2023 – CHW
Wreath making workshops at Burncoose and rather varying end results.
More seed clusters on Lithocarpus Pachyphyllus than might have been expected after a drought year. The larger seeds are viable.
2021 – CHW
The newly installed fire hydrant at White Stiles to protect the two new converted barns and the two other dwellings has just been installed. The water source is the large tanks below the church which once supplied the castle as well.
Steve has photographed a fungus at the base of a yew tree at Burncoose. The closest I can get to it in the fungi book is an immature or young form of the Common Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum). It might be a Pestle Puffball but we will have to wait and see since the Common Puffball turns brown while the Pestle Puffball ‘explodes’ in maturity.
Leaf blowing and clearance at the sides of the drive is now nearly complete after a full week’s work.
2019 – CHW
The problem of young grafted magnolias snapping off in strong winds because they hold their leaves so long into winter is a big one.
Looking at these two young plants with, as yet, unstraightened stems which are heavily staked one can clearly see why the problem arises.
The solution is, I think, if time permits, to literally cut off the remaining leaves in say late October. It will not harm the plant but might prevent this!Snapped off at around 18in from the base due to the weight of its leaves and seven years’ worth of growth wasted. It will probably reshoot; perhaps even from above the graft, but will then be a horrible multi stemmed shape and never make a decent tree.
The fallen champion Osmanthus yunnanense has now been cut up but the team were unable to upstand the remains. This will need a digger but is still well worth doing.
Cornus walteri was looking good in its yellow autumn robes but today rather drab with the best leaves blown off.
Laurel cutting nearing completion above Rogers Quarry.
2015 – CHW
The Camellia x williamsii ‘J C Williams’ hedge outside the Rockery has sprung out in the strong winds of the last 48 hours. Already blue tit damage can clearly be seen on some of the flowers.
Rhododendron mucronulatum is now full out at least a month early and perhaps the best show in the garden today.
1950 – CW
Took seedling Camellia from big quarry to R.H.S called November Pink – given an award. Out since October 1st flower – Taliensis no award. It is one of the most distinctive plants here and hardly anything better quality.
1933 – JCW
Some flowers on Prunus autumnalis, on caucasicum series not much. A very cold wind no real ice so far.
1929 – JCW
The worst wind smash in the New Planting we have ever known, in the big north end ⅓ to ½ of the conifers are uprooted and it will be long before we can clear it and see where we are. A further storm followed and brought more trees down in the Drive. We had about 14 inches of rain in the period of all Nov and 2 days of December. This rendered the trees weak in their roots.
1928 – JCW
Good lapagerias, fair Cam sasanquas. Blood red Arboreum x give us a bloom. The early blue stylosa is nice. Cotoneaster salicifolia is good. A few roses.
1925 – JCW
The east wind has gone for the first time, some lapagerias left but the pond was frozen over. I picked some Sutchuenense at the Engine House to open in water. Berberis polyantha is the only thing to talk about and the Stransvaesia fruit.
1917 – JCW
The plant of Moupinense is open.
1900 – JCW
Picked Stylosa alba and a Penzance briar, a big (record?) lot of rain for the last month.