17th 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

The rather dull species of magnolia called Magnolia amoena flowering sparsely today underneath the 1913 Magnolia campbellii.

Magnolia amoena
Magnolia amoena
A newly planted Pittosporum brevicalyx. A while before it flowers I fear so that we can verify the name.
Pittosporum brevicalyx
Pittosporum brevicalyx
Raf Lenaerts gift of Magnolia laevifolia x M. champaca x (M. laevifolia x M. maudiae) has its first two flowers. Not, as yet, show stoppers! Looks very like plain M. laevifolia to me.
Magnolia laevifolia x M. champaca x (M. laevifolia x M. maudiae)
Magnolia laevifolia x M. champaca x (M. laevifolia x M. maudiae)
Viburnum luzonicum (GSWJ 3637) was hard pruned after planting and is already reshooting well.
Viburnum luzonicum (GSWJ 3637)
Viburnum luzonicum (GSWJ 3637)
Camellia ‘Manuroa Road’ – another one to propagate as a good deep red.
Camellia ‘Manuroa Road’
Camellia ‘Manuroa Road’
Lindera angustifolia (FMWJ 13156) is just opening from tight buds.
Lindera angustifolia (FMWJ 13156)
Lindera angustifolia (FMWJ 13156)
Magnolia sprengeri var. sprengeri (84329) is now full out and even better than last week.
Magnolia sprengeri var. sprengeri (84329)
Magnolia sprengeri var. sprengeri (84329)
Magnolia sprengeri var. sprengeri (84329)
Magnolia sprengeri var. sprengeri (84329)
Camellia ‘Mimosa Jury’ is nearly over but still a fine variety.
Camellia ‘Mimosa Jury’
Camellia ‘Mimosa Jury’
Camellia ‘Mimosa Jury’
Camellia ‘Mimosa Jury’
Magnolia liliiflora ‘Raven’ has fallen over.
Magnolia liliiflora ‘Raven’
Magnolia liliiflora ‘Raven’
Nick Locke’s Litsea from Taiwan is about to flower. Our other Litsea and Neolitsea have generally flowered much later in the year.
Litsea from Taiwan
Litsea from Taiwan
Rhododendron strigillosum just out. About as hairy as it gets!
Rhododendron strigillosum
Rhododendron strigillosum
Rhododendron strigillosum
Rhododendron strigillosum
Camellia ‘Tom Pouce’ is a new thing which I have not seen before flowering here.
Camellia ‘Tom Pouce’
Camellia ‘Tom Pouce’
Camellia ‘Tom Pouce’
Camellia ‘Tom Pouce’
Camellia ‘Winter Gem’ is another new thing.
Camellia ‘Winter Gem’
Camellia ‘Winter Gem’
Camellia ‘Winter Gem’
Camellia ‘Winter Gem’

2023 – CHW
Jim Gardiner with Magnolia sprengeri ‘Dusky Pink’ which he gave us a few years ago. Today in full flower with a beaming Jim! This is one of the several new forms of Magnolia sprengeri collected in the wild by a Swedish and Chinese research team between 2008 & 2010 which demonstrated just how varied M. sprengeri can be. Forrest’s M. sprengeri ‘Diva’ is however, still probably the best form. You can read details of the expeditions discoveries here.

Jim Gardiner with Magnolia sprengeri ‘Dusky Pink’
Jim Gardiner with Magnolia sprengeri ‘Dusky Pink’

2022 – CHW

A bright and sunny day for a tour with John & Vanessa Marston.

First flowers out on the scented Rhododendron ‘Jim Russel’ – ridiculously early.

