15th July

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

The very ancient Euonymus tingens still has a few flowers with purple markings. I soon got the ivy off the trunk.

Euonymus tingens
Euonymus tingens
Euonymus tingens
G_15_Jul_EUONYMUS_tingens_01
Camellia japonica ‘White Nun’ reshooting well after its haircut.
Camellia japonica ‘White Nun’
Camellia japonica ‘White Nun’
No flower tassels at all this year on Carpinus fangiana.
Carpinus fangiana
Carpinus fangiana
Ligustrum strongylophyllum flowering decently for the first time.
Ligustrum strongylophyllum
Ligustrum strongylophyllum
Ligustrum strongylophyllum
Ligustrum strongylophyllum
Betony growing well in the clearing above Higher Quarry Nursery.
Betony
Betony
Another plant of Viburnum fansipanense but this one has pure white flowers with nowhere near as prominent red tips to the individual flowers.
Viburnum fansipanense
Viburnum fansipanense
Viburnum fansipanense
Viburnum fansipanense

2023 – CHW

A VIP tour of the gardens at Osborne House with the head gardener, Toby Beasley. Today entirely in the walled garden.

The potting shed beside the main walled garden.

potting shed
potting shed
potting shed
potting shed
Viola hederacea – Australian violet in a greenhouse.
Viola hederacea
Viola hederacea
Viola hederacea
Viola hederacea
‘Mother-in-Laws Tongue’ – Sansevieria trifasciata in flower.
Sansevieria trifasciata
Sansevieria trifasciata
Impatiens repens.
Impatiens repens
Impatiens repens
Impatiens repens
Impatiens repens
Ipomoea lobata – a perennial grown here as an annual.
Ipomoea lobata
Ipomoea lobata
A tremendous display of Saponaria officinalis which flops over as flowering finishes.
Saponaria officinalis
Saponaria officinalis
Saponaria officinalis
Saponaria officinalis
Cynara cardunculus in flower.
Cynara cardunculus
Cynara cardunculus
Veratrum nigrum which was introduced in 1596.
Veratrum nigrum
Veratrum nigrum
Veratrum nigrum
Veratrum nigrum
The view down through the walled garden.
The view
The view
Achillea filipendulina.
Achillea filipendulina
Achillea filipendulina
Comelina tuberosa.
Commelina tuberosa
Commelina tuberosa
Thalictrum delavayi – Introduced 1590.
Thalictrum delavayi
Thalictrum delavayi
Osborne propagate all the Cannas used in their summer displays in front of the house from their own stock bed.
Osborne propagate
Osborne propagate
Hemerocallis fulva.
Hemerocallis fulva
Hemerocallis fulva
Hemerocallis fulva
Hemerocallis fulva
Crambe maritima.
Crambe maritima
Crambe maritima

2022 – CHW

A single seed pod on just one of the young Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ on the bank.

Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
The very late flowering pink form of Rhododendron ‘Royal Flush’. Quite a display for mid July!
Rhododendron ‘Royal Flush’
Rhododendron ‘Royal Flush’
Rhododendron ‘Royal Flush’
Rhododendron ‘Royal Flush’
As is the Rhododendron nuttallii below the quarry. Much better than other clumps with very pronounced orangey-yellow centres to the understated flowers.
Rhododendron nuttallii
Rhododendron nuttallii
Rhododendron nuttallii
Rhododendron nuttallii
Rhododendron nuttallii
Rhododendron nuttallii
Rhododendron nuttallii
Rhododendron nuttallii
Rhododendron nuttallii
Rhododendron nuttallii
Again we need more website Care Article pictures or Camptotheca acuminata which grows on Burns Bank.
Camptotheca acuminata
Camptotheca acuminata
Camptotheca acuminata
Camptotheca acuminata
Camptotheca acuminata
Camptotheca acuminata
Camptotheca acuminata
Camptotheca acuminata
Gorgeous red new growth and obvious winter die back. It is late into leaf each year and the secondary new growth in the autumn gets scorched in east winds.
A bone dry view down to Porthluney Beach.
Porthluney Beach
Porthluney Beach
Diospyros rhombifolia looked dead earlier but is struggling into recovery despite the heat recently.
Diospyros rhombifolia
Diospyros rhombifolia
A fallen Rhododendron arboreum limb has let in the light for a Corylopsis sinensis to burst into growth. The Corylopsis was smashed to the ground and cut back hard. Its neighbour would benefit from the same treatment.
Rhododendron arboreum
Rhododendron arboreum

