Rare Plants in a Jungle Ravine & the AMAZING Exotic Garden at RHS Wisley

Today's video is a quick walk around the majestic Eucalyptus tree grove, exotic planting in the jungle ravine (incredible tree ferns!) and beautiful exotic garden packed full of rare and amazing tropical style plants at RHS Garden Wisley, near Woking, Surrey. What a garden! From the stunning glasshouse displays with giant cacti, agaves and arid plants plus huge palms, tropical 'houseplants' and even a flowering jade vine to the exotic container displays, this is a garden that's seen massive changes and it's great to see the unusual and experimental planting all around the grounds. This video is only a brief intro filmed before I set off home, there's so many parts of the garden you'd definitely love that I didn't get time to feature. For more information, opening times, maps and to visit yourself, head to the RHS Garden Wisley site here: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
0:00 Intro
1:41 Fast growing Eucalyptus tree grove including dalrympleana at RHS Wisley
2:44 Arid style planting with Eucalyptus, Cordylines, Yuccas, Agaves & Jubaea palms
3:49 Exotic jungle ravine full of Australian Dicksonia antartica tree ferns at RHS Wisley
4:49 RHS Wisley woodland stumpery garden with Dicksonia antartica tree ferns
5:37 Pseudopanax, Gunnera, Trachycarpus palms, Wollemi pines and a large Schefflera delavayi
6:51 Jungle garden with giant Tetrapanax and mature Trachycarpus fortunei windmill palms
7:23 Musa basjoo mature clump & other big leaves in an exotic jungle ravine garden
10:15 A Wollemi pine grove and Paulownia foxglove trees at RHS Wisley
11:06 Acer griseum and Prunus serrula, garden trees with great bark for year round interest
12:16 Exotic Garden Tour at RHS Wisley - loads of tropical style foliage plant ideas
13:26 Trachycarpus nova, a cold hardy fan palm with a fast trunk growth rate
13:48 Scheffflera rhododendrifolia, a tough & beautiful exotic foliage plant
14:20 Variegated Trachycarpus fortunei palm, a rare and expensive exotic plant!
15:30 Big leaved magnolias, Brahea armata, Jubaea chilensis, flowering Butia & Sheffield Park pines
17:47 Exotic plant combination - flowering huge Musa basjoo, Persicaria 'Purple Fantasy' & Cannas
18:36 Big tropical leaves from Colocasia, giant Musa basjoo bananas, Tetrapanax & Paulownia
19:38 A musa basjoo banana plant forest and tropical plants at RHS Wisley exotic garden
20:16 Pinus patula, Mexican weeping pine - a beautiful tree!
20:56 An exotic UK paradise garden with fountain & palm trees at RHS Wisley
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[@gordonissocoollike]

Yes it’s a beautiful place with great work by the plantsmen at wisely , terrific look around George .

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It is indeed, great planting and it’s very well looked after Gordon!

[@vicstee482]

Ahhh! I asked mr yorkshire where you met and he said wisely. I did wonder if it was a typo! Im lucky, wisley is my local rhs garden. I havent been to the new exotic garden since late winter, when a lot of the plants were in absolutely HUGE winter coats of straw. Not tropical, but i love the bonsai walk too. But all of wisley is just fabulous. I try to go as often as possible, but i always spend too much in the garden centre. So have avoided going recently! Glad you loved it!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Lucky you, you’re definitely privileged to live close and you’re completely right, the whole garden is a lovely place. I’d go all year round if I could but the exotic garden will be at it’s best in August and September so well worth a visit then. I didn’t buy anything but they definitely have a great range in the garden centre!

[@YorkshireKRIS]

It was a great day wasn't it!? Like you I wasn't sure what to expect but was really impressed with what I saw. I better get making my video tour now as well 😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It was indeed Kris, I enjoyed it! A lot of unusual choices which really made it for me, some great planting by Matthew and the team. Haha yes, I’m interested to see what you featured! Good luck with the laptop! 😂

[@missdimples1982]

Beautiful place, another added to my list

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It is indeed, you’ll love it! 😃

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

Beautiful garden. Never been down there but I absolutely must do. Highlights for me 1. Tree fern gully. Interestingly they take off all the old fronds presumably for the aesthetic. Beautiful plants 2. The low level planting is excellent, an area I am dreadful at. Great ideas there. 3. Exotic area with the basjoo clumps are absolutely fantastic. 4. Palmage, Palmage Palmage. Stunning. Love the robusta. Did they have any parajubaea there? 5. Of all the palmage I was most interested in the variagated trachycarpus, most unusual. 6. Canna Stuttgart strangely not in a shaded area. My one gets burnt to a crisp. Interestingly there's looks great. 7. Beautiful eucalyptus trees. Great video mate. I'd probably never have bothered going there until I saw your video given the distance. I now realise it's likely to be more of a treat even than Kew. Cheers mate

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

You definitely should, it’s fantastic for exotics and has all the expected quality and variety of an RHS garden beyond that. 1. Some of the trunks looked newer but yes, I imagine it is for the aesthetics on some trunks - for healthy tree ferns in the right environment I imagine chopping them after winter doesn’t make a huge amount of difference. 2. Yes, me too, it’s easy to get carried away with the specimens and palmage! 3. You’re so right there, it shows how much impact having one main plant and going for it has! 4, 5, 7, Oh yes, so much to see! There might have been a potted parajubaea but it could have been a Butia, we just wizzed around that bit. The glasshouses are properly amazing and filled with palms. As for 6, I think there’s more factors than just sunlight that lead to it scorching but I imagine there’s may show some browning as it grows through the season. It’s a big distance for you especially, it was a really long day for me but I definitely enjoyed it!

