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Enys
Trust News and Garden Events for 2009
The newly appointed
head gardener, Wisley trained Danielle Dixon, has had a testing winter with
quite cold weather for Cornwall, but she has managed to make some good headway
with the garden management and improvements, particularly in the Flower garden,
and in the restoration of an outbuilding for the garden team of two, plus our
stalwart band of volunteers.
Long standing
head estate and garden worker Martin Mattock retired at the end of 2008, after
many years at Enys. In the summer of 2008, with his woodworking skills, and
timber from the garden, he renovated a derelict summerhouse, previously hidden
in overgrown shrubbery near the main house. The rebuild was completed with a new
roof made by a local thatcher. The summerhouse commands a lovely and peaceful
view over the surrounding parkland, and beyond. It is now open to visitors.
Summerhouse exposed, early Spring, 2008

Summerhouse renovated, Summer 2008
Our visiting season
started on the 1st April and fortunately the weather has been a
little kinder to us than last year. Our first event took place on the 8th
April when we were honoured by a visit from the Royal Horticultural Society
Rhododendron, Magnolia and Camellia Group South West Branch. Some forty members
came from all over the south west. Their Chairman, Colin Brown, planted a
magnolia to mark the event. We found the event very useful to us, as we were
able to benefit from discussions with so many learned people.
Our Bluebell Day
took place on Sunday the 3rd May and was a great success. The
bluebells, according to our visitors were “stunning”. They are unique in that
they grow in open parkland, as opposed to a woodland setting. This gives the
impression that the trees are growing out of a completely blue field.

Bluebells in Parc Lye, 3rd May 2009
As an added
attraction, the lower pond was open and nearby is a waterwheel complete with pump,
which was used to pump water to the mansion house. We would like to raise funds
to restore this waterwheel to working order.

Waterwheel, originally made locally in Penryn - needs
attention!
Sunday 10th
May is the day we allow a charity to open the gardens. This year it was for the
Children's Hospice South West for their Precious Lives Appeal. The purpose is to
raise funds in order to build a children’s hospice in Cornwall. Again it was a
great success and some £2,400 was raised.
J. D. Enys Plant Discovery Day on 6th August 2009
- Launch of the J. D. Enys Plant and Children's Trails
On Thursday 6th
August we held the J D Enys Plant Discovery Trail Opening, with invited
guests and local dignitaries. This event was to
celebrate the centenary of the publication of the list of plants at Enys in 1909
complied by J D Enys. He was as avid plant collector and brought plants back to
Enys from many parts of the world including some plants of national importance.
A short plant trail is now available to help
visitors find and identify some of the species currently growing in the gardens
then as now. There is also an information sheet about J. D. Enys, and a
discovery trail for children available.
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