Plant lovers, curious souls and canine companions are being warmly invited to explore the gardens at Trevince – the country estate in Gwennap, at the heart of Cornwall’s historic mining district – as the promise of spring turns to the bloom of summer, and its heritage landscape undergoes a period of change.
Its owners, Richard and Trish Stone, are opening the estate gardens on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays between 27 March and 27 September, from 10am to 4pm, and encouraging visitors to discover how Trevince is evolving under their guardianship.
With a lineage that can be traced back to medieval times, Richard’s family has developed Trevince’s gardens and landscape over many centuries, and his generation is gardening for food, fun and the future.
“In the 18th century Walled Garden, we are growing perennial vegetables and fruits, such as Mediterranean cardoons, Japanese wineberries, Chinese kumquats and Chilean guava alongside the traditional crops that you might expect to see,” explained Richard. “This is not only to expand the range of crops we grow but also to assess how they might fare in Cornwall’s changing climate with its floods, droughts and gale-force winds.
“The 19th century Wilderness, which is rich with venerable oaks, large-leaved rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, is a place to wander in the cool of the shade. The Pond Garden offers a reflective space in which to catch your breath. You can experience the joys of spring in the Orchard with its native English bluebells and abundant apple blossom, and in the Shrubbery, we are experimenting with our planting to find new species from around the world that will create a new kind of horticultural legacy.”
Trevince is also participating in the International Conifer Conservation Programme run by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, which involves growing threatened species to maturity and producing a living seed bank for the future.
Other experimental projects include diversifying the trees grown here to adapt to the triple challenge of climate, pests and disease, and adapting the planting across the gardens to support a wider range of pollinating species.
As well as offering an outdoor sanctuary to connect with nature and boost wellbeing, regular talks and demonstrations by horticultural experts including Head Gardener, Colin Skelly, will take place when the gardens are open.
“At Trevince, we offer something a little bit different as we explore the boundaries of what a Cornish spring garden could evolve into for the future,” added Richard. “We hope that garden lovers from across Cornwall will join us, take a stroll and just enjoy it – be part of our unfolding story and share our vision for the future of this enduring place.”
The Cart Shed Café offers tasty home-made treats in a warm and friendly setting.
To find out more about Trevince’s gardens, café and events, please visit www.trevince.co.uk
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