8th February

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

A single flower on a young Rhododendron nobleanum (White Form) on Hovel Cart Road.

Rhododendron nobleanum (White Form)
Rhododendron nobleanum (White Form)
Fallen oak, six branches have knocked down the fence on the Higher Quarry Nursery Bed including the corner post.
branches have knocked down the fence
branches have knocked down the fence
Flowers on some good conventional young plants of Rhododendron moupinense in the nursery bed.
Rhododendron moupinense
Rhododendron moupinense
And flowers also out on the attractive pink budded and pink flowering form of Rhododendron moupinense which we should propagate.
Rhododendron moupinense
Rhododendron moupinense
Rhododendron moupinense
Rhododendron moupinense
Rhododendron moupinense
Rhododendron moupinense
Rhododendron dauricum with a few flowers and new growth.
Rhododendron dauricum
Rhododendron dauricum
Flowers opening on a magnolia outside the Back Yard but they are a muddy colour and frosted albeit on another mild and overcast day.
magnolia outside the Back Yard
magnolia outside the Back Yard

2023 – CHW
One flower now fully out (on a gloomy day) on Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x ‘Darjeeling’.
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x ‘Darjeeling’
Juglans ailantifolia with its dramatic branch arrangement.
Juglans ailantifolia
Juglans ailantifolia
A Camellia saluenensis (seedling) across the path from Camellia x williamsii ‘Beatrice Michael’.
Camellia saluenensis
Camellia saluenensis
First flowers out on Rhododendron moulmainense but only high up.
Rhododendron moulmainense
Rhododendron moulmainense
Rhododendron moulmainense and Camellia saluenensis together.
Rhododendron moulmainense and Camellia saluenensis
Rhododendron moulmainense and Camellia saluenensis
First flowers just showing on an elderly but pale flowered form of Rhododendron irroratum.
Rhododendron irroratum
Rhododendron irroratum
Camellia reticulata ‘Show Girl’. Very early into flower and a very good show on Rookery Path. Flowers open small and then develop to an enormous size. A variety which definitely ought to be more widely grown and enjoyed.
Camellia reticulata ‘Show Girl’
Camellia reticulata ‘Show Girl’
Camellia reticulata ‘Show Girl’
Camellia reticulata ‘Show Girl’
Camellia reticulata ‘Show Girl’
Camellia reticulata ‘Show Girl’

2022 – CHW

Frankie’s digger parked up in Old Park from afar.

Frankie’s digger
Frankie’s digger
Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’ is shedding in the wind already. The flowers do have a little yellow in them as they open.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’
Podocarpus elongatus ‘Blue Chip’ has had a haircut and been re-staked upright. The older foliage is not very blue at this time of the year.
Podocarpus elongatus ‘Blue Chip’
Podocarpus elongatus ‘Blue Chip’
The Magnolia campbellii by Tin Garden is now full out but as it is rather a pale colour it shows up badly against a grey sky.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
The New Zealand made Kania 2000 trap is easily the best way to control squirrels. A good catch this week to save our young trees from damage.
Kania 2000 trap
Kania 2000 trap
The lovely Prunus x incam ‘Okame’ just starting to show (P. campanulata x P. incisa). Bred by Collingwood Ingram.
Prunus x incam ‘Okame’
Prunus x incam ‘Okame’
As is the very similar and equally lovely Prunus ‘Kursar’ (P. campanulata x P. nipponica var. kurilensis). Also bred by Collingwood Ingram.
Prunus ‘Kursar’
Prunus ‘Kursar’

2021 – CHW
A bumblebee feasting on the Mahonia japonica flowers but it is too cold for it to be out and about.

The very first Narcissus cyclamineus are out on the top bank. Earlier than usual perhaps?

