A COUNTRY estate at the heart of Cornwall’s historic mining district is launching a Pollinator Pathmaker garden on Friday (June 26).

Trevince, in Gwennap, has collaborated with artist Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, who will cut a ribbon to declare the garden officially open for visitors of all kinds to enjoy throughout the season.

Not only is Pollinator Pathmaker a living sculpture made from plants, it is also an artwork for pollinators, planted and cared for by people. Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg has created a custom algorithm that designs planting for the tastes of pollinators rather than humans.

With pollinators in decline, the artwork encourages empathy for other species and empowers people to be caretakers of nature, rather than consumers. Planting schemes are created by selecting plants suited to the specific conditions of a site, which are then optimised by the algorithm to provide pollen and nectar for the greatest number of local pollinators possible.

Pollinator Pathmaker was originally commissioned by and planted at the Eden Project. Gardens have also been planted in London and Berlin, as well as at a community project in Constantine, near Falmouth.

Trevince’s pollinator-centric garden was planted in February and is now reaching peak perfection for insects such as hoverflies, moths, butterflies, wasps and flies, as well as many species of bees, all of which form the basis of a thriving garden.

“This project sets out to design planting as a pollinator might have planned it and I love that idea,” said head gardener Colin Skelly. “We can and do plant with pollinators in mind, but this planting takes it to a new level.

“Insect pollinators often see entirely different colours to those that we see. Their eyes sense different parts of the colour spectrum, including ultraviolet light. This reveals markings on flowers that are invisible to us, guiding them to the prized pollen and nectar.”

Garden owner Richard Stone added: “Trevince not only offers an outdoor sanctuary to connect with nature and boost wellbeing, but also provides an opportunity to learn from experts how to garden more productively by attracting pollinators, creating habitats and growing crops.

“We hope garden lovers from across Cornwall will join us in welcoming Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg to declare our Pollinator Pathmaker garden open, experience the colours, scents and sounds as they change throughout the seasons, find out how we are gardening for food, fun and the future, and share our vision for this enduring place.”

The ribbon will be cut at 10.30am on Friday, June 26. Trevince Gardens are open to plant lovers, curious souls and well-behaved dogs on leads on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays until September 27, from 10am to 4pm.

A programme of talks and demonstrations by horticultural experts are offered throughout the season, and the Cart Shed Café offers tasty home-made treats, using abundant produce from the Walled Garden, in a warm and friendly setting.

Adult tickets cost £10 per visit or £30 for the season, and £2 per visit for under 16s. Visit www.trevince.co.uk.