28th 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

Swelteringly hot mid-week but the temperature is now again down to tolerable levels and the farm completed the hay harvest. No silage at all this year but 1200 round bales all done and dusted between the rain. No plastic wrapping on the bales which is a major cost saving too and no run off or pollution from our small, and now unused, silage clamp.

Tilia insularis with flowers in one of the frames.

Tilia insularis
Tilia insularis
Tilia insularis
Tilia insularis
Sorbus rosea (SEP 492) with berries already.
Sorbus rosea (SEP 492)
Sorbus rosea (SEP 492)
Eriobotrya aff. elliptica var. petelotii (BWJ16323) ready for planting in the autumn. You would not guess it was an Eriobotrya!
Eriobotrya aff. elliptica var. petelotii (BWJ16323)
Eriobotrya aff. elliptica var. petelotii (BWJ16323)
Styrax japonica ‘Rubra Pendula’ in the frames. Large flowers on the pendulous shrub have some pink in their centres. Pink buds.
Styrax japonica ‘Rubra Pendula’
Styrax japonica ‘Rubra Pendula’
Styrax japonica ‘Rubra Pendula’
Styrax japonica ‘Rubra Pendula’
Two flowers on the very tender Digitalis spectrum.
Digitalis spectrum
Digitalis spectrum
Digitalis spectrum
Digitalis spectrum
Digitalis spectrum
Digitalis spectrum
Ptelea trifoliata ‘Aurea’ is really quite impressive in full flower.
Ptelea trifoliata ‘Aurea’
Ptelea trifoliata ‘Aurea’
Hydrangea luteovenosa (BSWJ 11524) has very tiny flowers but they are nicely scented.
Hydrangea luteovenosa (BSWJ 11524)
Hydrangea luteovenosa (BSWJ 11524)
Asia has grown Paulownia taiwaniana from side shoot cuttings.
Paulownia taiwaniana
Paulownia taiwaniana
Lots of wonderful rhododendrons as 2-3 year old plug liners now ready to go to Burncoose for potting on with us retaining a few to replace the elderly plants growing here.
Rhododendron arboreum.
Rhododendron arboreum
Rhododendron arboreum
Rhododendron hyperythrum.
Rhododendron hyperythrum
Rhododendron hyperythrum
Rhododendron tephropeplum.
Rhododendron tephropeplum
Rhododendron tephropeplum
Rhododendron protistum var. giganteum.
Rhododendron protistum var. giganteum
Rhododendron protistum var. giganteum
Rhododendron montroseanum.
Rhododendron montroseanum
Rhododendron montroseanum
Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’.
Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’
Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’

2023 – CHW

The one seedling from Araucaria angustifolia which Jaimie and Michael found in the huge 2 year old ripe cone is growing well. We think it must have been cross pollinated with Araucaria araucana.

Araucaria angustifolia
Araucaria angustifolia
Roy Lancaster’s gift of Lonicera crassifolia continues to do well on the dead tree stump at the 4-in-Hand.
Lonicera crassifolia
Lonicera crassifolia
Rhododendron ‘Moser’s Maroon’ just about surviving the heatwave.
Rhododendron ‘Moser’s Maroon’
Rhododendron ‘Moser’s Maroon’
A splendid carpet of new growth on Podocarpus salignus.
Podocarpus salignus
Podocarpus salignus
An absurdly late tail end flower on Rhododendron augustinii.
Rhododendron augustinii
Rhododendron augustinii
Dierama pulcherrimum just out by the Playhouse.
Dierama pulcherrimum
Dierama pulcherrimum

2022 – CHW

Quick visit to Busy Bee Garden Centre. Not really a plant place but found a few better pictures of things for the website.

Geum ‘Tempo Rose’ well worth Burncoose stocking.

