CORNWALL GARDENS TRUST

NEWSLETTER

SUMMER 2012

Editor David FJ Pearce Registered Charity Number 800887

Message from the Chairman

As I write the letter for the Summer Newsletter, I am all too aware that calling the current season ‘summer’ is somewhat of a misnomer but I hope everyone enjoyed as many aspects of the recent Jubilee celebrations as possible despite the rain and wind. Luckily our Garden Events programme has so far been miraculously unaffected by the weather and has been well attended and interesting. The garden owners make us very welcome and their introductory talks always add an extra dimension to the visit as do the delicious refreshments served ‘on the terrace’. I should also like to thank the valiant members who while quietly enjoying the gardens are suddenly asked to write up the visits ‘for the Newsletter’… and do a very good job!

The final event due to be held on October 18^th, - our lunch and visit to Endsleigh Gardens - is a new venture ‘over the border’ so to speak and should be an excellent chance to visit this exclusive hotel and its historic Repton garden. John Lanyon, Head Gardener at Trelissick and the expert on National Trust Gardens, will lecture on these gardens past and present in the well-appointed Village Hall at Ladock on September 27^th. Our PowerPoint lecture ‘From Chysauster to Eden: Cornwall’s Garden History’ will soon be on the road and community groups throughout Cornwall have already shown an interest. The recent CGT lecture on Lanhydrock by Jonathan Lovey is to be found, among other interesting articles, in the 2012 Journal, expertly edited by Trish Gibson.

The Recorders are to hold a ‘training day’ at Carclew on June 29^thand anyone interested is most welcome. On a national level, the AGT’s Historic Landscape Project is being held at Hestercombe, near Taunton inJuly and we have been invited to send a delegation tolearn more about this initiative.CGT is also hosting the South West Education Seminar at Trerice in April 2013 where delegates will discuss their methods of encouraging and implementing gardening in schools. If any member knows of a school, primary or secondary, which could be helped to initiate a garden, please let Claire Hewlett know as funds are currently available thanks to the generous Tanner and McCrone Trusts.

The AGT AGM ‘Polite Society’ will be a south western occasion this year as it is to be held in Bath from September 7^th-9^th. Steffie Shields is to be the new Chairman taking over from Sally Walker. The AGT has published a second annual handbook which gives interesting news about what other GT’s are doing.

We are very pleased to have appointed Christopher Gadsden as our Publicity Officer and whose role will be to give us a higher profile in the county.

With best wishes for a good summer despite the gloomy forecasts,

Angela Stubbs.

 

The Cornwall Gardens Trust now has a PowerPoint presentation depicting the work of the trust. Volunteers will deliver this presentation to clubs and organisations with the idea of publicising what the trust is all about and recruiting members. If you know of any organisation which would be interested, please contact the CGT Secretary on 01326 372293 or by e-mail [email protected]

Reports on the CGT 2012 garden visits so far this year………

 

Tregoose

CGT members are not accustomed to visiting gardens in the middle of winter but on February 8^th, a chilly but bright morning, fourteen stalwart souls were welcomed by Mrs Alison O’Connor at Tregoose near Grampound to admire her famed display of species snowdrops. Mrs O’Connor explained that when she first came to Tregoose, a handsome stone farmhouse on elevated ground, there was a serious need for protection from the wind. An avenue of elms had died as a result of disease and so the O’Connors planted conifers which have now grown tall and give adequate protection. The garden is really in two sections with a lawn in front of the house, and a small walled garden to one side. But what we had come to see was the woodland garden to the back of the house. Mrs O’Connor led us round this area and gradually we began to realize that there is not just one kind of snowdrop but many, many more! Here at Tregoose they have obviously found the perfect conditions of semi-shade under a canopy of tall trees interspersed by a select planting of spring shrubs such as Camellias, Hammamelis and even a compact Michelia. Winding paths lead through the naturalistic display of beds and each cluster of snowdrops is carefully labelled and easy to admire. New beds have been established recently and more varieties are being planted. It is not possible here to list each snowdrop type so I shall just mention those which caught my eye: from the double, Galanthus nivalis flore pleno, to the even taller and prolific atkinsii with its glaucous, narrow leaves. There was pretty bell-shaped hippolyta and the old variety Merlin, its petals spotted with green, stunning Warham with ridged wide leaves and tall Brenda Troyle