Narcissus cyclamineus
Narcissus cyclamineus
One of the old Camellia reticulatas beside the wall has suddenly shed a pile of leaves. A bad omen for its survival.
Camellia reticulatas
Camellia reticulatas
First flower this year on the darker form of Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rawes’ from Tregullow originally. A fine plant for the Auklandii Garden path.
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rawes’
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rawes’
Deer or rabbits have removed nearly all the leaves of this poor little evergreen azalea. This one is better than the other two which will probably die.
azalea
azalea
Sunlight behind the peeling branches of Acer griseum below Slip Rail.
Acer griseum
Acer griseum
Camellia ‘Takanini’ and Tilia cordata ‘Winter Orange’. An interesting combination of red and orange.
Camellia ‘Takanini’ and Tilia cordata ‘Winter Orange’
Camellia ‘Takanini’ and Tilia cordata ‘Winter Orange’
Prunus ‘Kursar’ nearly out in Kennel Close as it usually is.
Prunus ‘Kursar’
Prunus ‘Kursar’
The Tin Garden Magnolia campbellii is nearly out with, today, a little blue sky to show it off for a moment.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
The Crûg collected form (BSWJ 8756) of Ilex cornuta which, unlike our 30 year old mounded plant, has a clear leading shoot and more prickles on its leaves. These are almost rectangular with five spines. Unusual. Now about 8ft tall. Planted 2011.
Ilex cornuta
Ilex cornuta
Ilex cornuta
Ilex cornuta
Ilex cornuta
Ilex cornuta
Also out properly, but rather wind battered, is Magnolia campbellii alba ‘Strybing White’.
Magnolia campbellii alba ‘Strybing White’
Magnolia campbellii alba ‘Strybing White’
Magnolia campbellii alba ‘Strybing White’
Magnolia campbellii alba ‘Strybing White’
One forgets how much darker the Trewithen sport (of Camellia ‘Donation’) Camellia ‘Celebration’ actually is. Here full out alongside Georges Hut.
Camellia ‘Celebration’
Camellia ‘Celebration’
Camellia ‘Celebration’
Camellia ‘Celebration’
Camellia ‘Celebration’
Camellia ‘Celebration’
Contrast the colour to the ‘normal’ Camellia x williamsii ‘Donation’ here alongside Rhododendron irroratum.
Camellia x williamsii ‘Donation’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Donation’
Camellia ‘Kick Off’ (?) just out. Need to check.
Camellia ‘Kick Off’
Camellia ‘Kick Off’
A decent large flower now out on Camellia ‘Mrs D W Davis’. Just the start.
Camellia ‘Mrs D W Davis’
Camellia ‘Mrs D W Davis’
The nobbled and gnarled bark on an elderly county champion Styrax japonica in the sunlight.
Styrax japonica
Styrax japonica

2020 – CHW
A Great Gardens of Cornwall meeting at Trewithen and time for a quick look at the garden. Strangely no magnolias showing colour anywhere that we could see.Rhododendron sutchuanense full out in two different forms although this is not yet the case at Caerhays.
Rhododendron sutchuanense
Rhododendron sutchuanense
Rhododendron sutchuanense
Rhododendron sutchuanense
Eurya japonica also full out with its horrid smell. Again six weeks or so before I would expect this to be out here.
Eurya japonica
Eurya japonica
Eurya japonica
Eurya japonica
Trewithen’s famous clump of Viburnum betulifolium was still covered in red fruits which the birds and squirrels had left alone. Many had fallen to the ground and appeared to have been eaten by mice.
Viburnum betulifolium
Viburnum betulifolium
Viburnum betulifolium
Viburnum betulifolium
Viburnum betulifolium
Viburnum betulifolium
Viburnum betulifolium
Viburnum betulifolium
The bark on the trunk of Stewartia sinensis is identical to ours at this time of the year with peeling more or less complete for the season.
Stewartia sinensis
Stewartia sinensis
Stewartia sinensis
Stewartia sinensis
Acacia melanoxylon full out on a 70ft tree near the house. Ours are still in tight bud.
Acacia melanoxylon
Acacia melanoxylon
Acacia melanoxylon
Acacia melanoxylon

2019 – CHW
A huge elderly Magnolia campbellii seedling coming out in the mist above Crinodendron Hedge.
Magnolia campbellii seedling
Magnolia campbellii seedling
A newly planted (November) Camellia ‘Fiesta Crane’ with its first damaged flower.
Camellia ‘Fiesta Crane’
Camellia ‘Fiesta Crane’
Similarly Camellia reticulata ‘Lovely Lady’, also new from France, with its first flower.
Camellia reticulata ‘Lovely Lady’
Camellia reticulata ‘Lovely Lady’
First huge flowers on Camellia ‘Drama Girl’ above the greenhouse.
Camellia ‘Drama Girl’
Camellia ‘Drama Girl’
Another bud opens on the yellowish Magnolia campbellii. Quite a sight and plenty more buds still to come.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii

