3rd March

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


2025 – CHW

A camellia lecture and tour.

A seedling of Magnolia campbellii Alba Group just starting.

Magnolia campbellii Alba Group
Magnolia campbellii Alba Group
The row of Camellia x williamsii ‘Brigadoon’ on the Main Ride.
Camellia x williamsii ‘Brigadoon’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Brigadoon’
Camellia ‘Royalty’ now full out (reticulata x japonica).
Camellia ‘Royalty’
Camellia ‘Royalty’
Magnolia ‘Queen Elizabeth’ on a perfect day.
Magnolia ‘Queen Elizabeth’
Magnolia ‘Queen Elizabeth’
Magnolia ‘Queen Elizabeth’
Magnolia ‘Queen Elizabeth’
The original Magnolia campbellii.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
The best Magnolia campbellii ‘Valentine’s Torch’.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Valentine’s Torch’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Valentine’s Torch’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Valentine’s Torch’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Valentine’s Torch’
Then to Tregrehan.
Sassafras randaiense in flower which I had not seen before.
Sassafras randaiense
Sassafras randaiense
Sassafras randaiense
Sassafras randaiense
Cupressus chengiana.
Cupressus chengiana
Cupressus chengiana
Pseudotsuga wilsoniana from Taiwan.
Pseudotsuga wilsoniana
Pseudotsuga wilsoniana
Pseudotsuga wilsoniana
Pseudotsuga wilsoniana
Fraxinus griffithii – an evergreen and also from Taiwan.
Fraxinus griffithii
Fraxinus griffithii
Fraxinus griffithii
Fraxinus griffithii
Cupressus jiangeensis.
Cupressus jiangeensis
Cupressus jiangeensis
Cupressus jiangeensis
Cupressus jiangeensis
Betula insignis ssp. fansipanensis with its extraordinary bark.
Betula insignis ssp. fansipanensis
Betula insignis ssp. fansipanensis
Fascicularia bicolor and Sequoiadendron giganteum.
Fascicularia bicolor and Sequoiadendron giganteum
Fascicularia bicolor and Sequoiadendron giganteum
Grevillea barklyana in flower.
Grevillea barklyana
Grevillea barklyana
Podocarpus spinulosus.
Podocarpus spinulosus
Podocarpus spinulosus
Agathis robusta seemingly growing well despite its obvious tenderness.
Agathis robusta
Agathis robusta
Nothofagus moorei with much larger than our plant.
Nothofagus moorei
Nothofagus moorei
Nothofagus moorei
Nothofagus moorei
Nestegis lanceolata.
Nestegis lanceolata
Nestegis lanceolata
Camellia lapidea.
Camellia lapidea
Camellia lapidea
Magnolia maudiae ‘Golden Temple’ in full flower. We have just planted one here.
Magnolia maudiae ‘Golden Temple’
Magnolia maudiae ‘Golden Temple’
Larix kongboensis.
Larix kongboensis
Larix kongboensis
Tom’s Magnolia campbellii.
Tom’s Magnolia campbellii
Tom’s Magnolia campbellii
The first time any of us had seen seeds on Aucuba omeiensis. Roy Lancaster’s collections turned out to be all male but Edward Needham collected a female and Tom planted the two together.
Aucuba omeiensis
Aucuba omeiensis
Cordyline australis and Magnolia campbellii.
Cordyline australis and Magnolia campbellii
Cordyline australis and Magnolia campbellii
Camellia reticulata ‘Francie L’.
Camellia reticulata ‘Francie L’
Camellia reticulata ‘Francie L’
Camellia ‘Black Magic’.
Camellia ‘Black Magic’
Camellia ‘Black Magic’

2024 – CHW
A trip to Tregrehan with a group of 12.

Machilus ichangensis – never seen the species before.

