Rhododendron Dell
The Rhododendron Dell is believed to date back to Kew’s early days. In around 1734, Charles Bridgeman created a sunken garden on the Richmond Estate (now the western half of Kew).
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Rhododendron Dell
Did you know?
- Sir Joseph Hooker introduced 14 of the 25 rhododendron species described in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine between 1852 and 1856.
History and design
It is likely that Capability Brown extended the Rhododendron Dell in the 1770s, possibly with excavation assistance from the Staffordshire Militia. He named the feature Hollow Walk and planted it with mountain laurels. In 1847, the dell was replanted as a shrubbery.
It was around this time that Sir Joseph Hooker travelled to the Himalayas on a plant-collecting mission. Kew’s annual report for 1850 recorded the receipt from Hooker of “21 baskets of Indian orchids and new species of rhododendrons”. The latter were planted in sheltered parts of the Gardens, including the dell that is now a popular showcase for these profusively flowering plants. The first species of the genus to flower at Kew was R. ciliatum, in 1852.
Hundreds of specimens now grow in the Rhododendron Dell, including some unique hybrids not found anywhere else. Woodchip paths wind around beds containing specimens such as the pink-flowered Rhododendron myrtifolium, from the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, the highly-scented R. Kewense ‘King George’, and Kew’s oldest specimen, R. campanulatum. Mature hollies and oaks provide shade. The Rhododendron Dell is at its prime during April and May.
Things to look out for
Close to the Rhododendron Dell is a solar-powered interpretation post, enabling visitors to identify birdsong from some of the Garden’s regular feathered visitors. These include the robin, goldcrest, golden pheasant, green woodpecker, long-tailed tit and nuthatch.
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Events at Kew Gardens
Featured Events and Attractions:North American Landscape - Kew at the British Museum
Thu 10 May - Fri 25 May 2012
Don’t miss this unique chance to hear from David Nash as he talks about his life and work and the things that have inspired his creativity – from running tables and boulders to the wood of trees brought down by storms, lightning or disease.
1 comment on ''
Tom Tomalin says
17/05/2012 4:44:41 PM | Report abuse
is the Victoria gate and kew gardend Ready for the Blue Blobbers on Sunday.