21st 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

To Burncoose for a Management Meeting.

Osmanthus x burkwoodii especially fine by the till.

Osmanthus x burkwoodii
Osmanthus x burkwoodii
Osmanthus x burkwoodii
Osmanthus x burkwoodii
A good combination; Rhododendron ‘Praecox’ and Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’.
Rhododendron ‘Praecox’ and Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’
Rhododendron ‘Praecox’ and Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’
At the entrance to Burncoose garden a Magnolia ‘F.J. Williams’ in full flow.
Magnolia ‘F.J. Williams’
Magnolia ‘F.J. Williams’
The sad demise of a Styrax japonicus tree which blew over recently. This was originally a seedling pinched from the Punch Bowl in the Valley Gardens of Windsor and carried back to the YMCA hostel in my lunch box. About 47 years old.
Styrax japonicus tree which blew over
Styrax japonicus tree which blew over
Prunus ‘Felix Jury’ is absolutely stand out today. What a colour!
Prunus ‘Felix Jury’
Prunus ‘Felix Jury’
Prunus ‘Felix Jury’
Prunus ‘Felix Jury’
Prunus ‘Felix Jury’
Prunus ‘Felix Jury’
Camellia reticulata ‘Miss Tulare’.
Camellia reticulata ‘Miss Tulare
Camellia reticulata ‘Miss Tulare
First flowering of this camellia gifted (as cuttings) from Hergest Croft Gardens but originating from Marwood Hill and Jimmy Smart.
camellia gifted (as cuttings) from Hergest Croft Gardens
camellia gifted (as cuttings) from Hergest Croft Gardens
A second Melliodendron xylocarpum now in full flower.
Melliodendron xylocarpum
Melliodendron xylocarpum
Euonymus echinatus with buds.
Euonymus echinatus
Euonymus echinatus

2023 – CHW

The pace of magnolia flowering has speeded up in this mild and warm week.

60 tonnes of new gravel laid at the front of the castle with Arthur and a tractor. Many years since we last did this. Not ideal for wheel chairs but good for security as you can hear cars coming more easily.

60 tonnes of new gravel laid
60 tonnes of new gravel laid
60 tonnes of new gravel laid
60 tonnes of new gravel laid
The large Magnolia campbellii seedling above Crinodendron Hedge has leapt out in 48 hours and here set against a drab sky.
Magnolia campbellii seedling
Magnolia campbellii seedling
Magnolia campbellii seedling
Magnolia campbellii seedling
The pale flower Magnolia campbellii by Tin Garden which was showing colours a fortnight ago is now out too.
Magnolia campbellii by Tin Garden
Magnolia campbellii by Tin Garden
Prunus coradinae a gorgeous foretaste of spring.
Prunus coradinae
Prunus coradinae
Prunus coradinae
Prunus coradinae
Rhododendron siderophyllum just creeping out.
Rhododendron siderophyllum
Rhododendron siderophyllum
Camellia lutchuensis is out but the flowers hang down and are hard to see properly.
Camellia lutchuensis
Camellia lutchuensis
Rhododendron ‘Choremia’ was not showing 2 days ago.
Rhododendron ‘Choremia’
Rhododendron ‘Choremia’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ now full out.
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
Rhododendron grande just starting below Hovel Cart Road.
Rhododendron grande
Rhododendron grande

2022 – CHW

A video proving that Storm Eunice has left our magnolias largely totally unscarred even in the teeth of the wind which most of the garden was not. A few more pictures here to prove the point.

Work proceeds in the Kitchen Garden but now stalled by wet weather.

