2026 – CHW
The first day that I have worn a sleeveless jumper since the heavy rain at the Royal Cornwall Show on 4th June.
The first time since Hurricane Goretti that I am able to drive the whole way along Bond Street.
Eupatorium ligustrinum nearly over.
Three dead rhododendrons.
The first clearing on Fernery Corner.
The second clearing around the Bond Street corner and the path levelled off.
The first clearing below the path where the Magnolia wilsonii clump once grew (then called M. nicholsoniana).
The third clearing above the path.
The second clearing below the path.
The fifth clearing above the path
And from above.
The fourth clearing from above.
The first clearing from above.
Ross has now started the major clearance in Drive Pen.
2025 – CHW
Seamus O’Brien sent me this exciting article about the rediscovery of Rhododendron williamsianum on Mount Wawushan in Sichuan. Read Article……
Then to Belvoir Castle to catch up with the spring planting.
The new Laburnum avenue.
Grasses used as a rather effective hedging.
A drought struck acer.
Some of my spring planting has died in the drought.
Rhododendrons planted in the spring with dieback.
Will this birch survive now that rain has finally arrived?
The young avenue of Irish yews.
Clematis terniflora – the giveaway is the hawthorn scent.
Tail end flowers on Buddleja lindleyana.
2024 – CHW
Illicium simonsii (BWJ 8024) nearly died last summer but has revived in this wet one. Better with the dead twigs now removed.Disanthus cercidifolius just starting its autumn colour.
Illicium simonsii (BWJ 8024) nearly died last summer but has revived in this wet one. Better with the dead twigs now removed.Disanthus cercidifolius just starting its autumn colour.
This elderly Illicium anisatum was pictured in this diary as dead at the start of the spring. A wet summer has done wonders.
Secondary flowers and nearly ripe seeds on Styrax wilsonii is becoming a regular September occurrence. The flowers are on secondary new growth.
Eucryphia × nymansensis ‘Nymans Silver’ has also recovered from near death experience last summer.
Juglans major is romping away with huge leaves.
Melicytus crassifolius is covered in berries. Unlike the plants in the nursery these have still to turn white.
Quercus liebmannii had severe die back even in the last mild winter. Here again is fresh new growth ready for the next disaster.
Euonymus hamiltonianus ‘Popcorn’ is laden with unripe seed heads.
Plenty of bud on the very early flowering Magnolia ‘Lanarth’.
Even more seed heads on this Meliosma dilleniifolia subsp. cuneifolia which grows in more or less full shade. The one seen on 6th September in Kennel Close was in full sun which M. dilleniifolia hates.
Jaimie has planted a Hibbertia aspera where the Hydrangea seemannii has been removed. The main stump has so far defied the mottaxe.
2023 – CHW
Buddleja auriculata nicely out by the Hothead.
Buddleja auriculata nicely out by the Hothead.
Wisteria seeds hang beside yew berries. This 100 year old white wisteria has colonised the yew tree above the front door. An inspired bit of planting.
Grevillea ‘Bronze Rambler’ now well established by the Playhouse.
Flowers and seed heads on Desmodium elegans.
Another picture of sea mist taken from the Isle Rose clearing. You can just make out the wedding tent.
2022 – CHW
To Burncoose to organise a large quotation for tree planting for a client next February.Mahonia nitens ‘Cabaret’ nicely out in flower and well protected in a tunnel form the usual threat of rabbits which adore Mahonia.
To Burncoose to organise a large quotation for tree planting for a client next February.Mahonia nitens ‘Cabaret’ nicely out in flower and well protected in a tunnel form the usual threat of rabbits which adore Mahonia.
Ceratostigma willmottianum ‘Forest Blue’ has just finishing flowering but still a most attractive blue.
The Acer palmatum varieties imported from New Zealand in August are very poor this year. Although potted 3 weeks ago they have been pruned for the trip far too hard to be saleable plants for at least 24 months. Obvious die back in many stems already (or what is left of them) and only a very few are actually producing any new growth as yet.
Polianthes tuberosa (the single flowered form) beautifully in flower with gorgeous scent.
Viburnum odoratissimum with an odd secondary flower in a tunnel.
Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’ with ripe red seeds already dropping.
Secondary flowers also on Viburnum plicatum ‘Watanabe’.
Abeliophyllum distichum with plenty of flowers out although the leaves have hardly coloured up yet. Normally this plant flowers on bare stems in December/ January.
2021 – CHW
A few seed ripening on the elderly Enkianthus cernuus rubens.
A few seed ripening on the elderly Enkianthus cernuus rubens.
More flowers on another Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’. A little paler than the proper ones in spring?
Late new growth as usual on Camellia gigantocarpa.
Lithocarpus fenestratus is making good growth in a sheltered spot.
Seed heads again this year on Magnolia rostrata which will not be ripe for ages yet.
Deer damage from a roebuck to the stem of a small rhododendron. Do we really have to cage every plant with wire like this one now? Infuriating. A cull needed!
Mahonia savilleana still not properly out yet.
The young Manglietia (Magnolia) insignis which was so covered in flowers in late June / early July has dropped all its seed heads.
A young Magnolia thompsoniana doing well behind some rhododendrons with which it will soon be conflicting. My poor planting again!
Sorbus needhamii making good growth.
