Tackle HIV Challenging Stigma Garden RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025

The Tackle HIV Challenging Stigma Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, designed by award-winning designer Manoj Malde, is a celebration of how far science and medicine have come in the treatment of HIV since it was discovered over 40 years ago, whilst also recognising the challenges that stigma still presents both to those living with HIV and to the global HIV response, and the impact it has on efforts to end the epidemic. Tackle HIV, which is led by Gareth Thomas CBE, funded and supported by ViiV Healthcare, with Terrence Higgins Trust as the charity partner, aims to improve public awareness and understanding of HIV and break down the stigma around it. Huge advances in innovation since the first case of HIV over 40 years ago mean that people living with HIV who are on effective medication, have a normal life expectancy and cannot pass HIV onto sexual partners.1,2,3 Despite this, stigma and discrimination persist and the Tackle HIV Challenging Stigma Garden aims to start conversations about HIV, dispel stigma, and highlight what living with HIV is like today.

Site number: 286

 

#RHSChelsea

Designer
Sponsor
Contractors
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Garden features

 

  • Hexagonal paving that reflects a key molecular structure found within many HIV medications
  • Sculptures by Ralph Bourdoukan fashioned in black fine wire, a solemn tribute to lives lost to HIV, but which are sheer allowing us to look towards a positive future.
  • Uplifting and inspirational words etched into the stones, including “Undetectable = Untransmittable” on a bench, conveying a crucial educational message about the empowerment provided by effective HIV treatment.
  • A sheltered seating area as a tranquil space for reflection and supportive discussions.
  • Red ribbons, a universal symbol of HIV awareness and support, symbolic of boldness, passion, love and community. These flow from the structure that shelters the seating area.
  • A bridge over the water symbolising a leap of faith, a desire for change and a move away from HIV stigma, towards a healthy life supported by community.

A wide variety of plants and nature come together to create a colourful, living representation of the diversity within the HIV community and the partnerships underpinning progress made to date

 

  • Hexagonal growth of Corokia cotoneaster, a shrub with delicate, star-shaped yellow flowers, also reflects the molecular structure of HIV medications
  • Multi-stem Zelkova serrata trees resilient to our warming climate also symbolise the resilience of the HIV community. The multi-stem aspect of the trees show how we can support each other as a community to remove the stigma of HIV.
  • The colour red is also infused throughout the planting using Eschscholzia californica Red Chief that threads through the planting borders, as a reminder that we can all help to remove the stigma of HIV.
  • Mixed through the colourful planting is Aralia elata. A prickly plant that reflects the existing stigma of HIV in society and a reminder to the importance of getting tested.

“I have experienced and heard first hand stories of how deeply stigma and self-stigma affect people living with HIV and I am determined to change this. That’s why I’m so proud to have the Tackle HIV Challenging Stigma Garden at Chelsea 2025 with support from ViiV Healthcare and to take our educational message to new audiences. I am living with HIV, and I am living a full and normal life. I am taking HIV treatment which is working. As such I cannot pass HIV onto my partner. The garden is a celebration of how far science and medicine have advanced, but also a reminder of the work still to do to ensure public awareness and attitudes catch up.”

Gareth Thomas

Manoj Malde, Designer

After 18 years working in the fashion industry, Manoj Malde’s gardens reflect an understanding of colour and texture unparalleled within the horticultural world. Manoj switched careers and decided to pour his fashion expertise and energy into creating award winning outdoor spaces. Alive with colour and dripping with confidence, Manoj immediately created a buzz within the gardening sphere, gaining a Silver-Gilt at his first Chelsea Flower Show and most recently the RHS & Eastern Eye Garden of Unity. Manoj attributes much of his love of colour to his ethnic background and Indian ancestry. It’s this kaleidoscope of colours, combined with dramatic structural planting, which has shaken up the horticultural world.

 

Since creating his Chelsea Flower Show Garden in 2017 Manoj is now presenting on TV. He has been featured on Your Garden Made Perfect, Garden of the Year, Secrets of the Royal Gardens. He is also a regular contributor on BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms Show. Manoj is a public speaker, RHS Judge and their first ambassador for diversity and inclusivity. He is an accomplished author with his book Your Outdoor Room.

