Family now tending 20,000 plants across Yorkshire's 45-acre Himalayan Gardens

A riot of colour is bursting into bloom in rural Yorkshire, with one family now working all out to keep the North’s largest collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias in check.

Grewelthorpe’s Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, dubbed a “slice of heaven” by patron Joanna Lumley, would normally have opened its gates to visitors at the start of April.

But with its staff of six in the gardens now furloughed, Will Roberts has found himself rather more busy in the gardens than usual, caring for its 45 acres and 20,000 plants at the height of spring.

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“It’s such a shame that everybody is missing out on such a cracking year,” said Mr Roberts, whose parents Peter and Caroline Roberts created the gardens before forming the charitable trust to open them up to the public, The Hutts Foundation.

Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, Ripon. Pictured Will Roberts tending to the gardens. Images by Gerard Binks, May 2020, video compiled before the lockdown.Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, Ripon. Pictured Will Roberts tending to the gardens. Images by Gerard Binks, May 2020, video compiled before the lockdown.
Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, Ripon. Pictured Will Roberts tending to the gardens. Images by Gerard Binks, May 2020, video compiled before the lockdown.

“As a family, we’re keeping on top of it. Watering, before the heavens opened last week, planting, and of course grass cutting.

“It’s just myself and my wife, and the children when we can. It’s been keeping us very busy indeed.”

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There are 20,000 plants including some 1,400 rhododendron varieties, 250 azalea varieties and 150 different magnolias, as well as wildflower meadows.

Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, Ripon. Images by Gerard Binks, May 2020.Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, Ripon. Images by Gerard Binks, May 2020.
Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, Ripon. Images by Gerard Binks, May 2020.
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While exhibitions are on hold, Mr Roberts is sharing updates on the garden’s social media, and said the plants are particularly stunning this year, and the garden’s three areas of wild meadow will bloom through the summer.

“It’s just a beautiful place, whether you’re enjoying the rhododendrons and azaleas or it’s just a stunning day out,” he said. “The blossom has been amazing this year, as have the magnolias. We’re about a week off what we’re known for, with the rhododendrons and azaleas.”

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Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, Ripon. Images by Gerard Binks, May 2020.Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, Ripon. Images by Gerard Binks, May 2020.
Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, Ripon. Images by Gerard Binks, May 2020.
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