10th February

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

Below the Green Gate there are 3 superb cherries today – damp and wet.

Prunus okame which is a slow grower and still only a large bush/ small tree.

Prunus okame
Prunus okame
Prunus conradinae which is further out than the one seen yesterday but also a slow growing small tree.
Prunus conradinae
Prunus conradinae
Prunus conradinae
Prunus conradinae
Prunus ‘Kursar’ is much more vigorous a tree and now 15-20 feet. Planted in 2006 and now showing up well from the lawn.
Prunus ‘Kursar’
Prunus ‘Kursar’
The hydrangeas by the Green Gate need dead heading but new growth is well under way.
hydrangeas by the Green Gate
hydrangeas by the Green Gate
Jaimie cutting some flowers from high up on Rhododendron stenaulum.
Rhododendron stenaulum
Rhododendron stenaulum
Rhododendron stenaulum
Rhododendron stenaulum
Rhododendron stenaulum
Rhododendron stenaulum

For posterity here is a list of the

plant gifts from Raf’s visit last weekend;
Prunus mume ‘Dawn’
Magnolia figo hybrid
Magnolia ‘Little Starlet’/ unknown parentage, most likely a hybrid between M laevifolia and M compressa
Magnolia sp. Ogisu 700 / Magnolia sinensis Ogisu 700, from Sichuan
M. yuyuanensis x insignis
M. xinganensis – syn. Synonyms Manglietia oblong
Magnolia laevifolia x maudiae ‘Eternal Spring’
M. elegans – syn. Magnolia elegantifolia
Magnolia guangnanica – syn. Michelia guangnanica

2023 – CHW
A visit to Burncoose; the first for a couple of months because of the shooting season here which ended on the 1st February. All looking good and tidy with several major improvements undertaken over the winter months.

Our liner order arrives from here France today. Very well packed but it will take someone a day to unpack it ready for potting.

Our liner order
Our liner order
A new bay in construction for our green waste compost.
A new bay in construction
A new bay in construction
A new rainwater collecting tank on the side of the large order packing shed.
A new rainwater collecting tank
A new rainwater collecting tank
The new roof of The Copper House is nearly finished. The new chimneys stand out well.
new roof of The Copper House
new roof of The Copper House
New paving slabs laid outside the sales point.
New paving slabs
New paving slabs
The office gutters feed into this new emergency water tank.
The office gutters
The office gutters
The new lean-to glasshouse in the walled garden is complete and double the size of the older one.
lean-to glasshouse
lean-to glasshouse
The 6 main tunnels in the walled garden pristine, well stocked and ready for spring sales.
The 6 main tunnels in the walled garden
The 6 main tunnels in the walled garden
The 6 main tunnels in the walled garden
The 6 main tunnels in the walled garden
The 6 main tunnels in the walled garden
The 6 main tunnels in the walled garden
The 6 main tunnels in the walled garden
The 6 main tunnels in the walled garden
The 6 main tunnels in the walled garden
The 6 main tunnels in the walled garden
The 6 main tunnels in the walled garden
The 6 main tunnels in the walled garden
The bottom glasshouse is now a weaning house for rhododendron cuttings and seedlings.
The bottom glasshouse
The bottom glasshouse
An air blower as it was near freezing last night. All larger tender plants now moved to the new top lean two greenhouse.
air blower
air blower
New netted screens to reduce wind blow into the Acer areas.
New netted screens
New netted screens
Good new labelling all round as well.
Good new labelling
Good new labelling
Additional beds for herbaceous plants and a new bed for deciduous azaleas.
Additional beds
Additional beds
Additional beds
Additional beds

2022 – CHW

Two things to look for today. I had expected to find Rhododendron sutchuenense in flower but they are not quite out yet. In the diary in the 1920s they were very often full out before now. Secondly I had stupidly forgotten to go and look at the huge (seedling) Magnolia campbellii above Crinodendron Hedge.

Camellia x williamsii ‘Debbie’ now has a few decent flowers on several plants.

