The latest news and comment on the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
July 2024
Half of Kew tree species at risk of death owing to climate crisis, study finds
Botanical gardens lost 400 trees during 2022 drought, prompting research in potential loss in coming decades
June 2024
Pass notes
The corpse flower: is this the world’s smelliest plant?
It looks like a giant misshapen penis, reeks of rotten flesh – and is a big hit at Kew Gardens. Can its odour rival plants that smell of semen, faeces and roadkill skunk?
May 2024
Scientists transplant soil fungi in race to save world’s threatened orchids
Display at Chelsea flower show highlights work in UK and US to bring orchid habitats back to health
February 2024
Botanical gardens ‘most effective’ green space at cooling streets in heatwaves
Country diary
Country diary: Caught in a web of late winter branches
November 2023
‘Cultural vandalism’: row as Kew Gardens and Natural History Museum plan to move collections out of London
Scientific specimens and research facilities set to be rehoused in Reading University science park, alongside British Museum archive
October 2023
Mat Collishaw review – AI plants put the shock and sensation back into British art
Gorgeous blooms and stunning curiosities evoke botanical wonders, but the artist’s creations are revealed as fragile digital illusions – and nature will have its revenge
The age of extinction
‘Uncharted territory’: more than 2m fungi species yet to be discovered, scientists say
Report on state of flora and fungi says newly discovered plants should be listed as threatened by default
Kew Gardens’ Alexandre Antonelli: ‘We may be losing species before we even notice them’
Ahead of the organisation’s report into the state of our flora and fungi, its director of science talks about his work as a biogeographer and how our diet can make a difference
September 2023
‘Nature embraces queer people’: inside the Kew show about the LGBTQ+ side of plants
Queer Nature celebrates the astonishing diversity of plants – and looks at how they have inspired LGBTQ+ groups. Our writer enters a world of bisexual flowers and asexual trees
June 2023
The age of extinction
‘Mind-boggling’ palm that flowers and fruits underground thrills scientists
New species named Pinanga subterranea as Kew botanists admit they have no idea how its flowers are pollinated
February 2023
Architect Decimus Burton: ‘Utter originality and unselfconscious perfection’
Rowan Moore
Victorian architecture’s lost giant, Decimus Burton, finally regains recognition
December 2022
‘Queen’s hedgehog’ fungus among 2022’s new discoveries recorded by Kew
Scientists at Royal Botanic Gardens say naming new species is part of global effort to protect Earth’s biodiversity
August 2022
Sussex’s Wakehurst reveals its ‘future-proofed’ American prairie grassland
Botanic garden prepares for hotter and drier summers with plants needing less irrigation
July 2022
Kew Gardens secures a multimillion-pound climate change investment
Time-lapse of the world's largest waterlily species discovered at London's Kew Gardens – video
June 2022
Houseplant of the week
Houseplant of the week: bird of paradise
This majestic, high-drama plant is surprisingly low maintenance and makes a bold statement in your front room
May 2022
Caesar’s favourite herb was the Viagra of ancient Rome. Until climate change killed it off
Perfume, tonic – even love potion – silphium was prized by the ancient Romans, but in its success lay the seeds of its own downfall
April 2022
Plants hold key to developing future cancer treatments
Scientists say the natural world has an important role to play in creating new drugs to fight the disease
