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RHS Wisley (Surrey, England)

I'm up to the last day of my trip to England last May, and we ended with a trip to the second most visited garden in the country - RHS Wisley (Kew Gardens is the most visited). Most of the previous day was spent at the Chelsea Flower Show , which I will cover in the next post. I did not realize how huge this garden was until I started going through my photos. It is more than a garden - it is a horticultural institution. The garden was originally created by businessman, scientist, and inventor George Fergusson Wilson in 1878. He used a small portion of the estate to create the "Oakwood Experimental Garden" where he grew plants that were unusual in England at the time. Among his horticultural achievements was growing lilies outside the greenhouse and water gardening. Wilson's garden attracted notable visitors during his day, including fellow gardeners Ellen Willmott and Gertrude Jekyll (Jekyll actually worked some in the garden with him). Wilson died in 1902, and the pr...

My latest article

My latest article for Alabama Gardener is in the May issue that is on the stands now. It is a profile of the garden of Dee and Charles Hubbert who live here in Florence. Here are some of the photos -













Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

Jeff Vandiver said…
Of course I know Dee, but had no idea that she had such a beautiful landscape. Wow! I also didn't know that you contributed to that magazine. Good for you!
Pam/Digging said…
Mmm, delicious! And great photos too, Phillip, as always.
Ben said…
Very nice so much to see I bet I could spend hours there.... they would have to kick me out :).
sweetbay said…
Their garden looks fabulous. Great photos.
Hi Phillip

I remember you featured this garden once before, it's beautiful, I'm especially taken with thr wooden structure on the second phoyograph.
I love that rustic arbor. What a job...touring gardens and then writing about them. I should be so lucky. Ha... I wish I could purchase the magazine. Congrats for being published.
Anonymous said…
I love the winding path that doesn't show where it is leading, so much mystery! And the log pergola is incredible. Congrats on getting to write about such a beautiful place. The photos are superb. :-)
Frances
Darla said…
What a spectacular garden/yard. I imagine you had fun walking those paths.
Gail said…
Phillip, What a lovely garden~and your photos make it sparkle even more...gail
Ginny said…
so beautiful and lush! And I love that birdhouse.
Congratulations on having your article published.

Love that log structure. The Hubberts have a lovely garden.
Marnie
Randy said…
Phillip,
That's a really beautiful garden. So neat and tidy!
That arbor is fabulous! I live close to the beach and am always hunting for driftwood for some sort of similar creation... very cool.
What a gorgeous place Phillip. Congrats on another article in Alabama Gardener. They are fortunate to have such a good writer and photographer working for them.~~Dee
debsgarden said…
What a well maintained, beautiful garden! You are fortunate to get to visit and take photos! Do you regularly contribute to this magazine? I will have to get a copy.
Carla said…
Spectacular garden! Someone come by and close my mouth! Such beauty, this is the garden I dream of having.
~ Phyllis ~ said…
Your garden is a feast for the eyes.
I love the blue bottles.
Lisa said…
Can someone tell me the origin of the blue-bottles as garden ornament? I somehow missed the beginning of this trend.

It makes me think of the racks they use in France for drying newly washed wine bottles.