Kitchen Garden
Kitchen Garden
Kitchen Garden
Kitchen Garden
Kitchen Garden
Kitchen Garden
Kitchen Garden
Kitchen Garden
Eunice did fell this fir tree onto the old remains of the potting shed but no additional damage.
fir
fir
fir
fir
My earliest memory of the Kitchen Garden was meeting the Jobson children about here. At that time in the very early 1960s they lived at the Vean. The Vean is very close as you see here. I think an old photographs exists of the meeting which is perhaps why I think I remember it.
The Vean
The Vean
Jaimie’s new (but as yet unnamed) magnolia hybrid in the flesh below Kitchen Garden (Magnolia sprengeri var. Diva ‘Burncoose’ crossed with Magnolia campbellii var. mollicomata subsp. ‘Lanarth’). Even better in situ than the cut flower we saw earlier. Planted in 2016. The Lanarth pollen came from a flower from Lanarth itself.
Magnolia sprengeri var. Diva ‘Burncoose’ crossed with Magnolia campbellii var. mollicomata subsp. ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia sprengeri var. Diva ‘Burncoose’ crossed with Magnolia campbellii var. mollicomata subsp. ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia sprengeri var. Diva ‘Burncoose’ crossed with Magnolia campbellii var. mollicomata subsp. ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia sprengeri var. Diva ‘Burncoose’ crossed with Magnolia campbellii var. mollicomata subsp. ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia sprengeri var. Diva ‘Burncoose’ crossed with Magnolia campbellii var. mollicomata subsp. ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia sprengeri var. Diva ‘Burncoose’ crossed with Magnolia campbellii var. mollicomata subsp. ‘Lanarth’
The view back to the nearly cleared Kitchen Garden from the new magnolia hybrid.
Kitchen Garden
Kitchen Garden
The splendid Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ (New Zealand form) at Donkey Shoe. Despite Eunice at its absolute best.
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
The New Zealand Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ and a Magnolia campbellii Alba Group seedling growing side by side.
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
Flowers showing on Magnolia ‘Sweet Sixteen’ which got dieback in 2018 and a pruning by me in 2020.
Magnolia ‘Sweet Sixteen’
Magnolia ‘Sweet Sixteen’
The huge Michelia doltsopa are just coming out speeded up by the recent gales blowing.
Michelia doltsopa
Michelia doltsopa
Michelia doltsopa
Michelia doltsopa
Camellia x williamsii ‘Citation’ and Magnolia ‘Bishop Peter’. Some wind damage to ‘Citation’ but not to the Bishop!
Camellia x williamsii ‘Citation’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Citation’
Flowers nearly out high up on Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’.
Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’
Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’
Camellia lutchuensis just coming out but no scent in the winds today.
Camellia lutchuensis
Camellia lutchuensis
Camellia pitardii with its first flowers out for this year.
Camellia pitardii
Camellia pitardii
Jaimie’s other new hybrid above the veitchii in the flesh. Fully covered with darker flowers this year whereas only 10 or so last year and three the year before. You do need to wait a year or two to get a proper view on a new seedling magnolia cross and whether it is worthy of a name. for the shape of the flower and the colour I am now fairly certain that this is. The cross is Magnolia ‘F J Williams’ x Magnolia campbellii – crossed in 2005 and planted 2011.
new hybrid
new hybrid
new hybrid
new hybrid
First rather poor flower on the new German bred Magnolia ‘Diana’ which awaits planting out.
Magnolia ‘Diana’
Magnolia ‘Diana’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ from the front door.
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
The 1947 planted Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ from the front door. Only its fifth year of flowering. Superb colour but only slightly out as yet.
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’

2021 – CHW
Various piles of plants in the back yard selected to go to different areas of the garden. I guess we are about halfway through this year’s planting programme but the nursery/field grown rhododendrons will add a couple more days to the two to three days it will still take to get this lot sorted next week or the week after. In Lockdown 3 we are well ahead of a normal season’s planting in March.
piles of plants
piles of plants
piles of plants
piles of plants
piles of plants
piles of plants
piles of plants
piles of plants
The camellias at Donkey Shoe are starting to show properly.
camellias at Donkey Shoe
camellias at Donkey Shoe
New steps installed at Hovel Cart Road to make it easier to get up the bank. For my benefit perhaps in the week I will get the jab!
New steps
New steps
Brief but violent hailstorms carpet the Rookery.
hailstorms
hailstorms
Followed by a rainbow over the back yard.
rainbow
rainbow
More geese are visiting the lake but the pair of swans are seeing them off in a fury of flapping wings.
geese
geese
Another nice little bit of history. This Massey Ferguson tractor was first bought and registered by my great uncle, Charles Williams, on 31st January 1955 and then sold on to my father. It has recently been fully restored locally and is in full working order. Burncoose still operates and uses a 1964 Massey Ferguson tractor. These vehicles were clearly built to last! A copy of the original registration documents are copied here.
Massey Ferguson tractor
Massey Ferguson tractor
Massey Ferguson tractor
Massey Ferguson tractor
Massey Ferguson tractor
Massey Ferguson tractor

