17th February

…by Green Gate hydrangeas by Green Gate The new lapageria planted outside my study window has made excellent new growth in its first year and is still growing now. The…

27th August

…E Mouilliere’ Hydrangea ‘Mme E Mouilliere’ A pinkish then changing to purple hydrangea that has now faded to exquisite combinations of bluish-green or speckled reddish-green on different flowers on the…

13th July

…I have tried this at Caerhays and lost it. Picconia excelsa is a mature evergreen tree which you could easily mistake as a Laurus nobilis. Picconia excelsa Picconia excelsa Picconia…

14th May

…Magnolia ‘Green Bee’ turns yellow when full out! Magnolia ‘Green Bee’ Magnolia ‘Green Bee’ Azalea ‘White Throat’, a double, is just coming out on the drive as a young plant….

6th March

…canes with a green band in the groove. Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis’ Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis’ Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis’ Phyllostachys viridi-glaucescens – green canes fading to dull yellowish green. Phyllostachys viridi-glaucescens Phyllostachys…

15th November

…Acer takesimense with its last few leaves. Acer takesimense Carpinus caroliniana (this form from Mexico) is still entirely green with no autumn colour at all showing. Carpinus caroliniana 2011 planted…

12th February

…Sunset’ Trachelospermum asiaticum – pure green Trachelospermum asiaticum Trachelospermum jasminoides – red leaves when overwintered outside Trachelospermum jasminoides – red leaves Trachelospermum jasminoides – green when not Trachelospermum jasminoides –…

25th July

…rain overnight but not enough. I cannot get over the growth of Acacia baileyana in just two years in this hot spot above the greenhouses. I fear it will blow…

30th July

Green’ Betual albosinensis ‘Bowling Green’ Betual albosinensis ‘Bowling Green’ On the way back down the drive we spot Quercus x bushii with its extraordinary leaf form. Planted in 1997/8. A…

10th August

…Secondary new growth trying to come through. Crataegus schraderiana Populus deltoides ‘Purple Tower’ with green leaved reversion irregularly along the branches. I cut the reversions out only last year but…