Great Beauty, Splendour,
Magnificent settings … perhaps with a glorious sunrise, or a summer’s evening
sunset … so many gardens to choose from … where will you visit?
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| View from Tremenheere Sculpture Garden showing St Michael's Mount in Penzance Bay with the Lizard Peninsula in the back ground |
One after which the word
App has been called is Morrab Gardens in Penzance, run by the Council: in
Cornish Mor App was so named after Sea and Shore.
 |
| Tree Ferns in exhausted tin mine workings |
Cornish Gardens are
magnificent and by dint of their location offer a unique horticultural
experience … the Gulf Stream gives Cornwall a very mild climate … sub-tropical
plants can take hold in little bioclimes – exhausted mine workings, sheltered
hollows, bomb holes …
… while the Scilly Isles,
28 miles off the Cornish coast, are
renowned for their diversity of plant life, but particularly the Abbey Garden,
on Tresco Island (see later) …
 |
| Tresco Abbey Gardens |
… groups of succulents,
towering palm trees and giant, lipstick-red flame trees … the garden is home to
species from 80 countries … many of the tender floral gems would stand no chance
on the Cornish mainland …
But Great Gardens abound
to suit all garden lovers … the ones I list here are of the best known,
largest, most historically and horticulturally important gardens in Cornwall.
 |
| Magnolias - early flowering trees |
Information taken from The Great Gardens ofCornwall site … where there are more details and other photos … to tempt you
visit!
Flowerings are earlier
than the rest of the country … magnificent Magnolias, Camellias,
Rhododendrons and Azaleas abound … under-planted with crocuses, daffodils
a-plenty …
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| Camellia sheltered on a warm wall |
The Gardens they list
as great … each garden has six photos (in slide show format) to tempt you to visit and to go in!
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| The hot plantings at Bonython |
Bonython Estate Gardens,
Lizard Peninsula – better in summer … with plenty of modern plantings by the
South African owners ...
Caerhayes (Castle) Estate
Gardens, St Austell – an informal woodland garden overlooking the sea …
 |
| Lamorran Gardens overlooking the Fal estuary |
Eden Project, St Austell –
The Living Theatre of Plants and People
(I’ve posted about this incredible Project) ...
Lamorran Gardens, St Mawes
– Mediterranean style
Trebah, Mawnan Smith –
sub-tropical paradise with a coastal backdrop ...
Tresco Abbey Garden,
Scilly Isles – garden zones of the plants as found in their native lands; the
Valhalla Museum – a unique collection of figureheads from ancient shipwrecks is
to be found here ...
Trewithen, Nr Truro – a garden
to impress, with an 18thC house for guided tours – a rare and unique Cornish
gem ...
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| A new addition to Trewithen - trying to preserve the Red Squirrel |
The National Trust – six gardens
can be found under their auspices ...
Tregothnan, near Truro – a
fascinating botanical garden – viewing by appointment … but I have written two
posts about this estate and their teas – yes tea! ...
 |
| Sculptural plants at Tremenheere |
Trewidden, just west of
Penzance – a remarkable stand of tree ferns set within ancient tin workings …
rare and exotic plants, tin-smelting kettles used as water features …
Tremenheere Sculpture
Gardens, Gulval, Penzance – with a backdrop to St Michaels Mount …
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| The Mud Maiden in the Lost Gardens of Heligan |
The Lost Gardens of
Heligan, St Austell – the garden restoration par none … following plans laid
down in the 1800s ...
That is G for the Great and Glorious Gardens, Garlanded
splendour, where the Goggling Gardeners can Greedily Giggle at the Giant range
of Glories ... from Aspects of British Cornish …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
68 comments:
Tregothnan has an open day this weekend. I know some folks who are going along but I can't make it this time. There are some fantastic magnolias and rhododendrons out at the moment.
I want to see all of them in person. Cornwall must be a beautiful place to live.
You can find me here:
ClarabelleRant
Oh Hillary I am a fan of gardens. What a splendor, what a treasures. I had no idea that there were such gardens in Cornwall
beside all these beautiful buildings.
It's on my bucket list now. The view from the Lamorran garden is stunning and I love the Tresco Abbey garden as well Love them all
Lovely gardens. I'm told that magnolias are blooming in South London now. My only visit to Cornwall did not include any formal gardens. Sue
I loved The Lost Gardens of Heligan - so amazing. I really want to go back to see how they've changed since we last visited.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
A gardeners paradise. Lovely to have the warm to support exotic plants.
I love beautiful gardens!
