30th June

…‘Tresco dwarf pink’ Astilbe ‘Chocolate Fascination’ is new to us this year and our first sight of the pale pinkish flower spikes above the dark blackish leaves. Astilbe ‘Chocolate Fascination’…

27th April

…This is Grevillea rosmarinifolia ‘Jean O’Neil’ Prunus ‘Chocolate Ice’ with its contrasting bronzy new growth by the cash point. Prunus ‘Chocolate Ice’ The first flower out incredibly early on Magnolia…

20th April

…thelemanniana ‘Baby’ Corydalis tenuifolia ‘Chocolate Star’ in full flower. It seems to sell in the nursery before it ever gets this far into flower. Corydalis tenuifolia ‘Chocolate Star’ 2020 –…

22nd April

…‘Atropurpurea Nana’ particularly striking today. Photinia x fraseri ‘Atropurpurea Nana’ A novelty Aquilegia now in the Burncoose catalogue this year! A. viridiflora ‘Chocolate Soldier’. Yellowish ‘granny’s bonnets’ then turn brown-black….

16th October

…Caress’ Toona sinensis ‘Flamingo’ with nice yellow colouring starting to show. Toona sinensis ‘Flamingo’ Albizia ‘Summer Chocolate’ Albizia ‘Summer Chocolate’ Celastrus orbiculatus with a good show in the sales point….

18th July

‘Chocolate Box’ is a rockery plant really. Two casualties out of five planted. Podocarpus ‘Chocolate Box’ Podocarpus ‘Red Embers’ doing little red or emberish at this stage in the year….

17th August

…years. Hedychium yunnanense Hydrangea aspera ‘Hot Chocolate’ – only 1 of 3 has survived the two droughts and is now making headway. Hydrangea aspera ‘Hot Chocolate’ Quercus nuttallii is getting…

22nd May

…stand takes shape The Chelsea stand takes shape The Chelsea stand takes shape The Chelsea stand takes shape Protea eximia is clearly going to be one of the stars of…

15th May

…best. (Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Woodsman’) x (Magnolia ‘Gold Stars’ x Magnolia stellata Rubra). By yellow magnolia standards not near the top but this small tree is now putting on a…

14th May

…the completely empty beach (China across the sea apparently) and walking up the drive. The dogs are the stars but when I enquire if this is appropriate in a country…