The thumbnails below are linked to larger pictures
My first visit to RHS Wisley Gardens was in March so the only garden flowers growing were crocuses and daffodils (but as Wisley holds the National collection of crocus, amongst others we were not disappointed). There are always the Glasshouses where ornamental exotics can be relied upon to provide a colourful display at any time of the year. It should be noted that the borders are at their best from July to September.
In 1878 George Ferguson Wilson businessman and scientist as well as a keen gardener, purchased the site and established The Oakwood Experimental Garden. In 1903 on the death of Wilson, Sir Thomas Hanbury bought the estate and presented it in trust to the R.H.S. .With his botanist brother Daniel he was also the founder in 1867 of the celebrated hillside garden of la Mortola on the Italian Rivera (with which the R.H.S. retains close ties).
Wisley is a very beautiful 240 acre garden with romantic half-timbered Tudor-style buildings. The soil is mainly acid sand which is poor in nutrients and fast draining. There is a canal designed by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, a rock garden, formal and walled gardens, mixed borders, a rose garden, wild garden, glasshouses, a fruit field and an arboretum. Then there are the alpine gardens, the model vegetable gardens and a country garden by Penelope Hobhouse. .
Wisley is worthy of a visit at most times of the year and can be found off Junction 10 of the M25 and following the brown tourist signs.
| *Link to official site for viewing Visitor Information* | View my short Video on the new Glasshouse |
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| Wisley Gardens
August 2003 A return visit to Wisley in late summer captured the last of the summer colour. |
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| Wisley Gardens May
2007 On this visit to Wisley, everyone was busy putting the finishing touches to the new Glasshouse that opens on the 15th June. The huge cathedral like glass structure covers an area equivalent to ten tennis courts and has three climatic zones. So a further visit later this year is called for to explore the new enclosure. |
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| Please continue to Wisley Gardens new Glasshouse |