17th 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 Chelsea stand is taking shape and Giles has arrived with the water feature. Still a very long way to go yet and only 4 days more for it to be complete. The pool area is, as usual, leaking everywhere.

The Chelsea stand is taking shape
The Chelsea stand is taking shape
The Chelsea stand is taking shape
The Chelsea stand is taking shape
The Chelsea stand is taking shape
The Chelsea stand is taking shape
A sycamore tree had fallen into the Fernery and, while clearing up the mess, a wrens nest in the trunk of a tree fern.
Weigela florida ‘Variegata’ on Laundry Hill is starting to revert. The flower is the same but some branches are no longer variegated.
Weigela florida ‘Variegata’
Weigela florida ‘Variegata’
Weigela florida ‘Variegata’
Weigela florida ‘Variegata’
Weigela florida ‘Variegata’
Weigela florida ‘Variegata’
Rhododendron ‘Crosswater Belle’ starts off yellowish-green and then turns pinkish. Rather tender even in Cornwall.
Rhododendron ‘Crosswater Belle’
Rhododendron ‘Crosswater Belle’
Rhododendron ‘Crosswater Belle’
Rhododendron ‘Crosswater Belle’
Rhododendron ‘Crosswater Belle’
Rhododendron ‘Crosswater Belle’
Catkin flowers on Quercus variabilis.
Quercus variabilis
Quercus variabilis
Although half dead from drought this is a good dark form of Rhododendron orbiculare. Probably its swansong but certainly one for Asia to collect seed from.
Rhododendron orbiculare
Rhododendron orbiculare
Rhododendron orbiculare
Rhododendron orbiculare
Suddenly something startingly new which I have never seen in flower before. Buddleja speciosissima looks pretty tender. Asia needs to put this top of the list to propagate this summer. What tubular orange bells!
Buddleja speciosissima
Buddleja speciosissima
Buddleja speciosissima
Buddleja speciosissima
Crataegus laevigata ‘Crimson Cloud’ perfect today in the Isla Rose.
Crataegus laevigata ‘Crimson Cloud’
Crataegus laevigata ‘Crimson Cloud’
Crataegus laevigata ‘Crimson Cloud’
Crataegus laevigata ‘Crimson Cloud’
Syringa tomentella from Roundabarrow with its first few flowers.
Syringa tomentella
Syringa tomentella
Abelia floribunda looking good in the Isla Rose. It thrives in a hot and dry location.
Abelia floribunda
Abelia floribunda
Olearia floribunda is another species which we should be propagating regularly. Very attractive small flowers.
Olearia floribunda
Olearia floribunda
Olearia floribunda
Olearia floribunda
Olearia floribunda
Olearia floribunda

2023 – CHW
The weather has turned and the new growth is luxuriant after the rain. A search for new things today.Carya cordiformis coming into leaf. A very distinctive new leaf and habit and this is the second species seen in a few days.

Carya cordiformis
Carya cordiformis
Ilex cerasifolia from Brazil which has survived the winter and now with red new growth.
Ilex cerasifolia
Ilex cerasifolia
Ilex cerasifolia
Ilex cerasifolia
I have stated to concentrate on the rather dull genus Celtis. We now have 3 species recently planted and a couple from earlier which may need proper identification. This is Celtis sinensis. We also have C. australis and C. tournefortii. These Nettle trees or Hackberries originate from Europe, Asia and the USA. They look a bit like Carpinus so plenty of fun in the future working out which is which. Nice bark already on this one.
Celtis sinensis
Celtis sinensis
Celtis sinensis
Celtis sinensis
The white flowered sport of Azalea ‘Greenway’ making a nice clump in Tin Garden.
Azalea ‘Greenway’
Azalea ‘Greenway’
Azalea ‘Greenway’
Azalea ‘Greenway’
Deutzia calycosa ‘Dali’, also in Tin Garden, is quickly making a good sized shrub.
Deutzia calycosa ‘Dali’
Deutzia calycosa ‘Dali’
Deutzia calycosa ‘Dali’
Deutzia calycosa ‘Dali’
Deutzia longifolia from Tom Hudson is an even more vigorous grower.
Deutzia longifolia
Deutzia longifolia
Cercis canadensis ‘Flame’ plastered in flower.
Cercis canadensis ‘Flame’
Cercis canadensis ‘Flame’
Cercis canadensis ‘Flame’
Cercis canadensis ‘Flame’