Rhododendron ‘Jim Russel’
Rhododendron ‘Jim Russel’
Lindera megaphylla, an unusual and rare evergreen Lindera species, nicely in flower.
Lindera megaphylla
Lindera megaphylla
Lindera megaphylla
Lindera megaphylla
Lindera megaphylla
Lindera megaphylla
The deciduous Lindera reflexa in full flower.
Lindera reflexa
Lindera reflexa
Lindera reflexa
Lindera reflexa
Lindera reflexa
Lindera reflexa
Illicium macranthum (BSWJ 11809) flowering here for the first time.
Illicium macranthum
Illicium macranthum
Illicium macranthum
Illicium macranthum
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’ now full out.
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’
Magnolia ‘Antje Zandee’ also full out.
Magnolia ‘Antje Zandee’
Magnolia ‘Antje Zandee’
Magnolia ‘Atlas’ x Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ has not been named and registered as yet. Nowhere near as good as Jaimie’s ‘Atlas’ x ‘Lanarth’ which we saw yesterday.
Magnolia ‘Atlas’ x Magnolia ‘Vulcan’
Magnolia ‘Atlas’ x Magnolia ‘Vulcan’
Magnolia ‘Atlas’ x Magnolia ‘Vulcan’
Magnolia ‘Atlas’ x Magnolia ‘Vulcan’
First of the yellow magnolias to show – Magnolia ‘Petit Chicon’.
Magnolia ‘Petit Chicon’
Magnolia ‘Petit Chicon’
A few flowers on the newly planted Magnolia ‘Spring Peppermint’ from Germany.
Magnolia ‘Spring Peppermint’
Magnolia ‘Spring Peppermint’

2021 – CHW
The Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’ on Hovel Cart Road is out suddenly today. No flowers at all two days ago.
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta in the distance from the top of Donkey Shoe.
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta
A few flowers still on the ancient Magnolia sargentiana robusta which now has few live branches in by the Podocarpus clump.
Magnolia sargentiana robusta
Magnolia sargentiana robusta
I have never seen Ian Baldick’s Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’ so full of flower or looking better.
Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’
Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’
Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’
Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’
Camellia ‘High Fragrance’ and it really was despite the first two flowers being battered by wind.
Camellia ‘High Fragrance’
Camellia ‘High Fragrance’
Magnolia ‘Vairano’ is an excellent thing! (Magnolia ‘Iolanthe’ x Magnolia campbellii)
Magnolia ‘Vairano’
Magnolia ‘Vairano’
Magnolia ‘Laura Saylor’ is not particularly.
Magnolia ‘Laura Saylor’
Magnolia ‘Laura Saylor’
An exciting moment – the recently planted Magnolia sinostellata in flower. A new species from Japan and China with white flowers, tinged pink on the back of the tepals. It looks far more vigorous than Magnolia stellata itself.
Magnolia sinostellata
Magnolia sinostellata
Magnolia sinostellata
Magnolia sinostellata
Magnolia sinostellata
Magnolia sinostellata
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Ruby’ – no name as yet but well worth one I believe.
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Ruby’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Ruby’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Ruby’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Ruby’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Ruby’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Ruby’
Prunus ‘Collingwood Ingram’ as good as ever. Such a dark reddish-pink colour and not dissimilar to Prunus ‘Felix Jury’ really but this one is out much earlier.
Prunus ‘Collingwood Ingram’
Prunus ‘Collingwood Ingram’
Prunus ‘Collingwood Ingram’
Prunus ‘Collingwood Ingram’
Our best Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’ is also suddenly out as well. No colour at all last Monday.
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’
The young Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’ below the Pound is just out. I looked on Monday and nothing doing then.
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
First flowers on Camellia reticulata ‘Dream Castle’.
Camellia reticulata ‘Dream Castle’
Camellia reticulata ‘Dream Castle’
The gigantic near white flowers on out best Magnolia campbellii alba seedling. The largest magnolia flowers in the garden beating ‘Atlas’ and ‘Big Dude’ by an inch or three.
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling
These were the plants shown tonight to Garden Society members at the Zoom meeting:
These were the plants
These were the plants
These were the plants
These were the plants
These were the plants
These were the plants
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling – 15in x 18in when fully openMagnolia ‘Lanarth Surprise’
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling
Magnolia campbellii alba seedling
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘F J Williams’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia ‘JC Williams’
Magnolia ‘JC Williams’
Magnolia ‘JC Williams’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x ‘JC Williams’ now called ‘Anne Leitner’
‘Anne Leitner’
‘Anne Leitner’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Westonbirt’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Westonbirt’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Westonbirt’
Magnolia ‘Aurora’
Magnolia ‘Aurora’
Magnolia ‘Aurora’
Rhododendron moulmainense (stenaulum)
Rhododendron moulmainense
Rhododendron moulmainense
Magnolia ‘Felix Jury’ – 10” x 10” not fully open
Magnolia ‘Felix Jury’
Magnolia ‘Felix Jury’

