17th June

FJ Williams Profile Picture
FJW 1955-2007
CH Williams Profile Picture
CHW 2015-
JC Williams Profile Picture
JCW 1897-1939
C Williams Profile Picture
CW 1940-1955


2024 – CHW

Gardens closed and no visitors so the front door is open and the dogs lie in the sun on the guard barking occasionally as stall holders turn up to collect things from the fete.

The ancient dark red Azalea indica by the front door is nearly out.

Azalea indica
Azalea indica
Cornus kousa ‘Rasen’ just starting to turn colour.
Cornus kousa ‘Rasen’
Cornus kousa ‘Rasen’
A pigeon’s nest in the crown of a tree fern. The nest is badly made and falling to pieces.
pigeon’s nest
pigeon’s nest
Cornus kousa ‘Weberiana’ has a graceful shape.
Cornus kousa ‘Weberiana’
Cornus kousa ‘Weberiana’
Attractive new growth on Nyssa sinensis ‘Jim Russell’ which was a gift from Peter Mills.
Nyssa sinensis ‘Jim Russell’
Nyssa sinensis ‘Jim Russell’
A young Schima superba (Mu-he-shu) with light coloured new growth.
Schima superba (Mu-he-shu)
Schima superba (Mu-he-shu)
First flowers on one of Tom Hudson’s Manglietia insignis. The tree is now clear of all surrounding vegetation and one can actually see the flowers high up.
Manglietia insignis
Manglietia insignis
First flower on Magnolia laevifolia ‘Lennon’ – another gift from Raf.
Magnolia laevifolia ‘Lennon’
Magnolia laevifolia ‘Lennon’
This Laureliopsis philippiana was moved to a spot with more room in the spring but, so far, it is growing away perfectly well.
Laureliopsis philippiana
Laureliopsis philippiana
Styrax wilsonii, unlike many of the other species this year, is absolutely plastered in flower.
Styrax wilsonii
Styrax wilsonii
Styrax wilsonii
Styrax wilsonii

2023 – CHW

To the remarkable 60 acre Arboretum at Batsford which is a jewel! In marked contrast to my views on Ventnor Botanics last summer which stirred up a public furore this arboretum is extremely well cared for, full of new planting and perfectly labelled throughout. All the things which the National Trust now regards as irrelevant in so many of its once great gardens. Educating the public to the wonders of trees is exactly what the Batsford Trustees are all about. A remarkably good Souvenir Garden Guide as well. Cannot wait to revisit in a different season. With a pH of 7-7.5 they cannot grow many Rhododendrons but Magnolias are thriving. The best collection of mature Carpinus species I have ever seen all in full flower tassel mode. A visit to Batsfords National Collection of cherries is certainly on my list for next spring.

Here are a few general photographs of the Arboretum and Batsford House (private).

Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
Arboretum at Batsford
From the 240 plant pictures taken today here are just a few gems:-
Cytisus nigricans ‘Cyni’.
Cytisus nigricans ‘Cyni’
Cytisus nigricans ‘Cyni’
Cytisus nigricans ‘Cyni’
Cytisus nigricans ‘Cyni’
Cytisus nigricans ‘Cyni’
Cytisus nigricans ‘Cyni’
Philadelphus palmeri
Philadelphus palmeri
Philadelphus palmeri
Philadelphus palmeri
Philadelphus palmeri
Rhododendron ferrugineum.
Rhododendron ferrugineum
Rhododendron ferrugineum
Picrasma quassioides in full flower.
Picrasma quassioides
Picrasma quassioides
Picrasma quassioides
Picrasma quassioides
Quercus pontica with acorns forming.
Quercus pontica
Quercus pontica
Quercus pontica
Quercus pontica
Quercus glauca – our tree at Caerhays is nearly dead.
Quercus glauca
Quercus glauca
Quercus glauca
Quercus glauca
Ilex hookeri which once grew at Caerhays but never seen before by me.
Ilex hookeri
Ilex hookeri
Ilex hookeri
Ilex hookeri
Cistus salviifolius ‘Prostratus’.
Cistus salviifolius ‘Prostratus’
Cistus salviifolius ‘Prostratus’

2022 – CHW

Exciting news from Asia and seed germination this spring. Magnolia sapaensis had one seedpod last year (and has eight flower buds today) but loads of good looking seedlings now.

