…show in the Aucklandii Garden today in the fading light. Camellia ‘St Ewe’ with ‘JCW’ Our best clump of blue mophead hydrangeas still have plenty of blue showing in mid-December!…

…secondary flowers. This single one by George’s Hut is not far off the spring norm in colour but a bit smaller. Magnolia ‘Caerhays Surprise’ Rhododendrnon ‘Blue Tit’ with its usual…

…ciliicalyx ‘Honshu Blue’ Menziesia ciliicalyx ‘Honshu Blue’ Rhododendron aperantum has struggled ever since it was planted here 20+ year ago. It is still just alive but only just. I have…

…ground is carpeted with buds pecked in half by blue tits seeking the nectar in the flowers. I have never seen them do this to embothrium before. The branch we…

…Magnolia ‘Yakeo’. Rhododendron ‘Martha Wright’ Magnolia ‘Yakeo’ and Rhododendron veitchianum ‘Cubittii Group’. Magnolia ‘Yakeo’ Rhododendron ‘Blue Tit’ and Rhododendron ‘Elizabeth’. Rhododendron ‘Blue Tit’ A single tiny flower on the aptly…

…‘Pendula’. Later than usual to show. Hoheria sextylosa ‘Pendula’ A good show of secondary flowers on Rhododendron ‘Blue Tit’. Rhododendron ‘Blue Tit’ Rhododendron ‘Blue Tit’ Seed forming in profusion on…

…‘Mrs J.C. Williams’ Magnolia ‘Blue Opal’ at its best. Magnolia ‘Blue Opal’ Magnolia ‘Blue Opal’ Cornus ‘Venus’ was very fine on the Chelsea stand but not bad at home either….

…‘Emerald Pagoda’ just about to start. Styrax japonicus ‘Emerald Pagoda’ As is Viburnum dentatum ‘Blue Muffin’. Viburnum dentatum ‘Blue Muffin’ And the 3 lobed Pterostyrax psilophyllus var. leveillei. Pterostyrax psilophyllus…

…name of this oak but I have sadly forgotten it. oak Sorbus dunnii looking good. Sorbus dunnii Viburnum dentatum ‘Blue Muffin’. Viburnum dentatum ‘Blue Muffin’ Brassaiopsis dumicola (KWJ 12217) growing…

…wagnerianus despite the trunk half blowing over last winter. Trachycarpus wagnerianus Another exceptional magnolia with blue flowers initially. Magnolia acuminata ‘Seiju’. Magnolia acuminata ‘Seiju’ Azalea ‘Greenway’ sporting a few white…