17th March 1897 – 2020

…ever seen Rhododendron rireii Rhododendron rireii Pinus bhutanica Pinus bhutanica Pinus bhutanica Camellia trichocarpa full out with its amazing bark Camellia trichocarpa Camellia trichocarpa Michelia platypetala Michelia platypetala Michelia platypetala…

12th January

…over the bridge at the top of the lake. Pinus insignis Pinus insignis I hear back from Trengwainton that their earliest ever flowering of Magnolia campbellii (in 25 years with…

25th December

…in recent gales. Pinus insignis Pinus insignis Rhododendron Golden Oriole Group – ‘Busaco’ with its first flowers on a newly planted group on the Main Ride. Rhododendron Golden Oriole Group…

8th December

…ferox The bark of Pinus bungeana is pictured here by way of comparison. Pinus bungeana The trimming of an old Camellia x williamsii ‘J. C. Williams’ has been completed this…

17th November

…of note:Carpinus japonica in the sun. This is never going to be that startling but Carpinus species do seem to hold their leaves well into November. Carpinus japonica Carpinus japonica…

15th November

…Idesia polycarpa 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…

1st October

…Pagoda’. Pinus radiata Pinus radiata The Pterocarya rhoifolia is growing in a laurel hedge and urgently needs more space. Pterocarya rhoifolia Third and last grass cut this year in Tin…

29th September

…CHW Look at how high up the trunk ferns have colonised this old Pinus insignis. The tops blew out two and three years ago and we left the bare trunk…

8th August

…then the trunk of a nearby Pinus insignis. A digger was needed to bring it under control. The remainder of the laurel hedge lost. Not happy! Pinus insignis Pinus insignis…

20th August

…to look at the next door record tree. Pinus pinaster Pinus pinaster This is Prunus perulata (which had also been called Prunus pilosiuscala and I read a further renaming in…

14th February

…clear but the mess remains. fallen 40 year old Pinus insignis fallen 40 year old Pinus insignis This is the sister seedling to Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ outside the front gate….

26th July

…it necessary to cut it all down as proposed? Pinus insignis Pinus insignis The large fallen limb on the ilex oak above the front door which fell in the rainstorm…

19th June

…fallen into it. Camellia x williamsii ‘November Pink’ More branches blown off a Pinus insignis which did no damage. Pinus insignis Pinus insignis 2019 – CHW A few rarities inspected…

9th June

…(KR8780) has its very first flower tassle – only the one! Carpinus fargesiana (KR8780) Carpinus fargesiana (KR8780) Carpinus fargesiana (KR8780) Broussonetia papyrifera produces its odd hairy female fruits well before…

27th May

…Quercus acuta Maytenus boaria with its drooping branches. Maytenus boaria Meliosma veitchiorum in full flower. Meliosma veitchiorum Meliosma veitchiorum Meliosma veitchiorum This Pinus insignis will shed more branches very soon….

13th May

…the shade of a tent. Cornus canadensis Senecio ‘Angel Wings’ Will the lupins be in flower in time? Lupinus ‘Masterpiece’ probably if we have a warm week. Lupinus ‘Masterpiece’ Abutilon…

25th April

…coming out. Perhaps Halesia monticola? Halesia diptera The tallest Pinus monticola in the UK. Pinus monticola Pinus monticola A group of three Rhododendron augustinii ‘Electra’. Rhododendron augustinii ‘Electra’ Horrors in…

31st March

…Trunks from the once record tree Pinus pinaster rot away in a laurel hedge as we are now encouraged to do for biodiversity rather than burning them up. Pinus pinaster…

4th March

…until recently. It has hit a rather nicely shaped liquidambar which was a gift to my father from Lord Falmouth. Pinus insignis Pinus insignis Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’ now full out…

20th October

…and lack of good autumn colours. Carpinus betulus ‘Rockhampton Red’ Carpinus betulus ‘Rockhampton Red’ Sorbus folgneri ‘Lemon Drop’ with its first fruits. They have yet to turn yellow and this…