13th May

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 swans have hatched a new brood of cygnets. Not sure how many yet. 3 of the last years brood are still sulking in the lower moor. Saw 2 Kingfishers in their full plumage.

We only have one really mature Malus and I think this is Malus x purpurea by the Camellia ‘George Blandford’.

Malus x purpurea
Malus x purpurea
Light yellowish-green new growth on a male Podocarpus matudae.
Podocarpus matudae
Podocarpus matudae
Podocarpus spinulosus also has attractive new growth today.
Podocarpus spinulosus
Podocarpus spinulosus
Magnolia ‘Copeland Court’ was cut back by the Beast from the East in 2018. After being cut down it did reshoot and even flower. However it tried to flower last autumn and is now definitely dead as you can see. One for the digger.
Magnolia ‘Copeland Court’
Magnolia ‘Copeland Court’
Magnolia ‘Copeland Court’
Magnolia ‘Copeland Court’
Magnolia fraseri var. pyramidata is pretty dull in flower and much, much earlier in the year than I remember our 3 original small trees by LQN.
Magnolia fraseri var. pyramidata
Magnolia fraseri var. pyramidata
Magnolia fraseri var. pyramidata
Magnolia fraseri var. pyramidata
Euonymus kachinensis (BSWJ 11668) with its first flowers here and yellowish new growth. Not sure it looks very happy.
Euonymus kachinensis (BSWJ 11668)
Euonymus kachinensis (BSWJ 11668)
Euonymus kachinensis (BSWJ 11668)
Euonymus kachinensis (BSWJ 11668)
A couple of good young Rhododendron arizelum flowering well above HQN.
Rhododendron arizelum
Rhododendron arizelum
Rhododendron arizelum
Rhododendron arizelum
First flowers out on Rhododendron ‘Tally Hoo’ – early again!
Rhododendron ‘Tally Hoo’
Rhododendron ‘Tally Hoo’
Two more good forms of Rhododendron loderi which go unnoticed by Schima superba.
Rhododendron loderi
Rhododendron loderi
Rhododendron morii from Glendoick with bronze new growth which our plants have never had.
Rhododendron morii
Rhododendron morii
New growth on Pseudotaxus chienii.
Pseudotaxus chienii
Pseudotaxus chienii
Wisteria ‘Black Dragon’ is never a very spectacular show here. Few flowers and rather hidden by the new growth.
Wisteria ‘Black Dragon’
Wisteria ‘Black Dragon’

2023 – CHW
Populus purdomii growing away quickly. The reddish new growth fades quickly.

Populus purdomii
Populus purdomii
Populus purdomii
Populus purdomii
Salix purpurea ‘Nancy Saunders’ slow to leaf up.
Salix purpurea ‘Nancy Saunders’
Salix purpurea ‘Nancy Saunders’
This magnificent deciduous azalea at Donkey Shoe has never had a name. It is close to A. ‘Daviesii’ and A. ‘Northern Highlights’ but not quite the same blotching and a bit paler.
deciduous azalea
deciduous azalea
deciduous azalea
deciduous azalea
Michelia figo nicely out now by George’s Hut but some rain damage evident as it is on many rhododendrons battered in the recent downpours.
Michelia figo
Michelia figo
Michelia figo
Michelia figo
Cladrastis kentuckea still not in leaf.
Cladrastis kentuckea
Cladrastis kentuckea
First flowering here of Magnolia ‘Illini Gold’ (M. brooklynensis x Unknown). Quite nice but not really a pure yellow.
Magnolia ‘Illini Gold’
Magnolia ‘Illini Gold’
Magnolia ‘Illini Gold’
Magnolia ‘Illini Gold’
Magnolia ‘Illini Gold’
Magnolia ‘Illini Gold’
Magnolia ‘Illini Gold’
Magnolia ‘Illini Gold’
First flowering of Crataegus jozana.
Crataegus jozana
Crataegus jozana
Crataegus jozana
Crataegus jozana
And of Crataegus horridus.
Crataegus horridus
Crataegus horridus
Salix magnifica looking very fine.
Salix magnifica
Salix magnifica
Salix magnifica
Salix magnifica
Rhododendron ovatum full out.
Rhododendron ovatum
Rhododendron ovatum

2022 – CHW

As the Chelsea team start to pick out the plants for the Burncoose Nurseries stand in the Great Pavilion ready to load the first lorry on Monday it is time to give you all a quick preview of some of the key plants which we hope to feature.

