23rd April

FJ Williams Profile Picture
FJW 1955-2007
CH Williams Profile Picture
CHW 2015-
JC Williams Profile Picture
JCW 1897-1939
C Williams Profile Picture
CW 1940-1955

2024 – CHW

Good tour around with Philippa Crawshay’s gardeners from Llanfair Court.

My father would have approved of this small clump of Rhododendron davidsonianum behind the Tin Garden shed.

Rhododendron davidsonianum
Rhododendron davidsonianum
The two clumps of Camassia leichtlinii Caerulea Group are performing well and the pheasants appear to have left the flowers alone. The leaves do however look pecked.
Camassia leichtlinii Caerulea Group
Camassia leichtlinii Caerulea Group
Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana is getting away.
Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana
Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana
Picea morrisonicola with many male flowers and just a few female cones at the very top of the small tree.
Picea morrisonicola
Picea morrisonicola
Magnolia ‘Green Bee’ is better than ‘Olivia’ I think this year.
Magnolia ‘Green Bee’
Magnolia ‘Green Bee’
A new one to me in full flower is Magnolia ‘Daybreak’ x M. ‘Gold Cup’. A bit of yellow at the base and pink veining. Not bad for late April!
Magnolia ‘Daybreak’ x M. ‘Gold Cup’
Magnolia ‘Daybreak’ x M. ‘Gold Cup’
Magnolia ‘Daybreak’ x M. ‘Gold Cup’
Magnolia ‘Daybreak’ x M. ‘Gold Cup’
Malus ‘Jelly King’ has light pink buds opening pure white as you see here.
Malus ‘Jelly King’
Malus ‘Jelly King’
Flowers on a young Rhododendron williamsianum planted last year.
Rhododendron williamsianum
Rhododendron williamsianum
Keteleeria davidiana with its startling yellowish new growth.
Keteleeria davidiana
Keteleeria davidiana
Keteleeria davidiana
Keteleeria davidiana
Prunus incisa had flowers in late February but, for some odd reason, there are still some decent ones left today on the very lowest branches.
Prunus incisa
Prunus incisa
Leaves just emerging on Tilia cordata ‘Winter Orange’. We must remember to pollard this tree in the autumn.
Tilia cordata ‘Winter Orange’
Tilia cordata ‘Winter Orange’
Very good deep yellow flowers on Berberis wilsoniae.
Berberis wilsoniae
Berberis wilsoniae
Berberis wilsoniae
Berberis wilsoniae
Then another rather special moment to rival seeing the first flowers on Maddenia wilsonii a few days ago. This is Sycopsis tutcheri with its very dark red hamamelis-like flowers which I have never seen like this before on either of our plants. Hilliers says that this is the Chinese form of Distylium racemosum which I have seen in flower in the nursery and which does have similar flowers. However that’s about all I would say that they have in common so I am far from convinced that this is right. Only a couple of branches which are in the fullest sun at the top of this 2014 planted evergreen shrub or small tree have flowers.
Sycopsis tutcheri
Sycopsis tutcheri
Sycopsis tutcheri
Sycopsis tutcheri
Magnolia ‘Susan’ a bit rain battered but still with some decent flowers by Tin Garden.
Magnolia ‘Susan’
Magnolia ‘Susan’
Magnolia ‘Susan’
Magnolia ‘Susan’
A good young clump of Rhododendron ‘Alison Johnstone’.
Rhododendron ‘Alison Johnstone’
Rhododendron ‘Alison Johnstone’
Rhododendron ‘Alison Johnstone’
Rhododendron ‘Alison Johnstone’

2023 – CHW
An evening visit to Porthpean House which has a well known camellia garden now run by Martin Petherick but actually the creation of his two uncles and, then, parents – Christopher and Charlotte. Situated just on the (low) cliff above Porthpean Beach and facing east it is an extraordinary oasis of shelter and a unique microclimate where camellias thrive touching the sea.Camellia x williamsii ‘Charlotte Petherick’.

