The Friends of Carlisle Park

 

Carlisle Park Long-term Planting Strategy.

 

Notes from walkabout on 21.01.15 in black.

 

Friends’ response to this in blue.

 

Comments from Parks staff (Des Smith, Jane Crowther and Yvonne Kelleher) in red.

 

2016 update in green.

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

 

 

The aim of the Planting Strategy is to provide the Friends of Carlisle Park with a long term, coherent approach to soft landscaping, which will increase the horticultural and biodiversity value of the Park over the years and provide future and tangible opportunities for fund raising.  It is being prepared in an economic climate of increasing budget cuts and reduced resources, and the Friends understand that the council does not currently have the funds to carry out the majority of the proposals.

 

 

 

Areas with ‘potential’ have been identified for re-planting over a 20 year periodand the aim is to provide sustainable, colourful, wildlife friendly planting with year-round interest.  Sustainable planting needs to be relatively low in resources to plant and maintain, and this relies on selecting the right plant for the right situation, carrying out good ground preparation, purchasing good quality plants and planting at the right time of year.  The plants selected also have to be sufficiently robust to withstand the fluctuations that climate change will inevitably bring.

 

 

 

 

 

Individual Areas

 

 

 

1.  Veolia’s old dumping ground and the junior play area

 

The long term plan is to relocate the playground.  This would allow the two areas to be joined to create a substantially larger new space in the future.  Both areas are therefore excluded from this planting strategy.

 

Friends’ response:  Everyone agreed that it was a good idea to reunite the 2 playgrounds and use this area as a new space in the future.  Suggestion by the committee – to look at having wildlife garden with a pond for future development.

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Wildflower Turf Mats by tennis courts

 

The Mats were laid in autumn 2014.  They established well and will be monitored in 2015.  A small amount of bulbs were planted under the mats in the autumn, and if successful, they could be added to in future years (when the photo degradable mesh in the Mats has degraded).  Suitable small, early bulbs would include Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite), Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop), Crocus tommassinianus (species Crocus), Narcissus Tete a Tete (dwarf Daffodil), Muscari armeniacum (Grape Hyacinth) or Scillia sibirica.

 

Friends:  All going well with the Wildlife Turf Mats by tennis courts.  Aconites have started to come through.

 

2016: The meadow has had a good first year. It had to be fenced to prevent trampling by people and dogs, in spite of “keep off” notices, and protecting new planting is an ongoing issue.

 

 

 

3.  Bed surrounding the Pavilion

 

This faces due south, so is an ideal place for low-growing Mediterranean shrub planting.  This type of planting is attractive, low maintenance and drought tolerant.  The plants are predominantly evergreen and the foliage and/or flowers are often scented.  The flowers are also a good source of nectar/pollen for insects. 

 

Suitable plants would include:  Lavender, Rosemary, Cistus, Santolina and Sage, with perhaps lower growing Hyssop, Marjoram and Thyme towards the front.  Alternatively, a massed planting of 2-3 different coloured Cistus species would look very good, but would provide less value to wildlife.

 

 

 

There’s an untrained/unpruned Yew shrub growing on the western corner, which, if left uncut, will reach small tree proportions in a few years.  It’s likely the Yew was planted as a small shrub, along with the other conifers in this bed several years ago and wasn’t intended to become a tree. 

 

A Yew tree is neither going to enhance the Pavilion, nor will it improve the conditions nearby for planting, so it could be ‘topiarized’ by cutting it back into a geometric pyramid/cube.  Yew can take very hard pruning so it wouldn’t harm the shrub and it could look quite good.  Alternatively it could be removed before it gets any larger. 

 

Friends:  Paragraph 2 – everyone agreed with the suggestion of creating topiary with the Yew tree in front of the pavilion.  Portia had said she would be happy to do the cut back in this area.  Everyone was very much in favour on the mixed planting scheme.  Janet also commented that this would encourage wildlife.

 

Parks:  In agreement with the planting proposals and cutting back the Yew

 

2016: Following a successful bid to RUT Civic Pride Fund, the yew and existing planting was removed, and the area was replanted with mixed Mediterranean plants in November 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Birch Grove

 

A small grove of native Silver Birches would provide year round interest, standing out well against the darker background of the boundary planting.  Jane Crowther has confirmed 7 trees would be appropriate at approximately 5m spacing.  The Friends are considering applying for funding for this to be planted in 2016. 

 

 

 

NB.  On the day of our visit, boundary lines for a new sports pitch had been painted.  It had not been there at our previous visit so we’re checking if it’s temporary or permanent as it would affect the location and number of new Birches.

 

Friends  EH to ensure that Portia takes forward the matter of the football pitches location.

 

Are we still looking at planting the birch grove in Autumn 2015?

 

Keep in touch with Colin & Jane Crowther regarding funding for the birch grove

 

JQ also in the process of filling out an application for funding through Civic Pride.

 

Also need to factor in the cost of the crocus bulbs & planting to go under the birch trees.

