18th January

…only slightly black stems as yet but they seem to be darkening. Phyllostachys nigra ‘Medurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Medurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Medurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Medurochiku’ Phyllostachys nigra ‘Medurochiku’ Pleioblastus hindsii –…

23rd January

…orientalis with pink tinged anthers showing from the flower heads and then white flowers. Sarcococca orientalis Sarcococca orientalis Sarcococca wallichii flowers are over but the odd black berry remains. Sarcococca…

2nd August

black. Prunus padus ‘Colorata’ Tilia kiusiana still not quite out. Tilia kiusiana The wind has taken out the top of our best young Embothrium at Rogers Quarry. Embothrium 2020 –…

24th January

…Acer rufinerve ‘Erythrocladum’ Acer rufinerve ‘Erythrocladum’ Acer tegmentosum has an ominous black fungal circle near its base and will shortly be another casualty to go with several others. Enjoy the…

19th September

…a bank holiday so we are all glued to the television. At Churchill’s state funeral in 1965 I remember Dad standing to attention in front of a black and white…

20th September

…the best so far. Tilia dasystyla Tilia dasystyla Tilia dasystyla Viburnum prunifolium, the ‘black haw’ is its common name and you can readily see why! The fruits are sweet and…

26th January

…just below the node. This is brownish-black with a hint of red at present. An attractive foliage effect too and planted in a good place for visitors to see and…

22nd September

…ago. Cotoneaster noujanensis Cotoneaster noujanensis Also red then black berries on Cotoneaster wilsonii planted at the same time. None of the other 15 or so new species have any obvious…

28th January

…field trial (Labradors) competitors field trial (Labradors) competitors field trial (Labradors) competitors field trial (Labradors) competitors 2016 – CHW Echium pinnifolium outside the drawing room window has gone black after…

8th August

…is speeding its final demise. Aesculus wilsonii This young (grafted) Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ tried to flower last November and the buds turned to black mush. Despite the few setting seeds…