A Week in Tresco Gardens at the end of May - Part 1.

I'm  very lucky to have been able to holiday onTresco in the Isles of Scilly.  We had extended our visit at both ends of a three day break organised by a few members from the Henton Gardening Club. As we had not had an overseas holiday for several years, and had missed out on South Africa, this would be a great treat for us.  We had the most wonderful clear, warm and dry weather. A few years back I was really getting myself ready for a trip to South Africa to view plants, but with rising costs etc, regretfully have left it too late.  

Viewing all the plants in Tresco, it was as if the best of plants from various continents had been brought together and I was delighted that with our New Inn Hotel, we had a card covering us for entry for the duration of our stay. 

What follows is a few of the best pictures. They are by no means comprehensive nor of all the plants I spent my time admiring. As there are so many pictures and memories I wish to share, this will be the first of two posts on the garden.

Yellow Pin Cushion or Leucospermum Plant

Red and Orange within the Leucospermum Bloom

These closeup don't quite show the expanse and size of the plants, of which I would not want to hazard a guess at the numbers of flowers per plant.

Another flower which I felt a compunction to look closer at were the gazanias. I remember my father going off plant hunting in Africa during the 1960s and returning with a selection which then went on to be grown in the Municipal Gardens in Mauritius.

From the leaves this may be an Arctotis.

My favourite Gazania in the gardens

My Mauritian friends will understand my pleasure in seeing the Agaves, which grew around the island in large botanic gardens as well as in gardens.  A different form was grown and harvested by hand in areas of the island that may have been too dry for sugar cultivation or other crops.  Furcraea foetida, was introduced to Mauritius, and grown in plantations to be harvested and manufactured into cloth, which they were made into bags for exporting raw sugar.  This production ended when raw sugar handling was exported through bulk sugar transfer facilities. 

 

Also known as the century plant several Agave Americana were in flower.

Dotted around there were also the variegated forms again a great form often found in Mauritian gardens.

I was delighted that a number of the Protea were in flower.

The King Protea, Protea cynaroides from South Africa

'The Tufty Bract Protea' or some such Protea.

As it was so sunny, we often had to look for a shaded spot to rest, or at least Mr S to sit whilst I went looking around the garden or at a particular grouping of plants, the bench by the Water Sculpture of an Agave by artist Tom Leaper, was just perfect.

As we sat, several birds came to drink or cool down in the water spouts, and we wondered what this usual bird may have been. In certain lights it was a golden yellow, cap.  Later in the week when we were being shown round by Alasdair Moore, he said these were just the usual Blackcaps that had been feeding on the nectar of the flowering Puya berteroniana

For one of the days we were joined by Alasdair Moore Head of Gardens and Estate at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, who was spending a few days at his island home. He led us on a guided tour of the wilder natural north of the island. 

Alasdair Moore outside Tresco Gardens

The following day Alasdair walked up with us to the gardens, pausing at various locations even before we went through the entrance he regaled us with various details about the history of different buildings, the gardens and plants.  Here Alasdair is standing before a male Leucadendron argenteum, of which several are planted along the grass verge on Carn Near Road. 

Alasdair then went on to show us around the garden where he had been Assistant Head Gardener for 10 years, and still has a great fondness for it, pointing  out with great pride various plants which he had planted, or nurtured.  Another member of our group, Rosie had worked with and knew Alasdair well on promoting Tresco, so dinner together at the New Inn on Tuesday evening was a splendid affair with great conversations. Rosie had had the idea for the competition which led to the creation of the Mediterranean garden when the Agave fountain is situated. 

For a good descriptions of the Tresco Gardens read

Kew without a Roof, Mediterranean Society

The Ox Magazine