The National Trust’s Mount Stewart is an environmentally remarkable site. It sits on the eastern shore of Strangford Lough, the largest sea inlet in the British Isles and Northern Ireland’s most protected nature reserve. In the early 19th century, the estate’s ‘sea plantation’ was created. Acting as a buffer against the winds, it alters the local climate by raising temperatures, by preventing sea spray from depositing salt and by reducing wind speeds.
In recent years, high storm surges have caused saltwater intrusion in parts of the ornamental gardens, with the salinity subsequently damaging or killing many plants that required replanting. Long-term, such flooding seems inevitable and is even expected to take the sea plantation with it.
To understand the nature of the microclimate and the importance of its sea plantation, sensors around the site now measure the temperature, humidity, soil temperature, soil moisture and precipitation. These sensors cover the ornamental gardens’ microclimate, the walled gardens, the surrounding area, agricultural areas, and the shoreward side of the sea plantation.
The National Trust will use the information to plan their next steps. They are already in the process of planting the next generation of sea plantation further inland and ultimately the majority of the gardens may have to move.
By honouring Mount Stewart, the European Garden Award also recognises the National Trust’s outstanding achievements in the preservation and development of garden culture and cultural heritage as a whole.
