Dirt Therapy

The Rock Garden at Wisley is one of the most spectacular features. This huge garden sits on a north-facing hill, conducive to growing alpine plants. The Rock Garden was added after the RHS acquisition in 1903, and it was an extensive project that involved bringing in tons of Sussex sandstone.  An overview of the rock garden, standing from the top. Meandering pathways cover the hillside, with boulders, streams, and waterfalls. The Japanese-style landscaping was added in 2004.  At the top of the rock garden, the Cushion House is a greenhouse for alpine plants (particularly "cushion alpines" that grow in clumps and mats.  I think I've mentioned before that I am not enthusiastic about crevice gardens ( a strange statement, considering I love rocks). They had a large one, just outside the greenhouse.  I did like this trough crevice idea. This would be something I would be more inclined to do in my own garden, if that desire ever surfaces. Nice bench! The Bowles-Lyon Rose...

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...