This year has seen a warm, mild, and frost free spring so the plants in our show tunnel are perhaps two to three weeks more advanced than in most years. The result is that many of the plants which are regular favourite shrubs for Chelsea are already over (Magnolias and Enkianthus) and we have therefore had to come up with new things which visitors to Chelsea may not often have seen on our stands before. An interesting challenge.

It seems strange to be entering into the hustle and bustle of Chelsea preparations after two years of lockdown. Dusting off old lists of things not to forget, wherever did we put the seed rack and what should the post covid daily staff London expenses actually be?

It will get more frantic yet as we are still 10 days away from the inspection of our stand by the Chelsea judges. Enjoy the plant preview but notice that several things are still in tight bud and may or may not make it to the stand.

A. Trees and larger shrubs

Calycanthus floridus [ALONGSIDE] Calycanthus raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine’

Calycanthus floridus
Calycanthus floridus
Calycanthus raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine’
Calycanthus raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine’
Cornus ‘Venus’ with its numerous gigantic white bracts. [ALONGSIDE] Cornus kousa ‘Milky Way’ with its starshaped bracts.
Cornus ‘Venus’
Cornus ‘Venus’
Cornus kousa ‘Milky Way’
Cornus kousa ‘Milky Way’
Toona sinensis ‘Flamingo’ – the pink early spring foliage has faded to cream (but not yet green). [ALONGSIDE] Acer palmatum ‘Ukigomo’ with its startling white foliage that glows in the light of a marquee.
Toona sinensis ‘Flamingo’
Toona sinensis ‘Flamingo’
Acer palmatum ‘Ukigumo’
Acer palmatum ‘Ukigumo’
Our very own Plant of the Decade (2010 to 2020) – Viburnum plicatum ‘Kilimanjaro Sunrise’ – should be spot on for the show.
Viburnum plicatum ‘Kilimanjaro Sunrise’
Viburnum plicatum ‘Kilimanjaro Sunrise’
Aesculus x mutabilis ‘Induta’ [ALONGSIDE] Physocarpus ‘Dart’s Gold’
Aesculus x mutabilis ‘Induta’
Aesculus x mutabilis ‘Induta’
Physocarpus ‘Dart’s Gold’
Physocarpus ‘Dart’s Gold’
Zenobia pulverulenta ‘Raspberry Ice’ [ALONGSIDE] Zenobia pulverulenta ‘Blue Sky’
Zenobia pulverulenta ‘Raspberry Ice’
Zenobia pulverulenta ‘Raspberry Ice’
Zenobia pulverulenta ‘Blue Sky’
Zenobia pulverulenta ‘Blue Sky’
Cornus alternifolia ‘Argentea’ – another plant which shows up well in a tent.
Cornus alternifolia ‘Argentea’
Cornus alternifolia ‘Argentea’
Acer shirasawanum ‘Moonrise’ [ALONGSIDE] Wisteria brachybotrys ‘Shiro-kapitan’
Acer shirasawanum ‘Moonrise’
Acer shirasawanum ‘Moonrise’
Wisteria brachybotrys ‘Shiro-kapitan’
Wisteria brachybotrys ‘Shiro-kapitan’
B. Smaller shrubs and herbaceous plants – several of these are entirely new to our 2022 mail order catalogue
Cornus canadensis – excellent groundcover for the front of the stand to mirror the larger Cornus trees behind. [ALONGSIDE] Senecio ‘Angel Wings’ a showstopping plant in the shade of a tent.
Cornus canadensis
Cornus canadensis
Senecio ‘Angel Wings’
Senecio ‘Angel Wings’
Will the lupins be in flower in time? Lupinus ‘Masterpiece’ probably if we have a warm week.
Lupinus ‘Masterpiece’
Lupinus ‘Masterpiece’
Abutilon vitifolium [ALONGSIDE] Calothamnus quadrifidus – is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia
Abutilon vitifolium
Abutilon vitifolium
Calothamnus quadrifidus
Calothamnus quadrifidus
Kalmia polifolia ‘Newfoundland’
Kalmia polifolia ‘Newfoundland’
Kalmia polifolia ‘Newfoundland’
Trillium luteum which may be over. [ALONGSIDE] The stunning red flowers of Astrantia major ‘Ruby Wedding’.
Trillium luteum
Trillium luteum
Astrantia major ‘Ruby Wedding’
Astrantia major ‘Ruby Wedding’
The novel and unusual Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Greenapples’. [ALONGSIDE] The new to us Centaurea ‘Jordy’.
Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Greenapples’
Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Greenapples’
Centaurea ‘Jordy’
Centaurea ‘Jordy’
Achillea ‘Moonshine’ will offset beautifully with the new Farfugium japonicum ‘Wavy Gravy’. [ALONGSIDE]
Achillea ‘Moonshine’
Achillea ‘Moonshine’
Farfugium japonicum ‘Wavy Gravy’
Farfugium japonicum ‘Wavy Gravy’
Podophyllum versipelle ‘Spotty Dotty’ is not new but especially well grown plants this year. Even if the flowers do not make it on time the foliage speaks for itself.
Podophyllum versipelle ‘Spotty Dotty’
Podophyllum versipelle ‘Spotty Dotty’
Another novelty Salvia gregii ‘Blue Note’ and the leaves have quite a scent too.
Salvia gregii ‘Blue Note’
Salvia gregii ‘Blue Note’
An old favourite but some years the flowers are already over – Primula japonica ‘Apple Blossom’.
Primula japonica ‘Apple Blossom’
Primula japonica ‘Apple Blossom’

