April garden news from Ednovean Farm

April has succumbed to the full awakening of spring despite the best efforts of the fickle weather. Now at Ednovean Farm our formal box parterres are clothed in a swathe of impossibly vibrant green and I have recorded the progress for my April photo album throughout the month as always to share with you now. But also this month, as well as our garden at Ednovean farm that our house guests enjoy,  I though I would make some suggestion for some extra gems to visit in May from the National Garden Scheme list for Cornwall.

We opened our garden at Ednovean Farm for a few years for this wonderful organisation that raises money for cancer charities and gardeners bursaries amongst other things so you entry fee will be going to a worthy cause.

This month in the Ednovean farm gardens

Each year with the passage of the seasons I watch the garden grow and develop and yet each year as spring inexorably continues along it timeless track i explore the garden anew relishing the changes of maturing growth and shrinking from the challenges of controlling it! Still we did cut back an overgrown boundary hedge to let some more light into the fig trees this month and horrors! Charles had to trim a bough from one of the figs so that the step to a hidden bench, usually found only by the cats, could be used.

Louis at enjoys the secluded granite bench overlooking the Parterre

Fresh new growth in the parterre

Evening shadows on the lawn with the fresh new growth

The rhythm of the box planting in the main courtyard garden

Spud inspecting the Date palms

The bench backed by a Chusan palm overlooking the Parterre

The date palms were divested of their bottom leaves and mercifully no body was injured by the vicious spikes at the base this year although I did regret volunteering to drag all of the trimmings away to the bonfire after a while! And oh yes it is now possible to walk across that little lawn without crawling!

morning light on the bluebells of spring

Bluebells in lush shade

Pots of succulents and tulips in one of the courtyard enclosures

The last papery white daffodils

Dasies and blue seas beyond the garden

I Love the leaves of the European fan palms for the way they cath the light and their blue grey texture

Sheltered spots for afternoon teas waiting in the dawn light

Fresh new growth emerging from the Gunnera crowns after the winter

Spud enjoying the last of the days sunshine under an old stone wall

Sadly as the month draws to a close so do my tulips fade here in Cornwall

Tulips and box balls line the car park entrance in spring

New growth spring up in an urn underplanted with spring bulbs

Gardens to visit in Cornwall in May

To visit a private garden not usually open to the public is always a delight and they usually have a more personal intimate atmosphere with home made cakes as well if you are lucky! For full details of the gardens open this month in Cornwall visit the NGS website

Ist May

Chygurno Saturday 30^th April, Sunday 1^st  May and Monday 2^{nd May}

Lamorna TR19 6HX I visited this stunning cliff top garden overlooking Lamorna Cove some years ago now and it was still full of a fresh sense of discovery as the owners reclaimed the overgrown garden from a maze of brambles. If I remember rightly, my host told me the house was built by two suffragettes. (open at other times please phone 01736 732153)

Moyclare, Near Liskeard, PL14 4EH

The product of generation of the same family of keen plants women To visit website

Wednesday 4^{th May}

Bonython Manor

This is another delightful garden that also opens to the public throughout the year and I often recommend this one to keen garden visiting guest’s who like to pack in two or thee gardens a day. I have a fond memory of walking down through the walled garden planted with exquisite colour combinations and then on through the bottom gate to explore the twin lake side planting Open throughout the year too! To visit website

Sunday 8^th May

Boconnoc, Lostwithiel (plus 15th May) Web site for details

Ince Castle, Saltash PL12 4RA

Lamorran House, St Mawes Truro TR2 5BZ

I found this garden inspiring when we were developing our own garden at Ednovean Farm and we visited several times to soak up the atmosphere of the four acres of subtropical planting. Detail of their weekly opening on the website

Rosteageue Manor, Portscato TruroTR2 5EF

South Lea, Pillaton nr Saltash, PL12 6QS

Sunday 15^th May

Ethnavas Cottage, Constantine Falmouth TR11 5PY

Penheale Manor, Egloskerry, Launceston PL15 8RX

Trebartha, Launceston PL15 7PD

Friday 20^th May

Trematon Castle, Saltash PL12 4QW Details available on website

Saturday 21^{st May}

Pinsla Garden and Nursery, Cardinham PL30 4AY Web Address below

Sunday 22^nd  May

Pinsla Garden and Nursery, Cardinham PL30 4AY Details available on website

Sunday 29^th May

Lower Amble Gardens, Chapel Amble, Wadebridge PL27 6EW