A winter visit to the Wisley veg plot

Whenever we go to RHS Wisley there’s always a couple of places that are on my “must visit” list. The first of these is the vegetable garden for some inspiration, but also to marvel at how ordered and orderly their vegetables grow. For a long time I’ve hankered over growing brassicas in rows, but of course it never quite works out that way. Usually I beat myself up about it for a bit, then I remember that I’m growing vegetables on a much smaller scale, both in terms of space and time and likely number of seedlings too - though at times I think I can out-rival anyone on that!

So I end up forgiving myself, but the admiration rightly remains. So when we visited the Giant Houseplants Takeover at the start of February, I also engineered our route around the garden to include a stop off here. MOH now feigns mock surprise, which of course is no surprise at all.

The artichoke leaves and plants are always so structural and dramatic, but they take up a lot of room. We always had plans to move the one on our now-given-up allotment plot, but never got to it before it started growing, up and through the crab apple tree. They’d make a great ‘screening’ plant if you had a plot large enough in your garden, as they’d be a great way to transition from your garden to veg plot, working well in both areas of the garden. I must remember this for when/if I get the opportunity for a veg plot in the garden.

Do you see what I mean about the orderliness? But also the size. The colours of the ruby and yellow chard were welcome though. They’re also great plants to grow, though MOH isn’t so keen on eating them which is a bit of a downside. Because really, if you’re not going to eat what you grow there’s really very little point, and if there’s only one of you eating your way through a glut that could be quite dull indeed.

I always like to peer into the greenhouses and netted cages as much as I can. This time I remembered that camera trick, which I learnt on my visit to the Orbit in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - yes the one where I went down the huge, huge slide and actually wondered if I’d survive. The ‘trick’ which makes a lot of sense is to put your phone (all my photos on the blog now days are taken with my phone camera) right up against the netting, and the result is a pretty clear picture, like the sprouts above.

I hadn’t actually got into the netted cage, which with a proper camera might have been my only option, and one that probably would have got me thrown out. Now imagine having to explain that.

This final picture is a great burst of colour, but also a reminder to me to not be bound by ‘norms’ on what can be grown in pots and containers. There were several different shaped pots with radicchio in, which looked great and I’m sure, when they get to the table, will taste great too. The options should be endless, and it’s good to remind myself of these as I’ve those new pots around the greenhouse which i plan on making work hard this year, I’m just not sure with what!

A bed of dreams

From the living room with the chess table, we moved towards the bedroom next. Where the first two rooms had been green with lushness, in the bedroom there’s a bombardment of colour. It’s hinted at to start with, but when you set eyes on the bed, it’s full on. Reds, yellows, oranges, burgundies and pinks against a backdrop of green, and more brown furniture.

I did warn you.

The plants here, the brochure tells me are “neat and low maintenance” and just like me in the mornings may take some time to be at their best, but and now I’m wondering about the comparison I’ve started, “are capable of bringing drama and life to the house.” That’s definitely true of the plants, the photos show that, and probably true for me too, but sometimes in a more understated and less in your face kind of way - or I’d like to think, anyway.

One detail that many people were missing (or at least the people viewing this at the same time as us) was the adornments on top of the four posts of the bed. They’ve a pineapple like look to them, but I couldn’t see enough to know for sure - and my knowledge of how pineapples grow is pretty limited too. But the fact that there were pineapples on the dressing table, indicates they very well could be.

And for once, the dressing table looks quite naked in comparison. Maybe the plants will actually grow and embrace it in their own way, although the mirror placement is clever and gave the opportunity for a last glimpse of the colour before moving on. But more on that next week.

Chess in the living room

The inhabitants of this house, if you hadn’t already guessed from my Enter through through the hallway post, is plants. It’s a fascinating display, and there’s more variety than you’d perhaps expect. The plants in the ‘living room’ are generally comfortable in low light. They’ve made themselves right at home as you’ll see from the photos in this post, and it’s probably the lushest living room I’ve ever seen.

Everywhere you looked, the houseplants were taking over. Which given the exhibition name, shouldn’t have been a surprise.

If you’ve seen any images in the media about this exhibition then they’ve probably included one of the chess table, and it’s easy to see why. It’s gorgeous, and even though I’m a confirmed succulent lover I think this will have a wider appeal. And wouldn’t it be fun to create yourself, in slightly larger pots for an outside game?

The other thing about this living room, is that it made great use of old ‘brown’ furniture. With the storage unit - writing desk - display cabinet that many of us no doubt have memories of. The plants definitely gave them a new lease of life, but it’s the detail too.

Did you spot the books in the display cabinets, they’re on houseplants, no doubt on caring for them and tips to avoid them taking over. But for me alongside the chess table, the highlight of this room was the variegated leaves draped over the edge of the writing bureau above.

They definitely had texture, and added drama. But even so, we’ve not got to my favourite room yet.