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Introducing Bertrand the bee!

As you know, I love to travel and explore new places and it’s nice to have someone to share those experiences with. So here’s introducing my friend, Bertrand on our recent trip to RHS Garden Wisley in Woking, Surrey.
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Bertrand and I had great fun exploring the range of landscaping on offer at Wisley and were particularly taken aback by the lily-spotted canal in front of the laboratory building and views from the rock garden.

 

Wisley is famed for its extensive range of planting including alpine and tropical specimens in the extensive glass houses.  What we particularly liked were the model gardens, which are designed to show how much can be done in small spaces It’s the perfect place to come for ideas for your own garden. We certainly recommend a visit!

 

A breathtaking view of the canal fronting the Grade II listed laboratory building
A breathtaking view of the canal fronting the Grade II listed laboratory building

I wonder where we’ll visit next?

Until next time,

DrB & Bertrand

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A flying visit to Kew Gardens….

The Hive
The Hive is surrounded by a beautiful range of wildflowers and grasses… perfectly suited to pollinating bees

This summer DrBeekeeper visited a fantastic new installation called ‘The Hive’ by Wolfgang Buttress at Kew Gardens, London.

The Hive is constructed of thousands of pieces of aluminium trussed together to form a lattice or honeycomb effect. It really is awe- inspiring to look at!

A view from below looking up at the metal structure
A view from below looking up at the metal structure

Now here’s the clever bit… the structure is fitted with speakers and LED lights which respond to the energy levels in a real, active hive on the Kew site. The light and sound patterns change in line with surges in activity in the parent hive.  The installation encapsulates all the senses associated with being a real bee in a working hive. The Hive is set in a garden of wildflowers and grasses, which deserve appreciation on their own.

A must see for anyone interested in beekeeping and botanical art.

Find out more at:
http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/explore/attractions/hive