with its inner petals tipped with green or Galanthus viridapicis with its green tipped outer petals. The calyx of one snowdrop from the Sandersii group was yellow and one or two species had a distinctly yellow bloom to them. One can hardly imagine the subtle differences between the varieties both of the flowers or the leaves, or fail to be intrigued by their names: one delicate bloom was rather unfairly called Grumpy! The visit ended up with delicious refreshments in the house and I am sure everyone had much enjoyed the visit and was very appreciative of Mrs O’Connor’s informative and expert tour round her remarkable collection of Galanthus. (Angela Stubbs & Sheila Cotterell)

Penwarne

Thursday March 29th was a perfect day when the bright sun was beautifully positioned against a clear blue sky to show the garden of Penwarne at its very best for the time of the year. As we turned off the B road to Mawnan Smith the drive took us past the tennis court to a park at the rear of the house. We were greeted by the owner Mrs Ruth Sawyer who graciously offered drinks and biscuits but we were immediately distracted by the enormous Rhododendron ‘Penjerrick’ at the front of the house. Around 30 members visited the garden which started with a brief talk by Ruth Sawyer. She introduced the head gardener, Simon Lawson, who was to be our guide around the gardens. We understood that the property had been part of a very large estate owned by the Penwarne family since the 14th Century. By the 17th century portions had been sold off to become gardens we know as Trebah, Glendurgan, Penjerrick.

Our first stop was on the lawn in front of the main house which was accessed, across the main driveway, down a short slope to a breathtaking view of the numerous large red rhododendrons, azaleas and Magnolia campbellii. Behind them our attention was drawn to the enormous Magnolia wilsonii in full bloom against the cloudless blue sky. Continuing along the muddy path to the duck pond that is supplied by fresh water springs we were entertained by the antics of the ducks eating the blossom of Camellia reticulata as the flower heads were shed around, even down the neck of my jacket as I watched.

We started down the zig-zag path alongside the water course towards the bog garden under splendid specimens of Gingko biloba (Maidenhair tree), Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir) and Magnolia campbelli ‘Lanarth’. It would be good to return later to see the Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip tree) in full bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

We climbed back up to the walled garden which was created in Victorian times on the site of a medieval chapel sheltering a Morello cherry, apple trees, a swimming pool and a lawn for picnics.

Simon Lawson was congratulated on his loving care of these very mature gardens which was much appreciated by all members. (Jill Burn, Christopher Gadsden)

Estray Park

On April 24^th Robert Carslaw and Nick Gundry, the owners of Estray Park at Budock, greeted 30 members of the CGT on their sunny, generous terrace and told us the history of the house and garden.

Estray Park, so named as the bailiff of Kerrier, whose home it was originally, would round up and keep stray animals there. The original house was relatively small, and has been extended by future owners into an interesting and homogenous house of great charm; it sits comfortably on a south facing rolling slope overlooking the 3 acre gardens, with pastoral views all around.

Until the mid 20^th century the house and land, extending to about 17 acres had been used as a small holding, and it was only in the 1980’s that John and Jennifer Williams moved there from nearby Penwarne, extended the house and started creating a garden. So despite appearances and feel, the garden is no more than 30 years old – the very beautiful old oak tree is virtually the only important feature remaining. The Williams planted extensively over about 20 years: rhododendrons azaleas, eucalyptus, camellias, etc in great variety making a woodland garden in this sheltered and favourable shallow valley, bisected by a small stream.

 

And this is the colourful view we enjoyed from the terrace.

When Robert and Nick bought the property some 10 years ago the mature garden had begun to need attention. Hence the main thrust of their garden-making has been management, and this is very evident in the well-pruned camellias, the clear pond, the “tidy” shrubs and trees and the beautifully mown lawns rolling down the terraces to the little stream and ponds. They have also done some new planting, mainly round the house. Several excellent wisterias were about to flower, giving colour and scent to the terrace area: above the house a large gravelled area has been cleared, and modern Mediterranean style planting with clipped bays and yews contrasts strongly with the essentially Cornish valley garden below.