2022 – CHW

Seven cygnets have hatched on the lake.

cygnets
cygnets
Mallotus japonicus coming into leaf. The deer cannot nibble this now with a higher wire netting surround.
Mallotus japonicus
Mallotus japonicus
Rehderodendron kweichowense (WWJ 12019) flowering properly.
Rehderodendron kweichowense
Rehderodendron kweichowense
Rhododendron ‘Sappho’ outside the back yard nearly over before Chelsea.
Rhododendron ‘Sappho’
Rhododendron ‘Sappho’
Rhododendron ‘Veryan Bay’
Rhododendron ‘Veryan Bay’
Rhododendron ‘Veryan Bay’
Rhododendron zaleucum still flowering a little after its haircut last winter.
Rhododendron zaleucum
Rhododendron zaleucum
Then on to a tour of the garden at Carnanton which has quickly developed over the last 20 years into something excellent and well worth opening to the public. Ash disease on 20 to 30 year old ashes the worst I have yet seen in Cornwall.
Rhododendron unknown
Rhododendron unknown
Rhododendron unknown
Rhododendron ‘Percy Wiseman’
Rhododendron ‘Percy Wiseman’
Rhododendron ‘Percy Wiseman’
Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ just coming out.
Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’
Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’
Rhododendron ‘Silver Lady’?
Rhododendron ‘Silver Lady’?
Rhododendron ‘Silver Lady’?
Rhododendron ‘Silver Lady’?
Rhododendron ‘Silver Lady’?
Rhododendron ‘Winsome’ and Leptospermum ‘Red Damask’.
Rhododendron ‘Winsome’
Rhododendron ‘Winsome’
Rhododendron ‘Winsome’ and Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’.
Rhododendron ‘Winsome’
Rhododendron ‘Winsome’
Unknown but spectacular rose.
rose
rose
rose
rose
The yew avenue was cut down to about 8ft and is now kept trimmed.
yew avenue
yew avenue
Azalea ‘Rosebud’ and Photinia davidiana ‘Pink Marble’.
Azalea ‘Rosebud’
Azalea ‘Rosebud’
The fountain under the weeping willow – gravity fed from the top pond and impressive.
weeping willow
weeping willow
Bulrushes on one of the three lakes.
Bulrushes
Bulrushes
Rhododendron ‘Ken Janeck’?
Rhododendron ‘Ken Janeck’?
Rhododendron ‘Ken Janeck’?
Rhododendron ‘Pink Cherub’
Rhododendron ‘Pink Cherub’
Rhododendron ‘Pink Cherub’
Rhododendron ‘Hoppy’?
Rhododendron ‘Hoppy’?
Rhododendron ‘Hoppy’?
Rhododendron ‘Winsome’
Rhododendron ‘Winsome’
Rhododendron ‘Winsome’
Rhododendron ‘Dopey’
Rhododendron ‘Dopey’
Rhododendron ‘Dopey’
Rhododendron ‘Doc’?
Rhododendron ‘Doc’?
Rhododendron ‘Doc’?
Rhododendron ‘Excelsior’?
Rhododendron ‘Excelsior’?
Rhododendron ‘Excelsior’?
Rhododendron yakushimanum?
Rhododendron yakushimanum
Rhododendron yakushimanum
Rhododendron ‘Silberwolke’?
Rhododendron ‘Silberwolke’?
Rhododendron ‘Silberwolke’?
Rhododendron ‘Hachmann’s Polaris’
Rhododendron ‘Hachmann’s Polaris’
Rhododendron ‘Hachmann’s Polaris’
My rhododendron naming may be a bit inaccurate but these were taken during a wedding!