Camellia x williamsii ‘Charlotte Petherick’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Charlotte Petherick’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Charlotte Petherick’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Charlotte Petherick’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Porthpean’ nearly over. ‘Lady Clare’ in the parentage?
Camellia x williamsii ‘Porthpean’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Porthpean’
Camellia japonica ‘Dona Herzilia de Freitas Magalhaes’ perhaps? Not quite sure.
Camellia japonica ‘Dona Herzilia de Freitas Magalhaes’
Camellia japonica ‘Dona Herzilia de Freitas Magalhaes’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Duchess of Cornwall’ with flowers of variable size. Which Duchess? Certainly not a recent one.
Camellia x williamsii ‘Duchess of Cornwall’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Duchess of Cornwall’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Duchess of Cornwall’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Duchess of Cornwall’
Camellia x reticulata ‘Ethel Hillier’ (named, like the magnolia, after the wife of Sir Harold Hillier).
Camellia x reticulata ‘Ethel Hillier’
Camellia x reticulata ‘Ethel Hillier’
Camellia x reticulata ‘Christopher Petherick’ (c. reticulata ‘Royalty’ as one parent). Very serrated leaf edges.
Camellia x reticulata ‘Christopher Petherick’
Camellia x reticulata ‘Christopher Petherick’
Camellia japonica ‘Comte de Gomer’.
Camellia japonica ‘Comte de Gomer’
Camellia japonica ‘Comte de Gomer’
Camellia japonica ‘Comte de Gomer’
Camellia japonica ‘Comte de Gomer’
Camellia japonica ‘Matt Rubb’ – a late season performer and perhaps the best bush in flower today at Porthpean.
Camellia japonica ‘Matt Rubb’
Camellia japonica ‘Matt Rubb’
An aerial layer on Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rawes’.
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rawes’
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rawes’

2022 – CHW

Lindera angustifolia (FMWJ 13156) is nicely in flower even low down and nice bark too on its straight stem.

Lindera angustifolia
Lindera angustifolia
Lindera angustifolia
Lindera angustifolia
Rhododendron burmanicum just out.
Rhododendron burmanicum
Rhododendron burmanicum
And next door Rhododendron ‘Saffron Queen’ is as well. Rh. burmanicum is one of its parents.
Rhododendron ‘Saffron Queen’
Rhododendron ‘Saffron Queen’
Ross and Frankie are back in action on the final bit of the Kitchen Garden clearance which should be finished this week.
Kitchen Garden
Kitchen Garden
Magnolia ‘Tikitere’ was showing colour two weeks ago but only now out. Even later into flower than even M. ‘Serene’, M. ‘Margaret Helen’ and M. ‘Apollo’.
Magnolia ‘Tikitere’
Magnolia ‘Tikitere’
Magnolia ‘Tikitere’
Magnolia ‘Tikitere’
Michelia ‘Fairy Blush’ is still in tight bud. If you grew the four fairies in a row (Blush, White, Cream and Lime) as we do in Old Park you would get a flowering span covering at least eight weeks as they do not all come out at the same time. ‘Fairy White’ is well over, ‘Fairy Cream’ at its best and ‘Fairy Lime’ is just starting.
Michelia ‘Fairy Blush’
Michelia ‘Fairy Blush’
Another Old Park rhododendron species I cannot yet identify. Blackish red buds with a hint of blue-black in the flowers.
rhododendron species
rhododendron species
rhododendron species
rhododendron species
Still plenty of flowers on Magnolia ‘Butterflies’ in Penvergate.
Magnolia ‘Butterflies’
Magnolia ‘Butterflies’
Four yellow magnolias all out together at the end of Penvergate.
yellow magnolias
yellow magnolias
The record sized Magnolia ‘Yellow Fever’ just coming with the leaves.
Magnolia ‘Yellow Fever’
Magnolia ‘Yellow Fever’
Magnolia [?]
Magnolia [?]
Magnolia [?]
Magnolia ‘Lemon Star’
Magnolia ‘Lemon Star’
Magnolia ‘Lemon Star’
Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’ nearly over.
Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’
Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’

