AN imaginative garden is being created to thank generous wellwishers.
Cancer charity Macmillan will unveil the display at this year’s RHS Tatton Park Flower Show.
The Macmillan Legacy Garden, designed by garden designer and winner of Best Garden 2022 at Tatton, Lynn Cordall, celebrates the importance of gifts left to the charity in the wills of its supporters.
The triangular showcase will be able to be seen on all sides.
A metal pergola will symbolise a ribbon, gift-wrapping the garden.
Under the ‘bow’ will be a calming water feature which will act as a point for contemplation.
Beneath three tall birches – representing how over a third of Macmillan’s services are funded by gifts in wills – will be airy planting of grasses and perennials in soothing white, greens and soft yellow, with the occasional pops of blue.
The garden is sustainable and, after the show, will be donated to Knutsford Council where it will be rebuilt in community spaces.
It is one of the event’s show gardens and will be judged by an expert panel.
Steve Bland – co-host of the critically acclaimed podcast You, Me and the Big C and supporter of Macmillan’s work - will be in attendance on opening day.
The flower show, which takes place between Wednesday, July 19 and Sunday. July 24, is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors.
Greg Jones, legacy promotions officer at Macmillan, said: “Gifts in wills fund over a third of our services, services that are vital for people living with and affected by cancer.
“That’s why we wanted to use our garden at this year’s RHS Tatton Park Flower Show to pay tribute to all those people who choose to leave us a gift in their will, while also encouraging our brilliant supporters, both new and old, to consider leaving a legacy donation in the future.
“The theme of our garden is growing the future together.
“Inside our garden’s water feature, visitors will be able to see a birch tree sapling.
“When you plant a tree, it’s for the benefit of generations to come, just like how gifts left in the wills of our supporters help provide support for future generations living with cancer.
“With more and more people living with cancer each year, gifts in wills will be needed more than ever.
“One in two people will get cancer in their lifetime and, by 2030, an estimated four million people are expected to be living with the disease.
"As the number of people diagnosed increases, so does the need for our services.
“Gifts in wills help us offer the clinical, financial and emotional support that's so incredibly important when you're living with or affected by cancer.
“We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the show.”
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