31st May

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

Rosa ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ in a pot outside the Stable Flat.

Rosa ‘Rhapsody in Blue’
Rosa ‘Rhapsody in Blue’

Roy Lancaster sends me his pictures of three very rare plants flowering in his garden.

Lonicera calcarata.

Lonicera calcarata
Lonicera calcarata
Clematis patens.
Clematis patens
Clematis patens
Mahonia hartwegii growing up a Trachycarpus.
Mahonia hartwegii
Mahonia hartwegii
A good bit of flower on a young Distylium racemosum in Tin Garden.
Distylium racemosum
Distylium racemosum
First flowering of newly planted and very rare Tilia callidonta (bought Pan Global Plants).
Tilia callidonta
Tilia callidonta
Tilia callidonta
Tilia callidonta
Enkianthus deflexus flowers much later than the other species and remains my favourite.
Enkianthus deflexus
Enkianthus deflexus
Seed well formed on Berberis wilsoniae even though there are still some flowers showing.
Berberis wilsoniae
Berberis wilsoniae
Berberis wilsoniae
Berberis wilsoniae
Still plenty of buds on Magnolia x wieseneri.
Magnolia x wieseneri
Magnolia x wieseneri
Deutzia calycosa ‘Dali’ still plastered in flower.
Deutzia calycosa ‘Dali’
Deutzia calycosa ‘Dali’
Philadelphus schrenkii var. jackii just coming out.
Philadelphus schrenkii var. jackii
Philadelphus schrenkii var. jackii
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’ has been in bud for weeks but now finally out.
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Nothing quite compares to Deutzia ‘Strawberry Fields’ by the Hovel turning.
Deutzia ‘Strawberry Fields’
Deutzia ‘Strawberry Fields’

2023 – CHW

No rain now for the best part of 3 weeks.

Malus x micromalus full out and a great spectacle today.

Malus x micromalus
Malus x micromalus
Camellia japonica ‘Mathotiana Rubra’ still full out on 1st June.
Camellia japonica ‘Mathotiana Rubra’
Camellia japonica ‘Mathotiana Rubra’
Deciduous azaleas at the Green Gate to welcome visitors.
Deciduous azaleas
Deciduous azaleas
Rhododendron stamineum, the butterfly rhododendron, in the Main Quarry. I fear this group are overflowering and at the end of their lives but we do have plenty of younger plants coming on.
Rhododendron stamineum
Rhododendron stamineum
Rhododendron stamineum
Rhododendron stamineum
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’ at its best.
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’
Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’ just coming.
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
The old, gnarled and much damaged Paulownia tomentosa in the Main Quarry. Plant Paulownias where you can look down on them is the cry but, as here, the flowers are still too far away to properly appreciate their beauty. One of the very best blue flowers. P. tomentosa is said to produce a good tree crown on a single stem (with suckering) but our 50-60 year old tree has no crown at all and no suckers!
Paulownia tomentosa
Paulownia tomentosa

2022 – CHW

Magnolia ‘Banana Split’ still has a few flowers showing despite the heavy and welcome rainstorms of late which delivered an inch or two of rain.

Magnolia ‘Banana Split’
Magnolia ‘Banana Split’
Walnuts now starting to form from the female flower stalks on Juglans ailanthifolia.
Juglans ailanthifolia
Juglans ailanthifolia
Still quite a few flowers left on Magnolia ‘Daphne’ – five to six weeks since it started.
Magnolia ‘Daphne’
Magnolia ‘Daphne’
Trachycarpus wagnerianus in full flower despite (or perhaps because) it was half blown over a year or so ago and had its root system disturbed.
Trachycarpus wagnerianus
Trachycarpus wagnerianus
Three plants of Philadelphus caucasicus were planted in a group in Kennel Close only in 2019. Today they make a great show and will soon join up into a big clump. A very vigorous species planted with plenty of room in full sun.
Philadelphus caucasicus
Philadelphus caucasicus
Philadelphus caucasicus
Philadelphus caucasicus
Philadelphus caucasicus
Philadelphus caucasicus
Aesculus californica still in tight bud.
Aesculus californica
Aesculus californica
Eucalyptus simonosii is covered in buds but the only flowers out as yet are on the lowest branches. The peeling bark is excellent too.
Eucalyptus simonosii
Eucalyptus simonosii
Eucalyptus simonosii
Eucalyptus simonosii

