AS THE heavens open, and residents mourn the passing of Summer, Pinetum Gardens in St Austell is offering a ray of hope – with an offer to check out Cornwall’s most colourful winter gardens.
The three-acre winter garden is full of ‘curve appeal’ because it was designed to look like a rose, with paths spiralling out from the centre. All the plants have either winter flowers, beautiful bark, colourful foliage, or heavily scented leaves. There are also scores of heathers, hundreds of bulbs, and some very unusual evergreen trees – all designed to look fabulous, whatever the weather.
The winter garden is one of 10 distinct areas within the 30-acre Pinetum site off the A391 near Holmbush. There are also Japanese, cottage, water, woodland and sunken gardens, as well as the pinetum, an arboretum, a serene lake, and a high quality on-site café and gift shop.
Locals are reminded to buy or renew their season tickets for 2018, ahead of a planned price increase. From now until December 31, season tickets bought online or at admissions will cost £16. Pinetum will also amend start dates on any passes bought for others as Christmas presents. From January 1, 2018, the price of a season ticket will be £18.