Covering 130 acres of lush planting, Wisley is the flagship garden of the RHS, capturing the imagination of all who wander through the colourful borders, neat parterres, fragrant rose gardens, cloistered walled gardens, orchards, rock gardens and one of the best glasshouses anywhere in the world.

Gifted to the Society in 1903, Wisley has evolved over time into a world-class garden, attracting over a million visitors a year - satisfying both the intensely botanically orientated and the everyday gardener alike. 

It is both beautiful and practically informative while also offering plenty of open space for walking, family picnics and relaxation.

One of the most impressive features are the Mixed Borders, which at 128 metres in length are packed with bulbs, colourful annuals and perennials as well as shrubs and small trees that make a fabulous display. The plantsmanship is superb and all specimens are kept in vibrant, prime condition.

Alongside are the Rose Gardens that are jam packed with a wide range of Species, Old Garden and Hybrids to delight through most seasons. 

Its difficult to find a more floriferous experience than wandering through the archway of white climbers into the neatly prepared beds that burst with colour and vigour.

Quite possibly the best rose garden you will find - with a huge collection of this, the ultimate flowering shrub, all in perfect condition.

Battlestone Hill is a beautiful woodland garden area that is famed for its rich displays of Rhododendron, Dogwoods and Hydrangeas while older exotics like giant Sequoias add a stately touch and some welcome shade in summer.

The Rock Garden is very extensive with a good collection of alpine plants contrasting with small weeping trees and dwarf conifers, including the garden's oldest plant - a cloud-pruned Larch.

Vegetables and Fruit get plenty of space at Wisley with some excellent espaliered miniature apple and pear along with figs, caged currants of many colours and a huge orchard to the rear.

The Glasshouse dominates the top end of the gardens, soaring to 12 metres and covering the equivalent of ten tennis courts. 

Three climate zones are presented here, tropical, moist and dry temperate. There are over 5,000 plants to be seen, with some, like the giant Musa Sikkimensis (Bannana) almost touching the highest glass panes.

There are also various special displays at different times of year featuring Fuchsia or Begonia, amongst others, that will amaze even the specialist grower.

Heading back towards the entrance there are some lovely Wild Gardens featuring a good collection of Deutzia and the popular Seven Acres incorporates a pretty lake with Japanese pagoda and plenty of space to find shade under the many mature trees for your family picnic.

There is a lot to see at Wisley, we have covered just a few of the excellent features in this review, in fact you'd be hard pressed to cover it all in two or three days, so come back, if you can and see how it changes over the seasons.

There are 90 RHS staff employed here and their work is of the highest standards you will see anywhere in the world. 

Wisley really is one of the world's greatest gardens - if not the greatest.