22/02/2026
RHS WISLEY
I’m visiting as many gardens as I can before the season really kicks off and on my list for years has been the winter walk . It didn’t disappoint! Winter is a great time to see the bare bones of a garden and Wisley has some beautiful bones! Swipe through for my highlights…
1. A cloud pruned Camellia is the only way I want to see a Camellia from now on 😂. This beauty is Camellia japonica ‘Hikarugenji’. I actually find Camellia japonica a bit of a bore but really loved this.
2. Edgeworthia chrysantha was in bloom everywhere and a really treat. I think they were the highlight for me as I don’t see them in domestic gardens. Here it’s growing with a Hellebore (not sure on variety). Some amazing winter colour.
3. Prunus serrula with Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter fire’. Bright bark or stems are really useful in the winter when all the lush green has fallen away and I love this combination.
4. Iris reticulata planted en mass and looking cheerful.
5. Crocus varieties ‘Pickwick’, ‘Flower record’ and ‘Jeane d’arc’ making an impact despite the constant rain.
6. The beautiful bark of Arbutus x andrachnoides glowing in the gloom!
7. There was deliberately built habitat everywhere…I loved how architectural these log piles looked. Dead wood in a garden is so valuable to wildlife, but I get that it can look tatty, chucked in a pile in the corner. This is a nice way to make it look intentional whilst achieving the same end.
6. More habitat! Wisley have dead hedges everywhere and this sculptural one I particularly liked. Again, a great way to support the wildlife in your garden.
7. The old flower heads of Hydrangea paniculata ‘Pinky winky’
8. The pink catkins of Salix gracilistyla ‘Mount aso’ on show. Willow is great for wildlife and early flying pollinators, but I would cut this back hard every two years for a good show of catkins and to also to keep it in check if you don’t have a large garden. It’s a great resource for making natural plant supports etc.
9. Witch Hazel was another plant blooming all over the place and this Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Rubin’ was positively glowing!
