2020 – CHW
I see that the Welsh health minister has not been observing the (self-imposed and different) Welsh lockdown rules either but no mention of this on the BBC of course who continue to keep Cummings top of the news agenda. David Starkey has a good (long) video or two about the BBC’s ‘cultural Marxism’, as he calls it, in relation to Brexit and, now, on the response by the government to COVID 19.It really does make you think. Here is the latest video link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S8Js-tEmlg&feature=youtu.beI was sitting outside the front door when out of the corner of my eye I saw a brown flash go under Lizzie’s car. Keeping totally still a stoat emerged with its nose to the ground on the trail of something (possibly the partridges which have been roosting nearby or the sitting hen pheasant) and quite oblivious to me. It came to within 6ft of my feet and still never twigged. It ran off, still hunting, to the bed with the Rhododendron ‘Fragrantissimum’. I have seen no rabbits on the lawn this year – in fact never less rabbits here all over and fear they have all died from the new rabbit virus. The rabbit droppings which I see are small and unhealthy as you find when there is myxy about but the dogs have caught no myxy rabbits so far.Here is a picture of Schoolhouse Meadow where weed killer was inadvertently used on a spring barley crop instead of a fertiliser.

Deutzia x hybrida ‘Strawberry Fields’ nearly full out on the drive.

So the ilex and Photinia investigation continues with Tom Hudson.

We decide that all five of the ilex in the Rookery are Ilex kingiana. Nobbles on the trunks, a black hue to this year’s new growth and two year old stems developing a light brown ‘woody’ covering.

Passing through Rookery Nursery we deadhead the three young Rhododendron ‘Barbarella’ to encourage new growth development in this dry spell.

An elderly white wisteria in a yew tree above the shop.

Very different spiny new growth on Ilex dimorphophylla to the rounded mature leaves.

A young Ilex latifolia or at least that is what it was sold to us as. Here with berries and flowers.

Still plenty of flowers on Rhododendron keysii.

Ilex spinigera with berries forming. A new one to Tom.

A single flower on Rhododendron cinnarbarinum subsp. xanthocodon Purpurellum Group.

Styrax formosanus var. hatayanus with incredible scent.

Bark fissures or splits in Photinia beauverdiana var. notabilis.

The clump of three ilex by the Podocarpus. The one with the largest base appears to be Ilex kingiana (formerly Ilex insignis).

The other two have been identified as Ilex latifolia but bear no resemblance at all to the young plant. Leaves much smaller as you can see even though all three trees have similar and nobbly trunks.

Berries on the ground under a possibly self-sown Ilex kingiana near Higher Quarry Nursery.

Tom inspects Photinia glomerata which Roy Lancaster says is definitely correctly named but Hillier’s suggests plants under this name may be Photinia serrulata.

Tom has brought some of his holly species for us to admire.Ilex rubra from Mexico.

Ilex yunnanensis var. parvifolia – not very holly like flowers or leaves which might easily be confused as something other than an Ilex – myrtle? Much larger white flowers than the tiny cream ones seen recently on Ilex yunnanensis here.

Photinia serratifolia? Pretty similar to the Photinia behind the Camellia ‘Captain Rawes’.

Ilex fargesii which died out here long ago. A good tree which we need to replace.

The exceptional Ilex nothofagifolia which has Nothofagus leaves and a tiered growth habit as a small tree.

Ilex dipyrena – proving beyond a doubt that our tree by the greenhouse steps is Ilex bioritsensis and not I. dipyrena as it had been called previously (for years).

An unnamed and, as yet, unidentified Keith Rushforth (10131) collected Photinia species from China. Striking undersides to the leaves.

So we conclude:1. The two very ancient and huge ilex above Crinodendron Hedge which are too tall to inspect properly are very probably the same as two of the three ilex by the Podocarpus clump

2. Whether these four trees are Ilex latifolia, Ilex corallina or some other species is still just speculation at the moment. Is our young Ilex latifolia true to name? Probably as it has huge leaves and is mature enough to be producing berries. These are however nothing like the much smaller leaves on these four elderly trees. We know I. corallina used to grow here but we thought it had died out. I. latifolia has been stated by previous experts.