2018 – CHW
I can never remember the name of this huge camellia towering over the top wall and now full out. It is mentioned often enough in the diary.

huge camellia towering over the top wall
huge camellia towering over the top wall
The clump of Cordyline australis is impressive when seen from above. All from one plant 30 plus years or so ago.
This large clump of nearly over snowdrops was dug from around The Vean 11 years ago prior to building works starting.
snowdrops
snowdrops
First flower on the very dark ex Tregullow Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rawes’. Nice buds too.
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rawes’
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rawes’
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rawes’
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rawes’
Early flowers on a previously hidden pieris which was under a huge beech tree which fell a year ago. Now exposed to proper light it is performing well.
pieris
pieris
Camellia ‘Silver Anniversary’ with a few poorish flowers in the Rookery. Several youngish plants here in a clump which will give wind protection from easterly gales over time.
Camellia ‘Silver Anniversary’
Camellia ‘Silver Anniversary’
Camellia ‘Silver Anniversary’
Camellia ‘Silver Anniversary’
Another couple of plants of pink form ‘Bo-Peep’ in the Auklandii Garden are just as good as the one seen earlier this week on the drive.
pink form ‘Bo-Peep’
pink form ‘Bo-Peep’
pink form ‘Bo-Peep’
pink form ‘Bo-Peep’
pink form ‘Bo-Peep’
pink form ‘Bo-Peep’

2017 – CHW

Prunus incisa just below the Hovel is just showing its first white flowers. The tree in the Auklandii Garden blew down last year and is still to be cut up and burnt.
Prunus incisa
Prunus incisa
Prunus incisa
Prunus incisa

2016 – CHW
Power out last night at 8.50pm as another gale rages. How do you deal with getting Dad upstairs in his frail state in the dark? Fortunately he was asleep when the blackout came and did not notice at first. Then refused to go upstairs until he had finished his cheese. You try finding the bloody candles in the total darkness in a place like this! Fortunately the power cut lasts only half an hour. Still blowing hard at dawn but it is due westerly so most will be over the top of the garden. Howling westerly gale with 60-70mph winds persists into the day so photography difficult. Twigs, branches and worse on all the paths and drive just when everything was spruced up for opening. Now the wind swings north and is cold.
Magnolias and Climate Change at Caerhays?

A couple more good magnolias discovered out:Magnolia mollicomata ‘Werrington’ in Kennel Close flowering for the first time. An excellent colour and better than I remember the original at Werrington?
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Werrington’
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Werrington’
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Werrington’
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Werrington’
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Werrington’
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Werrington’

Magnolia mollicomata ‘Copeland Court’ below Tin Garden. If you put this in the search box you will discover the rows with developers over the original plant which grows in the garden of the former bishop’s residence at Copeland Court in Truro.

Magnolia mollicomata ‘Copeland Court’
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Copeland Court’

Storm/hail damage now evident on:Michelia doltsopa

Storm damaged Michelia doltsopa
Michelia doltsopa

Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybling White’ with much worse to look at elsewhere after today I fear. You may well have already seen the best of the magnolias for this year.

Storm damaged Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybling White’
Storm damaged Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybling White’
Storm damaged Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybling White’
Storm damaged Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybling White’
Storm damaged Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybling White’
Storm damaged Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybling White’

A few other oddments of note out in flower today:Ilex latifolia with berries

Ilex latifolia with berries
Ilex latifolia with berries

Camellia ‘Fairy Blush’ (to go with yesterday’s Fairy michelia!?)

