Snowdrops and Orchids at Kew Gardens

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Fran

It’s very temping in February, at the first hint of warmth in the air, to start thinking that spring is just around the corner. Even though you know that icy winds and snow can still be lying in wait, you start to crave the colour and life of spring. They know this at Kew Gardens so they’ve made February their orchid month. You can immerse yourself in the exuberant luxury of the orchid house, while outside, under the trees, the first harbingers of spring make their appearance. Continue reading →

The Japanese Landscape at Kew – the definitive tour

Posted on July 13, 2014 by Fran

It’s all too easy to visit gardens without knowing much about them and come away still knowing very little. That’s what I’ve often done with the Japanese landscape garden at Kew. But not any more; thanks to a tour led by one of Kew’s specialist horticulturists, I’ve learned a massive amount and I’m going to share it with you now. It’s the expert’s guide, straight from the horse’s mouth. Continue reading →

Kew Gardens in Summer

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Fran

Last week I took a trip down to the other end of town for a day out at Kew Gardens, visiting the lovely Japanese Landscape garden and Kew Palace. I’ve never visited the palace before (it’s actually inside Kew Gardens and they only recently changed the rules so you could get in without paying extra) but I reckoned it would be perfect on a hot day. Continue reading →

Best cherry blossom in London at Kew Gardens

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Fran

Yes, it’s official – having just spent a wonderful sunny day at Kew Gardens looking at the cherry blossom I can confirm that it’s definitely the best place in London to see cherry blossom. And it’s in bloom now, so get down there as fast as you can and do my… Continue reading →

A Japanese autumn at Kew Gardens

Posted on October 28, 2012 by Fran

Kew Gardens! It’s been years since I last went there. In fact it’s so long ago it might even have been back in the days when you put a penny in the turnstile to get in, (on second thoughts, it wasn’t THAT long ago), days which are unfortunately a distant memory as nowadays Kew has to turn more than a penny to fund its work as an internationally recognised research and education institution with the worlds largest collection of living plants.

What drew me there? Well, once again it’s thanks to the Japan Society which arranged a brilliant tour of the herbarium which I’ll tell you about in my next post.

For the moment I’m going to focus on the Gardens themselves as autumn is a lovely time of year to visit; the trees with their red and gold leaves are picture-perfect – as you can see: Continue reading →