2018 – CHW
A garden tour with shooting friends and clients in the rain. The gator for the 89 year old who very much enjoyed it and had a proper Cornish accent! The cold damage which we saw is now sadly far more evident.
Leaf drop from frost damage on the evergreen Hoheria populnea ‘Variegata’. The tree is almost completely defoliated although it looked fine 10 days ago. I had feared the worst for these variegated Hoherias.
The purchases (mainly acers) from the Lees & Co closing down sale have arrived in good order.
One of the finest things in the garden today after a mild winter is the very tender Rhododendron stenaulum (now renamed Rhododendron moulmainense) from Moulmein in Burma. The plant with its very attractive peeling bark is about 15-20ft tall. We used to have a white form above the wall which once got Dr Davidian, the great rhodo expert and author from The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, into a huge state of excitement. We have grown this ourselves from seed but never from cuttings as yet.
2015 – CHW
Off to Monica Dance’s funeral in Camborne with a bad hangover. Monica’s husband, Arnold Dance, ran Burncoose Gardens for 42 years until his retirement in about 2002. Monica’s son, Steve Dance, was born at Burncoose Lodge and currently runs the Burncoose office.
Her coffin was covered with a huge spray of Camellia x williamsii ‘Monica Dance’ which Arnold bred at Burncoose.
1993 – FJW
Very little rain for 8 weeks – garden very early – most of the Magnolias are over. Visited Marwood Hill.
1980 – FJW
Flower still out on Lanarth seedling above crino hedge.
1979 – FJW
First flower spotted on Magnolia ‘Mr Garden’.
1978 – FJW
Still wet and windy Caerhays Belle excellent – best new USA Camellia Kramer’s Supreme. Poor flowers on Lanarth seedlings above crino hedge.
1976 – FJW
F/M Monygomery died. Frost knocked out Magnolias except in Rookery; the Diva, – Rogers Quarry – all above frosted.
1962 – FJW
Killed Moorhen marked by Copenhagen Zoo.
1960 – FJW
The east wind stopped after a week. The Diva at its best as is the Robusta above E.R’s Quarry. Calophytum sutchuenense hybrids best rhodo in the garden.
1952 – CW
Old Magnolia robusta no buds – 3 out of 5 young out, one fully (Donkey Shoe), Campbellii at best. Also old Mollicomata ¼ out, rest not including ten young with buds. Salicifolia one good. Diva a few flowers. Reticulatas and St Ewe at best. Saluenensis past best. Daffodils mid stream. Barbatum at best.
1941 – CW
Magnolia sargenteana fully out – Mollicomata beginning – Campbellii been out some days. Salicifolia below Engine House good. Denudata not ¼ out. Rhodo Blood Reds at their best also Sutchuenense hybrids, Daffs nearly at their best. Barbatum perfect – Cam reticulata species at their best – Reticulata not out.
1914 – JCW
Blackthorn well out under the drive, picked 3 buds of seedling Poet.