Jo's News and Views No 3 March 2026

Hello Everyone 

Well, the March winds have certainly made their presence felt so perhaps April will bring some showers to us. I think we could do with some. I managed to visit the garden on one of the good days we had in March and I was delighted with everything I saw. 

On the drive the Cornus mas was covered in tiny yellow flowers giving the tree its hazy cloud of yellow, photos 1 and 2. The view through from the Front Lawn to Bowling Green Lawn is picture-perfect with the sun catching the forsythia in the middle of the bed there, photo 3. Along the path is the Corylus avellana 'Cortorta', photo 4. The catkins always remind me of lambs' tails as they sway back and forth in the breeze. The view to the Pond definitely invites you to stop for a while and reflect on how lucky we are to have this beautiful garden to enjoy, photo 5. 

In the border running alongside the Hollow Lawn was this Lunaria, known as Honesty, photo 6. I wondered why it was called Honesty so did a little research on it. Apparently, the flat silvery seed pods called 'siliques' that appear after the flowers, have given the plant its common name. The name arose in the 16th century and relates to, and I quote, the translucence of its silique membranes, which truthfully reveal their contents. So now we know! Also here was this beautiful Hamamelis x intermedia 'Westerstede', photo 7. A pure yellow beauty brightening up the border there. 

In the Peach House the peach and nectarine trees were covered in blossom, photo 8. The tiny flowers are exquisite, photo 9. On the Tulip Terrace the tulips have started to open, photo 10. It's going to look amazing. 

Moving on to the Alpine Meadow. This is still looking great but different as the Scilla siberica has begun to flower amongst the daffodils there, photo 11. Although I did spot a Fritillaria meleagris, a Snakes Head Fritillary, photo 12. I hope some more join it. In the Rock Garden the Scilla has started to cover the banks there, photos 13 and 14. I'm sure they will continue to open and look even better next month. 

Going back to the main garden I noticed that the Acer campestre, a Field Maple, looked as though its leaves had already opened but on closer inspection it turned out to be Mistletoe, photo 15. It was covered with big bunches of mistletoe on nearly every branch. 

On the edge of the Wisley Corner I stopped to enjoy the sight of the Ipheion uniflorum 'Wisley Blue', photo 16. It looks quite fragile but is surprisingly robust. However the main event here in the Rose Garden has to be the magnificent Magnolia soulangeana, the Saucer Magnolia, photo 17. When the flowers open they really are as big as saucers and are spectacular at this time of year, photo 18 and 19. Also here in the Rose Garden is the beautiful Clematis armandii, the Armand Clematis, photo 20. Covered in beautiful small white flowers which are a favourite with bees and butterflies. 

Walking around the Pond I stopped to enjoy the silhouettes of the trees there. photo 21. The one at the front is a Fraxinus excelsior 'Pendula', a Weeping Ash, although it does seem to be on its last legs, and behind it is the statuesque Castanea sativa, the Sweet Chestnut or Spanish Chestnut. On the lawn beyond the Pond Terrace I found the Japanese Knotweed had been cutback to the ground, photo 22. There are two types here and yes, they do have Latin names but I forgot to make a note of them. It will be interesting to see how quickly it grows back so watch this space!

Making my way back to the Visitors Centre I stopped to have a look in the Old Conservatory and was amazed at how many flowers the Strelitzia reginae had in bloom, photo 23. The plant is from South Africa and is known as the Bird of Paradise. The whole Conservatory looked beautiful. Then finally outside the Visitors Centre are pots of Erysimum 'Bowles's Mauve' and the lovely blue violas, photo 24. A very nice welcome for visitors to the garden. 

Well, I hope you have enjoyed my wander around the garden with me. 

Best wishes 

Jo