One of Hampshire’s most famous gardens is a riot of colour at this time of the year.

Exbury, the 200-acre woodland garden on the banks of the Beaulieu River, is a feast for the eye during May as its world renowned collections of azaleas and rhododendrons burst into full bloom. It’s not only a visual treat as the air is filled with heady fragrances.

Apart from the azaleas and rhododendrons, the latter half of May will see another plant turning heads.

Head gardener John Anderson is urging visitors should make a bee-line for the Sundial Garden to appreciate a magnificent Macrobotrys floribunda wisteria, entwined around a stone arbour.

"At this time of year, our wisteria are a must-see," said John.

Lionel de Rothschild who founded the Gardens was a lover of wisteria and planted a number of the climbers. Today, nearly 100 years on, visitors have to look upwards to see the blooms, many of which will flower some 100ft in the air, intertwined with branches of oak trees some visitors miss them as they are so high up.

One of Exbury’s finest wisteria can be viewed from the comfort of the steam railway which winds its way into the American Garden – full of laburnum and late flowering American hybrid rhododendrons at this time of year.

Close to the track is an ancient yew tree, with a wisteria which almost covers its host tree and climbs into an oak tree beyond.

Railway foreman Ian Wilson says that his passengers get off the train at this point to take photos. "No-one has seen anything quite like this. The wisteria effectively acts as a curtain – a sea of blue against the green of the yew and oak. You can hear the murmur of approval from visitors and the clicking of camera shutters!" he said.

During May Exbury runs guided tours, Azalea Ambles. Call the gardens’ box office on 023 8024 5750 for more details.