The Gardens Parish of Mawnan
Carwinion
The house was built at the end of the 18th century and added to in the 1840s. It was at this time that the garden started to be developed. The Rogers family together with their cousins, the Fox's of Glendurgan, collaborated to bring in rare plants.
The very fine specimens
of Dicksonia Antartica and Cryptomaria Japonica are most likely to date
from this time. The few bamboo originally in the garden were introduced
at the beginning of the 20th century. Anthony Rogers has spent 30 years
restoring and replanting Carwinion which became the property of the National
Trust in 1969. Below is a poem written by a cousin of Anthony's which sums
up Carwinion Garden admirably!
WILD GARDENING
Within this plot
you may observe
Tis Nature's balance we conserve
For who are we to specify
Which plants may live and which must die?
And if the weeds seem thick and rank
Then Natures bounty we must thank
Nor think with over tidy mind
"The gardeners here must all be blind"
The least disorder in the beds
Is something that the gardener dreads:
But personally we prefer
Those chance effects which may occur
When nature in her carefree way
Hangs some graceful flowering spray
Across the path - exactly where
It gets into the gardener's hair!
BAMBOOS
To some the idea of
planting bamboo in their garden is not to be contemplated. The words 'rampant
and invasive' spring to mind, possibility of upsetting the drains, the house
foundations and neighbours is a put off. There are of course some very energetic
types of bamboo, as there are of some other plants-rhododendron Ponticum,
willows and poplars to name but a few. Luckily for the Bamboo enthusiast
there are many very spectacular and well-behaved varieties, which add an
exotic touch to any garden.
Carwinion in Mawnan Smith is home of one of the finest collections of Bamboo
in the country. There are currently over 140 different varieties in this
12-acre valley garden. They range in height from 4 inches to 30+feet. The
former, Pleioblastus Owatarii, lives in a pot to keep it out of the way
of the strimmer, and the big ones stand majestically on the edge of ponds
or in the bottom of the valley.
The collection was started some 12 years ago by Anthony Rogers, who getting
discouraged trying to remember the names of the many camellias in the garden,
thought he would like to try something different. The then president of
the Bamboo Society decided to disperse his collection so Anthony leaped
at the chance/ It is a mystery why he should find Schizostachyrus Funghomii
or Hibano-Bambusa Tranquilans 'Shiroshima'easy to remember or pronounce,
but his very fine collection is a feast for the expert and novice.
The garden was host to almost 200 European and American members of the European
Bamboo Society in August 2000, and as well as the resident bamboo some very
fine sculptures and artefacts were greatly admired, the piece de resistence
being a magnificent wheel 15 meters high which was erected in the middle
of the lawn in front of the house.
The difference between the species of bamboo is amazing. The solid culms
of the Chusqueas from Chile, the fine golden stems of the Phylostachys Bambusoides
Catillonis with a green stripe up alternate sides, the mountain varieties
with their tiny leaves and delicate arching habit and the pride of the garden,
Drepanostachyum Damarapa Hookeriana with its new growth a brilliant crimson
striped with green and yellow. Then there are the more invasive ones, Chimonobambusa
Quadrangulis with its square stems, Plieblastus Distchus- a real thug in
the garden but looks good in a pot-and Indocalamus Solidus. The curious
thing is that a close relation to the last named, Indocalamus Tesselatus,
is remarkably well behaved!
At Carwinion there are about 140 different varieties and enough space in
its 12 acres to show themselves to good effect.
CAMELLIAS & OTHERS
Sheltering in a Cornish
valley looking towards The Lizard is the twelve-acre habitat of over a hundred
and sixty different varieties of Bamboo, one of the finest collections of
this species in the United Kingdom.
The gardens are in their natural state, with wild flowers, primroses and
bluebells.
The Camellias first blossom early in January as the climate is so mild.
Later in the Spring
the impact of colour, the fragrances of the Azaleas and the continuing blooming
of the Camellias provides a sensual experience not to be missed. The Bamboo
collection includes examples of dwarf varieties as well as Phyllostachis
Pubescens used in the Far East for scaffolding poles.
There is an area covered by Gunnera Manicata, the leaves of which can grow
up to a diameter of four metres. One example of shrub Drimys Winteri is
reputed to be the largest in the Country. At the bottom of the valley the
garden also boasts specimens of Tasmanian Cedar, Athrotaxis and Cryptomeria
Japonica.
Unusual in England are the tree ferns, natives of Australasia, Particularly
Dicksonia Antarctica from New Zealand; some of these are now over a hundred
years old. A fern and Hellebore garden is now established in an old quarry,as
well as a Japanese and a 'Secret' garden.
Various specimens of Bamboo are for sale. Also sales of other special plants
grown in the garden.
In the Summer, traditional Cornish Cream teas are served on the terrace. By arrangement visitors may stay in the house, which has been the home of the Rogers for 200 years.
Telephone: 01326 - 250258
FAX: 01326 - 250903
e-mail us
Visit our website at www.carwinion.co.uk
Also, based at Carwinion Gardens,
Aberfal Outdoor Pursuits
is a family run company based near the Helford River. We are fully qualified, insured and licensed and between us have a great deal of experience and knowledge of outdoor activities.
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We offer you the chance to take part in outdoor activity sessions, days or holidays in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Aberfal Outdoor Pursuits can organize singular, multi, or activity packages for families, businesses and all other group’s wishing for a great outdoor experience.
In essence Aberfal Outdoor Pursuits lets
you use our Knowledge, experience and equipment to utilize being in one
of the best locations with full access to some of the most breathtaking
seascapes and landscapes in the UK.
Tel: 01326 259 997 or 01326 250 258
Mob: 07968 770 756
E-mail us
or
visit our website
Carwinion Gardens,
Carwinion Road, Mawnan Smith, Cornwall TR11 5JA
or go direct to
Glendurgan or Trebah