…flowers as they just emerge from the very black buds and ahead of the leaves. Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’ Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’ Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’…

…Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’ in bud and flower. Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’ Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’ What I am now certain is the white form of Staphylea…

…and the fires rage. The drive is now clear The road to the Hovel is clear but still with overhanging trees. The road to the Hovel is clear Below the…

…be nice when the builders return on Monday! The Battery Walk Arch The tide is out but the sea and wind rage. I can hardly stand to take this poorish…

…Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. liliiflora ‘Holland Red’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. liliiflora ‘Holland Red’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Caerhays Surprise’ is now call Magnolia ‘Black Swan’. Also…

…but not that good so far in the second year of flowering. Magnolia ‘Joker’ Magnolia ‘Joker’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. Serene’. Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. Serene’ Magnolia ‘Black…

…now in the centre of the Old Park. 2019 planted. Magnolia ‘Black Swan’ Magnolia ‘Black Swan’ Magnolia ‘Black Swan’ Magnolia ‘Theodora’ is Maurice Foster’s UK bred M. ‘Dark Shadow’ x…

…here. However, in reflection, it fairly represents both parents and is well worth its place. It’s the ‘black’ which it isn’t! (There are other black magnolias – e.g. ‘Black Beauty’)….

…planted this cross. Magnolia ‘Aphrodite’ (M. ‘Black Tulip’ x M. soulangeana ‘Deep Purple Dream’) Magnolia ‘Aphrodite’ (M. ‘Black Tulip’ x M. soulangeana ‘Deep Purple Dream’) Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x Magnolia ‘Black…

…Red’ Magnolia dawsoniana ‘Chindit’. Magnolia dawsoniana ‘Chindit’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’. Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’ x M. ‘J. C. Williams’. Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’ x M. ‘J. C. Williams’…

…x M. ‘Black Tulip’ – excellent but, again, no name. Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x M. ‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x M. ‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Romance’ – quite nice. Will probably improve…

…out for a while now and the leaves are emerging. Paler than ‘Black Tulip’ as you would expect but with a rounded Black Tulip shape. Magnolia ‘Rose Marie’ x ‘Black…

…‘Brombeer’ Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x M. ‘Black Tulip’ now full out. Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x M. ‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x M. ‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Laura Saylor’. Magnolia ‘Laura Saylor’ Magnolia ‘Laura…

…gregsoniana Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Serene’. Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Serene’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Serene’ Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Titan’ nearly out – early for a x…

…the sun. Fagus sylvatica ‘Black Swan’ Fagus sylvatica ‘Black Swan’ Salix moupinense (from Tom Hudson / Vietnam) is very different from Salix fargesii despite what the reference books say. I…

…the Rockery is one of the later evergreen azaleas to flower. The best very dark red? Azalea ‘Black Hawk’ Azalea ‘Black Hawk’ This is Rhododendron reticulatum which is nearly (but…

…Maple. Acer campestre Acer campestre Scilla bifolia in a woodland setting. Scilla bifolia Camellia ‘Black Magic’ almost black in bud. Camellia ‘Black Magic’ Camellia ‘Black Magic’ Magnolias tower over the…

…‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia ‘Serene’ – an interesting first flower. Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia ‘Serene’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia ‘Deep Purple Dream’ – now named ‘Aphrodite’ or ‘Antje…

…Tulip’ x M. ‘Pickard’s Ruby’. Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Pickard’s Ruby’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Pickard’s Ruby’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Pickard’s Ruby’ Magnolia ‘Rebecca’s Perfume’. Magnolia…

…bred Azalea ‘Black Hawk’. Azalea ‘Black Hawk’ Azalea ‘Black Hawk’ The wisteria now nearly full out. wisteria now nearly full out wisteria now nearly full out 2023 – CHW The…