It's now two months since our local mini-Kew, Broomfield Conservatory, closed for repairs and redecoration. The latest forecast is that the work might be completed in late February. Volunteers from the Friends of Broomfield Park conservatory group have been visiting five times a week to water the plants and give them a bit of tlc.
Meanwhile, plant life goes on, mostly unseen, but here's a glimpse of what's happening this week, captured by Liz MacNicol.
Winter is when one of the Conservatory's most spectacular residents is at its best - the Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise) plants show off their sharp pointed beaks and orange plumage.
Also in flower at the moment is Plectranthus. The flowers are normally lilac, but his year they're white. This is presumably because of the unusual light conditions inside the Conservatory. Scaffolding and boarding around the structure have blocked out most of the natural light, and instead "grow lights" are providing temporary artificial lighting.
