DITCH the roses — what your true love really wants for Valentine's Day is an apple tree.

What better gift for your sweetheart than a tree that you grafted yourself or, better still, one that you grafted together.

Come along to an apple grafting weekend at Cotehele on February 14 and 15, from 11am to 4pm, and National Trust gardeners will show you how to graft an apple tree that you will be able to take away and plant in your own garden.

Cotehele's senior gardener Chris Groves said: 'We'll have 20 different varieties to choose from.

'They're all varieties specific to the Tamar Valley that aren't widely available and you can't buy in your local grocery store.

'So this is a rare opportunity to enjoy a specialist tree in your own garden and you'll also be helping to keep the gene pool alive and conserving them for generations.'

Hocking's Green, Cornish Mother and King Byerd are only a few of the varieties that will be available.

'There will be a range of cooking apples, eating apples delicious straight from the tree, or apples with which to make cider.

'At Cotehele, there's an apple for all occasions,' said Chris.

There will be a rolling programme of workshops, all suitable for those aged 16 or over and there's no need to book.

The cost is £5 per grafted tree (limited to two trees per workshop). Normal garden admission charges apply.

Valentine's Day, from 11am to 4pm, also marks the re-opening of the gallery, with its View from a Window exhibition, featuring Trevor Price and Joan Bose, among a showcase of new work by British and Westcountry artists.

The house and mill will re-open on March 14.

For more information and details, call 01579 351346 or visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele">www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele