…have been awarded a silver medal (note, not the same as a silver gilt). But then the skulduggery starts with the RHS clearly feeling embarrassed that the key note monument…

…– Centaurea ‘Silver Feather’. Centaurea ‘Silver Feather’ Centaurea ‘Silver Feather’ 2023 – CHW Cones forming on Picea abies which has now been exposed to more light after our clearance work…

…just missed Persea japonica in the foreground (three ‘japonicas’ in two days!). silver fir silver fir silver fir Camellia ‘Mary Costa’ just starting to show at the top of the…

…Cloud’ seedlings from Michelia doltsopa ‘Silver Cloud’ seedlings from Michelia doltsopa ‘Silver Cloud’ Rhododendron kendrickii nearly over just below the three Michelias. Rhododendron kendrickii Rhododendron kendrickii Flowers aplenty on the…

…Betula albosinensis Betula utilis var jacquemontii ‘Jermyns’ Betula utilis var jacquemontii ‘Jermyns’ Betula utilis var jacquemontii ‘Jermyns’ Betula utilis var jacquemontii ‘Silver Shadow’ Betula utilis var jacquemontii ‘Silver Shadow’ Betula…

…Ilex mutchagara We saw Acer ‘Silver Cardinal’ (formerly x conspicuum ‘Silver Cardinal’) with seed heads at Bonython. The Burncoose tree is now performing in a similar way. Acer ‘Silver Cardinal’…

…by Wisteria sinensis Acer x conspicuum ‘Silver Cardinal’ with, as usual, exceptional secondary new growth which is pink and white becoming mottled green and white. Acer x conspicuum ‘Silver Cardinal’…

…we hope their energy will now go into reshooting vigorously. Rhododendron davidsonianum Azalea ‘Silver Slipper’ just out. Azalea ‘Silver Slipper’ Azalea calendulaceum – Sandling orange – red form. A very…

…Laburnocytisus ‘Adamii’ A young clump of Azalea ‘Persil’ above Crinodendron Hedge. (1 of 3 dead). Azalea ‘Persil’ And beside it an even better clump of Azalea ‘Silver Slipper’. Azalea ‘Silver…

…cinnamon. Michelia doltsopa ‘Silver Cloud’ Michelia doltsopa ‘Silver Cloud’ Michelia doltsopa ‘Silver Cloud’ Then we get to three original michelia plants above the greenhouse which used to have lead labels…

…King’ leafing up nicely. The silver variegation is irregular. Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Silver King’ Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Silver King’ Quercus monimotricha which Asia has cleverly grown from cuttings. Drooping silvery new growth…

…another ‘Mary Costa’ but this is rather better. Completely unfrosted. Camellia ‘Silver Anniversary’ Camellia ‘Silver Anniversary’ I had been expecting Rhododendron ‘Crossbill’ to show any day but nothing yet on…

…sasanqua ‘Hiryu’ Camellia japonica ‘Silver Anniversary’ full out and with some petal blight already below the two Magnolia x veitchii. Camellia japonica ‘Silver Anniversary’ Camellia japonica ‘Silver Anniversary’ Camellia japonica…

…the five different original 1895 sasanqua plants growing on the castle wall. ‘Navahoe’ ‘Navahoe’ ‘Navahoe’ ‘Silver Dollar’ ‘Silver Dollar’ ‘Silver Dollar’ ‘Rosea Plena’ – very yellow foliage ‘Rosea Plena’ ‘Rosea…

…plants here in a clump which will give wind protection from easterly gales over time. Camellia ‘Silver Anniversary’ Camellia ‘Silver Anniversary’ Another couple of plants of pink form ‘Bo-Peep’ in…

…in the frames. Quercus x schuettii ‘Silver Shadow’ Quercus x schuettii ‘Silver Shadow’ Quercus x wavei ‘Chimney Fire’ has turned a lovely red too. Both are new oaks to go…

…is a large batch of Mahonia bealei ‘Cornish Silver’. This too originated from a Needham introduction. One stock plant was in full flower. Orangy-yellow! Mahonia bealei ‘Cornish Silver’ Mahonia bealei…

…champetre ‘Fairy Blush’ – looks rather tender Camellia champetre ‘Fairy Blush’ Camellia champetre ‘Fairy Blush’ Camellia ‘Silver Chalice’ Camellia ‘Silver Chalice’ Camellia ‘Silver Chalice’ Camellia ‘Black Magic’ – I think…

…combination with the leaves. Buddleia ‘Silver Anniversary’ Buddleia ‘Silver Anniversary’ Pseudopanax with seeds. Pseudopanax with seeds Rudbeckia triloba ‘Prairie Glow’ in full flower. Rudbeckia triloba ‘Prairie Glow’ Rudbeckia triloba ‘Prairie…

…‘Black Velvet’ Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Silver King’ was a gift from Windsor Great Park and John Anderson. No doubt it will get more silvery. Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Silver King’ Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Silver…