Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
There is a lot you would quite rightly expect to see in the Mediterranean Landscape at Kew - olive trees, of which there are many (and my garden has them both old and gnarled) rock roses - Cistus of many varieties Hebes - ditto above Phlomis tuberosa (ragged) tall slender Cypress (I shall use a…
Continue reading ➞ The Mediterranean Landscape at Kew
The Desert Zone at the Princess of Wales Conservatory, with a look at the Tequila plant. http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/garden-attractions-A-Z/Princess-of-Wales-Conservatory.htm http://www.kew.org/heritage/places/pofwales_design.html
I'm getting to rather like this hellebore, Pirouette, for the beautiful congestion of flowers and buds, toothed foliage and compact form. Dusky buds, opening to white blooms fading to equally dusky pink. Typical dark green, leathery leaves on a plant reaching 15" (I'm in an Imperial Mood). While I am on the subject, Helleborus foetidus,…
Continue reading ➞ Prima ballerina – Helleborus x ericsmithii ‘Pirouette’
The Temperate House at Kew - beginning a multi-million pound refurbishment - closed until 2018 More information from the Kew website - http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/garden-attractions-A-Z/temperate-house-restoration/
I meant to identify the trees on the island when I posted this picture beforehand - I don't think it is too poetic to think that the branches appear to be flowing away from the trunk, like seaweed or reeds in a stream - or flames in a strong wind. I've never noticed this before,…
Continue reading ➞ Swamp Cypress
Not for the average conservatory, Encephalartos ferox, almost a living fossil and apparently a ferocious one too (ferox). And Orange, or reddish-orange, these cones. Altogether striking, enjoying the heat and high humidity of the Palm House at Kew. http://www.kew.org/plants/cycads/pollination.html
The Xstrata Treetop Walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew A chance to walk amongst the tree canopy and to enjoy views across the gardens (including the Pagoda and the Temperate House, undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment) and landscape beyond - Sunday was a clear day and Wembley Stadium, The Shard and swathes of West…
Symphoricarpos orbiculatos - Indian Currant or Coralberry http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1890 I know this particular spot, with the waterfall next to the Davies Alpine House and have photographed something interesting, maybe something orange I seem to recall, here before - so I must have also photographed this shrub too, in leaf. It seems to have made no impression…
Continue reading ➞ Indian currant – Symphoricarpos orbiculatos
A grove of Witch Hazel, Hamamelis, at Kew - like those at RHS Wisley, in profuse bloom - these specimens are obviously in full sun rather than a woodland setting - they form part of the Mediterranean Garden displays, a setting for King William's Temple, and they seem to be liking it! Smaller plants than…
Continue reading ➞ Bewitched… Hamamelis at Kew
The Teddington Gardener 