Princess Michael of Kent visited Exbury Gardens in the New Forest this week – and had a rhododendron named in her honour. Prince and Princess Michael toured Exbury, just coming into full bloom, as guests of Lionel de Rothschild, whose family founded the world-famous Gardens more than 90 years ago.

They were shown around by head gardener John Anderson. The rhododendron, a peachy cream large-flowered variety, was a hybrid made by Edmund de Rothschild, who, sadly, died in 2009. It has remained unnamed until now.

Prince Michael followed Royal tradition of planting a tree, a Liquidamber orientalis, close to the main drive. He enjoyed a ride on the footplate of Mariloo, the Exbury Gardens Railway steam locomotive, named by Her Majesty the Queen in 2008. Princess Michael was delighted with the new rhododendron. “I’m looking forward to having one of these beautiful plants in my courtyard garden,” she said.

To see flowering conditions at Exbury, please visit www.exbury.co.uk