This image was taken a couple of weeks ago when we had a few centimetres of snow one morning. The Cathaya argyrophylla looked spectacular and very Christmas like for a few hours until the snow started to melt after lunch. In fact the predicted temperature for the 25th of December looks as if it will be in double figures Centigrade this year, so very mild for us here in Cornwall.

I first planted a couple of Cathaya trees here out in the woodland about 20 years ago and the roe deer bucks immediately knew a new, tasty, and critically endangered tree to completely wreck, which they proceeded to do. So after that initial debacle I planted the next two trees in and around the walled garden closer to the house. These trees have done well and are now around 4-5 metres tall with foliage to the ground, very ornamental plants even with no snow attached….

Merry Christmas everyone and the very best for 2024 from all of us at Tregrehan; we look forward to welcoming you again, (if you can make it), when the garden opens again in Mid March.