A new discovery

I happened upon a new (to me) greenhouse in Kew today. It's at the northern end of the Order Beds and houses 10 bonsai trees, rotated according to season. Some are 85 years old, like this Chinese juniper.

There's something quite magical about miniature things. The trunk and bark of this Japanese cedar are perfect.

It's hard work to keep them like this. "Bonsai require frequent watering. During the heat of summer, Kew’s bonsai specialist Richard Kernick checks and waters the collection up to three times daily. He re-pots around a quarter of the trees every spring; prunes in spring, summer and autumn; and wires branches in winter."

More information at the official Kew Gardens site.