Bank Holiday Saturday at Kew

 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

I didn't take any more photos until I got to the Mediterranean garden

and the Judas tree

before walking round to Cherry Walk and the tulips...

which I was thrilled to see were still looking glorious

lots more low level shooting

luckily some of the dark purple ones are growing close to the rope

into the Temperate House next 

my favourite, albeit fading Silver Daisy bush

then up to the viewing platform 

walking round the top... 

gotta love a shadow pic!

back on ground level

the bird of paradise flowers 

so many flowers on them,  these double headed ones (it hadn't occurred to me until I saw something Kew posted on their FB page about them)

some are single.

they were so bright in the sun

further along the path another group

if anything these were better yet

then it was back outside

past some late cherry blossom

Mallus

I had long since shed my coat and was carrying it... 

look at the blue sky

at the Japanese gateway garden

the red azaleas, low growing provide a real splash of colour amongst the green and gravel 

the cherry trees there though are bursting into leaf so the blossom is passing

more tree blossom as I headed towards the lake

I had intended to go through the woodland and see the bluebells, but went the other way!  

the trees are so bright and green now

as I got back towards the Palm House I paused to take this outside the waterlily house

it was here I realised how many of the alliums are starting to bloom - and you know how much I love my alliums! 

I sat in the warm (hot) sunshine for a few minutes enjoying the view

before heading towards the cafe (just got a glass of water) having a look round the shop and heading home

as I said, next week is early doors, 8am  so set your alarm clocks and join me as I set off at 6.15....

thanks for looking.