9th 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

Another major storm last night. Was it a named storm? No idea. It started as a cold southerly and then turned round on itself to become a northerly.

A photograph of Paulownia kawakamii at Kew taken by Tony Kirkham who was judging at the CGS show. Tony introduced P. kawakamii into UK cultivation from seed he collected in Taiwan. At the show Tregothnan had what they called P. kawakamii in one of their exhibits. It was nothing like this! Tony Kirkham and I both agree that, in fact, Tregothnan showed Paulownia tomentosa ‘Lilacina’. This does flower in early April whereas P. kawakamii only flowers in late May or early June. Much friendly banter!

Paulownia kawakamii
Paulownia kawakamii
Paulownia kawakamii
Paulownia kawakamii
Is this Acer pentaphyllum? Not in leaf as yet and not on planting plan. Having watched the IDS lecture on this Acer, and its rarity today in the wild due to the building of new dams, I rather hope so.
Acer pentaphyllum
Acer pentaphyllum
Acer pentaphyllum
Acer pentaphyllum
Rhododendron ‘Damaris’ just coming out.
Rhododendron ‘Damaris’
Rhododendron ‘Damaris’
Despite the wet conditions Frankie is tidying up on Rookery Path.
Frankie is tidying up
Frankie is tidying up
Camellia japonica ‘Look Away’ nearly over.
Camellia japonica ‘Look Away’
Camellia japonica ‘Look Away’
Magnolia ‘Yuchelia’ just out high up.
Magnolia ‘Yuchelia’
Magnolia ‘Yuchelia’
Ribes longeracemosa living up to its name.
Ribes longeracemosa
Ribes longeracemosa
Ribes longeracemosa
Ribes longeracemosa
Rhododendron xichangense is listed as rarely in cultivation or of doubtful provenance in the Pocket Handbook. In the triflora series. What were 3 tiny plants not long ago have grown quickly into decent bushes.
Rhododendron xichangense
Rhododendron xichangense
Rhododendron xichangense
Rhododendron xichangense

2023 – CHW
A fine Easter weekend. I saw the first bluebell in flower at Burncoose 3 days ago but it was raining and my camera does not like the rain!This is a 1998 rhododendron cross made by Jaimie. His cross No. 12 which we need to look up. Attractive striping as it first opens and, perhaps, well worth naming. Perhaps Rh. calophytum is one of the parents?

1998 rhododendron cross made by Jaimie
1998 rhododendron cross made by Jaimie
1998 rhododendron cross made by Jaimie
1998 rhododendron cross made by Jaimie

Then onto the new 1 year old Amelanchier collection to finish a film on Amelanchiers which I started a year ago. Last year I was too late to film the larger trees which were over.

Amelanchier asiatica (1978-2124 HA) – one of Starborough Nurseries former National Collection. Growing and flowering profusely already.
Amelanchier asiatica (1978-2124 HA)
Amelanchier asiatica (1978-2124 HA)
Amelanchier asiatica (1978-2124 HA)
Amelanchier asiatica (1978-2124 HA)
Amelanchier laevis ‘Snowflakes’.
Amelanchier laevis ‘Snowflakes’
Amelanchier laevis ‘Snowflakes’
Amelanchier laevis ‘Snowflakes’
Amelanchier laevis ‘Snowflakes’
Amelanchier laevis ‘Princess Diana’.
Amelanchier laevis ‘Princess Diana’
Amelanchier laevis ‘Princess Diana’
Amelanchier laevis ‘Princess Diana’
Amelanchier laevis ‘Princess Diana’
Amelanchier obovalis ‘Jenny Belle’.
Amelanchier obovalis ‘Jenny Belle’
Amelanchier obovalis ‘Jenny Belle’
Amelanchier obovalis ‘Jenny Belle’
Amelanchier obovalis ‘Jenny Belle’
Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Pumila’.
Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Pumila’
Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Pumila’
Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Pumila’
Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Pumila’
Amelanchier laevis ‘R.J. Hilton’ with distinctly pink buds.
Amelanchier laevis ‘R.J. Hilton’
Amelanchier laevis ‘R.J. Hilton’
Amelanchier laevis ‘R.J. Hilton’
Amelanchier laevis ‘R.J. Hilton’
As usual I have photographed the first sycamore tree which is properly in leaf this spring.
first sycamore
first sycamore

2022 – CHW

First two house martins seen over the lake yesterday morning by Jaimie (8th April). Bang on time.

