The changing and developing landscape
By: Philippa Edwards - 31/05/2011
Project Manager Philippa Edwards, provides an update on how the plants are looking in the Australia Landscape.
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As project manager of the Australia Landscape it is very exciting for me to see the Landscape change throughout the year, especially at the beginning as the plants begin to ‘find their feet’ (or roots) and grow and flower as they usually would in the Australian bush.
Bottlebrush in Australia Landscape
If you have walked across the Museum forecourt recently, you may have noticed the bright red bottle brushes are flowering at the eastern end of the Australia Landscape. As you wander through the Landscape you can’t miss the Grevillea flowers and the striking pinks, purples and yellows of the everlasting daisies which, as their name suggests, will be in flower throughout the Australian season. The hakea is flowering in Tasmania, and the buds on the wonga wonga promise to burst into stunning flower any day now.
Everlasting daisies in the Australia Landscape
Some of the eucalypts have struggled following their transplantation and due to strong winds and sun over Easter, but if you look closely you can see lots of light green new growth which has sprouted as they begin to settle in to their new home. To ensure the Landscape continues to thrive, it receives regular attention from experienced Kew staff, and a team of British Museum staff have also volunteered to spend time maintaining and monitoring the Landscape following a crash course in horticulture from Kew.
Wollemi pine in the Australia Landscape
The most successful plant in the Landscape so far seems to be the Wollemi pine. It seems London’s April climate suits this plant (believed extinct until it discovered in the bush near Sydney in 1994), as they have grown about 20 cm since being planted at the beginning of April. If you’re in London you should drop in and see the plants grow and change throughout the season.
Bloomsbury fox paw prints next to the Sturt's desert peas
If you visit early in the day you may also see evidence of the ‘Bloomsbury dingo’ (aka a fox) who seems to have taken an interest (hopefully not a culinary one) in the Sturt’s desert peas. Other wildlife to be seen include a number honey bees buzzing around the paperbarks.
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About Steve, Tony and Richard
Steve Ruddy is Manager of the Garden Development Unit, and is responsible for concept design, planning and delivery of a diverse range of projects, services and activities at Kew.
Tony Hall is responsible for Kew’s Arboretum, managing the globally important plant collections and heritage landscape. Expert in all aspects of plant growth and care, Tony manages the Arboretum Nursery ensuring the collections are safe guarded for the future. You can find out more about his work by following the Arboretum team blog.
Richard Wilford is the Collections Manager in the Hardy Display Section at Kew. His responsibilities include both nursery collections and collections on public display such as the Alpine plants, Grass Garden, Woodland and Rock Garden, and Order Beds at Kew. Richard also frequently contributes to the Alpine and Rock Garden team blog.
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1 comment on 'The changing and developing landscape'
umesh says
31/10/2012 11:28:30 AM | Report abuse
Great post and nice photos. very informative and interesting blog.thanks for sharing unique blog.