2020 – CHW
More hollies and cotoneasters on the list for today’s foray:
The clearance by the camellia piece is now complete barring digging out the stumps.


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.
Autumn colour in the nursery.Fothergilla ‘Blue Shadow’ is even better with autumn tints now than in the spring.
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.
The young rhododendrons in the frames have grown well and some are ready to plant out in the spring.



Camellia reticulata ‘Mary Williams’ has a few large seed pods which we must remember to collect soon.

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.


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.