A fine sunny day after a good bit of rain yesterday. Good for the newly planted things to get a good watering in. Last April was very dry and things suffered by mid-May.
Rhododendron magnificum on Rookery Path. The flowers quickly fade in colour. Nearby is Rh. praestans which does the same.

Rhododendron magnificum
Rhododendron magnificum
First flowers out on Magnolia ‘Lois’. Nothing showing on M. ‘Daphne’ as yet.
Magnolia ‘Lois’
Magnolia ‘Lois’
Michelia ‘Mixed up Miss’ just showing but not with much scent as yet. We never thought this variety tough enough to develop and grow but it is now a decent small tree of circa 15-18ft in height.
Michelia ‘Mixed up Miss’
Michelia ‘Mixed up Miss’
Magnolia ‘Tropicana’ at its best with the full mixture of colours. Love it or loath it? It certainly is ‘different’!
Magnolia ‘Tropicana’
Magnolia ‘Tropicana’
Magnolia ‘Tropicana’
Magnolia ‘Tropicana’
The 1920s original Michelia floribunda with more flowers than we have seen for years. Hopefully some resulting seeds this autumn.
Michelia floribunda
Michelia floribunda
Rhodoleia aff. parvipetala now full out and the flowers are fading to pink.
Rhodoleia aff. parvipetala
Rhodoleia aff. parvipetala
Rhodoleia aff. parvipetala
Rhodoleia aff. parvipetala
Rhodoleia aff. parvipetala
Rhodoleia aff. parvipetala
Rhodoleia aff. parvipetala
Rhodoleia aff. parvipetala
Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’ putting on a splendid display again this year with little leaf. In full shelter here as we previously lost three young plants in an east wind near the Playhouse.
Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’
Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’
Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’ and Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’ in the background. An odd and spectacular combination.
Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’ and Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’
Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’ and Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’
Michelia ‘Touch of Pink’ nearly full out although the ‘touch’ at the tip of the tepals is hard to see here.
Michelia ‘Touch of Pink’
Michelia ‘Touch of Pink’
Ucodendron whartonii with its witch hazel flowers for, I think, the third or fourth year at Caerhays. We are now told to call this Disanthus ovatifolius which may well annoy Crûg Farm Plants who first introduced this new plant into cultivation in the UK in 2006 under the previous name. Never sure if this is turning into a wall shrub, a cascading small shrub or even a small tree?
Ucodendron whartonii
Ucodendron whartonii
Daphniphyllum macropodum var. humile with attractive flower buds and soft new growth. A very compact and neat small rounded shrub.
Daphniphyllum macropodum var. humile
Daphniphyllum macropodum var. humile
Daphniphyllum macropodum var. humile
Daphniphyllum macropodum var. humile
Rhododendron ‘Lady Montague Group’ just out.
Rhododendron ‘Lady Montague Group’
Rhododendron ‘Lady Montague Group’
Wonderful bronze new growth on Photinia glomerata. The Trewithen clump of plants are much larger and taller.
Photinia glomerata
Photinia glomerata
New growth too on a thriving young Ilex yunnanensis with a few flowers showing. I first saw this unlikely looking holly at Rosemoor just outside the formal walled garden on the way to the underpass under the road.
Ilex yunnanensis
Ilex yunnanensis

