Kew - but almost too hot!

 We're in the middle of a heatwave in parts of the UK and today was going to get to about 33c ... it was going to be a short trip to Kew.

it started out warm, but with cloud cover  

Kim didn't make it today, delaying her trip till tomorrow when it should be a few degrees cooler.

I was well protected against the sun whilst I waited before 8

the 2 urns along the pond side still have the ducks on nests 

whilst the others are planted up!

bed at the end of the pond.  hadn't noticed the sunspots 

dahlia in the bed at the top of the Broad Walk

astrantia

lilies down the Broad Walk 

the Palm House end of the Broad Walk has lots of yellow at present

I went up to the Hive

I can't get the wildflowers in the next pic to re-position...

this is a view of the new Carbon Garden  (from the steps down from the Hive) that is being developed on the site of the previous Secluded garden 

it's due to be finished in July.. 

closer look

spiral aloe near the alpine house

the waterlily pond

Kim's neighbour works in the nursery at Kew growing plants for the beds... these are probably some of her handirwork waiting planting out

ok, out of order time,  but my lovely wildflower bed...

the cornflowers are out now

the poppy beds in the evolution garden are mostly the huge white ones

still lots of roses on the pergola through the evolution garden

there used to be 2 hydrangeas on each corner of a bed partway through the evolution garden but I noticed today that one has been taken out - hadn't noticed it looking diseased at all so I guess it's just a change..

there were lots of bees up and busy

the Helenium are looking good too in my favourite summer/autumn beds in the evolution garden

think the bee has full pollen sacs!  

ok, camera, which plant do you want to focus on...

you choose!

there were several people about,  just got lucky!  

the border along the far end bordering the rock garden,  caught my eye - more field poppies

back by the pond 

urn in the corner of the hedging round the palm house, aeoniums cope well outside in summer 

from the rose garden side

heading to the Of the Oak gorgeous installation.   I sat and listened for a few minutes

before continuing to the lake 

it had gone very over cast some time ago  but was still very warm, it was nice actually not to be in full sun  (no hint of rain, just cloudy)

still some reflections 

i crossed over and before I headed to the Temperate House, 

I saw a huge gaggle  on the grass...

feeding their way towards

the path to cross to the lake 

they wouldn't all fit in the lens! 

phone

I turned round and walked past the Treetop walkway  - lift being repaired, no way was I climbing 118 steps in today's heat so carried on..

the Davies Exploration house was open, (they don't normally unlock till 10 and it was about 9.30)

so I could get my strawflower fix!

the Temperate House wasn't open so I decided to go and get a drink (yes, I had been drinking water!)

the grass round the cherry trees has now been cut, and I also noticed that on the side in the right in the photo, that 3 of the cherry trees have been dug out... no idea why!

walked on to the new wild rose garden,  there were no seats in the shade so kept going 

and had breakfast - or as I called it today, pre-birthday cake!  (birthday is Thursday) 

found a table in as much shade as possible ...

Kim and I had joked in the week, that we'd not go into the glasshouses unless it was to cool down,  so I decided to test it out...

this is trying hard to flower properly up against the glass 

inside - no cacti flowering,

in the tropical rainforest bit - and YES it did feel cooler inside than out!!

however I didn't hang around long!

outside again 

quick walk through the alpine house

and then through the rock garden

roses back at the bed by the Broad Walk

the middle of the beds outside the waterlily house have new plants in,  the santolina round the outside remains

the waterlily house inside WAS hotter in than out, it is always said to be the hottest glasshouse in the gardens.  even with the main doors open, it was hot!

I decided to go into the Palm  House too,  (very briefly)

someone was watering the palms, I asked if she could spray me too.... 

aeoniums in the pots outside the palm house

one of the ducks had woken up now 

gorgeous dark petunia in the rest of the urns along the pond

I was about to call it a day, but first needed  a brief sit down.

crossed the grass to the seat in the temple by the gorgeous tree that is so pretty in autumn (can never remember what it is)

peeled the rucksack off my back and sat for a bit, drinking some water

this is it's summer stage

looking out from the seat

about 11.30 and now 28c.  time to call it a day, I headed home.

thanks for looking - see you next week, for the post birthday visit