Thanks to the mild Cornwall climate, spring starts early at Tregothnan - usually just before Christmas! Gorgeous banks of camellia and rhododendron are in bloom and you can see the first outdoor camellias ever planted in this country, still growing strong after 200 years. We also have some of the tallest rhododendrons in the country. They were planted over 150 years ago and make a fabulous sight when in full bloom. Christmas is also the time to see and smell the sweet scented sarcococca with its creamy white leaves - it really is superb from January onwards. The garden is full of colour right through until May, after which visitors can enjoy a unique collection of rare trees in space and tranquillity.

We have miles of gravel paths running to all the important areas so the garden is very easy to view.

There are a number of special features in the garden including some delightful well-established avenues. Luma apiculata is a myrtle avenue made up of Chilean Myrtle which flowers from June and July right through to November. The avenue has a carpet of spring primroses followed by bluebells - a unique touch and absolutely beautiful.

In the autumn, you can see the scented katsura tree which smells of candyfloss, along with a whole range of exotic and rare plants.

Other established features include a ride of Trachycarpus palms, an avenue of camellias, and an avenue of tree ferns with a eucalyptus canopy. The avenues are impressive with the longest - a quarter of a mile in length. The palms in the palm ride are possibly the tallest in the country. And everywhere there are lovely views over the estate and surrounding countryside.

While the traditional parts of the garden are impressive, there is always something new and exciting at Tregothnan.

Our tea garden is the first ever in the UK and we've just planted a camellia maze. In the last few years, we've planted the South American garden featuring a walkway surrounded by a jungle of South American plants and there's a new Himalayan Valley around the pond.

Tregothnan is the largest private garden in the UK and visitors are always impressed by the sheer scale of things - in particular the summerhouse lawns which form a simple, but majestic, landscape.

The summerhouse is unique and features a roaring log fire. Visitors are always welcome to rest and have a cup of tea in lovely warm surroundings.