5th April

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

Typically it’s raining again with high winds for the weekend. Not good news for the Spring Show at Wadebridge or for our wedding event in a tent in Beach Meadow; both over the weekend. Visitor numbers for the 4 days of Easter were only 600. As our marketing team have said – we are doing everything right but this long risk of terrible weather is costing a fortune and turning everything we try to do into loss leaders. All very depressing after the garden team have spent 4 days preparing for the show. At the showground the teepees beside the main shed have already had to be moved due to high winds earlier in the week.

A day spent cutting and staging at the show with a few photographs of good and bad things on the way.
Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ cut on Bond Street. A rather forgotten tree but just right for cutting today.

Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’
Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’
Halesia carolina had come out a lot in 3 days and will now be presentable.
Halesia carolina
Halesia carolina
Pseudocydonia sinensis in flower on Sinogrande Walk which I have seldom seen before but most of the pink flowers have been battered by the rain.
Pseudocydonia sinensis
Pseudocydonia sinensis
Pseudocydonia sinensis
Pseudocydonia sinensis
Another ghastly looking big leaf rhododendron on the way out.
big leaf rhododendron
big leaf rhododendron
The Game Larder starts to fill up with cut stuff for the show.
Game Larder
Game Larder
Rhododendron ‘Vuna’.
Rhododendron ‘Vuna'
Rhododendron ‘Vuna’
Rhododendron arboreum ‘Tony Schilling’ is rain battered but Rhododendron arboreum ‘Sir Charles Lemon’ is just coming out beside it.
Rhododendron arboreum ‘Tony Schilling’
Rhododendron arboreum ‘Tony Schilling’
Buds showing up already on Magnolia tamaulipana. They would normally not be out until July or August.
Magnolia tamaulipana
Magnolia tamaulipana
Good bark on Gymnocladus dioica.
Gymnocladus dioica
Gymnocladus dioica
Gymnocladus dioica
Gymnocladus dioica
A magnolia which blew over in a gale above Hovel Cart Road. A rare occurrence.
magnolia which blew over
magnolia which blew over
Rhododendron mengtszense (AC 5663) appears in the Rhodo Pocket guide only under very rarely in cultivation or of doubtful provenance (and not in the main index). An Alan Clark collection. Rather good today and there are 2 separate plants in flower.
Rhododendron mengtszense (AC 5663)
Rhododendron mengtszense (AC 5663)
Rhododendron mengtszense (AC 5663)
Rhododendron mengtszense (AC 5663)
Rhododendron mengtszense (AC 5663)
Rhododendron mengtszense (AC 5663)
A young Rhododendron fulvum (KR 10084) flowering well. One of Keith Rushforth’s.
Rhododendron fulvum (KR 10084)
Rhododendron fulvum (KR 10084)
Rhododendron fulvum (KR 10084)
Rhododendron fulvum (KR 10084)
Rhododendron fulvum (KR 10084)
Rhododendron fulvum (KR 10084)
Rhododendron ‘Lady Montagu Group’ bent over with the weight of its flowers and the rain.
Rhododendron ‘Lady Montagu Group’
Rhododendron ‘Lady Montagu Group’
The Game Larder is filling up – over 30 different vases of things for the display .
Game Larder
Game Larder
Betula kweichowensis subsp. fansipanensis (formerly Betula insignis var. fansipanensis) is developing good greyish-brown bark and the emerging leaves are dark in colour.
Betula kweichowensis subsp. fansipanensis
Betula kweichowensis subsp. fansipanensis
Betula kweichowensis subsp. fansipanensis
Betula kweichowensis subsp. fansipanensis
Betula kweichowensis subsp. fansipanensis
Betula kweichowensis subsp. fansipanensis
Rhododendron ‘Anne Teese’ just out by George’s Hut.
Rhododendron ‘Anne Teese’
Rhododendron ‘Anne Teese’
Cut show material from high up on Plagianthus betulinus.
Plagianthus betulinus
Plagianthus betulinus

2023 – CHW

A trip to the greenhouse on this much drier week to see what is new. Tremendous amounts of newly potted cuttings and seedlings. A wonderful sight of productivity by Asia with many first time successes.

First flowering of Magnolia ‘Romina’s Pink’ in the frames. (M. x soulangeana ‘Rustica Rubra’ x M. ‘Iolanthe’). Not yet a representative flower or a decent one when I check the reference books.

