Founded in 1759, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (www.kew.org), celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2009. (Open 9:30-4:15. £13 adult; free for children under 17.)
Special events: • The Princess of Wales conservatory will run “Kew’s Tropical Extravaganza,” Feb. 7- March 8, brimming with orchids, anthuriums and insectivorous plants. • In March and April, Kew’s “Spring Celebration” will have five million bulbs and feature a crocus carpet, daffodils and snowdrops. • May to September, the exhibit “Role of Botanic Gardens” in the Nash Conservatory will feature Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank.