Special events in the Gardens

There's plenty going on at Kew Gardens during this year's Tropical Extravaganza festival. Go behind-the-scenes on one of our nursery tours and learn from Kew's experts how to care for your orchids, discover the roles that earth, wind, fire and water play in seed dispersal... and then relax with a vanilla tea in the Orangery.

Buy tickets - Adults £13.90, concessions £11.90, children under 17 get in FREE!

See what goes on behind-the-scenes in Kew's Tropical Nursery

Go behind-the-scenes

Tropical Nursery Tours

Tour the entire nursery, usually out of bounds to the public, discover a fascinating world of carnivorous, bromeliad, orchid and cacti zones, and witness the nursery’s plant conservation work. Meet Kew’s expert horticultural staff afterwards for a Q&A session. Find out more.

Orchid Nursery Tours

A rare chance to enter the Orchid zones and see at first hand the skills and techniques used to take care of Kew’s diverse collection. Speak to Kew’s horticultural staff orchid experts after the tour with either a practical demonstration on how to pot up and care for your orchids at home or a Q&A session. Find out more.

Learn about different seeds (Image: Wolfgang Stuppy) Wolfgang Stuppy )

Get hands-on

Blowing in the wind: Stories of seed dispersal

Dates: Sun 5 Feb - Sun 4 March (Wed and Sun only)
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Secluded Garden Glasshouse
Price: Free, once inside the Gardens
Booking: Not required

Many plants use fire, air, water and earth to disperse and germinate their seeds. For example, seeds may be carried on the wind, and many plants have evolved adaptations that allow them to do this more effectively. These might be wings, helicopter blades or long hairs to catch the breeze!

Get your hands on some real examples of seeds dispersed by fire, air, water and earth in these free interactive and educational sessions. Find out more.

Enjoy tea at the Orangery

Enjoy a special tea in the Orangery

Dates and time: Sat 4 February–Sun 4 March
Time: 2–4.30pm
Location: Orangery
Price: £15 per person. Call 020 8332 5680 for further details and to book.

The vanilla orchid-inspired afternoon tea gives you the opportunity to experience the taste of vanilla with specially selected and blended teas, fragrant cakes and pastries all to enjoy in the elegant surroundings of Kew’s Orangery.

Learn how to look after indoor orchids

Learn how to grow orchids at home

Date: Thurs 16 Feb 2012
Time: 10.30am-3.30pm
Price: £50 (£45 Concessions, Premier Friends, Friends - maximum capacity 50 places)
Booking: Booking essential. To book your place or for more details, call 020 8332 5000 or email adulted@kew.org

'Orchids for beginners' is a one day course which aims to give you the knowledge and confidence to be able to grow orchids successfully in your own home. The course is run by McBean’s, a specialist orchid grower company which was founded in 1879.

Get expert advice on caring for your orchids at Victoria Plaza Garden Shop

Orchid care advice from our experts

Date: 4 February - 4 March, every Sat and Sun
Time: 12noon - 4.30pm
Location: Victoria Plaza Garden Shop

Drop by the Garden Shop at Victoria Plaza on weekends for advice from Kew’s experts on how to grow orchids. The shop will be selling a range of tropical plants, orchids and books.