Creating Space for Every Parkinson’s Journey at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Someone is diagnosed with Parkinson’s every 20 minutes in the UK. Despite being one of the fastest-growing neurological conditions of our time, and causing more than 40 different symptoms, the condition is still widely misunderstood. New treatments are urgently needed, and greater awareness is essential.
At this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, our partners, Parkinson’s UK set out to raise awareness through a garden designed not just to support those living with Parkinson’s, but with them. The result was ‘A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey’ – a space that captured the realities of living with the condition while
celebrating resilience, connection and hope.
Award-winning garden designer and BBC presenter, Arit Anderson, worked with the community to bring the vision to life. Each area of the garden was carefully considered to reflect the experiences and symptoms of those living with Parkinson’s, using planting, pathways, sensory features and a specifically designed hand-rill to highlight symptoms in meaningful and memorable ways.
One symptom example is Anosmia – the loss or reduction of the sense of smell – which is often an early symptom of Parkinson’s. To raise awareness, the garden featured Parkinson’s UK’s flagship flower, Parkinson’s Resilience, a beautiful pink rose with no scent. The rose serves as a powerful reminder of a symptom that often goes unnoticed, and its sales help to fund vital research through the charity.
Far more than an outdoor display, ‘A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey’ was designed to reflect the changing experience of life with Parkinson’s – from diagnosis and adaptation to challenge, resilience and moments of joy. The space opened into three distinct areas, each representing a different aspect of the Parkinson’s journey:
• Uplift and Energise is at the entrance to the garden, welcoming visitors with bold, vibrant planting and a raised flower bed. Raised beds are an important adaptation for many gardeners, enabling them to continue gardening independently despite mobility challenges. Tulips featured prominently throughout the space – a symbol closely associated with the Parkinson’s community and named in honour of James Parkinson, who first identified the condition.
• Following the gentle curve of the handrail led visitors into the second area, Calm and Restful. Parkinson’s can affect eyesight, causing blurred vision and difficulties judging distances, while fatigue is also a common symptom. This woodland-inspired space offered opportunities to pause, rest and recharge, with planting selected for its clear shapes, structure and calming qualities.
• The final area, centred around a curved timber shelter, was designed to be experienced after sunset. Sleep difficulties and insomnia affect many people living with Parkinson’s, and this section explored the importance of rest and comfort during the night. Perforations in the timber roof allowed light to filter softly into the seating area, creating a gentle glow that reflected the night sky while remaining sensitive to wildlife sharing the space. Carefully selected planting ensured that the space remained visually engaging in low light and attractive to pollinators.
The garden’s thoughtful design earned widespread recognition at Chelsea, receiving an RHS Silver Medal as well as the BBC People’s Choice Award, voted for by thousands of visitors. More importantly, it gave visibility to the Parkinson’s community and sparked conversations about a condition that deserves greater understanding, with visitors being able to take away key learnings and awareness.
What makes this garden especially powerful is that it was shaped by lived experience from the very beginning. Before the first plants were chosen, and the designs still existed only as sketches, Garden Designer, Arit, brought together members of the Parkinson’s community and their loved ones through a creative workshop. Participants shared their hopes for a garden that was accessible, engaging throughout the day and night, and welcoming to all the senses. They spoke about the importance of safety, independence, beauty and connection with nature.
That collaboration continued throughout the project, as they became a dedicated group known as the ‘Head Gardeners’ helping to shape the accessibility and inclusivity of the final design. Their experiences helped ensure the garden reflected real lives, real challenges and real moments of joy.
The project was made possible through the generosity of Project Giving Back, which supports gardens for good causes at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Thanks to their support, the garden’s impact will continue long after the show closes. Rather than disappearing once the event ends, the garden will be relocated to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, where it will be cared for by volunteers, including members of the Parkinson’s community. That lasting legacy feels particularly fitting.
While the medals and awards are a wonderful recognition of the garden’s design, its greatest achievement is something far more meaningful. It has created a space where people living with Parkinson’s feel seen, understood and represented. It has encouraged conversations, challenged misconceptions and highlighted the urgent need for research into better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
As Parkinson’s UK continues its work to transform lives through pioneering research and support, this remarkable garden stands as a reminder of what can be achieved when lived experience sits at the centre of design.
Arit Anderson reflected:
“This is a very special project, and I’m delighted to have been asked to create this garden for Parkinson’s UK, a charity that means so much to me and my family. Despite the growing number of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s each year in the UK, the condition is still not well understood. I hope this garden will help change that.”
For everyone who walked through the space at Chelsea, or viewed through the BBC coverage, the garden offered something more than inspiration. It offered understanding, empathy and a glimpse of a future where every Parkinson’s journey is met with greater awareness, support and hope.
Photo Credit: Stephen Studd Photography
