Tag: flowers
Flowers on the Cornish Coastline
January 18th, 2021
Cornwall is renowned for its gorgeous countryside and coastline, and with so much space for wildlife and nature, there are plenty of brilliant blooms to be spotted.
As we head into summer months, the flowers are out in full force, popping up over the Cornish coastline in a stunning display of colour and life. As the days begin to warm up, wildflower meadows can be spotted along coast paths, adding to the spectacular sea views!
Here are just a few of the flower varieties you may see when out and about by the Cornish coast!
* While at the moment, we can only admire this wildlife through our screens, once it is safe to travel again, why not come to see the coastline and wildflowers for yourself? Our 5-star cottages in Cornwall would make the perfect base for your adventures in Cornwall.
Alexanders
This flower thrives in salty air, making it a common sight atop cliffs around Cornwall. The tall plant features bursts of small yellow flowers, which have a distinctive smell.
Originally, the plant was introduced to the UK by the Romans, when it was used as a foodstuff, as it is edible. While not many people would consider munching on one of these flowers nowadays, they are still enjoyed by many a horse!
English Stonecrop
This dainty succulent will be found all over the coastline and other rocky areas in Cornwall.
The red buds of the plant burst into star-shaped white blooms, scattering some colour across the rocky faces of each cliff.
Sea Campion
Found in clumps along most coast paths, this flower grows well on the coastal grasses found atop cliffs. The purple-tinged buds open up to reveal neat white flowers.
As a maritime species, it is almost solely found around the seaside in Britain.
Sheep’s-Bit
As well as being found in grasslands, the round, blue heads of the Sheep’s-bit flower can also be found along cliffs.
Growing between May and September near to the sea, this plant is often found alongside many others, forming a flowery carpet.
Oxeye Daisy
While daisies can be found countrywide, beautiful swathes of these larger oxeye daisies spread across the coast and countryside in Cornwall. These flowers are out in full force over the summer months.
Oxeye daisies are also known as ‘Moon Daisies’, as their bright white petals appear to glow as the day turns to night.
Sea Carrot
Another plant for the summer months, the sea carrot pops up with rounded flowerheads across the South coast. It predominantly grows in grass areas on the tops of cliffs and in sturdier sand dunes.
The saucer-shaped heads contain many tiny flowers in pink or white.
Spring Squill
These star-shaped purpley-blue flowers can be found in grassy spots near to the sea. The flowers on this compact plant are often crammed close together, forming a dainty cluster.
Like most coastal plants, they are a low-growing flower. A member of the lily family, the spring squill is also related to bluebells and wild garlic, although they do not have a smell!
What is your favourite Cornish coastal wildflower? Let us know via our social media channels! If you love flowers, gardens and nature, then you should also check out five of the best gardens in Cornwall.
Image Credit: Rod Allday
Cornwall Spring Flower Show
March 22nd, 2019
The Cornwall Garden Society (CGS) is just weeks away from opening the Cornwall Spring Flower Show to visitors. On Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th April 2019, you can explore an array of horticultural delights including stunning displays of spring flowers and photography exhibits.
The 2019 Flower Show has moved to a different venue; the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge. The new venue is tailor-made for country events, and the spacious exhibition area allows for a bigger and better Cornwall Spring Flower Show than ever. This year also sees a focus on families, as the CGS looks to welcome youngsters to the show to increase their interest in the outdoors and gardening.
For Flower Fans
Flower and gardening enthusiasts will have a lot to explore at the show. There will be several trade stands from the top nurseries in Cornwall and the South West, as well as a few from specialist nurseries and garden centres from around the UK. At these stalls, you can pick up some plants, seeds and bulbs of some fantastic native and exotic plants as well as some top tips from expert gardeners.
In addition to the trade stands, you can gain inspiration for your own garden or outdoor spaces from the floral displays of gorgeous spring flowers, the floral art and photography exhibits, some of which are part of the Competitive Classes. There will also be talks from horticultural experts over the weekend, including the Gardener’s Questions on the central stage, which are designed to inform and entertain all the guests.
For the Family
The CGS has developed ways to encourage children and younger generations into getting into horticulture. There will be several children’s activities over the weekend, which are designed to nurture an interest in gardening and the natural world. There will also be animal encounters where young children can learn about British wildlife that you might see in the garden.
There are also competitions for children too, where you can see entries for best vegetables grown from seed, miniature gardens and shoes planted to seasonal flowers. For those on family friendly holidays, Cornwall Spring Flower Show is an excellent day out with something for everyone to enjoy.
Food and Entertainment
If some visitors don’t have such a keen interest in gardening and horticulture, there are other ways to entertain. The popular Artisan Marquee, where there will be handmade arts and crafts, garden and gardening accessories and much more. There will also be live music across the weekend and loads of great food to get your taste buds tingling. Several of the food stalls are from Cornish companies, so you can get a taste of some quality local food.
Tickets
Click here to buy tickets for the show; standard tickets purchased in advance are £10, and on the gate, tickets are £11 for both days. Members of the Cornwall Garden Society will receive a £2 discount. The event begins at 10:00 on both days.
Be sure to take a look at recent offers on our website for fantastic deals on holiday to Cornwall, and take a look at our latest blog for information on events in Cornwall near our holiday resort including the many Easter events.
Celebrating the Daffodil in Cornwall
March 16th, 2018
As one of the clearest signs of spring, the bright and bold daffodil has long held a connection with Cornwall. With spring on the way, daffodils have burst into bloom in fields and gardens. To celebrate the much-loved flower, there are a number of daffodil themed events taking place throughout Cornwall.
Daffodil Weekend, Trelissick, 17th-18th March
Each year Trelissick plays host to the annual Daffodil Show, celebrating the beautiful blooms lovingly grown by the finest growers in Cornwall. The stables are exploding with colour, where the delightful displays of daffodils are on show. Over a hundred different varieties will be exhibited. There is also a children’s daffodil trail throughout the gardens to entertain the little ones.
Now that Spring is here, the gardens at Trelissick are bursting to life with buds blossoming into vibrant blooms. While there, wander through the winding paths and enjoy the gorgeous camellias, magnolias, bluebells, wildflowers, and wisteria that come to life at this time of year.
Heligan Daffodil Fair, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, 10th-24th March
Over the past couple of years, over 50,000 Cornish Daffodils have been planted at the Lost Gardens of Heligan; so you can expect vast expanses of vibrant yellows and dainty white blooms dotted throughout the estate. If that isn’t enough daffodil for you, then there is also the fair area, where heritage varieties will be put on display in flower show style. There will be over 120 types of the plant on show here.
Daffodil Gold Rush, Falmouth, 2nd-31st March
A celebration of the daffodil heritage in Cornwall, this exhibition explores the history of Cornwall in relation to the nation’s favourite spring flower. With archive photography, botanical paintings and evocative artwork, the Daffodil Gold Rush will detail the relationship between Cornwall and these vivid flowers, with stunning creativity.
For those unaware of this connection, Cornwall has been key in the growth and distribution of this springtime flower for many years, with the Great Western Railway constructing a line to transport the so-called ‘golden harvest’ of daffodils from the Isles of Scilly, Tamar Valley and West Penwith to awaiting flower markets across Britain. Percival Dacres Williams, a daffodil breeder in the early 20th century, was known as the ‘Daffodil King’ in Cornwall, where he grew over 500 varieties of daffodil. These bulbs were bought by collectors and transported worldwide; some bulbs even being bought for the equivalent of £460 each in today’s money!
Join in the springtime celebrations in Cornwall with our child-friendly holidays in Falmouth!
