Exciting news for Blackburn as a rare cycad is preserved during the conservatory’s renovation, ensuring its future for generations to come
Blackburn: Last year, they announced plans to revamp the historic conservatory in Corporation Park. It’s part of a £750,000 project to breathe new life into the venue.
Just before that, Historic England stepped in with a £68,400 grant to help study and protect the aging 125-year-old structure. Pretty cool, right?
Inside the conservatory, known as the Victorian Palm House, there’s a treasure trove of exotic plants. One standout is the cycad, which has been around since 1902.
This particular cycad is super rare, being one of only two in Britain. It’s part of a breeding program to keep this ancient plant alive.
While the conservatory gets its makeover, the cycad has been moved to Myerscough College for safekeeping. They’re really taking good care of it!
Susanna Brandon from Myerscough said they were thrilled to temporarily house such a valuable specimen. It’s a big deal for the horticulture team.
She mentioned that cycads are like “living fossils,” having survived ice ages and dinosaurs. How wild is that?
They’re excited to nurture it until it can return to the refurbished palm house. It’s a fantastic learning opportunity for students and staff alike.
There are only about 350 cycads left in the world, and many are endangered. They’re a unique group of plants, too, not related to any others.
Meanwhile, the Corporation Park Supporters Group is also getting involved. They’re taking cuttings from the camellia plant to propagate while the renovations are happening.
