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The May garden – sub tropical Echiums

May 28, 2020

Echiums! The triumph of the May garden

Echiums subtropical spires of flowers in the May garden at Ednovean Farm
Echiums – sub tropical visitors from the Canary Islands, line the lawns at Ednovean Farm now

The great swathes of Echiums that line our lawns are the triumph of the May garden at the moment. The beas have tumbled and feasted in the epic blue spires of flowers and we have marvelled below them! (Drop me a line for seeds – they will need warmth to germinate “up-country” SAE)

As you may know from my garden Diaries, we lost every Echium in the Ednovean Farm Garden, when the Beast from the East came to call a few years ago. But the seeds lived on, cocooned deep in the earth and wasted no time in reclaiming their rightful place in the borders.

Sub tropical garden at Ednovean Farm overlooking St Michael's Mount
The great spires of flowers frame a view to St Michael’s Mount

Maybe we initially left too many seedlings as insurance against a frost that never came, but a magnificent crop developed. Then aother year came and went, virtually frost free and they still glowered at me. Impenetrable ranks of dark green that resolutely refused to flower!

Echiums give the gardens at Ednovean Farm a Mediterranean vibe
They have given the garden an “other worldly” appearance

Suddenly this May they have shot up to form magnificent flowers and give the garden an “other worldly appearance”

Sunset through Echium spires - prolific in the sub tropical garden of Ednovean Farm
Sunset in the gardens at Ednovean Farm

Each day I marvel at the huge swaying pyramids of flowers as they sway gently in the breeze.

French inspired lavender and formal box hedges - May garden diary Ednovean Farm
The sundail garden is below the Apricot Bedroom

Sorry we couldn’t open the gardens this year

This is the weekend our gardens would have opened for charity. Sadly it was not to be in lockdown – so maybe next year. I won’t promise as many Echiums but Irises? Much more manageable!

Sub tropical courtyard gardens at Ednovean Farm - Date Palms parterre and fountain
Early morning light in the courtyard garden at Ednovean Farm
A secluded, private courtyrd for bed and brekfast guests
The secluded private courtard outside fo the Apricot Bedroom

A very British affair

The irises by contrast have been a very British affair. Beloved of the much missed Chelsea flower show – and coaxed into coexistence in our Cornish coastal garden. Somehow the iris always represents the transition form spring into summer for me.

garden sanctuary


My garden my sanctuary

I wonder for how many people has their garden proved to be their saving sanctuary, over the last months. Those outdoor spaces that normally just provide a “to-do” list of tasks, have suddenly proven to be a saving grace of peace and sanctuary. A new dimension to life that safely buffers and cocoons the home from the outside world.

With the time for peace and mindfulness, over the recent weeks, spring has been experienced as never before. A precious time when each new shoot has celebrated and every family of birds celebrated, until we felt we had a stake in the planet itself in the miracle of spring.

News from the Potager

You may have caught up with the latest news about the Potager in my last blog about our lockdown projects? 

fresh young shoots in the potager at Ednovean Farm
Fresh new growth full of promise

Well now the beds are full and the garden is starting to develop a character all of its own. Potatoes, onions, peas, courgettes, are starting to jostle for space with a little group of French marigolds. And some  netting as an insurance policy!
Since this photo Charles has managed to squeeze in some radishes, rocket and pak choi

The Instagram life

The table legs are painted in “Georgian Grey” – I’m searching for some beautiful but affordable chairs now
May garden  - alfresco suppers

May brings alfresco suppers

No garden would be complete these days without the Instagram moment! Charles has kindly constructed me a mega table to live under the arbour. It’s a recycled affair made from left over planks and old fenceposts. I was thinking French rustic with overtones of Italian mafia movies gregarious dining. That’s a lot to cram under one arbour!


A final photo for our May 2020 garden diary

Sunset for a May garden diary - foxgloves
As May draws to a close, a final shot of wildflowers, as the edge of our garden joins the landscape beyond. Hope to see you soon!!

Related

About Christine Taylor

Christine has written a weekly blog about life at Ednovean Farm and interesting places to visit in West Cornwall for over ten years now, concentrating on those off the beaten track places that only the locals find.

Charles and Christine Taylor have hosted Luxury Bed and Breakfast at Ednovean Farm Nr Penzance in West Cornwall since 1991 and live there with three cats and five horses, including a Spanish Stallion called Danni.

Ednovean Farm has been awarded AA five star gold for Bed and breakfast and is included in The Michelin Guide and The Alastair Sawday Guide .

The Farmhouse and gardens has been featured in BBC Homes and Antiques, Homes and Gardens. Period Living and 25 Beautiful Homes as well as being used as a film and photo shoot location.

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Christine and Charles Taylor,
Ednovean Farm, Ednovean Lane,
Perranuthnoe, Nr Penzance,
Cornwall TR20 9LZ

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