Chris Brown

Kew Diploma graduate. Gardener at Gravetye Manor. Flora, fauna and travel enthusiast. A view into the wonderful world of horticulture!

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

Trekking through Bhutan, June 2016. Kew Diploma, what an opportunity! @kewgardens

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

An excellent article written by @ThePlanthunter about my plant hunting expedition to the remote Himalayas of Northwestern Bhutan
https://t.co/aTjFYzyYX1

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

Buddleja colvilei is a beautiful deciduous shrub endemic to the eastern Himalaya. First discovered by Joseph Hooker in 1849, he declared it 'the handsomest of all Himalayan shrubs.' Photograph taken in the wild forests of Northwestern Bhutan, cutting now growing at Gravetye Manor

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

@timutteridge @KewAfrica @KewScience What an adventure. It looks like a beautiful and scientifically important place. I'm only slightly jealous!

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

This is the classic mechanism of seed dispersal for the Eurasian dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). The seeds are ripe and ready for dispersal, the slightest gust of warm wind catches the elaborate crown, raising and propelling the seeds into the air like little paragliders.

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

Lupin 'Noble Maiden'. Today's star of the show in the flower garden at Gravetye Manor.

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

Today's freshly picked organic herbs. Chives, sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, bay, golden fennel and lovage. All grown on site and to be used within the Michelin star restaurant here at Gravetye Manor.

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

Mother nature decided to adorn these already beautiful Azalea flowers with pearls of water.

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

Cacti make excellent houseplants! They can last long periods of drought, live in dry conditions, handle extreme changes in temperature, have beautiful flowers and add a wonderful and natural architectural element to any room. Top tip, position where they'll get direct sunlight!

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

Forcing rhubarb will encourage the plants to make early growth. These pale, forced stalks can be harvested for use in cooking when they are 20cm – 30cm long and are a useful crop when there is little else in store from kitchen the garden.

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

@PassifloraTree Yea it was cool, It'll be a while yet as they're covering a year in the garden!

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

Just finished a spot of filming with Carol Klein for a new gardening programme on channel 5!

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

@ValkovaVal Thanks! The construction of the restaurant is well underway. It would be great to see you, do come down and say hello. :)

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

Lichens within the Azaleas are adding to the beautiful spring interest in the garden at Gravetye Manor.

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

@PlantGrafter I thought I.pernyi but will research the hybrids!

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

Can anyone out there manage to identify this woody shrub (possibly Ilex) down to species level? It has the garden team at Gravetye Manor stumped. Thanks!

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

@GvzLtd With a little help from Twitter and using the flora of China it's is believed to be Ilex pernyi.

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

@BrendanArundel I agree, I think that's the one!

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

@LawrenceWright3 Brilliant thanks, if you get the chance I'd love to see a picture.

[Chris Brown @BotanicalBrown]

@fungi_flowers Ive just been having a look through the flora of China and Ilex cornuta looks to be a possible match. Just need to wait for flowers to open to confirm!