4th March

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 garden tour here and then to Tregothnan.

One of the original Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’s’ in Old Park just coming to its best show.

Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’
Isla, Lamorna and Bea in Old Park.
Isla, Lamorna and Bea in Old Park
Isla, Lamorna and Bea in Old Park
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ with Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ behind it.
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ with Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ with Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Bishop Michael’ in Roger’s Quarry.
Magnolia ‘Bishop Michael’
Magnolia ‘Bishop Michael’
Tom Hudson inspects Juniperus recurva var. coxii.
Tom Hudson inspects Juniperus recurva var. coxii
Tom Hudson inspects Juniperus recurva var. coxii
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta in the Ririei Opening.
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta
Roy Lancaster beside the Michelia tree he fell out in the 1960’s.
Roy Lancaster beside the Michelia tree
Roy Lancaster beside the Michelia tree
The biggest Michelia doltsopa by Donkey Shoe.
Michelia doltsopa
Michelia doltsopa
Michael, Tom and Marie Louise Agius inspect our Aucuba omeiensis.
Aucuba omeiensis
Aucuba omeiensis
Then on to Tregothnan.
Rhododendron arboreum ‘Blood Red’ has always been one of the highlights of Tregothnan in March.
Rhododendron arboreum ‘Blood Red’
Rhododendron arboreum ‘Blood Red’
Jonathan Jones marshalling us on the Bowling Green.
Jonathan Jones
Jonathan Jones
Roy Lancaster thought this was Stachyurus nitida with its shiny leaves from Mt Omei and not Stachyurus
yunnanensis.
Roy Lancaster thought this was Stachyurus nitida
Roy Lancaster thought this was Stachyurus nitida
Michelia doltsopa at its splendid best.
Michelia doltsopa at its splendid best
Michelia doltsopa at its splendid best
The group in front of it.
The group in front of it
The group in front of it
Magnolia ‘Eileen Bailes’.
Magnolia ‘Eileen Bailes’
Magnolia ‘Eileen Bailes’
A good dark red form of the Rhododendron spinuliferum.
Rhododendron spinuliferum
Rhododendron spinuliferum
Rhododendron spinuliferum
Rhododendron spinuliferum
Camellia oleosa we were told but I cannot find this in the Chinese Camellia species reference book.
Camellia oleosa
Camellia oleosa
The view of the pagoda over the tea plantation.
pagoda
pagoda
Abies delavayi.
Abies delavayi
Abies delavayi
Picea morrisonicola is Taiwanese. Covered in cones here.
Picea morrisonicola
Picea morrisonicola
The first time I have met Camellia azalea in the flesh! Rather battered even in a mild winter.
Camellia azalea
Camellia azalea
Camellia reticulata ‘Mystique’ a new one for me and a bicolor.
Camellia reticulata ‘Mystique’
Camellia reticulata ‘Mystique’

2023 – CHW
Our 2022 Jubilee planting of Malus in the Old Kitchen Garden has been formally recorded as part of The Queen’s Canopy map and is there as historical record for all to see.
2022 Jubilee planting
2022 Jubilee planting
Camellia japonica ‘Midnight Variegated’ a good new addition to the collection.
Camellia japonica ‘Midnight Variegated’
Camellia japonica ‘Midnight Variegated’
Camellia japonica ‘Midnight Variegated’
Camellia japonica ‘Midnight Variegated’
Hydrangeas bursting into leaf.
Hydrangeas bursting into leaf
Hydrangeas bursting into leaf
On Bond Street a Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ seedling is a better colour than I have ever seen it before as it appears above some huge Camellia x williamsii ‘J.C. Williams’. The drought has indeed improved the magnolia colours this spring.
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ seedling
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ seedling
Rhododendron oreodoxa var fargesii is doing well above the drive in our thriving young rhododendron plantation on from the Symplocos paniculate.
Rhododendron oreodoxa var fargesii
Rhododendron oreodoxa var fargesii
Rhododendron oreodoxa var fargesii
Rhododendron oreodoxa var fargesii

2022 – CHW

Another one of those truly great magnolia days with sun, at last no wind, and a blue sky.

