17th September

FJ Williams Profile Picture
FJW 1955-2007
CH Williams Profile Picture
CHW 2015-
JC Williams Profile Picture
JCW 1897-1939
C Williams Profile Picture
CW 1940-1955


2024 – CHW

An old friend from London sent me the attached newspaper cutting from The Times in September 1924. The Cornwall Coastal Path eventually came into being in the mid-1960’s and was not opposed by the Caerhays Estate. The Blair/ Brown governments enshrined into law a UK wide coastal path with full public access from the coast path to the cliffs or sea. Cornwall was the last English county where the new public statutory right of access came into being since the access had largely existed in practice for over 50 years. My fathers view was that the public would want to walk the coastline and would do so whatever landowners did to try to stop it. As ever Dad was well ahead of his time in thinking this way as Porthluney Beach had only just started to be used by holiday makers at that time.

cutting from The Times in September 1924
cutting from The Times in September 1924
This is Kel at the very top of the Abies grandis yesterday.
Kel at the very top of the Abies grandis
Kel at the very top of the Abies grandis
Kel at the very top of the Abies grandis
Kel at the very top of the Abies grandis
Today he started on the diseased Aesculus hippocastanum.
diseased Aesculus hippocastanum
diseased Aesculus hippocastanum
diseased Aesculus hippocastanum
diseased Aesculus hippocastanum
Now, by 3pm, the stump is being grubbed out.
stump is being grubbed out
stump is being grubbed out
stump is being grubbed out
stump is being grubbed out
This is the picture which Kel took of the castle from the top of the Abies yesterday. A view which we are never likely to see again.
picture which Kel took of the castle
picture which Kel took of the castle

2023 – CHWA Burncoose day.

Eucryphia moorei just inside the entrance to the nursery.

Eucryphia moorei
Eucryphia moorei
Eucryphia moorei
Eucryphia moorei
Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ exhibiting its autumn colours.
Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’
Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’
The new introduction to the website finally in flower – Thunbergia battiscombei.
Thunbergia battiscombei
Thunbergia battiscombei
Euonymus planipes with more ripe seed heads.
Euonymus planipes
Euonymus planipes
Euonymus planipes
Euonymus planipes
Autumn colours on Aesculus flava.
Aesculus flava
Aesculus flava
And on Aesculus x mutabilis ‘Induta’.
Aesculus x mutabilis ‘Induta’
Aesculus x mutabilis ‘Induta’
And on Aesculus pavia ‘Atrosanguinea’.
Aesculus pavia ‘Atrosanguinea’
Aesculus pavia ‘Atrosanguinea’
Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wisley Bonfire’ starting to turn properly autumnal.
Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wisley Bonfire’
Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wisley Bonfire’
Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’ just out in flower.
Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’
Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’
Magnolia aquifolium with good autumn colour.
Magnolia aquifolium
Magnolia aquifolium

2022 – CHW
A large pallet of daffodil bulbs arrive (as ordered) as a naturalising mix to be planted on the public route to Old Park below White Styles. Jaimie may need to sort the mini digger (from Burncoose Nurseries) to get these into the ground fresh and quickly.
Daffodil bulbs
Daffodil bulbs
You can just see a large shoal of trout in the lake in this picture. We always think that cormorants, shags and herons have decimated our trout of any size in the (freshwater) seaside lake but this proves otherwise. Not for the first time this year it would that we have a good stock of trout and some much larger than you see here. Our wonderful retired now stand in/ relief vicar, who first came to here in 1973 has been known to exaggerate the size of the fish he tries to catch in the spring but I now stand corrected!
Shoal of trout
Shoal of trout
The Barn Owl box in the circular Noah’s Ark has been in place for 3 or 4 years. No resting birds have used it but it is, demonstrably, now an occasional barn owl roost. Noah’s Ark was built in the 1890’s by Mr. Noah, who lived then in the Bottom Lodge, to overwinter the 2 or 3 large cows that provided milk and butter to the castle. English Heritage originally listed it as an ‘ice house’ in the early 1970’s but this has long since been corrected and updated. Major repairs are needed (i.e. a new roof) although we have undertaken measures to stabilise the problem short term. Hopefully, perhaps a grant award to help us with full restoration from Historic England one day?
Barn Owl Box
Barn Owl Box
Barn Owl Box
Barn Owl Box
As I write this I hear a heavy duty Air Sea Rescue Helicopter nearby for some considerable time. The evening is still and sound direction can be misleading. However I rang some our staff to see what was happening out to sea as we have seen it all before and sea rescues do not always end well. In a tragedy it is always the estates fault regardless of reality. Apparently a Mother sets 2 children out on paddle boards after 5pm, and apparently, then leaves to walk the dog elsewhere. Apparently ‘a local’ hears cries for help while walking the cliff path. Anyway then a RNLI coastguard rescue boat, big helicopter, 2 ambulances and lots of other blue lights.
Air ambulance incident
Air ambulance incident
Air ambulance incident
Air ambulance incident
Air ambulance incident
Air ambulance incident
Air ambulance incident
Air ambulance incident
Can one guess the cost to the UK taxpayer? £30-£50k? I have no knowledge of the facts or details (as yet) but expect that the taxpayer will cop the lot with not a hint of an apology from those rescued. We have seen it all before!

