Gweek House Cornwall

30/05/2026

It was wonderful to be back in the garden yesterday, enjoying such beautiful weather. May really is a magical month, with the flowers in full bloom and the trees and shrubs looking their absolute best.

Another six hours spent strimming, mowing, and planting a few new shrubs, and every minute was a joy. I’ve also left several areas to grow long for No Mow May, helping to provide vital nectar sources for insects and other pollinators.

The highlight of the day was spotting my first hummingbird hawk-moth of the year, feeding on the pink campion. What an incredible sight and such a treat to see!

Moments like these make all the hard work worthwhile. 🌸🦋🌿

BBC Gardeners World Rhododendron Camellia & Magnolia Group Burncoose Nurseries The Great Gardens of Cornwall National Garden Scheme

24/05/2026

NEW Video out Now... 😀

We take a short break from the gardens at Gweek House and head deep into our ancient woodland on the beautiful Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall.

Join me as I wander through one of Cornwall’s hidden Celtic Rainforests, exploring the history of traditional oak woodland coppicing, peaceful woodland rides and glades, birdsong echoing through the trees, and butterflies dancing in the sunlight.

I’ll also be talking about just how important time spent in nature can be for our mental health and overall wellbeing. Places like this ancient woodland offer a chance to slow down, breathe, reconnect with the natural world, and escape the pressures of modern life for a while.

If you want to see more don't forget to Like, Share and maybe Subscribe to see more videos.

Thanks

Rich.

We take a short break from the gardens at Gweek House and head deep...

16/05/2026

If you haven’t already checked out the new Gweek House YouTube channel, you can find it via the link below.

We’ve also just uploaded a quick YouTube Short showing how to plant a Magnolia tree, with my 9-year-old son Henry giving me a helping hand in the garden. It was great fun to make and hopefully useful for anyone looking to add one of these beautiful trees to their own garden.

If you enjoy the content and would like to follow along with future garden projects, wildlife, photography and life here at Gweek House, please consider subscribing to the channel — your support really does mean a lot and is hugely appreciated.

Thanks everyone!

Matt, Sarah, Henry & Dogs x 3 🐕😄😀

Short: https://youtube.com/shorts/kBbAAxtFlJ8?si=Tyc49I4OXim8qJP4

Full Video: https://youtu.be/Ellj6QwuhPc?si=ZdRpERDKihhlMoVT

Rhododendron Camellia & Magnolia Group

Planting a magnolia tree is one of the most rewarding things you can do in your garden, and in today’s vlog, I’ll walk you through exactly how to do it right...

16/05/2026

A few of our rhododendrons are now in full bloom, including Pink Pearl, Blue Peter, Cunninghams White and our newly planted Percy Wiseman.

Such a beautiful display at this time of year — May has to be my favourite month in the garden!

Rhododendron Camellia & Magnolia Group The Great Gardens of CornwallBurncoose Nurseries

03/05/2026

NEW Video Out NOW....

In this video, I share simple, practical tips on everything from choosing the right soil to finding the perfect spot in your garden. I’m also joined by my 9-year-old son Henry, who helps me plant a tree he’ll be able to enjoy for years to come.

A mix of helpful advice and a special moment—hope it inspires you to plant something that lasts 🌸

https://youtu.be/Ellj6QwuhPc?si=n4yHaasazm7aQQ1q

BBC Gardeners World Rhododendron Camellia & Magnolia Group

2 likes. "HOW TO PLANT A MAGNOLIA TREE | Soil, Sun & Simple Tips (With My Son Henry!)"

27/04/2026

Exciting News – Our First Video is Live! 🌿

I’m so pleased to share my very first video with you all! Join me in the heart of beautiful Cornwall, on the Lizard Peninsula, where I begin the journey of creating a woodland garden in acid-loving soil.

In these videos, I hope to share some of my personal hints and tips on planting a range of stunning plants — from magnolias and rhododendrons to camellias and azaleas — and how to bring a natural, peaceful feel to your garden. I also touch on simple ways to make your space more wildlife-friendly, with ideas like bird boxes, bug hotels, and creating a haven for birds, insects, and mammals.

This is just the start! Over the coming months, I’ll also be sharing more from our ancient woodland at the head of the Helford River — a truly special place full of wildlife, including badgers, foxes, deer, birds of prey, and so much more.

If you enjoy gardening, nature, and wildlife, I’d love for you to come along on this journey 🌱

👍 Please like, comment, and share
🔔 Follow this page & subscribe to the channel to see more videos as they’re released

Thank you so much for your support — it really means a lot!

Matt, Sarah & Family xx
🌿
https://youtu.be/IDriRV7Noec

WOODLAND GARDENING | Magnolias, Camellias, Rhododendrons | Acid Loving Plants | Gweek House Cornwall

25/04/2026

It’s been a fantastic week in the garden. The easterly wind made things a little challenging at times, but I still managed to clock up over 45 hours of work.

I’ve been busy clearing fallen branches, planting three new camellias, a rhododendron, and three magnolias. On top of that, I tackled some seriously overgrown borders—cutting back brambles, blackthorn, hawthorn, and willow. Safe to say I picked up a fair few scratches along the way!

There was also a big burn-up of branches, bramble, and even some gorse to deal with.

One of the highlights has been creating at least eight new bug hotels, along with additional wildlife habitats for hedgehogs and birds to use for nesting and shelter.

All in all, a productive and very satisfying week outdoors.

Rhododendron Camellia & Magnolia Group Burncoose Nurseries The Great Gardens of Cornwall

24/04/2026

Welcome to the newest member of our family, Luna — our 8-week-old Vizsla. She’s full of energy, and Monty and Myah are already struggling to keep up! She’s currently enjoying some time out on the front lawn while we relax with lunch after a busy morning in the garden.

18/04/2026

Another visit to Burncoose Nurseries, one of my favourite places to wander and find inspiration for the garden. I never leave empty-handed, and this time was no exception!

I’ve added a new Magnolia ‘Spring Rite’ to the collection, and it’s an absolute beauty. This variety produces large, elegant, goblet-shaped flowers in soft white, delicately flushed with pink, and it’s known for its wonderful fragrance, something I’m really looking forward to enjoying in the seasons ahead.

It’s also a relatively fast-growing magnolia, forming a graceful, upright tree over time, making it a fantastic feature plant for the garden.

I’ve planted it on the front garden slope in a sheltered spot, nicely protected by our established yew hedge, so I’m hoping it will settle in well and thrive in its new home. Fingers crossed it enjoys the conditions and rewards us with a stunning display before too long!

Rhododendron Camellia & Magnolia GroupBurncoose NurseriesThe Great Gardens of Cornwall

12/04/2026

A few more glimpses from the garden 🌿

The camellias are still putting on a wonderful show, their blooms holding strong and bringing such elegance to the borders. One of the highlights right now is stunning ‘spring formal’ its intricate, almost geometric petal patterns making each flower look like a piece of art.

Camellias are fascinating plants, not only are they evergreen, providing structure all year round, but many varieties flower from late winter into spring, offering much-needed colour when little else is in bloom. Their perfectly layered petals are often described as “formal doubles,” a form prized for its symmetry and beauty.

Another favourite stealing the spotlight is Rhododendron ‘Taurus’, with its deep, intense red blooms that really command attention. The richness of the colour is hard to beat, and it creates such a striking contrast against the glossy green foliage.

It’s moments like these that make a garden so rewarding, having colour and interest weaving through the seasons, each plant taking its turn to shine. 🌸

Rhododendron Camellia & Magnolia Group