2021 – CHW
Jaimie photographed a stoat chasing a rabbit at the sales point this afternoon. In burning up a fallen tree in the Rookery today a nearby pile of logs was disturbed which turned out to contain both a live stoat and a half eaten small rabbit. Clearly the stoat had to try again quickly for a fresh meal.
stoat
stoat
The first and rather small / slightly frosted flower on Jaimie’s 2009 cross between Magnolia ‘Atlas’ and Magnolia sargentiana (pure). M. sargentiana has only flowered here once in 50 years. The flower shape clearly suggests M. sargentiana. In a year or two this may turn out to be a very exciting new hybrid indeed. So rare is M. sargentiana (pure) that it may have little competition.
Magnolia ‘Atlas’ and Magnolia sargentiana (pure)
Magnolia ‘Atlas’ and Magnolia sargentiana (pure)
Early this morning I saw a batch of some 200 house martins circling above the pond but at a great height. As big a group of arrivals as I have ever seen together before they moved off northwards. This is three days after I saw the first swallows and house martins here.
The Magnolia ‘Peachy’ are just about out but the very similar Magnolia ‘Daybreak’ is still in tight bud.
Magnolia ‘Peachy’
Magnolia ‘Peachy’
Magnolia ‘Peachy’
Magnolia ‘Peachy’
A few other slightly frosted magnolias newly out in Kennel Close:
Magnolia ‘Tikitere’
Magnolia ‘Tikitere’
Magnolia ‘Tikitere’
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia liliiflora ‘Holland Red’ has now been named as ‘Olav Kalleberg’. It is going to be a superb thing.
‘Olav Kalleberg’
‘Olav Kalleberg’
Magnolia ‘Columnar Pink’ living up to its name. Getting better as it ages.
Magnolia ‘Columnar Pink’
Magnolia ‘Columnar Pink’
Magnolia ‘Columnar Pink’
Magnolia ‘Columnar Pink’
Magnolia soulangeana ‘Beugnon’ (after Castle Beugnon in Germany).
Magnolia soulangeana ‘Beugnon’
Magnolia soulangeana ‘Beugnon’
The gorgeous red new growth covers the trees in the row of Euonymus lucidus.
Euonymus lucidus
Euonymus lucidus
Another fallen beech tree cleared up in the Rookery. The trunk is inside the laurel hedge so can rot away on its own.
fallen beech tree
fallen beech tree
fallen beech tree
fallen beech tree
This rhododendron has the most wonderful internal pink striping on the trumpets of its opening flowers. The closest I can get to naming it is Rhododendron semnoides but it may be nearer to Rhododendron eximium?
rhododendron
rhododendron
rhododendron
rhododendron
rhododendron
rhododendron

2020 – CHW
Now the media moaning is about the professional footballers in the premiership whose players are paid an average £3.6 million each. Instead of really kicking up a deserved stink when the players refuse an overall 30% pay cut the BBC argument is that of the players themselves who maintain they pay more tax if they get paid more so far better for the NHS etc etc. Well fuck me! If the BBC sports reporter fell for that and the editors took it as their media stance what hope is there for the BBC and rational journalism? Who is afraid of who here one wonders and might the hundreds of BBC managers paid more than Boris fear taking a modest 30% cut too? Many clubs have furloughed most of their non-playing staff as well. Why does the BBC take such an aggressive line against the government while promoting rubbish like this as ‘reasonable’?

But I hear from Ian Burnett of a lifetime Oxford friend who has just died of the corona. Others are ill and here am I being facetious about the BBC and footballers! Strange and troubling times.

Jaimie found this happy notice pinned onto the car park gates by the police in a large four-by-four vehicle. Glad they have time on their hands for serious work. There was no one there to castigate!