Magnolia ‘Romina’s Pink’
Magnolia ‘Romina’s Pink’
This is labelled Cercis glabra but is obviously an Amelanchier. Perhaps Asia could check where we got if from? Burncoose sells C. glabra but this isn’t it!
Amelanchier
Amelanchier
Clematis armandii ‘Apple Blossom’ on the wall making a fine show today.
Clematis armandii ‘Apple Blossom’
Clematis armandii ‘Apple Blossom’
Philotheca myoporoides – Gin and Tonic in a Pot – a gift from Hayloft. I couldn’t smell g&t today.
Philotheca myoporoides
Philotheca myoporoides
Rhododendron hypoleucum – a seedling from OP12168 with dainty flowers. Formerly Ledum hypoleucum from Russia and Japan so very much a rockery plant.
Rhododendron hypoleucum
Rhododendron hypoleucum
Seedlings of Nageia nagi (formally Podocarpus nagi) growing well. A gift from Raf Laenarts. We did once buy this in from China but it proved too tender to grow outside.
Nageia nagi
Nageia nagi
Maytenus magellanica is quite different in appearance from the Maytenus boaria which we grow well. A smaller and slower growing tree but also a Chilean species.
Maytenus magellanica
Maytenus magellanica
The attractive foliage of Syringa protolaciniata does not look lilac – like at all. A shrub from Afagnistan with lilac flowers in May which I look forward to seeing.
Syringa protolaciniata
Syringa protolaciniata
Molly Jackson receives the cup at the CGS Show for the best nursery plant display by Burncoose.
Molly Jackson
Molly Jackson
best nursery plant display by Burncoose
best nursery plant display by Burncoose
Here are the two Caerhays CGS cups together with the recent Rosemoor ones.
the two Caerhays CGS cups together
the two Caerhays CGS cups together
the two Caerhays CGS cups together
the two Caerhays CGS cups together

2022 – CHW

Camellia japonica ‘Maiden’s Blush’ outside the front gate under the M. dawsoniana.

Camellia japonica ‘Maiden’s Blush’
Camellia japonica ‘Maiden’s Blush’
A young big leaf rhodo seedling with three flowers only five years after planting above Rogers Quarry.
rhodo seedling
rhodo seedling
Rhododendron ‘Wine & Roses’ just out.
Rhododendron ‘Wine & Roses’
Rhododendron ‘Wine & Roses’
First flower on Magnolia ‘Peachy’.
Magnolia ‘Peachy’
Magnolia ‘Peachy’
Magnolia ‘Kusious’ which must be a misspelling – otherwise untraceable.
Magnolia ‘Kusious’
Magnolia ‘Kusious’
Flower on Acer japonicum.
Acer japonicum
Acer japonicum
Rhodoleia aff. parvipetala is much pinker in colour now.
Rhodoleia aff. parvipetala
Rhodoleia aff. parvipetala
Magnolia ernestii now properly into flower.
Magnolia ernestii
Magnolia ernestii
On Burns Bank Rhododendron impeditum ‘JC Williams’ and Rhododendron ciliatum.
Rhododendron impeditum ‘JC Williams’
Rhododendron impeditum ‘JC Williams’
Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’ (‘Jane Platt’) at various stages of bud and flower. The pink quickly fades but is left in stripes on the tepals.
Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’
Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’
Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’
Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’
Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’
Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’
Rhododendron ‘Assaye’ – Caerhays bred.
Rhododendron ‘Assaye’
Rhododendron ‘Assaye’
Rhododendron ‘Assaye’
Rhododendron ‘Assaye’
Early leaves on Aesculus parviflora.
Aesculus parviflora
Aesculus parviflora
And on Quercus stenophylloides – an evergreen but few old leaves remain.
Quercus stenophylloides
Quercus stenophylloides
Quercus stenophylloides
Quercus stenophylloides
Melcytus obovatus absolutely plastered in tiny flower on the twigs and from the trunk as well.
Melcytus obovatus
Melcytus obovatus

