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Morrab Gardens

…the sub-tropical oasis in the heart of Penzance

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On this day 130 years ago – the official opening of Morrab Gardens

27/09/201926/09/2019 Paul Brett

It is exactly 130 years ago – on Friday 27th September 1889 – that Morrab Gardens was officially opened.  It must have been a grand occasion for the town, with a procession consisting of “The Mayor and Corporation, the Rifle … Read more

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In Morrab Gardens, Penzance - photo by Andy Reid

Images of Morrab

04/06/201910/01/2021 Paul Brett

Local photographer Andy Reid recently sent us some more of his photos, capturing the intricate detail of flowers and plant structures that he finds in the Gardens. Andy has done a lot of work in the Morrab Gardens, using the … Read more

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A granite retaining wall provides a sun-kissed environment for succulents, including the mighty Agave americana, opuntias, aloes and aeoniums.

A first visit to Morrab

23/05/201910/01/2021 Paul Brett
An account of a visit to Morrab Gardens by top garden blogger Dan Cooper, who writes on horticultural topics as The Frustrated Gardener. Dan visited in mid-March, after seeing Instagram posts of our magnolias, and was not disappointed.
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The yearly pleasure of flowers that return each spring

24/02/201918/01/2021 Paul Brett

Flowering bulbs are so rewarding in any garden, no matter how big or small.  We can, with an easy conscience, ignore them for most of the year but they will reliably return each spring to bring colour to forgotten corners … Read more

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Spring is here – official!

17/02/201907/03/2019 Paul Brett

When the Cornish Magnolias flower, Spring has arrived!  Gardeners at six of the Great Gardens of Cornwall watch their champion magnolia trees as the blossom unfolds, and when all six have at least 50 blooms open, the start of Spring … Read more

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Colourful Kalanchoes and super succulents!

26/01/201926/01/2019 Paul Brett

Our plant sales took a break for Christmas, but we’re back next week with more lovely plants which have been propagated by volunteers from the Friends of Morrab Gardens.  We’ll be selling plants from the greenhouse in Morrab Gardens on … Read more

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Merry Christmas!

24/12/2018 Paul Brett

We wish all Friends and visitors to Morrab Gardens a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Although we’ve taken a break for the holidays, plant life in the gardens continues; early-flowering camellias, such as this Camellia sasanqua ‘Narumigata’ have been … Read more

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The outdoor classroom in Morrab Gardens

28/10/2018 Paul Brett

We are happy to arrange visits of school groups to Morrab Gardens and last year, with support from Councillor Jim McKenna’s community fund, the Friends of Morrab Gardens established an ‘outdoor classroom’ to provide a safe place where teachers can … Read more

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Morrab plant sales

25/10/2018 Paul Brett

The weekly plant sales which we introduced this year have been a great success!  Thank you to everyone who has bought plants from us over the past few weeks.

As the autumn planting season comes to an end, we will … Read more

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Britain in Bloom success for Morrab

15/10/2018 Paul Brett

We are delighted that Morrab Gardens was once again awarded an ‘Outstanding’ in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category of the Britain in Bloom awards. The judge described the Friends of Morrab Gardens as a wonderful supportive community group.  He drew … Read more

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Blog Authors

Becky MoleBecky Mole

Becky grew up in Cornwall, from an early age spending as much time as she could around plants. She studied horticulture at the Eden Project, gaining a 1st class degree in Garden and Landscape Design.

Becky has worked as a gardener for private clients, often rejuvenating old abandoned gardens and occasionally working on larger estates. Over the past 15 years she has developed her business as an online garden nursery selling plants, bulbs, seeds and accessories which she posts direct to the buyer.

Becky is professionally and personally passionate about wildlife, ecology and sustainability, as well as the importance of green spaces and horticulture in mental health. She runs her nursery on organic principles and is proud to now have a fantastic biodiversity on site - leafcutter bees who moved in of their own accord, numerous smooth and palmate newts and even stick insects.

Julia GriggJulia Grigg

I’m newly arrived in Penzance, coming at last to settle in Cornwall. To where I have history: my maternal grandmother having been born on St Michael’s Mount. Living in the neighbourhood of Morrab Gardens, I’m delighted to be contributing this blog through 2021 to the Gardens’ website.

