22nd August

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

Below is an interesting email from Wild Flower Expert and Author, Colin French concerning Erica x williamsii and with pictures of this very rare naturally occurring hybrid.

Dear Charles,

Earlier this year I discovered an Erica x williamsii plant (see attached photographs) on Goonhilly Downs, which has just been confirmed. This find may be of interest to you because I believe it was named after one of your ancestors. Do correct me if I am wrong. The first plant is thought to have been found by a Miss Williams, although I believe this hybrid between Erica vagans and Erica tetralix is named after P.D. Williams of Lanarth. It has only been found in the wild on the Lizard and only ten plants (excluding mine) have been definitely found. There may have been a few more than ten plants ever discovered as it is not clear whether the early records refer to one or more plants. Whatever the number, it is an extremely rare natural hybrid, when you consider how common both parents are on the Lizard heaths.

Best wishes,

Colin

Erica x williamsii
Erica x williamsii
Erica x williamsii
Erica x williamsii
Erica x williamsii
Erica x williamsii
Erica x williamsii
Erica x williamsii
Erica x williamsii
Erica x williamsii
Erica x williamsii
Erica x williamsii
Schefflera delavayi
Schefflera delavayi

Also below is my reply to Colin.Dear Colin,

I attach the Hilliers entry for Erica x williamsii.

There is a very elderly bank of heather on the drive here, where the two drives merge, which I had thought was Erica ‘P.D. Williams’ after some research quite a few years ago. Now I am far less certain although J.C. Williams and P.D.W. were close friends. The plants here flower early in the spring and are very much pinker than the photographs which you sent.

I now think what we have is more probably Erica vagans ‘Saint Keverne’ but that may well just be a guess based on the Lanarth family connection. Apparently ‘Saint Keverne’ is found in the wild in Cornwall but I do not see it mentioned in your mighty work.

All very interesting and I have just learnt a lot about heather species in Cornwall!

Thank you for this and for all your other current work for the farm.

Best wishes,

Charles

Erica x williamsii
Erica x williamsii

2023 – CHW
Storm Betty last week has left a trail of minor destruction.One of 3 larger trees in Kennel Close blown off their stakes.
trees in Kennel Close blown off their stakes
trees in Kennel Close blown off their stakes
Tilia kiusiana full out and sweetly scented.
Tilia kiusiana
Tilia kiusiana
Our largest Stachyurus chinensis has now died – aged about 40.
Stachyurus chinensis
Stachyurus chinensis
Oak branches litter the ground.
Oak branches
Oak branches
Oak branches
Oak branches
Ross has finally made a start on clearing the camellia piece for replanting next spring.
clearing the camellia
clearing the camellia
clearing the camellia
clearing the camellia
The elderly Acer nikoense just about still alive but probably worth digging out while the digger is on site.
Acer nikoense
Acer nikoense

2022 – CHW

Then, with bated breath, my first proper trip around the garden after an absence of 10 days away.

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ on Hovel Cart Road is looking good. A pleasant surprise.

