West Cornwall is renown for its unique climate – the Gulf stream, close to the sea, etc, etc and here at Boscrowan in our own sheltered valley after a very mild although wet winter we have some truly amazing specimens this year in addition to all our usual summer colour.
First and foremost and biggest by far is the Agave Americana in our front garden which was planted soon after we moved here in 1999 as a small plant of about 6″ across and even less in height.
Agave Americana – our tallest flower ever
The measuring stick is a 4.8m length of wood – to give you an idea of scale! The bud first appeared at the end of October last year and has grown all winter and continues to develop and we are now in June and the flowers are still forming. Sad to think at the end of all this the whole plant will die!
Agave flowers
Then we have the Puya Chilensis which I grew from seed bought on Tresco in the Isles of Scilly about 10 years ago
A large clump of Puya Chilensis
The Paul Noel rose (a gift from a cottage guest) gives the most stunning display on the garage each year, the foxgloves have been amazing and we have planted a magnolia area down near the pond this year.
Paul Noel rose
Foxgloves
Magnolia Summer solstice
Just a few more garden images to share……
Down near the pond
Iris
And for us it’s a busy time mowing grass (his job) deadheading, planting out from seeds raised in our large greenhouse (her job with a bit of help from outside sometimes) and time to enjoy it sitting in the summerhouse over a bottle of prosecco.
Just relaxing!