 

We very much enjoyed our walk round the gardens in the sun which was rounded off with tea and cakes in the house. We are grateful to the owners for sharing their garden with us. (Lucie Nottingham & Elisabeth Walker)

Ladock House

After the AGM, the skies cleared and over 30 members assembled in the garden of Ladock House in the shelter from the cold south-east wind outside. On the lawn, Geoffrey Holborow explained the history of the 4-acre garden and the house which was a Georgian rectory, adjacent to the church built in 1832 on open pasture land. The garden was originally laid out by the serving rector as a miniature park (2-acres) mostly with Rhododendron ponticum, Rhododendron Cornish Red, cherry laurel and a lime walk. A curving drive from the road to the house is flanked with beech trees, reckoned to be over 170 years old.

The house was purchased from the church 45 years ago and the garden planted mostly by Geoffrey Holborow who said he had no plan or idea of colour – which is a remarkable understatement considering how the garden has matured. Much of the original rhododendron had to be cleared and planted with named varieties of rhododendron, azalea and magnolia. Particularly spectacular during our visit was the scented azalea (Rhododendron luteum) and the Rhododendron ‘Alice Johnson’ – planted because of the connection with Trewithen. All around the garden, set out in a series of compartments and linking walkways, the display of bluebell, primrose and campion made a colourful base to the mature shrubs.

An attempt is being made by the next generation of Holborows to establish a wildflower meadow. This generation now live in the house with Geoffrey and Lady Mary moved to the coach house. Here a new shrub planting incorporating a vista towards Ladock village is being established. Throughout the garden are several newly planted trees such as the Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Ballerina’ commemorating the public service Lady Mary Holborow has given to the county.

Lady Mary invited us into the coach house for tea and cake and the opportunity to chat amongst ourselves. (David Pearce)

 

Carclew

After a wet morning the rain cleared, and about 40 members met at Carclew House, the home of John and Sally Williams who moved there 3 years ago.

This modern house, built in 1963 on the western slopes of Carclew garden, overlooks the walls and terraces (Grade II listed) of the original garden, over the formal pond in the valley bottom to the magnificent trees and rhododendrons of the original garden planting.

Some of these grand old rhododendrons date back to planting of seed collected by Sir Joseph Hooker 150 years ago when the estate and garden were owned by Sir Charles Lemon. The estate and garden are now split up amongst several owners, but the garden remains intact.

The part of the garden belonging to John and Sally Williams - the terraces and woodland beside - is experiencing a renaissance. When I saw these terraces a few years ago, they were pleasant but unremarkable. Now a grand clearance has happened and great new planting is establishing with the help of advice from Barry Champion (former Head Gardener at Trelissick) and a lot of hard work from the owners!

We walked down through the terraces, out along the drive past older houses and buildings of the estate, past the overgrown end of the formal pond down to admire the romantic ruins of the Palladian style mansion built and enlarged by the Lemon family which was tragically destroyed by fire in 1934. We went on down the woodland track to see the remains of the water wheel below the small wheel pond, which had generated electricity and pumped water for the mansion. We walked back up to the house through the woodland walk beside the terraces past more great new plantings beneath the tree canopy.

 

 

The Acer glade had over 40 varieties of good sized young trees looking very happy, the ferns unfurling and the woodland planting going back up the slope made a good contrast to the grassed terraces and borders on the other side of the wall. We all enjoyed a splendid cream tea on the terrace and in the conservatory, thanking our hosts for such a memorable afternoon, and will be looking forward to seeing the progress as the garden develops. (Elisabeth Walker)

 

 

 

Lamorran

On May 24^th, after days of cool, grey skies and everyone wondering whether the sun would ever shine before the longest day, the most perfect conditions arrived for some fourteen members to appreciate and enjoy Lamorran garden.

Mr Dudley Cooke welcomed us in a green oasis approached by a path to a pool shaded by the interlacing branches of the surrounding trees. The ‘oasis’ was what remained of a tennis court. Thirty years ago Mr Dudley Cooke brought back to Lamorran from his garden in Farnham, Surrey, many plants that he had earlier taken there from Cornwall - an amazing feat of transfer by enormous lorries quite unused to Cornish country lanes.

