Young Liam inspired debut Chelsea garden

A DUMFRIESSHIRE born gardener was inspired by his nephew to create a Down Syndrome garden for this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Duncan Hall designed the gar- den alongside fellow gardener Nick Burton and in partnership with Down’s Syndrome Scotland to be shown at the famous flower show later this month. And his inspiration was his eight-year-old nephew Liam Romay-Hall, from Penpont, who has Down’s Syndrome and has been supported by charity.

The garden will be built at the site with the help of a group of young adults with Down’s syn- drome and will be an immersive, semi-wooded space celebrating and reflecting the unique qual- ities that people with Down’s syndrome bring to society. A me- andering path will lead visitors through two distinct planting areas that convey contrasting moods: one of calmness and the other of playfulness. [caption id="attachment_59408" align="aligncenter" width="680"]

GARDEN DESIGN . . . Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden designed by Burton Hall Garden Design[/caption] A water pool that initially appears to be a bar- rier 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’.

Both Duncan and Nick are newcomers to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show but are looking forward to showcasing their work. They said: “We are delighted to debut our first RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden at the show in May 2025. Visitors will discover a gar- den 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 var- ieties and are working with some excellent craftspeople to create interesting and inspirational design features.”

Meanwhile, Liam and his family will be VIP guests of the garden on May 19. They also feature in a short film made about the garden project. To find out more go to www.rhs. org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chel- sea-flower-show/gardens/2025/ downs-syndrome-scotland