Victorian Garden Restoration Project 2015 to 2025
Where it all started.
The work on the gardens at Penllergare Estate between 1850 to 1927 saw the site being recognised as one of the foremost gardens in the country. So much so that a newspaper article in 1910 stated that:
“The thing that really makes Penllergaer unique is the wonderful undergrowth of rhododendrons and azaleas. Nowhere else in the United Kingdom will you see such a remarkable variety of species and hybrids”.
South Wales Daily News 20th August 1910.
As stated, the site was best known for its unique range of both Rhododendrons and Azaleas. This was due to the family’s relationship with the Hooker family, who were famous for their plant collections. Sir William Hooker became the first Director of the new gardens at Kew, and his son, Sir Joseph, who had stayed with the Dilwyn Llewelyn family at Sketty Hall, prior to his famous plant hunting exploration in India, Bhutan, Tibet and Sikkam. The expedition resulted in the discovery of fifty new rhododendron species, which he brought back to Kew in 1850.
Sir William Hooker Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
These unique plants soon found their way to Penllergare and were well suited to the damp woodland of West Wales. They developed quickly and soon became a major attraction. In fact in 1886 the Head Gardener of The Marquis of Bute, Mr Pettigrew, during his visit to Penllergare, comments on the size and health of several of the Hooker species. Those mentioned included the red- flowering R. Thomsonii and R. barbatum, the diminutive R. fulgens, which only grows to eight feet, R. Hodgsonii which grows to 20 feet and has pale purple, broad bell-shaped flowers and R.Griffithianum with its large trusses of pure white flowers.
In addition to the Rhododendron collection, Azaleas and many other types of plants were added, including orchids and these will be featured in future blogs.
R. Griffithianum
R. Thomsonii
The restoration programme
The first steps
After the death of Sir John Talbot Dillwyn Llewlyn in 1927 Penllergare House, estate and its gardens were allowed to become overgrown and the house demolished. Parts of the estate were sold off for housing development, but in 2000 a group of interested garden historians formed together to launch the Penllergare Trust and the Friends of Penllergare with the aim of saving what was left of the estate.
Over the next few years the Trust, with help from volunteers, started to restore the structure of the estate and in 2015 work started on restoring the gardens.
The first stage concentrated on the woodland near to the recently created carpark and coffee shop. The land was cleared and paths created.
Image from March 2015
Thanks to the work of a dedicated of volunteers this area of the gardens now features a wide range of established plants including Azaleas, Japanese Acers, Hydrangea, Magnolias, Daffodils and Hellebores.
Images from April/May 2023
The Walled Garden Project
Having successfully completed the first stage of its restoration project the Trust and its volunteers turned their attention to the Walled Garden and adjacent pleasure gardens.
This has now been in progress for three years and is nearing completion and its opening to the public is planned for next Spring. If you think you would like to join us on our journey, why not come along to one of our Volunteer Open days and take an opportunity to meet our present group of volunteer gardeners, who would be pleased to explain the pleasure and benefits to their wellbeing they have experienced.
Gardening experience is not required, just a willingness to participate and enjoy the friendly social atmosphere, and the free refreshments of course.
If you do have a particular interest we are developing collections of Roses, Dahlias, Heritage daffodils, Hydrangeas, Auricula, Fuchsias, Alpines, Pelargoniums, Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Japanese Acers.
Existing gardening projects include, one of the largest Rose gardens in Wales with over 600 roses, the creation of a Japanese Garden and water feature, extensive herbaceous borders, Alpine house, Auricula Theatre and extensive Woodland Garden featuring The Hundred Acer Wood and a trail with well known character carvings along with a children’s playground.
If you’re interested in Volunteering, why not call in and see us!
Our next Volunteer experience days are on, Thursday 25th, Tuesday 30th and Thursday 2nd October. We meet at 10am in the Coffee Shop.
if you would like future information, you can reach us on [email protected] or telephone us on 01792 344224