Landscape architect's work wins royal approval
While the newly unveiled statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, has had mixed reviews there’s been nothing but praise for the work of landscape architect Pip Morrison for his work on the sunken garden it sits in.
In a statement Pip Morrison says: “This has been a very special project to work on, as the Sunken Garden was a favourite place to Diana, Princess of Wales. We have worked carefully to ensure that the new layout and planting scheme compliments the statue, providing a calming place for people who visit Kensington Palace to remember The Princess.”
The updated Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace. Photo supplied by Kensington Palace.
The Sunken Garden was originally created in 1908 at the instigation of King Edward VII, in an area of the palace gardens previously occupied by potting sheds and greenhouses. The layout of the garden takes inspiration from the 17th century Dutch style Pond Garden at Hampton Court Palace.
Morrison is an expert in historical gardens and landscapes. His Diana design for the garden retains the historic structures within a simplified layout of deeper flower borders and a more generous lawn around the central pond to create a calmer and more reflective setting for the statue. The planting design features a number of the Princess’ favourite flowers, including forget-me-nots, as well as many other spring and summer blooms in a variety of pastel shades.
Over 4,000 flowers have been planted, incorporating 50 varieties, including 300 tulips and more than 500 lavenders. There are more than 200 roses, 100 dahlias and 50 sweet peas.
The memorial statute within the sunken garden. Photo supplied by Kensington Palace.
The gardens and estates team from Historic Royal Palaces brought Morrison’s plan to life, spending more than a thousand hours on planting.
At the unveiling of the garden and statute Princes William and Harry said: “Today, on what would have been our Mother’s 60th birthday, we remember her love, strength and character – qualities that made her a force for good around the world, changing countless lives for the better.
“Every day, we wish she were still with us, and our hope is that this statue will be seen forever as a symbol of her life and her legacy.
“Thank you to (sculpture artist) Ian Rank-Broadley, Pip Morrison and their teams for their outstanding work, to the friends and donors who helped make this happen, and to all those around the world who keep our mother’s memory alive.”
The nearly life-size, cast bronze sculpture shows Diana standing surrounded by three children, alluding to her devoted advocacy for children around the world. In front of the statue is an inscription from the poem “The Measure of a Man” which was included at her memorial service.
