Yesterday I went to RHS Wisley for the flower show, in particular the National Dahlia Society’s annual show and I hadn’t prepared myself for the garden itself, stupid fool that I am. But that added to a magical experience, it was like discovering Kew all over again, a secret garden of Eden, its existence I knew nothing about. Immediately it is one of my favourite places in the world.
The main house with large water lily pond and lawns, leading to multiple terraces.
The garden is large and divided up into different zones featuring different planting styles and themes. There is everything from the lily pond, woodland areas, vegetables, an orchard, lakes, a large area displaying multiple bedding styles, even a bonsai walk – which was my favourite spot. Then there are the glass houses for tropical and tender plantings. I’ll go through some of the areas below in photos.
The view from the main house and entrance across the lily pond into the gardensThe main glass house surrounded by plantings. The view outside and glass house itself is stunning.Inside RHS Wisley’s main glass house, full of a huge variety of species. Personally I am extremely glad that their cacti look healthy and vibrant. I’ve been disappointed in recent years by Kew Gardens’ cacti display that seems to have lost the love being put into it…I’ve never seen a Boophone before. Very funny 🙂
One of the main views at Wisley overlooking a large part of the gardenThis beautiful woodland view really caught my eye, close to the lily pondI’ll visit RHS Wisley again for this little walk way alone.This is a stunning, living work of artI absolutely love this, it’s geniusVerbena bonariensis proving its worth in this bedWoodland areasStunning borders are everywhereKudos to the people in charge of the lawns, they are immaculateI really love Rudbeckia. It doesn’t fit into our garden scheme right now but one day I’ll opt for some of the dwarf varieties.The main long border walk really is something to behold.
Grass borders I’m slightly less keen on on their own funnily enough. I really like grasses and this looks lovely but there’s something a bit too ‘dry’ about them
RHS Wisley had a sculpture trail on too, I really liked some of them.
Entrance to the rose walk from the long border walkIncredibly healthy rose plantingsThe rose garden is a riot of colour and fragrance even in early SeptemberThe National Dahlia Society’s Annual Show 2014 blew me away and converted me instantly into a Dahlia fanI’m not 100% sold on flower hats and sculptures but they are funA table of cakes made entirely from flowers as part of the RHS Wisley Flower Show – don’t eat them!
