Planning the southern section: May 2023

At the beginning of the year, members of FOGG indicated what they’d like to see happening along the Glen: January 2023 Questionnaire – Friends of Glen Goyle

This was followed by a visit to the Glen and the start of putting together plans for the next stages: Site visit and planning February/March 2023 – Friends of Glen Goyle

In May 2023, Friends of Glen Goyle are now at the stage of firming up those plans – with the current focus on the southern section of the Glen.

What follows are:

  • a map of the whole parkland – created by Mary Walden-Till and Katie Frost
  • photographs for each designated area – taken by FOGG working party member Katie Frost
  • suggestions of what could be planted in these areas – based on the input this year and with reference to the preliminary list from Mary Walden-Till: Working doc unfinished Possible plants for Glen Goyle

Areas 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 will be dealt with in more detail here; the other Areas will be considered later in the summer.

MAP OF GLEN GOYLE – MAY 2023

PHOTOGRAPHS OF EACH AREA – TOGETHER WITH PLANTING SUGGESTIONS

Area 1 north entrance

Planting suggestions for area 1:

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Area 2 fernery

Planting suggestions for area 2:

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Area 3 walled raised bed

Planting suggestions for area 3:

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Area 4 acer and seat

Planting suggestions for area 4:

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Area 5 tree fern area

Planting suggestions for area 5:

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Area 6 the lawn

Planting suggestions for area 6:

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Area7 walled bed north of the bridge

Planting suggestions for area 7:

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Area 8 northern terrace by stream not yet planted

Planting suggestions for area 8:

  • ‘subtropical’
  • A bed or two set aside for the Getrude Jekyll look
  • depending on soil and aspect, ferns, ‘grotto-like’ plants, perhaps rhododendrons and
    azaleas, etc, interesting bulbs
  • Vibrant perennials

Area 9 Southern terraced area by stream mostly planted

Planting suggestions for area 9:

  • Mostly planted

Area 10 unwalled bed south of badger sett

Planting suggestions for area 10:

  • See area 8
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Area 11 1960s photo

See also: The path through the Glen – from the 1960s – Friends of Glen Goyle

Planting suggestions for area 11:

  • Woodland flowers
  • Spring bulbs, wild flowers and flowering plants/shrubs
  • The general approach is more under-storey cover and Victorian woodland planting; this would reduce maintenance and add stability/reduce erosion; the evergreen under-storey should be balanced to allow for spring plants.
  • Fuchsias could be added, although there is the potential problem of fuchsia gall; there are different heights and unusual types.
  • Other suggestions: more ericaceous plants; cotoneaster/pyracanthas
  • Shade tolerant perennials could also be introduced for interest later in the year (foxgloves and astilbe already mentioned can give a nice display) – however I am not keen on the idea of prickly shrubs. They can be very harsh to the unsuspecting admirer. I want visitors to enjoy their visit, not be repelled. What about dogwood (cornus) instead of prickly shrubs?
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Area 12 South entrance 

Planting suggestions for area 12:

  • See area 11
  • a continuation of the big rockery stones, used further along that pathway, might be used – maybe on both sides of that access with spring bulbs to cover the adjacent ground.
  • the use of railway sleepers: they used to use creosote on sleepers and that is very bad for wildlife, especially hedgehogs.
  • Also: ‘demonstration species’ the Chilean Lantern Tree at the entrance
  • Note: the far, western side of the brook to be kept relatively ‘wild’