1st June

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
At Chelsea I photographed two primula species on the Keviock Nursery stand. They clearly both have family connections and a link to Werrington. JCW was a founder of the Primula Society and even delivered papers at their conferences. Forrest sent back seed of many primula species but few are now widely grown in the UK gardens apart perhaps from the candelabra primula. I suspect the reason for the primula failure and perhaps the demise of the Primula Society was that many of the high altitude species are simply not suited to our high rainfall and damp, wet winters. Keviock clearly manage them rather better in Scotland and their stand was a treasure trove of Chinese alpines.

This is Primula obconica subsp. werringtonensi and the rather tiny Primula reidii var. williamsii.

Primula obconica subsp. werringtonensi
Primula obconica subsp. werringtonensi
Primula reidii var. williamsii
Primula reidii var. williamsii
Ross had now started work clearing the fallen Ilex oak at The Vean. A nearby ash tree has also been felled and found to be rotten.
clearing the fallen Ilex oak
clearing the fallen Ilex oak
clearing the fallen Ilex oak
clearing the fallen Ilex oak
Deutzia subulata is fairly small growing and compact. Just a tinge of very pale pink in the white flowers.
Deutzia subulata
Deutzia subulata
Deutzia subulata
Deutzia subulata
Vaccinium cylindraceum looking very fine today.
Vaccinium cylindraceum
Vaccinium cylindraceum
This is the first time we have actually seen the very tiny red podocarpsus-like fruits on the closely related Dacrycarpus dacrydioides. Tiny fleshy red fruits with one or more black seeds on top. Not all the ‘seeds’ are ripe as you can see. This appears to be a good female tree. Planted in 2007.
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides

2023 – CHW

Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Wallaby’ now up to around 5 feet which is not bad for a supposed dwarf grower. Plentiful but pale flowers.

Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Wallaby’
Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Wallaby’
Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Wallaby’
Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Wallaby’
Rhododendron polyandrum a little later into flower than Rh. crassum which is very similar.
Rhododendron polyandrum
Rhododendron polyandrum
The first drought casualty or, more probably, the pre Christmas cold.
first drought casualty
first drought casualty
Rhododendron arizelum survived last summer’s drought and is performing well. ,.
Rhododendron arizelum
Rhododendron arizelum
Rhododendron decorum at it’s best.
Rhododendron decorum
Rhododendron decorum
Rhododendron decorum
Rhododendron decorum
Deutzia longifolia – the pure white form in Tin Garden.
Deutzia longifolia
Deutzia longifolia
Philadelphus caucasicus quite superb today. A trio of plants.
Philadelphus caucasicus
Philadelphus caucasicus
Philadelphus caucasicus
Philadelphus caucasicus
Aesculus x bushii just going over. I have missed a good show.
Aesculus x bushii
Aesculus x bushii
Philadelphus sericanthus less impressive and a far less dense habit.
Philadelphus sericanthus
Philadelphus sericanthus
Malus x prattii flowering well.
Malus x prattii
Malus x prattii
In my mind this tree just above the turning to White Styles was a Tilia species. Looking today it is obviously a Carpinus and, with its red new growth and leaf shape, probably C polyneura. The flower /seed tassels are an intricate mix of small leaves. The tree was bought at the Royal Cornwall Show by Trevor Wright for me.
C polyneura
C polyneura
C polyneura
C polyneura
2022 – CHW
Not as many attractive blue cones on Abies koreana as last year below Slip Rail.

Abies koreana
Abies koreana
The young new growth stands out spectacularly on Podocarpus matudae for a few days as the plant responds to rain.
Podocarpus matudae
Podocarpus matudae
Not bad on Podocarpus macrophylla either. (P. macrophylla ‘Aurea’ seems to have much larger and differently displayed leaves?).
Podocarpus macrophylla
Podocarpus macrophylla
Neolitsea aciculata now with a full set of new growth. A gift from Tom Hudson and originating from Maypeng in Taiwan.
Neolitsea aciculata
Neolitsea aciculata
First flowers just showing on Stewartia rostrata in a shady spot.
Stewartia rostrata
Stewartia rostrata
Michelia x foggii ‘Jack Fogg’ still covered in flowers weeks after it started.
Michelia x foggii ‘Jack Fogg’
Michelia x foggii ‘Jack Fogg’
As is Michelia ‘Allspice’ still with a pervading scent. M. ‘Touch of Pink’ nearby is now over barring the odd small remnant flower.
Michelia ‘Allspice’
Michelia ‘Allspice’
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’ (‘Hachmann’s Polaris’) performing well at Donkey Shoe.
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’
Dramatic new growth on Schefflera delavayi at Donkey Shoe.
Schefflera delavayi
Schefflera delavayi
And also on Rhododendron ovatum.
Rhododendron ovatum
Rhododendron ovatum