Image credit Paul Madeley

“This garden takes me a little outside my comfort zone. It is a personal challenge that I have set myself. I decided to get involved this year because at a young age, I saw on TV the quilts being laid out at Central Park commemorating all those who had died of the HIV virus. To this day the stigma of HIV still lives on, even though the medication has advanced, allowing those with HIV to live normal, fulfilled lives. As a member of the LGBTQ community, and the RHS’ first diversity and inclusivity ambassador, I wanted to do my little bit to help remove the stigma of HIV. HIV is not a virus that just affects the gay community, it can affect anyone and affects all of us in one form or another.”

Manoj Malde

Justin Himpson, contractor

Justin Himpson is the dynamic owner of JJH Landscapes, a multi-award-winning landscaping company renowned for its innovative construction and commitment to excellence. With a passion for transforming outdoor spaces through the power of collaboration with some of the UK’s best garden designers.

 

As a dedicated committee member of the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL), Justin actively contributes to the advancement of the landscaping industry. His leadership and vision have helped shape best practices and inspire fellow professionals to strive for the highest standards of quality and creativity.

With a keen eye for detail and a relentless pursuit of perfection, Justin has built a reputation for delivering stunning landscapes that reflect the unique personality of each of his clients. His work has garnered numerous accolades, celebrating his ability to blend functionality with aesthetics, creating outdoor spaces that are both inviting and inspiring, Oxfordshire based but serving surrounding county’s.

 

The Tackle HIV Challenging Stigma Garden was built in collaboration with Tisserand English Gardens Ltd. A multi award winning landscape contractor based in Cambridge, Elohim Tisserand company owner also shares a passion for transforming outdoor spaces with an acute eye for attention to detail, known for his innovative construction methods he’s always looking to push the boundary’s of landscape construction.

FULL PLANT LIST
SHRUBS

Aralia elata
Sophora Little Baby
Corokia x virigata Frosted Chocolate
Pinus densiflora Umbraculifera
Syringa meyeri Palabin

 

GRASSES

Calamagrostis acutiflora Karl Foerster
Deschampsia cespitosa
Lazula Nivea
Nassella tennuisima Pony Tails
Melica Uniflora Falbida
Sesleria autumnalis

 

BULBS

Allium purple sensation
Cerinthe major pupurescens
Iris germanica Benton Susan
Nectoscordum sicilium
Pastinacea sativum (parsnip)

TREES

Zelkova serrata
Fagus sylvatica

 

FERNS

Asplenium trichomanes
Dryopteris filix-mas
Polypodium vulgare

 

ANNUALS & Biennuals

Artemisia annua
Calendual Sherbert Fizz
Digitalis purpurea Apricot Beauty
Eschscholzia californica Red Chief
Hesperis matronalis
Papaver dubium ssp lecoqii album
Viola odorata
Cerinthe Major Purpurescens
Angelia Archangelica
Foenicullum Vulgare Purpureum

PERENNIALS

Acaena magellanica
Alchemilla erythropoda
Allium schoenoprasum (Chives)
Anthriscus sylvestris Ravenswing
Aquilegia vulgaris var stellata Ruby Port
Astilbe Sprite
Baptisia American Goldfinch
Bergenia Magic Giant
Bupleurum perfoliatum Bronze Form
Centranthus rubur
Epimedium x versicolour Sulphureum
Erigeron karvinskianus
Fatsia japonica
Geranium Ballerina
Geranium sanguineum
Geum Mrs Bradshaw
Geum MaiTai

Geum Savannah Sunset
Gillenia trifoliata
Lupinus Masterpiece
Muehlenbeckia reflexa
Origanum vulgare compactum
Origanum vulgare Aureum
Paeonia Coral Sunset
Persicaria amplexicaulis Firetail
Persicaris Purple Fantasy
Rheum palmatum
Salvia Love and Wishes
Salvia greggii Royal Bumble
Tellima grandiflora
Thalictrum Black Stockings
Thalictrum flavum
Tiarella Sugar & Spice
Verbascum Flush White
Verbascum Pink Domino
Verbascum Clementine

References

  1. HIV and AIDS. Treatment. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids/treatment/#:~:text=A%20combination%20of%20HIV%20drugs,and%204%20pills%20a%20day.. Last accessed October 2024
  2. Terrence Higgins Trust. Growing up with HIV.: https://www.tht.org.uk/hiv/being-diagnosed-hiv/growing-hiv#:~:text=The%20lifespans%20of%20people%20who,look%20after%20their%20general%20health.. Last accessed October 2024
  3. Terrence Higgins Trust. Can’t Pass It On. https://www.tht.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-11/Can%27t%20Pass%20It%20On%20leaflet%20handout%202.pdf. Last accessed October 2024