Jaimie discovers a grass snake emerging from hibernation rather earlier in the year than normal.

grass snake
grass snake
A huge limb collapsed, but still hanging onto the main trunk, on a Pinus insignis near the Engine House and a tree surgeon had to make it safe for the team to cut up on the ground. Storm Eunice but we had not noticed this until recently. It has hit a rather nicely shaped liquidambar which was a gift to my father from Lord Falmouth.
Pinus insignis
Pinus insignis
Pinus insignis
Pinus insignis
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’ now full out beside a Michelia doltsopa. The adjacent M. campbellii is now over. Breathtaking!
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’
Camellia ‘Mimosa Jury’ (C. saluenensis x C. japonica ‘K Sawada’)
Camellia ‘Mimosa Jury’
Camellia ‘Mimosa Jury’
The Magnolia campbellii seedling with the huge flowers on the Main Ride.
Magnolia campbellii seedling
Magnolia campbellii seedling
A view today of this from along the Main Ride with the tree fern to the right.
Main Ride
Main Ride
Jaimie’s homebred Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ at its splendid best.
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Suzannah van Veen’ now fully out with M. ‘Caerhays Belle’ in the background.
Magnolia ‘Suzannah van Veen’
Magnolia ‘Suzannah van Veen’
Magnolia ‘Suzannah van Veen’
Magnolia ‘Suzannah van Veen’
Magnolia ‘Jersey Belle’ at its very best as well.
Magnolia ‘Jersey Belle’
Magnolia ‘Jersey Belle’
The emerging view of magnolias into the Ririei Opening with M. ‘Jersey Belle’ in the forefront.
Ririei Opening
Ririei Opening

2021 – CHW
Outside the back yard is nearing its best.
Outside the back yard
Outside the back yard
Setting out the 12 newly purchased species of bamboo below the Old Kennels.
bamboo
bamboo
bamboo
bamboo
bamboo
bamboo
Eight groups of deciduous azaleas go in on the path up from the Kennels to give more late spring colour to Old Park.
deciduous azaleas
deciduous azaleas
deciduous azaleas
deciduous azaleas
Bergenia ciliata (?) just coming into flower by the front door.
Bergenia ciliata
Bergenia ciliata
I did not stop today to photograph each new bamboo individually but Phyllostachys aurea ‘Koi’ already has interesting canes.
Phyllostachys aurea ‘Koi’
Phyllostachys aurea ‘Koi’
Borinda (Fargesia) frigida (syn. frigidorum) likewise.
Borinda (Fargesia) frigida
Borinda (Fargesia) frigida
Interesting seed cones from the very ends of twigs blown off Cunninghamia lanceolata. These were on the path 30 yards from the old tree.
Cunninghamia lanceolata
Cunninghamia lanceolata
Michelia ‘Fairy Cream’ nicely out in Old Park. Impressively quick growth into a sizeable small tree.
Michelia ‘Fairy Cream’
Michelia ‘Fairy Cream’
Michelia ‘Fairy Cream’
Michelia ‘Fairy Cream’
Tree surgeons felling some elderly sweet chestnuts in Old Park.
sweet chestnuts
sweet chestnuts
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yume’ is very late into flower for a sasanqua.
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yume’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yume’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yume’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yume’
The Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ seedling outside the arch is at its best today despite the cold east wind and minimal sun.
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ seedling
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ seedling
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ seedling
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ seedling
The new laundry sorting and storage shed is moving on quickly in the farmyard.
laundry sorting and storage shed
laundry sorting and storage shed
laundry sorting and storage shed
laundry sorting and storage shed
laundry sorting and storage shed
laundry sorting and storage shed
Having just paid an enormous bill for the Hovel conversion into two dwellings this month I thought it sensible to have a look! The windows and two staircases are now in and it is really taking shape. Should finish on time in May.
the Hovel
the Hovel
the Hovel
the Hovel
the Hovel
the Hovel
the Hovel
the Hovel
Osmanthus americanus is a new species to us. Here its first flowers in the greenhouse. Nothing special really!
Osmanthus americanus
Osmanthus americanus
Sorbus zahlburckneri already in leaf with flower buds in the first week of March.
Sorbus zahlburckneri
Sorbus zahlburckneri
Our stock plant of Camellia transnokoensis now lives in the greenhouse after the best plant was killed in the 2018 Beast. It grows very happily outside at Trewithen, so I need to find a better location when we try it again in the garden.
Camellia transnokoensis
Camellia transnokoensis
Camellia transnokoensis
Camellia transnokoensis

