The Perennial

About The Perennial

At the heart of the Perennial Garden is the determination for it to be in harmony with its surroundings, to grow (and cook) good food and be a garden to take time out in and enjoy a visual feast from one of the seating areas.

The Perennial Gardens were the result of a long standing dream of the two founding partners, Gill Lewis and Pippa Allen. They took on a neglected nursery and set about creating a productive and tranquil space.

Gill has retired now but can still be seen at the Perennial occasionally. Pippa and the team are taking the dream forward. Pippa has a first degree in Botany but was not able to get a job in this field and was diverted into business, then academia and the economics of healthcare and whilst still working part time as an academic at two Welsh Universities she is very glad to be back at square one working with plants.

The team are passionate about organic growing methods for all the plants, ornamental or edible, that are produced at Perennial. The soil is fertile, and we use no-dig cultivation to produce a wonderful array of salads, oriental leaves and herbs throughout the year. Some are grown in polytunnels, some outdoors amongst the flowers, but all are untainted by pesticides which is good for you, good for the bees and wildlife in our garden.

There is a beautiful array of Lettuces through summer and autumn, and some in winter too: red, green or freckled, crunchy or soft, wavy edged, oak-leafed, or plain, shiny or crinkly: the variety of textures and tastes of Lettuces is a revelation. We grow Parsley, Spring Onions, Coriander, Rocket and edible flowers and Pea-shoots as well. We also grow colourful and spicy Mustards and other Oriental leaves through winter and spring, with flavours ranging from mild to hot, and shapes from feathery to flat. They are great as additions to salads, or cooked briefly in the last stages of a stir-fry, or whizzed up into a punchy pesto. You will not look at a supermarket bag of salad in the same way again!

Overall the mission for the Perennial is to inspire and enthuse visitors to garden and grow in their own spaces however small (or large). The Perennial also hopes to put something back into the local community through employing local staff, adding to the St David’s visitor experience and supporting the best of local food producers.

The Perennial is supported by a very able team of knowledgeable friendly staff who are here to make your visit enjoyable.
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We want to inspire visitors to grow plants for food and for pleasure, whatever their space. On open days we will make 'behind the scenes' (e.g. composting areas, salad tunnels) open to visitors, and 20% profits from cafe will go to the National Garden Scheme.