Sir Richard Colt Hoare - third owner of Stourhead - introduced many of these species to the garden from the late 18th to the early 19th century.
New plantings
Above all, Colt introduced diversity into the garden. He respected his grandfather’s original vision but he disliked Henry's many fir trees, humorously lamenting 'the... adoption of the fir tribe'.
He embarked on a large-scale planting programme upon returning from Europe in 1791. He removed firs from many areas, replacing them with broad-leaved trees, especially beeches together with acers, oaks, tulip trees and limes.
Many of these trees were planted because of their remarkable autumn colours and still make an eye-catching display today.
Colt included more deciduous trees and shrubs, punctuating them with swathes of laurels. Open spaces - such as that around the Temple of Apollo - were clothed with rich plantings, ridding them of the 'naked appearance' Colt disliked.
Stourhead's rhododendrons
Several of the rhododendrons, for which Stourhead is renowned, were introduced by Colt - including the invasive Rhododendron ponticum, seen then as a delightful rarity.
Opposite the Ice House are the magnificent Rhododendron arboreum that were planted by Colt and only introduced to Britain in 1810.
Pelargonium collector and breeder
