What's new at Wisley

[Maggi Young]

Busy day at Wisley for outside societies - Orchid and Carniverous Plant socs. showing  glasshouse and Cyclamen Society Show too.

Picture purloined from Curator Colin Crosbie :


"Carnivorous Plant Society display also in the Glasshouse today. An impressive Drosera slackii! What a day for plants!" C.C.

[David Nicholson]

I get shocked everytime I see this thread's title wondering if Wisley has been closed down by the RHS Ecopolice for not growing enough cabbage or something and no-one's told me.

[Maggi Young]

Sorry, David - didn't realise  that the title would have that connotation - though I've been reading that  up to 125 jobs may be under threat at Kew ( where there are 750 "roles" it seems) because of the money shortfall for the costs there, so anything might happen, I suppose. 

[Maggi Young]

Changing the title of the thread from 'Wisley- what's happening'  to 'What's new at Wisley' to avoid frightening the horses!

[David Nicholson]

Neigh Maggi. Ta

[Maggi Young]

At Wisley today there has been  "the World of Alpines - Enjoy displays of alpine plants and bulbs as well as photographs of alpines around the world." 

Photo from Colin Crosbie on Twitter

 "At the World of Alpines  at RHSWisley today, amazing display of plants plus great knowledge from the growers!

[Maggi Young]

See Here for more Wisley events



More RHS Stuff  for the coming week : Hear Kate Bradbury talk Climate Change & Biodiversity on 1 April as part of the RHS Great London Plant Fair   - a celebration of gardening in the city at the RHS London Spring Fair Late - a plant fair with a difference... on Tuesday 1 April 2014 from 6pm. Tickets only £5 or free to RHS members - book online at http://bit.ly/1h9JqUZ or buy on the door.   
 - see more RHS events  here

[Maggi Young]

Spring Gardening Weekend 12 & 13 Apr - talks with James Wong (Sat 12) & Joe Swift (Sun 13)
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Wisley/What-s-on/Spring-Gardening-Weekend-2014


James Wong and Joe Swift - photo from RHS
 
"Spring Gardening Weekend kicks off National Gardening Week (14 – 20 April).
Among the many highlights are talks from Joe Swift (Sun) and James Wong (Sat), lawn maintenance demonstrations (Sat), herb growing advice, and the colourful RHS Early Rhododendron Competition. You can also enjoy orchid displays, alpine trough  demonstrations and advice, displays by the National Veg Society and much more.


Booking not required - places on a first-come, first-served basis. "

[Maggi Young]

 Wisley Flower Show 2 -7th September 2014  - "A floral extravaganza!"

2 – 6 September: 9am – 6pm
7 September: 9am – 5pm
Last entry one hour before closing.

"Don't miss this six-day floral extravaganza set in the stunning surroundings of Wisley, and featuring the National Dahlia Society Annual Show.

Browse and buy from RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace Flower Show medal winners, along with other specialist nurseries and garden trade stands who will be showcasing their top quality plants and garden sundries."

Full details :
https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/Articles/Wisley-Flower-Show

[Maggi Young]

John Grimshaw has blogged about a recent visit to Wisley :

http://johngrimshawsgardendiary.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/a-sunny-day-at-wisley.html

He thinks it's looking as good as he's ever seen it- and has the photos to prove it!

Hydrangea paniculata Vanille Fraise ('Renhy')  is particularly lovely, to my mind.

[Maggi Young]

The Wisley grass team have come up with a living advert for the September show 

Wisley Flower Show 2 -7th September 2014  - "A floral extravaganza!"

2 – 6 September: 9am – 6pm
7 September: 9am – 5pm
Last entry one hour before closing.

"Don't miss this six-day floral extravaganza set in the stunning surroundings of Wisley, and featuring the National Dahlia Society Annual Show.

Browse and buy from RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace Flower Show medal winners, along with other specialist nurseries and garden trade stands who will be showcasing their top quality plants and garden sundries."

Full details :
https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/Articles/Wisley-Flower-Show

[Maggi Young]

Two jobs advertised at Wisley:
Job Title - Garden Manager x 2
Location - RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey
Salary - Circa £35,000 per annum
Closing date - Friday 05 September 2014

https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-the-rhs/work-for-the-rhs/vacancies/Garden-Manager-x-2

[Maggi Young]

I am pleased that SRGC has been contacted by  the RHS to let us know that there are various employment opportunities at RHS Wisley at the moment, including a post of Horticulturist in the Alpine Team :
https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-the-rhs/work-for-the-rhs/vacancies/Horticulturist-Alpine-Team

 "RHS Garden Wisley is one of the great gardens of the world. As a Horticulturist, you will be responsible for the care, cultivation and maintenance of specific areas of the garden/relevant support services, for contributing to the delivery of garden/support service plans, programmes of work and guidance to trainees and volunteers. You should have a good general knowledge of horticultural practice or relevant specialism and have the ability to lead or work as part of a team.

We currently have a Horticulturist vacancy available within the Alpine Section, at Level I or Level II, depending on your skills and experience. For this vacancy you should be familiar with a range of standard horticultural techniques and principles.
We offer a wide range of benefits as part of your employment package, which include 25 days holiday and life assurance."

 See all job opportunites here : https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-the-rhs/work-for-the-rhs/vacancies

[Matt T]

A two week trip to Bigland meant there was plenty of time for visiting. We went to Wisley on 2 Jan on the premise that I HAD to do some photocopying at the library. A very busy day, but it was still possible to find quiet corners away from the big glasshouse and restaurants. My focus was the alpine areas of course, although we also enjoyed the wild garden and winter shrubs (and plant centre  ). The rock garden is in the process of being revamped, so not so much to see outside, but the alpine house was full of colour.

The first plant to catch our eyes was Daubenya marginata, of which there was more than one specimen on show.

There were lots of hoop petticoat Narcissus on display, including a number of heritage cultivars mentioned here: http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=12269.msg321117#msg321117

This potful of Narcissus albidus was looking especially good.

However, their plant of Narcissus romieuxii 'Atlas Gold' does not appear to be as golden as the one I grow under this name: http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=12513.msg320047#msg320047

Apologies for the poor quality of some of the photos, but I was using a small 'pocket' camera, which is not as good as my usual one.

[Matt T]

Cyclamen were almost as abundant as the Narcissus. A selection here, including:

Cyclamen coum
Cyclamen libanoticum with its musky fragrance
Cyclamen hederifolium (Bowles' Apollo Group) 'Artemis'
Cyclamen balearicum in bud
Cyclamen coum with a good silver leaf pattern