Kew Gardens, a weekend visit in May 2019

One of the things we've be thinking of doing since our return from Namibia is to visit Kew Gardens in London. Somehow over the intervening years it was delayed or forgotten about until this year. What better time to go than in Spring with the azaleas and rhododendrons and also the art works of Dale Chihuly that are incorporated through the gardens and add an extra dimension to the landscape at this time.

We went to London by train passing through Exeter to Reading and there changing train to get to Richmond which is a stones-throw from Kew Gardens and easily reached by bus or tube. We stayed at the Dukes Head Inn, about a twenty minute walk from the train station and less into the centre of Richmond by the Vineyard Passage to George Street and then to Kew by the number 65 bus that goes to the main Victoria Gate of the gardens in the direction of Ealing Broadway (about ten minutes ride).

On arrival in Richmond we did have time to eat and explore the main centre and a fair on Richmond Green nearby. We also took a walk along the waterfront where you can hire cycles to follow the riverside path towards Hampton Court, or take a boat trip on the Thames; there are several options advertised on the wharfe. It is also a popular spot to eat outside with a fine view across the river.

A view of the wharfe and Richmond Bridge over the River Thames.  A moment watching the boat men doing hull repairs ready for the summer season.

In the morning after a full English Breakfast (very pleasant hosts and accomodation) we left the Inn and made our way to Victoria gate for opening at ten o'clock and although there was a queue, it soon dissipated when the gates opened. I think it does speed things up if you already have a ticket via the internet. Our first sight was a little unreal as we spotted one of the Chihuly exhibits, a blue-spiked globe in the distance.

The artwork "Sapphire Star" set in a wooded meadow seen on entering through Victoria Gate inthe gardens.

Looking across the lake to the Palm House and one of the glass sculptures, "Summer Sun" standing on the lake edge. 

We chose to take a walking route, first towards "The Orangery" passing "The Great Broad Walk Gardens"and "The Beehive". We spent some time in the Palm House an amazing Victorian structure (built in 1840's but completely rebuilt in 1980's).
The main herbaceous border was spectacular with waves of plants in bloom. I was so taken with the different displays, that I forgot to take photos of the main section. Some of the plants we recognised, but others were new to us giving us some ideas for our new garden at home. Although we'd seen the border on TV (e.g. "Gardens World") it was quite an experience to see the scale of the planting in person. There are lots of smaller paths around the "Beehive" worth exploring to get different views of the garden.

"The Beehive" designed by artist Wolfgang Buttress in 2015 now housed at Kew in the wildflower meadow with the tulip beds in front.

 

Part of the orchid display in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, this giant Sloth made of  bromelaids celebrates the animals of Columbia 

One of the features of Kew is that most of the plants including the trees are labelled. In every direction you look there are different trees of various ages. One that caught my eye was the "Lucombe Oak" a hybrid of Turkey and Cork oak found in 1762 by William Lucombe, the tree in Kew being a clone of the original.

A Lucombe Oak protected in the garden, one of the many large trees in the gardens

We took lunch in the Orangery and then meandered around the gardens making our way to the river and back by the Rhododendron Dell and the main lake. Lots of evidence of the Canadian geese as we approached the river!

View down the lake on our return from the river.

Rhododendron Dell with lots of colour and some scents with the azaleas.

Neodymium Reeds and Turquoise Marlins near King William's Temple.

There are lots of sculpture exhibits as you walk around the gardens. As they aren't located on the garden map, each come as a surprise; I expect we missed some!

We've just planted our solo Wisteria at home, nothing on this scale though!

We covered most of the garden in a full day with stops for refreshments and drinks. The weather was sunny and very pleasant and of course this makes a difference anywhere. I haven't shown all the glass sculptures but they are all remarkable and worth seeing as they compliment the gardens and sometimes make a focus. How they transported them from America is hard to imagine!

The plants are amazing in diversity and the glass houses allow quite different environments to grow from arid, alpine to tropical jungles, and I think having this all in one place brings home to you the rich diversity and complexity of life including all the different trees that have adapted to situations around the world, something to be highly valued.

We spent the evening and next morning around Richmond at the river for lunch and then home by the same rail route without delays.