2021 – CHW
A welcome sight. Large puddles outside the front door in what would have been Chelsea Flower Show week. A dry summer looks less of a worry for the garden.

puddles
puddles
Wisteria floribunda ‘Black Dragon’ just out above the gents’ urinals. It used to mingle with an Actinidia but is now better on its own.
Wisteria floribunda ‘Black Dragon’
Wisteria floribunda ‘Black Dragon’
The very last single flower on one of the original Camellia saluenensis. The first was in November!
Camellia saluenensis
Camellia saluenensis
Camellia ‘Optima’ still has plenty of flowers which is unusual this late in the season.
Camellia ‘Optima’
Camellia ‘Optima’
Azalea ‘Caerhays Lavender’ just out on the Main Ride. Normally over by Chelsea so perhaps a little late this year.
Azalea ‘Caerhays Lavender’
Azalea ‘Caerhays Lavender’
A garden tour today with Susan d’Arcy, a travel writer for The Times, who was staying at The Nare hotel as they reopened after lockdown. Since the hotel is fully booked for the rest of the year, she may hopefully give us a mention!
Susan d’Arcy
Susan d’Arcy
The castle reopened today for tours of only six people (booked online). Scarcely viable with these sorts of numbers but we too need to celebrate another milestone in the route map to the total end of lockdown.

2020 – CHW
We are now in a full blown recession. Recessions mean unemployment and they hurt the poorer sections of society. Looking at it objectively, the worst repercussions will be felt in Africa and third world countries, where recession means starvation and death, probably on an unprecedented scale in modern times.

Listening to the leader of a teaching union try to explain why it was not safe to partially open schools on 1st June despite them having been open in full for a month in Denmark, Sweden; reopening in France, Germany etc, despite all the scientific evidence about children and corona and despite the hardship to parents with young children in tiny flats/houses made me wonder which planet he is living on.

We may (thankfully) not see mass starvation in the UK but we are going to see extreme poverty getting worse with all the hardship and premature death which this may well bring. How can the teaching unions not see this as they try to deprive the young of a whole term’s education? Or do they have an obvious ulterior motive?

A visit to The Vean to check on some of the revamping of the shrubberies in lockdown. Not much progress in a week. Cannot have a fire in lockdown because of smoke is the excuse. But what is to burn was cut weeks ago and is totally dry!

Not sure which malus species this is but doing well. From where I was sitting in the dining room it looked like a Davidia but it was not!

