North Lanarkshire.
The Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden, designed by RHS Chelsea newcomers Nick Burton and Duncan Hall of Burton Hall Garden Design, will be built at the site with the help of a group of young adults with Down’s syndrome.
This project has been made possible thanks to Project Giving Back, a grant-making charity that supports gardens for good causes at RHS Chelsea before relocating them to sites across the UK.
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The garden will be an immersive, semi-wooded space celebrating and reflecting the unique qualities that people with Down's syndrome bring to society. A meandering path leads visitors through two distinct planting areas that convey contrasting moods: one of calmness and the other of playfulness.
A water pool that initially appears to be a barrier to progress symbolises the daily challenges faced by people with Down’s syndrome who - despite huge progress in recent years - still experience stigma, often resulting in reduced opportunities and life expectancy. A submerged bridge within the water pool allows the ‘barrier’ to be overcome and visitors arrive at a welcoming shelter designed to look and feel like a warm and comforting ‘hug’.’
Inspired by Duncan’s nephew Liam (aged 7), who has Down’s syndrome and has been supported by Down’s Syndrome Scotland, Duncan Hall and Nick Burton of Burton Hall Garden Design said: “We are delighted to debut our first RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden at the show in May 2025.
"Visitors will discover a garden that highlights the qualities of people with Down’s syndrome and the issues they face in society. We want to challenge people to embrace the value and potential of people with Down’s syndrome. They have so much to offer us.
"We have designed a garden full of naturalistic planting with some botanically interesting varieties and are working with some excellent craftspeople to create interesting and inspirational design features.”
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