Geum ‘Tempo Rose’
Geum ‘Tempo Rose’
Ilex aquifolium ‘Madame Briot’ with attractive yellow variegation.
Ilex aquifolium ‘Madame Briot’
Ilex aquifolium ‘Madame Briot’
Ilex verticillata in flower which one seldom notices.
Ilex verticillata
Ilex verticillata
Olearia ‘Moondance’ was removed from our website as the (French sourced) plants were poor. An attractive form in the right hot/dry island situation.
Olearia ‘Moondance’
Olearia ‘Moondance’
A display of mixed tender/annual gazanias caught the eye.
gazanias
gazanias
Scaevola ‘Topaz Pink’ had unusual flowers.
Scaevola ‘Topaz Pink’
Scaevola ‘Topaz Pink’
Then to Eddington nursery where it was incredibly tidy and well laid out but, strangely, nowhere near as much in flower as in early July last year.
Verbena rigida grows less tall than V. bonariensis and is just as pretty.
Verbena rigida
Verbena rigida
Geranium ‘Orkney Cherry’, with its brownish leaves, is a good thing although probably a rockery plant.
Geranium ‘Orkney Cherry’
Geranium ‘Orkney Cherry’
Erigeron karvinskianus ‘Lavender Lady’ an improved form of karvinskianus and would probably sell just as well.
Erigeron karvinskianus ‘Lavender Lady’
Erigeron karvinskianus ‘Lavender Lady’
Erigeron karvinskianus ‘Lavender Lady’
Erigeron karvinskianus ‘Lavender Lady’
Rhodohypoxis milloides ‘Claret’ – a plant I have always wanted to try but rockery really.
Rhodohypoxis milloides ‘Claret’
Rhodohypoxis milloides ‘Claret’

2021 – CHW
A pity the styrax/stewartia lecture was a fortnight ago. Spot on today!Newly planted Hydrangea angustipetala f. macrosepala (CWJ 1244) flowering for the first time above the sales point. Very dainty!
Hydrangea angustipetala f. macrosepala
Hydrangea angustipetala f. macrosepala
Hydrangea angustipetala f. macrosepala
Hydrangea angustipetala f. macrosepala
Styrax japonicus ‘Pink Snowbell’ which is a much larger and pinker flower than ‘Pink Showers’ seen yesterday. Dark leaves too of course.
Styrax japonicus ‘Pink Snowbell’
Styrax japonicus ‘Pink Snowbell’
Stewartia x henryae with a good crop of flowers.
Stewartia x henryae
Stewartia x henryae
Stewartia x henryae
Stewartia x henryae
Styrax grandiflorus (from Roundabarrow) flowering decently a year or two after planting. Not sure if this is a recognised specie name for styrax?
Styrax grandiflorus
Styrax grandiflorus
Styrax grandiflorus
Styrax grandiflorus
A young Stewartia pseudocamellia var. koreana with its first flower.
Stewartia pseudocamellia var. koreana
Stewartia pseudocamellia var. koreana
Supposedly Stewartia monodelpha but looks more like Stewartia rostrata to me. The perils of buying seed grown things from overseas.
Stewartia monodelpha
Stewartia monodelpha
Stewartia monodelpha
Stewartia monodelpha
Another Styrax japonicus ‘Pink Snowbell’ with better flowers.
Styrax japonicus ‘Pink Snowbell’
Styrax japonicus ‘Pink Snowbell’

2020 – CHW
A splendid flower on Magnolia grandiflora ‘Russet’. Perfect in the sunshine.
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Russet’
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Russet’
A Cornus kousa above the greenhouse which is plastered in flower. Pre 1996 planting and no name. Cornus have performed well this year in late June unlike the Styrax/Stewartia. They like it hot and dry but they are so terribly slow to make a show. I started planting lots of Cornus 20+ years ago but only a few are now a spectacle which extends the season. We have seen several kousa varieties in the last three weeks.
Cornus kousa
Cornus kousa
Leptospermum lanigerum is nearby and laden down with the weight of its flowers.
Leptospermum lanigerum
Leptospermum lanigerum
Leptospermum lanigerum
Leptospermum lanigerum
Leptospermum lanigerum
Leptospermum lanigerum
Hydrangea quercifolia just showing colour – very early.
Hydrangea quercifolia
Hydrangea quercifolia
Cornus capitata is an equally good show today also above the greenhouse.
Cornus capitata
Cornus capitata
Photinia glabra (?) has a few flowers. Confirming the identity of this one was a puzzle which we could not solve on the Photinia investigation day. Cracking on the main stem of this multi stemmed tree by Georges Hut.
Photinia
Photinia
Photinia
Photinia
Photinia
Photinia
This is Michael Lear’s record tree of Euonymus tingens. I have had my doubts about the naming of this old tree in the bottom of the Ririei Opening which was measured at 8m in height in 2006. The seeds looked right when I had occasionally found a few but I had never caught the flowers properly as here. Creamy white clusters of flowers with conspicuous purple veining as here. So it definitely is E. tingens. The Hillier’s description might have added ‘frilly edges’ too!
Euonymus tingens
Euonymus tingens
Euonymus tingens
Euonymus tingens
Euonymus tingens
Euonymus tingens
Small seed clusters forming on Lithocarpus variolosus which I doubt will make anything.
Lithocarpus variolosus
Lithocarpus variolosus
Lithocarpus variolosus
Lithocarpus variolosus
A suddenly dead old sycamore above the main quarry which threatens the old Rhododendron arboreum subsp. delavayi.
sycamore
sycamore

2019 – CHW
Rhododendron megacalyx scenting the area at the bottom of the Auklandii Garden. Did Asia get seed of this last year? The old clump has long since died out and these few were raised from seed here 30 or so years ago. Time to repeat the process as a 40 year lifespan is about the norm for this tender scented species.