2021 – CHW
A nasty flip back to cold east winds today but still a few new magnolias flowering.The grandchildren picking pheasant eggs in the laying pens yesterday. Easter eggs for all! The first batch will go into the incubator next Friday. We all picked 300 eggs at 4pm and 600 were picked at midday.
The grandchildren
The grandchildren
The grandchildren
The grandchildren
The grandchildren
The grandchildren
Prunus ‘Shirotae’ now suddenly full out on the drive. I fear the wind will ruin what is always an all too brief but wonderful display this year.
Prunus ‘Shirotae’
Prunus ‘Shirotae’
Rhododendron bauhiniiflorum just out.
Rhododendron bauhiniiflorum
Rhododendron bauhiniiflorum
Prunus campanulata ‘Felix Jury’ is a gorgeous red – three plants in Tin Garden.
Prunus campanulata ‘Felix Jury’
Prunus campanulata ‘Felix Jury’
The clump of Leujocum aestivum ‘Gravetye Giant’ now full out.
Leujocum aestivum ‘Gravetye Giant’
Leujocum aestivum ‘Gravetye Giant’
Three small plants of Rhododendron cumberlandense putting on a show.
Rhododendron cumberlandense
Rhododendron cumberlandense
Magnolia ‘Sulphur Cockatoo’ (Gresham Hybrid) not yet doing much.
Magnolia ‘Sulphur Cockatoo’
Magnolia ‘Sulphur Cockatoo’
Magnolia ‘Chamaeleon’ not that impressive either.
Magnolia ‘Chamaeleon’
Magnolia ‘Chamaeleon’
Magnolia ‘Rose Marie’ x Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ (Ledvina cross) is good and in a prime spot by Georges Hut.
Magnolia ‘Rose Marie’ x Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’
Magnolia ‘Rose Marie’ x Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’
The tiny Magnolia ‘Mighty Mouse’.
Magnolia ‘Mighty Mouse’
Magnolia ‘Mighty Mouse’

2020 – CHW
So I have been reading all week speculation in the media about how many people in the country have already had the corona. The clear implication is that people who have it without dying or visiting the beloved NHS have not noticed that they have ‘had it’. Whether one in forty infected overall in the country is even faintly accurate, as the newspapers suggest, we have no idea.If it is the ‘herd immunity’ approach, as in Sweden and Norway, then they may have a thing or two to tell the UK. It may even be part of the original government plans as they so unwisely (media wise) unwittingly told the nation nine days ago.At the moment it is all about tests or the lack of them. BBC bleating from the safety of their very well paid sofas on Zoom at home of course.If you have actually had the corona then I am pretty sure most of you would have actually noticed being ill? Why do you need a bloody test to prove it, and your then supposed, immunity? Bugger off back to work and no more excuses – but we must have a test!If you track the BCC (early morning especially) you can follow the reality of an INDUCED and DELIBERATE panic. Each day there is another ‘reasonable’ demand on the government which, when satisfied, then moves on to another supposed outrage.In a war the media should be controlled even if the government is wrong, makes mistakes, gets overtired and is fallible in its judgement/decisions.So the Germans (we are told) do ‘testing’ so much better than us? They have generally started wars well but ended up rather less well!Yes we will get ‘tests’ (of two sorts) eventually but what will they tell us other than the bloody obvious? I refer you back to yesterday’s missive about the NHS staff and local hospitals at present. Much bullshit and little common sense here! Go back please too to the Spectator article about death recording as well which was featured in this diary.I rest a case which may be as wrong as Neil Ferguson’s advice to the government during the 2001 foot and mouth epidemic. Foot and Mouth Disease 2001 Inquiry ReportI wonder when we will see the first house martin back here?Saxegothaea conspicua with fruits just starting to form.

Saxegothaea conspicua
Saxegothaea conspicua
Torreya taxifolia with flowers about to come out along and under the twigs. We have gathered fruits from this before.
Torreya taxifolia
Torreya taxifolia
Torreya taxifolia
Torreya taxifolia
A young Magnolia ‘Honey Tulip’ above Hovel Cart Road. These flowers were much larger on pot grown plants in the nursery and I am hopeful they will improve with age. Just a hint of ‘tulip’.
Magnolia 'Honey Tulip'
Magnolia ‘Honey Tulip’
Magnolia 'Honey Tulip'
Magnolia ‘Honey Tulip’
Magnolia ‘Spectrum’ rather faded and battered about (Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ x Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’). I have seen a few ‘Spectrum’ over the years and cannot be certain that this one is true to name. It has produced much darker flowers in the past.
Magnolia 'Spectrum'
Magnolia ‘Spectrum’
Magnolia 'Spectrum'
Magnolia ‘Spectrum’

Podocarpus acutifolius has a good orange-yellow glow even before the new growth appears. This is becoming a huge spreading shrub.

Podocarpus acutifolius
Podocarpus acutifolius
Podocarpus acutifolius
Podocarpus acutifolius

Another near failure with a tender new plant. Dendropanax japonicus has only a few leaves left. I put it in too cold a place!

DENDROPANAX japonicus
DENDROPANAX japonicus

A young Acer erianthrum is early into leaf with coppery new growth.

