Please note: On Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March, the M25 will be closed in both directions between Junction 10 (Wisley) and Junction 11 (Woking). Diversions will be in place. Please check your route before travelling. RHS Wisley will be open and we look forward to seeing you. Find out more

The history of RHS Garden Wisley

Uncover the story of the oldest and most horticulturally diverse RHS Garden, as we reveal the significance of the work that helped establish and shape the garden you see today
‘Oakwood’ pictured in 1899 from Country Life Magazine

The Oakwood experimental garden

The Royal Horticultural Society was given Wisley in 1903, although at that time only a small part of the 24ha (60 acres) estate was actually cultivated as a garden, the remainder being wooded farmland. The original garden was the creation of George Fergusson Wilson – businessman, scientist, inventor and keen gardener and a former Treasurer of the Society.

In 1878 he purchased the site and established the ‘Oakwood experimental garden’, with the idea of making ‘difficult plants grow successfully’. The garden acquired a reputation for its collections of lilies, gentians, Japanese irises, primulas and water plants. Oakwood (known in recent history as the Wild Garden) is the direct descendant of that original garden and despite changes is still true to the original concept.

Mr Wilson’s Wisley

The story of the man who created the extraordinary experimental garden that became RHS Garden Wisley.

View the online exhibition
Oakwood and Glebe Farm Estate reproduced image from 1903 sales catalogue

Seeking a larger garden

After Wilson’s death in 1902, Oakwood and the adjoining Glebe Farm were bought by Sir Thomas Hanbury, a wealthy Quaker who had founded the celebrated garden of La Mortola, on the Italian Riviera. In 1903, Sir Thomas presented what become known as the Wisley estate in trust to the Society for its perpetual use.

Nothing could have been more providential in the circumstances. For at least 30 years, the Society had been seeking a larger garden ‘beyond the radius of the London smoke’, to replace the garden at Chiswick which it had leased from the Duke of Devonshire since 1822. It was also committed to building a new exhibition hall and offices in Vincent Square (and the construction work had already started). 

Both projects were seen as a fitting way to celebrate the Society’s forthcoming centenary in 1904 but there were heated arguments among the Fellows over which should have priority for the available funds.
Students working in the small rock garden pre-1910

The essence of Wisley

Sir Thomas’ generous donation solved both these problems at a stroke. By May 1904, the move from Chiswick to Wisley was complete and, in July, the new headquarters at Vincent Square was officially opened by King Edward VII – both in time to mark the centenary.

Following the move to Wisley the trials of flowers, vegetables and fruit – an important part of the Society’s work since 1860 – were resumed and expanded. The trials ‘epitomise...the Society’s endeavour to show to the public the best kinds of plants to grow’ and remain one of the principal objects of the garden. That combination of learning with pleasure is the essence of Wisley.
Today’s gardeners and horticulturists of the future outside The Laboratory

Training the next generation

While Wisley was taking shape as an ornamental garden, its educational and scientific roles were never forgotten. Late in the 19th century, the Society had begun to train student gardeners at the garden it leased in Chiswick. To further build on the excellent educational work begun there, a small laboratory was opened and the School of Horticulture founded at Wisley to instruct young people in the principles of horticulture and prepare them for careers as professional gardeners.

Today, as well as helping to educate the next generation of gardeners and horticulturists, the RHS offers a huge range of training from day-long courses to degrees. In addition, brand new world-class facilities, open in 2021, will give more school children greater exposure to the pleasure and benefits of gardening and the science underpinning it.

Landmark dates in Wisley’s history
Battleston Hill was purchased from the neighbouring Lovelace Estate in 1936, and after the Second World War was planted with rhododendrons and azaleas, as shown in this 1946 photograph. By 1970, a Trials Field was established on Portsmouth Field and the Jellicoe Canal and Water Lily Pavilion were installed.

1946

Battleston Hill was purchased from the neighbouring Lovelace Estate in 1936, and after the Second World War was planted with rhododendrons and azaleas, as shown in this 1946 photograph. By 1970, a Trials Field was established on Portsmouth Field and the Jellicoe Canal and Water Lily Pavilion were installed.

