Auriculas at Kew

Auriculas on sale at Kew Gardens - not in their little plant centre but right by the exit. How Fiendish! I don't think they have had them in stock for a couple of years and if I remember rightly, they were selling them last with Victorian terracotta pots, at £10 or more. Now they are…

A little early May tour around RHS Wisley – Rockery, Woodland and Rockery again…

A tour through the Surrey gardens of RHS at Wisley, taking us from the entrance (and before we even get going we have to stop and gawk at the Clianthus Kaka King!) before skirting along above the water lily pond to see the Wisteria and Roses enjoying the warmth of a long brick wall -…

Jewels and Miniature Marvels – the Alpine House at RHS Wisley, this time… @RHSWisley @The_RHS #AlpineHouse

  Having visited the architecturally distinctive Davies Alpine House at Kew recently, I was prompted to head out to Wisley today - early, given the weather forecast of rain by lunchtime - and to take in the Magnolias (of course) and Battleston Hill generally (for the camellias and rhododendrons and any other early blossom) -…

The best of the rest at Kew – a miscellany from my latest visit: the Rock Garden, Woodland and Water Lily House

Geraneum phaeum (above) - small, dark, richly colouted flower heads held in a haze above chevron'd foliage. Ideal for shady spots. Scilla peruviana (above) - last seen in the Alpine House at RHS Wisley - here it is in amongst the peonies at Kew The Japanese Pagoda Tree (below), well supported - Wild Garlic (above…

Allium rosenbachianum in the Davies Alpine House at Kew Gardens (something a little sparkly – little else was….)

Not strictly an alpine bulb - it is quite garden worthy - but one of the earliest Alliums to flower and a favourite of Vita Sackville West. Here it was sitting in the Davies Alpine House at Kew. Dare I say it, this was probably the most exciting thing there, large or small; I'm usually…

After winter, intimations of Spring… Kew Gardens

and finally, the shop - orchid mania due to the extravaganza going on in the Princess of Wales Conservatory

In the Davies Alpine House, Kew

In the Davies Alpine House at Kew, Sternbergia candida One of several generously plants pots of Scilla madeirensis This one I have photographed before, at Wisley I think, Narcissus romieuxii subsp romieuxii As the labels says - Crocus imperati ssp suaveolens 'Jager' Crocus 'Jager', again Not a poppy, Ranunculus asiaticus Just a few more Alpine…

Miniature Masterpieces – Iris in the Alpine House at Kew

Iris rosenbachiana - from Russian Central Asia Iris planifolia (above) from the Mediterranean Iris bakeriana - Turkey, Iran, Iraq From Israel and Jordan, Iris regis-uzziae The Davies Alpine House at Kew - home to so many miniature wonders, including these iris, hardly taller than their labels and perfect little works or art - beautiful.

Narcissus romieuxii subsp. albidus – if you please….

Narcissus romieuxii subsp. albidus A treat from the Alpine House at RHS Wisley, a tiny white narcissus - I thought I should continue with the pure white theme for a little while more, following on from the previous item on the Christmas Rose, Helleborus niger. Not one to be strewn across a grassy expanse, King…