About two-thirds of the collection is laid out in family order according to the Bentham and Moxon classification with strong collections of Sapindaceae, Fagaceae and Juglandaceae.
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And then there is the pestilence. At the moment it’s Oak Processionary Moth, introduced into the village of Kew and now spreading through the wonderful parks and gardens of Kew and Richmond, and beyond. In Kew Gardens, though, we’ve all but banished it, at least for the moment. Every year now we have to close off about half the gardens for two days and coat our oak collection with an aerial spray of diflubenzuron. We do get the best of our trees, even in death. This year we have renowned English sculptor David Nash living and working on site, preparing all kinds of woody creations. We’ve left a trees standing, and some in neat piles, for him to chainsaw and scorch into works of art. Perhaps the most surprising thing for me after 12 months at Kew was realising how beautiful the trees are in winter. Of course there are deciduous trees in the two Australian botanic gardens where I’ve worked, in Melbourne and Sydney, but not this many and not in this climate.
Kew The stark beauty of trees in winter Photo credit: Kew Gardens
Walking through the arboretum on a frosty morning in January, seeing the sharp architecture of every tree in the weak morning light, is something to treasure. Add the occasional dusting of snow, the fiery red stems of Cornus and a couple of winter blooming species here and there, and there is plenty to keep a plant lover enthralled during what others consider the gloomy months. Very soon after I arrived last year a horticulturist at a local nursery said she was sick of the green of spring and summer, and couldn’t wait for winter. I now know exactly what she means. The cascade of spring flowers has been spectacular and enthralling, but sometimes things are just too soft and green. The harshly beautiful winter landscape is definitely part of the Kew Gardens experience and (along with the glasshouses and a few other bits and pieces…) part of what makes Kew a great botanic garden.
(top) Kew a tree transformed by David Nash (left) Kew a tree waiting for further attention from David Nash Photo credit: Kew Gardens
Kew Anything but green - Ginkgos in autumn Photo credit: Kew Gardens
THE BOTANIC GARDEN ISS 33 – JULY 2012