The Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden: RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025!
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We are thrilled to announce that Down’s Syndrome Scotland will have a show garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May 2025. We are so excited we can share this news as part of Down’s Syndrome Awareness Month!
The Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden
We will be showcasing a truly inspirational show garden celebrating all things Down’s syndrome. This is especially important to us as over 140,000 people are expected to visit the Show in May. It has the potential to reach a global online audience of 20 million.
And then, after RHS Chelsea, the garden will relocate to Scotland. It will become a permanent feature at Watch US Grow in Palacerigg Country Park in North Lanarkshire. Watch US Grow already support young adults with Down’s syndrome with gardening skills.
Our garden is fully-funded by Project Giving Back, the unique grant-making charity that provides funding for gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. We are so grateful for their support. The platform it gives us as a charity to promote our cause and win new supporters and followers is huge.
The Inspiration
The garden has been designed by two remarkable garden designers, both newcomers to RHS Chelsea, Duncan Hall and Nick Burton of Burton Hall Garden Design.
The two designers drew their inspiration for the garden from Duncan’s seven year old nephew, Liam, who has Down’s syndrome and is supported by Down’s Syndrome Scotland.
The garden takes visitors on a journey through the life of someone with Down’s syndrome. It highlights their many unique qualities while also challenging visitors to appreciate and understand the barriers that people with Down’s syndrome still face as they strive to live their best lives.
The Story
Consisting of around 2,500 plants, the garden has a number of specimen trees, including a large Scots Pine. It also has a number of structural features including water pools, bespoke benches, artisan ceramic tiles and an embracing wooden building which we call ‘the Hug’.
The garden has been designed to amplify the unique qualities of people with Down’s syndrome. It also challenges visitors to understand the challenges and barriers they face on a daily basis. It also has a bit of fun and mischief in it!
Several of our members with Down’s syndrome will be involved in the construction of both the garden RHS Chelsea and when it returns to Scotland.
You can see the Down’s Syndrome Garden page at RHS Chelsea here.
Follow us on our journey
Follow our journey to RHS Chelsea and back up to Scotland at Watch US grow.
Why not become a member of Down’s Syndrome Scotland (it’s free)? We will keep you up to date on the garden and all our latest news.
About RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is arguably the most famous gardening event in the world.
It is the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship event and has been delighting garden and plant lovers for over 110 years. (Find out more about the Show’s history here.)
Today, thanks to perennial international media interest in the show, it offers exhibitors a unique opportunity to bring their stories to a global audience.
Tickets are available to purchase via the RHS website here.
Press Release
Please click here for our press release dated 22nd October 2024.
