2020 – CHW
The first snowdrop peeping out. Many more shoots will produce flowers in a couple of days.
A rather paler flowered clump of Rhododendron mucronulatum by the fernery is a fine show. These were bought from Glendoick 12 to 15 years ago.
Rhododendron ‘Winter Intruder’ and Camellia ‘Winton’ go rather nicely together.
Rhododendron ‘Winter Intruder’ now nearly full out in three separate clumps.
Rhododendron nobleanum and Rhododendron ‘Winter Intruder’ are also a good sight alongside each other on the main drive. No real wind or frost yet to spoil the show.
2019 – CHW
First flowers on Camellia ‘Lipstick’. A wonderful dark anemone form but is it so different from Camellia ‘Anemoniflora’?
First flowers on Camellia ‘Lipstick’. A wonderful dark anemone form but is it so different from Camellia ‘Anemoniflora’?
Some split branches on Magnolia delavayi at the top of the garden so we have raised up the crown a bit to make the pathway easier for visitors to manoeuvre.
Daffodils well on in Kennel Close.
2018 – CHW
We have seen other evergreen azaleas flowering now (‘Greenway’ and ‘Hinomayo’) but here are a couple more. Azalea ‘Kirin’ with its hose in hose flowers.
We have seen other evergreen azaleas flowering now (‘Greenway’ and ‘Hinomayo’) but here are a couple more. Azalea ‘Kirin’ with its hose in hose flowers.
Azalea ‘Malvatica’ with its occasional pink flash on the bud and petals.
Camellia ‘Lady Clare’ now full out directly under the Magnolia x veitchii. Still nothing out on the plant by the front door which is unusual.
Rhododendron kiysosumense (related to Rhododendron reticulatum) also has a few pale flowers out and the young growth from last year is still in full leaf on this otherwise deciduous rhododendron. Two other plants nearby are still fully dormant.
First flower on Camellia x williamsii ‘Muskoka’.
Some of the flower buds on Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’ have lost their outer secondary coating which is not good. Some evidence of rotten flowers. This is an early magnolia to perform and often gets storm damaged (but not by cold as yet).
2017 – CHW
I notice an odd small evergreen tree below Kennel Close. Its leaf suggests hornbeam and it turns out to be Carpinus kawakamii. Can there really be evergreen hornbeams? New growth is clearly emerging so perhaps? This one not in Hillier’s but it is in New Trees. Not listed as evergreen but Tom Hudson has had it in full leaf at Tregrehan in December.
I notice an odd small evergreen tree below Kennel Close. Its leaf suggests hornbeam and it turns out to be Carpinus kawakamii. Can there really be evergreen hornbeams? New growth is clearly emerging so perhaps? This one not in Hillier’s but it is in New Trees. Not listed as evergreen but Tom Hudson has had it in full leaf at Tregrehan in December.
Camellia x williamsii ‘Celebration’ (a darker from of Camellia ‘Donation’) is just out at Georges Hut. Nothing on ‘Donation’ yet. This was a chance sport originating from Trewithen.
Rhododendron ‘Peace’ bred at Trewithen and whiter than Rhododendron ‘Alison Johnstone’ has some flowers. It is a near deciduous and rather frail hybrid.
The largest Camellia ‘Cornish Snow’ below Donkey Shoe is just coming out. I would say this is late.
2016 – CHW
Two flowers blown out on Magnolia ‘Dr Merrill’ but they are high up and well formed or is this in fact Magnolia ‘Wadas Memory’ ? Too high up to tell. This is above Crinodendron Hedge next to the Magnolia ‘Lanarth’.
Camellia reticulata ‘Mary Williams’ (1931 planting) is full out (but just at the top) below Donkey Shoe. Very early!
Camellia ‘Cornish Snow’ below it now has most of its flowers blown onto the ground by the wind and not many more buds to come out later by the look of it. Over by late January? Normally this old plant still has a few flowers in April.
Although I guess they have probably been showing colour for a few days I only thought today to look for the first snowdrops. More or less on time or only perhaps a week early. At least something is unfazed by this absurdly mild winter. We have always thought snowdrops (like camellias) appear quicker into flower after a cold snap. This year’s performance would seem to disprove this a little? Snowdrops emerge very quickly and can easily be missed for a day or two. One day nothing and three days later there they all are. Many more at Burncoose than here. The large clumps we moved from The Vean before reconstruction started are not showing yet on the bank but they were replanted too deeply from the outset.
1997 – FJW
First definite thaw – no change in the garden since January 1st.
1971 – FJW
Charles picked first snowdrops.
1967 – FJW
10° of frost last night.
1959 – FJW
8° frost. Moors still very badly flooded. Over 2” of rain in 48 hrs at the beginning of the week. Picked first flower on nobilissima by front door. Sutchuenense arboreum hyb above Veitchii are well out.
1898 – JCW
Soleil D’or in flower, several out, Anenome fulgens out.