Covid Notice
Covid Notice
Cyclamen coum, I thought, growing in a great swathe on the top bank. Closer investigation suggests these are perhaps Cyclamen repandum?
Cyclamen
Cyclamen
Cyclamen
Cyclamen
Rhododendron tanastyllum CNT 6350
Rhododendron tanastyllum CNT 6350
Rhododendron tanastyllum CNT 6350
Rhododendron suoilenhense now fully out and very splendid.
Rhododendron suoilenhense
Rhododendron suoilenhense
Rhododendron suoilenhense
Rhododendron suoilenhense
A Rhododendron oldhamii just coming out.
Rhododendron oldhamii
Rhododendron oldhamii
Rhododendron oldhamii
Rhododendron oldhamii
Rhododendron ‘Elizabeth’ now fully out.
Rhododendron ‘Elizabeth’
Rhododendron ‘Elizabeth’
Rhododendron ‘Elizabeth’
Rhododendron ‘Elizabeth’
Nice fresh growth on Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum’.
Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum’
Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum’
Today’s care articles that I have been writing included euonymus so here is a quick review of the species growing here.
Euonymus tonkinensis as a young evergreen plant.
Euonymus tonkinensis
Euonymus tonkinensis
Euonymus morrisonensis early into new growth and flower buds.
Euonymus morrisonensis
Euonymus morrisonensis
This is the small tree of what I think is Euonymus tingens. Very few leaves remain on the tree which is not recorded as an evergreen. I need help with this one.
Euonymus tingens
Euonymus tingens
Euonymus tingens
Euonymus tingens
Another Magnolia ‘Genie’ with some frost damage and unusually small flowers this year.
Magnolia ‘Genie’
Magnolia ‘Genie’
New growth on Quercus stenophylloides (CMBS 640 2003 – 1122).
Quercus stenophylloides
Quercus stenophylloides
Magnolia ‘Yuchelia’ with its first flowers out above Crinodendron Hedge amid the Styrax species planting.
Magnolia ‘Yuchelia’
Magnolia ‘Yuchelia’
Magnolia ‘Yuchelia’
Magnolia ‘Yuchelia’
Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’ beside it.
Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’
Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’
Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’
Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’
Camellia ‘Althaeiflora Gigantea’, as we have always called it, still full out with minimal frost damage. What enormous flowers! The camellia reference books do little to acknowledge the existence of this old variety but I tracked it down in the camellia encyclopaedia or international register to Treseders nurseries in the 1960s. It got an RHS award of merit in 1967. Treseders may well have got it from here originally.
Camellia ‘Althaeiflora Gigantea’
Camellia ‘Althaeiflora Gigantea’
Camellia ‘Althaeiflora Gigantea’
Camellia ‘Althaeiflora Gigantea’
Another fine set of berries hidden away on an Aucuba japonica.
Aucuba japonica
Aucuba japonica
Rhododendron oreodoxa var. fargesii in flower.
Rhododendron oreodoxa var. fargesii
Rhododendron oreodoxa var. fargesii
Rhododendron oreodoxa var. fargesii
Rhododendron oreodoxa var. fargesii
Flowers out on the elderly and, I suspect, dying Meliosma alba (formerly Meliosma beaniana).
Meliosma alba
Meliosma alba

The original Magnolia dawsoniana still full out at 50-60ft long after all the other Asiatics are well over. More flowers this year than for several years.

Magnolia dawsoniana
Magnolia dawsoniana
Magnolia dawsoniana
Magnolia dawsoniana
A busy bumble bee.
Bumble bee
Bumble bee
Old deer damage to the trunk of a big leafed rhodo has affected its growth quite considerably.
Deer damaged rhodie
Deer damaged rhodie
Symplocos aff. sumuntia full out in flower.
Symplocos aff. sumuntia
Symplocos aff. sumuntia
Symplocos aff. sumuntia
Symplocos aff. sumuntia
Symplocos aff. sumuntia
Symplocos aff. sumuntia
Rhododendron ‘Loch Awe’ splendid today.
Rhododendron ‘Loch Awe’
Rhododendron ‘Loch Awe’
Rhododendron ‘Loch Awe’
Rhododendron ‘Loch Awe’
Pittosporum eugenoides ‘Variegation’ – yellow flowers are wonderful with the variegated leaves.
Pittosporum eugenoides ‘Variegation’
Pittosporum eugenoides ‘Variegation’
Pittosporum eugenoides ‘Variegation’
Pittosporum eugenoides ‘Variegation’
Pittosporum eugenoides ‘Variegation’
Pittosporum eugenoides ‘Variegation’
Magnolia ‘Limelight’ about to spring open.
Magnolia ‘Limelight’
Magnolia ‘Limelight’
Symplocos dryophila coming into new growth but no flowers yet on this plant.
Symplocos dryophila
Symplocos dryophila
Rhododendron monosematum nearly over.
Rhododendron monosematum
Rhododendron monosematum
Rhododendron monosematum
Rhododendron monosematum
Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Aureus’ has had its leading shoot blown out in a gale. Now a rather spreading conical shrub rather than a small tree.
Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Aureus’
Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Aureus’
We have very few Higo camellias here but I stumbled across two. One of these I was totally unaware of. Looking in the reference books the lighter coloured one might well be ‘Takasago’ and the darker one is definitely Camellia ‘Hatsu-Zakura’ (also known as ‘Dewatarin’). These Higo camellias from the Japanese island of Kyushu have the unusual feature of stamens which flare out from the base rather than standing in a columnar fashion. Asia should propagate both this autumn.
Higo camellias ‘Takasago’?
Higo camellias ‘Takasago’?
Higo camellias ‘Takasago’?
Higo camellias ‘Takasago’?
Camellia ‘Hatsu-Zakura’
Camellia ‘Hatsu-Zakura’
Camellia ‘Hatsu-Zakura’
Camellia ‘Hatsu-Zakura’
Rhododendron schlippenbachii now full out in its pomp.
Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Magnolia stellata ‘Jane Platt’ just coming out rather later here than all the other stellata varieties.
Magnolia stellata ‘Jane Platt’
Magnolia stellata ‘Jane Platt’