2021 – CHW
So back home again after a particularly unsunny and wet fortnight in Seaview. To compound the misery we had lunch 10 days ago at a friend’s house with four others and have ended up in the consequent COVID isolation. One of the guests arrived feeling (helpfully) unwell and then tested, not unexpectedly, positive. If it had been fine we would have sat outside. He will be and is fine after his two jabs but Seaview is an elderly village community who take isolation seriously. That put an end to all the planned entertaining and socialising completely so we have been cooped up (garden visits aside) seeing nobody. No trip to Edgbaston to the cricket tomorrow either. What a ‘holiday’! A delight to get home!Seaview has quite a bit of youthful COVID in the yacht club staff but they have not shut of course. The ‘locals’ are unamused but I suppose that the club have a financial point with ‘freedom’ (of sorts) only a week away.Conversely several people have arrived here off ferries and hovercraft who have been ‘pinged’ to isolate by the test and trace app as being in the proximity (whatever that means) of a COVID positive. They are of course furious that their holidays have been unnecessarily ruined (while many football followers take no notice) but resigned to compliance.Learning to live with COVID is the new ‘normal’. Fortunately neither of us does have COVID after isolation. Two jabs works?We have been far too conditioned into obeying the draconian rules but rules matter in a local community. Freedom now beckons and common sense can now prevail!Now home and the positive effects on the garden of a good lot of rain in the last fortnight are plain to see. Secondary new growth everywhere.Buddleia loricata just going over.
Buddleia loricata
Buddleia loricata
Leptospermum ‘Red Damask’ by the sales point in a cold spot but flowering well.
Leptospermum ‘Red Damask’
Leptospermum ‘Red Damask’
Leptospermum ‘Red Damask’
Leptospermum ‘Red Damask’
Carpinus polyneura with reddish secondary new growth.
Carpinus polyneura
Carpinus polyneura
Carpinus orientalis with plenty too but not so attractive.
Carpinus orientalis
Carpinus orientalis
Tetradium aff. fraxinifolia had looked dead but now huge bronze new leaves.
Tetradium aff. fraxinifolia
Tetradium aff. fraxinifolia
Tristanopsis laurina making excellent growth as well. The nursery plants were frosted over winter and had leaf drop but not here tucked in behind a laurel hedge.
Tristanopsis laurina
Tristanopsis laurina
Labelled Stewartia serrata (which is June flowering). I have my doubts?
Stewartia serrata
Stewartia serrata
Stewartia serrata
Stewartia serrata
Melicytisus crassifolius is getting away nicely in full sun and a hot location.
Melicytisus crassifolius
Melicytisus crassifolius
I had forgotten that we grew Olearia nummularifolia which was full out today. One to propagate and add to the Burncoose catalogue. A light, compact and dense shrub planted in 2006 and now about 5-6ft tall.
Olearia nummularifolia
Olearia nummularifolia
Olearia nummularifolia
Olearia nummularifolia
Olearia nummularifolia
Olearia nummularifolia