Camellia ‘Fairy Blush’
Camellia ‘Fairy Blush’
Camellia ‘Fairy Blush’
Camellia ‘Fairy Blush’
Camellia ‘Fairy Blush’
Camellia ‘Fairy Blush’

Camellia ‘Auburn White’ (one flower only)

Camellia ‘Auburn White’
Camellia ‘Auburn White’
Camellia ‘Auburn White’
Camellia ‘Auburn White’

Camellia ‘Mary Costa’ (full out)

Camellia ‘Mary Costa’
Camellia ‘Mary Costa’
Camellia ‘Mary Costa’
Camellia ‘Mary Costa’
Camellia ‘Mary Costa’
Camellia ‘Mary Costa’

Prunus ‘Kursar’ in Kennel Close

Prunus ‘Kursar’
Prunus ‘Kursar’
Prunus ‘Kursar’
Prunus ‘Kursar’
Prunus ‘Kursar’
Prunus ‘Kursar’

Very attractive new growth, not seen before by me anyway, on Podocarpus henkelii. Well worth growing just for this and never mind the huge podocarps (seeds) seen last year at Tregrehan on female plants.

Podocarpus henkelii
Podocarpus henkelii
Podocarpus henkelii
Podocarpus henkelii

Camellia ‘Celebration’ – full out by Georges Hut. A sport of ‘Donaton’ and arguably better!

Camellia ‘Celebration’
Camellia ‘Celebration’
Camellia ‘Celebration’
Camellia ‘Celebration’
Camellia ‘Celebration’
Camellia ‘Celebration’
2015 – CHW
Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’ showing colour but frosted. Also coming out by Lodge at Burncoose. A poor New Zealand bred plant with a smallish flower but it is usually the first magnolia to show colour.

MAGNOLIA 'Strybing White'
MAGNOLIA ‘Strybing White’
MAGNOLIA 'Strybing White'
MAGNOLIA ‘Strybing White’

1999 – FJW
4 flowers on Bishop Peter – good cherry above Burns Bank.1969 – FJW
Second fall of snow in week.1958 – FJW
N. cyclamineus has been out for some days.

1934 – JCW
Lutescens is very good, Conradinae is just opening, Mucronulatum is very nice, not one daff showing yellow.

1933 – JCW
Things looking well, Forrests Camellias are very good, Rho’s much as in 1930.

1930 – JCW
Mrs D H Philson and Barbatum very good, Lutescens nice, P conradinae opening, the western gales of the last 8 weeks seem to have abated.

1927 – JCW
The gilt pink Arboreum is good and so is Lutescens but not much else. No daffs excepting cyclamineus.

1921 – JCW
Far ahead of any of the above in the quantity of shrub bloom particularly heaths (4 kinds) and 22 species of Rhodo’s show some blooms, whilst many hybrids are in full bloom, of the species Barbatum – Blood Red – Argenteum – and the pink Arboreums are the best.

1913 – JCW
Saw the blackthorn open in the cutting.

1912 – JCW
Camellias opening again after the frost, coums under the trees good, snowdrops nice, not much else.

1911 – JCW
Snowdrops and Aconites good, no fresh daffs open for some days, dark and cold weather, coums very good.

1904 – JCW
Snowdrops at their very best. Rho praecox has shown colour for a week.

1903 – JCW
Been in London for a week of mild weather, a great move, some Camellias out, many primroses for the season (seedlings), a good few seedling daff open in the Tin and Kitchen Garden, nothing good, a good lot of R praecox open, snowdrops and coums at their best. An odd Caerhays, Tenby and common open or just opening, also minor open.

1898 – JCW
The first Tenby opening, many H Irving, several Caerhays show colour and open. No new scarlet Incomps above ground except Torch, a good few coums out, many double Ido, one White Hoop, Rhodo praecox well open.

One thought on “8th February

  1. Email received 12.04.16 from Roy Lancaster:

    Dear Charlie,

    Many thanks for sending me a copy of your report on Magnolias and Climate Change which I found most interesting. Although we experienced some woody plants flowering earlier than normal this year they were a few individuals only and most everything else performed as per normal. It is April now and both Magnolia cylindrica and M. ‘Heaven Scent’ in our garden (both TROBI champions) are on time, the former having opened first. A one-off night frost of –8o C put paid to the first blooms of Magnolia x soulangeana in gardens around but later blooms in bud survived to provide a second crop and everyone is happy with their displays.

    Of the several Camellias I grow ‘Inspiration’ was out before ‘Freedom Bell’ in February when it is normally the other way round. It is the idiosyncrasies and unknown factors that make our gardens a source of continuing interest and pleasure, don’t you agree?

    My warm greetings to your father.

    Happy Days,

    Roy

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