Purely Portmeirion The Queen’s Hidden Garden: The Motif & History Guide

Portmeirion The Queen’s Hidden Garden: The Motif and History Guide

Launched in 1986, The Queen’s Hidden Garden is a unique collaboration between British botany, literature, and ceramic design. The range was inspired by the 1984 book 'The Queen's Hidden Garden - Buckingham Palace's Treasure of Wild Plants' by the renowned botanist and environmentalist David Bellamy.

The Design Story

While many mistake this for a standard botanical range, the history is far more prestigious. The collection was curated by Shahrzad Forouzan (wife of then Portmeirion CEO, Kami Farhardi), who hand-selected twelve floral motifs from the original illustrations by Marjorie Lyon.

Originally released as an exclusive range for John Lewis, and also The House Of Fraser, this collection features wild plants and flowers that grace the less formal, "hidden" corners of Buckingham Palace.

How to Identify Queen's Hidden Garden

Because this range was produced for a specific period on the classic drum-shaped pottery, it is a favourite for collectors of Mid-Century and late-20th-century Portmeirion.

The John Lewis Backstamp: A definitive way to identify this range is the backstamp. Genuine pieces feature a "pretty" decorative mark that explicitly confirms the range's exclusive production for John Lewis.

Marjorie Lyon’s Motifs: Look for the twelve specific wild plant illustrations, which differ from the standard Botanic Garden flora. These include the Corncockle, Autumn Crocus, Yellow Turk’s Cap Lily, and Pheasant’s Eye.

The "Hidden" Detail: Unlike the broad appeal of other ranges, this collection was designed to "capitalise" on the delicate, wilder side of British botany, making it a more sophisticated choice for serious collectors.

Looking for a John Lewis exclusive replacement? Because this range was limited in its initial release, finding pieces in mint condition is a challenge. You can browse our current The Queen’s Hidden Garden stock by clicking on the designs in this guide.