Hampton Court to inspire next generation of gardeners with ‘kaleidoscope of colour'
Hampton Court Palace is aiming to inspire the next generation of gardeners with a 'kaleidoscope of colour'' in its sustainable garden redesign.
The Great Fountain Garden, in the heart of what was formerly King Henry VIII 's court, will undergo a replanting in line with modern standards, Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) has revealed.
The independent charity, which cares for six historic royal palaces including Kensington Palace and The Tower of London, aims to create biodiverse and climate-resistant grounds at Hampton Court.
The project will be led by Ann-Marie Powell, an award-winning garden expert, who said the new design would form 'a kaleidoscopic border that is dynamic and ever-changing'.
It will introduce 32 planting beds and borders across 1.5 acres of the grounds and feature nearly 300 species of plants.
Examples of the new plants being introduced, specially selected for their climate resilience, include iris, geranium, agapanthus and verbena.
It is expected that a colour spectrum ranging from violet to gold will 'intensify' in brightness as the planting reaches the edge of the River Thames.
Ms Powell, who has more than three decades of experience in garden design and has won multiple awards, said: 'We're not just planting for visual impact - we're planting for pollinators, for changing weather, for longevity.
'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.'
Her remarks - and vision - are in keeping with King Charles 's lifelong climate and sustainability championing, as well as his passion for horticulture.
Ms Powell said 'every plant has a purpose and a place' in the Great Fountain Garden, which was first laid out between 1689 and 1696 by King William III and Queen Mary II.
The grounds were later simplified under Queen Anne and transformed by Queen Victoria, who introduced herbaceous borders and 'bold' annual bedding.
While each iteration reflected the tastes of the time, Ms Powell said that the redesign needs to also reflect mounting biodiversity loss and adapting temperatures because of climate change.
'This space has been shaped by centuries of royal vision, from formal Anglo-Dutch elegance to exuberant Victorian colour,' she explained. 'And now we're adding a new layer, one that speaks to the future as much as the past.'
As part of the new plans, set to begin planting in the autumn, HRP aims to establish a horticultural milestone by establishing an official national collection of echinacea purpurea across the Hampton Court Palace grounds, featuring over 60 varieties which can reach up to 1.5 metres tall.
Alex Wigley, head of Parks and Gardens at HRP 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.'
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