16th March

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


2025 – CHW

Philip Tregunna’s as yet unnamed hybrid on the drive. Is it sufficiently different to merit registration? Borderline.

Philip Tregunna’s as yet unnamed hybrid
Philip Tregunna’s as yet unnamed hybrid
Philip Tregunna’s as yet unnamed hybrid
Philip Tregunna’s as yet unnamed hybrid
Philip Tregunna’s as yet unnamed hybrid
Philip Tregunna’s as yet unnamed hybrid
Magnolia ‘Charles Raffill’ on the drive.
Magnolia ‘Charles Raffill’
Magnolia ‘Charles Raffill’
Acer negundo var. violaceum in full flower.
Acer negundo var. violaceum
Acer negundo var. violaceum
Acer negundo var. violaceum
Acer negundo var. violaceum
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Caerhays Surprise’.
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Caerhays Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Caerhays Surprise’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Westonbirt’.
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Westonbirt’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Westonbirt’
Magnolia liliiflora ‘Holland Red’.
Magnolia liliiflora ‘Holland Red’
Magnolia liliiflora ‘Holland Red’
Magnolia dawsoniana ‘Chindit’.
Magnolia dawsoniana ‘Chindit’
Magnolia dawsoniana ‘Chindit’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’.
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’ x M. ‘J. C. Williams’.
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’ x M. ‘J. C. Williams’
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’ x M. ‘J. C. Williams’
Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ x M. ‘Vulcan’.
Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ x M. ‘Vulcan’
Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ x M. ‘Vulcan’
Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ x M. ‘Vulcan’
Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ x M. ‘Vulcan’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Daisy Diva’.
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Daisy Diva'
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Daisy Diva’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Daisy Diva'
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Daisy Diva’
Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Ruby’ x M. ‘Werrington’.
Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Ruby’ x M. ‘Werrington'
Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Ruby’ x M. ‘Werrington’
Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Ruby’ x M. ‘Werrington'
Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Ruby’ x M. ‘Werrington’

2024 – CHW
A list of new things for the garden have arrived from Burncoose. Mainly from Mark Bulk and plenty of very rare new things. All need growing on before being large enough to plant out.- Campylotropis macrocarpa x 3
– Citronella gongonha
– Clematoclethra scandens subsp. actinidioides x 6
– Corynocarpus laevigatus
– Debregeasia edulis Elite
– Hoheria glabrata x 3
– Malus fusca
– Morella pensylvanica
– Myrceugenia leptospermoides
– Myricaria germanica
– Olearia lacunose
– Olearia odorata
– Populus koreana

I am particularly pleased to have some Clematoclethra which got a good write up in the Plantsman (when it was still allowed to be called this) which is a quarterly RHS magazine. These are twining climbers related to Actinidia. Two species were discovered by Ernest Wilson in 1908.

Magnolia ‘Lanarth Surprise’ looking very good on Rookery path. The nursery has good plants of this for sale.

