Rob's Garden Odyssey: A New Life in Cornwall

04/05/2024

I did an evening walk around the bay, from Penzance to Marazion. Really beautiful, lovely fresh air, but maybe not enough unusual plants to hold my interest! Nevertheless, the Echiums are at their peak in the harbour and by the train station.
Clear skies gave way to a chilly, starry night.

27/04/2024

Today I went to the grand opening of a new nursery called Primal Plants.

It’s great to have a new nursery open, especially with lots of interesting palms and succulents on offer!

I also caught up with Manoj Malde who opened the nursery. I helped with his first Chelsea Flower Show garden and have kept in touch ever since.

Best wishes for the future success of the nursery to the owner Mark!

25/04/2024

We found a couple of Slow worms yesterday, lovely animals. Not snakes but legless lizards!

28/03/2024

My first project down here in Cornwall, really pleased with the results 😎👍

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5D4QDqqq2_/?igsh=MWhmbG1icTg5eWRpYQ==

25/03/2024

Trachycarpus princeps, a sad looking Caryota and ancient Butia can all be found at Trewidden Garden. Although not a palm garden as such, it’s nice to see exotic plants growing in unexpected places!

25/03/2024

I thought I would post a little information on this palm as it’s very unusual. This was photographed at Fox Rosehill public garden in Falmouth last week.
Most solitary fan palms seen in gardens are Trachycarpus fortunei (from China). It’s always exciting to find other species. In this case, the largest Livistona australis (from Australia) that I’ve seen growing permanently outdoors in the UK.
Although superficially similar to Trachycarpus fortunei, this species is easily identified by the darker, thorn-like spines along the petioles.
I believe the species name ‘australis’ refers to the fact that a plant is from the Southern Hemisphere. Although in this case, I believe this species is also conveniently Australian!

25/03/2024

The moon over Mousehole the other night 🌝

25/03/2024

20/03/2024

Great day exploring the planting around Falmouth