It's that time of year again when the Glasshouse turns a shade of vibrant red. And pink. And cream. And green. And many other colours. And everything feels Christmassy. This is our first Christmas in the new Glasshouse and this year we're putting on a big poinsettia display.
Woking on the display are Clare Harte, this year's Special Option Certificate Orchid student, and Matthew Pottage, one of our youngest members of staff who started his association with Wisley in 2004 when he enrolled on the Wisley Diploma in Practical Horticulture at age 18.
Matthew said, "We were plunging poinsettias into the beds to lift the permanent planting, to be in keeping with the Christmas poinsettia theme we have created in the rest of the temperate house. Poinsettias are plunged rather than planted as they are very susceptible to rotting off in heavier soils, and are grown in a much lighter medium in their pots. Therefore by plunging them we can ensure their survival, though at the same time make them look like part of the landscape."
But why the posing and pouting? Matthew explained, "we enjoy dancing with plants, it helps us bond with them mentally!"