Grass Garden in Dorset Shows Versatility in Transforming from Popular Destination to Exclusive Nursery (Knoll)
Knoll Gardens: A Haven for Grasses and Sustainable Garden Design
Nestled in the picturesque county of Dorset lies Knoll Gardens, a sustainable and naturalistic garden that has transformed the traditional botanic tourist attraction into a series of habitats where hundreds of grasses blend naturally with perennials, bulbs, shrubs, and mature specimen trees.
At the helm of this grassy oasis is Neil Lucas, a nuryman and grass specialist who has been managing Knoll Gardens since 1994. Mr. Lucas categorizes grasses into broad groups: Pennisetum make rounded, solid domes, Panicum have tiny flowers in large quantities, Miscanthus are tall with fluffier plumes, and Calamagrostis are stiffer.
One of the unique features of Knoll Gardens is its masterclass in the adaptability of grasses, emphasizing their versatility across different soil types and environmental conditions. The garden is laid out as a series of naturalistic habitats instead of formal beds, integrating grasses with various plants to create a wild, evolving texture and appearance.
The presence of mature specimen trees, including an original arboretum from the 1970s, adds a touch of elegance to the garden. Species such as willow oaks, Quercus phellos, Eucryphia x nymansensis, eucalyptus, and ginkgos can be found throughout the garden.
Knoll Gardens also boasts a nursery specializing in grasses, providing expert advice and plant material to visitors interested in sustainable garden design based on grasses' adaptability.
In spring, new shoots form a vibrant green tapestry across the garden, providing a fresh backdrop to summer perennials. Grasses take center stage in autumn for their vivid displays before fading into soft shades of caramel, toffee, silver, biscuit, and ivory. A rolling succession of grasses can be planned, with early-season grasses like Stipa calamagrostis 'Algäu' having seedheads in August, while molinias are just starting.
The Dragon Garden, replanted in a prairie style, is a prominent feature of Knoll Gardens. It showcases tall grasses and perennials such as Miscanthus, Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks', Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Fat Domino', Stipa gigantea, Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Black Arrow', and Panicum amarum 'Sea Mist'.
Other gardens within Knoll Gardens include the Gravel Garden with Poa labillardierei, Scabiosa columbaria, and Oenothera lindheimeri, and the Stream Garden with libertia, sanguisorba, Panicum virgatum 'Blue Steel', Deschampsia cespitosa, and Acorus gramineus 'Ōgon'. The garden also features plentiful smaller trees and shrubs, such as spindles, fuchsias, crimson acers, and Itea ilicifolia.
Visitors to Knoll Gardens can explore the gardens and gain inspiration for their own sustainable garden designs, while also learning about the adaptability and versatility of grasses. The staff at Knoll Gardens are knowledgeable and answer dozens of questions a day via email or phone. The garden's website also provides a picture gallery for each part of the garden throughout the year, with recommendations for specific conditions and light.
In summary, Knoll Gardens is defined by its integration of diverse grasses into naturalistic habitats, focus on sustainability, and mature tree specimens, making it unique among English gardens for showcasing the aesthetic and ecological potential of grasses in garden design.
[1] Source: [Link to the original feature on Knoll Gardens' website]
- By showcasing diverse grasses in naturalistic habitats and integrating them with various plants, Knoll Gardens offers a prime example of how lifestyle choices, such as sustainable garden design, can blend fashion-and-beauty with home-and-garden to create an evolving, wild, and aesthetically pleasing living space.
- In addition to hosting unique grass species, Knoll Gardens also boasts a nursery specializing in home-and-garden essentials like perennials, shrubs, and mature specimen trees, offering plant materials and expert advice to promote diverse, sustainable, and eco-friendly home-and-garden lifestyles.
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