The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has cultivated plants for more than 250 years. Today, Kew’s horticulturists grow over 19,000 species of plants in the gardens – the most diverse collection in the world.PAUL REES is the Tropical Nursery Supervisor at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Born in South Africa, he trained in horticulture and landscape design at the Tshwane University of Technology and furthered his training at Kew, where he has worked with the cacti and succulent collection since 2009. Awarded the William Aiton Medal for exceptional service at Kew, he is also a member of the British Cactus and Succulent Society Conservation Committee.