Liquidambar stryaciflua - Sweet Gum - with maple-like leaves morphing from rich green through yellows and amber. russet and red and to cherry-black. Just one more reason to visit Kew Gardens any time soon. An equal to the Japanese Maple for Autumn fireworks and best appreciated as specimen trees in larger landscapes - they will…
Tag: Kew
Autumn finery at Kew Gardens – Liquidambers, of course, my favourite Cotinus, Liriodendron, Hamamelis and Prunus, the ornamental cherries…
Blue skies, sunshine and a long hour at Kew Gardens to spy some autumnal goings on with a collection of amazing trees. I didn't travel far from the Palm House and I know there would be much, much more to see if I had to time to explore further - I really wanted to see…
From the top of the Pagoda, Kew Gardens: On a clear day you can see…..? But not as far as Yorkshire, or Kirstenboch
But first, a little history - the Pagoda dates back to 1762, built as a surprise for Princess Augusta, mother of George III... 253 steps, ten flights of shallow steps with a wide landing at each level with views across Kew Gardens and as you gain height, London beyond on a clear day, you can…
An hour at Kew, taking in several centuries and quite a few continents too
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…
Lady Waterlow, Maigold, Hansa, Dunwich Rose – an early start to the rose season at Kew
Lady Waterlow - proving to be an early-flowering variety here too (as it is at Petersham Nurseries) at Kew Gardens and with the distinctive loose form, pale colouring, streaked with darker stains. Just beautiful. Here it is climbing up the brick pillars supporting the long, gently curving wooden pergola in the Family Beds garden at…
A new ‘old’ way with Wisteria and a very old Wisteria indeed – more from Kew Gardens
Wisteria floribunda Alba - near to the Duke's Garden within the larger Kew Gardens. We all know that Wisteria can clothe the front of a house with exceptional grace and beauty - and great vigour - elsewhere filling pergolas and arbours with colour and scent (and that reminds me that I am probably too late…
Iris and Peony at Kew Gardens – positively glowing on a damp Thursday afternoon
Above - the lipstick pink of Paeonia Honor, with an unnamed white form, below Below - Paeonia officinalis subsp. officinalis Above and below - Paeonia rockii subsp. atrava Above, Paeonia clusii Above - Paeonia officinalis subsq. officinalis against Iris Red Zinger (also below) Two unnamed Iris Below - actually tinted more lilac in reality, and…
Continue reading ➞ Iris and Peony at Kew Gardens – positively glowing on a damp Thursday afternoon