3. Ilex kingiana has naturalised itself in the garden and is thriving. Tom’s young plant which he brought a twig of was more or less identical.

4. We are no closer to being certain of the identification of the row of three Photinia in Ririei Opening and the one by Georges Hut. The first in the row (and fully evergreen) is very probably Photinia prunifolia. The other three are more like what we used to call Stransvaesia but may be Photinia glabra (two of them anyway). All four have some spines on newer growth.

5. Ilex ficiodes is probably correctly named

6. Is Ilex centrochinensis actually Ilex verticellata? Probably not but Tom is checking.

7. Photinia microphylla here is the same as Tom’s

8. Photinia nussia here is the same as Tom’s. Ditto Photinia nitakayamensis

9. The three Photinia villosa forms from Crûg are different and very probably correctly named

So no great revelations and more research needed. We ought to propagate Ilex kingiana. Asia has grown Ilex cornuta and Ilex dimorphophylla successfully in the last year. The lists we worked from are attached. Ilex draft & Photinia draft.

Here is a follow up email from Tom:From: Tom Hudson
Sent: 31 May 2020 09:17
To: Charles Williams PA
Subject: LeavesDear Charles,
Another stimulating day looking at green leaves….I enjoyed it very much.
It is a good idea to concentrate on these background Genera which after all make up quite a chunk of the Asian Flora.Today would have been the Tregrehan Plant Fair day, tis ansome and peaceful instead, joy, as I have just done a round of the greenhouses, perfect morning, heavy scents in the air of Roses, Cordylines, Michelias, Honeysuckles, etcBeen doing some homework from Friday.
There are a few things which look interesting, I have listed below.The bioritsensis holly by the nursery a nice tree, didn’t realise it got that big.
It does fit with three small plants I have which have from Emei shan, Sichuan; have changed their names frequently, ciliospinosa was the previous synonym.The 2 large trees next to the Ilex kingiana and the Podo salignus trees definitely aren’t latifolia.
I’m not sure what it is though, one for Susyn to return to.
The small tree which was a gift possibly from Thomas could well be!
I have checked the leaf in the Flora of China and the numbers of veins, size/shape and the black tip to the teeth are all correct in the key.
Attractive small tree and worth noting.The 1st of the unknown Rosaceous trees I have sent an image to Keith Rushforth to have a look at.
I am pretty sure that the second tree by the laurels and the track is Malus rockii, I don’t know why Hillier don’t list it? .
Fits well in the Flora of China.
I have a small group of three growing here that came from just north of Lijiang in Yunnan.The large evergreen Photinia tree on the end of the row of 3 big trees by the Ririei opening is P. prunifolia not P. prionophylla.
Prunifolia has very characteristic black scales on the leaf underside and petiole which are easy to pick out with a hand lens.
I’m not sure whether it was me writing a name down incorrectly or not re the above.
The other 2 listed as P. glabra in your list, tricky to key from leaf only and don’t have brown scales on the leaves which the Flora of China said they should have.The Photinia glomerata a mystery as Hillier describes.
It will be interesting to hear back from Gary about the origins of the tree at Trewithen.The two old warriors we looked at last of all, amazing lumps still hanging in there.
With the ancient Manglietia blown out they may rejuvenate from their bare stems and leaf up with the extra light.Thanks for the afternoon, still quite surreal sitting outside your front door in the evening sun with no one around.
Interesting small hollies you gave me, I do like the dimorphylla, hopefully not just for the great name.
Also the Fairy Lime which does sound like a genuine colour break. Mark Jury bred not Vance Hooper after looking up.Kind regards,
Tom

PS My turn next…..

2019 – CHW
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’ (Magnolia globosa x Magnolia virginiana) was scenting the path. The white flowers soon fade to creamy but this is a superb magnolia. Neither of its parents are yet in flower and both grow nearby.

Magnolia virginiana ‘Satellite’ is nearly out.

One plant of Rhododendron nuttallii is just coming out. Another, beside it, is still in tight bud.

Rhododendron stamineum in the Rockery is just out with its ‘honeysuckle’ flowers.

There is always pure white campion and the pink by the Playhouse.

