Bucks Head House Garden

About Bucks Head House Garden

Bucks Head House garden is situated 600 ft above sea level on the slopes of the granite ridge overlooking the Lizard Peninsula. In 2004 the planting of the cottage garden began, followed by the adjacent woodland garden in 2006. It was registered with NGS from 2010 to 2014, but then for a number of reasons the property was sold. After 5 years and a different set of circumstances, an extraordinary opportunity arose, and I was able to return and continue developing this now well established and always challenging garden.

The panoramic views are spectacular but the site is very exposed, so hedges are essential to provide vital shelter from the persistent salt laden winds. Crataegus monogyna, Elaeagnus x ebbingei, Griselinia, and Olearias are among the plants that have thrived as hedges.

In front of the house the garden is semi formal with a collection of rare and unusual plants. In autumn of 2006 I began planting over 1000 trees in the adjacent field with an aim to develop a woodland garden. The trees on the edge of the woodland were planted first to provide a sheltered interior of more interesting and rare trees including magnolias, acers, acacias, cornus, eucalyptus, and limes. The planting continued with the understorey, collecting many unusual shrubs, rhododendrons, ferns and grasses, and a large collection of hydrangeas which do well in the acid soil, producing a wonderful floral display in many shades of blue.

As a result of the windbreaks and the free draining sandy loam, the garden seems to be thriving despite its exposed position. Surprisingly tender plants cope with the winters, as the airflow helps to prevent deep frost forming.

During the summer months, Michael Whetman installs his art works; Colour Constructions, which add another dimension to the woodland, complimenting the planting and creating contrast and harmony with colour and motion.
https://www.michaelwhetman.com

As the gardens and woodland mature, the southeasterly views of the Cornish coast can still be seen from various vantage points. Although the garden is surrounded by agricultural land, there has been significant increase in bird population and pollinating insects, butterflies and moths over recent years, and it is clear that the garden plays a valued role as part of ‘green corridors’ that link farmland, woodland and heathland.
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