What to look out for in the Gardens during our Santa Special opening dates of Sat 10, Sun 11, Sat 17, Sun 18, Mon 19 & Tues 20 December 2011

What extraordinary weather we are having at Exbury.  Mostly very mild, bringing out some early flowering plants including Snowflakes around Top Pond and the Bog Garden and then suddenly stormy weather. Please take extra care as you walk around the gardens.

There is lots to see on your visit. Don’t miss the flowering Mahonias by the Tennis Court Tea Gardens with their wonderful scent. Look out for the “Yellow Fruited” Holly trees in Home Wood by the side of the path from Daffodil Meadow to Top Pond.  Don’t miss Rhododendron ‘Nobleanum Coccineum’ flowering in the Winter Garden, or R. ‘Christmas Cheer’ in the Glade and elsewhere in the Gardens.

By the side of the Main House are some very scented Sarcococca ruscifolia “Christmas Box” with richly scented flowers and red fruits. Close by are some red fruiting Skimmia japonica’s  which the birds are taking a liking too, quickly eating all the fruits. This evergreen shrub is native to Japan.

Yard Wood has some very fine Photinia davidiana in fruit.

In Home Wood there are many Camellia’s flowering. Look out for Camellia sasanqua and C. japonicas in several areas, but especially in the Winter Garden & New Camellia Walk.

This has been a great end of season for Fungi as they spring up in all parts of the garden. Please be aware that they are not to be handled or eaten.

On a good day the views from the Arromanches View Point is spectacular, whilst the low sun throws interesting shadows across the gardens creating some stunning vistas.

Don’t forget to pick up the Festive Trail and follow this to discover twelve trees and plants all associated with the Christmas season, including holly, ivy, mistletoe, yew and Christmas trees.

From all the staff  at Exbury a very merry Christmas  and a great gardening year in 2012. 

John Anderson, Head Gardener.