The New Year Flower Count 2026
As ever, the annual flower count did not disappoint with plenty of species in bloom this January providing a splash of colour amidst the winter blues
This January, Head Gardener Andrew Lawson carried out the annual flower count on a beautifully sunny 1st January at Tresco Abbey Garden. He counted 269 species in bloom across the myriad of terraces and lawns - no mean feat for a rather chilly winter so far! It is always remarkable to see just how much colour there is to be found amidst the blues and greys we so often associate with winter.
Among Andrew's highlights were Tecoma stans from tropical America, the official flower of the United States Virgin Islands and the floral emblem of The Bahamas.
There was also the usual range of Banksia and Protea species as well as Telanthophora grandiflora from the cloud forests of Mexico and Canarina canariensis and Arbutus canariensis - both of which are from Tenerife.
Finally, there was lots of Acacia and south African Erica in flower as well as Raphithamnus venusta from the Juan Fernandez Islands off the coast of Chile. All this and much much more thanks to our mild climate and protective shelter belt of trees.
