NOTES ON SOME CORNISH GARDENS. 



189 



NOTES ON SOME CORNISH GARDENS, AND ON SOME WILD 

 PLANTS GROWING ABOUT LAND'S END. 



By A. WORSLEY. 



The following notes were made during a visit to Penzance in April 1905. 

 I explored the coast from Praa Sands to Land's End, and for several 

 miles inland. The principal private gardens visited were those of 

 Mr. I. B. Bolitho at Trewidden, near Penzance, and of the late Colonel 

 Tremayne, at Carclew, near Falmouth. 



The vegetation generally in Cornwall and the Plymouth district 

 seemed about a fortnight in advance of London, but, in the extreme south- 

 west, did not seem quite so far advanced as in the Fal valley. 



Those visiting Cornwall at this time of year cannot fail to notice 

 the blazing lines of yellow provided by the wide untrimmed hedges of 

 gorse. The agriculturist from the eastern counties would be driven wild 

 by hedges of this kind, often 15 to 20 feet in width ; and, indeed, it does 

 not appear that land can be of any great value, if so much waste of space 

 is tolerated. I noticed at least two distinct colour varieties, the one 

 orange and the other canary-yellow, with every intermediate shade of 

 yellow. Some of the forms had very large and fine flowers, and many 

 were inconspicuously double ; yet it is surprising to note, in districts 

 where the gorse thrives so well, a complete absence, even in gardens, of 

 the beautiful double form, which is one of our best " park " plants. The 

 broom was also in flower, but did not seem common. 



It has been well said, in comparing the Cornish coasts with other 

 parts of England, that " there all our shrubs are trees, and all our trees 

 are shrubs." Certainly there is nothing that a forester would call 

 "wood" about Penzance. Whether big wood ever did grow there or 

 could grow there is another question. I have little doubt that, owing to 

 absence of coal, every scrap of hard wood was cut down years ago to keep 

 the numerous smelters going, and it is well known that in a country once 

 deforested, and exposed to the violent gales which rage in Cornwall, 

 reaflorestation is a very slow and difficult business. The moment a tree 

 gets its head up, it meets the full sweep of salt-laden gales, and suffers 

 accordingly. If it is possible to reafforest the south-west of Cornwall, it 

 will certainly never be done unless the Government lends assistance. 



It is otherwise in the valley of the Fal, where fine trees abound in 

 some parts, and where the growth of some of the shrubs is equally 

 remarkable. I walked erect underneath the boughs of some of Colonel 

 Tremayne's rhododendrons, which towered up to a height of fully 30 feet. 



The gardens at Trewidden are noticeable for the glorious golden hues 

 of many garden varieties of Coniferae. Yet, as most if not all of these 

 plants have been raised from cuttings or layers, they will never attain the 

 majestic proportions that seedlings might reach. 



