2024 – CHW
Unfortunately no time to look at the older and newish young magnolias in the centre of 40 Acres Wood but here is Jaimie and Michael’s update. Originally these were all American Gresham and Pickard’s hybrids but we have added more recently.
A very decent young Magnolia ‘A.E. Bold’.
Magnolia ‘Eleanor May’ has performed well for many years M. x soulangeana ‘Rustica Rubra’ x M. ‘Lanarth’.
Magnolia ‘Judy Carlson’.
Magnolia ‘Fireglow’, M. cylindrica x M. ‘Sawada’s Pink’ – has not passed the test of time!
Magnolia ‘Candy Cane’ is unfrosted this year.
Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Crystal’ grows rather oddly!
Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Pink Champagne’ is not one I have seen out myself before.
Magnolia ‘Manchu Fan’ also unfrosted. Another pretty near all white Gresham hybrid.
Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Snow Queen’ not very floriferous.
Magnolia ‘Big Dude’ – despite its name this is not actually a huge flower. I fear that this plant might be wrongly named? This cross is M.‘Wada’s Picture’ x M. sprengeri ‘Diva’. I grant you that it could be but the picture is a far lighter colour in the Eisenhut reference book.
Magnolia ‘Delicatissima’ – another Gresham. These are all M. x soulangeana ‘Lennei Alba’ x M. x veitchii ‘Rubra’ hybrids.
Magnolia campbellii var. mollicomata ‘Treve Holman’ – just one bud.
Magnolia ‘Tina Durio’ – Gresham hybrid.
Magnolia ‘Frank Gladney’.
Magnolia ‘Scented Gem’ (bought from Kevin Hughes Plants).
Magnolia ‘Sybille’ in Penvergate.
Magnolia ‘Theodora’ also in Penvergate.
We discover today that a mini tornado has hit the pines below Bond Street. This probably occurred in the strong winds which accompanied the thunderstorms last Thursday night.
2023 – CHW
The fine, if chilly week continues. No actual frost to hurt the magnolias and lots of new things today to admire in the sun.A young Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ and Camellia japonica ‘Magnoliifolia’ – one of the 5 ‘Splendours’ on the bank above the front door.
The fine, if chilly week continues. No actual frost to hurt the magnolias and lots of new things today to admire in the sun.A young Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ and Camellia japonica ‘Magnoliifolia’ – one of the 5 ‘Splendours’ on the bank above the front door.
A close up of Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ which the east wind has blown open slightly early.
Narcissus cyclamineus at its best and multiplying quickly on the top bank.
The 1913 Magnolia campbellii approaches best against a (cold) blue sky.
Camellia ‘Mimosa Jury’ just opening. A fairly recent introduction here and good!
Jaimie’s new hybrid is a hugely better colour in its third year of flowering. More news on this soon.
Magnolia ‘Hawk’ just out.
Magnolia sargentiana ‘Blood Moon’.
Magnolia sargentiana ‘F.J. Williams’ – the original in the Auklandii Garden is more sheltered and only showing colour today.
Cotoneaster glomeratus still has berries in Kennel Close. The older plants on the drive and younger ones below Slip Rail never had any at all this autumn.
Magnolia ‘Pickard’s Ruby’ x M. ‘J.C. Williams’ – worth registering and naming? (or has it already been?) Asia might check the list.
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Werrington’ very fine!
Magnolia mollicomata ‘Black Tulip’ just showing colour.
2022 – CHW
A cold but still and sunny day. 236 visitors in the garden on 5th March!
I have the pleasure of showing around Marcus & Kate Agius as well, separately, as Richard & Sissy Needham.
The magnolia view through the back yard arch today – a Magnolia campbellii x Magnolia mollicomata seedling.
Rhododendron davidii (from Tom Hudson originally) just going over.
Magnolia ‘Rebecca’s Perfume’ in the Isla Rose Plantation with five flowers this year (planted 2017/8).
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’ with a blue sky behind what is becoming a huge upright tree.
