RHS Garden Wisley
Down a lane off the hectic A3 in Surrey, RHS Wisley beckons for a day of calm and colour. It’s my go-to beautiful space to breath and connect with family and friends.
Not far from the Chilterns, RHS Wisley is one of five gardens run by the Royal Horticultural Society. Hugely popular with families, picnicking couples, groups of gardeners, students and tourists, the 240 acres easily swallows us all.
A short history
Wisley was founded by George Ferguson Wilson, who purchased a smaller 60-acre site in 1878. He worked hard and established the Oakwood Experimental Garden with the aim of making ‘difficult plants grow successfully’. He surely succeeded, but I am still learning! Bought by Sir Thomas Hanbury, the creator of the celebrated La Mortola garden on the Italian Riviera, he gave the Wisley site to the RHS in 1903.
Let the images speak
Below my selection of spring, summer, autumn and winter highlights for you to enjoy.
The vivid outlines, trunks, stems and hardy winter and early spring blooms give way to a dazzling array of summer shapes, smells and sizes.
Late summer season can’t wait to show off bulbs, boxing hares and blushing displays.
Saving the best to last!
Quick Links
Explore RHS Wisley virtually if you are to far away.
RHS Hyde Hall in Essex has an interesting dry garden that is helping shape techniques and attitudes to climate change and a dryer world.
The Garden Visitor gives an interesting account of a visit to the La Mortola garden.
Love those groups of images, especially the textures and tones of the Shades of June ones.