Our Projects
Trentham Gardens Italian Garden Replanting: Phases 1 and 2
Green Heart Horticultural Services was appointed planting contractor for Phases 1 and 2 of the reimagining of Trentham Gardens’ landmark Italian Garden, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith and Mattis Köpe of Tom Stuart-Smith studio.
Project account updated
A landmark garden, replanted for the future
Green Heart returned to Trentham Gardens as appointed planting contractor for Phase 2 of the replanting of its Italian Garden, following the team’s involvement in Phase 1 in October 2025.
The replanting is designed by Tom Stuart-Smith and Mattis Köpe of Tom Stuart-Smith studio, revisiting the Italian Garden that Tom Stuart-Smith originally designed around 20 years ago. It is a significant long-term planting project, designed to develop and perform through the seasons in the years ahead.
Phase 2 planting was completed in October 2026. Green Heart hopes to return to support the next phase of the Italian Garden replanting in 2027.
Project film
On site at Trentham Gardens
Photography and video: Green Heart Horticultural Services
Narration: Dave Woolmer
Read the transcript
So that's it, our last of nineteen days here at Trentham Gardens, done and dusted. We're definitely ready for a break now. The last of the bulbs that we're planting in Phase 1 have been planted. So that's somewhere in the region of about 28,000 plants and 60,000 bulbs in the last nineteen days, between us, the volunteers, the students and the wonderful Trentham staff. I just wanted to finish how we started with a quick video, and one a little bit different, just to really acknowledge the fantastic staff that we have here at Trentham, and to say a big thank you in particular to John from the Italian Garden and Ian from the East Side, who we've worked closely with throughout our time here. It's been wonderful to be part of their team, and they've welcomed us with open arms as part of the planting project. So it's been great to work alongside them, and so I thought it was only right to give them a heartfelt thank you as we finish up on our last day.
Closing titles: Across the two phases: Phase 1, 12,000 plants in October 2025. Phase 2, 28,000 plants in October 2026. In 2026, 60,000 bulbs: 40,000 in Phase 2 and 20,000 in the establishing Phase 1 planting. Green Heart Horticultural Services, appointed planting contractor. Garden design: Tom Stuart-Smith and Mattis Köpe of Tom Stuart-Smith studio.
40,000
plants
60,000
bulbs
100,000 plants and bulbs across two phases
Across Phases 1 and 2, Green Heart helped bring approximately 100,000 plants and bulbs into the Italian Garden.
Phase 1 included 12,000 plants, completed in October 2025, and Phase 2 included 28,000 plants, completed in October 2026. All 60,000 bulbs were planted in 2026: 40,000 in Phase 2 and a further 20,000 in the establishing Phase 1 planting. The bulb planting took place during the final week of Green Heart’s involvement in October 2026.
The scale of the work demanded careful organisation, consistent horticultural standards and a close working relationship with the wider Trentham team.
Planting for resilience and long-term performance
The planting is being established in an innovative 50:50 mix of quartz sand and gravel rather than a conventional planting medium. Quartz sand forms half of this mineral-based mix, with gravel making up the other half. This free-draining substrate has been selected to support resilient, long-lasting planting that can establish well and develop over time.
That focus on observing how plants perform in their real conditions is closely aligned with Green Heart’s own horticultural approach. Good planting is not simply about how a garden looks on the day it is finished. It is about creating the right conditions for it to thrive over the seasons and years that follow.
A collaborative horticultural effort
The work brought together Green Heart’s horticulturists, Trentham Gardens’ horticultural team, committed volunteers and horticultural students.
Students from Reaseheath College joined the planting work, while students from Rodbaston College supported the bulb planting on later days. Their contribution reflected the value of practical learning alongside experienced horticultural teams on a live, significant project.
Green Heart’s own team on the project included Dave Woolmer, Director and Principal Horticulturist; Senior Horticulturists Jess Green, Simon Brayford and Bev Moon; and Apprentice Horticulturist Calum Talbot.
“It is a genuine pleasure and privilege to be asked back to Trentham Gardens for the second phase of this exceptional project. The scale of the planting, the quality of Tom Stuart-Smith’s design and the ambition behind the scheme make it a remarkable horticultural undertaking.
“We are proud to play a part in bringing the new planting to life. Working alongside Trentham’s highly talented horticultural team, volunteers and horticultural students has been a real pleasure. Visitors can already see the transformation beginning, and there is much more to look forward to as the planting establishes.”
Looking ahead
With Phase 2 now complete, the Italian Garden will continue to develop as the planting establishes and the bulb displays emerge. The result will reveal new layers of colour, texture and seasonal interest over the coming months and years.
Green Heart is proud to have contributed to both completed phases of this important project and hopes to return to assist with Phase 3 in 2027.
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Explore Green Heart servicesPhotography and video: Green Heart Horticultural Services