Precious Monsters
How utterly splendid! I would love to see the sculptural plants. The gardens in the ruins, as well. Let us face it, I'd always wanted to see Cornwall and your posts are making me eager to do so. That Mud Maiden is smile-making. Lovely post, Hilary!
I would love to visit those gardens and take photos.
Oh my goodness, the pictures of the gardens made me gasp a little, as I would love to be there. All the greenery against the pillars that blend in with whatever nature has provided and humans have re arranged. I missed so much when I was still doing my travels.
Beautiful. And I remember being told as a kid that there were palm trees in England, and I didn't believe it. How could that be? It's cold and rainy there. :)
How beautiful, The Great and Glorious Gardens of Cornwall. This reminds me that I have a lot of work to do outside. It's been raining nearly every day, downpours, so you can imagine how the grass has grown, but how impossible it was to mow. That was until last night. I MOWED MY YARD. hee hee
Such gorgeous greenery! It always makes me envious, since when you visit Perth, WA, you see a lot more brown than green. ;) But we are getting a hint more 'tropical' and so a bit greener, thanks to that lovely global warming thing.
I've always heard Cornwall is a beautiful place to visit.
~Visiting from AtoZ
Oh my gosh that sculpture garden is amazing! I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like that.
No doubt Cornwall has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world to visit.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell, there's one we have never been to, always raining so I wasn't allowed, but shall visit one day!
@ Suzanne – I’d love to come down to the Tregothnan open day … one day I will get there. And I always loved the magnolias and rhododendrons … stunning displays …
@ Clarabelle – all the gardens would love to see you … I don’t live in Cornwall – my mother used to and we consider ourselves ‘Cornish’ ..
@ Marja – I agree gardens are just wonderful to be .. especially if someone else is taking care of them! There are some wonderful estates in Cornwall … That’s great that you’ve put Cornwall and its gardens on your bucket list: I don’t either of the two you’ve chosen ..
@ Sue – the magnolias are out here too .. and they will be in full swing down in the warmer climate of Cornwall. Perhaps you can rectify and make another visit to see some of the gardens?!
@ Natasha – another garden I need to get to .. we always go to the Eden Project and friends near by .. so Heligan was off the beaten track …
@ OOTP – yes .. there are plenty of gardeners who visit – and the warmth of the Gulf Stream makes a big difference … lots of rain, but warmer!
@ Jolie – thanks for the visit – and that’s great you love gardens …
@ Diana – so much on offer … many more around too. The sculptural plants fascinate me … and the gardens in ruins – but so often that’s the way. Perhaps one day you’ll make it over here … yes the Mud Maiden does make me smile too ..
@ Diane – one day I hope you can get over … and just enjoy the days visiting the gardens, galleries etc and landscape …
@ Manzanita – they are glorious and now is the time to visit – Spring is at its best. Well at least you’ve travelled to a few places – and sadly we can never do it all …
@ Luanna – yes there are palm trees here, particularly in the south west – Cornwall way … it’s warmer down there!!
@ Teresa – sorry about the gardening reminder .. but you mowed your grass – that’s great one job done! I gather the weather isn’t brilliant in the States … it’s getting better here, long may it stay!
@ Karen – sometimes a while … but I enjoy the learning process … and I’m always adding bits in, looking for photos etc … sometimes ages – this one not so long.
@ Trisha – yes I imagine Perth would be brown .. rather like Jo’burg in some ways … that’s good there’s a bit more rain coming your way.
@ Wendy – great to see you – and perhaps one day you’ll get a chance to visit, I hope so.
@ Julie – all the sculptural designs are just incredible – I can’t garden for toffee … well I might learn if toffee was on offer! Cornwall is very different … and has lots of contrasting scenery ..
@ Carole Anne – ah – good The Lost Gardens of Heligan is the place to visit … I hope you can get down and see them. I have to get across … one day …
Cheers everyone – I thought gardens might be popular! Happy A- Zing … Hilary
you always have so much interesting content with your posts. Hi again, after so long away! tm
What lovely green pictures to have today for my dark and stormy day. :)
I really need to visit Cornwall. It looks stunning! I love that Mud Maiden. I wish I had her in my backyard. :)
While I loved the brief visits to all these gardens and they certainly make me want to see more...my favorite part of this post was the ending. I love reading it aloud, especially the "Gooling Gardeners can Greedily Giggle a the Giant range of Glories..." Well done, Hilary:~)
Favorite is the sculpture gardens. Then I realize how much work it is to have these fabulous gardens. I can barely keep up with the weeds. There must be an army of dedicated volunteers who love gardening which then becomes a labor of love.
Tropical gardens with palm trees? Now that is a mild but warm climate for those to grow.
