A look back to a visit in early August 2018 when the Pagoda was reopening after a refurbishment and the installation of the dragons. If you want a look inside the pagoda, or a look at the landscape from its heights, you can use tags or search functions.
The gardens are open again after the complete lockdown, with social distancing measures in place and timed entry tickets, but it’s a little difficult for me to get there at the moment, so this little trip down memory lane will have to suffice. I hope you enjoy and if you are able, might get to see the show first hand.
So –
A first look at the newly restored and be-dragoned Great Pagoda. Of course I didn’t think to book, so shall be returning tomorrow at 10.30am for that pleasure. I have ascended the Pagoda before, pre-restoration about what, five years ago? But the Dragons are new, 1.8m long on the lower level carved in wood, greatly colourful and gilded. Those above are 3D printed in resin but still magnificent. The views will have to wait until tomorrow/ Meanwhile, my tour continues through the magnificent trees on show to the also newly re-opened Temperate House and the adjacent glasshouse, featuring Australian species. Then on through the Mediterranean landscape.
The Palm House and Rose Garden. I hadn’t plan to catalogue the roses in bloom, but then I did, well, some of them. This took me to the start of the Boardwalk borders …
The Boardwalk, a double herbaceous border leading down to the Orangery, Some beautifully bold and colourful planting and only two years on…
And then on to the Hive…
And thence on to the Princess of Wales Conservatory for the exotic planting outside, the grass borders and the Davies Alpine House. The Rock Garden follows, the Salvia Border and the Family Beds. And the shop (book looking…)
Before heading back to the Lion Gate. More trees. Back tomorrow to climb the Pagoda …
The Teddington Gardener 