Thousands of lights have gone on display in a garden as part of a winter illuminations trail.

Glow Wild has launched at Wakehurst in Haywards Heath and includes giant floating leaves and a green tunnel inspired by moss and lichen.

The art installation is the ninth edition of the nature inspired illuminations trail in the botanical garden managed by Kew.

Lorraine Lecourtouis, head of programming at Kew Wakehurst, said: “We are thrilled to be launching our ninth edition of Glow Wild this winter. When we started planning this 18 months ago, we felt we really needed something joyful and celebratory, and as we approach the end of 2022 this couldn’t feel more necessary.

The Argus: Torch trail at WakehurstTorch trail at Wakehurst (Image: RBG Kew)

“The trail has been inspired by the incredible spectrum of colour in the natural world and our artists have responded to this vision better than we could ever have imagined. It's a kaleidoscopic treat and we cannot wait to welcome our visitors to Wakehurst.”

Photographs from the launch on Wednesday, November 23, show over a thousand handmade paper lanterns lining the route that cuts through the botanical gardens.

The garden’s black pond now has luminescent plants created by artist Malgorzata Lisiecka sitting above and under water with the lights reflecting off the pond’s surface at night.

Highlights from this year’s display also include 300 flaming torches in the Wakehurst woodlands as well as a giant illuminated parading peacock.

The Argus: Lanterns at WakehurstLanterns at Wakehurst (Image: RBG Kew)

This is the ninth year that the botanical gardens has hosted its annual winter illuminations event.

This year’s display includes 11 separate installations alongside the handcrafted lights and the UK’s largest living Christmas tree.

The 37m tall tree is adorned with over 1,800 lights as part of the Glow Wild display.

Wakehurst has also developed a brand-new route for this year’s event which will see visitors delve deeper into the garden’s landscape.

The Argus: Bee lanterns at WakehurstBee lanterns at Wakehurst (Image: RBG Kew)

The garden has also introduced adult-only sessions for the first time.

Glow Wild 2022 at Wakehurst Botanical Gardens is now open until Sunday, January 1, 2023. Tickets for the event can be booked on the Kew Gardens website.