25th March

…first of the Matsumae cherries is full out. This is Prunus ‘Matsumae-hanaguruma’. Bumble bees buzzing about the copious flowers. Pink buds opening as double flowers with pinkish edges then fading…

10th May

…(Magnolia tripetala x Magnolia obovata) and the latter is M. obovata x Magnolia globosa (?). Frankly they look very similar indeed to me and both are extraordinarily scented. Bees and…

22nd May

…the wisterias.Bees swarming the front door which Jaimie is trying to catch as they vanish through the vent and are now buzzing under our bedroom. Big (paying) wedding on the…

23rd May

…daniellii trees in Penvergate which I have never caught in flower before. It used to be called Euptelia daniellii. Swarming with bees and wasps today on the flowers. Come to…

27th May

…Azalea ‘Lemonara’ Azalea ‘Lemonara’ Gibraltar – five plants in this group mysteriously dead Azalea ‘Gibraltar’ Strawberry Ice – the best of the five separate clumps today Azalea ‘Strawberry Ice’ Azalea…

10th June

…‘Pink Polar Bear’ Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’ Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’ smelling very lemonish. This is a superb magnolia with a long flowering span. Magnolia ‘Porcelain Dove’ New growth on Gevuina…

13th June

…individual flower. ‘White Swan’ or ‘White Lights’ is what Hillier’s implies. white deciduous azalea white deciduous azalea Idesia polycarpa is full out and swarming with bees as you can see….

18th June

…yunnanensis (SBEC 1022) still full of flowers and bees. Syringa yunnanensis (SBEC 1022) Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’ even better than we saw it at the flower festival adorning the entrance to…

19th June

…cross with each other as here. campion campion The record Styrax japonica is dying in its crown but still loaded with flower (and bees). As the top dies so the…

23rd June

bees. Actinidia arguta ‘Issai’ Campylotropis macrocarpa is a totally new plant/shrub to me. Need to look up what its flowers are like. From China and Korea. Campylotropis macrocarpa 2020 –…

25th June

…tree was alive with bees from top to bottom. Not sure if these are male or female flowers. Need to inspect our other two mature trees. Idesia polycarpa Idesia polycarpa…

26th June

…auriculatum Styrax faberi is finally full out. The petals on individual flowers are recurved when full out. Not much scent today and few bees working the tree. The flowers tend…

15th July

…are only just starting to flower but covered in butterflies, bees and wasps already. The Flora of Cornwall suggests that this is a Centaurea nigra subspecies which is rare in…

6th November

…sasanqua No. 5 The tree heathers are nearly out in flower. tree heathers Camellia sasanqua No. 3 now full out. Camellia sasanqua No. 3 Bees still getting nectar from the…

7th July

…weeks in bud, Styrax serrulatus is full out. Not much scent but covered in bees. When you step inside the umbrella of the tree the ‘ceiling’ is a mass of…

21st July

…full flower. A hybrid named after Mr Ivey, a Caerhays gardener, and a magnet for bees and butterflies. Escallonia ‘Iveyi’ Escallonia ‘Iveyi’ Digitalis sceptrum from the laurel forests and cliffs…

25th July

…is more doubtful. Perhaps a record for 2018? Agave americana The flowers were full out today and covered in bees, flies and wasps. There will soon be a huge crop…

26th July

…the drought. magnolia seedling Kalopanax septemlobus in full flower and alive with bees. What a fabulous tree this is even before the autumn colour. Kalopanax septemlobus Kalopanax septemlobus Magnolia virginiana…

4th August

…also only just showing colour with huge flowers that attract bees. Again a clump of three in the post hurricane planting but rather a poor place to see it properly….

23rd August

…out, dropping nectar, and covered in bees. About 25ft tall after 30 years. Not a huge tree and an upright pyramidical shape. Few trees flower in September apart from one…