The Bridgerton Garden is a secretive and secluded space. It is the representation of a young woman’s coming of age story, as she grapples with her hidden identity and navigates the expectations of society.

 The story is based on Penelope Featherington, a wallflower-like character from Netflix and Shondaland’s third series of Bridgerton. Designed to reflect Penelope’s personal journey, the garden’s initial focus is a moongate which leads to an ornate water feature and sunken seating area in the heart of the garden. A shaded space down one half of the garden alludes to themes of mystery, turmoil and defiance; layers of groundcover, ferns and ivy are intended to represent a woven network of secrets. In contrast, the other half of the garden graduates to a brighter palette of sophisticated colours. This ‘full bloom’ effect is symbolic of Penelope's embracing of her true self and coming into the light.

A curving path culminates at the back of the garden where an inscribed sculptural monolith symbolises change. As the return journey guides past an armillary sphere and through brighter planting – a nod to Penelope’s growing confidence – the visitor returns through the moongate and looks to the future.

The planting reflects feelings of secrecy, growth and desire. A ring of field elms, Ulmus minor var. suberosa, offers secrecy and enclosure around the seating area, while clipped spirals mix moments of formality with more whimsical planting. 

At its simplest, this garden is a beautiful space that offers privacy and respite; at its most complex, it is a metaphor for women defiantly and courageously finding their voice – a rite of passage many can identify with. The moongate can be seen as a portal into that person’s personal journey – and the ensuing garden shows the remarkable and personal transformative power of growth.