Duke’s Garden at Kew – Iris, Alliums, Geum and some florid peonies – and on to the Davies Alpine House. Continuing my constitutional around Kew Gardens

This last was labelled Paeonia suffruticosa, no more, and is magnificent. Loved as much as me by the iridescent beetle that was in an ecstasy of pollen in the centre of each blossom.

Leaving behind this garden and passing by the emerging grass borders, the Davies Alpine House and the Princess of Wales Conservatory beckon. They in turn are at the head of the Rockery, with meandering paths and a wealth of plants from all over the world.