…Fagus sylvatica ‘Black Swan’ Fagus sylvatica ‘Black Swan’ Salix moupinense (from Tom Hudson / Vietnam) is very different from Salix fargesii despite what the reference books say. I had not…

…very dark red? Azalea ‘Black Hawk’ Azalea ‘Black Hawk’ This is Rhododendron reticulatum which is nearly (but not quite) deciduous. It is in a very sheltered spot in the Rockery….

…the tower on the castle lawn. Without grant funding in 2013 the Kitchen Garden walls would be in a far worse state than they are today. With the clearance and…

…Secondary new growth trying to come through. Crataegus schraderiana Populus deltoides ‘Purple Tower’ with green leaved reversion irregularly along the branches. I cut the reversions out only last year but…

…first flowers out above Crinodendron Hedge amid the Styrax species planting. Magnolia ‘Yuchelia’ Magnolia ‘Yuchelia’ Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’ beside it. Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’ Magnolia x brooklynensis…

…chequen Luma chequen Puya assurgens in flower which I have not knowingly seen before. Puya assurgens Puya assurgens Puya dyckiodes is another smaller growing species with black flowers emerging from…

…extraordinary blue flowers. Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Woodsman’ x Magnolia ‘Patriot’ Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Woodsman’ x Magnolia ‘Patriot’ Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black Beauty’ at its very best. Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Black…

…oldhamii (CWJ 12351) in flower for the second time. Daphniphyllum oldhamii Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ x Magnolia liliiflora ‘Holland Red’ with its first flower. Interesting and certainly has the liliiflora shape….

…as Magnolia ‘Genie’ from a day ago. Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’ Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ is now full out too. What an impressive…

…pseudoplatanus ‘Brilliantissimum’ now in leaf below the tower. Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Brilliantissimum’ Buddleja colvilei shooting from the base after being flattened by a fir branch. The two rhododendrons beside it are…