Strangely the largest Schima khasiana seems to be taking a year off from flowering. I can locate no buds at all although Schima superba is now just showing colour at the top of the tree.
Schima khasiana
Aesculus parviflora is showing early autumn colour and the conkers which we saw earlier have either dropped or been collected already by Asia.
Aesculus parviflora
Quercus greggii was planted two years ago and is doing well with a little late secondary new growth. This was an Allan Coombes introduction and, I believe, a present to us. It is multi stemmed which I assume is normal? This species is not listed in ‘New Trees’.
Quercus greggiiQuercus greggiiQuercus greggii
Yet another Disanthus cercidifolius dead two years on from planting. Why do we have such a struggle to get this plant established? Another nearby is rather more lively. This must be the fourth or fifth failure over 10 years in deliberately different locations. What does it need? I asked several of those we visited in Sussex gardens in April but got no clear answer and saw it doing well in several different locations.
Disanthus cercidifoliusDisanthus cercidifolius
Plenty of seed heads on Magnolia rostrata but, as usual, no sign yet that they have swollen enough to actually contain any seed. I doubt they will.
Magnolia rostrataMagnolia rostrata
‘They’ always say you should plant Embothrium lanceolatum in the worst possible poor and stony ground. Here, one year on from planting, on the stony rim of Rogers Quarry, is a fine example. 12-18in of new growth on two stems despite the dry summer and a hot location.
Embothrium lanceolatum
2018 – CHW
Autumn colour in the nursery.Fothergilla ‘Blue Shadow’ is even better with autumn tints now than in the spring.
Hesperantha ‘Oregon Sunset’ cheers one up as do all the kaffir lilies which we all used to call Schizostylis. Name changes of this magnitude are daft and confusing for customers.
2017 – CHW
The very rare and equally tender Quercus fleuryii looked nearly dead since it was planted in 2011 but has suddenly produced a set of very late new growth. It is spectacular in colour but rather flaccid and limp. I do not think it will survive even the mildest frost this winter. Otherwise ‘curtains’ I expect which was what the donor told me originally.
Quercus fleuryiiQuercus fleuryii
Another (German) williamsianum hybrid up Hovel Cart Road has a few secondary flowers. The blue tits have stripped the flowers which we saw on another similar plant last week to get whatever nectar there was – not much I guess.
Another (German) williamsianum hybridAnother (German) williamsianum hybrid
I missed photographing a single secondary flower on Rhododendron ‘Michaels Pride’ which I have never seen do this before and, worse still, the huge pink Camellia sasanqua just down from the castle side door. No flower at all three days ago when I looked. Today, in the sun, it is suddenly out all over. Earlier than last year I think but need to check. The Camellia oleifera is near but not yet showing colour. A week away perhaps.
2016 – CHW
The young rhododendrons in the frames have grown well and some are ready to plant out in the spring.
young rhododendrons in the framesyoung rhododendrons in the frames
Sinowilsonia henryi has yet to flower but has had a good growing year. The leaves are huge and styrax like but with lighter undersides.
Sinowilsonia henryiSinowilsonia henryi
A self-sown rhododendron seedling on a tree fern trunk outside the potting shed is an unusual find. I wonder what it is as the leaves have some hairs and it definitely is not Rhododendron ponticum. Asia could pot it up.
A self-sown rhododendron seedling on a tree fern trunk
Indigofera howellii ‘Reginald Cory’ is flowering for the first time in the greenhouse as the leaves begin to turn yellow. Not much different to Indigofera potaninii but a name given to a Forrest collection commemorating one of his sponsors.
Quercus stellata is in the old oak records here but has long died out. Here is a new addition to the collection to plant out next spring. Very recognisable leaves but another ‘new’ oak to me.
Quercus stellataQuercus stellata
2015 – CHW
Camellia reticulata ‘Mary Williams’ has a few large seed pods which we must remember to collect soon.
Camellia reticulata ‘Mary Williams’
Vitis coignettiae is starting to turn colour. The bloody thing has gone rampant and needs cutting down. Here it is all over Escallonia iveyi and Rhododendron ‘Cornish Red’. Not a bad plant if you like ‘rampant’ but likely to kill off its neighbours with a smothering embrace. That is a nice thought for the weekend as our 10 days of late summer come to an end with a vengeance.
The house martins have all left the castle now so the flies are coming into their own. It remains to be seen if Mr Rentokill’s new treatment around the windows will stop the normal October upsurge in cluster flies on the curtains in the tower and in the Rabbit Warren which is usually unlettable in October.
Vitis coignettiaeVitis coignettiae
1996 – FJW
Trip around with J Parsons – flowers on Auklandii Garden Sasanqua.
1964 – FJW
Charles picked flowers from incinerator Sasanqua. I had seen flowers on the top of the plant a week ago.
1963 – FJW
Wet summer good for garden – in recompense for winter. Magnolia mollicomata (Ririei opening) and Robusta (new Bo-Peep) overseeded very badly. Strong roots on Stellata cuttings in mist in 5 weeks. Cuttings must be soft. Acacias on wall trying hard.
1900 – JCW
Came down for the election, cyclamen fair. The supposed C Dickens x has several up in its pan amongst seedling daffs. Roses quite nice.
1898 – JCW
The autumn cyclamen very good, also the Belladona and Per’s Ipomoea. Found a 98 seedling half grown x max with cyclamineus.
