The Tackle HIV Challenging Stigma Garden is being exhibited at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Tackle HIV, which is 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.

Designed by award-winning garden designer Manoj Malde, the garden reflects the significant advancements made in HIV treatment, prevention and care over the last 40 years. The garden includes hexagonal paving that reflects a key chemical structure found within many HIV medications and red ribbons, a universal symbol of HIV awareness and support.

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.

Multi-stem Zelkova serrata trees symbolise the full and healthy life that people with HIV can now live when on effective medication. The colour red is 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.

Speaking at the garden’s launch Gareth Thomas CBE said, “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. 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.”