2021 – CHW
Syringa vulgaris ‘Carpe Diem’ just out on the drive. Newly planted this year to add to the lilac collection on the drive.
Syringa vulgaris ‘Carpe Diem’
Syringa vulgaris ‘Carpe Diem’
Bob has purchased two young Aberdeen Angus bulls to work with our suckler herd as replacements for the Charolais bull. The bulls were squaring up a bit!
Aberdeen Angus bulls
Aberdeen Angus bulls
Magnolia laevifolia ‘Summer Snowflake’ contrasting gorgeously with Rhododendron niveum.
Magnolia laevifolia ‘Summer Snowflake’
Magnolia laevifolia ‘Summer Snowflake’
First flowers on Rhododendron degronianum hept. ‘Oki Koki’.
Rhododendron degronianum hept. ‘Oki Koki’
Rhododendron degronianum hept. ‘Oki Koki’

Allen Coombes has questioned the naming of an ancient shelterbelt in the Auklandii Garden of Quercus myrsinifolia as perhaps being Quercus glauca?

Here are Alan’s comments to me:
Are you sure of the identification of your Q. myrsinifolia? It looks a little like Q. glauca as myrsinifolia normally has narrower leaves. If you look closely at the underside of the leaf Q. glauca has hairs pressed against the leaf surface, looking like 2 hairs coming from one point, Q. myrsinifolia is nearly glabrous. If you can send a close up photo of the leaf underside I may be able to tell, these species have been confused for a long time. There is a specimen at the Hillier Herbarium of Q. glauca from Caerhays, grown as Q. myrsinifolia, collected by David Hunt in 1997. It was described as having leaves downy beneath.Here is a picture of the underside of the leaves. I do not easily see the double hairs he refers to even with a magnifying glass.

underside of the leaves
underside of the leaves
To which Allen replies:
Yes, these hairs are not always easy to see. On the last photo PS120033 I can see them just inside the top margin of the lower leaf, they all point in the same direction, from the base of the leaf towards the apex, so I would call this Q. glauca. I suspect it is one of these that David Hunt collected.

2020 – CHW
I have referred to Matt Ridley’s articles in previous diary entries.

Last week’s (Thursday) Spectator only arrived here on Tuesday thanks to the bank holiday and postal workers taking a sneaky day off on Saturday.

Ridley’s article reads exactly as I have been arguing for days here but with much greater clarity and far more knowledge of the facts. If Lord Sumption set the moral and ethical case for ending lockdown (see last Sunday’s diary) then Ridley sets forward the practicalities based on what we know (and do not know) so far from the data.

Like all sensible people he ridicules Professor Ferguson and the Imperial College modelling which forced the government, so unwisely, into lockdown.

Everyone should read this to understand what a monstrous absurdity and financial disaster lockdown has been.

A week of cold NE winds which are drying up the nursery today.

Rhododendron cinnarbarinum subsp. xanthocodon looking great on the drive at Burncoose today.

