Information from the Royal Parks team in Richmond Park
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ROYAL PARKS AUGUST NEWS
Parking Charges & Other Amendment to the Royal Parks Regualtions. The eagerly awaited report on the proposed amendments to the Royal Parks regulation has been completed by independent consultants. The report is available from the Royal Parks website – www.royalparks.gsi.gov.uk. If you are unable to access the internet a hard copy can be printed and made available from Holly Lodge, the Park office – telephone 0208 948 3209.
A Reading from Park Stories. Sheena Mackay will be reading from 'The Running of the Deer' on Wednesday 19th August at 1pm in the Belvedere, Pembroke Lodge (Free entry – reserve a seat from www.parkstories.org.uk or call 020 8948 3209 ). – “The unique characteristics and treasures of The Royal Parks have ignited the imaginations of writers across the centuries. Building on this literary heritage, Park Stories is a series of new short fiction by eight acclaimed writers, set in each of The Royal Parks. The stories are available to buy as individual booklets or a boxed set from www.parkstories.org.uk, The Royal Parks' outlets and selected bookshops across London”
Green Flag Award 2009/2010. Last month Richmond Park was awarded a Green Flag for the third year running. This national award is given in recognition of achieving the national standard for parks and open spaces in England and Wales.
Oak Processionary Moth. The three trees that were found to have the caterpillar nests have now been inspected and all nests removed. The hairs from the caterpillars are toxic and despite thorough searches no more nests were found. Surveying will continue next year and appropriate information and controls will follow.
New Shire Horses. Jed and Forte, our working shire horses are now 17 and 20 years old respectively and are 'getting on' in Shire horse terms and showing signs of arthritis. They are therefore going into semi-retirement, reducing the amount of heavy worth they do but continue with occasional events in the Royal Parks. A new pair of Bay coloured horses called William and Massey will will quite literally be taking up the reigns from Jed and Forte, following their induction period this autumn.
ISABELLA PLANTATION IN JULY
Flowering Shrubs worth seeking out inclide:
- Magnolia grandiflora – Occupies a secluded glade to the south of Thomson's Pond. It has large white flowers with a delicious fragrance set amongst glossy evergreen leaves. Petals fall to reveal striking seed heads.
- Clethra alnifolia – The Sweet Pepper Bush, also fragrant, is opposite the tall pine below the gate to Broomfield Hill and also below Thomson's Pond.
- Hydrangea quercifolia – on the Birthday Mound and elsewhere, has panicles of white flowers, and foliage resembling coarse oak leaves, which takes on rich Autumn colours later in the year.
- Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva' – also bears panicles of white flowers, and is set in woodland near the gate towards Pen Ponds, and elsewhere in the Garden.
- Hydrangea aspera subsp. Sargentiana – Grows in Wilson's Glade in the north east corner, this upright gaunt shrub bears broad heads of flowers from late summer to mid-autumn, the inner ones are blue or deep purple, the outer ones are large and white.
- Sorbaria kirilowii – Also found in Wilson's Glade produces white flowers in large conical panicles throughout July and August.
- Heptacodium miconioides – Is a vigorous shrub that bears lightly scented clusters of white flowers throughout late summer and early autumn. It can be found growing below Thomson's Pond and also on the Birthday Mound.
- Aesculus californica – Grows behind the toilets set back by the service gate. This wide spreading shrub produces fragrant white-pink tinted flowers.
Summer Flowering Shrubs in the Heather Garden include varieties of Erica vagans, the Cornish Heath, such as 'Mrs. Maxwell' – dark pink; 'Rosea' – light pink; and 'Cornish Cream' – cream. Several varieties of Calluna vulgaris have coloured foliage, such as 'Gold Haze' – white flower and gold leaf; and 'Robert Chapman' – purple flower with bronze foliage. Daboecia cantabrica has white or purple waxy bells.
Along the Streams many native marginal plants are in flower, such as Purple and Yellow Loosestrife, Meadowsweet, Greater Willowherb and Hemp Agrimony. These wild flowers, along with the heathers, attract many butterflies. Elsewhere, streamside clumps of Hemerocallis, the Day Lily, produce a succession of tall yellow or orange trumpet-shaped flowers throughout July and August; each flower lasting only a day.
Thomson's Pond and the Bog Garden, have fine stands of Pontederia cordata, the Pickerel Weed, with spikes of blue flowers amongst erect spear-shaped leaves. Thomson's Pond's waterlilies are in flower and dragonflies patrol their territories. In the Bog Garden look out for the creamy-yellow flowers of kirengeshoma palmata which show until the autumn.
A Motorised Wheelchair, which makes the job of pushing considerably easier, may be borrowed for use within the Garden between 9.00 and 15.00 on weekdays. Please ring 020 8948 3209 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:
- August: Friday 7th, Sunday 16th and Friday 28th
- September: Friday 4th, Sunday 13th and Friday 25th
Walks last about 1½ hours and are free of charge.Meet inside the Garden by the gate from Broomfield Hill car park at 11.00 a.m.
The Royal Parks' News and Isabella News are copyright The Royal Parks.