I love the idea of the "lost gardens"...sort of like "The Secret Garden." And that Mud Maiden is amazing.
I love to see, visit, and read about gardens. And you've got red squirrels! We have brown, black, and tan, but not red! :)
I so love gardens!
Heading to Scotland in July and must visit some of these magnificent gardens!
Lovely post, Hilary ...thank you!
What amazing gardens!
More gardens the better. Always beautiful to look at! Visiting on the A-Z Challenge.
As I See It Daily
I am totally tempted Hilary ... that Mud Maiden ... mmmm, but ALL of your posts about Cornwall are deliciously graphic. And the mists of Avalon ....
Thank you for wonderful post Hilary.
Susan
I would love to get to the Eden project someday..your pictures are stunning! esp the mud maiden. Thanks for posting
Ciao,
Nila
We've been to the Eden Project in the early days and were fascinated by the different zones. I have to say that I would recommend Tresco Abbey Gardens to anyone. It was the highlight of our exploration of the island where we spent our golden wedding anniversary.
Ooo, love that mud maiden. I'm going to have to add her to my inspiration folder. The Pacific Northwest here has ferns like those. Gardens are glorious.
Untethered Realms / MPax
I'm a seen-one-seen-em-all kind of girl when it comes to gardens, although I would like to visit Heligan. The kids have gone to the Eden Project several times now, on school trips.
This must be the gardeners heaven on Earth. I would love to visit Cornwall!
Funny I don't associate magnolias, azaleas, etc. with England but of course the climate of Cornwall is somewhat different. Would love to go to the Eden project. Beautiful gardens are wonderful to visit. I have seen a pic of the Mud Maiden before, fascinating.
What gorgeous scenery! Love the camellias!
I'm beginning to think that I must add visiting Cornwall to my bucket list. I would love seeing all these gardens!
These gardens are so beautiful. The mud maiden is screaming for me to write a poem. Can I use that picture?
Finding that Mud Maiden on a garden stroll would be such a delight! I think I'd just lie down with her and smell the grass.
Beautiful gardens.
Oh my, all so beautiful and unique. I've heard about trying to save the red squirrel and seen pictures of the Mud Maiden, but I think the picture of Tresco Abbey Gardens pulls my heart strings the strongest.
How wonderful it would be to be able to tour those through a long summer. So much to see.
Okay, where do I start? Too many I want to see. The Sculpture garden at Tremenheere, or the Lost Gardens of Heligan might be good places to begin. I think someone should put together a "Garden Tour" of the UK. I would love that! Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
I'm such a fan of ornate and inspiring gardens! This post is delightful, especially with so many features and narratives about each of the gardens mentioned. Once again you've delighted me, Hilary and I couldn't be happier that I stopped in for a visit here :)
I'm such a fan of ornate and inspiring gardens! This post is delightful, especially with so many features and narratives about each of the gardens mentioned. Once again you've delighted me, Hilary and I couldn't be happier that I stopped in for a visit here :)
I am such a fan of gardens. I am obsessed with them. The Camella sheltered on a warm wall is breathtaking. They remind me of spring when the Azaleas bloom here, but the Azaleas are not nearly as beautiful.
You won a gift card on my blog. Thanks for participating so far in my A to Z crime fiction murder mystery.
wow Hilary where you live is mystical, thank you for sharing, my mind needs a dream of a faraway land and I found some here
So many beautiful gardens...so little time to visit them all. I'll be back to check them out. Enjoyed your narratives about the gardens. Would love to visit them with my camera. Talk about a Flower Child.
Hilary, in case I haven't thanked you for your daily visits...THANKS! I love your comments.
Sue at CollectInTexas Gal
AtoZ 2015 Challenge
Minion for AJ's wHooligans
Cool pics and descriptions. The Mud Maiden was very cool!
Shawn from Laughing at Life 2
What a visual feast. That mud maiden... How unique... Everything leaves me speechless. Thank you for putting together this wonderful journey through GARDENS...:) :)
What beautiful gardens! Love the spiral plant and the mud maiden. It makes me wish spring would hit here soon so I could get out and work in mine.
I feel refreshed just looking at these pictures. I look at our yard and see we really need to add some color to it.
Hi Hilary! There are so many interesting things to learn about from this post. I don't know where to start haha! Perhaps with that Mud Maiden in the Lost Gardens of Heligan. :)
What lovely photos and how wonderful Cornwal must be! How lucky you are to have so many wonderful gardens to visit.