malus
malus
A good Rhododendron crassum as well.
Rhododendron crassum
Rhododendron crassum
Phlomis fruiticosa full out on the bank. A clump of 20ft x 10ft now.
Phlomis fruiticosa
Phlomis fruiticosa
Phlomis fruiticosa
Phlomis fruiticosa
Weigelia ‘Rubidor’ with yellow margined and striped leaves and dark red flowers. It has made a large shrub in 10 years. Perfect for a hot corner situation like this.
Weigelia ‘Rubidor’
Weigelia ‘Rubidor’
Weigelia ‘Rubidor’
Weigelia ‘Rubidor’
A young roe deer prances away from The Vean as I leave. It seems to want to return to The Vean garden.
Azalea ‘Berryrose’ making a good showy clump down from the top lodge.
Azalea ‘Berryrose’
Azalea ‘Berryrose’
The first new flower out on Hydrangea ‘Madam E Mouilliere’ only about three months since I last photographed one on this same bush. What a performance for a hydrangea! The first hydrangea out here too.
Hydrangea ‘Madam E Mouilliere’
Hydrangea ‘Madam E Mouilliere’
Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Amber Glow’ glowing in the sun. What an excellent plant this is here growing in a damp spot where a drive side drain empties.
Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Amber Glow’
Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Amber Glow’
Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Amber Glow’
Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Amber Glow’
A few new things this afternoon. Steve has sent me a picture of Aesculus x marylandica which is not yet in the collection here. This is Aesculus glabra x Aesculus flava and still very rare. It makes a big tree apparently.
Aesculus x marylandica
Aesculus x marylandica
Aesculus x marylandica
Aesculus x marylandica
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’ – the flower bracts are just colouring up. A week or two from the full show.
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Aesculus sylvatica with its first decent flowering in Tin Garden.
Aesculus sylvatica
Aesculus sylvatica
Aesculus sylvatica
Aesculus sylvatica
Aesculus sylvatica
Aesculus sylvatica
The rare Quercus hypoxantha with new leaves and catkin flowers. A gift from Thomas Methuen-Campbell.
Quercus hypoxantha
Quercus hypoxantha
Quercus hypoxantha
Quercus hypoxantha
Aesculus glabra now just out. Few flowers this year.
Aesculus glabra
Aesculus glabra
Aesculus glabra
Aesculus glabra
Aesculus x bushii now full out and nearly over.
Aesculus x bushii
Aesculus x bushii
Populus lasiocarpa ‘Bolonii’ looks a bit different from the usual P. lasiocarpa leaves. This came from Roundabarrow nurseries.
Populus lasiocarpa ‘Bolonii’
Populus lasiocarpa ‘Bolonii’
Populus lasiocarpa ‘Bolonii’
Populus lasiocarpa ‘Bolonii’
Quercus palustris ‘Flaming Suzy’ – having recently spotted this in the greenhouse with no ‘flame’ in its (there) well developed leaves here is the real thing just in leaf. Very good it is too!
Quercus palustris ‘Flaming Suzy’
Quercus palustris ‘Flaming Suzy’
Quercus palustris ‘Flaming Suzy’
Quercus palustris ‘Flaming Suzy’
Quercus palustris ‘Flaming Suzy’
Quercus palustris ‘Flaming Suzy’
I had not really taken in how good Quercus palustris is in full new leaf either in the sun.
Quercus palustris
Quercus palustris
Quercus palustris
Quercus palustris
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’ is absolutely stunning today. A peculiar plant which, understandably, not everyone likes.
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’

2019 – CHW
Although we are now on the way to London I spent an hour looking at new plants yesterday evening. Half a dozen Stewartias (four species and one named cultivar) in the new planting area above the greenhouse will shortly be flowering; most for the first time as four to five year old plants from planting. Several Styrax in a similar state and two new cultivars about to show while we are away. A bit of cheating but so what!This new shrub is labelled Fiax barumina. Interesting foliage but I fear there is a mistake with the real name as I can find nothing in any reference books. Can anyone help identify this? Firmania seems a reasonable guess but it is not F. simplex.
Fiax barumina
Fiax barumina
Fiax barumina
Fiax barumina
A young Carpinus orientalis just into leaf with rounded leaves.
Carpinus orientalis
Carpinus orientalis
Carpinus orientalis
Carpinus orientalis
The rare Carpinus polyneura with a very different leaf formation. In ‘New Trees’ but not Hillier’s.
Carpinus polyneura
Carpinus polyneura
Carpinus polyneura
Carpinus polyneura
A group of three Enkianthus cernuus recurvus with recurved bells so these appear true to name.
Enkianthus cernuus recurvus
Enkianthus cernuus recurvus
Enkianthus cernuus recurvus
Enkianthus cernuus recurvus
Magnolia ‘Honey Liz’ with strange green markings on the outer tepals and quite a nice yellow thereafter.
Magnolia ‘Honey Liz’
Magnolia ‘Honey Liz’
Magnolia ‘Honey Liz’
Magnolia ‘Honey Liz’
This is supposedly Magnolia aff. floribunda var. Tonkinensis (DJHV 06105) from Crug Farm. I had assumed it was actually a Michelia (in former parlance) and had planted it near our original Michelia floribunda. Judging by the tight buds I am assuming that it is in fact a Manglietia but there are no Manglietias with this name that I can find? Tom Hudson told me that floribunda var. tonkinensis should now properly be called ‘X’ – sadly I cannot remember what but he may revise his view when the flowers open in a few weeks’ time?
Magnolia aff. floribunda var. Tonkinensis
Magnolia aff. floribunda var. Tonkinensis
Magnolia aff. floribunda var. Tonkinensis
Magnolia aff. floribunda var. Tonkinensis
Magnolia acuminata ‘Variegata’ does not appear yet to have any variegated leaves but very blue buds.
Magnolia acuminata ‘Variegata’
Magnolia acuminata ‘Variegata’
Rhododendron griffithianum full out. Sadly last year’s layers have been nibbled off by something – deer I assume.
Rhododendron griffithianum
Rhododendron griffithianum
Rhododendron griffithianum
Rhododendron griffithianum
A young group of Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Albiflorus’ is pure white unlike the larger plant above Hovel Cart Road which is tinged pale pink when full out.
Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Albiflorus’
Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Albiflorus’
Jaimie forbade any cutting from the superb pink tinged Rhododendron lindleyi for the Chelsea stand and I am happy to agree.
Rhododendron lindleyi
Rhododendron lindleyi
Rhododendron lindleyi
Rhododendron lindleyi

