Glendurgan Garden
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Glendurgan Garden, which covers 25 acres, is situated in a steep wooded valley above the hamlet of Durgan and is one of Cornwall's great subtropical gardens. The gardens are owned by the National Trust.
The gardens were created by Alfred Fox in the early nineteenth century following his brother's pioneering example at Penjerrick, where the innovative planting had already impressed many horticultural writers of the time. Glendurgan was given to the National Trust by Cuthbert and Philip Fox in 1962 although Alfred Fox's descendants still live in the house. The family continues to play an active role in the development of the garden.
Subtropical trees and shrubs such as Japanese locquat, weeping Mexican cypress and a weeping swamp cypress grow amongst open glades carpeted with colourful wild flowers. Glendurgan contains various species of such favourites as rhododendron, azaleas, magnolias, camellias and hydrangeas, as well as persimmon, oleasters and aloes. Giant rhubarb plants flourish in the jungle-like lower valley while spiky arid plants bask on the sunny upper slopes.
The garden is best known for its laurel maze which was planted in 1833, esigned to mimic the appearance of a serpent curled in the grass, it was modelled on the maze of Sydney Gardens in Bath, while the Giant's Stride swing is popular with children. More recently the Bog Garden has been developed in the small dell to the west which features various marsh loving plants.
Facilities include a café and gift shop.
Directions
The garden is situated ˝ mile south-west of Mawnan Smith, on road to Helford Passage