Exploring the Rock Garden at Kew Gardens

The Rock Garden is an essential feature of classic British gardens, regardless of size. I spent over three hours exploring the Rock Garden at Kew Gardens, which is impressive in both form and scale. Established in 1882, Kew's Rock Garden spans over an acre and is one of the oldest and largest in the world. It has undergone significant changes and developments, including the introduction of a waterfall in 1994 and an alpine plant landscape in 2007. The waterfall is located at the northwest edge beneath the Alpine House, creating a dramatic scene that enhances the representation of high mountain habitats. Below the waterfall is a pond surrounded by moisture-loving plants, transitioning into undulating rock layers. The sandstone plateau is filled with various fascinating plants, with over 70% grown from wild-collected seeds, making it the largest outdoor display area for Kew's scientific horticultural collection. The presentation of plants aims to be natural, with winding layouts and varied elevations leading visitors into a wild mountain landscape. The plant groups originate from six alpine regions, each occupying a distinct section, designed to recreate impressions of natural plant communities. The selected species include those typically considered non-hardy in the UK. The six regions are: the European Alps and Pyrenees; Central Asian steppes and the Himalayas, streams, and meadows; North American mountains, prairies, and marshes; Patagonian plateau; Mediterranean scrub, South African Drakensberg mountains and canyons; Southern Alps, Australian and New Zealand mountains. The name 'Rock Garden' might conjure images of a rugged, stone-filled landscape, rarely associated with water. However, in British rock gardens, streams or small waterfalls are almost standard, with larger spaces featuring multi-layered cascades and ponds. Water not only softens the landscape and enriches spatial layers but also brings the rock garden closer to a natural habitat. Besides the newly built large waterfall area at the edge, Kew's Rock Garden features a small stream near the center. The moisture-loving plants around the water system create a delightful interlude with different forms and textures from rock plants, making it very attractive and encouraging visitors to linger longer. #BritishGardens #Gardens #KewGardensLondon #RockGardenPlantLandscape #GardenLayout