Magnolia lotungensis
Magnolia lotungensis
Machilus ichangensis
Machilus ichangensis
Camellia trichocarpa remains one of the absolute highlights of the garden in early spring.
Camellia trichocarpa
Camellia trichocarpa
Keteleeria evelyniana – attractive bark and different to the species which we have (K. davidiana).
Keteleeria evelyniana
Keteleeria evelyniana
Keteleeria evelyniana
Keteleeria evelyniana
Strobilanthes wallichii still in full flower in March!
Strobilanthes wallichii
Strobilanthes wallichii
Acer purpurascens an interesting evergreen species with woody bark.
Acer purpurascens
Acer purpurascens
Acer purpurascens
Acer purpurascens
Magnolia lotungensis still has no buds despite being a champion tree. How close is this to M. nitida in reality?
Magnolia lotungensis
Magnolia lotungensis
Two side by side but slightly different Betula ermanii, Mt. Hakkoda, Honshu – very attractive bark.
Betula ermanii, Mt. Hakkoda, Honshu
Betula ermanii, Mt. Hakkoda, Honshu
Betula ermanii, Mt. Hakkoda, Honshu
Betula ermanii, Mt. Hakkoda, Honshu
Tom’s own unnamed and tender Hedychium in a greenhouse. He gave us a plant years ago.
Hedychium
Hedychium
A Brazilian conifer called Retrophyllum in the greenhouse.
Retrophyllum
Retrophyllum
Retrophyllum
Retrophyllum
Retrophyllum
Retrophyllum
Another tender one called Secundecarpus.
Secundecarpus
Secundecarpus
Michelia flaviflorum with its first two flowers in a greenhouse.
Michelia flaviflorum
Michelia flaviflorum

2023 – CHW
Magnolia campbellii nearly full out.
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
Camellia reticulata ‘William Hertrich’ in fine form about 8 years from planting out.
Camellia reticulata ‘William Hertrich’
Camellia reticulata ‘William Hertrich’
Camellia reticulata ‘Lasca Beauty’ just as good in the opposite side of the path.
Camellia reticulata ‘Lasca Beauty’
Camellia reticulata ‘Lasca Beauty’
The largest Magnolia campbellii ‘Valentine’s Torch’ half out on a murky day.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Valentine’s Torch’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Valentine’s Torch’
Acacia pravissima nearly out.
Acacia pravissima
Acacia pravissima
The first true Magnolia ‘Sprengeri Diva’ to have flowers out.
Magnolia ‘Sprengeri Diva’
Magnolia ‘Sprengeri Diva’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’ showing colour.
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia ‘Philip Tregunna’
Magnolia ‘Bishop Peter’ an excellent colour this year.
Magnolia ‘Bishop Peter’
Magnolia ‘Bishop Peter’
As is the New Zealand Magnolia ‘Lanarth’.
New Zealand Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
New Zealand Magnolia ‘Lanarth’
A newly planted (in full sun) Rhododendron williamsianum with myopex overlaid with bark mulch to keep it moist.
Rhododendron williamsianum
Rhododendron williamsianum
Rhododendron williamsianum
Rhododendron williamsianum
Rhododendron williamsianum
Rhododendron williamsianum
Rhododendron williamsianum
Rhododendron williamsianum
Rhododendron williamsianum
Rhododendron williamsianum
Yet more Viburnum species have gone in in the clearing above Higher Quarry Nursery.
clearing above Higher Quarry Nursery
clearing above Higher Quarry Nursery
First flowers out on the lawn of Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’ offset well against the green of the yew behind.
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’

2022 – CHW

Last night the launch of ‘Spring has Sprung’ at The Nare hotel with the Great Gardens of Cornwall and a speech from me.

