In the Macmillan Legacy Garden at RHS Hampton Court 2022, we tell the story of how a gift in your will today can help look after people tomorrow. Almost a third of Macmillan’s income comes from gifts in wills, income that ensures Macmillan can continue their vital work in our communities. This garden celebrates the incredible kindness of ordinary people who, in leaving a gift in their will, gift a future of hope for those living with cancer.
The garden is formal in design. Strong symmetry reflects how one act of kindness inspires another, and straight lines echo the sense of structure and stability that Macmillan provides to people affected by, and living with cancer, at a time of uncertainty.
Water travels via a rill between two ponds in the centre of the scheme, linking terraces on different levels. The three levels of this garden are an important symbol of how a third of Macmillan’s income comes from gifts in wills.
There are broadly two areas of planting. Four trees are used at the back of the scheme to reinforce a sense of symmetry and formality. Across this area we are focussing on summer woodland planting. Plants here include Polygonatum multiflorum, Dryopteris filix-mas, Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae, and Alchemilla erythropoda. Towards the front of the scheme, the garden opens up to a less shady situation. The planting here focusses on a celebration of summer perennials. The plants here include Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, Agastache ‘Black Adder’, Geranium phaeum ‘Raven’, and Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’.
The garden is being constructed by Agents Green.
Hortus Loci are supplying all perennials.
The show garden will be on display at the RHS Hampton Court Garden Palace Festival between 4 – 9 July 2022.