Magnolia ‘Betty Jessel’ and Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta (just coming out) in the Ririei Opening.
Flowers out on Eurya japonica in the Rookery which readily self-seeds itself around and about.
A large camellia blew over and has been re-uprighted on Rookery Path but it now needs a good prune to recover. The flowers are small and not opening properly for lack of sustenance from damaged roots.
2021 – CHW
The tree surgeons are felling a few supposedly dead or diseased sweet chestnuts in Old Park and trying (fairly successfully) not to hit any of our new planting. The tree featured here was around 120 years old and had dead branches in its crown as anyone (apart from the Forestry Commission) might expect in an elderly sweet chestnut starting to decay and reach the end of its life. As you can see here there is no rot in the base of the tree which was not “diseased” at all in its crown. Yes, the regrowth from the base did have some Phytophthora ramorum infection, but this regrowth had already been removed a year ago. The original Forestry Commission contention was that dead crowns meant a new notifiable sweet chestnut disease. This was not the case, but we got caught in the fallout and a compulsory felling order. It seems odd that, at a time when every aspect of climate change / carbon neutral government policy wants trees, veteran trees, and more tree planting, the Forestry Commission is destroying veteran trees rather than letting nature take its slow course. A compulsory felling order here but the Forestry Commission still cannot issue a straightforward felling licence application made over a year ago.
The tree surgeons are felling a few supposedly dead or diseased sweet chestnuts in Old Park and trying (fairly successfully) not to hit any of our new planting. The tree featured here was around 120 years old and had dead branches in its crown as anyone (apart from the Forestry Commission) might expect in an elderly sweet chestnut starting to decay and reach the end of its life. As you can see here there is no rot in the base of the tree which was not “diseased” at all in its crown. Yes, the regrowth from the base did have some Phytophthora ramorum infection, but this regrowth had already been removed a year ago. The original Forestry Commission contention was that dead crowns meant a new notifiable sweet chestnut disease. This was not the case, but we got caught in the fallout and a compulsory felling order. It seems odd that, at a time when every aspect of climate change / carbon neutral government policy wants trees, veteran trees, and more tree planting, the Forestry Commission is destroying veteran trees rather than letting nature take its slow course. A compulsory felling order here but the Forestry Commission still cannot issue a straightforward felling licence application made over a year ago.
Here are pictures sent to me of the original Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ flowering a week or so ago in Lanarth garden near St Keverne on the Lizard. The large plant pictured here is actually a first generation Lanarth seedling on the top bank by the house but the closeups are of other original plants. Exactly the right colour and flower shape for the ‘true’ original ‘Lanarth’. The plant by the Lanarth front door which is (as you would expect) a much smaller tree was only just starting into flower and a bit paler in colour. Of the six or so original plants in the Lanarth garden some were already over. I have seen these showing colour in past years in early January and was a little surprised to see these pictures taken in late February which is a bit later than normal for a mild Lizard winter – but then February was not that mild!
Filming today with (ITV owned) Two Four Productions for a series of Cornish coastal programmes on Channel 5 next year. An estate, a farmer, and a fisherman through the four seasons. Today ‘Spring has Sprung’ and we film the Magnolia campbellii which is looking at its very best in the sunshine between showers. The crew return in a week or two to capture the magnolias generally at their best.
The New Zealand Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ in the distance over the top of a clump of camellias.
One day on for the magnolias through the arch.
The New Zealand ‘Lanarth’ closer to.
Camellia reticulata ‘William Hertrich’ has sprung open today.
We cut two flowers from Magnolia campbellii for the film crew. Just look at the intricate mix of pink veining on the outer side of the tepals.
Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’ on the lawn has opened a lot in three days.
Ivy removed today from the elderly heathers at the Four in Hand.
2020 – CHW
Asia and I visit Antony Woodland Garden with Sir Richard Carew-Pole.
The enormous Quercus suber must be the largest in the UK. Certainly bigger than Tregothnan’s.
An enormous Acer campestre; the Field Maple.
