Enter through the hallway

I’m having a bit of a one-woman-Wisley-fest here at the moment, and that’s not stopping today. I was wondering where to start with sharing my photos from The Giant Houseplant Takeover at RHS Wisley, and then it became obvious. Start at the beginning, or as with many houses, the hallway. This one certainly set the scene for the rest of the exhibition, and also brought back memories of the telephone being in the hall at home and sitting in the hall to use the phone. We didn’t have the houseplants takeover, but there was, at one point, some green patterned geometric-ish wallpaper.

Our phone was slightly more modern than this one too, but the space was full of memories. At one point in my teen bedroom I decided I needed an ‘old-fashioned’ coat stand, and so I had one just like this. Without the flat cap, and plants, mind.

The amount of plants used throughout the display was phenomenal, and for those of us who have memories of The Day of the Triffids, a little bit to be wary of.

The sampler ‘explainer’ was also a nice touch, definitely taken out of the National Trust’s information approach. That works, so don’t knock it.

What was clever, was as you walked through the space there were glimpses of what was to come - just like all the garden designs book tell us.

And as a sucker for succulents I was completely drawn in. The air plants hanging sphere also had me hooked. So with the hallway under our belt, now all I need to work out, is where next, and when.

Flaming Dogwoods in the sun

We were lucky with the weather on our visit to RHS Wisley at the start of February. Blue skies and a hint of sun and in the distance a blaze of colour. So it was no wonder that we found ourselves in the Winter Walk admiring the colours of the Dogwoods. At this time of year they do provide colour, which is often something we’ve missed isn’t it?

We have some Dogwoods in our garden, and with hindsight they aren’t situated in the best position as it would be good to see them from the house. However they are in some of our sunnier spots, which is why where they are was chosen, as the sun helps the vibrancy of the colour. They’re definitely another of the plants i’d put in a future garden, and next time round I’d make sure we could see them.

It’s often the reds, yellows and oranges that take all the plaudits colour-wise but even the green ones, with the sun on, can shine. I think they benefit from the reds behind them, and the contrast that makes them work. I’m sure there’s all sorts of varieties, but mine are nowhere near as dense as this, and i kind of wish they were.

I”m also always nervous about cutting their vibrant stems, as the most vibrant colour is always on the newest stems. It takes all of my ‘big girl pruning bravery’ to actually cut the colourful stems. Mostly they’ve come back, but I have lost a plant or two in the process, which doesn’t help with being brave.

I do have a tip for you though if you’re thinking of adding some fiery Dogwood colour to your garden, and that’s to skip the garden centre plants and buy bare rooted plants. They’re much cheaper and as your plants won’t be doing much until next year anyway, they’ve plenty of time to get established and repay you with some glorious winter colour.

Succulents galore, sigh...

I do enjoy a succulent, and that's why almost every visit I've made - and no doubt will continue to make - to Wisley involves a trip to the Alpine House. I've already shared the Spring colours of the irises, narcissus and muscari, the small flowers that pack a big punch and today it's the turn of the succulents. 

It's all too easy to forget these are also alpines, some are outside the greenhouses while others are nestled amongst the flowers I've already shared. My favourites were those outside, so that's where most of my photos come from.

It's only recently that I've learnt that succulents can change colour, somehow I think if the ones above were just green, while they'd still look great, they wouldn't look anywhere near as dramatic?

The ones growing out of the hexagonal brick below are densely packed and therefore no doubt highly promiscuous. But in succulents, that's a good thing!

I was intrigued by the leaves on this one - it's inside, and almost has the look of a cyclamen doesn't it?

The ones above had an almost water lily-like feel to them don't they, with gravel obviously, not water.  Having scoured the inside of the Alpine house, I was back outside admiring those nestled among upturened slabs and stones, which I'm sure is why these are a rockery favourite.

Even with the weeds and decaying leaves they manage to look interesting don't they?  Maybe I should refer to my plot as "interesting" from now on...

Seeing them nestled amongst the slabs here with the lichen has given me an idea. I'm struggling to find something that will grow in a narrow strip between our patio and fence, so I'm wondering if some succulents may help. While I've got one or two already, perhaps I should add to my collection and introduce some different varieties to try it with... 

I'd be keen to have something like these above too - just look at the detail? I love their spikiness, oh dear I've a feeling a trip to the garden centre could be coming on...