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Stourhead (Wiltshire, England)

Stourhead is one of the most famous gardens in England. This massive estate includes a Palladian house and park-like garden (2300 acres!) that surrounds a huge man-made lake. It is one picture-perfect view after another. The expression "a living work of art" certainly applies here. Now, to my embarrassment, I missed some of the main features, including the house! I don't know how it happened, as I had a nourishing English-style breakfast, I wasn't under the influence of anything, and I even had a map of the premises.  Looking at a map of the grounds of Stourhead now, I can see that the house is situated in an unusual location, removed from the main house and the visitor entrance.  It is past the Stable Yard, which wasn't that interesting and I had turned around and headed back to the entrance and our bus (I had already walked around the lake and gardens). I regret that I missed the house.  Henry Hoare II inherited Stourhead in 1717 when he was twenty. He built the...
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May Roses


Now is the time to see our garden. The roses have just started to bloom and "Rambling Rector", the monster rose that covers most of the pergola is phenomenal. The fragrance in the garden is wonderful. The confederate jasmine on the patio, the roses and the privet perfume the air. I love this time of year.

One of the rose highlights every year is "Veilchenblau", one of the most beautiful roses in my opinion. Looking through the pergola, it covers the archway in the distance.



"Veilchenblau" has just started to bloom - by next week you will barely
see the foliage, just a blanket of flowers.		 

Roses 'Veilchenblau' and 'Mutabalis'


Roses 'Buff Beauty' (left) and 'Rambling Rector' (on pergola)

Other roses on the pergola - 'Francois Juranville', 'Russell's Cottage Rose'

Miniature rose 'Gourmet Popcorn' and Salvia 'Hot Lips'

'Russell's Cottage Rose'

Rose 'Peggy Martin'


Rose 'Nearly Wild'

 

 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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  1. LKTMay 17, 2013 at 9:10 AM

    Jealousy! Of course it might help if I actually put away the bags of peat moss and compost.

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  2. CarolMay 17, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    Very lovely! Seems so peaceful! Carol

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  3. Cindy, MCOKMay 17, 2013 at 10:32 AM

    They're all just glorious, Philip! I'm tickled to see that you grow Gartendirektor Otto Linne ... it will always have a place in my garden because it's so prolific!

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  4. Sue EllenMay 17, 2013 at 12:30 PM

    Beautiful roses! I would love to look out over such a garden and enjoy the scent of all the roses.

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  5. Lisa at GreenbowMay 17, 2013 at 3:38 PM

    Too bad I am headed in the opposite direction for vacation. I would love to see your garden. It looks so inviting. Those roses look like picture postcards. Amazing. I wonder if any of your roses would grow in my zone 6A?? Seeing yours makes me think I should try.

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  6. EveMay 17, 2013 at 4:06 PM

    Wow you guys!!! Incredible color! Hope the storm today missed you!

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  7. scottweberpdxMay 17, 2013 at 4:08 PM

    Seriously amazing...that's exactly how I picture a Southern Garden to look...all grace and elegance...with the heady perfume of jasmine and roses wafting through the air...sigh.

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  8. David - Pinewood CottageMay 17, 2013 at 4:44 PM

    great views of your gardens - the Rambling Rector is amazing.

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  9. LarryMay 17, 2013 at 6:40 PM

    This is glorious Philip... absolutely spectacular. I've never had much luck with climbing and rambling roses... perhaps with our milder winters I should try again. As marvelous as my magnolias can be, they just don't have the class and sophistication of roses such as yours... I will come back to this post again to re-admire. Your post today is class all the way!! Larry

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  10. Anne BoykinMay 17, 2013 at 11:54 PM

    Hi Phillip, Your roses are so awesome! Veilchenblau and Mutabalis together are so lovely. Moonlight is incredible. Okay, I'm gushing. Thanks for sharing your garden with us.

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  11. aquablueroseMay 18, 2013 at 12:34 AM

    How Very Exquisite, Philip!!

    Tis Paradise!!!

    XXXXX

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  12. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)May 18, 2013 at 1:05 AM

    I know the 'best' roses are to be found here. There's a romance in your garden. Wonderful.

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  13. JenMay 18, 2013 at 6:56 AM

    so when can I come by? I'll also take some treats from your dessert blog, so get those ready too. ;0)

    Gorgeous roses! Mine are blooming away too, and I just love them, and I think almost all were recommendations from your website!

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  14. NicMay 18, 2013 at 7:37 AM

    So beautiful! I am quite jealous of all that fragrance... The only really fragrant thing we have going right now is a carpet of lily-of-the-valley. At least it looks as if the slew of antique roses I planted last year will give us a few first blooms in a couple of weeks - provided the deer stay away from them - but it will definitely be a couple of years until we will have anything resembling your floral abundance!

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  15. Barbee'May 18, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    Heavenly!

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  16. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogMay 18, 2013 at 1:54 PM

    As soon as I noticed the title of your latest post in my Favorites sidebar, I hightailed it over here Phillip! I just love all your roses. Now that I've got a pergola, I'm learning how to train the climber (Sombreuil) up it. But the canes just seem so short. Maybe it just needs to get more mature. Will I ever get there and have something like you have? Wow!

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  17. Cerberus German shepherdsMay 19, 2013 at 7:14 PM

    Wow!

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  18. Phillip OliverMay 20, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    Thanks for all the comments. There is more to come! :)

    Jean, I have Sombreuil growing on an archway. It is not a very fast grower for me (but worth it). Something like Rambling Rector will grow extremely fast but it also tries to take over too.

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