We had the honour of welcoming royalty to the National Autistic Society garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show on Thursday 24 May 2024. Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence were taken on a tour of the Silver Gilt winning garden by co-designers Sophie Parmenter (Sophie Parmenter Studio) and Dido Milne (CSK Architects).
Our charity’s garden explores masking, a strategy used by some autistic people, consciously or unconsciously, to fit in and be accepted in society. ‘Masks’ of cork create a series of spaces dedicated to different types of social interactions, leading to an inner sanctuary; a sheltered, mossy dell and a mesmerising kinetic sculpture alluding to the mind’s beauty and complexity.
The planting scheme is multi-layered, evolving from wetland meadow to river birch woodland, with a vibrant colour palette at its boundary soothing to softer hues at its heart, where textured curling bark sits alongside large, crusted blocks of expanded cork.
Co-designer, Dido Milne, said: 'It was lovely that Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal took such an interest in our garden, asked so many questions, and really took the time to understand and experience the sensory nature of the inner garden, the space of the inner mind.'
Co-designer, Sophie Parmenter, said: 'It was wonderful to welcome Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence to our garden and chat to them about the theme of autistic masking. This garden has been a truly collaborative project, and we thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to talk about the plants, architecture and inspiration behind the National Autistic Society Garden.'
Caroline Stevens, Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society, said: 'We are delighted that Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence visited the National Autistic Society Garden.
'Our garden is raising awareness about the survival strategy of autistic masking, which can lead to exhaustion, mental health difficulties and low self-esteem as it involves suppressing natural behaviours and coping mechanisms.
'It has been great to build understanding of autism and masking at RHS Chelsea, and to see the response to this wonderful garden from show visitors and on social media.'
A large team has collaborated on the project, including autistic people and people who have family or friends who are autistic. Autistic people have been involved in developing the message and ethos of the project, as well as the creation of the garden itself. It is sponsored by Project Giving Back, a unique grant-making charity that provides funding for gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Following the show, the garden will be relocated to a National Autistic Society supported living site at Catrine Bank alongside the river Ayr in Scotland.
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