2021 – CHW
To Burncoose to thrash out a new propagation strategy for the future with Burncoose producing an even wider range of camellias, rhodos and magnolias. Many changes and improvements planned to our propagation facilities.Rhododendron ‘Gwilt King’ flowering late as usual. Three clumps in the garden at Burncoose.
Rhododendron ‘Gwilt King’
Rhododendron ‘Gwilt King’
Rhododendron ‘Gwilt King’
Rhododendron ‘Gwilt King’
The double flowered Rhododendron fastuosum ‘Flore Pleno’.
Rhododendron fastuosum ‘Flore Pleno’
Rhododendron fastuosum ‘Flore Pleno’
Our own bred Rhododendron ‘Penvose’ named after an estate farm (as are several others).
Rhododendron ‘Penvose’
Rhododendron ‘Penvose’
Rhododendron ‘Penvose’
Rhododendron ‘Penvose’
Attractive new growth on Huodendron biaristratum. The Burncoose plant is developing far better than any here.
Huodendron biaristratum
Huodendron biaristratum
A well grown plant of Illicium henryi which is our propagation stock plant.
Illicium henryi
Illicium henryi
Illicium henryi
Illicium henryi
Illicium henryi
Illicium henryi
A robin willing me to pick up a few pots to reveal some grubs to eat.
robin
robin
robin
robin

2020 – CHW
A greenhouse visit to look at new things.Schizophragma hydrangeoides full out on the top wall in the sun.
Schizophragma hydrangeoides
Schizophragma hydrangeoides
Schizophragma hydrangeoides
Schizophragma hydrangeoides
A single flower on Berberidopsis beckleri now planted out on the top wall. Last year it had a few pinkish flowers in November to December.
Berberidopsis beckleri
Berberidopsis beckleri
Platycrater arguta in bud.
Platycrater arguta
Platycrater arguta
Platycrater arguta
Platycrater arguta
Podocarpus wangii with its exceptional orange new growth.
Podocarpus wangii
Podocarpus wangii
Podocarpus wangii
Podocarpus wangii
Illicium lanceolatum with orange-red flowers. First time I have seen this species.
Illicium lanceolatum
Illicium lanceolatum
Styrax hookeri var. yunnanensis now has leaves a bit more like our S. hookeri but I am still a bit suspicious of this naming when I look at the flower clusters.
Styrax hookeri var. yunnanensis
Styrax hookeri var. yunnanensis
Styrax hookeri var. yunnanensis
Styrax hookeri var. yunnanensis
Salvia leucantha just out.
Salvia leucantha
Salvia leucantha
Vesalea floribunda which is now a new name for the semi climbing Abelia floribunda as it has always been known. Another annoying name change in the new Hillier’s but not their fault of course!
Vesalea floribunda
Vesalea floribunda
Vesalea floribunda
Vesalea floribunda
Berberis subacuminata viewed for the first time.
Berberis subacuminata
Berberis subacuminata
Berberis subacuminata
Berberis subacuminata
Styrax grandiflorus from Roundabarrow is a new species to us (perhaps). Large hanging flowers which are a delicate pink in bud. Very floriferous.
Styrax grandiflorus
Styrax grandiflorus
Styrax grandiflorus
Styrax grandiflorus
Rubus acuminatus with flower and fruit about to form. Odd yellowish leaves.
Rubus acuminatus
Rubus acuminatus
Rubus acuminatus
Rubus acuminatus
Deutzia multiradiata about to flower.
Deutzia multiradiata
Deutzia multiradiata
A very good crop of young seedlings.
Photinia beauverdiana var. notabilis (our seed).
Photinia beauverdiana var. notabilis
Photinia beauverdiana var. notabilis
Machilus yunnanense (seed from Raf Lenaerts).
Machilus yunnanense
Machilus yunnanense

2019 – CHW
A session with Karol doing short garden videos for the website to try to show how much there is still to see out in the garden.

Surprising though it is I discover a nearly pure white deciduous azalea on the drive which I have never noticed before. It has a faint yellow flash close up. The closest I can get to it in the reference books is ‘Exbury White’ or ‘White Lights’ but both have slightly more yellow in the flower than this one.