[@waynepeake271]

Wow just wow I want to go

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

You’d love it, there’s so much more I didn’t have time to feature! 😃

[@irismoles9369]

That’s a great garden thanks for sharing

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It is indeed Iris, there’s so much more too, a lovely place 😃

[@staffordshireShane]

Great video il have to go and visit this one it looks fantastic and I'd never heard of it George

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Shane, you’ll definitely enjoy it, a great mix of plants everywhere we went!

[@milkweeddreams8828]

WOW, beautifully narrated as always...here in North Florida, right on the Georgia border I struggle with plantings, stuff that I grew in South Florida will struggle in winter and will have frost die off, but it only lasts a few weeks then back to growing out...I find that so many of your plantings and advice in winters there are really helping me here. I do have an understory somewhat of a giant live oak, 200+ years old and as trees blossom I discover magnolia, gardenia and crepe myrtle, all WAY overgrown, but right now my front yard has become a nursery for bees, there are none, so I've planted fruits and florals...my back yard is becoming that jungle I so love, now with 5 Aussie tree ferns, yellow canna and many bananas in ground, I have also discovered hydrangea there as well...geez, too much fun...did I mention that a Lowes and Home Depot are only a few blocks away...I'm doomed...THANX for that tour!!!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! It really is amazing ever they’ve created in our cooler climate here. It sounds like you garden is coming together amazingly and yes, it’s always a case of mostly growing what you know you can get away with and then experimenting too. It’s worrying that your plant suppliers are so close though 😂

[@zalehaburude7752]

Truly wonderful...

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, it is indeed a beautiful place!

[@ARW.7]

When you do go back there, I strongly recommend you head a little further south past it and go to leonardslee lakes & gardens too. It is stunning and in a different way to wisley as it’s built into an enormous valley and it has some of the most established giant trees I have ever seen here. It is also absolutely littered with trachy palms that are well over 4m tall. And as someone who goes to alot of these places it’s possibly my favourite and I have no doubt you would find it worth the trip!

[@ARW.7]

P.s if it helps, they have wild wallabies jumping around there too! 😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks for the heads up and recommendation, it’s added to my list! I think I’ve seen pics of it on Instagram before and remember being amazed by the size of the trees. The wallabies sealed the deal obviously! 😂

[@wesleyhackney]

That was such a cool garden to see. Bet it was even more beautiful in person but thanks for bringing it to us

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It is indeed and this is only scratching the surface, it’s a huge place! It’s always worth visiting these places in person, I find it’s often hard to get the scale and ambience across through a vid but I try to capture a little bit of what made it a great place for me 😃

[@sylviemiles5439]

Amazing video George ,Thankyou so much for posting this video , it’s lovely to see x 😁

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Sylvie, I didn’t have long to get a vid but tried to do my best to share some bits I thought you’d enjoy! 😃

[@nazminnarine7901]

Absolutely beautiful George. I love it. Thanks for sharing. A tonic for eyes.Good Work my boy. Have a great day you and your beautiful Misses.Looks as if there is a beach somewhere back off there!Very similar to the scenery to the beaches in Trinidad and Tobago. Very exotic and tropical indeed. I am amazed . Thanks again.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Nazmin, I’m pleased you like it. They’ve definitely captured that exotic vibe! Thank you very much and I hope you have a great day too.

[@nazminnarine7901]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thanks. Have a great weekend my darlings doggies and all. Make some good coconut sweet bread with lots of cheeries. Log on cooking with Ria for great Caribbean Recipes you and the sweet Misses ok. Cheerio!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@nazminnarine7901 Thanks Nazmin! Lovely suggestions 😊 I hope you have a great one too.

[@shineamenmbs3107]

Fantastic Jungle and Garden! So wild looking place with so many species! I was especially impressed by the tree fern forest.. but not only of course! First time I see a Pinus montezumae "Sheffield Park" Incredibly beautiful place, I enjoy every step with you there! Merci George!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It is indeed! There’s so many acres of gardens there, this is only a tiny sample! Pinus montezumae ‘Sheffield Park’ are awesome things aren’t they, I tried looking for one a few years ago but without joy unfortunately so it was great to see them in the flesh here 😃

[@miley3252]

Thank you for the tour George. I am going to Abbotsbury subtropical gardens on Sunday there having a plant fair, £7 a ticket then free entery into the gardens. Thank you for the advice on the banana leaves! I had to get a friend to send over the photos as I dont have FB or Insta so incase she didnt thank you like I asked I will thank you now.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

She said thanks Miley but no worries, happy to help. Nice one on Abbotsbury! I wish I could go but it’s a long way for me. I hope you have a great weekend and pick up some interesting plants!