You've made me want to swim over to Cornwall and start garden-hopping! So many to choose from. What an incredible amount of work must go into the Tremenheere Sculpture Garden. Also, I had no idea that Cornwall could host sub-tropical plants, or that palm trees and flame trees could grow only 28 miles off the Cornish coast. Fascinating.
Oh my how beautiful Hilary. I love gardens. If only I could afford it I would turn my entire yard into a garden just like the gardens of your pictures. My neighbor across the street has a beautiful magnolia tree that I get to enjoy every spring.
Fantastic. To look at some of those pictures you'd think it was in the tropics, it looks so vivid!
So beautiful, and how fascinating that sub-tropical plants can grow there. Truly wonderful.
And that little Red Squirrel just might be the cutest thing ever. :D
What a marvelous mud maiden! These gardens are extraordinary, Hilary!
Julie
@ OrnerysWife – good to see you once again and I do remember!
@ Christine – I hope your dark, stormy day will dawn into a brighter one today ..
@ Chrys – Cornwall is always open for visitors .. it is wonderful and I to need to get to see the Mud Maiden
@ Sara – yes, sadly they are brief visits and I definitely now want to get to the ones I didn’t see. I love writing the alliterative endings to my posts … and I’m so glad they’re appreciated.
@ Nat – that sculpture garden is relatively recent – dedicated, owners, paid gardeners and lots of volunteers in some of the gardens. Gardening is work .. but so rewarding.
@ Alex – I know it always amazes people to see palm trees and tropical plants .. it is warm, but can be positively damp!
@ Elizabeth – it was an incredible project to uncover and recreate the Lost Gardens of Heligan according to the Victorian plans .. they had pineapples and all kinds of luxuries 180 years ago ..
@ Rosey – I enjoy visiting gardens .. they are wonderful to see. Sadly we have your grey squirrels that are eliminating our red ones, which we are trying to preserve pockets of them …
@ Margie – lucky you .. Scotland will be brilliant – Cornwall is miles away … but enjoy your visit – there’s some magnificent gardens in Scotland …
@ Beste –glad you’ve enjoyed seeing them …
@ Katy – good to see you here .. and I’m very happy you chose to come and look at G for gardens on G day!
@ Susan – that’s good .. tempting is good! The Gardens at Heligan are amazing .. and I’m so pleased that my descriptions tempt you to visit. Perhaps you will get here …
@ Nila – I hope you’ll be able to make it over .. the Eden Project is an incredible place to visit … while the Heligan garden where the mud maiden is … I know is stunning, despite not visiting myself!
@ Bob – we used to go regularly right from the start – my mother was always going up from Penzance and I always stop on my way down.
Tresco Gardens – I thought that would be your favourite – it looks amazing and has become the place for me to visit when I next get down. Wonderful Golden Anniversary time you had.
@ Mary – stories could definitely be written about the mud maiden – so pleased you like her!! It’s lush on the Pacific coast .. though I’ve only spent a while on Vancouver Island.
@ Annalisa – I know some people love them, some not so .. but you enjoy walking and hiking and the coasts and moors offer so much. I bet the kids have been to the Eden Project – they are very strong on getting the schools and kids involved .. and seem to have a knack of getting it right.
@ MyGreen Nook – I think Britain is probably gardener’s heaven – we have incredible gardens .. and I hope you can get over to Cornwall – good to see you.
@ Jo – there’s lots of magnolias and azaleas in the UK .. but they do flourish in the West Country. The Eden Project is brilliant. Glad you enjoyed the post.
@ Jerralea – camellias are wonderful and now is the time ... I love them too. I hope you’ll add Cornwall to your bucket list …
@ Trudessa – the gardens are all amazing … and the mud maiden does talk doesn’t she. I used a pic from Google images and hope no-one minds!
@ Lee – the fact she’s muddy makes me worry about a muddy bed to lie in! She is extraordinary though … and just lying in the grass on a summer’s day breathing in the earthy scents brings the thought to light.
@ Bish – the gardens are all different … and yes we are trying to protect the red squirrel – from the imported American grey squirrel, which has taken over. Tresco Abbey pulls my heart strings too – I’ve never been over to the Scilly Isles.
@ Susan – yes a tour through the long summer would be wonderful wouldn’t it … and there is much to see in Cornwall.
@ Lisa – there are garden tours … plenty of them! Yet as you say where do you start … those are two wonderful gardens to visit … but remember geography! There are maps of where they’re situated to check areas etc ...
@ MJ – delighted you’ve enjoyed the interlude across here – thanks for coming over. Gardens have so much to offer …
@ Melissa – gardens can catch our hearts can’t they .. I enjoy seeing your azaleas – usually at the golf – I enjoy the scenery! I loved that pink camellia … we’ve the red one here, it’s more ubiquitous.
