2026 – CHW
Ehretia acuminata was grown from seed by Asia under the name E. thyrsiflora (a synonym). Was saw E. dicksonii and E. anacua flowering recently. I think they are the same thing but cannot find the name E. anacua in the New Trees write up. Anyway E. acuminata flowers in August so I had a look with Karol to try to see emerging flower buds. There were none evident yet. We have 4 small trees of E. acuminata – three in Kennel Close near Tin Garden and one on the Styrax species glade above Crinodendron hedge. I had been wondering if E. acuminata/ E. thyrsiflora was correctly named or something else but the leaves do match up to the IDS website. Reddish new growth is the give-away as is the fissured bark.
Ross has burnt up under Kennel Close.
Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki flowering all over what is now a small tree. Only the odd flower up to now.
A young and true to name Magnolia sieboldii var. sinensis.
A tail end flower on Magnolia sieboldii beside it. Quite a difference in flower size and the way that the flowers are held on display on the two shrubs.
Decided to write an article on Stone Oaks (Lithocarpus) and here are pictures of the Record Lithocarpus cleistocarpus in flower. The trunk is enormous and the bark interesting. Some flowers are on secondary new growth.
Buds on Magnolia mote.
Lomatia ferruginea two thirds dead from drought last year but there are still a few flowers for RHS Badminton next week where we have plants of this to sell.
2025 – CHW
My article on Carpinus, for the CGS, is coming on well so time to take another look for flower bracts.
More flower bracts on Carpinus rankanensis.
This is labelled Diospyros cathayensis and was grown here from seed. It looks more like Asimina triloba to me especially after looking at Trees and Shrubs online.
The new growth on Carpinus caroliniana (from Mexico).
New growth on Carpinus polyneura.
Carpinus japonica.
Carpinus tschonoskii (BSWJ 10800) with its first flower bracts and new growth. A very spreading habit.
Carpinus omeiensis.
Carpinus henryana – the plant we are not sure is true to name.
Catalpa speciosa ‘Frederik’ is very fine today.
Fruit bracts aplenty on Carpinus betulus ‘Purpurea’.
The first tiny flower bracts on Carpinus kawakamii.
New growth on Carpinus laxiflora – not at all sure this one is true to name.
Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’ going ahead well.
2024 – CHW
Ross is felling a couple of oaks which threaten the Kitchen Garden wall and removing old camellias to give us more room for new planting.
Ross is felling a couple of oaks which threaten the Kitchen Garden wall and removing old camellias to give us more room for new planting.
Indocalamus latifolius finally making some real growth after two dry summers.
Betula medwediewii ‘Gold Bark’ was newly planted out this year below the dog kennels but already it has had male catkins and ripening female fruits.
Vaccinium dunalianum var. megaphyllum in full flower. I have never caught up with this properly before now. Has there ever previously been so many flower spikes?
Vaccinium dunalianum var. caudatifolium nearby is flowerless.
Euonymus echinatus (E. moupinensis) is already forming red seed pods resting on the leaves.
A young Lindera benzoin has leaves which I now recognise. Contrary to what I thought we do, I think, have 2 other mature plants. One beyond the Acer griseum and one above Hovel turning. I need to check the autumn colours and spring flowers.
Nothofagus moorei is putting on reddish new growth and the young plant is establishing.
Meliosma parviflora, a present from Nantes Botanical Garden, has also taken well.
A primrose in July! Only in a very wet and good growing year.
Picrasma quassioides has flowered for the first time and is now setting seed.
Tail end flowers on Rhododendron ‘Tally Hoo’.
Hydrangea angustipetala f. macrosepala (CWJ12441) is gorgeous and well worth Asia propagating hard. The cutting material is already ready to take.
2023 – CHW
A few interesting things in the nursery today.
Gentiana dahurica in full flower.
A new addition to the catalogue, Limonium gmelinii ‘Dazzle Rocks’.
Aesculus parviflora performing well in pots.
Euonymus hamiltonianus ‘Coral Charm’ in flower.
Romneya coulteri and Abutilon ‘John Thompson’ outside the Packing Shed.
Cyclamen hederifolium ‘Album’ full out already.
Cordyline australis ‘Salsa’ and Cordyline indivisa in Roy Key’s garden at The Pound.
Finally, this afternoon, it has started raining properly for the first time in 7 weeks and the forecast for next week is pleasantly wet. Hopefully that is the end of the drought for this summer.
2022 – CHW
Lunch with Clare Francis, the diminutive but famous sailor from the late 1970s. This is the yacht in which she first sailed solo across the Atlantic.
Lunch with Clare Francis, the diminutive but famous sailor from the late 1970s. This is the yacht in which she first sailed solo across the Atlantic.
Clare’s roof space plays host to nesting swifts and there were a good dozen flittering about outside the house. Too quick for me to get a decent photograph.
Harvey Browns is a brand-new farm shop and restaurant. I have never seen anything done as well or so overflowing with customers for local food. Butchery/bakery on site and huge restaurant/café with massive kitchen and outdoor seating by a river. Wildflower meadow outside.
2021 – CHW
Our garden in Seaview really is a mess although friends have kindly cut the grass.The jasmine has fallen off the wall and blocked the doorway out into the garden.
Our garden in Seaview really is a mess although friends have kindly cut the grass.The jasmine has fallen off the wall and blocked the doorway out into the garden.
Fuchsia ‘Lady Boothby’ has done well but, as a climber, needs more support.
Phygelius x rectus ‘Devil’s Tears’ is now about 6ft by 6ft and perfectly out in flower. The flowers have flared yellow throats.
The enormous Pittosporum tenuifolium which gives us privacy has been partially uprooted in a gale and is now leaning a bit but, fortunately, away from the house. Some roots out of the ground but the tree seems fine and still shields us from view. I guess do nothing.
Mare’s tail everywhere and out of control.