2021 – CHW
I thought it might be interesting to photograph all the many different forms of Rhododendron davidsonianum out today in the garden.This is the ‘Caerhays Pink’ form in the Auklandii Garden which is hardly out as yet. It is the red centre which marks this form out and it will get pinker overall.
‘Caerhays Pink’ form
‘Caerhays Pink’ form
The clump on Hovel Cart Road is markedly much more pink but without the pronounced central blotching to the flower.
clump on Hovel Cart Road
clump on Hovel Cart Road
The clump above Lower Quarry Nursery is different again.
Lower Quarry Nursery
Lower Quarry Nursery
The Donkey Shoe long line of old plants beside the patch which are very variable – here a paler form. These three have all been cut back at least twice to reshoot in their lifetimes.
paler form
paler form
Then a darker one.
darker one
darker one
Then paler again.
paler again
paler again
The clump by the Pseudopanax laetus is as pink as the Hovel Cart Road form.
clump on Hovel Cart Road
clump on Hovel Cart Road
The Georges Hut clump are a little less pink.
Georges Hut clump
Georges Hut clump
One plant has much smaller flower trusses.
smaller flower trusses
smaller flower trusses

2020 – CHW
I hear on reasonably good authority (which does not of course make it true in these times of fake news) that Treliske hospital in Truro last week had only 23 corona patients of whom four were in intensive care. Cornwall may therefore have missed the worst of it but some cases may perhaps have been sent to Derriford hospital in Plymouth.Sixty percent of Treliske is empty and the Duchy hospital alongside it the same or worse. All non-urgent operations cancelled and all cancer patients etc not coming in for treatment. At least that is all now being reversed but was such a panic struck hospital shutdown really necessary in Cornwall with all its consequences? What are all the NHS staff being paid to actually do?Last Saturday I thought that the BBC had led the news with as story that sounded potentially made up or fake. When a supposedly impartial national broadcaster (who we all pay to listen to) can sink to behaving like a gutter press tabloid newspaper it is high time someone in government called them out. Exactly as their patently fake news item tried to call out / ridicule the government.Charles Moore’s ‘Notebook’ is worth repeating in full here as it appeared earlier this week in the Telegraph.The oak is definitely out into leaf well before the ash (again) this year so we are in for a ‘splash’ and not a soak.Mixed colours on the bluebells naturalising on the bank above the front door.
bluebells
bluebells
Magnolia ‘Butterbowl’ just out.
Magnolia ‘Butterbowl’
Magnolia ‘Butterbowl’
Magnolia ‘Butterbowl’
Magnolia ‘Butterbowl’
x Rhaphiobotrya ‘Coppertone’ with one flower out.
x Rhaphiobotrya ‘Coppertone’
x Rhaphiobotrya ‘Coppertone’
Petals fall from the last white Magnolia x veitchii in the Rockery.
Magnolia x veitchii
Magnolia x veitchii
Rhododendron davidsonianum (Caerhays dark form) in the Auklandii Garden. Very different in colour from others photographed recently in the diary.
Rhododendron davidsonianum
Rhododendron davidsonianum
A pure white flowering sport on Azalea ‘Greenway’ which we have propagated from and recently planted three “white” Greenway at Tin Garden.
Azalea ‘Greenway’
Azalea ‘Greenway’
Then to Burncoose for staff meetings and photography.
With no public in the nursery a KPK carpenter is mending all the tunnel doors and re edging all the tunnel pathways.
tunnel pathways
tunnel pathways
A nice view up the drive with Rhododendron sinogrande and Rhododendron ‘Emma Williams’.
Rhododendron sinogrande and Rhododendron ‘Emma Williams’
Rhododendron sinogrande and Rhododendron ‘Emma Williams’
The Embothriums just showing up.
Embothriums
Embothriums
Azalea luteum just starting. Normally out to pick for Chelsea in a month’s time.
Azalea luteum
Azalea luteum

