Kew's Millennium Seed Bank - About the landscape
The areas around Kew's Millennium Seed Bank have been landscaped to provide a seamless link between Bethlehem Wood and the Oaks.
Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst
Original landscape plan
These plantings are now becoming well established and present a maturing treescape.
Material of local provenance, which is best adapted to the site conditions, was obtained for the initial hedge and shaw plantings from local sources. Tree seed was also collected from the Wakehurst estate and grown in the nursery before being planted in the landscape. This included ash, hornbeam, hazel, field maple, wild cherry and oak. Italian alder and silver birch were planted to support the early growth of the larger trees and will be thinned out as these plantings mature.
From the initial days of the project the grass areas were mown, and then early in 2006 a flock of Southdown sheep was introduced to Wakehurst. This flock was allowed to graze before the meadow flowers began to grow.
Trees are now well established in front of the building.
Early in the project native herbaceous plant seed was harvested from Hanging Meadow in the Loder Valley Nature Reserve and stored in Kew's Millennium Seed Bank. These collections have now been sown to increase the diversity of the meadow plantings.
These meadows are now managed using sheep grazing as part of general practice.
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Latest news
The Millennium Seed Bank joins seed swap events
31 Jan 2012
Following the success of our Great Seed Swap, held at Wakehurst Place on 17 September 2011, the Millennium Seed Bank is supporting seed swap events around Sussex and further afield this year.
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First call for MSBP-BGCI Fieldwork Fund
27 Jan 2012
The Millennium Seed Bank Partnership (MSBP) and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) are delighted to announce the first call for the MSBP-BGCI Fieldwork Fund.
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Sowing the seeds of UK biodiversity - Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank launches UK Native Seed Hub
17 Aug 2011
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew launches the UK Native Seed Hub at the Millennium Seed Bank, Wakehurst – an initiative that draws on the Millennium Seed Bank’s extensive collection of UK native seeds, as well as its horticultural and scientific expertise to support the UK seed industry, conservation groups and other organisations working to restore native plants to the UK countryside.
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Explore Kew Gardens on Google Street View
Nature fans and gardening fanatics can find inspiration by navigating the paths of Kew Gardens’ 326 acre site. Take in the largest collection of plants in the world – 30,000 different species, including 14,000 trees – and iconic structures such as the Palm House and Pagoda.
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Welcome to Stephen Hopper's blog
by: Prof. Stephen Hopper, 04 Dec 2009
A successful 250th anniversary year for Kew.
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Don't miss our necklace orchid in flower this autumn
Kew's necklace orchids are showing off their sparkly curtains in the Princess of Wales conservatory at Kew Gardens.
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