Sunday, November 8, 2015

KEW - each gardener dream

I continue blog series from past. In 2014 summer I went to London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF). And in program we had various trips and one of them was KEW Botanical Garden. Even main interest of science was laboratory, where researchers look for new information about seeds, write books. There we saw one of the largest fungarium. That was my very first touch with that kind of collection. And it is impressive. If you even visit KEW, try to found opportunity to visit this place. Other impressive object - biodiversity camera. This is world most populated place looking from biodiversity prism.  
They show us how it works. It is powerful and inspiring.
After inspiring visit in laboratory we had to hurry for next part of day. But still had opportunity to capture some photos of garden. From Lab to Victoria Gates.
Close to lab growing large grasses. Like entry and invitation to aquatic garden. Large Stipa gigantea look great in any arrangement. Looking at some grasses, I notice they look good in any place. Just plant good quantity and right specie. Because some grow in shade, others in sun. Soil other factor. And this photo show that they do more than fine. What more, I might plant more to fill gaps. Or add other plants to create multi-layered border.
Aquatic garden. Place where grow lots of water lilies. From this place was stolen blue water-lily. Sadly, I came here too late. I like the way it arranged. From one side it is simple. But brilliant. Looking in photos of KEW, each part look like card. I can imagine, if I could came here next time and spend at least one day, I would make tons of great pictures.

Rose pergola
Order beds. At first I didn't like order beds. I like when plants get mixed and create one big picture. But there you can see closer each plant, pick them as detail and in order of family. This is Euphorbia. I saw Oxford's botanical garden largest Euphorbia collection. But this is huge too. Looking at them - I wonder to add few in my garden. Just for detail.
Order beds. I can imagine working in this place is powerful. You could see wide range of plants in various stages. I saw them just in July glory. But empty gaps show, that there is or was something for spring or autumn.
Order beds. These was fun. I capture all order beds photos while almost run. And they are still in high quality.
Rock garden. Very interesting arrangement. Wonder how they cover them for winter..? Maybe have some moving plastic greenhouse for winter. But for summer, it does look great.

We crossed woodland garden and went to see Glasshouse gallery.
Glasshouse gallery in background and woodland garden border close to pond.
This is short, but colorful report from past year. I love it a lot. Now I have lots of works with my studies. It keep me busy and I can't write often. But I do my best.

Best wishes,
Lithuanian daylily and iris gardener, Edvinas