Winter Blossoms at Kew Gardens

It feels a bit as if spring is just around the corner. It's not been really cold, and now I'm already on the lookout for the first spring flowers–I saw the first snowdrops yesterday, crocuses today, and many other spring bulbs have been sending out shoots. (I actually spotted the first bluebell shoots in our garden in mid-October...)

Before spring arrives–or a blizzard–it's now time to appreciate the lovely blossoms of the shrubs and trees that flower in winter, many of which are so beautifully scented. They can be found in Kew Gardens, where there's something to see at any time of the year.

There are many winter-flowering shrubs in the Winter Garden near the Ice House and Princess of Wales Conservatory (this is where I took the pictures shown below), and more can be found between The Pond and the Victoria Gate. Near King William's Temple, there's a collection of hybrid witch hazels which have also started coming into bloom. More winter bloomers dotted around the gardens (a winter honeysuckle in the Duke's Garden could not be missed because of its scent).


Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) - 6 January 2012


Viburnum (Viburnum × bodnantense 'Dawn') - 6 January 2012


Witch hazel (Hamamelis × intermedia 'Pallida') - 6 January 2012


Winter honeysuckle (Lonifera x purpusii 'Winter Beauty') - 6 January 2012

...And while Kew's spring bulbs are getting ready for their big show, this little carpet of cyclamen coum is a pretty surprise. It's underneath a tree next to the Cafe at the Victoria Gate.


Cyclamen coum - 6 January 2012

See you in spring!

Autumn in London

London is beautiful in autumn. Here are some ideas for the "season of mists and mellow fruitfulness":

At Fenton House in Hampstead, the annual Apple Day event, "a celebration of the English apple in the historic orchard", is taking place this weekend, 24 and 25 September, from 11am to 4:30pm; adults £3, children £1.

Also in Hampstead, this year's Conkers Championship will take place as part of the Heath Heritage Festival on Sunday 9 October, at Parliament Hill Bandstand from 11am to 4pm; the event is free (and conkers will be provided!).

On Saturday 29 October, a Family Pumpkin Day will take place at Chiswick House and Gardens, and there will also be a Pumpkin Festival at Osterley Park and House on the same weekend, 29 and 30 October, 12pm to 4pm (this event is free).

Later in the year, from Friday 18 November to Sunday 4 December, Syon Park's Enchanted Woodland will give you a chance to wander around the gardens and arboretum when it's dark, with the trees illuminated by lights. 5pm to 9pm with last entry 8pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; adults £7, children £3.

Some of the best places to see autumn colours in London are, of course, its many parks and gardens, and particularly beautiful are the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park, the gardens at Eltham Palace, and the Pergola and Hill Garden in Hampstead Heath.

Glorious displays of colours can also be seen at Kew Gardens; there will be guided walks and tours as part of Autumn at Kew.

There are some seasonal walks in the Royal Parks, too, for example this free Autumn Bird Walk in Richmond Park on 15 October.

The Walled Garden at Kenwood House

The Walled Garden at Kenwood House is a hidden delight, a pretty contrast to the wilderness of nearby Hampstead Heath. The garden is situated at the Heath's northern border with Hampstead Lane, next to the Kenwood Nursery.

It used to be the kitchen garden of Kenwood House, and hence is also called the Kitchen Garden. Today it's a flower garden which features hedges, borders, a kidney-shaped butterfly bed–and a sundial, which is made of stones sunken into the lawn.

There is another garden at Kenwood House, the Flower Garden, with azaleas and rhododendrons, to the west of the house.


The butterfly bed - 14 September 2011


The lavender hedge and butterfly bed - 14 September 2011


Benches - 14 September 2011


The lavender hedge - 14 September 2011


The sundial - 14 September 2011

Hampstead Heath in August

The Tumulus Field, looking towards South Wood - 29 August 2011


Autumnal colours - 29 August 2011

I always take lots of photos of the Heath, too many for this blog; so I have decided to try a "one photo a day" project, it lives here: ayearonhampsteadheath.blogspot.com

The End of Summer in Cannizaro Park

Cannizaro Park was stunning in spring this year. I loved the crocuses in February, and the other spring blossoms in March and April–and then there was the dry weather. When I last visited the park in May, I thought that it looked very summery already, compared to last year, too.

Now summer seems to come and gone already; the dry grass, the trees that are beginning to change colour, the fallen leaves, and the autumn flowers that have started to appear give the park an autumnal feel.

And Cannizaro Park in autumn is something to look forward to...


The Iris Garden in Cannizaro Park - 24 August 2011


Fallen leaves - 24 August 2011


Cyclamen, near the Sunken Garden - 24 August 2011