A throw away comment from a friend on fractals relating to tree forms led me to research this phenomena.
"A fractal is an object or quantity that displays self similarity
frac·tal (frktl)n.
A geometric pattern that is repeated at ever smaller scales to produce irregular shapes and surfaces that cannot be represented by classical geometry. Fractals are used especially in computer modeling of irregular patterns and structures in nature."
This is related to chaos theory.
On Sunday I visited two gardens one Trebah which is lovely( and as a matter of interest Falmouth students can get free entry-just show your student card) but there was something missing ?Although I took lots of photos and did some drawing there didnt sem to be a wide variety of plant forms which I assumed was due to the fact that it is only just spring and a lot of plants are still dormant .
Then I went Penjerrick which a garden I hadnt heard of which was a totally different experience and is described as one of the most beautiful and unspoiltgardens in Cornwall ad is only a couple of miles away from Trebah.(Glendurgan was closed .)
"Penjerrick Garden is near Budock, Falmouth, Cornwall
15-acres of subtropical garden, home to important rhododendron hybrids . The upper garden with sea view contains rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias, bamboos, tree ferns and magnificent trees. Across a bridge a luxuriant valley features ponds in a wild primeval setting. Suitable for adventurous fit people wearing gumboots
Mar to Sept, Sun, Wed, Fri (1.30-4.30). For NGS: Sun 20 Apr (1-4.30).
Discover hidden paths, duck under branches that grow across the paths, and marvel at numerous tree ferns and enchanting blooming shrubs.
Penjerrick was created 200 years ago by Robert Were Fox F.R.S. and his children, Anna Maria, Barclay and Caroline (R.W. Fox's brother, Charles was responsible for the Garden at Trebah and his brother Alfred for the garden at Glendurgan ).
They planted the upper garden with specimens collected abroad including rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias, azaleas, tree ferns and bamboos. The garden is also the home of the Penjerrick and Barclayi hybrid rhododendrons.
The lower part of Penjerrick is a dense valley garden reached by a wooden bridge. In this wild, jungle-like setting are four ponds and countless tree ferns that date back almost to the original planting of the garden. "
Which leads me back to fractals and chaos theory and the state of the world . The feel of Penjerrik is much more natural and exciting and beautiful there was a wildnesss about this garden that Trebah has lost although they no doubt are far more profitable as a business. As a species we seem to have a need to control and contain we want to feel safe and secure and yet by behaving in this way we destroy the very essence of what it was attracted us to something in the first place . Is this my attraction to tree forms where there is this random chaotic pattern that nature produces .
Interesting as well that all three gardens were created by the same family .Were they all as wild originally ? What were the personalities of the people who created them ?
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