by Holly Chapman | 21 May 25 | Commercial Landscaping, Garden Design, News
Diana, Princess of Wales memorial playground in Kensington Gardens has secured a £3m renewal by The Royal Parks charity.
Built in 2000, the ground’s renewal will focus on inclusive play within the Peter Pan inspired playground, welcoming children of all abilities once reopening.
Alongside a new sailing ship, with musical and sensory features, a new treehouse encampment will provide climbing opportunities for different ages and abilities.
A redesigned mermaid fountain will feature new interactive dams and gates in water play, collecting runoff water to be collected and used for irrigation.
Andy Williams, park manager for Kensington Gardens comments:
“Working with play specialist providers, our own landscape teams, and the local community we have developed proposals that will continue to make this playground an experience like no other.”
Funding from The Royal Parks charity has been made possible due to private and public donations.
The memorial playground will close in autumn 2025, with plans to reopen in spring 2026.
by Holly Chapman | 13 May 25 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
The Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) new ‘Catherine’s Rose’ has been named in recognition of Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales’s work in championing the power of nature.
With subtle coral-pink blooms, the new floribunda rose offers a rich perfume of Turkish Delight and mango and is best suited to use in a mixed border scheme amongst other flowers to attract pollinators.
“Harkness Roses has done a wonderful job breeding this spectacular rose,” Clare Matterson
A donation of £5 from every sale of the rose will go to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, contributing to help the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust’s training programme for clinical teams across the country.
Clare Matterson, RHS director says it is “vital” to be outside for our health, happiness and wellbeing, adding:
“As well as supporting the incredible work of The Royal Marsden, Catherine’s Rose will raise awareness of how nature and gardening can help to heal.”
Bred by Harkness Roses, the rose is available for pre-order, with delivery expected to be this coming Autumn, with 15,000 available in 2025.