Rhododendron megacalyx
Rhododendron megacalyx
Rhododendron megacalyx
Rhododendron megacalyx
Rhododendron megacalyx
Rhododendron megacalyx
Rhododendron megacalyx
Rhododendron megacalyx
Still flowers on Camellia ‘Mathotiana Alba’.
Camellia ‘Mathotiana Alba’
Camellia ‘Mathotiana Alba’
The second flower on Magnolia sapaensis (I have been spelling it incorrectly) is now just out. The first one is very rounded when full out and seems to last only for two to three days. I wonder if this would cross with other magnolias (eg virginiana or globosa which are both out nearby) or will it only cross with another former Manglietia species?
Magnolia sapaensis
Magnolia sapaensis
Magnolia sapaensis
Magnolia sapaensis
Magnolia sapaensis
Magnolia sapaensis
Manglietia yuyuanensis (now Magnolia yuyuanensis) is almost out in flower. No doubt we will miss it when away at Hampton Court flower show.
Manglietia yuyuanensis
Manglietia yuyuanensis
Manglietia yuyuanensis
Manglietia yuyuanensis
A two year from planting Rhododendron yuefengense with its first flowers. Fortunea Group so related to Rhododendron orbiculare and Rhododendron decorum.
Rhododendron yuefengense
Rhododendron yuefengense
Rhododendron yuefengense
Rhododendron yuefengense
Rhododendron yuefengense
Rhododendron yuefengense

2018 – CHW
The last flowers on Deutzia x hybrida ‘Strawberry Fields’ are just fading away after a tremendous show.

Deutzia x hybrida ‘Strawberry Fields’
Deutzia x hybrida ‘Strawberry Fields’
However, beside it, a very much older and historic Deutzia scabra ‘Pride of Rochester’ is full out. Pink in early bud with a pink flush on the outside of some of the many white flowers in the long panicles of flowers which cover the bush.
Deutzia scabra ‘Pride of Rochester’
Deutzia scabra ‘Pride of Rochester’
Deutzia scabra ‘Pride of Rochester’
Deutzia scabra ‘Pride of Rochester’
Deutzia scabra ‘Pride of Rochester’
Deutzia scabra ‘Pride of Rochester’
Here is a hedgerow full of small growing Cornish elms with tiny leaves. Largely untouched by decades of elm disease. Many small trees, saplings and suckers all together on top of a Cornish stone faced earth bank. Another one for the national survey on surviving elms. Ulmus minor subsp. angustifolia (or Ulmus carpinifolia var. cornubiensis).
Ulmus minor subsp. angustifolia
Ulmus minor subsp. angustifolia
Ulmus minor subsp. angustifolia
Ulmus minor subsp. angustifolia
Ulmus minor subsp. angustifolia
Ulmus minor subsp. angustifolia
Ulmus minor subsp. angustifolia
Ulmus minor subsp. angustifolia
Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’; one of several trees growing on the drive at Trewithen. A gorgeous colour in the sun today from a distance. Cheered up a dull squirrel meeting in the scorching heat.
Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’
Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’
Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’
Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’

2017 – CHW
Gentle rain all day which is just what the garden needed. It is about three weeks since we last had proper rain and everything will jump now as far as new growth and fodder crops are concerned.The Hydrangea seemanii is now full out on the arch and looking as splendid as yesterday’s climbing rose on the other archway. It will however need its new growth clipping back from the battlements in the autumn as before. So Hydrangea petiolans varieties are over but Hydrangea aspera villosa and Hydrangea sargentiana have yet to show. Seemanii is a mid season flowering species. Very vigorous and ideal for growing up tall or dead trees.
Hydrangea seemanii
Hydrangea seemanii
Hydrangea seemanii
Hydrangea seemanii
Ross has just started on the large new tree clearance above the old Playhouse and back to the Hothead. Only a small machine but what he has cut down and the stumps grubbed out in only one full day is startling. We start to investigate some of the trees on the top side of the path which we were not sure whether to fell or not now that there is some space to look back. It will be a huge new area for replanting next spring and the soil does not look as thin or stony as I was expecting. I have devised a plant list of hardier shrubs and things which will tolerate wind in a hot and potentially very dry location for the nursery to assemble. Another major improvement to the garden but we will be letting in more east and northeast wind into the main garden so we must expect a few big trees to blow down above the clearing. Fortunately the laurel, beech and ilex oaks planted above the path 15 or so years ago have come on well. They will soon have more light to grow on even better.

