Planted around 130 years ago, Cook park is “arguably one of NSW’s finest parks” (from the Orange 2011 Visitor Guide) and is classified by the National Trust.
Cook Park is also very English in character – the early settlers were obviously more nostalgic for the trees of their homeland than appreciative of Australian native trees and plants!
Right at the front gate was an English holly tree, covered in berries.
Holly tree.
It must have been disconcerting for the early settlers to have their holly with berries in April.
This tree (Cedrus Atlantica glauca) was planted in 1978 to commemorate the centenary of the first planting of trees in Cook Park in 1878. So this tree is over 30 years old.
In fact, it was to come and have a closer look at this very striking tree that we came into the park at all.
Flowers of Cedrus Atlantica glauca.
Orange was ablaze with these stunning Golden Ash trees.
Cook Park colour.
Cook Park colour up closer.
Nestled in the park was the delightful art deco Alf Blowes begonia conservatory (1934). We were lucky to catch the end of the begonia season – the flowers were magnificent!
Begonias are endemic to rainforests in South America, where they are now endangered in the wild. The name “begonia” was given to this genus to honour Michel Begon (1683-17100), a French botanist who collected begonias from Santo Domingo while stationed there with the French Navy.
Well, Jan, you managed despite the cold. Looks a lovely park. Love all these tree photos.
ReplyDeleteThe holly tree looks ginormous. The rhododendron(?) (Cedrus Atlantica glauca)is a lovely colour, and the golden ashes reminded me of the trees my father planted at the house at Merricks which were poplars and claret ashes. And when you catch the train from Sydney to Melbourne and look at towns like Junee, you see the streets lined with ashes...
So, it would seem that they were very popular. Perhaps they may be preserves as heritage trees...
And let's hope no environmental iconoclast might wish to remove them from your lovely Orange park.