WELCOME TO THE LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN NEWSLETTER

Left: Acacia in the Jungle

Strolling through the gardens I came upon First Pond in the Jungle, where I noticed that the buds were forming on the Rhododendrons; giving a hint of anticipation for the spectacular spring display of colour we all relish and look forward to.

Further on, my attention was drawn by two vibrant bursts of yellow in the form of Witch Hazel and Acacia. I continued walking past the Olive Tree Plantation and along Gardener’s Path to our Wollemi Pines which have not only increased in size but have started to produce their first cones.

There is a lot of activity in the Scented Garden as some transformations are taking place. The yew hedge has now been removed thus opening this area up to light and space. The maintenance team are continuing their hard work to transform this garden with an attractive new block- paved path leading to Sikkim whilst the Gardeners prepare for planting.

Walking through the Flower Garden there are Niger Hellebores in flower and within the Citrus House the Citrus Trees are starting to blossom.
The Productive Garden team have been able to get back on track with the seasonal task of double digging.

Work outside was made impossible during the big freeze, therefore the current thaw of temperatures depicts no time is being wasted in catching up.
The brassicas have now been lifted from the Vegetable garden.
Usually all brassicas are enjoyed in the Willows tea rooms, however this year the birds enjoyed part of the crop before it was harvested. All was not lost as the poultry and Dexter Cows subsequently enjoyed a fresh vegetable treat.

 

Left: a Firecrest in the Stewardry Garden

It’s been a great month for wildlife in the gardens with several sightings of some rarer animals.

Earlier in the month around 2000 Starlings were spotted feeding around our Dexter Cows. Other sightings include a Firecrest in the Stewardry Garden, a Green Woodpecker yaffing near Horsemoor Hide and a Stoat, which was caught on film eating a rabbit on Steward’s Meadow.

The Wildlife Team have been busy continuing their work building and erecting bird boxes. Four kestrel boxes complete with cameras have been erected and a Kestrel has already been spotted flying towards one which is very promising. The team are currently building Tawny Owl Boxes which will be housed with infra red cameras.
 

Saturday 12th – Sunday 20th February

The Heligan Plant Centre will play host to a wide and exciting array of Harvington Hellebores.
We will be stocking over 390 of these stunning plants in a number of varieties including the popular Orientals and Niger Harvington Hybrids, as well as the rarer Argutifolius, Foetidus and Sternii.

Heligan Shop and Plant Centre opening times;
Monday – Saturday 10-5pm
Sunday 11-5pm


 

Monday 12th ~ Friday 18th February
Two for One entry to all couples visiting the gardens during Valentines week.
Valentines proposals: if you would like to take the opportunity to make a unique marriage proposal to your partner in the romantic Lost Gardens please e-mail: valentines@heligan.com for further details.

 

Saturday 19th ~ Sunday 27th February
10am – 5pm

In celebration of 21 years since the gardens re-discovery, The Lost Gardens of Heligan have invited Cornish artist James Eddy to interpret the essence of the gardens in a year-long sculpture residency.
This exhibition showcases the research period and the resulting sculpture designs in both drawing and model form.
Heligan warmly invites you to come along and take part in this inspiring sculptural journey.
 

In January we launched the official Lost Gardens of Heligan Facebook page. The page is frequently updated with photos, videos and news from around the gardens. We would also like you to post your thoughts about The Lost Gardens or upload any Heligan photos you may wish to share with others. If you are not already a member and would like to join please click here.

Left Rich out on the estate looking for the perfect shot.

Rich started work at The Lost Gardens in 2007 as a carpenter’s apprentice. Over the last four years his passion for the natural world has seen him move to the Wider Estate team and again to his current position in the Wildlife Team.

Rich’s main job at The Lost Gardens is to film and photograph wildlife. He also films and photographs every day occurrences. His videos are edited in the Heligan editing suite and uploaded for the public to watch on sites such as heliganwild.com, youtube.com and facebook.com. The fantastic photos that Rich has taken over his time at Heligan, can be see all around The Lost Gardens, in places such as the Covered Area and Horsemoor Hide.

“My favourite part of working at The Lost Gardens is coming in early and filming. It’s so peaceful. It’s really quite surprising what you see around the gardens. For example I never imagined I would be filming a Green Heron here at The Lost Gardens. ”

When Rich isn’t filming he works with our wildlife team, building bird boxes, reviewing video footage and helping to run Horsemoor Hide.
 

On Thursday 3rd February at 4pm we will re-launch our radio show, the Heligan Grapevine. The new extended show will be live for an hour each week and will include: interviews, reports, news and events straight from the heart of The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Not forgetting of course a little music, some amazing facts and the mystery garden sound competition.

If you have any gardening questions you would like answered or any song requests for the show please email us at grapevine@heligan.com.

To listen to the show please visit www.rsab.org or tune your radio to 105.6FM if you are in the local area.
 

We hope you have enjoyed our newsletter.

If you have any comments please get in touch via our website contact page.