23rd January

…showing in full shade. Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Ruby Glow’ A now very fit young Rhododendron sinogrande. The yellow striping in the leaves during the 2 drought summers is now a…

5th December

…on a Rhododendron sinogrande which has thankfully survived the drought. Rhododendron sinogrande 2021 – CHW The newly installed fire hydrant at White Stiles to protect the two new converted barns…

17th January

…Camellia x williamsii ‘Beatrice Michael’ 2022 – CHW First solitary flower on Camellia ‘Sundae’. None of the other newer varieties on Sinogrande Walk are showing as yet. Camellia ‘Sundae’ Acer…

April 2024 Ireland Trip (Day 2)

…The view down beside the walled garden Rhododendron wallichii which I mistakenly thought was Rhododendron davidii from a distance. Rhododendron wallichii A seedling Rhododendron sinogrande with split trumpets on a…

April 2024 Ireland Trip (Day 5)

…growth on Rhododendron magnificum. New growth on Rhododendron magnificum Rhododendron praestans. Rhododendron praestans Some of the largest Rhododendron sinogrande that I have ever seen. Rhododendron sinogrande An unidentified shrubby and…

27th August

…the demise of this old, original tree. Rehderodendron macrocarpum Massive flowers shoots forming on Schefflera delavayi. Untouched by the drought. Schefflera delavayi Borderline dead large Rhodendron sinogrande with minimal new…

4th September

…rejuvenate it as you can clearly see here. Magnolia dawsoniana A young Rhododendron sinogrande has survived but the yellowing in the older leaves is obvious drought stress. It should, however,…

30th October

…smelt it. Camellia sasanqua ‘Rosea Plena’ Camellia sasanqua ‘Rosea Plena’ Camellia sasanqua ‘Rosea Plena’ Sadly the drought has done for our layers on the pink sinogrande. Very little left and…

22nd August

…of danger out of danger out of danger out of danger These old Rhododendron sinogrande will probably die but a day’s heavy rain may yet save it. Nothing sadly in…

23rd April

…edging all the tunnel pathways. tunnel pathways A nice view up the drive with Rhododendron sinogrande and Rhododendron ‘Emma Williams’. Rhododendron sinogrande and Rhododendron ‘Emma Williams’ The Embothriums just showing…

6th July

…September. ‘Nothing to see’ still in July in the garden of course! Hoheria glabrata Hoheria glabrata Hoheria glabrata This Rhododendron sinogrande has set no seed and the new growth is…

27th March

…You wait years for these young Rhododendron sinogrande to actually flower and, as here, they disappoint. Rhododendron sinogrande Stachyurus chinensis on the Main Ride is also 80% dead but this…

18th April

…find in the line of Rhododendron sinogrande below Lower Quarry Nursery a fantastic plant with dark purple flowers of sinogrande size. These appear to fade quickly to off white/pink but…

21st April

…fine. Magnolia compressa What looks like tortrix moth has been eating these leaves of Rhododendron sinogrande. tortrix moth A young and good Rhododendron orbiculare. Rhododendron orbiculare 2022 – CHW Every…

5th April

Sinogrande Walk which I have seldom seen before but most of the pink flowers have been battered by the rain. Pseudocydonia sinensis Pseudocydonia sinensis Another ghastly looking big leaf rhododendron…

26th April

…in and above the new planting where the soil was exposed after our tree felling. As we saw they are predominantly purple and smaller flowered on Sinogrande Walk. violets Magnolia…

7th May

…a Rhododendron sinogrande tucked away at the top of Old Park. Rhododendron sinogrande Immediately after a wet few days the bracken is leaping up. Bracken I had not realised that…

18th May

…Rhododendron virgatum Viburnum betulifolium on Sinogrande Walk. Viburnum betulifolium Two Buddleia limatanea (a gift from Peter Moore) are thriving in the heat of Sinogrande Walk. We ought to grow this…

7th June

…with more progress with the laurel clearing to reveal a very spindly Rhododendron sinogrande which has been largely killed by overhanging laurel. Rhododendron sinogrande Beside it a Persea japonica can…

22nd June

…‘Semperaurea’ Viburnum erubescens making an attractive show below Sinogrande Walk. Viburnum erubescens Viburnum erubescens Cornus angustata with rather smaller bracts. Cornus angustata Ginkgo biloba ‘Autumn Gold’. Planted 2009. Ginkgo biloba…