Lost Gardens of Heligan (20 April)

We caught the train to St Austell then the bus to the Lost Gardens.  The journey itself is worthwhile, crossing the Tamar is memorable and the road to Heligan from St Austell follows the coast at one point. Usually you just get glimpses of the sea as you drive along, but today we were following a cyclist so going slower and I could capture the scene.

At the Lost Gardens there was a blossom trail to follow so we started walking around the upper gardens admiring all the camelias, rhododendrons, and other flowering trees.  Some of the rhododendrons had grown into trees.

In one of the walled gardens there was a bed of brightly coloured anenomies.

I particularly wanted to see the bluebells so after lunch we waled down the sunken lane to to the bottom lake.  There were lots of bluebells on the way down, but I think the display will be better in a week or two.

There were lots of other plants and flowers to admire in different parts of the gardens. In fact everywhere you looked there was something beautiful.

Killerton (19 April)

 On the way home from Sidmouth we stopped at the National Trust property, Killerton.  The wisteria growing around the house contrasted beautifully with the peach paintwork.

 There was lots of blossom on trees and the rhododendrons gave bright colours in the parkland. We had hoped to see bluebells, but they were just giving a blue haze rather than carpet as they were not all out.

There were some lovely flowers in the gardens, tall blue ones that looked like bluebells from a distance, unusual specimens and a spectacular peone.

Bicton Gardens (18 April)

 We were staying the night in Sidmouth and on the way stopped at Bicton Gardens.  The sun was shining and it was really beautiful.  As you walked into the gardens the formal beds leading down to the lake were full of colour 

There were a few bluebells out but the blossom on trees were spectacular.  The acers near the far lake gave a wonderful contrast.

We followed the nuthatch nature trail and at the bird hide watched many birds coming to feed.  In particular there were a couple of nuthatches.

Snowdrops at Cothele

Snowdrops are one of my favourite flowers, so I am always keen to see them growing naturally.  A  walk by the River Yealm between Yealmpton and  Puslinch Bridge is aways a good spot to see them.  This year there seemed to be more on the left bank of the river, and the other side of the bridge was so overgrown we did not see any.

Saltram always has a good display of snowdrops.  They have planted many in the gardens, but around the reception area they look a bit false at the moment.  No doubt they will be better when they have spread naturally rather than in the clumps.  The area between the river and Snowdrop Woods always has a good showing and they did not disappoint again this year.

Today we visited Cothele.  Usually we do not go so early in the year as we wait to see the daffodils at the end of February.  I was surprised by how many snowdrops there were, with many different varieties.  In the Valley Garden by the stream there were some tall snowdrops and in the gardens there were beds full of them.  It was particularly good to see them under the bright pink camelia and in the centre of the pond with the coloured stems and dark foliage as a foil.

Cothele also had a wonderful selection of camelias to admire.  The white ones in the courtyard were particularly impressive.

Central Park

 Central Park is right on our doorstep so I frequently walk around it.  Although plenty of trees there are not many flowers there.  In early spring there are a few snowdrops, some crocuses and some daffodils.  Then the bluebells bring splashes of blue and the cherry trees in Pounds Park make a colourful arch.

The most spectacular display is from the rhododendrons and azaleas that are in or near Pounds House.