Two dwarf conifers - an Abies and a Picea - encouraged by the benign conditions, have grown into great trees, and in the corner of this area was a magnificent Viburnum mariesii. The azaleas were trimmed to a curving border, dense and without the twiggy growth seen so often, and consequently flowering for longer. The presence of the sea and the wonderful canopy of all the trees - Myrtus, Acacias, a great variety of palms and tree ferns - and the ever-protective majesty of the Monterey pines have encouraged so many plants to thrive. Callistemons, Clianthus, Abutilons and Camellias have all been untouched by frost - in fact, there has only been one frost since the late 1980s!

The narrow paths wound round and down giving a feeling of mystery and excitement. Little dells with pools were enchanting and with the sun so high, the light filtered down to the pools and lovely ripples of light were reflected on to the shiny leaves of the palms leaning over the pools.

 

Everywhere there were places to stop and gaze at tree-framed views of the sea, Mediterranean in colour, where one felt the influence of Italy and also Japan. A lovely cupola stands halfway down the steep hillside on which the garden descends. Here one had a perfect view of St Anthony lighthouse and out to sea.

Six pumps in the garden make sure that a continuous stream of water descends to pools as one descends towards the sea. It took ten years to reach the bottom of the garden as we saw it on this lovely day. Here we found a delightful arbour - one could be in Italy, a curving wall with pillared windows from which to gaze at the beautiful vista of land and sea.

Tea with cucumber sandwiches and scones just rounded off a truly memorable visit. (Marion Donaldson & Letitia Yetman)

 

Treligga

On June 13^th we had a most enjoyable morning exploring this idyll on the North Coast near Delabole. Blasted with storm force gusts, salt-laden-spray-rain straight off the Atlantic six days ago, how could we hope to find such a beautiful tranquil garden that melded intimate sheltered spaces with an open meadow field with views over Port Isaac Bay to Rumps Point? The changing pattern of sea colour, huge cumulus, alternate light and shade were moments to treasure.

How was it done? It took time and cunning planning. Twenty-seven years ago Bett and Mick Hartley planed to build the wind break hedges and tree planting which would create sheltered areas for delicate plants. The robust meadow would look after itself.
Coffee, on the levelled space excavated by them and laid with the local slate stone, surrounded by such varieties of plants that very few were able to identify entirely, began the exploration. After a short introduction by Bett, who pointed out the architecture of the house and its alterations, we set off in all directions. Yellow poppies lined the path to a lily pond where arums were thriving. Roses and alpines were everywhere through a delightful sheltered corner. We found the Long Hay Rope Barometer which gave us the weather conditions - rope dry = dry weather; rope wet = rain; can’t see rope = fog.
Out of the shelter and into the meadow. Close cropped pathways invited a ramble.(Also heaven for two of the dogs, Basil and Bertie racing and arguing as they circled the track at speed ) At the high end of the meadow, a wild grove of trees, with an old picnic table lopsided and mossy, gave an atmosphere of fun and games in times past. The variety of the grasses in the meadow, the clover, the orchids, hawkweed, yellow rattle and the entire hedgerow spotted with red campion - it was a catalogue of interesting plant life. And the cunning part of all this……..one mow in late summer, and the scattering of wild seeds, either by design or wind power, and that’s it.
Practical planning was here too .In the top corner, solar panels for winter, in the bottom corner, the food supplies. A series of plots filed with salads and fruits, surrounded by roses and sweet william.
Lying in the sun on the compost heap was the head of meadow security………a comfortable cat fast asleep in the sun. Back into the sheltered section to the rose arch, curry plant, and so many heady scents. The Rope barometer was threatening imminent wetness as we said goodbye to two dedicated gardeners, who had defied the odds and created this beauty on the rocky edge of north Cornish coast.
Many thanks go to Bett and Mick for their warm welcome and sharing this jewel with us. (Tony Bishop Stephens)

 

News from Duchy College – Rosewarne by Steve Jeveons – BSc Horticulture 2010 - 11

Cornwall Gardens Trust generously supports a number of Horticultural students each year, with some on craft/supervisory level courses in general Horticulture, and others choosing to follow Higher Education working towards either a Foundation Degree or a BSc (Hons) in Horticulture. This can be either fulltime or by a part time route. All courses are a combination of both practical and theory with an emphasis on plant science, plant identification, landscaping, plant uses, research and employability skills.

Within the Foundation Degree and BSc programmes students have chosen a wide range of research projects linked to an area of personal interest but also reflecting current issues and opportunities within the Horticultural industry.

