Iris fields in George F. Wilson's Wisley garden, 'Oakwood'

From 'Country Life Magazine', Vol. X, 19.

The Royal Horticultural Society was given its flagship garden in Wisley, Surrey, in 1903, although at that time only a small part of the 24ha (60 acres) estate was actually cultivated as a garden, the remainder being wooded farmland. The original garden was the creation of George Fergusson Wilson (1822-1902) - businessman, scientist, inventor, keen gardener and a former Treasurer of the Society. In 1878 he purchased the site and established the 'Oakwood experimental garden', with the idea of making 'difficult plants grow successfully'. The garden acquired a reputation for its collections of lilies, gentians, Japanese irises, primulas and water plants.