Kew, A Wander Through the Palm House

When we visited Kew a couple of weeks ago, we included a tour through the Palm House. Built between 1844 to 1848 its one of the most iconic looking Victorian Glasshouses and home to a fantastic collection of Palms, Cycads and other exotics. But on a cold day the warm humid conditions are a real draw and the lush exotic plants a wonderful escape from the cold autumnal weather outside.

We were fortunate when we visited that there were hardly anyone else in the Palm House, so at times it felt like we had the place to ourselves.
We have a growing passion for Cycads at the moment, the above being a fine example at Kew. Now all we need is a large glasshouse to keep them in.
Tropical Schefflera, whilst these are not hardy there's now plenty of hardy schefflera available in the UK to get the look.

And more cycads...

The Beehive Ginger (Zingiber spectabile). These almost look like they are made from plastic!

I do like the Victorian ironwork through the palm house, whilst more modern glasshouses may be better designed in many regards the structural iron in a place like the Palm House is simply a delight on its own.

It is often reported that the designers of the Palm House were ship builders, hence the overall shape. I also like to think they truly were architects as the design is beautiful.

Intricate detail from a time when form was as important as function.

I wish there were more hardy aroids available, whilst plants such of these (Alocasia amazonica) can be   over wintered inside, we have enough other plants to look after without having too many smaller tender plants.  

I was not paying close enough attention to get the name of this tree, (the tag being for an Orchid), any suggestions as to what it is?

You can almost feel the heat and humidity in here

Bamboo, with Marks hand for scale.

Fresh green growth giving us a reminder of Spring despite the Autumnal weather

Non stop lush green growth

The following plant (Cecropia) is one of my favorite plants in the palm house, and its not a palm, however that leaf shape and size makes it a worthy selection.

Taken from the balcony, and I didn't spot a name from this view. (but its a palm!)

And from a different angle, name anyone?

Another deserted view

We have visited the Palm House at Kew dozens over times of the years, and whilst I must admit it can sometimes be easy to become a little blasé about it, there is always something special about a visit (even more so when its cold and miserable outside!).
Gaz