Also looking good in the nursery:- Castanopsis concolor with flowers appearing in a small plant

Castanopsis concolor
Castanopsis concolor
– Rhododendron ‘Jock’ covered in flower
Rhododendron ‘Jock’
Rhododendron ‘Jock’
– Daphne gemmata and Daphne cneorum flowering side by side
Daphne gemmata and Daphne cneorum
Daphne gemmata and Daphne cneorum
– Azalea ‘Fragrant Star’ is new to our catalogue
Azalea ‘Fragrant Star’
Azalea ‘Fragrant Star’
– Agathosma capensis fully in flower
Agathosma capensis
Agathosma capensis
– Scilla peruviana just coming out
Scilla peruviana
Scilla peruviana

2019 – CHW
News! The Caerhays magnolia collection has (after inspection) been deemed
worthy/accepted by the RHS Rhododendron, Camellia and Magnolia Group as being
‘outstanding’. A plaque to follow I expect and a press release to prepare before Chelsea.
On reflection this is the fifth successive year that the garden and/or Burncoose Nurseries
has received some sort of ‘official’ recognition or award as, perhaps the culmination of a
century or more, of hard work by everyone involved in creating something special and
unique here. Perhaps / surely another party is suggested? Too busy at present and with
Chelsea looming!Camellia ‘Extravaganza’ shattered by the east wind. It will now need a hard pruning to reshoot from 2-3 feet of trunk
Camellia ‘Extravaganza’
Camellia ‘Extravaganza’
First flowering of Magnolia ‘Pink Royalty’ x ‘Daybreak’. More Daybreak than
Royalty I think and not, as yet, worthy of a name.
Magnolia ‘Pink Royalty’ x ‘Daybreak’
Magnolia ‘Pink Royalty’ x ‘Daybreak’
Magnolia ‘Pink Royalty’ x ‘Daybreak’
Magnolia ‘Pink Royalty’ x ‘Daybreak’
Magnolia ‘Pink Royalty’ x ‘Daybreak’
Magnolia ‘Pink Royalty’ x ‘Daybreak’
Isla Rose (aged 2) in the Isla Rose Plantation.
Isla Rose (aged 2) in the Isla Rose Plantation.
Isla Rose (aged 2) in the Isla Rose Plantation.
The unusual double flowered Rhododendron Johnstoneanum ‘Double Diamond’
Rhododendron Johnstoneanum ‘Double Diamond’
Rhododendron Johnstoneanum ‘Double Diamond’
Rhododendron Johnstoneanum ‘Double Diamond’
Rhododendron Johnstoneanum ‘Double Diamond’
Isla Rose meets a cow who isn’t excited about having her breakfast interrupted.
sla Rose meets a cow
sla Rose meets a cow
Isla Rose collecting pheasant eggs in her Easter Bunny basket. We couldn’t get the eggs
off her so they didn’t make the incubator.
Isla Rose collecting pheasant eggs
Isla Rose collecting pheasant eggs

2018 – CHW
These are Jaimie and Michael’s entries at the Rosemoor Show over the weekend together with the prizes awarded (or not!).
entries at the Rosemoor Show
entries at the Rosemoor Show

2017 – CHWA garden visit to Penrice Castle on the Gower Peninsula and a superb lunch in their new 5* seafront restaurant.

Magnolia sapiensis doing well in a dry but shady location.

