My birthday treat in May is a visit to the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park. At this time of the year the garden is an unbelievable riot of colours, azaleas and rhododendrons – completely over the top, it never ceases to make me smile. Established during the 1950s, the ornamental woodland garden consists of clearings, ponds and streams and is planted with ferns, exotic trees and shrubs. It’s particularly striking during spring for a wonderful display of bluebells than in April and May when the azaleas and rhododendrons put on their annual show.