2021 – CHW
Bank holiday morning at the nursery with Justin picking out 150 unusual plants to sell at the rare plant fair at Tregrehan next Sunday.A trip to locate some of the things still in flower to film with Rick Stein on Wednesday. The second objective was to photograph a few pittosporum species in flower.Ilex yunnanensis in full growth with flower buds showing.
Ilex yunnanensis
Ilex yunnanensis
Lithocarpus glabrata (from Crûg) in full new growth. Looking at the leaf I wonder if it is true to name?
Lithocarpus glabrata
Lithocarpus glabrata
Lithocarpus glabrata
Lithocarpus glabrata
Pittosporum adaphniphylloides in full flower with seeds forming. It is becoming a decent small tree and fully evergreen.
Pittosporum adaphnephylloides?
Pittosporum adaphnephylloides?
I have missed the flowers on Pittosporum bicolor but the new growth is anything but pittosporum-like.
Pittosporum bicolor
Pittosporum bicolor
Pittosporum bicolor
Pittosporum bicolor
I had always thought this elderly 20-25ft tall plant was Pittosporum illiciodes before Roy Lancaster gave me a plant with long thin evergreen leaves and slender stalked flowers. This plant is normally evergreen or semi evergreen but not this year after the February winds. I do not think it is at all like the Pittosporum heterophyllum which we grow in the nursery and, judging by its flower, it is probably also Pittosporum adaphniphylloides?
Pittosporum adaphnephylloides?
Pittosporum adaphnephylloides?
Pittosporum adaphnephylloides?
Pittosporum adaphnephylloides?
Rhododendron excellens full out by Georges Hut. The first flowering of this tender species here. Amazing scent.
Rhododendron excellens
Rhododendron excellens
Rhododendron excellens
Rhododendron excellens
First flower on Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’.
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’
Crataegus aprica covered in flower. Pink in bud opening white.
Crataegus aprica
Crataegus aprica
Crataegus aprica
Crataegus aprica
Tilia oliveri with gorgeous yellowish new growth.
Tilia oliveri
Tilia oliveri
Cornus ‘Venus’ making a splendid show even as a young plant.
Cornus ‘Venus’
Cornus ‘Venus’
Cornus ‘Venus’
Cornus ‘Venus’
Philadelphus purpurascens in Tin Garden.
Philadelphus purpurascens
Philadelphus purpurascens
Philadelphus purpurascens
Philadelphus purpurascens
Deutzia calycosa ‘Dali’
Deutzia calycosa ‘Dali’
Deutzia calycosa ‘Dali’
Deutzia x rosea ‘Yuki Cherry Blossom’
Deutzia x rosea ‘Yuki Cherry Blossom’
Deutzia x rosea ‘Yuki Cherry Blossom’
Deutzia longifolia (White Form)
Deutzia longifolia (White Form)
Deutzia longifolia (White Form)
This is another Pittosporum adaphniphylloides which was also leafless and which is not yet in full flower. Originally labelled Pittosporum daphniphylloides but now we have to add the ‘a’! I wonder if our three plants are all one species.
Pittosporum adaphnephylloides
Pittosporum adaphnephylloides
Magnolia rostrata now suddenly out. It was nearly over at Tremenheere on Friday.
Magnolia rostrata
Magnolia rostrata

2020 – CHW
The ongoing heatwave is taking its toll and young as well as very old plants are dying daily. A water bowser will be left in Kennel Close this week so that we can try to water those trees which are obviously struggling to survive. The recent warm but drying east wind has made it all worse.

A trip to look at Styrax species which are out and nearly over in the nursery. The position here is different. Those species which seeded profusely last year are having a year off and have little, if any, flowers – Styrax serrulatus, Styrax hemsleyanus, Styrax hookeri. The hot weather seems to have slowed the others down and while a few flowers are out here and there the main rush is a few days away yet and it is not going to be anything like as good as last year. The last dry summer (but wet at the end of it) saw a huge crop of seeds but this has drained the energy of the plants.

Styrax japonicus ‘Pendulus’ is a case in point.

