8th March 1897 – 2020

…its name! Stachyurus lancifolius Stachyurus lancifolius Stachyurus lancifolius First flowers on the newly registered Magnolia ‘Caerhays Philip’. Small and sparse this year against a drab sky. Magnolia ‘Caerhays Philip’ The…

16th March

…on the drive. Is it sufficiently different to merit registration? Borderline. Philip Tregunna’s as yet unnamed hybrid Philip Tregunna’s as yet unnamed hybrid Philip Tregunna’s as yet unnamed hybrid Magnolia…

4th March 1897 – 2020

‘Caerhays Splendour’ at its peak today. Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ Magnolia ‘Rebecca’s Perfume’ just starting. Magnolia ‘Rebecca’s Perfume’ Magnolia…

12th March 1897 – 2020

…colours on either side. The gales a few days ago are to blame but what a carpet today! Magnolia ‘Caerhays Philip’ Magnolia ‘Caerhays Philip’ First very early flowers on Rhododendron…

26th February

…robusta. Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’ and Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’ at its absolute best. Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’ Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’ Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’ Magnolia ‘F J Williams’ and…

25th March 1897 – 2020

…thing in the garden today. Magnolia ‘Caerhays Philip’ Magnolia ‘Caerhays Philip’ Another stunner against a blue sky is Magnolia ‘Princess Margaret’. Magnolia ‘Princess Margaret’ Magnolia ‘Princess Margaret’ Magnolia ‘Atlas’ is…

13th March 1897 – 2020

…Magnolia ‘Caerhays Philip’ again on the michelia hunt and it is out more fully but still the translucent colour is not quite as good as last year. Magnolia ‘Caerhays Philip’…

15th March 1897 – 2020

…not resist yet more of ‘Caerhays Belle’ in the sun. ‘Caerhays Belle’ ‘Caerhays Belle’ ‘Caerhays Belle’ ‘Caerhays Belle’ ‘Caerhays Belle’ ‘Caerhays Belle’ ‘Caerhays Belle’ 2016 – CHW The bluebells are…

13th March

…original Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ has, thankfully, escaped the frost reasonably well particularly lower down. Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ First flowers on Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ outside the…

3rd July

…of Philip Tregunna’s listing of Plant Gifts 1957-1995 Dear Charles I hope that you and all at Caerhays are keeping well and safe. How amazing to realise that a year…

Contributors to the Garden Diary

The Caerhays Garden Diary has been contributed to by four people. For more history of the Caerhays Estate, Caerhays Castle Gardens and the contributors themselves please view the Caerhays website…

7th March 1897 – 2020

…the top of the tree. Not as dark or as large a flower as in earlier years but still impressive. Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ Magnolia…

3rd March 1897 – 2020

…Magnolia ‘Bishop Michael’ The original Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ about four days off being its absolute best. original Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ original Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ 2019 – CHW I do not…

14th March

…‘Delia Williams’ Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ and the view through the arch today. Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ Camellia x williamsii ‘Rosemary Williams’ and Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’. Camellia x williamsii ‘Rosemary Williams’ A…

19th March 1897 – 2020

…Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ or Magnolia ‘Kew’s Surprise’. Again this needs formal naming and registration. ‘Caerhays Majestic’ seems appropriate or perhaps ‘Caerhays Philip’?So off to Old Park to plant magnolias. Around…

21st April

…Tin Garden Rhododendron davidsonianum ‘Caerhays Pink Form’ getting going as young plants. Rhododendron davidsonianum ‘Caerhays Pink Form’ Rhododendron davidsonianum ‘Caerhays Pink Form’ The Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’ seedling pollarded in the…

2nd March

…bred by Philip Tregunna hybrid bred by Philip Tregunna hybrid bred by Philip Tregunna hybrid bred by Philip Tregunna First ever flowers on a magnolia labelled ‘Mazara’. This may be…

1st March 1897 – 2020

…long. Rhododendron moulmainense Rhododendron moulmainense Rhododendron moulmainense Magnolia ‘Philip’s Surprise’ just coming out at the very top of the garden. A huge tree now. Magnolia ‘Philip’s Surprise’ Magnolia ‘Philip’s Surprise’…

23rd February 1897 – 2020

…seedling (ie from same seedpod) of Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ sister seedling (ie from same seedpod) of Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ sister seedling (ie from same seedpod) of Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ Another…

20th February 1897 – 2020

…is nowhere near out. sister seedling to Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ sister seedling to Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ This is a seedling from the same crop as the one which produced ‘Caerhays