2021 – CHW

Another visit to the greenhouses to see what was out in flower or in berry.

After the grass cutting on the banks the autumn cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium) have suddenly appeared in profusion. Pink and white forms. A timely cut.

Cyclamen hederifolium
Cyclamen hederifolium
Cyclamen hederifolium
Cyclamen hederifolium
Hedychium greenii has not flowered this year.
Hedychium greenii
Hedychium greenii
Entelia arborescens, the New Zealand cork tree, was a gift (I think) from Marwood Hill. Leaves a bit like a catalpa?
Entelia arborescens
Entelia arborescens
The Brassaiopsis dumicola flower still not fully out.
Brassaiopsis dumicola
Brassaiopsis dumicola
Parastyrax sp. nova (BWJ 15185) with early autumn tints.
Parastyrax sp. nova
Parastyrax sp. nova
Fuchsia speciosa in full flower.
Fuchsia speciosa
Fuchsia speciosa
Escallonia resinosa which used to be in the Burncoose catalogue years ago.
Escallonia resinosa
Escallonia resinosa
Escallonia resinosa
Escallonia resinosa

2020 – CHW
Silvery indumentum on the newer growth and a fine snake bark stem developing on Acer tegmentosum ‘Valley Phantom’.
Acer tegmentosum ‘Valley Phantom’
Acer tegmentosum ‘Valley Phantom’
Acer tegmentosum ‘Valley Phantom’
Acer tegmentosum ‘Valley Phantom’
Odd shaped seed pods on Magnolia kobus ‘Octopus’ – only a few.
Magnolia kobus ‘Octopus’
Magnolia kobus ‘Octopus’
A rather larger effort on Magnolia ‘Atlas’ x Magnolia ‘Vulcan’.
Magnolia ‘Atlas’ x Magnolia ‘Vulcan’
Magnolia ‘Atlas’ x Magnolia ‘Vulcan’
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’ with very dark and very late secondary flowers which have been attacked by slugs and snails.
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’
Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’
The clump of Chusquea gigantia is now completely dead.
Chusquea gigantia
Chusquea gigantia
Parastyrax sp. nova (13185) was planted out today below the x veitchii. Wonderful autumn tints and an exceptional growth rate over the last two years from when I purchased it at huge cost at the Tregrehan rare plant fair.
Parastyrax sp. nova
Parastyrax sp. nova
Acer erythrocladum with exceptional autumn colour.
Acer erythrocladum
Acer erythrocladum

The rhododendron species and hybrids planted out today from Millais were as follows:

– Rhododendron Veryan Bay

– Rhododendron Loderi Helen
– Rhododendron Loderi Pink Coral
– Rhododendron Loderi Sir Edmund

– Rhododendron campylocarpum
– Rhododendron davidii EN4213
– Rhododendron degronianum hept. ‘Oki Koki’
– Rhododendron flinckii
– Rhododendron kyawii AC3049
– Rhododendron piercei
– Rhododendron pubicostatum
– Rhododendron recurvoides
– Rhododendron taliense
– Rhododendron wasonii
– Rhododendron wiltonii AGM

