Spring has sprung early at Exbury Gardens thanks to the recent wet and warm weather.

Visitors to the popular New Forest location, opening today, can see the display of spring blooms three weeks earlier than anticipated.

Influenced by the mild and damp weather, the garden’s camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and daffodils are already showcasing their colours. Usually, these flowers don't blossom until later in March.

Exbury's daffodil meadow and the river of gold, a walkway adorned with more than 100,000 yellow and blue spring bulbs, are also expected to burst into colour with the early start of the season.

Also within the gardens are 600 different types of camellia, 6,400 rhododendron cultivars, and hundreds of magnolias.

Daily Echo: Gardener Adam Brook and head gardener Tom ClarkeGardener Adam Brook and head gardener Tom Clarke (Image: Exbury Gardens)

Head gardener Tom Clarke said: "It looks set to be a great, and early, spring at Exbury. Our rare plant collections were already covered in lots of buds as it was so damp last summer and autumn.

"And with the high rainfall continuing over the winter, along with the lack of really cold weather, it seems we’re going to have a fantastic start to the flowering season as many are already in bloom."

Visitors can also enjoy the indoor display of leopard lilies and orchids housed in the Five Arrows Gallery. Admission to the exhibition is included within the garden entry cost.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the picturesque Azalea Bowl, the location of numerous marriage proposals and potentially the most photographed spot in Exbury.

To honour this anniversary, the gardens will offer azalea-themed guided tours and a commemorative photo page on Exbury’s website, featuring visitors' memories captured in the Azalea Bowl.

Other highlights at Exbury include half-price entry for mums on Mother’s Day, a children’s art exhibition in June to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and half-price entry for dads on Father’s Day. 

July will host Dragonfly Week, featuring expert-led walks and talks centred around Exbury's dragonfly pond, while August and September sees a spotlight on hydrangeas and a host of garden games for younger visitors.