2025 – CHW
Sad news – Monica Trudgeon died over the weekend.
First flower out on a young Magnolia ‘F. J. Williams’.
Magnolias through the arch after another couple of days of strong southerly gales.
The new Acacia cultriformis planted by the Hovel.
Magnolias out in the Giddle Orchard.
Karol’s aerial shots of the now full out Magnolia campbellii above Crinodendum hedge.
2024 – CHW
In the rain the view from the Burncoose Show Tunnel looking towards The Copper House.
In the rain the view from the Burncoose Show Tunnel looking towards The Copper House.
Five of the six Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ on the bank are now out in flower.
Narcissus cyclamineus seedlings and Ron Scamp’s Narcissus ‘Mr. Julian’ not far from the magnolias.
The original Magnolia campbellii is nearly over and hail storms threaten.
Michelia doltsopa well out above the Aucklandii Garden.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’ and the same Michelia doltsopa from above on the Main Ride.
In the grim light Magnolia ‘Queen Elizabeth’ is looking rather fine.
First flowers out on the best large flowered Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ on the Main Ride.
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’ at its absolute best.
Magnolia sprengeri ‘Westonbirt’ now full out.
The huge Michelia doltsopa by George’s Hut is showing colour today but (thankfully) not out.
First flowers on Rhododendron fargesii in the Main Quarry – very early.
Acacia cultriformis shed half its leaves in the January cold but the flowers are still superb.
More Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ from above.
The view today from the front door with Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ nearly at its best.
2023 – CHW
Rhododendron siderophyllum now full out a day or two later than I first saw it.
The Magnolia seedling from the same seed pan as ‘Caerhays Belle’ from above the Isla Rose Plantation.
The (similar) magnolia by the Hothead from above (on a drab day – again).
Camellia japonica ‘Drama Girl’ with a decent flower.
Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ and Magnolia ‘Frank’s Masterpiece’.
Magnolia ‘Todd’s Forty Niner’ finally coming out properly after several recent pictures in this Diary.
Suddenly a few flowers out on Magnolia zenii (not many).
Another 1810 snippet about a timber sale at Trevennen Farm/ Estate which the family bought in 1928.
2022 – CHW
A third plant of Magnolia campbellii ‘Valentine’s Torch’ with its first flowers.
Lizzie’s mum’s wreath has survived the storms at the front door here.
First rather pale flowers showing on Rhododendron ‘Emma Williams’ on the drive.
Jaimie’s magnolia cross at the entrance to White Stiles. Good enough but not worthy of a name.
Magnolia sprengeri var. Diva ‘Marwood Hill’ near the old dog kennels with its first flowers.
Another unnamed hybrid of Jaimie’s looking good above the kennels. The sister plant to the retirement gift given to Lady Mary Holborow.
The old Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta seedling by the kennels.
Another young Magnolia ‘Vairano’ above the kennels with a few flowers.
Untouched and unblown away is the first of the two Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ seedlings to flower by the Gunnera patch on the top path.
The first leaves appearing on Gunnera manicata in February!
A young plant of Nigel Holman’s Magnolia ‘Hawk’ with a huge flower or three.
2021 – CHW
Howling westerly gale yesterday but the weather is set to improve and the magnolias are moving on apace. We are, however, thanks to the Beast, a fortnight later than last year.The New Zealand form of Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ is a great colour against a blue sky.
Howling westerly gale yesterday but the weather is set to improve and the magnolias are moving on apace. We are, however, thanks to the Beast, a fortnight later than last year.The New Zealand form of Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ is a great colour against a blue sky.
Jaimie’s Rhododendron ‘Maisie’ has sprung open.
As has Rhododendron ‘Golden Oriole Busaco’ (Rhododendron moupinense x Rhododendron sulfureum). This form has much darker flowers than ‘Golden Oriole Talavera’ which was also Caerhays bred.
The huge Magnolia campbellii seedling has now blown open even low down.
Finishing up the clearance of the fallen tree on Lower Rookery Path.
