2023 – CHW
Still a full set of leaves on Carpinus rankanensis but it is not an evergreen. All the other Carpinus species in Kennel Close have now shed their leaves.
Definitely a two jumper day and gloves. Not quite freezing here by day but a clear moonlit sky overnight will bring the second proper frost of the year.Leaf blowing nearly finished on the drive. I enquired why it needs four vehicles and was told two were contractors gathering bits of old magnolia leaf skeletons for wreaths.
The electrics are finally attached to the new incinerator at the farm which has now to be tested and signed off by Animal Health.
Mespilus germanica with just a few ripe and well split medlars remaining on the tree. A few did not develop properly and have turned black.
Work has started cutting back the ‘Cornish Red’ rhododendron on Donkey Shoe Corner where it had begun to cover the seat and encroach onto the path.
First few flowers on Rhododendron moupinense by the sales point about as early as usual.
After finding ‘Cornish Snow’ was out I thought I had better check Camellia ‘Winton’ by the Old Orchid House Nursery. The original plants are plastered in colour with no (as yet) frost or wind damage.
Olearia solandrii has plenty of feathery seeds not that long after it flowered (see earlier diary entry). A dull plant as I said before but excellent to break up wind in an exposed clearing as here. The seeds are a fringe benefit perhaps.
Jaimie planted this Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ seedling at the top of Forty Acres wood in 1996/7.It is currently 25ft tall but you cannot see if there is any bud for next year yet as the remaining leaf canopy is still too thick.
The plant is in an area of new woodland planting after the 1990 hurricane. One day the top of the hill may have a purple blotch from afar!Time for a bit of thinning around it now though.
2015 – CHW
Jaimie mentioned that Camellia ‘Cornish Snow’ was out in his mother’s garden near St Stephens. In shoes with no time I did not get far enough to check here but I did find its sister cross Camellia ‘Winton’ just coming out above Orchid House Nursery bed. Again rather early! (Not out yet on the drive.)
2002 – FJW
A cold spell began.
1998 – FJW
Wet with short spells of cold – Big Japonica camellia out on Burns Bank so is Cornish Snow near Georges Hut. All Noblissima have flowers. One flower George Blandford. Unnamed Williamsii clump above Acer senkaki are magnificent.
1951 – CW
George Stoddart came today after measles.
1948 – CW
Camellia sasanqua and oleifera going over. A few lapageria and roses left, also bits of Auriculatum hybrid and 2 or 3 Mag grandiflora. Rho reirii just coming out. Quite a lot of Cam saluenensis and 2 or 3 of its seedling. The big quarry one well out and a few buds picked 3 weeks ago. Very mild and wet. Big Mag sinensis has died, it was 36 yards round. Dead almost to roots.
1926 – JCW
We are later than the 1918 year. Cotoneaster salicifolia and Camellia sasanqua including Delavay’s decorum, and the Maddeni hybrid in the hall.
1918 – JCW
The Engine House double white camellia is beautiful. R dahuricum and R mucronulatum are fairly good.
1906 – JCW
Camellia sasanqua at its very best. Roses remain quite nice. Daffs coming through well. Lapagerias fair.