…coming into flower. Rhododendron hyperythrum ‘Omo’ Rhododendron ‘Cornish Red’ and Magnolia dawsoniana. Rhododendron ‘Cornish Red’ Magnolia ‘Genie’ is nearly black in bud. Far better than M. ‘Black Tulip’. Magnolia ‘Genie’…

…blackbirds’ nest in Jaimie’s garden. Without the successful use of Larsen traps the magpies would probably already have had these. blackbirds’ nest I forgot to photograph the 50 or so…

…but still not much. A later spring season than for a few years which is good news. Camellia ‘White Swan’ with the odd flower. Camellia ‘White Swan’ The camellia sales…

…have seen it better in the nursery. Magnolia ‘Tinkerbelle’ Magnolia ‘Tinkerbelle’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. liliiflora ‘Holland Red’. Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. liliiflora ‘Holland Red’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’…

…a little more pink than usual. Magnolia campbellii ‘Sir Harold Hillier’ Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x ‘Black Tulip’ – excellent! Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x ‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x ‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia campbellii…

…26 is improving with age. Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Pickard’s Ruby’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x M. ‘Pickard’s Ruby’ Magnolia ‘Spring Rite’ just opening. Magnolia ‘Spring Rite’ Magnolia ‘Summer Rose’…

…this cross. Magnolia ‘Aphrodite’ (M. ‘Black Tulip’ x M. soulangeana ‘Deep Purple Dream’) Magnolia ‘Aphrodite’ (M. ‘Black Tulip’ x M. soulangeana ‘Deep Purple Dream’) Magnolia ‘Vulcan’ x Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’….

…‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Rose Marie’ x Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Rose Marie’ x Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ One plant of Magnolia pseudokobus ‘Kubushi-modoki’ now full out. Magnolia pseudokobus ‘Kubushi-modoki’ 2019 –…

…reticulatum perhaps? Surely a Rh. reticulatum subspecies would have some evergreen leaves? Rhododendron wadanum ‘Album’ Staphylea colchica ‘Black Beauty’ now into leaf. It will get darker yet. Staphylea colchica ‘Black…

…a woodland setting. Scilla bifolia Camellia ‘Black Magic’ almost black in bud. Camellia ‘Black Magic’ Camellia ‘Black Magic’ Magnolias tower over the woodland valley garden. The dark one may well…