Upon Stourhead’s landscaped valley canvas, Henry Hoare II set about composing his vision of living art with trees, shrubs and plants.

Yet for the staggering plant collection we see today at Stourhead, we must thank his grandson, Sir Richard Colt Hoare.

A vision developed

Colt Hoare, as he was known in the family, may be remembered for adding the Regency library to the house, and for his literary and scholarly achievements. But it was he who also embellished Henry’s original garden, procuring many ornamental trees and shrubs from around the world.

© National Trust

It was Colt Hoare who first established Stourhead’s internationally renowned culture of pelargoniums; over 600 types in all.

Today we are working on regenerating the pelargonium collection, thanks to the recently erected Victorian greenhouse in the walled garden, in which we house over 60 varieties.

Sir Richard also started a great rhododendron collection, introducing the invasive ponticum variety. One of Richard’s plantings, known as the rhododendron arboreum, can still be seen around Lily Lake.

Victorian additions

During the Victorian age, the 4th Baronet, Sir Hugh Richard Hoare planted many conifers including the cavernous western red cedars and the world’s tallest trees, the giant redwoods.

The redwoods now dwarf the other trees in the garden, but are unlikely to reach the incredible heights found in California of over 350 feet.

In the early 20th century, the 6th Baronet focussed his attention on the rhododendron collection, adding the exotic hardy hybrids that create such a breathtaking display today.

© NTPL / Nick Meers

The garden today

Today, Stourhead garden has one of the most important and spectacular plant collections in Britain.

Its trees and shrubs have been carefully placed over the centuries to frame the prodigious views, so ingeniously envisaged by Henry Hoare II, and provide a vibrant backdrop of colour for the timeless temples.

This living work of art, started nearly 300 years ago has matured into a naturalised shrine to the wonders of nature.