Magnolia sapiensis
Magnolia sapiensis
Magnolia sapiensis
Magnolia sapiensis
Carrieria calycina – the largest I have seen in full sun. Presumably close to its first flowering.
Carrieria calycina
Carrieria calycina
Carrieria calycina
Carrieria calycina
Quercus crassifolia – not looking too evergreen. Nice bark.
Quercus crassifolia
Quercus crassifolia
Quercus crassifolia
Quercus crassifolia
Quercus flocculenta – hardly like an oak at all.
Quercus flocculenta
Quercus flocculenta
Schefflera delavayi – not one so far in the Caerhays collection.
Schefflera delavayi
Schefflera delavayi
Schefflera delavayi
Schefflera delavayi
Schefflera taiwanensis – very similar in habit to ours. Multi-stemmed.
Schefflera taiwanensis
Schefflera taiwanensis
Schefflera taiwanensis
Schefflera taiwanensis
Schefflera macrophylla – a mammoth!
Schefflera macrophylla
Schefflera macrophylla
Schefflera macrophylla
Schefflera macrophylla
Rhodoleia aff henryi – another exotic evergreen from Vietnam.
Rhodoleia aff henryi
Rhodoleia aff henryi
Rhodoleia aff henryi
Rhodoleia aff henryi
Iris confusa – very delicate and pretty. Only seen the white form previously.
Iris confusa
Iris confusa
Iris confusa
Iris confusa
Iris confusa
Iris confusa
Paulownia tomentosa – the best shaped and most floriferous tree of this sort I have seen.
Paulownia tomentosa
Paulownia tomentosa
Paulownia tomentosa
Paulownia tomentosa
Euphorbia x pasturei – Euphorbia mellifera is one parent. Not quite out yet but mellifera, alongside, was much as ours seen yesterday.
Euphorbia x pasturei
Euphorbia x pasturei
Euphorbia x pasturei
Euphorbia x pasturei
Quercus panosa – a nice one we must get and could sell.
Quercus panosa
Quercus panosa
Quercus panosa
Quercus panosa
Podophyllum ? melanthum in full flower. Well worth growing in damp and shade.
Podophyllum ? melanthum
Podophyllum ? melanthum
Podophyllum ? melanthum
Podophyllum ? melanthum
Lonicera tatarica ‘Hacks Red’ or ‘Arnold Red’ – not sure which but very good in full sun in a hot dry bed.
Lonicera tatarica ‘Hacks Red’ or ‘Arnold Red’
Lonicera tatarica ‘Hacks Red’ or ‘Arnold Red’
Lonicera tatarica ‘Hacks Red’ or ‘Arnold Red’
Lonicera tatarica ‘Hacks Red’ or ‘Arnold Red’
A well pruned and manicured old wisteria with no specific name. Can we identify what it is? A few photographs for the wisteria pruning article though.
Old wisteria at Penrice Castle
Old wisteria at Penrice Castle
Old wisteria at Penrice Castle
Old wisteria at Penrice Castle
Old wisteria at Penrice Castle
Old wisteria at Penrice Castle
Old wisteria at Penrice Castle
Old wisteria at Penrice Castle
Paeonia ostii – a tree paeony variety.
Paeonia ostii
Paeonia ostii
Pear ‘Doyenne du Comice’ well trained against a wall for generations.
Pear 'Doyenne du Comice'
Pear ‘Doyenne du Comice’
Pear 'Doyenne du Comice'
Pear ‘Doyenne du Comice’
A fig tree pruned and pleach trained onto a wall.
fig tree
fig tree
fig tree
fig tree
Magnolia ‘Lois’ in full sun (which ours are not) is superb. Arguably better in habit and colour than Magnolia ‘Daphne’. Quite the best thing in the garden today.
Magnolia ‘Lois’
Magnolia ‘Lois’
Magnolia ‘Lois’
Magnolia ‘Lois’
Magnolia ‘Lois’
Magnolia ‘Lois’
Quercus multinervis is another good, stable and attractive species.
Quercus multinervis
Quercus multinervis
Quercus multinervis
Quercus multinervis
Quercus engleriana much like ours and with a side shoot like ours which we just cut off. First time it has produced flowers at Penrice.
Quercus engleriana
Quercus engleriana
Quercus engleriana
Quercus engleriana
Quercus engleriana
Quercus engleriana
Gordonia seczwanica – growing well in dappled shade.
Gordonia seczwanica
Gordonia seczwanica
Gordonia seczwanica
Gordonia seczwanica
Persea japonica – not as exciting as Persea thunbergii.
Persea japonica
Persea japonica
Seven years since we last visited Penrice. Many of the very rare oaks and other Vietnamese/Chinese trees are maturing and developing well. Thomas has 120 different oak species planted out now. Quite a collection but the best stand out – Quercus rhysophylla and Quercus semicarpifolia especially.