2019 – CHW

The Cornwall Garden Society spring show for the first time at Wadebridge (Royal Cornwall county showground) in the cattle show sheds and outdoor arenas. A great improvement in the exhibits and trade stands after 18 years at Boconnoc with all the car parking issues. Fantastic show which puts Cornwall on the map and some RHS efforts in the shade.

Magnolia ‘Solar Flair’ in the three sprays class from Caerhays (which won first and a cup or two).

Magnolia ‘Solar Flair’
Magnolia ‘Solar Flair’
Magnolia ‘Apollo’ – in the three sprays class from Caerhays.
Magnolia ‘Apollo’
Magnolia ‘Apollo’
Magnolia ‘Margaret Helen’ – in the three sprays class from Caerhays.
Magnolia ‘Margaret Helen’
Magnolia ‘Margaret Helen’
Magnolia ‘Peachy’ in the one spray class (which won first).
Magnolia ‘Peachy’
Magnolia ‘Peachy’
Magnolia ‘Tropicana’ in the one spray class (which won second).
Magnolia ‘Tropicana’
Magnolia ‘Tropicana’
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’ in the single flower class (which won first).
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’
Burncoose won several first prizes also (in four out of the seven classes entered).
Rhododendron bahuiniflorum
Rhododendron bahuiniflorum
Rhododendron bahuiniflorum
Azalea ‘Hino Crimson’
Azalea ‘Hino Crimson’
Azalea ‘Hino Crimson’
Azalea ‘Hino Crimson’
Azalea ‘Hino Crimson’
Rhododendron macabeanum
Rhododendron macabeanum
Rhododendron macabeanum
Pieris ‘White Pearl’
Pieris ‘White Pearl’
Pieris ‘White Pearl’
If you want to see other nice things at the show click here.

2018 – CHW
Another hunt for decent magnolias now that the season is back in full swing. Thank goodness it is not the washout of 2012. Plenty now for visitors to see!

A young Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’ now full out.

Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’
Magnolia ‘Pristine’ just out by Georges Hut. A small bright pure white as the name implies.
Magnolia ‘Pristine’
Magnolia ‘Pristine’
Magnolia ‘Pristine’
Magnolia ‘Pristine’
Magnolia ‘Purple Splendour’ looking rather better than it did on the show bench on Saturday from the same tree. Some flowers better than others. A second plant in Kennel Close is also performing.
Magnolia ‘Purple Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Purple Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Purple Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Purple Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Purple Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Purple Splendour’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Daisy Diva’ – almost a semi double flower but cold damaged a bit as you can see.
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Daisy Diva’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Daisy Diva’
Magnolia ‘Angelica’ with its first flower emerging. Nothing special.
Magnolia ‘Angelica’
Magnolia ‘Angelica’
Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’ is yet another near white but performing rather well in Kennel Close.
Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’
Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’
Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’
Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’
Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’
Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’
Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’
Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’
Prunus matsumae ‘Beni-Yutaka’ with its first flowers. The first of the Matsumae cherries to be out that I have seen here. Savill plants still two weeks off showing colour.
Prunus matsumae ‘Beni-Yutaka’
Prunus matsumae ‘Beni-Yutaka’
The true and rather dwarf Magnolia cylindrica which was planted in 1957. From the Trewithen original plant I believe.
Magnolia cylindrica
Magnolia cylindrica
Magnolia cylindrica
Magnolia cylindrica
Magnolia cylindrica
Magnolia cylindrica
Magnolia salicifolia ‘Rosea’ with just a hint of pink in the opening buds that soon vanishes.
Magnolia salicifolia ‘Rosea’
Magnolia salicifolia ‘Rosea’
Magnolia salicifolia ‘Rosea’
Magnolia salicifolia ‘Rosea’
Another fine dry day. Good heavens two in a row!

