Yesterday I visited Kew Gardens for the first time in 13 months. The last time I visited I was with my father, and it was his last trip to see the gardens so going back was quite an emotional occasion. I’m glad that I went, and it seems fitting that it was on the occasion of the winter solstice. Midwinter always feels like the start of something new: the days start to lengthen, the sun begins to warm the earth more, and we’re heading back towards spring. I let my Kew membership lapse after my father died, but I renewed it yesterday and hope to start visiting the gardens on a regular basis again.
Here are some photographs from yesterday, showing some of the gorgeous clear weather and beautiful winter colour.
The red stems of cornus, seen from the Sackler Crossing
The Sackler Crossing
More vibrant cornus
View across the Thames
The unassuming but sweetly scented blooms of Osmanthus heterophyllus
Bright red rowan berries
White rowan berries
Callicarpa berries almost look false, they’re such a bright purple
A bee enjoying a camellia blossom in the sunshine
The Times Eureka Garden
The sun starting to go down on the shortest day
