I'm likin' lichen

This rotting tree stump is home to both moss and lichen. The lichen in the photo is common, but it's pretty fun to see the bright color when most things are the same shade of dull (except for the squill/ Scilla, which are looking pretty good and have popped up in new places again this year). This particular lichen is Cladonia cristatella, or British soldiers, due to the red "caps." 

Kew Gardens Woodland Garden

The Woodland Garden reminded me of home.

I've seen this type of Lady Slipper (Cypripedium kentuckiense) and others not far from my Minnesota house. Our backyard gems are important enough to be a star in the Royal Gardens.

This section definitely has the look and feel of Minnesota. What a nice surprise. Kew gardeners, you are welcome to visit my woods for inspiration. Just bring plenty of bug spray! 

Upcoming Presentations

Got spring fever? I'm giving two free gardening presentations here in Minnesota. The first is Saturday, March 19 at 10 am at Eagle Bend Library. The second is Sunday, March 20, at 1 pm at Staples Library. Hope to see you there!

Kew Gardens Temple of Aeolus

As I'm walking up the path to the Temple, I see a great opportunity for a view.  What I didn't expect to see is a couple snogging.

Feeling like the third wheel I was, I snapped one shot and moved on. 

The view was of the plant family beds. The entrance is pretty grand for an out-of-the-way spot.

Blooming in this area in June were buttercups and poppies. Lovely!

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!