The world’s longest double herbaceous borders have opened at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, sweeping along 320 metres of the Broad Walk through the heart of the world-famous garden.
Kew Gardens
The borders, along the approach to Kew’s Palm House, contain thirty thousand plants mixing bold textures and vibrant colours, with the display timed to peak in high summer from June to September. Many are unusual varieties propagated from Kew’s world-class collections, including rose-purple coneflower Echinacea tenesseensis, prickly South African daisy Berkheya purpurea and tiny Cotula fallax with finely-cut silvery foliage and yellow pompom-like flowers.
More commonly-grown plants get a look-in, too: each section of the border majors on a group of plants such as sages, Rudbeckia and asters so you can see for yourself the different varieties in full flower alongside other plants. There’s lots of take-home inspiration for fantastic combinations you can use in your own garden, so take pictures and we’ll help you recreate the look from our garden centre benches here in Chorley once you get home again.
Visit Kew Gardens over the Bank Holiday Weekend
To celebrate the opening, Kew are also holding a special weekend over the Bank Holiday (27-29 August) with walking tours by Kew gardeners as well as demonstrations by botanical artists and illustrators. Book your place at www.kew.org.