Nearly pure white deciduous azalea
Nearly pure white deciduous azalea
Nearly pure white deciduous azalea
Nearly pure white deciduous azalea
A clump of Deutzia x elegantissima ‘Rosealind’ on the drive looking very fine.
Deutzia x elegantissima ‘Rosealind’
Deutzia x elegantissima ‘Rosealind’
Deutzia x elegantissima ‘Rosealind’
Deutzia x elegantissima ‘Rosealind’
Another ancient batch of Azalea indica varieties/colours near the top lodge. Three in flower at present.
Azalea indica varieties
Azalea indica varieties
Azalea indica varieties
Azalea indica varieties
Azalea indica varieties
Azalea indica varieties
A newly planted Philadelphus caucasicus with its first few flowers in Kennel Close. It is not enjoying the dry spell. Another new Philadelphus species to me and another for the collection.
Philadelphus caucasicus
Philadelphus caucasicus
Philadelphus caucasicus
Philadelphus caucasicus
One flower left on Rhododendron ‘Biskra’. Five plants from Glendoick but only two have survived the first three years.
Rhododendron ‘Biskra’
Rhododendron ‘Biskra’
Rhododendron ‘Tally Ho’ just coming out.
Rhododendron ‘Tally Hoo’
Rhododendron ‘Tally Hoo’
Rhododendron ‘Tally Hoo’
Rhododendron ‘Tally Hoo’

2018 – CHW
Our Belgian visitors yesterday confirmed that this peculiar shrub climbing up a dead yew tree is indeed a rhus and a very toxic one indeed. The label on the plant had long since faded and I had had difficulty believing that it really was a sumach species. This plant is commonly known as ‘poison ivy’ or, in Latin, as Toxiodendron radicans (Rhus radicans). Its sap is so toxic that I fear we should destroy it or at least fence it off with a warning sign. Its origin is Mexico and north America. Strangely it is not mentioned in the RHS encyclopaedia or in Hillier’s. Here is a ‘non-native’ plant which Defra might actually be right to destroy!
Toxiodendron radicans
Toxiodendron radicans
Toxiodendron radicans
Toxiodendron radicans
Toxiodendron radicans
Toxiodendron radicans
Toxiodendron radicans
Toxiodendron radicans
Production company FFP New Media were back again yesterday to film a scene for another episode of German TV series ‘Rosamunde Pilcher’. This time at the top lodge which has been turned into ‘Cavendish & Son Garden Design’.
Rosamunde Pilcher
Rosamunde Pilcher
Rosamunde Pilcher
Rosamunde Pilcher

2017 – CHW
The flower buds on Hydrangea seemanii are well developed on the wall.
Hydrangea seemanii
Hydrangea seemanii
Hydrangea seemanii
Hydrangea seemanii
As they are on Actinidia deliciosa. Both much earlier than usual.
Actinidia deliciosa
Actinidia deliciosa
Actinidia deliciosa
Actinidia deliciosa
The new growth on the single pink Camellia sasanquas is a startling purplish-red. I have often seen this fleetingly but never got around to photographing it.
single pink Camellia sasanquas
single pink Camellia sasanquas
single pink Camellia sasanquas
single pink Camellia sasanquas
Conversely the single white Camellia sasanquas have conventional light green new growth. I wonder why the difference is so marked on these 100 year old plants?
single white Camellia sasanquas
single white Camellia sasanquas
A wild clump of Gladiolus communis subsp Byzantinus growing again on the bank opposite the front door. The single corm has multiplied from last year.
Gladiolus communis subsp Byzantinus
Gladiolus communis subsp Byzantinus
Plenty of wild campion now replaces the primroses, daffodils and bluebells here too. Only three weeks since the bluebells faded and the grass took over.
wild campion
wild campion
Erigeron karvinskianus (syn mucronatus) now at its early season best, growing wild on and in the walls. The immature flowers are pink in full sun but all white in the shade. This plant will carry on flowering until the first frost. No wonder it is a Burncoose bestseller and a valuable coastal and seaside plant. Self seeds in profusion but easily pulled up!
Erigeron karvinskianus
Erigeron karvinskianus
Erigeron karvinskianus
Erigeron karvinskianus
The arum lilies are at their best very early too by the gents’ loo.
arum lilies
arum lilies
Cornus kousa ‘Wisley Queen’ is just fully out but not quite yet specked with pink and red as the bracts will become later.
Cornus kousa ‘Wisley Queen’
Cornus kousa ‘Wisley Queen’
Cornus kousa ‘Wisley Queen’
Cornus kousa ‘Wisley Queen’
In full sun the new growth on Sciadopitys verticillata is a gorgeous yellow. I have never picked up on this before.
Sciadopitys verticillata
Sciadopitys verticillata
Sciadopitys verticillata
Sciadopitys verticillata
Magnolia sieboldii ‘Pride of Norway’ is now full out. Is it any different to Magnolia sieboldii ‘Colossus’? I think not.
Magnolia sieboldii ‘Pride of Norway’
Magnolia sieboldii ‘Pride of Norway’
A flower showing the outer pink bracts on Magnolia obovata ‘Pink Flash’. This is the only flower I have managed to catch perfectly in the last week or so. They come out and drop very quickly.
Magnolia obovata ‘Pink Flash’
Magnolia obovata ‘Pink Flash’

