CGS Evening Lecture

Surreal Succulents charts journey from Cornish window sill to Chelsea Gold.

The Cornwall Garden Society’s (CGS) November lectures will feature multi-award-winning Cornish succulent grower, Daniel Michael.

Daniel drew upon the valuable experience he had gained within the island gardens of St Michael’s Mount when he was invited to open a nursery in the renowned Sculpture Garden at Tremenheere in 2014.

His ambition is to produce succulents that can withstand British winters.

In recent years, Daniel has begun to grow his own hybrids and has over 50 varieties of echeveria. He is passionate about the dramatic and sculptural shapes of succulents as well as their vibrant colours.

Daniel’s impressive reputation for growing a wonderful collection of quality, rare and unusual succulents led to his company, Surreal Succulents, being awarded a Gold medal for its first ever exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in September 2021.

In 2022, Surreal Succulents won Gold medals at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show together with Plant of the Year for x Semponium ‘Destiny’ and at the RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival.

Surreal Succulents is currently working in collaboration with Mark Lea, an experienced designer-maker, who is focusing on the digital within contemporary craft practice. Together, they plan to share and create a new style for succulents and garden design.

The Surreal Succulents’ Journey: From the Window Sill to RHS Chelsea Gold will be Daniel’s subject on Tuesday 8th November at 7.30pm at The Alverton in Truro and on Wednesday 9th November at 2.30pm at the Penventon Park Hotel in Redruth.

Mark will be bringing examples of his succulents to show and sell.

These lectures are free for CGS members. Non-members are welcome to attend to find out more about the Society and donations are gratefully received. Anyone who joins the Society at these lectures will not have to renew their membership until January 2024.