| DEVOTED GARDENERS Wendy and Michael Perry
had a clear mission when they set to work in the ramshackle two
acres of ground at their home, Bosvigo House on the outskirts of
Truro. They both yearned for a garden with summer in mind - in a
county where summer gardens are put firmly in the shade by Cornwall’s
much loved spring displays. And they dreamt of a place filled with
rare and unusual plants, a balance between the formal and informal
and, because of the shape and contours of the grounds, a series
of distinct gardens-in-a-garden. After years of often backbreaking
work and a sensible step-by-step approach as they tackled one area
after another, they have succeeded triumphantly with more than a
dozen separate but linked parts. Today, summer colour, from muted
hues to brilliant splashes, is the glory of Bosvigo, alongside carefully
woven spring and autumn compositions to give interest from early
spring to late autumn. Winter is the time to clear and prepare for
the seasons ahead. The Perrys make a perfect team. Wendy is the
plant expert, colourist and designer of displays, Michael the hard
landscape man. Both have been keen gardeners since childhood. The
couple bought Bosvigo House – the name means the House of Vigo and
there has been a dwelling on the site since the twelfth century
or before - 33 years ago. They loved the pretty Georgian house,
despite an awkward Victorian addition which did little for the charm
of the place, which they removed 22 years ago. |
