Magnolia virginiana ‘Pink Halo’ is virtually leafless.

A hefty stake has righted a young Embothrium on the lip of Roger’s Quarry.

Camellia x williamsii ‘Faith’ looking good in the sun.

Rhododendron ‘Winter Intruder’ untouched by frost or gales on the drive.

Camellia japonica ‘Debutante’.

An out of season and frosted flower or two on Azalea ‘Ledifolia Alba’.

Frosted hydrangea leaves where the East wind caught them.

Some ice still on the edges of the lake.

Seedlings aplenty under the Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’ which I fear is dying beside the side door.

2024 – CHW

The first daffodils largely eaten by pheasants.

The first flower is out on Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’. Surely an all time record for early flowering?

Another mature plant of Camellia x williamsii ‘John Pickthorn’ looking at its very best.

A week on and Camellia x williamsii ‘Celebration’ is suddenly full out beside George’s Hut. No colour a week ago.

2023 – CHW
First flowers showing on Camellia x williamsii ‘Mary Jobson’.

First flowers just out on Daphne ‘Jacqueline Postill’. A bit later than usual.

First snowdrops just about out 2 days ago. The big clumps on Bond Street are much further on already.

2022 – CHW 
Everything sodden but little damage in the garden after yesterday’s deluge.The start of the laurel cutting on the way to Rookery Gate.

Daphne bholua ‘Mary Rose’ is still not fully out unlike all the other bholuas which are at their absolute scented best.

Rhododendron mucronulatum rather battered but still a good show today in the sun.

A rather unnoticed clump of snowdrops above Bond Street are the first clump to be fully out this year.

The near white flowered Camellia x williamsii bred by my father with its first few flowers. A little pink in the buds.

Camellia x williamsii ‘Jury’s Yellow’ just starting.

2021 – CHW
Frosty but clear. A little ice still on the lake but only on the periphery. The two swans have reappeared and taken back their territory. Their one cygnet sulks in a corner.

Still plenty of flowers out on the ancient Camellia sasanqua ‘Narumigata’ on the top wall.

The vireya rhododendron species Rhododendron sororium is nearly over in a greenhouse. Yellow flowers with red stamens.

A youngish and new Camellia ‘Volunteer’ is full out. The flowers fade as you can see here and change colour. As good an early red camellia as ‘Takanini’.

First colour on the yellow form of Rhododendron ‘Bo Peep’. About on time despite the cold spell.

This large and rare Symplocos dryophylla has been dying slowly over the last few years above Rogers Quarry. Dry summers probably but our other plants are nestled in even more shelter. The last bits of green leaves at the top have gone and it is for the bonfire and stump digger now this spring. Seedlings are coming on.

Camellia ‘Cornish Snow’ and Camellia reticulata ‘Mary Williams’ now out below Donkey Shoe.

The Caerhays raised and registered Camellia ‘New Venture’ just out (japonica x ‘Gauntlettii’). A large flower which will open out flatter.

Rhododendron lutescens now has plenty of flowers but they are quite sparse on the old bushes.

Just one decent flower on Camellia x williamsii ‘Debbie’ below Burns Bank so far.