In early spring Magnolia trees make a magnificent sight with their flowers emerging before their leaves. Pictured below is the fine specimen in the Walled Garden.
Photographed below on the edge of the Park near Astley Village but commonly seen throughout the woodlands is a Grey Squirrel. This species, although much maligned for out-competing Red Squirrel (of which none exist in the Park), nevertheless makes for an attractive sight.
Now April has arrived more flowering plants are making their presence visible in the Park. The Primula family includes various species ranging from the wild primrose to numerous horticultural cultivars. The naturally occurring Primrose has a yellow flower, the specimen pictured below stood alone in the woodland near Ackhurst Lodge but there are also individual white flowering plants elsewhere in the Park which may be garden escapees.
Alongside the stretch of the Astley Trail behind the houses fronting Millfield Road Bluebells are starting to come in to flower. However here they are not alone as alongside them are ‘Pinkbells’ and ‘Whitebells’ as pictured below. The latter two are cultivars from a nearby garden.
Not to be confused with ‘Whitebells’ are Snowbells – pictured below. Only a few of these are known to exist in the Park, these were found near the pedestrian entrance next to Rectory Close. The flowers have distinctive triangular stems.
Often thought of as a weed, as they easily spread in the wild and in gardens, is the diminutive Forget-Me-Not. Those shown below were near the steps on the Astley Trail path at the rear of Rectory Close.
Marsh Marigolds are dotted around the Park wherever there is a water margin or boggy ground – pictured below.
Last but not least in terms of interest is a Cordyceps fungus, one of several standing proudly at about 9 inches high on the top of the lake dam. There are many hundreds of species of these throughout the world and they are noted for their medicinal properties but take care!
All the pictures in this article can also be found in the Gallery
Friends of Astley Park 