19th January

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 ground is frozen solid – about -5°c overnight and no thawing today.

The elderly Rhododendron mucronulatum is finally full out in time to almost get frosted. This is definitely late into flower this year despite odd flowers a few weeks ago.

Rhododendron mucronulatum
Rhododendron mucronulatum
Rhododendron mucronulatum
Rhododendron mucronulatum
The big clump of snowdrops above Bond Street are still not full out despite the cold snap. Probably our best clump.
snowdrops
snowdrops
Below 4-in-Hand yet more Aucuba dies from (so we are told) its own peculiar strain of Phytophthora.
Aucuba dies
Aucuba dies
A worrying fissure in the trunk of this snake bark maple. I fear it will turn into a bleeding cancer and the death of this tree as we have seen in so many others over the years.
worrying fissure in the trunk of this snake bark maple
worrying fissure in the trunk of this snake bark maple
As mature snake bark maples go this is one of the very best. This is Acer davidii ‘Karmen’ planted in 2007. One below 4-in-Hand and one below the main Fernery. I don’t see it in the 2024 Burncoose catalogue.
snake bark maples
snake bark maples
snake bark maples
snake bark maples
snake bark maples
snake bark maples

2023 – CHW

Trachycarpus wagnerianus putting on a good crop of new leaves after it got blown over last year and uprighted with a stake. The bare roots were also dug in on one side.

Trachycarpus wagnerianus
Trachycarpus wagnerianus
The ideal place for Tom Hudson’s Rhododendron kyawii.
Rhododendron kyawii
Rhododendron kyawii
Reversion in the white variegated form of Hoheria populnea by George’s Hut.
Hoheria populnea
Hoheria populnea
Camellia japonica ‘Mary Costa’ at its absolute best.
Camellia japonica ‘Mary Costa’
Camellia japonica ‘Mary Costa’
Camellia japonica ‘Mary Costa’
Camellia japonica ‘Mary Costa’
Camellia japonica ‘Mary Costa’
Camellia japonica ‘Mary Costa’
Ripe berries on Ilex kingiana. Normally we see those a bit later in the year.
Ilex kingiana
Ilex kingiana

2022 – CHW
Fuchsia excorticata out in flower or nearly so as usual.

Fuchsia excorticata
Fuchsia excorticata
Fuchsia excorticata
Fuchsia excorticata
A fallen sycamore below Donkey Shoe.
sycamore
sycamore
The end of an old clump of Rhododendron barbatum in the Ririei Opening.
Rhododendron barbatum
Rhododendron barbatum
A rather younger Rhododendron barbatum with its wonderful bark.
Rhododendron barbatum
Rhododendron barbatum
Rhododendron barbatum
Rhododendron barbatum
Camellia x williamsii ‘Debbie’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Debbie’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Debbie’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Debbie’
Camellia x williamsii ‘ Monica Dance’
Camellia x williamsii ‘ Monica Dance’
And Camellia ‘The Czar’.
Camellia ‘The Czar’
Camellia ‘The Czar’

2021 – CHW
The random Camellia saluenensis/sasanqua seedling which I found on 17th January looks very similar to the camellia I saw at Trewithen on 20th February 2018. Two pictures of the Trewithen plant called Camellia saluenensis ‘Isadora’ are repeated here. This was named and registered after one of Sam Galsworthy’s children although, like ours, simply a chance seedling originally. Both seem well worth a name or perhaps it is close enough to ‘Isadora’ to be called that too?

