27th June

…in a sheltered spot at the Grimaldis’ house in Bembridge. Sollya heterophylla Sollya heterophylla Rosa ‘Fragrant Cloud’ Rosa ‘Fragrant Cloud’ Rosa ‘Chinatown’ Rosa ‘Chinatown’ The rose named after the Grimaldi…

25th March 1897 – 2020

…Magnolia ‘Early Rose’ Magnolia ‘Early Rose’ Magnolia ‘Tikitere’ not yet out so very late and heavily budded with huge buds. Magnolia ‘Tikitere’ Magnolia ‘Early Rose’ – the second plant in…

30th November

…Betula utilis subsp. albosinensis ‘China Ruby’ Betula utilis subsp. albosinensis ‘China Ruby’ Schefflera pauciflora (WWJ 11999) with nearly ripe seeds. Schefflera pauciflora Schefflera pauciflora Not quite ripe seeds on Illicium…

5th June

…seen in flower anywhere other than Ventnor Botanics. Myoporum laetum Myoporum laetum Cornus angustata ‘Empress of China’ starting to flower properly. Cornus angustata ‘Empress of China’ Cornus angustata ‘Empress of…

17th March

…Magnolia ‘China Town’ (syn. ‘Jing Ning’) in full flower. Magnolia ‘China Town’ (syn. ‘Jing Ning’) Podocarpus elongatus ‘Blue Chip’ badly frosted above the mist houses. Podocarpus elongatus ‘Blue Chip’ Magnolia…

19th June

…is still one of the best varieties. Vigorous and long flowering. Hydrangea ‘Hobella’ Rosa canina (Dog rose) at the top lodge. Rosa canina (Dog rose) Rosa canina (Dog rose) Red…

7th March

…‘Donation’ Camellia x williamsii ‘Donation’ Camellia x williamsii ‘Donation’ Could not resist Daphne bholua ‘Mary Rose’ yet again! Daphne bholua ‘Mary Rose’ Daphne bholua ‘Mary Rose’ New growth coming already…

25th June

…and neither had I even before lunch. unknown rose unknown rose unknown rose 2016 – CHW A visit from Lizzie’s mother (Alice), her long-time nurse (Olivia) and gardener (Hugh). Alice…

3rd September

Rose’ had some serious regrowth from below the graft which I also cut out today and you can see piled beside the young tree. Betula albosinensis ‘China Rose’ Cedrus brevifolia…

6th July

…Lagerstroemia limii Lagerstroemia limii The evergreen Cornus augustata ‘Empress of China’ has really perked up after repotting. Cornus augustata ‘Empress of China’ Surprising to see an old beech tree felled…

6th April

…emerging. Rhododendron kesangiae Staphylea holocarpa ‘Rosea’. Staphylea holocarpa ‘Rosea’ Magnolia ‘Honey Tulip’ just coming out rather early. Magnolia ‘Honey Tulip’ Rhododendron ‘Snow Lady’ some way off its best. Rhododendron ‘Snow…

27th March

…is described as carmine-rose or a fine deep rose which I guess this is. The reference book photographs agree. Camellia ‘Imbricata’ Camellia ‘Imbricata’ Camellia ‘Imbricata’ The sixth has no flowers…

RHS Savill Garden Pictures 2018

…‘Barto Rose’ Rhododendron oreodoxa var fargesii ‘Barto Rose’ Rhododendron oreodoxa var fargesii ‘Barto Rose’ Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’ Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’ Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’ Helleborus ‘Pink Frost’ stood out among the…

27th December

…‘Bonanza’ Camellia sasanqua ‘Elfin Rose’. Camellia sasanqua ‘Elfin Rose’ Camellia sasanqua ‘Yume’ – an interesting bicolour and well worth growing. I did not see this in the Tregothnan collection but…

7th May

…‘Fireball’ Azalea ‘Fireball’ Azalea ‘Berryrose’ – ditto. Azalea ‘Berryrose’ Azalea ‘Berryrose’ The double flowered but sterile Aesculus hippocastanum ‘Baumannii’ is excellent value. Aesculus hippocastanum ‘Baumannii’ Aesculus x bushii is not…

30th March

…Myrtus lechleriana Another Staphylea holocarpa var. rosea which may well be cuttable for the show. Staphylea holocarpa var. rosea 2023 – CHW The first pair of swallows are building their…

25th September

…1). You can view it here (one hour) by clicking on https://s-url.cgtn.com/m/DefJAA. There are four other programmes in the series of Signature Flowers of China which cover rhododendrons, roses, chrysanthemums…

6th October

…growing up a Magnolia campbellii – a quite superb mix and a very dark red form of L. rosea. Lapageria rosea Lapageria rosea Huge fruits on Camellia xylocarpa. Camellia xylocarpa…

13th March 1897 – 2020

…the Isla Rose Plantation have gone in ahead of the formal opening on Saturday. In addition the rhododendrons from the frames are nearly all out. A couple of loads to…

19th March 1897 – 2020

…a rush after the gardening weekend.A radio interview about the VMH and Isla Rose Plantation at Radio Cornwall.On my return from Truro the snow had nearly all gone. snow had…