An Annual Membership...

Yesterday, I met Kristina at Kew Gardens.  We have been planning a 'skills swap' and the idea was that if we both took out an annual membership at Kew, it would provide a lovely setting plus would give us the opportunity to visit Kew regularly throughout the year.

The blossom trees were in full bloom...

...and coupled with the blue-est of plane-free skies, they were the perfect picture of spring.

 

Nancy had let me know that the magnolias were stunning and she wasn't wrong!

 

I have to confess to not being a huge fan of magnolias but this particular one was incredibly vibrant, with the most enormous flowers.

Gorgeous, gorgeous shades of pink.

 

Against that glorious sky.

 

The Temperate House had just had a shower...

 

...and it seems that there is always a robin around.

 

I loved the natural planting of bulbs in the outside areas and these Snakeshead Fritillaries were wonderful - look at the markings on the flowers - just like snakeskin.

 

The Wild Garlic was in flower and I bought a grow-your-own pouch from the shop, along with some other seeds.

 

This euphorbia put mine to shame - it reached my shoulder! I'd love this variety somewhere in my garden.

Finally, I couldn't resist taking this photo of a cloud I spotted while waiting for my train - it looked just like Great Britain!

 

Needless to say, our skills weren't swapped, in spite of having bags of yarn and hooks at the ready and having TWO sit down breaks with lunch and cake...  Too much chatting and admiring the gardens, I'm afraid.

Next time!