Our frequent trips to Cornwall are never complete without a visit to the Lower Keneggy Nurseries. For us, and for every plant lover for that matter, it is an absolute must to check out this place if you are in the area for it is a treasure trove of exotic, unusual, and rare plants from all over the world. And mostly grown from seed too by its lovely and enthusiastic owner Steve Mules.As you arrive and enter the nursery the first stop will have to be its signature turquoise blue greenhouse, a greenhouse full of exciting plants...
The nursery's signature turquoise greenhouse!
Some pristine and rare Agaves!
A selection of Dasylirions
Agave bovicornuta
Agave colimana
Leucadendron and other South African proteas
Prostanthera monticola
The after browsing the large sales greenhouse you go into the main plant sales area where the selection of plants become even wider.
Pristine plants from a pristine nursery!
Brachyglottis repanda
Pachystegia insignis
As we have regularly visited many times before, and have bought loads of plants from Steve through the years, a lot of the exotic plants thriving and doing so well in our garden originally came from this nursery. You might even recognize some of them (like the Pachystegia insignis above for instance).But despite visiting several times before the excitement of seeing the place each and every time never diminishes for its nurseryman always has something new to offer, a reflection of his passion and enthusiasm for sourcing rare and unusual seeds and propagating material.
But of course, us being us we are rarely content with what's available in the main sales area. The instinct to have a peek beyond that is always there and fortunately Steve always lets us have a look at the propagation tunnels and his own personal collection. And things gets even more fun and exiting there!
Cross the line and be prepared to be delighted!
Just one of several propagation polytunnels
Different types of seed grown baby Puyas
Where it all begins, cuttings and seedlings
Tetrapanax papyrifera 'Rex'
Now this plant is not displayed on the main sales area but if you ask for it nicely....
he might let you have one (or two!)...
seed grown Schefflera taiwaniana (Edward Needham form)
and speaking of Edward Needham forms, he has several his form of Fatsia polycarpa
Yucca gloriosa
Aeonium 'Sunburst'
Succulents galore in one of the polytunnels
Agave montana
Agaves, Nolinas, Yuccas, and Dasylirions
More succulents...
and even more succulents!
The wonderful and huge Aeonium hierrense
Some of his Aeonium hierrense flowered this year and he's trying to obtain a batch of seeds by assisting in its pollination.
A Puya species
A multi headed Aloe polyphylla, a very unusual occurence!
A selection of Grevilleas, Proteas, Pelargoniums, and other shrubs.
And he has some Restios too!
Time permitting we're hoping to have a shorter visit to Cornwall again later this year and no doubt we'll make time to visit this nursery again whilst down there. For a nursery jam packed full of plant treasures how could we resist? If you love unusual plants, you'll feel higher at Lower Kenneggy!Mark :-)
Lower Kenneggy Nurseries - Tel. no 01736762959
