Storm Christoph has passed up by with little rain by comparison to the north and only minor gales. It has however blown open a few flowers very high up on the second and third magnolias to come out this year:
Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’ – New Zealand origin and nearly always early. No flowers showing on Sunday.
The lichen on its trunk is spectacular.
An original Magnolia campbellii growing near Tin Garden is also usually early. Nearer white than pink. The main M. campbellii had no colour.
Rhododendron mucronulatum now properly out. Not that many flowers this year.
Another Camellia x vernalis ‘Yuletide’ not yet full out.
Snowdrops now properly out.
A batch of 20 plants from Mark Bulk for the frames. Mainly new Crataegus species for our small collection. Not all have prickles.
Two of the ancient Camellia japonicas on the Stable Flat wall are out. I must try and work out possible names.
White and pink flowers on the one nearest the circular tower.
First flower outside the back yard plant of Jury’s Yellow.
A free range cockerel by the top lodge pretending to be a pheasant.
Camellia ‘Nagasaki’ full out now.
As is Camellia x williamsii ‘Monica Dance’.
First flower on Camellia ‘Dr Burnside’.
First flower on Camellia x williamsii ‘Mary Phoebe Taylor’.
A Camellia lutchuense hybrid with scent on the drive.
A very large flowered Camellia reticulata by Donkey Shoe. Unnamed on the plan. A very ‘leggy’ plant with few flowers. A bit early for ‘Mouchang’ or ‘Royalty’ perhaps? A good plant of the latter the other side of the path with no flowers as yet. ‘Mouchang’ the most likely.
Aextoxicon punctatum just coming out. The buds have been evident since September.
A young Magnolia lancei appears to be more or less evergreen.
2020 – CHW
Camellia ‘Volunteer’ is well worth its place.
First flowers on Daphne bholua ‘Ghost’.
Four more palms to inspect today behind the greenhouse. Planted more recently than those seen yesterday in Kennel Close and still struggling to get started. The naming has kindly been checked by The Palm Centre (www.palmcentre.co.uk) and this is where we have got to with the labelling so far.
Rhododendron ‘Seta’ (moupinense x spinuliferum) is apparently a Bodnant hybrid. I had always thought it was a Bolitho cross from Trengwainton and certainly Colonel Edward Bolitho always claimed it was. A very early flowerer but short lived. The clump at Burncoose is better and the old clump on Burns Bank long dead here. These are the first few flowers above the Auklandii Garden.
2016 – CHW
The new clearing of old reticulata camellias and Viburnum odoratissimum will be ready for a new rhododendron planting when the stumps can be removed.
Nearby Cornus honkongensis has a perfect leaf cover. I would say it must be an evergreen but Hillier’s do not mention this. I photographed a few small flowers last summer.
1993 – FJW
First daffs out on the drive near Nobleanum.
1973 – FJW
First snowdrop. Flowers on Talavera and Red Admiral – mild wet winter to date.1963 – FJW
Heaviest fall of snow to date – Bedroom force – we have now had 3 weeks of very cold weather. Garden barren of flower.
1913 – JCW
Only one or two Camellias open, C coum very nice, just an Aconite or two, Snowdrops hardly showing. Clematis chrysocoma good even after the cold, a few roses? Heaths good including a new lot of hybrida, Lady Clare at the back of the Library open.
1912 – JCW
Many Camellias open, several daffs out – P megasoefolia fair, N cyclamineus open, Clematis anomala open, Rhodoⁿ lutescens.
1904 – JCW
The first yellow crocus have been open for some days, as in 1900 for the rest.
1903 – JCW
Primula megasoefolia is well open and has been since October, the above are also out.
1901 – JCW
About the same as the above, crossed some forced Tenby with Minimus.
1900 – JCW
Picked three Minimus very late – Snowdrops look well but are not quite all out, several Aconite show, Crocus imperati nearly over.