Exbury rhodos win top RHS prizes

As the early spring sunshine brings out a spectacular display at Exbury Gardens, famous Rothschild rhododendrons took top prizes at the main Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) show at the weekend.
Exbury, in competition with world-famous Cornish gardens, won three of the five prestigious cups at the show, held at the RHS garden at Rosemoor in Devon.

They were the Lionel de Rothschild Cup for the best six species rhododendrons, the Crosfield Cup for three different hybrids bred at the garden entering them and the Roza Stevenson Challenge Cup for sprays of rhododendrons.

“The wins were all the more special because we were up against stiff competition from other great gardens, such as Trewithen, Caerhays and Trelissick, all in Cornwall,” said John Anderson, Exbury’s head gardener. “We were delighted to compete against them all, especially Trelissick which belongs to the National Trust who haven’t traditionally entered these competitions,” he said.

John and his colleague, deputy head gardener Linda Runnacles, cut the winning blooms from Exbury where they may be seen now by visitors to the award-winning 200-acre woodland Gardens which are managed by the Rothschild family.

“I’ve never known the Gardens looking this tremendous so early in the year,” said John. “The bluebells are coming out, rhododendrons and azaleas are in colour and Exbury will be spectacular at Easter and all through May,” he said.

All paying visitors to the Gardens who also buy a ticket for the steam railway up to June 5 will receive a free return ticket to enjoy the autumn colours between September 1 – October 21.

Would-be visitors may see the developing colour at Exbury by visiting the website (see below), where dozens of images showing current flowering conditions are updated weekly.