Laurence McIntosh is delighted to support Burton Hall Garden Design in bringing the Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden to life at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Funded by Project Giving Back, the grant-giving charity that supports gardens for good causes at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the garden is a tribute to the resilience, beauty, and unity within Scotland’s Down’s syndrome community. After the Show, this exceptional garden will be permanently relocated to Watch US Grow in Palacerigg Country Park, North Lanarkshire, creating an inspiring space for visitors to enjoy for years to come.
The garden will be an immersive, semi-wooded space that celebrates and reflects the unique qualities that people with Down’s syndrome bring to society and some of the challenges and barriers to progress they face. The garden will feature naturalistic planting with some botanically interesting varieties and design features.
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 striking feature building designed to look and feel like a warm and comforting ‘hug’.
Inspired by Duncan’s nephew Liam (aged 8), 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.”
David MacDonald, Director of Laurence McIntosh, commented: “We are delighted to support Burton Hall Garden Design as one of their Scottish artisan partners for the Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden. Laurence McIntosh will craft a unique curved bench, thoughtfully designed to embody the core values of Down’s Syndrome Scotland.
“The bespoke bench draws inspiration from the numbers 3 and 21, which are unique to people with Down’s syndrome – the extra (third) chromosome 21 is what gives people with Down’s syndrome their superpowers – with 21 radial slats supported by 3 front and 3 back legs, symbolising stability, and harmony. Made from solid European oak, the bench will develop a natural silvered patina over time,
blending beautifully into the garden. Its curves and integration invite reflection, offering a welcoming space for connection.”
Eddie McConnell, Chief Executive of Down’s Syndrome Scotland, said:
“We are thrilled to be exhibiting at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show next year in May. Our garden will showcase the unique qualities of people with Down’s syndrome while creating spaces for visitors to reflect and challenge their own perceptions about Down’s syndrome. The beautifully crafted benches by Laurence McIntosh capture the qualities of our community while offering visitors a moment to sit and contemplate on the value and potential of their fellow citizens, who just happen to have an extra chromosome.”
