Garden of the Month
Tresco Abbey 
Called a "horticultural world tour", this 17 acres of gardens located on
a private island 30 miles off the southwestern tip (Lands End) of England
is home to over 20,000 plants found in 80 countries. It is considered
one of the finest collections of subtropical flora in the Northern Hemisphere,
and is situated around ancient priory ruins. Because of the mild
conditions created around it from the warm Atlantic currents, plants can
grow here normally found only in conservatories in temperate regions.
The three terraces are hot and dry and contain plants from Australia and
the Mediterranean. The lower levels are more humid and cooler, and
favor plants from South America and New Zealand. Also at the gardens
is the Valhalla collection of figureheads from ships wrecked over the centuries
on the Isles of Scilly. The gardens are reached by helicopter or
ferry from Penzance on the English mainland. Find out more online
(www.tresco.co.uk/the_abbey_garden/).
entrance, private
home
overview of gardens
Agave, plants on
slope
succulents on slope
priory ruins
view over water
upper path
view down to statue
through tall hedge
view up steps
Mediterranean garden,
pond
mosaic of shells
statue and plantings
lower path
flowery path
figureheads collection
