Latest news with #KewGardens
The Independent
20 hours ago
- The Independent
‘I'm an expert gardener – Kew is a world-class attraction, but here's what it needs to change'
Kew Gardens, near London 's Richmond Park, is iconic. And its most emblematic feature is the Palm House, which will be closing from 2027 for a five-year refurbishment – part of an ambitious bid by the Gardens to become climate positive by 2030. The Palm House is the world's largest surviving Victorian glasshouse and a symbol of the gardens' innovative history. But the £50m project, that will include temporarily rehoming around 1,300 plants, is sorely needed. It's difficult to say which is more impressive: the grandiose glasshouse, with its whimsical spiral staircases, or the plants for which it was built. Encountering the glasshouse is rather like wandering through a rainforest and happening upon a crumbling historical monument, the white iron striking against lush greenery. However, while the plants have thrived in the balmy temperatures within, the Palm House has not. The rust and corrosion is a result of the same conditions that keep the plants so healthy, and it's hard to ignore. As part of the makeover, the Grade I-listed building will have each of its 16,000 panes of glass replaced, while the frame will repainted in the exact shade used when it first opened to the public in 1848. Perhaps this decay is symbolic of Kew's place in British culture: at once enrapturing and frustrating. In its current iteration, Kew is certainly impressive, and is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the capital. But in order to retain its title of a world-class attraction, Kew needs to continue to innovate. A mecca for botanists Happily, there is plenty for the budding gardener to enjoy at present. The Gardens remain a mecca for botanists, home to numerous plants that are now considered extinct in the wild and many more that are critically endangered. Alongside the Chelsea Flower Show, it remains one of the best places for a green-fingered day out – it is easily one of the best things to do with children during the summer holidays. And while London is full of exciting places to visit, Kew Gardens stands out as one of only four places in the city designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is a living monument to centuries of changing fashions and fancies, told through exquisite horticulture. As an ecologist, you only need to say the words 'rare plant' to me, and I'll be there. But if this sounds too academic, fear not. Kew has a lot more to offer than just its plant collections. Younger visitors have long delighted in splashing and climbing their way through the Children's Garden, while the wheelchair-accessible Treetop Walkway takes visitors high up into the canopy. Guests who are happier keeping their feet on the ground can find numerous walking trails throughout the site (plus picturesque picnic spots). With over 300 acres to explore, it's easy to forget you are still in London, just a stones' throw from the hustle and bustle of Kensington. It's equipped with numerous greenhouses, cafes, restaurants, a library and a gallery, meaning there is plenty to keep you occupied on a rainy day. Cacti and waterlilies One of my favourite things to do while exploring Kew is to visit the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Within, guests can wander through ten different climatic areas, from a wet tropical zone to an arid desert, complete with prickly cacti. The conservatory is also home to a fabulous species of giant waterlily, Victoria boliviana, whose huge pads float like boats on the pond. These are particularly special as the variety was discovered at Kew itself. Visitors used to be able to spot the glasshouse's very own pest control unit here, comprising a burly group of water dragons. These striking lizards were a delight to watch, lazing around or skittering between plants, taking their role of bug patrol very seriously. Sadly, the creatures are no longer resident in the spot – but wildlife, especially butterflies and bees, are in abundance. What Kew needs to do With the refurbishment, Kew is recommitting itself to preserving biodiversity and becoming more sustainable. Still, there's more the Gardens could be doing. I'd love to see more information around the gardens about Kew's global research projects – from seed banks in the Alps to plant conservation in Angola. The Eden Project, in Cornwall, is particularly good at signposting its work in this department, and Kew could learn something here. With approximately 2.45 million visitors a year, Kew's potential for educating the public is vast and I believe this could be better expressed. I'd love to see more interactive displays teaching visitors about environmental issues, or simply more information about how to make their own gardens a force for good in the world. Visiting Kew Gardens is a remarkable, transformative excursion: a chance to explore the world's landscapes for a fraction of the cost of a plane ticket. Once completed, the restoration of the Palm House will be a powerful symbol of a changing British institution. What began as a collection of flowers has now become a frontline in the battle against climate change. The changes to the glasshouse are a clear message that we can create a better environmental future, while continuing to preserve our heritage.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Do YOU live in a Japanese knotweed hotspot? Here's how to spot and get rid of it
