Kew Gardens by way of Siberia … The Hive, Alpine House (naturally), a deserted Broadwalk, frigid (but pruned) Rose Garden, a short-back-and-sides to the Grass Borders and a remarkable tree or two –

Don't let all that Thailand stuff lull you into a false sense of security, warmth and vibrant-colourful-duvetness ... outside it is Arctic. The crump-crump of snow beneath your boots and the beautiful architecture of trees picked out in white. A lot to admire but even so, bloomin' cold so it was a quick trot back…

A birthday treat to myself – a day trip to Thailand …

While the Beast from the East continues to freeze and snow lies deep and crisp and even on the ground, I thought today would be a good day to find warmer climes - by way of the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew - and explore the floral delights of Thailand. Their annual orchid extravaganza…

Looking for a January Getaway? A tropical holiday? Try Kew Gardens

  A dull day, yesterday, with a chill wind and a fine mist of rain oftentimes so it was glorious to spend a little time inside the Princess of Wales Conservatory in Kew Gardens - plenty of humidity and generously warm temperatures and what a collection of plants in the tropical section here - orchids…

Club Tropicana …

  Tropical and desert plants from foreign parts, lush temperate foliage and home grown beauties - you might head to Kew and the Princess of Wales Conservatory for their Orchid Festival, which opens today and runs for a glorious steamy month at Kew Gardens - but you might get a taste for all that and…

Kew Gardens – Desert, Tropics, Mountains and Forest….

Through the gates on a bright, chill afternoon a couple of days ago and herewith a tour of the Princess of Wales Conservatory and Davies Alpine House by way of the Rock Garden and Woodland beneath the Temple of Aeolus. First stop, the Princess of Wales Conservatory and the Arid/Desert environments - There was a…

Kew, orchids, alpines and enjoying life under the macro-lens

Close, closer, close-up - Aloe africanum in the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew - a majestic specimen in flower, with nectar beading in the warm dry conditions. My new Sigma macro lens made a pretty good job of capturing the detail, even though I had to lean precariously over from the path, across some…

Another day, another visit to Kew Gardens – and not one, two, three nor four – but five Glasshouses and #barkwatch continues – deep joy …

Into the Palm House first, on a rather dull morning (I missed both brilliantly bright days earlier this week, one at Petersham Nurseries, the other being a Good Boy and doing some housework, washing and much-needed shopping). But hey, it's still looking grand and my kitchen floor is shiny shiny clean. The Palm House was…

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome! Here life is beautiful. Even the orchids are beautiful…. The view from Kew.

Such a cold wet blustery day - outside - but inside the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew this afternoon, life is indeed Beautiful. Especially the orchestra Orchids! The annual orchid festival - Alluring Orchids - started last weekend and goes on until March. It is a riot of colour. Some of these huge displays…

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…