A Must-Go Place in Cornwall (Part I)

What was the last thing you bought that made you happy? I mean truly happy. Feeling giddy, like a 5 year old on their birthday kind of happy. A stomach-flipping happiness.  A thing that will last. That you will treasure. That will not end up on an internet selling site. Mine was a succulent.

Yep. A plant!

It’s the best plant I’ve bought ever. Ever! 

But this post isn’t about that plant. You’ll have to read “part II” to find out about my happiness-inducing plant.

This post is all about the place where I bought the plant from.

It is a magical place. Tucked away in West Cornwall not too far from Penzance.

This story begins a couple of weeks ago. Gardener’s World was on the telly. We have serious love for Monty Don in our house and so we never miss an episode.

The man is incredible.

However, it wasn’t Monty Don that inspired our little trip to plant-lovers’ paradise. It was the guys from Surreal Succulents talking animatedly about their nursery and their plants.

I was sold. I knew I had to go. I’m a sucker for a succulent!

Then it got better – I know, right! How could it get better? Well, I spotted the plant! over on their Instagram page. (I won’t spoil it by telling you which one just yet.) But once I’d seen the plant! I knew for sure I was heading off to Tremenheere Nursery with my camera and some pennies to spend.

Funnily enough one of my friends had also been watching the Monty Don and, like me, wanted to go to Tremenheere Nursery.

It wasn’t too difficult to convince her to come along. The conversation pretty much went:

my friend “did you see the succulents…”

me [excitedly butting in] “…on gardener’s world? Yes! Shall we go?”

my friend “Yass!”

And so off we went. We picked a day when my friend’s kids and GinGin would be at school. Roo wouldn’t mind us drooling over plants too much. The others – who are not pushchair bound – are more of a gamble. Sorry kids!

So I contacted the Surreal Succulent guys to see if they minded me bringing my camera – it’s always best to ask first! – to take some pics for the GinGin&Roo blog.

They didn’t mind 🙂

It was pretty easy to find the nursery. And it’s set in the most beautiful place. Tucked away near Penzance is the Tremenheere Sculpture Garden. And that’s where the nursery is. Sculpture and sculptural plants. In one place!

Honestly, it’s a must-go if you’re in Cornwall.

We were greeted by one of the nicest, friendliest people you could ever meet. Lou. She was awesome! And her knowledge of plants is endless. We could have happily picked her brains for hours 🙂

I was immediately drawn to the rows upon rows of luscious looking succulent plants. But the rustic building that greets you as you enter the nursery piqued our curiosity and so we went in there first.

It was indeed a curious cabin. And it housed the most curious little plants.

Air plants!

These plants are amazing. I’m pretty sure I will have a new collection starting soon. I know where I’ve got the perfect wall for a few 🙂

Just look at that cabin! It’s so Hobbit-like. Covered in plants. Nestled away perfectly in its environment.

I love how the roof of the cabin is carpeted with plants. It’s so delightful. So natural.

And inside you’ll be treated to a treasure trove of delights. Air plants. Small succulents. Beautiful terrariums. Lovely little greetings cards and plenty of gift ideas. Gorgeous.

I wanted to soak up every last bit of this wonderful cabin. I kicked myself that I didn’t bring a macro lens to capture some real up-close detail. (But that’s the photographer in me talking … and we would have been there for hours and hours if I had taken it!)

I think these air plants are just magical. It’s amazing how they can root themselves with no soil! I know I’ll get some (sorry Jon!). But I’ll do some research first. The RHS website seems like a good place to start.

In my next post, I’ll share with you which plant is the plant! and I’ll show you round some of the outside of Tremenheere Nursery. So look out for “part II” of this blog coming soon.

Now over to you. Where is your must-go plant nursery? And which is your favourite succulent?

I’d also love to hear from you if you’ve already started collecting air plants. What are you tips for keeping them happy?

Best wishes,

Jennie xx

Jennie (GinGin & Roo)

Hi, I’m Jennie and I’m the blogger and content creator behind the award-winning blog GinGin & Roo, a UK parenting and lifestyle blog.

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