2025 – CHW
Torrential rain all day and photography impossible. Cold East wind as well and another night of frost looms.
2024 – CHW
Each year I have a trawl down from the Top Lodge to see exactly what camellias are showing in this very early year. These 50 or so plants were all planted out in 2007 and are now coming into their prime. Quite a show today but still only about a third are yet in flower. (I showed you a few a fortnight or so ago so will not repeat these here).
Camellia japonica ‘Desire’ just beginning.
Camellia japonica ‘Sunburst’ properly out and a bit rain damaged.
Camellia japonica ‘Magnoliaeflora’ absolutely full out although the elderly plant on the top wall above the front door is not.
Camellia japonica ‘High Hat’ is normally one of the very first japonicas to show but not this year. Only just starting.
Camellia japonica ‘Debutante’ – another one which is usually fairly early here. It is in fact well ahead of ‘High Hat’ this year.
Camellia japonica ‘Margherita Coleoni’ also a bit storm battered but nicely out.
Camellia x williamsii ‘Monica Dance’ is full out here but, yesterday, on the Main Ride not a hint of colour anywhere on the original bush. More wind in this location is the probable explanation.
Camellia x williamsii ‘Mathotiana Alba’ – just a couple of flowers on two separate plants. I would call this very early for any Mathotiana.
Camellia x williamsii ‘Mathotiana Alba’ – just a couple of flowers on two separate plants. I would call this very early for any Mathotiana.
Camellia x williamsii ‘Elegans’ – full out but also a bit battered.
2023 – CHW
A visit to the greenhouse but not much in flower to see here yet.Bursting seeds pods on Microtropis petelotii.
A visit to the greenhouse but not much in flower to see here yet.Bursting seeds pods on Microtropis petelotii.
Still tiny flowers out on Pittosporum michiei. Its still covered in fact. A most peculiar species which we first saw a month ago at least.
Fuchsia cordifolia (now Fuchsia splendens var ‘Cordifolia’) has lost its leaves but still a few flowers left. In the December video from Gorwell this plant (outside) was still in full leaf and flower. Pre frost at Gorwell though.
This red camellia was given to us as cuttings from Hergest Croft Gardens 3-4 years ago. The original plant was one of Jimmy Smart’s hybrids from Marwood Hill which the late Laurence Banks thought might have been lost at Marwood. First flower not properly formed I fear. No name as yet.
The yellow Vireya rhododendron is out again at its normal time and looking healthy.
New growth and bud on Camellia costei. The odd flower had already dropped.
Look at all the new magnolias (of which most are ready) for planting out in the spring!
Despite all our efforts in the autumn there is still also plenty of tender stuff to go out from this bed in the frames too.
The fruits on Sorbus zahlbruckneri are now ripe and the leaves shrivelled or gone. On arrival from Holland 2 or 3 years ago the plant had a broken root ball but has fully recovered after repotting.
2022 – CHW
Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ is a little late again this year.
Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ is a little late again this year.
The first daffodil this year.
Uplifting and tidying up around the Hoherias. Two camellias cut back to reshoot.
Peumus boldus now full out.
2021 – CHW
A visit to Burncoose today to find four lorries pouring concrete to create the level access for lorries delivering to the now extended shed beside the main pack house. The Dutch herbaceous delivery is spread out in the extended shed awaiting potting on a very cold day.
A visit to Burncoose today to find four lorries pouring concrete to create the level access for lorries delivering to the now extended shed beside the main pack house. The Dutch herbaceous delivery is spread out in the extended shed awaiting potting on a very cold day.
Burncoose has had some snow (unlike Caerhays) and much of the nursery was frozen underfoot and quite risky without boots.
The revised layout of the growing area of the nursery to allow full vehicular access to all (rabbit free and fenced) beds is now more or less complete barring moving and tidying up all the plants that had to be moved.
Just potted for a client in Guernsey – Tulbaghia violacea by the thousand!
Out today in the nursery:
Salvia ‘Waverley’
Salvia ‘Waverley’
Sarcococca ruscifolia
Salvia confertiflora
Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Beauty’ looking spectacular. As good as ‘Winter Fire’?
Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’
Camellia ‘Jingle Bells’
Camellia ‘Little Bit’
Camellia ‘Rusticana’
Ilex x altaclarensis ‘Golden King’
Viburnum tinus in bud and flower. Pink buds and white flowers.