Acer erianthrum
Acer erianthrum
Acer erianthrum
Acer erianthrum

The sad stump of the last Quercus x ludoviciana growing here which succumbed to Phytophthora a few years ago.

Quercus x ludoviciana
Quercus x ludoviciana

COVID has created more time to deadhead young rhododendrons to stop them seeding. Too early in the year really for this job now but I find a white form of Rhododendron nobleanum to deal with as here. Newly planted.

Rhododendron nobleanum
Rhododendron nobleanum

Staphylea holocarpa ‘Innocence’ just coming out above Bond Street.

Staphylea holocarpa ‘Innocence’
Staphylea holocarpa ‘Innocence’

The first full out bluebell I have seen with true blue colours.

Bluebells
Bluebells

In the old Hardy & Bert’s nursery (former gardeners) I find a Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’ seedling still full out in the sun which is invisible from the drive below.

Magnolia sprengeri 'Diva'
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’

And another elderly clump of Enkianthus perulatus by Hardy & Bert’s.

ENKIANTHUS perulatus
ENKIANTHUS perulatus

Masses of violets on Sinogrande Walk.

Violets
Violets

Amelanchier sanguinea which I had not seen in flower before. Not yet very vigorous.

Amelanchier sanguinea
Amelanchier sanguinea
Amelanchier sanguinea
Amelanchier sanguinea
Amelanchier sanguinea
Amelanchier sanguinea

A larger Taiwania cryptomerioides than the one we looked at recently. Spreading habit with no obvious leader as yet.

Taiwania cryptomerioides
Taiwania cryptomerioides

I think this is Pseudotaxus chienii which is a shrub with yew like leaves and, one day, white berries if we are lucky.

Pseudotaxus chienii
Pseudotaxus chienii
Pseudotaxus chienii
Pseudotaxus chienii
Pseudotaxus chienii
Pseudotaxus chienii
You really do not see too many common holly berries in April!
HOLLY berries
HOLLY berries

Corylopsis willmottiae (now sinensis) ‘Spring Purple’ (because of its new leaves) looking splendid in the sun.

Corylopsis willmottiae (now sinensis) ‘Spring Purple’
Corylopsis willmottiae (now sinensis) ‘Spring Purple’
Corylopsis willmottiae (now sinensis) ‘Spring Purple’
Corylopsis willmottiae (now sinensis) ‘Spring Purple’
Corylopsis willmottiae (now sinensis) ‘Spring Purple’
Corylopsis willmottiae (now sinensis) ‘Spring Purple’

2019 – CHW

So now a viewing of more of the Betula species and varieties which we have quietly assembled in the last 10 years or so.

Betula ashburneri with its first catkins. A gift from Stone Lane Gardens and their national collection of Betula.