2017 – CHW Off to the Valley Gardens and the rhododendron species collection.

Rhododendron thompsonii

Rhododendron thompsonii
Rhododendron thompsonii
Rhododendron thompsonii
Rhododendron thompsonii
Rhododendron martinianum which has died out at Caerhays.
Rhododendron martinianum
Rhododendron martinianum
Rhododendron wardii – the best yellow species?
Rhododendron wardii
Rhododendron wardii
Rhododendron wardii
Rhododendron wardii
Rhododendron rex ssp rex – yet another big leaf.
Rhododendron rex
Rhododendron rex
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum subsp xanthocodon ‘Purpurellum Group’ – perhaps my favourite colour. Half the superb clump has died since last year.
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum subsp xanthocodon ‘Purpurellum Group’
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum subsp xanthocodon ‘Purpurellum Group’
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum subsp xanthocodon ‘Purpurellum Group’
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum subsp xanthocodon ‘Purpurellum Group’
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum subsp xanthocodon ‘Purpurellum Group’
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum subsp xanthocodon ‘Purpurellum Group’
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum – long since gone from Caerhays due to the powdery mildew and rust infections of old.
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum
Rhododendron cinnarbarinum
Rhododendron hippophaeoides – a pleasant pale blue.
rhododendron hippophaeoides habashan
rhododendron hippophaeoides habashan
rhododendron hippophaeoides habashan
rhododendron hippophaeoides habashan
Rhododendron rubiginosum ‘Wakehurst’ – excellent show.
Rhododendron rubiginosum ‘Wakehurst’
Rhododendron rubiginosum ‘Wakehurst’
Rhododendron rubiginosum ‘Wakehurst’
Rhododendron rubiginosum ‘Wakehurst’
Rhododendron hyperythrum – perhaps the best show of the day the buds have an odd shape and stand proud before they open.
Rhododendron hyperythrum
Rhododendron hyperythrum
Rhododendron hyperythrum
Rhododendron hyperythrum
The best magnolia of the trip by far and one which Burncoose has to stock as well as plant out was Magnolia ‘Purple Prince’. No idea of its provenance.
Magnolia ‘Purple Prince’
Magnolia ‘Purple Prince’
Magnolia ‘Purple Prince’
Magnolia ‘Purple Prince’
Magnolia ‘Purple Prince’
Magnolia ‘Purple Prince’
Rhododendron principis
Rhododendron principis
Rhododendron principis
Rhododendron principis
Rhododendron principis
Rhododendron principis
Rhododendron principis
One of the last bulbicodums still just out.
bulbicodums
bulbicodums
Rhododendron tatsiense – entirely new to me.
tatsiense
tatsiense
For the acer care article – frost damage to emerging acer leaves.
frost damage to emerging acer leaves
frost damage to emerging acer leaves
Rhododendron ‘Olympic Lady’ – a williamsianum hybrid.
Rhododendron ‘Olympic Lady’
Rhododendron ‘Olympic Lady’
Rhododendron ‘Pook’ – a williamsianum hybrid.
Rhododendron ‘Pook’
Rhododendron ‘Pook’
Rhododendron ‘Arthur’ – a williamsianum hybrid.
Rhododendron ‘Arthur’
Rhododendron ‘Arthur’
Rhododendron falconeri ssp eximium
Rhododendron falconeri ssp eximium
Rhododendron falconeri ssp eximium
Azalea ‘Oino-Mezame’ – a Kurume in the Punch Bowl which we have lost.
Azalea ‘Oino-Mezame’
Azalea ‘Oino-Mezame’
Azalea ‘Oino-Mezame’
Azalea ‘Oino-Mezame’
A picture of the Punch Bowl just coming out.
the Punch Bowl just coming out
the Punch Bowl just coming out
Azalea ‘Katsura-no-hana’ – Kirume.
Azalea ‘Katsura-no-hana’
Azalea ‘Katsura-no-hana’
Azalea ‘Katsura-no-hana’
Azalea ‘Katsura-no-hana’
Prunus campanulata – really good!
Prunus campanulata
Prunus campanulata
Prunus campanulata
Prunus campanulata
Prunus Jo-Nioi – single flowers but highly effective in maturity.
Prunus Jo-Nioi
Prunus Jo-Nioi
Prunus Jo-Nioi
Prunus Jo-Nioi
Prunus Jo-Nioi
Prunus Jo-Nioi

