Exotic Cornwall

I have just returned from a week away in Cornwall. It seems a world away from Wiltshire. The plants are so different to those I am used to working with and take you away to a far away magical land of ship wrecks and salty air.

We stopped by the Minack Theatre right down on the bottom of the country at Porthcurno. Atop a cliff, the bay below, turquoise sea and the most incredible cliff-carved theatre looking over the sea. Mind blowing that someone (Rowena Cade) would have the idea and patience to create such a space, where it seems impossible, the edge of a cliff open to the elements. The gardens, terraced as the theatre seats move down towards the sea, are a treat full of succulents; Aeonium, Agave, Bilbergia, Yucca, Sempervivum........

To think that we are at the end of October is quite unreal. In Cornwall, life continues as if it were the height of Summer. Flowers abound, Surfers in the water, divers, boats, ice creams on the beach, despite the trees turning to oranges and reds.

Beach gardens are full of flowering Cannas and Pampas (Cortaderia or Nannies Hair Plant as my 8 YO renamed it). Nanny would be proud. Gunnera in the beach public gardens. Hotel gardens with Brugmansia in full flower.

In Falmouth there are pubic gardens full of Ferns, Geraniums, Aeoniums, Erigeron, Yucca, Tree Ferns over your head, Agapanthus. A feast for the eyes.

My absolute favourite is driving the coast and seeing the trees swept to one side, growing away from the sea, leaning, almost falling. Quite the fairy tale.

I know gardening by the sea doesn't come without its challenges but the warmer weather and fantastic choice of plants, I wouldn't half mind trying.

Harvest

This week the weather has turned and the sunlight is lower in the sky. It is my favourite month of the year (along with April).

I have been lucky enough to be outdoors all day every day and it has been an assault on the senses. Butterflies whirling around in the breeze, Buzzards mewing, Cormorants overhead this morning, Sycamore seeds flying down like little helicopters.

There is so much to see and most of it bathed in Autumn sunshine.

I am in love with the Squashes, pumpkins, gourds on offer and we have all sorts at Heale, grown from seed this year.

We have the most amazing Turks Turbans this year at Heale  (and I grew them with my 8 YO son at Plot 18b too), along with Uchiki Kuri which as you can see from the photo below, is the most incredible colour! It is Japanese and is supposed to taste of chestnut. I must grow them myself and find out.......

Although the Kitchen Garden is nearing it's year end of production, there is so much to do. I almost feel like it is getting busier at the moment. I have been transplanting, lifting, dividing plants in my Tuesday garden (which became a Wednesday garden too this week and for a couple more!). Potting up tender Salvias and getting the greenhouse ready for the colder weather.

I began pruning one of the many rambling Roses at Heale today -  a task I love to complete, so satisfying - and have left it all ready to roll next season. It just takes so much time and I think that fact gets forgotten. Such a rewarding job and on such old roses too. Rosa 'Crimson Shower' below :)

Many projects ahead at Heale and I am looking forward to the change.