Magnolia ‘Lanarth Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth Surprise’
The view from below M. ‘Lanarth Surprise’ across and over the Aucklandii Garden.
The view from below M. ‘Lanarth Surprise’
The view from below M. ‘Lanarth Surprise’
Finally dry enough to place out the large rhododendrons from 2 nursery beds into the large area cleared of camellia foliage plants last summer. The largest rhododendron planting undertaken at Caerhays for some decades. Some root balls too heavy for one person to lift so old sheets were used to avoid damaging the huge root balls during the move.
Finally dry enough to place out the large rhododendrons
Finally dry enough to place out the large rhododendrons
Finally dry enough to place out the large rhododendrons
Finally dry enough to place out the large rhododendrons
Finally dry enough to place out the large rhododendrons
Finally dry enough to place out the large rhododendrons
Finally dry enough to place out the large rhododendrons
Finally dry enough to place out the large rhododendrons
Magnolia (Michelia) doltsopa ‘White Phantom’ was named and registered last year.
Magnolia (Michelia) doltsopa ‘White Phantom’
Magnolia (Michelia) doltsopa ‘White Phantom’
Another Magnolia mollicomata ‘Burncoose Tennis Court’ in the Rockery.
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Burncoose Tennis Court’
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Burncoose Tennis Court’
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Burncoose Tennis Court’
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Burncoose Tennis Court’
Rhaphithamnus spinosus just coming out. The flowers will get much larger and a deeper blue.
Rhaphithamnus spinosus
Rhaphithamnus spinosus
The original Magnolia ‘Kew’s Surprise’ in the Rookery is a very good colour this year.
Magnolia ‘Kew’s Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Kew’s Surprise’
Another view from the Rookery – magnolias in the mist!
Another view from the Rookery
Another view from the Rookery
This Laureliopsis philippiana came as a seedling from under the huge three at Kilmacurragh. It was planted in the wrong place and moved to the new rhododendron area last autumn.
Laureliopsis philippiana
Laureliopsis philippiana
Lindera umbellata already in full leaf. If it did flower I didn’t catch it.
Lindera umbellata
Lindera umbellata
Lindera sericea in full flower and absolutely covered. Quite a spectacle today.
Lindera sericea
Lindera sericea
Lindera sericea
Lindera sericea
A group of 2013 planted Rhododendron sutchuenense. Amazing colour changes as the buds open fully.
Rhododendron sutchuenense
Rhododendron sutchuenense
Rhododendron sutchuenense
Rhododendron sutchuenense
Quercus chapensis has severe die back after only a mild winter. This was a seedling from a 2015 IDS conference in Korea. I doubt this species is viable here even in extreme shelter as here. I have cut away all last year’s new growth.
Quercus chapensis
Quercus chapensis
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Pickard’s Ruby’ in Area 26 is improving with age.
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Pickard’s Ruby’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Pickard’s Ruby’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Pickard’s Ruby’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Pickard’s Ruby’
Magnolia ‘Spring Rite’ just opening.
Magnolia ‘Spring Rite’
Magnolia ‘Spring Rite’
Magnolia ‘Summer Rose’ with its first flower – 2023 planted and yet another new name to us.
Magnolia ‘Summer Rose’
Magnolia ‘Summer Rose’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. campbellii ‘Darjeeling’ is excellent.
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Rhododendron veitchianum Cubittii Group is the first of the scented ones to show. Far too early!
Rhododendron veitchianum Cubittii Group
Rhododendron veitchianum Cubittii Group
Camellia x williamsii ‘Jovey Carlyon’ sporting pink flowers at Donkey Shoe.
Camellia x williamsii ‘Jovey Carlyon’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Jovey Carlyon’

2023 – CHW
Mahonia leschenaultii flowering here for the first time.
Mahonia leschenaultii
Mahonia leschenaultii
Mahonia leschenaultii
Mahonia leschenaultii
Acer negundo ‘Violaceum’ with its remarkable flower tassels.
Acer negundo ‘Violaceum’
Acer negundo ‘Violaceum’
Acer negundo ‘Violaceum’
Acer negundo ‘Violaceum’
Magnolia campbellii still looking good despite the overnight wind.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’ and a young Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’ and a young Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’ and a young Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’
The view through the arch with Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ nearly at its absolute best.
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’
Rhododendron arboreum subsp. cinnamomeum.
Rhododendron arboreum subsp. cinnamomeum
Rhododendron arboreum subsp. cinnamomeum
Camellia cuspidata now full out.
Camellia cuspidata
Camellia cuspidata
Camellia cuspidata
Camellia cuspidata
Another young Polyspora suddenly in flower at the top of the bush.
young Polyspora
young Polyspora
young Polyspora
young Polyspora
Magnolia campbellii and Magnolia ‘Mr. Julian’ (just out) from above on Rookery Path.
Magnolia campbellii and Magnolia ‘Mr. Julian’
Magnolia campbellii and Magnolia ‘Mr. Julian’
Rhododendron ‘Ostara’ and Jaimie’s new magnolia hybrid.
Rhododendron ‘Ostara’ and Jaimie’s new magnolia hybrid
Rhododendron ‘Ostara’ and Jaimie’s new magnolia hybrid
The Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling in the Aucklandii Garden suddenly full out on a drab day.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’

2022 – CHW

This is one of only two flower of Jaimie’s cross in Old Park which is (the huge flowered) Magnolia ‘Atlas’ x Magnolia ‘Lanarth’. The flowers last year were frosted so this is the second attempt at its first flowering. Clearly a huge ‘Atlas’ type and shaped flower with the ‘Lanarth’ colour and more than a hint of white on the inside of the tepals as you would expect from ‘Atlas’. Very good indeed and exactly what Jaimie would have hoped for and expected from such a hand pollenated cross.

MAGNOLIA atlas x magnolia_lanarth
MAGNOLIA atlas x magnolia_lanarth
MAGNOLIA atlas x magnolia_lanarth
MAGNOLIA atlas x magnolia_lanarth

So now four new magnolia crosses flowering for the first time this year. What a year! All too early to decide if they merit registration and naming but much to look forward to with more flowers to assess next spring. At this stage of assessment (mine!) three are definitely good enough and the fourth, so far, borderline.

