Virtual flowers for the NHS

We're virtually sending these stunning blooms from our gardens at Kew and Wakehurst to our phenomenal National Health Service.

The first letters of these dazzling flowers spell out 'NHS' as a token of our gratitude for our brilliant healthcare workers.

N

Nigella damascena

Kicking off our 'N' bunch of flowers is Nigella damascena, commonly known as love-in-a-mist. This gorgeous species flowers in our Gardens with beautiful blue petals, mirroring the colour of the NHS logo.

Narcissus

An icon of spring, Narcissus, or daffodils, burst with vibrancy across our gardens at Kew and Wakehurst in a spectacular spectrum of yellows and whites.

Did you know? The genus name 'Narcissus' originates from the Ancient Greek myth of Narcissus falling in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. The way daffodils droop is said to resemble Narcissus leaning over the water to admire himself.

Natal lily

Blooming in our Temperate House, the Natal lily (Clivia miniata) adds a bold pop of orange to the surrounding greenery and is a bright addition to the NHS bunch.

Nymphaea

We have many beautiful waterlilies within the Nymphaea genus growing here at Kew.

Our waterlilies flower in a rainbow of colours, from deep purple to soft pink to bright white.

Nymphaea 'Carlos Magdalena' was named after our Scientific and Botanical Research Horticulturist of the same name, who also goes by the nickname of the 'Plant Messiah'.

Our Waterlily House is also home to a very unique Kew-made Nymphaea waterlily hybrid, Nymphaea ‘Kew’s Stowaway Blues’. Our Gardens are the only place in the world this aquatic plant is on display.

H

Heather

Our 'H' bunch starts with the delicate pink and purple flowers of heather (Calluna vulgaris).

Did you know? Calluna vulgaris is the only species within the Calluna genus.

Below, you'll see a swathe of pretty flowering heather surrounding glory-of-the-snow at Wakehurst.

Hyacinthoides non-scripta

You might be more familiar with Hyacinthoides non-scripta by its common name – bluebell.

Associated with fairies and magic in mythology, these spectacular native flowers cover our woodland floors at Kew and Wakehurst in late spring.

Hibiscus fragilis

In our Princess of Wales Conservatory lives Hibiscus fragilis. This highly rare and beautiful species is native to Mauritius.

Unfortunately, this island flora species is rated Critically Endangered (CR) by the IUCN.

S

Sakura

Spring wouldn't be complete without stunning displays of sakura, the Japanese word for flowering cherry trees and cherry blossom.

We love the dainty pink and white flowers on the cherry trees in our gardens, so feel they deserve a space in our virtual NHS bouquet.

Spring starflower

Spring starflower (Ipheion uniflorum) boasts lovely pale blue petals, and is found in our Davies Alpine House here at Kew.

Its leaves smell of onions while the star-shaped flowers emit a sweet fragrance in spring.

Saurauia

The native range of the Saurauia genus of flowering plants is tropical and subtropical Asia, Mexico and subtropical America.

Blossoming in our Temperate House, Saurauia are part of the Actinidiaceae family, commonly known as the Chinese gooseberry family.

Salvia officinalis

Bright and beautiful, the flowers of Salvia plants contrast dramatically with the grey stone of our Rock Garden.

Here's Salvia officinalis, or common sage, a fragrant flowering plant very attractive to pollinators.

Scilla forbesii

A blanket of Scilla forbesii flourishes on the lawns near Kew Palace in the spring season.

Otherwise known as Forbes' squill, this pretty species is part of the Asparagaceae, or Asparagus, family.

Strelitzia reginae

We'll complete the bunch with a real showstopper – our Strelitzia reginae that lives in our Temperate House.

With vivid colours of orange and deep blue, the plant's common name is 'bird of paradise' thanks to its resemblance to a tropical bird.

A big thank you to the NHS and all the frontline workers, carers and others who are keeping us all going!

Can you spell out NHS with flowers from your own garden or any you spot on your local walk?

We’d love to see your own virtual bunches of flowers. Why not share your pictures with us on Kew Gardens' Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or Wakehurst's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram?