gardens Above: Glendurgan Garden Below: Godolphin House &Estate Top: Trebah Garden Bottom: Bonython Estate Gardens 16 www.visitlizardcornwall.co.uk
Garden lovers rejoice: the <strong>Lizard</strong> Peninsula is home to some of Cornwall’s best kept secrets when it comes to green and pleasant land. From secluded gardens full of romance to sub-tropical landscapes filled with exotic flora, the peninsular and immediate surrounding area represents alittle slice of paradise for green-fingered visitors. Here we round up six of the best... BOSAHAN GARDEN Close to the Helford River,Bosahan servesup horticultural bliss with abreathtaking view tothe estuary and sea. Bosahan, near Manaccan, has its own microclimate, enabling afusion of tender plants from both hemispheres to flourish in the moist shelter. Radiant rows of rhododendrons and azaleas are mixed with the likes of magnolias and southern hemisphere tree and shrub species. The exotic palm groves and mature Maidenhair trees have made alush canopy under which to explore the ‘sub-tropical’ environment. Bosahan is blessed with a meandering stream trickling through the centre, creating awonderful garden for walkers tofollow atrail along the fern-edged banks and palm-fringed pond. •Open March 18 to July 26. Monday to Friday, 10.30am to 4.30pm. Closed weekends and Bank Holidays. •Adults £5, children aged six to 16 £2.50, children under five free. Disabled visitors £2.50, senior citizens £3.50. Groups by appointment –call 01326 231351. BONYTHON ESTATEGARDENS Discover aunique blend of tropical and traditional horticulture planted in these stunning estate gardens including aclassic pottager garden, that lie at the gateway to the <strong>Lizard</strong> Peninsula. Entering the driveway your sights and senses will immediately be hijacked by the beautiful hydrangeas, but it’s the estate’s South African owners, who took over in 1999, that have made Bonython, near Cury Cross Lanes, the intriguing horticultural hotspot it is today, through amodern and exotic horticultural twist. Explore the South Check out National Garden Scheme open days at www.ngs.org.uk Denotes National Trust property African roots beneath the scorching display of ornamental grasses, cannas and proteas that bring one of the three lakes into afroth of colour throughout August and September. The herbaceous borders ofthe walled garden are lined with alliums, catmint and carefully selected varieties that enhance the blue, purple, yellow and white colour themes. Even the herb garden has been sprinkled with “picking flowers” to infuse it with vibrant pink and burgundy hues. The array ofspecies is enough to whet any garden-lovers appetite, especially when it’s served up with ajaw-dropping view that stretches over the orchard of Cornish apple trees towards the swan-scattered Lake Joy. Wander back through the woodland walk, or ameander through the tree fern and rhododendron dell. •Open March 1toSeptember 30. Mon -Fri 10.00am -4.30pm excluding bank holidays •Adults £6.00 Children(u16) £2 Family(2+2) £14 01326 240550 www.bonythonmanor.co.uk TREBAH GARDEN No garden lover can visit the south west of Cornwall without avisit to Trebah –a uniquely beautiful, wooded, 25-acre subtropical ravine garden that descends to its own beach on the beautiful Helford River. It is the wild and magical result of 160 years ofinspired and dedicated creation. Mediterranean and southern hemisphere plants intermingle with Trebah’s groves of huge Australian tree ferns and palms. A giant plantation of gunnera and clumps of huge bamboos give this garden aunique and exotic wildness matched by no other garden in the British Isles. The garden near Mawnan Smith has been rated as one of the best 80 gardens in the world. In early spring,Trebah comes alive with acolourful array of100-year-old rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias; in summer,the giant gunnera is amust see for young and old. In autumn, Hydrangea Valley casts clouds of china blue and soft white across Mallard Pond and in winter, spectacular champion trees dominate the landscape and plants from the southern hemisphere can be seen flowering. •Open all year,seven days aweek, 10am to 17.30pm. •Adults £8.50, senior citizens £7.50, children aged five to 15 £2.50, children under five free. 01326 252200 www.trebahgarden.co.uk GLENDURGAN GARDEN Also near Mawnan Smith, one of the most exciting features of Glendurgan is its cherry laurel maze dating back to 1833. This thriving sub-tropical valley garden runs down to the Helford River at the fishing village of Durgan and boasts beautiful blooms in every season thanks to its sheltered ravine position. Visitors can explore under lush canopies and wind through the exotic gardens to meet the water’s edge. Discover giant rhubarb plants in the jungle-like lower valley and spiky arid plants basking in the sunny upper slopes, wander through the garden down to the beautiful hamlet of Durgan on the Helford River and find gigantic tulip trees and ponds teeming with wildlife. Assistance dogs only. •Open until November 31 2013. Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 5.30pm (last admission 5pm). 01326 252020 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ glendurgan-garden CARWINION GARDEN Fourteen acres of wild Victorian gardens nestled in the Helford Valley, Carwinion is home to one of the most spectacular national collections of bamboo in the country, with 140-plus varieties. The Rogers family collaborated with the Fox family of Glendurgan to bring in rare plants, including the Dicksonia Antartica and Cryptomaria Japonica that are growing here today. Carwinion is awild and untamed spring garden, prolific with wild flowers such as primroses and blue bells as well as camellias, hydrangeas and ferns, while in the summer visitors can explore the banks of the ponds, streams and enormous groves of gunnera. There are tree ferns native of Australia and New Zealand, with concentrate fern and hellebore garden sprouting from an old quarry. Veer over to the west side and you’ll discover the beautifully manicured Japanese Garden and you might even find the ‘secret’ garden to unwind in. Dog friendly. •Open all year. 10.00am -5.30pm •Adults £5.00, children and disabled free 01326 250258 www.carwinion.co.uk GODOLPHIN HOUSE AND ESTATE Abeautiful and romantic historic house and garden, where time has stood still. The garden is largely unchanged since the 16th century, with archaeologically rich estate walks. Godolphin Estate is situated between Helston, at the gateway tothe <strong>Lizard</strong> Peninsula, and Penzance. With over 700 years ofCornish history, the privately-owned Tudor and Stuart mansion, complete with its Elizabethan stables, is surrounded by its formal gardens and spectacular bluebell woods. Dogs welcome in the garden on short leads. •Gardens open every day,10am to 5pm. Adult £5.50, children £2.75, family £14, family one adult, £8.25 –garden only 01736 763194 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/godolphin 17