The gardens situated the furthest south that I've visited aren't far from Penzance - Trewidden and the National Trust garden - Trengwainton - unfortunately there wasn't time to see these this time but thought I'd give them a mention here anyway as they're fabulous!
Moving up towards Helston direction another favorite is Trevarno which I did go to - I particularly enjoyed the kitchen garden where I did get the chance to have a lengthy chat to the gardener there who has all sorts of interesting ideas with planting and providing support to plants and natural archways for his sweet peas - a progressive area and one that has changed quite a bit over the last few years. 
The other gardens we managed to get to this time round was Caerhays - with its magnificent collection of magnolias. It's set right by the coast and for those of you who enjoy a good walk there's a fair bit of up and down in this garden with some stunnning views.
Burncoose Nursery and Gardens was also well worth a visit - I must admit I spent most time in the nursery- they've got a fantastic selection of plants and the roses in particular are very good value! 
We also managed the National Trust's garden at Trelissick which was lovely, but not one I think I'd rush back to but was definately worth seeing though.
The other two which are always interesting at most times of year are both the National Trust's Glendurgan garden and Trebah - both valley gardens on the Helford River - they are similar in some respects but I'd recommend going to both.
Last but not least is Trewithen - another gorgeous garden - full of natural planting - wonderful Camelias and Azaleas as well as an interesting house which is also open to the public (I must admit I haven't been inside myself -although I've heard good reports). There are many more that I'm planning to visit on our next trip which I've not been along to yet - but hopefully this should keep you going in the meantime!
I also wanted to mention a couple of excellent self catering places to stay - a wonderful cottage right near the coast near Porscatho - within striking distance of Caerhays, Heligan and the Eden Project - Rosevine Farm - lovely owners who are really keen to promote everything "green" - extremely comfortable cottages with everything you could want in a holiday home. For those wanting to stay nearer to the Helford River and be within easy distance of Trevarno, Penzance, St Ives and also the Lizard peninsula - Higher Bowgie is brilliantly placed too, equally great and also very comfortable.
ENJOY!
19 comments:
Beautiful blooms Miranda and stunning photography. I love the intensity of the colours. I am fortunate enough to be able to grow some of those gorgeous shrubs here because rabbits won't touch them (which is great). Have to say though mine don't look anywhere as beautiful as though in your photographs.
You sound as if you really enjoyed your trip. We were frequent visitors to Cornwall when our children were yourng.
Thanks Cheryl - we had a great trip and it's never long enough! I could happily have stayed there for a fortnight - but there are too many things going on here in people's gardens to stay away that long at this time of year. Growing magnificent plants like you see down there can take years but I do love Camelias in particular and we have some here but as you say not as good as the ones you see..... yet!
I have been to Cornwall once, but in Summer. I have not visited these gardens but your photos make them a 'must' when I am down that way again :)
Hey Miranda, thanks for the tour :-D
It has been a few years since I was in this area. Great photos. We have visited Heligan and a few of the NT Gardens too. My favourite by far was Trebah (I liked it way better than Heligan too). My daughters enjoyed the children's trail at the time too. It was great to walk all the way down to the small beach. It was a hot dry day for our visits. People were swimming in the water and at that time little boats came in too. What a lovely day - thanks fro bringing back the memories :-D
BTW very interesting to see your photo of the white peacock as recently we have a had a pale yellow siskin which is leucistic. I wonder if your peacock is leucisitic too. Border said it could perhaps be and suggested I take a look. I am so glad I did :-D
Certainly looks like a Leucistic Peacock, glad you found it Shirl. Nice posting too Miranda, couple of years now since I've been to some of those gardens. So nice to see what's happening. Still not long now until Malvern, which should be the first foray into RHS show territory.
Hi Shirl and Border R - glad you liked the posting and the white Peacock! I think some of the Cornish gardens are amongst my favorite - reminds me of when we got married too as that was down there in March.
I wish there was a bit more time for posting but have been v.busy with work... details on a planting scheme I did on my business site... first posting for 2008 - I've loads more to post on there but here's the first item!
