Cornwall Day Three - Carwinion

This was my first visit to Carwinion. Initially I did not have high hopes, but it's one of those gardens that just gets better and better the further you explore. The first area is dedicated to a bamboo collection, with over 200 species.

Some of the bamboo had been planted in circles to allow you to stand in the centre in a bamboo 'cage', or with walkways between. Just when I thought we'd seen everything a pathway opened up which led to a woodland walk, covering some 14 acres. This tree was plastered in lichen, which apparently is a sign of good air:

A boggy area has been planted with Gunnera:

When I took the next photo, I actually didn't see the little critter attached to the Gunnera leaf!





I seem to find it hard to photograph Camellias. I'm okay at close ups of the flowers, but the whole bush looks rather pathetic. It's frustrating because I am standing in front of a beautiful plant that I don't seem to be able to translate into an image. Perhaps the shiny leaves reflect light that detracts from the colours of the plant. I don't know - in any case, as if to prove the point, here's a Camellia that was a beautiful deep red colour in person. Honest!

And finally, another secret pathway shot!



Cornwall Day Three - Trebah

Records of Trebah date back to the Doomsday survey of 1085, when it was the property of the Bishop of Exeter. For six centuries it passed by sale or marriage through many old, noteworthy Cornish families, including the Killigrews and the Nicholls. The surviving Georgian house at the head of the valley was built by the Nicholls in the 18th century and pre-dates the garden. The Ordnance Survey map of 1813 shows Trebah as being a wooded valley within which the garden was subsequently developed.

The wonderful garden to be enjoyed at Trebah today is the cumulative result of almost 200 years of horticultural endeavour.

This was my third visit to Trebah, and it still has that 'wow' effect. I sometimes moan about sowing biennials which won't flower until next year, but imagine planning a garden which would take over a hundred years to reach its zenith!

Some of the Rhododendrons were not yet in flower, but still impressive.

Fabulous foliage!

The house is not open to the public.

Magistic tree ferns

A jungle in....Cornwall

A magnificent magnolia

Another of my 'mystery path' shots

and another....

Looking up the valley to the house

The beach at the bottom of the garden

Gunnera Passage.

In summer you can wander beneath the giant leaves

An army of Gunnera aliens marching through the garden?

An inviting set of steps along the descending stream

Cornwall Day Three - Glendurgan

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.



The entrance path is flanked with Camellias.




Towering rhododendrons fight for a view of the Helston River.




Gunneras point the way to the maze.




I love this view down the pathway towards the river.




A lovely Camellia - sorry, don't know the variety!




The beach at the bottom of the garden.



Cornwall Day Two - Bonython

We also mangaged to squeeze in a trip to Bonython Gardens on day two of our trip. This garden is full of variety, beginning with the recently re-modelled (2001) walled garden.

On leaving the walled garden, a lovely open vista greets you, and the

eye is led down to the first of several lakes.

From this lake runs a stream, which takes you along a valley towards other lakes.

Camassias and erythroniums were thriving in this damp environment.

Massed plantings of Hellebores were backed by statuesque tree ferns.

Magnolia Stellata, looking good.

Fresh Gunnera leaves were enjoying their slow stretch to maturity

In the orchard the blossom was, well, blossoming!



This is a garden I'd love to visit in the summer, as there is a lot of planting for later in the season. The owner hails from South Africa, and much of the planting reflects this. Maybe next year...

Cornwall Day Two - Bosahan

Close to the Helford River, Bosahan offers a breathtaking view to the estuary and sea.

Bosahan has its own microclimate, enabling a fusion of tender plants from both hemispheres to flourish in the moist shelter. Radiant rows of rhododendrons and azaleas are mixed with the likes of magnolias and southern hemisphere tree and shrub species.

You can walk all the way down to a beach at the Estuary, and look across to the beaches at Trebah and Glendurgan. The only problem is you have to walk all the way back up again, which we found quite hard as this was the first hill of the holiday. We got quite good at hills by mid-week and then started to flag again towards the end!

But the hill was worth it to catch scenes like this, where the sun pervades the tree canopy and invites you explore around the next corner. This is one of my favourite photos of the week.

The exotic palm groves and mature Maidenhair trees have made a lush canopy under which to explore the 'sub-tropical' environment. Bosahan is blessed with a meandering stream trickling through the centre, creating a wonderful garden for walkers to follow a trail along the fern-edged banks and palm-fringed pond.

So it was a thumbs up for Bosahan, although sadly we were the only visitors at the time. It's a catch 22 situation - the less well known gardens are more peaceful and make for a photographer's paradise, but I don't know how they afford to stay open. Perhaps the petrol panic that consumed Britain last week put people off travelling down to Cornwall, as most places were quieter than normal. It certainly didn't put off this hardy blogger!

Cornwall Day One - Boconnoc

As luck would have it, the first weekend of our holiday tied in with the Cornwall Spring Gardening Show at Boconnoc. It would have been daft not to go. In some ways it was torture for Mum and I, because we could not buy any plants, with four of us plus luggage in the car. And with over one hundred stands, temptation was lurking around every corner.

Still, it was great to see the plants on offer, and there were some very impressive displays in the competitions. I've not seen spring flowers in competitions before, and it was great to see so many varieties of daffodil, camellia and rhododendron in one place.

The entry fee of £7.00 was very good value, and even included entry to the garden at Boconnoc. Whilst it made for a pleasant stroll away from the crowds, there wasn't a great deal to see, so we were glad we didn't visit just to see the garden. All in all though a great start to the week.