29th September

…this old Pinus insignis 2016 – CHW The one seed pod on the Magnolia officinalis var biloba is maturing but not yet ripe. Magnolia officinalis var biloba Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’…

9th September

…out in the last 3 years – is growing away vigorously with large leaves. Parastyrax species nova (BWJ15185) Parastyrax species nova (BWJ15185) Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Snow Bird’ has recovered from near…

5th September

…rain looks like in the granite bird bath outside the front door. It has been totally dry for at least 8 weeks. granite bird bath 2021 – CHW I was…

3rd August

…planted Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Snow Bird’ only just survived the drought with a bit of watering. Die back at the top of the main stem which I cut out but hopefully…

6th July

…is a very rare agricultural weed introduced from America in the 16th century. My guess is it actually grew from the bird seed on the bird table which was here…

27th June

…blue flowers contrasting with the yellow variegation. Nicer than I expected. Agapanthus ‘Golden Drop’ Echinacea ‘Firebird’ is a good red. Echinacea ‘Firebird’ Lampranthus orange – not obliging us by opening….

28th April

…January) Camellia ‘Mary Jobson’ (first out January) An incredibly long flowering season for any plant! 2018 – CHW Off to Penvergate to view the best yellow magnolias. Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’…

14th April

…Magnolia ‘Mighty Mouse’. Magnolia ‘Mighty Mouse’ The leylandii stumps have gone! stumps have gone 2021 – CHW Magnolia ‘Black Bird’ (parentage unknown) has come out properly in the Isla Rose…

23rd March

…full out in Penvergate. Magnolia ‘Butterflies’ Magnolia ‘Butterflies’ Magnolia ‘Butterflies’ Magnolia ‘Scented Gem’ (from Kevin Hughes Plants) first flowering. Magnolia ‘Scented Gem’ Magnolia ‘Scented Gem’ Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’ just starting….

13th March

…propagate for Burncoose. Ribes malvaceum Ribes malvaceum Ribes malvaceum Ribes malvaceum Magnolia ‘Dark Bird’ is not MSI registered and no listing in the Eisenhut book as to its parentage. Magnolia…

14th February

…Magnolia ‘Princess Margaret’ Drimys granatensis v. grandiflora (BSWJ 10777) planted last autumn has not enjoyed the winter and is half dead. Drimys granatensis v. grandiflora (BSWJ 10777) Bird shit from…

13th February

…where I guess they will have, by now, departed into France or a mid-Atlantic death. The GWCT farm bird count will be interesting this year as most migratory birds will…

23rd April

…record sized Magnolia ‘Yellow Fever’ just coming with the leaves. Magnolia ‘Yellow Fever’ Magnolia [?] Magnolia [?] Magnolia ‘Lemon Star’ Magnolia ‘Lemon Star’ Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’ nearly over. Magnolia ‘Yellow…

21st July

…Off to the greenhouses to see what is new. Cotoneaster franchettii with berries forming already. Self-sown or bird carried seedlings. Cotoneaster franchettii Another pot grown Hydrangea aspera subsp. sargentiana with…

21st February 1897 – 2020

…are four record trees here which I labelled with the new labels today – Paulownia fortunei, Sorbus torminalis, Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’ and Magnolia ‘Yellow Fever’. Magnolia campbellii ‘Sidbury’ Magnolia campbellii…

9th January 1897- 2020

…most of its leaves have blown off in the gales as usual. Hillier’s say it is supposed to flower in the autumn so not an early bird! The plant is…

28th January

…at Stanage! picture of my father Camellia japonica ‘Bokuhan’ with scattered bird eaten flowers. Looking rather yellow leaved after the drought. Pheasants rather than tits or finches by the look…

15th December

…slightly frosted flowers on Camellia taliensis. Camellia taliensis In a week Cotoneaster ‘Exburyensis’ has been stripped of all its yellow berries by the birds. Cotoneaster ‘Exburyensis’ Frosted secondary flowers on…

14th December

…gutters which run through the roof space over the castle is not a pleasant or easy job. They can readily become blocked by a dead bird or large magnolia leaves….

18th November

…flower and one drowsily dropped onto my trousers. No damage done! wasp You can just see a yellow wagtail on the ridge. Not a bird often seen in the yard…