Autumn 2010

contents

Page 54

Page 18

features

18Theseeds of creativity Christopher Stocks explores how Kew’s seed-conservation work inspired the amazing UK Pavilion at the World Expo

24Collection points Tony Hall describes his seed-collecting trips to boost Kew’s Mediterranean plants

32Artof success Staging Kew’s many exhibitions is exciting and challenging work, as Gail Vines finds out

46Lifeon a knife-edge Stephanie Pain reports on Kew’s work to help save a tiny fern once thought to be extinct

34Little things mean a lot Andrew Jackson focuses on the mosses, lichens, liverworts and ferns that make Wakehurst’s Francis Rose Reserve so special

40South African spectacular Kew’s Richard Wilford and Steve Ruddy explain how they brought South Africa’s flora to London to put the spotlight on conservation

50FineplumageRichardWilford uncovers the history of the hybrid plume poppy discovered at Kew

54Hidden depths From Chinese crabs to native newts, Kew’s ponds are teeming with life, reveals Sandra Bell

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Cover Inside the UK Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo (p18), by Daniele Mattioli regulars

5 Direction Kew’s director looks at how artists and designers can help introduce Kew’s work to a wider audience

6 Kew news The latest from all Kew’s gardens, including members’news

14 Cuttings A round-up of plant science news

52 Wakehurst view Andrew Jackson explains why it’s good to take a walk on the wild side

60 What’s on Lots to do this autumn at Kew and Wakehurst Place

72 Last word Martin Crawford suggests a more sustainable way to grow crops

Page 52

editor’s letter

If there’s one thing that will encourage me into the heart of a city such as London, it’s the promise of seeing a good exhibition. Such events open up chapters of history, art or literature in a whole new way and often bring a fresh perspective to familiar objects.

Kew itself is no stranger to exhibitions of course. Just now you can visit the International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY), along with Bulbmania at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, both of which show the importance of plants and the natural world in different ways. In this issue, we meet up with Kew’s exhibition manager, and IGPOTY judge, Laura Giuffrida, who brings the best of the world’s art to Kew. She tells us just how she does it and what she’s lining up for the future (p32).

Kew is always looking to spread the word about the importance of plants, and this year staff at the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership have been involved in an intriguing project at the World Expo in Shanghai, namely the UK Pavilion or Seed Cathedral. This stunning, tactile structure, which features more than 200,000 seeds, is the creation of designer Thomas Heatherwick and has to be seen to be believed. We interview Thomas on how seeds inspired him and how mixing architecture and botany has brought Kew’s conservation message to a vast new audience (p18).

Closer to home, Kew has a presence in central London again this year with the South Africa Landscape at the British Museum. On page 40, we take a look at how Kew staff put together this vibrant showcase of biodiversity.

And if, after all that excitement, you feel in need of a retreat, Andrew Jackson recommends Wakehurst Place as an antidote to ‘nature deficit’ (p52), as well as encouraging you to seek pleasure in the small things in life – such as the tiny lichens, ferns and mosses that are protected in the Francis Rose Reserve (p34). Kew and Wakehurst are always worth a visit in autumn, so check out the What’s on section (p60) and come and enjoy the season with us.

CHRISTINA HARRISON Editor

Kew magazine is published by the Royal Botanic Gardens,Kew, which works around the world to save plants, fungi and their habitats. With your support,Kew can make a real difference.

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