 

Parks:  Des will visit and confirm status of the sports pitch.  He also confirmed the cricket nets are staying.  Hopefully the Birches can still be planted around both but we will review when we have a definitive answer from Des.  Jane is still chasing G&T for a response about part funding the Birches, but if funding can be found, she confirmed they can be planted this autumn/winter.  12-14cm girth trees proposed and each tree would have a 1m – 1.5m diameter of bark mulch.  We will also confirm number of Crocus bulbs when we know the m2 area the Birches will cover.

 

2016: Gristwood and Toms agreed to fund the buying, planting and 2 years maintenance of 7 silver birch trees. The remainder has been paid for by our successful bid to the Civic Pride Trust. 3000 Crocus tommasinianus bulbs were planted during November 2015. We are awaiting the trees.

 

The birch grove is not in the exact location envisaged by the Friends, who acknowledge that the Parks Dept. have the final say in all planting and development matters.

 

 

 

5.  Main bed between Pavilion and Carlisle Road entrance

 

This is a large hot, sunny, south facing border.  Currently a mixed planting of trees and shrubs with a large clump of Pampas grass.  Total area approx 550m2.  The border originally had 4 Purple Plum trees, of which only 2 remain.  2 other trees- Sorbus aucuparia “Golden Wonder” - have been added fairly recently, of which one has died and Jane is talking to G&T about a replacement. 

 

 

 

Although there is very little unity or cohesion to the planting, this was not thought to be a priority area because it is well stocked with plants that are growing adequately and flowering, but as and when a number of plants do need replacing a design intention or theme for the planting should be agreed.  We discussed reinstating more Purple Plums to provide an early spring feature and early nectar and pollen.  The Purple Plums could be a starting point for a purple and silver foliage themed planting scheme.  Purple and silver foliage shows up particularly well in full sun and would associate well with pink, purple, blue and white flowering shrubs/perennials/ground cover. 

 

 

 

In terms of habitat, the shrubs in this bed currently provide good structural diversity for birds, with nesting, roosting and perching opportunities.  Therefore if a new scheme called for substantial shrub removal, it might need to be implemented over more than one season.

 

Friends:  Agree with the main thrust of this section, especially replacement of Purple Plum. 

 

If they are going to replace the Sorbus, can they do so with a Purple Plum?

 

Parks:  In agreement with the planting proposals.  Jane has been chasing G&T about a replacement for the Sorbus and whether the replacement can be a Purple Plum but has not yet had a definitive response.

 

2016: We still hope the dead Sorbus will be replaced by a purple plum.

 

 

 

6.  Carlisle Road entrance

 

This is messy and over cluttered in parts and bare in others.  Part of the fence along Scotts Drive is screened by vegetation and part of it is clear, so as part of a long term strategy, the Friends are to decide firstly, whether they would like to retain views into the Park or not (this will need to be agreed with LBRuT).  If it is decided to have a planted screen, then the height of any new planting needs to be agreed and plants selected that will not grow taller than desired.  This will avoid large shrubs being planted erroneously and having to be regularly cut back because they’re outgrowing their location. 

 

 

 

If planting is requested along the fence line but shrubs are thought to be too dense, an alternative would be a 2-3m strip of meadow along the boundary, which would be cut once a year.  The meadow could be either native or a mix of native and non native species.

 

 

 

Inside the entrance, there is a large sprawling groundcover Juniper as well as a group of conifers which are not contributing aesthetically to the scene.  They should be considered in conjunction with the above boundary planting. 

 

 

 

In addition to the conifers, there are 2 well proportioned and established trees (Acer cappadocicum?) by the entrance and a new Hornbeam.  Jane thought there was possibly room for one more tree with fastigiate or upright form if the conifers were removed. Further discussion required about the whole entrance area.

 

Friends:  Agree with this – Portia has in hand. 

 

Screen could be whips along the fence – but this would need to be managed.

 

Or possibly an alternative – a row of hybrid witch hazel.

 

This section requires further dialogue.

 

Parks:  We need to maintain ‘splayed’ sightlines around the entrance for H&S (kids and dogs running out into the road).  This area does need more discussion, but it isn’t an urgent issue and we didn’t expect to solve it in a couple of weeks.  Suggest the Friends talk to residents and park users over the summer and revert back to Yvonne towards the end of 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.  Circular Rose Bed with mown grass edge

 

This planting is only 4 years old, but as and when the Roses reach the end of their lifespan, the Friends would like to replace them with perennials in the style of the Hampton Wick roundabout.  This would provide flowers from early May through to November, although dried seed heads would remain attractive into January and also provide a winter food source to insects.  Spring bulbs could also be planted to extend the season further.  Ideally the mown grass edge would be replaced by 4 rows of 100 x 100mm granite setts and the planting area extended to the edge of the sets.

 

Friends:  Good idea – all agreed.

