Get a Valuation
    Register/Report a repair
    LogoLogo
    • Property Search

    Our Branches

    Peterborough Office

    Contact Office
    Area Guides

    Crowland Office

    Contact Office
    Area Guide

    Home/News/Garden stumperies: your questions answered

    Garden stumperies: your questions answered

    about 2 years ago
    Sales
    Garden stumperies: your questions answered

    Fed up of conventional flower beds? Looking for something more than a lawn? Why not try a revived garden trend – the stumpery?

    Q. What is a stumpery?

    A. Although not an attractive name, a stumpery can be a thing of beauty. A stumpery is traditionally made using old tree stumps, with the decaying process creating nooks and crannies for new plants to go. Upending stumps can also reveal a wonderful network of fascinating roots, which adds extra visual interest. A stumpery can also be made from a tree trunk or a collection of substantial logs.

    Q. When did stumperies originate?

    A. Although you may never have heard of a stumpery, they actually date back to the 19th century. A Gardeners’ Chronicle article in 1856 referred to a ‘rustic root garden’ and in a following article, the term stumpery was used for the first recorded time. Examples were primarily found in the 1850s at Biddulph Grange in Staffs and at Arley Hall in Cheshire. The most famous – and largest – stumpery is undoubtedly HRH King Charles III’s stumpery at Highgrove.

    Q. Where can I source a stumpery?

    A. If you’ve had an area cleared of trees, you may already have a stump or a trunk waiting. If so, you may want to have the stump excavated to expose the roots. If you haven’t got an existing stump or trunk, contact tree surgeons, arborists, land clearing companies or your local council and enquire about claiming any unwanted stumps or trunks.

    Q. How do I plant a stumpery?

    A. First clear the site of your stumperyof weeds and wash away any old mud from the roots. Dig a hole big enough to place the stump or trunk in – you probably want at least 30% underground – and backfill gaps with soil for stability. Use compost to fill in the cavities between the roots or where the wood has split open. Choose plants based on the stumpery’s location – sunny or shady – adding bulbs to the deepest pockets of compost and alpine plants to the shallower areas. Water well initially, then keep watered as the weather dictates.

    Q. Do stumperies benefit a garden?

    A. As well as providing an extra place to plant pollen-yielding flowers and encourage homeowners to recycle a natural material, the decaying nature of stumperies proves a haven for insects, vertebrates and invertebrates including beetles, bees and woodlice. Wide, low stumperies will also provide shade and stumperies placed next to a pond will create safe, cool spots for frogs, toads and newts.

    Q. Do you have to add plants to a stumpery?

    A. If you’re worried your stump or log doesn’t have deep enough crevices to hold a suitable depth of compost, fear not! Nature will take over and you’ll be surprised at what naturally grows on or in the wood with no intervention. Additionally, an old tree stump or log can look majestic simply decorated with some glass tea light holders. Try hanging versions if there are protruding branches or roots but always supervise a naked flame or opt for battery-operated candles.

    If a garden is the most important element to you when moving home, contact us for available properties with outside space.

    Share this article

    More Articles

    First-time buyers stretch repayment terms for forever homes

    First-time buyers stretch repayment terms for forever homes

    Published 5 days ago

    New analysis has revealed an interesting shift in the purchasing habits of first-time buyers. Instead of buying a traditional starter home – a studio, a one-bedroom flat or a small terraced house – Barclays found a third of first-timer purchases are semi-detached homes.

    Read More
    Converting a garage: 8 key considerations

    Converting a garage: 8 key considerations

    Published 12 days ago

    Earlier this year, Aviva published the results of its survey on how we use our garages. Of those UK garage owners questioned, 28% said they hardly ever used their garage to park their car. 

    Read More
    Selling? It’s all about the autumn shift

    Selling? It’s all about the autumn shift

    Published 19 days ago

    And just like that, the seasons have changed. Meteorological summer officially ended on 31st August and wet, windy weather moved in without hesitation. While we’re keeping everything crossed for a return to calmer, drier conditions, there’s no escaping that autumn is here.

    Read More

    Sign up for our newsletter

    Subscribe to receive the latest property market information to your inbox, full of market knowledge and tips for your home.

    You may unsubscribe at any time. See our Privacy Policy.

    Back to Home

    Peterborough 

    6 Cowgate,
    Peterborough,
    Cambridgeshire PE1 1NA
    Sales: 01733 563965
    Lettings: 01733 561161
    info@cityandcounty.net

    Crowland 

    11-13 North Street
    Crowland
    Lincolnshire PE6 0EG
    tel: 01733 212305
    crowland@cityandcounty.net

    DPS
    NAEA
    RightMove
    Logo
    Logo
    © 2025 City and County (UK) Ltd, registered in England, no. 6531132, registered address 9 Commerce Rd, Lynchwood, P’boro, PE2 6LR, City and County Property Management, Head Office, 6 Cowgate, P’boro l, PE1 1NA. PPV Peterborough Ltd, registered in England, Registration no 09216134, registered office 9 Commerce Rd, Lynchwood, Peterborough, PE2 6LR is the holding company to both City and County Uk Ltd and City and County Property Management
    CMP Certified Client Money Protection|Client Money Handling Procedures|Privacy Policy|Terms & Conditions|Cookie Policy|Complaints Procedure
    Powered by