CORNISH-L Archives

From: "Joan in Colorado" <>
Subject: Tremough, Mabe - Famous Rhododendrons
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2000 17:29:58 -0700

I was interested to read in Judy Locy's Cornwall Bulletin that the Camborne
School of Mines is moving to Tremough now that the convent school there
since 1943 has closed. Some of my KISTLE ancestors lived on Tremough land
in the 1840's when the beautiful manor was owned by JOHN TILLY, though
occupied, I believe, by TOBIAS TILLY.

Does anyone know if the famous Himalayan rhododendrons are still cultivated
there? I understand they were originally sown from seed obtained from Kew
around 1853. These beautiful shrubs were discovered in the Himalayas by
British botanist DR. JOSEPH HOOKER who brought the seeds to Kew. At the
time of a Kew Bulletin article on the Tremough rhododendrons dated 1893, the
head gardener at Tremough was RICHARD GILL, who hybridised the species. So
successful was his Sikkim rhododendron culture that some plants were sent to
the Royal Botanical Gardens and many were sold throughout the country. Some
grew to be 30 feet high. Prize-winning awards included "Gill's Triumph",
"Beauty of Tremough" and "Shilsonii". NED WINN became Head Gardener around
1925 and sent shrubs all over the Continent, including many to the gardens
of European monarchs.

What a wonderful setting for a campus, though Judy says that while this is a
boost for the Penryn area, there has been considerable outcry and
disappointment in Camborne and Redruth.

Best wishes, Joan

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• Tremough, Mabe - Famous Rhododendrons by "Joan in Colorado" <>