Camellia x williamsii ‘Debbie’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Debbie’
The Magnolia campbellii seedling is about 25% out. The flowers are still smaller than usual (or last year) with signs of being blown open early in the colouration which has stripes of darker/yellowish colour which will fade as the flowers develop.
Magnolia campbellii seedling
Magnolia campbellii seedling
Magnolia campbellii seedling
Magnolia campbellii seedling
Still plenty of tight buds low down.
buds
buds
The very last few flowers on Clethra pringleyi.
Clethra pringleyi
Clethra pringleyi
AND obvious deer damage lower down the shrub.
deer damage
deer damage

2021 – CHW
My Labrador, Nicky, is a greedy individual but he has now taught the rest of the pack to eat camellia flowers on the ground and even off the bush. They must taste nice and not just for the pollen. I do not ever remember dogs doing this in the past. Perhaps Nicky is just bored of me photographing them and is just expressing his displeasure?I think this is Semiarundinaria fastuosa below the old dog kennels. We saw it flowering here in the summer and some of the clumps growing on an old stone faced earth bank (hedge) here are now dead. Other new young clumps already have flower buds. However younger clumps look fine still. I have taken a full set of pictures in case the whole lot dies.
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Camellia x williamsii ‘Mary Jobson’ now full out despite the biting east wind.
Camellia x williamsii ‘Mary Jobson’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Mary Jobson’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Mary Jobson’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Mary Jobson’
Compare the leaf form on this Ilex cornuata to the one a couple of days ago. Some flower buds as we saw three months ago too but no berries.
Ilex cornuata
Ilex cornuata
Ilex cornuata
Ilex cornuata
Ilex cornuata
Ilex cornuata
Frankie removing camellia stumps to make way for a new rhododendron planting area later in March or April.
Frankie
Frankie
No mess as the ground is suddenly dry. Frankie is the brother of the former head gardener here, Philip Tregunna. All Tregunnas do a fantastically neat job!
No mess
No mess
No mess
No mess
Sadly the east wind has blown a couple of Magnolia campbellii flowers half open and, inevitably, when out prematurely, they are white not pink. The rest of the higher up buds seem ok for now.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
On the 1980s plans this is shown as Camellia ‘Christmas Daffodil’ which I cannot find in any of the three pictorial reference books. Possibly, on the plans, it could be Camellia ‘Daintiness’ but this is not correct. The flowers have irregular darker pinkish blotching in the petals. [Problem solved! It is C. x williamsii ‘Hiraethlyn’. We have young plants in the greenhouse which I photographed in the diary earlier in the year and I have sorted the muddle on the plan. ‘Hiraethlyn’ is a Bodnant hybrid from 1950. I had considered C. ‘Apple Blossom’ or C. x williamsii ‘Burncoose Apple Blossom’ but the latter is a mounded tight bush.]
Camellia ‘Christmas Daffodil’
Camellia ‘Christmas Daffodil’
Camellia ‘Christmas Daffodil’
Camellia ‘Christmas Daffodil’
The snowdrops once from the Vean are a fine clump.
snowdrops
snowdrops
Cyclamen coum has naturalised itself in assorted colours all over the bank and these are now showing up well alongside the first primroses.
Cyclamen coum
Cyclamen coum
Cyclamen coum
Cyclamen coum
Despite the cold this is a clump of campion which has, so far, escaped the previously mild winter.
campion
campion
I gather that Magnolia campbellii subsp. mollicomata ‘Sidbury’ is out in Penvergate. Just half a dozen small flowers blown open in the east wind. Magnolia campbellii ‘Lamellyn’ on the drive will not be far behind.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii

2020 – CHW
First seed cones on a young Sciadopitys verticillata above Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’.
Sciadopitys verticillata
Sciadopitys verticillata
Jaimie’s hybrid ‘Maisie’ just coming out. Early I think but I cannot offhand remember the parentage behind the cross.
‘Maisie’
‘Maisie’
‘Maisie’
‘Maisie’
Prunus conradinae (hirtipes) nicely out in Kennel Close.
Prunus conradinae
Prunus conradinae
As is Prunus x incam ‘Okame’. Is ‘Okame’ better than Prunus ‘Kursar’? Not much in it today I think. Both excellent.
Prunus x incam ‘Okame’
Prunus x incam ‘Okame’
Camellia cuspidata already fully out. Or is it Camellia tsai as I always thought before Tom Hudson corrected me?
Camellia cuspidata
Camellia cuspidata
Michelia ‘Fairy White’ just opening nicely as it was last year.
Michelia ‘Fairy White’
Michelia ‘Fairy White’
Not many days ago I photographed Magnolia zenii as still dormant. Suddenly it has sprung out.
Magnolia zenii
Magnolia zenii
The east wind on Thursday/Friday has also suddenly brought the yellow form of Magnolia campbellii into flower. The buds are yellow and the reverse of the tepals remains yellow for a while before fading to white. I need a nice day to photograph this properly.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii

2019 – CHW
A search for magnolias out or showing colour. Eight photographed here before I ran out of time. There are loads more nearly there. As early as it has ever been looking in the garden diary for today which shows 1962 and 1988 as being fairly early years for a little colour.The first excellent and darker Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ seedling in Old Park is just out. Look at the colour in a fallen petal!
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ seedling
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ seedling
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ seedling
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ seedling
This Old Park Magnolia campbellii (one of two) had been in too dark a place to flower properly. After recent clearance it is starting to perform. I confess that I have never been here early enough to see it like this (if it was) before.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
The original 1913 Magnolia campbellii is now full out, indeed, and ‘Spring has Sprung’ as far as the Great Gardens of Cornwall and Caerhays are concerned. About a fortnight earlier than last year when ‘The Beast’ was nearly upon us.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Michelia (properly Magnolia) ‘Fairy White’ is now absolutely full out and a picture.
Michelia (properly Magnolia) ‘Fairy White’
Michelia (properly Magnolia) ‘Fairy White’
Michelia (properly Magnolia) ‘Fairy White’
Michelia (properly Magnolia) ‘Fairy White’
Another elderly and very pale Magnolia campbellii is now full out by Tin Garden.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
So is the equally elderly Magnolia sprengeri ‘Elongata’ which is particularly early. Note the markings on a fallen petal.
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Elongata’
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Elongata’
First colour on Magnolia ‘Red Lion’ – a sister seedling to ‘Star Wars’ and a better colour I suspect.
Magnolia ‘Red Lion’
Magnolia ‘Red Lion’
Magnolia ‘Red Lion’
Magnolia ‘Red Lion’
The magnolia above the Top Wall, a Magnolia ‘FJW’ seedling, is now full out and quite a sight from the front door.
Magnolia ‘FJW’ seedling
Magnolia ‘FJW’ seedling
Magnolia ‘FJW’ seedling
Magnolia ‘FJW’ seedling

2018 – CHW
A trip with Jaimie to refine our planting plants for when it finally dries up later this month. Lots of good rhododendron to find places for from the frames.First blown open flower on Magnolia ‘Bishop Peter’. As early as usual!
Magnolia ‘Bishop Peter’
Magnolia ‘Bishop Peter’
Loads of flower to come soon on Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’ which we planted out last spring in a very sheltered spot at the top of the garden.
Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’
Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’
Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’
Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’
A few more frosted flowers on Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’. ‘Dog shit on sticks’ says Jaimie and he is not far out although I am not sure if he coined this phrase for this magnolia himself.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’
New growth emerging on one of the non evergreen embothriums.
embothriums
embothriums
Some self sown seedlings of Rhododendron grande which we collected years ago by the greenhouse are a mixture of colours as they flower for the first time. Planted out three years ago by Georges Hut. The old plants are still going and dropped seeds into the cold frames below. They still do! Either of these worth a name? Probably not but worth watching as they come out properly in February. That is really the point as no other big leafed rhododendron species flowers this early.

2017 – CHW
A large commotion outside the front gate with crows mobbing something. It turns out to be a buzzard with a dead pheasant it is eating half way up the Magnolia dawsoniana. Only the wings and breastbone are left.
dead pheasant
dead pheasant
Last year we had bluebells out by the end of February. They are certainly coming on quickly again now amid the magnolia skeleton leaves on the ground. These are mainly Spanish bluebells with some natives in between.
Spanish bluebells
Spanish bluebells
Spanish bluebells
Spanish bluebells

2016 – CHW

Today saw the official arrival of spring in Cornwall. Read more details here about how Magnolias were delivered to 10 Downing Street.

