Director’s view Welcome... Take time to reconnect with nature this summer at Kew and discover all the benefits plants offer us, says RICHARD DEVERELL and RELL K e w J e ff E d e n / R B G K e w , J e ff E d e n / R B G , i d s o n i d s o n S t u a r t D a v I n e s S t u a r t D a v s : P h o t o s THE GARDENS at Kew and Wakehurst come alive in the summer months, with a cornucopia of sights, smells and sounds to enjoy. the natu exhibitio offers an in the G plus evo For many, this time of year offers a time to pause and reconnect with the natural world, and this summer’s major new exhibition at Kew, Marc Quinn: Light into Life, offers an unmissable opportunity to do so here in the Gardens, with 17 sculptures across the site plus evocative artworks in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery (see p6). Galle human wellbeing front and centre. Enjoy an exclusive interview, with the much-loved fitness coach Joe Wicks, who we are delighted to be collaborating with on the very first Joe Wicks Festival at Kew this summer (see p24). njoy an ed fi tness to be Wicks At Kew Gardens, head to the Rose Garden, where a three-year relandscaping project that extends the space will open to visitors for the first time. Explore 12 beds planted with 70 species of wild roses, with new interpretation that shares the species’ fascinating history and cultural importance (see p20). den, that the fi rst cies of res b Di fi g scientist with pot (see p28 Kew citi tradition used to is lost. T care for friendly We al In this issue, we take a look at the extraordinary range of mental and physical health benefits that plants offer us. Discover how plant chemicals fight cancer, and the work Kew scientists are doing to find new ones, with potentially enormous benefits to humanity (see p28). Plus, hear how you could feed into a Kew citizen science project that is recording traditional veterinary knowledge of how plants are used to treat animal illness, before that knowledge is lost. The project could offer all of us who care for animals more environmentally friendly ways to do so (see p40). We also bring you news of a wide range of events that put the power of nature for Plus, hear how you could feed into a science project that is recording veterinary knowledge of how plants are at animal illness, before that knowledge project could offer all of us who mals more environmentally ys to do so (see p40). ring you news of a wide range hat put the power of nature for SUPPORT OUR FUNDRAISING APPEAL Please help us protect our much-loved gardens. To support our appeal, visit kew.org/appeal And, we’re celebrating the magic of the meadow this summer with Meadowland, an art programme at Wakehurst devoted to championing this seriously threatened British landscape. Head to p14 to explore the secret life of these extraordinary ecosystems, and discover a hidden corner of ancient meadowland right here at Kew Gardens. ancient meadowland right here at K Finally, the Last Word this issue comes from journalist and author Sathnam Sanghera, who Finally, the Last Word this issue co journalist and author Sathnam Sang shares his optimism for a futur shares his optimism for a future where more of us can unlock th more of us can unlock the power of the natural world and d the natural world and discover its complex and fascinati complex and fascinating histories. Richard Deverell, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Richard Deverell, Directo Royal Botanic Gardens, K ic of g Cone flowers (Echinacea) at Kew Gardens