Scilla bifolia in a woodland setting.
Camellia ‘Black Magic’ almost black in bud.
Magnolias tower over the woodland valley garden. The dark one may well be ‘Bishop Michael’.
Camellia ‘Fairy Wand’
Cotoneaster floccosus with berries.
A new sculpture entitled ‘The Green Man’ on a rock face.
Antony House from two of the Repton vistas to the water.
2019 – CHW
Frankie Tregunna and Ross Collins both have huge machines clearing the old Tin Garden pheasant pen to make way for a new planting around the Tin Garden shed to commemorate my father’s life and his plants. The family want to donate seats etc and we will have a few pictures in the hut for visitors to admire. In the dry weather it should take only three or four days to clear the rubbish, dig out all the roots and work up the ground for planting this year – even next week!
Frankie Tregunna and Ross Collins both have huge machines clearing the old Tin Garden pheasant pen to make way for a new planting around the Tin Garden shed to commemorate my father’s life and his plants. The family want to donate seats etc and we will have a few pictures in the hut for visitors to admire. In the dry weather it should take only three or four days to clear the rubbish, dig out all the roots and work up the ground for planting this year – even next week!
Magnolia ‘Sweet Valentine’ just showing nicely as the small tree matures.
Magnolia sargentiana ‘Blood Moon’ – the first flower on this young plant is not as dark (yet) as expected.
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x ‘Pickards Ruby’ – first interesting flowers on this as yet unnamed hybrid which I strongly suspect is of Belgian origin. Darker than ‘Pickards Ruby’ but retaining the nice whitish edging to the tepals. I now see that this cross is called ‘Venus’.
Magnolia ‘Rebeccas Perfume’ – first decent full flowering with us. A good hybrid which has bicoloured tepals at first as you can see.
Magnolia denudata ‘Double Diamond’. Not really a full double but more tepals than in conventional M. denudata. The plant at Burncoose is labelled M. denudata ‘Dubbel’ which I assume is the same thing. The Burncoose plant is now 26-30ft tall.
2018 – CHW
So who says that there is nothing to see in the garden. Already things are breaking out again. A half decent Camellia x williamsii ‘Monica Dance’
So who says that there is nothing to see in the garden. Already things are breaking out again. A half decent Camellia x williamsii ‘Monica Dance’
A pretty fair Camellia ‘Dr Burnside’
Some Camellia x willimasii ‘Debbie’ starting to open
A small Camellia ‘Grand Slam’ perhaps?
Rhododenron moupinense has perfect new flowers appearing after the frosted ones. Very resilient indeed!
Another just discovered storm damage casualty. A beech tree above the greenhouse. Not sure how we all failed to see this until now. More hassle and work. A beech branch brought down an oak tree.
The first phase of the new rhododendron planting above Higher Quarry Nursery is complete. A Schefflera rhododendrifolia is in the centre. Some of the big leafed rhodos still look cold and frumped up but a fine sunny day to plant.
A nice Camellia x williamsii ‘Elsie Jury’ looking nice nearby.
A few small Rhododendron fragrantissimum planted by the one Rh. Lindeyi which still survives.
The fallen tree has smashed into some of last year’s planting when I look closely.
Another Pinus insignis bough down by the record Meliosma pungens but it just missed!Another new Rhodo planting. Rhododendron orbiculare in the foreground and ‘Golden Oriole’ var. Talavera behind.
Camellia x willimasii ‘Galaxie’ with rather variable and poorish flowers but still a fine show 4 days after Storm Emma and the snow has passed. A quick recovery. More magnolias soon I suspect!
2017 – CHW
Camellia ‘Inspiration’ (Camellia reticulata x Camellia saluenensis) is just out on the castle wall. When I look it up I am even more confused with Camellia ‘Salutation’ (same cross) which I photographed a fortnight ago. I have always known this plant as ‘Inspiration’ but the reference books say that I have it the wrong way around. ‘Salutation’ is light pink and ‘Inspiration’ darker – apparently? ‘Inspiration’ was once also known as ‘Delia Williams’ (my mother). This is the weaker growing of the two hybrids anyway with sparser flowers and slightly insipid foliage.
