As the new season begins, the Five Arrows Gallery plays host to a fascinating exhibition of lachenalias, a genus of beautiful bulbous perennials native to Namibia and South Africa, often referred to as the leopard lily.
Complemented by Exbury’s orchid collection, the display also features interpretation regarding the genus lachenalia and the history of the collection at Exbury.
A genus of over 130 species, lachenalias have an exceptionally long flowering season, starting in October with some species continuing until May. Those chosen for Exbury’s exhibition will be at their very best in March, showcasing a range of stunning colours from bright oranges and yellows to pinkish-reds.
Curated by Nicholas de Rothschild, Exbury’s lachenalia collection has grown in recent years to become the UK’s most comprehensive, including the acquisition of the late Bill Squire’s National Plant Collection.
This exhibition is inspired by the long history of collecting and propagating rare and unusual plants at Exbury. The gardens’ founder, Lionel de Rothschild, collected a substantial variety of orchids during the 1920s and 30s but due to the circumstances at Exbury during WWII, the collection was largely dissipated, and then totally lost after Lionel’s death in 1942.
Around 10 years ago, the opportunity arose to build up the orchid collection whilst also adding lachenalias to the list of rare plant collections held at Exbury.
FREE with gardens admission or membership.
