Does mint feature in Chris’ Arthritis Research UK Garden?

While watching the opening coverage of the RHS Chelsea on the BBC yesterday, I was enchanted with the Arthritis Research UK garden that Chris Beardshaw has designed and constructed for the show this year, and engaged by his typically eloquent description of the journey it represents. I was also surprised to learn of his personal battle with the disease and could relate to his previous personal choice not to expose his diagnosis.

As Chris explained, arthritis exists in various forms and as a fellow long term sufferer, the result of a childhood infection; it was enlightening to hear someone speak so candidly about their choice to suffer in relative silence.

As a teenager (and indeed to a smaller degree now, twenty or so years on), I also failed to acknowledge my symptoms to others. Perhaps for the fear of not wanting to accept or associate myself with a disease more commonly related to the elderly. I would always brush off my inability to participate in certain activities with a quick retort revealing some falsely manufactured sports injury.

Chris Beardshaw appears a picture of health and one major dilemma I encounter with arthritis is the unpredictable nature of the symptoms and also the ability to easily conceal them, many known factors influence their severity, particularly climatic changes, but also some that are unknown, one day all is rosy ‘in the garden’  the next….

He also very poignantly declared that his attempts to understand his suffering with frequent consultations often left him disillusioned and he has now learnt to live with the disease in his own way.

I’ve always enjoyed Chris’ articulate and educated garden musings and delighted in his design, with my recent discovery of his illness, I am inclined to re-evaluate his ‘If you were a UK garden plant, what would you be?’ He would now be mint, an extremely welcomed garden perennial; composed, industrious, practical yet intriguing, concealing a ferocious desire and will to explore its boundaries and push beyond them regardless of the enforced restrictions. You just never know where it is going to pop up next!

A tour de force Mr Beardshaw, truly inspirational.