2018 – CHW
Enkianthus serrulatus has flower clusters that hang down but, as its seed sets the seed cluster instead points upwards. I wonder how many other plants have this characteristic?
Enkianthus serrulatus
Enkianthus serrulatus
Rhododendron lindleyi at its very best. Our older Caerhays plants are pure white but more recent introductions have a pink stripe when they first open.
Rhododendron lindleyi
Rhododendron lindleyi
Rhododendron lindleyi
Rhododendron lindleyi
Rhododendron lindleyi
Rhododendron lindleyi
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’ too far out for Chelsea.
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’
Rhododendron ‘Polaris’
Staphylea colchica now full out and very splendid. Not as good, by far, however as the branch of the same thing which Tom Hudson brought with him to compare. Tom’s came from an eastern European collection and was much larger in leaf and flower.
Staphylea colchica
Staphylea colchica
Staphylea colchica
Staphylea colchica
At last we have located what we believe to be Staphylea bumalda. The flowers are ‘cymose’ which means that the lowest flowers in each flower cluster open first. Tom Hudson brought two small plants with him and the leaves did not match so we may still be guessing!
Staphylea bumalda
Staphylea bumalda
Staphylea bumalda
Staphylea bumalda
Staphylea bumalda
Staphylea bumalda
Phyllocladus trichomanoides (var. alpinus), which came from Mount Congreve 12 years ago, is now a compact shrub. Here it is covered with flower clusters of reddish male strobili. Hard to think of this as a conifer! The reference books say this is ideal as a rockery plant but we saw it as a small tree at Fota gardens in Ireland and elsewhere on our recent trip.
Phyllocladus trichomanoides
Phyllocladus trichomanoides
Phyllocladus trichomanoides
Phyllocladus trichomanoides