‘Spring comes to Cornwall’ (or England) as the Great Gardens announce that six record Magnolia campbellii trees in six Great Gardens (Caerhays, Tregothnan, Heligan, Trengwainton, Trebah and Trewithen) all have 50 or more blooms out already. A month earlier than last year’s announcement of ‘spring’ and an all time record early year.Last year the launch involved decorating a carriage on a Great Western train to Paddington with magnolias. This year’s launch sees a Great Gardens delegation with magnolia flowers arriving at 10 Downing Street to present them to the PM with six Cornish MPs in attendance (including Sarah Newton); ‘Cornwall is open for business, come and see our gardens now’ is the cry. Toby Ashworth of The Nare hotel is sponsoring this PR extravaganza with my brother and Jonathan Jones from Tregothnan also present as part of the presentation team.I manage a turgid interview with Radio Cornwall who introduce me as ‘the head gardener’ although the interviewer lady came to my office in the castle on arrival. Also Westcountry TV at Heligan with Tim Smit’s son joining in the interview. So all the fun of the fair on the media front. It remains to be seen tonight what coverage we get on national and local TV and if the newspapers pick up on it.

Red faces all round if it snows in the next 10 days and all the magnolia flowers perish!

2015 – CHW

Second year of flowering of two now evergreen species of Polyspora (ex Crug Farm Nursery) white camellia like flowers. Renamed as previously Gordonia. A welcome addition to the garden and well worth propagating. Tregrehan have grown these plants for 20 years with no difficulty with cold.

Polyspora
Polyspora

1998 – FJW
Jamie picked first Magnolia flower ( Tin Garden pale Campbellii)1994 – FJW
First hard frost since November1991 – FJW
More snow after very cold 5 days – garden looks sad.1967 – FJW
Saluenensis past their best. Williamsii at peak. Macabeanum open above Rogers Quarry. Indecently early year.

1925 – JCW
Argenteum ¼ open. Barbatum a few, some Lutescens, Flavidum none, Sutchuenensis a few, hybrids of Sut’ se several, a few blood red Arboreums, E darleyensis is the best thing.

1916 – JCW
A few daffs open, quite ½ the ciliatum, Moupinense over, pink Arboreums show colour, best red hybrids wane, also Barbatum, R flavidum is very nice, Rendles scarlets moving, Argenteum ½ out, Sutchuenense some open, P pissardi injured by the gales. R praecox going over, Prunus conradinae over.

1908 – JCW
Only one seedling trumpet open. Some N cyc and hybrids found, no crossed daffs, R praecox shows colour, C coum very good, a few roses yet, Clematis balearica useful, heaths starting.

1906 – JCW
Some Caerhays and Lent Lily just open, P pissardi well open. Made my first cross mon x min.

1902 – JCW
Heavy snow three inches everywhere.

1897 – JCW
Forsythia is out, snowdrops going back, several Caerhays single opening.

3 thoughts on “10th February

  1. I remember Mr Tregunna included me in a brief tour when I was in the county back in 1981 or so. He showed us a Magnolia delaveyi which your great grandfather would stare at for some time to set his eyes to the colour green before judging the colour of his hybrid flowers. A memorable day, two great men of Cornish gardens.

  2. Hello Charles, I used to help your Nanny look after you and David when you were very little people. Your Nanny was Marilyn and Gill Prance looked after David. We used to take you along Cliff Path to Portholland and spend the day on the beach there. My Auntie was cook for the Castle, Mrs Gordon Trudgeon, (MrsGore) and Uncle Gordon was one of the gardeners. I seem to recall a young man called Philip working in the Estates Office too. What very happy memories. Hope you are keeping well. Kindest regards, Lesley Hands

    1. Dear Lesley

      Delighted to hear from you.

      Philip Tregunna was the head gardener here for 40 plus years. He died about eight years ago.

      I well remember Mr & Mrs Gore. What characters!

      Best wishes

      Charles

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