Betula ashburneri
Betula ashburneri
These eight plants were planted above the drive in 2008 (another three died along the way). Several are 10-15ft tall and one is nearer 30ft.
Betula utilis ssp. albosinensis has enormous catkins all over the tree and the bark is just starting to peel nicely.
Betula utilis ssp. albosinensis
Betula utilis ssp. albosinensis
Betula utilis ssp. albosinensis
Betula utilis ssp. albosinensis
Betula utilis ssp. albosinensis
Betula utilis ssp. albosinensis
Betula utilis ssp. albosinensis
Betula utilis ssp. albosinensis
Betula pendula ssp. szechuanica ‘Liuba White’. The catkins have individual flowers with red centres. Catkins in profusion all over.
Betula pendula ssp. szechuanica ‘Liuba White’
Betula pendula ssp. szechuanica ‘Liuba White’
Betula pendula ssp. szechuanica ‘Liuba White’
Betula pendula ssp. szechuanica ‘Liuba White’
Betula pendula ssp. szechuanica ‘Liuba White’
Betula pendula ssp. szechuanica ‘Liuba White’
Betula dahurica ‘Maurice Foster’ (formerly Betula davurica). A very rugged bark and now 25-30ft tall in only 10 or so years. Phenomenal growth in a cold exposed position. Catkins are over.
Betula dahurica ‘Maurice Foster’
Betula dahurica ‘Maurice Foster’
Betula dahurica ‘Maurice Foster’
Betula dahurica ‘Maurice Foster’
Betula dahurica ‘Maurice Foster’
Betula dahurica ‘Maurice Foster’
Betula utilis ‘Doorenbos’ (‘Snow Queen’) living up to its name. Unripe catkins are in pendulous trios.
Betula utilis ‘Doorenbos’
Betula utilis ‘Doorenbos’
Betula utilis ‘Doorenbos’
Betula utilis ‘Doorenbos’
Betula utilis ‘Doorenbos’
Betula utilis ‘Doorenbos’
Betula utilis ‘Doorenbos’
Betula utilis ‘Doorenbos’
Betula ermanii ‘Greyswood Hill’ with erect catkins not yet fully formed. The trunk is not yet quite a match for ‘Greyswood Ghost’ and some lower branches need pruning out so the trunk can better be seen from the drive below.
Betula ermanii ‘Greyswood Hill’
Betula ermanii ‘Greyswood Hill’
Betula ermanii ‘Greyswood Hill’
Betula ermanii ‘Greyswood Hill’
Betula ermanii ‘Greyswood Hill’
Betula ermanii ‘Greyswood Hill’
Betula ermanii ‘Greyswood Hill’
Betula ermanii ‘Greyswood Hill’
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii ‘Greyswood Ghost’ – catkins in trios. Only at the base of the tree has the peeling started properly.
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii ‘Greyswood Ghost’
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii ‘Greyswood Ghost’
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii ‘Greyswood Ghost’
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii ‘Greyswood Ghost’
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii ‘Greyswood Ghost’
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii ‘Greyswood Ghost’
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii ‘Greyswood Ghost’
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii ‘Greyswood Ghost’
Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii ‘Jermyns’ is plastered in catkins too. Look at the colour changes between the younger branches (dark), more mature branches (reddish) and the trunk (white). Named by Sir Harold Hillier.
Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii ‘Jermyns’
Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii ‘Jermyns’
Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii ‘Jermyns’
Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii ‘Jermyns’
Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii ‘Jermyns’
Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii ‘Jermyns’
Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii ‘Jermyns’
Betula utilis ssp. jacquemontii ‘Jermyns’
Betula utilis ssp.jacquemontii ‘Silver Shadow’ – named by John Hillier. A huge and pronounced change in the bark colour over time here too. I think this may be a better form than ‘Jermyns’ but the jury is out. Not in leaf at all yet and no catkins.
Betula utilis ssp.jacquemontii ‘Silver Shadow’
Betula utilis ssp.jacquemontii ‘Silver Shadow’
Betula utilis ssp.jacquemontii ‘Silver Shadow’
Betula utilis ssp.jacquemontii ‘Silver Shadow’
Betula utilis ssp.jacquemontii ‘Silver Shadow’
Betula utilis ssp.jacquemontii ‘Silver Shadow’
Betula utilis ssp.jacquemontii ‘Silver Shadow’
Betula utilis ssp.jacquemontii ‘Silver Shadow’

2018 – CHW

To Belvoir Castle to plan further planting in the Carlisle Garden and at Croxton Park around the three lakes.

Belvoir Castle
Belvoir Castle
Belvoir Castle
Belvoir Castle
Belvoir Castle
Belvoir Castle
Belvoir Castle
Belvoir Castle
A trip in the sun below the castle to view the Japanese garden and our 12 year old camellia plantings here which are now maturing.
The markings on the bark of the Castanea sativa which are all 200 plus years old trees are extraordinary. Very different on different ancient trees.
Castanea sativa
Castanea sativa
Castanea sativa
Castanea sativa
Castanea sativa
Castanea sativa
Castanea sativa
Castanea sativa
A sorbus with all its berries still intact on the tree in April! Perhaps a Sorbus intermedia but not a Sorbus aucuparia variety I think. Odd that in such a cold winter the birds have ignored this tree. Could not find a definitive leaf to check.
Perhaps a Sorbus intermedia
Perhaps a Sorbus intermedia
Views across the ‘Japanese’ garden with the first camellias (x williamsii and not Camellia japonica!) showing. About four to six weeks behind ours in Cornwall but a really pleasant impact when seen through the mature trees in dappled sunlight.

Views across the ‘Japanese’ garden with the first camellias

Views across the ‘Japanese’ garden with the first camellias

 

Views across the ‘Japanese’ garden with the first camellias
Views across the ‘Japanese’ garden with the first camellias
Views across the ‘Japanese’ garden with the first camellias
Views across the ‘Japanese’ garden with the first camellias
Views across the ‘Japanese’ garden with the first camellias
Views across the ‘Japanese’ garden with the first camellias
A Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ late into flower on the drive with leaves appearing and quite a scent. Not exactly a nice one to me anyway.
Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’
Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’
The first magnolia which we planted at Belvoir as a present to Her Grace, Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ just about to come out. Perhaps 15 years from planting just below the castle itself.
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’

2017 – CHW
Off to the Top Lodge to see what is out or interesting.