Rhododendron cinnarbarinum subsp. xanthocodon
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum subsp. xanthocodon
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum subsp. xanthocodon
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum subsp. xanthocodon
Polygonatum multiflorum growing well beside the drive.
Polygonatum multiflorum
Polygonatum multiflorum
The old (and layered) Rhododendron campylocarpum looking a bit frail.
Rhododendron campylocarpum
Rhododendron campylocarpum
Magnolia ‘Judy Zuk’ opposite the mist houses.
Magnolia ‘Judy Zuk’
Magnolia ‘Judy Zuk’
Magnolia ‘Judy Zuk’
Magnolia ‘Judy Zuk’
Rosa banksia ‘Alba Plena’ at the front of Burncoose House.
Rosa banksia ‘Alba Plena’
Rosa banksia ‘Alba Plena’
Rosa banksia ‘Alba Plena’
Rosa banksia ‘Alba Plena’
Rosa banksia ‘Alba Plena’
Rosa banksia ‘Alba Plena’
Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’ just coming out. Normally cut for Chelsea but not this year!
Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’
Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’
Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’
Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’
A nice little group of white violets opposite the kitchen window.
white violets
white violets
The original and very elderly plant of Colletia paradoxa (cruciata) growing behind Burncoose House.
Colletia paradoxa
Colletia paradoxa
On the way back I stopped to photograph what I think is a good Pinus mugo ‘Ophir’ growing in Carnon Downs.
Pinus mugo ‘Ophir’
Pinus mugo ‘Ophir’
At Monica Trudgeon’s garden in Caerhays Village a well clipped hedge of Senecio ‘Sunshine’ with a few flowers coming out.
Senecio ‘Sunshine’
Senecio ‘Sunshine’
Senecio ‘Sunshine’
Senecio ‘Sunshine’
Now that we have cleared the rubbish from the front of the old schoolhouse a fine display of mixed colours of aquilegia has suddenly emerged from the bare soil.
aquilegia
aquilegia
Rhododendron royallii ‘Caerhays Apricot’
Rhododendron royallii ‘Caerhays Apricot’
Rhododendron royallii ‘Caerhays Apricot’
Rhododendron royallii ‘Caerhays Apricot’
Rhododendron royallii ‘Caerhays Apricot’
This rhododendron was a gift to us. It is labelled Rhododendron ‘Chip Lima’ which may or may not be correct. Very good though!
Rhododendron ‘Chip Lima’
Rhododendron ‘Chip Lima’
Rhododendron ‘Chip Lima’
Rhododendron ‘Chip Lima’
CHW with a flower of Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’ destined for the Garden Society’s centenary book. We cannot have a group photo in lockdown so this is how we have to do it!
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’
This is another record of the last surviving original Magnolia sieboldii sinensis with masses of flowers this year.
Magnolia sieboldii sinensis
Magnolia sieboldii sinensis
Magnolia sieboldii sinensis
Magnolia sieboldii sinensis
Magnolia sieboldii sinensis
Magnolia sieboldii sinensis
Magnolia sieboldii sinensis
Magnolia sieboldii sinensis

2019 – CHW
Arum lilies (Zantedeschia aetheopica) full out already and perhaps cuttable for Chelsea?

Arum lilies
Arum lilies
Arum lilies
Arum lilies
Quite a few days recently of first ever flowerings here. Now Juglans ailanthifolia has some reddish flower spikes. Rather odd to put it mildly.
Juglans ailanthifolia
Juglans ailanthifolia
Juglans ailanthifolia
Juglans ailanthifolia
Now Daphniphyllum oldhamii also with its first flowers at about 6-8ft in height. A Crug Farm introduction. The new growth is spectacular.
Daphniphyllum oldhamii
Daphniphyllum oldhamii
Daphniphyllum oldhamii
Daphniphyllum oldhamii
A pale yellow deciduous azalea perfectly full out at Donkey Show. No name known.
deciduous azalea
deciduous azalea
deciduous azalea
deciduous azalea
The first flowering here for 20 to 30 years of Magnolia fraseri. As at Borde Hill this is out now but I remember the old trees flowering here only in late summer.
Magnolia fraseri
Magnolia fraseri
Magnolia fraseri
Magnolia fraseri
Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’, one of my mother’s favourites, nicely out on a wall. After a severe pruning two years ago to make way for repointing the wall it is at last flowering again decently.
Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’
Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’

