After twenty years in Washington DC my parents retired to England. I also lived in DC and had a small business and young family. My business was controlled by the seasons and so visits could only be in February.
My February visit had become an important part of my annual schedule. Flights to England arrive at an absurdly early hour and however much one has been missing bangers and bacon, breakfast only takes up so much time of rush hour. So it’s off to Kew gardens. It’s a close underground journey from the airport and a short walk from the station to the garden’s entrance.
The weather in February can often be lovely and sunny and very walkable. The gardens were usually a couple of weeks further advanced than DC so daphnes, sarcaccoca and witch hazels would be in bloom and the heaths, heathers and even herbs would be looking good. Kew also has bulbs but never enough for the size of gardens. I also was fascinated by what was being pruned and cleaned up in the gardens.
Bad weather meant more time spent in the glass houses and the bookshop but seemingly rain moves on quickly.
https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens
Hugh Latham, Founder and CEO
Grown To Be Wild Nursery
http://www.growntobewildnursery.com