Wakehurst Place is home to the Kew Millennium seed bank. It is the largest plant conservation project in the world focussing on plant life that is most at risk from climate change or extinction or the impact of human activities. At the moment there is 10% of the world's wild plants in the collection but the aim is to collect and bank 25% by 2020.
Around the seed bank are these larger than life willow sculptures by Tom Hare. The designs have been inspired by the plants grown in the seed bank's production beds.
You can go inside one of the seed bank buildings where you can see a film showing how the seeds are collected and preserved. You can also watch the scientists at work. When I was there they were cleaning a collection of seeds from the Faulkland Islands.
Here are a few more shots of flowers from the gardens at Wakehurst.
Sharing with 'Our World Tuesday'
Around the seed bank are these larger than life willow sculptures by Tom Hare. The designs have been inspired by the plants grown in the seed bank's production beds. 
Here are a few more shots of flowers from the gardens at Wakehurst.
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Sharing with 'Our World Tuesday'
Great tour. These seed banks are incredibly important.Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeletePreserving seeds in a bank … what could be more worthwhile and encouraging in an uncertain future. And the sculptures could not be more appropriate and inspired!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and I love the sculptures and the flowers!
ReplyDeleteWarm greetings from Holland,
Anna
What a wonderful place! So interesting. I love all of those fabulous sculptures.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful place! I have never seen a seed bank...!
ReplyDeleteThose sculptures are perfect for that place. They are doing such an important job collecting seeds to save them. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteOnly vaguely heard about seed banks before - love the sculptures
ReplyDeleteWell you really had a good day there.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place to explore. I am glad to hear the seeds are being saved. The flowers are gorgeous and the sculptures are pretty. Great post and photos.
ReplyDeleteTerrific shots, I love the giant maple key statue!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of the place. Nice to see such an unique place.
ReplyDeleteHow neat --to have a seed bank.. Bet they learn alot about some of the plants which are at risk. Those wood sculptures are gorgeous --and I loved seeing the garden. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Fabulous idea and fabulous photos.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful! I love them. Thanks for playing!
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are so beautiful and I love the sculpture too.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that such seed conservation is being doe. The gardens are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow, such a wonderful place to be at...
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place. I adore that first shot - such fun!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots!!
ReplyDeleteWow ! that's just amazing !
ReplyDeletewow, I love this. I would very much like to walk around to see all of it. :)
ReplyDeleteIt has amazing plants and flowers, beauttiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteIf I had money to give away I would give it to seed banks like this - our kids kids will need them!
ReplyDeleteI was a bit down in the mouth about being 50 - but once you get there it does not seem to matter!
Stewart M - Melbourne
What lovely gardens the seed bank is located in. Yes, most definitely generations after ours will need access to seed banks. I just hope that not everything will be either genetically modified or be bred for effect not use.
ReplyDeleteLove this post.
One really neat place. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteOh that was a great tour. I sort of knew there were such things as seed banks, but never thought about where they were or exactly how they worked. I love knowing it is there. And now understanding a little bit about how it works. What a great bonus to have those beautiful gardens as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great looking place.
ReplyDeleteHi! The seed bank is very cool. THe bank is located in very beautiful area. Your shots are fabulious. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures!
ReplyDeleteThe seed bank is a fabulous idea! Good thing a few people are looking into the future and noticing what we do NOW really does impact tomorrow. LOVE the sculptures!
ReplyDeleteThis would be a fascinating place to visit - one might need several days!
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