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’
Dead Rhododendrons by Higher Quarry Nursery.
Dead Rhododendrons
Dead Rhododendrons
The Queen Mother’s magnolia shedding leaves prematurely with die back from the uppermost twigs all over the crown. The seed pods have long fallen off and been rejected by the tree to save energy as is normal in dry spells.
Queen Mother’s magnolia
Queen Mother’s magnolia
These Rhododendron auriculatum may or may not survive. We have seen them like this before but not as bad.
Rhododendron auriculatum
Rhododendron auriculatum
These big leaf’s will not make it I suspect. Hardly any new growth.
big leaf’s
big leaf’s
With water these plants are now out of danger. Jamie’s intervention last week has saved them.
out of danger
out of danger
out of danger
out of danger
out of danger
out of danger
out of danger
out of danger
These old Rhododendron sinogrande will probably die but a day’s heavy rain may yet save it. Nothing sadly in the forecast for the next week.
Rhododendron sinogrande
Rhododendron sinogrande
Rhododendron barbatum on its last legs but the 2 plants besides it in more shade are OK.
Rhododendron barbatum
Rhododendron barbatum
Typically one of a group of scented rhodondrons has had it. A familiar tale this year.
scented rhodondrons
scented rhodondrons
Watering has however saved our best Rhododendron arizelum.
Rhododendron arizelum
Rhododendron arizelum
A dead Acer by the Tin Garden.
dead Acer
dead Acer
Two years on from planting these Deciduous azaleas have failed.
Deciduous azaleas
Deciduous azaleas
Deciduous azaleas
Deciduous azaleas
A nearly dead Cercis canadensis. One branch had died off a fortnight ago as we saw then.
Cercis canadensis
Cercis canadensis
Sorbus thompsonii virtually defoliated and probably now deceased 12 years from planting out.
Sorbus thompsonii
Sorbus thompsonii
Sorbus thompsonii
Sorbus thompsonii
Two casualties in the newly planted Crataegus collection. Not bad in full sun out of 25 or 50.
Crataegus collection
Crataegus collection
Two or three of the 12 newly planted German magnolia varieties have defoliated but they may just survive. Perhaps a watering might save them.
German magnolia varieties
German magnolia varieties
German magnolia varieties
German magnolia varieties
At last something looking healthy! A young Clerodendrum bungei has enjoyed the heat.
Clerodendrum bungei
Clerodendrum bungei
Clerodendrum bungei
Clerodendrum bungei
Thankfully the clump of young Rhododendron williamsianum by George’s Hut look fine. The myopex covering has retained the moisture around this group.
Rhododendron williamsianum
Rhododendron williamsianum
Escallonia bifida in full flower and enjoying the drought. A fine show today.
Escallonia bifida
Escallonia bifida
Escallonia bifida
Escallonia bifida

2021 – CHW
Back in Cornwall on a warm day.Hydrangea robusta ‘Tatiana’ from North Vietnam is late flowering and a relatively small flower. Nice enough though.
Hydrangea robusta ‘Tatiana’
Hydrangea robusta ‘Tatiana’
Hydrangea robusta ‘Tatiana’
Hydrangea robusta ‘Tatiana’
Before leaving I observed three young jays eating these crab apples. They did not eat that many!
crab apples
crab apples
Syringa reticulata had a few flowers in May which never really opened properly in the dry spell. Here what I assume is a second flush.
Syringa reticulata
Syringa reticulata
Magnolia ‘Yakeo’ well into its second flowering as usual.
Magnolia ‘Yakeo’
Magnolia ‘Yakeo’
Magnolia ‘Yakeo’
Magnolia ‘Yakeo’
A developing seed head on Magnolia sapaensis for the first time here. One for Asia to gather before too long even if only three to five individual seeds.
Magnolia sapaensis
Magnolia sapaensis
And then a flower on Magnolia tamaulipana just full out and already dropping its anthers. These flowers last 48 hours at most so a lucky chance to have seen it today. Smell light but slightly unpleasant.
Magnolia tamaulipana
Magnolia tamaulipana

