Garden designer and Cornwall enthusiast Thomas Hoblyn delivers his expert advice.
A riot of colour
Why is Cornwall’s autumn colour so much better than other parts of the UK? Well, a lot of it comes down to our unique maritime climate and extended growing season. Trees here have plenty of time to fully develop before the cooler autumn temperatures set in.
Our sheltered valleys and woodlands create the perfect environment for a wider range of trees, like maples and deciduous rhododendrons, which are famous for their autumn colour. Add in our high humidity and gentle rainfall, and you’ve got a recipe for a long-lasting, vibrant display, rivalling the conditions of their native lands.
But here’s the thing: it’s also in the soil. Cornwall’s mineral-rich, acidic soil is packed with pigments like anthocyanins and carotenoids—think of those rainbow-coloured carrots. As trees draw back their chlorophyll in preparation for winter, these hidden pigments are revealed, giving us the stunning autumn colours we love.
It’s bulb planting time. Last spring, walking the coast path between Lamorna and Mousehole, I was struck by the diverse narcissus species adorning the route. Tazetta, Jonquilla, and Cyclamineus varieties thrive along the coast, happily competing with brambles and bracken. These are likely escapees from the traditional Quillet fields, where early potatoes and narcissus were once grown. Let’s celebrate this heritage in our bulb choices. Try planting Trevithian, Scilly White, and Avalanche for a nod to Cornwall’s rich bulb-growing past.
Now is also the time to plant garlic. Though it should thrive in Cornwall, I often encounter issues with rust due to our high humidity, so be prepared by not over feeding and making sure the planting bed is adequately drained. A south-west sloping bed is probably best.
While asters and chrysanthemums may still be blooming, some gardeners start cutting back now. However, leaving spent flowers provides vital food and overwintering habitat for wildlife. I prefer to wait until early March before the big tidy-up.
Sow sweet peas for next year. Sow them in loo rolls to get a good long root system and protect from mice. By doing this now, you will get a much more robust plant and better blooms. I find the variety ‘Gwendoline’ does well down here.
Cyclamen hederifolium loves the mild climate of Cornwall and provides the perfect uplift of much needed vibrant pinks and whites under the shade of the trees on dull days. It’s quite fun to plant the equally vibrant Nerine bowdenii and Colchicum autumnale for extra impact.
