Our 'common' snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, in a less typical pose. Green stripes and minature bananas? For further diversion, here are links to a couple of short videos from the BBC, with our David Attenborough... http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Galanthus_nivalis#p006b97p http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Galanthus_nivalis#p003k0pp
(More) Bewitched by Hamamelis at Kew…
I couldn't resist revisiting this admirable collection of Hamamelis - Witch Hazels - part of the Mediterranean Landscape at Kew. For details of the 'How to Grow' and 'What are They' variety, please re-visit my earlier post - just enter 'Hamamelis' into the search-query-box-thing.
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Golden fruit – Viburnum opulus ‘Xanthocarpum’
Viburnum opulus 'Xanthocarpum', - our native Guelder Rose, literally with 'Golden Fruit'. These deep yellow, translucent fruits are a change to the more usual red. Planted together - red and yellow - and if you can get it, the compact form of both, 'Compactum', t'would make a fine sight in a smaller garden too. The…
Continue reading ➞ Golden fruit – Viburnum opulus ‘Xanthocarpum’
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Swans, Sackler and Swamp Cypress
A break from the purely Horticultural although this fine specimen (if a disappointed one as I had brought no bread crumbs) was photographed in Kew, by the gorgeous Sackler Crossing.There is also, by the bridge, and just to reclaim the horticultural bias, a fine Swamp Cypress, Taxodium distichum, something I've mentioned very recently, this one…
Continue reading ➞ Swans, Sackler and Swamp Cypress
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The Mediterranean Landscape at Kew
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
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Hip Hip Hooray for Roses (again..)
A small selection of the rose hips display in the rose garden at Kew - sheltered by the Palm House and watched by sentinels of topiary. Not all roses produce rose hips of any significant or decorative consequence; some pull out all the stops and at least equal the floral display. For those roses which…
Continue reading ➞ Hip Hip Hooray for Roses (again..)
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Prickly customers and tequila at Kew Gardens
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
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Prima ballerina – Helleborus x ericsmithii ‘Pirouette’
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’
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Crystal Palace
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/
The Teddington Gardener 