2020 – CHW
Taxodium distichum ‘Hursley Park’ is a dwarf which originated from a witches broom but it is finally growing well with plenty of secondary new growth. A good spot to look down on it.
Taxodium distichum ‘Hursley Park’
Taxodium distichum ‘Hursley Park’
Taxodium distichum ‘Hursley Park’
Taxodium distichum ‘Hursley Park’
The new growth on Rhododendron ‘Tally Hoo’ is excellent. Just one flower remains.
Rhododendron ‘Tally Hoo’
Rhododendron ‘Tally Hoo’
Rhododendron ‘Tally Hoo’
Rhododendron ‘Tally Hoo’
First flowers on the newly planted Eucryphia nymansensis ‘George Graham’. Bought from Mark Bulk. Cannot see much difference to ‘Nymansay’ but nothing wrong with that!
Eucryphia nymansensis ‘George Graham’
Eucryphia nymansensis ‘George Graham’
Eucryphia nymansensis ‘George Graham’
Eucryphia nymansensis ‘George Graham’
Pea-like seedpods forming on Maakia hupehensis which we saw in flower not long ago.
Maakia hupehensis
Maakia hupehensis
Roe deer (buck) damage again – this time on the thin trunk of Euptelia polyandra which was earlier doing well. The bucks must hunt hard for stems like this to rub their horns on.
Euptelia polyandra
Euptelia polyandra
A line of huge elderly Camellia japonicas that were in full shade until three years ago are seeding profusely in full sun. Some seeds are nearly ripe already.
Camellia japonicas
Camellia japonicas
Camellia japonicas
Camellia japonicas
The small Lithocarpus pachyphyllus in flower a few months ago now has huge seed clusters which have bent the branches nearly to the ground. The seeds are huge and will all be viable if we beat the squirrels.
Lithocarpus pachyphyllus
Lithocarpus pachyphyllus
Lithocarpus pachyphyllus
Lithocarpus pachyphyllus
Escallonia bifida from Brazil and Uruguay is just in bud. Another new one to propagate.
Escallonia bifida
Escallonia bifida
Escallonia bifida
Escallonia bifida
Hypericum lancasteri is perfectly out as a clump and perhaps the best thing today in the garden.
Hypericum lancasteri
Hypericum lancasteri
Hypericum lancasteri
Hypericum lancasteri
Hypericum lancasteri
Hypericum lancasteri
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ is not so ‘little’ now below the wall but its leaves and flowers are in comparison to pure grandiflora.
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’

2019 – CHW
I got excited to see developing acorns for the first time ever on Quercus lamellosa. When looking more closely many have already dropped to the ground. When cut in half no acorn has actually formed within the circled green cup. Perhaps those still left on the tree will grow on and ripen but I have my doubts. Pictures I have seen of Q. lamellosa acorns show them as being much larger than these. Asia needs to keep a close eye on what is still left on the tree.
Quercus lamellosa
Quercus lamellosa
Quercus lamellosa
Quercus lamellosa
A young plant of Rhododendron decorum with just a few very late flowers.
Rhododendron decorum
Rhododendron decorum
Rhododendron decorum
Rhododendron decorum
Aesculus x glaucescens (now renamed x neglecta), just above the Q. lamellosa, has quite a few conkers on just its lower branches. These are nearly ripe enough for Asia to pick. Perhaps in two to three weeks before the squirrels find them. Very little seed on any of the other Aesculus in Kennel Close. x neglecta is a cross between Aesculus flava and Aesculus sylvatica.
Aesculus x glaucescens
Aesculus x glaucescens
Aesculus x glaucescens
Aesculus x glaucescens
A single secondary flower on Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’. Rather a darker colour than its spring flowers. In most instances secondary flowers are paler than the normal ones.
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’
Whitish fruits on Sorbus gonggashanica which should flush even more pink when fully ripe.
Sorbus gonggashanica
Sorbus gonggashanica
Crataegus aprica with its first fruits which are, as yet, unripe. Several of these new Crataegus species with fruits will be worth collecting soon (especially Crataegus wattiana) and having a try at germinating them.
Crataegus aprica
Crataegus aprica
Crataegus aprica
Crataegus aprica

