Castle Howard Woodland Garden - Ray Wood

Set on the site of ancient woodland, Ray Wood is a rare combination of the planter's art and botanical science equally rewarding to the casual visitor as well as the botanist. This sylvan garden of tall trees and dappled sunlit glades holds one of the most extensive plant collections in private hands in Europe. Almost 800 species and varieties of rhododendron provide glorious colour during May and June. There are glades of pieris, wild roses, rare magnolias, hydrangeas, viburnums, maples and rowans, creating year round interest with a diversity of flower, autumn colour and fruit. There is much to see throughout the year as Ray Wood changes with the seasons. Towards the end of February the rhododendrons and some of the cherries begin to flower. While the wild rhododendrons are at their best in April and May and many of the Hybrids flower throughout June. Many Magnolias, Cornus and Snowdrop Trees' flower in June and July, and there is a large collection of wild hydrangeas, which flower, in the late summer, many of them introduced from Japan and China. During September and October Ray Wood offers a huge array of ripened fruit and berries, with superb autumn colour from many shrubs and trees appearing well into November. Find out more at www.castlehoward.co.uk