23rd October

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

2023 – CHW

Pam Hayward found an amusing exchange between JC Williams, my great grandfather, and Captain Collingwood Ingram (‘Cherry’ Ingram) when the latter sought advice as to what to next when pensioned from serving in the British Indian Army at a young age. (This was mentioned in Conifer Quarterly in 2005).

JCW’s reply was “You should start crossing rhododendrons. It is the greatest fun – you have 10,15 or 20 years of joyful anticipation and only one day of disappointment – the day they open their first flowers!”

2022 – CHW

A compilation of Autumn seeds collected from the garden this week. Most will go onto the RMC Group seed distribution list for group members.

Collection of seeds
Collection of seeds
A large wasps nest on one of the islands on the lake which drove the gardeners back into the boat when starting to trim the grass. The entrance larger than a gum boot as you can see here.
Wasp's Nest
Wasp’s Nest
Wasp's Nest
Wasp’s Nest
Crataegus x Lavalleei ‘Carrierei’ with its first crop of (at present) still orange fruits. Planted a year ago.
Crataegus x Lavalleei ‘Carrierei’
Crataegus x Lavalleei ‘Carrierei’
Cotoneaster thimphuensis still with plenty of ripe berries.
Cotoneaster thimphuensis
Cotoneaster thimphuensis
Cotoneaster Hillieri now fully ripe and dropping fast.
Cotoneaster Hillieri
Cotoneaster Hillieri
Jaimie has found four ripe and fully developed acorns below the original Lithocarpus cleistocarpa. We have found seed clusters on the younger (cutting grown) plant from the older plant in recent years but I can never remember finding properly developed seeds on the 1901 Wilson introduction. Hopefully they will germinate.
Lithocarpus cleistocarpa
Lithocarpus cleistocarpa

2021 – CHW

A fine flower on Magnolia grandiflora ‘Russet’.

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Russet’
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Russet’
The fallen Quercus ilex branch close up.
Quercus ilex
Quercus ilex
Decent colours on Cornus ‘Eddie’s White Wonder’.
Cornus ‘Eddie’s White Wonder’
Cornus ‘Eddie’s White Wonder’
Variations in autumn colour on Rhododendron schlippenbachii.
Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Colour coming on Acer palmatum ‘Ozakazuki’.
Acer palmatum ‘Ozahazuki’
Acer palmatum ‘Ozahazuki’
Evening light on Hydrangea paniculata ‘White Lace’.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘White Lace’
Hydrangea paniculata ‘White Lace’
Young Acer campestre showing autumnal yellow.
Acer campestre
Acer campestre
Hydrangea ‘Fireworks Blue’ turning to reddish purple.
Hydrangea ‘Fireworks Blue’
Hydrangea ‘Fireworks Blue’
First yellowing on Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Aureomarginata’.
Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Aureomarginata’
Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Aureomarginata’

2020 – CHW
I just found Hemiptelea davidii on an availability list from Pavia nurseries and ordered it up. A new genus to me completely which is related to Zelkova. Totally hardy, a shrubby tree with spine tipped branchlets and small yellowish-green fruits. Introduced from Korea/China in 1908.Also on the Pavia list were up to 50 species of Crataegus so I could not resist ordering a batch of these as well for the new collection here. C. schraderiana has proved to be exceptional in its first time fruiting and several other species good too. An expanding patch of Crataegus species at the bottom of Kennel Close in a couple of years.Burncoose on a day of sun and showers.Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’ nicely out.
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Rosea Plena’ looking good too.
Camellia sasanqua ‘Rosea Plena’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Rosea Plena’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Waterfall Pink’ has a drooping habit which hides its flowers but is a new one to us from Stervinou nurseries in France.
Camellia sasanqua ‘Waterfall Pink’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Waterfall Pink’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Waterfall Pink’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Waterfall Pink’
Camellia japonica ‘Shin-Akebono’ also out rather early.
Camellia japonica ‘Shin-Akebono’
Camellia japonica ‘Shin-Akebono’
Pachystegia insignis – another new plant for 2021.
Pachystegia insignis
Pachystegia insignis
Rhododendron edgeworthii with a couple of flowers.
Rhododendron edgeworthii
Rhododendron edgeworthii
Ceanothus x pallidus ‘Perle Rose’ in full flower.
Ceanothus x pallidus ‘Perle Rose’
Ceanothus x pallidus ‘Perle Rose’
The first time I have noticed autumn colour (of sorts) on Melliodendron xylocarpum.
Melliodendron xylocarpum
Melliodendron xylocarpum
Outstanding yellow on Ginkgo ‘Saratoga’.
Ginkgo ‘Saratoga’
Ginkgo ‘Saratoga’
Cercis canadensis ‘Appalachian Red’ turning nicely.
Cercis canadensis ‘Appalachian Red’
Cercis canadensis ‘Appalachian Red’
Asterotrichon discolor in full flower as usual.
Asterotrichon discolor
Asterotrichon discolor
Maclura pomifera with attractive autumn colour.
Maclura pomifera
Maclura pomifera
Stewartia pseudocamellia doing its usual good stuff.
Stewartia pseudocamellia
Stewartia pseudocamellia
Quercus imbricaria even better than a week ago.
Quercus imbricaria
Quercus imbricaria
Quercus imbricaria
Quercus imbricaria
Quercus coccinea stunning too.
Quercus coccinea
Quercus coccinea
Lagerstroemia indica ‘Red Emperor’
Lagerstroemia indica ‘Red Emperor’
Lagerstroemia indica ‘Red Emperor’
Fothergilla intermedia ‘Blue Shadow’
Fothergilla intermedia ‘Blue Shadow’
Fothergilla intermedia ‘Blue Shadow’
Fothergilla intermedia ‘Blue Shadow’
Fothergilla intermedia ‘Blue Shadow’

