28th July

…have never seen this on our Burncoose stockplant. Melianthus major Melianthus major Melianthus major Firmania simplex in full flower. Note the huge leaves with five lobes. Firmania simplex Firmania simplex

23rd December

…insignis Pinus insignis Another Rhododendron davidsonianum with secondary flowers. Rhododendron davidsonianum Camellia japonica ‘Alba Simplex’ looking good. The frost has spurred it into flower? Camellia japonica ‘Alba Simplex’ Camellia japonica…

10th January

…x williamsii ‘George Blandford’ Camellia ‘Alba Simplex’ nicely out but slightly frosted. Camellia ‘Alba Simplex’ Camellia ‘Alba Simplex’ Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’ is shedding its secondary bud coverings. We lost a…

28th October

…– an odd autumnal ‘white’ on some leaves. Firmania simplex Firmania simplex Celastus orbiculatus – as bold and striking a yellow as any climber in autumn. Celastus orbiculatus 2015 –…

27th October

…Fascicularia bicolour Beschorneria calcicola is a new catalogue entry for 2024. Beschorneria calcicola Camellias galore in the tunnels but poor pictures on a very overcast day:- Camellia japonica ‘Alba Simplex’….

8th May

…ludlowii Perhaps Paeonia obovata var. alba? Paeonia obovata var. alba Azara dentata looking very fine against a wall. Azara dentata Azara dentata Olearia cheesemanii full out. Olearia cheesemanii Female flowers…

16th January

…is one of the last williamsii to flower and long after its sister seedling (also double), ‘George Blandford’. Camellia x williamsii ‘Caerhays’ First flower on Camellia ‘Alba Simplex’. Camellia ‘Alba

14th January

…Camellia japonica ‘Alba Simplex’ a bit battered. Camellia japonica ‘Alba Simplex’ Camellia x williamsii ‘George Blandford’ above OHN looking superb. Camellia x williamsii ‘George Blandford’ Camellia x williamsii ‘George Blandford’…

29th January

…it will survive! Buddleia tibetica An old camellia japonica ‘Alba Simplex’ covered in brambles which urgently need removing. Some frost damage. camellia japonica ‘Alba Simplex’ 2022 – CHW Acer palmatum…

19th February

…down though as they will soon collapse the stone faced hedges. willows and alders Camellia japonica ‘Alba Simplex’ at the Vean. Camellia japonica ‘Alba Simplex’ Camellia japonica ‘Magnoliaflora’ on the…

25th May

…Rhododendron ‘Marcel Menard’ Rhododendron ‘Sneezy’ Rhododendron ‘Sneezy’ Clematis montana ‘Grandiflora’ and Wisteria ‘Caroline’. Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’ and Rosa banksiae ‘Alba Plena’ Then quickly back here. The nursery was not at…

19th June

…yunnanense The campion on the Playhouse bank has (as usual) white and pink forms. I discover that red campion is Silene dioica and white campion is Silene alba. They readily…

11th July

…Indochinese (BSWJ 12115) flowered but then failed to leaf up and has died. Rehderodendron Indochinese (BSWJ 12115) Firmiana simplex is hardly into growth in mid-July. This is just too tender…

18th October

…its stunning crop of berries than its new growth. Crataegus laevigata ‘Gireoudii’ Crataegus laevigata ‘Gireoudii’ The fourth ancient Camellia sasanqua is now out. Camellia sasanqua 2021 – CHW Firmiana simplex

31st October

…‘Summer Solstice’ Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’ Firmania simplex leaves badly eaten by slugs. I fear this plant is too tender for us. Firmania simplex 2016 – CHW Jaimie’s team have cleared…

13th August

…Brachychiton populneus Brachychiton populneus Firmania simplex has got away in the heat too although I fear it will be cut back to 4-6in from ground level again next winter. Only…

24th May

…Gordon’ disliked being outside even in the mildest winter but is flowering again even if the leaves are not very pretty. Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’ Firmania simplex in the greenhouse has,…

22nd July

…but no flowers yet. Clethra mexicana Firmiana simplex has made good growth this year and relishing the heatwave. Firmiana simplex Escallonia resinosa just coming out. A huge plant 3 years…

4th March 1897 – 2020

…campbellii alba seedling Magnolia campbellii alba seedling Magnolia campbellii alba seedling Magnolia campbellii alba seedling Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’ Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’ Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’ Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’ Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’…

24th February 1897 – 2020

…collected original trees here which are not showing colour as yet. This is normal! Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling A second Magnolia sargentiana…