20 April 2024

 

I went onto the estate this morning out to have a look at some of the spring flowers around the courses.  Some of the most striking are the March Marigolds which grow in the marshy areas near the 3rd and 9th on the Blue. There seems to be a particularly good display this year

Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris [9th Blue]

Between the 6th and 16th on the Green course I came across Meadow Saxifrage.  I can't believe how I have missed this in previous years and there are lots of obvious clusters of it here.  Saxifrages are more commonly known as mountain species, but Meadow Saxifrage grows on unimproved grassland in the UK.  There is one other Saxifrage that grows at Frilford in a more alpine environment on the main card park wall - Rue-leaved Saxifrage.  This is not so easy to spot as it is a lot smaller.

Meadow Saxifrage Saxifraga granulata [16th Green]

Rue-leaved Saxifrage Saxifraga tridactylites [Car Park]

A more conspicuous alpine plant, also growing of the wall of the car park is Fairy Foxgloves.

Fairy Foxglove Erinus alpinus [Car park]

One rather delicate flower that is all over the marshy areas of the course at this time of year is Cuckoo Flower, also known as Lady's Smock or Mayflower.  This patch was on the 18th on the Red.

Cuckoo Flower Cardamine pratensis [18th Red]