The Latest Breaking News from Kew

Picture the scene: a cosy but grand rural retreat. A long mahogany table is dressed for Christmas with evergreen foliage. Flickering flames in a huge stone fireplace reflect off crystal chandeliers, gold candelabras, and the jewelled tiaras of ladies sitting down to dine. A parade of footmen arrives carrying 21…

Between the sold-out events, the wilted tree and the hazy memories of how carefree her own childhood Christmases used to be, Amanda Whiting’s attempts to give her three-year-old a festive season to remember have rapidly gone down the tubes. Is this just the reality of modern life today, or a…

The capital's best festive lights? This is illuminating stuff, says Mike Daw

Get the green thumb in your life something they will actually use

Queer Nature celebrates the astonishing diversity of plants – and looks at how they have inspired LGBTQ+ groups. Our writer enters a world of bisexual flowers and asexual trees

Three names listed but concerns have been raised about a lack of local figures and speed of process

Discovered by researchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and partners, scientists have named the new to science species Pinanga subterranea.

From arts projects and boat races to a big (kids-appropriate) daytime rave, it’s time to get egg-cited, says Martha Alexander

Sally Hinchliffe was inspired to write Hare House by Dumfries and Galloway's history of witch trials

This summer saw vast tracts of parks and lawns scorched by drought in the UK, but more watering is not a sustainable solution. Patrick Barkham asks what the future holds for grass

The capital is preparing for the holiday spirit with seasonal street lights