Microclimate

Proof that our cottages by the coast have a semi-tropical microclimate is the fact that Echiums grow well here. In particular, the Echium Pininana (pictured) grows very well in the rear garden of Sea View Cottage! They’re susceptible to frost, proof that winters can be mild here too. They are extraordinary plants that grow over their first few years as an innocuous low shrub. Then, suddenly, a 1.8m (6 foot) stem leaps upwards towards the heavens laden with beautiful, insect attracting, purple flowers. This explosion of growth happens in the Spring. In late June, the blooms die back and seed themselves and by November all that’s left is a greyish hollow woody stem.

Whilst we can’t guarantee a show every year, our cottages by the coast put on a great display in the Spring of 2020 (see photos). Although due to lockdown no one was able to witness it of course! But when we were last on site (early January 2021) there were certainly plenty of plants that looked promising. Book for May/June if you want to witness the flowers at their best. Book for late July/August if you want to take some seeds back with you.