Autumn, Winter and early Spring Beauty: Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’

The autumn-flowering cherry, Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis Rosea' Spring-flowering cherries are coming into bloom now - and a fine sight they will be, really nothing to equal the glamorous profusion of it in fact. But this one is a proper gem, since it comes into flower whenever there is a mild spell throughout the winter…

Plants and prospects for my new Kew Project

We're off  to a good start - breaking ground today on my Mediterranean project in Kew. The first crop of plants have been delivered, including those I bought from North Hill Nurseries last week. The (growing) list includes - Caryopteris Heavenly Blue, Dark Knight, White Surprise (7), Euphorbia White Swan (3), Pinus Mugo Mops, Amelanchier…

After winter, intimations of Spring… Kew Gardens

and finally, the shop - orchid mania due to the extravaganza going on in the Princess of Wales Conservatory

Winter Cherry – Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’

A favourite tree, in bloom intermittently throughout the winter months whenever a mild spell allows - the blossom and the mild weather are both always welcome. These pictures were taken last week, in the Japanese Landscape by the Chockushi-Mon. Bright blue sky and dazzling low winter sunshine adding to the delight of the pretty blossom.…

Mellow Yellow (part 2)

Amber, citrine, primrose, sunshine, canary, gold, lemon, tawny, aureate, lutescent, xanthic, chrysal, honey, aurulent... A ripe collection of just a few yellow and golden-fruited shrubs and trees - they have all featured in other entries in the last couple of months - but I thought it would be cool to bring a few of the…

Sorbus glabrescens & Sorbus alnifolia – White and Red

Sorbus glabrescens with Sorbus alnifolia in the background Sorbus glabrescens, with white fruit (above) and (below) the red fruit of Sorbus alnifolia All change - Sorbus alnifolia with Sorbus glabrescens in the background Sorbus alnifolia by the Chokishi-Mon in the Japanese Landscape at Kew I've come across Sorbus glabrescens in the Arboretum at RHS Wisley…

Malus x robusta – an abundant crab apple

Fruitful abundance - Malus x robusta, by the Victoria Gate cafe at Kew A crab apple smothered in glossy red fruits and making quite an impact, with me and my furry friend, by the cafe at Kew Gardens. Red Sentinel is a commonly available named variety of this cross, with an Award of Garden Merit…