Hydrangea ‘Tricolor’ just coming into leaf. The odd yellow new growths will turn pure white but here they contrast nicely with the other leaves which are green edged white.

Hydrangea ‘Tricolor’
Hydrangea ‘Tricolor’
Hydrangea ‘Tricolor’
Hydrangea ‘Tricolor’
Magnolia soulangeana ‘Dr Callies’ quite good in the sun.
Magnolia soulangeana ‘Dr Callies’
Magnolia soulangeana ‘Dr Callies’
Magnolia soulangeana ‘Dr Callies’
Magnolia soulangeana ‘Dr Callies’
Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Vesta’ is suddenly out early. Nearly eight weeks too soon for its usual spot at Chelsea.
Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Vesta’
Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Vesta’
Prunus machii ‘Amber Beauty’ is developing a pleasant peeling trunk but no flowers yet. I first saw this on the Hillier’s stand at Chelsea many years ago.
Prunus machii ‘Amber Beauty’
Prunus machii ‘Amber Beauty’
The Leujocum aestivum are out on time and not absurdly early as last year.
Leujocum aestivum
Leujocum aestivum
This camellia japonica variety has an ancient Burncoose label saying ‘Optima’ which it clearly is not. Anyone any ideas? [I looked it up and it is Camellia japonica ‘Onetia Holland’]
‘Optima’
‘Optima’
‘Optima’
‘Optima’
‘Optima’
‘Optima’
Camellia x williamsii ‘E G Waterhouse’ is at its best today.
Camellia x williamsii ‘E G Waterhouse’
Camellia x williamsii ‘E G Waterhouse’
Camellia x williamsii ‘E G Waterhouse’
Camellia x williamsii ‘E G Waterhouse’
Camellia x williamsii ‘E G Waterhouse’
Camellia x williamsii ‘E G Waterhouse’
Prunus ‘Shirotae’ is unbelievably good as usual.
Prunus ‘Shirotae’
Prunus ‘Shirotae’
Prunus ‘Shirotae’
Prunus ‘Shirotae’
Prunus ‘Shirotae’
Prunus ‘Shirotae’
Behind it an Amelanchier laevis is out just as the leaf starts to emerge.
Amelanchier laevis
Amelanchier laevis
Amelanchier laevis
Amelanchier laevis
Amelanchier laevis
Amelanchier laevis
An unusual late daffodil flowering in full shade.
late daffodil
late daffodil
Prunus matsumae-hanagasa (‘Pink Parasol’) planted last autumn is a good show already. These new Matsumae cherries are a must for all serious gardeners!
Prunus matsumae-hanagasa (‘Pink Parasol’)
Prunus matsumae-hanagasa (‘Pink Parasol’)
Prunus matsumae-hanagasa (‘Pink Parasol’)
Prunus matsumae-hanagasa (‘Pink Parasol’)
Prunus matsumae-hanagasa (‘Pink Parasol’)
Prunus matsumae-hanagasa (‘Pink Parasol’)
The thrush eggs in the nest in the Rookery have hatched.
Thrush eggs have hatched
Thrush eggs have hatched