Magnolia sapaensis
Magnolia sapaensis
Rhododendron nuttallii has not germinated that well but perhaps a second germination to come?
Rhododendron nuttallii
Rhododendron nuttallii
A colourful display of dianthus at Burncoose this morning.
dianthus
dianthus
Acanthus sennii is a new addition to the catalogue now.
Acanthus sennii
Acanthus sennii
Nice plants of the very rare Camptotheca acuminata that was added to the website in the spring. Our tree at Caerhays is now 15ft tall after 11 years but can have minor dieback in cold winters.
Camptotheca acuminata
Camptotheca acuminata
Excellent young stock of Juglans mandshurica.
Juglans mandshurica
Juglans mandshurica
Two new low growing compact and very late flowering evergreen azaleas now in the catalogue – Azalea ‘Blue Moon’ and Azalea ‘White Moon’.
Azalea ‘Blue Moon’ and Azalea ‘White Moon’
Azalea ‘Blue Moon’ and Azalea ‘White Moon’
Azalea ‘Blue Moon’ and Azalea ‘White Moon’
Azalea ‘Blue Moon’ and Azalea ‘White Moon’
Azalea ‘Blue Moon’ and Azalea ‘White Moon’
Azalea ‘Blue Moon’ and Azalea ‘White Moon’
Azalea ‘Blue Moon’ and Azalea ‘White Moon’
Azalea ‘Blue Moon’ and Azalea ‘White Moon’
A fine batch of Agapanthus ‘Streamline’ ready for sale at Hampton Court flower show.
Agapanthus ‘Streamline’
Agapanthus ‘Streamline’
Agapanthus ‘Streamline’
Agapanthus ‘Streamline’

2021 – CHW
The Crown Inn at Benson which Hook Norton Brewery acquired over a year ago. It has traded only for eight weeks since renovation was completed last September. About an hour from Hook Norton itself in a large well heeled village near RAF Benson. A gastro pub but with plenty of outside space for rather cheaper food offering from a secondary kitchen. A good investment which has yet to get going after COVID and the 47 diners nearly all sat outside last night in the heatwave conditions.

Crown Inn
Crown Inn
Crown Inn
Crown Inn
Crown Inn
Crown Inn
Crown Inn
Crown Inn
A clipped Hypericum ‘Hidcote’ hedge of about 5ft in height in the pub garden just coming into flower.
Hypericum ‘Hidcote’
Hypericum ‘Hidcote’

2020 – CHW
A quick trip to the greenhouse to find some plants for Trelawny & Olivia Williams for their new garden near Port Isaac in North Cornwall.Platycrater arguta is now out in flower and these pictures will nearly fill the missing website slots. What a peculiar little hydrangea-like thing it is with what looks like separate male and female flowers. Looks tenderish and a greenhouse thing but I may be wrong.
Platycrater arguta
Platycrater arguta
Platycrater arguta
Platycrater arguta
Salvia discolor is what is on the label of Asia’s propagation and this is a Peruvian species which the reference books say is indigo-black in flower. Rather bluer here and a rather nice thing which is supposed to be a late season flowerer. [I now, subsequently, think this is in fact Salvia pratensis.]
Salvia
Salvia
Salvia
Salvia
Salvia
Salvia
Salvia
Salvia
Cornus kousa ‘Rasen’ just flecking with pink before going redder. Quite a sight today. Planted 2001 in the x veitchii clearing then.
Cornus kousa ‘Rasen’
Cornus kousa ‘Rasen’
Cornus kousa ‘Rasen’
Cornus kousa ‘Rasen’
Cornus kousa ‘Rasen’
Cornus kousa ‘Rasen’
Acer cissifolium also planted in 2001 is now a decent tree with quite easily definable leaves and attractive new growth.
Acer cissifolium
Acer cissifolium
Acer cissifolium
Acer cissifolium
Acer cissifolium
Acer cissifolium
Acer cissifolium
Acer cissifolium
Pleasingly less time for the diary now as we awake from our hibernation and start to get cracking and catch up on many other projects.

