Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
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’
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
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
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’
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/
I meant to identify the trees on the island when I posted this picture beforehand - I don't think it is too poetic to think that the branches appear to be flowing away from the trunk, like seaweed or reeds in a stream - or flames in a strong wind. I've never noticed this before,…
Continue reading ➞ Swamp Cypress
Not for the average conservatory, Encephalartos ferox, almost a living fossil and apparently a ferocious one too (ferox). And Orange, or reddish-orange, these cones. Altogether striking, enjoying the heat and high humidity of the Palm House at Kew. http://www.kew.org/plants/cycads/pollination.html
I've photographed these willow fungi before, but I think they deserve another outing, bathed as they were in late afternoon sunshine last Sunday. A BBC video featuring Tom Hare, the artist responsible and the work of the Fungarium at Kew - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24473667 http://www.kew.org/video-galleries/galleries/Tom-Hare-fungi-sculptures.htm
Early preparations in the Princess of Wales Conservatory for their Orchid Festival, beginning next month (8th February to 9th March). These spaces will be unrecognisable once their work is complete - a riot of colour. I'm sure I posted a gallery of photographs from their displays last year and this year should be bigger and…
Continue reading ➞ Orchid Mania at Kew
The Teddington Gardener 