Hello everyone,

With some welcome still days and sunshine after what seems an unusual number of stormy days in January, it’s been good to get out in the garden more. Some way from the summer sun that we saw Trebah in during the southwest episode of Monty Don’s Great British Gardens which aired on BBC on Friday 7 February, but good to see the days getting longer. 

There are some fantastic blooms out in the garden at the moment, the camellias and magnolias – both favourites of mine – are out in force. The Head Gardeners who oversee the champion magnolia trees at six of the Great Gardens of Cornwall – Trebah, Trewidden, Caerhays, Heligan, Tregothnan and Trewithen – all keep a close eye on the number of magnolia blooms on their champion magnolias. When each of these six magnolia trees have reached fifty blooms, then it’s officially declared that Spring has arrived in Cornwall. Trewidden tend to lead the pack, Trebah second and the others follow. Our tree is doing well and it won’t be long before others catch up. Admire our champion magnolia campbellii from beach path, near to where the large old beech tree was recently felled for safety, next to Dinky’s puddle. 

Further down the garden, if you walk over the bridge from beach path to Davidia path and you look up the bank you’ll see our largest ara of snowdrops, which, if the weather plays ball, look impressive, shining white in the sunshine. 

Up on the south western tip of the garden, the team have cleared some young trees up on the Eirey which has in turn cleared the view out over the Helford. You can read more about what the garden team have been working on in the blog and by watching Darren’s Diary, our Head Gardener’s regular video updates.

Elsewhere at Trebah this month it’s very much worth visiting the Court Garden to take a look at Drolla, the story-telling bench and if you are here, make sure you take in the impressive craftsmanship and creativity of the artists involved in our latest exhibition, with local collective, The Artificers.

I hope we can welcome you to Trebah again soon. Thank you for your support.

Best wishes, Jon

CEO, Trebah Garden