My favourite tree today was the Stewartia rostrata, with only a few open flowers but so beautiful with the flowers buds surrounded by their large red sepals. The first showy displays once you enter the garden are the Carpinus fangiana, and the Clematis montana var. wilsonii behind it, climbing almost to the top of the tree. All the climbers are in great form now. These Petasites japonicus var. giganteus have been soaking up the wonderful rain I missed while I was away. Speaking of away, this is Rhododendron 'Leonard Messel', not doing anything now but it has interesting bark, and I noted the name because we visited the garden of Lord Rosse, Leonard Messel's grandson, in Ireland. And speaking of rhododendrons, there are so many now with new leaves that are just as interesting as all those flowers. A lot of the leaves and the flowers are fragrant now. An added attraction. Here is Rosa 'Cooper's Burmese'. Several roses are in bloom. It's such a good time to visit. Actually, there were a lot of people around today.
The important one in the row of 3 related stewartias - all with prominent sepals - near the tunnel* is S. sinensis, an endangered species producing ~madrona-like bark and fragrant(!) flowers. *If this apparent study planting has been maintained since I was last there some years ago, during the IDS tour
Re: June 10, 2013, and now July 30 - Just a few old favourites Sorry, we didn't notice the important Stewartia sinensis today. The standout was again Stewartia rostrata, whose fruits looked almost translucent. I prefer the appearance of the green fruits to the coloured up ones on the Stewartia serrata.