[@miley3252]

Thank you im really hoping to get something nice. I live in dorset so it's only a short drive.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@miley3252 Nice one, fingers crossed for you! You’re lucky to live so close 😃

[@henrywaterhouse6291]

Awesome!!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It is indeed Henry, even the Heather and grass garden had loads of different yuccas, rostrata, treculeana, madrensis etc. That exotic garden will be something even more special as it matures!

[@henrywaterhouse6291]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden definitely, it looks interesting. Never heard of the Sheffield Park pines, they look great. Tried looking for some after your video, but couldn't find any. Definitely one on the plant list.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@henrywaterhouse6291 They would be absolutely perfect for your garden! It’s one I’ve looked for before but with no joy - there were only £300 specimens available but you can’t even get them any more!

[@derekscheshirepalmgardenuk]

Great video as always...very impressed with the scale of the planting

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Derek, yes, they’ve certainly been ambitious and creative, it’s not just a typical large garden with a few exotics!

[@ic8466]

i just went from amazement to i wish my garden was bigger!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, I know that feeling! 😂

[@HaydnMowbray]

Thanks George. This is only about an hour from me and you've given a completely different perspective of what it's like next to anything else I've seen. I will visit soon! No video with Yorkshire Kris?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It’s well worth a good walk around Haydn, the planting there is very creative thanks to Matthew and the team. You’ll love it! Even the Heather / grass garden has cool yuccas in it! No, we didn’t know we were both going til the day before and had group activities until early - mid afternoon so that only left enough time for a bit of an explore and videoing. We’ll see what we can do in the future though!

[@onemanfran]

My mum planted a eucalyptus shrub in her garden, a tiny new build barratt home. Anyway long story short in 10 years without pruning that shrub turned into a huge tree which sadly had to be felled as it was causing cracking in the neighbours garage

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Unfortunately a lot of the commonly available Eucalyptus are gunnii which does get huge, I completely understand why that wouldn’t have been suitable for a new build garden. A lot of the really big ones definitely need space but there are a few interesting smaller options too 👍

[@MrRichardhind7]

Another great video, looks fantastic, would you say to visit Wisley or Kew as a garden inspiration visit, especially when I love the jungle garden too

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Richard, personally I’ve not been to Kew yet and wouldn’t want to be in a position to have to choose just one to go to! They were both on my list of places to visit, I got the additional reason of the EPS meet to go to Wisley and it was fantastic! A proper selection of interesting plants all the way through the garden, and a quality glasshouse. Whichever you go to you won’t be disappointed!

[@MrRichardhind7]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden ok thanks George, I'm from Midlands so might just go for the weekend and try fit both in, 👍👍😍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@MrRichardhind7 You definitely should, what an amazing weekend 😃

[@kendy123456789]

Hi George, those fern trees looked fantastic, very lush. I have a question around Tetrapanax. Plz could you advise me, I have a young tretrapanax, I got it late last year and decided to keep it in my garage over winter rather than risk it outside. I now have it on my decking in half whisky barrel. Currently it is doing very well, how big do you think it will grow considering it has limited root space,? Thank you in advance.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, they did indeed! I’ve seen a Tetrapanax around 3m high in a larger pot before so they can still get big with room. Obviously not as vigorous or as big a leaves as in the ground but if you keep it well watered over summer it’ll still grow well for now!

[@kendy123456789]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thank-you appreciate the advise.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@kendy123456789 No worries, good luck with it!

[@SarahSmith-wx9ky]

awesome place!! what was the skinny monkey puzzle looking thing in front of the variegated trachycarpus?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It is indeed Sarah! Now you’re testing me 😂 I want to say a Cryptomeria but I might be a bit off there, there’s so many unusual conifers growing there!

[@SarahSmith-wx9ky]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thankyou will defo add that one to my wish list haha!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@SarahSmith-wx9ky You’d love a trip to Wisley, there’s so many cracking examples of unusual and exotic looking conifers! 😃

[@SarahSmith-wx9ky]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden yes i i would love to visit some day - totally my kinda day out :D

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@SarahSmith-wx9ky Definitely, I could have definitely spent more time there and enjoyed a Kew visit too!

[@tedscott1478]

When you mentioned ravine I immediately thought of the wollem(eye), pine. I think that's how it's pronounced🤔

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Yes, I guess that’s their origin or preferred habitat and probably subconsciously why I used the word as technically this probably isn’t a ravine 😂 You’re probably right there Ted, I only pronounced it as I’ve heard others do, no scientific basis so I’m happy to learn if I’m wrong!

[@tedscott1478]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden I saw a great video about the Wollemi pine and it's discovery, if I can find it again I'll reply with the link.

[@tedscott1478]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden hi again, here'sthe link kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKKompJsnKuLoqs

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@tedscott1478 Nice one, thanks Ted 😃

[@Gtumrths]

You said : look at the size of them. But we cannot see it because there is nothing to compare it with.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Fair point 😂 I did try to use my hand as scale for most things but there’s only so much I could do with the setup I had with me unfortunately!