Wonderful Wisley Part Two

Wisley is an amazing garden and I'm not sure that even with the addition of this photo-heavy post, that I've done it justice.

I'm now a huge fan and admirer of alpines and rock gardening.  I don't think it is the 'right fit' for me as I tend to over-water as it is, and this little beauties don't need much moisture to be happy.  Still, I can look and enjoy, right?

The garden had several nice displays of water lilies.

I think the one on the bottom right was my favorite.

I also love Japanese maples.  The more cut-leaf the tree, the more I like it.

I am horrible at setting plants out in a pleasing fashion.  This grouping is so nice - the tree and rock provide year-round interest, the ferns last for months, and the primroses can be enjoyed for the brief period during which they bloom.  If you 'blot out' the primroses with your hand, the planting is still strong and interesting - that takes an eye for form and design.

Wisley has a very nice 'wild' woodland shade garden.  Spring has been so late here, that I've been able to enjoy a second spring - Magnolias, rhododendrons, primroses, and dogwoods.

There's nothing like a 10 foot (or taller) brick wall to really set off a garden!

it provides a backdrop for climbing roses, and contributes some extra heat which the standard roses enjoy.

How many of us dream about a water feature in our garden?

Most new gardeners go ga-ga over perennials, but good gardeners understand that trees provide four season interest.

There is something SO soothing about the many shades of green.

As my Mom and I walked along a path in the garden near the Wey River, I heard a bird talking and talking and talking.  I decided I could tell which tree it was coming from and that it was emanating from a small hole in the tree.  We stopped and sat at a handy bench and waited. 

Within five minutes we were rewarded with the appearance of a Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding its baby. 

I confess, that just made my day!  We stayed long enough to watch a second feeding.

Wisley provides several varied habits for birds.  I saw a Grey Heron, Mallards, a Moorhen, several Woodpigeons, Magpies and Blackbirds, and Chaffinch.

There were so many different types of gardens at Wisley.

Amazing cacti and succulents in the greenhouse.

An endless array of trees in all shapes and sizes outside.

Palms, echium, streptocarpus, and birds of paradise.

I've grown Iochroma (the plant on the top left) the last few summers as an annual.  My hummingbirds love it.  

Every path seemed to whisper, "Follow me and see what lies just 'round the bend." 

What with orchids and other tropical exotics, Wisley truly has something for everyone!