Euan Dunsmore from Banton and Finlay McConnell from Cumbernauld, both aged 22, are members of the charity Down’s Syndrome Scotland.

They are part of a team of volunteers helping build the ‘Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden’, designed by Nick Burton and Duncan Hall of Burton Hall Garden Design.

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. 

It was inspired by Duncan’s seven-year-old nephew, Liam, who has Down’s syndrome and is supported by Down’s Syndrome Scotland.

After RHS Chelsea, the garden will relocate and become a permanent feature at Watch US Grow within Palacerigg Country Park, Cumbernauld. 

Watch US Grow support young adults with Down’s syndrome with gardening skills, and Euan and Finlay attend on a regular basis.

Along with Cher Collins from Edinburgh, who is also a member of Down’s Syndrome Scotland, Euan and Finlay helped plant Camassia leichtlinii ‘Caerulea’ in the garden’s colourful and playful area. These tall plants, with their lavender-blue and creamy-white star-shaped flowers, had been grown from bulbs at Watch US Grow.

They also got a sneak peek inside ‘the hug’ garden building which was designed and built by Old School Fabrications in Scotland. Using homegrown larch, the building sits within the green, calm area of the garden and represents a ‘warm embrace’ that so many from the Down’s syndrome community give others through their incredible qualities such as empathy, sensitivity and compassion.

“The garden is an inspiring project, celebrating the unique qualities of people with Down’s syndrome as well as encouraging visitors to consider the challenges and barriers they face on a daily basis,” Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee said.

“The council is delighted to welcome the garden to Palacerigg Country Park after it’s been on display at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and for many more people to enjoy this beautiful garden.”

The 'Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden' is made possible by Project Giving Back, a unique grant-making charity that supports cause-driven gardens at RHS Chelsea, ensuring their legacy continues by relocating them to community sites across the UK.

Down’s Syndrome Scotland supports families and people with Down’s syndrome all over Scotland and is dedicated to helping them achieve their fullest potential in life. Membership of Down’s Syndrome Scotland is free to everyone who wants to help the charity grow and reach everyone living with Down’s syndrome in Scotland today.

RHS Chelsea is open from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 May.