Fiona Packe. Credit: Sebastiano Ragusa
The Royal Parks charity has appointed horticulturalist Fiona Packe as head gardener for its newest project in The Regent’s Park.
A two-acre garden designed to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, it is set to open in spring 2026.
As well as leading the establishment and maintenance of the new garden, Packe will also oversee other horticultural features across The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill. She will lead a dedicated team of gardeners and volunteers while guiding the planting and establishment of the new space.
Designed with biodiversity, climate resilience and sustainability at its heart, the new garden will also feature recycled demolition concrete which will be transformed into growing mediums.
Packe says, “it’s a rare opportunity to be part of a garden from the very first plantings through to maturity. This space will be a beacon for the future of horticulture, showing that we can create stunning, climate-resilient green spaces from former brownfield sites, while inspiring and educating visitors on how to build biodiversity into their own gardens.”
Nick Biddle, park manager at The Regent’s Park says he is “delighted to welcome Fiona,” who is an ideal person to bring this garden to life due to her horticultural experience.
Packe used to run her own garden maintenance business in West Sussex and East London, which included placements at Beth Chatto’s, Charleston House and Gravetye Manor.
William Robison, former occupant of Gravetye, was an influential 19th century garden designer whose naturalist planting style has influenced the garden coming to this Royal Park.
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