Camellia saluenensis ‘Isadora’
Camellia saluenensis ‘Isadora’
Camellia saluenensis ‘Isadora’
Camellia saluenensis ‘Isadora’
I then wrote to Gary Long, head gardener at Trewithen, and here is his reply in full:From: Gary Long [mailto:gary@trewithengardens.co.uk]
Sent: 20 January 2021 10:55
To: Charles Williams PA
Subject: RE: Camellia saluenensis ‘Isadora’
Morning CharlesWe were just saying the other day how your prediction, during our visit last spring, you stating that this will be the last time we would all gather for a while came so true!C.’Isadora’ has yellow stamens. We have seedlings with the red stamens that we have tentatively, not registered, called C.’Rafe’ (we need to find an “Eddie” next for a full family!). Yours looks different enough not to be ‘Isadora’.See you “virtually” at the great gardens meeting.RegardsGaryGary LongHead of Trewithen Gardens and Parks
Truro
Cornwall
TR2 4DDInternational Camellia Society, DirectorGardens and Parks office: 01726 883750
Estate Office: 01726 883647
Mobile: 07743 470945
Email: gary@trewithengardens.co.ukwww.trewithengardens.co.uk
www.facebook.com/Trewithengardens
www.twitter.com/trewithengarden
www.instagram.com/trewithengardens/
www.linkedin.com/in/gary-long-b0054749/I am not sure that I agree with Gary just yet but need to take more photographs of our plant.Then to Burncoose where I could not resist a few more close up pictures of Hamamelis as most start to go over in a tunnel.
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Aurora’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Aurora’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Aurora’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Aphrodite’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Aphrodite’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Aphrodite’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Feuerzauber’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Feuerzauber’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Feuerzauber’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’
Hamamelis japonica ‘Brentry’
Hamamelis japonica ‘Brentry’
Hamamelis japonica ‘Brentry’
Hamamelis japonica ‘Brentry’
Hamamelis japonica ‘Brentry’
The new multi span tunnel is going up fast but, typically, Northern Polytunnels have not supplied all the bits.
multi span tunnel
multi span tunnel
George Williams’ plant boxes ready for a big despatch.
plant boxes
plant boxes
The messy site for a supplementary water tank.
messy site
messy site
And an equally messy borehole pump house which is being replaced.
pump house
pump house
The cycad seed has split still further.
cycad seed
cycad seed
Clivia miniata full out in the tearooms.
Clivia miniata
Clivia miniata
Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Winter Gem’ is a new one for the 2021 Burncoose catalogue. Here just coming out. The flower “buds” are dark red but will open white eventually.
Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Winter Gem’
Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Winter Gem’
Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Winter Gem’
Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Winter Gem’

2020 – CHW
Camellia campetre ‘Fairy Blush’ almost full out.
Camellia campetre ‘Fairy Blush’
Camellia campetre ‘Fairy Blush’
Camellia campetre ‘Fairy Blush’
Camellia campetre ‘Fairy Blush’
Camellia campetre ‘Fairy Blush’
Camellia campetre ‘Fairy Blush’
Rhododendron ‘Crossbill’ now half out.
Rhododendron ‘Crossbill’
Rhododendron ‘Crossbill’
Rhododendron ‘Bo-Peep Yellow’ splendid in the sun a fortnight after it first showed.
Rhododendron ‘Bo-Peep Yellow’
Rhododendron ‘Bo-Peep Yellow’
Rhododendron ‘Bo-Peep Yellow’
Rhododendron ‘Bo-Peep Yellow’

2019 – CHW
Click here to read my eulogy to my Dad.The wreath of williamsii camellia flowers on Dad’s coffin today at the funeral.
wreath of williamsii camellia flowers
wreath of williamsii camellia flowers
The flowers outside the front door.
The flowers outside the front door
The flowers outside the front door

2018 – CHW

First daffodils out in Kennel Close but the flowers have been eaten by pheasants or guinea fowl.

First daffodils
First daffodils
First daffodils
First daffodils
And here are the offending guinea fowl! They have survived happily here for at least three years.
guinea fowl!
guinea fowl!

The plan today was to inspect our young collection of fan palms. Not all have survived but there are five to look at in Kennel Close. I manage only three today.

The planting plan is far from perfect but I think this is Trachycarpus wagnerianus. Doing well anyway in the shelter from a laurel hedge and developing a good sturdy trunk. Smaller and more delicate fan leaves than Trachycarpus fortunei.