2020 – CHW
The country enters lockdown and we all wonder how to carry on. £400-500k in tourist income probably down the drain with the group tours, weddings, holiday lets and The Vean. Do we keep the gardens open but stop the house tours? Do we put all the staff associated with tourism on temporary leave as the law allows in extreme circumstances or can some of them work from home for a bit doing something useful and productive? Those with children and elderly relatives at home are already voting with their feet and who can blame them. My busy March and April diary reduces to nothing. The garden staff, farm staff and keepers can, and have to, carry on. Lambing ewes cannot wait and the first pheasant egg was gathered yesterday. The mail order orders continue to flow at Burncoose at the moment so I suppose we carry on there if we have the staff and couriers to do so? Two isolated and separate teams of packing shed staff perhaps? I see no reason why the building teams cannot carry on in rural areas at least. Panic in all directions but decisions have to be made on the basis of common sense and government guidelines. Trying to create a ‘policy’ requires thought and will evolve.

Anyway back to the plants which will remain to be enjoyed; if only by a few.

Euphorbia mellifera is in full flower on the lawn. I do not think I have ever caught it quite as well as this at this time of the year.

Euphorbia mellifera
Euphorbia mellifera
Euphorbia mellifera
Euphorbia mellifera
Euphorbia mellifera
Euphorbia mellifera
A Magnolia dawsoniana seedling outside the arch is good today although the sky is gloomy like everyone’s mood. The one opposite is pretty much true to the original species with much smaller flowers but still only partly out today.
Magnolia dawsoniana seedling
Magnolia dawsoniana seedling
Magnolia dawsoniana seedling
Magnolia dawsoniana seedling
Rhododendron ‘Yaku Princess’ in the Rockery is just going over. Short lifespans these dwarf rhodos have in our climate.
Rhododendron ‘Yaku Princess’
Rhododendron ‘Yaku Princess’
Rhododendron ‘Yaku Princess’
Rhododendron ‘Yaku Princess’
A young Camellia ‘Quintessence’ has its first few flowers (Camellia japonica x Camellia lutchuensis).
Camellia ‘Quintessence’
Camellia ‘Quintessence’
The first (Spanish) bluebells are just out a bit later than for the last two years I think.
bluebells
bluebells

2019 – CHW
For those who want to click here for the highlights of the visit to Tregrehan on Friday.Seedling from Camellia reticulata ‘Nuccios Ruby’
Seedling from Camellia reticulata ‘Nuccios Ruby’
Seedling from Camellia reticulata ‘Nuccios Ruby’
Seedling from Camellia reticulata ‘Nuccios Ruby’
Seedling from Camellia reticulata ‘Nuccios Ruby’
Edgeworthia chrysantha growing in open woodland
Edgeworthia chrysantha
Edgeworthia chrysantha
Edgeworthia chrysantha
Edgeworthia chrysantha
Sarcocca wallichii with huge black berries
Sarcocca wallichii
Sarcocca wallichii
Sarcocca wallichii
Sarcocca wallichii
Nothofagus dombeyi trunk
Nothofagus dombeyi
Nothofagus dombeyi
Camellia ‘Black Lace’
Camellia ‘Black Lace’
Camellia ‘Black Lace’
Camellia ‘Black Lace’
Camellia ‘Black Lace’
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides trunk. These are growing as a clump of five trees.
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides
Rhododendron frangipanensis in full flower. New species to me.
Rhododendron frangipanensis
Rhododendron frangipanensis
Rhododendron frangipanensis
Rhododendron frangipanensis
Arbutus canariensis with a flower
Arbutus canariensis
Arbutus canariensis
Arbutus canariensis
Arbutus canariensis
Podocarpus matudae with huge podocarps
Podocarpus matudae
Podocarpus matudae
Podocarpus matudae
Podocarpus matudae
Illicium mexicanum in full flower
Illicium mexicanum
Illicium mexicanum
Illicium mexicanum
Illicium mexicanum
Rhododendron prostitum seedlings. Pink at first fading to near white.
Rhododendron prostitum
Rhododendron prostitum
Rhododendron prostitum
Rhododendron prostitum
Rhododendron rireii – the best form I have ever seen
Rhododendron rireii
Rhododendron rireii
Rhododendron rireii
Rhododendron rireii
Pinus bhutanica
Pinus bhutanica
Pinus bhutanica
Pinus bhutanica
Pinus bhutanica
Camellia trichocarpa full out with its amazing bark
Camellia trichocarpa
Camellia trichocarpa
Camellia trichocarpa
Camellia trichocarpa
Michelia platypetala
Michelia platypetala
Michelia platypetala
Michelia platypetala
Michelia platypetala
Nothofagus menziesii – trunk
Nothofagus menziesii
Nothofagus menziesii
Nothofagus menziesii
Nothofagus menziesii
Hedychium unknown species which Tom collected in a limestone crevice in ?Vietnam
Hedychium unknown species
Hedychium unknown species
Hedychium unknown species
Hedychium unknown species
Purple new growth on Rhododendron nuttallii in the greenhouse
Rhododendron nuttallii
Rhododendron nuttallii
Rhododendron nuttallii
Rhododendron nuttallii
Illicium simonsii – pinkish in bud opening pale yellow, highly scented.
Illicium simonsii
Illicium simonsii
Illicium simonsii
Illicium simonsii

