A walk round Wisley

Meconopsis napaulensis (as labelled, probably a hybrid), on Battleston Hill.

A meeting at Wisley yesterday gave me the opportunity to have a walk round part of the garden with Matthew Pottage, the Garden Manager responsible for most of the hardy ornamental plantings. In bright warm sunshine it was a very enjoyable treat and Wisley is looking in great shape. Unfortunately the meeting 'went on' somewhat - blame the chairman - and there was no time to look around further afterwards. Here are a few things that caught my eye.

New growth on Pinus montezumae 'Sheffield Park'.

A mass of Sisyrinchium striatum on the Mediterranean terraces - common and weedy perhaps, but spectacular in a drift like this.

Arisaema tortuosum and other Sino-Himalayan delights.

Cornus kousa 'John Slocock' - an exceptionally good dogwood.

The new Rose Garden, now in its second full year, is looking absolutely fantastic, with the roses successfully commingled with perennials and other shrubs.

David Austin roses in the background, with Cornus alba 'Aurea' and Geranium 'Orion' in front, demonstrating the quality and vibrancy of the plantings in the Rose Garden. For once the planting plans were drawn up by Wisley staff, not an imported garden designer.

Salvia nemorosa 'Amethyst'

Iris (Spuria) 'Missouri Orange'

Hideous bedding.