25th December

…Niner’ Magnolia ‘Todd’s Forty Niner’ Camellia japonica ‘California Sunset’. Camellia japonica ‘California Sunset’ Acacia baileyana ‘Purpurea’ just coming into flower. Acacia baileyana ‘Purpurea’ Acacia baileyana ‘Purpurea’ Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ with…

31st December

…and pretty insipid really. One would only grow it to have a rhodo out on Christmas Day and it was not quite this year! Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’…

14th February

…is hardly reason to complain! Camellia ‘Sode-gashuki’ 2023 – CHW Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ was showing on time but rather good today in the sun. Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ First flowers out…

2nd April

…late in this peculiar year. Not bad though. Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ Distylum myricoides ‘Blue Cascade’ with its first flowers and new growth. Still to see any blue…

17th December

…Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ Next door again are a fine young clump of Camellia ‘Winton’ strutting their stuff in this exceptionally mild December. Camellia ‘Winton’ Camellia ‘Winton’ 2000…

26th December

…Secondary flowers. Azalea ‘Greenway’ Azalea ‘Greenway’ A few rather insipid flowers emerging on Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’. It was late last year too but is normally on time. Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’…

5th January 1897- 2020

…late. I have not noticed the potted plants in the nursery performing yet either. Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ Even earlier than usual (and perhaps disastrously so) Magnolia ‘Todds…

2nd March 1897 – 2020

…combinations in the cash point: praecox and ‘Bric-a-Brac’ praecox and ‘Bric-a-Brac’ praecox and ‘Christmas Cheer’ praecox and ‘Christmas Cheer’ ‘Ostara’ and cilpinense ‘Ostara’ and cilpinense ‘Ostara’ and ‘Bric-a-Brac’ ‘Ostara’ and…

6th January

…after repotting. Sorbus zahlbruckneri Sorbus zahlbruckneri 2022 – CHW Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ is a little late again this year. Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ The first daffodil this year….

28th January 1897 – 2020

Cheer’ than the one we saw recently on the drive. Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ Rabbit damage to the base of a 12-15ft tall young Sequoiadendron giganteum. Sequoiadendron giganteum…

5th January

…it was about to start. The tree has blown over which hasn’t helped. Acacia longifolia A rather pathetic initial and late showing on Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’. It will improve by…

17th January 1897- 2020

…Camellia ‘Duchess Decazes’ in bud and flower with some wind damage. Camellia ‘Duchess Decazes’ Camellia ‘Duchess Decazes’ Rather puny flowers (and late!) on this poor form of Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’….

14th December

…and the buds look still too small to surprise us again. Magnolia ‘Todd’s Fortyniner’ First rather pale and insipid flowers on Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’. On time, for once; unlike in…

8th January

…just out (but most others frosted) on Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’. Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ 2022 – CHW The wettest, foulest day imaginable to be out in. Howling westerly and 2in of…

26th January 1897 – 2020

…I have checked this once a week since Christmas. Magnolia ‘Todd’s Forty Niner’ Magnolia ‘Todd’s Forty Niner’ Magnolia ‘Todd’s Forty Niner’ Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ now full out above the greenhouse….

5th September

…Metapanax davidii Metapanax davidii Buddleia heliophila now fully out. Buddleia heliophila Buddleia heliophila Rather pathetic secondary flowers on Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’. Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ Peeling bark on Betula utilis subsp….

27th January

…coming out. Camellia ‘California Sunset’ Camellia ‘California Sunset’ Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ half frosted. Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ A carpet of frosted flowers below Camellia x williamsii ‘Rosemary Williams’ but plenty fairly…

24th January

…week on and Magnolia ‘Todd’s Fortyniner’ is progressing well with no frost damage. Magnolia ‘Todd’s Fortyniner’ Magnolia ‘Todd’s Fortyniner’ Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ now at its best a month too late….

17th January

…Rhododendron ‘Winter Intruder’ Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ hardly showing on the drive as we have seen elsewhere. Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ Camellia japonica ‘Magnoliaeflora’ still quite excellent near Top Lodge. Camellia japonica…

24th February

…the Hothead Camellia japonica ‘Drama Girl’ with a decent flower. Camellia japonica ‘Drama Girl’ Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ and Magnolia ‘Frank’s Masterpiece’. Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ and Magnolia ‘Frank’s Masterpiece’ Magnolia ‘Todd’s…