The Enys Trust was formed in 2002
‘to preserve, restore, maintain and conserve The Enys Gardens in their unique and unspoiled character with their natural ancient and traditional setting and the rare and scientifically interesting flora therein (albeit living and changing within this context), and to provide such opportunity for horticultural, scientific and historical research and inspection (with a view to publication and dissemination of the useful results thereof), and such access to educational groups and the public, as is commensurate with such preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation.’
Enys Trust News and Garden Events for 2010
Bluebell Festival from 2nd May - 9th May - extra opening hours!
Also open Sunday 16th May as the bluebells are later than usual year
We intend to extend the time the gardens are open so that the public can enjoy the famous Enys bluebells over a longer period. The Bluebell Festival will commence on Sunday 2nd May with Bluebell Day when the gardens will be open from 11 a.m. with the last admissions at 4 p.m. From Monday 3rd May until Saturday 8th May we will be open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The festival will end on Sunday 9th May when the gardens will be open for the benefit of the RNLI from 11 a.m. last admissions 4 p.m.
During the winter a lot of work has been done in spite of the inclement weather. The most notable of the improvements is the creation of the New Zealand garden. This will perpetuate the link between the Enys family and New Zealand. It contains many of the plants and shrubs native to that country.
The recently restored summerhouse has been enhanced by the landscaping of the surrounding area, which contains many interesting species.
Apart from these projects, we have been engaged in an upgrading of the gardens and we hope our regular visitors will be able to see the improvements we have made.
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.