Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
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…
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…
Continue reading ➞ Kew Gardens – Desert, Tropics, Mountains and Forest….
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…
Continue reading ➞ Kew, orchids, alpines and enjoying life under the macro-lens
Low winter sunshine, strafing across the grass borders at Kew - incidentally these were being cut back to tufts of stubble by the gardeners and so I make note to do the same in my gardens soonish too - and illuminating this circle of crocus. I walked all the way around, watching the light highlight,…
Continue reading ➞ Crocus at Kew
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 Xstrata Treetop Walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew A chance to walk amongst the tree canopy and to enjoy views across the gardens (including the Pagoda and the Temperate House, undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment) and landscape beyond - Sunday was a clear day and Wembley Stadium, The Shard and swathes of West…
The Teddington Gardener 