2019 – CHW
Actinidia deliciosa ‘Tomuri’ (male form) with especially large flowers which are yellowish at first then developing an orange tone. The best show I have seen here.
Seed heads already turning reddish on some sycamores on the drive. Very early in view of how late these trees were into leaf after The Beast.
Lonicera crassifolia is a prostrate evergreen species which Asia should propagate. It was a gift from Roy Lancaster and grows in and on the old tree stump at the Four in Hand. Tiny upright white flowers which go yellowish with age. Delicate and attractive in full sun. A rarity but a perfect rockery plant to grow perhaps with Fuchsia procumbens?
The three young Aesculus wilsonii at the entrance to Old Park Wood are flowering
well.
Tents on the lawn, tents below the lawn, hustle and bustle from all our staff and helpers. Charity fete tomorrow. We need a fine day and 3,000 people if we can to create a real profit for the church and local charities.
Styrax shiraiana – another new species to plant out next spring with very different leaves. There are several new ones on Mark Bulk’s Dutch website and we need to try the lot.
Rhododendron indicum (white) (Azalea indica) – very late into flower but, as with all indicums, flowers are random and not all out at once.
Eurya japonica – cannot now find the seed pods but never mind.
This clump of Rhododendron maddenii still in tight bud so must remember to have a look in July.
A late flower on Rhododendron leptothrium which is often paler on the ancient plants growing in shade below Donkey Shoe.
Two more Cornus kousas:
Cornus kousa ‘WCBCRI’ – that is what it says on the label! This may be a breeder’s number, our cock up or a misspelling of one of the more obscurely named varieties in the US reference book. Nice enough with biggish bracts.
The pink form of Rhododendron decorum above the Sales Point is the best thing in the garden today and well worth a trip around the garden on its own. The white form nearby is nearly over but others in the garden are not. Clearly several different original collections here and well worth collecting seed. ‘Tinners Blush’ and ‘High Sheriff’ are our decorum crosses and we should do more!
Rho falconeri only just over also Harrows hybrids and Cornish Loderi over. Tally Ho at its best. Styrax wilsoni coming out. Azaleas mostly over. Still some Mag – Wilsoni and Sinensis. No hay cut here yet. Wall rose at its best.
Many Paeonies have only lately started, picked nearly all the daff seed.