2019 – CHW
The Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’ outside the Old Packing Shed at Burncoose has decided to put up a huge flower spike very late in the year and from a four to five year old plant growing on top of a stone faced earth bank.
Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex'
Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’
Nearby a Correa “Marian’s Marvel” is covered in pretty pink and yellow tubular flowers. About 3ft tall with a similar spread.
Correa “Marian’s Marvel”
Correa “Marian’s Marvel”
Correa “Marian’s Marvel”
Correa “Marian’s Marvel”
Correa “Marian’s Marvel”
Correa “Marian’s Marvel”
Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ with flowers and splendid autumn colour in the nursery. Quite dazzling even before we get the effect from the later bare stems.
Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’
Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’
Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’
Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’
Splendid reddish colours on Oxydendrum arboreum in the sunlight. One of the very best performers.
Oxydendrum arboreum
Oxydendrum arboreum
Oxydendrum arboreum
Oxydendrum arboreum
Oxydendrum arboreum
Oxydendrum arboreum
Parrotia persica ‘Persian Spire’ had absolutely breathtaking autumn colours too with the unusual mixture of red and yellow.
Parrotia persica ‘Persian Spire’
Parrotia persica ‘Persian Spire’
Parrotia persica ‘Persian Spire’
Parrotia persica ‘Persian Spire’
Quercus liaotungensis leaves turn brown and hold on the younger trees but the colours along the way are not bad either. An intricate mix.
Quercus liaotungensis
Quercus liaotungensis
Quercus liaotungensis
Quercus liaotungensis
Asterotrichon discolor was full out today (as it was last November). Another odd autumn flowerer.
Asterotrichon discolor
Asterotrichon discolor
Asterotrichon discolor
Asterotrichon discolor

2018 – CHW
On the way to the greenhouses a large branch of the original Camellia sasanqua ‘Narumigata’ has been broken off in the storms. The buds show some colour and are nearly out.
Camellia sasanqua ‘Narumigata’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Narumigata’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Narumigata’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Narumigata’
A fine tray of Decaisnea fargesii seedlings grown this year in the new greenhouse.
Decaisnea fargesii
Decaisnea fargesii
These Cornus kousa var. chinensis seedlings were dug from the side of the drive and are doing well.
Cornus kousa var. chinensis
Cornus kousa var. chinensis
A good batch of cuttings of Viburnum sieboldii.
Viburnum sieboldii
Viburnum sieboldii
The best thing today was Callicarpa shirasawana. These got missed from the Isla Rose planting but are big plants absolutely laden with mauve-purplish berries. A better show than Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’ I think today. An entirely new and unknown species here.
Callicarpa shirasawana
Callicarpa shirasawana
Callicarpa shirasawana
Callicarpa shirasawana
Next year’s magnolias for planting out starting to drop their leaves.
magnolias for planting
magnolias for planting