Bristol is the Japanese knotweed 'capital of England', new data from Environet shows. In the year to date, there have been 1,440 reported sightings of Japanese knotweed in the South West city, according to the findings. Merseyside is another hotspot for Japanese knotweed, with 2,963 sightings reported, but spanning a less dense area, at 11.87 episodes per square mile compared to 33.91 in Bristol. Greater London is the third most prevalent Japanese knotweed hub, with 4,687 reported sightings and 7.74 incidents per square mile. Lancashire came out in fourth place, seeing a hefty 8,612 sightings spanning 7.25 episodes per square mile. Residents in Greater Manchester also need to be on high alert for Japanese knotweed, with the area seeing 3,558 Japanese knotweed reports, translating to 7.22 incidents per square mile. Spanning further afield, the Isle of Man, a self-governing British crown dependency, also reached the top 10, as did the Channel Islands, Isle of Wight, Derbyshire and Nottingham, followed closely by the West Midlands and Surrey. What is Japanese knotweed? According to the Royal Horticultural Society, Japanese knotweed is a persistent, clump-forming herbaceous perennial, which was introduced to Britain as an ornamental garden plant but has since become an invasive weed subject to legal control measures. Japanese knotweed first arrived in Britain in the Victorian times in a box of plant specimens delivered to Kew Gardens and was quickly adopted by gardeners and horticulturalists, who were unaware of its invasive nature. Since then it has spread widely, with an average of 1.1 occurrences in every square mile of England and 3.9 in Wales, according to Environet. Japanese knotweed can grow in most soil conditions found in Britain, particularly in man-made habitats, such as roadsides, waste ground, railway embankments and cuttings and spoil tips. It is also commonly found along rivers and streams. Why is Japanese knotweed common in locations like Bristol? Speaking to This is Money, Emily Grant, a director at Environet, said: 'It's likely that Japanese knotweed is most prolific near ports such as Bristol, Liverpool and Cardiff, because of historical shopping and trading practices.' She added: 'In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries ships would return from all over the world carrying ballast, which often included soil containing non-native plant material like knotweed. 'That was then dumped to make way for the next cargo, and it quickly took hold. It may also have been planted deliberately to stabilise railway embankments and slag heaps. 'In industrial areas like Manchester, Lancashire and the Midlands, extensive soil movement from mining and construction accelerated its spread.' How can I spot Japanese knotweed? Japanese knotweed begins to emerge in early spring, quickly growing into lush green shrubs with pink-flecked stems, heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like canes. In August it starts flowering with bunches of tiny creamy-white blooms that hang in tassels. It can pose serious problems for homeowners, with underground rhizomes that can grow up to three metres deep and spread up to seven metres horizontally, emerging through cracks in concrete, tarmac driveways, pathways, drains and cavity walls. While serious damage to property is rare, mortgage lenders require knotweed to be dealt with when a property is sold, meaning it can cause legal disputes between neighbours and reduce a property's value. Environet estimates that the presence of Japanese knotweed at a property can reduce its value by 5 per cent, though this is variable and will depend on the scale of the problem. A 2023 Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs report put the cost of tackling knotweed to the economy at nearly £250million per year. What should I do if I suspect Japanese knotweed? The government's website states: 'You must stop Japanese knotweed on your land from spreading off your property. 'Soil or plant material contaminated with non-native and invasive plants like Japanese knotweed can cause ecological damage and may be classified as controlled waste. 