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AboutNOW
Kew the Dragons are returning
after a 220 year absence

dragons!

Iconic garden structure
recaptures 18th century glory

ne of the standout historians now suspect bad
buildings of Kew weather degraded them.
O Gardens will reopen to A new Chinese garden has
the public this spring – sporting also been planted next to the
80 snarling dragons! Built in pagoda, containing trees and
1762, the 50m (164ft) tall shrubs from China, such as
Chinese-influenced pagoda the lime Tilia henryana, the
initially contained the brightly- handkerchief tree Davidia
coloured wooden figureheads involucrata and Ginkgo biloba,
on each corner of the 10 with more to be added in Palace, the Royal Kitchens and
octagonal, tiered roofs before future seasons. Queen Charlotte’s Cottage,” said
they disappeared in the 1780s. “The pagoda forms an Historic Royal Palaces Group
Although their removal was important part of Kew’s Director Paul Gray. All Photos: Historic Royal Palaces
rumoured to be payment for the fascinating royal history, which OThe pagoda and garden will
Prince Regent’s gambling debts, we already explore at Kew open at the end of May.

RHS steps up disease precautions

he RHS, the UK’s foremost
gardening charity, has introduced Xylella dieback on
T measures to protect its gardens, Polygala myrtifolia
shows and plant retail operations against
a ‘game-changing’ killer disease.
Although it hasn’t reached Britain yet,
bacteria Xylella fastidiosa is already
present in areas of Italy, Spain and other
parts of the Mediterranean. Groves of
ancient olive trees have already been
grubbed up in parts of Italy.
Spread by sucking insects, such as
leafhoppers and froghoppers, the
pathogen causes dieback of infected
shoots, and eventual death of the plant.
Xylella has been found to affect more Donato Boscia, CNR
than 350 plant species, with cherry,
lavender, hebe and rosemary considered
to be at high risk. OIsolating all imported, semi-mature trees susceptible plants that are UK-sourced
The RHS has adopted guidelines to for 12 months prior to planting in RHS and grown for 12 months. Outbreaks of
manage future activity better, including gardens and shows. the disease would result in the destruction
in the short term: OUsing UK grown and sourced plant of all host plants within 100m (161km) of
material wherever possible. infection and restrictions on the movement
ODeveloping a list of RHS-approved of plants within a 3.1 mile (5km) radius
suppliers that meet the requisite plant for five years.
health criteria. “Xylella is a game-changer for gardeners
OIntroducing the evaluation of plant health and the horticultural industry,” said RHS
risks into judging at RHS shows. Head of Plant Health, Gerard Clover. “The
The disease To help manage plant health issues, the question is not if, but when the UK will
has devastated charity has employed three new senior staff. have its first outbreak. The industry and
olive groves in It’s also encouraging gardeners and the public must be prepared for the far-reaching
parts of Italy
industry to follow its lead by only buying impact of it.”
Alamy

8 Garden News /January 27 2018