Summer 2011

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features

18Flower power at Chelsea Stephen Anderton gives the inside view on The Times Eureka Garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, followed by a look at some of its star plants 26Community spirited Based in Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, Tiziana Ulian’s role takes her all over the world, as Gail Vines discovers

28Growing your own Gail Vines explores an international Kew project that helps communities through wild plant conservation

32Kew’s water babies Vibrantly beautiful, Kew’s tropical waterlilies are also the focus of important research, as Richard Wilford reveals

52Endlessly useful Richard Wilford looks into the thatch screw pine’s fascinating history, myriad uses and Kew connections

42Moments of magic Enjoy our selection of gorgeous images from the garden photography exhibition at Kew

46Wild about orchids Chris Clennett explores the wide range of hardy orchids you can see at Wakehurst

54Spirit of adventure From totems to turkeys, there’s lots to discover on Wakehurst’s new Adventurous Journey, says Andrew Jackson

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Cover The Times Eureka Garden by Liz Eddison see p18

regulars

5 Direction Kew’s director looks at two displays showcasing how plant conservation helps people too

6 Summer at Kew Highlights of the season around the Gardens

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

14 Cuttings A round-up of plant science news by Stephanie Pain 60 What’s on Lots to do this summer at Kew and Wakehurst Place

72 Last word Ursula Buchan ponders why we have such a deep-seated, long-standing love of gardens

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editor’s letter If you love nothing better than taking time out to admire beautiful plants, then we have lots of treats for you in this summer issue – from an exclusive view of The Times Eureka Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show, which was created in association with Kew (p18), to an indepth look at Kew’s tropical waterlily collection (p32), and the stunning hardy orchids that grow across the estate at Wakehurst (p46).

Kew’s important role in The Times Eureka Garden was to advise on and highlight the theme of ‘useful plants’. Many of the species featured in the garden have long histories of being used for medicines, dyes and crafts, and some are also the focus of Kew research projects (p24). The garden revealed the importance of plants to science and society – in essence, that plants are vital for life.

Communicating this message is central to Kew’s mission and the theme is also taken up in Kew’s Australia Landscape at the British Museum this summer. A journey through the Landscape reveals some of the most diverse and special habitats on the planet. You can read about one of the key plants in the display on p52.

Back at Kew we give you an insight into a successful international partnership based at the Millennium Seed Bank – the Useful Plants Project, led by Tiziana Ulian (p26 and p28). The project works in five countries, helping people in local communities make the most of the plant resources around them, in a sustainable way. It’s a great example of the kind of difference that Kew’s work can make and how conservation can change people’s lives.

Remember, there’s plenty to see and enjoy in the gardens at Kew and Wakehurst this summer too – from the International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition (p42) to the new natural play areas for families at Wakehurst (p54). See the full What’s on listing on p60, and make sure you come along to spend some time with us this season. There’s nowhere better on a summer’s day.

CHRISTINA HARRISON Editor

Read the magazine blog at www.kew.org/kew-magazine-blog

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