Fans of the hit Netflix show Bridgerton will have been excited to see the trailer for season three drop this week. It will focus on Penelope Featherington, a wallflower-like character who has grown in confidence over previous seasons and will now take the limelight.
For the first time, Netflix will be sponsoring a garden at the Chelsea Flower Show to celebrate the launch of the new season, the first part of which will be released the week before the event, on 16 May.
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The Bridgerton Garden, designed by first-time Chelsea designer Holly Johnston, will have a secret garden appeal that encourages visitors to explore themes of hidden identity, feelings of invisibility and the duality of character.
Inspired by the character of Penelope Featherington, played by Nicola Coughlan, this Sanctuary Garden tells the story of a woman's journey as she harnesses her inner resolve and confidence. It will reflect the storyline of Bridgerton in which Penelope moves from overlooked character to someone who defiantly embraces their true self.
One of the most iconic parts of the garden is a moongate, symbolic of new beginnings. Stepping in and out of the moongate, deliberately designed as a portal that Penelope (or any visitor) can step through, you’re transported into a personal sanctuary, a planted haven that has hedging and trees for screening, dense planting for interest, and intimate spaces for seating and contemplation.
The planting in the garden is representative of themes of confidence, new beginnings and personal evolution and will include ferns, roses and ivy. The space has a whimsical and natural feel - a ring of dwarf field elms will offer enclosure around the seating, indicative of secrecy and privacy.
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The space is divided into three chapters or 'episodes'. Designer Holly Johnston explains: “Standing at the front of the plot, visitors will see a moongate that beautifully frames the entrance to the garden. It leads to the second internal space which is a sunken seating area. Encircling an opulent three-tiered water feature and surrounded by a ring of characterful dwarf elms, this is where I pictured the character of Penelope sitting and sharpening her Lady Whistledown quill to write and share the salacious secrets of ‘the Ton’. The third space is punctuated by a hand carved wall fountain engraved with a phrase that cements Penelope’s growth. Finally, the curved path back through the garden uses planting which evolves from shade on one side to light on the other, providing a visual backdrop for the development in Penelope’s character.”
Holly is keen to underline that the garden is for everyone who has ever questioned their place: "This one is for the wallflowers – the garden is designed to be a space for anyone who has been made to feel they don’t quite belong. My garden offers a space to retreat to safety, to house your darkest fears, to recognise the good and bad within, to show up without your mask. And ultimately, to step into the light.”
Useful information
Chelsea Flower Show will run from 21 May until 25 May
Bridgerton returns to Netflix on 16 May 2024, with part two launching on 13 June
