‘ God has made everything beautiful in its time.’
Ecclesiastes 3:11
A visit with three surprises for us.
Firstly, we did not expect to see the 40 cherry trees in bloom. Why? Because last year they were in full bloom on 30 March 2025. This year, 2026 they began to bloom early with reports of starting around 11 March with March 14-15 being peak time. They were in candyfloss pink and a perfect surprise yesterday afternoon.
Then while we were travelling in early November 2025 RHS Garden Wisley planted 125,000 new tulip bulbs, 58 cultivars in front of the Old Laboratory and along the Jellicoe Canal. It was set for March 15 to May 10.
It was blooming and we never saw the grass unsettled. It was all done as we turned away and in a magical unexpected beautiful surprise it was there and still on its way to becoming. One hundred and twenty-five thousand nearly/ready to, or already blooming!
Near this spectacular feast of yellows with spots of orange was a lawn I have been watching. It has no grass and for this post I will include the two sign posts because I am interested in knowing what plants make it what it is. The variety planted is quite large in number. Press on the signs to read them.
So three wonderful surprises amongst many I am sure, as each of us experience this wonderland of gardens at Wisley.
Can you see the 40 cherry trees. A cloud of pink in the distance.
Standing below them and looking up.
Then the 125,000 Tulips. Here are three photographs to celebrate them.
Looking up towards the Old Laboratory and along the Jellicoe Canal.
Looking down from the Old Laboratory.
The names of the four Tulips you are looking at are Tulipa Orange Emperor, Tulipa Purissma, Tulipa Sweetheart, and Tulipa Yellow Empress. An eye absorbing variation that keeps one looking.
Then the lawn without grass. I watched the start of this and now the boards are up saying what was planted. Please enjoy as I have and will.
Press on the photographs to read.
Three surprises.
A treat.
A lovely year.
Twelve months of a birthday gift now over.
It has ended almost as it started with the cherry blossom. They being early.
‘Faren wel’ dearest Wisley.
Sandy 🙂
Ps
A few views of this lovely place in March
And a duck in the vegetable garden.
How wonderful to witness the cherry trees blooming, they are beautiful. Al those tulips are stunning! I’m curious on the lawn without grass, I am sure it is going to be wonderful, I hope you share it’s display in another month or so. Your final photo made me smile! She looks so sweet, what a lovely shot!
Dear Donna,
We’ll be travelling in May. And yesterday was my last visit for my Birthday present year! There will be another place/places to visit from June, we haven’t decided yet. It was particularly lovely to see what we did because it really is goodbye to the garden for a few years.
Exciting to plan new travels!
What beautiful pictures! The lawn without grass is fascinating.
Thank you! Yes, it is coming together well.
What a sight! Cherry blossoms and beautiful yellow tulips👏 The world is a wonderful place and I am so happy you enjoyed the time in Wisley. I miss being close to it. Enjoy this lovely spring time🌹
It is a uniquely well cared for and future orientated place. Loved by many with planting done with knowledge and great care. Good to have experience over the seasons.
Oh, how lovely! What a gift.
The Tapestry Lawn is really interesting–I am looking for ways to be more environmentally aware, and I would love to replace grass with low maintenance care. Thanks, Sandy!
So glad you found that helpful. Since then we have visited Oxford Botanical Gardens and there they have planted for our weather changes. I hope to show some of it in a post soon.