Lotusland is a garden that I have long wanted to visit; a botanical fantasy created by a wealthy failed opera singer with the added allure of very restricted opening times. Set high in the hills above Santa Barbara it is … Continue reading
For as long as I can remember, Kew’s Temperate House has been its ugly duckling. Botanical gardens have to move with the times and can no longer rely on government largesse, and therefore a great deal of effort is put … Continue reading
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew can be a confusing place. The big attractions such as the Palm House, the Great Broad Walk Borders, Kew Palace, and the Hive are easy to find; but the delightful Minka House and Bamboo … Continue reading
The first time I remember an individual tree exerting a powerful effect on me was when I moved to a large shared Georgian house on the outskirts of Bath. Of course, trees provide us with shade, relaxation and aesthetic pleasure, … Continue reading