Historic Royal Palaces unveils plans for the Great Fountain Garden redesign

Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for Hampton Court Palace, today unveils plans for an ambitious new planting scheme in the Great Fountain Garden—one that unites centuries of royal gardening tradition with bold, sustainable design for the 21st century.

Led by celebrated garden designer Ann-Marie Powell, this ambitious transformation will create a climate resilient and biodiverse landscape deeply rooted in the site’s royal heritage. The project is a key expression of the charity’s Sustainability Action Plan and its ambition to be nature-positive and carbon net zero by 2050.

This marks the latest chapter in the evolving story of the Great Fountain Garden. First laid out between 1689 and 1696 by King William III and Queen Mary II, the garden was designed in the formal Anglo-Dutch style by Daniel Marot, featuring grand lime tree avenues and sculpted yew topiary aligned with the Queen’s State Apartments. It was simplified under Queen Anne, retaining its dramatic central fountain, and later transformed again under Queen Victoria, whose gardeners introduced bold annual bedding and herbaceous borders in keeping with 19th-century fashion. Each iteration has reflected the tastes and priorities of its time—and now, facing the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, the garden enters a new era of ecological renewal and beauty.

At its heart, the new design introduces 32 planting beds and borders across 1.5 acres, featuring nearly 300 species, excluding the naturalised bulbs that will be planted. Selected for their climate resilience, biodiversity value and long seasons of interest, the planting follows a radiant colour progression—from cool blues and violets to brilliant reds, oranges and golds—intensifying in brightness as they approach the river’s edge.

Interspersed between the Great Fountain Garden’s historic yew trees, these beds form a kaleidoscopic border that is dynamic and ever-changing. The planting will evolve through the seasons, offering a succession of colour and texture, while providing vital habitats for pollinators and wildlife. Spire-like vertical blooms will punctuate the design, drawing the eye skyward and framing the palace’s majestic architecture. Peppered with self-seeding annuals and areas of traditional bedding, the garden will retain its historical charm, while becoming far more resilient and responsive to future environmental needs.

In a significant horticultural milestone, Historic Royal Palaces will establish a National Collection of Echinacea Purpurea across Hampton Court Palace’s grounds, featuring over 60 distinctive varieties—some soaring to 1.5 metres tall. These sculptural, nectar-rich blooms will be a biodiversity beacon and a striking focal point within the new landscape.

In keeping with its sustainable ethos, the scheme will be implemented using a ‘no-dig’ approach, preserving soil structure, locking in carbon, and supporting long-term soil health. Beds have been optimised for ease of maintenance, and once established, the resilient planting will require little irrigation or additional energy input. Select areas of annuals will remain, reimagined as tranquil pockets with integrated seating for visitors to relax and take in the surroundings.

Award-winning garden designer, Ann-Marie Powell, said: “Designing for the Great Fountain Garden is both an honour and a thrilling challenge. This space has been shaped by centuries of royal vision—from formal Anglo-Dutch elegance to exuberant Victorian colour—and now, we’re adding a new layer: one that speaks to the future as much as the past. Our design is about reimagining beauty through the lens of sustainability, resilience, and biodiversity. We’re not just planting for visual impact—we’re planting for pollinators, for changing weather, for longevity. Every plant has a purpose and a place.

“This isn’t just about making something beautiful—it’s about creating a living, breathing landscape that connects people to the natural world, evokes the history beneath their feet, and inspires new ways of thinking about gardens today. It’s our hope that everyone who walks through this space will find something that speaks to them—whether it’s a plant they recognise, a bee at work, or just a moment of wonder.”

Alex Wigley, Head of Parks and Gardens at Historic Royal Palaces said: “This garden honours centuries of Royal horticulture while setting a bold new benchmark for sustainability. We’re building it from the ground up—protecting soil, locking in carbon, and planting for resilience. With low-water requiring species and smarter layouts, it’s designed not just to endure, but to thrive—supporting biodiversity, inspiring visitors, and helping us reach our goal of being nature-positive and carbon net zero by 2050.”

Planting will begin in Autumn 2025.