2016 – CHW
Here is the text of my speech given on the lawn today to nearly 90 guests invited by Christie’s and the Historic Houses Association to the 2016 Garden of the Year award for Caerhays:We were honoured and indeed surprised to have received this prestigious award from the Historic Houses Association and Christie’s. However only a little of the gardening credit can be taken by those of us who are here today.My great grandfather, J C Williams, started gardening here by breeding daffodils in the 1880s. Between 1902 and 1932 JC sponsored, either personally or as part of syndicates, no less than nine expeditions by the great Chinese plant hunter George Forrest. JC also received just as many species of new Chinese plant seeds from Ernest Wilson. It was JC who, with his 50 pre First World War gardeners, grew these plants from seed and created the very informal (some would say chaotic) garden you see here today. Survival of the new Chinese species collected in feudal warzones, where bows and arrows were still weapons, was more important than a grand design plan. Who knew what species of rhododendron, oak, acer or magnolia would survive in our climate and how tall they would eventually grow?JC died in 1939 and my great uncle, Charles Williams, took on. He too was a keen gardener and hybridiser although heavily involved in wartime politics. It is said with great justification that the garden would have been overrun by brambles and neglect if he had not spent all his spare time in the garden with a scythe (probably to avoid his teetotal aunts and the East End evacuees who were occupying the house).My father, who took on the mantle of running Caerhays in 1955, was not initially a gardener. His self taught knowledge and expertise from reference books soon however became considerable and my brother and I were brought up in the garden. In his tenure my father bred around a dozen new magnolias and laid out the start of what today is a national collection of magnolias.The 1960s and 1970s saw many of the Wilson and Forrest Chinese rhododendrons come into their prime. Many soon succumbed to old age and began to die as 60 to 80 years is a fair innings for a rhododendron.There was therefore a risk that Caerhays would become a declining historical museum like a few other Cornish gardens today of similar vintage. Things were brought to an abrupt head by the January 1990 hurricane which destroyed 20-25% of the garden in a day. My father, in retirement, left that day for a lengthy tour of Cornish clubs in Australia. When he returned the mess was cleared and in 1991 a massive replanting and rejuvenation or regeneration plan began which continues today.
The true recipients of this award should however be the Caerhays head gardeners of whom there have been only four since 1895. This is perhaps the secret of Caerhays’ continuous development. Mr Martin, Charles Michael, Philip Tregunna and now since 1996 Jaimie Parsons. All have probably done far more to initiate hybridisation work than my ancestors and they take all the credit for growing the new varieties and planting them out.The next crisis for the garden was sudden oak death or phytophthora ramorum. Dear old Defra told us in 2004 to cut down all our ponticum shelterbelts immediately and sweep all the paths daily. Common sense, thanks to English Heritage, eventually prevailed but we did clear the ponticum over 10 years replacing it with laurel and aucuba. By the law of inverse consequences we actually also then gained space for huge new planting areas.This led us to have the courage to add a 10 acre field into the garden which you will see achieving respectability. Before World War I Old Park and Forty Acres wood were part of the garden. Today they are again after massive clearance work to provide the space for more and more of the now 650 magnolia species and hybrids in the collection as well as a new collection of wild sourced Chinese rhododendron species. So we are still expanding and now have a national collection of podocarpus as well as growing important collections of enkianthus (my passion), styrax and stewartia. Eighty record trees remain in the garden of which the majority are still Chinese originals albeit some on their last legs.You will find the garden, and if I say so myself I do mean it, in very good heart, neater, tidier and more managed than for decades with acres and acres of new planting in the last 20 years. For this Jaimie Parsons and Michael Levett with their team of three (and one retiree who is here today after 48 years’ service) should take ALL the credit.We thank you again, HHA members, for selecting Caerhays for this great national award. My great grandfather, who hated publicity and visitors, would have been horrified and almost certainly would have declined. My father might have too before we opened the gardens fully in 1992. Thank you too to the directors and staff of Christie’s for all their support in making this day possible for us all.And finally thank you to my family for putting up with my gardening mania which I hope they will do more to develop as the years go by. It is in the genes!Thank you!
Garden of the year speech
Garden of the year speech
Garden of the year speech
Garden of the year speech
Garden of the year speech
Garden of the year speech
Garden of the year award
Garden of the year award
Garden of the year award
Garden of the year award
Garden of the year award
Garden of the year award
Garden of the year party
Garden of the year party
Garden of the year party
Garden of the year party
Garden of the year tour
Garden of the year tour
Garden of the year tour
Garden of the year tour
Garden of the year tour
Garden of the year tour
Garden of the year tour
Garden of the year tour
Garden of the year tour
Garden of the year tour
Garden of the year tour
Garden of the year tour
HHA & Christie's Logos

Hover on image below, then click arrows for more pictures…..
Historic Garden of Year Award 2016

2015 – CHW

Easter Sunday.  A quick review of newly flowering magnolias in Kennel Close.  All these are three to six years from planting and have just been weeded, re-staked and the wire netting surrounds straightened and heightened on the smaller plants.

MAGNOLIA 'Sir Harold HILLER' 02
M. ‘Sir Harold HILLER’
MAGNOLIA 'Sir Harold HILLER'
MAGNOLIA ‘Sir Harold Hiller’

a) One initial but sizeable flower on Magnolia ‘Sir Harold Hillier’ which is an almost pure campbellii alba seedling originally from Chyverton. We have other plants.

MAGNOLIA kobus 'White Elegance' 02
M. kobus ‘White Elegance’
MAGNOLIA kobus 'White Elegance'
MAGNOLIA kobus ‘White Elegance’

b) First flowering (seen by me anyway) of Magnolia Kobus ‘Octopus’ and Magnolia Kobus ‘White Elegance’. Both look very vigorous but Octopus is the better flower.  A bit similar to Magnolia ‘Wodas Memory’ but smaller.

