Macmillan Cancer Support at the RHS Wentworth Woodhouse Flower Show 2025

We are proud to sponsor the Legacy of a Lifetime Garden designed by Pandora Ryan which will be showcased between the 16-20 July.

The garden has been designed to illustrate how special and vital a legacy gift is to future generations of people living with cancer. We aimed to create a peaceful space where visitors can remember, reflect and feel connected. We invite those who visit the garden to pause, honour those they love and consider how one final, heartfelt gift in their will could help us do whatever it takes to help more people with cancer get the best care the UK has to offer, whoever and wherever they are.

Order your free gifts in wills guide

About the Legacy of a Lifetime Garden 

Reflective pool at the Macmillan Legacy GardenThe Macmillan Legacy of a Lifetime Garden is inspired by the quiet beauty of a woodland glade. This woodland glade acts as a powerful metaphor for legacy giving. Just as a glade is a quiet clearing within a forest, a space which has been shaped by time, light and nature, a gift left in a will to Macmillan is a lasting act of generosity which creates a space for others to thrive.

1 in 2 people will develop some kind of cancer during their lives and an estimated 4 million people are expected to be living with cancer by 2030. One of the main features of the garden is the ‘Pillars of Strength’ sculpture, made up of three steel pillars which symbolise how gifts in wills fund over a third of Macmillan’s services.

The ‘Pillars of Strength’ sculpture features a laser-cut illustration of a tree, representing the far-reaching ‘branches’ of support that Macmillan provides. Each branch showcases a type of support offered by Macmillan and reminds us that these vital services are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters, including those who have chosen to leave a gift in their will.

The reflective pool invited visitors to see themselves within the space, encouraging them to reflect on their own impact on the world and the legacy they may leave behind, while also acting as a reminder that anyone can leave a gift in their will.

The Legacy of a Lifetime Garden became a sanctuary of reflection throughout the show.

@macmillancancer

Here’s your sign to slow down and take a moment for yourself. Join us in taking 30 seconds of calm at the Macmillan Legacy of a Lifetime Garden, designed by Pandora Ryan 💚 Find out more about our beautiful garden and leaving a gift in your will by visiting our link in bio.

♬ original sound - Macmillan Cancer Support
In a beautiful act of remembrance and hope, visitors inscribed heartfelt messages of love, strength, and support for those affected by cancer onto seed-infused leaves. These leaves were then gently placed into the reflection pool, symbolizing how planting seeds today can blossom into future support.

This poignant gesture not only honored loved ones but also embodied the idea that a gift left in a will to Macmillan today can grow into enduring support for people living with cancer in the future.

Each evening, the garden transformed into a living tapestry of handwritten tributes, embodying the resilience and compassion of the human spirit. To everyone who visited, shared their story, or simply took a moment to reflect, we extend our deepest gratitude.

Thank you for making the garden a heartfelt testament to enduring love and cherished memories, and for considering a gift in your will to Macmillan as a way to create your lasting legacy.

Meet the Designer, Pandora Ryan

Joanne sitting in the grass “It has been a privilege to be able to design a space that not only honours the legacy of those who support Macmillan but also highlights the importance of supporting future generations. 

This cause holds deep personal meaning for me. I lost three of my grandparents to cancer and each one was profoundly supported by Macmillan nurses. The charity’s care extended beyond the individual, offering comfort and guidance to the family during very difficult times.”

Pandora Ryan's website.

Plants featured, inspired by the work of Macmillan Cancer Support 

The designer put a lot of consideration into the plants which featured in the garden, for example:
Illustration of geranium sanguineum ‘Album’

Geranium sanguineum ‘Album’

These easy to grow, tough, low-maintenance perennials thrives in full sun through to partial shade and are drought-tolerant once established. The soft white flowers bring a sense of calm and purity, representing the peaceful moments of reflection that visitors can experience in the garden.  These flowers are known for attracting bees and beneficial insects with their nectar rich flowers. Much like legacy giving, bee-friendly flowers play a crucial role in supporting future generations.
Illustration of astrantia major

Astrantia major 

Astrantia major grow well in gardens, given some shade and moisture. Its star-like blooms, each unique, showcase that cancer affects everyone differently. Cancer impacts more than people’s health. It can impact their relationships, jobs, finances, emotional wellbeing and so much more. That’s why we’re doing whatever it takes to help more people with cancer get the best care the UK has to offer, whoever and wherever they are.
Illustration of aralia elata

Aralia elata (Japanese Angelica Tree)

These plants thrive in diverse conditions, symbolising the resilience of those affected by cancer. Traditionally used in herbal medicine, Aralias represent healing and care. Pandora’s late grandfather referred to the Macmillan nurses as ‘angels’, a reflection of what their compassion and unwavering support meant to him and the family when it was needed the most. The inclusion of the Aralia elata is a deeply meaningful choice for the garden. It symbolises the compassionate role Macmillan nurses play in their patients' lives. The plant’s presence in the garden honours not only the care provided by Macmillan nurses but also the memory of those who have been supported by Macmillan.
Illustration of acer campestre

Acer campestre (Field Maple – Hedge)

Forming the shelter around the garden, the Acer campestre hedging provides structure, protection and enclosure, symbolising the safe environment the Macmillan Online Community creates for individuals and families affected by cancer. Nearly three quarters of people living with cancer (72%) have one or more emotional concerns, including worry, fear or anxiety, sadness or depression, loss of confidence and loneliness. The Online Community is a place to share experiences, ask questions and vent emotions, with support available 24 hours a day, in a safe environment. 

Illustration of stewartia pseudocamellia

Stewartia pseudocamellia

Offering beauty in every season, from summer blooms to striking bark and autumn colour, this tree represents Macmillan’s enduring presence. Just as the Macmillan Support Line is available 365 days a year, Stewartia brings reliable interest and comfort throughout the seasons. It reminds us that help is always there, whether someone needs advice, a listening ear, or practical support at any stage of their cancer journey. Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 to speak to an information and support advisor or Cancer Information Nurse Specialist. 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.

Check out the full plant list.

A special thanks to our sponsors

We are grateful for the support of our garden designer, Pandora Ryan, as well as the generosity of our sponsors

Pandora Ryan
Peak Landscapes
All Green
Everedge logoEveredge logo
Everedge

Feeling inspired? Find out more about gardens and Macmillan Cancer Support

Visit the Online Community
Members of our Macmillan Online Community often have conversations about the benefits of gardening. The physical activity of gardening can be beneficial to both the body and mind.
Macmillan Shop
We have a number of gardening essentials ideal for green fingers.
National Garden Scheme
The National Garden Scheme supports Macmillan and is a wonderful way to see some of the most beautiful gardens in the country.