2020 – CHW
This plant, Centaurea nigra or Lesser Knapweed, is really why we have decided not to cut the grassy banks outside the front door. The clumps are only just starting to flower but covered in butterflies, bees and wasps already. The Flora of Cornwall suggests that this is a Centaurea nigra subspecies which is rare in Cornwall but less so in the Scillies. The flowers do not have rayed florets around the flower (as here) and the photograph in the book appears to match exactly what we have growing here – C. nigra s.s.
Lesser Knapweed is however a common native perennial UK plant. I hope that I am right that this one is the rare subspecies.
Centaurea nigra
Centaurea nigra
Centaurea nigra
Centaurea nigra
Centaurea nigra
Centaurea nigra
Centaurea nigra
Centaurea nigra
I am less certain about the identification of this as Crepis capillans, Smooth Hawk’s beard. Poor pictures I fear.
Crepis capillans
Crepis capillans
Crepis capillans
Crepis capillans
This peculiar seed head suggests it ought to be an allium and I confess that I have never noticed it before. There are only a very few on the bank and the distinguishing feature is the curly green tendrils which remain within the ripening seed head on a straight stem 15-30” above the ground. I suspected that it was Allium vinede, or Crow Garlic, and Flora of Cornwall confirms this although the map shows no actual findings here and it is not in the 2011 survey records. Easily missed! No other allium species matches this in the reference books. A rather pleasing find and another reason to stop cutting this grass in July before these wildflowers have set seed.
Allium vinede
Allium vinede
Superb new growth on Rhododendron bureavii below Donkey Shoe. One plant here was stolen soon after planting. It has never yet flowered.
Rhododendron bureavii
Rhododendron bureavii
Rhododendron bureavii
Rhododendron bureavii
Rhododendron bureavii
Rhododendron bureavii
Rhododendron serotinum flowering for the first time. The pocket guide to rhodos says this may be a late flowering form of Rhododendron decorum but it has also been reintroduced from the wild recently. This may well be a real rarity.
Rhododendron serotinum
Rhododendron serotinum
Another unnamed Harrow hybrid rhododendron by the Podocarpus salignus clump.
Harrow hybrid rhododendron
Harrow hybrid rhododendron
More flowers on Magnolia (Manglietia) yuyuanensis.
Magnolia (Manglietia) yuyuanensis
Magnolia (Manglietia) yuyuanensis
Magnolia (Manglietia) yuyuanensis
Magnolia (Manglietia) yuyuanensis
I think this is Potentilla recta, Sulphur Cinquefoil or Upright Cinquefoil, which is an introduced perennial with distinctive seeds which has escaped from gardens into a woodland setting as here. It emerges on bare ground in dappled shade.
Potentilla recta
Potentilla recta
Rhododendron parisha (CWT 6346) with its first flowers. I cannot find a reference for this apart from Rhododendron parishii which flowers much earlier in the year?
Rhododendron parisha
Rhododendron parisha
Rhododendron parisha
Rhododendron parisha
A fine clump of wild Ajuga reptans, Bugle. Rather more substantial and impressive than the last ones we looked at. One would normally expect Bugle to flower in March/April in a more formal garden context but not, it seems, as a wildflower.
Ajuga reptans
Ajuga reptans
Ajuga reptans
Ajuga reptans
Another common woodland garden wildflower is Filipendula ulmaria, Meadowsweet, which often gets mown off before it can flower properly as here beside the Magnolia delavayi in partial shade. As good as some Astilbe?
Filipendula ulmaria
Filipendula ulmaria
Filipendula ulmaria
Filipendula ulmaria
A final few flowers on Rhododendron zaluanicum beside the Meadowsweet.
Rhododendron zaluanicum
Rhododendron zaluanicum
Rhododendron prunifolium which is a very late flowering species. This is a very old plant growing in almost full shade under a magnolia. Easily confused with Rhododendron flammeum and Rhododendron prinophyllum due to the colour of the former and the name of the latter! Both grow here too.
Rhododendron prunifolium
Rhododendron prunifolium
Rhododendron prunifolium
Rhododendron prunifolium
The Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’ again seems to have died (all four trunks) but, as usual, root suckers are just appearing which will need to be avoided when grass cutting. It hates cold winds which blow off its huge leaves.
Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex'
Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’
Here is another common woodland garden wildflower (or invasive weed in a border) which I had never even thought about naming until now. This is Circaea lutetiana or Enchanter’s Nightshade which is a perennial more often found in damper locations than this by Donkey Shoe in full sun. Disturbed soil from a dug out stump has again caused long dormant seed to germinate but it is well established nearby under a camellia.
Circaea lutetiana
Circaea lutetiana
Circaea lutetiana
Circaea lutetiana

2019 – CHW
Will Caws brought in a leaf and fruit to Rope Walk today asking what it was. It was a fully ripe fruit of Eriobotrya japonica which had probably formed last autumn and survived the mild winter to be ripe today after a long dry spell. The only time we found fully ripe fruit on the Burncoose tree was five to six years ago in late October after a late warm summer.By coincidence Michael sent me pictures of E. japonica fruiting in his garden at Caerhays as well today. The pictures show shrivelled fruits as well so I guess this one is also an overwintered survivor.
E. japonica
E. japonica
E. japonica
E. japonica

2018 – CHW
While I have been away Jaimie has been keeping me updated with news at home.Clematis uncinata has grown right through a tall Camellia sasanqua and up the castle wall behind it. It is now in flower and very nice it is too. The seeds were given to us by Peter Moore who probably collected them originally in the wild.
Clematis uncinata
Clematis uncinata
Clematis uncinata
Clematis uncinata
The Schefflera macrophylla branches which we cut off for Chelsea are already generating new shoots from just below the two cut stems which are still bleeding sap. A remarkably quick response.
Schefflera macrophylla
Schefflera macrophylla
Grass cutting completed in Forty Acres wood where some of the American magnolia collection are starting to become proper trees.
Grass cutting
Grass cutting

A trip to Osborne House by East Cowes to photograph the herbaceous planting combinations in their huge walled garden. Constantly trying to avoid numerous busloads of small children with their irritable teachers all over the gardens.Achillea filipendula and asparagus setting seed was a novelty combination indeed. You will see the rest which I took on our website soon.

