2016 – CHW
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.

The bracts on Cornus kousa ‘Gosia’ are turning from cream to pink on the drive. An attractive tree in an excellent position.

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.

Roses nearly over and phlomis completely finished. Time to return to Cornwall at last! My very slow computer connection has allowed a trawl through of Pavia and Esveld nurseries plant lists but very little new to buy in that I could find. Perhaps they will update their lists in the autumn.