Curious about a place where science meets beauty? Here at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, we are about to step into a world of botanical wonders.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is not just a garden. It’s a living museum. It’s a scientific institution with a rich history. Kew Gardens dates back to the early 18th century. It evolved from a royal palace into a hub for plant and fungal research.
In 1759 Princess Augusta founded a nine-acre botanic garden. She was the mother of King George III. This garden was within the pleasure grounds at Kew.
Let’s jump forward a few years. In 1762, William Chambers built the Great Pagoda. This iconic structure still stands tall today.
Did you know that Kew Gardens has a connection to Captain Cook’s voyages? In 1768 Joseph Banks sent seeds to Kew. He was on Captain Cook’s voyage to the South Seas. Upon his return, he became Kew’s first unofficial director.
Kew’s global reach expanded in 1772. Francis Masson was Kew’s first plant collector. He traveled to South Africa and brought back thousands of plants.
In 1788, the HMS Bounty set sail for Tahiti. Its mission was to collect breadfruit plants. Two Kew gardeners were on board. They collected 1000 breadfruit plants. The crew mutinied en route to Jamaica.
King George III united the Richmond and Kew estates in 1802. This merger created a larger, more diverse landscape.
A significant transformation occurred in 1840. Kew was transferred from the Crown to the government. Sir William Hooker became the director. The gardens opened to the public.
Joseph Hooker brought plants from the Falklands to Kew in 1841. He used glazed Wardian cases. This was a new way to keep plants alive on voyages.
The Palm House was completed in 1848. It was a marvel of Victorian engineering. The Herbarium was built in 1852. Today, it holds over seven million specimens.
In 1863 the Temperate House opened its doors. It provides a home for plants from temperate regions. Joseph Dalton Hooker succeeded his father as director in 1865.
The Jodrell Laboratory was built in 1876. Scientific research began here. This included work on plant pathology.
The Marianne North Gallery opened in 1882. It showcases botanical art from around the world.
The Titan arum bloomed at Kew in 1889. This was the first time it bloomed outside its native Sumatra.
Women were first employed as gardeners at Kew in 1896. This was a progressive step for the time. The Temperate House was completed in 1899.
The Japanese Gateway was presented to Kew in 1911. It’s known as ‘Chokushi-Mon’.
Suffragettes attacked a glasshouse in 1913. They also burned down Kew’s tea pavilion. Two were jailed for their actions.
Vegetables and medicinal plants were grown at Kew during the war. This supported the war effort. It was part of the Dig for Victory campaign.
Crick and Watson discovered the structure of DNA in 1952. This breakthrough underpins Kew’s current scientific research.
Seed research began in Kew’s Plant Physiology department in 1965.
The Princess of Wales Conservatory opened in 1987. This modern glasshouse showcases diverse plant species.
The Japanese Gateway was restored in 1996. Her Imperial Highness Princess Sayako opened it.
The Millennium Seed Bank’s construction was enabled in 1997. This is a global conservation effort.
Kew Gardens became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
The Herbarium and Library were extended in 2009. This was to accommodate 30000 items added each year.
After five years of restoration, the Temperate House re-opened in 2018. The Great Pagoda also re-opened. It featured 80 newly restored dragons.
Today, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew continues its mission. Its mission is to apply scientific discovery and research. It aims to fully develop information about plants and fungi. It is a leading institution for botanical research. It is a beautiful place to explore the natural world.