Post by: Andrea Kirkby, PlanetEye Traveler
I’ve always loved orchids. They’re splendid flowers – though I have never managed to keep one alive in my house for more than a few weeks.
So Kew Gardens’ Tropical Extravaganza is a must-see for me. London can be pretty grey, so the vivid colours and flashy patterns of orchids will cheer me up – and it’s pretty warm in the conservatory, too!
But the Tropical Extravaganza isn’t just about beautiful plants. It has a serious purpose as well, educating visitors about the importance of the rainforest. There’s a short video about the tropical rain forest that you can watch, and Kew scientists will be explaining how they are helping to preserve ‘biodiversity hotspots’ (Wednesdays and Sundays only).
I’ve missed the ‘Orchids for beginners’ course, but there is an orchid care video on the website – so maybe, next time I succumb to my enthusiasm and buy an orchid, I might be able to keep it alive a little longer!
Where: Kew Gardens
How much: entry to the gardens costs £13.90 (concessions £11.90, and children free)
Photo by gssavage on flickr
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