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August 
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January Closed to Public
Caring for the island’s woodland heritage
"Each November, our gardening team carries out a detailed tree survey, which is an essential step in caring for the many trees that thrive in the island’s demanding and exposed environment. The survey not only helps us understand the varied needs of each tree, but also ensures we secure the necessary permissions for any work, as the island sits within a conservation area. Come January, our chainsaw-qualified gardeners carefully undertake the approved work, ensuring the health, safety, and longevity of these remarkable trees."
Garden Closed in January
Our garden is closed to visitors during January. We're working behind the scenes preparing for the upcoming season!
We open from April to August - check back during our open season to plan your visit.
February Closed to Public
Living granite walls
"Winter is a vital time for maintaining the garden’s cobbles, steps, and walls. Unlike modern construction, our walls are built with soil rather than cement, a traditional method that requires regular upkeep but offers unique rewards. This technique allows us to create planting pockets within the stonework, where new succulents can be introduced. These plants flourish here, as the granite walls act like natural radiators absorbing warmth during the day and releasing it at night. By working with these conditions, we are able to push horticultural boundaries and grow species that many gardeners would find challenging in their own plots."
Garden Closed in February
Our garden is closed to visitors during February. We're working behind the scenes preparing for the upcoming season!
We open from April to August - check back during our open season to plan your visit.
March Closed to Public
Pruning with the changing season
"February and March are the key months for pruning shrubs in the gardens, though our unique microclimate often means beginning as early as January. Even our pelargoniums remain outdoors through winter, pruned back to new growth in late winter or early spring, sometimes while still in flower. This not only refreshes the plants but also helps them recover from wind burn, a common challenge in our exposed setting. Our approach is shaped by the island’s conditions, reminding us that successful gardening often requires adapting beyond the pages of horticultural handbooks."
Highlight of the Month
Abseiling to carry out weeding
Garden Closed in March
Our garden is closed to visitors during March. We're working behind the scenes preparing for the upcoming season!
We open from April to August - check back during our open season to plan your visit.
April Open to Visitors
Spring planting and propagation
"Spring marks a busy season of planting in the gardens, much of it supported by propagation carried out here on the island. Each year, around 800 cuttings are taken to ensure we have a rich collection ready to be replanted once the weather improves. After the challenges of wet winters, this replenishment is essential. Many plants, such as tulbaghia, canna, and persicaria, are also divided to encourage healthy growth and to spread their presence more widely throughout the gardens, adding both resilience and beauty to our displays."
May Open to Visitors
Embracing 'No Mow May'
"Around five acres of grassland at the base of the island are dedicated to wildflowers, supported by initiatives such as 'No Mow May'. Yet, our mild Cornish winters and early springs often bring blooms as early as April; sometimes earlier. This natural shift has encouraged us to adapt the scheme, beginning our ‘no mow’ period ahead of schedule to better align with the rhythms of the island. By mid-May, many of these areas have already finished flowering and scattered their seeds, ensuring a vibrant return the following year."
Highlight of the Month
Purple splashes of colour from the echiums as they start to flower
June Open to Visitors
Preparing the ground for renewal
"Several areas of the island set aside for 'No Mow May' are now carefully managed using brush cutters, as the natural granite outcrops make traditional mowing impossible. Once the vegetation has been cut, all clippings are meticulously raked and removed. This not only tidies the landscape but also creates the best conditions for fresh grass and wildflowers to emerge, supporting a healthy and diverse habitat."
July Open to Visitors
Maintaining balance and beauty
"Day-to-day maintenance is a constant in the gardens, from weeding the flowerbeds to carefully deadheading the roses. Across the island, the grass is cut weekly to maintain a consistent balance and neat appearance. On the main lawns, a zero-turn ride-on mower equipped with a mulching kit ensures both precision and sustainability, helping to return nutrients to the soil while keeping the lawns looking their best."
August Open to Visitors
When horticulture meets hospitality
"With the season in full swing, our gardening team is hard at work across the island’s 21 acres of gardens and grounds. Most tasks are carried out in the mornings, before visitor numbers rise. As the day goes on, the team moves into quieter, more secluded areas to continue their work. With narrow paths and limited space, tools and equipment must be handled with great care, and at times their placement may briefly restrict access as the gardeners tend to the landscape."
September Closed to Public
A fresh start for the lawns
"As the gardens close for the season, our work continues behind the scenes. September sees us tackling one of our biggest annual jobs: restoring over 600m² of lawn, worn down by more than 150,000 summer visitors. The ground is prepared, turf is carried in and laid by hand, then topped with three tonnes of fine soil. A temporary, timed irrigation system waters the lawns overnight, helping them settle and thrive. It’s a labour-intensive task, but one that ensures the gardens remain vibrant. By spring, the lawns will be lush once again ready for another season of exploration."
Garden Closed in September
Our garden is closed to visitors during September. We're working behind the scenes preparing for the upcoming season!
We open from April to August - check back during our open season to plan your visit.
October Closed to Public
Golden leaves are falling
"Each October, our gardening team undertakes a five-day abseiling refresher, which is an essential part of maintaining the gardens clinging to the steep slopes of the island. This intensive training covers everything from rope system setup and abseiling techniques to aerial rescues and rope-to-rope transfers. It’s not just about skill, but safety too, with protocols on equipment checks, knot tying, and communication. Working at height is no easy feat, but this behind-the-scenes training ensures we can care for every corner of the garden no matter how hard it is to reach."
Garden Closed in October
Our garden is closed to visitors during October. We're working behind the scenes preparing for the upcoming season!
We open from April to August - check back during our open season to plan your visit.
November Closed to Public
Winter is on its way
"Each November, as the last leaves fall, our annual tree inspections begin. With the canopy bare, we gain a clear view of each tree’s structure, which is ideal for checking branch formations, trunk stability, and spotting any hidden weaknesses. Autumn also reveals tell-tale signs of fungal infections, with fruiting bodies indicating possible decay beneath the surface. This seasonal window allows us to carefully assess every tree on the island and plan essential winter work, ensuring they remain healthy and safe."
Garden Closed in November
Our garden is closed to visitors during November. We're working behind the scenes preparing for the upcoming season!
We open from April to August - check back during our open season to plan your visit.
December Closed to Public
The garden hibernates for winter
"With the gardens in their winter dormancy, we pause most horticultural tasks and allow the grounds a month of rest. Fallen leaves act as a natural blanket, shielding the hidden buds preparing to emerge beneath the soil reminding us that unnecessary hoeing can cause unseen harm. Instead, our focus shifts to gently working through the terraces up to the castle summit, keeping pathways clear and the surroundings neat in readiness for the festive season."
Garden Closed in December
Our garden is closed to visitors during December. We're working behind the scenes preparing for the upcoming season!
We open from April to August - check back during our open season to plan your visit.