Wisley February 2026

Paul is speaking to the people of Corinth: ‘All the promises of God are yes, in Christ Jesus. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in us.’ 2Corinthians 1:20-22

You are always free to choose this way of doing life.

This post has three views of the gardens, three trees to look at and three plants I liked.

Let us look at the three views first. It is either raining or going to rain so to have some sunshine and no rain this morning is very special.

The structures of trees held up to the cloud – grey day, then green weeping vegetation against grey green water. Water edged with leaves that have hung on in golden brown. A cold scene.

The white bramble and the red bramble with willow yellow on the far side of the pond. Then amongst the stubble of newly growing Camassia/daffidols or whatever has had the strength to grow with geese feet around, we have soggy very green grass.

Here crocus competes with grass for height and wins by head and shoulders. A fine display of heads.

Perhaps a poet will join the ranks to write about them today. Here are a few who have:

Emily Dickinson, ‘ The feet of people walking home.’

Francis Ellen Watkins Harper. ‘The Crocuses.’

Marion Mc Cready. ‘ Look to the Crocus’

…and the list goes on.

And here are my few thoughts from seeing the crocuses today:

The grey day crocuses

They were cold and friendless from no leaves of their own

The grass blades pushed up between them and their neighbours

They stood at closed attention straight, to a sunless sky.

This grey cloud filled February day.

It was the colour we needed and they gave

Purple and lilac in the green.

New, clean and cold.

By

Sandy 🙂

Now for three trees

This is how I discovered the first tree. I saw these long cones on the tree and then a display cabinet of cones by the side of the path. I identified the tree from this and videoed it. See if you come to the same conclusion:

The cones hanging long and in a group.

The fine identification case by the side of the path.

I think it is the Holford pine. What intrigues me is how low this tree’s branches sweep the ground in the wind and its long thin blue-green needles that allow for this free movement.

I hope you enjoy seeing it as much as I did? I wonder if you agree with the name?

Then there is a Champion tree. The largest specimen of its type in the UK and Ireland.

The name: Chamaccyparis Iawsoniana ‘ Golden Wonder’.

It is the one on the far left of this photograph.

Golden Wonder on the left of the group of three and I believe the Holford pine is in the middle.

There is also this tree, Pinus contorta (lodge pine). This is its story. A fungus, dyer’s mazegill, colonised the roots consuming it from within and now it is left as a stump but as it decays it is a thriving micro habitat providing food and shelter for many different organisms. Notice that most roots grow near to the surface within 30- 60cm of the soil, here there is easy access to oxygen, water and nutrients. Roots growing deeper cope with compacted oxygen starved and barren soil. These roots can spread several times farther than the tree is tall communicating and cooperating with other plants in the ecosystem.

Now for two plants and those deep blue irises to end with.

Fluffy pink catkins belonging to Salix gracilistyla Mount Aso Willow. A good shrub like plant. The colour holding well on outstretched thin branches.

A small shrub of Camellia Yume with a single simple flower. The full flowers open in little sun but plenty of light.

Lastly a large number of deep blue short stemmed spring irises to enjoy as we leave Wisley on this February afternoon.

Thank you for being with us.

Take care,

Sandy 🙂