Glorious Zantedeschia in the Duke’s Garden at Kew

A chance to stop off at Kew Gardens this afternoon - between rain showers happily - and to see what surprises there might be (for there are always surprises in these very varied gardens). Having paid up for an annual membership (given that they need the money and since I haven't found my way back…

The Darling Buds of May – the first Alliums, fragrant Roses, lilac, flashy tulips and buttercup fields –

Alliums and ironwork in the Cutting Garden at Petersham Nurseries - elsewhere the first of the roses coming into flower - so many more in furious bud; I had to wait until July last year for the first roses to bloom - March was so bitterly and consistently chill, day and night, that the whole…

Petersham House – my first look at the gardens

Petersham House opened its gardens last Sunday (part of the National Garden Scheme) and this was my first opportunity to have a look around. I've glimpsed tree and blossom from behind high walls and hedges, and through the iron gates into the Kitchen Garden, but this was more like it! I'll let the photos do…

Ightham Mote – a perfect house in a beautiful setting

  My first visit to Ightham Mote this afternoon and I am utterly charmed by the medieval, moated house set in a secluded, wooded cleft of the Kent Weald. There is a lot to appreciate and admire in this gentle landscape, aside from the main building dating back almost 650 years and I will return…

Garden Centre Geek – RHS Wisley Plant Centre

Lewisia cotyledon (above) Clematis alpina Frankie (above) Leucadendron Jack Harre Abutilon x suntense Flowering Maple Epimedium Orange Queen   I wanted to see see what was looking good at the plant centre at Wisley - I hadn't been there for several weeks and expected it to be filling up with new stock. I was not…

The RHS Great London Plant Fair 2014 – Tulips and Daffodils

Tulips on display from HW Hyde & Son, at the RHS Great London Plant Fair today at the Horticultural Halls. The event is open this evening and tomorrow and is as colourful and fragrant affair as one could wish. This tulip display won a coveted Gold Medal from the judges. And of course, when there…

Spring delights in the The Savill Garden

  A pageant of colour - rhododendrons and camellias, hellebores and pulmonarias, cherry blossom, crocus, narcissus, daphne and more - but which group of plants is missing from this gallery. It's a biggie?! Links http://www.theroyallandscape.co.uk/gardens-and-landscape/the-savill-garden http://www.theroyallandscape.co.uk/seasonal-highlights/the-savill-garden/march-and-april/ http://www.theroyallandscape.co.uk/visitor-information/the-savill-building/

Orchids at Kew – last call….

The Orchid Festival at Kew ends this Sunday - 9th March - and if you can get there, it comes highly recommended. And it is at least 21 degrees centigrade in there, with a tropical soundtrack to boot. Gorgeous. http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/whats-on/orchids/

Chaenomeles – Japonica to you and me….

Chaenomeles x hybrida, in pink This pink stand of Chaenomeles x hybrida, by the Pagoda at Kew Gardens today. Though I do not know what it is a hybrid of - Chaenomeles speciosa, in scarlet The scarlet Chaenomeles speciosa sits within the Japanese Landscape under the Chokushi-Mon and grabs the eye! The camellias are dropping…