‘Those sticks, the white ones, do you think someone has painted them?’ My voice was heard by a lady dressed in prime colours, red and blue: ‘ I doubt it ‘, was the answer. ‘ I know that was a silly question but do you know what plant it is?’ A voice coming from the plants said: ‘I don’t mind a silly question.’ It was a gardener. ‘The plant is a bramble, Rubius phoenicoloasius.’ So chalky white, how special and then what about the hairy red/maroon one like it?’ was my reply.
‘That is a bramble too and then he said a name like this Rubius biflorus.’ Both we ladies were impressed ‘ and so what is the yellow?’ ‘ A willow’, he kindly said with its scientific name as well.
It was then a case of following ones nose as the warm sun spread perfume on the cold air. We found our way to two related plants: Daphne bholua ( white) and Daphne Spring Beauty ( pink).
A pleasant surprise to see both these shrubs in bloom. The scent was delicate and sweet. Delightful on a sunny but yet cold January day.
Daphne Spring Beauty.
There were more coloured stems and surprises. A view of plants like ‘methodical divisionism’. Maybe? Each snowdrop distinct no blurring of colours and plenty of light.
The shrub above the snowdrops is Hamamelis Intermedia Jelena and here it is with…
…Hamamelis Sunburst. The yellow and orange magnifies the sun on a cold January day. Good to see.
Then there is a place of future promise. The Figgery Wildflower Meadow. Look at those dates going into the future. 2029 is when it will have achieved its ‘I am here, fully formed.’ Press on the photograph to see the addition of plants coming up each year.
Other precious places were: the pond lilly area with its 50 various plants preparing to come from the depths. Two swans were dipping there long necks into the water and the exotic garden waiting, but not doing nothing there is growth everywhere inspite of the cold there is light, a little more every day. We will be back in February. Here are three pictures to show how structure holds its own in making a garden beautiful all year round.
An afternoon spent at Wisley on a late January day 2026.
‘ And to people God said, ‘ Look the fear/respect of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’ Job 28:28.
Sandy 🙂
It’s lovely how you captured that winter day at Wisley — the calm, the colors, and the scents 🌿❄️. I especially like how you tied the plant details to the overall atmosphere and the light slowly returning. The writing has a gentle, almost meditative beauty, just like the photos 🌞📷.
My, you do write kindly. Thank you. It was just that meditative sort of day with the promise of spring today is grey!
Such lovely colors in the landscapes and flowers, I was surprised you saw this in January! Beautiful!
Yes, just like your lovely swans nature gives us so much. Lovely!!!