On Friday 23 January 2026, a coach load of AHS members plus guests, visited
Although it was another grey January day when a coachload of AHS members visited RHS Wisley – at least it didn’t rain!
Most of us were fortunate to be taken on tours of the extensive flagship RHS garden. Our tour leader was a very experienced and knowledgeable guide – she took us to the area of the garden known as Oakwood – the original section of the garden – created by George Fergusson Wilson in 1878. He was a keen horticulturalist and established the Oakwood experimental garden with the idea of making difficult plants grow successfully.
Oakwood was gifted to the RHS by Sir Thomas Banbury who had bought Oakwood from Wilson in 1903. He had been advised to give the garden to the RHS by the Essex gardener, Ellen Wilmott – she of the flower named as Miss Wilmott’s ghost.
We were able to view many very old trees in this section of the garden as well as a new garden building dedicated to the early RHS founders including Ellen Willmott. We also admired the winter planting in the Winter Walk, including beautiful red stems of the Cornus and Salix and the beautiful small pines like Pinus Mugo.
The red bark of the Prunus serrula was shining in the winter light and the white stems of the bramble Rubus cockburnianus made a beautiful picture. In this woodland garden Snowdrops, Hellebores and Cyclamen coum lined the woodland floor.
The rock garden was looking good and the new borders designed by Piet Odulf were full of grasses and seedbeds. Exquisite alpine plants on display in the Alpine house were admired by everyone – they are selected daily to show the best examples of Alpine plants.
Many of us were able to buy the plants seen on our tour in the Nursery and gifts from the well-stocked shop.
Everyone enjoyed the day and we’re looking forward to more trips in April, May and June 2026.
The Old Laboratory was worth a visit. Apparatus was displayed that had been used to experiment with preservation and advancement of growing.