2017 – CHW
Two days’ rain, drizzle and sea fog has certainly done wonders for the new growth and general look of the garden. On the downside many of the best rhododendrons have been battered by the rain and are now quite useless for Chelsea. I am starting to seriously worry about what we might cut tomorrow morning.Rhododendron loderi ‘Pink Diamond’ is battered to bits and quite useless. Just a few flowers left with the colour faded.
Faded Rhododendron loderi ‘Pink Diamond’
Faded Rhododendron loderi ‘Pink Diamond’
Faded Rhododendron loderi ‘Pink Diamond’
Faded Rhododendron loderi ‘Pink Diamond’
Rhododendron ‘Ruby Hart’ was good on the stand last year. Now useless.
Rhododendron ‘Ruby Hart’
Rhododendron ‘Ruby Hart’
Rhododendron ‘Ruby Hart’
Rhododendron ‘Ruby Hart’
Camellia ‘Mathotiana Alba’ is always late and has made it some years. A few nice flowers still but too far out.
Camellia ‘Mathotiana Alba’
Camellia ‘Mathotiana Alba’
Camellia ‘Mathotiana Alba’
Camellia ‘Mathotiana Alba’
Magnolia ‘Daphne’; this one growing in the shade looked ‘good to cut and go’ on Sunday. Now not a hope!
Magnolia ‘Daphne’
Magnolia ‘Daphne’
Magnolia ‘Daphne’
Magnolia ‘Daphne’
Rhododendron loderi ‘Lems Monarch’ is however a possibility.
Rhododendron loderi ‘Lems Monarch’
Rhododendron loderi ‘Lems Monarch’
Rhododendron loderi ‘Lems Monarch’
Rhododendron loderi ‘Lems Monarch’
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’ is another possible starter although I loathe is (even in the mist as here)!
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’
Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’
First flower out on Magnolia x wiesneri. Others might just cut?
Magnolia x wiesneri
Magnolia x wiesneri
Magnolia x wiesneri
Magnolia x wiesneri
An interesting approach from a US forestry department official seeking to prove that the wrong magnolia had been used on some project. He was expecting Magnolia virginiana but thinks he has got Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’ which is a cross between Magnolia virginiana and Magnolia globosa. I take some pictures of Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’ which is nearly out here and Magnolia globosa which is not yet and email them over to Rockville saying I do not want any part of the row!
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Magnolia globosa
Magnolia globosa
Wisteria floribunda ‘Violacea Plena’ is always a shy flowerer and the flowers are easily hidden by leaves. Too far out for Chelsea now anyway.
Wisteria floribunda ‘Violacea Plena
Wisteria floribunda ‘Violacea Plena
Wisteria floribunda ‘Violacea Plena
Wisteria floribunda ‘Violacea Plena
Wisteria floribunda ‘Violacea Plena
Wisteria floribunda ‘Violacea Plena

2016 – CHW

Most of the day with Asia sorting the early rhododendron and enkianthus cuttings to take in the next two to three weeks. Mainly the scented ones. The rhododendron seeds sown the traditional way in moss and sieved topsoil are germinating like crazy and will now need protection from direct sunlight. Quite a success story but we will soon be short of room for it all. Another greenhouse I expect.

Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Tricolor’ is coming into leaf by the Four in Hand. You have to look to the leaf edges to see rather tiny and irregular evidence of the third colour in the leaf.

Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Tricolor’
Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Tricolor’
Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Tricolor’
Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Tricolor’
Staphylea holocarpa var rosea by the fernery is now a large plant showing up spectacularly today from the drive.
Staphylea holocarpa var rosea
Staphylea holocarpa var rosea
Staphylea holocarpa var rosea
Staphylea holocarpa var rosea
Populus deltoides ‘Purple Tower’ is a new plant to Caerhays. If the leaf stays this bronze colour we are in for a treat. Another plant which will have a foliage impact and possibly the only plant with leaves of this sort in Kennel Close.
Populus deltoides ‘Purple Tower’
Populus deltoides ‘Purple Tower’
Populus deltoides ‘Purple Tower’
Populus deltoides ‘Purple Tower’
Juglans ailanthifolia also has rather special foliage and you would not immediately think ‘walnut’ but that is what it is. There was only ever one rather spindly juglans in the garden which blew over about eight years ago. My mother planted one many years ago in the field below the castle where it has grown slowly. Caterpillars devour the young leaves every year and only the secondary new growth makes any real progress. No idea which caterpillars like walnuts!
Juglans ailanthifolia
Juglans ailanthifolia
Juglans ailanthifolia
Juglans ailanthifolia
2015 – CHW
Chelsea stand nearing completion when the awful news arrives that 22 largely pedigree cattle (almost 20% of the herd) have failed this week’s TB test and are shortly to be culled.  Two more are ‘inconclusive’.   Many of those to be killed have healthy baby calves which will now have to be hand reared with milk in a bucket.   Calves denied their mother are difficult and dangerous to hand feed and some will pine away and die.  Why do those pro badger fascists not give any credence to the cruelty of TB and killing cattle as opposed to supposedly ‘cuddly’ badgers.   At least we may now get a Cornish badger cull from George Eustice in 2016.   In the meantime our farm staff are both distraught and angry.   TB testing every two months from now on and no sales of any of our pedigree cattle other than direct to the abattoir at much less than their true worth.  Arthur, the farm manager, is close to giving up on our pedigree herd of Salers and suggests we use the derisory government compensation when it eventually arrives to buy 100 more Dorset ewes instead of replacements.   I will think on that and cross breeding all the pedigree cows from now on.   A whole farming policy and 15 years of deliberate breeding up the spout or, rather, up the brock.
cattle
Some of our Saler cattle in happier times
Viburnum plicatum ‘Kilimanjaro Sunrise’
Viburnum plicatum ‘Kilimanjaro Sunrise’

