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.
Cornwall sounds delightful Johanna.... One of those places in the bucket list, especially after reading about the stellar gardens at places like Heligan and Trebah ...The beaches also look rather irresistible, despite as you note, the challenge of growing plants in salt spray gales. You mention the trees leaning away from the sea, which I can totally picture...I've only ever seen them do that around Tofino on Vancouver Island. It's quite a sight, as you say, and speaks to the irrepressible ability plants have, to grow and thrive, whatever the difficulties...
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