From the depths of lockdown Burncoose Nurseries developed a new business plan to invest in a propagation programme which we all knew would take at least 5 years to bring to fruition with plants for sale on our website. Cressy Knuckey, the granddaughter of one of our founding partners 41 years ago, took up the challenge.
The plan was to propagate rare rhododendron species from seed and also to propagate historic Cornish bred rhododendron hybrids from cuttings. This has been time consuming, expensive, and fraught with minor propagation disasters along the way.
In 2025 we are however delighted to bring you the first of these rare species which we have grown at Burncoose and which are now large enough to be saleable and ready to plant out in your own gardens.
You may never have heard of some of these species but please spend a moment to look at how splendid they are. The full list of the new plants on offer is now available online.
Rhododendron suoilenhense is a ‘big leaf’ rhododendron which is possibly even better than R. sinogrande or R. macabeanum. It was only introduced into cultivation in the UK in 1992 and just look at what a superb plant it is!
Rhododendron floccigerum is a superb shrub with trusses of waxy bell shaped flowers which have a most unusual mix of two colours. One of my own favourite species. This is our inspiration banner for the month!
Rhododendron arboreum 'Tony Schilling' is a tall growing rhododendron with deep pink flowers and darker spotting.
Best wishes,
Charles Williams VMH
Senior Partner
