Tags
Allium christophii Astrantia major, Bees, Dale Chihuly, garden visit, in a vase on Monday, royal Botanic gardens Kew, the Hive, Wolfgang Buttress
Good morning. I spent a very enjoyable day at Kew Gardens yesterday. The weather held and the gardens looked as ever, glorious. The spectacular grounds are currently hosting an extraordinary selection of glassworks by Dale Chihuly .
As an idea of scale this orange piece is in front of the iconic glass house
‘Summer Sun’ Dale Chihuly
Rather like a mad medusa each single piece of blown glass twists and turns.
There are twelve pieces on display, all equally incredible. 
‘Turquoise marlins’ Dale Chihuly
I love how the organic shape mimics the twisting trunk and branches of the tree.
Another great sight is The Hive an incredible 17m installation by Wolfgang Buttress. Built as a visual tribute to British bees. Read all about it on the link above. 
The aluminium structure is a thing of beauty and made me think of the structure of Allium christophii which are in flower right now. 
The shadows of Allium christophii in my Monday vase. 
Allium christophii even the colour is slightly metallic. Joining our lovely host Cathy with my Monday vase. 
Added to my Allium are Cerinthe, Astrantias, Geum Totally Tangerine and blue cornflowers. 
Take a look at some of the other vases on Cathys blog, link above. If you haven’t been to Kew recently, or ever, I suggest you go, it will not disappoint.
Have a good week, wherever you are and thank you for reading. D.
digwithdorris.com 
Nice transitioning of photos from the beehive sculpture to the Allium christophii shadows and to the flowers themselves. Hope to see Kew someday.
What lovely happy colors Doris! They make such a cheerful bouquet.
Ah thanks Cindy. Such a grey day here so they are somehow extra cheerful
Gray day here too. Just wish there was some rain in those clouds. We could surely use it. Flowers surely do cheer us on these gray days.
I can never bear to cut Allium christophii for a vase but yours shows it is worth it.
This Allium was too close to its neighbour so I was relaxed about cutting it. Thanks Christina
Oh those sculptures are wonderful Dorris! Love them! I wonder how long they are at Kew – and is The Hive now a permanent installation? I would really like to experience that. Glad you had a good day – you really are getting about this year! I like the way you linked the Hive to A cristophii, such a good analogy, and your Monday vase is full of lovely things. Which astarntia is this one?
It seems that the Hive is a permanent addition. It is so clever as it is linked to a working hive and lights flicker in response to the bees movements. There is also sound. The glass is there until October. Cathy you’d love it I’m sure. Astrantia Roma is the pink one.
Oh, that’s good to know the Hive is permanent. I heard a snippet of a programme on Radio 4 a little while ago where music was being created from the movement of bees…fascinating stuff. Will have to see if I can make it before Oct to see the glass. I have Roma but it doesn’t always seem to be as pink as it should be, if at all…odd
Yes treat yourself and go. I am sure you will love it. We got there at 10 and left at around 1830 . Good value. Not pink? That is odd
I will, Dorris, and am formulating a plan already. I think the astrantia must have been wrongly labelled…
Oh good!
I think I will deserve a trety once the openings are over and done with…
A treat? Yes definitely
Oops, yes, a Treat!
I love your astrantias and seeing your Allium reminds me I used to have those and need to get more… they are spectacular.
Thanks Eliza, yes I add new ones to my alliums each year just in case the old ones decide not to reappear.
Good wisdom!
Oh yes, Kew is on my list of places to go when I do my grand tour one day! 😉 I really do see the inspiration the hive gave you with the allium. What a lovely summery vase too. 🙂
A grand tour is a great plan Cathy. Definitely add Kew, it’s a very special place with the most wonderful trees. Thank you. The hive is quite a sight, so clever
That glass blowing though! 🙂
Wonderful isn’t it. Such craftsmanship
I did not notice that Allium christophii was so big! I have been considering adding alliums to the garden because it might naturalize even with minimal chill. (We do not get sufficient chill for most other bulbs.) I know alliums only from pictures.