See Battleston Hill

The Jubilee Arboretum was planted to mark The Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. A decade later, the great storms of 1987 and 1990 wreaked havoc across the country, felling many of Wisley’s mature trees. This provided new opportunities to revitalise damaged areas with new plant collections.

1977

The Jubilee Arboretum was planted to mark The Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. A decade later, the great storms of 1987 and 1990 wreaked havoc across the country, felling many of Wisley’s mature trees. This provided new opportunities to revitalise damaged areas with new plant collections.

See the Jubilee Arboretum

Ten years in the planning and three years in construction, The Glasshouse opened in 2007, heralding a new era of plantsmanship. The entire tender plant collection was relocated here from an earlier glasshouse range, previously located on the Hilltop site, including the very diverse collections of Plectranthus, Begonia rex and orchids.

2007

Ten years in the planning and three years in construction, The Glasshouse opened in 2007, heralding a new era of plantsmanship. The entire tender plant collection was relocated here from an earlier glasshouse range, previously located on the Hilltop site, including the very diverse collections of Plectranthus, Begonia rex and orchids.

See The Glasshouse

Wisley continues to evolve in accordance with the Society’s needs and in response to the changing environment. Its scientists work hard to inform all gardeners how to respond to the changing climate, as well as emerging threats from new pests and diseases. RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science, is the newest addition to the site, as well as three new science gardens, a new Welcome building and continued investment into beautiful planting.

Today

Wisley continues to evolve in accordance with the Society’s needs and in response to the changing environment. Its scientists work hard to inform all gardeners how to respond to the changing climate, as well as emerging threats from new pests and diseases. RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science, is the newest addition to the site, as well as three new science gardens, a new Welcome building and continued investment into beautiful planting.

See the RHS Hilltop

One of the first major construction works at the new garden at Wisley was a range of glasshouses, which formerly occupied the site of what is now the Jellicoe Canal. Built in 1905, they accommodated many tender fruits. In that year, Wisley attracted around 6,000 visitors. Today, it’s more than one million.

1905

One of the first major construction works at the new garden at Wisley was a range of glasshouses, which formerly occupied the site of what is now the Jellicoe Canal. Built in 1905, they accommodated many tender fruits. In that year, Wisley attracted around 6,000 visitors. Today, it’s more than one million.

See the Jellicoe Canal

The Rock Garden was a major early construction work. This engineering project required the installation of a light railway from the nearest road (now the A3). Completed in 1911, the Rock Garden has undergone several minor restorations but remains essentially the same structure.

1911

The Rock Garden was a major early construction work. This engineering project required the installation of a light railway from the nearest road (now the A3). Completed in 1911, the Rock Garden has undergone several minor restorations but remains essentially the same structure.

See The Rock Garden

As the garden developed, the number of staff and students increased. The Laboratory was completed in 1916, providing improved lecture rooms for students and offices for staff. It was built with materials recycled from old manor houses and designed to look as if it predated the garden.

1916

As the garden developed, the number of staff and students increased. The Laboratory was completed in 1916, providing improved lecture rooms for students and offices for staff. It was built with materials recycled from old manor houses and designed to look as if it predated the garden.

See The Laboratory

When the Second World War broke out, most of Wisley’s Plant Trials were abandoned to make space for food production, though a few continued, including rhododendrons (pictured, 1940). The garden ran demonstrations to help amateur gardeners increase productivity of fruit and vegetables on their home plots.

1939

When the Second World War broke out, most of Wisley’s Plant Trials were abandoned to make space for food production, though a few continued, including rhododendrons (pictured, 1940). The garden ran demonstrations to help amateur gardeners increase productivity of fruit and vegetables on their home plots.

See the Trials Field

Battleston Hill was purchased from the neighbouring Lovelace Estate in 1936, and after the Second World War was planted with rhododendrons and azaleas, as shown in this 1946 photograph. By 1970, a Trials Field was established on Portsmouth Field and the Jellicoe Canal and Water Lily Pavilion were installed.

