Furzey Gardens at Hampton Court

A garden built by gardeners with learning disabilities has delighted visitors at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival.

As an RHS Partner Garden, Furzey Gardens in Hampshire (a social enterprise of Minstead Trust) were asked to give a glimpse of what they offer with a pocket sized recreation.

The garden called Furzey Gardens: Reflective Waters of Inclusivity featured a miniature version of Furzey’s pond area, connected with a waterfall, pebbles initialled and sculpted by the team, an acer palmatam dissectum tree, hostas, astilbe and colourful lilies. It also had fairy houses which represented those found at Furzey Gardens.

Simon and Rhianne who helped design the garden were at the show to help show visitors the delights of their garden.

Simon said ‘I love gardening and this garden is very pretty.’

Rhianne said ‘We are talking to people today about what we do and what we enjoy doing too. I think this garden is beautiful.’

Visitors also thought it was beautiful, including comedian Tom Allen who dropped by on press day.

The garden demonstrated what gardeners with learning disabilities can do, given the right support and opportunities.

Every week at Furzey Gardens, people with learning disabilities like Simon and Rhianne work to maintain the gardens, raise plants in the nursery for sale and staff the tea rooms.

RHS Partner Gardens are free entry for RHS members.