The Duchy of Cornwall Nursery
How sweet! Those were the first words I saw when I viewed the website of Duchy of Cornwall Nursery just before I started to write this blog. Our visit was actually last May but better late than never as this place is definitely one of the nursery gems of Cornwall.Something I have noted, on several occasions how generally revered this nursery is by both locals and visitors alike. Quite often I hear praises for this nursery, even from other nurseries (who are in essence their competitors) who are quick to say nice things about this place. And we can clearly see why: great and diverse selection of plants (from the rare and unusual, to the staples), reasonable prices, and plant stocks that are healthy and well taken cared of. Tick, tick, tick all the good bits indeed!
If you're into Fuchsias, then you'll definitely love this nursery!
As for us, a visit to Cornwall won't be complete without a detour to this place!Now for something new, their main building has finally been completed which now serves as the main entrance way to the nursery. The building itself houses a gardening gift shop as well as the cafe (or tearoom) which was very busy at the time we visited, and adjacent to it are greenhouses containing tender and popular house plants. This new building is actually the replacement for the old one (which had the same purpose as it has now) which was destroyed by fire back in 2005. The staff said that the new building is bigger and better, and I'm inclined to believe that as they have kitted this new one very well.
A royal connection...
Gardening knick knacks galore inside the very classy gift shop!
The nursery mascot and star attraction of the place!
House plants for sale in the greenhouse adjacent to the new building
A beautiful Impatiens
Some nice succulents, a couple went home with me.
But the best bit of this nursery are the polytunnels and main plant sales area which are packed with gorgeous plants. They have a diverse selection to choose from that will cater to every plant taste (not just for the exotic!).
The sweet mascot has woken up and dutifully followed us a bit!
On our visit this time we were met by one of DOC's nurserymen Ben and was given a more thorough look around the place, including a tour of the propagation houses normally reserved for members of staff only. It was great to have an insight into their stock production and plant propagation, as well as have a peek of their plant treasures not yet available in the main sales area.
I spy Schefflera taiwaniana...
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Aureomarginatum'
A climber with beautiful leaves - Actinidia pilosula
Ben showing us one of his prized plants (which the name escapes me at the moment...)
X Sinocalycalycanthus raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine' - whew, what a mouthful of a name!
Another one that went home with us - Euphorbia characias 'Portuguese Velvet'
It was a wonderful time spent there as usual and a few more gems with home with us. Wish we had the time then to sample the gastronomic delights of their new cafe but we were off somewhere immediately afterwards. Something else to look forward to then for our next visit!And on our way back to the car, we spotted this on the horizon...
Mark :-)
Duchy of Cornwall Nursery