Spring is always an exciting time for Muncaster gardens as we begin to see the glimpses of colour emerging. The camellias are in full flower, frosts permitting and the early rhododendron flowers are starting to break out.

There have been some recent changes in the scenery where some old beech trees have been felled on the hillside above the wildflower meadow. This essential work is to make way for a replanting scheme with new trees, hydrangeas and rhododendrons. The rhododendrons are from seed collected from the wild in India and will be ready to plant out over the year.

Photo courtesy Jason Haine

The garden staff are working in conjunction with the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. They run a conifer conservation programme and supplied Muncaster with a variety of conifers and non coniferous plants in 1997. Martin Gardener who heads the scheme recently visited to monitor the growth and success of the plantings. These have now been labelled and measured and we have ensured that the growing area is clear for further growth. The plants originate mainly from Chile and Taiwan and have been planted to assess their suitability for growing in the UK as well as to conserve threatened species. Some of the species grown at Muncaster are coming under pressure in their native lands and we are delighted to be part of the heritage for them. The conifer conservation programme kindly supplied us with more plants and the promise of a continued supply in the future.

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The World Owl Trust is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Trust relies on a dedicated membership, visitors, donations and legacies.