Photos by H: April 2022

From tomorrow members can get into Kew at 8 but for today normal times... was nearly "late" due to the buses taking ages but luckily my mate Lynda was already at the head of the queue....

Until I walked back past the Palm House later I hadn't twigged that it is the alliums that are nearly out in the beds...taking over from the tulips

it was bright and sunny already

urns along the edge of the pond for Elizabeth

the round bed at the end of the path

I wish we could get closer but there is a low barrier around the edge of the grass keeping you off

the inner ring of plants in this bed is alliums too I realise

I went along the path near the fountain but didn't swap to the zoom for close ups... intend to do that later, but didn't!

it was looking good through the leaves on the trees though

headed past the wildflowers at the foot of the Temple of Aeolus

Despite it being reasonably warm out already I went into the Princess of Wales conservatory first.

the big rhododendron in the background framed by the huge agave by the door

inside, the perlagoniums that I don't normally stop to admire, forced me to do so

there were a group of 4 of these cactus, starting to flower

into the main "room" with the pond

only one bunch left flowering on the jade vine

there was a horticulturist along the path still watering. I swear to you, almost went to ask him if they still had their Chinese Water Dragons, but instead I headed to the upper level.

hanging basket looking good

down by the lower pond

gorgeous flowering something or other!

then ahead of me on the path....

it;s like I knew I'd see one!

sitting on the grating that runs through the middle of the path (it's heated underneath, they like the warmth)

his back toes are so long!

then he scampered off to the side

it was such a treat to see him - it's been months since I saw one.

then through the cool orchid room

and up to the higher level again, one of the tropical spaces

love these big green leaves lit by the sun through the roof

had I stayed up on that level and gone through a different door, I'd have seen these close up - it's a wall covered in (I think) bouganvillea

this is from the ground floor, it is gorgeous

a new flush of flowers coming on the grevillea

then into the alpine house - the scilla by the door

looking towards the other end, I love this group - blues and purples...

as I was taking these I was greeted by some more regular visitors Lynda and I were commenting we'd not see for ages.

they'd just met her somewhere else!

they are looking forward to the 8am entrance next week too, so will probably see them again then.

scillas the other end of the alpine house

and alliums

I just love them

camassia in the evolution garden

couldn't see the label, it was the other side of the bed, I can never remember what these are

and a peony

the Temple of Aeolus at the top of it's hill

then I walked along the top path of the rock garden....

and outside the other end of the Princess of Wales, some California poppies were out

a group of red ~~poppies~~ tulips (what was I thinking, thanks Angela) at the end of a bed in the Broad Walk as I crossed the path

to go and view the (English) lilac

I forgot to go and check out the Ceanothus (American lilac) again later

I walked across the grass to the Waterlily house where the beautiful tulips are starting to shed their petals - but what a display they've put on... and I love them now, so pale and wide open

it was very humid inside so had the age-old misting problem

this is one of the few I took of the waterlilies that is semi-visible!

the leaves are growing rapidly - I think that is what the fixed camera on the wall for the TV series is probably filming, time lapse of the growth of the leaves