…unusual in recent mild winters but unbelievable to previous generations. Magnolia grandifloras Daphne bholua ‘Alba’ nearly out by the greenhouses – not unusual. Daphne bholua ‘Alba’ Daphne bholua ‘Alba’ Camellia…

…than any shooting day for several winters. Azalea ‘Otome’ above the Hovel. Azalea ‘Otome’ Azalea ‘Otome’ A huge fir branch blocks the path at Slip Rail. We passed under this…

…and a perfect day to admire the magnolias at their very best.Strangely the Quercus x hispanica ‘Lucombeana’ has no leaves at all despite the mildest of winters. This normally at…

…dead birch tree Jasminium nudiflorum coming out into flower for Christmas. Jasminium nudiflorum Jasminium nudiflorum Viburnum bodnantense flowering away on a drab winters day. Viburnum bodnantense Viburnum bodnantense Self sown…

…and exceptionally mild winters with early flowering. Camellia x williamsii ‘Anticipation’ Odd to find green leaves still on a Dipelta? Dipelta ‘St Ewe’ with ‘JCW’ behind it making a good…

…aff. henryi (BSWJ 11782) has made good growth too. Rhodoleia aff. henryi A nice young plant of Camellia sasanqua ‘Winter’s Interlude’ with a nearly intact flower. Several of these ‘Winter’s…

…‘Winter’s Charm’. Camellia ‘Winter’s Snowman’ alongside Camellia ‘Winter’s Charm’ Camellia ‘Bokuhan’ with its anemone shaped flowers. They seem rather small to me this year and smaller than those on our…

…to grow it twice before but it died in the subsequent winters. Here it is tucked away in a very sheltered spot at the top of the garden. Quite a…

…80 to 100 years ago these are commented on as being frosted in January. Winters seem generally to have been colder then so why were they flowering much later than…

…growth last year all on Sinogrande walk. big leafed rhododendrons big leafed rhododendrons big leafed rhododendrons big leafed rhododendrons Tree fern fronds frosted more than for several winters by the…