Over the last two days I’ve experienced complete sensory overload. Yesterday’s highlight was the RHS London Plant and Design Show, where I was dazzled by oceans of irises and fountains of rare and beautiful snowdrops. Considering the winter we’ve had, the likes of Jacques Amand (above) and Avon Bulbs still managed to create extraordinary displays, deserving of the gold medals they were awarded.
Driving through the night to Cornwall was necessary pain, for the gain of being first in the queue for Bosvigo’s annual Hellebore Day. Nothing prepared me for the delicate, sunlit tapestry of early spring flowers in Wendy Perry’s garden, or for the temptation of the home grown hellebores on offer. In the same way that ice cream contains no calories, shopping for good plants surely costs nothing? Ontop of the exhilaration of bagging four absolutely exquisite examples of the ‘Bosvigo Doubles’ strain (just one pictured below), it was simply a thrill to be outside in clean air, under blue skies.
Soon we were off again, barrelling down the flooded lanes south east of Truro to Caerhays Castle, where the camellias and early rhododendrons were already in full bloom. Despite destructive gales, the venerable shrubs remain protected by mature shelterbelts and vast magnolias, which will join the spring display within days.
All this fresh air and excitement has made me a little bit giddy, but what a way to blow away the cobwebs and regain enthusiasm for the gardening year ahead. Check back over the coming days for more on each of these events (well perhaps not the 7 hour drive!) and some photographs which I hope will make you giddy too!
Categories: Bulbs, Flowers, Foliage, Perennials, Trees and Shrubs
Beauty! Caerhays Castle is phenomenal!
It is rather pretty. To see the castle’s setting, framed by woods and with the sea crashing on the beach below, is quite an experience.
Caerhayes is wonderful, especially at Magnolia time. I love that double Hellebore, it was worth driving 7 hours for.
I bought 3 others just as beautiful, one blackcurrant coloured, one clear yellow and one raspberry and white. Well worth the trip!
The flowers are beautiful but the castle – oh the castle. Wow.
Yes, magnificent isn’t it? And still a private home. Soon the woods behind will turn pink with magnolia flowers.
Wow the blues of those Iris are candy to my eyes! On a long ago trip to Cornwall we didn’t make it Caerhays, but did get to Trellisick which is nearby and was wonderful! I’m looking forward to your photos of the rest of your newly acquired treasures!
Trellisick is one of my favourites – I have been going there since I was a young boy. Such a unique location. I hoped to get there on Sunday but the weather was miserable. I will put off my next visit until April, when I hope I can bring you some decent photographs to refresh your happy memories.
I visited the show on Saturday, gorgeous weather outside but worth the visit, just to be invigorated and have just blogged about it, looking forward to hearing your thoughts. I can hear the excitement and thrill of spring in your text. That Hellebore was worth the drive, its stunning!
I shall catch up on your post as soon as my feet touch the ground. Glad you enjoyed the show and the sunshine. There are so many more hellebores where that one came from – choosing from the hundreds of plants on offer was a real test!
Wow, wow, wow…. Fairy tale dreams with the castle…so love the double hellebore.. Worth the drive. Thx for pics…. All the best from crunchy grass in oz
Still parched out there eh? We’re the opposite here. I am developing webbed feet, which makes driving really difficult. More on the hellebore day shortly x
Wonderful spring images not to mention the castle!!! Your long drive was very rewarding in the end.
The castle is wonderful isn’t it? It was designed by John Nash, who designed Buckingham Palace and The Royal Pavillion in Brighton. Clever chap 🙂
I really enjoyed your photos. Spring is feeling a long ways away here.
Thank you Laurie. It seems we may not get a winter at all this year. Still no frost, but the fat lady has yet to sing!
A delightful post! That Boswigo Double was such a joy to discover. I’ve never seen a bloom quite like this before.
Thank you Mary. Do check back later this week as I have photographed each of them. Such beautiful flowers, all the more easily appreciated when the rest of the garden is still asleep.
Have you taken photographs of the hellebores you bought? They were so beautiful, worthy of putting on the wall.
I have! I will be writing a post about them later this week. They all have names and have arrived safely in London 🙂