Bon weekend... Miranda
Hi Miranda....Thank for dropping by, also the very kind of offer of sending poppy seeds. I actually have them in the garden and they all look to be doing well at the moment. I adore poppies and have many varieties here. Some of my favourites are the peony poppy, the welsh poppy, I also had a pure white one, I hope it appears again this year.
Cerinthe Major and Verbena Bonariensis are beautiful aren't they. I love the colours.
Its so cold here tonight, hope it is better with you.
Great photos! The gardens look fantastic, we keep saying we will go down that way one day :-) If only there were more hours in the day!
Chris and Cheryl - thanks for dropping by - another glorious sunny day here - but v. cold and a white frost everwhere this morning - a surprise in many ways at this time of year!
The birds are busy nest building and the first swallows have arrived - so maybe good weather is on the way at last!
I totally agree Chris - if only there were more hours in the day - but I think we'd end up burnt out if there were!!
Take care and see you soon - Miranda
Hi Miranda,
It looks and sounds as if you had a wonderful time in Cornwall. I want to read more about the different gardens you visited. There were definitely lots of them... thank you for sharing your trip with us. I would have loved seeing the collection of Magnolias!
Hi Miranda...Tks for dropping by, always good to hear from you. Tks for your nice comments they are appreciated. Its been a really busy week in the garden. I have been planting trees. We have a high water table here and I thought I must really get it sorted.
I planted the lovely red stemmed willows, can't remember the name at the moment (senior moment). I love the colour they give in the winter and of course they will soak up a lot of the water. Thats the theory anyway.
I got them for a bargain price of £1.50 each, so can't go wrong.
Have a fab weekend, happy gardening.
I have never been to Cornwall, your images make me want to pack my suitcase right now! I'll have to come back to enjoy more of your blog. ;-)
Thank you for your kind comment on my 'Strawberry Fields' blog. Have you been to my main blog, "Vienna for Beginners"?
Glad you liked the blog Merisi - believe you me, the gardens in Cornwall are well worth packing your bags for!! Will check out your Vienna Blog too...
Miranda
Stunning photos, Miranda. I've been to London once, but only for a few days (one of those whirlwind 10-day trips with my students) and didn't get to travel outside the city. Your photos make me long to pack my bags and set off for a real trip through the UK. Looking at your photos, I should plan it for spring!
Hi, Miranda. Hope you are well :)
Fancy a spot of Hokey Cokey dancing? Yes? You will need to bring a wiggly tail... :)
Hi Miranda....Hows the weather in your part of the world. We have had a terrible spring so far, I am just hoping that things will start to change soon.
Are you still busy, I guess so because you have not been blogging for a while.
Hope you are well and having fun.
Don't work too hard.
Thanks for your note here Cheryl... just got back from another visit to the UK - this time for a Christening which was lovely. Got back today - so back to gardening work tomorrow - loads to do as usual.
This year weather wise as you say has been one of the wettest - I've noticed that we've lost a lot of the lilac this year down to frost which is a shame - everything else seems to have gone unscathed thank goodness.
It's definately warmer here than in the UK at the moment - judging between temperatures in Bristol and here today - in the days I've been away there's flooding again with the quantity of rain they've had in my absence... does it ever stop?
Anyway - hope there'll be time for blogging soon... take care youself Miranda
Thanks for your note here Cheryl... just got back from another visit to the UK - this time for a Christening which was lovely. Got back today - so back to gardening work tomorrow - loads to do as usual.
This year weather wise as you say has been one of the wettest - I've noticed that we've lost a lot of the lilac this year down to frost which is a shame - everything else seems to have gone unscathed thank goodness.
It's definately warmer here than in the UK at the moment - judging between temperatures in Bristol and here today - in the days I've been away there's flooding again with the quantity of rain they've had in my absence... does it ever stop?
Anyway - hope there'll be time for blogging soon... take care youself Miranda
Hi, Miranda. Hope you are well :)
Fancy popping over to see my latest visitors?
Post a Comment