Camellia ‘Inspiration’ (Camellia reticulata x Camellia saluenensis) is just out on the castle wall. When I look it up I am even more confused with Camellia ‘Salutation’ (same cross) which I photographed a fortnight ago. I have always known this plant as ‘Inspiration’ but the reference books say that I have it the wrong way around. ‘Salutation’ is light pink and ‘Inspiration’ darker – apparently? ‘Inspiration’ was once also known as ‘Delia Williams’ (my mother). This is the weaker growing of the two hybrids anyway with sparser flowers and slightly insipid foliage.
Off to Penvergate to view the early magnolias here.
Like last year I have largely missed Magnolia campbellii ‘Sidbury’ but there are a few decent smallish flowers left. A good tree though. I need to get to see the original at Sidbury in Devon one day.
Like last year I have largely missed Magnolia campbellii ‘Sidbury’ but there are a few decent smallish flowers left. A good tree though. I need to get to see the original at Sidbury in Devon one day.
This Magnolia ‘Peter Smithers’ was horrid and blown away last year and I gave it a good slagging off. It is actually a rather good near white when fully open and I guess a campbellii x mollicomata hybrid. Not really a pure campbellii shape? When I look it up it is a Gresham hybrid and should be a dark red – so wrongly named.
A rather surprising red hybrid of my father’s right at the end of the clearing. I need to look up its parentage. Just one 10-12ft plant has survived from what was originally a clump.
Another pink hybrid amid a clump of FJW seedlings.
Amid the rain the magnolias stand out proud. 156 visitors yesterday had responded to the TV and ‘Spring has Sprung’. Quite a few today too between the showers.
A flash of magnolia colour in Forty Acres. A visit needed if it clears up.
Another new clump of Ron Scamp’s Narcissus cyclamineus hybrids opposite the front door. These may be the best of the three batches to propagate from.
2016 – CHW
Strong north wind makes camera shots difficult so today’s pictures will be even worse than usual. Anything moving does not come into focus! It may however dry the ground out and not before time too. Plenty of snow in the Midlands.A grafted Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’ is flowering for the first time just below Hovel Cart Road. Absolutely true to the original ‘Diva’ flowers so we now have three flowering plants 10 to 20 years of age which are all true. Most of the seedlings and a few bought as ‘Diva’ (eg front lawn at Burncoose) are not divas even if they may be sprengeri.
Strong north wind makes camera shots difficult so today’s pictures will be even worse than usual. Anything moving does not come into focus! It may however dry the ground out and not before time too. Plenty of snow in the Midlands.A grafted Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’ is flowering for the first time just below Hovel Cart Road. Absolutely true to the original ‘Diva’ flowers so we now have three flowering plants 10 to 20 years of age which are all true. Most of the seedlings and a few bought as ‘Diva’ (eg front lawn at Burncoose) are not divas even if they may be sprengeri.
Magnolia ‘Pickards Stardust’ (a Magnolia kobus cross) is coming out. Purportedly it has a nice scent but far too windy today. I have not seen this one in flower before. Nice shape for a smaller garden.
Magnolia ‘Ruth’ is tremendous above Hovel Cart Road despite the cold wind. Is ‘Ruth’ that much different from ‘Aurora’ I wonder? Both very nice New Zealanders.
The first windblown and far too pale flowers on the young Magnolia ‘J C Williams’. We planted three together in this exposed site but only two have made it slowly.
A windblown Magnolia Darjeeling is just going over. This is now a bigger tree than the 1991 plant near Georges Hut and the smaller one above the veitchiis. How do you describe a colour such as this in words? Even with the voluminous RHS colour chart (which would be a painter’s delight) the descriptions are too obtuse to be meaningful to anyone but a colour ‘junkie’.
