2021 – CHW
An examination of the berries on our 2019 planted Cotoneaster species collection. Around two thirds had berries of some sort. Three or four species had as yet unripe berries and one had berries dropping. Many of the names are unpronounceable.
Cotoneaster wilsonii which performed well last year is a standout species.

2020 – CHW
The peculiar and decidedly nasty climber from New Zealand, Rubus squarrosus, has found a home in a shady corner by the front gate. In three years it has developed in size enormously and you can clearly see its long new shoots. Gloves essential!
With no rain for a fortnight and hot weather not an ideal time (yet) to be fungi hunting with the new book.
Crataegus schraderiana now has fully ripe berries and is a really good show.
2019 – CHW
A sudden strong easterly wind has downed all the beech mast and sweet chestnuts all over the drive. This made me wonder if there were any ripe fallen acorns on Quercus lamellosa but sadly they had all fallen a month or so ago when still immature and not really anywhere near ripe. Conversely the large Quercus acuta above Rogers Quarry still has plenty of larger acorns still in place on the tree and not yet ripe enough to drop in the wind.
Despite being cut back in the spring Buddleia lindleyana has reshot vigorously and is now in flower. What a colour!
Tiny cones forming on Saxegothaea conspicua on just the odd branch. Quite a surprise as I had thought that ‘Prince Albert’s yew’ had berries? The reference books say these cones are in fact soft and prickly ‘fruits’ so there we are. Well worth a look in a week or two as I have never seen this before on any of our several young trees or the record tree at Tregullow gardens. I should ask James Williams.
David West from Fromefield Nurseries thought this was Cotoneaster frigidus ‘Inchmery’ when I photographed it last year. The fruit is not plentiful and certainly is not ripe yet but it is yellow now and seems to want to turn pink. I must remember to send fruits to David.
A new to us Daphniphyllum glaucescens has made an excellent small tree. Very different leaf structure to other species and clearly likes being in full sun.
2015 – CHW
A few seeds and berries today.
Stachyurus praecox, although nibbled by deer, is displaying large green seedpods on long tassels. Strangely next spring’s new flower spikes are already much in evidence.


Sorbus folgneri ‘Emiel’ has fruits forming in profusion but they have yet to turn orange and red. One to look out for if the pheasants leave them alone.


2005 – FJW
Picked the first Camellia sasanqua flower.
1998 – FJW
Harvest complete. Latest for a long time.
1917 – JCW
Just as above, the rhodo’s now open are Decorum, Neriiflorum, Scintillans, Felonateium, 10278, Flavidum, Intricatum, Rupicolum, Hippophaeoides, Trichocladum, Fastigiatum and Barum (=10423).
1916 – JCW
Hydrangeas, cyclamen and cassia are all good. Lapagerias nice, several (6-7) species of mountain rhodo’s in flower.