DUDMASTON Garden Vision Welcome!. DUDMASTON Garden Vision What are the aims of the Garden Vision? To set out and understand the key historic phases

DUDMASTONGarden Vision

Welcome!


What are the aims of the Garden Vision?

•To set out and understand the key historic phases or layers, creators and character areas of the garden

•To articulate a Philosophy of Approach for the garden which respects the long-standing passion of several of its owners in garden design flowers and botany, both in nature and in art.

•To draw up a regime for the various character areas which will maintain appropriately high standards of management

•To evaluate the potential for restoration, enhancement work and new phases of design. These will be as resources permit and guided by the Conservation Management Plan and the key layers of significance.

DUDMASTONGarden Vision It is also…

…a gradual re-claiming of views


What do we have to take into consideration?

•Historical evidence

•Significance

•Spirit of Place

•Visitor comments

•Resources


Historical research:

GardenConservation Management Plan, 2012-13 (Kuni Gough)

ParkChris Burnett Survey & Restoration Plan, 2002Chris Gallagher, History & Proposals for Management &

Replanting, 2012


“The topography of the Severn Valley in this location has led to side streams being incised into the plateau landscape to form deeply gauged valleys. This provided the late 18th century landscapers with a superb natural canvas with which to work….

Dudmaston has surviving designed landscape features which demonstrate the ingenuity of designers to exploit the topography of the setting”.

(Chris Burnett Survey & Restoration Plan, 2002)


Key historic layers & significance:

Late C18th - William Whitmore

Emes, ferme ornée, Picturesque Dingle, Rockery, Ladies’ Bath



Early C19th – William Wolryche Whitmore & Lady Lucy

Floral interest near house, circular beds, exotic American shrubs & trees, ha-ha, Big Pool



Mid-C19th – William Wolryche Whitmore & Lady Lucy

Terraces, steps, exuberant parterres, ribbon borders & carpet bedding, natural rock outcrop extended to create Rockery



Late C19th – Mary Dorothea Laing & Son Francis Henry Laing

Lower-maintenance style of gardening, intricate beds & central gravel path disappeared



1920s-50s – Capt Geoffrey Wolryche Whitmore

New, ornamental tree species introduced to garden. Structure maintained. Paved terraces enclosed by low walls next to house.



Mid-late C20th – Lady Labouchere

James Russell, newer, freer, ‘billowing’ style of herbaceous planting, continued ornamental shrubbery in American Garden, continued interest in Rockery, introduction of modern sculpture


New york old and new



Late C20th – National Trust

Conservation of earlier layers, introduction of some new elements, but…

Loss of views and site’s drama, not much emphasis on historic significance & potential for innovation?


Holistic approach:

- House- Garden- Dingle- Park- Views & Sightlines


Vision Statement:Rooted in the historic layers of Dudmaston’s garden but freed up by the property’s spirit of innovation, design and artistic creation, we will respect and draw out the garden’s key significances and will also be open to new ideas and developments. We will particularly remain conscious of the importance of the Picturesque character of the site and its underlying framework, features (Dingle, Rockery & Ladies’ Bath) and views. When carrying out projects in the garden, we will share our understanding of the garden’s history and our thought processes about its future with our visitors.


Interpretation & Engagement

•How do we share our understanding with our visitors?

•How do we we engage them with the decisions?

•How do we get them even more excited about Dudmaston’s garden and not lose its special qualities?


The Rockery as the first step…

Rockery Project Delivery

Capacity


• Planting and clearing carried out by volunteers and gardeners

• Contractors for the specialist tasks, i.e. dry stone walling. Volunteer opportunities and using skilled people on-site.

• Financial constraints. Dudmaston’s success mirrored in the Rockery restoration.

• Fundraising, local media, horticultural groups, etc.

• Maintenance of the Rockery after completion.


• Research and understand the current structure i.e archaeological recording of what's there

• Dudmaston has a tradition of change so we have an opportunity to elevate the Rockery’s structure and planting to reflect that tradition.

Mid 19th century/early Victorian design A more naturalistic, informal design.


• Conservation of structure• Raise horticultural standards• Enhanced visitor enjoyment• Raise Dudmaston’s Garden profile


• No historical clarity to the planting.• Lady Labouchere’s grandmother referring to it as ‘miniature Cannes’• A history of Alpines brought back from Norway by the family.• How well Iris perform in the Rockery.• James Russell’s planting suggestion for Roses in the lower Rockery.• Hybrid musks and floribunda. • More recently planted with a Mediterranean theme


Retain a Mediterranean theme but also adding more diverse selection of plants.

We have the opportunity to be really innovative in the restoring of the wall in regards to the style and materials used.


What did the Garden Panel say?•We are essentially dealing with a ‘pocket’ Picturesque landscape

•The Dingle should be considered and treated as part of the Garden, not as part of the Park

•The Rockery needs to be understood within this context

•The priorities are reclaiming the views, keeping the planting simple, combining innovation with respect for the 18th century Picturesque framework.


“…All to the potential benefit of showing what a very special, beautiful and un-recognised

garden Dudmaston is.”

Documents

DUDMASTON Garden Vision Welcome!. DUDMASTON Garden Vision What are the aims of the Garden Vision? To set out and understand the key historic phases