1946

Battleston Hill was purchased from the neighbouring Lovelace Estate in 1936, and after the Second World War was planted with rhododendrons and azaleas, as shown in this 1946 photograph. By 1970, a Trials Field was established on Portsmouth Field and the Jellicoe Canal and Water Lily Pavilion were installed.

See Battleston Hill

The Jubilee Arboretum was planted to mark The Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. A decade later, the great storms of 1987 and 1990 wreaked havoc across the country, felling many of Wisley’s mature trees. This provided new opportunities to revitalise damaged areas with new plant collections.

1977

The Jubilee Arboretum was planted to mark The Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. A decade later, the great storms of 1987 and 1990 wreaked havoc across the country, felling many of Wisley’s mature trees. This provided new opportunities to revitalise damaged areas with new plant collections.

See the Jubilee Arboretum

Ten years in the planning and three years in construction, The Glasshouse opened in 2007, heralding a new era of plantsmanship. The entire tender plant collection was relocated here from an earlier glasshouse range, previously located on the Hilltop site, including the very diverse collections of Plectranthus, Begonia rex and orchids.

2007

Ten years in the planning and three years in construction, The Glasshouse opened in 2007, heralding a new era of plantsmanship. The entire tender plant collection was relocated here from an earlier glasshouse range, previously located on the Hilltop site, including the very diverse collections of Plectranthus, Begonia rex and orchids.

See The Glasshouse

Wisley continues to evolve in accordance with the Society’s needs and in response to the changing environment. Its scientists work hard to inform all gardeners how to respond to the changing climate, as well as emerging threats from new pests and diseases. RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science, is the newest addition to the site, as well as three new science gardens, a new Welcome building and continued investment into beautiful planting.

Today

Wisley continues to evolve in accordance with the Society’s needs and in response to the changing environment. Its scientists work hard to inform all gardeners how to respond to the changing climate, as well as emerging threats from new pests and diseases. RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science, is the newest addition to the site, as well as three new science gardens, a new Welcome building and continued investment into beautiful planting.

See the RHS Hilltop

One of the first major construction works at the new garden at Wisley was a range of glasshouses, which formerly occupied the site of what is now the Jellicoe Canal. Built in 1905, they accommodated many tender fruits. In that year, Wisley attracted around 6,000 visitors. Today, it’s more than one million.

1905

One of the first major construction works at the new garden at Wisley was a range of glasshouses, which formerly occupied the site of what is now the Jellicoe Canal. Built in 1905, they accommodated many tender fruits. In that year, Wisley attracted around 6,000 visitors. Today, it’s more than one million.

See the Jellicoe Canal

The Rock Garden was a major early construction work. This engineering project required the installation of a light railway from the nearest road (now the A3). Completed in 1911, the Rock Garden has undergone several minor restorations but remains essentially the same structure.

1911

The Rock Garden was a major early construction work. This engineering project required the installation of a light railway from the nearest road (now the A3). Completed in 1911, the Rock Garden has undergone several minor restorations but remains essentially the same structure.

See The Rock Garden

As the garden developed, the number of staff and students increased. The Laboratory was completed in 1916, providing improved lecture rooms for students and offices for staff. It was built with materials recycled from old manor houses and designed to look as if it predated the garden.

1916

As the garden developed, the number of staff and students increased. The Laboratory was completed in 1916, providing improved lecture rooms for students and offices for staff. It was built with materials recycled from old manor houses and designed to look as if it predated the garden.

See The Laboratory

When the Second World War broke out, most of Wisley’s Plant Trials were abandoned to make space for food production, though a few continued, including rhododendrons (pictured, 1940). The garden ran demonstrations to help amateur gardeners increase productivity of fruit and vegetables on their home plots.

1939

When the Second World War broke out, most of Wisley’s Plant Trials were abandoned to make space for food production, though a few continued, including rhododendrons (pictured, 1940). The garden ran demonstrations to help amateur gardeners increase productivity of fruit and vegetables on their home plots.

See the Trials Field

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