The new bamboo species from Whitelea Nursery have arrived and here is the list:
Fargesia nitida’Jiuzahaigou 1’(‘Red Panda’ atc)
Borinda (Fargesia) frigida (syn.frigidorum)KR4059
Borinda (Fargesia) scabrida
Chusquea culeou’Foxtail Bamboo’ ( seedlings from Wisley)
Indocalamus latifolius
Indocalamus (Sasa) tesselatus
Phyllostachys aurea ‘Koi’
Phyllostachys aureosulcata’Spectabilis’
Phyllostachys bambusoides’Castillonis Inversa’
Phyllostachys viridi-glaucescens
Thamnocalamus crassinodus ‘Kew Beauty’
Thamnocalamus crassinodus ‘Merlyn’
Borinda (Fargesia) frigida (syn.frigidorum)KR4059
Borinda (Fargesia) scabrida
Chusquea culeou’Foxtail Bamboo’ ( seedlings from Wisley)
Indocalamus latifolius
Indocalamus (Sasa) tesselatus
Phyllostachys aurea ‘Koi’
Phyllostachys aureosulcata’Spectabilis’
Phyllostachys bambusoides’Castillonis Inversa’
Phyllostachys viridi-glaucescens
Thamnocalamus crassinodus ‘Kew Beauty’
Thamnocalamus crassinodus ‘Merlyn’
Magnolias just starting outside the back yard.
2020 – CHW
Off to inspect young magnolias in flower to see what is ‘new’. Also to observe yet more Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba Group’ seedlings and be rude about them.Stachyurus sigeyosii has four flowers. Planted in November to replace the one that the deer ate. This one (of three) is wire netting fenced.
Off to inspect young magnolias in flower to see what is ‘new’. Also to observe yet more Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba Group’ seedlings and be rude about them.Stachyurus sigeyosii has four flowers. Planted in November to replace the one that the deer ate. This one (of three) is wire netting fenced.
While we are on supposed Magnolia campbellii Alba Group plants here is another young bought in grafted plant labelled ‘Alba’. A travesty which is only spared being cut down as we need a big tall plant here for when the Pinus insignis opposite it is felled or falls over.
Magnolia ‘Vairano’ (Magnolia ‘Iolanthe’ x campbellii) is not bad. Burncoose now stocks this.
2014 planted Magnolia ‘Laura Saylor’ has improved with age (and less wind) and is worth its place now. I was rude about her last year – whoever she was/is?
Magnolia campbellii ‘Elizabeth Holman’ is really good and this is (I think) its first flowering after planting in 2014. It was a ‘Lanarth’ seedling raised by Michael Williams of Lanarth and in 1951-2 given to Nigel Holman of Chyverton. He named it after his wife. Quite similar to Magnolia ‘F J Williams’ in colour but, as yet, only with much smaller flowers.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Sir Harold Hillier’. Another named Alba Group seedling which is just as pink and very nearly the same as the ‘Ethel Hillier’ we looked at recently. Nice enough but not pure white!
Magnolia sargentiana ‘Blood Moon’ – one of two we will see today. Just the odd flower or two seen previously so this is better. A Californian named seedling of Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta which is supposedly darker than robusta. Not much in my opinion but it has sold well at Burncoose. It is not exactly ‘blood red’.
First flowering I have seen (and a bit battered) of a young Magnolia campbellii ‘Betty Jessel’. When it grows a bit it will be as good as the 30-footer in the Rireii Opening which is hardly out yet.
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’ at its absolute best. Flowers which have opened on their own without wind are much darker than those higher up which were blown open.
While we are on the subject of rather poor Magnolia campbellii Alba Group seedlings which have been registered and named (or just named in some cases?) here is our own unnamed version. Yes there is some pink but the flowers are HUGE and they have the proper central spike of unopened tepals as ‘Alba’ does have in the wild collected original trees here which are not showing colour as yet. This is normal!
A second Magnolia sargentiana ‘Blood Moon’ planted only in 2016 with eight flowers.
Lindera tonkinensis (FMWJ 13123) has retained all its leaves over winter and is just starting to come into growth. A very vigorous species.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’ now full out as is the older plant at the top of the garden.