2016 – CHW
The ancient orange ? Nakahari azalea outside the front door is plastered in flower unlike most years when the flower is sparse and spread over several weeks.
orange ? Nakahari azalea
orange ? Nakahari azalea
orange ? Nakahari azalea
orange ? Nakahari azalea
Hydrangea longipipes is looking first rate. Somewhere between Hydrangea villosa and Hydrangea sargentiana I suppose but certainly earlier than both this year.
Hydrangea longipipes
Hydrangea longipipes
Hydrangea longipipes
Hydrangea longipipes
Eucryphia lucida ‘Pink Cloud’ outside the front gate is full out and well worth its place in any garden. Earlier than other eucryphias and a long flowering season.
Eucryphia lucida ‘Pink Cloud’
Eucryphia lucida ‘Pink Cloud’
Eucryphia lucida ‘Pink Cloud’
Eucryphia lucida ‘Pink Cloud’
A new Styrax japonica to replace the two elderly specimens that have died up in the wood flowers for the first time down from the Four in Hand. Huge flowers and lots of them but only planted in 2013!
Styrax japonica
Styrax japonica
Styrax japonica
Styrax japonica
Honey fungus time of the year now and a recent casualty after flowering above the styrax. Dead roots from the nearby fir tree. I guess we will lose all the rhodos here.
Honey fungus
Honey fungus
I thought you might enjoy the Arum lilies outside the front door which the rain has battered today. This clump has now been pictured in flower several times since January. In flower for six months and still going strong. One hell of a mafia funeral!
Arum lilies
Arum lilies

2015 – CHW
The Isle of Wight party left at 7am today and I follow on 1st July so the blog will, I hope, continue sparsely from there and at Ventnor Botanic Gardens which I escape to when the sea air and ‘yachties’ get too much. Just a quick spin to the Rockery today where I find a second original centurion plant of Rhododendron weyrichii. This one is much more red rather than orange in flower unlike the plant above the Magnolia x veitchiis. Very old plant and very few flowers.

Rhododendron weyrichii
Rhododendron weyrichii
Rhododendron weyrichii
Rhododendron weyrichii
A Hydrangea longipipes from a Crug Farm collection is out earlier than Hydrangea villosa but the flowers are quite small and very similar. Stick with villosa for effect.
Hydrangea longipipes
Hydrangea longipipes
Hydrangea longipipes
Hydrangea longipipes
Hydrangea longipipes
Hydrangea longipipes

Amid the Camellia ‘Lady Clare’ by the front door there is a surprise. The first three rather well concealed flowers on Tropaeolum speciosum. This plant has grown here for decades with its roots in the damp shade. It can climb up to 10 feet each year to flower and self seeds. As the camellia has died back with old age so the numbers of tropaeolum have declined too. This it out at least a month earlier than ususal.

Tropaeolum speciosum
Tropaeolum speciosum
Tropaeolum speciosum
Tropaeolum speciosum

1941 – CW
Magnolias parviflora and watsoni still good. Harrow hybrids (Rhodo) good and a few whites. Some Styrax but Michelia by Engine House flowered for first time. Buds take long to open. Flower very white – 6 inches across, petals don’t overlap but very thick – smell like a refined Mag watsoni and flower not unlike. Flower flat only a few hours.

1935 – JCW
The fuschias are very good. Hard cut the care of Tin Garden daffs etc.

1934 – JCW
Moyesii is now very good. Some good Maddeni’s very little of the above is open.

1923 – JCW
The pink Moyesii is the best thing we have, something like 1922 in the whole but the cold and dry air has disposed of a lot of bloom.

1922 – JCW
Maddeni good in the big Grap, the Harrow hybrids have been and are the best things. Azaleas over except the Arborescens lot. The late white Obtusum near the Rookery is very good. Some decorum open.

1916 – JCW
Maddeni nice. E langleyense very good. R moyesi nice. P. helodoxa still good.