2019 – CHW
A visit to Bonython last Friday for a Great Gardens meeting and quick tour of the garden which was looking splendid 20 years on from the Nathan’s acquiring the estate. How it has developed and progressed! A spring and summer garden now with much to interest all types of gardener and including many South African herbaceous plants.Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’ in full flower in the sun in a corner of the walled garden.
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
The former swimming pool has now been changed into a water feature in the walled garden. Most effective as it flows over the sides.
water feature
water feature
Lupinus chamissonis scrambling beautifully through a clipped hedge of Lonicera nitida. A very nice Lupin species which we ought to stock.
Here freestanding at the edge of a border and creeping onto the path. You can see why it needs a host plant to climb over.
Lupinus chamissonis
Lupinus chamissonis
Lupinus chamissonis
Lupinus chamissonis
Lupinus chamissonis
Lupinus chamissonis
Huge artichokes just ripe for picking and eating. Some had been!
artichokes
artichokes
The circle of white Betulas around a central sculpture has grown out of all recognition. Three separate birch circles in fact. Sue Nathan now needs a bigger central sculpture.
Betulas
Betulas
Betulas
Betulas
The view over the top lake.
top lake
top lake
The view from the bottom of the lower lake. This was originally Proteas and other South African natives. Not that much has survived but what has is now most impressive.
lower lake
lower lake
Cornus ‘Venus’ (Cornus kousa var. chinensis x Cornus nuttallii Goldspot x Cornus kousa) was in full sun and the pure white flowers were nearly over and developing pinkish spots then more pink all over. The flower bracts are enormous.
Cornus ‘Venus’
Cornus ‘Venus’
Cornus ‘Venus’
Cornus ‘Venus’
Cornus ‘Venus’
Cornus ‘Venus’
The yew ‘chapel’ has grown from nothing (our plants originally) into a novel feature. Ivy as the pews and a trained blue juniper as the cross. Not my cup of tea but impressive for the visitors.
yew ‘chapel’
yew ‘chapel’

2018 – CHW
Azalea indicum has many coloured forms from mauve-purple to red and dark red. The clumps on the drive, in the Auklandii Garden and outside the front gate are full out now and flowering more copiously than I can remember before. The flowers are single or in pairs. This marks the very end of the azalea flowering season for another year. Asia ought to have a go at propagating some of these rather neglected plants which may be a bit dull until June but are a pleasure then.

Azalea indicum
Azalea indicum
Azalea indicum
Azalea indicum
Azalea indicum
Azalea indicum
Azalea indicum
Azalea indicum
Azalea indicum
Azalea indicum
Azalea indicum
Azalea indicum
I even found a clump of white flowered ones although the leaves suggest an indicum hybrid. These are at the end of Rookery Path.
white flowered
white flowered
white flowered
white flowered