'You do not legally have to remove Japanese knotweed from your land unless it's causing a nuisance, but you can be prosecuted for causing it to spread into the wild.' If you do notice knotweed, you do not need to report it, but if it is on your property you should act sooner rather than later. 'The more it grows, the more it will cost to remove', Grant told This is Money. You will not be able to sell your property until you have had any Japanese knotweed professionally dealt with, and you could be at risk of a legal claim from a neighbour if you leave it to spread. Grant added: 'From there a treatment plan can be put in place, whether it's herbicide, removal, or a combination of both. 'Whatever option you go for, be sure to get an insurance-backed guarantee so if it starts to regrow you know you're covered – and that's what mortgage lenders will expect when you come to sell your property.' Japanese knotweed must be carefully disposed of carefully. If you cannot dispose of it suitably on site, you must send it to a landfill site or incineration facility that has the correct type of permit. It is best not to try and tackle a Japanese knotweed invasion yourself, unless you have appropriate training, skills and equipment. How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. What about buy-to-let landlords Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages. This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- Climate
- North Wales Live
The three North Wales villages that are hotspots for invader that can damage homes
The "top ten" places in Wales blighted by Japanese knotweed have been named - and three are in North Wales. With the Japanese knotweed growing season now well underway, invasive plant can damage properties, patios and paving and devalue land. Now invasive plant specialist Environet has revealed Wales's knotweed hotspots for 2025 using the latest data from its online tracker, Exposed: The Japanese Knotweed Heatmap. There are a total of 31,338 verified knotweed sightings in Wales, or 3.9 incidences in every square mile, compared to 1.1 incidences per square mile in England. They show the worst places in this region are Betws-y-Coed and Dolwyddelan in Conwy, and Tanygrisiau in Gwynedd. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Now populated with over 100,000 known incidences of the UK's most invasive plant, the map is updated with new verified sightings throughout the year, say Environet. This provides the most comprehensive online record of Japanese knotweed in the country, it claims. Members of the public can enter their postcode to discover the number of sightings nearby, with hotspots highlighted in yellow, orange or in the worst cases red, helping them understand the level of risk posed to their home or one they wish to buy. They can also help populate the heatmap by reporting knotweed infestations using the 'Add Sighting' feature and attaching a photograph of the plant so it can be verified by experts. Wales's Top 10 Japanese knotweed hotspots for 2025 are: Incidences 1 Newport city - 1,239 2 Cardiff city - 949 3 Swansea city - 936 4 Llanelli, Camarthenshire - 693 5 Betws-y-Coed, Conwy - 421 6 Neath, Neath Port Talbot - 396 7 Dolwyddelan, Conwy - 298 8 Llanafan, Ceredigion - 289 9 Rogerstone, Newport - 268 10 Tanygrisiau, Gwynedd - 254 Japanese knotweed first arrived in UK in the Victorian times in a box of plant specimens delivered to Kew Gardens and was quickly adopted by gardeners and horticulturalists, who were unaware of its invasive nature. Knotweed begins to emerge in early spring, quickly growing into lush green shrubs with pink-flecked stems, heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like canes. But it can pose serious problems for homeowners. Its underground rhizomes that can grow up to three metres deep and spread up to seven metres horizontally, emerging through cracks in concrete, tarmac driveways, pathways, drains and cavity walls. While serious damage to property is rare, since mortgage lenders require knotweed to be dealt with when a property is sold, it can cause legal disputes between neighbours and reduce a property's value by approximately five per cent, say Environet. A 2023 DEFRA report put the cost of tackling knotweed to the UK economy at nearly £250 million a year. Environet Director Emily Grant said: 'By mapping verified sightings, we're helping people understand the level of risk in their local area and encouraging early identification and treatment. 'Vigilance is the best way to protect your property from Japanese knotweed, making sure you tackle it as early as possible before it becomes well established. At this time of year, knotweed is in full growth mode and easy to spot with its bright green heart-shaped leaves which grow in a zigzag pattern up the stems. "Mature plants flower around August, when they produce clusters of tiny white blooms."
