New Pollinators of the Palm House audio tour explores the incredible plants in Kew’s tropical glasshouse

• Created by Kew’s Community Horticulture Programme in partnership with outreach participants  
• Community Horticulture Programme at Kew opens up gardening and growing to people of all abilities and backgrounds  
• Produced with support from Earwax, a performance platform for artists of marginalized genders 

This summer, visitors to Kew Gardens in London can explore the fascinating plants in the iconic 175-year-old Palm House with a newly launched audio tour, created by Kew’s Community Horticulture Programme in collaboration with outreach participants. Pollinators of the Palm House explores the remarkable story of Kew’s living laboratory; a magnificent glasshouse which is home to species from some of the most threatened environments in the world. The audio tour shines a light on the remarkable stories and pollination tricks of some of Kew’s most incredible plants, including the giant cycad (Encephalartos altensteinii), officially the oldest pot plant in the world, and the traveller’s palm (Ravenala madagascariensis), which is pollinated by lemurs in the wild on Madagascar. 

The project is a unique collaboration between Kew’s Community Horticulture Programme and Earwax, a sound and performance platform for artists of marginalised genders. Produced by Esme Lewis-Gartside, the tour is presented by Shiquerra Mackenzie and Andre Apenu. By day, Shiquerra is a key worker in London’s emergency services, but with a passion for voice artistry she was thrilled to take part in creating the audio tour. Andre first encountered Kew Gardens after hearing a talk given by Jane Rogers, Kew’s Community Horticultural Learning Coordinator. He is also involved in Coco Collective, an Afro-diaspora led community garden in Lewisham that was born out of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as working as a gardener across London.  

Kew’s Community Horticulture Programme offers hands-on gardening and creative workshops for groups and individuals who are members of the Community Access Scheme, as well as those who may otherwise face physical, sensory, psychological or social barriers to visiting Kew. The community allotment offers the perfect tranquil space for participants to connect with nature and develop skills across a range of activities, including monthly gardening workshops, DIY, and plot take-overs for organisations and charities which work with refugees, asylum seekers, people in crisis and those struggling with homelessness.  

Jane Rogers, Community Horticultural Learning Coordinator at RBG Kew says: “This project is something which has been a number of years in the making, so it’s wonderful that is has now finally come to life and I’m so thrilled to see visitors to Kew Gardens listening to Shiquerra and Andre’s wonderful storytelling as they explore the Palm House! It’s been fantastic to collaborate with them on the project, and with Esme who has created a beautifully produced tour which really brings to life the hidden stories of the incredible plants inside Kew’s most famous building.” 

Esme Lewis-Gartside, Sound Artist and Producer, MMus Sonic Arts adds: “I wanted to be involved in this project as I have a long interest in gardening and botanical science. As a sound designer and musician, this felt like the perfect project that crossed over between studio work and tactile field recordings alongside informative, historical accounts of the plants. It was important that we platformed female voices in this project as well as people from marginalised communities who don’t as readily get platformed.” 

Shiquerra Mackenzie reflects: “My day job lies within the emergency services, helping to keep London safe, but I’ve always had a passion for voice over work which is why I was thrilled when I was offered the chance to be part of this project. The project itself was a steep learning curve for me, being someone who had little horticultural knowledge prior to this experience! I enjoyed learning along the way and hope that this new audio tour goes on to entertain and educate others, particularly those who may not usually have considered coming to Kew.” 

Andre Apenu says: “As an avid gardener and environmental enthusiast, I believe in the profound impact that nature can have on our lives. I have worked in the horticulture sector for just over a decade ranging from youth led community allotment growing to co-facilitating workshops around Victorian herbs in community halls, to garden maintenance across all of London. During my time in horticulture, I have taken a strong interest in pre-colonial histories of agriculture and indigenous practices. I strive to find the link between gardens being a space to relax and provide us tranquility, and to provide food sovereignty and become a resource where we can rekindle our connection to nature. Being involved in this project with Kew Gardens has been a delight, and I’m so happy people can now listen to our words as they explore the Palm House.” 

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is dedicated to harnessing the power of plants and fungi to end the extinction crisis and secure a future for all life on Earth. With Kew’s world-leading research, global partnerships, and beloved gardens – home to the world’s most diverse collections of plants and fungi –Kew is using its trusted voice to shape policy and practice worldwide. As a charity Kew relies on the critical support of its visitors, not only to sustain the gardens, but to protect global plant and fungal biodiversity for the benefit of our planet and humanity.