2017 – CHW
Rhododendron ‘Michaels Pride’ with a few secondary autumn flowers outside the front gate.
Rhododendron ‘Michaels Pride’
Rhododendron ‘Michaels Pride’
Rhododendron ‘Michaels Pride’
Rhododendron ‘Michaels Pride’
Rhododendron ‘Cornish Red’ showing colour on an odd branch as it was last autumn.
Rhododendron ‘Cornish Red’
Rhododendron ‘Cornish Red’

2016 – CHW
The new plaque is now in place and the medlar has several fruits.
Medlar tree and plaque
Medlar tree and plaque
Medlar tree and plaque
Medlar tree and plaque
Medlar tree and plaque
Medlar tree and plaque
A cold east wind and much leaf coming off.  A day to capture some autumn colour with a thick jumper on! Forsythia ‘Lynwood’ has surprising red/bronze turning leaves.
Forsythia ‘Lynwood’
Forsythia ‘Lynwood’
Rhododendron fragrantissimum is shedding its older leaves in an attractive way.
Rhododendron fragrantissimum
Rhododendron fragrantissimum
The second single white sasanqua camellia is just out. Larger and flatter opening flowers than the next door one last week.
white sasanqua camellia
white sasanqua camellia
white sasanqua camellia
white sasanqua camellia
Rhododendron quinquefolium ‘Fire Arrows’ is a very fine red. I have not seen this before.
Rhododendron quinquefolium ‘Fire Arrows’
Rhododendron quinquefolium ‘Fire Arrows’
A young clump of Rhododendron schlippenbachii is quite superb and almost glow in the watery sunshine.
Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Rhododendron schlippenbachii
Rhododendron schlippenbachii
An older clump opposite has totally different yellow autumn colouring. Strange. They are the same species!
older clump
older clump
Stewartia rostrata is starting to drop its spectacular leaves and the seed pods have turned brown and are splitting open.
Stewartia rostrata seed pods
Stewartia rostrata seed pods
Stewartia rostrata seed pods
Stewartia rostrata seed pods
Enkianthus are a similarly gorgeous colour with their unripe as yet green seeds showing out strongly.
Enkianthus
Enkianthus

2015 – CHW

I was attracted to excellent autumn colour on the deciduous Rhododendron mucronolatum. However, on closer inspection, I discover a few dark purple flowers hidden amid the colourful foliage. Since this species normally has light pinkish flowers on bare stems in December/January this must presumably be a second flowering. I have never seen this before. This plant is the only survivor of a once large clump. The rest have died of old age but there are several clumps of replacements with slightly different coloured flowers and flowering times. Mainly from Glendoick but some from Crug which have fared poorly in a coldish spot near Red Linney.

Rhododendron mucronolatum
Rhododendron mucronolatum
Rhododendron mucronolatum
Rhododendron mucronolatum

Next door Hydrangea aspera subsp. robusta is still in full but fading colour. Very late out and still attracting comment from shooting parties as they arrive. Quite a plant which I photographed earlier in the year as it came out pure white.

Hydrangea aspera subsp robusta
Hydrangea aspera subsp. robusta
Hydrangea aspera subsp robusta
Hydrangea aspera subsp. robusta

1978 – FJW
Very dry since August 15th.

1960 – FJW
Planted 7 bulbs of GHJ’s 4957 by Front Gate (8 bulbs and stock). The weather has been bad all the month. Little gale damage to date. Bad year for horse chestnuts but good for beech nuts and acorns.

1957 – FJW
Grandiflora by Play House has flowered almost non-stop for 12 months.

1932 – JCW
Much as in 1931, see above.

1931 – JCW
Mag delavayi and grandiflora a few nice blooms. PD’s vinca very good by the big wire fence. Some Camellia sasanqua and lapageria. PDW reports that 500 golden plovers have arrived there.

1926 – JCW
Lapageria nice and so fuchsia. Hydrangeas only fair. No Nobleanum. Some bits on the Maddeni hybrids. Camellia sasanqua fair.

1913 – JCW
Cassia and lapagerias are good – not a Polyanthus showing anywhere. Fuchsias good, the big lot of stuff from Coombe Wood came.C sasanqua coming on. Rho primulinum, solanum good. A lot of R nobleanum open.

1911 – JCW
A few daffs show in the beds, mostly jonquil crosses. The old Berberis in the Kitchen Garden is fruiting in a remarkable way. Acorns are nearly double the normal size. It has been an abnormal summer for sun and heat.

1904 – JCW
Polyanthus dyere several of them up. Polyanthus primus many in flower. No seedling daffs showing yet in pans or in beds.

(Hand written note attached to Garden Book page)
re tasks to be done.

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