I've visited Glendurgan several times, squeezing all I can from my National Trust card! It's bang next door to Trebah and in many ways has a similar feel, with the same orientation and a beach at the bottom of the garden. Glendurgan is not as lush as Trebah however, and I must admit I was a little disappointed with my visit this time, as if something was lacking. Perhaps because it's so familiar, with its popular maze and simple layout. Still, here are some nice snaps which I hope capture the spirit of the gardens.
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| The entrance path is flanked with Camellias. |
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| Towering rhododendrons fight for a view of the Helston River. |
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| Gunneras point the way to the maze. |
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| I love this view down the pathway towards the river. |
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| A lovely Camellia - sorry, don't know the variety! |
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| The beach at the bottom of the garden. |
Hi Martin, Glendurgan looks quite amazing to me! The first photo with the camellias is so lovely. The whole planting scheme in this area is very well balanced, which I think is quite an art to achieve. The towering rhododendrons are so beautiful in their aged dignity, just wonder how old they might be. The maze is stunning in it's sheer size and also how precise it is pruned. So to me judging from your photos this is a very impressive garden, but I know what you mean by something is missing. I had the same experience with visiting the gardens of Filoli, which are wonderful, but I have been there a couple of times and the first impression of freshness and astonishment has worn off, even though objectively the garden hasn't changed in its beauty, of course. When you get too used to things, then they loose their special allure sometimes.
ReplyDeleteChristina
You're right, Christina, Glendurgan is an amazing garden, I think I've just been spoilt with so many wonderful gardens to visit. Some of our National Trust gardens seem to have a sort of 'formula', and one can seem rather like the other. Independent gardens, like Trebah that I'll be featuring tomorrow, are perhaps more free to be creative without needing to respect the history of the garden.
DeleteHi There
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and wow... it's like going on a short holiday trip. Thank you for those gorgeous pictures from Cornwall Gardens. Hmm, but I don't understand what you missed in Glendurgan... for me it looks like the perfect place to stroll around.
Have a nice day and greetings from Switzerland
Alex
You are right it's a lovely garden Alex, but wait until you see my post later today about Trebah, Glendurgan's next-door neighbour, and you might understand!
DeleteGlendurgan looks stunning, and that maze looks inviting (I hope it's not as difficult to get out of as it looks!). It's another garden we haven't managed to go to despite having been to Cornwall so many times already. Another one we are likely to visit this year for a view of something new :)
ReplyDeleteI must admit I didn't attempt the maze this time - knowing how many gardens I wanted to visit that day, I couldn't risk getting lost!
ReplyDeleteThe designers of those gardens are true geniuses. To design at such a large scale yet make the gardens intimate is quite special. I really need to take a trip across the pond and visit your garden treasures.
ReplyDeleteSo many of us Brits don't appreciate the wonderful gardens on our doorstep. Mind you, last year I went to Miami and met a couple who'd lived their all their lives there and never been to the everglades to see the gators, just a few miles away! Each to their own...
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