2020 – CHW
While looking at an area to clear this autumn for replanting we came across this rare tree with several pairs of flowers. I thought it was Asimina triloba but this flowers earlier in the year and the flowers have six lobes and not four as here. The individual leaves are not unlike the Asimina growing on the drive but the spreading habit of this rather older tree certainly is not. It looks like a 1991 planting and was probably put in at the same time as the nearby Ilex centrochinensis (as we now think). Another nice puzzle but what else could we guess? Euonymus looks unlikely. Help needed please but my guess is that it is Asimina perhaps with just the odd small leftover flower. Leaves have no scent if crushed.
Then the rockery provides a bit of cheer!
This old Rhododendron kiusianum was pruned in April and has made good new growth despite the early summer drought.
2019 – CHW
A visit to Jenny Knuckey, the widow of my former and original partner at Burncoose. Since David’s recent death she has had major heart surgery herself but was back home and still tending their wonderful garden in Carharrack.
Bomarea caldassii flowering away in a big pot outside. It used to grow up to 20ft each year in the Burncoose conservatory before dying down to the ground level in winter.
Jaimie and his team have completed the hooking around individual plants in the garden today in record time since we are still one gardener short. Now for the laurel hedge on the Main Ride before the second cut.
The huge clearing above the old playhouse is now nearly finished. Now the real fun can start with the final planting plan from the spectacular list which I wrote in the spring. It will be a cold spot facing the sea winds. The planting list is attached so you can see how the thinking has gone. There is not enough room for all of it so a few things need to be dropped and excluded.
2016 – CHW
No entry.
2015 – CHW
No entry.
1999 – FJW
Total eclipse 11.14 am – house martins and seagulls caught out. Also much cloud. Everywhere at their best – 2 young Lithocarpus pachyphyllus have seed.
1951 – CW
Lapageria just out. Eucryphia pinnatofolia not at best and Nymansii beginning. Very few flowers on Auriculatum and its hybrids. A wet day and some storms. Little corn cut. Cyclamen Neapolitanum a few flowers. Magnolia delavayi and both grandiflora good.
1948 – CW
Lapageria has been out a day, Eucryphia pinnatifolia going over. Nymansii good. All the pink Griersonianum and Eriogynum about over. Many of the white at best. Auriculatum good. Prophertum x Auriculatum very good. Just began to sell Hydrangeas. Storms bad. Harvest good quality.