Visitors to a Cornish National Trust garden are flocking to see a giant dandelion that has grown taller than a man.
The enormous Madeiran dandelion, which stands more than two metres high, has become an unexpected attraction at Trengwainton Garden near Penzance after gaining attention on social media.
Visitors to a Cornish National Trust garden are flocking to see a giant dandelion that has grown taller than a man. (Image: National Trust)
The plant towers above head gardener Tom Bush, who says the rare subtropical species is thriving thanks to the garden’s unique growing conditions.
Native to Madeira, the giant Madeiran dandelion (Sonchus fruticosus), also known as the giant sowthistle, would not normally survive outdoors in much of the UK.
However, the sheltered walled gardens at Trengwainton provide a microclimate that allows unusual subtropical plants to flourish.
A video of the towering plant has attracted thousands of views online, prompting visitors to head to the National Trust property to see the botanical giant for themselves.
Tom Bush said: ‘Sonchus fruticosus, which also goes by the name of the Madeiran giant dandelion or giant sowthistle, wouldn’t normally survive outdoors all year round in this country, but the walled gardens at Trengwainton are full of rare, sub-tropical species like this because conditions here allow them to thrive.’
He added: ‘Standing underneath its foliage is like being transported to Lilliput, but in this case the plant is the giant!’
Trengwainton Garden is open from 10am to 5pm, Sunday to Thursday.
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