2018 – CHW
A trip up the drive to inspect azaleas that might cut for Chelsea. Rhododendron kuisianum and Rhododendron ovatum as well as Azalea ‘Black Hawk’ and Azalea ‘Ledifolia Alba’ are possibles.Although late in the day the new Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Amber Glow’ has just been planted in a very wet spot on the drive.
Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Amber Glow’
Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Amber Glow’
Enkianthus cernuus recurvus is full out with the edges of the fully out bells recurved. A dwarf form which is flowering better than ever before.
Enkianthus cernuus recurvus
Enkianthus cernuus recurvus
Sorbus ‘Cloth of Gold’ with attractive and very early flowers. Planted in 1993.
Sorbus ‘Cloth of Gold’
Sorbus ‘Cloth of Gold’
Another Staphylea pinnata (correctly named) just coming out. Planted in 2014.
Staphylea pinnata
Staphylea pinnata
Staphylea pinnata
Staphylea pinnata
Then to Burncoose to sort out the pot sizes for the two Chelsea Plant of the Year entries. The RHS supply the pots but they have to fit ours.
Justin has loaded a pallet of leaves, pots, bits of wood etc to be sent by courier tomorrow direct to our Chelsea stand to make more room on the lorry for loading plants later today.
Justin has loaded a pallet of leaves, pots, bits of wood etc
The rhododendrons for the stand have been put in the shade prior to loading. All but a few are in tight-ish bud and, so far, looking good.
rhododendrons for the stand
rhododendrons for the stand
rhododendrons for the stand
rhododendrons for the stand

2017 – CHW
Azalea ‘Caerhays Lavender’ just going over and the yellow new growth is fading to green. What a wonderful plant this is with the two contrasting colours.

Azalea ‘Caerhays Lavender’
Azalea ‘Caerhays Lavender’
Azalea ‘Caerhays Lavender’
Azalea ‘Caerhays Lavender’
Magnolia sieboldii ‘Pride of Norway’ is not out yet although other cultivars are as we have seen. Sieboldii ‘Colossus’ is not either.
Magnolia sieboldii ‘Pride of Norway’
Magnolia sieboldii ‘Pride of Norway’
Magnolia sieboldii ‘Pride of Norway’
Magnolia sieboldii ‘Pride of Norway’
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’ is full out in the garden. Simply gorgeous with its pink outer tepals. We have three or four put in shade in pots for Chelsea. This must be the best late May flowering magnolia by far now. What a spectacle and to think it took us years to notice it was even flowering!
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’
A huge elderly clump of Rhododendron loderi which I usually miss during Chelsea week is out early. Quite a sight today.
Rhododendron loderi
Rhododendron loderi
Rhododendron loderi
Rhododendron loderi
A young group of three Rhododendron ‘Polaris’ flowering nicely.
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’
The first flowering at Caerhays of Halesia macgregori. We had better make this plant deer proof and raise the height of the wire netting. Tom has much larger plants at Tregrehan.
Halesia macgregori
Halesia macgregori
Halesia macgregori
Halesia macgregori
Azara dentata I think with its flowers shining in the evening sun. Very full of flowers this year and showing up well which azaras generally do not – smell aside! Actually it might be Azara serrata but I forgot to inspect the underside of the leaves to check. I planted three species of azara here but one is dead and one looking very sick nearby. Azara microphylla ‘Variegata’ on the other side of the path below Donkey Shoe is now 15ft plus tall but no flowers out today. I guess it is Azara serrata actually as Azara dentata is much more tender and is probably the one which died.
Azara dentata
Azara dentata
Azara dentata
Azara dentata
Azara dentata
Azara dentata
Pieris japonica ‘Charles Williams’, named after my great uncle, is flowering late. This record tree has survived the ravages of phytophthera unlike many others here and in other key woodland gardens – especially Windsor.
Pieris japonica ‘Charles Williams’
Pieris japonica ‘Charles Williams’
Pieris japonica ‘Charles Williams’
Pieris japonica ‘Charles Williams’
The last survivors of the big clump of Rhododendron ‘Mrs Lionel de Rothschild’ which was destroyed by a falling Pinus radiata five years ago. A tough and reliable hybrid which is easy to grow.
Rhododendron ‘Mrs Lionel de Rothschild’
Rhododendron ‘Mrs Lionel de Rothschild’
Cut Rhododendron ovatum might make Chelsea as it did last year. Where there are no flowers look how advanced the new growth is! A relatively unknown and unloved species I fear.
Rhododendron ovatum
Rhododendron ovatum
Rhododendron ovatum
Rhododendron ovatum
Rhododendron kiusianum is coming out. This huge clump has a slight white star in the centre of its flowers when full out unlike the one in the Rockery seen last week. It is not quite a lilac form but there are much darker ones when one inspects the ‘Pocket Book of Rhododendron Species’ – you need a very large pocket or a bag!
Rhododendron kiusianum
Rhododendron kiusianum
Rhododendron kiusianum
Rhododendron kiusianum
Rhododendron kiusianum
Rhododendron kiusianum

