RHS Garden Wisley is one of the world’s great gardens, packed with horticultural inspiration.RHS Garden Wisley is one of the world’s great gardens, packed with horticultural inspiration.

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Battleston Hill

Lose yourself on Battleston Hill, a beautiful woodland garden where winding paths allow you to explore plants from far-off climes

Looking its best in...

Spring Camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons, azaleas
Summer Agapanthus, Hemerocallis, lilies, hostas, Hydrangea paniculata
Autumn Vibrant autumn foliage, Hydrangea paniculata
Winter Daphne, Hamamelis, striking barks

A world away from Wisley

Battleston Hill is planted to provide year-round interest, but it is best known for its flamboyant burst of spring colour that reaches a climax in April and May.

The Broadwalk is the most formal part of the hill. This plantsman’s haven is the perfect place for a quiet woodland walk, surrounded by Hydrangea paniculata; rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias; red American oaks and Hamamelis (witch hazel) cultivars.

Memorable in every season

The original plantings on Battleston Hill were made in 1937, but vast areas were replanted after the storms of 1987 and 1990. Follow the numerous, winding footpaths to discover woody plantings alongside large groups of herbaceous plants such as agapanthus, Hemerocallis (daylily), hostas, lilies and Meconopsis (Himalayan blue poppy).

Acers bring wonderful autumn colour, and winter reveals beautiful bark on trees such as Betula (birch), Castanea (sweet chestnut), Quercus (oak) and Stewartia, as well as tantalising scents from winter-flowerers such as daphnes and Hamamelis (witch hazel). At the top of the main hill, a large sculpture, changed every few years, acts as a dramatic focal point.

Woodland wonders

The woodland area showcases woodland plants, shade tolerant plants and dry shade tolerant plants - key plants include collections of Chilean plants, Hemerocallis (daylily), Davidia (handkerchief tree) and large-leaf rhododendrons. There are many fine mature trees, often with attractively coloured or textured bark.

The trees here are full of character, like the oldest, yet smallest dawn redwood, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, which looks like something from a fantasy adventure!

Also eyecatching is Toona sinensis 'Flamingo' (Chinese cedar), named for its bright salmon-pink spring foliage, which pales to creamy-yellow then rich green in summer. In midsummer it produces drooping clusters of fragrant white flowers which are a magnet for insects. Interestingly, all parts of this deciduous tree are aromatic.

A rainbow of blooms

Between March and June, Battleston Hill is a magnet for visitors as our collections of camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons and azaleas – which thrive on Wisley’s acid soil – put on incredibly vibrant displays.

There are hundreds of rhododendrons to admire, including hardy hybrids; low-growing R. yakushimanum hybrids; evergreen azaleas; lovely Kurume azaleas, introduced in 1918 by famous plant collector E H Wilson; and deciduous azaleas, many of them sweetly scented with lovely autumn foliage.

Jurassic corner

The Stumpery & Dell is intended as a ‘surprise find’ on Battleston Hill. This flamboyant yet Jurassic display features ferns, Wollemi pines, palms and tree ferns among stumps and large roots.

A stumpery is a great way to provide shelter for wildlife such as mice and frogs as well as insects like the stag beetle. Traditionally stumperies were planted with ferns, mosses and lichens but we have used foliage plants such as hostas and hellebores as well as small bulbs to give winter and spring interest.

As you explore, keep an eye out for new 'resident' Theresa the T-rex. She was one of the sculptures on display during the 2017 Festival of Trees, and is now on long term loan from The Sculpture Park in Farnham, Surrey.

Plants in this section

You may also be interested in...

Endangered 'living fossil' trees given new homes at two RHS Gardens »

New life for old wood: Explore stumperies at RHS Partner Gardens »

Camellia problems? Read our camellia FAQs to get the best blooms »

Love rhododendrons? Passionate about ferns? Learn more at one of Wisley's many Plant Society events »

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.