2020 – CHW
A wonderful time in the garden with magnolias galore.The Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling in the Auklandii Garden is at its best in the sun. Pinkish flamingos indeed!
Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling
Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling
Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling
Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling
Petals falling under the Magnolia campbellii which has been out for a month.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’ just coming out.
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’
Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’
The original Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ at its peak today.
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Rebecca’s Perfume’ just starting.
Magnolia ‘Rebecca’s Perfume’
Magnolia ‘Rebecca’s Perfume’
Magnolia ‘Rebecca’s Perfume’
Magnolia ‘Rebecca’s Perfume’
Magnolia ‘Elizabeth Holman’ quite superb. Planted in 2014.
Magnolia ‘Elizabeth Holman’
Magnolia ‘Elizabeth Holman’
Magnolia ‘Elizabeth Holman’
Magnolia ‘Elizabeth Holman’
Magnolia ‘Vairano’ (Magnolia ‘Iolanthe’ x Magnolia campbellii) as good as I have seen it yet.
Magnolia ‘Vairano’
Magnolia ‘Vairano’
Magnolia ‘Antje Zandee’ (Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia ‘Deep Purple Dream’) just coming. Planted 2013.
Magnolia ‘Antje Zandee’
Magnolia ‘Antje Zandee’
Magnolia ‘Antje Zandee’
Magnolia ‘Antje Zandee’
Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x ‘Black Tulip’ has small rounded flowers. Not sure how these will turn out.
Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x ‘Black Tulip’
Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x ‘Black Tulip’
Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x ‘Black Tulip’
Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x ‘Black Tulip’
Sorbus aff. ligustrifolia (HWJ 948) is in flower but I am not convinced this is correctly named. 2010 planted. New leaves should be bronzy according to Hillier’s but the leaves are indeed privet-like.
Sorbus aff. ligustrifolia
Sorbus aff. ligustrifolia
Sorbus aff. ligustrifolia
Sorbus aff. ligustrifolia
Prunus ‘Collingwood Ingram’ is a much lighter colour in flower than ‘Felix Jury’. Excellent!
Prunus ‘Collingwood Ingram’
Prunus ‘Collingwood Ingram’
Prunus ‘Collingwood Ingram’
Prunus ‘Collingwood Ingram’
Wonderful peeling bark in the sunlight on Betula prattii. Planted in 2010.
Betula prattii
Betula prattii
Betula prattii
Betula prattii
A Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta seedling planted by the Queen Mother in 1981 is worth its place today. The plaque is showing its age.
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta seedling
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta seedling
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta seedling
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta seedling
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta seedling
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta seedling
Our best Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta in the Rireii Opening. Plastered in flower on every twig.
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta

2019 – CHW
It just gets better and better in the garden!Ilex cornuta in full flower. A tight dome shaped bush now 6x8ft wide planted pre 1997. This species would make a good low hedging plant given time and is well worth Asia propagating.
Ilex cornuta
Ilex cornuta
Ilex cornuta
Ilex cornuta
Jaimie’s hybrid Rhododendron ‘Maisie’ full out.
Rhododendron ‘Maisie’
Rhododendron ‘Maisie’
Rhododendron ‘Maisie’
Rhododendron ‘Maisie’
Camellia reticulata ‘Dream Castle’ measured beside Lizzie’s hand.
Camellia reticulata ‘Dream Castle’
Camellia reticulata ‘Dream Castle’
Caerhays bred Rhododendron Golden Oriole Group – ‘Talavera’.
Rhododendron Golden Oriole Group – ‘Talavera’
Rhododendron Golden Oriole Group – ‘Talavera’
Rhododendron Golden Oriole Group – ‘Talavera’
Rhododendron Golden Oriole Group – ‘Talavera’
Magnolia ‘Plum Pudding’ with another ‘pudding’ underneath (Nicky).
Magnolia ‘Plum Pudding’
Magnolia ‘Plum Pudding’
Camellia reticulata ‘Fiesta Crane’
Camellia reticulata ‘Fiesta Crane’
Camellia reticulata ‘Fiesta Crane’
Camellia reticulata ‘Lovely Lady’
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Camellia reticulata ‘Lovely Lady’
Camellia reticulata ‘Lovely Lady’
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’ in its pomp.
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’
Acacia cultriformis was given to us by Richard Carew-Pole. Here it is flowering away for the first time here six to eight years after planting. Not listed in Hillier’s and only one reference to it in ‘New Trees’ under A. craven which it looks nothing like? One for Asia to propagate from seed or cuttings.
Acacia cultriformis
Acacia cultriformis
Acacia cultriformis
Acacia cultriformis
Acacia cultriformis
Acacia cultriformis
The dogs have taken to eating camellia flowers. Brock started it and now they are all in the game even picking them from the bush.
dogs have taken to eating camellia flowers
dogs have taken to eating camellia flowers

