24th February

…to the Beast, a fortnight later than last year.The New Zealand form of Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ is a great colour against a blue sky. Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ Jaimie’s Rhododendron ‘Maisie’ has sprung…

4th March

…oreodoxa var fargesii Rhododendron oreodoxa var fargesii 2022 – CHW Another one of those truly great magnolia days with sun, at last no wind, and a blue sky. Jaimie discovers…

11th March

…no blue sky today to see it properly. Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’ This is the second flowering of Jaimie’s latest magnolia hybrid. A cross between Magnolia campbellii and Magnolia ‘F J…

16th March

…the Stable Flat opposite the tree. Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ The first Spanish bluebell seen in flower this year. Spanish bluebell Magnolia dawsoniana now just showing colour outside…

1st April

…but probably worth Asia propagating. Camellia reticulata ‘Red Crystal’ Camellia reticulata ‘Red Crystal’ The first native bluebell I have seen (half) out. bluebell A few dullish new and rare conifers…

8th April

…Ghost’ 2019 – CHW Several nice new things to admire in the greenhouses. Abies forrestii var. georgei with its blue flower cones opening creamy white. Stout densely hairy shoots say…

9th April

…A fine Easter weekend. I saw the first bluebell in flower at Burncoose 3 days ago but it was raining and my camera does not like the rain!This is a…

18th April

…Spanish. bluebells bluebells A good clump of now wild (but once cultivated) pinkish bluebells. pinkish bluebells pinkish bluebells Rhododendron ‘Fragrantissimum’ just emerging into flower in the border opposite the front…

22nd April

…‘Pink Crispy’ is not to everyone’s taste (this in St Austell Garden Centre). Photinia serrata ‘Pink Crispy’ Rehderodendron kwangtungense full out against a blue sky. Rehderodendron kwangtungense A new and…

27th April

…A former gift from Chip Luma of Rhododendron ‘Floral Sun’ (Abby Jury 2011). Rhododendron ‘Floral Sun’ Rhododendron ‘Floral Sun’ Magnolia ‘Butterflies’ against a blue sky. Magnolia ‘Butterflies’ Rhododendron platypodum is…

17th May

…any variegated leaves but very blue buds. Magnolia acuminata ‘Variegata’ Rhododendron griffithianum full out. Sadly last year’s layers have been nibbled off by something – deer I assume. Rhododendron griffithianum…

15th September

blue-black berries on Cornus controversa. Cornus controversa A rather better flower now on Hedychium spicatum ‘Liberty’ (BWJ 8116). Last week’s picture did not do it justice. A very intricate flower….

11th June

…auriculatum This Paulownia kawakamii has sadly split in half in the gales. If you grow 30ft in 10 years this is the risk you run. Very few light blue flowers…

16th June

…Picea pungens ‘Spek’ with its fantastic light blue new growth. Picea pungens ‘Spek’ Picea pungens ‘Spek’ Picea pungens ‘Spek’ Cotoneaster confusus just going over. Cotoneaster confusus The clump of three…

19th June

…Magnolia virginiana ‘Pink Halo’ Photinia davidsoniae in flower by George’s Hut. Photinia davidsoniae Hydrangea serrata ‘Shichidanka’ starts pink and then goes blue. Hydrangea serrata ‘Shichidanka’ Hydrangea serrata ‘Shichidanka’ Hydrangea ‘Hobella’…

20th June

…in 1984. Our good luck! On the tour the following were looking good:- Papaver nudicaule ‘Moondance’. Papaver nudicaule ‘Moondance’ Dichroa guizhou – should the flowers be blue? Dichroa guizhou Dichroa…

30th June

…forming after the flowers on Decaisnea fargesii. By autumn these will turn a pinkish-blue. Decaisnea fargesii I had this billed as Cornus florida ‘Red Giant’. It has been out for…

15th July

…piss’ but we have never had a cat! Ehretia dicksonii Ehretia dicksonii Seed forming in Symplocos dryophylla which will eventually turn blue-black and Asia needs to try growing it as…

17th July

…Chimonanthus praecox The ‘best’ old blue clump of mophead hydrangeas below the Magnolia x veitchii are nearly full out. They will get even bluer. hydrangeas hydrangeas 2019 – CHW A…

18th July

…Sedum spurium “Dragon’s Blood” Sedum spurium “Dragon’s Blood” Bought an Acacia boormanii to try at Caerhays. Upright pointed light blue foliage. Not listed in Hillier’s so likely to be rather…