…through Pinus omorika. Vinca major 2023 – CHW Two cherry trees by the sales point are superb today. Prunus ‘Matsumae-fuki’ (‘Chocolate Ice’). Prunus ‘Matsumae-fuki’ (‘Chocolate Ice’) Prunus ‘Matsumae-fuki’ (‘Chocolate Ice’)…

…of the bunch. Certainly a great contrast between leaf and flower as the name implies. Prunus ‘Matsumae-fuki’ (syn ‘Chocolate Ice’) Prunus ‘Matsumae-fuki’ (syn ‘Chocolate Ice’) Prunus ‘Matsumae-fuki’ (syn ‘Chocolate Ice’)…

…Azalea ‘Lemonara’ Azalea ‘Lemonara’ Gibraltar – five plants in this group mysteriously dead Azalea ‘Gibraltar’ Strawberry Ice – the best of the five separate clumps today Azalea ‘Strawberry Ice’ Azalea…

…Thick ice on the puddles at The Hovel. ice Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’ now properly out with scent. Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’ Ilex aquifolium ‘Bacciflava’ in the wreath by the…

…Azara dentata Rhododendron ‘Princess Alice’ at its best. Pinkish in bud. Rhododendron ‘Princess Alice’ Rhododendron ‘Princess Alice’ Rhododendron valentianum is an elderly low mound. Rhododendron valentianum Rhododendron valentianum 2019 –…

…dwarfer scented variety Rhododendron ‘Princess Alice’ Rhododendron ‘Princess Alice’ Rhododendron ‘Princess Alice’ 2018 – CHW Last week’s heatwave while we were away in Ireland has certainly brought the rhodos rushing…

…‘Strawberry Ice’ Agapanthus ‘Strawberry Ice’ Parkinsonia aculeata – no idea what this is! Parkinsonia aculeata Parkinsonia aculeata Marsdenia oreophila – an odd but vigorous climber with hoya-like flowers. Marsdenia oreophila…

…poker’ before. Kniphofia ‘Ice Queen’ Kniphofia ‘Ice Queen’ Olearia virgata, I think, in flower in the rain. Olearia virgata, Sorbaria tomentosa (possibly) var angustifolia with one flower still out. Sorbaria…

…Azalea ‘Ledifolia Alba’. Azalea ‘Ledifolia Alba’ Frosted hydrangea leaves where the East wind caught them. Frosted hydrangea leaves Some ice still on the edges of the lake. some ice still…

…Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’ – the same applies. This is Magnolia x soulangeana ‘Lennei’ x Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’. Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’ Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’ Magnolia ‘Tina Durio’ is by far the…

…Camellia ‘Silver Ruffles’ Camellia ‘Silver Ruffles’ Camellia “Fire ‘n’ Ice” has been photographed in the diary once before. In the rain I may not have done it justice. Camellia “Fire…

…Campylotropis macrocarpa Amazingly a Kniphofia ‘Ice Queen’ is just coming into flower in a pot. I do not fancy its chances in the howling gale. Kniphofia ‘Ice Queen’ Pseudopanax laetus…

…garden centres in Launceston, Crediton and Barnstaple. Lots of signs of renovation and improvement and I struggled to get to the plant sales area due to building works. Helleborus ‘Ice…

…Camellia reticulata ‘Mouchang’ Camellia brevistyla beyond the old Playhouse. It’s getting crushed by the reticulata and we need to propagate. Camellia brevistyla Camellia japonica ‘Fire and Ice’ by the Acacia…

…This is Magnolia ‘Tranquility’ which I had never taken much notice of before. A M. x brooklynensis variety – M. x brooklynensis ‘Woodsman’ x M. ‘Gold Star’. Magnolia ‘Tranquility’ Magnolia…

…‘Summer Solstice’ Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’ Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’ A huge elderly clump of Rhododendron loderi which I usually miss during Chelsea week is out early. Quite a sight today. Rhododendron…

…Agapanthus ‘Strawberry Ice’ Agapanthus ‘Strawberry Ice’ Agapanthus ‘Silver Moon’ with both green and variegated foliage but no flowers as yet. Agapanthus ‘Silver Moon’ Two other plants which we ought to…

…things which would be welcome additions to next year’s catalogue. I need to convey them to Clare.Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Party Lights’ – excellent…

…nursery visit where the following stood out. Ficus carica ‘Ice Crystal’ with its first figs. Ficus carica ‘Ice Crystal’ A fine specimen of Hydrangea paniculata ‘Kyushu’ beside the Burncoose office.…

…Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ 2019 – CHW A few things looking good in the nursery with flowers or foliage:Tricyrtus hirta Tricyrtus hirta Kniphofia ‘Ice Queen’ Kniphofia ‘Ice Queen’…