Some went into the former Orchid House Nursery bed along with several others from previous plantings.

rhododendron
rhododendron
rhododendron
rhododendron
Exceptional growth in a dry year on the newly planted Ehretia macrophylla.
Ehretia macrophylla
Ehretia macrophylla
Ehretia macrophylla
Ehretia macrophylla
An amusing little snippet from a friend.
amusing
amusing

2019 – CHW
The large Acer griseum below Kennel Close has peeling bark right up into its extremities which looks wonderful in the evening sun.
Acer griseum
Acer griseum
Acer griseum
Acer griseum
A giant mushroom, larger than Michael’s hand, has appeared on the lawn. Jaimie is rather partial to these so I doubt it will make it to our kitchen.
giant mushroom
giant mushroom
Some rather ominous looking mushrooms which I fear are growing on the roots of the Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’ on the lawn. The fungi appear to be emerging from the very edge of the gravel beside the lawn; presumably where the magnolia roots have got damaged.
ominous looking mushrooms
ominous looking mushrooms
ominous looking mushrooms
ominous looking mushrooms

2018 – CHW
I had a moan yesterday about the drought persisting. Just look at these half defoliated, drooping and half dead hydrangeas on the drive in shade but near the roots of a huge Pinus insignis. There are plenty more like it and the position remains critical. Hurricanes in North and South Carolina so we may get the tail end of this next week – hopefully!
hydrangeas on the drive
hydrangeas on the drive
hydrangeas on the drive
hydrangeas on the drive
The pheasants do not seem to like the fruits on Crataegus x grignonensis and they all remain ripe but intact on this small tree.
Crataegus x grignonensis
Crataegus x grignonensis
Crataegus x grignonensis
Crataegus x grignonensis
Nearby a top grafted Sorbus reducta has had its fruits largely gobbled up already.
Sorbus reducta
Sorbus reducta
Heptacodium micinoides just past its best. I have seen tree like forms of this in warmer counties with less rainfall than here but, with us, they are short lived shrubs and seem to succumb after 20 to 25 years or so.
Heptacodium micinoides
Heptacodium micinoides
Heptacodium micinoides
Heptacodium micinoides

2017 – CHW
At last some time off to look around the garden properly without anyone hassling me!

We are starting to build a new shop and sales point at the entrance to the garden using the slab base from the old plant sales point.

new shop and sales point
new shop and sales point
new shop and sales point
new shop and sales point
Cornus kousa var chinensis ‘Wisley Queen’ has very fine rounded red fruits. No sign of a squirrel attack which shows that the trapping is working.
Cornus kousa var chinensis ‘Wisley Queen’
Cornus kousa var chinensis ‘Wisley Queen’
Cornus kousa var chinensis ‘Wisley Queen’
Cornus kousa var chinensis ‘Wisley Queen’
Secondary flowers on young Rhododendron ‘Bow Bells’ are a pleasant surprise in the sunlight.
Rhododendron ‘Bow Bells’
Rhododendron ‘Bow Bells’
Rhododendron ‘Bow Bells’
Rhododendron ‘Bow Bells’
Ternstroemia gymnanthera has attractive red secondary new growth and is now well away 18 months after planting. Our first Ternstroemia so I must look up what to expect.
Ternstroemia gymnanthera
Ternstroemia gymnanthera
Ternstroemia gymnanthera
Ternstroemia gymnanthera
Could we really dig up this Schefflera macrophylla and take it to Chelsea next year? It is about 10ft tall and the leaves are 6-8ft across.
Schefflera macrophylla
Schefflera macrophylla
Schefflera macrophylla
Schefflera macrophylla
The Schefflera myriocarpa flowers are still emerging. Schefflera taiwaniana has buds at the top which are only just starting to develop.
Schefflera myriocarpa
Schefflera myriocarpa
Schefflera myriocarpa
Schefflera myriocarpa

