What to see at Exbury mid May | Exbury Gardens, Hants

What to see at Exbury - 10th May

Every week the staff here at Exbury will be compiling their must-sees in the gardens, focusing on different areas or seasonal plants. We hope that you will be able to use this as a snappy guide when visiting and that our favourite viewpoints, blooms and garden features might become your favourites too.

Focus 10th May: Azaleas, rhododendrons and andromedas in the northern section of Exbury Gardens

1. A sea of pink azaleas

From whichever way you walk along Azalea Drive, you'll see this sea of pink azaleas take over the landscape. This photograph was taken up hill, walking back towards the Visitor Entrance (with Yard Wood on the right) and doesn't do justice to such a magnificent aspect of the gardens. Definitely a must-see in person this week!

Sea of pink azaleas | Azalea Garden | Exbury Gardens | New Forest, Hampshire

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2. Rhododendron, rhododendron, rhododendron...

Pink and white rhododendron | Rhododendron Garden | Exbury Gardens | New Forest, Hampshire

There are just so many rhododendrons out at the moment! We have...

...Reds

...Pinks

Pink rhododendron from below | Rhododendron Garden | Exbury Gardens | New Forest, Hampshire

Pink rhododendron by bench | Rhododendron Garden | Exbury Gardens | New Forest, Hampshire

Pink rhododendron by path | Rhododendron Garden | Exbury Gardens | New Forest, Hampshire

This beautiful scene of light pink rhododendrons surrounded by bluebells can be found just beside Azalea Drive (with Yard Wood on the left-hand side):

Pink rhododendrons by bluebells | Rhododendron Garden | Exbury Gardens | New Forest, Hampshire

...Yellows

Yellow rhododendron and pink azalea | Rhododendron Garden | Exbury Gardens | New Forest, Hampshire

Yellow rhododendron | Rhododendron Garden | Exbury Gardens | New Forest, Hampshire

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3. Relaxing in the Rock Garden

Rock Garden entrance | Rhododendron Garden | Exbury Gardens | New Forest, Hampshire

Exbury's Rock Garden is one of the most historic area of the gardens - comissioned by Exbury's founder Lionel de Rothschild back in the 1920s. Over the past couple of years our gardeners have worked hard to bring this area back to its original glory, allowing visitors to see the excellent Pembrokeshire stone. At the moment, the Rock Garden is an excellent spot to sit and relax (ideally on one of the stones) and look at all the emerging rhododendrons (pictured below).

Rock Garden rhododendron white | Rhododendron Garden | Exbury Gardens | New Forest, Hampshire

Rhododendron white in Rock Garden | Rhododendron Garden | Exbury Gardens | New Forest, Hampshire

Rock Garden purple | Rhododendron Garden | Exbury Gardens | New Forest, Hampshire

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4. Vibrant red and ombre Andromedas

Andromedas | Exbury Gardens | New Forest, Hampshire
Running parallel to the Rock Garden there's a narrow moss path lined with a row of Pieris (andromedas). These create atmospheric arches over your head as you walk along. We believe that both of the plants pictured here are different varieties of Pieris Japonica, or Japanese Andromeda. Both are slightly different, with signature red or beautiful ombre leaves.