THE LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN IN WINTER

Oh dear! I glanced out of one of our upstairs windows and there was snow on it's way. Fortunately, though, it soon disappeared  We decided on taking a short walk at The Lost Gardens of Heligan. An unsteady scarecrow was there to meet us and the sky  turned clear and blue.

All was quiet and peaceful.

A rather large bee said hello. This is all part of the Heligan Night Garden.

Some snow manged to survive in the shadows.

Garden beds were ready for planting.

A lonely flower clung to the wall.

And then woosh! Paper birds on the loose.

The birds are all part of Heligan's Night Garden

There is lots of space to wander.

The Play Meadow, below, was quiet and peaceful. 

 Onwards towards the jungle.

All was quiet with the sun shining on the water.

So much to walk and see,  if so inclined.

Large Butterflies fluttering. 

We wandered back to our car and homeward bound. Heligan is always an interesting place to visit.

Thanks for visiting my blog ~ Mike.

Walking At The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

Despite the above sign we visited the Lost Gardens of Heligan during the day. Generally speaking outdoor gardens aren't at their best in winter but we found some (strange) bits of interest.

There were a few flowers, as can be seen below. I snapped a few quick photos as we walked.

For a moment, when I spotted this hare, I thought it must be Spring - but the chill in the air soon persuaded me otherwise.

Diggory, the scarecrow, looked quite alone in the vegetable garden, but he had some gloves, a scarf and a hat to protect himself from the cold.

Ah, a few flowers in the Italian Garden and ...

... a very large frog or maybe a toad.

Moving on there was a pleasant tree with beehives in the background

The Sundial Garden was, unfortunately, closed but there were some very large 'flowers' as a consoltation.

Next we came across this beauty alongside the old brick wall.

Moving on to some friendly donkeys.

No other animals about, probably because of the weather ...

... though a few sheep were enjoying the green grass.

A large tree indicated that we were near the Lost Valley and Heligan's jungle.

Lots of greenery to be seen - near and far.

The jungle resides within a steep sided valley and has it's own microclimate. I believe the temperature is about five degrees milder than the other surrounding gardens within Heligan.

We came across some colourful flowers.

All looked brighter, with a pond and a pleasant place to sit

The next photos show the reflections of the surrounding trees in the water.

More reflections and plants. Some of the plants date back to Victorian times, when plant hunters brought back specimans from overseas.

Yet more ferns and plants.

A last glance at the edge of the jungle before we leave to make our way back home.

Have to be quiet though - so we don't awaken the Mud Maid from her slumbers.

I have only included a few of Heligan's gardens. I'd also better add that the novelty items like the hare and the large frog are part of a winter light display and are now being removed. I have written several posts on Heligan including a summer post with lots of photos see:

Lost Gardens of Heligan - Voted UKs Top Visitor Garden 

Well, that's all for this week, hope you are enjoying 2022. Good wishes ~ Mike.

A Glimpse of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall - 21 Photos

We managed to get to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. They are only open, at the time of writing, from Wednesdays to Saturdays and then only for local people who have annual passes.

We found there was lots of room for visitors. Well I guess there should be with over 200 acres to explore.

An archway of apple trees below.

I snapped a few photos as we walked.

Here we have plants growing under glass.

A few lettuce coming along nicely.

We looked in on the old tool shed ...

... and the original Head Gardener's office. It's good to see so much preserved.

A glass house for plants needing warmth.

Next the Sundial Garden.

Probably not at it's best at the moment but a lovely spot in the summer.

Daffs alongside a path.

I think these two were trying to escape.

Now we are approaching the jungle!

Quite a gaggle of trees and plants.

A small jungle lake, with fish.

And more of the same.

Sheep on the open fields under the shade of a tree.

Something a little more formal.

An old building with the history of one of the original gardeners.

And then we reached the end of our chosen walk through The Lost Gardens of Heligan. There is much more to see, but on another day.

Here's a summer post on The Lost Gardens of Heligan:

Lost Gardens of Heligan - Voted UKs Top Visitor Garden

Thanks for visiting my Blog, hopefully there will be better days ahead once we have Covid-19 under control. Fingers crossed!