…(Labradors) competitors 2016 – CHW Echium pinnifolium outside the drawing room window has gone black after the minor frost (one night only) about a week ago. It will probably survive…

…well developed flower and/or new growth leaf buds in the Rockery. Rather forward for the time of the year. It was not long ago that we were admiring the black…

…black-backed gulls. Clearly resting inland after the many recent gales. A pity I do not have a lens for taking better distance photos. With no more rain the flood will…

…A freestanding shrub which was taking advantage of a host. Just a few black fruits with the flowers here and there. Nearly 3.5ft in height after 20 to 25 years….

…are over but the odd black berry remains. Sarcococca wallichii I forgot yesterday that we also have Sasa (recently renamed Sasaella) ramosa (formerly Arundinaria vagans or Pleioblastus viridistriatus var. vagans…

…This is Narcissus papyraceus or Narcissus ‘Paper White’ from Spain and southern France. Narcissus papyraceus Narcissus papyraceus A ripe black fruit on Sarcococca salignus by the front gate. I seem…

…foliage and pleasantly edible purplish-black fruits in large clusters. Flaking bark like a myrtle too. Asia has cuttings and seeds to try. Blepharocalyx cruckshankii Blepharocalyx cruckshankii Blepharocalyx cruckshankii Blepharocalyx cruckshankii…

…Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus Passiflora edulis with delicious ripe fruit. The ones I photographed recently in the nursery have yet to turn black and ripe like this. Passiflora edulis Talauma…

…growing buddleia but the US bred ‘Buzz’ varieties are smaller growing, more dwarf, and have larger flowers. Buddleia ‘Black Knight’ and ‘Empire Blue’ have been superseded by ‘Buzz Indigo’ /…

…immature but the older ones are developing darker colouring just below the node. This is brownish-black with a hint of red at present. An attractive foliage effect too and planted…

…Acer rufinerve? Acer rufinerve ‘Erythrocladum’ Acer rufinerve ‘Erythrocladum’ Acer rufinerve ‘Erythrocladum’ Acer tegmentosum has an ominous black fungal circle near its base and will shortly be another casualty to go…

…the two large Fuchsia exorticatica has died in the drought outside the front door. The survivor has a good crop of juicy black fruits. Fuchsia exorticatica Fuchsia exorticatica The Mexican…

…than the near black of ‘Nigra’. This is a very elderly plant growing near The Hovel on the drive. As good a show in nearly full shade as I have…

…colour if the gales abate. Prunus incisa Prunus incisa Cotoneaster moupinensis still has a fine crop of black berries intact on the shrub which is now 6-8ft tall. Cotoneaster moupinensis…

…12. ‘Wakehurst’ x ‘felix Jury’ 13. ‘Aurora’ x ‘Darjeeling’ 14. ‘Black Tulip’ x ‘JC Williams’ ( this has been named now) x ‘Felix Jury’ 15. ‘Darjeeling’ x ‘Felix Jury’ Large…

…Another couple of frosty days would do it. snowdrop Hydrangea lobbii is, absurdly, now coming into full flower as expected. Hydrangea lobbii Black berries on Sarcococca saligna. Most flowers are…

…soulangeanas and especially soulangeana ‘Alba Superba’. Magnolia officinalis biloba is still in bud but about to flower well. The buds have an almost black indumentum covering and stand proud to…

…brown-black. Aquilegia viridiflora ‘Chocolate Soldier’ Rhododendron ‘Bow Jingles’. Rhododendron ‘Bow Jingles’ Rhododendron ‘Bow Jingles’ Cressy has done an amazing job with propagating scented Rhododendron and we now have hundreds to…

…much fault despite our drooping ‘Ruby Hart’. He did however state that the judges did not like the black and white steps but were impressed we had removed the hard…

…opening. Rhododendron excellens (C&H 7180) Styrax japonicus ‘Evening Light’ with its black new growth. Styrax japonicus ‘Evening Light’ A drought battling Magnolia sieboldii which I had pruned again today back…