A RANGE of gardens will be open exclusively for the Yorkshire Arboretum to help raise funds for new plantings.

The 13 gardens will offer a chance to see a diverse range of horticultural styles and plants between April and September.

Arboretum director Dr John Grimshaw said: “With season tickets allowing entry to all gardens costing only £20 this is a unique opportunity to enjoy some great examples of Yorkshire horticulture. Last year’s open garden scheme has enabled our volunteers to plant over 350 specimens in a new woodland garden this spring and we hope to raise funds for many more this season.

“Last year’s open garden scheme has enabled our volunteers to plant more than 350 specimens in a new woodland garden this spring and we hope to raise funds for many more this season.”

The first garden to visit is Friars Hill in Sinnington which Win and James Baldwin will be opening from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on Sunday, April, 8.

Professor Alastair Fitter, chairman of trustees, said: "I am looking forward to attending the opening and seeing the great numbers of daffodils, fritillaries and other early flowering gems."

Season tickets for all the gardens or individual day tickets, priced £5, are available from the Arboretum and at participating gardens on the day.

Funds generated by the scheme will support new plantings of ornamental trees and shrubs at the 120-acre site near Castle Howard. The arboretum and café are open to visitors every day and has a packed programme of things to do throughout the year.

Visit yorkshirearboretum.org