31st October

…full out above the greenhouse. A remarkable show in the sun. Camellia sasanqua ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ Camellia sasanqua ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ 2017 – CHW Lots of buds still coming out on Magnolia…

22nd June

…for next year too. Carpinus tuczaninowii Carpinus tuczaninowii Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘Summer Sunset’ has a gorgeous mix of leaf colours as the sun bleaches them red. Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘Summer Sunset’ Trachelospermum…

4th April

…yet. Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’ Camellia ‘Fairy Wand’ which Forrest Latta, from the International Camellia Society, said had been much improved on in China. Camellia ‘Fairy Wand’ Magnolia ‘Pastel Sunset’…

12th April

…the Isla Rose isn’t that exciting. Magnolia ‘Strawberry Shake’ Magnolia ‘Strawberry Shake’ Magnolia ‘Sunset Swirl’ certainly is although only one flower. Magnolia ‘Sunset Swirl’ Magnolia ‘Sunset Swirl’ Magnolia ‘Dark Bird’…

31st July

Sunset’ Thunbergia ‘African Sunset’ Bloody hell – helleborus with flowers on sale in July. Christmas rose my arse! helleborus with flowers Bored with Busy Bees GC! Fruit trees are still…

2nd April

…Planted 2011. Magnolia ‘Lili Diva’ Magnolia ‘Lili Diva’ Magnolia ‘Sunset Swirl’ is just coming and what an odd mix of colours. Planted 2014. A good new variety. Magnolia ‘Sunset Swirl’…

10th November

…and warm November. Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ 2021 – CHW A visit to Bonython Garden in sun and threatening showers.Verbena ‘Bampton’ and Cynara scolymus. Verbena ‘Bampton’…

14th November

…at every corner. Scattered small branches Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ blown away before we see the proper red in its leaves. Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ Acer…

15th November

…as good as last year. Planted in 2009. Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ 2023 – CHW Magnolia ‘Peachy’ has good autumn colour today in the sun and…

27th January

…coming out. Camellia ‘California Sunset’ Camellia ‘California Sunset’ Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ half frosted. Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ A carpet of frosted flowers below Camellia x williamsii ‘Rosemary Williams’ but plenty fairly…

24th January 1897 – 2020

…nice large flower. Huge central stamens. Camellia ‘California Sunset’ Camellia ‘California Sunset’ 2017 – CHW First flower on Rhododendron moupinense below Donkey Shoe. About on par with last year? Rhododendron…

4th October

…‘Oregon Sunset’ Hesperantha ‘Oregon Sunset’ Camellia ‘Dazzler’ now full out. Other Camellia sasanquas out today included ‘Hugh Evans’. Camellia ‘Dazzler’ Camellia ‘Dazzler’ Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’ with its attractively mottled…

12th July

…try dwarf growing ones like ‘Balmy Purple’ here? Monarda ‘Balmy Purple’ An excellent display of Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’ fronting Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’. Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’ 2018 –…

24th March

…Court’ Magnolia ‘Spring Rite’. Magnolia ‘Spring Rite’ Magnolia ‘Burgundy Star’. Magnolia ‘Burgundy Star’ Another Magnolia sprengeri ‘Marwood Spring’. Magnolia sprengeri ‘Marwood Spring’ Magnolia ‘Princess Margaret’ at her best. Magnolia ‘Princess…

26th July

…one to me? Not a lot in it perhaps in colour but the silly name will make it sell I expect. Coreopsis ‘Mango Punch’ Lobelia ‘Burgundy’ – different and very…

9th March 1897 – 2020

…Garden. Camellia reticulata ‘Captain Rawes’ Magnolia ‘Burgundy Star’ in bud. Magnolia ‘Burgundy Star’ The view down over the Auklandii Garden today. On the right is Magnolia ‘Kew’s Surprise’. The ones…

17th March 1897 – 2020

…Prunus nipponica ‘Brilliant’ Prunus nipponica ‘Brilliant’ The new Magnolia ‘Burgundy Star’ in bud. Magnolia ‘Burgundy Star’ Magnolia ‘Royal Crown’ nicely out in a tunnel. Magnolia ‘Royal Crown’ Magnolia ‘Royal Crown’…

28th October

…– CHW More of the leylandii hedge in Kennel Close gets incinerated. leylandii First flowers out on Camellia sasanqua ‘Sparkling Burgundy’. Colour showing too on C. sasanqua ‘Dazzler’. Camellia sasanqua…

25th October

…Early! Camellia sasanqua ‘Narumigata’ Camellia sasanqua ‘Narumigata’ Camellia x oleifera ‘Winters Snowman’ just out. Camellia x oleifera ‘Winters Snowman’ Camellia x oleifera ‘Winters Snowman’ Camellia sasanqua ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ just out…

19th October

…sasanqua ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ just out above the greenhouse by Orchid House Nursery. Camellia sasanqua ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ Callicarpa dichotoma coming into flower in the Isla Rose Plantation. Odd that this species…