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Spring sunshine lights up glorious Exbury

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The sudden burst of spring sunshine brings Exbury Gardens to the peak of their beauty in an explosion of colour, scent and birdsong.

The Glory of the Garden, Exbury’s high season, is celebrated for six weeks, starting on Monday 19th April, just as the primroses, early magnolias and camellias give way to an incredible burst of colour from azaleas, rhododendrons and bluebells.

 

More than twenty miles of ‘technicolor pathways’ through the Azalea Bowl mean that visitors to the world-famous woodland garden often stay for up to five hours at this time of the year.

And, just as the rhododendrons are coming into bloom, Exbury’s gardeners are celebrating a clutch of wins at the RHS Spring Show in London last week.

One of the top awards went to an unnamed hybrid with large pink flowers.
“The judges gave this more attention than any other,” said head gardener John Anderson. “We haven’t named it yet, but visitors may see it, and other prize-winners blooming in the Gardens.”

Other attractions at Exbury include a lively art show from Four Seasons Artists in the Gardens’ Five Arrows Gallery with paintings, etchings, prints, cards and sculpture for sale.

 

All the work is based on flowers, plants and the natural world. The show is open until early June.

There are more than 20 miles of pathways and hidden surprises, making a visit to Exbury a peaceful and relaxing experience.

 

Even more so for those who take a chauffeur-driven buggy tour, while visitors who take the steam train will see parts of the garden that others don’t reach. The ride on the Garden Railway takes in the naturalistic Summer Lane Garden, created especially for the rail line.  

“Exbury is a garden for all seasons,” said John Anderson. “But it should not be missed during late April and May – it really shows off the glory of the garden”.

Photographers have the unique chance of a tutored session at Exbury on Thursday April 29th when professionals Barry Whitcher and Ian Badley lead their popular Phototrek. 

In mid-May John Anderson will be leading Breakfast Walks – an early morning private view of Exbury, followed by a hearty breakfast.

Both events must be pre-booked on 023 8024 5750.

For details and for a look at current flowering conditions, please visit www.exbury.co.uk

 

 

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