…of the bunch. Certainly a great contrast between leaf and flower as the name implies. Prunus ‘Matsumae-fuki’ (syn ‘Chocolate Ice’) Prunus ‘Matsumae-fuki’ (syn ‘Chocolate Ice’) Prunus ‘Matsumae-fuki’ (syn ‘Chocolate Ice’)…

…first of the Rhododendron ‘Polar Bears’ to flower. Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Alice’. No problem with weevil in the Agapanthus flowers this year. 2024 – CHW Despite the welcome rain recently and…

…Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’ is well worth its place and much earlier into flower than the commoner white form. Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’ Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’ Styrax japonicus ‘Snowcap’…

…of Michelia foggii ‘Jack Fogg’. Michelia foggii ‘Jack Fogg’ The first flowers on Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’ just emerging. Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’ Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’ First flowers just…

…var hayatainus A simply perfect bud on Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’. Magnolia ‘Summer Solstice’ Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’ just coming out. The white form in more shade not yet showing. Rhododendron…

…we expected. I must send the pictures to Tom Hudson for a further opinion. Very nice indeed though. Magnolia floribunda var. tonkinensis Magnolia floribunda var. tonkinensis Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’…

…Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’ we have dotted about. You pass them twice a week but never think or look twice until July. There are three in the Rirei Opening which I…

…Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’ Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’ Secondary, and very dark, flowers on Magnolia ‘Genie’. Magnolia ‘Genie’ Magnolia ‘Genie’ Sadly the last old clump of Rhododendron ‘Charles Michael’ is now dead….

…styraciflua ‘Red Star’ The very last fallen flowers under a huge and somewhat hidden clump of Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’. Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’ Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’ The larger of the two…

…‘Pink Halo’ has had a growth spurt this summer. Magnolia virginiana ‘Pink Halo’ The last flower on Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’. Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’ ‘Polar Bear’ flowers being devoured by slugs….

…the rains. Hydrangea paniculata ‘Skyfall’ Rhododendron ‘Norfolk Candy’ flowering again as usual. Rhododendron ‘Norfolk Candy’ Hydrangea paniculata ‘Polar Bear’ also with fresh flowers. Hydrangea paniculata ‘Polar Bear’ Hydrangea paniculata ‘Early…

…flowers on Magnolia ‘Genie’ as we near July. Magnolia ‘Genie’ This was once, 35 years ago, the stump of a Pinus radiata. Seedlings from Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’ grew up around…

…below the pen in Brownberry Hydrangea ‘Taube’ just starting. Hydrangea ‘Taube’ Only a very few flowers on Rhododendron auriculatum this year. Rhododendron auriculatum Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’ the best thing…

…Azalea ‘Ledifolia Alba’. Azalea ‘Ledifolia Alba’ Frosted hydrangea leaves where the East wind caught them. Frosted hydrangea leaves Some ice still on the edges of the lake. some ice still…

…Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’ – the same applies. This is Magnolia x soulangeana ‘Lennei’ x Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’. Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’ Magnolia ‘Crystal Chalice’ Magnolia ‘Tina Durio’ is by far the…

…‘Strawberry Ice’ Agapanthus ‘Strawberry Ice’ Parkinsonia aculeata – no idea what this is! Parkinsonia aculeata Parkinsonia aculeata Marsdenia oreophila – an odd but vigorous climber with hoya-like flowers. Marsdenia oreophila…

…Alice’ Rhododendron ‘Princess Alice’ Rhododendron ‘Princess Alice’ 2018 – CHW Last week’s heatwave while we were away in Ireland has certainly brought the rhodos rushing out but with a short…

…Azara dentata Rhododendron ‘Princess Alice’ at its best. Pinkish in bud. Rhododendron ‘Princess Alice’ Rhododendron ‘Princess Alice’ Rhododendron valentianum is an elderly low mound. Rhododendron valentianum Rhododendron valentianum 2019 –…

…Camellia reticulata Camellia reticulata No ice on the lake and most of the earlier flooding has subsided. the lake A large Pinus insignis has snapped off in Lower Hellens in…

…Camellia ‘Silver Ruffles’ Camellia ‘Silver Ruffles’ Camellia “Fire ‘n’ Ice” has been photographed in the diary once before. In the rain I may not have done it justice. Camellia “Fire…