Out with the mower on the 22nd; last Wednesday, topping off the Palm House lawns which with the mildness of the winter had that straggly appearance of uneven growth over the sward. We had previously cut these lawns in mid-December. There is always a knock on effect from each type of weather that settles on these islands. I am just pleased we have not had to snowplough the garden roads.

Photinia serratifolia 19890657A

On the eastern boundary is a mature specimen of Photinia serratifolia. The attached images show the amount of extension growth, not just an open bud but fully formed leaves with drip tip. Growing through many vegetational habitats in China and found from sea level to c. 2500m.

At this stage such tender growth is vulnerable to a cold snap. As the leaves mature they become leathery and resilient to extremes of temperature.