2018 – CHW
The gardening weekend with the threat of serious snow again. We carry on regardless with the all day garden tour joined by Richard Carew Pole’s party and Tom Hudson for lunch (22 attendees).Rhododendron ‘Golden Oriole’ just coming out amid the first snowflakes.

Rhododendron ‘Golden Oriole’
Rhododendron ‘Golden Oriole’
Rhododendron ‘Golden Oriole’
Rhododendron ‘Golden Oriole’
Rhododendron ciliialyx just out too. More fool the plant as it feels now.
Rhododendron ciliialyx
Rhododendron ciliialyx
Serious sporting (red) on Camellia ‘Jovey Carlyon’ which is a pure white. Just one red flower on one small twig but it stands out.
Camellia ‘Jovey Carlyon’
Camellia ‘Jovey Carlyon’
Sir Richard Carew Pole V.M.H and Roy Lancaster V.M.H cut the ribbon to formally open the new Isla Rose Plantation. By now bloody cold!
Sir Richard Carew Pole V.M.H and Roy Lancaster V.M.H cut the ribbon
Sir Richard Carew Pole V.M.H and Roy Lancaster V.M.H cut the ribbon
Sir Richard Carew Pole V.M.H and Roy Lancaster V.M.H cut the ribbon
Sir Richard Carew Pole V.M.H and Roy Lancaster V.M.H cut the ribbon
The Isla Rose plaque with blue (not pink) ribbon.
The Isla Rose plaque
The Isla Rose plaque
Roy Lancaster and Jaimie Parsons ceremonially plant Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ in the Isla Rose Plantation.
Roy Lancaster and Jaimie Parsons ceremonially plant Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Roy Lancaster and Jaimie Parsons ceremonially plant Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Roy Lancaster and Jaimie Parsons ceremonially plant Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Roy Lancaster and Jaimie Parsons ceremonially plant Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Roy Lancaster and Jaimie Parsons ceremonially plant Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Roy Lancaster and Jaimie Parsons ceremonially plant Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Roy Lancaster and Jaimie Parsons ceremonially plant Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Roy Lancaster and Jaimie Parsons ceremonially plant Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Meanwhile our spaniel ‘Mr Billy’, does a ceremonial piss on the new tree to mark the planting. I hope that Isla Rose will herself one day laugh at this as much as we did at the absurdity of this.
does a ceremonial piss on the new tree
does a ceremonial piss on the new tree
Here are a few other pictures of the three VMH’s present and the other guests at the planting ceremony with a glass of bubbly in which the snowflakes were not melting!
the other guests
the other guests
the other guests
the other guests
the other guests
the other guests
glass of bubbly
glass of bubbly
other guests at the planting ceremony
other guests at the planting ceremony
2017 – CHW
The row at Portholland emerges from the canopy cover and scaffolding to reveal £200k of new roof.
new roof
new roof
Prunus nipponica ‘Brilliant’ full out today at the nursery.
Prunus nipponica ‘Brilliant’
Prunus nipponica ‘Brilliant’
Prunus nipponica ‘Brilliant’
Prunus nipponica ‘Brilliant’
The new Magnolia ‘Burgundy Star’ in bud.
Magnolia ‘Burgundy Star’
Magnolia ‘Burgundy Star’
Magnolia ‘Royal Crown’ nicely out in a tunnel.
Magnolia ‘Royal Crown’
Magnolia ‘Royal Crown’
Magnolia ‘Royal Crown’
Magnolia ‘Royal Crown’
Magnolia ‘Anticipation’ likewise.
Magnolia ‘Anticipation’
Magnolia ‘Anticipation’
Magnolia ‘Anticipation’
Magnolia ‘Anticipation’
Rhododendron russatum now full out and a striking blue.
Rhododendron russatum
Rhododendron russatum
Rhododendron russatum
Rhododendron russatum
Prunus mume ‘Beni-chidori’ – finally I manage to capture the missing pictures for the website.
Prunus mume ‘Beni-chidori’
Prunus mume ‘Beni-chidori’
Prunus mume ‘Beni-chidori’
Prunus mume ‘Beni-chidori’
Prunus mume ‘Beni-chidori’
Prunus mume ‘Beni-chidori’
Sycoparrotia semidecidua has such an odd and ugly flower.
Sycoparrotia semidecidua
Sycoparrotia semidecidua
Magnolia lilliflora ‘Holland Red’ in bud.
Magnolia lilliflora ‘Holland Red’
Magnolia lilliflora ‘Holland Red’

