{"id":2815,"date":"2026-01-08T20:13:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T20:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/christianregency.com\/blog\/?p=2815"},"modified":"2026-01-08T20:13:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T20:13:33","slug":"spring-at-kew-gardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/2026\/01\/08\/spring-at-kew-gardens\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring at Kew Gardens"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Peony-cluster.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2990 alignleft\" title=\"Peony cluster at Capen House Gardens, Smith College\" alt=\"Peony cluster\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Peony-cluster-257x300.jpg?resize=257%2C300\" width=\"257\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Peony-cluster.jpg?resize=257%2C300&amp;ssl=1 257w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Peony-cluster.jpg?resize=878%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 878w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Peony-cluster.jpg?w=1704&amp;ssl=1 1704w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Peony-cluster.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 257px) 100vw, 257px\" \/><\/a> Spring is bulb season at Kew. From the\u00a0carpets of the small, blue, bell-like squill to the tall straight tulips with their simple form, there are bright primary colors everywhere.<\/p><div id=\"vanes-898530642\" class=\"vanes-content vanes-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 2px;margin-right: 2px;margin-bottom: 2px;margin-left: 2px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/fireswordandsea.htm\" aria-label=\"Fire Sword &amp; Sea\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?fit=1706%2C2560&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Fire Sword &amp; Sea\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?w=1706&ssl=1 1706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048&ssl=1 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" width=\"569\" height=\"853\"   \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>What was it like in regency times?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/outside-my-writing-window.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2982 alignright\" alt=\"outside my writing window\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/outside-my-writing-window-300x275.jpg?resize=270%2C248\" width=\"270\" height=\"248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/outside-my-writing-window.jpg?resize=300%2C275&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/outside-my-writing-window.jpg?resize=326%2C300&amp;ssl=1 326w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/outside-my-writing-window.jpg?w=699&amp;ssl=1 699w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>Rhododendron Dell, originally known as the Hollow Walk, was formed at the edge of the Thames out of its flood plain. Famous landscaper Lancelot &#8216;Capability&#8217; Brown designed it in 1773 in the shape of a horseshoe and planted hundreds of mountain laurels along it, which gave it the nickname of Laurel Walk.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Kew_Palace.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2993 alignright\" alt=\"Kew_Palace\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Kew_Palace.jpg?resize=250%2C180\" width=\"250\" height=\"180\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Dutch House, or the royal palace with its Dutch architectural style, doubtless had many flower gardens enjoyed by the royal family who frequently stayed there. In springtime, tulips, narcissus, squill, and hyacinths were popular bulbs. Since the tulip craze in the Netherlands in the 17<sup>th<\/sup> century, the hyacinth, also originating from Turkey in the 1500s, became very popular to cultivate in the 18<sup>th<\/sup> century and regency England.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Mora-Ruth-with-Peonies.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2989 alignleft\" title=\"Peonies at Capen House Gardens, Smith College\" alt=\"Mora &amp; Ruth with Peonies\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Mora-Ruth-with-Peonies-300x264.jpg?resize=300%2C264\" width=\"300\" height=\"264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Mora-Ruth-with-Peonies.jpg?resize=300%2C264&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Mora-Ruth-with-Peonies.jpg?resize=1024%2C902&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Mora-Ruth-with-Peonies.jpg?resize=340%2C300&amp;ssl=1 340w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Mora-Ruth-with-Peonies.jpg?w=1276&amp;ssl=1 1276w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve included some photos of my own garden flowers to give you an idea of what visitors to the royal gardens at Kew might enjoy in the early 1800s. <a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/garden-photos-007.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2985\" alt=\"garden photos 007\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/garden-photos-007-300x77.jpg?resize=300%2C77\" width=\"300\" height=\"77\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/garden-photos-007.jpg?resize=300%2C77&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/garden-photos-007.jpg?resize=500%2C129&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/garden-photos-007.jpg?w=964&amp;ssl=1 964w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/2010-garden-002.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2986 alignleft\" alt=\"2010 garden 002\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/2010-garden-002-300x233.jpg?resize=300%2C233\" width=\"300\" height=\"233\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/2010-garden-002.jpg?resize=300%2C233&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/2010-garden-002.jpg?resize=384%2C300&amp;ssl=1 384w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/2010-garden-002.jpg?w=730&amp;ssl=1 730w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3442.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2987 alignright\" alt=\"IMG_3442\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3442-300x243.jpg?resize=300%2C243\" width=\"300\" height=\"243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3442.jpg?resize=300%2C243&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3442.jpg?resize=1024%2C829&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3442.jpg?resize=370%2C300&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3442.jpg?w=1822&amp;ssl=1 1822w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3442.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3441.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2988 alignleft\" alt=\"IMG_3441\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianregency.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3441-300x198.jpg?resize=300%2C198\" width=\"300\" height=\"198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3441.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3441.jpg?resize=1024%2C677&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3441.jpg?resize=453%2C300&amp;ssl=1 453w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3441.jpg?w=1866&amp;ssl=1 1866w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/IMG_3441.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"rop\"><small>Originally posted 2013-05-13 10:00:00. <\/small><\/p><div id=\"vanes-3762923572\" class=\"vanes-after-content vanes-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 3px;margin-right: 3px;margin-bottom: 3px;margin-left: 3px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?fit=1080%2C1350&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Listen to the Write of Passage Weekly Podcast\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?w=1080&ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?resize=240%2C300&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?resize=819%2C1024&ssl=1 819w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?resize=768%2C960&ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" width=\"540\" height=\"675\"   \/><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spring is bulb season at Kew. From the\u00a0carpets of the small, blue, bell-like squill to the tall straight tulips with their simple form, there are bright primary colors everywhere. What was it like in regency times? Rhododendron Dell, originally known as the Hollow Walk, was formed at the edge of the Thames out of its [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[151,11,1],"tags":[247,154,248,246],"class_list":["post-2815","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-botany","category-seasons","category-uncategorized","tag-dutch-house","tag-kew-gardens","tag-rhododendrons","tag-spring-bulbs"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2815","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2815"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2815\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3004,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2815\/revisions\/3004"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2815"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2815"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2815"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}