Butterflies - a return visit

RHS Garden Wisley has once again been hosting a wonderful collection of butterflies in the Glasshouse. They had a similar event last year, which was such a success that they came back again this January and February. The pupae are grown in their special incubator, and trained staff move them into the tropical zone of the Glasshouse as they hatch. We saw several 'new' butterflies pumping up their wings as they rested on suitable perches, before flying off to the delight of all watching.



There are some fifteen or so different types to spot and we were lucky enough to see about half of them. They fly around the tropical plants which compete with them with their vibrant colours and flamboyant shapes. In fact as the butterflies fade away the Glasshouse staff will set up a month long display of Orchids - just in time for Mothering Sunday. When we visited today there were plenty of visitors enjoying the butterflies, but the show is coming to an end this weekend. Not to worry, as the garden has so much else to offer. After we had been in the Glasshouse, we went across to the Glasshouse cafe, just opposite for a cofee and butterfly cake before walking off into the garden in search of snowdrops and other Spring flowers.


We were soon rewarded with swathes of snowdrops under the Witch Hazels that are in wonderful bloom just now. They come in colours ranging from sharpest lemon to rose wine colour, brightening up the otherwise bare branches. This is all to be found in the Wild Garden, which borders on to the Rock Garden. Here we found banks covered in tiny cyclamen crowding in with the snowdrops, crocus and helibores, giving us plenty to feast our eyes on. The sarcococca and daphne bushes are also flowering filling the air with their heady perfume. There is always something to delight you in the Garden at Wisley.