August – The Landscape at Compton Verney
Welcome to this ‘August’ article, the eighth in a series of posts which aim to review, through photographs, twelve months of activity in and around the diverse landscape of Compton Verney. It’s a historic landscape that has seen much change, from the shaping of the areas as new plants establish to the visual delight gained from one of a number of artistic interactions.
There are huge changes in the atmosphere from the busiest of open days to quiet days when just bird song can be heard. Either way, visually the landscape changes minute by minute and it’s wonderful to be there to experience it – and on occasion capture an image or two!
Links to other months will be added at the bottom of the page, but for now, I hope you enjoy ‘August – The landscape at Compton Verney’ :
Don’t ask me his name, but some may remember this #CVGiraffe, one of a number who moved into the Ice House Coppice for the summer weeks. I can confirm that they’re doing well, and are enjoying the winter indoors at Compton Verney! © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
A lone bumble-bee tucking in to this globe flower (Echinops ritro), along one of the coppice walks. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
One of my personal favourites, flowering at many points around the lake. Meadowsweet, or Filipendula ulmaria. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
A little fence repair before the sheep arrived to munch down the summer grass growth out in the East Park. Not camera-shy at all! © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
I know many of us are obsessed with talking about the weather and the colour of the sky, but for those of the gardening kind, weather can make or break some tasks. One thing is for sure though; no two days are the same, and some are simply breath taking! © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
The mown area in this photograph is to our usual pattern, with split management between wild flowers to walk amongst, and trimmed lawn for playing and picnics. The wilder area however is growing larger for 2015, and will act as a canvas into which garden designer Dan Pearson will design a William Morris inspired parterre. This will be worth seeing for sure! © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
As mentioned in a previous post, the Big Tree Climbing Company return on 2015 with a new format to their popular tree climbing sessions. In this image the group await another zip wire arrival from amidst the tree canopy! © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
These colourful caterpillars were spotted munching through the foliage of a hazel shrub, and thankfully we’ve plenty of those to go around! They are the larvae of the Buff-tip moth (Phalera bucephala) and are remarkable for changing from this vibrant yellow colour to a moth that closely resembles a flake of bark – a master of disguise! © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
Warm summer days and the grounds at Compton Verney go very well together. The mature tree canopies through the Ice House Coppice give plenty of shade for cool walks, and the large trees nearer the gallery provide sheltered space for picnics. There’s also the lakeside banks where there’s always a space to kick back and soak up the warmth of the summer sunshine…
From a working point of view, that shade can be quite a welcome option when the heat really builds, although you’re not likely to find us picnicking on the lakeside – at least not during working hours! September is next up for the blog post, and we’ll be into autumn – but what were we up to?!
Regards, Gary Webb, Head of Landscape & Garden at Compton Verney.
January – The Landscape at Compton Verney
February – The Landscape at Compton Verney
March – The Landscape at Compton Verney
April – The Landscape at Compton Verney
May – The Landscape at Compton Verney
June – The Landscape at Compton Verney
July – The Landscape at Compton Verney