2016 – CHW
Attached is Maurice Foster’s email and archive pictures relating to Magnolia sieboldii sinensis. The pictures of our own plants’ leaves are attached. They are not as rounded as the herbarium specimens but just as hairy. Quite whether we have a true original M s sinensis to match the one at Windsor is therefore not conclusive although the habit and flower on the Windsor plant is identical to ours.Three newly planted out Acer flabellatum var yunnanese are coming into leaf. They were seedlings from the original plant in the Chinese garden at Werrington which we collected there five plus years ago.
Acer flabellatum var yunnanese
Acer flabellatum var yunnanese
Acer flabellatum var yunnanese
Acer flabellatum var yunnanese
Staphylea trifolia is later than the other species into flower and a real show today above the greenhouse.
Staphylea trifolia
Staphylea trifolia
Staphylea trifolia
Staphylea trifolia
Azalea ‘Rosebud’ went to Chelsea but only made it to the skip as it was not quite out in time. Now it certainly is!
Azalea ‘Rosebud’
Azalea ‘Rosebud’
Azalea ‘Rosebud’
Azalea ‘Rosebud’
Wisteria ‘Violacea Plena’ (syn ‘Black Dragon’) is a sparse flowerer with us but a pretty unique double flowered form well worth growing.
Wisteria ‘Violacea Plena’
Wisteria ‘Violacea Plena’
2015 – CHW
Seeing Crug Farm Nursery exhibiting at the Tregrehan rare plant sale allowed a big purchase which may obviate the need to order from them in the spring.   I have to confess to gloating over the two purchases.

The list of exciting and new plants collected in the wild (China and Vietnam) by Sue and Bleddyn is here for the record.Ternstroemia gymnathera

Rhederodendron ichangensis

Acer leptaphlebium

Lindera angustifolia

Polyspora axillaris

Ucodendron whartonii

Magnolia crassifolia

Rhodelia aff henryi

Magnolia foveolata

Rhederodendron kwangtungense

Rhoiptelea chiliantha

Polyspora speciosa

Illicium aff griffithii

Magnolia floribunda var tonkinensis

Rhodelia aff henryi

Rhodelia aff parvipetala

Alniphyllum aff eberhardii

Nyssa sinensis

Rhederodendron kwangtungense
Rhederodendron kwangtungense

Most were massive plants which had to be planted out immediately irrespective of the season. So huge pits, a flagon of water in each first and dung in each pit with plenty of difficult staking. We may have to water them again and again if the summer turns out hot but 10 of the 18 plants are now in sheltered dampish locations with dappled shade. The rest can be potted on for spring planting. Two new to Caerhays species of rehderodendron, two more species of the camellia like flowering polyspora and our first ever two species of rhodelia. What excitement!

Rhodelia aff henryi
Rhodelia aff henryi
Illicium aff Griffithii
Illicium aff griffithii
Illicium aff Griffithii
Illicium aff griffithii
Fuchsia Spray Award
Fuchsia Spray Award

Burncoose had a good day at yesterday’s rare plant sale too shifting 80 of the 120 plants (50 separate varieties) taken for a four figure sum.  A huge turnout of knowledgeable gardeners and a day which reminded me of my first experience of direct plant selling when I sold out all my rooted fuchsia cuttings from the slate slab at the front door on an open day 40 years ago.  Dad made me give the proceeds to charity (or so he thought).

Then to a trip around the garden with Daphne Scott-Harden, our great family friend from the north who has been seriously in the wars after being knocked down by a car in Hexham las July.   She is still on a crutch and with dad on his zimmer the garden tour for her will have to be in a ‘mule’.

1920 – JCW
We are a week ahead of 1919. Some of the Azalea remain very nice, particularly those nearest to Calendulaceum. The Harrow hybrids are poor, the heat hit them last year very hard.

1919 – JCW
Auklandii’s on the wane. Azaleas fair. P helodoxa very good. Cinnabarinum x Yunnanense very pretty and I had them draped and wired.

1913 – JCW
Auklandii’s over. Azaleas (our hybrids) yet very good. P balieyana nice. Roses well started, a small bit of daff seed picked.

1899 – JCW
Came down from London for one day, 4/5ths of the Caerhays seed picked, weighs over ½ pound (clean), most of the H Irving and G Spur. A bad season for the May, now at its best,. No waterlilies yet. Few of the bamboo doing much. Edgeworthii coming on. Dalhousi and Auklandii just at their best, also Azaleas, and P gibsoni. Most of the rhodo’s open including Ponticum.