Mark CharltonMark Charlton

Mark Charlton describes himself as a trainee market gardener and recent ethnobotanist. He recently moved to West Cornwall to join the team at Little Cliff Kitchen Garden. It is part of Trenow Fields, a new little farm on Mounts Bay with big ambitions to re-generate a healthier land to support healthier lives. Under organic conversion, the tiny team are committed to improving biodiversity and the health of the soils to sustainably grow delicious food and medicinal herbs for the local community and beyond. The vision is that the whole project will become an exemplar of diversity and rural regeneration to inspire others including the farm's landlords the National Trust.

Martin PallettMartin Pallett

Martin works across Cornwall as a teacher, which gives him plenty of opportunities to visit many of Cornwall’s outstanding gardens, including ours at Morrab. Martin and his wife set up Bleuyjowa five years ago, selling locally a range of interesting and unusual plants many of which are tender mostly from their road-side Plant Stand and also for collection by arrangement.

Paul BrettPaul Brett

Paul is a volunteer gardener with the Friends of Morrab Gardens, and also looks after the Morrab Gardens website and social media channels.

Browse Julia’s Morrab Miscellany

  • E for Exotic Eucalyptus trees
    Eucalyptus trees are a notable feature of Morrab Gardens, and provide inspiration here for Julia Grigg's Morrab Miscellany
    Continue reading »
  • D for DH Lawrence, Darwin and his Dogs
    In Julia's Morrab Miscellany through the alphabet we arrive at D, where we learn about DH Lawrence and the time…
    Continue reading »
  • C for CITY GARDENS, for the CALM we breathe in
    Julia contemplates city gardens, the quiet green places that are so calming and a haven for those of us who…
    Continue reading »
  • B for Boscawen, Branwell and Bennetts
    Continuing her stroll through the alphabet, Julia Grigg reaches B and finds exotic trees and shrubs, an inspirational aunt and…
    Continue reading »
  • A for Acclimatisation
    Julia Grigg muses on how plants from around the world have acclimatised to thrive in Cornwall in the first of…
    Continue reading »
  • Julia Grigg’s Morrab Miscellany
    NEW FOR 2021! This year the website will be hosting a fortnightly blog. JULIA GRIGG'S MORRAB MISCELLANY will showcase writing…
    Continue reading »

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Cuttings

A short selection of other gardening and botanical blogs from around the web

  • Blooming generosity and planting positivity with David Austin in 2021
    by Vicky Flynn (National Garden Scheme) on 01/03/2021

    Synonymous with roses, David Austin is an enduring favourite with gardeners for the beautiful range […]

  • Daffodil facts in celebration of this bright beauty
    by Vicky Flynn (National Garden Scheme) on 01/03/2021

    Daffodils have been immortalised by William Wordworth’s wonderful ode to nature I wandered lonely […]

  • A host of golden daffodil gardens
    by Elena Pearce (National Garden Scheme) on 01/03/2021

    Blooming brilliant yellow in drifts across the garden, daffodils can brighten even the dullest […]

  • The Daffodil Girls; How the daffodil has added flower power to Marie Curie
    by Vicky Flynn (National Garden Scheme) on 01/03/2021

    In 2021, the National Garden Scheme celebrates 25 years of support for Marie Curie. In that time […]

  • March in the garden: feeding, dividing and sowing …
    by Vicky Flynn (National Garden Scheme) on 01/03/2021

    As the weather warms there is a lot to keep you busy in the garden as our gardening tips for… The […]

Clippings

A selection of videos from the Royal Horticultural Society

  • Light | Houseplant 101 | Royal Horticultural Society
  • Introduction to houseplants | Houseplant 101 | Royal Horticultural Society
  • Win two tickets to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show | Royal Horticultural Society
  • Slow TV: Snowfall | RHS Garden Hyde Hall | Royal Horticultural Society
  • How to plant bare root hedges | Grow at Home | Royal Horticultural Society

Recent News

  • E for Exotic Eucalyptus trees

     01/03/2021
  • How a passion for plants drove the creation of a business

     23/02/2021

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Address:

Morrab Gardens
Penzance, Cornwall TR18 4DA

Enquiries, Garden Tours and hire of Bandstand:

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All year round (incl. Xmas & New Year’s Day)

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