MAGNOLIA kobus 'Octopus' 02
MAGNOLIA kobus ‘Octopus’
MAGNOLIA kobus 'Octopus'
MAGNOLIA kobus ‘Octopus’
MAGNOLIA 'Raspberry Fun'
MAGNOLIA ‘Raspberry Fun’
MAGNOLIA 'Raspberry Fun'
MAGNOLIA ‘Raspberry Fun’

c) Quite the best new thing flowering here is Magnolia ‘Raspberry Fun’.  No idea of parentage but I guess Magnolia stellata x Magnolia liliiflora nigra.  To check. Ah see here comments by Jim Gardiner on the 10th – sigh!

M. ‘Black Tulip’ x M.‘Deep Purple Dream’ 02
M. ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Deep Purple Dream’
M. ‘Black Tulip’ x M.‘Deep Purple Dream’
M. ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Deep Purple Dream’

d) Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia ‘Deep Purple Dream’ has its first three dark flowers.  Never seen Dark Purple Dream and Black Tulip not out yet to compare.

MAGNOLIA 'Petit_Chicon'
MAGNOLIA ‘Petit Chicon’
MAGNOLIA 'Petit_Chicon' 02
MAGNOLIA ‘Petit Chicon’

e) Magnolia ‘ Petit Chicon’ is nothing special as yet nor is Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’.

MAGNOLIA 'Yakeo' 04
MAGNOLIA ‘Yakeo’
MAGNOLIA 'Yakeo' 03
MAGNOLIA ‘Yakeo’
MAGNOLIA 'YAKEO'
MAGNOLIA ‘Yakeo’

f) Magnolia ‘Yakeo’ is improving with age.  A small growing and floriferous plant whose flower buds bend over much.

So onto the drive to review Vance Hooper’s other introductions besides Magnolia ‘Genie’ and Magnolia ‘Brixton Belle’ mentioned earlier as excellent.

MAGNOLIA 'Plum Pudding' 02
MAGNOLIA ‘Plum Pudding’ 02
MAGNOLIA 'Plum Pudding'
MAGNOLIA ‘Plum Pudding’

a) Magnolia ‘Plum Pudding’ is a nice shaped cup like Brixton Belle but a rather muddy colour and not one to get too excited about.

MAGNOLIA 'Cleopatra' 02
MAGNOLIA ‘Cleopatra’
MAGNOLIA 'Cleopatra'
MAGNOLIA ‘Cleopatra’

b) Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’, conversely, is a good colour but we need to see it full open to assess the final flower shape. Perhaps 6 or 7 out of 10.

The top plant below the leylandii but well up from Red Linney is labelled Magnolia ‘PhilipTregunna’ but is in fact another Magnolia ‘J C Williams’.  The plant at the entrance to Burncoose Garden from the nursery is similarly wrongly named. Clearly a daft batch mislabelled in New Zealand.

1965 – FJW
Magnolias at their best.

1959 – FJW
G H Johnstone came around for first time since 1957. White magnolia below Sutchuenense hybrids he identified as Mag elongata.

1948 – CW
No Maddeni out but reds and early blues. Daffodils well past best. Camellia reticulata at its best but others over except doubles. There has been a lot of hot sun and cold nights. Some hail the last week. Magnolia Diva and saluenensis types mostly over but have been very good.1943 – CW
I counted 17 Maddeni hybrids out in 40 Acres today. Two or three Auklandii out, 8 Michelias in flower, the best going over – Mag nitida has 50 flowers on top. Hard to get enough daffs for House – still a few good flowers on Mag sargetiana. 3 sorts of Peonies in Tin Garden – an iris opening, fuschias still in flower.

1909 – JCW
Later than 1907, only one poet Lulworth and that had a bell gap. Auklandii show no movement. Arboreum x Thomsonii open. Rhodo ‘1875’ is open. Argenteum is nearly at its best.

1907 – JCW
The show at Truro. No good de Graaf, all had been boiled out. No Auklandii’s there. The show was quite five days too soon. Poets were weak, and there were a lot of overcooked flowers.

1906 – JCW
A M W saw the first martin. Cherries coming out, rather like 1902.

1902 – JCW
Three fourths of the de Graafs and Weardale open, a few Lulworths, most of the de Graaf Triandrus that I bought last year, nearly all the Lulworth seedlings, most poets and nearly related hybrids of poets are bad in the [?].

1901 – JCW
Saw the first colour in the grap tulips.