The new Green Gate to replace the old rotten one.

Rhododendron yuefengense flowering well.

Yet again the variegated Turkey Oak has produced a large green branch which needs removing.

Another large dead Snakebark maple – 20 years and they seen to develop a black fungal infection in the main trunk. Two others nearby are about to go the same way.

The Exochorda are romping away after this winter pruning which has clearly revitalised them.

Styrax wuyuanensis in full flower. Last year, after its lower branches were cut off, it flowered very sparsley.

The same story with Styrax formosanus.

Styrax hemsleyanus just coming out.

2024 – CHW
At Chelsea I photographed two primula species on the Keviock Nursery stand. They clearly both have family connections and a link to Werrington. JCW was a founder of the Primula Society and even delivered papers at their conferences. Forrest sent back seed of many primula species but few are now widely grown in the UK gardens apart perhaps from the candelabra primula. I suspect the reason for the primula failure and perhaps the demise of the Primula Society was that many of the high altitude species are simply not suited to our high rainfall and damp, wet winters. Keviock clearly manage them rather better in Scotland and their stand was a treasure trove of Chinese alpines.This is Primula obconica subsp. werringtonensi and the rather tiny Primula reidii var. williamsii.

Ross had now started work clearing the fallen Ilex oak at The Vean. A nearby ash tree has also been felled and found to be rotten.

Deutzia subulata is fairly small growing and compact. Just a tinge of very pale pink in the white flowers.

Vaccinium cylindraceum looking very fine today.

This is the first time we have actually seen the very tiny red podocarpsus-like fruits on the closely related Dacrycarpus dacrydioides. Tiny fleshy red fruits with one or more black seeds on top. Not all the ‘seeds’ are ripe as you can see. This appears to be a good female tree. Planted in 2007.

2023 – CHW

Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Wallaby’ now up to around 5 feet which is not bad for a supposed dwarf grower. Plentiful but pale flowers.

Rhododendron polyandrum a little later into flower than Rh. crassum which is very similar.

The first drought casualty or, more probably, the pre Christmas cold.

Rhododendron arizelum survived last summer’s drought and is performing well. ,.

Rhododendron decorum at it’s best.

Deutzia longifolia – the pure white form in Tin Garden.

Philadelphus caucasicus quite superb today. A trio of plants.

Aesculus x bushii just going over. I have missed a good show.

Philadelphus sericanthus less impressive and a far less dense habit.

Malus x prattii flowering well.

In my mind this tree just above the turning to White Styles was a Tilia species. Looking today it is obviously a Carpinus and, with its red new growth and leaf shape, probably C polyneura. The flower /seed tassels are an intricate mix of small leaves. The tree was bought at the Royal Cornwall Show by Trevor Wright for me.

2022 – CHW
Not as many attractive blue cones on Abies koreana as last year below Slip Rail.

The young new growth stands out spectacularly on Podocarpus matudae for a few days as the plant responds to rain.

Not bad on Podocarpus macrophylla either. (P. macrophylla ‘Aurea’ seems to have much larger and differently displayed leaves?).

Neolitsea aciculata now with a full set of new growth. A gift from Tom Hudson and originating from Maypeng in Taiwan.

First flowers just showing on Stewartia rostrata in a shady spot.

Michelia x foggii ‘Jack Fogg’ still covered in flowers weeks after it started.

As is Michelia ‘Allspice’ still with a pervading scent. M. ‘Touch of Pink’ nearby is now over barring the odd small remnant flower.

Rhododendron ‘Polaris’ (‘Hachmann’s Polaris’) performing well at Donkey Shoe.

Dramatic new growth on Schefflera delavayi at Donkey Shoe.

And also on Rhododendron ovatum.

2021 – CHW
To Burncoose to thrash out a new propagation strategy for the future with Burncoose producing an even wider range of camellias, rhodos and magnolias. Many changes and improvements planned to our propagation facilities.Rhododendron ‘Gwilt King’ flowering late as usual. Three clumps in the garden at Burncoose.

The double flowered Rhododendron fastuosum ‘Flore Pleno’.

Our own bred Rhododendron ‘Penvose’ named after an estate farm (as are several others).

Attractive new growth on Huodendron biaristratum. The Burncoose plant is developing far better than any here.

A well grown plant of Illicium henryi which is our propagation stock plant.

A robin willing me to pick up a few pots to reveal some grubs to eat.