Our top picks in the garden

We think every inch of RHS Garden Wisley is special, but if we had to choose, here are our top seven Wisley highlights

The Laboratory

Not many people know that the Laboratory was purpose built as a training hub for horticultural students, starting in 1907. Its Arts and Crafts design, and the use of reclaimed material from old manor houses, make it feel like the Laboratory could have stood in place for hundreds of years.

From here you can see the beautiful Jellicoe Canal, which houses the second largest collection of water lily cultivars (the largest can be seen at Burnby Hall, an RHS Partner Garden in North Yorkshire). One of the lilies is named after the famous potter John Wedgwood, one of the RHS's founders.

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The Mixed Borders in summer

The Mixed Borders are probably the most iconic and celebrated area of the garden. 

Originally designed by celebrated horticulturist Graham Stuart Thomas, the borders are 128m long and 6m wide and backed by hornbeam hedges. The borders break with traditional formal English borders by being only partially symmetrical. They are a great excuse for us to be creative and experimental; evolving and changing each season. 

The general colour theme starts cool at the Top Terrace end, gets hotter towards the middle and then returns to a more pastel palette on the approach to Battleston Hill. 

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Battleston Hill

Covering 8ha (20 acres), Battleston Hill was originally covered in Scots pines but 80% of these were lost in the storm of 1987. It took two years to clear up!

With a clean slate to work from, then-Curator Jim Gardiner decided to turn the area into a showcase for rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias and hydrangeas. This means this area has a stunning array of spring colour. 

One tree you can't miss is beautiful Toona sinensis ‘Flamingo’ (Chinese cedar 'Flamingo') at the bottom of the Broadwalk. During spring it lives up to its name with bright salmon-pink foliage that seems to float and shimmer in the air. 

Interestingly, the origin of the name 'Battleston Hill' is unknown to the RHS!

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Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden

One of the more recent additions to Wisley, the Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden was designed by RHS Chelsea gold medal winner Robert Myers. This area was formerly known as Weather Hill because the Met Office weather station was originally located here (but has now moved to the Orchard).

Impressively, the garden contains a contemporary mixture of 4,000 roses with 5,000 shrubs and herbaceous perennials. Planting is mixed and laid out in 'drifts' which has led to healthier plants and a reduction in spraying. 

At the top you'll find a pavilion built to commemorate Sir David Bowes-Lyon (RHS President 1953-1961), younger brother of the Queen Mother. This is a great viewpoint to look out over the garden.

Don't miss this area in summer when the roses are out - you'll find our dedicated team lovingly deadheading, which as you can imagine is quite an enormous task!

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Oakwood

Oakwood is the most historic part of Wisley, originally created in 1878 within an existing wood. The vision was to successfully grow difficult plants from parts of the world such as Asia and Japan. 

In the woodland you'll find planting that loves damp, peaty soil. Hostas, hellebores, primulas and trilliums form the groundcover, with camellias, rhododendrons and magnolias providing the tree/shrub canopy above. 

More recently, we have planted the beautiful Cardiocrinum giganteum (giant Himalayan lily), which thrives in moist, semi-shaded conditions. This towering plant can reach up to 2.5m high, producing striking, fragrant white lily flowers in summer. 

Oakwood is a favourite of our visitors for its sense of peace and tranquility....you could almost be in the depths of a forest. 

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The Rock Garden

The RHS cherishes this part of the garden as one of Wisley’s oldest, and most magnificent, features. Meander along the pathways and bridges to explore the different levels of beautiful planting schemes and rock pools. 

The larch (Laris kaempferi) on the Rock Garden is one of the oldest trees at Wisley - it was already 100 years old when it was presented to the Society in 1904.

Although this area is stunning all year round, it is especially beautiful in autumn when the acers are clothed in vibrant reds and oranges.

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The Glasshouse

Be sure not to miss the Glasshouse and its surrounds: the Glasshouse landscape and the Glasshouse borders.

The Glasshouse was built to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the RHS and was opened in 2007 by Her Majesty the Queen. At 12m high, and covering an area equal in size to 10 tennis courts, the Glasshouse cost £7.7 million, mostly funded by private donors.

There are three main areas creating conditions suitable for plants from around the world; moist temperate, dry temperate and tropical. There's even a waterfall! A favourite with visitors is the array of orchids delicately dotted throughout. 

Surprisingly, the Glasshouse is the coolest place to be during summer due to our high tech climate control system.

The Glasshouse is a beautiful place to visit year-round and takes centre stage during our annual Butterflies in the Glasshouse and Glow 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.