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| Exbury Gardens |
As the fantastic flower power of Exbury’s high season opens out into full bloom, the world-famous Gardens have received high acclaim at top flower shows.
Following wins at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Spring Show and the prestigious Borde Hill Show, head gardener John Anderson reports earning three challenge cups and 18 first prizes at the main RHS Rhododendron Show at Rosemoor in Devon at the weekend.
“I’m pleased to report that Exbury is following in the tradition of its founder, Lionel de Rothschild, and flying the flag for rhododendron growing in Hampshire,” said John who revealed that one of the trophies won at Rosemoor was the Lionel de Rothschild Cup for the six best species rhododendrons in the show.
All the show-winning plants can be seen at their best in the Gardens throughout May along with brilliant blooms from thousands of other trees and shrubs in the 200-acre award-winning woodland gardens.
And, for the first time, anyone planning a trip to Exbury can check what’s looking good by visiting the new website, where dozens of images of current flowering conditions are displayed, along with a section of photographs submitted by visitors themselves.
“We are delighted to be able to use the new website to show exactly what the Gardens are looking like at every part of the season,” said Exbury’s manager, Nigel Philpott. “Of course the photographs are wonderful – but they’re no substitute for the real thing – it’s something you have to experience firsthand!”
The Glory of the Garden – high season at Exbury, lasts until May 31, when children are invited to celebrate by picking up fallen petals and threading them on to a special soft wire for display or to take home.
The legacy of Lionel de Rothschild, who established the Gardens 90 years ago, is seen not only in the beauty of the flowering outside, but in an extraordinary collections of photographs which are being shown throughout the summer in the Gardens’ Five Arrows Gallery.
Known as ‘autochromes’, these large colour photographs, on glass plates, show gardens, people and places taken around 100 years ago in Edwardian England.
Entry to the exhibition is free to all who buy a ticket to the Gardens.
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