In early July 2022 I went to the Tower of London superbloom, but I didn't pay to go in, I just looked down on the moat from the upper paths. It all looked very colourful. There was already a drought, with virtually no rain in London since May, and the drought continued, resulting in a hosepipe ban in several parts of the south of England, including London. There was also an intense heatwave with a record 42° C in London. This of course affected the flowers.
In Sept entry to the superbloom was free, as the flowers were past their best. So I went to have a look on 3rd Sept.
Looking down from the upper paths it looked as if there weren't many flowers left, and it was only when I went down that I saw how beautiful the flowers actually are. Photos from 9 July & 3 Sept -
The (optional) slide down to superbloom -
 |
| Namaqualand daisy |
 |
| fly on the daisy |
 |
| Cape Daisy |
Cape Daisy,
Arctotis fastuosa, also called Monarch-of-the-veld, is a species of African plants in the family Asteraceae, native to Namibia and South Africa.
 |
| Crimson flax |
 |
| Corn marigold |
Many of these plants are good for bees and other insects. Apparently there were more insects in the moat than humans in London.
 |
| fly on a seed head |
The Californian poppy is used to treat pain, anxiety, depression, migraines etc. Flowers have been grown at the Tower of London for medicinal purposes since 1603 when Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned here.
 |
| California Poppy, variety Mikado |
 |
| African daisy |
 |
| Mexican aster & bee |
After September, the area will be mowed down. The seeds will drop and the area will also be reseeded and hopefully next Spring there will be more flowers.