I cannot believe that others have not crossed ‘Atlas’ and ‘Lanarth’ already but will need to research this. I see nothing in the Eisenhut book but now need to check Magnoliastore listings of Philippe de Spoelberch’s crosses. [These suggest that this cross is not yet on the market.]

Flowers aplenty in the nursery on Magnolia ‘Satisfaction’.
Magnolia ‘Satisfaction’
Magnolia ‘Satisfaction’
Magnolia ‘Satisfaction’
Magnolia ‘Satisfaction’
Magnolia ‘Sweet Merlot’ at three stages as the colour fades.
Magnolia ‘Sweet Merlot’
Magnolia ‘Sweet Merlot’
Magnolia ‘Sweet Merlot’
Magnolia ‘Sweet Merlot’
Magnolia ‘Sweet Merlot’
Magnolia ‘Sweet Merlot’
Pittosporum tobira ‘Nana’ and Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegata’ growing side by side.
Pittosporum tobira ‘Nana’ and Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegata’
Pittosporum tobira ‘Nana’ and Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegata’
The last two flowers on Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’ on the lawn high up in front of a yew tree.
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
An early flowering form of Rhododendron serpyllifolium in the Rookery. Our other plants have even smaller flowers and flower a month later so this may be a hybrid?
Rhododendron serpyllifolium
Rhododendron serpyllifolium
Rhododendron serpyllifolium
Rhododendron serpyllifolium
First flowers out on a Magnolia dawsoniana seedling outside the arch.
Magnolia dawsoniana seedling
Magnolia dawsoniana seedling
Rhododendron sulfureum full out.
Rhododendron sulfureum
Rhododendron sulfureum
Rhododendron sulfureum
Rhododendron sulfureum

2021 – CHW
Still fine and sunny as we enter the best week of the year for Caerhays magnolias. In lockdown there is time to appreciate them rather more than usual.

Magnolia ‘Kew Surprise’ in the Rookery from another angle.

Magnolia ‘Kew Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Kew Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Kew Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Kew Surprise’
Rhododendron platypodon in the nursery bed and shortly to be planted out. Two flower buds on the three plants.
Rhododendron platypodon
Rhododendron platypodon
Rhododendron platypodon
Rhododendron platypodon
Rhododendron platypodon
Rhododendron platypodon
Rhododendron strigillosum in a similar condition. Amazing bristles or hairs on the stems.
Rhododendron strigillosum
Rhododendron strigillosum
Rhododendron strigillosum
Rhododendron strigillosum
Camellia x williamsii ‘Burncoose Apple Blossom’ has a very compact habit. Bred at Burncoose by Arnold Dance about 40 years ago.
Camellia x williamsii ‘Burncoose Apple Blossom’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Burncoose Apple Blossom’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Burncoose Apple Blossom’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Burncoose Apple Blossom’
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’ is suddenly out.
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’
First colour on the Magnolia x veitchii in the sun high up.
Magnolia x veitchii
Magnolia x veitchii
Just a very few flowers this year (unlike last) on Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’.
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Camellia ‘Midnight Magic’ is as near black as you can get as it first comes out.
Camellia ‘Midnight Magic’
Camellia ‘Midnight Magic’
Camellia ‘Midnight Magic’
Camellia ‘Midnight Magic’
Camellia ‘Midnight Magic’
Camellia ‘Midnight Magic’
A dwarf rhododendron species in the Auklandii Garden just coming out. Rhododendron calostrotum?
Rhododendron calostrotum?
Rhododendron calostrotum?
Low down flowers out now on Magnolia ‘F J Williams’ all of a sudden.
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ with the belltower above the clock in the back yard and some other unfrosted lower branches. It was actually named after Belle Blandford who lived in the Stable Flat opposite the tree.
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’
The first Spanish bluebell seen in flower this year.
Spanish bluebell
Spanish bluebell
Magnolia dawsoniana now just showing colour outside the front gates. A bit earlier than expected.
Magnolia dawsoniana
Magnolia dawsoniana
Karol did a couple of drone overflies today which are attached to the diary here. One shows Jaimie, Michael and I plotting out the next and final phase of this spring’s planting out which is the 100 or so large open ground grown rhododendrons from the Rookery Nursery beds.
drone overflies
drone overflies
drone overflies
drone overflies