…Camellia ‘J.C.W’ and the 70 year old Magnolia dawsoniana The pruning in the Rockery has exposed our only surviving plant of Rhododendron longistylum which was the Queen Mother’s favourite rhododendron…

…at Donkey Shoe. Three (leaf) variegated plants here which I planted to replace mothers favourite Rh. niveum that grew here. Dad hated all variegated things and this a prime spot!…

…darker flowers here and there. Camellia japonica ‘Debutante’ Camellia japonica ‘Debutante’ The very first flower this year on Camellia x williamsii ‘Mary Phoebe Taylor’. Perhaps my favourite x williamsii variety?…

…‘Spring Morning’ (now Rhododendron) Menziesia ‘Smokey Rose’ (now Rhododendron) Magnolia laevifolia ‘Gails Favourite’ Rhododendron argyrophyllum ‘Chinese Silver’ Rhododendron wallichii Rhododendron excellans Rhododendron tyermanii Rhododendron ‘Plover’ (edgeworthii x dendrocharis) Azalea ‘Irohayama’…

…– she is just explaining how she prefers ‘floppy’ ones rather than the group’s choice of Rhododendron yakushimanum ‘Koichiro Wada’ as their favourite. The president’s eyes say to me: ‘I…

…introduction in 1980 and I think my favourite Sarcocca species. It ought to be grown more widely and we can now offer a few plants only on our website. Sarcocca…

…Tom’s. A wonderful species which will become a garden favourite I expect. Nice bark striping too. Camellia forrestii Camellia forrestii Camellia forrestii Camellia forrestii Pyrenaria spectabilis seems about halfway between…

…‘Fireball’ Azalea ‘Fireball’ Azalea ‘Narcissiflorum’ is an old favourite and an unusual double yellow that has responded well to being cut back. Azalea ‘Narcissiflorum’ Quite close to Azalea ‘Klondyke’ but…

…the Playhouse. Wisteria sinensis A closeup of Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’; my mother’s favourite rose. Most of the flowers are 20ft up. Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ Echium pininana and Rhododendron ‘Fragrantissimum’ –…

…celebrities and two killers with the public. My least favourite week of the year is finally over. Hooray! AND, if anyone else says you must have had such a wonderful…

…the whole thing in flower without a drone. Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’ Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’ Rhododendron floccigerum which is one of my favourite species. This form an excellent colour….

…veitchiorum Cubittii Group 2021 – CHW Daphne bholua ‘Mary Rose’, the finest of all the bholuas perhaps, and definitely my favourite, has finally opened up in the two pots outside…

…the front door. It is too big for a vase. Magnolia campbellii This afternoon spent showing Duchy and Prince Charles’ favourite forester around the magnolias here. The government wants tree…

…Acacia melanoxylon Acacia melanoxylon Perhaps my favourite Acacia cultriformis which is in full flower today and possibly the most tender of the lot. I look in the RHS A-Z Encyclopaedia…

…at the Four in Hand. Rhododendron ‘Elizabeth’ Another Magnolia ‘Tikitere’ just out on the drive. Magnolia ‘Tikitere’ My favourite daffodil is Narcissus ‘King Alfred’ with its huge trumpets. These are…

…website and an old favourite or two as well: Clematis alpina ‘Broughton Bride’ Clematis alpina ‘Broughton Bride’ Polemonium ‘Stairway to Heaven’ Polemonium ‘Stairway to Heaven’ Pittosporum undulatum Pittosporum undulatum Isopogon…

…like this. Rhododendron ‘Nancor’ Rhododendron ‘Nancor’ Rhododendron floccigeum has always been one of my favourite species. These were tissue cultured plants originally from Ross Smith at Duchy College. Rhododendron floccigeum…

…over beside it above Roger’s Quarry. Magnolia (Michelia) ‘Fairy Cream’ full out and Magnolia ‘Fairy White’ Magnolia (Michelia) ‘Fairy Cream’ I think Rhododendron floccigerum is my favourite Rhodo species. It’s…

…And one of her favourite roses. roses There was an Echium pininana height competition a few years ago with 18ft being the tallest. These cannot be far off that. Echium…

…dwarf but extraordinarily pretty Rhododendron luteiflorum. Rhododendron luteiflorum Rhododendron luteiflorum Rhododendron ‘Cowslip’ – a williamsianum hybrid but not one of our making. Rhododendron ‘Cowslip’ Rhododendron ‘Cowslip’ Then my absolute favourite…