2018 – CHW
The last bits of snow outside the front door in the sun. Then heavy rain so only the snowdrifts remain on the roads.
last bits of snow
last bits of snow
The Zantedeschia aetheopua which had one early flower 10 days ago is now reduced to a pile of ‘mush’.
Zantedeschia aetheopua
Zantedeschia aetheopua
The lepagenas are however untouched by the cold.
lepagenas
lepagenas
Already lots of decent new flowers are emerging on the Camellia ‘Lady Clare’ which was in the teeth of the east wind. The wonders of spring!
Camellia ‘Lady Clare’
Camellia ‘Lady Clare’
Camellia ‘Lady Clare’
Camellia ‘Lady Clare’
Likewise on the Camellia x Williamsii ‘Mary Jobson’.
Camellia x Williamsii ‘Mary Jobson’
Camellia x Williamsii ‘Mary Jobson’
The primroses have survived, and prospered even, under the snow!
primroses
primroses
The Euphorbia mellifera has not despite a flower or two surviving, Dodo!
Euphorbia mellifera
Euphorbia mellifera
Euphorbia mellifera
Euphorbia mellifera
The Echiums are in a terrible state too with many seedlings from last year already dead and the larger plants which would have flowered this year blackened to the core.
Echiums
Echiums
Echiums
Echiums
Off then to the induction of Paul Young-Jamieson as High Sheriff of Cornwall at Carnanton. A very jolly party and lunch after the legal bit. About as archaic as it gets as I well remember from 3 years ago.
Paul Young-Jamieson
Paul Young-Jamieson

2017 – CHW
Glorious sun and a blue sky for the magnolias. I will let the pictures do the talking today. Fortunately the in house artist from The Nare hotel arrives today to paint a magnolia to launch ‘Spring has Sprung’ formally on Monday. She will need to paint quickly and I give her my secateurs so she can cut and take back flowers to the studio.

Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’ on the lawn before the artist arrived.
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ (New Zealand form) below Donkey Shoe.
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ (New Zealand form)
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ (New Zealand form)
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ (New Zealand form)
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ (New Zealand form)
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ (New Zealand form)
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ (New Zealand form)
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ (New Zealand form)
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ (New Zealand form)
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ (New Zealand form)
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ (New Zealand form)
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’
Magnolia ‘Aurora’
Magnolia ‘Aurora’
Magnolia ‘Aurora’
Magnolia ‘Aurora’
Magnolia ‘Aurora’
Magnolia [to look up]
Magnolia ‘Aurora’
Magnolia [to look up]
Magnolia ‘Aurora’
Magnolia ‘Sweetheart’ – its first proper flowering in Kennel Close.
Magnolia ‘Sweetheart’
Magnolia ‘Sweetheart’
Magnolia ‘Sweetheart’
Magnolia ‘Sweetheart’
Magnolia ‘Sweetheart’
Magnolia ‘Sweetheart’
Rhododendron barbatum is now full out. We saw this three weeks ago just starting.
Rhododendron barbatum
Rhododendron barbatum
Rhododendron barbatum
Rhododendron barbatum
Magnolia ‘Bishop Michael’ in the quarry. The pictures are poor as the sun is the wrong side of the tree.
Magnolia ‘Bishop Michael’
Magnolia ‘Bishop Michael’
Magnolia ‘Bishop Michael’
Magnolia ‘Bishop Michael’
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling with the huge flowers.
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’ – just going over.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
The new planting above the Magnolia veitchii from last year with the small Rhododendron ‘Ostara’ just out.
new planting above the Magnolia veitchii
new planting above the Magnolia veitchii
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’ in the Auklandii Garden is at its very best.
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rowes’ (Tregullow form) – first flower this year.
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rowes’
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rowes’
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rowes’
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rowes’
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rowes’
Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rowes’
Narcissus cyclamineus in the Auklandii Garden – the original clump is now in semi shade.
Narcissus cyclamineus
Narcissus cyclamineus
Narcissus cyclamineus
Narcissus cyclamineus
Narcissus cyclamineus
Narcissus cyclamineus
The reds, pinks and purples involved in these magnolia flowers and the different shapes are quite breathtaking.

