Orchids in the Glasshouse

Monday was spent with Mammasaurus, Ozzy and Kitty at RHS Wisley. We had the most wonderful day and it was gloriously sunny to boot. POD explored the gardens, watched fish and jumped a lot.

But what she loved most of all was making friends.

As well as Gardening Week, and the Lindt Easter bunny hunt, we timed our visit with Wisley’s annual orchid display. The cathedral-like Glasshouse was our first stop. It’s an amazing structure, equivalent to 10 tennis courts. It looked even more incredible gleaming in the sunshine with the bright blue sky above.

It always feels like a sense of calm washes over you when you enter it. The sound of the waterfall is immense and that’s before you take in your jungle-like surroundings. There are three interlinked temperature zones – dry, moist and tropical.

Having passed the spectacular display of cacti, we hit the tropical zone which can reach temperatures of 30 degrees. We were able to take in all the colour and the amazing displays while our lenses accclimatised.

There were orchids all around us, even hanging from above. It was the most beautiful sight and a great way to kick off our day after we’d checked out fish, ducks and giant buttercups.

The Glasshouse never fails to impress with its impressive plant collection which includes rare and endangered species. Like the rest of Wisley, it offers something different each time we visit.

Outside the tropical zone, there were more unusual gems to be discovered

including this Lady’s Slipper.

After the Glasshouse, it was off to the children’s play area before relaxing in the the alpine meadow and having a picnic. We then explored the rest of Wisley taking in the wild garden, the rock garden and the alpines. Far too much for one post so these adventures will follow in next week’s post. If you can’t wait until then, Annie’s post is here.

Linking up with Mammasaurus for #HDYGG.