Spring is in the air....

With Spring and a change of seasons hopefully around the not to distant corner, it is about that time we all hope for warmer weather and some addition of colour to the otherwise default grey of winter. 
Seasonally Devon, Cornwall and our neighbouring Dorset and Somerset all begin to show before the rest of the UK due to our position in the South West. Milder climate and a warming gulf stream lends kinder growing conditions so our gardens are generally the first to display the "joys of Spring".
Gardens, whether they are publicly open or paid entry to private estates, are a real draw for overseas visitors. I have had my fair share of "Master Gardener" status and accredited US tourist. The difference in growing conditions, climate and soil type always interests as well as the strange and "that shouldn't grow here" moments which come about as we stroll around grand old estate gardens where early great wealth lead to carefree World travel and the bringing back of species from all over the planet just to impress the neighbours...

Below is a list of the most frequently visited gardens of the last two seasons. 

The Garden House – Buckland Monochorum, West Dartmoor, Devon – simply amazing in spring and early summer. Quiet an unreal dream like location and an absolute assault on the senses with colour and scent.
Bicton Gardens – Woodbury area, East Devon – the county horticultural society college garden and again very ornate and some amazing, well established planting beyond most expectations.
Dartington Gardens – Dartington, Totnes, Devon – recently became an RHS garden and a nice valley garden in the grounds of the historic hall itself.
Fast Rabbit Farm Garden – Not far from Dartmouth, Devon – A strange name, however one of Devon’s best kept secret gardens.
Stone Lane Gardens - Another small secret garden on the north eastern Dartmoor slopes. Not far from Chagford and full of well kept planting as well as sculptures to compliment the experience.
Rosemoor RHS – North Devon, South Molton area – The best of them all. The RHS Rosemoor is simply a horticulturalists dream.
Hotel Endsleigh Gardens – Milton Abbot, West Devon/Dartmoor area – the hotel itself has one of the nicest gardens I have ever seen at a hotel establishment. Designed by Humphry Repton, they are truly magnificent and the hotel gardeners deliver guided tours to enable visitors to experience the best their unique location offers. Non-residents also accessible so one to note for passing interest. It is a lovely hotel too and one I definitely champion and recommend to my direct booking guests.
Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens – Abbotsbury, West Dorset – A restored coastal perspective garden with many sub tropical plants and species found nowhere else in the UK.
Lamorran Garden – St Mawes, Cornwall – Almost on top of Hotel Tresanton and definitely one to remember if you guests staying there who have an interest in the sub-tropical greenery.
St Just In Roseland Church – A location that always astonishes anyone I take there. A church, on a creek, in a secluded valley with sub-tropical gardens throughout the graveyard. Simply amazing place.
The Minack Theatre - I know, I know....its the amazing granite and stone built theatre carved into the cliffs of the Cornish Penwith peninsula, however, the garden planting around the venue is as much of a joy as the theatre draw itself. Combine the two interests for absolute sensory overload!

There are many National Trust houses with grand gardens, Knightshayes, Cotehele, Trelissick as well as several private estates that also have visitable gardens, including Castle Hill and Ugbrooke House for example.
 As I have, it is worth downloading the National Gardens App and maybe sharing it with the team, as well as the above intel if you have an increased interest in the visitable South West UK gardens.
If you are due to visit the WestCountry in the Spring months, as well as the hedgerows resembling works by Monet, the above will inspire and satisfy the most devoted green fingered among you all....

​Thanks for reading and should you have any questions relating to the above, please do get in touch,
Mark