Bulbs planted in new garden to honour Queen Elizabeth II

The Royal Parks charity welcomed close to 200 members of the public to plant thousands of spring bulbs in the new two-acre garden being created to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II in The Regent’s Park.

For the first time, the garden, still under construction, opened its doors for a special planting day ahead of its official opening in spring 2026. Visitors had a rare opportunity to help shape a lasting tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the garden.

Participants planted a variety of spring bulbs, including tulips, alliums, and grape hyacinths, selected both for vibrant colour and to provide nectar and pollen for vital pollinating insects. The event, led by the charity’s Help Nature Thrive conservation team and The Regent’s Park horticultural team, offered hands-on guidance on planting techniques and opportunities to learn about the garden’s design and benefits to biodiversity.

Fiona Packe, Head Gardener for the new garden, said:

“It was wonderful to see so many people come together to help bring the new garden to life. Planting these bulbs allows the community to leave a lasting mark on a space that will honour Queen Elizabeth II. We look forward to welcoming everyone to enjoy the garden when it opens in spring 2026.”

Core features of the new garden will include a central promenade with an accessible platform over the pond, a wildflower meadow, and a flower garden featuring species of personal significance to Queen Elizabeth II.

The new garden will significantly boost biodiversity in the park, featuring diverse habitats with climate-resilient plants that attract wildlife.
The garden has been designed by The Royal Parks’ landscape team and HTA Design, with Blakedown Landscapes as the official landscape contractors.

This event was made possible thanks to The Royal Parks’ Help Nature Thrive project and support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.