2016 – CHW
The rhododendrons are at their peak; far too far on in the main for Chelsea and little time to appreciate and enjoy them while battling the RHS maladministration over our exhibitor’s tickets. We filled in the forms in late January! Too boring and incompetent to bother with here but, year on year, absolutely no improvement. Frustration and annoyance before we even load the first lorry on Monday. How do those idiots think we can put up three lorry loads of plants on our stand over six days with just four build up tickets? Rhododendron Naomi Group – in the rhodo planting above Rogers Quarry.
Rhododendron Naomi Group
Rhododendron Naomi Group
Rhododendron Naomi Group
Rhododendron Naomi Group
Rhododendron ‘Nancor’ (our own hybrid) might just make it for Chelsea.
Rhododendron ‘Nancor’
Rhododendron ‘Nancor’
Rhododendron ‘Nancor’
Rhododendron ‘Nancor’
Rhododendron ‘May Day’, bred by my grandfather,  A M Williams, is sadly far too far out for Chelsea. Yet another!
Rhododendron ‘May Day’
Rhododendron ‘May Day’
Rhododendron ‘May Day’
Rhododendron ‘May Day’
Rhododendron ‘May Day’
Rhododendron ‘May Day’
Rhododendron ‘May Day’
Rhododendron ‘May Day’
Magnolia ‘Woodsman’ x ‘Patriot’ (unnamed) is this extraordinary blue colour when it first opens turning a more yellow inside. Who would believe that there really is a blue magnolia?
Magnolia ‘Woodsman’ x ‘Patriot’
Magnolia ‘Woodsman’ x ‘Patriot’
Magnolia ‘Woodsman’ x ‘Patriot’
Magnolia ‘Woodsman’ x ‘Patriot’
Magnolia ‘Woodsman’ x ‘Patriot’
Magnolia ‘Woodsman’ x ‘Patriot’
Nothing on the planting records about this lovely group of rhododendrons which are pink in bud opening white. Not really loderi forms. They look like layers or certainly our own produced plants.
group of rhododendrons
group of rhododendrons
group of rhododendrons
group of rhododendrons
I had entirely forgotten that we even had a decent plant of Rhododendron thompsonii left in the garden after many failures. This species never does well in Cornwall as it hates our high rainfall and milder conditions. Mind you it did not look too healthy in the Valley Gardens at Windsor either last weekend. A difficult species.
Rhododendron thompsonii
Rhododendron thompsonii
Rhododendron thompsonii
Rhododendron thompsonii
A young plant of Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’ is just out. Missing out on Chelsea yet again. This is getting really alarming for our cut stuff next week.
Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’
Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’
Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’
Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’

2015 – CHW

Chelsea van
Chelsea van

Second lorry leaves for Chelsea so time to look for rhododendrons which will be over by the time we all get back from London.
Rhododendron aberconwayi – we seem to have three good newish lots of these which are developing a nice compact habit.

