A Day Out at Kew Gardens

Cherry

By luigi_pagano

Fri, 22 Mar 2019
  • 1948 reads
8 comments
 
I enjoyed our day out and I thank you
for your suggestion that we should see
the exotic Botanical Gardens at Kew.
I admired the Japanese Pagoda tree
proudly standing in the vast Arboretum
which was of great interest to me;
the weeping beech Fagus sylvatica
with many limbs and trunks, an oak
but not a plant of the genus hepatica.
Then I was faced by a massive giant
a forty-metre tall redwood sequoia
that was impressive and also defiant.
 
We walked on determined to explore
the many features that were on offer,
tropical plants, orchids and more.
The Venus flytrap that's insectivorous
in the Princess of Wales conservatory
plus other flora considered carnivorous.
For any one who is a nature lover,
who enjoys seeing botanical beauty,
there is so much they can discover.
Succulent and prickly Caribbean cacti,
water lilies with pads two metres wide
and miniature shrubs known as bonsai.
 
I was surprised they had no citrus fruit
within the confines of their Orangery:
for propagation, dark glass doesn't suit
so those premises that are so elegant
acquired a new and practical function
and are currently used as a restaurant.
Among the exhibits there were fungi
and I learned that some can be toxic
therefore for my lunch I ordered a pie.
In the afternoon before it was too late,
to avoid the rush hour traffic we left
as we'd arrived through Victoria Gate.
 
© Luigi Pagano 2019
 
Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Di_Hard on

what an informative poem, I feel like I have visited Kew now!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hello Di. Whenever I hear people describing their personal experience of a visit to a museum, a garden or a National Trust house I imagine myself of having been with them, examining the exhibits or participating in a guided tour with cicerones.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

You give the feeling of wondering around all that there is to see (or rather a crowded day of wonder, no-one could see all in one day, I'm sure). I remember enjoying walking around the treetop walk – did you do that? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi Rhiannon.
Visitors, apart from the seasoned ones, usually tend to underestimate the amount of time it takes to conduct a tour of botanical gardens like the one in Kew or stately homes like Chatsworth House or Tatton Park which is virtually on my doorstep. One cannot possibly see all the available features and, unless a repeated visit is envisaged, compromises about what to see and what to overlook must be made. Sometimes hurried, cursory looks will suffice. Often the need for breaks, which further curtails the time available, are forgotten. Planning for all these contingencies are essential.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Luigi,

I've never been to Kew Gardens, it sounds like a plant lovers paradise. I especially loved the idea of the Japanese Pagoda tree proudly standing in the vast Arboretum. The massive giant redwood must be a sight to behold.

I think you've done a great job at setting the scene for anyone who gets the chance to visit.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi Jenny. Definitely worth a visit and for those whose passion is plant and flowers, essential. As I have pointed out there is a lot to see although not everything can be crammed into a single day and further visits will add to the price,
My review, on the other hand, is free.

Luigi xx

 

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Submitted by forest_for_ever on

Thank you.  Kew is nearly 300  miles away, but I loved this 'virtual visit' yes

forest

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I am not as far from London as you, Graham. A mere 190 miles separates me from the capital but I had the opportunity to visit Kew after an overnight stay.

Regards, Luigi