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The spring and early summer is the best time
to view the beautiful wild flowers that grow in the park and on the surrounding
farmland. During May and June the cliff-tops and pastures of the farm
park are carpeted in little wild maritime flowers. These include tiny
blue Sea-Squill, lovely Pink Thrift (also known as Sea-Pink), yellow Vetch
and white Bladder Campion. These flowers also grow in clumps on cliff
ledges - a beautiful sight especially on a sunny, early summer's day!
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here from March onwards. The strong scent of the bright yellow flowers is
reminiscent of the smell of coconut. It is quite intoxicating!
The footpath that leads from the pond to the
cliff-top follows a 'cwm' or little valley. During the spring lovely Bluebells
can be seen growing alongside. The north facing side of the cwm is also
carpeted in delicate pale yellow Primroses. Later on, the little ponds
and stream at the bottom of the cwm are surrounded by Yellow Flag or Wild
Iris. In the shallow water grows Great Reed Mace, which is also known
as 'Bulrush' to the disagreement of some botanists. The shallow water
is also where the Goat Willow thrives. I wonder how many people realise
that the bark of the willow, 'SALIX' in Latin, is where one of our most
important and useful medicines - Aspirin - was discovered? Hence the medical
name for Aspirin - Acetyl-Salicylic Acid.
These are just some of the flowers and shrubs
of the farm park. Many others can also be seen here at various times of
the year, to delight people with a love of nature.
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