Trevince estate gardens
The estate gardens at Trevince were designed and planted more than 200 years ago in the wealthy mining heart of Cornwall. A haven for plant lovers and curious souls, take a wander and discover our 18th century Walled Garden, our Pond Garden and Shrubbery or explore our Wilderness Walk that takes you along the far edges of the estate grounds and woodlands.
With the help of our gardening team and green-fingered volunteers, the estate gardens are on a journey of restoration and reinvention.
Meyer lemons
Citrus trees have been growing at Trevince since the 1850s. Meyer lemons are a fragrant and sweet cross between a lemon and a mandarin that fruit or flower all year around.
Camellias & Rhododendrons
These spring flowering favourites are in abundance throughout the gardens at Trevince. Delight in their bold colours as you discover these historical beauties.
Conifer Collection
Trevince is one of the first gardens in Cornwall to join the International Conifer Conservation Programme (ICCP) which provides a living seed bank of conifers that may be threatened or vulnerable in the wild.
This exceptional garden features an abundance of spring flowering favourites – camellias and rhododendrons as well as several citrus varieties – which have been grown at Trevince since the 1850s
Walled Garden
An acre that was once devoted to fruit, vegetables and flowers for the household, the curved brick walls at the top of the Walled Garden retain heat and provide a larger area for growing plants such as apple and pear trees. The divisions in the garden are largely the same as they were in 1865, with box hedging added in the 1990s and an avenue of espalier apples in 2015. A heated vinery, now in need of restoration, dominates the middle of the north wall. One of the vines still survives.
From the 1930s, the gardens produced cut flowers and vegetables commercially. These were sent up to Covent Garden market in London – even during World War II. Market gardening continued until the 1990s. The main survivals from this use are the rows of Amaryllis belladonna and a large pittosporum.
This area is gardened to promote pollinators and utilises no dig methods and green manures.
Wilderness Walk
The Wilderness Walk is planted around venerable old oaks and runs alongside an old mining leat.
Below the Walled Garden are Irish yews and a Victorian rockery. A collection of camellias, azaleas and large leaved rhododendrons, planted from the 1960s, have been supplemented by tree ferns, camellias and magnolias as well as many other woodland plants.
Among the native trees are also several pines that are part of the International Conifer Conservation Programme (ICCP), grown to be a living seed bank.
Pond Garden
A peaceful haven and a lovely sun trap, the Pond Garden was originally a rose garden. A semi-circular summerhouse, currently being restored, is at one end, with a lawn shaded by a beautiful handkerchief tree (Davidia involucrata) next to the pond at the other end. It’s a place to take a pause, and maybe sit and read a book or sketch the garden.
Shrubbery
Among a background of mature oaks and beeches, a wide variety of shrubs and trees grow in the Shrubbery. There are ornamental cherry, peiris, cornus and old conifers as well as camellias and rhododendrons, including the stunning Pink Pearl. A shaded Oriental Garden has been started behind the Walled Garden, with plans to extend the area to showcase plants from all parts of the globe.