Camellia reticulata ‘William Hertrich’ is a particularly dark red as it first opens this eyar.
Possibly our best Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling in the Auklandii Garden. Again unnamed but probably our largest tree of the several seedlings here and hugely floriferous. Not yet out except a bit high up. No rush!
2019 – CHW
vlog today with Karol, comparision of two magnolias both seedlings which were a cross between the same parentage of Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’ and Magnolia sargentiana ‘Robusta’. One hybrid comes from New Zealand called Magnolia ‘Susanna van Veen’ and other hybrid was crossed here called Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’.
vlog today with Karol, comparision of two magnolias both seedlings which were a cross between the same parentage of Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’ and Magnolia sargentiana ‘Robusta’. One hybrid comes from New Zealand called Magnolia ‘Susanna van Veen’ and other hybrid was crossed here called Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’.
Today up the drive to see what is new out here.This is labelled Magnolia zenii ‘Pink Parchment’. The flowers are bigger than on our original M. zenii but with much the same pink colouration at the base of the tepals. In Jim Gardiner’s magnolia book the pictures of M. zenii look exactly like this (ie larger). I wonder who named the clone of this species ‘Pink Parchment’? Nicer than our original actually and seems stronger growing.
Magnolia ‘Charles Raffil’ with two flowers so far out.
Magnolia ‘Mount Pironga’ from New Zealand about to burst.
Again this bizarre and unnamed deciduous azalea is full out three months early. I suspect it has been out already for several weeks. There is one at Burncoose too which is often out on Christmas Day.
Ribes sanguineum ‘White Icicle’ just coming out. Some light pink in the bud opening white.
The view from the drive over to Giddle Orchard and the Kitchen Garden.
2018 – CHW
The Isla Rose christening day. Thirty-four to lunch (including two vicars) and many staying. Biting cold east wind.
Magnolia ‘Bishop Peter’ in the hall. Not as pale a colour as usual since picked before the wind.
Two wonderful vases of flowers outside the front door.
A nice arrangement of camellias in the hall too.
John and Isla Rose assemble.
Godparents group photo with Isla Rose central and still smiling with Katie.
Karol’s new labels resplendent in The Isla Rose Plantation.
The new plaque in place.
Isla Rose at the plaque.
Isla Rose, Katie and John cut the ribbon in a bitter wind but still smiling. The tears were only at the sight of the vicar’s beard during the christening in church.
2017 – CHW
A day of budget meetings at the nursery and KPK. A pleasant exercise after a good performance in both businesses.Camellia reticulata ‘Arch of Triumph’ is particularly splendid in the cash point.
A day of budget meetings at the nursery and KPK. A pleasant exercise after a good performance in both businesses.Camellia reticulata ‘Arch of Triumph’ is particularly splendid in the cash point.
Camellia reticulata ‘Francie L’ is not bad either although this one can be a shy flowerer.
Camellia japonica ‘Amabel Lansdell’ catches the eye too as a large early flower. Not many japonicas out yet in the sales beds.
Grevillea juniperina sulphurea is out today. Not a plant I have ever seen in flower before and pictures needed for the website. A delicate yellow.
Strangely we seem to be missing website pictures for Rosemarinus officinalis ‘Severn Sea’. Odd that is should be out now in the tunnels but I have seen this elsewhere recently. A delicate light blue tinge.
Calceolaria ‘Camden Hero’ is new to the catalogue and is growing steadily through the winter. Flower spikes starting to show.
One of the magnolias at the nursery entrance is full out with Camellia ‘Donation’ as its background. Not yet blown away like last year’s effort.
The huge Gunnera manicata rhizomes in the show tunnel are waking up for Chelsea!
Nandina domestica in the show tunnel is one of those odd plants with flowers and fruits at the same time. Some ilex species do this too but it is uncommon. What is the reason?
Ribes laurifolium ‘Amy Doncaster’ is full out and very striking today. A dwarfish form which will creep and form a low clump. This will be a better seller than Ribes laurifolium itself as a border or rockery plant.
