2021 – CHW
The annual tree survey day in Burncoose gardens.
A pleasant combination of Lobelia cardinalis ‘Queen Victoria’ and Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’.

Here is another – Euphorbia characias ‘Tasmanian Tiger’ and Heuchera ‘Obsidian’.
Aster ‘Rose Crystal’ looking good.
Hoheria sextylosa ‘Pendula’ in flower with Rhaphiolepis umbellata below it right beside the nursery entrance on the A39.
Berries aplenty on Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’.
The little Wollemi pine which has struggled to 10ft or so in 10 to 12 years has suddenly produced a few female flower cones right at the top of a rather branchless stem.
The new bench in the large glasshouse is in position. This will be a weaner bed for rhododendrons and azaleas with no bottom heat.
These cyclamen under the yew trees by the house were always a joy in September when we lived at Burncoose.
2020 – CHW
A single seed pod on Camellia pitardii. Its first ever seed which will be well worth Asia collecting.
A single seed pod on Camellia pitardii. Its first ever seed which will be well worth Asia collecting.
Secondary flowers on Viburnum rhytidophyllum which I had not expected after such a heavy crop of flowers in the summer.
Rhododendron ‘Bowjingles’ flowering in a nursery bed. A pleasant yellow and new to us.
This is what I believe to be Lyonia ovalifolia (in Higher Quarry Nursery) which has not flowered since being knocked down by a tree. Strangely zig-zagged new growth and a nice display of bark on the old trunk which remains.
Secondary flowers on Rhododendron impeditum ‘JC Williams’ – not many perhaps but a nice surprise nonetheless.
I do not remember seeing Clematis armandii having a second flowering either.
But it is very common in Cytisus ‘Porlock’.
The last flower for this year on Romneya coulteri.
Eucomis bicolor’s flowering stems have collapsed as seed sets.
A white flowered form of Amaryllis belladonna is out below the dining room window. Should be pink ones soon too shortly.
Salvia x jamensis ‘Hot Lips’ flowers on and on into winter. An amazingly showy perennial plant with an enormous flowering season.
2019 – CHW
Cotoneaster ‘Exburyensis’ is plastered in what are becoming yellow berries which will become pink tinged later on.
Cotoneaster ‘Exburyensis’ is plastered in what are becoming yellow berries which will become pink tinged later on.
The young Magnolia insignis which flowered so well in the summer has used its energy on secondary new growth. No seed pods at all in evidence sadly.
A young Magnolia macrophylla to replace our elderly specimen which is on its last legs was planted in a very sheltered spot in the spring. It has not grown much but has certainly settled in and looks happy enough.
Zanthoxylum coreanum (or so the label says but perhaps koreanum?) is another new species to us. Here are its first unripe berries and the usual huge spikes on its trunk. Quite different in leaf to the two Zanthoxylum species in Forty Acres which we looked at last week.
Caesalpina japonica (now Caesalpina decapetala) is becoming a dense mounded shrub armed with formidable prickles. The leaves and new growth are acacia like and rather beautiful despite their spines. We have not tried growing this before but it seems perfectly hardy even if a few branches have split and collapsed. It is in full sun but we have yet to see its yellow racemes of flowers in summer. Burncoose stocks Caesalpina gilliesii but this species has larger and more attractive leaves I think.
2018 – CHW
Acer rufinerve ‘Erythrocladum’ looking very fine in the late afternoon sun. The first of the snake bark maples to turn colour properly here this year.
Acer rufinerve ‘Erythrocladum’ looking very fine in the late afternoon sun. The first of the snake bark maples to turn colour properly here this year.
Hydrangea ‘Mme. E. Mouilliere’ still with pristine new flower heads six months on from when I first photographed these earlier this year.
Fuchsia hatschbachii planted only this spring has made enormous growth and is flowering away well as a freestanding garden shrub.
Vitex agnuus castus, the chaste tree, flowering away nicely today. Six to seven feet tall with a similar spread.
2017 – CHW
Ehretia thysiflora has tertiary new growth which is impressive in a rare young plant. The new growth starts purple before fading.
Ehretia thysiflora has tertiary new growth which is impressive in a rare young plant. The new growth starts purple before fading.
Quercus laurifolia too has enjoyed the wet since August and has plenty of secondary new growth with reddish bark. A good trunk is developing. Odd we did not have this in the collection here already. It is a name I remember from 20 to 30 years ago so I guess we did and it has died.
This Salix moupinense was collected in Vietnam and a gift from Penrice Castle. Very different in leaf and habit from our other plant and the ones for sale at Burncoose. Attractive and appears to be becoming a tree rather than a bush.
Crataegus ellwangeriania ‘Fire Ball’ was a gift from Bluebell Nursery. Its fruits are now fully ripe. Enormous for a thorn tree and this one will be much admired in the future.
Tilia dasystyla was only planted this year. Collected by Bob Cheary in northern Iran. Huge leaves already which the slugs have got at. We planted half a dozen new species of lime in the spring. This one has done the best so far.
Viburnum prunifolium, the ‘black haw’ is its common name and you can readily see why! The fruits are sweet and edible. One to take to the Garden Society dinner in early October I think.
A couple of views of the middle bit of the Kennel Close planting after the third grass cut. Some 10 year old trees look as though they have been there for rather longer than this!
2016 – CHW
Some newly planted rarities (this year or last) to inspect today. Mainly bought at massive cost from Crug Farm. Rehderodendron indochinensis has made excellent growth and is hopefully away. Just as well as I paid £85 for it!
Some newly planted rarities (this year or last) to inspect today. Mainly bought at massive cost from Crug Farm. Rehderodendron indochinensis has made excellent growth and is hopefully away. Just as well as I paid £85 for it!
Rehderodendron kwangtungense has some dieback on last year’s new growth and far less new growth but the leaves are huge. It needs staking urgently.
Acer albopurpurascens – you could readily have fooled me that this is an acer like plant at all but it has three separate labels and, thankfully, is doing well.
Huodendron tibeticum is clearly dead. This is the third or fourth huodendron I have now failed with. A beautifully barked genus with very recognisable leaves which is superb at Tregrehan.
Magnolia crassifolia has established and grown well. Well sheltered here and space for it to prosper deer permitting.
2015 – CHW

The topgrafted Sorbus reducta has produced a nice display of white flushed pink berries in small clusters on the tips of the stems. No autumn colour yet.
Crataegus x grignoniensis has huge and very bright red berries. Another topgrafted plant but extremely effective today with the sun on it. This is a hybrid of Crataegus mexicana.