20th September

…which David Knuceky planted along the edge of the pond. Hoheria sexstylosa ‘Pendula’ The new planting from 2 years ago by the old walled garden has had a good growing…

3rd October

…and sent to me by David Lake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=8UvFhIFzaac&app=desktop. Unlike the alarmist bleatings of the BBC and government funded scientists this is a rather different scientific view representing totally different arguments…

11th October

…send to David West. It is faintly apricot in colour now having been yellow earlier. Cotoneaster frigidus ‘Inchmery’ Cotoneaster frigidus ‘Inchmery’ Cotoneaster frigidus ‘Inchmery’ Cercidiphyllum japonicum nearby is turning colour…

13th October

…but have missed it at its very best. Cladastris kentuckea Another one for David West! What is this cotoneaster then? Berries just starting to turn yellow and plenty of them….

9th August

…– FJW Very heavy rain. 1979 – FJW David John Williams took first wicket for Gorran – he also caught (1) and scored (0). 1964 – FJW Mr and Mrs…

11th August

…A visit to Jenny Knuckey, the widow of my former and original partner at Burncoose. Since David’s recent death she has had major heart surgery herself but was back home…

17th December

…– FJW First frost last night. 1997 – FJW Snow. Stormy night. 1979 – FJW David returned as a school monitor!! 1975 – FJW C.H.W awarded Langdon scholarship to Worcester…

30th December

…Chimonanthus praecox which was only planted in 2021. Not a plant I ever remember growing here but David Knuckey planted a good one behind the house at Burncoose. It lived…

27th February 1897 – 2020

…going and this plant clearly needs potting and caning up straight. From China and Taiwan. Long pointed leaves a bit like a huge yew. Keteleeria davidiana Keteleeria davidiana Keteleeria davidiana…

7th January 1897- 2020

…of its buds have been blown off in the wind. Camellia ‘Lady Clare’ Camellia ‘Lady Clare’ 1968 – FJW David picked first snowdrops of year. 1967 – FJW Cold started….

19th January 1897- 2020

…in three to four weeks with no frost. Magnolia veitchii and Magnolia campbellii 1997 – FJW Picked two flowers on Cam nobilissima 1968 – FJW David picked first lot of…

21st January 1897- 2020

David picked first daffodil. 1931 – JCW The first small bit of moupinense open. (Handwritten note taped in Garden Book): I put about 15-20 cuttings under a bell glass in…

28th January 1897 – 2020

…back yard.1967 – FJW Very early and impossibly mild. David picked two daffs. Saw a member of the Swallow family looking fit and well.1961 – FJW Rain has been incessant…

1st February 1897 – 2020

…after what he once wrote about David Knuckey and Burncoose some 30 years ago. Magnolia ‘Peter Smithers’ Magnolia ‘Peter Smithers’ 2004 – FJW Dry January. Seaweed left pond – 2…

11th February 1897 – 2020

…CHW both appear on ITV (local) news last night. David at No 10 Downing Street and me at Heligan sounding more pompous than I thought but it will give everyone…

12th February 1897 – 2020

…Rupert Eley (treasurer), David Millais (chairman) and I (committee member) are still attempting to help run the society/group as well as the same nurseries and gardens which our great grandfathers…

14th February 1897 – 2020

…October) but a ‘spotted’ one and rather special when you look into the flower. I cannot remember the name of it but it was a present from David Knuckey’s friend…

1st September

…planting out. Self-sown seeds Self-sown seeds Self-sown seeds Self-sown seeds Remarkably quick and good new growth on the Rhododendron davidsonianum cut down only 11-12 weeks ago. We need to do…

20th March 1897 – 2020

…another still day. We may be lucky tomorrow for the wedding. David and Jenny Knuckey (my long since retired partners from Burncoose) are doing Serena’s flowers. The nursery have failed…

13th September

…– FJW Last corn cut and brought in – very wet from mid August – weeds very bad. 1971 – FJW David shot his first blackbird before my very eyes….