‘Spring has Sprung’
‘Spring has Sprung’
‘Spring has Sprung’
‘Spring has Sprung’
The magnolia arch had been at Truro station to greet rail travellers and promote this event.
The speeches with Toby Ashworth, owner of The Nare hotel.
Toby Ashworth
Toby Ashworth
A Burncoose Nurseries visit today.
Beschorneria calicola is a new addition to the catalogue.
Beschorneria calicola
Beschorneria calicola
Out in flower today:
Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’ in the nursery flowering as a young plant.
Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’
Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’
Bergenia ‘Bressingham White’
Bergenia ‘Bressingham White’
Bergenia ‘Bressingham White’
Centranthus ruber ‘Coccineus’ – absurdly early.
Centranthus ruber ‘Coccineus’
Centranthus ruber ‘Coccineus’
Camellia ‘Candy Apple’
Camellia ‘Candy Apple’
Camellia ‘Candy Apple’
Camellia ‘Souvenir de Behaud Litou’
Camellia ‘Souvenir de Behaud Litou’
Camellia ‘Souvenir de Behaud Litou’
Camellia ‘Rubescens Major’
Camellia ‘Rubescens Major’
Camellia ‘Rubescens Major’
Raphiolepsis indica ‘Springtime’
Raphiolepsis indica ‘Springtime’
Raphiolepsis indica ‘Springtime’
Ribes laevifolium ‘Amy Doncaster’ – a creeping, low growing shrub.
Ribes laevifolium ‘Amy Doncaster’
Ribes laevifolium ‘Amy Doncaster’
Ribes laevifolium – which is markedly different.
Ribes laevifolium
Ribes laevifolium
Grevillea juniperina sulphureum
Grevillea juniperina sulphureum
Grevillea juniperina sulphureum
Eurya japonica ‘Moutiers’
Eurya japonica ‘Moutiers’
Eurya japonica ‘Moutiers’
Eurya japonica ‘Moutiers’
Eurya japonica ‘Moutiers’
Callistemon pallidus – even more absurdly early.
Callistemon pallidus
Callistemon pallidus
Hydrangea lobbii – likewise!
Hydrangea lobbii
Hydrangea lobbii
Magnolia ‘Royal Purple’
Magnolia ‘Royal Purple’
Magnolia ‘Royal Purple’
Rhododendron calophytum just coming out by the garden entrance.
Rhododendron calophytum
Rhododendron calophytum
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’ on the drive.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
The hose in hose Azalea ‘Salmon Kirin’ nicely out as well.
Azalea ‘Salmon Kirin’
Azalea ‘Salmon Kirin’

2021 – CHW
With a bit of sun and east wind the magnolias are rushing out. Trying to get a film crew here on the right day weather wise and fitting in with their diary is not easy. Will the best moment be around 10th March or 20th March? Still a bit of a gamble on the weather as it always is.Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’ is now out and a good colour but slightly small flowers as yet.
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
Magnolia campbellii ‘Darjeeling’
A planting day placing out the very best new plants in the very best places. Here Illicium macranthum (BSWJ 11809) in flower goes in by Tin Garden where the bamboos were dug out. Looks much like Illicium simonii to me in flower.
Illicium macranthum
Illicium macranthum
Asia’s propagation of Illicium floridanum (Florida anise) at Donkey Shoe also has a single flower. It normally flowers much later but I have seen the odd early flower before.
Illicium floridanum
Illicium floridanum
Rabbit nibbling on both sides of a 30-year-old magnolia has necessitated restoring the wire netting surround.
Rabbit nibbling
Rabbit nibbling
Rabbit nibbling
Rabbit nibbling
The New Zealand form of ‘Lanarth’ is even more splendid today than yesterday.
‘Lanarth’
‘Lanarth’
‘Lanarth’
‘Lanarth’
Another (the third) good young clump of Rhododendron ririei. This plant has its flowers less hidden within the bush than most of the others.
Rhododendron ririei
Rhododendron ririei
The first decent big leaf Rhododendron sinogrande that I have seen out this year.
Rhododendron sinogrande
Rhododendron sinogrande
Rhododendron sinogrande
Rhododendron sinogrande
The root damaged and nearly dead Schefflera macrophylla has been cut back. A hollow pithy centre to the woody stem. The Taiwanese use the stems to make drinking vessels. I have little hope of this reshooting from lower down the trunk even if one side is still green at the base.
Schefflera macrophylla
Schefflera macrophylla
Schefflera macrophylla
Schefflera macrophylla
Polyspora axillaris still has plenty of flower high up and rather later on than usual.
Polyspora axillaris
Polyspora axillaris
Polyspora axillaris
Polyspora axillaris
As Jaimie remarked Rhododendron ‘Choremia’ is flowering much earlier in the year as it has matured (arboreum x haematodes).
Rhododendron ‘Choremia’
Rhododendron ‘Choremia’
Rhododendron ‘Choremia’
Rhododendron ‘Choremia’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’ has had its first flowers blown open during the course of the day. The outer protection to the flowers now litters the gravel with a bud or two.
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’