Report on visit to Rose Morran and Lower Tregamere on Thursday 19th September 2024
What a shame that only four members took part in our September visit as they missed a very enjoyable and sunny day out. Lower Tregamere was open for the NGS in the afternoon so we were delighted when the owners of Rose Morran agreed to open their garden for us in the morning.
Peter and Jenny were very generous with their time and gave us a guided tour of the garden which they have been developing over the last ten years. The property and garden occupy a one-acre plot and the borders are full of shrubs and plants which provide texture and all year round colour. We also admired the trees such as the chillean myrtles and several varieties of acers as well as prunus full of white or pink berries which looked so pretty against the clear blue sky. We then moved to the one-acre grass area surrounded by edges where shrubs such as the Mexican shrimp plant thrive. Peter and Jenny also have raised beds and a greenhouse where they propagate plants to sell for the NGS as well for Pencarrow House.
We had our picnic lunch in their garden, indulged in tea and cakes and bought several plants before making our way to the next garden.
What a contrast! Lower Tregamere can be described as a natural, even wild garden divided into three sections and with intriguing features at every corner. Much of the garden was put in place by the globetrotting Blakes who built the house as a summer residence in the early 1920s. WT Blake was the first person to attempt to fly around the world in 1922. The current owners acquired the property more than twenty years ago and started working on the garden 10 years ago and continue to develop it to turn it into "their own paradise". The less common trees we saw were: Bamboo, Banana, Chilean fire bush, Ginko, Gunnera, Handkerchief tree, Katsuras, Korean and Norwegian Firs, Redwoods, Tassel bush, Tulip tree and Whitebeam.
Intriguing features included a Chinese Gate, a doll house Swiss Chalet, Dan's seat, an owl sculpture and a chess board. It will be interesting to go back in a few years' time as the owners are planning many further improvements.
Report on visit to Lametton Mill on Saturday 3rd August
15 of us enjoyed a sunny-ish visit to Lametton Mill near St Keyne.
We had a very interesting talk about the history of the house by the owners, Richard and Leigh, including about the massive revamp. It was featured on Grand Designs, and any of us who had not seen it already are looking forward to watching that- being nosy to see the interior too!
We were then shown around the garden and were so impressed by what they have done in a very short time. Lots of unusual plants - and looking very mature despite the first planting being done in 2021 and some areas not planted until last year.
We could look around their propagating area and there were great plants for sale. Finally we enjoyed tea/ coffee and a choice of scrummy cakes before heading home.
Report on visit to Malibu, Polzeath on Wednesday 10 July
We managed to squeeze in a second Garden Visit in July, and nine members spent a very enjoyable time in this fabulous garden, just a few yards away from the cliff edge. The sun appeared for us, setting off the picturesque coastal views and the wonderful colours in the garden to perfection. Like our previous trip, this was organised as a private visit under the aegis of the National Garden Scheme (NGS).
The owner Nick Pickles, and his late wife, started the garden and planting from scratch in 2005, and after nearly 20 years it is now very well established. A large number of the plants in the garden were propagated in Malibu, and Nick shared with us his passion and knowledge of this aspect of gardening (and some good tips!), particularly for succulents. Apart from a large, varied number of succulents, features of the garden include rockeries and herbaceous beds, providing a riot of colour. As well as the beautiful plants, scattered around the garden and peeping out through the plants, were some charming garden ornaments. We were also lucky to be joined by some of the local wildlife - rabbits and fledgling robins - like us enjoying the beautiful garden on a summer day.
After our guided tour of the garden we enjoyed home-baked cakes/biscuits, tea and coffee, which ended a most enjoyable and informative visit. All proceeds of the refreshment going to NGS and the cancer and healthcare related charities they support.
Report on visit to Gardens Cottage Prideaux on Monday 1st July
Thirteen members enjoyed a wonderful afternoon in this beautiful garden. It was organised as a private group visit, following owner Sue Newton's talk at the u3a Open meeting in March about the work of the NGS.
Sue and her husband Roger explained how they had created the garden from scratch10 years ago, how it is continuing to mature and the increasing focus on biodiversity. The herbaceous borders are planted in abundance and were truely stunning. We wandered at will around the formal and informal areas enhanced by a clever use of scultpures. There are dry terraces, a courtyard garden, woodland glades, a wildlife pond, beehives, an orchard and fruit garden and a productive kitchen garden.
Sue and Roger were extremely generous with their time and their enthusiasm was contagious. A delicious tea and cake rounded off the visit, with all proceeds going to the NGS
Report on visit to Lerryn Open Gardens on Sunday 9th June
It was a really successful day on Sunday 9th June for the visit to Lerryn Gardens Open Day which raised an amazing £1616 for Lerryn Primary School and Nursery. The weather was fantastic which no doubt helped. Our own Lin Briggs’ garden at Fan Cottage was open from 11am to 3pm and welcomed 104 visitors. Other gardens in Lerryn, St Veep and Couch’s Mill included Creek Cottage, Arch Cottage, Tregoose, the Old Rectory, Colwood Cottage, Orchard Cottage, Bareppa, Plants for A Future Community Woodland, The Barn home of Lantic Gin and Earthbound Cornwall.
Report on visit to PINSLA GARDEN & DEVIOCK FARM on Thursday 9th May
Only 5 members made it for this visit and what a treat it was with perfect weather and welcoming hosts who gave us very interesting garden tours.
Claire and Mark Woodbine have lived at PINSLA for 40 years and have created a magical wildlife garden with different areas to wander through. The granite stone circle is quite a feature. Originally their cottage was the lodge to Glynn House estate and the grounds were full of rhododendron bushes leading to the main house. Over the years these have been replaced by an abundant array of colourful flower beds and shrubs including many variety of Acer bushes and trees. Claire’s philosophy is to “tend to leave nature to do its own thing”, but to move plants if they prove to be in the wrong place and are unhappy.
Since retiring their polytunnel is now used to grow vegetables in large tubs, which the odd mouse also finds very tasty! Claire’s enthusiasm for gardening was very motivating giving the group some ideas to try out for ourselves.
When our tour was over Claire very kindly led the way to DEVIOCK FARM where we were greeted by Sue and Bernie Muir. On arrival we were provided with a very welcome cup of tea/coffee and delicious homemade cakes whilst sitting in the sunshine.
Sue and Bernie have lived at Deviock Farm for 19 years and have over the last 5 years created a stunning garden with a natural theme to encourage wildlife. Bernie’s mini digger has meant that they have managed to move plants and shrubs which were in the wrong place and the odd tree root which have now become a feature in the garden. It was also used to dig out a waterwheel pit which is now a lovely waterfall feature with the water carrying on as a stream down through the garden. The main spring fed pond near the house has been left for wildlife and is surrounded by Gunnera, Iris etc.
Many new trees have been planted. A few of the original Ash trees have sadly succumbed to Ash Die Back and are being left until they fall naturally. As Bernie has several bee hives some areas have been left uncut and wild daffodils, Camassias and fritillaries have been planted. The apple trees looked a picture covered in blossom.
The vegetable garden was very neat and tidy and Sue has recently made a new Asparagus bed. In the polytunnel were tomato plants and the strawberry plants had been planted in small suspended troughs.
On leaving most of us bought a clump of ‘Poached Egg’ plant to take home. A most enjoyable morning.
