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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5 comments on 'Rhododendron Dell'
Jenny says
14/05/2012 4:48:33 PM | Report abuse
We saw a goldcrest here yesterday, up one of the new paths near a feeder. Lots of hovering and darting behaviour. A real treat.
Kim says
02/02/2012 4:32:24 PM | Report abuse
My husband of 10 years proposed to me on that bench! Lovely memories.
Lidia says
18/09/2011 7:08:54 PM | Report abuse
I love Rhododendron since I read the book Rebecca and saw the film directed by Hitchcock, in spite of Rhododrendra never appears in the film. I have azaleas because is not possible to grow up rhododendra in my city.
Guillermo Gonzalez says
20/04/2010 12:00:00 AM | Report abuse
They are one of the most flower plants I have ever seen.If they are for sale to the public, please,let me know. From Puerto Rico..........blessings for your garden.........Guillo Gonzalez
Souleymane Kane says
30/09/2009 12:00:00 AM | Report abuse
I've just become a member after years of living nearby and this is one of my guilty secrets. I say guilty because I have never actually seen it in bloom but there is something about the place that I love. And what are those weird squishy red fruits around the same size as a golfball on one of the trees in the glade?