 

Parks:  In agreement with the planting proposals and hard edge of setts or similar

 

 

 

 

 

8.  Southern corner

 

Vegetation has recently been cut back here which will increase the light levels, and a small Loggery has been created.  There is some Ivy ground cover but otherwise much of the ground is newly bare.  Suggest we monitor what emerges in 2015 to take advantage of the higher light levels. 

 

 

 

The long term suggested for this area was for a ‘pretty woodland scene’.  Ornamental shrubs could ultimately be replaced with native Hazel (to be coppiced on a 4-5 year rotation) with a flowering understorey.  The understorey could be sown or planted, or a mixture of both, depending what conditions are like when this area is developed.

 

 

 

NB.  There is a leggy Privet shrub which has been newly exposed by the vegetation removal.  This would benefit from having its height reduced to encourage regeneration from lower down.

 

Friends:   Maybe introduce a hazel copse?

 

Good idea – all agreed.

 

Parks:  In agreement with the planting proposals

 

 

 

 

 

9.  Entrance borders at Wensleydale Road

 

There are two long borders at the entrance from Wensleydale Road.  One of them has very recently been cleared in order to try and control the spread of a vigorous, dwarf Bamboo (Sasa veitchii).  An annual cornfield seed mix will be sown in spring to flower for a couple of months in the summer.  This will allow us to see where the Bamboo is and control it as it grows back in 2015.  The aim is to completely re-plant this bed with a mixture of shrubs and flowering ground cover when we have eradicated the Bamboo – hopefully this can take place in autumn 2015.  Further discussion needed between PB and the Friends about shrub species and size at planting before a planting plan can be drawn up.

 

 

 

The bed on the opposite side of the path is currently planted with a mixture of amenity shrubs.  As part of a long term plan, this would eventually also be replanted to approximately match the opposite side. 

 

Friends:  A lot of work has been done in this area, however still several trees with a lot of bamboo at their base – will these be removed?

 

Long-term aim – in line with the Park’s Department suggestion there would be more discussion about planting scheme. PD to raise matter of entrance signage.

 

Parks:  In agreement with the planting proposals.  Re the Bamboo, herbicide is taken up by the green parts of a plant (most usually the leaves) so we need sufficient top growth on the Bamboo for the herbicide to be effective.  It has already had 1 or 2 sprays in 2014 but we will largely leave the Bamboo to re-grow in the bed during spring and early summer so that we can give it another spray mid and end summer if necessary, prior to planting autumn 2015.  However, we do not want to re-plant until the Bamboo has been controlled, so the planting date is still provisional.  Further vegetation has been removed since the Friends comments, and Dr & Mrs Dua’s garden has also been cleared in the last day or two, so we will review the Bamboo shortly.

 

2016: Annual flower seeds were sown to give a temporary display during summer 2015. The result was stunning, and extremely popular with park users. The permanent shrub planting was installed in autumn 2015. It had to be protected from vehicles by the installation of permanent wooden bollards.

 

 

 

 

 

10.  Boundaries

 

There are a few gaps in the boundary planting where new structural shrubs and understorey planting could be established.  PB suggested a further visit to discuss this in spring/summer, when the adjacent trees are in leaf.

 

Jane Crowther has confirmed that removal of the boundary conifers will be looked at in the next few years. 

 

Friends:  Further discussion to be had.

 

Parks:  Portia to visit spring or summer to look at gaps

 

2016: We still need to address this.

 

 

 

 

 

11.  Trees

 

Jane Crowther is arranging for 2 x Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) to be planted this year. 

 

She is also talking to G&T about a replacement tree for the Sorbus in the bed between the pavilion and Carlisle Road entrance and will advise when this will be planted.

 

Jane will also ask G&T to consider part funding the Birch Grove.

 

As part of the planting strategy, Jane Crowther will look at the overall species mix and age of trees within the Park to identify future planting opportunities.

 

Friends:  Preference was to replace the Sorbus with the Purple Plum

 

Birch Grove – happy to progress if there is funding.

 

Parks:  The Norway Maples have been planted.  Jane continues to chase G&T about the replacement for the Sorbus as well as the Birch grove.  She will review the species mix/age of trees within the park over the next 3-4 months.

 

 

 

2016: Part of our strategy has always been to protect and enhance the park for wildlife. During the bat walks, we realised the importance of filling in tree lines, since continuous tree lines are used by bats for navigation, and as dark corridors for foraging. The Friends wish to fill the gap in the lime trees that is between the Wensleydale Gardens entrance and Denmead. As noted above, the birch grove will not now fulfil that function, so we would like to plant an additional one or two trees inn that space. This has been agreed verbally with Jane Crowther, and we hope to achieve this during the 2016/17 planting season.

 

We still haven’t received the full tree survey, but the diagram on next page indicates that the park is over reliant on Tilia (lime) species, which could prove devastating if a future disease were to attack lime trees. Jane has explained that we need to diversify at family level, and suggests we need trees of the rosaceae family.

 

 

 

8^th February 2015

 

4^th March 2015 (Parks comments)

 

2016 update in green