April – The Landscape at Compton Verney

Tulipa sylvestris, or the woodland tulip, has become naturalised at Compton Verney, giving delight each spring when they reappear below the West Lawn lime trees and through the coppice. A perennial tulip, now there’s a thing! © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014

Ornithogalum nutans, or star-of-Bethlehem (very appropriate for the time of year!) is to be found amongst the Lime trees and seeing is believing – they are really special. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014

Growing in numbers now we’ve adjusted the grass management, primroses add a splash of colour in the grass beneath the Cedar trees. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014

Linking up with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, in April we embarked on a short term survey to track small mammals. We hope over time to learn a great deal more about the wildlife that visits or lives at Compton Verney, and although on this occasion results were unclear, we did have positive results for other species. Using a borrowed night vision camera, we were able to catch some good images of badgers on-site, which is leading to vaccinations in the new year. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014

Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) is spread throughout the grassy lakeside areas, flowering from March onwards. Celandine sits quietly between grassy blades, preferring damp ground and has been immortalised by the pen of some very well known people – D. H. Lawrence, J. R. R. Tolkien and William Wordsworth to name three. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014

One of the Big Tree Climbing Company climbing sessions which were very well received at Compton Verney. More sessions planned for 2015 so do watch this space! © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014

Wild daffodil, or Lent lily is one of a number of bulbous plants that have become naturalised at Compton Verney, here with a very old Mahonia flowering at the base of this majestic London Plane. We’re adding to their numbers each year to boost the offering of flowers beside each path. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014

Graylag geese visit the middle pool at Compton Verney regularly, which is a lovely sight. They do have a tendency to wander the lawns each evening however, leaving calling cards all over the grass which isn’t so welcome!

Winter windflower (Anemone blanda) is to be found in various locations at Compton Verney. They were almost certainly planted by gardeners of old either at their whim or that of the Lord or Lady of the Manor at one time or another. Whoever was the genius we know not, but their inspiration lives on in these beautiful blue drifts. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014

Recently planted Kniphofia blooms for the first time on the chapel bank, where a little long overdue colour was very well received by visitors to the chapel. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014