Gardens of Cornwall
In contrast to Cornwall's north-west coastline, which is famous for its rough and rugged scenery, the south coast is more sheltered and tranquil. Trees grow down to the water's edge and there are hundreds of wonderful woodland and coastal walks. Here, the equable climate encourages the growth of numerous sub-tropical plants and here too, we find most of the 80 Cornish Gardens that are open to the public.
In particular, six of the greatest gardens, namely Trebah, Tresco Abbey, Trelissick, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Trewithen and Eden - all strikingly individual - about the Budock Vean gardens here.
Spring Comes Early to Cornwall
Cornwall's rich and varied plant life is mainly attributable to its mild oceanic climate. Along the coastal fringe, the warming influence of the Gulf Stream ensures that heavy snow and severe frost are extremely rare. In summer, the maritime breeze maintains very comfortable temperatures. These conditions not only allow many sub-tropical plants to thrive in the sheltered valleys, but spring flowers also bloom weeks earlier in Cornwall than the rest of Britain. Over a thousand species of flowering plants and ferns take their turn to delight us from late February through to the summer.
Several National Plant Collections are preserved in Cornwall, including:
- Acacia at Tresco Abbey Gardens
- Camellia at Mount Edgcumbe
- Canna and Coleus at Brockings Nursery
North Petherwin - Crocosmia at Lanhydrock
- Dahlia at Rosewarne
- Grevillea at Pine Lodge Gardens
- Viola - many old varieties at Heligan
Trebah
Next door to Budock Vean and with all-year colour, Trebah is listed by the Good Gardens Guide as one of the finest gardens in the world. It is set in a 25-acre, steep-sided ravine which slopes gently down to a private beach on the Helford River. Glades of huge sub-tropical tree ferns and palms mingle with giant gunnera, furcraea and echium and over all of this is the great rolling canopy of 100-year-old rhododendrons and magnolias. A stream with waterfalls and Koi pools runs to the sea through beautiful water-gardens and two acres of massed hydrangeas.
Open 365 days a year.
Trelissick Garden
Trelissick is both a garden and an estate with glorious panoramic views along the Fal towards Falmouth and the open sea. The large 25-acre garden was given to the National Trust in 1955. Trelissick is famed for its large collection of hydrangeas, camellias, rhododendrons and other exotic and tender plants which thrive in the mild climate. The Cornish Apple Orchard is particularly lovely in the spring.
Open mid February to late October
Trewithen Gardens
Described by Penelope Hobhouse as 'perhaps the most beautiful woodland garden in England', Trewithen covers some 30 acres, and is internationally famous for its magnificent collection of camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and many rare trees and shrubs seldom found elsewhere in Britain.
Open from Monday to Saturday - March to September and on Sundays in April and May.
Tresco Abbey Gardens
Tresco, a small island in the Isles of Scilly, is home to one of the most exciting gardens in Great Britain. Within its 14 acres, palms shoot skywards, stately echiums resemble burning rockets, and countless plants from South Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean and Mexico, flourish in the protection of the massive holm oak hedges.
Normally open 365 days a year.