2024 – CHW (images to follow)
I collect a dozen ripe seed heads from Magnolia globosa. The seeds were on the point of shedding.
Autumn colour and swelling seeds on Halesia macgregorii.
The usual fine and varied colouring on Rhododendron schlippenbachii.
Good colour on Corylopsis sinensis ‘Spring Purple’.
A major surprise to find a dozen or so flowers out in October high up on an original Camellia x williamsii ‘St Ewe’.
Hedychium greenii is the last of the ‘Gingers’ to flower here.
First ever flowering of Magnolia grandiflora x M. coco (the latter a species from Java) on the top wall. Not that exciting unfortunately but another oddity for the collection.
2023 – CHW
A day or two in bed with a lurgy. Not a cold, not flu, and just a severe headache with sore throat. I had the COVID jab a fortnight ago but suspect I have still had mild COVID. Lizzie fine.
Jaimie has picked the first Camellia x williamsii ‘November Pink’ and Camellia ‘Polar Ice’.
Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Red Star’ has improved markedly in a week above 4-in-Hand.
I think this fungus is birch polypore or Piptoporus betulinus which is relatively common in the UK but only growing on dying or dead birch trees.
Sorbus helenae again producing a marvellous autumn show (from Mt Omei 17/2/16 via Roundabarrow nurseries and planted out September 2018).
2019 – CHW
Still plenty of raspberries on the Rubus tricolor.
A leak on the water line from the top lodge to Karol’s house has wasted £1,200 of water. The leak was outside Karol’s backdoor where the old alkathene pipe had split. He had noticed a ‘damp patch’!
This is the brick lined well culvert below the Cart House holiday let which was investigated along the way.
Eriobotrya japonica flowering away in a garden in the village. Far too late for there to be any production of fruits despite the dry summer. Only once have we seen loquats produced on the plant at Burncoose.
Sorbus folgneri ‘Emiel’ now has many ripe red berries.
More autumn colour today. However the first subject has hardly turned yet although it appears autumnal.Cercis ‘Forest Pansy’ is most striking on the drive.
I have always read about the blue berries on Symplocos paniculatus but never actually seen them in the flesh. This is a record tree, or rather a clump, according to the Tree Register. Actually I am too late and many of the berries have already dropped leaving only stalks behind. The pictures are not that great but you can see the ultramarine blue fruits – or just a couple actually.
Wind and rain forecast for tomorrow after a very lengthy spell of dry which has been great for farmers drilling their autumn crops but less good for shooting while all the leaf remains on the trees and the pheasants cannot easily fly out. I fear we are in for an unsettling wet spell in November as nature always catches up. The lapageria by the front door is still full out.
2001 – FJW
Flowers on November Pink – dryish September, wet October.
1989 – FJW
Flowers on November Pink.
1933 – JCW
As in 1933.
1932 – JCW
Some flowers on the Mag delavayi near Engine House.
1930 – JCW
The first of Prunus mignelleana shows flower. Many buds and flowers on Mag grandiflora. Rhodo lutescens, dahuricum, tethropeplum etc show some flowers.
1924 – JCW
Just as in 1920 including no frost but much rain since the spring. Lately harvest in for about a week. Haematodes and hippophaeoides are the best rhodo’s. No C sasanqua yet. Election next week.
1920 – JCW
Hydrangea are good. Lapagerias and roses are nice. Say 30 rhodo’s one could get pollen off including Maddeni x Roylei. No frost as yet.
1902 – JCW
Came back last night, away since June 14th (Nauheim), a few Soleil d’Or above ground. An odd seedling in the pans. Woodwardias have done well, it has been a raw cold season. Roses nearly a failure except on the wall. Primula megasoefolia is out.