If you go down to the woods today – neon rhododendrons, bluebells, magnolias (still), bergenia, Flamingos and a glorious Staphylea emodi – at RHS Wisley

Rhododendrom Temple Belle Group

Polygonatum

Rhododendro Elsie Watson

Elsie Watson

Elsie Watson

Elsie Watson

Rhododendrom impeditum

Rhododendron cocinnum pseudoanthinum Group

Magnolia brooklyensis Woodsman

Woodsman

Bergenia Frau Holle

Bergenia Eroica

Rhododendron Mount Everest

Staphylea emodi

Staphylea emodi

Staphylea emodi

Rhododendron Hortulani H. Witte

Rhododendron Hortulani H Witte

H Witte

Staphylea emodi

H Witte

H Witte

Rhododendron Christopher Wren

Christopher Wren

Christopher Wren

Christopher Wren

Renoir

Renoir

New Comet

Bluebells

Wisteria garlands these Birch trees

The swirling bark of Castanea sativa

A perfect wander through the meandering paths on Battleston Hill at Wisley – quiet too (it usually is) giving you the peace and solitude to really appreciate the diverse planting, the understory, shrubs and tall mature trees.

The magnolias were until recently the thing here, some real superb specimens, absolute stars, and the hellebores too – but the rhododendrons rule the roost today, with a smattering of bluebells for atmosphere and contrast.  My new favourite rhodos are Elsie Watkins and Christopher Wren. Or Renoir and H. Witte. And the Staphylea emodi with white pendant trusses of flowers that deserve a better name than the Himalaya Bladdernut!

And not forgetting the Toona sinensis Flamingo – another favourite…