2020 – CHW
Storm Dennis or Ciara have caused a significant landslide or rock fall at Porthluney Beach. It does not seem that this has undermined the coastal path or the fence along the cliff line but this will need checking properly especially if a tractor were to drive too near to the edge.
landslide
landslide
More burning up of fallen trees by the Green Gate.
burning up
burning up
Acacia melanoxylon just out above the front wall a week later than at Trewithen.
Acacia melanoxylon
Acacia melanoxylon
Acacia melanoxylon
Acacia melanoxylon
Above the Top Wall are three good magnolias today.
A Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta seedling which is a bit at variance to the true robusta flower but still quite good.
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta seedling
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta seedling
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta seedling
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta seedling

Then a magnolia from the same seed crop as the named Magnolia ‘F J Williams’ in the Auklandii Garden. Only the flowers on the lowest branches have opened on their own and not been blown open prematurely. These are quite decent and nearly true to the original named sister seedling. The rest are miles away this year as you can see.

Seed magnolia un-named in Auklandii Garden
Seed magnolia un-named in Auklandii Garden
Seed magnolia un-named in Auklandii Garden
Seed magnolia un-named in Auklandii Garden
Seed magnolia un-named in Auklandii Garden
Seed magnolia un-named in Auklandii Garden
Seed magnolia un-named in Auklandii Garden

Magnolia sargentiana robusta x sprengeri ‘Diva’ is just coming out high up.

Magnolia sargentiana robusta x sprengeri ‘Diva’
Magnolia sargentiana robusta x sprengeri ‘Diva’
Rhododendron grande goes nicely with Rhododendron ‘Cornish Red’ above the frames.
Rhododendron grande goes nicely with Rhododendron ‘Cornish Red’
Rhododendron grande goes nicely with Rhododendron ‘Cornish Red’
The view of the three magnolias from below the wall.
three magnolias
three magnolias
three magnolias
three magnolias

2019 – CHW
Camellia ‘Mona Jury’ is a must have for any serious camellia gardener. A New Zealand cross between a Camellia x williamsii seedling and Camellia japonica ‘Betty Shenfield’. An open and slightly spreading habit.

Camellia ‘Mona Jury’
Camellia ‘Mona Jury’
Karol preparing our second vlog about the real colour of magnolia flowers. You can see it here.
preparing our second vlog
preparing our second vlog
First flowers on Magnolia x loebneri ‘Merrill’.
Magnolia x loebneri ‘Merrill’
Magnolia x loebneri ‘Merrill’
Camellia ‘Look Away’ is quite a good new one too.
Camellia ‘Look Away’
Camellia ‘Look Away’
A few high up flowers on Magnolia campbellii Alba Group. This one of New Zealand origin.
Magnolia campbellii Alba Group
Magnolia campbellii Alba Group

2018 – CHW

A day in the garden planning new planting places. Sadly too wet to get started today.

Rhododendron rireii (Tom Hudson collection) is full out and very fine today in the sun.

