A TALK at the Frome Selwood Horticultural Society entitled ‘Remarkable Trees of Stourhead’ turned out to be a remarkable insight into the work behind the scenes, to maintain this extraordinary National Trust property as a national treasure.
The speaker, Emily Utgren, soon captivated the audience by her knowledge and shear dedication to all things gardening. Gaining a degree, followed by training with the Royal Horticultural Society at Rosemoor in Devon, she then moved to Stourhead where over 15 years she had the opportunity to work in, as she said, “the most complete example of an early English landscape garden in the world and learn all aspects of its upkeep. From fruit, vegetable and plant production and propagation and research, to all aspects of tree care and pruning, specialising in fruit trees.”
She also modestly described how, with her trilingual background, she was able to translate plans, and bring even more knowledge of the past to the present. Emily believed the success of the National Trust garden belonged to its layout. In the early 1700s, Henry Hoare III, otherwise known as Henry the Magnificent, had designed the gardens to be viewed in an anti-clockwise fashion.
He then flooded the valley to create the several lakes still enjoyed the world over. Fashions changed over the years and with it, new plants, from the pelargoniums to the hydrangea, which were a favourite of Alda Hoare, who with her husband were the last of the Hoares to reside until their death and handover to the National Trust in 1947; to the favourite 1960’s plant the rhododendron.
But how could one team manage to keep upward of 400,000 visitors mesmerised each year? The answer lay in looking, Emily suggested. Vistas had to be kept open. Conservation, she said, “Is the careful management of change”, “Growth follows the knife”, and “To recognise that we need 30% of life to regenerate and see new sunrises.”
This made sense for grander vista management, where she gave such hints for the armchair gardeners present to, “Not to plant a tulip tree in the island on the lake as it would obscure the view”, or remembering that, “If you can’t see the fruit on a kiwi plant, neither can the sun!”
As well as the history, Emily also explained how Stourhead had teamed with a university to use 21st century eye tracking technology, to answer the question “Are you seeing what I want you to see?” The answer from those who took part, was that the garden needed more vistas, and more seats to enjoy them from.
With the vision of the 1700’s Henry the Magnificent, and the findings of 21st century eye tracking, it can be guaranteed that Stourhead will be a garden for the future, for generations to come, and it is only up the road from Frome!
The Frome Selwood Horticultural Society meets on the second Tuesday of the month at Critchill School, Frome BA11 4LD, 7.15pm for prompt 7.30pm start. Visitors and new members always welcome. Please contact Jane Norris on 07776 208531 or jane.norris9@gmail.com
