…coum 2015 – CHW Continuing the theme of absurd things being out in late December we have:Magnolia lilliflora ‘Nigra’ full out with a few leaves still on what may have…

…on Rosa ‘Princess Alexandra of Kent’. Rosa ‘Princess Alexandra of Kent’ Rosa ‘Princess Alexandra of Kent’ Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ and Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ and Hydrangea…

…paniculata ‘Limelight’ at Newbiggin House. Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ Tilia henryana ‘Arnold Select’ had been looking sickly but now doing well. Tilia henryana ‘Arnold Select’ Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ and Hydrangea…

…to come Correa bachhousiana Correa bachhousiana Correa bachhousiana Morus nigra just ripening. Morus nigra 2016 – CHW This is the fuchsia purchased on the Isle of Wight for propagation. Fuchsia…

…hollyhock. Alcea rosea ‘Nigra’ (or a very near seedling to the true black form). Alcea rosea ‘Nigra’ Outside the Yacht Club workshop and growing from the edge of the pavement…

…side is now well protected by a wall of Yushiana anceps (Arundinaria anceps as was). Yushiana anceps Four fine and developing clumps of Phyllostachys nigra protect the topside. Phyllostachys nigra…

…new American ‘girls’ in the Heather Garden. These were crosses between Magnolia stellata and lilliflora nigra and have achieved 15ft spans, 10ft or so high in 40 years. There are…

…Schizophragma integrifolium ‘Emei Shan’ The best Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ I have ever seen. Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ Euonymus clivicola. Euonymus clivicola Euonymus clivicola Sarvina. Sarvina Sarvina Lonicera sempervirens ‘John Clayton’. Lonicera…

…‘Fairy Blush’ Magnolia ‘Fairy Blush’ Magnolia ‘Randy’ is one of the liliiflora ‘Nigra’ x stellata crosses with girls’ names. Magnolia ‘Randy’ Magnolia ‘Randy’ Magnolia ‘Randy’ A carpet of fallen flowers…

…‘Honey Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Spectrum’ rather faded and battered about (Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ x Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’). I have seen a few ‘Spectrum’ over the years and cannot be certain that…

…great weed suppressor. Ligularia dentata ‘Desdemona’ Juglans nigra with fruit forming very much earlier in the year than I would have expected. The current heatwave has side benefits! Juglans nigra…

…Daff seed picked, say 2500. 1899 – JCW Nigra up to 18 ft 3 in. Finished sowing daff seed, except Recurvas, from spores coming ripe. 1897 – JCW The water…

…said. Today we would say that Hydrangea ‘Taube’ or Hydrangea ‘Enziandom’ were the best blues. It has not got the black stems of Hydrangea ‘Nigra’ so I suppose the best…

…bulbs moved, nearly all the seed picked, our best year for this last. 1898 – JCW Came from London after 3 weeks absence. Many Henonis [bamboo] only half grown, Nigra…

…and grandiflora both have flowers, also Nigra and Conpsicua. 1934 – JCW Some Mag delavayi is in flower and perhaps more to come. 1932 – JCW Magnolia delavayi has no…

…JCW Most of the tree ferns have finished their growth. Henonis at full length, the best cane about 16 feet. Mitis and veitchii in mid growth, Nigra at full length….

…alpina Persicaria alpina Last week in Yorkshire I was photographing knapweed (Centaurea nigra). Here, in the nursery, is a cultivated form but still easily recognisable by flower and leaf shape…

…and garden wants rain. Cyclamen good. 1947 – CW Eat the last peaches. Still much too dry. 1941 – CW Six Magnolias out. Both forms of Grandiflora, Nigra, Conspicua, Salicifolia…

…for Scotland, far behind the above. 1897 – JCW The first Tropaeolum speciosum opens, a lot of waterlilies on the big pond out, young shoots of nigra 8 feet high….

…scabious nearby. Knautia arvensis Moth on greater knapweed. A different seed head to our Centaurea nigra. This is Centaurea scabiosa with brown hairs surrounding the scales on the seedpod. Centaurea…