Thanks so much for the gift card – that’s lovely … I’m enjoying your crime fiction murder mystery as part of the A-Z … I’ll be over.
@ Lisa – I now live on the coast south of London, but this is where my mother lived and where we’ve spent lots of time. It is a magical place …
@ Sue – that’s great you’ll be back to check out the gardens – they’re worth it and perhaps one day you can visit a few. Yes – flower child .. that’s fine!! Flowers enjoy being recorded and treasured.
It’s a pleasure to visit and comment …
@ Shawn – good to meet you and I’m glad you had a happy visit here …
@ Ann- lots of links to check out too .. so hope you and Jen can enjoy some happy times looking at the sites. It’s lovely to see you here.
@ Jean – the gardens inspired me too – and I remember what I’m missing by not visiting. The cactus spiral is wonderful isn’t it .. and the mud maiden is amusing everyone. Spring will come – we’re having a brief spell and then it cools for the weekend!
@ Stephen – that’s great … we all need some space to just check things out and gardens are a great antidote .. I hope you can get some colour into your yard.
@ Maria – good to see you here and I’m so pleased you’re happy to visit the blog and get inspired for a real visit.
@ Kat – lovely to see you here too .. and Cornwall is wonderful for so many things …
@ Kern – swim over?! Garden hopping .. so many to hop to. I’m sure all show gardens take a huge amount of work … and yes the climate down there is mild .. the Scilly Isles are a special place.
@ Paula – that’s wonderful and I’m so pleased these gave you pleasure to think about … somewhere to check in back to when you feel the need. Your neighbour’s magnolia must be lovely as a harbinger of Spring – they are glorious trees.
@ Nick – professional photographers do great jobs don’t they .. but the climate is distinctly milder down there.
@ Sara – so happy you’ve enjoyed the visit. It surprises many that the range of plants is so varied … and I was fascinated to see the Red Squirrel at Trewithen, I hope they breed successfully …
@ Julie - the mud maiden is quite extraordinary isn't she .. but the gardens are beautiful.
Cheers to you all – I thought gardens would be a good subject … and thanks so much for all your comments and interest - Hilary
I've always wanted to go to Tresco and hopefully will get there one day, certainly are some great gardens to visit.
The Tresco Abbey Gardens look beautiful! And I really like the picture of the camellias on the wall. So pretty.
I'd love to see the lost gardens in St Austell.
I'd love to see them all. That is a beautiful Japanese Magnolia!
Your visuals and description of Cornwall are so beautiful. I never seen such information in the guide books and after reading your post, I would love to visit Cornwall one day. I didn't know the mud maiden in the garden existed - would love to see all this …..
Im from a-z challenge.
Good luck with the rest of the challenge and look forward to more photos and posts from you : )
So many more beautiful places to add to my list of places to visit! Thanks again for sharing your beautiful country with us all.
Beautiful photos, Hilary.
A visually soothing post.
The Tresco Abbey Gardens look DIVINE!
I also saw some beautiful Japanese gardens on another G-post.
@ Rosie - I hope you get to Tresco soon .. and I must say now I've written about the Scilly Isles I too want to visit!
@ Danielle - the camellia's are lovely aren't they ..
@ Deniz - Switzerland is nearer than Canada .. so hope you can get over sometime!
@ Lynn - there are so so many ... you'd be bewitched .. and the Magnolias are always wonderful ..
@ Fabfortee - thanks so much and good to see you .. I think I just the information out differently ...
@ Marcy - yes, lots of places to visit - I don't even get to see them all ..
@ Michelle - thanks so much .. and it was soothing to write too .. Tresco does look amazing doesn't it ..
Japanese Gardens have special meanings .. and I'd love to know more about them ..
Thanks to you all - cheers Hilary
@ Rosie - I hope you get to Tresco soon .. and I must say now I've written about the Scilly Isles I too want to visit!
@ Danielle - the camellia's are lovely aren't they ..
@ Deniz - Switzerland is nearer than Canada .. so hope you can get over sometime!
@ Lynn - there are so so many ... you'd be bewitched .. and the Magnolias are always wonderful ..
@ Fabfortee - thanks so much and good to see you .. I think I just the information out differently ...
@ Marcy - yes, lots of places to visit - I don't even get to see them all ..
@ Michelle - thanks so much .. and it was soothing to write too .. Tresco does look amazing doesn't it ..
Japanese Gardens have special meanings .. and I'd love to know more about them ..
Thanks to you all - cheers Hilary
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