Abbey Garden Diaries March 2025

Island life in the winter is exceptionally quiet with many seasonal workers returning to the mainland and a small handful of infrequent visitors exploring Tresco. However, we have been busy in the garden making use of these quieter months to prepare for Spring. During these months, several garden volunteers visit and work in the garden aiding our small team and developing their knowledge of subtropical plants. Interacting with other gardeners is an opportunity for us to hear about a range of experiences working in different horticultural institutions and their own journeys with gardening. Some had never gardened before; others were experienced gardeners looking to develop their plant knowledge and a couple were garden and landscape designers, keen to marry their gardening skills with design for future projects. Having a diverse selection of volunteers led to important discussions about favourite plants, the differences between botanic and ornamental gardens, varying approaches to horticultural practices and an enormous amount of nonsense to lighten the dark winter days. All are a reminder of the vital work volunteers provide in powering through the heavy task lists in the garden.

Now that the last of the winter volunteers have sadly left, we are getting ready for the first of the Spring visitors to the island. The arrival of March brings a collective sigh of relief as we begin to remove our winter layers and feel a lift in energy with the longer days and snippets of sunshine. The myriad birds are lively with song lifting my spirits and signalling Spring’s approach. As the rest of the UK begins to see the blooming of Magnolias, Rhododendrons, Crocuses and Fritillaries, here on Tresco we are witness to a whole different range of plants blooming altogether.

Working in a garden is akin to having a child (or many plant children) and noticing the small changes that happen every day. Walking to the shed or popping to the trailer my eye often gets drawn away by some new plant growth or interesting development. I’ve been expectantly watching the flower spikes of Beschorneria yuccoides for the past couple of weeks, lapping up the tubular pink and green flowers as they unfurl. Originating from Mexico, it’s regarded as hardy in the south of England but can suffer in colder climes.

On a significantly smaller scale than Beschorneria yuccoides, but still as exciting, the modest and delicate Freesia refracta has begun popping up amongst the rockeries around the garden. They are tender perennials, unable to survive the colder weather of the mainland unless grown under glass. I’d recommend giving the little white flowers a sniff for a wonderful, sweet scent.

A combination of plants I’ve been admiring recently is Leucadendron strobilinum and Monotoca elliptica located on the top terrace. The creamy yellow flowers of the statement Leucadendron strobilinum contrast so beautifully with the small, white, sparkly flowers of Monotoca elliptica.

One of my favourite plants in the garden and probably of all time, is the South African featherhead, Phylica pubescens which looks good all year round. If this plant was on a runway, I’d be buying the outfit. As its common name suggests its foliage is feathery and is striking amongst the garden beds with Ericas and Leucadendrons. There is only one of these in the garden because it is particularly difficult to grow from cuttings and seeds, only germinating through specific heat treatment to recreate the effects of wildfires in South Africa.

The incandescent yellow clouds of Genista maderensis beam out throughout the garden, firmly declaring our accession into Spring. As the species name implies, this plant hails from the Portuguese island, Madeira and is commonly known as the Madeiran broom. It is drought tolerant and wind resistant, making it the perfect shrub for the cool, drying winds on Tresco. The radiant blooms of March are just a slice of the garden’s picturesque promise for Summer.