An Ipswich designer will be exhibiting a new inclusive garden design at the Chelsea Flower Show's newest category.
Penelope Walker, from Lower Somersham near Ipswich, has teamed up with national disability sports charity the Panathlon Foundation, to create the Panathlon Joy Garden.
The garden will exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show next week, from Tuesday to Saturday (May 21 to 25).
It will be the first ever wheelchair-accessible garden in the category in the show’s history, and will be officially opened by Paralympians Steve Brown and Liz Johnson on the show’s press day on Monday.
The Joy Garden, in the All About Plants category, is a colourful space with details that represent joy.
There are unusual tree shapes in the garden, which aims to symbolise normalising differences, and there is a pathway through the garden with a seating area and space next to it for a wheelchair, with a message of inclusion.
The charity’s current fundraising campaign aims to tackle waiting lists for sporting events for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Ms Walker said: “It’s been a pleasure to design the Panathlon Joy Garden and I’m so excited to share this with visitors. I really hope they feel inspired by the garden and take some new ideas home with them.
“The reaction to the garden whilst I’ve been building it has been amazing. People are saying how much they love it.
“We’ve tried to do something different with the garden, a concave path, interesting tree shapes and lots and lots of colour. We’re aiming it for it be fun and playful.
“I can’t wait for show visitors to see it next week, and if you are coming to the show, and from Suffolk, then come and say hello.”
Following the show, the garden will be relocated to the Marjorie McClure School in Chislehurst in London, a school for students aged 4-19 years old with complex medical needs and physical disabilities.
Ms Walker is founder of award-winning Llevelo Garden Design in Suffolk.
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