Rhododendron rireii
Rhododendron rireii
Rhododendron rireii
Rhododendron rireii
Rhododendron rireii
Rhododendron rireii
Rhododendron monosemanthum, a new species to us, with its first flower and hairy leaf stalks. The collector’s number is 5978. I assume Alan Clarke.
Rhododendron monosemanthum
Rhododendron monosemanthum
Rhododendron monosemanthum
Rhododendron monosemanthum
Camellia ‘Hiraethlyn’ looking very fine too. Simple but effective.
Camellia ‘Hiraethlyn’
Camellia ‘Hiraethlyn’
Camellia ‘Hiraethlyn’
Camellia ‘Hiraethlyn’
Camellia ‘Hiraethlyn’
Camellia ‘Hiraethlyn’
Camellia ‘Can Can’ should be pink but two thirds of the bush have sported similar shaped red flowers.
Camellia ‘Can Can’
Camellia ‘Can Can’
Camellia ‘Can Can’
Camellia ‘Can Can’
Camellia x williamsii ‘John Pickthorn’ in shade. A somewhat sparse flowerer here.
Camellia x williamsii ‘John Pickthorn’
Camellia x williamsii ‘John Pickthorn’
Camellia x williamsii ‘John Pickthorn’
Camellia x williamsii ‘John Pickthorn’
Is this Camellia lutchuenense? A species. See the fun below we are having with the identification of three different species.
Camellia lutchuenense
Camellia lutchuenense
Camellia lutchuenense
Camellia lutchuenense
Camellia lutchuenense
Camellia lutchuenense
Camellia ‘Cornish Snow’ (Camellia cuspidata x Camellia saluenensis). Very similar to the supposed Camellia cuspidata var cuspidata (which it is not according to Tom) from Trewithen. Tom thinks Trewithen’s may be Camellia cuspidata var grandiflora.
Camellia ‘Cornish Snow’
Camellia ‘Cornish Snow’
Camellia ‘Cornish Snow’
Camellia ‘Cornish Snow’
First few flowers on a Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ seedling which I had thought was Magnolia ‘Copeland Court’. I may still be correct!
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ seedling
Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ seedling
Yellow berries in profusion on several lophomyrtus below Tin Garden.
lophomyrtus
lophomyrtus
lophomyrtus
lophomyrtus
Recent frost damage on the leaves of Aralia vietnamensis. It should recover.
Aralia vietnamensis
Aralia vietnamensis
Aralia vietnamensis
Aralia vietnamensis
This is Camellia tsai just coming out. Another species with early small white flowers which I am confident is correct.
Camellia tsai
Camellia tsai
Camellia tsai
Camellia tsai
These Sequoia sempervirens (coastal redwood) were planted after the hurricane in 1990. Fine trees of 30ft or so now in the teeth of the wind on the edge of the garden at the very top facing NW.
Sequoia sempervirens
Sequoia sempervirens
Sequoia sempervirens
Sequoia sempervirens
Quercus insignis with new growth frosted as we had feared.
Quercus insignis
Quercus insignis
Despite the demise of the large Rhododendron hookeri last week there is another nearby which looks like it started life as a layer.
Rhododendron hookeri
Rhododendron hookeri
Rhododendron hookeri
Rhododendron hookeri
Why is it that our Schima wallichii has only the odd ripe seed while Trewithen’s is plastered? Asia needs to collect quickly before they fall.
Schima wallichii
Schima wallichii
First flowers on Rhododendron arboreum subsp delavayi but too high up to photograph. This is a nearby seedling and not true.
Rhododendron arboreum subsp delavayi
Rhododendron arboreum subsp delavayi
Ilex aquifolium ‘Bacciflava’ with yellow berries on Sinogrande Walk.
Ilex aquifolium ‘Bacciflava’
Ilex aquifolium ‘Bacciflava’
Ribes sanguineum ‘White Icicle’ just coming out on the drive.
Ribes sanguineum ‘White Icicle’
Ribes sanguineum ‘White Icicle’
Ribes sanguineum ‘White Icicle’
Ribes sanguineum ‘White Icicle’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Sidbury’ is the first magnolia here to be full out this year but battered by the wind in Penvergate. There are four record trees here which I labelled with the new labels today – Paulownia fortunei, Sorbus torminalis, Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’ and Magnolia ‘Yellow Fever’.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Sidbury’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Sidbury’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Sidbury’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Sidbury’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Sidbury’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Sidbury’

2017 – CHW
A visit from Raf and his Belgian mentor with lots of very rare plants in exchange for magnolia scions of our newer varieties. Raf has just started a new nursery in Belgium propagating very rare plants which Burncoose will of course purchase when and if he gets his act together.The yellow form of Magnolia campbellii alba is out above the Auklandii. Only a few flowers this year but they really are quite yellow as the buds start to open. Raf tells me that Mount Congreve gardens, from where this originated, have given it a name but I cannot remember what it was.
yellow form of Magnolia campbellii alba
yellow form of Magnolia campbellii alba
yellow form of Magnolia campbellii alba
yellow form of Magnolia campbellii alba
The original 1911 Magnolia campbellii is now nearly full out and looking splendid. A good colour this year. ‘Spring has Sprung’ at Caerhays!
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
This is the second polyspora species to flower with us this year. Polyspora longicarpus (WNJ 11604) is looking good even if the leaves have taken a battering in the wind. Raf (pictured) tells me that all gordonia species have now been reclassified as polyspora which may or may not make sense.
Polyspora longicarpus
Polyspora longicarpus
Polyspora longicarpus
Polyspora longicarpus
The other old Magnolia campbellii near Tin Garden is now full out. A dull whitish colour.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Werrington’ is coming out in Kennel Close. Dramatically darker than shown in last year’s blog.
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Werrington’
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Werrington’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’ is always early but, again, an especially good colour this year.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia ‘Bishop Peter’ is now almost fully out as well.
Magnolia ‘Bishop Peter’
Magnolia ‘Bishop Peter’
Magnolia ‘Bishop Peter’
Magnolia ‘Bishop Peter’
The Magnolia mollicomata x sargentiana robusta seedling above the Crinodendron Hedge is perhaps the best full out magnolia in the garden today although we are looking here after the sun has gone down. Sadly the public seldom stray in here to see it in its glory.
Magnolia mollicomata x sargentiana robusta
Magnolia mollicomata x sargentiana robusta
Magnolia mollicomata x sargentiana robusta
Magnolia mollicomata x sargentiana robusta

