Hampton Court Palace unveils climate-resilient garden

Hampton Court Palace, a historic site known for its beautiful gardens, is about to unveil a new climate-resilient garden in the Great Fountain Garden area. This new project is being led by Historic Royal Palaces, the charity responsible for maintaining the palace. The goal is to create a garden that can withstand changing weather conditions and support local wildlife, while still being visually stunning for visitors. The new planting scheme will include nearly 300 different species of plants, spread across 32 beds and borders. Each plant has been carefully chosen for its ability to survive in different climates, its value to biodiversity, and its ability to provide interest throughout the year. Once the plants are established, the garden will require very little watering, which is important for conserving water and protecting the environment.

Ann-Marie Powell, an award-winning garden designer, is leading the design of the new garden. She says the project is about reimagining what a beautiful garden can be, focusing on sustainability, resilience, and biodiversity. According to Powell, the garden is not just about looking good; it is also about supporting pollinators like bees and butterflies, adapting to changing weather, and lasting for many years. Every plant in the garden has a specific purpose, whether it is to attract wildlife, survive drought, or add color and texture to the landscape.

The Great Fountain Garden has a long history, dating back to when it was first created between 1689 and 1696 by King William III and Queen Mary II. At that time, the garden featured grand avenues of lime trees and carefully sculpted yew topiary. Over the years, the garden has been redesigned several times. Queen Anne simplified the layout, and Queen Victoria’s gardeners added annual bedding plants and herbaceous borders to match the fashion of the 19th century. Now, the garden is being transformed once again, this time to meet the challenges of climate change and environmental sustainability.

In addition to the new planting scheme, Historic Royal Palaces plans to establish a National Collection of purple coneflower, also known as Echinacea Purpurea, throughout the palace grounds. This collection will include more than 60 different varieties of the flower, making it one of the largest in the country. Alex Wigley, the head of parks and gardens at Historic Royal Palaces, says the new garden honors centuries of royal gardening tradition while setting a new standard for sustainability. He explains that the garden will use plants that require little water and will be arranged in a way that helps them thrive, even in tough conditions. The garden is designed to support biodiversity, inspire visitors, and help the palace reach its goal of being nature-positive and carbon net zero by 2050.

Starting on Tuesday, visitors to Hampton Court Palace will be able to see a range of new plants on display. The main planting in the Great Fountain Garden is expected to begin in the autumn. The garden will change with the seasons, offering different colors and flowers throughout the year. The hope is that the new garden will not only be a beautiful place to visit, but also a model for how historic sites can adapt to climate change and help protect the environment.

The new climate-resilient garden at Hampton Court Palace is an exciting development that combines history, beauty, and environmental responsibility. By choosing plants that can survive in changing conditions and support local wildlife, the palace is showing that even the oldest gardens can lead the way in sustainability. Visitors will be able to enjoy the garden’s beauty while learning about the importance of biodiversity and climate resilience. The project is a reminder that everyone can play a part in protecting the planet, whether by visiting a historic garden or making changes in their own backyard.