THE GARDENS AT WARLEY PLACE
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Scilla italica is abundant, it occurs in the walled garden and
other places. Corydalis solida and C. cava still survive. Near the
sunken garden the bluebell is abundant, pink forms are frequent
and the white form common. These grow with Endymion
hispanicus and hybrids with this and E. non-scriptus are com-
mon. Leucojum vernum, the Spring Snowflake grows in quantity
in the old rockery area. Ornithogalum nutans and umbellatum
occur in several places.
From this short description the reader will get some idea of
the beauty of the flowers in the spring, which is enhanced in a
way when seen in a semi-wild and natural setting.
Ferns are common everywhere, the most frequent being
Dryopteris filix-max. There are, however, a number of unusual
forms of it. By the lower pond the Royal Fern, Osmunda regalis,
grows with Onoclea sensiblis and Thelypteris palustris, originally
taken from Warley Woods (Essex Nat., 1912). There are clumps
of Polystichum setiferum with varietal forms including cristatum
and compositum and P. aculeatum. Mr J. W. Dyce identified a
hybrid of P. setiferum and aculeatum. Other ferns which occur
are:—Phyllitis scolopendrium, Dryopteris dilatata and Athyrium
filix foemina.
Heracleum mantegazzianum has now become a nuisance in the
walled garden and particularly in the sunken garden, its spread
is noticeable each year. In the damp shady places in the old
sunken garden area a common sight is Lathraea clandestina; it is
now well naturalised and grows in a wild state. Tellima grandi-
flora is plentiful, it has an unusual flower with a delicate perfume
reminiscent of carnation. Tolmiea menziesii is here and a large
area of Bamboo, one of the many different kinds to be found in
various parts of the grounds. In 1964 Mr J. E. Lousley and I
found this one in flower, which he identified as Sasa senunensis.
Impatiens glandulifera is another spreader, occupying a larger
area each year. Other interesting plants in this area are: —
Campanula latifolia, C. trachelium, Arum italicum, Lamium orvola
with beautiful large mauvish coloured flowers, Dentaria bulbifera,
Lythrum salicaria, Hedera colchica is abundant and makes a
complete ground cover on the banks. There are many trees and
shrubs. Holly is abundant. Yew, Prunus avium, Sambucus nigra
laciniata, Acer tomentosum and Ligustrum lucidum are among
the many native and introduced species.
On the outside of the walled garden are several large Camelias
and on the wall itself grows the Common Ivy-leaved Toadflax
and with it is the white form, Cymbalaria pallida. Inside the
walled garden are some fine flowering trees like Magnolia and
Catalpa. In the centre is a fine Ginkgo and scrambling over the
bushes and in the lower branches of the trees is a Clematis
montana, which gives a wonderful display of blossom. There is
a large patch of Symphytum tuberosum and the 'Spiraea'—
Holodiscus discolor with an Aruncus sp. make a good show. The
Box edging on two sides of the main path is now a veritable hedge