Kew Gardens is marking Hallowe’en with a huge pyramid of pumpkins.
The tower – built from 75 different types of squash – will be on display in the Royal Botanical Gardens’ Waterlily House throughout October as part of its four-month IncrEdibles festival.
Inspiring visitors to broaden their food horizons, the London attraction has already celebrated more than 12,000 species of edible plans over the course of the event. Now, the focus is on pumpkins and fungi.
From 5 October to 3 November 2013, visitors will have the chance to watch master vegetable grower Tony Finch carve intricate designs into his pumpkin harvest.
Plus Kew’s Fungarium – containing the largest collection of dried fungi in the world – will be open for behind-the-scenes tours.
Mycology experts will lead mushroom identification exhibitions, children will be invited to make their own plasticine fungi and microsope sessions will reveal their underground network of fine threads.
Dr Bryn Dentinger, head of Kew’s Fungarium, says: ‘I am delighted about the festival’s focus on fungi, they are too often overlooked. With the first official Red List for fungi in Britain recently published, it is a momentous time for the conservation of fungi in the UK.’
* Kew Glasshouse to be restored