-
Here we are November, with the autumn rain and wind driving in under our waterproofs, reminding us that summer has gone and nature is encouraging the plant kingdom to hunker down for the winter’s big sleep. This is my favourite time of year, would you believe it? On a good day: the light, the temperature...
Read More...
-
It was the light, the way it shone through the seed heads, like they were made of delicate gossamer threads, they came alive and danced, like fireflies across my mind, and at every turn they were there. As part studying for the Diploma of Horticulture at Wisley we have to submit a collection of 10 dried...
Read More...
-
I would like to introduce you to Rohanna Heyes, a second year trainee at Wisley. She has been inspired to blog about her experience in the Alpine Department... Over to you, Rohanna. Autumn approaches quietly (there's no denying that scent on the breeze, that look on those leaves, that sound in the...
Read More...
-
What an amazing amount of colour. This year's chrysanthemum display in the Glasshouse at Wisley is our best yet. (Click on the images to view larger versions). Paul Atkinson has been propagating these magnificent flowers for months. He started on the cascade chrysanthemums in February - they need...
Read More...
-
If you go down to the woods today.... you might find an "extinct" tree. Presumed extinct in the wild, that is, as it has only been seen in gardens since 1803. The plant in question is Franklinia alatamaha and we have two flowering well, with gorgeous autumn leaf colour, in the woody Wild Garden...
Read More...
-
The answer is about 100. That is, 100 or so on display in the Glasshouse at Wisley at the moment. Pink ones, green ones, cream ones, purple ones, yellow ones, deep red ones (some are nearly black) and mixed up ones. Some have leaves that are almost round, while others are toothed and jaggedy. Some are...
Read More...
-
November is a quiet yet wonderful month at Wisley. Frosty, sunny weather makes the grasses, berries and seed heads sparkle. And the trees start to take on their statuesque silhoutted form of winter. There is still a fair amount of autumn colour about though, and a number of flowers, including camellias...
Read More...
-
Autumnal hints are just starting to appear, but as the weather is hovering between summer and autumn there is an awful lot of colour to find in the garden. Wisley is still in full bloom, with a wonderful fragrance from the Rose Garden, where there are still plenty of blooms ready to come out, and the...
Read More...
-
It's that time of year again. Time to start planning ahead for next year in the garden. Time to think about what edits to make, how to improve your patch, or give yourself the challenge of propagating something new, something we grow here in our own RHS Gardens. How? By applying for seed that our...
Read More...
-
You have just a few days to enjoy the beautiful, yellow, fragrant Peruvian daffodil. It isn't common in cultivation, and this is the best I have ever seen this rarity flower, so I extend my congratulations to the team in Glass. Matt Pottage explains: "The Paramongaia is known as the Peruvian...
Read More...
-
In last week's sunny weather, and this week's chill, the garden teams have been busy tidying the place ready for the cold season to come. The fine turf has been scarified, aerated and top dressed; the square columns of hornbeam have been carefully pruned back; oak leaves are raked up off the...
Read More...
-
At the beginning of this week we had some glorious sunshine, and great crowds at our incredibly successful (and enjoyable) Taste of Autumn festival. Next week we have a host of half term activities plus something fun for Hallowe'en to look forward to, and the final week for submitting entries to...
Read More...
-
With the autumn colours coming through, and harvests being gathered, you might just be inspired to take a stunning snap, and be in with the chance of winning £1,000 in the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual Photographic Competition. Tim Sandall, renowned garden photographer and judge for the RHS Photographic...
Read More...
-
We are enjoying the autumn so far at Wisley. Fruits, flowers and veg are in evidence all over the Garden, and the leaves are starting to turn. We're looking forward to our Taste of Autumn Festival next week, 16-19th October, with great anticipation - it's been a fantastic event over the last...
Read More...
-
Through the Pinetum and into Howard's Field late summer and autumn colour is coming into its own. Our heather beds are doing well, and there are carpets of beautiful pink and white Cyclamen hederifolium . And right at the end is the Plants for Bugs site, being overseen by Helen Bostock on of the...
Read More...