Styrax japonicus ‘Pendula’
Styrax japonicus ‘Pendula’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’ is coming into its best show. This is, I think, the best value of any of the C. kousa varieties.
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
I have nearly missed the Decaisnea fargesii flowers this year. I have failed to get Decaisnea insignis (yellow rather than blue sausage fruits) going here yet in the garden.
Decaisnea fargesii
Decaisnea fargesii
Decaisnea fargesii
Decaisnea fargesii
An even larger Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’ below Slip Rail (1991 planted) is in partial shade and the flower bracts are not as red. This is a 20ft x 20ft tree and perhaps the best show in the garden in June?
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Magnolia globosa is suddenly nearly out. A week ago it looked like the wait would be two to three weeks.
Magnolia globosa
Magnolia globosa
Magnolia globosa
Magnolia globosa
Catalpa bungei Duclouxii Group (as this has now been renamed in the new Hillier’s from Catalpa fargesii var. duclouxii) has a few early flowers on show and very pretty they are too.
Catalpa bungei Duclouxii Group
Catalpa bungei Duclouxii Group
Tiny flowers on Ilex yunnanensis which I first saw at Rosemoor.
Ilex yunnanensis
Ilex yunnanensis
Ilex yunnanensis
Ilex yunnanensis
Styrax japonicus ‘Fargesii’ with few flowers and just a few now out.
Styrax japonicus ‘Fargesii’
Styrax japonicus ‘Fargesii’
Styrax formosanus var. formosanus is far less plastered in flower than last year.
Styrax formosanus var. formosanus
Styrax formosanus var. formosanus
Styrax japonicus ‘Evening Light’ has no flowers at all but wonderful black new growth.
Styrax japonicus ‘Evening Light’
Styrax japonicus ‘Evening Light’
Styrax japonicus ‘Evening Light’
Styrax japonicus ‘Evening Light’

2019 – CHW
Just drizzle and the odd very brief shower but still no proper rain. Nevertheless a bit of wind which brought down a big leading branch from the elderly Magnolia delavayi on the Main Ride crushing part of the equally elderly clump of Azalea ‘Hinodegiri’. Never a dull moment in the garden with no ‘incidents’. Lots of new planting ‘deads’ already in the drought and Jaimie has been sorting watering of some of the most exposed (to sun) new plantings. A second summer of near drought looms? In the 1920s it was cold winters – now it is ‘climate change’ if you actually believe that after last year’s ‘Beast’?

Magnolia delavayi
Magnolia delavayi
Jaimie discovered a (fledged) long-tailed tits’ nest on the drive. An amazingly intricate structure. I first found one of these in the Azalea ‘Hinomayo’ clump outside the yard as a child and I am afraid I did then pinch an egg from the clutch of eight to ten eggs.
long-tailed tits’ nest
long-tailed tits’ nest
The swans have hatched out three signets on the pond.
I have been trying to sort out the names of the Azalea indica varieties which are only now starting to flower. The colour shades vary from plant to plant in their clumps.
Azalea indica ‘Macrantha’ (Rhododendron indicum ‘Macrantha’) in the Auklandii Garden.
Azalea indica ‘Macrantha’
Azalea indica ‘Macrantha’
Azalea indica ‘Macrantha’
Azalea indica ‘Macrantha’
Azalea indica ‘Macrantha’
Azalea indica ‘Macrantha’
Azalea indica ‘Macrantha Pink’ (Rhododendron indicum ‘Macrantha Pink’) also in the Auklandii and not yet out properly beside the Rockery.
Azalea indica ‘Macrantha Pink’
Azalea indica ‘Macrantha Pink’
Azalea indica ‘Macrantha Pink’
Azalea indica ‘Macrantha Pink’
Azalea indica ‘Balsaminaeflorum’ (Azalea rosiflora) (Rhododendron indicum ‘Balsaminaeflorum) is nearly over but its double salmon pink/red flowers are superb. Does not propagate easily.
Azalea indica ‘Balsaminaeflorum’
Azalea indica ‘Balsaminaeflorum’
Azalea indica ‘Balsaminaeflorum’
Azalea indica ‘Balsaminaeflorum’
Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus as a self-sown but vigorous clump outside the front gate. There are others dotted about which we must avoid cutting with the grass cut until they have seeded.
Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus
Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus
All good late flowering stuff!

2018 – CHW
A staggeringly wet day for a tour with a highly enthusiastic group of Belgian/Dutch members of the Dutch fern society.

One seldom sees fruits on podocarpus. The seed is inside the fleshy red yew-like berry. This is Podocarpus ‘Young Rusty’ and there were only about five podocarp fruits on the whole bush. Where I have found these fruits on other podocarpus varieties it has been much later in the season.

