The
trip to RHS Wisley, on Sunday 10th June, was a resounding success.
The coach was full and entry free, as WAGS is affiliated to the RHS.
With
the jet stream so far south, the weather was wet and dreary across the country.
Under the circumstances, we were lucky to be spared the rain, other than a very
slight drizzle towards the end of the trip. The gardens of Wisley were a
delight to the eye, and surprisingly varied in appearance.
While
the vegetable and more formally arranged gardens feature strongly on the
television, the site is extensive and very rural in parts, with some secluded
areas of long grass and the river Wey skirting the edges of the gardens.
There
was an abundance of colour and a huge range of flowers. The aquilegia was at
its peak, a subtle blend of reds, mauves and blues, while the rose garden
showed no such restraint, the colouring being considerably more vivid. For all
the unending variety, the pink garden rose was still hard to beat, particularly
with its scent so evocative of summer.
In
the Wild Garden, the gunnera leaves spread majestically, like furry rhubarb.
Had the sun been shining, this would have been a place to keep cool.
The
apple orchard extended as far as one could see, with 670 varieties, the names
of which escape me. It was here that we saw a jay, the first of a series of
sightings of rarer birds. We later saw a kingfisher, a green woodpecker and a
heron which appeared statuesque until its beak pierced the water and caught a
fish.
In
the middle of the gardens was a bandstand and a Punch and Judy show in its
striped, miniature tent. It was a fitting centrepiece in this enchanting
environment.
Above
all, our group was such a convivial bunch that everyone seemed to enjoy
themselves from the time we left Wallingford to the time we returned.
Toni Littledale
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