Achillea filipendula and asparagus
Achillea filipendula and asparagus
Achillea filipendula and asparagus
Achillea filipendula and asparagus
Here is the front of the main house all parched and very dry everywhere. Rhododendrons turning up their toes everywhere.
front of the main house
front of the main house
front of the main house
front of the main house
front of the main house
front of the main house
My favourite Magnolia grandiflora in full show facing north at the rear of the house and sheltered by the two huge wings alongside it.
Magnolia grandiflora
Magnolia grandiflora
I did not recognise this plant here last year but the slightly pinky white flowers are of course Ugni molinae (formerly Myrtus ugni). Nearby a clethra and a callicarpa were dying of drought. Ugni still fine.
Ugni molinae
Ugni molinae
Ugni molinae
Ugni molinae
Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina pictures for the care article just written on this subject and perhaps better than we have for website too.
Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina
Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina
Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina
Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina

2017 – CHW

Another clump of Rhododendron ‘Harrow Hybrids’ on Hovel Cart Road is nearly over with petals strewn around on the ground. Slightly darker red than the one on the drive when first out but fading pinker.

Rhododendron ‘Harrow Hybrids’
Rhododendron ‘Harrow Hybrids’
Rhododendron ‘Harrow Hybrids’
Rhododendron ‘Harrow Hybrids’
Rhododendron ‘Harrow Hybrids’
Rhododendron ‘Harrow Hybrids’
Rhododendron ‘Harrow Hybrids’
Rhododendron ‘Harrow Hybrids’
The second Cornus hongkongensis is rather more floriferous, although in far more shade, than the one seen last week.
Cornus hongkongensis
Cornus hongkongensis
We cut this enormous wild collected Osmanthus yunnanensis back last year. At least two of the trunks are starting to shoot quite well. The tree was over mature, very elderly and in serious need of rejuvenation but a big risk with a historic tree which came here in 1923.
Osmanthus yunnanensis
Osmanthus yunnanensis
Osmanthus yunnanensis
Osmanthus yunnanensis
Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Nymansay’ will be out in a week or so.
Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Nymansay’
Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Nymansay’
I never cease to be surprised at how many odd Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’ we have dotted about. You pass them twice a week but never think or look twice until July. There are three in the Rirei Opening which I had not taken in before. This one full out, one over and one still in bud. Individual Polar Bears can emerge any time between late June and September. You smell them first!
Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’
Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’
Another pure white Rhododendron viscosum growing in full shade by Tin Garden and much later into flower than the several others we have seen earlier.
Rhododendron viscosum
Rhododendron viscosum
Rhododendron viscosum
Rhododendron viscosum
A few odd seeds show up from last October’s flowers on Schima khasiana. A bit like small figs. The seasons are a bit the wrong way around with this plant!
Schima khasiana
Schima khasiana
Schima khasiana
Schima khasiana
This 10 year old Rehderodendron macrocarpum tree is laden with ripening pinkish fruits outside the front gate. One or two appear to have split in the recent heat. A hell of a crop to collect in a month or so from such a young tree.
Rehderodendron macrocarpum
Rehderodendron macrocarpum
Rehderodendron macrocarpum
Rehderodendron macrocarpum
Rehderodendron macrocarpum
Rehderodendron macrocarpum

