Wakehurst Place is a large estate with a diverse range of trees from different areas of the globe. It is the country home of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew and there is the space for not only many trees but different botanical areas and the Millennium Seed Bank. Our visit in August gave us a glimpse of many of the flowering plants showing off the glory of their seeds in the garden areas. This seemed quite fitting as housed deep under some long glass barn shaped buildings is the Millennium Seed collection. This is part of the conservation work of Kew Gardens and involves collecting as many of the rare and endangered plant seeds and preserving those that can be kept at very cold temperatures. The aim is to protect the biodiversity of plant life as habitats come more under threat. It will also ensure future research into the amazing range of plants and their properties. The seeds I have taken photos of are in the lush gardens by streams and ponds.
Adopt a seed and save a species is a campaign set up by Kew. It seems that four plants a day are at risk of disappearing forever. At present Kew has stored 30,000 species. More info on www.kew.org/adoptaseed
The Seed Bank is already helping with conservation and an online seed list makes 900 collections of over 450 species available to organisations. These can then help in the conservation of other species.
Wakehurst Place also has many sculptures and art and photography exhibitions. We also enjoyed the labyrinth set up in the woods. And a finger one on the stump of one of the many trees lost in the 1987 hurricane that hit the south of England.I am determined to try a labyrinth shape in one of my fields in Spain! I must also try some more painting and sculpture. So much to do! Or just enjoy the close ups of the seeds themselves that provide plenty of sculpture and in many forms.
NavasolaNature 
It looks like a fascinating place. Saving seeds is a valuable project. I agree about the so much to do. I think about that often 🙂
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It was fascinating and then inspiring me with more ideas. I need to focus on some key projects and find time to reflect and not just get busy!
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I know how you feel about there being so much to do, it’s hard to get focused and complete anything when inspiration is fizzing all over the place. BBC did a programme called A Year at Kew, they featured a lot of their plant collecting expeditions and ecological work. It was absolutely fascinating.
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beautiful ;D
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What a sad state we are in if close to 1500 species of plants (what number of animals?) a year are at risk. Our poor Mother Earth is under siege. I am glad there are a few devoted to conserving what they can of it.
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