Botanical London in 1900: The Palm House in Kew Gardens

Arthur H. Beavan concluded his survey of botanical gardens in Imperial London, published in 1901, with the following comments about the Palm House in Kew Gardens:

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The crowning glory of Kew is its Palm House.

In an official account of the palms in Kew Gardens, it is stated that the majority are natives of the tropics, and therefore require a high temperature for their cultivation.

The greater number are natives of the New World.

A few are found in extra-tropical countries, and to these the gardens of Southern Europe owe much of their striking character and beauty.

In this country, of course, they require the protection of glass - this is a huge greenhouse.

The number of palms catalogued at Kew is over 400, probably the largest assemblage of species of the order to be found in any one place in the world.

In 1820 the palms occupied a "lean-to house called the Palm House, only 50 feet long, 16 feet wide, and 15 feet high at the back."

In 1828, to accommodate the increasing size of the specimens, the house was enlarged.

The present building was completed in 1848, from the designs of Decimus Burton, Esq.

The length of the structure is 362 feet; its width in the centre 100 feet, and height 66 feet; the wings are 50 feet wide and 30 feet high.

But when once this stage is achieved, the upward growth of the stem is rapid; and in time the dome of the Palm House is unable to accommodate their height, and it is then necessary to cut them down and replace them; a vast pity, as the roof could easily be raised.

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