Late Spring is a good time to visit this lovely corner of England - the sun grows warmer, the days longer, the cliffs, footpaths, and hedgerows become magically clothed in a tapestry of wildflowers.
We stayed in a gem of a hotel situated in its own 8 acre sub-tropical garden.
View from the glass dinning-room terrace across the garden..jpg)
The view we enjoyed from our balcony looking towards the coast
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The Wisteria was newly open and
the Ostrich ferns with their vibrant green leaves and rust coloured sheaths were unfurling.
Following our arrival and refreshed courtesy a cup of tea, we set off along the winding pathways which head down towards the coast. We walked beneath these Gunnera Manicata - 'giant rhubarb' plants, whose two metre wide leaves fan out from tall thick, spiky trunks, along with their large flower heads.
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Tree ferns - Dicksonia antartica
Scattered throughout the garden these tree ferns were originally cut down and used as ballast on returning ships from Australasia. The stumps were thrown overboard as the ships came into dock in neighbouring Falmouth harbour, and were then replanted in this garden. They only grow around 2.5cm, a year on average and the largest in the garden are now aged between 180-200 years old.
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Do join me in another garden soon 🌸
I have not heard of ostrich ferns that unfurl. Did you actually see the unfurling happen?
ReplyDeleteThey unfurl slowly but surely over a few days Hels.
DeleteBeautiful! So lush and green! A great little getaway to welcome Spring.
ReplyDeleteMother Nature at her best.
DeleteWonderful series of photos, and thanks for telling me the history of the tree ferns. Pretty amazing plants.
ReplyDeleteThank you Barbara - the fact that the tree ferns had been used as ship ballast for the long voyage here and then replanted in this garden was interesting to learn.
DeleteUnfurling ferns, rhodos, and bluebells (sadly only the Spanish variety) are blooming here, too. How interesting that the tree ferns were once used as ship ballast.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard of tree ferns being used as ship ballast either, but it is an interesting fact that they survived and are still growing here 200 years later.
DeleteThank you for the lovely photos and information. I thought you were going to Cornwall.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you know that Cornwall is not the only part of the UK blessed with sub-tropical gardens - they can even be found as far north as Scotland too. There is a magnificent one at Inverewe - all of the sub-tropical gardens found in the UK benefit from the warmth they receive courtesy the Gulf Stream.
DeleteLovely photos of a wonderful garden Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteWe had no idea when we booked this lovely hotel Margaret that it was set in such a wonderful garden.
DeleteHello Rosemary, These views are all breathtaking. From all the exotic vegetation you encountered, I was not sure whether you were in Cornwall or had entered The Lost World. Did you see any dinosaurs saunter by?
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim - we knew that there were plenty of exotic gardens in this area of Cornwall, but had no idea that we had actually booked a hotel sitting within its own sub-tropical garden. When we first encountered the view from our balcony we couldn't wait to explore its winding footpaths down to the coast.
DeleteI thought you might be headed in that direction when you mention "sub-tropical" in a previous blog. I guess you'll be headed to the precise destination I was thinking of before returning. Cornwall is at its best at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteAs you know John there are so many different gardens to visit within this area making the choice difficult - the one that we visited belongs to the NT which narrows the choice down.
DeleteThe view from the glass dinning-room terrace across the garden is gorgeous. I would not only like to eat meals facing the gardens; I would open the windows in summer and wake up each morning facing the gardens.
ReplyDeleteIt was a magical spot Hels - we loved the decor, the food, and the whole ambience - it was a little gem.
DeleteOstrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) is quite common in Ontario, and we have a large stand of it in our garden. Many creatures seek shade in it during the hot months of summer.
ReplyDeleteI have it growing in my garden too along with several other types of fern.
DeleteThat looks like a perfect retreat for this time of year. Beautiful lush images of magical plants. B x
ReplyDeleteIts a great area Barbara - we really loved the hotel and hope to make a return visit sometime.
DeleteThat is a great post Rosemary. Sand, beach, green exotics, the ocean, white bluebells...ferns unfolding...gardens seen from above...garden ponds....like a visual tribute to a British Spring.
ReplyDeleteThe visit lifted our spirits Bob and it was so lovely to bask in some warm sunshine. Thank you for your kind comment.
DeleteIndeed, the leaves from the ferns are slowly unfolding.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images, on one side the sea and on the other the endless green..
Have a nice Sunday!
Thank you Katerina - it was a lovely area in which to take a break.
DeleteOh so beautiful! So green! Lovely pictures to enjoy...
ReplyDeleteLove from Titti
We loved it here Titti.
DeleteDear Rosemary - Nice to know you had a lovely trip when weather is just right. Foxglove buds, new blooms of wisteria, unfurling Ostrich ferns, lush green… all look containing so much energy. Looking forward to another garden tour.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Dear Yoko - loved this little corner of Cornwall with its narrow country lanes, wild flowers, and beautiful countryside.
DeleteIt looks and sounds a lovely break.
ReplyDeleteYour photographs a joy to see, thank you.
All the best Jan
To spend time in such a beautiful spot with warm weather made for an uplifting break.
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