Garden owners throughout Cornwall open their gates to visitors as part of Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Open Gardens scheme
Garden owners throughout Cornwall will open their gates to visitors for the fourth year as part of Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Open Gardens scheme. CHRIS BETTY from the trust shares some of their favourites
Over the past three years this scheme has raised considerable funds for the Trust which is Cornwall’s leading charity in protecting threatened wildlife and wild places. This year looks to be even more exciting than previous years more events and many new gardens opening for the first time alongside established favourites.
The gardens involved vary in size from grand affairs to the more intimate, and the plants from immense trees to tiny rock plants. There is something for all gardeners, and what better way to spend a day in the spring, summer or early autumn than touring around the county visiting some of Cornwall’s finest gardens.
We are thrilled that so many garden owners are taking part in the Trust’s Open Gardens Scheme this year, and some for the very first time. A huge thanks goes to them all, as they will be raising vital funds for Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Private gardens are important havens for wildlife as well as contributing to the beauty of Cornwall. Pay a visit to one or more of these fabulous gardens, have a great day out and do something wonderful for Cornwall’s wildlife.
THE FIRST TO OPEN
Pedn Billy in the Helford Passage
April 27 from 2-5pm.
This garden is ablaze with azaleas, magnolias, rhododendrons, camellias and flowering bulbs. Half of the twelve acres is ancient woodland, with paths winding down to Port Navas Creek and the Helford River and a private beach.
Ten Acre, in a beautiful valley at Polmorla, near Wadebridge
4 May from 1-5pm.
This semi-natural ancient woodland has been lovingly restored to its former glory. Visitors can follow the Polmorla River along a sweeping bluebell walk under the magnificent oak and holly trees.
Chy Lowena, in Hayle
25 May from 2-5pm.
This one-quarters of an acre, sheltered by woods, features fruit trees, vegetables and exotic greenhouse species, plus organic gardening, and mixed borders and planting for different habitats.
One acre in size Poppy Cottage in Ruan High Lanes, Truro
1 June from 2-5.30pm
Situated in the heart of the beautiful Roseland Peninsula. Full of colour for year round interest, it is laid out as a series of rooms, which are small gardens in themselves, brimming with bulbs, herbaceous plants, grasses and shrubs. There is also a small orchard with unusual ducks and chickens.
FROM THE SMALL TO THE LARGE
Lethytepp at Penadlake, Lanreath
14 June from 10am-4pm
Lethytepp has 52 acres of diverse mixed habitat, featuring beautiful wildlife gardens, meadows, woodland and lakes. This is a great area for butterflies, dragonflies and wild flowers, with plenty to interest the keenest naturalist.
Long Hay at Treligga, Delabole
22 June from 11am-4pm
Long Hay is a fine example of a Cornish coastal garden in a beautiful, but harsh environment. A cottage garden with stunning vistas of the north coast and a natural meadow which overlooks the sea with paths leading to a copse, vegetable plots, orchard and greenhouse, plus herbaceous beds, shrubs, and pond.
Ethnevas Cottage at Constantine, near Falmouth
6 July from 2-5pm
An isolated granite cottage in two acres of land, this plantaholic’s garden has an intimate flower and vegetable area. A bridge over a stream leads to a large pond and a primrose path through a semi-wild bog area. As well as a wild flower glade and herbaceous beds, there is a hillside with grass paths among native and exotic trees, include 40 different types of conifers.
Coldrenick House at Menheniot, St. Germans
13 July from 2-5pm
The historic garden dates back to the mid-18th century and includes a walled garden, Victorian shrubbery and meadowland. The garden is specially opening for the trust for the first time in a number of years.
Arundell at West Pentire, Crantock
17 August from 1-5pm
A garden where no garden should be, that’s how Arundell at West Pentire, Crantock, opening on 17th August from 1-5pm has been described.
This one acre garden is set around the original farm cottage on a windswept north coast headland between two fantastic beaches. The site has amongst other attractions, a cottage garden, Mediterranean courtyard, rockery and shrubbery, a stream, pond, herbaceous borders and a Beth Chatto Dry garden.
