2026 – CHW
Re-uprighting a half Goretti blown over and subsequently drought scorched Rhododendron sinogrande.


Clearing the bank below the top of Hovel Cart Road for replanting.
Malus ‘Obelisk’.
Malus ‘Florentina’ with leaves and fruit more like a Crateagus.
The elderly clump of white Camellia sasanqua on the bottom ride in Old Park.
A recent oak branch down in Old Park – little smashed thankfully.
Seed heads on Aesculus wilsonii.
Hedychium maximum (BSWJ 8261a) has a huge pineapple bud and a spectacular flower.
Camellia taliensis just coming out. A few flowers high up.
Magnolia fraseri var. pyramidata changing colour at the top of the tree.
First flowers out on the pink form of Rhododendron Nobleanum Group we are now told to call it. Always Rh. nobleanum to us for generations. Rather early in the year for this.
Fruits now ripe and falling on Sorbus reducta.
Good autumn colour on Rhododendron schlippenbachii.
2024 – CHW
Much colder but bright sunshine for a change.Magnolia grandiflora ‘Galissonniere’ catching the sun.
Much colder but bright sunshine for a change.Magnolia grandiflora ‘Galissonniere’ catching the sun.
Camillia ‘Snow Flurry’ is full out above the Hovel.
A clump of hydrangea ‘Joseph Banks’ which was cut back when a tree fell on it now performing splendidly.
Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Lynn’ still has no autumn colour.
Euonymus huangi with its first pink seed heads here.
Sorbus matsumurana may have little autumn colour but the black buds are interesting.
Staphylea colchica ‘Black Beauty’ looks great in the sun.
2023 – CHW
The Eden Project have spent 6 weeks trying to come here to collect the wildflower seeds on the banks. We have finally given up and cut them. Sadly we will have cut off many cyclamen flowers in the process.
The Eden Project have spent 6 weeks trying to come here to collect the wildflower seeds on the banks. We have finally given up and cut them. Sadly we will have cut off many cyclamen flowers in the process.
Magnolias flowering outside the Back Yard. Not secondary flowers this time but a seasonal mix up after this odd summer.
Heptacodium miconioides still flowering away.
Araucaria angustifolia with ever growing cones.
Secondary flowers on Magnolia virginiana ‘Havener’ in 40 Acres. Ripe seed on the same tree.
The first flowers on our recently planted white Lapageria.
The pink one in flower beside it.
2022 – CHW
The Liquidambar’s start to turn colour.
The Liquidambar’s start to turn colour.
Tree surgery to remove limbs off an old Pinus insignis by the Hovel which were threatening the drive. Another Health & Safety expense which is probably justified in terms of risk.
A single pale secondary flower on Magnolia ‘Plum Pudding’.
Schima khasiana with many less flowers than last year.
Another Schima khasiana with very few flowers too and the other 2 plants have none. Hopefully Susyn Andrews can help confirm if these are indeed Schima wallichii and Schima argentea when she visits next week.
First flower high up in the sun on the first ancient, white Camellia sasanqua.
Autumn colour on various cercidiphyllums.
2021 – CHW
A letter from Duncan Donald with a welcome box of bulbs of Narcissus ‘White Star’ bred by JC Williams and, until now, lost to cultivation.

















































