New sculptures help bring exotic gardens into blossom

The 20 acre-gardens, at Grewelthorpe, near Ripon, which are widely considered to have the North’s largest collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias, have become home for 70 new sculptures in readiness for the beginning of the 2011 spring season tomorrow morning.

The new pieces, by both well-known and upcoming artists, include a dramatic 9ft swift by Hamish Mackie and a standing hare by Christopher Marvell.

Owner Peter Roberts said: “As we are opening for Easter, we have added more contemporary sculptures to the permanent exhibition and so there is plenty to see in addition to the gardens.”

The gardens – a Yorkshire rural awards winner in 2009 – have more than 1,000 different varieties of species and hybrid rhododendrons, 250 azalea varieties and 170 different magnolias.

The exotic collection includes rare flowers from Northern India, South Korea and Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California.

The gardens will be open from tomorrow until to June 12 between 10am and 4pm, admission costs £6 and is free for children under 12.