SPECTACULAR swathes of wildflowers are now in bloom at the Yorkshire Arboretum near Castle Howard,

Wild orchids, pink Ragged Robin, masses of Yellow Rattle and Ox-eye Daisies, and golden sheets of buttercups all contribute to a profusion of colour set against the backdrop of the arboretum’s internationally important collection of trees.

As well as being a glorious sight for visitors to enjoy, the meadows serve an important conservation purpose.

They’ve been created since 2012 in partnership with Buglife as part of the B-lines project, a series of ‘insect pathways’ linking together existing wildlife areas in North Yorkshire to create a network weaving across the landscape to link up areas of habitat benefitting bees, butterflies and a host of other wildlife.

Yorkshire Arboretum Director John Grimshaw said: “We’ve had a lot of feedback on the glorious displays of wildflowers in the arboretum in recent weeks.

"The newly created meadows cover some six acres and paths meander through them, enabling members and visitors to enjoy them to the fullest and get up close and personal with the wildlife they attract. "

He added: "As well as helping to make the arboretum an ever more beautiful place the meadows also enhance the site’s biodiversity, protecting fragile flora and fauna.”

The Yorkshire Arboretum is open from 10am-4pm every day from March until November. Opening hours extend to 6pm at weekends from May to October.