Trachycarpus wagnerianus
Trachycarpus wagnerianus
Trachycarpus wagnerianus
Trachycarpus wagnerianus
Trachycarpus wagnerianus
Trachycarpus wagnerianus
The second one is I believe a form of Chamaerops humilis. Possibly Chamaerops humilis ‘Volcano’. I will need to investigate the invoice from 2015 from The Palm Centre. The leaves do have a silvery blue indumentum on the undersides. Clearly this plant too is doing well with many offsets forming a good clump.
Chamaerops humilis 'Volcano'
Chamaerops humilis ‘Volcano’
Chamaerops humilis 'Volcano'
Chamaerops humilis ‘Volcano’
Chamaerops humilis 'Volcano'
Chamaerops humilis ‘Volcano’
No idea of this one either but is seems to be a trachycarpus with huge fan leaves with a circle or corolla at the base of the fan leaf as you can see. Anyone any ideas please? The answer is just Trachycarpus fortunei but I have never seen the circle before?
Trachycarpus fortunei with huge fan leaves
Trachycarpus fortunei with huge fan leaves
Trachycarpus fortunei with huge fan leaves
Trachycarpus fortunei with huge fan leaves
Trachycarpus fortunei with huge fan leaves
Trachycarpus fortunei with huge fan leaves
Trachycarpus fortunei with huge fan leaves
Trachycarpus fortunei with huge fan leaves

2017 – CHW
The young Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’ outside the Drawing Room is flowering nicely for the first time. A replacement for the Garrya elliptica which once grew here. The new plant has enormous flowering tassels which show up superbly at this time of the year and is a great improvement on its predecessor. This is a male form and we have, as yet, no female in the garden.
Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’
Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’
Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’
Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’

2016 – CHW
Hawthorn breaking into leaf this early! These plants will be planted in the cleared scrubland on Treveor Hill when it becomes dry enough underfoot to even think of planting anything! A record? Certainly a record to me.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn
Alongside the cash point Magnolia veitchii and Magnolia campbellii still have quite a lot of leaf left even in this exposed spot. M campbellii will be out in three to four weeks with no frost.
Magnolia veitchii and Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia veitchii and Magnolia campbellii


1997 – FJW
Picked two flowers on Cam nobilissima

1968 – FJW
David picked first lot of snowdrops well out.

1963 – FJW
Charles collected 40 dead birds in an hour. Everything deeply frozen.

1950 – CW
No daffodils out or near. Camellias very early St Ewe line at best and at least six doubles also Lady Clare and Lady Bullen. Hamamelis at best. Camellia Cornish Snow had a few flowers for some time. Rho ririei out and a few early hybrids. Turning cold.

1949 – CW
First daffodil out – a wild hybrid by Fastuosa Bamboo. Few Rho var sutchuenense hybrids, a good many Camellias but no Reticulata – Hamamelis good, also mucronulatum.

1947 – CW
Hamamelis very good. Pink heath well out and some white, Camellia hybrids only first begun. Very late. First flower on Engine House double white. No Reticulata showing colour. Mucronulatum very good, one sutchuenense hybrid. This after a long spell of gales with frosts and very mild indeed.

1946 – CW
Very few Rhododendrons out except Mucronulatum. None of the Arboreum hybrids. A lot of the Kurume Azaleas showing bits of flower. Camellia hybrids very good and Reticulata Mary Williams, out also several of our seedlings. Just been cold and the only Sutchuenense hybrid out cut but not the Camellias in the main. Eight large buds on the Magnolia grandiflora.

1931 – JCW
A very late year for Rhodo ⁿs. Mucronulatum has been nice and Rh venustum most excellent. C speciosa well out on the wall and in the camellia bed.

1916 – JCW
Many Rhodo’s of sorts and kinds opening but the fences of Berberis fascicularis ( or Pinnata) make the best January flowering shrubs that we have seen , almost all from Fisher Lindsey.