2016 – CHW

Game Conservancy Talk
Game Conservancy Talk

Eighty or so people here last night for the Game Conservancy talk and fundraiser about woodcock. We gave them all a free supper in three rooms and raised £20k for research (including tax relief) spread over the next three years. About the same amount as three years ago.

Game Conservancy Talk
Game Conservancy Talk
Game Conservancy Talk
Game Conservancy Talk

An early morning walk to catch up on a few missing pictures for the website and to see quietly what is out. The dogs are smelling spring bitches and only one bothers to come.

Quercus rysophylla ‘Maya’ is ready to plant out shortly. The most impressive thing about this fairly recent introduction is its reddish new growth which is not yet visible.
Quercus rysophylla ‘Maya’
Quercus rysophylla ‘Maya’
Huodendron biaristratum – we have planted this out twice before without success. We have three plants at this size which are big enough to take a risk with at least one this year.
Huodendron biaristratum
Huodendron biaristratum
Daphne bholua alba has grown behind the wall near the greenhouse for 15 to 20 years. There were three forms but they live a very short period of time and over flower.
Daphne bholua alba
Daphne bholua alba
Daphne bholua alba
Daphne bholua alba
Afrocarpus falcatus also ready to go out although we have a large one already doing well at Slip Rail. Looks very like a podocarpus!
Afrocarpus falcatus
Afrocarpus falcatus
Afrocarpus falcatus
Afrocarpus falcatus
Saxegothaea conspicua is developing a very columnar habit unlike its parents from which cuttings were taken at Tregullow. A record tree there I believe which looks much like a yew!
Saxegothaea conspicua
Saxegothaea conspicua
Saxegothaea conspicua
Saxegothaea conspicua
I think this is Camellia reticulata ‘William Hertrich’ hidden away above the Magnolia veitchii. The other mature plant blew over recently. The photos have come out badly as it is a very dark shady place.
Camellia reticulata ‘William Hertrich’
Camellia reticulata ‘William Hertrich’
Camellia reticulata ‘William Hertrich’
Camellia reticulata ‘William Hertrich’
This is a Pickard magnolia below Slip Rail which I have not seen out before but I cannot read the label. It is very ordinary and just above Magnolia ‘Pickards Sundew’ which we have several of.
Magnolia ‘Pickards Stardust’
Magnolia ‘Pickards Stardust’
Magnolia ‘Pickards Stardust’
Magnolia ‘Pickards Stardust’
What I think and hope is Acer mandshuricum has been in full leaf for two to three weeks. There is another plant by the Red Linney. We used to use the original tree above Red Linney as a measuring rod as children. It was a tiny slow growing tree and my brother and I were taller than it by our teens. This looks to be a rather more vigorous tree. Annoyingly neither plant are included in the planting records.
Acer mandshuricum
Acer mandshuricum
Acer mandshuricum
Acer mandshuricum
I would have expected Lindera obtusiloba to be out by now but the buds are still closed tight. This species is often confused with Lindera triloba but they have rather different habits here. Lindera obtusiloba is already a small tree here although only planted in 1991. We are quietly accumulating quite a nice collection of lindera species some of which are new introductions by Crug Farm and Tom Hudson. When they come out I will do a review.
Lindera obtusiloba
Lindera obtusiloba
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Mary Williams’ named after my Great Aunt Mary and registered in 1946 is full out now against a blue sky but the camera seems to believe it is a dark day so I have probably cocked up the settings.
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Mary Williams’
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Mary Williams’
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Mary Williams’
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Mary Williams’
By Georges Hut Peter Borlaise’s creation from Lanhydrock, Magnolia ‘Albatross’, is out but a bit battered. Its leader bends over to one side proving its parentage from Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’.
Magnolia ‘Albatross’
Magnolia ‘Albatross’
Magnolia ‘Albatross’
Magnolia ‘Albatross’
Then I find a supposedly true Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ grafted (supposedly) from our scion material from the genuine original Chinese plants here. It is in fact a rather poor Magnolia campbellii alba seedling as any fool can see and a terrible shape too. Probably for the chop. Unlike Eisenhut to cock up the grafting like this.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’
Quercus semecarpifolia has beautiful bark and the leaves have a nice downy indumentum on the undersides. The leaves have more spines on the edges when young.
Quercus semecarpifolia
Quercus semecarpifolia
Quercus semecarpifolia
Quercus semecarpifolia
Eucryphia moorii has blown over. Cut it back to 4ft and prop it upright so it can shoot again just like the original did after the 1990 hurricane.
Eucryphia moorii
Eucryphia moorii
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’ is full out but strangely the ancient Magnolia campbellii, mollicomata and sargentiana robustas in the clearing behind it are not showing atall. Normally it is entirely the other way around.
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’
Sadly our best and largest Daphniphyllum macropodum is nearly dead. It looked sick last autumn and I suspected honey fungus but when I look now it is a ‘doubler’ with two leading trunks from just above ground level. It looks as though this is where rot has got in. There is another daphniphyllum on the drive and a couple of other new species from Crug which are not doing well.
Daphniphyllum macropodum
Daphniphyllum macropodum
The first sycamore is in leaf in the sun. This tree is always the first on the main route but there are others in the Rookery.
first sycamore is in leaf
first sycamore is in leaf
One of my father’s evergreen azalea hybrids beyond the Rockery is full out. There are several different plants here in this clump. This is a rather turgid colour and dad never had much to say about any of them but we have propagated a reasonable red and purple which grew on the Main Ride above the tree fern.
evergreen azalea hybrids
evergreen azalea hybrids
evergreen azalea hybrids
evergreen azalea hybrids
As I have forewarned you twice already the Spanish bluebells ARE indeed out today. A good month earlier than ever before. Worthy of a letter to the newspaper? Beside them the snowdrops have just the odd flower left. How peculiar is that even in this extraordinary year?
Spanish bluebells
Spanish bluebells

