Park’s oldest ‘Cornish Red’ rhododendrons dated to 1830s
- Published:
- 18 May 2026
Some of the earliest examples of hardy red rhododendrons, thought to have been planted in the late 1830s, have been identified among the nationally important collection at Sheringham Park.
The identification and dating of the large ‘Cornish Red’ rhododendrons is significant because it indicates they were among the first wave of hardy red rhododendrons to have been planted in the country, following the creation of the first ever hardy red hybrids in 1826.
Garden historians and rhododendron experts Beverley and Michael Lear, of Lear Associates in Oxford, have been working with the National Trust to learn more about the Sheringham Park collection, which forms the centrepiece of the landscape garden designed by Humphry Repton in 1812 for the Upcher family.
200 years since first hardy red hybrids
The discovery that some of Sheringham Park’s ‘Cornish Red’ rhododendrons may date as far back as the late 1830s has coincided with the bicentenary of the creation of the first hardy red hybrid, in the spring of 1826, by Lord Carnarvon.
During the 1820s there was feverish competition between prominent horticulturalists to hybridise rhododendrons. The race was on to create hybrids that could endure the British climate, making it possible for these iconic shrubs of the Himalayas to feature in the landscape gardens of the time.
Lord Carnarvon was first to achieve this, with his Highclere hybrid that was named after his Hampshire estate. However, it was two London-based nurserymen, William Smith of Kingston upon Thames and Russell of Battersea whose respective hybrids, created in 1826 and 1827, gained most commercial traction.
The Smith hybrid was remade at various other locations and eventually became the dominant tall growing hardy red. It became particularly popular in Cornwall and its trade name took the name of the county. It is thought the ’Smithii’ hybrid was commercially available in the late 1830s.
A milestone in British horticulture
All three hardy red rhododendron hybrids were designed to impress. By crossing tree-like rhododendrons with more shrubby and hardy Ponticum hybrids, it was possible to create large rhododendrons that were both tall – reaching heights of up to 13m or 14m – and extremely wide, with diameters of up to 30m.
Historic garden specialist Michael Lear describes the successful creation of the first hardy red rhododendron hybrids in 1826 as “a very significant moment in British horticulture and garden history.” “This was the British version of tulip-mania”, he added.
Mr Lear continues: “Those first three hybrids led to another wave of hybrids, and then another, with slightly bigger flower forms developed. By the 1850s you had these massive evergreen shrubs which were covered in flowers of many colours in the spring. No other plant group quite competes with that in British horticulture.”
Survey work sheds new light on rhododendron collection
So far, 6 of these very old plants have been identified in Sheringham Park’s Wild Garden by the Lears. It is not known from archives exactly when they were planted. However, the Lears have been able to estimate the date of planting of the oldest Sheringham Park rhododendrons, dated to the late 1830s, through a detailed examination of the characteristics of the growth form and size of the trunks and by counting the rings where stems have been cut.
Beverley Lear remarked:
“Rhododendrons of this size, and historic collections of such diversity as seen at Sheringham Park, are most unusual, if not unique, in Eastern England, as they usually enjoy a wetter climate. We will be looking into ways to ensure the conservation of these magnificent giants.
“The history of rhododendrons and their breeding ran in parallel with the plant collecting expeditions that happened through the 19th and early 20th centuries. There are plants here which track out the changing spectrum of colours and aesthetic fashions that arose across that extended period of time, and it is an amazing legacy in the care of the National Trust.”
Peter Nicholson, the National Trust’s General Manager for the Norfolk Coast, Broads and Sheringham Park, adds:
“With the ‘Cornish Red’ and many other rhododendron varieties now in flower, visitors can enjoy a spectacular reminder of the vision of the leading horticulturalists of their day, which were realised in Humphry Repton’s designs for Sheringham Park.
“Thanks to the expertise of Beverley and Michael Lear, and the meticulous survey work they have been doing with us in the park, we are piecing together the horticultural clues and adding to our understanding of this significant rhododendron collection, which is incredibly exciting.”
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