RHS Wisley Flower Show 2014

Yesterday I went to RHS Wisley for the flower show, in particular the National Dahlia Society’s annual show and I hadn’t prepared myself for the garden itself, stupid fool that I am. But that added to a magical experience, it was like discovering Kew all over again, a secret garden of Eden, its existence I knew nothing about. Immediately it is one of my favourite places in the world.

RHS Wisley
The main house with large water lily pond and lawns, leading to multiple terraces.

The garden is large and divided up into different zones featuring different planting styles and themes. There is everything from the lily pond, woodland areas, vegetables, an orchard, lakes, a large area displaying multiple bedding styles, even a bonsai walk – which was my favourite spot. Then there are the glass houses for tropical and tender plantings. I’ll go through some of the areas below in photos.

The view from the main house and entrance across the lily pond into the gardens
The view from the main house and entrance across the lily pond into the gardens
The main glass house surrounded by plantings. The view outside and glass house itself is stunning.
The main glass house surrounded by plantings. The view outside and glass house itself is stunning.
Inside RHS Wisley's main glass house, full of a huge variety of species. Personally I am extremely glad that their cacti look healthy and vibrant. I've been disappointed in recent years by Kew Gardens' cacti display that seem to have lost the love being put into it...
Inside RHS Wisley’s main glass house, full of a huge variety of species. Personally I am extremely glad that their cacti look healthy and vibrant. I’ve been disappointed in recent years by Kew Gardens’ cacti display that seems to have lost the love being put into it…
I've never seen a Boophone before. Very funny :)
I’ve never seen a Boophone before. Very funny 🙂

RHS Wisley September 2014 RHS Wisley September 2014

RHS Wisley September 2014
One of the main views at Wisley overlooking a large part of the garden
This beautiful woodland view really caught my eye, close to the lily pond
This beautiful woodland view really caught my eye, close to the lily pond
I'll visit RHS Wisley again purely for this little walk way alone.
I’ll visit RHS Wisley again for this little walk way alone.
This is a stunning, living work of art
This is a stunning, living work of art
I absolutely love this, it's ingenius
I absolutely love this, it’s genius
Verbena bonariensis proving its worth in this bed
Verbena bonariensis proving its worth in this bed
Woodland areas
Woodland areas
Stunning borders are everywhere
Stunning borders are everywhere
Kudos to the people in charge of the lawns, they are immaculate
Kudos to the people in charge of the lawns, they are immaculate
I really love Rudbeckia - RHS Wisley September 2014
I really love Rudbeckia. It doesn’t fit into our garden scheme right now but one day I’ll opt for some of the dwarf varieties.
The main border walk way - RHS Wisley September 2014
The main long border walk really is something to behold.

Beautiful Autumn borders - RHS Wisley September 2014 IMG_2907 Red hot border at RHS Wisley September 2014 Borders RHS Wisley September 2014 Borders - RHS Wisley September 2014

Grass borders I'm slightly less keen on on their own funnily enough. I really like grasses and this looks lovely but there's something a bit too 'dry' about them
Grass borders I’m slightly less keen on on their own funnily enough. I really like grasses and this looks lovely but there’s something a bit too ‘dry’ about them

RHS Wisley September 2014

RHS Wisley had a sculpture trail on too, I really liked some of them.
RHS Wisley had a sculpture trail on too, I really liked some of them.

Sculpture trail at RHS Wisley September 2014

Entrance to the rose walk from the long border walk
Entrance to the rose walk from the long border walk
Incredibly healthy rose plantings
Incredibly healthy rose plantings
The rose garden is a riot of colour and fragrance even in early September
The rose garden is a riot of colour and fragrance even in early September
The National Dahlia Society's Annual Show 2014 blew me away and converted me instantly into a Dahlia fan
The National Dahlia Society’s Annual Show 2014 blew me away and converted me instantly into a Dahlia fan
I'm not 100% sold on flower hats and sculptures but they are fun
I’m not 100% sold on flower hats and sculptures but they are fun
A table of cakes made entirely from flowers as part of the RHS Wisley Flower Show - don't eat them!
A table of cakes made entirely from flowers as part of the RHS Wisley Flower Show – don’t eat them!

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