Information from the Royal Parks team in Richmond Park
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ROYAL PARKS APRIL NEWS
Park Regulations: The 13-week consultation on the proposed changes to The Royal Parks Regulations is due to finish on Friday 1 May 2009. The changes being considered include the introduction of car parking charges in Richmond Park and Bushy Park. A copy of the consultation document is available at www.royalparks.org.uk or write to: – Regulation Consultation, The Royal Parks, The Old Police House, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH or pick up a copy from the Park office at Holly Lodge during office hours.
Prince Charles Spinney: The work to restore part of Prince Charles Spinney was completed last month. Although many trees were removed, they were mostly trees that offered poor support for wildlife because of their species or form. The area has been re-planted with shrub forming species (predominantly Hazel) and other species that bear seeds and berries which are all good for wildlife. The green grow tubes will be left on until the new trees have established but will, in time, be removed.
Isabella Plantation: Amongst other things Camellias, Magnolias, and Rhododendrons are in bloom. The evergreen Azaleas that line the ponds and streams are usually at their best during the last week of April or the first week of May. A colourful Guide to the Isabella Plantation, priced 50 pence is available from Holly Lodge and the information centre at Pembroke Lodge.
Deer: No sooner have the deer cast their antlers, than new ones begin to grow. They are clothed in 'velvet', which is specialised skin covered in short erect hairs. The velvet contains nerves and a great many blood vessels to ensure nourishment reaches the growing antler. As the largest males cast their antlers first, they may lose rank to younger males still bearing a full head, so at this time they tend to seek seclusion from the herd. All deer are now moulting their winter coats. Magpies and Jackdaws may be seen riding on their backs to pluck out tufts for lining their nests.
Frogs, Toads & Newts: These amphibians migrate on wet spring nights to mate in the Park's twenty, or so, ponds. Frog spawn is formed of the familiar clumps of clear 'jelly-like' balls, protecting the developing tadpole. Toad spawn takes the form of long continuous strands of 'jelly' dotted with the black eggs every centimetre or so. Newt spawn is the most difficult to see. All three newt species lay single eggs, tucked under the leaves of submerged aquatic plants. Please do not remove any tadpoles or spawn. Do not add any tadpoles or spawn to the ponds either, as this may introduce disease. Richmond Park is a National Nature Reserve, where wildlife is protected from disturbance.
ISABELLA PLANTATION IN APRIL
Rhodedenderons. Along the Bluebell Walk, opposite the Acer Glade, look out for the bright purple flowers of the deciduous R. reticulatum. This month the Japanese azaleas start into flower. They are usually at their best during the last week of April and the first week of May. R.racemosum grows down the path from the still pond. It is a medium sized shrub that bears pale to bright pink flowers. Rhododendron "Quaker Girl" grows in the glade set back from the path at the top of Thomson's Stream and bears trusses of stunning white flowers with a deep crimson throat. Look out for Rhododendron "Bibiani" growing in a number of areas in the garden. This shrub produces compact trusses of rich crimson funnel shaped flowers with maroon spots. Early evergreen azaleas are beginning to flower throughout the garden. Look out for "Kirin" a pale pink “hose in hose” (flower within an flower) and "Sylvester" which has small deep pink flowers. In a glade set back from the Main Stream, and other locations around the Garden, are the blue flowering Rhododendrons from the Triflorum series. These are Rhododendron augustinii and the R,chasmanthum hybrid Rhododendron "Electra"
The Streams are bright with Marsh Marigolds, (Caltha palustris). The yellow hooded spathes of the American Skunk Cabbage, (Lysichiton americanus), which precede large rank leathery leaves, are conspicuous along the stream from the Still Pond.
Camellias are still flowering throughout the Garden. They are mainly older Camellia japonica cultivars and a number of Williamsii hybrids.
Magnolias: Throughout the gardens pink and white forms of Magnolia soulangiana come into flower. Along the Bluebell Walk are two small pink hybrids of M. stellata, called M. X loebneri 'Leonard Messel'. A larger one is set back by the Scots Pine to the far side of the Acer Glade. Magnolia „Heaven Scent? one of the Gresham Hybrids, grows in a ride off the Main Stream and has goblet shaped flowers, pink on the outside and white inside. Its flowers have a strong lavender scent.
Daffodils: In the Wet Lawn area near the top gate, the golden yellow flowers of Narcissus bulbocodium subsp. bulbocodium with conical cups and pointed petals have now appeared and succeed the delicate flowers of Narcissus cyclamineus, which are also naturalised in this area.
The Bog Garden: Look out for the clusters of white or pale pink flowers borne on white-haired stems which are those of the “Umbrella Plant”, Darmera peltata which flowers before it produces foliage.
Guide to the Isabella Plantation. A colourful leaflet guide, costing 50 pence, is on sale at Holly Lodge and is also available from the Park Warden in the Garden.
Wheelchair Available. A motorised wheelchair, which makes the job of pushing considerably easier, may be loaned for use within the Garden on weekdays between 9.00 and 15.00. Please ring 020 8948 3209 to book the chair by noon on the day before it is required.
ISABELLA GARDEN WALKS
You are invited to join the gardeners for guided walks throughout the year. Walks will take place on:
- April: Sunday 19th and Friday 24th
- May: Friday 1st, Sunday 10th and Friday 29th
Walks last about 1.5 hours and are free of charge. Meet inside the Garden by the gate from Broomfield Hill car park at 11.00am
The Royal Parks' News and Isabella News are copyright The Royal Parks.