We are having a relatively mild winter this year but this has been combined with very wet weather, so much so that in parts of the country, many have had flooded homes and roads and railways are disrupted. Our local area is, fortunately, largely unaffected, other than the rain.
We spent Christmas day celebrating with my Sister and family, but after a day of food and celebrations we decided that a trip to Kew Gardens would be a lovely way to unwind and walk off some of the extra calories. My parents, gave us an annual pass for Christmas so to take advantage the four of us headed into London.
Kew itself wasn't too busy, despite them having run a promotion in the run up to Christmas with a number of free entry vouchers available, although the glasshouses (with their warmth and shelter from the rain) were where we, and everyone else, headed.
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| Outside the Princess of Wales Conservatory: Not the most beautiful of displays in December, but rather unusual in that Kew normally lifts the Agaves and other succulents This winter they appear to be experimenting. |
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| Arid landscape in the Princess of Wales Conservatory |
The Princess of Wales Conservatory has had something of a makeover recently, In the arid section, many of the cacti and other succulents have been trimmed and thinned out, giving a more arid effect. It was starting to look like a very lush garden in places rather than a more typical arid bed. I'm sure they will allow the plants to expand again, but at the moment its looking very tidy.
This Glasshouse soon gives way to a Humid Tropical section, and with the rain coming down harder outside we stayed for a while enjoying the plants and warmth!
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| Anthurium salviniae |
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| David Nash Sculpture. I really like this one, and quite fancy creating something similar in our garden, from stone rather than iron. |
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| Within the Palm house there were a selection of metal bugs made from recycled tin cans. We didn't spot any information about these so I don't know if they are connected to the David Nash exhibition. |
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| Crinum purpurascens |
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| Psychotria ankarensis |
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| Pritchardia elliptica from Hawaii |
Lush Jungle planting within the Palm House.
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| Encephalartos villosus is a shade-loving Cycad from South Africa |
With the rain still coming down we headed to the final glasshouse of the day, the Temperate House. This is about to start on a major renovation, and many of the plants have been removed or are in preparation for removal. We will feature the preparations in a separate post.
Gaz
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I really like their cactus house. That Psychotria is definitely different. At first glance it looked like big pea pods. :)
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Doesn't it just look like pods Cher, it ally caught our attention.
DeleteWe've been having a mild and wet winter here as well. Thanks to your great pictures, I feel warmer already! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGlad we helped warm you up! At least it's not too cold for you too.
DeleteHow interesting that they're open on Christmas, what a great family destination! So most of the plants outside the POW Conservatory were lifted as usual and only a few left for experimenting? Please do report on how they do over the wet winter months...
ReplyDeleteLoree they close for Christmas Day but other than that they were open the whole time. Although wet it's been fairly mild, so it will be interesting to see how the arid do outside the PoW.
DeleteWhat a great Christmas gift. Kew Gardens seems to be always changing their exhibitions so there would always be something new to see as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Missy, yes its great isn't it. We have had Kew membership each year for about 5 years now and love seeing the various exhibits and also the changing of the seasons.
DeleteWhat a nice place to be on a rainy day! I love the metal bug!
ReplyDeleteIndeed Debs :)
DeleteThat metal bug really caught my eye! So interesting! I bet children just love those! I bet it was nice to be inside, dry and warm, on a cool, wet, rainy day. Seems like you've had much too much rain - please send it my way! :)
ReplyDeleteThe metal bug is great we would love one! You are welcome to our rain :)
DeleteHow lovely to see all these plants looking so healthy in their appropriate conditions. I'm gonna have nightmares about that bug though!
ReplyDeleteawww and its only a cute little big too
DeleteHow fortunate you are to have such a source of inspiration nearby...and parents who understand what makes a great gift.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to have it close by, and i think my parents have worked out we are rather keen on gardening by now! :)
DeleteSounds like a lovely destination for a festive walk. I really like the David Nash sculpture, it looks like giant carrots!
ReplyDeleteHi Gina, its a great sculpture isn't it. And yes a lovely way to walk off a few calories at Christmas.
DeleteThat's a great Xmas present!!! Amazed they have left the Opuntia outside in winter - it's always in the glasshouses even in the summer at the Botanic Garden up here!
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how that Opuntia does. Some can take the wet British winter reasonably well if in very free draining soil.
DeleteWe have a seed grown (mixed seed so not sure on variety) in a pot by at the front of our house, that has been through the last few bad winters, taking snow and -10C. It is up against a wall and south facing so is in the best spot we can give it, and its done well over the last few years. We should take a couple of pads off and try it elsewhere to see how it fairs.
Love the delicate Crinum - at first glimpse it appeared to be an albino Cyperus - umbrella plant!
ReplyDeleteIt is very delicate, it really stood out, even more so in person.
DeleteLooking at those palms and Alocasias seem like i am in the 2nd growth forest here in the Philippines, they seem to be in their natural habitat and look natural. The only unnatural is the very big bug! That makes the garden seem so alien.
ReplyDeleteThe giant bug is quite good fun, overall they have captured the planting very well in two buildings above. With successful layering of plants and different shapes and forms. Every so often they clear an area and replant to give new plants a chance to be seen and to also refresh the way things look.
DeleteThanks for the tour of the conservatory - a great way of working off some of those seasonal calories. I imagine looking at the rusty bug that it must be quite moist inside as well as outside.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, it does get very humid inside, but warm too!
DeleteI agree about the Crinum...really lovely!
ReplyDeleteIt really caught our eye, although was tricky to get a nice photo.
DeleteThanks for the tour, it has been years since I made it to Kew, wonderful to live nearby and be able to visit regularly.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you can visit Kew again soon Janet, it's a lovely place for a day out :)
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