This Christmas, Trebah Garden, near Falmouth, has embraced the beauty of its sub-tropical garden. Staff and volunteers have been working tirelessly over the past few weeks to create a stunning display of decorations in Trebah’s Visitor Centre, crafted largely from plants and leaves gathered from its 26-acre valley.

Throughout autumn the gardeners have collected a huge variety of plant material that would otherwise have been deadheaded and composted and woven some magic to turn them into decorations. Nestled amongst it all, a visitor favourite also returns - the ‘Elford Express, a model locomotive laden with presents destined for the North Pole.

With tinsel crafted from chestnut and acer leaves and cuttings from their iconic 70-year-old Hydrangeas which cloak the garden in blue every summer, other delights from around the world include Banksia, Callistemon, Agapanthus, Pterocarya, Eryngium and bamboo. Instead of an angel atop the tree, visitors will find palm fronds - a fitting nod to Trebah’s sub-tropical microclimate and its champion Chusan palm, Trachycarpus fortunei, which is the tallest in the UK. 

Trebah gardener, Gemma Boothroyd, says:

“The gardeners were given a brief this year to create a natural Christmas. We wanted to combine the spirit of Christmas with the magic of Trebah by bringing the outside in for everyone to enjoy and to show that there are treasures to be found in the garden in places you would never usually consider; seed heads, leaves, flowers - it doesn’t have to cost a lot to have a beautiful Christmas which is also great for the planet”

Trebah is also delighted to be welcoming Father Christmas back for the first time in five years to enjoy ‘Stories With Santa’, which will be held on 7 & 8, 14 & 15 and 21 & 22 December. Booking is essential with limited spaces available.

Our festive family trail sees Santa ask for your help to track down his mischievous team of elves, who are nestled somewhere in the garden. Once you’ve found them all there will be a chance to write a letter to Santa and post it straight to the North Pole before you step into the magical log cabin for a storytelling experience and photo opportunity. Every child will of course receive a small sustainable gift.

Trebah CEO, Jon Cummins, says:

“Trebah has long been known for its stunning Christmas displays and is remembered fondly by generations of children. We are delighted Father Christmas is heading back to Trebah for Christmas 2024. I’m really proud of the job our team of staff and volunteers have done of creating our new festive look and we are looking forward to welcoming all our visitors over the next month to see Santa and of course everyone coming to enjoy the garden, taste our Christmas menu or to browse for quality gifts in our shop.”

More information can be found at https://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/events/christmas/stories-with-santa