11th August

…Hibiscus syriacus ‘Blue Bird’ nicely out in the nursery where I am for the annual garden tree survey. Hibiscus syriacus ‘Blue Bird’ Hibiscus syriacus ‘Blue Bird’ Cautleya spicata ‘Robusta’ just…

13th February

…GWCT farm bird count will be interesting this year as most migratory birds will have been blown way off course or snuggled down to wait out the ‘Beast’. I saw…

5th September

…3 white flowers. Hedychium spicatum ‘Liberty’ This is what a welcome half an inch of rain looks like in the granite bird bath outside the front door. It has been…

9th September

…3 years – is growing away vigorously with large leaves. Parastyrax species nova (BWJ15185) Parastyrax species nova (BWJ15185) Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Snow Bird’ has recovered from near death in the drought…

4th December

…suddenly it is well out. It really was not yesterday! Camellia ‘Winton’ Camellia ‘Winton’ Camellia ‘Admiral Spry’ is another unexpected early bird. Clearly a bird has had a go at…

3rd August

…newly planted Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Snow Bird’ only just survived the drought with a bit of watering. Die back at the top of the main stem which I cut out but…

27th June

…last with pale blue flowers contrasting with the yellow variegation. Nicer than I expected. Agapanthus ‘Golden Drop’ Echinacea ‘Firebird’ is a good red. Echinacea ‘Firebird’ Lampranthus orange – not obliging…

23rd March

…Penvergate. Magnolia ‘Butterflies’ Magnolia ‘Butterflies’ Magnolia ‘Butterflies’ Magnolia ‘Scented Gem’ (from Kevin Hughes Plants) first flowering. Magnolia ‘Scented Gem’ Magnolia ‘Scented Gem’ Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’ just starting. Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’…

29th September

…CHW The one seed pod on the Magnolia officinalis var biloba is maturing but not yet ripe. Magnolia officinalis var biloba Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’ still has nice secondary flowers on…

6th July

…in the 16th century. My guess is it actually grew from the bird seed on the bird table which was here until my mother died eight years ago. In the…