2016 – CHW
Early to Rosemoor for the RHS rhododendron show. During judging I found a plant in the garden of Lithocarpus henryi which I do not think grows at Caerhays but which was certainly here once. It is quite similar to Quercus acuta or Quercus glabra in some respects and is one we ought to propagate.
Lithocarpus henryi
Lithocarpus henryi
Lithocarpus henryi
Lithocarpus henryi
Lithocarpus henryi
Lithocarpus henryi
The Caerhays magnolia entries in the single spray classes were Magnolia ‘Margaret Helen’ and Magnolia ‘Tropicana’ which won first and second prize. In the other spray class Magnolia ‘Caerhays Surprise’ came first and in the yellow magnolia class Magnolia ‘Yellow Lantern’ also came first. A single flower of Magnolia ‘Yuchelia’ came second and we were also beaten in the other single magnolia flower class (but only just into second and third). Jaimie received the magnolia cup from David Millais, chairman of the Rhododendron Camellia & Magnolia Group, for the most points won overall in the magnolia classes.
Magnolia ‘Margaret Helen’
Magnolia ‘Margaret Helen’
Magnolia ‘Tropicana’
Magnolia ‘Tropicana’
Magnolia ‘Tropicana’
Magnolia ‘Tropicana’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Yellow Lantern’
Magnolia ‘Yellow Lantern’
Magnolia ‘Yuchelia’
Magnolia ‘Yuchelia’
Jaimie received the magnolia cup from David Millais
Jaimie received the magnolia cup from David Millais
Michael also received an RHS rhododendron cup for the class with six single flowers of different rhodo species. This was a different cup from the rather larger one which we won last year when Exbury gardens did not attend.
Michael also received an RHS rhododendron cup
Michael also received an RHS rhododendron cup
six single flowers of different rhodo species MONTROSEANUM
six single flowers of different rhodo species MONTROSEANUM
six single flowers of different rhodo species CINNAMOMEUM
six single flowers of different rhodo species CINNAMOMEUM
six single flowers of different rhodo species SUOILENHENSE
six single flowers of different rhodo species SUOILENHENSE
six single flowers of different rhodo species CALOPHYLLUM
six single flowers of different rhodo species CALOPHYLLUM
six single flowers of different rhodo species PRAESTANS
six single flowers of different rhodo species PRAESTANS
six single flowers of different rhodo species MACABEANUM
six single flowers of different rhodo species MACABEANUM
Also of great interest in the show and well worth obtaining for here were:

Litsea populifolia

Litsea populifolia
Litsea populifolia

Camellia ‘unknown’ (a form of Camellia tsai?)

Camellia ‘unknown’ (a form of Camellia tsai?)
Camellia ‘unknown’ (a form of Camellia tsai?)
Alnus ?

Lindera ?

LINDERA pulcherrina
LINDERA pulcherrina

Camellia reticulata ?

