Croome's spring plantings

Katherine Alker, Garden and Outdoors Manager, South Worcestershire Katherine Alker Garden and Outdoors Manager, South Worcestershire

The arrival of warmer weather in the parkland sees the spring plantings begin to emerge.

Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the famous 18th century landscape designer, ensured that there was something interesting to see throughout the seasons at Croome.

Late Spring and the warmer weather means the windows of the Temple Greenhouse can be opened. The Temple Greenhouse was used to house the 6th Earl of Coventry’s exotic plant collection which was heated by a fire in the bothy behind.

Tender flowers such as crown imperial fritillary (Fritilleria imperiallis), bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) and the citrus trees are moved outside.

Children sitting outside the Temple Greenhouse
Children sitting outside the Temple Greenhouse
Children sitting outside the Temple Greenhouse

A stroll around the grounds brings the sweet, heady scent of the lime trees which will begin to flower, the beautiful delicate fragrance of the honeysuckle and mock orange or the luxuriant fragrance of the lilac and rock rose.

During spring wild flowers abound at Croome.  Around the statue of Pan, wild tulips, dog toothed violets, snakes head fritillary and anemone can be seen. 

Snakes head fritillary
Snakes head fritillary
Snakes head fritillary

Bluebells carpet the ground around the Temple Greenhouse in the Church Shrubbery and the Island Pavilion at the lake.  Spend a few moments to sit at the bench near Pan to admire the sea of bluebells.

A carpet of bluebells at your feet
Person sat down surrounded by bluebells
A carpet of bluebells at your feet

Swathes of cheery daffodils brighten the walk along the Home Shrubbery near the Rotunda.

Cheery daffodils in the Home Shrubbery
Bright yellow daffodils in the parkland
Cheery daffodils in the Home Shrubbery