BAFFLEDd gardeners are officially extending spring to make the most of late blooming blossoms.

The Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park at Grewelthorpe, near Masham , which specialises in rhododendrons and azaleas usually only opens from mid April to mid June.

However, this year horrendous weather early in the season has pushed everything back so they’re now planning to keep the gardens open until June 23.

Gardener Hannah Wilson said: “I reckon we’re around three weeks behind overall.

"I don’t believe we have ever opened later before ,which just goes to show how unusual this spring has been.

“What makes it even more baffling is last year we had a really early spring, so the garden was almost finished by this time of the year.

"This season it’s just starting to reach its peak, they reckon it’s the latest spring for 30 years and we can quite believe it.

"That is why we are extending our opening, to give people a chance to see the garden at its absolute best.

“We have 1,400 rhododendron varieties, along with 250 types of azaleas and 150 varieties of different magnolias, and they really are starting to look fabulous."

The gardens which also have a big range of sculptures have taken delivery of a new pagoda or Ting as it is traditionally known. It was made in Bali , based on an ancient Chinese design.

Rhododendrons from the garden recently scooped five first prizes at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Late Rhododendron competition held at Harlow Carr at Harrogate.

The garden is open every day but Monday, for more information go to www.himalayangarden.com