Rhododendron ‘Joanita’

Rhododendron ‘Joanita’
Rhododendron ‘Joanita’
Prunus ‘Matsumae-Asami’ – there appear to be scores of very similar Matsumae varieties. The nine we stock are hopefully the best but we have only found one of these on our travels.
Prunus ‘Matsumae-Asami’
Prunus ‘Matsumae-Asami’
Prunus ‘Matsumae-Asami’
Prunus ‘Matsumae-Asami’
Rhododendron ‘Queen Wilhelmina’ – colour changes as the flower fades.
Rhododendron ‘Queen Wilhelmina’
Rhododendron ‘Queen Wilhelmina’
Rhododendron ‘Queen Wilhelmina’
Rhododendron ‘Queen Wilhelmina’
Rhododendron orbiculare x ‘Richard Gill’ – leaves of orbiculare but not the flowers.
Rhododendron orbiculare x ‘Richard Gill’
Rhododendron orbiculare x ‘Richard Gill’
Rhododendron orbiculare x ‘Richard Gill’
Rhododendron orbiculare x ‘Richard Gill’
The Prunus ‘Kanzan’ glade at its best.
Prunus ‘Kanzan’
Prunus ‘Kanzan’
Rhododendron rex
Rhododendron rex
Rhododendron rex
Rhododendron rex
Rhododendron rex
To our amazement Disanthus cercidifolius in full sun at the top of a dry hill with poor soil but looking well. Perhaps we got it wrong planting it in wet semi shade where we have lost it twice.
Disanthus cercidifolius
Disanthus cercidifolius
Disanthus cercidifolius
Disanthus cercidifolius
Meliosma oldhamii looks nothing like our much younger plant? No orange indumentum on the buds. Its bark is not like Meliosma veitchiorum but its new growth and branches are? Could this be a mix up? I think we have had this discussion before.
Meliosma oldhamii
Meliosma oldhamii
Meliosma oldhamii
Meliosma oldhamii
Sequoiadendron giganteum ‘Pendulum’ [Not ‘Pygmaeum’ – thanks to Wolfgang Keidel for pointing this out] trailing over a fence. The reversions growing out of the top need removing.
Sequoiadendron giganteum ‘Pendulum’
Sequoiadendron giganteum ‘Pendulum’
Sequoiadendron giganteum ‘Pygmaeum’
Sequoiadendron giganteum ‘Pygmaeum’
A gnarled old sweet chestnut that may or may not have passed the annual health and safety tree inspection report.
sweet chestnut
sweet chestnut

2016 – CHW
Amid the primroses you often find wild primulas of varying colours which have naturalised from the primulas which once grew in the border below.Alongside are clumps of Cyclamen coum with their distinctive leaves. J C Williams spent hundreds of pounds before the First War buying cyclamen species from Turkey so these have been here for 100 years thriving and naturalising with their autumn cousins; Cyclamen hederifolium.