The last flower on Rhododendron mucronulatum is a very dark purple beside the bluebells. This showed colour first in November and is testament to a frost free winter (so far).

Rhododendron mucronulatum
Rhododendron mucronulatum
Rubus tricolor ‘Betty Ashburner’ is a marvellous plant to cover a steep bank or a wall where you do not want anything else to grow because weeding is difficult without a ladder. Burncoose sells hundreds of these plants for this purpose.
And then suddenly Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ in sun against a blue sky. I have seen it better and hail has taken its toll but what a gentle pink!
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’

2015 – CHW

Camellia 'Royalty'
Camellia ‘Royalty’
Camellia 'Royalty' - Close up
Camellia ‘Royalty’ – Close up
Camellia reticulatas in an exposed site by the old playhouse coming out early. ‘Royalty’ and ‘Mouchang’ covered in flower although only six years from planting.

2001 – FJW
At 2.40pm DFW fell.

1965 -FJW
Magnolias frosted very badly also the Michelias. It would have been a good year.

1963 – FJW
Camellias just began very slowly. Moupinense has come through well.

1961 – FJW
Soulangeana Magnolias at Penver Gate in flower. Rhodo’s good in Beech Walk.

1934 – JCW
No magnolias yet, next to no daffs in the Tin Garden, Lent Lily moves, Rho lutescens very good in spite of sharp frost.

1910 – JCW
Just about 1908 for daffs, Arboreums coming on, Rho praecox over, heaths becoming nice.

1908 – JCW
K A hardly shows colour. Nar maximus nearly open, G Spur just open, Rho praecox good, some nice pink Arboreums at their best.

1906 – JCW
Sir Watkin has been open for some days, Magnolia H for two days, Shilsonii at its very best, King A just burst, 387 open, and most of the Arboreums.

1904 – JCW
The flowers named in ‘97 other than the Magnolia and Horsfiledii and Soleil are just opening, the Rhodo’s at their best.

1901 – JCW
The bulk of the above are a fortnight to three weeks late.

1897 – JCW
Magnolia halleana open a little, Narcissi Golden Spur, H Irving, Tenby, Horsfieldii, Sir Watkin these are most of them fully open, Rhodo praecox over.