Woodland Glade & Waterlily Pond

Located on the northern side of the Cedar Vista, roughly opposite the Redwood Grove, is the Woodland Glade.

  •  
  • Close Thanks for liking this page. Tell us why by adding a comment at the bottom.
Kew's Waterlily Pond

Kew's Waterlily Pond

Did you know?

  • The dawn redwood was only recognized in 1941 when a forester from the National Central University in Beijing, China, came across a strange new tree growing in a tiny village in Szechuan. Five years later, the tree was found to belong to the genus Metasequoia. It had hitherto only been known from fossil evidence dating back 100 million years, and was thought to have been extinct for five million years.
  • In the great storm of 1987, Kew lost nearly 700 trees, primarily mature, broad-leaved deciduous trees from the areas developed under the direction of William Hooker.

History and planting

In this part of Kew's Arboretum, oaks, hornbeam and beech trees provide shade and protection for young maples. The underplanted shrubs, including rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias and choice plants like Calycanthus sinensis, provide colour in spring and summer.

In the early 20th century, pollution took its toll on the Arboretum but since the 1970s the tree collection has been strengthened greatly. Emphasis is now placed on gathering material of known origin, preferably directly from the wild. Kew staff have taken part in many collecting expeditions overseas including trips to South Korea (1982 and 1989), Chile (1985), China (1985 to 2003), Turkey (1989), Taiwan (1992) and Japan (1998).

Close to the Woodland Glade on the south of Cedar Vista, the Waterlily Pond is a tranquil spot to take a rest. It is planted with waterlilies and irises, and bounded by shrubs such as peonies. The surrounding trees include several young maidenhair trees (Ginkgo biloba), swamp cypress (Taxodium distichum) and an impressive dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), one of the original introductions to the West. Wildlife inhabiting the pond includes nesting moorhens and coots, and emperor dragonflies.

No comments on 'Woodland Glade & Waterlily Pond'

Garden attractions

Follow Kew

Keep up to date with events and news from Kew

Related Tags

  1. interesting
  2. landscapes
  3. amazing
  4. beautiful
  5. english garden
  6. innovative
  7. for kids
  8. inspiring
  9. creative
  10. imaginative
  11. exotic
  12. fun
  13. popular
  14. english heritage
  15. historical
  16. romantic
  17. around the world
  18. adventurous
  19. ancient
  20. rare
  21. active
  22. challenging
  23. high
  24. discovered
  25. old
  26. unusual
  27. donate
  28. for friends
  29. gifts that help
  30. the UK
  31. successful
  32. irreplaceable
  33. ground breaking
  34. treasures
  35. at risk
  36. endangered
  37. fragile
  38. sustainable
  39. useful
  40. brand new
  41. special interest
  42. powerful
  43. high up
  44. Kew at home
  45. wet
  46. ornamental
  47. pretty
  48. hot
  49. extraordinary
  50. wild
  51. rare
  52. flowering

Your Kew

We invite photographers to capture the sights at Kew and Wakehurst. These images are a selection of images submitted by photographers from around the world. We hope you enjoy them. You can see more on Flickr.

See your favourite reasons to visit