2016 – CHW
We tried to register Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’ (Magnolia sargentiana robusta x Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’) last year but could not find enough decent pictures then to send to the Magnolia Society International. The cross dates from 1951 and it first flowered in the early 1960s.Attached is the entry which will now this year be submitted for registration together with half a dozen pictures of the plant itself which is half out today. It has many of the obvious characteristics of both its parents but is clearly initially darker in colour than both although the colour does fade to a much lighter pink as the petals droop down. Despite my father’s longstanding reticence I am personally convinced that it is a very good plant which the nursery will sell well to the growing number of enthusiastic magnolia collectors. (We delivered 87 different specimen magnolia plants to one Burncoose customer this week.)
We tried to register Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’ (Magnolia sargentiana robusta x Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’) last year but could not find enough decent pictures then to send to the Magnolia Society International. The cross dates from 1951 and it first flowered in the early 1960s.Attached is the entry which will now this year be submitted for registration together with half a dozen pictures of the plant itself which is half out today. It has many of the obvious characteristics of both its parents but is clearly initially darker in colour than both although the colour does fade to a much lighter pink as the petals droop down. Despite my father’s longstanding reticence I am personally convinced that it is a very good plant which the nursery will sell well to the growing number of enthusiastic magnolia collectors. (We delivered 87 different specimen magnolia plants to one Burncoose customer this week.)
2015 – CHW
Camellia ‘Volunteer’ planted in 2014 full of flower already. One of a batch from Stervinou nursery in France via Wisley. Many of these new plants originate from Nuccio’s Nurseries in the US although how the French have evaded the plant import/export ban one can only speculate.
2005 – FJW
Third night of frost getting heavier – plants now showing it.2002 – FJW
Flower on Magnolia stellata.1986 – FJW
Fifth and heaviest dose of snow for winter.
1931 – JCW
Argenteums opening just about 1923.
1923 – JCW
Argenteums open in several places only a few Camellias. Rho praecox and Erica hybrids are the best things. Sutchuenense are good and 20 Arboreum x Thomsonii. Irroratum nice.
1922 – JCW
One or two Argenteums just moving in the buds. The pink Kurume holds this year as it did last year, several Sutchuenense hybrid blooms are open and more to come. Rho lutescens is nice in particular one of the cut back plants. There have been flowers on the Gordonia all the winter. There are some good Camellias, but Japonica is the best in the Beech Walk.
1921 – JCW
About 30 Rhodo’s show bloom. Erica darleyense and the Rhodo argenteum with the Blood Red hybrids are the best things. The pink Azalea near the back is good now and ever since January.
1918 – JCW
A dozen of the seedling daffs open, 20-25 species of Rhodo show flower, C conradinae has been very good for ten days. Erica arborea is good, a few R arboreums opening.
1914 – JCW
Prunus pissardi just opening, Cam Lady Clare is good, Lady Roberts and others show odd blooms, various heaths very good. Certain red hybrid rhodo’s are coming on, Rho barbatum is half of it open. One Rhdoo sutchuenense open. Some Rhodo arboreum open.
1912 – JCW
Prunus pissardi are very very fine, Camellias quite good, double reticulata shows colour, Rhodo sutchuenense just show colour for the first time, and this after 18-20 degrees of frost, several Arboreums are open and various scarlets.
1911 – JCW
A few Nar cyclamineus hybrids out, several hybrid scarlets open, some pink arboreums, snowdrops going back. Prunus pissardi are nice, several ciliatum about – Rho lutescens at its best.
1910 – JCW
Prunus pissardi just out, no Maximus, but Tenby, H Irving and a few Caerhays, several ciliatum, plenty of cyclamineus hybrids, Campanelles open and a Jonquil or two show colour. No Alfred near out.
1909 – JCW
Sent some Cyclamineus and a jonquil to the RHS.
1904 – JCW
First evening out after tea. Picked for Dinton a number of Cyclamineus hybrids.
1897 – JCW
First Cilliatum, Pallidus, Proecox, most of the Cernuus.
Your Isla Rose plantation is just lovely. We found it last week by chance and were unaware of its significance. It is lovely on all aspects you are a very lucky man Mr Charles!