2017 – CHW
You can always find something absolutely new in the garden flowering away for the first time ever if you take the trouble to look properly – even when the season is ‘over’!Fuchsia ‘Lady Bacon’ which I bought last year in the Isle of Wight is out beside the greenhouse. I rather like it and it looks tough.
Fuchsia ‘Lady Bacon’
Fuchsia ‘Lady Bacon’
Another less trailing Styrax japonicus ‘Pendula’ is nearly out above the greenhouse. Nothing like as good a shape as the one seen last week but its flowers will be more visible.
Styrax japonicus ‘Pendula’
Styrax japonicus ‘Pendula’
Styrax japonicus ‘Pendula’
Styrax japonicus ‘Pendula’
Styrax japonicus ‘Pendula’
Styrax japonicus ‘Pendula’
A moderately mature Styrax japonicus near it. Also not quite out and not photographed before in recent days. On our tour today Asia and I find two additional new named Styrax japonicus varieties but neither have any flowers yet.
Styrax japonicus
Styrax japonicus
Styrax japonicus
Styrax japonicus
The ancient dead Styrax hookeri has fallen over but one shoot from the base remains alive and vigorous. This is a major surprise. When we cut up the dead trunk this winter we must be careful to protect the one shoot.
Styrax hookeri
Styrax hookeri
Styrax hookeri
Styrax hookeri
Another disaster from the recent wind. Half the Record Tree Manglietia insignis above the greenhouse has split out. There are plenty of buds on the fallen branches and some are even out with pink outer tepals creamy inside. The closest I have ever got to photograph the flowers (sadly now drooping). Silvery undersides to the leaves too as you can see.
Manglietia insignis
Manglietia insignis
Manglietia insignis
Manglietia insignis
Manglietia insignis
Manglietia insignis
Manglietia insignis
Manglietia insignis
More pictures of Styrax formosanus full out.
Styrax formosanus
Styrax formosanus
Styrax formosanus
Styrax formosanus
Styrax formosanus
Styrax formosanus
Likewise Styrax wuyuanensis also full out.
Styrax wuyuanensis
Styrax wuyuanensis
Styrax wuyuanensis
Styrax wuyuanensis
Styrax wuyuanensis
Styrax wuyuanensis
Styrax wuyuanensis
Styrax wuyuanensis
Euonymus morrisonensis just about to flower. Entirely new to us. I thought it was a styrax at first.
Euonymus morrisonensis
Euonymus morrisonensis
First three flowers ever on Illicium griffithii. Yet to open but clearly red. One of several new species of illicium introduced to the garden from Tregrehan and Crug Farm in recent years.
Illicium griffithii
Illicium griffithii
Illicium griffithii
Illicium griffithii
Then on to look at a few late flowering or summer magnolias to confirm that the garden is ‘over’!
Magnolia sieboldii sinensis x virginiana now full out after its wind battering last week.
Magnolia sieboldii sinensis x virginiana
Magnolia sieboldii sinensis x virginiana
Magnolia sieboldii sinensis x virginiana
Magnolia sieboldii sinensis x virginiana
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’ is still full out – five weeks from first showing.
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Magnolia globosa nearly out and as late as last year.
Magnolia globosa
Magnolia globosa
A young Magnolia dealbata with its very first flower. The older plant was out 10 days ago.
Magnolia dealbata
Magnolia dealbata
My first photographs I think of Idesia polycarpa (a tree) in full flower. I had thought this tree was Poliothyrsis sinensis which is similar (and we may well have both) but this is definitely Idesia.
Idesia polycarpa
Idesia polycarpa
Idesia polycarpa
Idesia polycarpa
Idesia polycarpa
Idesia polycarpa
Idesia polycarpa
Idesia polycarpa
Cotoneaster hualiensis situated in full sun setting fruits already.
Cotoneaster hualiensis
Cotoneaster hualiensis
Cotoneaster hualiensis
Cotoneaster hualiensis
Wonderful bronze new growth on a young Magnolia nitida tucked away in a sheltered spot by the Main Ride.
Magnolia nitida
Magnolia nitida
Magnolia nitida
Magnolia nitida
Another elderly clump of recently cut back Rhododendron viscosum by the entrance to the garden are just starting to flower again. I had forgotten these too.
Rhododendron viscosum
Rhododendron viscosum
Rhododendron viscosum
Rhododendron viscosum

Trying out the new camera today. Hard to focus!The deciduous but rare Rhododendron weyrichii has popped open in a couple of fine hot days. More flower this year than usual. How many deciduous species from China and the US have we shown in the last fortnight – six?

Rhododendron weyrichii
Rhododendron weyrichii
Rhododendron weyrichii
Rhododendron weyrichii
It is the time of the year for discovering dead plants. Here Polylepsis australis which is one of Asia’s favourites presumably because she has been the first to propagate this weird thing. The big plant on the drive is fine. This has been growing happily here for four or five years. The drought in March/April to blame?
Polylepsis australis
Polylepsis australis
Cornus kousa ‘WCBCRI’ (on the label) – whatever that means. No clues in the cornus books but a nice thing. The bracts are still white lower down where they do not catch the sun. As of today’s date very similar to ‘Wisley Queen’?
Cornus kousa ‘WCBCRI’
Cornus kousa ‘WCBCRI’
Nyssa aquatica is very late into leaf. The leaves are oblong and light green at first. Odd bark too as you can see here.
Nyssa aquatica
Nyssa aquatica
I locate another of the newly planted Styrax wilsonii. It has been too dry and the leaves have yet to develop properly. Fifty fifty for its survival but the flower is nice and the yellow base and anthers stand out on the tiny flowers.
Styrax wilsonii
Styrax wilsonii
Styrax wilsonii
Styrax wilsonii
Magnolia virginiana ‘Moonglow’ is just coming out. It will be a good show soon. Nothing out yet on the other M virginiana hybrids (and no buds that I can see yet) nor on the species itself.
Magnolia virginiana ‘Moonglow’
Magnolia virginiana ‘Moonglow’
Magnolia virginiana ‘Moonglow’
Magnolia virginiana ‘Moonglow’
The oldest Magnolia dealbata has a couple of flowers at the very top of the plant – say 25-30ft. With my new zoom lens I am supposed to be able to catch it but I end of with fuzzy background – mainly. I need a lesson from Karol I fear.
Magnolia dealbata
Magnolia dealbata
Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’ is now full out.
Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’
Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’
So is Rhododendron auriculatum.
Rhododendron auriculatum
Rhododendron auriculatum
The Record Tree of Cornus walteri (formerly Cornus wilsonii) is out in full flower by the Fernery. Here the zoom lens appears to work better on the distant flowers at the top of this huge clump.
Cornus walteri
Cornus walteri
Cornus walteri
Cornus walteri
Preparations for tomorrow’s charity fete are well underway. Grass all cut (even the water-meadows), sponsors boards up and three tents in place.
Preparations for tomorrow’s charity fete
Preparations for tomorrow’s charity fete
Preparations for tomorrow’s charity fete
Preparations for tomorrow’s charity fete
Preparations for tomorrow’s charity fete
Preparations for tomorrow’s charity fete
Preparations for tomorrow’s charity fete
Preparations for tomorrow’s charity fete