Camellia reticulata
Camellia reticulata
And various camellias
various camellias SHIZITOU
various camellias SHIZITOU
various camellias MATTERHOM
various camellias MATTERHOM
various camellias IN THE PINK
various camellias IN THE PINK
various camellias HOWARD ASPER
various camellias HOWARD ASPER
various camellias DIDDYS PINK ORGANDIE
various camellias DIDDYS PINK ORGANDIE

2015 – CHW

RHODODENDRON 'Harry Tagg' 02
RHODODENDRON ‘Harry Tagg’
RHODODENDRON 'Harry Tagg'
RHODODENDRON ‘Harry Tagg’
The Scots are well informed on rhododendrons but not as expert as I had feared. The scented Rhododendron ‘Harry Tagg’ is not as good a ‘smellie’ as last week’s ‘Anne Teese’ –both Glendoick hybrids. They do not seem to know ‘Anne Teese’ any more than we did.I take them to the original Forrest clump of Rhododendron leptothrium which none of them can name. It is one of those I have had a mental blank about too so do not tell them the answer but offer seedlings as a prize for whoever works it out over dinner that night with the pocket rhododendron guide (page 378). Not a hugely exciting species but one which, unusually for Caerhays, does self-sow itself in profusion.
RHODODENDRON 'Anne Teese' 03
RHODODENDRON ‘Anne Teese’
RHODODENDRON 'Anne Teese' 02
RHODODENDRON ‘Anne Teese’
RHODODENDRON 'Anne Teese'
RHODODENDRON ‘Anne Teese’
RHODODENDRON sinonuttalii
RHODODENDRON sinonuttalii

Now that the ‘smellies’ are nearly full out time to brief Asia on the ones to take cuttings from in five to six weeks’ time when they are soft.  Rhododendron sinonuttalii has buds for the first time here.  A huge plant grew on the conservatory at Burncoose as the picture shows but the scent was overpowering and too noxious to risk cutting a flower for indoors.

Magnolia ‘Stellar Acclaim’ looks a small muddy yellow from a distance but close up it is a mix of colours and not very attractive. Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’ is now full out above the Crinodendron Hedge. Not bad but x brooklynensis ‘Woodsman’ has no sign of any colour as yet while x brooklynensis ‘Eva Maria’ is nearly over.
MAGNOLIA 'Stellar Acclaim' 03
MAGNOLIA ‘Stellar Acclaim’
MAGNOLIA 'Stellar Acclaim'
MAGNOLIA ‘Stellar Acclaim’
MAGNOLIA 'Stellar Acclaim' 02
MAGNOLIA ‘Stellar Acclaim’
MAGNOLIA 'Woodsman'
MAGNOLIA ‘Woodsman’
MAGNOLIA x brooklynensis 'Eva Maria'
MAGNOLIA x brooklynensis ‘Eva Maria’
MAGNOLIA x brooklynensis 'Black Beauty' 02
MAGNOLIA x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’
MAGNOLIA x brooklynensis 'Black Beauty'
MAGNOLIA x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’
RHODODENDRON 'logan Damaris' 02
RHODODENDRON ‘Logan Damaris’
RHODODENDRON 'logan Damaris'
RHODODENDRON ‘Logan Damaris’

We look at Rhododendron ‘Logan Damaris’ which my father always said was the best yellow.  The original clump by the podocarpus forest died out years ago but yellows have improved mightily in 40 years and we pass by with little Scottish adulation.Magnolia yuchelia does however grab attention as well it should and there is another good plant above Crinodendron Hedge.

MICHELIA 'Touch of Pink'
MICHELIA ‘Touch of Pink’

Michelia ‘Touch of Pink’ is just coming out in a very sheltered spot.  It should be ‘Touch of Purple’ really as that is what the ends of the buds have today.

1998 – FJW
First house martins seen.

1988 – FJW
David announced his intentions with regard to Sarah Williams. XXXXX Day.

1907 – JCW
Birmingham Show. Most daffs are over, Marvel are good, a few Frian left. Saw the first of my big crop for making Mrs JCW rhodo come into flower, it was sown in 1901.

1902 – JCW
Came back from Appleshaw and Drill Hall last night, a few Marvel seedlings to open and a late poet or two, other things nearly over, picked and opened a ripe bud of Cyclamineus. The best things seen at the Drill Hall and Appleshaw were ‘Mrs Berkley and White Queen with Betty Berkley’. Bought a poet.