If you go down to the woods today (Part 2) – Hellebores, Camellias and more at RHS Wisley

Hellebores running wild in the woods of Battleston Hill at RHS Wisley.

I have an inkling that these are just a little wild, I have never seen any them labelled (and pretty much everything else thereabouts is name-plated). There will be more of them in due course, these are the vanguard of a great swathe of them. Colours range from the palest pinks to lime-greens and yellows, deep dark plums and purples, and speckles and not-speckled across the range. Doubles, singles and somewhere in between, handkerchief corners and gentle ruffles.

But I’m getting ahead of myself as the season for these hybrids is just starting – but I’m looking forward to the show. Here’s a taster –

While the hellebores were doing there thing, the Camellias were getting in on the act –

Camellia x williamsii Simon Bolitho (above) and Mary Christian (below)

Camellia x williamsii Francis Hanger (above) and Freedom Bell (below)

Camellia Grand Jury (above) and Camellia vernalis (below)

And the rest of the best from my woodland walk…. the destinctive flaking bark of Acer griseum

Cornus officinalis (above and below)

The bench here in the ferny glen has a beautiful dedication –

I don’t know who Ruth Ezra was but the dedication tells me quite a lot…

Skimmia japonica subsp. reveesiana Chilan Choice (above)

Well this last one, winter aconites, was in the Plant Centre (are the plastic pots a give-away?). Then again, pretty much everything is for sale in this very well stocked Garden Centre (see my  recent posts listing every hellebore they have for sale – and every rose I think too!).

A very enjoyable walk through the woodland landscape at RHS Wisley – I was very strict with myself and just stuck to this one area around Battleston Hill – hellebores and camellias explored here and the fragrant stuff was covered in a blog a little earlier – the gorgeous Witch Hazels and Daphnes, Sarcococcas (this last being the most fragrant and wafty). I urge you to go (though if you are going for the butterflies in the Glasshouse – pick your time wisely as I expect it will be busy).

Butterflies aside, there is much more to see there – I probably shall…