Podocarpus ‘Young Rusty’
Podocarpus ‘Young Rusty’
Podocarpus ‘Young Rusty’
Podocarpus ‘Young Rusty’
Purplish stroboli in profusion on this green leaved male podocarpus quite near ‘Young Rusty’. What might growing these seed produce by way of a new hybrid?
Purplish stroboli
Purplish stroboli
Purplish stroboli
Purplish stroboli
Rhododendron stamineum just coming out. The honeysuckle rhododendron which is out in time to show at Chelsea some years. No scent yet in the rain.
Rhododendron stamineum
Rhododendron stamineum
Rhododendron stamineum
Rhododendron stamineum
A new wild collected Rhododendron oreotrephes has its first flowers with delicate purple stemmed new growth with purplish edging to the new leaves. The flower is much darker than on the original clump of this species growing nearby which has helpfully self-seeded itself around the clump.
Rhododendron oreotrephes
Rhododendron oreotrephes
Rhododendron oreotrephes
Rhododendron oreotrephes

2017 – CHW
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’ is again coming up trumps as the rest of the garden is very nearly over.
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Syringa yunnanensis flowering for the first time. Bought from Glendoick. A bit like Syringa pinnata in flower?
Syringa yunnanensis
Syringa yunnanensis
Syringa yunnanensis
Syringa yunnanensis
A Ghent Azalea ‘Corneille’ is well out in Kennel Close. The others are either over or flowering more sparsely than last year.
Azalea ‘Corneille’
Azalea ‘Corneille’
Azalea ‘Corneille’
Azalea ‘Corneille’
Azalea ‘Orange King’ (evergreen) is the last of the new clumps in Kennel Close to flower. I have missed the others during Chelsea.
Azalea ‘Orange King’
Azalea ‘Orange King’
Azalea ‘Orange King’
Azalea ‘Orange King’
A rogue Rhododendron ponticum is suddenly visible opposite Rhododendron stenaulum. It must go!
Rhododendron ponticum
Rhododendron ponticum
Rhododendron ponticum
Rhododendron ponticum
Podocarpus ‘Blue Gem’ has the most superb new growth. I was introduced to this plant by David Lees in Lymington who once grew it in his coastal garden. It is dead there now from the 2012 cold winter I believe.
Podocarpus ‘Blue Gem’
Podocarpus ‘Blue Gem’
Podocarpus ‘Blue Gem’
Podocarpus ‘Blue Gem’
The last few flowers on Michelia foveolata.
Michelia foveolata
Michelia foveolata
Michelia foveolata
Michelia foveolata
Azalea ‘Moidart’ from afar.
Azalea ‘Moidart’
Azalea ‘Moidart’
Viburnum globosum (?) also from afar.
Viburnum globosum
Viburnum globosum
The youngish Quercus cleistocarpa with its silvery new growth above Hovel Cart Road. Philip Tregunna grew this as a cutting off the old tree.
Quercus cleistocarpa
Quercus cleistocarpa
Another Rhododendron ponticum seedling self sown on the bank above Lower Quarry Nursery. This too must go!
Rhododendron ponticum
Rhododendron ponticum

2016 – CHW
A few nice new things photographed for the 2017 catalogue at Burncoose. Yes, it is that time again and the next job on the agenda.Acer shirasawanum ‘Jordan’ – a very delicate yellow leaf and supposedly a hybrid with Acer palmatum.
Acer shirasawanum ‘Jordan’
Acer shirasawanum ‘Jordan’
Aconitum ‘Stainless Steel’ which I expected to see much of at Chelsea as it is new but did not.
Aconitum ‘Stainless Steel’
Aconitum ‘Stainless Steel’
Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Nymans Silver’ – a gorgeous new one to me.
Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Nymans Silver’
Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Nymans Silver’
Kalmia latifolia ‘Snowdrift’ – pure white and very new to Burncoose. Canadian bred I believe.
Kalmia latifolia ‘Snowdrift’
Kalmia latifolia ‘Snowdrift’
Arundo donax ‘Golden Chain’ – far less horrid than the plain green form.
Arundo donax ‘Golden Chain’
Arundo donax ‘Golden Chain’
Rosa cantabriensis – not a great advance on Rosa ‘Mermaid’ but more prickles!
Rosa cantabriensis
Rosa cantabriensis

2015 – CHW
The dogs set off for a short one and the plan is to look at just weigelia but of course it goes all wrong. I start with Weigelia ‘Florida Variegata’ but, on close inspection, the edges to the new growth are yellowish and not white until later.  Probably still correct and planted below the bank on the lawn 40 plus years ago by me.

Weigelia 'Florida Variegata' 1
Weigelia ‘Florida Variegata’
Weigelia 'Florida Variegata'
Weigelia ‘Florida Variegata’
Jasminum humile 'Revolutum' 2
Jasminum humile ‘Revolutum’
Jasminum humile 'Revolutum' 1
Jasminum humile ‘Revolutum’

Beside it is a good plant of Jasminum humile ‘Revolutum’ which we need to propagate as always out of stock at Burncoose.

