We are celebrating one of the world's most recognisable and loved plants – trees.
Vital to human existence, trees form the life support of the planet, from storing carbon and sheltering wildlife, to providing shade and being scientifically proven to ease stress.
We're working with some incredible artists to create outdoor installations across Wakehurst that will uncover the phenomenal power of these woodland wonders. Walking across the grounds and amongst the world’s trees, you’ll have a chance to discover artworks as you wander.
Alongside the art installations, we’ve added a new trail of striking scorched monoliths, formed from trees felled as a result of the fungal tree disease, ash dieback. This reflective trail serves as a stark reminder of the rate at which the deadly disease is killing ash across the country, commemorating their loss, whilst also drawing attention to new hope in the pioneering research which Kew scientists are undertaking to conserve ash for the future.
We’ve got some exciting adventures for all the family, including our latest Nature Heroes: Tree champion mission. Plus, have a bird’s eye view of the woodland floor at Wakehurst as you peer down through the leaf canopy on a tree adventure.
Summer Nights
Experience some of the Rooted installations in a new way as you spend a Summer Night with us at Wakehurst – drift into dusk during a vibrant evening of live music, open-fire cooking, cocktails and live performances.
Highlights
The Glowing Canopies
Renowned British artist Chila Kumari Burman MBE, known for her striking and bold art, will bring impactful 10m high, vibrant neon installations of trees, featuring delicate buzzing bees, to highlight not only the close relationship between trees and invertebrates, but the multi-layered significance of trees.
Tattoo
Designer and installation artist Geraldine Pilgrim’s Tattoo, created from recycled branches with carbon black shadows of absent oak leaves on its trunk and branches - between which are glimpses of etched patterns of 5,300 year old tattoos - will be a striking visual representation of the critical role that trees play in absorbing carbon.
Figurative sculpture
Joseph Hillier brings striking carvings made from trees lost during Storm Arwen to Rooted. The works will stand tall in our landscape placed upon plinths.
Wood Wide Web
Little Lost Robot brings an exciting immersive and interactive piece into our woods, featuring a giant wood mouse, to help visitors delve into the relationship between trees, fungi and wildlife.
Hidden Orchestra
Tim Southorn and the Hidden Orchestra return by popular demand to Wakehurst this summer, allowing visitors to be immersed in the calming haven of music and woodland sounds.
Wild Stones
This fascinating living mycelium piece - created through a collaborative process between creative agency La Succulente, artist Côme Di Meglio, and design studio We Want More - will be left to dwell in the garden to naturally evolve and degrade with time.
Isla
John Grade’s monumental sculpture returns for a second year, allowing you to experience the power of rainfall like never before.
24 feet tall and made from 4,000 individual resin pieces inspired by the South American plant frailejón, the installation collects and releases rainwater, moving in tune with the elements.
Forest Megaphones
Three giant megaphones measuring 3m in diameter, designed by Estonian artist Birgit Õigus. The megaphones will create the perfect place for visitors to sit, escape from everyday pressures, and feel grounded in a peaceful, beautiful setting between trees.