Rhododendron aberconwayi
Rhododendron aberconwayi
Rhododendron aberconwayi
Rhododendron aberconwayi
Rhododendron aberconwayi
Rhododendron aberconwayi
Rhododendron ‘Lems Cameo’ – I always seem to miss this but do not really like the colour especially when first out.
Rhododendron ‘Lems Cameo’
Rhododendron ‘Lems Cameo’
Rhododendron ‘Lems Cameo’
Rhododendron ‘Lems Cameo’
Rhododendron lindleyi – superb but the most short lived of the lot.
Rhododendron lindleyi
Rhododendron lindleyi
Rhododendron lindleyi
Rhododendron lindleyi
Rhododendron ‘Nancy Evans’ – no idea who she was but hardy and a good garden plant.
Rhododendron ‘Nancy Evans’
Rhododendron ‘Nancy Evans’
Rhododendron ‘Nancy Evans’
Rhododendron ‘Nancy Evans’
Rhododendron ‘Nancy Evans’
Rhododendron ‘Nancy Evans’
Rhododendron ‘Nancor’ – plastered in flower.  Almost a rockery plant (aureum x hanceanum).  Caerhays bred.
Rhododendron ‘Nancor’
Rhododendron ‘Nancor’
Rhododendron ‘Nancor’
Rhododendron ‘Nancor’
Rhododendron ‘Nancor’
Rhododendron ‘Nancor’
Rhododendron ‘Beauty of Littleworth’ an old hybrid probably unavailable in the trade today but a superb show.  Planted the two lots in about 1980 and 1991.  The former now relieved of the laurel hedge is flourishing.
Rhododendron ‘Beauty of Littleworth’
Rhododendron ‘Beauty of Littleworth’
Rhododendron ‘Beauty of Littleworth’
Rhododendron ‘Beauty of Littleworth’
Rhododendron ‘Beauty of Littleworth’
Rhododendron ‘Beauty of Littleworth’
Rhododendron concinnum – great purple but the flowers have a more open form than the Burncoose plant by the pond and are not as dark.
Rhododendron concinnum
Rhododendron concinnum
Royalii hybrids – just when we thought these had been lost too here are two colours.  An absolute must to propagate.  Perhaps they too have crassum in them rather than cinnabarinum?  Need to check planting records.  Superb nonetheless.   Seems to be a gap in the pre 1997 and post 1988 planting records.  Jaimie says that his predecessor, Philip Tregunna, gave up on these when I started doing the planting on days when it suited me and without him!
RHODODENDRON Royalii hybrids
RHODODENDRON Royalii hybrids
RHODODENDRON Royalii hybrids
RHODODENDRON Royalii hybrids
Rhododendron orbiculare – we have bought in several plants and raised several from seed since our original plant by the main quarry was soon to be dying.  All have smaller leaves, usually damaged leaves, and much smaller flowers than our original.  This one is a case in point.  Piss poor!  This species will not go from cuttings and the seed does not seem to be true or the seedlings robust.
Rhododendron orbiculare
Rhododendron orbiculare
Rhododendron orbiculare
Rhododendron orbiculare
Rhododendron davidsonianum – an original clump from Forrest 1932 expedition.  Note the colour variation between the plants.
Rhododendron davidsonianum
Rhododendron davidsonianum
Rhododendron davidsonianum
Rhododendron davidsonianum
Rhododendron davidsonianum
Rhododendron davidsonianum
I thought this tall growing upright red was called ‘Lord Aberconway’ but cannot easily find it in the reference books under this or a similar Bodnant name.  I am pretty sure Lord and Lady Aberconway gave this to my father one day when they visited Caerhays in the snow (and much to my mother’s disgust on Grand National day) at least 35 years ago.  It is 15 to 20 feet tall today and very upright.   I think, on reflection, that this is Rhododendron venator, a species?

1984 – FJW
1491 for Open Day. Fine – near drought conditions.

1960 – FJW
Storms continue. Decorum x Orbiculare and Burmanicum x Dalhousiae have been very good. Laurel hedge behind Doltsopa and old Robusta have been cut back as has been hedge by Rogers Quarry.

1938 – JCW
Megacalyx giving a lot of flowers. Smellies just as good as they have ever been. Auklandii has been better than I ever saw it before. Davidsonianum goes back.

1929 – JCW
Lindleyi well open. Auklandii very good. No roses in the beds. Callimorphum not yet open. Some Davidsonianums good and some Chartophyllums.

1924 – JCW
I go to Scotland tomorrow, we are a few days behind 1904, 20 Fortunei open, Augustinii over. Callimorphum very good. Dalhousiae open.

1905 – JCW
Just as above, all the daffs have gone but Recurvas and the double. Azaleas near their best. A good many roses. R dalhousi very good.

1904 – JCW
The maples, Auklandii’s and bluebells are at their best. Fortunei, Royali and C montana are half open.