12th January 1897- 2020

…Only a few bits of the old pollarded tree survive. Osmanthus yunnanensis Laurus azorica covered in bud. Laurus azorica Clematis cirrhosa var. balerica full out on the lawn. A bit…

8th January 1897- 2020

…Camellia sasanquas First flowers on the pure Camellia japonicas in Old Park which we grow for foliage for sale at Covent Garden. Most have smaller red flowers than this seedling…

3rd January 1897- 2020

…wondered if they were both now covered in flower heads or seeds. Looking closely it would seem to be new flower heads in profusion. I must assume that both the…

2nd January 1897- 2020

…fairly new Camellia ‘Volunteer’. A darkish anemone red. Camellia ‘Volunteer’ Camellia ‘Volunteer’ The second and outer bud casings on the early flowering Magnolia ‘Darjeeling’ are starting to fall off to…

April 2024 Ireland Trip (Day 5)

…portico. Fascicularia bicolor The extraordinary red flowered and vigorously climbing Salvia gesneriiflora. I thought it was Salvia dombeyi but was quite wrong. This grows to 20 feet. Salvia gesneriiflora Tetra[?]…

Royal Cornwall Show – 2022

…speciosissima Helleborus ‘Double Ellen’ Helleborus ‘Double Ellen’ Trillium sessile Trillium sessile Ypsilandia tubetica – I have often wondered if we should stock this. Ypsilandia tubetica Ypsilandia tubetica Symphytum ibericum Symphytum…

3rd March

…Beschorneria calicola is a new addition to the catalogue. Beschorneria calicola Out in flower today: Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’ in the nursery flowering as a young plant. Magnolia ‘Ian’s Red’ Bergenia…

12th August

…Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Wonderful wild flower meadows Wonderful wild flower meadows The red/ pink flowered Magnolia delavayi below the Kitchen Garden. Magnolia delavayi The second grass cut of the Malus…

1st September

…Sharon’ (Hypericum calycinum). A strangely absurd comparison between a white flowered tree and a yellow flowered groundcover plant currently very prone to dying of rust. Tut tut Mr Hillier! Eucryphia…

27th October

…the new growth. Schefflera rhododendrifolia Schefflera rhododendrifolia Illicium philippinense with late red new growth. Illicium philippinense A few berries ripening on Viburnum hoangliense for the first time. Viburnum hoangliense Flowers…

16th March

…Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Caerhays Surprise’ Magnolia sprengeri ‘Westonbirt’. Magnolia sprengeri ‘Westonbirt’ Magnolia liliiflora ‘Holland Red’. Magnolia liliiflora ‘Holland Red’ Magnolia dawsoniana ‘Chindit’. Magnolia dawsoniana ‘Chindit’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’….

5th June

…may or may not be feasible.This large tree fern has lived in a pot in the back yard for at least 10 years and is looking rather tired and pot…

4th June

…on the ancient pink flowered Camellia sasanqua is dark bronzy-red. The white flowered forms have quite different new growth. Camellia sasanqua Camellia sasanqua 2021 – CHW A hurried early morning…

27th April

…decorum Any elepidote hybrid bred in North America 1st – R. ‘Taurus’ 1st – R. ‘Taurus’ Plus an array of other awards in the Magnolia and Rhododendron competitions. 2022 –…

8th April

…Anne’ (lanceanum x keiskei) Rhododendron ‘Princess Anne’ Rhododendron ‘Princess Anne’ Lysichiton camschaticum Lysichiton camschaticum Sorbaria sorbifolia ‘Sem’ – superb double new coloured growth. Prunus ‘Royal Burgundy’ – well worth stocking….

27th March

…made some new metal hinges for the gardeners sheds. new metal hinges A most unusual red ring in the bark of the dead Daphniphyllum macropodum on the drive which was…

23rd March

…has flowered in Belgium for the first time after 15 years. It does not seem to have been formally registered but is very fine. John did register many of his…

26th February

…Camellia lutchuensis Camellia ‘Fairy Blush’ incredibly scented and absolutely perfect today. Camellia ‘Fairy Blush’ Camellia ‘Fairy Blush’ An odd red rhododendron flowering out of season on just one branch. red

11th June

…Lake Patrick have been cleared of trees islands on Lake Patrick have been cleared of trees islands on Lake Patrick have been cleared of trees The first plants of the…

25th February

…flowers are more sheltered and therefore a somewhat darker colour as they open. Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’ where the flowers are more sheltered Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’ where the flowers are more…