Kew Gardens Princess of Wales Conservatory

An entire room devoted to orchids! Other people walking through this room probably thought I was weird because I couldn't hide my delight. I pretended to fiddle with my camera so I could spend some time being surrounded by these lovely flowers. This is the Princess of Wales Conservatory.

As an American, I thought it was named for Diana, but really this greenhouse was sponsored by Diana in remembrance of a different princess, Augusta, who began Kew Gardens 250 years ago.

An entire room is devoted to cacti, and I couldn't help taking a picture of cacao (that brown bean on the tree) in another area. There are ten different zones.

Excuse my fan girl moment--An entire room devoted to blooming orchids!

Kew Gardens Japanese Gateway

The Japanese Gateway is the easy way to say Chokushi-Mon, translated as Gateway of the Imperial Messenger. Built in 1910 and refurbished in 1994-95, it's a replica of a temple in Kyoto.

 The Japanese cypress wood carvings were incredible.

Surrounding the temple were Japanese-style gardens. People respectfully stayed off the raked sand, which resembled waves of water.

Kew Gardens Davies Alpine House

This unusually shaped building creates the perfect conditions for alpine plants, those that need cool and dry conditions. June was a perfect time to visit because we saw lots of color inside.

Some visitors walked in and out quickly, maybe because the flowers don't have the "wow" factor that roses and waterlilies have, but treasures abound! Here's what specifically was blooming: saxifrages , everlastings, and Rhodohyposix (not sure what the common name is for that). Imagine my surprise when I find something familiar. Yes, that three-leaved plant is Jack-in-a-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), the same that grows in the Minnesota woods in my backyard! 

Kew Gardens Waterlily House

This unassuming-on-the-outside greenhouse holds some amazing plants. From someone who lives with near (or like today below) freezing temperatures, this was a gem. The water lilies were blooming!

It's difficult to capture with a camera the way that these flowers glow in the light. Just a visit to this greenhouse was worth the trip, but I still had more to explore. I'll add more about my June 2015 travels soon.