13th March 1897 – 2020

…and an attractive trunk. We have always known this as M floribunda but, when I look in the reference book (Magnolias of China 2002), it actually looks more like Michelia…

1st March 1897 – 2020

…frost to speak of. 1918 – JCW Rhodo sutchuenense and calophytum are at about their best, and the blood red x Thomsonii have never been so good. 1912 – JCW…

7th March 1897 – 2020

…a fine lot of early Rhodo’s in the new planting. 1919 – JCW Argenteums are opening, lutescens is nice, fargesii good, some of the blood red hybrids are very good…

2nd January 1897- 2020

…H mollis and Rh mucronulatum are both of them very beautiful and not much else. The first Rh moupinense is open and so the first Blood Red Thompsonii. 1918 –…

28th February 1897 – 2020

…hybrids have passed their best. Mrs Butler x coming on and a few Auk x Blood Red. Erica darleyense remains fine and so the other heaths, Argenteums have been splendid.1907…

22nd February

…‘Red Admiral’ Rhododendron ‘Red Admiral’ And on a blood red form of Rhododendron arboreum. Rhododendron arboreum Rhododendron arboreum 2024 – CHW Literally hundreds of magnolias are now out and coming…

21st March

…the blood red hybrids are very good. Mrs Butler x coming along, double C reticulata all open. A good few daff seedlings open. 1908 – JCW P M most of…

24th March

…good. Denudata not ¼ out. Rhodo Blood Reds at their best also Sutchuenense hybrids, Daffs nearly at their best. Barbatum perfect – Cam reticulata species at their best – Reticulata…

25th March

…Magnolia soulangeana, some halleana, Prunus subhirtella in Old Park is open, the tall form. 1916 – JCW Cold and some frost. Several R reticulata open, a few Auklandii x Blood

26th March

…Large Mollicomata not out but others at their best. Campbellii the same but later than Robusta. Daffodils late and ground very wet, still hail showing. Blood Reds going over, also…

29th April

…colour. The last daffs opening. Maples good. 1909 – JCW Cherries one third open, some good Fortunei. Blood Reds opening. Rhodo campylophytum hardly open, one pink fortunei x Auklandii. Some…

12th May

…Altaclarence about, Iris lorteti quite, C montana, Clianthus, Habrothumnus all at their best. Rhodo’ fortunei a few flowers open, Suavio going over and so the blood red Arboreum. No waterlilies…

23rd May

…usual) after Chelsea. Swollen ankles also, as usual, too but no Cornish Club dinner hangover as I thought this a ‘bridge too far’ after six days at the bloody show….

27th May

…was RHS President. Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘Wisley Queen’ Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘Wisley Queen’ The dogs bring me a still warm dead squirrel with blood on the back of…

19th November

…it is very nice and white. 1906 – JCW C sasanqua good, lapagerias good, several daff with jonquil blood are up and a few others. Useful lot of roses now….

24th November

…good. Camellia sasanqua quite fine. Many daff seedlings of all ages show up in the pans etc, most of them have cyclamineus, maximus, polyanthus or clusii blood in the cross….

5th December

…in their roots. 1928 – JCW Good lapagerias, fair Cam sasanquas. Blood red Arboreum x give us a bloom. The early blue stylosa is nice. Cotoneaster salicifolia is good. A…

22nd March

…at their best and only Mary reticulata out. Blood reds and Rireii beginning to be good, also Sutchuenense hybrids. Not 100 flowers out in Tin Garden but come on a…

2nd April

…is open. Daffs seem to have passed 1924. 1925 – JCW Just as in 1924 only the double sloe has less flower. Blood red Auklandii very fair and the whites…

3rd January 1897- 2020

…Nobleanums have been very nice. Narcissus cyclamineus is open and the Cyclamen coum are fair. One good blood red hybrid is open near Engine House. 1917 – JCW Hamamelis mollis…