May at The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Plants to look out for in May

Davidia involucrate nestled in the Sundial Garden and produces the most beautiful clusters of elegant, white flowers around May time. In full bloom, the tree looks as though it is covered in draped handkerchiefs, hence the more popular name of The Pocket Handkerchief Tree.

Although our wisteria isn’t yet in full bloom, we’d recommend meandering through the Flower Garden to enjoy its lilac blooms a little later in the month.

For those hoping to explore a little further afield, venture down to Bottle Dump Hill in the Lost Valley and you’ll be rewarded with a sea of beautiful bluebells.

Events to Enjoy

Heligan Wild Week - Saturday 25th May - Sunday 2nd June

An unmissable date in the family calendar is almost upon us. Heligan Wild Week is just a few weeks away and you're invited.

Join us in the largest outdoor playground in the southwest for a week of creative play, survival skills, bushcraft, crafts, marshmallow toasting and so much more.

If you’re looking for the wildest Cornish half term activities, look no further.

Sunrise Sessions

Every Thursday throughout spring and summer, Heligan will be opening its gates early to allow you to wander at will through our beautiful gardens and ancient estate.

On Thursdays in May, our gates will open at 6:30 am providing you with the perfect early morning escape.

Garden and Estate Foraging Walks, with Emma Gunn

Thursday 23rd May

Join expert forager, Emma Gunn, for an insightful walk around the beautiful Heligan garden and estate, to explore the abundance of our hedgerows, and the natural habitats around us.

Discover a wide range of edibles and learn about how to use them, recipes to create, their healing properties, along with how to identify toxic lookalikes and how to forage from nature sustainably.

Lost Suppers – Foraged

Friday 31st May

We are delighted to be welcoming Emma Gunn to the Heligan Kitchen for a very special Lost Supper. Emma and the Kitchen Team will be foraging the estate to create a seven course tasting menu highlighting some unique flavours growing throughout Heligan.

Start your evening with a wild cocktail, an introduction to foraging by Emma and then supper will be served.

Beatrice Forshall - The Book of Vanishing Species

Thursday 30th May

Join us for an evening in the Heligan Kitchen as Beatrice shares stories of species at risk of extinction and talks about the process of making their engravings and of reasons for hope.