The advent of the 21^st century brought with it a need to encourage students to become self-motivated independent learners; no longer was it sufficient to have academic knowledge alone, and so, today, we promote experiences of a much broader nature. Diverse and challenging research undertaken by Duchy College has included student input over the past few years. Micropropagation of endangered plant species, the viability of aquaponics and nutrient film technologies, sustainable waste management and the biodiversity of green roofing, have all featured in student research since the programme began six years ago.

Trials on the viability and optimal application rates of biochar commence at Duchy this spring on behalf of the RBS, and the world’s leading sustainable biochar company, Carbon Gold. Craig Sams, founder of Green & Black’s Chocolate and Daniel Morrell, founder of The Carbon Neutral Company, established Carbon Gold four years ago.

The trials will present further opportunity for our faculty students to become involved in contemporary investigation within the growing industry. Sue Moore, the Programme Manager for the BSc (Hons) Horticulture top-up will design the trials in collaboration with the RBS and Carbon Gold, supervise the students and produce a research report on fruition in 2014.

Three core modules, an individual research module and the choice of one of two optional specialist modules are studied throughout the programme year, culminating in the gain of 120 Credits required for full Honours degree status.

The Knowledge Transfer module demonstrates how the mechanism of knowledge dissemination within horticulture is developed from investigation and innovation. This is achieved by exploring the importance of, and ability to, build working partnerships between Science and Technology providers and the industry. Guest speakers from industry allow students to network, and gain an appreciation of postgraduate opportunities.

Horticulture in the Environment encourages the development of an in-depth understanding of the breadth of horticultural practice and its future management under climate change. Students explore and consider the concept and practice of how sustainable horticulture focuses on the broad nature of the industry and its interaction with conservation and the environment.

Contemporary Issues in Horticulture supports students in the planning and staging of a professional symposium based on a collaboratively determined over-arching theme. Students plan the individual delivery of a paper written on their particular topic which falls under the symposium “umbrella”. It is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their abilities in science communication, contemporary research and organisation of educational/ knowledge transfer events.

A choice of two specialist modules follow either a plantsmanship and design route or via the theoretical application of ethnobotany.

On completion of the programme, application can be made to undertake a one year postgraduate Research Masters degree programme (ResM), based at Duchy College, Stoke Climsland.

 

From the Recorders

Four members have joined the recorders this spring, which is great but we would still like more!! We are having a Training Day on June 29th in Devoran Small Hall starting at 10.30 with work on maps. After lunch in the local pub we are going to apply our knowledge in the garden at Carclew.

If any members were interested in becoming recorders we would be delighted if they joined us. Also if any one wanted to become a recorder and is not able to come on the 29th, I would love to hear from them. Recorders always wanted!! Ianthe del Tufo 01326 231 339 or [email protected]

 

Mariel Mills

It has been a great sadness for many of her friends in Cornwall to hear that Mariel passed away in April this year in Sussex. She was born in April 1926.

Mariel and I both joined the Recorders Committee at its inception in March 1992. Mariel was an historian at heart but also, together with Joan Foster who died in 2011, a very competent photographer. As her home was in Penzance, she started work at once recording Morrab Gardens, for which she was surprised to receive a commendation from the Penzance Town Clerk. This led on to Penlee Gardens where she enjoyed working with Ernie Cock who supplied her with much interesting information. She then moved on to Chymorvah in Marazion where she took many descriptive photographs.

In 1996 she was asked by Carrick District Council to record Gyllyngdune Gardens in Falmouth which led her to photographing Gyllyngvase and Queen Mary Gardens in 1997. I believe her last work was at Patrick Heron’s garden, Eagle’s Nest above Zennor where she made a photographic record which has yet to be matched with a written description.

Mariel was a delightful companion with whom to walk around a garden. Her particular concerns with historical aspects, so valuable in a recorder, added insight to her photography. She had a deep love of Cornwall and its nature and it is fitting that she has now returned to lie in rest with her family at Penponds. (Margaret Burford)

and finally…….

David Pearce, Cornwall Gardens Trust Newsletter editor, is happy to receive short articles of information from members for publication in future Newsletters. These may be on any garden related topic, technical, personal experiences, humorous moments, cartoons etc. Please send articles to Sweet Thymes, Rose, Truro TR4 9PQ by snail-mail or preferably by e-mail to [email protected]