27th February

‘Crystal Tulip’ is not at all bad in Area 25 of Kennel Close. Magnolia ‘Crystal Tulip’ What is, I presume, natural bark split in our largest Mespilus germanica. Mespilus germanica…

12th August

…before on Magnolia ‘Crystal Tulip’. Magnolia ‘Crystal Tulip’ Nyssa sinensis (FMWJ 13122) with its newer leaves already a stand out, reddish-purple. Nyssa sinensis Carpinus omeiensis omiense (Roundabarrow) with reddish, secondary…

3rd October

…has attractive leaves too! Cyclamen hederifolium A new clematis for the catalogue – Clematis ‘Romantica’. Clematis ‘Romantica’ Clematis ‘Romantica’ Ficus carica ‘Ice Crystal’ with yellow autumn tints. Ficus carica ‘Ice…

20th September

…Euphorbia characias ‘Tasmanian Tiger’ and Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ Aster ‘Rose Crystal’ looking good. Aster ‘Rose Crystal’ Hoheria sextylosa ‘Pendula’ in flower with Rhaphiolepis umbellata below it right beside the nursery entrance…

27th July

…Wine’ Hydrangea ‘Fireworks Blue’ excellent on the drive. Hydrangea ‘Fireworks Blue’ Hydrangea ‘Sunset’ looking good down opposite the lodge. Hydrangea ‘Sunset’ Hydrangea ‘Selma’ quite superb by the nursery entrance. Hydrangea…

17th April

…clump of narcissus on Hovel Cart Road. Perhaps Narcissus x intermedius? narcissus Ceanothus ‘Trewithen Blue’ and Magnolia ‘Yellow Lantern’ – blue and yellow work well together here. Ceanothus ‘Trewithen Blue’…

24th July

…in full growth but no flower heads. Miscanthus sacchariflorus Miscanthus sacchariflorus Agastache ‘Blue Boa’ – might have been blue originally but fading quickly. Taller growing than some. Agastache ‘Blue Boa’…

11th July

blue foliage in full sun Elymus arenarius ‘Blue Dune’ Elymus arenarius ‘Blue Dune’ Geranium pratense ‘Algera Double’ Geranium pratense ‘Algera Double’ Geranium pratense ‘Algera Double’ Digitalis ‘Spice Island’ – a…

22nd July

…‘St Clare’ Hydrangea ‘St Clare’ Hydrangea ‘Taube’ – easily the best blue lacecap HYDRANGEA ‘Taube’ HYDRANGEA ‘Taube’ Hydrangea ‘Fireworks blue’ – very floriferous and vigorous grower Hydrangea ‘Fireworks blue’ Hydrangea…

17th March 1897 – 2020

…has its first few flowers (Camellia japonica x Camellia lutchuensis). Camellia ‘Quintessence’ The first (Spanish) bluebells are just out a bit later than for the last two years I think….

6th July

…‘Pink Crispy’ Photinia fraseri ‘Magical Volcano’ Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Heavenly Blue’ is an evergreen sub-shrub unlike the other herbaceous penstemons. Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Heavenly Blue’ Geranium pratense ‘Delft Blue’ Geranium pratense ‘Delft…

26th April

…most tender plants. Podocarpus elongatus ‘Blue Chip’ Podocarpus elongatus ‘Blue Chip’ Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Hattie Carthan’ is just coming out. Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Hattie Carthan’ Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Hattie Carthan’…

5th April

…‘Innocence’ just coming out above Bond Street. Staphylea holocarpa ‘Innocence’ The first full out bluebell I have seen with true blue colours. Bluebells In the old Hardy & Bert’s nursery…

9th May

…full flower. Magnolia ‘Genie’ Magnolia ‘Genie’ Magnolia acuminata ‘Blue Opal’ at its best although I have missed the true blue early buds. Magnolia acuminata ‘Blue Opal’ Magnolia acuminata ‘Blue Opal’…

31st May

…flowering. rhododendron grown from Group seed (via Mayor Howell) 2024 – CHW Rosa ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ in a pot outside the Stable Flat. Rosa ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ Roy Lancaster sends…

8th September

…colour. Cornus amomum ‘Blue Cloud’ Cornus amomum ‘Blue Cloud’ Cornus amomum ‘Blue Cloud’ Rudbeckia ‘Prairie Sun’ looking very fine. Rudbeckia ‘Prairie Sun’ Rudbeckia ‘Prairie Sun’ Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Stephi’ now…

22nd October

…(‘Chang Hua’) Magnolia ‘Charles Coates’ Magnolia ‘Crystal Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Flamingo’ Magnolia ‘Fukuja’ Magnolia ‘Pink Charm’ Magnolia ‘Purple Eye’ Magnolia ‘Purple Star’ Magnolia ‘Sentinel’ Magnolia ‘Sybille’ magnolias from Magnoliastore This pyrus…

6th May

…do cover COVID, makes one wonder. The policy wording seems crystal clear and I assume the courts will uphold any challenge from policy holders. Why then are Hiscox playing hardball?…

27th May

…in the nursery have finished flowering already in the heat. Viburnum dentatum ‘Blue Muffin’. Viburnum dentatum ‘Blue Muffin’ Viburnum dentatum ‘Blue Muffin’ Syringa tomentella subsp. yunnanensis (SBEC 1022). Syringa tomentella…

26th June

…Burncoose. This is the attractive golden form. Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera’ Hibiscus ‘Blue Chiffon’ – a good double blue. Hibiscus ‘Blue Chiffon’ Then to the nearby Dalverton garden centre established much…