Monday, June 17, 2013

Wonderful Wisley

We spent the day at the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden at Wisley.
All I can say is: Wow! 

The garden began in 1878 with the purchase of 60 acres.  It is now over 240 acres and includes  water gardens, trial gardens, rose gardens, greenhouses, wild gardens, alpine gardens, and an arboretum.


We made a day of it, and it takes an entire day to have the time necessary to appreciate and enjoy Wisley.

The weather held for us and as it was a Monday, the garden was not the least crowded.

There was such attention to detail and plant placement.


Wisley is extremely generous with the placement of its benches.
I became taken with all the different styles used.

I never thought of myself as an Alpine Plant Person.
  
After Wisley, now I am!



The garden paths are wide and comfortable.  Everywhere you turn there is an interesting vista.

See what I mean?

Lots of great garden art and features too.  Statues, and bridges, and fountains, and brick arches, and greenhouses.

This greenhouse was built in 2007 and covers 3/4 of an acre!

Each tree at Wisley has been allocated the space it needs... 

..and sited to show off its form and best characteristics.
The flowerbeds are profuse...

...and literally swarming with pollinators.

Wisley is deserving of more than just this one post.  I'll put together a second one as I have more plant (and bird) photos to share.

12 comments:

Vickie said...

Positively lovely! Are there many hills to climb Beth? I suppose I think that way with my hip disability.

cucki said...

Wow it's so beautiful x

backporchcarver said...

Wow, that is an amazing place,so much to see, it is beautiful.

Angie Burrett said...

Beth I am so pleased that you enjoyed your day at Wisley. I used to live in Cobham and have walked my children around there many many times when they were young. It was - and and still is - one of my favourite places. I still visit Cobham regularly and often pop in! The shop is gorgeous too!

Mouse said...

oooooo loved the walk today round Wisley ... simply gorgeous place to go and visit and admire :)love mouse xxxxxx

Margaret said...

I agree with you -- wow! The RHS really knows how to do a garden!

Annette-California said...

The gardens are incredible! I was intrigued with the plants growing right out of the rocks. I guess that's called Alpine plants? Beautiful and those benches were great. love Annette

Barb said...

That looks like the perfect place for a garden lover to spend the day!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

What a great place to visit for someone who loves horticulture. It sounds as though you had a lovely day there.

Chris said...

Amazing!

Giovanna said...

I think I've been there - must have been more than 30 years ago... It was indeed stunning - thanks for reminding me about it :-)

Athena at Minervas Garden said...

It all looks so buccolic and beautiful, Beth--I loved seeing the bench montage.