2016 – CHW
A Great Gardens of Cornwall meeting at Tregrehan. Plans for the 25th anniversary book are well in hand and it appears to be costing the members very little.The meeting ends in complete hilarity when, for some bizarre reason, Jonathan Jones from Tregothnan suggests we must pay more attention to ‘naked gardening’. Apparently this was prompted by London’s new restaurant where you get your kit off to eat (waitresses included presumably). Jonathan muttered something about ‘naked magnolias’ which may or may not have been a phallic time warp or perhaps the meeting was dull enough for his mind to wander dangerously into unchartered territory.

2015 – CHW

A Rhododendron royalii hybrid (‘Royal Flush’? Yellow or apricot) has survived powdery mildew and a clump is flowering sparsely. This one is yellow and pink and nowhere near as good as the pinks and yellows now long dead.

Rhododendron royalii hybrid
Rhododendron royalii hybrid
Rhododendron royalii hybrid
Rhododendron royalii hybrid

A very late evergreen azalea (unnamed) has the merit of lateness but not much else.

evergreen azalea
Evergreen azalea
evergreen azalea
Evergreen azalea

Deutzia subulata is just going over. A Roy Lancaster introduction.

Deutzia subulata
Deutzia subulata
Deutzia subulata
Deutzia subulata
Deutzia pulchra is nearly out. A much more vigorous Lancaster introduction and gift to us.
Deutzia pulchra
Deutzia pulchra
Deutzia pulchra
Deutzia pulchra
Deutzia pulchra
Deutzia pulchra

Several late azaleas above and below Bond Street

Azalea ‘Fireball’
Azalea ‘Fireball’
Azalea ‘Fireball’
Azalea ‘Fireball’
Azalea ‘Jock Brydon’
Azalea ‘Jock Brydon’

Azalea ‘Jock Brydon’

Azalea ‘June Fire’
Azalea ‘June Fire’

Azalea ‘June Fire’ – still in tight bud in shade.  The season for deciduous azaleas does go on longer than you might think and although visitor numbers are now sparse there is still quite a bit to see if you look.

A frog has made it into the dog kennels and two buzzards are eyeing up the chickens on the Lawn.  Bad year for moles and little joy with the traps on the Lawn.

2002 – FJW
A very misty week – sea seldom seen – very dreary and gloomy.

1928 – JCW
I came from Scotland, some trees and shrubs are doing very well, the Eriogynums and Griersonianums are good, the late Maddeni hybrids and the late Maddeni species of Forrest. Some Mag parviflora are open, some hypoleuca. M delavayi is not open yet but a lot of buds.

1924 – JCW
Came from London, much rain in the last three weeks and the best growth I ever saw in a short three weeks. Griersonianum and the Harrow hybrids are very good. Eriogynum is open. Cornish Loderi is just over. Mc is very good indeed for size of flowers in the NP8.

3 thoughts on “17th June

  1. This is clearly not Salvia discolor, neither leaves not – especially – flowers are alike. Flowercolour is very dark in discolour, not blue at all.

    1. I guess it is Salvia pratensis, common along roads in upper Rhine-valley, along streets in the city of Bale. It reflowers after mowing and self-sows; likes chalky, somewhat gravely soils (Swiss Jura) .

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