Quite Close to Eden
One of the unbounded joys of Living In Cornwall is the spectacle of
summer gardens swaggering with chaotic jubilation showing off plants
and flowers that more often flourish in Mediterranean and sub-tropics.
Our village opens its gardens to the public in early August.
Around and about there are a number of lovely, diversely planned and
planted gardens, all within walking distance of each other; local green-fingered
folk are invited...without too much arm-twisting,...to show off their
gardens; it is a real commitment for the gardens to be perfect all at
the same time, but if the response was anything to go by, the experience
for both the gardeners and visitors was a joy shared.
The village faces towards the sea in a
south-easterly direction and is sheltered from harsh winds, hence, creating
a micro-climate in which tender plants can thrive and flourish. The participating
gardens, all of which are different but with equally beguiling features,
lend themselves towards the almost exotic due to the gentle environment.
Some gardens have been planted from new, while others have been rescued
from neglected wildernesses. One charming garden hides away, concealed
from the coastal path, nestling in a valley vibrant with butterflies
and wild flowers, here a brook babbles and feeds a wonderful vegetable
garden along with indigenous Cornish plants. This particular garden is
a short walk across a couple of meadows to the open air exhibition of
Terence Coventry's magnificent sculpture work, entry to this is free
and open to the public and can be included in the garden tour.
Another garden leads down steeply terraced paths to the cliff side,
with sheltered areas and running water, creating an ambience of meditative
calm, while another is a brilliant riot of colour and perfume, and different
yet again, is an Edwardian house with a stunning beachfront garden and
lawns which has been restored to the relaxed elegance of its time, contrasting
with a woodland refuge rich with wild life where recent planting has
included a fern pit and revealed some of the garden's original specimen
plants from when it was first laid out in the 1920's.
The Open Gardens Day is hosted by the
Horticultural Society who will be welcoming visitors again on 2nd August
2009 to a delightful day of pottering around in other peoples' gardens
where the owners will be on hand to answer questions. Last time it
rained and rained but being stoically British, it didn't matter, as
wet feet with macs, shorts and sandals was the fashion statement of
the day, added to a humorous sense of togetherness.
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