Iron Orchid Landscapes

Iron Orchid Landscapes Coastal landscape specialists: design, build, plant & maintain across Cornwall and the South West.

28/03/2026

S P R I N G R I S I N G A G A I N . . .

An ode to the long long winter of 25/26…

Spring seems slow and reluctant to come forth this year, Nature in tentative steps, but it is and it will come. Cornwall and the whole of the UK seems to have endured a toughest and longest winter in living memory and it’s important to recognise that and honour ourselves at this passing through point.

The Atlantic has unloaded relentlessly on our small islands positioned at the end of a conveyor belt of meteorological wrath and instability. Was it the wettest winter we remember, the one without glints of hope? Work and progress have been a grim slog and earning for those in outdoor vocations hard won. Respect to all in our industry having endured this. The world’s political and economic instabilities have compounded the sub conscious winter state of mind along with real day to day impact on our lives.

But we are now emerging. We can venture outdoors again and feel warmth and witness growth.

The spring equinox has now passed and light outweighs the nights. The air is still north wind cold and nature is making slow progress at rejuvenation but it is happening.

Slowly we reenergise and bring hope and innovation to what lays ahead: digging, grass cutting, weeding, pruning and shaping… those simple pleasures of connection.

Iron Orchid are re-emerging too after a long period of reflection and reinvention. We are hopeful for the future and look forward to engaging with new and old clients and friends alike. Follow our journey of creativity and changing peoples lives in their connections to their outdoor spaces this spring.

17/01/2026

Storm Goretti… a week to contemplate and take it all in. A drive through the destruction.


In our remote area of inland, west Cornwall the impact of the storm on the mature tree population was massive. The impact on the inhabitants emotional state was profound. The violence came thick and fast. The impact on the areas’ infrastructure was hugely disruptive. Constantine was completely cut off via road for a short while and the accessibility is still being reopened and worked on now 10 days later.

In this area alone, hundreds of mature trees in their prime has been lost, hundreds of years growth and presence gone in a couple of short hours of madness. Even in the sheltered valleys and old gardens of the Helford Riviera the wind dug out huge root plates wrenching the shallow earth open, felling familiar giants.

Landmarks and way markers have been lost and a familiar landscape has been changed. None of this is unnatural but it is a rare event in nature and to witness it is unsettling and at its extreme heartbreaking. Trees lifeline is longer than our own and seeing them perish with violence shakes us into our own mortality.

Change in our environment is also unsettling; it stresses us out. The negative space takes a long time to accommodate. But the space death and destruction creates becomes a positive asset. There is time and space for thought on what was planted and what to plant next. This is maybe the end of a fashion of planting huge growing trees originating from other temperate continents? We have lost many old oaks, ash and beech also but it is a chance to reevaluate our arboreal environment in times of a dramatically changing climate. Diversity and in this case biodiversity are key to our future success and resilience.

It’s also a chance to think about our power and energy sources. Can all of us fully rely on wholly electric future? The authorities can only cope with so much at once. Do communities have to become more independent of the state and grid?

It’s a chance at least to practice one of humanity’s oldest pleasure; gathering and processing firewood. A truly communal activity that is purely based on trusting and being prepared for our future.

31/12/2025

2025 through the seasons, there have been dark times and also a lot of sunshines and fun times…

Old stones…. New collective purpose.An example of our dry stone retaining wall terracing and Cornish hedging using recla...
10/07/2025

Old stones…. New collective purpose.

An example of our dry stone retaining wall terracing and Cornish hedging using reclaimed local stone, some of it dug out of the quarry here. Lots of ancient Cornish heritage and geology going on along with painstaking patience and craftsmanship over time through the north coast weather.

Great comfort to witness the place mellow out in the warm sun as the planting matures and wind blown plants, or weeds as some call them, start to reclaim the place.

No cement. Just old stone and earth.


Maturing coastal planting.Gardening is a slow and at times hugely frustrating art form. The nature of the location ultim...
10/07/2025

Maturing coastal planting.

Gardening is a slow and at times hugely frustrating art form. The nature of the location ultimately has the highlighting brush strokes.

We’re loving the size and scale of this planting plan which has eventually made its presence known along the long driveway. Miscanthis Yaka Dance is centre stage. ̇gn

Almost a year on from initial planting, we’re really pleased how these coastal combinations are coming on. Nothing too f...
28/06/2025

Almost a year on from initial planting, we’re really pleased how these coastal combinations are coming on. Nothing too fancy or unusual but it all performs excellently in this harsh north coast position. Message if you’d like to know the plant species. 🌿✌️

A trio of bespoke, site cast concrete planters.Local blue elvin aggregate with white cement.
26/04/2025

A trio of bespoke, site cast concrete planters.

Local blue elvin aggregate with white cement.

Some recent granite sett driveway work the team have expertly completed in Falmouth.Super tricky rolling gradient and on...
26/04/2025

Some recent granite sett driveway work the team have expertly completed in Falmouth.

Super tricky rolling gradient and only phase one ( hence the granite chipping areas) …

Love the colour and texture diversity in these setts.

The basic coastal planting palette…For anyone starting out with a coastal, salt and wind resistant planting project here...
24/07/2024

The basic coastal planting palette…

For anyone starting out with a coastal, salt and wind resistant planting project here is your go to essential plant ensemble.

From the bottom
Convolulous cneorum (silver bush)
Santolinia chamaecyparissus( cotton lavender)
Alchemilla mollis (lady’s mantle)
Rosmarinus prostratus ( creeping rosemary)
Stipa tenuissima ( Mexican feathergrass)

Of course they are many more coastal tolerant plants to choose and play with but these are tried and tested beasts that perform all year round 🤘


Our master woodcrafter Mike have a pensive moment during a challenging section of this curved deck jammed between a rock...
04/06/2024

Our master woodcrafter Mike have a pensive moment during a challenging section of this curved deck jammed between a rock and a hard place…
🤔

The deck boards are made by , solid engineered bamboo composite, the frame is reclaimed iroko supplied by 🙌 pedestals are supplied by

High end kit designed to last and importantly be sustainable. Build it once, build it proper.

The May is here and the cows are free and grazing in the old, rolling meadows… Is there any sweeter time of emancipation...
03/05/2024

The May is here and the cows are free and grazing in the old, rolling meadows…

Is there any sweeter time of emancipation from long wet, dark winter of 2024?
Happy May holiday everyone! 🌞 🌹

Always nice to be trusted to cut the poshest hedge in the village !Pleached lime with an Elaeagnus ebbingeii lower tier....
20/04/2024

Always nice to be trusted to cut the poshest hedge in the village !

Pleached lime with an Elaeagnus ebbingeii lower tier. Very French.


Address

The Millhouse, Higher Argal Farm, Budock
Falmouth
TR115PE

Telephone

+447816406932

Website

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