This is the list of the very rare and mainly grafted plants which Raf brought for us:Magnolia floribunda ex Kunming (PB)

Magnolia floribunda var tonkinensis (BKR 20100845)

Magnolia floribunda ‘Furry Uok’

Magnolia glauca

Magnolia maudiae (hardy -20)

Magnolia sinostellata

Magnolia spaerantha

Pterocarya macrocarpa var insignis

Pterocarya rhederiana ‘Fern Leaf’

2016 – CHW
George Williams and friends arrive for a flying visit. George is keen to discuss his PlantSnapp business which is growing like topsy since initiation 18 months ago (www.plantsnapp.com). It is a simple plant identification app with potential to do far more. As penance for a Sunday meeting I drag them reluctantly around the garden to see the magnolias. Many more are emerging into flower daily.

Today we find: Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ with three or four flowers out

Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ with one flower out
Rhododendron desquamatum
Rhododendron desquamatum
Rhododendron desquamatum
All three are at least a month earlier than ever before but the impact/significance is somewhat irrelevant to this audience as we move on to ‘drinks’. George managed to put diesel in his petrol car on the way down to Cornwall at the start of the M4. He did not arrive at Burncoose House until 3am Saturday!

1998 – FJW
Return from Bath. All Campbellii proper are out. Also Mollicomata x nearest Auklandii Garden on drive. Tin Garden Diva flowers dark and poor size. No flower on Mag Bishop Peter.

1982 – FJW
First Magnolia flowers seen on mollicomata cross by steep steps – others looked to be well ahead and was amazed to see flower after a coldish night.

1947 – CW
Returned in second snow storm, came out in farm trailer behind lorry. About 8” on lawn. Church Hill blocked. Michelias bad, very little broken by snow except big Camellia.

1943 – CW
One Magnolia sargentiana 1/3 flowers out, one Mag mollicomata has flowers now, Mag salicifolia in 40 Acres almost at its best. Magnolia denudata showing colour. Blood Reds in 40 Acres very fine. Daffs very forward and perhaps ⅓ out. Rhodo sutchuenense at its best, one Camellia reticulata flower open and several of the species Reticulata.

1941 – CW
There has been more frost and snow. Few Camellias cut this time but species Reticulata slightly browned – Blood Red X not so. Rhodo sutchuenense hybrids good. About a dozen daff seedlings out, half with colour.

1934 – JCW
A late season without much frost, a good many Camellias show flower so far.

1933 – JCW
A fair lot of daffs open and have cropped some, also (flowering) is Forrest’s big Camellia by the gun room door, with a big single white lower rookery.

1917 – JCW
No sign of a daff bud. Only Rhodo mucronulatum and moupinense of the Rhodo’s.

1916 – FJW
As against 1897 the earliest recorded year, the hard wood things are further on and the daffs are just as far on.

1904 – JCW
Tenby, Caerhays,H Irving just out, Maximus shows colour, Cyclamineus x showing colour, Rho praecox good, Ericas good, Rho barbatum and Carlyons Arboreum colour. Narcissus minor open, Anenome blanda open, Soleil d’Or good, snowdrops at their best.

1897 – JCW
Some Reticulata open, nearly all Caerhays open, one or two Pipardi, several Maximus, one citrinus.