Discover the stunning Cornish gardens you should visit now

Explore the enchanting grounds of the Holiday Property Bond’s Duloe Manor, where spring always arrives early, and nature truly flourishes

As the days grow warmer, gardens across the country are beginning to bloom – but at HPB’s Duloe Manor site in Cornwall, spring is already in full swing. In fact, thanks to the mild coastal climate, its 14-acre grounds – including five acres of meadow and nine acres of formal and semi-formal gardens – burst into life earlier than many other parts of the UK.

Each of Duloe Manor’s 27 holiday cottages features its own mix of shrubs and perennial plants in the borders and patios, while the gardens surrounding the manor house offer east-facing views that highlight the beauty of the Queen Anne-style building.

From the picturesque Lime Avenue to the rich floral heritage of the Victorian garden, HPB’s Duloe Manor offers a charming, refreshing escape for nature-lovers all year round, but especially in spring. So, why not request a free HPB brochure and see it for yourself?

From bud to bloom

The first sign of spring at Duloe Manor is often marked in January by the appearance of snowdrops, which favour shaded spots and are usually found nestled beneath trees. According to head gardener Richard Doney, the first snowdrops have been seen as early as Christmas Eve and continue to bloom through spring, creating a magical white display across the grounds.

Duloe Manor’s daffodils also bloom earlier than elsewhere in the UK and flower for a long period. You’ll find labels throughout the gardens to help you identify the different varieties, including the historic ‘Rip van Winkle’, which dates back to the 1880s. “Many people don’t realise that daffodils can flower from early in the year through to mid-summer, depending on the species,” says Richard. “The ‘Cornish Vanguard’ is one of the earliest varieties, while the Whitsun Lily, or ‘Tamar Double White’, can bloom as late as June, so there’s always something to see.”

Another standout feature of Duloe Manor’s gardens is the incredible acer tree collection, located near the house. There, 12 different species ignite the grounds with fiery reds and oranges, complemented by the delicate white blossoms of Chinese dogwood trees.

Blossoming through time

Of course, Duloe Manor has changed a lot over the years. Take Lime Avenue, a stunning 57-tree walkway leading from the manor house to a tall monument at the far end. Around 25 years ago, the limes were harshly pollarded (pruned back to their trunks) after taking some wind damage, which led to rot in the tree crowns. However, a re-pollarding project has since helped thicken the foliage, creating a denser, healthier walkway.

A more recent addition to the grounds is the Victorian plantsman’s garden, designed to reflect Cornwall’s botanical heritage. It showcases camellias, azaleas, magnolias and rhododendrons, which were all brought to Cornwall by Victorian plant hunters in the 19th century, and are still found in some of the region’s grand historic estates, such as Caerhays.

Richard also decided to plant Echium vulgare, or viper’s bugloss, after seeing how much the bees loved the mahonia plants. Great for attracting pollinators throughout the summer months, this plant grows upwards in a spike, with branching flowers along the stem.

Thanks to this ever-changing landscape, and Richard’s dedication to plant life and biodiversity, there’s always something new to discover at Duloe Manor – and now’s the perfect time to enjoy the gardens at their very best.

Want to enjoy a lifetime of gorgeous gardens?

Fill out your details below to request your free HPB brochure now