In the depths of a bleak winter, a sculpturer is hoping his floral project with soon have New York back blooming again.
Thirty eight giant rose blossoms have been installed along ten blocks in Manhattan, complete with bees, ladybirds, aphids and beetles.
Brightening the place up: Thirty eight giant rose blossoms have been installed along Park Avenue in New York
Growing tall: A woman smiles as she walks past another of the installations, which come complete with bugs
Created by Will Ryman, the 'planting' of The Roses stretches along Park Avenue between 57th Street and 67th Street.
Each installation includes up to six painted roses that reach up to 25ft and the whole project cost around $1million to create.
Mr Ryman told The Epoch Times: 'With these roses I wanted to do something that was larger than life and site-specific.
'In my work, I always try to combine fantasy with reality.
'In the case of "The Roses", I tried to convey New York City's larger-than-life qualities through scale, creating blossoms which are imposing, humorous, and hopefully beautiful.'
Sitting pretty: A ladybird perches on top of a pink rose. The installation cost around $1million and will be in place until May
Flower arrangement: New York taxis drive past another of the sculptures, created by Will Ryman
Early Spring? People walk in front of the flowers, which were installed by Sunday. The roses are made from mesh, steel, bronze and PVC, among other items
They are built from plaster, wire mesh, PVC tubing, steel, fibreglass resin and brass. They weigh between 70 and 175 stone and are capable of withstanding winds of up to 120 miles an hour.
The Roses will remain in place until May.
