An early spring: Celebrating Cornwall’s gardens

Spring

Thanks to the mild climate, Cornwall’s gardens throw open their gates as early as February, with some open all year round. Here’s a selection of some of the best ways to celebrate the changing of the seasons

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1. Hellebore Day At Bosvigo Gardens in Truro, Wendy Perry creates dazzling displays of vivid colour and plant harmonies. There’s something to see from February to October, whether it be spring bulbs and Hellebores, summer herbaceous borders or an autumn finale of ‘firework’ colours. The gardens open to the public from March to the end of September, with an annual charity Hellebore Day on Saturday, February 26. Call 01872 275774 or visit www.bosvigo.com

2. Snowdrop Sunday February is a wonderful time to see Galanthus. Pencarrow, between Bodmin and Wadebridge, hosts an annual Snowdrop Sunday charity event over the weekend of February 5 & 6 from 10am to 4pm www.pencarrow.co.uk; Tregoose, near Grampound, enjoys a dazzling array of snowdrops of many varieties, and opens on a more informal basis, with owner Alison O’Connor often popping a sign at the end of the lane on suitable days. www.tregoose. co.uk The National Trust is also a good bet, with Cotehele in the Tamar Valley and Trengwainton, near Penzance, both priding themselves on their snowdrops; the latter reopens to the public on February 13.

3. Cornwall’s Spring Story Cornwall is famed for its gentle climate, and the Spring Story is proof of that. Each year, six nominated champion magnolia campbellii in six different gardens in Cornwall – Trewidden, Tregothnan, Caerhays, Trebah, Trewithen and the Lost Gardens of Heligan - are monitored to record the date they come into full bloom. The moment all six trees have flowered with at least 50 blooms on each, spring has arrived. Last year, spring was declared on February 26, nearly a month before the astronomical first day of spring (March 20) and much earlier than the rest of Britain. The earliest declaration came in 2016, on February 10. Follow @ TheNareHotel or @Gr8Gardens on social media for live updates.

4. Open for business Following its annual winter closure, Caerhays throws open its gates on Monday, February 14. The garden’s origins can be traced back to the work of 19th century plant hunters, and many of their exotic plant introductions can be seen in maturity in the garden today. Flowering starts early with the camellia x williamsii hybrids, followed by huge Asiatic magnolias which are usually in their prime in March and April. There are also over 80 UK record sized trees in the gardens as measured by height and girth. Guided tours of the castle recommence on March 22, and owner Charles Wiliams is scheduled to host two RHS recommended lectures, discussing Magnolias on March 11 and Record Trees on April 8. The season ends on July 12 with the Summer Charity Fete. For more details, including admission prices, see www.caerhays.co.uk

5. The Biggest Aspidistra in the World Why did we start bringing plants indoors, and why did the giant, leafy aspidistra become so loved by the Victorians and Gracie Fields? Could looking after your own plant make you smile more? Explore the history of house plants at The Biggest Aspidistra in the World, an exhibition and house plant extravaganza at Trebah Garden from February 19 to March 2. Ask an expert panel why you’ve got droopy leaves at Trebah's Question Time (submit questions in advance to tqt@trebah-garden. co.uk); walk through the life of a house plant with indoor plant specialist Mary Jago; have a Victorian family photograph taken alongside a prize aspidistra; or take part in the Aspidistra Sassy-Selfie trail. Finally, send a photo of yourself and your favourite indoor plant and complete the sentence “I love my house plant because…” by February 23 to be in with a chance of winning up to £150 worth of plants (extra points if your plant has a name!). Find out more and book at trebahgarden.co.uk/events

6. Falmouth Spring Flower Show First opened in 1910 by Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Christian, Cornwall’s oldest flower show is scheduled to take place at Falmouth’s Princess Pavilion on the

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weekend of March 26 and 27, and promises a splash of colour thanks to a host of golden daffodils, as well as other spring blooms, floral art, rare plants (including bonsai and orchids), cacti and photographic displays. Years ago, at the close of the show, the main exhibits were packed and shipped to major UK cities for display in large department stores, offering an early taste of spring in the hope of luring tourists down for the season. www.visitfalmouth.com

7. Take mum to Trevince Tucked away in the village of Gwennap, near Redruth, Trevince opens to the public from Mothering Sunday (March 27). This historic house has been in the same family since 1280 – that's 25 generations; current owners Richard and Trish Stone have worked hard to revitalise the grounds - including a beautiful pond garden, an extensive kitchen walled garden, shrubbery and wilderness walk – as well as introducing commercial elements such as craft workshops and the Cart Shed Café. Visiting times Sunday to Thursday, 10.30am to 4.30pm until September 29. Entry £8, 2022 season pass £25. www.trevince.co.uk

8. Open Gardens The National Garden Scheme (NGS) donated over £3 million to nursing and health charities in 2021, providing critical support following a year of crisis. These valuable funds were raised through open garden events, often at locations normally closed to the public. In Cornwall, these include gardens the length and breadth of the county and of all shapes and sizes. The NGS Yellow Book is published every February and is a comprehensive guide to events; in Cornwall, these kick off on April 2 with Trewidden, near Penzance, and continue with Riverside Cottage near Truro, Chygurno near Lamorna, Anvil Cottage near Launceston, Pinsla Garden near Bodmin and Pencarrow near Wadebridge. Core beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute. www.ngs.org.uk

9. Cornwall Spring Flower Show Described by The Telegraph as the "Chelsea of the West," Cornwall Garden Society’s annual Spring Flower Show is a major highlight of the horticultural year. Taking place on the weekend of April 2 and 3 at the Royal Cornwall Showground near Wadebridge, with a special ticketed preview evening for CGS members on the preceding Friday evening. The event will be Covid-secure and managed in line with the UK Government guidance and Cornwall Council advice that prevail at the time. As ever, the show will be packed with gardening inspiration, with a schedule of competitive classes including a separate novice section to encourage more firsttime exhibitors to throw their horticultural hats into the ring. Tickets £15 on the gate. Under 16s go free. Well-behaved canine companions welcome on leads. www.cornwallgardensociety.org.uk

10. The Queen's Green Canopy Don’t forget to “plant a tree for the Jubilee”. The Queen's Green Canopy (QGC) is a nationwide tree planting campaign to mark the Platinum Jubilee, and BBC TV gardening presenter Mark Lane has teamed up with the Eden Project to support it. “The best time for planting is now, when most trees are dormant and less likely to get damaged,” says Mark. “You need to make sure you get them in the ground by March.” Eden has planted more than 70 trees on site since November, including oaks and Queen Elizabeth Acers. This is part of a suite of activity at Eden which also includes The Big Jubilee Lunch from June 2 to 5. To plant a tree successfully, Mark has the following tips: pick a small tree, preferably bare root, and plant in a wide, shallow hole at the same depth as the tree was in the ground (look for discolouration on the stem). If you miss the opportunity this spring, the traditional tree planting season starts again in late autumn. Find more advice, and add your tree to a national map, at queensgreencanopy.org l