As August looms one tends to forget about the garden and think more about holidays. However the garden carries on doing its stuff and there are one or two rhododendrons which are at their best now.

 Rhododendron ‘Polar Bear’ is an exceptional hybrid between Rh. auriculatum and Rh. decorum. It flowers in July or August but one form at Burncoose is often out in July. The flower trusses are huge and pure white but the main reason for growing this plant is its scent which can travel up to a hundred yards on a still summer’s day. The flowers only appear on mature plants and can end to be hidden within the shrub rather than at the ends of branches but the scent is gorgeous.

 Also in full bloom today are what we know only as the ‘Harrow hybrids’. The trusses are large and deep pink but, unlike ‘Polar Bear’, they cover the whole shrub in profusion. The scent is not enormous but the spectacle at this time of year in a woodland garden is outstanding. Who Mr Harrow was and exactly what the cross was is unknown and there is no reference to these hybrids in the reference books. If they do in fact have individual names or if anyone can throw any more light on the parentage (which must include Rh. auriculatum) then please do let us know.