Azalea ‘Rosebud’ flopped on the Chelsea stand and had to be replaced. Here it still looks perfect.

Crataegus laevigata ‘Crimson Cloud’ as good as ever in the Isla Rose Plantation.

Aesculus x mutabilis ‘Induta’ had pride of place in the Morgan Stanley show garden at Chelsea which deservedly won a gold. Here is our plant with even larger flowers above the greenhouse.

Syringa wilsonii flowering for the first time in the frames. Excellent!

Another new species of Philadelphus with its first flowers – Philadelphus satsumi. No great scent.

Sorbus dunnii with its first flower head.

Asia has grown a fine amaryllis for the house.

Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Golden Sun’ now in leaf. The leaves are no longer yellow as they were when they first emerged but the bark and young stems are yellowish.

The huge clump of Cordyline australis is plastered in flower but it is interesting to note the many vigorous new shoots emerging from the base which have no flowers.

2018 – CHW

Fagus longipetiolata just in leaf with (initially) attractive and large coppery coloured leaves. The upper new growth twigs droop downwards. An excellent ornamental species.

Crataegus laevigata ‘Pauls Scarlet’ is still one of my favourite plants. Although Crataegus ‘Crimson Cloud’, planted this year, is very fine too. This plant needs re-staking yet again.

Rhododendron ‘Lems Monarch’ at its very best.

Flower buds appearing on Magnolia ‘Blue Opal’. Smaller but even bluer than Magnolia ‘Woodsman’ x ‘Patriot’.

Leptospermum scoparium ‘County Park Blush’ has survived the ‘Beast’ in a chilly spot. A new variety to us presumably once bred by County Park nurseries in Essex.

2017 – CHW
Magnolia sieboldii ‘Colossus’ has a large flower but is really not that different to the normal species or to ‘Pride of Norway’ come to that. We now have about five different named clones of Magnolia sieboldii and none are that special really. Worth their place and flowering over four to six weeks between them though.

Ehretia thyrsiflora grown from seed originally is just coming into leaf. Quite a nice purple hue to the new growth of this bizarre and really rare plant. We grow two other species of ehretia which appear rather similar (Ehretia dicksonii and Ehretia anacua). Hillier’s say Ehretia thyrsiflora is properly called Ehretia acuminata. New Trees do not mention ehretia at all. Bean lists just two species which does not include Ehretia anacua but does include Ehretia dicksonii and thyrsiflora. This will be a nice puzzle for the taxonomists and I must get Susyn Andrews fired up to investigate. The older plants went in here in 1991 but we have occasionally had a few in the nursery.

Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Pendulum’ is well away now. What a superb architectural trailing plant. We once had a big one on the stand at Chelsea years ago but I do not think it was this one?

The Pinus insignis trunk photographed on fire on Friday is still burning out well and doing no harm to anything but laurel.

Camellia ‘Kerguelen’ with its peculiar variegated leaves has produced its first flower. Very late indeed it is.

Rhododendron ‘Royal Flush’ – yellow form – is nicely out hidden behind the huge Quercus acuta. Extreme shelter needed to grow this Caerhays hybrid. Most of the other colours succumbed to mildew or rust 30 years ago but with care and spray in the propagating house we now have two or three survivors from the original six forms. Not the best ones of course.

A carpet of fallen flowers under one of the Rhododendron ‘Mrs Bulters’.

Rhododendron ‘Tally Ho’ is tucked away unseen at the top of the garden but very fine and a must to propagate for late season flowering.

This rather horrid ponticum hybrid may be Rhododendron ‘Purity’? Not worth its place and should go to make room in this little glade.

I do not know the name of this rather delicate white-blotched yellow deciduous azalea. This clump is only 30 years old but there are other much older clumps by the Trevanion holly on the drive. It is a rather delicate forerunner to ‘Daviesii’ perhaps but no scent today.

Rosa roxburgii has its first flowers after its recent hard pruning. You would not know looking at the size of it today.

Magnolia sieboldii sinensis x virginiana. Not as good as ‘Porcelain Dove’ but well worth its place. No flowers yet out on Magnolia virginiana itself.