And immediately led to weed germination in the gravel.

Secondary flowers on Clematis armandii.

2025 – CHW
75% of the House Martins have gone. Those left still have chicks the fledge.

Plenty of ripe seed on the Rehderodendron macrocarpum.

This is labelled as Lindera angustifolia but it definitely is not this species or genus. Need to research. I expect the Lindera died and was replaced with something else.

All these plants were newly planted last spring or the previous autumn.

A newly planted Engelhardia spicata (HWJK 2421) has survived the drought.

Pittosporum brevicalyx is said to enjoy arid conditions so fine after planting this spring. A shrub from N.E. America which is deciduous with aromatic leaves.

Cutting completed on two of the tree Islands.

Mothers old boat well overdue for a makeover this winter. No rollocks and most of the wood holding the fibre glass in place has rotted out.

2024 – CHW
A few more Crataegus species with their first fruits.Hydrangea robusta ‘Tatiana’ (TH 3154) – quite small but very attractive flowers today and well worth Asia propagating a few more.

Crataegus calpodendron with still green fruits. Known as ‘Late hawthorn’ this large shrub has very few thorns and comes from E. USA and Southern Canada.

Crataegus horrida looking fairly ripe – again no prickles to speak of so why the name?

Crataegus jozana with just a few dark purple-red fruits as yet. N.E. Asia.

Crataegus durobbiva is not in Mr. Phipps RHS Plant Collectors Guide on hawthorn species.

Crataegus crus-galli ‘Inermis’ – the ‘Cockspur thorn’. Huge spines!

Quercus affinis x Quercus laurifolia – a gift from Thomas Methuan-Campbell with especially red secondary new growth.

2023 – CHW
Escallonia bifida just out in flower.

Hoheria sexstylosa ‘Pendula’ just coming out.

Secondary new growth on a newly planted Acer calcaratum.

Flower just coming out on Tom Hudson’s Callicarpa species unknown.

A visit from a Ukranian mother and her two daughters who have been in the UK for over a year. Here the girls discover Tree Ferns.

Ripe seed already on Magnolia sieboldii.

Acer palmatum ‘Senkaki’ turning yellow already.

2022 – CHW
I am noticing every day what a poor year it is for seed production. No surprises really as nature jettisons extra effort except where death is imminent.Acer calcaratum is new to us. 18 inches of drought die back.

As you might expect, a newly planted Carya cordiformis has fared rather better. Carya are heat tolerant even in full sun as here.

Pterostyrax levellei in Tin Garden has made itself into a small tree in only 4 years.

Acer macrophyllum with enormous, largely 3 lobed leaves on its successful, new growth.

One large seed head nearly ready for Asia to collect on Magnolia ‘Elizabeth Holman’. I didn’t see another seed head today anywhere in Kennel Close.

Purple petioles on the new growth of Catalpa szechuanica. Oblivious to the drought as you might guess.

2021 – CHW
Amaryllis belladonna appear from bare earth and quickly produce a great leafless display.

Amaryllis belladonna and Sedum spectabile.

Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Silver King’ with mature foliage.

Sorbus hedlundii with fruits.

Quercus bushii ‘Seattle Trident’ with a flush of late new growth.

More roe buck damage on a birch trunk. I think spiral guards might help at the rutting time.

Crataegus watliana with ripe hips already. Tasteless when we tried them.

Crataegus combyi not quite fully ripe.