…people (who have prepared for weeks if not months) working 10 plus hour days five to six working days each. We are very fortunate to have horticultural knowledge and artistic…

…new gravel laid at the front of the castle with Arthur and a tractor. Many years since we last did this. Not ideal for wheel chairs but good for security…

…are finally rotting away. quinces Many of the red berries on Ilex kingiana have blown off in the wind. Ilex kingiana Colour showing on Magnolia ‘Hot Lips’. The only magnolia…

…looking as though it is on the way out in this clump on the drive. Rhododendron schlippenbachii Metapanax davidii with two flowers. Not one to write home about as I…

…King’. Camellia sasanqua ‘Crimson King’ Camellia sasanqua ‘Crimson King’ Camellia sasanqua ‘Everards’s Delight’. Camellia sasanqua ‘Everards’s Delight’ Camellia sasanqua ‘Everards’s Delight’ Camellia sasanqua ‘Everards’s Delight’ Camellia sasanqua ‘Paradise Little Liane’….

…few visible leaves. Sophora japonica ‘Sun King’ Sophora japonica ‘Sun King’ Acer fabri is evergreen. Here, for the first time, I see the attractive inflorescences on full show. Acer fabri…

…is nothing like as good as his Magnolia maudiae yesterday. Magnolia floribunda Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’ full out and superb. Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’ Sophora microphylla ‘Sun King’ Sophora microphylla…

…in early March. taking down an old beech tree taking down an old beech tree taking down an old beech tree taking down an old beech tree The Ilex platyphylla…

…loderi ‘King George’ tucked away out of sight. Excellent today. Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’ Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’ Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’ Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’ Staphylea holocarpa ‘Innocence’ with…

…Ilex x altaclarensis ‘Gold King’ Ilex x altaclarensis ‘Gold King’ Ilex x altaclarensis ‘Gold King’ Ilex ficoidea in bud. Ilex ficoidea The old original Magnolia sieboldii subsp. sinensis. Magnolia sieboldii…