Then onto a planting spree in the Burncoose garden.Magnolia sprengeri ‘Burncoose’ is at its peak with the flowers opening a reddish purple before they fade. Particularly good this year.

Magnolia sprengeri ‘Burncoose’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Burncoose’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Burncoose’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Burncoose’
The view across the lawn.
view across the lawn
view across the lawn
view across the lawn
view across the lawn
Magnolia ‘Kews Surprise’ in the paddock below the lawn.
Magnolia ‘Kews Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Kews Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Kews Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Kews Surprise’
Magnolia dawsoniana ‘Chyverton Red’ by the rockery.
Magnolia dawsoniana ‘Chyverton Red’
Magnolia dawsoniana ‘Chyverton Red’
Magnolia ‘Sir Harold Hillier’ by the old walled garden.
Magnolia ‘Sir Harold Hillier’
Magnolia ‘Sir Harold Hillier’
Rhododendron ‘Duke of Cornwall’ – a cutting from the Caerhays plant.
Rhododendron ‘Duke of Cornwall’
Rhododendron ‘Duke of Cornwall’
Rhododendron ‘Duke of Cornwall’
Rhododendron ‘Duke of Cornwall’
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’ was perfect!
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’
Magnolia ‘Shirraz’
Rhododendron calophytum on the drive.
Rhododendron calophytum
Rhododendron calophytum
Rhododendron calophytum
Rhododendron calophytum
Azalea ‘Kirin’ out already on the drive.
Azalea ‘Kirin’
Azalea ‘Kirin’
Azalea ‘Kirin’
Azalea ‘Kirin’

2016 – CHW
New planting completed in the large cleared area above the greenhouses. This planting is concentrated on expanding our collection of styrax and stewartia species and hybrids to complement the 10 or so semi mature plants growing well above Crinodendron Hedge. There are several completely new species here from Tom Hudson, Esvelt and Mark Bulk’s nurseries in Holland. Combined with our elderly plants we probably now have around 15 species and 10 named hybrids. Hopefully lots of fun checking their identities in the future and checking on misnaming or plants with different names which turn out to be the same thing.The key new varieties include:Stewartia henryaeStyrax shiriainusStyrax dasyanthusStyrax formosanusStyrax japonicus ‘Fargesii’Styrax japonicus ‘Evening Light’Styrax japonicus ‘Emerald Pagoda’Styrax japonicus ‘Fragrant Fountain’Styrax japonicus ‘Crystal’Included in the planting were several more additions to the enkianthus collection:In particular a group of five Enkianthus serrulatus (as seen at Tregrehan)One Enkianthus ‘Sinsetu’One Enkianthus ‘Miyama-beni’Two Enkianthus ‘Showy Lantern’Two Enkianthus cernus recurvuusIt will not be a planting to excite anyone but a serious plantsman even though we have included a few magnolias for long term effect.
On the way I discover Magnolia nitida covered in flower above the Auklandii Garden. This large tree nestled away in thick cover has never, to my knowledge, flowered as profusely as this. Then again one could very easily miss it altogether.
Magnolia nitida
Magnolia nitida

A large Manchurian cock pheasant is very fine and shining black in the sun.

Manchurian cock pheasant
Manchurian cock pheasant
Magnolia ‘David Clulow’ is full out with some damage on the Main Ride.
Magnolia ‘David Clulow’
Magnolia ‘David Clulow’
Magnolia ‘David Clulow’
Magnolia ‘David Clulow’
Next to it is another white magnolia, Magnolia ‘Lotus’, with printed flowers that curve in on themselves.
Magnolia ‘Lotus’
Magnolia ‘Lotus’

Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’ is now full out beside Mr Rogers Quarry. No flowers low down yet.

Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Michelia martinii has just one yellowish flower bud on the path to Bramble Field Gate. Again I have never seen this youngish plant in flower before. The leaves are slightly silvery underneath. A cold spot so it is doing really well. There was another single flower full out last week which has now dropped but the petals on the ground are creamy yellow. Another michelia to add to the collection
Michelia martinii
Michelia martinii
2015 – CHW
From the same seed pod as Magnolia ‘Kew’s Surprise’ in 1951 are two perfectly decent but nowhere near as good siblings. The better of the two is outside the front gate and the third behind the JCW camellia clump on Bond Street. Was it not fortunate that the best plant ended up in the best place or was it that the most sturdy seedling of the three at the time got the best spot. We will never know if it was luck or judgement.

Two perfectly decent siblings - FIRST
First sibling seedling of M. ‘Kew’s Surprise’
Two perfectly decent siblings - SECOND
Second sibling seedling of M. ‘Kew’s Surprise’

Two of Philip Tregunna’s hybrids to assess again as they start to open:Planted 1985 Magnolia sargentiana robusta x ‘Lanarth’ – by the best Rhododendron macabeanum

Planted 1995 Magnolia campbellii var mollicomata ‘Lanarth’ seedling – towards Rookery Gate

Neither of these trees are easy to see close up or at a distance as they rise above the neighbouring plants. However both are becoming dominant parts of the garden landscape and will wow visitors for decades to come.

And one of Charles Michaels’ from 1958 – Magnolia sargentiana var robusta x sprengeri ‘Diva’ above the Auklandii garden next to the record Magnolia campbellii.

We have debated this for years as being worthy of a name but my father always refused partly because taking it to Vincent Square to try to get an award was a lot of hassle. Others, including Roy Lancaster, John Hillier and John Gallagher, have disagreed. The best ‘reddish’ pink colour is in its first couple of days in flower. After that it fades to a plainer drooping more ordinary pink.

MAGNOLIA sargentiana robusta Lanarth
M. sargentiana var robusta x ‘Lanarth’
MAGNOLIA campbellii molicomata Lanarth
M. campbellii var. molicomata x ‘Lanarth’

1991 – FJW
Tadpoles out.

1990 – FJW
Garden past its best !! Very stricken by storms. Magnolias, Camellias, Rhodo’s, Evergreen Azaleas full out, never so early in my time.

1969 – FJW
Packed first Magnolia (Mr Gore) well out but small and weak colour. Donkey Shoe robusta ditto a few on.

1967 – FJW
Torrey Canyon went on to the Seven Stones.

1965 – FJW
The Arboreum hybs badly frosted in the Beech Walk, but the same varieties in Castle Wood seem to have buds unscathed. Frogs in the moor. Warm wet spell.


1933 – JCW
Seedling Magnolia denudata shows colour i.e Wilsons big plant it has had its top smashed. Forrests Camellias have been and are very good. Nothing very good as to daffs.1921 – JCW
A long way behind 1920. The Mrs Butler hybrids are good and the white Auklandii hybrids are just starting. The Berberis hedges have never been better and yellow trumpets are out as to ¾ of them, the first poets just starting. Prunus subhirtella and sargentii show the first flowers.1920 – JCW
Well in front of 1897, our earliest year. Poetasum and other poets are open, Auklandii is in some cases nearly open. The yellow trumpets wane.1916 – JCW
Ciliatums and Thomsonii x cut out by the frost, Fargesii takes it better and is nice by the Barbatum group, the Mrs Butler x lot is fairly good. Daffs are opening but hang back in opening, from the cold.1915 – JCW
Cilatums coming on and so Mrs Butler x Thomsonii wanes. Trumpet seedlings opening, Prunus pissardi very good.1910 – JCW
Cilatums have waned, ⅓ Alfreds open, many Parois with colour. Could fill a 50 daff cup with ease.1902 – JCW
Sent E Southern Star, Sirius, 221, and 224 from the open. Horsfieldii shows colour, nearly all the Victoria are open, picked several Reticulata.1897 – JCW
One third of the flowers open on Reticulata, Ciliatums at their best, Doronicums a few out, Emperor half, [?] a few, Weardale burst bud, Alpernina well out, Magnolia halleana well out. (Sirius came out 1898.)