22nd March 1897 – 2020

…cheer themselves up. Here are some from Carolyn Townsend which were planted around six to eight years ago; and Simon Trudgeon sends a picture of his, possibly, ‘Mathotiana Rubra’ growing…

24th February 1897 – 2020

…collected original trees here which are not showing colour as yet. This is normal! Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling A second Magnolia sargentiana…

21st June

…in the garden today. Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’ Carpinus pubescens (2022 planted). Carpinus pubescens Carpinus shensiensis (2022 planted). Carpinus shensiensis Cryptocarya alba getting established. Cryptocarya alba Aesculus californica nearly out….

22nd January 1897- 2020

alba ‘Strybing White’ Magnolia campbellii var. alba ‘Strybing White’ Meanwhile the rather pale campbellii near Tin Garden has seen a couple of its flowers begin to open. campbellii campbellii We…

25th March 1897 – 2020

…bit like ‘Mathotiana Rubra’ but rather larger. ‘C M Hovey’ looks close but that is a much more recently bred hybrid. Well worth Asia propagating anyway. Paeony form double red…

25th December

…remember seeing out before? Camellia ‘Alba Plena’ Camellia ‘Alba Plena’ Camellia ‘Optima’ Camellia ‘Optima’ I am back to the first flowering of Camellia gigantocarpa. The plant in flower has very…

23rd February 1897 – 2020

…seedling but nearer the true Chinese original. Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ The New Zealand form of Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ is at its absolute…

15th January 1897- 2020

…Daphne bholua alba is overpowering today above the greenhouse. The plant is now full out and breathtaking! Daphne bholua alba Daphne bholua alba Daphne bholua alba Daphne bholua alba In…

13th May 1897 – 2020

…banksia ‘Alba Plena’ Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’ just coming out. Normally cut for Chelsea but not this year! Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’ Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’ A nice little group of white violets…

3rd April 1897 – 2020

…last two years. rhododendron planting rhododendron planting A good Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ seedling above the rhododendron planting. Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ A new clump of Rhododendron racemosum (pink form) just starting…

1st April 1897 – 2020

…of pink and a very campbellii alba shape. Magnolia campbellii Alba seedling Magnolia campbellii Alba seedling Magnolia ‘Kews Surprise’ with M campbellii alba seedlings behind it is similarly drab today…

28th March 1897 – 2020

Alba seedling Magnolia campbellii Alba seedling Magnolia campbellii Alba seedling Hidden away behind it is a rather nice but unexpected Camellia ‘Mary Phoebe Taylor’ which was raised in New Zealand….

11th May

…of Camellia japonica ‘Imbricata’ or perhaps ‘Mathotiana Rosea’? Camellia japonica ‘Imbricata’ The meeting table was well decorated with flowers. Viburnum plicatum very fine in a vase. Viburnum plicatum very fine…

28th July

…– CHW Went in search of an elusive late/last July camellia flower but nothing found today. Need to look for Camellia mathotiana varieties in full shade to have a chance…

25th February

…Magnolia campbellii var. Alba seedling with gigantic flowers below Tin Garden. Magnolia campbellii var. Alba seedling Magnolia campbellii var. Alba seedling Magnolia campbellii ‘Wakehurst’ and Magnolia ‘Aurora’. Both wonderful ‘reds’…

13th March 1897 – 2020

…campbellii alba seedling on the drive are suddenly full out and drooping down to enchant passing visitors. Magnolia campbellii alba seedling Magnolia campbellii alba seedling Magnolia campbellii alba seedling This…

10th November

…flowers. The bush is low growing and spreading with slightly drooping branches. Camellia sasanqua ‘Alba’ Camellia sasanqua ‘Alba’ The first pink sasanqua to come out looks really good alongside the…

3rd May 1897 – 2020

…fruits from last year on the ground. New species to me. Carya cordiformis Carya cordiformis Cryptocarya alba had suffered in last year’s cold. Cryptocarya alba Cryptocarya alba Berberis negeriana –…

4th April 1897 – 2020

…garden wall beside Giddle Orchard. repaired kitchen garden wall Camellia ‘Grandiflora Alba’ now full out and good even after Sunday night’s heavy rain. Camellia ‘Grandiflora Alba’ Camellia ‘Grandiflora Alba’ Another…

31st March 1897 – 2020

alba seedling from main ride. Magnolia campbelli alba seedling Probably Atlas wins today in terms of height but not today in terms of width. Over Easter I will get a…