Several ancient wisteria
Several ancient wisteria

I need to take a closer look at the several ancient wisterias growing up through yew trees above the wall and on the Rookery . Not out yet although all those nearer the house are over.

Azalea 'Gena Mae'
Azalea ‘Gena Mae’

A nice double flowering Azalea ‘Gena Mae’ which amusingly is not one of the thousands listed in Galle’s book.

Symplocus paniculata 3
Symplocus paniculata
Symplocus paniculata 1
Symplocus paniculata

The original plants (and possibly record sized) of Symplocus paniculata are covered in flower.  Very large shrubs in a clump.  Blue berries later.  Supposedly a strong scent but not obvious.

Then to the late flowering and somewhat insipid coloured deciduous azaleas around Trevanions Holly.  It is shady here but they are clearly a unique batch of something different.  Large clumps, not as many varieties as I had thought, all different in habit and clearly some are old hybrids quite close to their rhododendron species parents.
Different azaleas 9
Azaleas
Different azaleas 8
Azaleas
Different azaleas 7
Azaleas
Different azaleas 6
Azaleas
Different azaleas 5
Azaleas
Different azaleas 4
Azaleas
Different azaleas 3
Azaleas
Different azaleas 2
Azaleas
Different azaleas 1
Azaleas

Then back down through Hardy and Berts Nursery between the two ferneries.  Who Hardy and Bert were I have no idea nor do I ever remember the nursery bed which is now full of Azalea ‘Hinomayo’ once sold as a cut flower to Covent Garden 40 years ago.

Enkianthus perulatus 2
Enkianthus perulatus
Enkianthus perulatus 3
Enkianthus perulatus

Below the azalea are five mature plants of – yes! – enkianthus.  Four are over and look like single Enkianthus campanulatus but one still has a few flowers and is clearly the white Enkianthus perulatus.  Nice to know we have this as an original plant too.  Must check the autumn colour.

Perhaps 'Cecile' 2
Perhaps Azalea ‘Cecile’?
Perhaps 'Cecile' 1
Perhaps Azalea ‘Cecile’?

One azalea by the tower.  Perhaps ‘Cecile’ planted 25 to 30 years ago.  Just coming out.

Lonicera lanceolata 2
Lonicera lanceolata
Lonicera lanceolata 1
Lonicera lanceolata

Below the Rabbit Warren is the unusual shrubby honeysuckle (from Crug) Lonicera lanceolata.  Not one to rush for but different and worth propagating.

Weigelia 'Florida Variegata' 2
Weigelia ‘Florida Variegata’
Weigelia 'Florida Variegata' 2
Weigelia ‘Florida Variegata’

Opposite it is another Weigelia ‘Florida Variegata’ with a slightly different coloured flower.  This one is full out while the one on the lawn is nearly over.  No yellow edges here so we clearly do have two different plants.  Undecided which is the best but both a really good show.

1994 – FJW
Summer may have started – 3 days of SUN.

1993 – FJW
May has been very wet.

1953 – CW
Still perfect flowers on Michelias – a few Camellias Alba, Simplex and Kimberley. Auklandii over. Cornish Loderi at its best, also many Azaleas good. Cornus nearly out. Mag wilsoni etc at their best. Harrows Hybrid Rhodo good and some of the Fortunei series. Horse chestnut opposite yard which I put in flowered for first time. Primulas good.

1917 – JCW
Waterers on the wane. Occidentales in bud. Mrs J.C.W not open enough to post. Harrow hybrids just show colour. Some azaleas are very good. Hovel batch not yet at best. P.D brought some beautiful flowers to Truro whites and pinky whites.

1916 – JCW
About the best day of the azaleas. Several Harrow hybrids are out. Waterers about their best. Auklandii’s over. P helodoxa is very good and it finished in the rain.

1901 – JCW
Leave for London tomorrow, a little outside seed picked and all under glass. Pink Pearl going over. Iris germanica over, moving a good few bulbs. Granite soil came this day.

One thought on “31st May

  1. I remember back in middle school, we are
    required to participate in a tree planting session. At first, I thought we are only doing it
    for grades, but when we started doing it, I realized
    the need to plant more trees and greens. Gardening helps up create a healthy
    environment, from producing oxygen to creating some more greenery.
    Not only that, flowers like azaleas and the bluebells are a sight to see.
    It warms my heart to see such flowers flourish at Wakehurst place.

    I shall visit the place soon.

Comments are closed.