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Rare 50p coin sells for £110 after fierce bidding war – exact detail to look out for
Plus, we reveal more rare coins that could sell for £180 COINING IT Rare 50p coin sells for £110 after fierce bidding war – exact detail to look out for Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RARE 50p coin has sold for £110 after a fierce bidding war - we reveal the exact details to spot. The 2009 Kew Gardens piece was sold to one lucky punter after fighting off offers from 12 other bidders. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The Kew Gardens 50p is a desirable coin for collectors There are around 210,000 of these coins in circulation, making it a very rare find. The front of this coin has an image of the late Queen Elizabeth II, with the engraver's initials, Ian Rank-Broadley, below. But what makes this coin special is the design on the reverse. The tails side features a leafy vine wrapped around a Chinese pagoda. It also has the date of the year it was made to commemorate the anniversary. Plus, you might be able to get more than £110 for the coin. Last month, one of these coins sold for £127.08 after 16 people tried to bid for it. That makes it a whopping 254 times its face value. And earlier this week, one of these coins sold for £120 on eBay after a bidding war, with 13 offers placed. But you might not always fetch such a high sum for the piece, with one seller on eBay flogging the same coin for £34 after 11 bids. Five 50ps that could earn you thousands The Kew Gardens piece is not the only rare coin that can be worth a pretty penny. The 2009 Blue Peter piece also recently sold for £180 after 21 bids. It was released in 2009 ahead of the London Olympic games in 2012. The coin features someone doing the high jump on one side, a design created by eight-year-old Florence Jackson from Bristol. The final design was chosen from over 17,000 entries as part of a Blue Peter competition. How to spot rare coins and banknotes Rare coins and notes hiding down the back of your sofa could sell for hundreds of pounds. If you are lucky enough to find a rare £10 note you might be able to sell it for multiple times its face value. You can spot rare notes by keeping an eye out for the serial numbers. These numbers can be found on the side with the Monarch's face, just under the value £10 in the corner of the note. Also, if you have a serial number on your note that is quite quirky, you could cash in thousands. For example, one seller bagged £3,600 after spotting a specific serial number relating to the year Jane Austen was born on one of their notes. You can check if your notes are worth anything on eBay, just tick "completed and sold items" and filter by the highest value. This will give you an idea of what people are willing to pay for some notes. But bear in mind that yours is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. This is also the case for coins, you can determine how rare your coin is by looking a the latest scarcity index.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Rare 50p coin sells for £110 after fierce bidding war – exact detail to look out for
A RARE 50p coin has sold for £110 after a fierce bidding war - we reveal the exact details to spot. The 2009 Kew Gardens piece was sold to one lucky punter after fighting off offers from 12 other bidders. 1 There are around 210,000 of these coins in circulation, making it a very rare find. The front of this coin has an image of the late Queen Elizabeth II, with the engraver's initials, Ian Rank-Broadley, below. But what makes this coin special is the design on the reverse. The tails side features a leafy vine wrapped around a Chinese pagoda. It also has the date of the year it was made to commemorate the anniversary. Plus, you might be able to get more than £110 for the coin. Last month, one of these coins sold for £127.08 after 16 people tried to bid for it. That makes it a whopping 254 times its face value. And earlier this week, one of these coins sold for £120 on eBay after a bidding war, with 13 offers placed. But you might not always fetch such a high sum for the piece, with one seller on eBay flogging the same coin for £34 after 11 bids. Five 50ps that could earn you thousands The Kew Gardens piece is not the only rare coin that can be worth a pretty penny. The 2009 Blue Peter piece also recently sold for £180 after 21 bids. It was released in 2009 ahead of the London Olympic games in 2012. The coin features someone doing the high jump on one side, a design created by eight-year-old Florence Jackson from Bristol. The final design was chosen from over 17,000 entries as part of a Blue Peter competition. How to spot rare coins and banknotes Rare coins and notes hiding down the back of your sofa could sell for hundreds of pounds. If you are lucky enough to find a rare £10 note you might be able to sell it for multiple times its face value. You can spot rare notes by keeping an eye out for the serial numbers. These numbers can be found on the side with the Monarch's face, just under the value £10 in the corner of the note. Also, if you have a serial number on your note that is quite quirky, you could cash in thousands. For example, one seller bagged £3,600 after spotting a specific serial number relating to the year Jane Austen was born on one of their notes. You can check if your notes are worth anything on eBay, just tick "completed and sold items" and filter by the highest value. This will give you an idea of what people are willing to pay for some notes. But bear in mind that yours is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. This is also the case for coins, you can determine how rare your coin is by looking a the latest scarcity index.
