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Garden inspired by boy with Down's syndrome wins Chelsea prize

Eden McLeod
BBC Scotland News
Ginger Horticulture A mother and father sit on a bench with their two children in a beautiful garden full of plants.Ginger Horticulture
Liam (centre) with mother and father Laura and Davie Hall and brother Oscar (left)

A garden inspired by a young boy from Dumfries and Galloway has won a RHS Silver Gilt medal at this year's Chelsea Flower Show.

Scottish-based designers Duncan Hall and Nick Burton said they were "over the moon" to be presented with the award for the "Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden", which was inspired by Hall's eight-year-old nephew Liam.

The designers said the garden aimed to celebrate the joyful, unique qualities that people with Down's syndrome bring to society while highlighting some of the daily challenges and barriers they face.

It will be on show in London until 24 May before it is relocated to its permanent home in Palacerigg Country Park in North Lanarkshire.

Liam inspired the garden at Chelsea Flower Show

Designed for the Scottish charity Down's Syndrome Scotland, the garden is part of a collection of show gardens being displayed at the prestigious flower show.

Hall said his nephew Liam was the perfect inspiration for the garden.

"He's full of joy, compassion, he's very affectionate and encapsulates all the things in our garden that we are trying to express," he said.

Hall and Burton said the garden incorporates a weaving path that takes visitors to two distinct areas reflecting the contrasting moods of calmness and playfulness.

On this path, a water pool appears to be a barrier to progress, symbolising the daily challenges faced by people with Down's syndrome.

However, a submerged bridge within the water pool allows the 'barrier' to be overcome and allows visitors arrive at a welcoming shelter designed to look and feel like a warm and comforting 'hug'.

The 'hug' has been designed to reflect the compassion, kindness and joy that comes naturally to so many people with Down's syndrome, the designers said.

Julie Skelton A garden full of plants and flowers with a winding path and large garden building called the 'hug'.Julie Skelton
The Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden is open to visitors in London this week
Ginger Horticulture A family sit with the designers of the garden on a bench surrounded by flowers and plants at the Chelsea flower show.Ginger Horticulture
Designers Duncan Hall (left) and Nick Burton (centre) celebrate with the Hall family
Julie Skelton Designers Nick and Duncan look around their beautiful garden and admire the views.Julie Skelton
Designers Duncan and Nick say they want to make a positive change with their garden.
Julie Skelton A close up of the pond which represents the barriers people with Down's syndrome face in society. Tall plants with purple and pink flowers surround the path.Julie Skelton
The garden has been made with the help of artisans from all over Scotland

Hall and Burton said they where delighted to win their first silver gilt medal, and hoped visitors would take a moment to look a little closer and see the deeper meaning behind what the garden stands for.

Hall said: "We hope our garden will allow people to reflect on the daily challenges faced by people with Down's syndrome, so they can reconsider misconceptions about their abilities, and appreciate the many joyful, positive qualities they bring on a greater level to society."

Eddie McConnell , the chief Executive of the charity Down's Syndrome Scotland, said: "Duncan and Nick have captured the spirit of people with Down's syndrome brilliantly in their garden design while not shying away from some uncomfortable truths.

"People with Down' syndrome, like so many disabled people, still face prejudice and discrimination and that needs to stop."