THE GARDEN TODAY TRIST HOUSE has a romantic, intimate garden. From the daffodils and tulips of spring, through roses and poppies to the summer perennials and the Michaelmas Daisies and hydrangeas in autumn, it is always full of colour.

There is an 80 foot herbaceous border overflowing with plants, a red and green border, a purple and pink one and many nooks and crannies to find.

Set on a hillside with formal lawns and herbaceous beds around the house, the garden spreads out into woodland, sloping down to the little lake and the great rockery, built of huge blocks of quartz-veined rocks in the 1840s. When we arrived in 1994 all was overgrown except for the two Italian terraces and the croquet lawn. Gradually trees were planted, the ground was terraced and flower borders created and a pergola built . Over the years, the various rockeries have been uncovered and planted. The Great Rockery by the lake was our first discovery and other smaller rockeries, including the Dell, have also been found and planted. Many of these rockeries require nimble footwork when it comes to weeding and planting!

The Italian Terraces have been planted, one as a white garden and the other in pinks and blues. Themed walks create a formal feel: the 150ft rose pergola intersects the North Walk which is lined with magnolias and azaleas, a hydrangea walk is backed with cherry trees, and a canal leads into a small pond. An abundance of tender plants suited to the Cornish climate are grown in the garden.

In summer, roses climb the house walls, romp over the pergola and stand to attention on the lower terrace. Brenda was first inspired to garden by her friendship with Margery Fish and this is demonstrated in the abundance of her planting. Her skills and knowledge of plants were developed over thirty years in the two and a half acres of the garden of an old rectory in Sussex. She is nearly always around to chat and identify plants.

The courtyard where cream teas are served is shaded by a giant magnolia.