People
Cleave, Michelle L.
| Job Title | Botanical Horticulturist |
|---|---|
| Department | Horticulture and Public Education |
| Section | |
| Science Teams |
Lamiaceae |
| Joined Kew | 2003 |
| Foreign Language(s) |
Qualifications & Appointments
National Trust Careership (NVQ levels 2,3)
RHS General Certificate
BA (Hons), Costume/Theatre Design
Role
Responsible for the maintenance of decorative and botanical collections/displays in the Grass/Aquatic gardens, herbaceous wall borders and the Salvia borders.
Design of the Salvia display, composed of two borders with the aim to represent the beauty and geographical diversity of the genus. There are approx. 900 species which occur in varied environments, from Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean, Central & Eastern Asia and the New World. The cultivation of this diverse genus includes providing material for research carried out at Kew on Salvia phylogeny, phytochemistry and biological activity. The medicinal properties of many species of Salvia are currently being researched, which could create substantial health benefits for e.g., cancer and Alzheimer sufferers, and in turn will effect the sustainable utilisation of plant resources. Many of the species are vegetatively propagated annually, e.g. the New World species, and are over-wintered under glass in order to produce quality plants for a summer display. Such plants will not endure the winter outside, because of the fatal combination of wet and freezing conditions. Seed is also collected annually when applicable in order to maintain plant stock. Role includes maintaining contacts with other collectors and growers, which greatly benefits a diverse and interesting display, and will continue to do so. Future interpretation of the Salvia borders will highlight Kew’s multidisciplinary work to the public.