Bonython Garden
The Bonythons are one of those ancient Cornish families that seem to have disappeared off the Cornish map. They had been at Bonython on the Lizard since the 10th century or earlier and their estate stretched across the Lizard from Poldhu Cove in the west to the Helford River in the north-east. In 1585 one Captain Bonython commanded one of Ralegh's ships that founded the colony at Roanoke; Bonythons settled in America and more made their names in Australia. In the 19th century the estate was acquired by the Lyles and in 1999 by the Nathans. Bonython is a double case of restoration. The handsome Georgian house, of silvery granite, was restored by Robert Lyle in the late 20th century; the continuing garden project is the work of Mrs. Nathan. Bonython, which we visited in September 2006, is very much a summer garden. An avenue of luxuriant hydrangeas leads towards the house. A walled garden is divided in two, the upper part with herbaceous borders, the lower with vegetables and flowers for cutting. Lawns lead to a series of lakes, one sparsely planted, one under development, the middle one richly planted with South African grasses, betraying the owners' origin. Summer 2006 had been very dry so the lakes were weedy and we did not see the garden at its best; we will revisit in high summer.
The upper walled garden at Bonython
Sign from Cury Cross Lanes on A3083 Lizard Town
More in Gardens
Bosvigo Garden
It is relatively unusual to find a conventional summer garden in Cornwall. And there are very few town gardens open to the public. Bosvigo, however, is both summer and town garden, situated towards the western edge of Truro. The three acre garden, around a Georgian house, makes a pleasant contrast with the standard Cornish spring garden. Instead of the expected informal ‘Himalayan’ ravine, ablaze with rhododendrons in spring, Bosvigo is an orderly spring and summer garden whose style is of themed areas, walled and enclosed, intimate and precise. A ‘hot’ garden features red, orange and yellow plants; the Vean garden is of white and delicate yellow; elsewhere are areas of pink, mauve and purple. Though minor in its importance, this is a place of colour, vibrancy and profusion but, when we visited in 2003, maintenance seemed a bit disapppointing in places. Tucked away as it is, the garden is probably best found from the A390 Redruth road; turn down Dobbs Lane just after Sainsbury's and you will fnd it on the left when the road becomes Bosvigo Lane. The garden is easily accessible from most of Cornwall. As it is relatively little visited the small amount of parking should pose no problem.
Caerhays Castle Garden
This is Cornwall's most specialised - and probably best - spring garden. Open only mid-Feb to May it boasts the finest imaginable collection of camellias, azaleas, magnolias and rhododendrons. The problem is to hit it when at least two of these are in full bloom. We visited in February 2004 when camellias were at their best, magnolias just opening and Highland cattle grazing in the park. We returned in late March: magnolias were magnificent, rhodos and azaleas out. The castle also opens for guided tours but is very Victorian and not important. Two criticisms: a detailed plan may have good descriptions but numbering doesn't relate to plant labels - and the garden tearoom and the excellent beach caf� were closed on both visits! There is ample car parking by Porthluney Cove.
Carwinion Garden
In April 2008 we took advantage of a Western Morning News '2 for the price of 1' offer to visit a couple of spring gardens near Mawnan Smith in the general area between Falmouth and the Helford River. Neither Carwinion nor Penjerrick could be said to rate anywhere compared to nearby Glendurgan and Trebah. Carwinion is perhaps an acceptable 1� hour visit for its �4 entry charge. Penjerrick is very poor value even at its lower �2.50; more of that elsewhere. Carwinion was the creation of the cadet branch of the Rogers family of Penrose near Helston, now a lovely estate owned by the National Trust, and was laid out in the late 19th century. As is usual in these parts, the 12 acre garden runs down a valley from the house. Unusually, if you exit at the bottom, you can (as we did) follow a footpath down through woodland to the Helford River at Porth Saxon. As you might expect of a garden with a bamboo nursery, that plant rather dominates. There are, however, also some good rhodos, azaleas and pieris and, early in the year, swathes of bluebells, primrose and anemones. Ponds are fairly well maintained but feature gardens - Quarry and Japanese - are disappointing; the Secret garden is better. Keep an eye out for some impressive trees, good tree ferns and vast gunneras.