A walk around, under and through this remarkable tree – the Judas tree, Cercis siliquastrum at Kew – a little video…

A few minutes to explore this remarkable tree, at the nadir of pristine lilac-pink blossom, leaves just pumping up from remarkable miniatures and the undoubted star of the Mediterranean Garden at Kew Gardens today. There was birdsong, but also the planes, so perhaps you might lower the volume on your whatever-it-is-you're-watching-this-on device!  

Kew Gardens – some other stuff that isn’t a Prunus… Cornus nuttallii, Cercis siliquastrum, Viburnum carlesii @kewgardens #springwatching

Cornus x nuttallii x florida It was cherry-heaven all the way this morning, especially as I hadn't planned on calling in and my time was short, and the cherries were the thing. Though I rather begrudged the fact that it was cloudy and grey - I'd hoped to call in on Thursday at the tail…

Magnolias – the grand display at Kew continues (one week on)…. @kewgardens #SpringAtKew

Magnolia campbellii - seen across the expanse of parkland, spotlighting the Magnolia collection at Kew A return visit to Kew, to see again the Magnolias in after a week that has featured some sunshine and some chill nights, though little wind or rain to damage the blossom. Petals there are no on the grass and…

Magnolias – A grand display at Kew …. @kewgardens #springatkew #magnoliawatch

Magnolia campbellii (above and below) A chill hour spent in Kew Gardens but mightily impressed with the Magnolias - all I went to see and I confess I was not optimistic about seeing so much in flower, a delightfully grand show. Such a glorious sugar confection of pinks and white! I had been thinking we…

A gander at some star attractions at Kew Gardens today

The Chokushi-mon and Japanese Landscape at Kew Gardens today Chaenomeles speciosa adding some bright scarlet highlights to the many greens of the Japanese Landscape. Iris unguicularis elsewhere adds bright blue elsewhere in the scheme. Green, however, is the unifying theme. Prunus cerasifera is one of the first trees to come into blossom - you might…

Orchids all the way at Kew Gardens – the Princess of Wales Conservatory prepares to put on a show (plus a trip into the desert)

The Princess of Wales Conservatory, never a dull destination within the expanse of Kew Gardens, is preparing for their annual Orchid Festival - it begins on the 7th February and runs through to the 8th March. http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/whats-on/orchids From past experience, it is going to be an intensely colourful and beautiful extravaganza and with temperatures outside…

Teddington Gardener Review of the Year – January 2014 – at Wisley and Kew. Winter breaks early.

JANUARY - Hamamelis x intermedia Orange Peel Cornus alba Sibirica in container displays at Wisley Rhododendron nobleanum Album Prunus himalaica Hydrangea paniculata Galanthus elwesii Sarcococca confusa Dogwoods at Kew and the Alpine House from the Grass Borders Galanthus elwesii at Kew and Berberis (below) Chimonathus praecox Grandiflorus Prunus subhirtella Autumnalis and Chaenomeles speciosa at the…

Gilded Trees – Ginkgo biloba and Parrotia persica at Kew Gardens – liquid gold, ruby & emerald

Ginko biloba - the prehistoric Maidenhair Tree, with a weeping form which is even more of an absolute gold mine, still, with generally larger leaves and longer leaf-stalks than its upright neighbours. Parrotia persica (below) gold with flashes of red and emerald. and finally, a Grandstand Wisteria... Just half an hour today at Kew Gardens…

A Kew Gardens Miscellany – Alpines, Trees and Random Autumn Stuff

Nerine flexuosa in the Davies Alpine House at Kew. Scilla maderense (below) This clam shell construction lies at the head of the Rock Garden, next to the Princess of Wales' Conservatory and the Grass Borders. Actually there wasn't a great deal to see in the Alpine House this time - a few cyclamen, Paperwhite narcissus…