12th August 2008

All in A Days Work
– Cindy Clench, Jungle, The Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, seat of the Tremayne family for over 400 years is one of the most mysterious estates in England. At the end of the nineteenth century its thousand acres were at their zenith, but only a few years after the Great War of 1914 bramble and ivy were already drawing a green veil over this 'Sleeping Beauty'. Today "the nation’s favourite garden" offers over 200 acres for exploration, from Victorian Productive Gardens and the surrounding Pleasure Grounds to a sub-tropical Jungle valley, sustainably managed woodland and farm walks through beautiful Cornish countryside, and a pioneering Wildlife Project.

The Jungle at the Lost Gardens is situated in a steep sided valley running out of the estate to meet the sea in the nearby fishing village of Mevagissey, on the south coast of Cornwall. When the Tremaynes originally laid out the garden and sourced the plants a Japanese theme was their aim. Unfortunately the First World War interrupted their plans and the plant life was left to fend for itself.

On its discovery the now established, original specimens peeked out of a sprawling tangle of self-seeded sycamore and bramble, now cleared a captivating array of sub-tropical species have reclaimed their prominence. It is now an exuberant garden hosting a riot of luxuriant foliage and outstanding trees, many of which having been collected from around the world by the Victorian plant hunters.

The Jungle’s temperate micro-climate, created by the valleys protection, is generally 5 degrees centigrade warmer than the Northern Gardens and aids in the care of many sub-tropical plant varieties, including a banana plantation, bamboo tunnels, palm lined avenues and most recently Heligan’s very own Olive Grove, which combine to create a lush, exhilarating atmosphere enticing you on a journey far from our temperate shores.

Three new Olive trees (Olea europaea) have been added to the grove, which has been planted on the East flank of the Jungle garden. The traditionally Mediterranean trees are not a typical Jungle feature but the south facing sheltered slopes and unique microclimate create the perfect growing conditions for these beautiful sun lovers.

Cindy Clench’s Day
– “The Day of the Olive Grove”

8:00 Start off the day with Jungle checks – ensure pathways are clear and no branches or trees have fallen in the night, litter pick, cutting back overhanging branches, leaf blow the boardwalk and record the temperatures shown on the various thermometers around the Jungle to moniter temperature in relation to different parts of the Jungle and the Northern Gardens. Make a plan for the day, which is often dictated by the morning checks.
11:00 Weeding for the morning and pruning shrubs, they is never a short supply of weeds!
13:00 Planting new banana plants in the well established plantation and ginger lilies around third pond to keep adding to the lush planting schemes of the Jungle.
Throughout the afternoon we answer lots of visitors questions also.
15:00 Finish off the day with some propagating because there is always space for a few more plants in the Jungle.
16:00 End of the day and time to go for well earned pint….. of tea!