2021 – CHW
At least 40 different varieties of agapanthus on sale at Eddington’s nursery but only about a third are in flower as yet:
Agapanthus ‘Ever Sapphire’
Then a few that we stock ourselves which are just as good as the ones listed above:Agapanthus ‘Streamline’
Two other plants which we ought to stock:Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ – wonderful foliage.
2020 – CHW
After nearly four months of lockdown and several cancelled dates at last Serena and Neil’s wedding today.
Flower arrangements outside the front door. Crinum powellii and hydrangea. Shasta daisies and Meadowsweet.
A trip to view a few farms and check out some chalky downland landscapes.
Some more nice new things at Ventnor Botanic Gardens on an initially overcast day which then went back to normal.Althaea officinalis – Marsh-mallow – comes from Europe and is from the malva family. Quite attractive but clearly tender.
Protea cyanaroides literally cut in half by cold.
2017 – CHW
The clearance work above the wall is perhaps 60% complete but still three enormous trees to fell and lots to clear up. The fire is enormous and the pile of timber (for firewood) is growing. Despite the rain it is still dry underfoot once the topsoil has been moved. A very neat job so far with only a bit of scorching of the laurel hedge from the fire.
A huge sweet chestnut branch split and fell on the drive last Thursday night with no wind at all. It had to be removed sharpish for a wedding party who were lucky to have found it after midnight rather than being under it. The weight of the growing chestnuts perhaps caused the split out. This now seems a much more frequent summer occurrence than it was years ago.
2015 – CHW
More out in our Seaview garden despite it being a disgraceful mess: Hebe ‘Autumn Glory’ – quite nice. Hebes hate high rainfall and get mildew in the nursery but thrive here.
Myrtus communis subsp tarrentina – just the odd single flower out now. Not much sign of myrtles yesterday at Osborne house despite their love of hot dry banks and self seeding. Perhaps too cold for Amomyrtus luma but plenty at Ventnor.
Ficus carica (common fig) with fruit nearly ripe already again reflecting a hot dry summer to date.
1969 – FJW
Very hot spell. Fortunei good. Hay should all be carried today. Flowers on Delavayi and Goliath.
1925 – JCW
Giganteums were good but are over. Daff seeds all picked. Plagianthus hardly open yet R brunonis over nearly. Wilson’s Fortunei poor, a lot of dry weather for June.
1916 – JCW
Went to Wittenhart (Lownisky’s) and saw his most remarkable garden with Loder.
1901 – JCW
L giganteum not as good as last year but at their best. R brunonis is very good. Most of the Recurvas has been picked. Moving bulbs hard.