This disastrous news is countered by the arrival of Viburnum plicatum ‘Kilimanjaro Sunrise’ which is to be entered into the RHS Plant of the Year (Chelsea 2015) competition.  40 plus entries and we are shortlisted into the last 20 by Sunday evening.

The ‘new’ plant has to be new to the UK market and not exhibited before.   Breeders of new plants (in our case a very nice Dutch firm and their even nicer sales rep Chris Campbell) have to provide plants to a Chelsea exhibitor to put on his stand.  Hilliers had turned Chris down so he rang me at Burncoose only 10 days ago.   We had been trying to find something to enter this hugely commercial and lucrative competition since it started five years ago but larger firms had trumped us particularly on last year’s winner, a hydrangea called Miss Saiori, which ended up on the Hilliers stand despite my best efforts entertaining the grower here the year before.Putting up a stand at Chelsea takes (this year) seven people (who have prepared for weeks if not months) working 10 plus hour days five to six working days each.   We are very fortunate to have horticultural knowledge and artistic talent in Gerry and Louisa with Andrew and Ruta doing the heavy lifting of the props on the first day.   John has an attention to detail which is critical and so we have a TEAM who are unrushed, unfussed, happy and enthusiastic.   After 37 Chelseas I have seen much excellence and a few (self inflicted) disasters but this is all going well and we are finished in good time.

2003 – FJW
First deer seen in Castle Wood.

1991 – FJW
Still dry but mild and the garden flowers hang on well. Azaleas excellent. A few casualties from the great plant out, but the vast majority held up.

1986 – FJW
The latest year seen for some time. Hinomayo just coming. Camellias by no means over. Flowers hanging on well in cool weather. Saw first swallow.

1929 – JCW
M wilsoni opens, the early one. A flower or two of Nicholsoniana. Parviflora shows colour. M brozzoni has been very good and so the various Conspiscus. Wilson’s Aperantha is flowering fairly well.

1920 – JCW
Forrest came. We are ten days ahead of 1919 and Magnolia wilsoni is the best thing open with the Engine House Azaleas. It is about mid season for Azaleas.

1919 – JCW
Auklandii is very good indeed, but are frosted in the 40 Acres. Roylei is good. The Standish plants are very good. Loderi is very nice. Bluebells at their best. May very scarce. Azaleas have hardly started.

1914 – JCW
Auklandii’s now nearly over. 14 to 1500 flowers on the best 40 Acres plants. C montana is very good. Azaleas about their best.

1910 – JCW
Just as above (1909) in point of time, plenty of moisture and it is a fair growing spring.

1909 – JCW
Auklandii would be splendid but for the want of rain. R roylei nice, a few Azaleas, a few Waters rhodo’s. Van Tubergens wane. Mrs Butler a few open. R falconeri fine but for heat.

1906 – JCW
Auklandii never so good as now.