A timely guide to spring-flowering bulbs – choices, tips, techniques and planting ideas for a display from January to May

  More thieving from my back catalogue of articles, this one doubly so since it originally featured in September a few years ago, featuring images taken from 2014 onwards - and repeated again in April of this year. But spring-flowering bulbs are available now so this time of year is probably the most useful as bulbs can be…

Kew Gardens – a look back in anticipation of looking forward to a visit soon …

  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…

Dale Chihuly – Glass at Kew Gardens – May 2019

                            A look back to last year when the gardens and glasshouses were once again a home to the glass works by Dale Chihuly. Gone now of course even if the gardens were open, so please don't visit, when we can, expecting…

Kew Gardens – Early One Morning

Rolling back the years, almost exactly four years ago in 2016, to an early morning wander through Kew Gardens. As I was working that Sunday I really must have put on some speed to cover so much from the early 8am opening, heading out by 9.30am to head back down the river to Richmond and…

The Judas tree at Kew – 2015 but every year since – Cercis siliquastrum in the Mediterranean Garden – a real star performance @kewgardens

Well, I think that just about gives you every angle! This remarkable tree, Cercis siliquastrum, also known as the Judas tree, forms part of the Mediterranean Landscape at Kew Gardens and is just about at its best just now. Alone it is both striking and beautiful but contrasting with the yellow, fragrant gorse, the combination…

Teetering before the fall but still beautiful, the Cherry Blossom Empire @kewgardens 2015

The Cherry Walk at Kew Gardens, coming up from the Mediterranean Garden and heading towards the roses and Palm House. A couple of weeks ago, this path was lined with pink and white confections, flurries of blossom in candyfloss shades - but now green is the theme. Yet... There is still rather a lot going…

A guide to spring-flowering bulbs in the garden – planting ideas from January to May in kaleidoscopic style

  Bulbs in the spring garden. The text and images are timely in this piece, looking through the late winter and spring months January through to May, though it was originally written for a September story when the bulbs and corms would be available for planting. There are practical tips and hints planting of course,…

A speedy 44 minute Hanami Festival – the Rise and Rise of the Cherry Blossom Empire @Kewgardens #Hanami A look back to 2015

Back again - a return to Kew after two incredibly hot and sunny days which have brought on the display immeasurably. I thought it was good on a dull Monday morning, but today, more, more and more blossom, puffed out, expanded and exploded and there is still more to come! Some of the trees that…

My own personal and private Hanami – Cherry Blossom Festival at Kew (a look back to 2015) @kewgardens #CherryBlossom #Hanami

Another look back through the archives, though Kew Gardens themselves and several of the individuals that work there still have posted some tantalising glimpses of the gardens are they are now. Not an option for me sadly, so will make do with a trip down memory lane. The warm weather we have enjoyed over the…