10th August

nigra C. nigra with campion (Silene dioica) which is unusual at this time of the year in an uncut bank. C. nigra with campion Colin points out good clumps of…

26th January

…in the future. Phyllostachys nigra ‘Megurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Megurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Megurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Megurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Megurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Megurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Megurochiku’ View 26th January 1897 – 2020…

4th August

…Juglans nigra ‘Laciniata’. Juglans nigra ‘Laciniata’ Juglans nigra ‘Laciniata’ Juglans ailantifolia ‘Campbell’ with a spreading habit. Juglans ailantifolia ‘Campbell’ Juglans ailantifolia ‘Campbell’ Juglans x intermedia from the USA. Juglans x…

18th August

…our form of Centaurea nigra or Centaurea debeauxii. The leaf formation tallies to the reference book as well. Centaurea nigra Centaurea nigra Centaurea nigra A cottage mouse caught in the…

15th July

…that this one is the rare subspecies. Centaurea nigra Centaurea nigra Centaurea nigra Centaurea nigra I am less certain about the identification of this as Crepis capillans, Smooth Hawk’s beard….

10th November

…is not invasive. Phyllostachys nigra Phyllostachys nigra The Dicksonia antarctica grove. Dicksonia antarctica An early flower on Camellia sasanqua ‘Narumigata’. Camellia sasanqua ‘Narumigata’ Their Stewartia rostrata has poor autumn colours…

18th January

…black stems as yet but they seem to be darkening. Phyllostachys nigra ‘Medurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Medurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Medurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Medurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Medurochiku’ Pleioblastus hindsii – the least…

26th February

…Phoebe Taylor’ Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’ early into flower in the nursery which one seldom notices or appreciates. Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’ Then a 40 minute trip to Roche for the Pfeizer…

2nd July

…walnut. Juglans nigra Juglans nigra Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana has attractive bark and slightly different shaped leaves. Flowers long gone. Bark a bit different too. Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana Davidia…

31st July

…seen here by Colin French? Centaura nigra Centaura nigra This may be Centaurea debauxii rather than nigra or it may be that my pictures above are a hybrid between the…

23rd March 1897 – 2020

…Most leaves blown off. Quercus nigra ‘Beethoven’ Quercus nigra ‘Beethoven’ Quercus nigra ‘Beethoven’ Lithocarpus henryi was especially fine. Lithocarpus henryi Lithocarpus henryi Wood anemone just appearing. Wood anemone Quercus dentata…

29th December

…or an early arrival but assume the former. Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ Rabbit nibbling on two low branches on a magnolia by Georges Hut. The plant is mature…

April 2024 Ireland Trip (Day 3)

…a huge 20-30 feet tall cluster. Pittosporum bicolor? The original Sambucus nigra ‘Guincho Purple’. A very elderly and propped up shrub. Sambucus nigra ‘Guincho Purple’ Sambucus nigra ‘Guincho Purple’ Another…

15th January

…has exposed a fine clump of Phyllostachys nigra with very dark canes. Phyllostachys nigra Phyllostachys nigra The original and huge (despite being cut down 20 to 25 years ago) Camellia…

28th July

…extended florets or floral rays around the flower. However most of the knapweed is the rarer Centaurea nigra ss. with much smaller tighter flower heads (Centaurea nigra subspecies is rare…

27th December

…Camellia ‘Noblissima’ 2017 – CHW Several secondary flowers showing on Magnolia lilliflora ‘Nigra’ and not a bad colour either for December! Paler than in the spring though. Magnolia lilliflora ‘Nigra’…

21st October

…Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’. Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ 2022 – CHW Finally dry enough to burn up the huge Ilex oak branch which split out in August. The dene…

7th July

…sorts of things one would not expect to be growing in the Cotswolds. The shade house A sad sight! Phyllostachys nigra in full flower and dying. This will soon, in…

21st July

…virginiana dominant in the cross for obvious reasons. Magnolia sieboldii ssp. sinensis x Magnolia virginiana 2021 – CHW The first clump of Centaurea nigra (common knapweed) in flower on the…

22nd March

…Phyllostachys nigra and Magnolia kobus var. borealis go well together. Phyllostachys nigra and Magnolia kobus var. borealis The original Magnolia ‘Kew’s Surprise’ in the sun in the Rookery. Magnolia ‘Kew’s…