Nearby the first enkianthus are rushing into leaf far too early for Chelsea unfortunately. So we now have oak, sycamore and enkianthus (with bluebells) all in leaf absurdly early in the first days of March.
Camellia ‘Drama Girl’ is coming out at the Hovel Turning. Quite a shy flowerer but with huge flowers. May do for the show bench at Rosemoor show next weekend.
Sycoparrotia semedicidua is far from deciduous after this winter. The flowers are supposed to be out in ‘late winter’ but the black buds are still closed up tight. A large fir tree overhangs here so I do not dwell in the gale.
I notice too that Acer negundo ‘Violaceum’ has inflorescences (or tassels of drooping flowers if you prefer). These are dancing in the wind so the many pictures I took will be blurred! This is always early to show and, I suspect, right on time.
The 120 year old Camellia ‘Lady Clare’ is now full out by the front door with a little hail/wind damage. I wonder how long camellias live even in poor soil in an exposed spot like this? Japanese temples have camellias which are hundreds of years old so this is ‘nothing’ I suspect. As far as I know this plant has never been cut back to reshoot and rejuvenate itself and it is probably too old for that now anyway. A bit of dung around the roots would help.
2015 – CHW
Following a visit to Mount Congreve gardens in Eire in 2005 we were sent three scions of the yellow flowered Magnolia campbellii by their head gardener. This had been seen in the wild in Bhutan but the only known plant in cultivation was at Mount Congreve. The Caerhays plant has five buds at 8 to 10 feet tall. The outer tepals are indeed a good yellow as they open but quickly fade to pure white. The New Zealand Magnolia ‘Strybing White’ also has greenish-yellow outer tepals but these flop and droop quickly without the shape or form of Magnolia campbellii. So we have something new and different but not perhaps quite as staggeringly different or unique as myth and garden rumour would have had us believe. The Mount Congreve plant grows near the estuary and when we saw it is was in bud with yellow buds exactly as the Caerhays plant is today.
1996 – FJW
Early Magnolias frosted and slow. Tregolls Road stellata shows flower but not Nursery one here.
1968 – FJW
First flower on the Donkey Shoe Robusta – has been cold and raw but not much frost.
1961 – FJW
Donkey Shoe Robusta and Old Gent at their best. 2 perfect days.
1960 – FJW
Donkey Shoe Robusta began to flower.
1934 – JCW
Not a sign of a flower on Magnolia denudata Wilson.1933 – JCW
Very few daffs open, R praecox very good – no Magnolias show bloom. Rho sutchuenense is in flower, Rho lutescens is quite fine, cold and all.1932 – JCW
Five weeks of rain left cold. Rhodo’s kept going but absence of buds prevents a show. No magnolias yet. Rho praecox and Erica hybrids are very good.1928 – JCW
A bad year for Rho praecox. Mag denudata Wilson has but one flower open. Lutescens is very good indeed.1926 – JCW
Rho praecox nearly over. Some Sutchuenense are good, more Calophytums, Magnolia kobus one is well open, Magnolia denudata Wilson never better, Barbatums good, Rhodo red hybrids good, Sutchuenense hybrids in Beech Walk remarkable, over 70 species of Rhodo’ show flower, Fargeisii group the best of all.1925 – JCW
Very near 1923, Rho Praecox is good for the season now, Reticulata has been open for weeks but flowers miserable also Lady Clare. No magnolias yet.1923 – JCW
Sutchuenense turning back, Kobus not open, Daffodils well on, yellow trumpets just about their best, heaths are more or less open, Berberis fasicularis is the best thing out, Subhirtellas in the Old Park are starting.1922 – JCW
Sutchuenense ½ open. Rho praecox ruined by the heat of last year. Wild daffodils are very good. Mag halleana (stellata) and kobus are just starting. On the whole a late season.1914 – JCW
Blood red arboreum hybrids just at their best and so the Barbatum, Prunus pissardi and Rho praecox also Rho lutescens, Rho argenteum ⅔ open.