BOWOOD'S famous Rhododendron Walks have opened to the public with a colourful and rare collection of azaleas and rhododendrons coming into bloom.
The garden walks a separate attraction to Bowood House and gardens are set in 60 acres of woodland and lie on a fault line created by a seam of greensand which runs for 200 miles from Lyme Regis to the Wash, taking in the edge of the Bowood Estate.
The acidic soil is perfect for the rhododendrons, which attract thousands of visitors during their six weeks or so in full flower each year.
Having had warm days, cold nights and exceptionally dry weather earlier in the year, this year's season is likely to be shorter than usual.
The plants were held back by the weather and since the rainfall a week ago, have burst into blossom to catch up with their normal flowering.
Lord Lansdowne said: "It is like a continually changing exhibition, opening with a carpet of bluebells, with huge Loderii flower trusses reaching to the skies high above. We hope all who visit will enjoy this unique display as much as those of us who live and work at Bowood."
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