Trebah Garden

Trebah gardens is a 'sub-tropical paradise with a stunning coastal backdrop', located in Cornwall, near Falmouth. The marine and natural history photographers at Falmouth university were invited to investigate, record and research these gardens.

Charles Fox first created the gardens in 1838 bringing new and exciting horticulture to the beautiful cascading landscape that leads your eyes down to the beach and estuary where 7,500 US infantry embarked in 1944. Tony and Eira Hibbert bought Trebah in 1981 and opened the garden to the public in 1987.  

Here are a few of the images I photographed on Tuesday.
(ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT ABBI HUGHES)

This is a photograph of the breath taking Hydrangea valley. Currently the hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are out of season and dead but still pose as a beautiful decaying scene. In late summer to autumn the two acres of the valley are bright blue and white creating a dramatic burst of colour beside the woodland.

This image shows the gunnera passage next to hydrangea valley. In the summer the giant rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria) plants look very different baring bright green leaves that are often two metres wide. Its recorded that this is the largest leaf found growing outdoor in the UK. In winter the plants have been cut back and sheltered with their wilted leaves leaving a surreal and almost alien appearance that is perhaps on this immense scale as interesting as when in its summer bloom.

This is a photograph of the pond that is found after the bamboozle. The underwater plants create an eerie feel and coupled with the Rhododendron reflection creates an abstract and exciting photograph. I can imagine when spring arrives the colours added to the reflection will add an extra dimension.

This was a very friendly little robin (Erithacus Rebecula) that was found following the group round most of the day. It seemed that it was very comfortable around humans so I was able to get a close shot of him using only a 50mm lens.

I really enjoyed walking around the vast gardens and have even more to explore. I intend to go back soon with a macro lens to get some more in detail photographs.

I hope you enjoy my images.

Abbi

Location : Trebah Gardens
Date: 11th January 2011
Time: 10am - 3pm
Weather: Overcast with sunny spells, strong westerly wind, sheltered in the gardens.
Map Reference: SW767273