Sunny and warm weather last week enticed us to visit Lanhydrock, surely the most beautiful garden for magnificent magnolias? From the whitest of white M. stellata ‘Donna’ to the giant voluptuous deep purple goblets of M. ‘Apollo’, there are blooms with all shades in between. As with most National Trust gardens you have to pre-book to visit as numbers are limited. Here, many people come to walk with their dogs or cycle around the vast parkland so it is relatively quiet in the actual gardens. It is worth noting that the timed visit is to enter the garden where your tickets are checked, so make sure you leave sufficient time to walk down from the car park.
Let’s take a wander. Enter the gardens through the imposing gatehouse where the formal parterres and goblet-shaped yew trees are.
The softer shades of magnolias are instantly noticeable in the lower areas and the smell of new mown grass fills the air. First mowing of the season and the lawns look like velvet. It was nice to see people meeting up with one another (rule of six applies still), having a picnic, seeing a grandchild, probably for the first time. Unfortunately my family live too far away for a meet up like this yet. I’m going to have to wait until overnight stays are allowed.
We usually wander around the gardens in an anti-clockwise direction, so that we make our way slowly up to the higher parts and from there into the woodland garden. Some of the blossoms are magnificent and deserve a closer look.
Along the way we stop frequently to admire the flowers,Ā sadly the Camellias are badly rain-damaged in this part of the garden, their vibrant colours turning a mushy brown. But there are plenty of new beginnings in the herbaceous borders and along the water garden. It was a misty day in Cornwall, though the sun did try to break through at times, and warm enough to dispose of the jacket. Unfortunately though, this meant no blue sky to contrast with the blossom.
Daffodils have been planted in their thousands in the edges of the lawns. Tall white ones echo the magnolia blossom and delicate yellows shine out among pale yellow and pink primroses. It must be a mammoth task planting all these bulbs.
The cute thatched cottage at this end of the garden looks like something out of a fairy tale with the magnolias framing it. White and bright red Chaemoneles (Japanese Quince) scramble up the walls.
As we climb upwards towards the woodland the pale Magnolias are replaced by huge Rhododendrons in darker shades of reds, bright pinks, and even yellow, though my camera lens only sees white. Fortunately there are many benches dotted around for you to take a break from the climb and simply sit and watch the petals fall silently, like confetti, to the ground. Despite being not too far from the busy A30 there is no other sound other than the endless fluty birdsong of blackbirds and robins and the chattering of sparrows.
Time to breathe and take in the beauty of nature and the joy of the beginning of spring.
Cornwall in Colours 
What a treat to have this lovely place to visit. Even on a dull day it looks magnificent.
Always a good garden to visit in spring. And now that I have discovered a very nice nursery close by it may become a more frequent place to go to.
Hmmm, that sounds dangerous. š
Very!
What a treat to visit this time of the year, thank you for the tour. I have Magnolia Star Wars which I think may be a sister of Apollo. Any chance of taking us on a tour of my favourite magnolia garden, Caerhayes?
I might try to get there. Not sure how the magnolias will look after this cold spell though.
What a fabulous place Jude. Thanks for taking me along š
A beautiful walk in a lovely garden Jude! It must have been lovely to get out and about though hope you can see your family before long, take care X
It was nice to have a change of scenery and getting out of the county will be good, but not yet.
I think some more restrictions were eased yesterday? There was mention of pubs opening again on the news here but am guessing that’s only for drinking outside or drinks only with food? Some non-essential shops too such as hairdressers (though in my opinion they are essential for mental health!).
Haha… hairdressers should definitely be classed as essential. My hair hasn’t been cut since September and it is driving me mad! Fortunately I have got an appointment at the end of April š As for shops and pubs, we are staying away until the craziness stops.
Very sensible – it looks crazy from the reports I’ve seen no social distancing in sight! You must be so looking forward to having your hair cut!
What a stunning display of spring blossoms – not just the wonderful magnolias but the others too! I’d love to go for a spring walk here – some day, I hope. š
Fabulous. I have fond memories of Lanhydrock. A visit in Spring is a must! Which is the nursery nearby, Duchy? That is indeed dangerous..
Ah, no. I haven’t yet got to the Duchy nursery. This one specialises in herbs and is near Bodmin. Lots of other lovely plants too. š
Looks like a glorious walk. I love the smell of magnolias
You are the second Australian to mention the scent. I have never determined any scent on the magnolias I see here.
Maybe a different kind
Or I just don’t smell them!
What a fabulous walk – phew…how I would like to visit…
It is a lovely garden and it was so nice to go somewhere that bit further away from home.
I can understand that.
Oh a day out like that must have been a real treat, Jude, and what a glorious time of year to visit! Thanks for sharing it with us
I just had another wander. It really is beautiful! Thanks, Jude š š
Another one on Monday, more rhodies and azaleas than magnolias. Your favourite spring flowers.
Lovely! If my photos are anything like mine will include wild orchids š š Lunching with a friend today, despite a dodgy weather forecast. What’s a spot of rain between friends?
Clear blue skies here. Still on the chilly side though. No wild orchids yet.