Annual Valentine’s Flower Count

Since 2006, National Trust gardens in Devon and Cornwall, have conducted a flower count that provides a snapshot of the heralding of Spring.

National Trust Garden teams in the South West have recorded more flowers in bloom since 2008 in this year’s annual Valentine’s Flower Count, with nearly all gardens showing an increase in the amount of varieties of plants in bloom. 

Gardens in the South West are usually the furthest advanced in the UK with early Spring blooms and, this year, thanks to the relatively mild and calm weather, the National Trust Valentine’s count has seen a total of 1,022 more blooms across the South West - an increase of 63%. 

On the Mount we are used to seeing daffodils and snowdrops peeking through as early as January, but this year we have seen the early flowering of Aeonium aboreum and Aeonium ‘Cyclops’. Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ is pictured here, and can be seen outside the Island Cafe. 

In total the Mount has 109 types of plants currently flowering that range from daffodils, primroses, and camellias through to the more unusual aloes, aeoniums, and Medicago arborea, as well as five types of grevillea.

Our gardens are due to open to the public on Monday 11 April, however we do have plants flowering in the village so if you are able to visit before the gardens open, you will be able to see some of the plants mentioned here, as you walk around the village.

2016 Garden Opening Times

Monday to Friday ONLY, 11 April - 1 July, 10.30am - 5.00pm

Sunday 5 June - Special National Garden Scheme Open Day, 10.30am - 5.00pm

Thursday and Friday ONLY, 7 July - 2 Sep, 10.30am - 5.30pm

Thursday and Friday ONLY, 8 Sep - 30 Sep, 10.30am - 5.00pm