2018 – CHW
Rubus lineatus just coming into flower. Suckering away nicely to produce a big clump with very attractive foliage.
Rubus lineatus
Rubus lineatus
Rubus lineatus
Rubus lineatus
Rubus lineatus
Rubus lineatus
Few trees have quite such large and impressive leaves as Ailanthus altissima. Sadly no flowers yet on this 20 to 30 year old tree.
Ailanthus altissima
Ailanthus altissima
Ailanthus altissima
Ailanthus altissima
Hoheria populnea ‘Alba Variegata’ was virtually killed in The Beast. It is however shooting from the trunk with the new growth almost completely white with few green centres in the younger leaves.
Hoheria populnea ‘Alba Variegata’
Hoheria populnea ‘Alba Variegata’
Hoheria populnea ‘Alba Variegata’
Hoheria populnea ‘Alba Variegata’
Cotoneaster hualiensis with a fine crop of berries again this year.
Cotoneaster hualiensis
Cotoneaster hualiensis
Cotoneaster hualiensis
Cotoneaster hualiensis
Sorbus gonggashanica with its first crop of white berries which are just developing a pink tinge.
Sorbus gonggashanica
Sorbus gonggashanica
Tilia heterophylla has the most enormous leaves on a young plant.
Tilia heterophylla
Tilia heterophylla
Tilia heterophylla
Tilia heterophylla
I had always thought this tree was Persea japonica but now it has schima flowers high up. The leaves are not at all like those on our other nearby schima. I am now stumped! The smaller plant of Persea japonica up by Georges Hut has very similar leaves. I must ‘go compare’ as they say.
Persea japonica but now it has schima flowers
Persea japonica but now it has schima flowers

2017 – CHW
The huge clump of Hydrangea paniculata on Hovel Cart Road is very fine and just showing hints of pink. The best thing in the garden today by far.
Hydrangea paniculata
Hydrangea paniculata
Hydrangea paniculata
Hydrangea paniculata
I had been wondering what this odd thing was in the bed opposite the front door. It is the late flowering Mexican dahlia species which we bought in February. Still no sign of a flower.
Mexican dahlia species
Mexican dahlia species
Mexican dahlia species
Mexican dahlia species
The Korean raspberry, Rubus tricolor, has plenty of fruit but mice or birds are devouring them quickly.
Rubus tricolor
Rubus tricolor
Rubus tricolor
Rubus tricolor

2016 – CHW
We may be having a fairly decent summer but these three rhododendrons and azaleas are reshooting well despite only having been cut back in March. The fourth is more as I would expect in the first year with new shoots still emerging.

rhododendrons and azaleas
rhododendrons and azaleas
rhododendrons and azaleas
rhododendrons and azaleas
rhododendrons and azaleas
rhododendrons and azaleas
rhododendrons and azaleas
rhododendrons and azaleas
Alongside them in the Rockery Rhododendron camplogynum is well into its second flush of flowers and very good too.
Rhododendron camplogynum
Rhododendron camplogynum
Rhododendron camplogynum
Rhododendron camplogynum
On the wall a few small secondary wisteria flowers too. I saw some here a month ago and was surprised but this is very late indeed.
secondary wisteria flowers
secondary wisteria flowers
2015 – CHW
Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’
Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’
Heavy rain last night and rain all day with thunder in the evening.
The Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’ is just out outside the Back Yard but no real scent yet.
Lapageria ‘Picotee’
Lapageria ‘Picotee’
Most of the ancient lapagerias on the shady north side of the castle wall have died out but one newer one I planted 30 years ago is still looking as good as scruffy lapagerias ever do and now in flower. Propagated by a Kent grower who was a retired doctor this is Lapageria ‘Picotee’.

1996 – FJW
First day of a good soak – have not had one for years at this time.

1961 – FJW
This week started carrying humus from the Rookery. 19 loads taken around the wood. First major feeding operation since the War. I think many old plants dying from starvation rather than disease. Lapagerias out.

One thought on “22nd August

  1. Euptelea resprouts profusely from the ground, so here the damage is small. For other trees this can but be fatal. To prefent deer damage it is enough to put something on the stem, which hinders the bucks to rub their antlers along, it needs not to be a complete enclosure; some wire around is enough.
    Schimia argentea has been crossed with Franklinia (seed parent) to receive Schimlinia, better growing and less demanding of warmth than the latter, but I didn’t see evidence of it in Europe? Franklinia is flowering now in Bale BG (July-August) and fruits, but receives watering there.

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