Lost Gardens of Heligan

Heligan Estate is a large property with magnificent gardens that was owned by the Tremayne Family for 400 years. Prior to WWI it was a thriving almost self-sufficient community. At least 13 of the staff served in the war and nine tragically did not return. Unable to live with the daily reminder of the ghosts of his staff and friends Jack Tremayne left and rented out the property. The gardens became over grown and in the passing generations they became lost. 

In 1990 a descendant of the family uncovered garden building remains whilst cutting back undergrowth. Since then, Heligan has become the largest garden restoration project in Europe. 

The 200 acres of gardens consists of a jungle with southern hemisphere plants; a sculpture garden that uses the plants as part of the sculpture; woodlands of rhododendron some 10m high; 1.8 acres of productive garden for use in the café and sold in the shop; wildlife hides and a rare, heritage breed farm.

Some of the breeds they are helping to preserve are Berkshire pigs (black haired, only 500 sows in the UK), British Lop pigs (pink, only 170 sows in the UK) and Golden Jersey goats which almost became extinct during WWII (a small goat herd were hidden in a Jersey basement, and were the last remaining), plus a variety of horses, sheep and poultry.

Whilst in the productive garden we chatted with a gardener (Dan), he had a wealth of knowledge and we learned a great deal from him. At Heligan they use only heritage horticultural practices, no machinery is used. The soil is turned by hand. Fruit trees are espaliered, trellised, and fanned; and row planting is complementary to manage insects and disease. 

Dan shared that using heritage practices pome fruits (apples and pears) can be espaliered with 6-8 primary branches against a wall. Stone fruits should be fanned (again 6-8 branches), rather than espaliered to minimise disease. To avoid frost canes such as raspberries like to be against walls. They were espaliered to start and then fanned. Modern methods has canes trellised, year one going one way and year two going the other. Citrus were in pots. Pineapples were in glass houses with manure deposited in a pit at one end where it decomposes and produces heat. The heat warns the glass house via a system of underground vents. Magnolias were espaliered and contained the most magnificent flowers. 

The pumpkin exhibit included more than 20 varieties including a variety that has been grown continuously on the estate since 1700.

The gardens were exceptional, even in late Autumn. If you are in Cornwall we recommend a visit to the Lost Gardens of Heligan and a chat with Dan the gardener will leave your head spinning with ideas.