…– 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’) Prunus ‘Matsumae-fuki’ (‘Chocolate Ice’) Prunus ‘Ichiyo’…

…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’)…

…utilis ‘Wakehurst Place Chocolate’ (Wakehurst Chocolate is easier) is another good new birch variety. The bark will become better but it isn’t bad now. Betula utilis ‘Wakehurst Place Chocolate’ Betula…

…Betula utilis var prattii ‘Wakehurst Chocolate’ – extremely fine peeling bark Betula utilis var prattii ‘Wakehurst Chocolate’ Betula utilis var prattii ‘Wakehurst Chocolate’ Betula utilis var prattii ‘Wakehurst Chocolate’ Prunus…

…after this wet summer. Another Camellia, cut back, dug up and moved Magnolia cylindrica ‘Lv Xing’ (previously, but incorrectly, known as M. ‘Sunrise’) with a fine showing of secondary flowers…

…the majority of the other evergreen azaleas. Azalea ‘Greenway’ Prunus ‘Chocolate Ice’ (let us forget the Japanese name here) living up to its name perfectly. Prunus ‘Chocolate Ice’ Prunus ‘Chocolate…

…is new to us this year and our first sight of the pale pinkish flower spikes above the dark blackish leaves. Astilbe ‘Chocolate Fascination’ Astilbe ‘Chocolate Fascination’ Paeonia tenuifolia is…

…few new plants in the 2017 catalogue.Corydalis ‘Chocolate Stars’ is only just starting to reshoot but the leaves really are a delicate brown. Corydalis ‘Chocolate Stars’ Corydalis ‘Chocolate Stars’ Corylopsis…

…laevifolia ‘Summer Snowflake’ Magnolia laevifolia ‘Summer Snowflake’ Magnolia laevifolia ‘Summer Snowflake’ Another (just out) Rhododendron niveum which is a rather stronger colour. Another Rhododendron niveum Another Rhododendron niveum Mallotus japonicus…

…in error in previous years. Hedychium yunnanense Hydrangea aspera ‘Hot Chocolate’ – only 1 of 3 has survived the two droughts and is now making headway. Hydrangea aspera ‘Hot Chocolate’…

…in flower – no prickles on the leaves! Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’ Toona sinensis ‘Flamingo’ with nice yellow colouring starting to show. Toona sinensis ‘Flamingo’ Albizia ‘Summer Chocolate’ Albizia ‘Summer…

…I said a couple of days ago Michelia ‘Allspice’ is now just out. Michelia ‘Allspice’ As is the impressive Michelia yunnanensis ‘Summer Snowflake’. Michelia yunnanensis ‘Summer Snowflake’ First leaves showing…

…Rehderodendron species and not an American Halesia? Halesia macgregorii Good bronze leaves emerging on Hydrangea aspera ‘Hot Chocolate’. This is our second attempt at the start of the Sinogrande Walk….

…Opal’ Magnolia acuminata ‘Blue Opal’ Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’ (M. obovata x M. globosa). Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’ Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ with nearly ripe fruits. Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ Sadly our…

…fraseri ‘Atropurpurea Nana’ particularly striking today. Photinia x fraseri ‘Atropurpurea Nana’ A novelty Aquilegia now in the Burncoose catalogue this year! A. viridiflora ‘Chocolate Soldier’. Yellowish ‘granny’s bonnets’ then turn…

…of the year and is well worth propagating. Podocarpus ‘Chameleon’ Podocarpus ‘Chocolate Box’ is a rockery plant really. Two casualties out of five planted. Podocarpus ‘Chocolate Box’ Podocarpus ‘Red Embers’…

…Camellia saluenensis that is low down enough to photograph. Camellia saluenensis Prunus ‘Jo-nioi’ looking superb today by the garden entrance. Prunus ‘Jo-nioi’ Prunus ‘Jo-nioi’ Prunus ‘Chocolate Ice’ above the Green…

…‘Horinji’ Prunus ‘Hokusai’ Prunus ‘Gyoiko’ Prunus ‘Ichiyo’ (‘Pink Champagne’) Prunus ‘Matsumae Fuki’ (‘Chocolate Ice’) Crataegus x lavalleei ‘Carrierei’ Acer x freemanii ‘Autumn Blaze’ Tilia cordata ‘Winter Orange’ below White Styles…

…Park. Matsumae cherries Prunus Matsumae-fuki (‘Chocolate Ice’) – only just out Prunus ‘Horinji’ Prunus ‘Gyoiko’ Prunus ‘Tai-Haku’ – nearly over Prunus ‘Shirotae’ Prunus ‘Matsumae-Beni-Yutaka’ Prunus ‘Hokusai’ Prunus ‘Ichiyo’ (‘Pink Champagne’)…

…but petals all over the path. Magnolia mollicomata A newly arrived Magnolia ‘Summer Rose’ with its first smallish flowers. Magnolia ‘Summer Rose’ Magnolia sprengeri var. Diva ‘Copeland Court’ nicely out…