New Lanark World Heritage Site

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Roof Garden diary update – May 2012

Blushing tulip close up on Roof Garden

Blushing tulip close up on Roof Garden

“In May the pleasant spray upsprings / In May the mirthful mavis sings”. These rhythmic lines from Alexander Scott’s joyful poem about May were written in Edinburgh in the 16th century, but could be describing New Lanark Roof Garden today! The hornbeam hedges are sporting fresh green leaves, the elder blossom is coming out, the woolly willow is covered in furry catkins and the tulips are blooming. From the surrounding countryside arise the notes of the mavis (song thrush) and other birdsong. The swallows are back, swooping low to catch insects in the valley. Also remember – our Midsummer on the Roof Garden Event takes place next month – visit www.newlanark.org for details.

In flower in May: Kerria Japonica, tulips ‘Spring Green’ and ‘Blushing Bride’, elder, winter creeper (Euonymus) ‘Emerald Gaiety’, woolly willow (Salix lanata).

Roof Garden diary update – April 2012

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Winter may be back, but the soaring temperatures in the last week of March brought the first bumblebee and a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly into New Lanark Roof Garden. Luckily there was a stray dandelion flower to provide much-needed nectar! The shrubs are now unfurling new leaves and there are hints of blossom beginning. In the case of Pieris, the emerging foliage is an eye-catching red colour. Throughout April, different varieties of daffodil will be in bloom, e.g. ‘Doctor Hugh’, with clear white petals and a rich orange cup in the centre. The lovely Narcissus ‘Lemon Beauty’ is scented and its central cup is split and streaked with yellow. So, make a cheering Spring visit to New Lanark Roof Garden! Click here for details of all our events. In flower April 2012 – Kerria Japonica, Philadelphus coronarius ‘Aureus’ (Mock Orange), Daffodil varieties: ‘Lemon Beauty’, ‘Doctor Hugh’ and ‘Pueblo’.

Roof Garden diary update

Owl on the Roof Garden in winter

Owl on the Roof Garden in winter

The Met Office has just reported that 2011 was Scotland’s wettest year on record, although the spring was warm and dry. Too much rain and the soil becomes water-logged, cold and claggy. For the Mediterranean herbs – rosemary, oregano and thyme – in the troughs, these conditions are not good, but the native Yellow Flag iris (near the hares sculpture) enjoys damp meadows. A new year begins in New Lanark Roof Garden and we look forward to the first flowers, the snowdrops, next month. The seasons follow the same annual cycle, but any gardener will tell you that no two years are exactly alike. New Lanark Roof Garden Diary will be recording what happens! Meanwhile, while the plants are dormant, we are hoping for clear skies for our Stargazing Live Event on 21 January. Come and discover the marvels of the night sky – click here for details.

Visit to New Lanark by Thornlie Primary School

Leslie's card from Thornlie Primary School

Leslie's card from Thornlie Primary School

Primary 5/6 from Thornlie Primary School in Wishaw visited New Lanark Visitor Centre to learn about Robert Owen and working conditions in the mill village in the 19th Century. On their return, the entire school got involved, from primary 1 to primary 7, to present their ‘New Lanark Assembly’.
Topics ranged from toys and games in the past, the Rights of the child, dancing, seasons, and food, and a chat show between David Dale and Robert Owen, accompanied by humorous songs.
Leslie from New Lanark Visitor Centre was lucky to be their Tour Guide when they visited and was invited to the school as their guest at the ‘New Lanark Assembly’. Miss McMillan, who was full of enthusiasm, led the assembly, and Nathan, Chloe and Kali, compered it, providing a slick and effervescent presentation. Leslie was delighted to have been invited and said, “The assembly leaves me with lovely memories, and the flowers and card that they gave me are beautiful. It was an absolute pleasure to be their Guide when they visited and to see the whole school participating.” The photograph shows the front of the card Leslie received from the school.