wild primulas
wild primulas
Cyclamen coum
Cyclamen coum
Rhododendron albrechtii is full out in the Auklandii Garden. A deciduous species which has lived here for 100 years and was featured on the table of centurion rhodos at the Rhododendon, Camellia & Magnolia Group visit on Thursday.
Rhododendron albrechtii
Rhododendron albrechtii
Magnolia ‘Kews Surprise’ has survived last night’s hail. You seldom find flowers low enough to photograph properly on the original tree but here we have a treat and you can see the true colour.
Magnolia ‘Kews Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Kews Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Kews Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Kews Surprise’
Stachyurus himalaicus is a rare, tender and slower growing species. This one has, so far, been spared by the deer which have devoured other species.
Stachyurus himalaicus
Stachyurus himalaicus
Stachyurus himalaicus
Stachyurus himalaicus
Azalea stenopetalum ‘Linearifolium’ above the greenhouse has a very pale mauve flower and is rather different in colour to the plants not yet out in the Rockery. I did not know this plant was even here!
Azalea stenopetalum ‘Linearifolium’
Azalea stenopetalum ‘Linearifolium’
Azalea stenopetalum ‘Linearifolium’
Azalea stenopetalum ‘Linearifolium’
The wild collected Magnolia cylindrica (NA60704) bought in 2005 from Eisenhut and planted in 2007 is just coming out. Unlike our original M cylindrica which is pure white this has an attractive reddish purple stripe at the base of the tepals.
Magnolia cylindrica
Magnolia cylindrica
Magnolia ‘Sundance’ now has a couple of flowers out low enough to photograph properly. Not a great colour but what a superb shape.
Magnolia ‘Sundance’
Magnolia ‘Sundance’

2015 – CHW

MAGNOLIA 'Black Tulip'
MAGNOLIA ‘Black Tulip’
MAGNOLIA 'Black Tulip' 02
MAGNOLIA ‘Genie’ ?? tbc

Magnolia Black Tulip is just strutting its stuff.  A nice rounded flower and a different shape to Magnolia ‘Genie’.   I see the RHS are producing a new colour chart in May and we need to get this for next year to help describe magnolia flower colours which are so difficult to find words for.  Putting it crudely ‘Genie’ is a reddish black when it first opens whereas ‘Black Tulip’ is purplish sort of blackish when it first opens. Which is the darkest – see for yourself?

MAGNOLIA 'Sunrise'
MAGNOLIA ‘Sunrise’
MAGNOLIA 'Sunrise' 02
MAGNOLIA ‘Sunrise’ 02

Magnolia ‘Sunrise’ is full of flower on Burns Bank. A good flower with a bold reddish stripe on a profusion of white flowers.Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum in full flower below Donkey Shoe.  This is the first time I have seen these pink flowers on this species best known for its attractive silvery indumentum on the new growth.

RHODODENDROM floccigerum
RHODODENDROM floccigerum is variable in colour but has always been one of my favourite species alongside Rhododendron heliopsis.

1970 – FJW
Auntie and I went up Trengwainton Drive in a heavy snow showers.

1966 – FJW
Charles caught 10 trout.

1965 – FJW
David fell into the pond backwards [from the old grey boat once rowed across the channel to Porthluney beach during the war by a French criminal who claimed to be escaping the Nazis].

1964 – FJW
Rhodo and Camellia group came – almost too tired (?) to ask questions. There was little out in the garden.

1946 – CW
Truro Show – shrubs good also Camellias. Rhododendrons poor, partly a bad year for flower. Magnolia dawsoniana, S Robusta nearly over also Mollicomata. Sargentiana almost at its best. Auklandii x Mrs Butler hybrids very good. Daffodils almost over. There has been a fuschia by the pantry out for well over a week.

1916 – JCW
Just about the best day of a very bad daff season, plenty of good yellow incomps and some good Leden. Rhodo’s frosted and maimed by the frost. The first de Graaf’s open in the Drive and a few cherries.

1914 – JCW
The Auklandii x white Arboreum are now opening, Pyrus caloneura has been good for a fortnight.

1906 – JCW
Daffs on the wane, we have had a long dry three weeks for the flowers. Primroses at their best.

1905 – JCW
It is about the best day of the daff season, some buds of de Graaf yet to open, am sending most of the Lulworths to London and Plymouth for Tuesday.

1903 – JCW
The first Grandis is open and all daffodils or nearly all are on the wane though we have Maximus yet.

1900 – JCW
Weardale, Torch, G of Leiden, Lucifer just opening.

1898 – JCW
One Iris lorteti shows colour, primroses at about their best, the last Emperor bud has opened, but the late planted H Irving is only just out.

One thought on “9th April

  1. Hello,
    the 2 pics of Sequoiadendron shows the cultivar ‘ Pendulum’, not ‘ Pygmaeum ‘.
    Regards
    Wolfgang Keidel
    Arboretum Fraulund,Germany

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