2016 – CHW
A trip in the new four seater mule. Luxury which I fear will make me idle! Styrax serrulatus is producing a good crop of seeds but they are far from ripe yet. 1991 planting but very rare in cultivation. Asia needs to grab these in three to four weeks.
Styrax serrulatus
Styrax serrulatus
Styrax serrulatus
Styrax serrulatus
Cladastris kentukea is starting to turn yellow very early as it often does.
Cladastris kentukea
Cladastris kentukea

Compare and contrast the seed pods on two ‘Chinese lantern trees’ as we used to call them as children when collecting seeds with Dad. Properly ‘bladder nuts’ of course!Staphylea colchica

Staphylea colchica
Staphylea colchica
Staphylea colchica
Staphylea colchica
Staphylea pinnata
Staphylea pinnata
Staphylea pinnata
Staphylea pinnata
Staphylea pinnata

Clearly the name is in the leaf not the seeds! Pinnata has trilobed seeds pods even if also pinnate leaves! Asia need to get picking them now.The Michelia doltsopas have virtually no seeds this year unlike last when they were plastered. Plenty of seedlings growing on but this is all I could find low down on the old plant by Georges Hut. Strange as we had no frost to damage the pollen. Perhaps they just flowered too early in the year for pollination? The few seeds there are are far from ripe.

Michelia doltsopas
Michelia doltsopas

Must remind Asia or Jaimie to collect the huge seed pod on Magnolia officinalis var biloba in Penvergate in 10 days or so.

We all agree it is a bad magnolia seedling year but in the rireii opening the Magnolia sargentiana var robusta is laden with seed pods which are nearly ripe.

Magnolia sargentiana var robusta
Magnolia sargentiana var robusta
Next door to it Magnolia mollicomata has a few smallish pods high up but not many. Same reasoning for the michelias?
Magnolia mollicomata
Magnolia mollicomata
This is the first plant which has grown on well from the multitude of fertile seed from Lindera aggregata which we propagated 10 years or so ago. Slow growing and shrub-like with tiny flowers this is never going to be anything but a collector’s item. We must have a dozen or fifteen different lindera species in the garden now. Anyway it is Chinese and bloody rare but in the Burncoose catalogue!
Lindera aggregata
Lindera aggregata
Lindera aggregata
Lindera aggregata
Lindera aggregata
Lindera aggregata
Meliosma dilleniifolia var cuneifolia has huge pendulous seed clusters to match its flowering habit above the two M x veitchii specimens. The seed is not ripe yet but will soon be ready for Asia to collect. I have not seen seed form on this plant before but probably have not thought to look.
Meliosma dilleniifolia var cuneifolia
Meliosma dilleniifolia var cuneifolia
Meliosma dilleniifolia var cuneifolia
Meliosma dilleniifolia var cuneifolia

High time Asia collected the Magnolia sieboldii sinensis seed too from the original surviving wild collected plant. Magnolia sieboldii is ready now too in its various named forms. Big wedding today below the castle. Marquee from London which they started to put up on Tuesday. £25k cost we reckon as it was huge and upraised – not that the area is really that uneven. Sadly they are not staying in any of our accommodation and we have ‘bridge players’ at The Vean instead. Mary described the marquee decoration as ‘Chelsea chique by the sea’. She was on security/bouncer duty for two and a half days. They did not trust us last night not to pinch the silver! I sneaked one picture of the bride and snuck into the yard after the guests were all in the tent at 5pm.

picture of the bride
picture of the bride

2015 – CHW
A last clethra in full flower. It is labelled Clethra tomentosa which is a new species to me. A suckering plant of about six to eight feet with no great scent today in the rain. The other clethras nearby are long over as is Clethra delavayi which we normally think of as being late or even the last to flower. Hillier’s says Clethra tomentosa is a late flowering US species.

Clethra tomentosa
Clethra tomentosa
Clethra tomentosa
Clethra tomentosa

1918 – JCW
The hydrangeas are good. The terrace roses nice. The two big R decorum near the Tin Garden good, the R primulinums very pretty, ten or twelve other species show flowers in varying degrees of value. Haematodes and hippophaeoides being the best.