What's new at Wisley

[Maggi Young]

Colin Crosby, Wisley Curator, SRGC and forum member  - and passionate cake connoisseur - has bits of twitter news

 Proud members of the RHS Wisley Garden team with BBC Countryfile Magazine, 2013, Favourite Garden Award


And -
 next Plant Society event will be the Cyclamen Society Early Spring Show, on 8 February 2014  with  a Talk and Book signing by  Brian Mathew 

http://www.cyclamen.org/

https://twitter.com/colincurator

[Maggi Young]

Photos from Wisley by Sophie Leguil,  "retweeted" by Colin Crosbie




https://twitter.com/SLeguil

[Matt T]

What a lovely display of hoop petticoats! Pure sunshine.

[Maggi Young]

Another photo shared online by the RHS from Wisley Alpine House
  :

[Maggi Young]

Colin C. pictures Galanthus 'Magnet' in the Wild Garden

[Maggi Young]

Not all the news  from Wisley is good :

Disturbing news of a theft from the alpine house at Wisley this weekend :
"Sad news of plant theft from Wisley - 3 special plants stolen from our Alpine Display this weekend."     https://twitter.com/RHSWisley/status/430753305812164608

[Maggi Young]

Another  Twitter comment :

Christine Walkden ‏@ChristineWalkd
@RHSWisley This is so sad. You grow super plants for all to enjoy and then this occurs. Keep eyes open at AGS and SRGC shows, you never know

An absolutely shocking comment and one that I would not agree with at all  and I am surprised that  CW would even suggest it.  More than a little offensive to my mind -  - the exhibitors at the AGS and SRGC shows  would  never countenance such vile behaviour as stealing.

I would bet that such thefts are either entirely random or else perpetrated by crazed  "collectors" ( I use the term  loosely) for their own personal warped purposes, to gloat over.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Libellous I'd say!

[Maggi Young]

I have had a reply from Christine Walkden,  who clarified her meaning :

"Thanks for the email. I am sorry if I caused offence, as that is not what I intended to do.

I intended it as a warning to those of us who care about the loss of plants in this way.

 I was really meaning that I have had experience at shows  where the exchange of dubious material  takes place in the cars parks at such events as AGS shows  and have often wondered how these often difficult and rare plants are passed around. This activity is never a honest person and certainly would not be a member of the AGS etc but people who come to such shows thinking that they can get a quick sale from people that do not know any better.  This is not just plant show, it occurs in the world of small pets as well.

You may have seen the recent emails about the theft of Olive trees and indeed the water lily from Kew having been taken.  It is known in the industry that this type of material often shows up in places where plant enthusiast gather.

Having been a life  member  of the AGS, SRGC,  ARGC,  etc etc for over 40 years I am very aware of the credibility and integrity of the vast majority of the people attending these venues, but I am also aware of a small amount  activity that all members would find difficult to tolerate. 

Please be re assured that I had no intention at all of being offensive. I am very sorry if that is how it came across, and value your time in letting me know that it was read and taken in that light. My comment was one meant to warn. I think the problem with twitter etc is that things can be mis understood and I promise you that I had no intention of being rude or offensive to any respectable member of any plant group let alone the AGS, SRGC etc.

Thanks for pointing out my poor wording.

Yours faithfully
Christine"

 Christine  has also  posted this on Twitter : "Sorry if previous tweet upset AGS etc it was not meant to , but sent as a warning about plant theft. AGS etc are strong supporters of RHS"

Very nice to have this clarification by CW of  her "tweet" - for which I am sure we are all grateful.

If anyone is offered plants that may be suspicious, or becomes aware of anyone suddenly being in possession of unexpected pots of rare plants -  please phone the police. 
 We HAVE to get the point across without doubt that theft is entirely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
These thefts tarnish  more than reputations - they inflict damage to our hobby from all aspects.

[Maggi Young]

Quite a few trees lost at Wisley  in the recent storm : 5 Eucalyptus, 1 large Scots pine, 1 large Abies plus Sorbus hedlundii down on Battleston Hill.

Colin Crosbie wisely regarding this less as a  sad loss,  more as a planting opportunity. Tough love!

[Maggi Young]

A fallen eucalypt  at Wisley

[ashley]

Quite a few trees lost at Wisley  in the recent storm : 5 Eucalyptus, 1 large Scots pine, 1 large Abies plus Sorbus hedlundii down on Battleston Hill.

Colin Crosbie wisely regarding this less as a  sad loss,  more as a planting opportunity. Tough love!

Here too, work for the chainsaw and new planting opportunities.
Fortunately space, seclusion and a tolerant family allow me to leave some fallen timber to enrich the local environment. 
Yesterday I finally released a patient eucryphia (E. lucida 'Ballerina') and some rhododendrons (incl. R. titapuriense) in clearings among fallen trees.   More to follow as weather permits.

[Maggi Young]

The four RHS Gardens - Wisley in Surrey, Rosemoor in Devon, Hyde Hall in Essex and Harlow Carr in Yorkshire - will be offering FREE entry to all on Friday 7 March during normal opening hours.

"Why not bring your friends and relatives along and enjoy the lovely spring colours in the gardens; great shopping in the RHS Plant Centres and Shops and delicious food in the restaurant and tearooms."

Go to this page : http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Free-Day-Friday to download your free tickets.

[Maggi Young]

The clocks may not have changed yet, but Wisley is now on summer hours - open until 6pm (last admission 5pm).


Spring Plant Fair at RHSWisley Friday 21 to Sunday 23rd March :  over 30 specialist nurseries attending.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Wisley/What-s-on/Spring-plant-fair

You can also get advice from three Plant Societies over the weekend. Enjoy their displays and find out more about their work:

    British Cactus and Succulent Society
    Delphinium Society
    Plant Heritage



WISLEY SPRING PLANT FAIR - Exhibitor List
Chris Cooke, D’Arcy & Everest, Derbyshire Bonsai, Devine Nurseries, Edulis Nursery,
Floyds Climbers & Clematis, Glen’s Garden Gems, Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, Harts Nursery,
Heucheraholics, Hillview Hardy Plants, Hoyland Plant Centre, Jacques Amand International,
John Hall Plants Ltd, Kelnan Plants, Mandy Plants, Morton Nurseries Ltd, Oak Tree Nursery, Pennard Plants,
Pepperpot Nursery, Pheasant Acre Plants, Plantbase, Plantagogo, Primrose Bank, Priorswood Clematis, Richard and Sheena Drane, Roualeyn Fuchsias, Rougham Hall, Tale Valley Nursery, The Botanic Nursery,
Trewidden Nursery, W&S Lockyer, The Walnut Tree Company

[Matt T]

It was a fine day for a visit to Wisley yesterday.

The alpine meadow was looking great, with lots of Narcissus bulbocodium nodding in the breeze and Erythronium just coming into their own.

The first time Ive seen the crevice garden, very impressive, containing lots of interest and plenty of flower there too.

Sax's (and Primulas) looking good on the tufa walls.

A riot of colour in the plunge.

And plenty of woodlanders blooming in the wild garden (Rhododendron arboreum x carophytum).