2016 – CHW
Nick Macer from Pan-Global Plants arrives for a tour. We had not met but Jaimie had showed him around before. He trained at Wakehurst.Mahonia oiwakensis has a delicate reddish bronze hue to its new growth and Nick is a mahonia lover. Sadly I am not!
Mahonia oiwakensis
Mahonia oiwakensis
Mahonia oiwakensis
Mahonia oiwakensis
Aralia vietnamensis has gigantic new leaves and looks too tender for us but I may be wrong. From a distance I had assumed another odd shefflera species but I was well wrong.
Aralia vietnamensis
Aralia vietnamensis
Aralia vietnamensis
Aralia vietnamensis
Aralia vietnamensis
Aralia vietnamensis
Kalopanax septemlobus is about to flower in profusion. We seldom remember to go and look at this time of the year.
Kalopanax septemlobus
Kalopanax septemlobus
Ehretia dicksonii is also in flower and the smell is disgusting. Jaimie says ‘cat’s piss’ but we have never had a cat!
Ehretia dicksonii
Ehretia dicksonii
Ehretia dicksonii
Ehretia dicksonii
Seed forming in Symplocos dryophylla which will eventually turn blue-black and Asia needs to try growing it as well as taking cuttings shortly.
Symplocos dryophylla
Symplocos dryophylla
Styrax serrulatus is now full out and much later than all other species. No scent but attractive bark and a drooping habit. The best thing in the garden today I think.
Styrax serrulatus
Styrax serrulatus
Styrax serrulatus
Styrax serrulatus
Here is a new plant for the 2017 Burncoose catalogue already doing well. Fatsia polycarpa has much narrower leaf divides than Fatsia japonica and has made a well-shaped shrub here. I have failed to find it in the nursery to photograph so now the job is done. It is Taiwanese in origin but apparently hardy to minus 10°. We will see but it must be eight to ten years old already.
Fatsia polycarpa
Fatsia polycarpa
Fatsia polycarpa
Fatsia polycarpa
This is labelled Magnolia aff floribunda var tonkinense and is a Crug wild collected plant flowering for the first time. Despite its name it is clearly a manglietia and no relation (really) to our or the Tregrehan Michelia floribunda. We have just missed the first flower and there are no more buds so cannot call the real colour on opening. Not that exciting however!
Magnolia aff floribunda var tonkinense
Magnolia aff floribunda var tonkinense
The Rhododendron sinonuttallii by the main quarry is just out a month later than the other Glendoick sourced clump above the greenhouse. This is much more like the one which grew for 20 years in the Burncoose conservatory and stank us all out. Attractive reddish-purple new growth. This plant looks tender but the others less so.
Rhododendron sinonuttallii
Rhododendron sinonuttallii
Rhododendron sinonuttallii
Rhododendron sinonuttallii

2015 – CHW

The oldest plants of Hydrangea sargentiana remain alive, just, in the Auklandii Garden but have long since died out near Rookery Gate and Donkey Shoe. They live longer in shade. This group was planted in 2008 and already has plenty of flower although smaller and more compact than I remember the originals.  Next to it is Viburnum betulifolium now full out three or more weeks after I photographed the bud. This too was planted in 2008. The best clump at Trewithen is grown up a wooden trellis which displays its berries to best effect in the winter.

Amazing how plants have moved on in a fortnight. Good to be back! The wonderful Roy Lancaster introduced climbing rose species is nearly over on the front arch. I have no idea of a name? The hips are even more impressive than the flowers.

On the top wall Dierama pulcherrimum in full flower. Some flowers are very dark and some have unusual and different striping. The dark flowers are Dierama pulcherrimum ‘Blackbird’ but I have no idea about the striped ones. A big surprise and must remember to collect seed.
Dierama pulcherrimum
Dierama pulcherrimum
Dierama pulcherrimum
Dierama pulcherrimum
Dierama pulcherrimum
Dierama pulcherrimum
Dierama pulcherrimum ‘Blackbird’
Dierama pulcherrimum ‘Blackbird’

2002 – FJW
First hot day of the summer.

1980 – FJW
Wet summer. Flowers on 3 Camellias – Midsummer’s Day, Konron Jura and one in ‘White Piece’.

1919 – JCW
Plagianthus lyalii is just opening, R brunonis is good. Escallonia pteroclaydon is fair. L giganteums are going over. The Romneya is coming on.

1918 – JCW
Plagianthus lyalii is very good indeed. There is very little else, and a fine lot of rain after a very dry bout.

1915 – JCW
Two years old stuff all out of their pans. Plagianthus lyalii did half the D and L’s. Yesterday, not really open. Buddleias have hardly opened. R r remains poor, too damp. Mitraria fair. Very little in the hard wood way about.

1898 – JCW
No real start in [bamboo] Nitida yet. Many seedlings planted in the new ground, say one third. Everlasting peas open. Put in from 207 to 218, new things of E’s.

1897 – JCW
Nitida has lately started to grow properly. All Engelhart’s bulbs are planted. I speciosum at its best.

One thought on “15th July

  1. To some weeds: ’20, all are typical central/western European herbs. some may be misidentified: I guess Allium vineale is ment, component of the vineyard herb-society. Potentilla recta; could be Geum urbanum also as petals are spaced, leaves differ. Ajuga is clearly Prunella, leaves of Ajuga broader and glossy. Circaea, here called witchweed, easy to spread unaware as seeds stick on clothing, difficult to eradicate. Meadowsweet does make a ornamental flower in humid places, so has the same difficulties with drought as Astilbe. ’19 Eriobotrya is easy to grow but can freeze in harsh winters; fruiting is rare but it has had fruits in 21 here, albeit it was not a mild winter.

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