My friend is over from Oz and has expressed a desire to go to Kew. She flies back next Wednesday, so we are going tomorrow. I will take photos. Advance party as it were.
In a clinch time at the moment at work and building site (home) but once that's done should be plain sailing until retirement and then even plainer sailing so don't forget me when you ask about trips.
The date was chosen advisedly, in order to see the new long border at its best. Quite a few of us have been to Kew several times before .. sadly I'm unable to go on this visit, but we'll do it again.
For anyone who is coming, I have a few spare 2 for 1 tickets so if they would be useful send me a PM and I'll pop them in the post.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
We left behind the drizzle in the Midlands, and got there Lunchtime. A white van man was blocking the entrance to the car park, so I missed it and turned into the school ten yards away. oops, careful back out and progress to car park. Car park machine likes 7 pound coins for the days parking.
12 till 3 the place was snided with crocodiles of small schoolchildren in varying uniforms. I would say quiet descended at 3pm but every 45 seconds a BA bird flew over very noisily on final descent for Heathrow. Learn to talk in 40 second bursts.
The lime trees (Tilia, various species) are in bloom, and the scent is divine. There is one near the entrance to the broad herbaceous border, another near the alpine house.
We took a long slow walk down the herbaceous borders to the lake in front of the palm house. The borders are mirror images. Allium have gone over, but the rest is at its peak. Excellent. Small stop near the lake for lunch. Avoid the canada geese, they like mugging people for sandwiches. The Palm house was steamy, glad to escape it. The herbaceous beds and veg patch where they filmed Raymond Blanc at Kew is loaded , as you would expect. . The students beds at the back of the school look like they need harvesting every day. French beans hanging ready, a courgette trying to be a marrow, and sweet peas that badly needed dead heading. still they are learning.
The other side of the wall has a walk of salvias, looking good, Amistad is well staked, a few flowers showing a lot of promise for later. At the corner of the rock garden there is a bed of Roscoea scillifolia tiny pink flowers obviously liking it in the gritty beds. The Alpine house has some very special plants in pots.
The Princess of Wales conservatory never fails to amaze. The Giant amazonian waterlilies have four or five leaves. Huge cacti in flower. Even the mangrove area is now looking spectacular. Near the entrance the staff were installing a load of cannas. Some gorgeous colours , some standing in water, others on the banks.
It is not Orchid time. I have been during the orchid festival, but there are a few in the orchid section, some lovely orange ones behind glass.
The temperate house is still under restoration.
Walking back to the car park, I saw a green woodpecker on the ground after ants, and a Jay.
It took two hours to get along the North circular from kew to Brent cross. Note . Do not try to get around the North circular when Adele is playing Wembley to 100,000.
Photos to follow later when my hips get back into gear. At the moment I am waiting for the Ibuprofen to kick in.
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My friend is over from Oz and has expressed a desire to go to Kew. She flies back next Wednesday, so we are going tomorrow. I will take photos. Advance party as it were.
You mean you're going ahead to warn them Fidget
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
In a clinch time at the moment at work and building site (home) but once that's done should be plain sailing until retirement and then even plainer sailing so don't forget me when you ask about trips.
Have a fab time and look forward to the pics.
We've been planning ahead since 8th March
The date was chosen advisedly, in order to see the new long border at its best. Quite a few of us have been to Kew several times before .. sadly I'm unable to go on this visit, but we'll do it again.
For anyone who is coming, I have a few spare 2 for 1 tickets so if they would be useful send me a PM and I'll pop them in the post.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
That's very kind, Dove.
Advance party report.
We left behind the drizzle in the Midlands, and got there Lunchtime. A white van man was blocking the entrance to the car park, so I missed it and turned into the school ten yards away. oops, careful back out and progress to car park. Car park machine likes 7 pound coins for the days parking.
12 till 3 the place was snided with crocodiles of small schoolchildren in varying uniforms. I would say quiet descended at 3pm but every 45 seconds a BA bird flew over very noisily on final descent for Heathrow. Learn to talk in 40 second bursts.
The lime trees (Tilia, various species) are in bloom, and the scent is divine. There is one near the entrance to the broad herbaceous border, another near the alpine house.
We took a long slow walk down the herbaceous borders to the lake in front of the palm house. The borders are mirror images. Allium have gone over, but the rest is at its peak. Excellent. Small stop near the lake for lunch. Avoid the canada geese, they like mugging people for sandwiches. The Palm house was steamy, glad to escape it. The herbaceous beds and veg patch where they filmed Raymond Blanc at Kew is loaded , as you would expect. . The students beds at the back of the school look like they need harvesting every day. French beans hanging ready, a courgette trying to be a marrow, and sweet peas that badly needed dead heading. still they are learning.
The other side of the wall has a walk of salvias, looking good, Amistad is well staked, a few flowers showing a lot of promise for later. At the corner of the rock garden there is a bed of Roscoea scillifolia tiny pink flowers obviously liking it in the gritty beds. The Alpine house has some very special plants in pots.
The Princess of Wales conservatory never fails to amaze. The Giant amazonian waterlilies have four or five leaves. Huge cacti in flower. Even the mangrove area is now looking spectacular. Near the entrance the staff were installing a load of cannas. Some gorgeous colours , some standing in water, others on the banks.
It is not Orchid time. I have been during the orchid festival, but there are a few in the orchid section, some lovely orange ones behind glass.
The temperate house is still under restoration.
Walking back to the car park, I saw a green woodpecker on the ground after ants, and a Jay.
It took two hours to get along the North circular from kew to Brent cross. Note . Do not try to get around the North circular when Adele is playing Wembley to 100,000.
Photos to follow later when my hips get back into gear. At the moment I am waiting for the Ibuprofen to kick in.
Fidget ... thanks for sharing
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
A few piccies.
That's whetted my appetite, thanks Fidget!