It had been way over a decade since I last visited RHS Wisley. And boy are there a lot of changes. Once we finally emerged from Junction 10 we were given our maps and off we went. Overall it was in wonderful condition for the time of year with everything looking well-maintained and beautifully mulched ready for the rest of the growing year.

First stop was at the newly sited Trials Gardens - now where the old garden centre used to be. At this time of year it was tulip time. And it was a riot of splendour and colour. Siting it closer to the entrance was a great move. 

From there Butch and I moved up through the  mixed borders and fell in love with a tree. It was a Toona Sinensis ‘Flamingo’. It was tall and a little similar to an acer but more delicate. The leaves were small and sparser, allowing lots of room for the light coloured bark to make its statement too. We bumped into a few more smaller ones en route during the day. A winner with us. 

From there we crested Battleston Hill by the upside down horse’s head statue  and looked down on the new Clear Lake,  created on the site of the previous Trials garden. Clear Lake is a man-made lake collecting rainwater for irrigating the garden, with gently sloping sides providing the perfect habitat for Wisley's wildlife. And holds the equivalent of 42,000 domestic water butts. With a capacity of 9 million litres, the water level will never be allowed to drop below 3 metres, which is approximately 3 million litres of water, ensuring the wildlife is sustained at all times.The lake features a giant fountain which aids water quality, through aeration, and helps reduce the sound of the nearby road.  

On to the new RHS Hilltop. Opened in 2021 it is  The Home of Gardening Science, a state-of-the-art science building surrounded by three spectacular new gardens that embrace the latest ideas in horticulture, as well as opening our new Trials Garden. It is an understated building and will fit in better when the new surrounding gardens mature. 
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From there we ambled over to the Alpine Houses. Always a treat. 

After that we found the new Bonsai Walk. Better sited than before you can admire the bonsai’s  beauty in a dedicated environment. Always a favourite with me as I try to bonsai native British trees at home and on my allotment. Or as the oft sardonic Paterson calls them - my twigs!  

Down through the Rose Garden into the Cottage Garden and The Exotic Garden and we were ready for some grub. Although predictably expensive the sausage roll in The Wisley Café was straight from Flavour Town!

Fed and watered we were soon back out on the trail as we made our way to  The Glasshouse. It covers the area of 10 tennis courts and rising to 12m (40ft) high, is home to the RHS’s world-class tender plant collection. It is like walking into a jungle – tree ferns, tall palms, lush-leaved creepers and dazzling flower displays give a feeling of lushness and drama. As you follow the path, the environment and climate changes gradually, taking you on a tour through the world of plants, including many difficult to grow, rare and endangered species. There are three climatic zones to explore: tropical, moist temperate and dry temperate. A must see.

After that splendid interlude we re-surfaced and had to head back. But there was still one of our favourite areas to pass through taking it all on. The wonderful Rock Garden that meanders down from behind The Alpine Houses to the stream at the bottom. It is an absolute joy. (Pictures) and always one of my favourite spots in Wisley. Two male and one female gardeners were busy keeping it looking great. Our ageing Lothario lingered with the latter after serious conversation about a trowel with the former. See the pictures below!

When I managed to distract Butch P we strolled by the stream and Alpine Meadow before a quick meander around the new Garden Centre area. Of course we did not had time to visit the outer reaches of this wonderful place. We may have needed two more days to take in the orchards, the vineyard, The Jubilee Arboretum, the allotments. Also the Riverside Walk that leads to the Heather landscape and bird hide. They will have to wait for another visit.

Then it was back to the coach and a snooze on the way home. I hope the other members enjoyed it as much as we did.
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Butch Paterson

The Sundance Kilt