Nicky’s Field

Centred on Quercus sessiliflora, the western oak, planted for my brother Nicholas Shand. There are 50 beds, each containing one variety of ornamental grass or sedge.

Wide grass paths criss cross between them enabling the particular form and habit of each variety to be appreciated. Listen also. The wind and the grasses between them make music here.

Bennet Smith

Essentially a midsummer to winter garden. The beds here are each 4 x 8m laid out geometrically. Most of the grasses are cut down in March leaving the evergreen ones to be tended. Gradually they grow, many 6’ or more some to 10’ in height. I recommend children of all ages to get in amongst the Miscanthus x giganteus for a little jungle fantasy! Another excellent pastime here is to lie flat on your back on the grass, feel the plants towering around you and listen for the subtly different notes produced by their movement in the wind. Come late summer, when the sun starts to lower in the sky the light shines through them as well as glinting and bouncing off the larger blades. To the left of the path to the bridge is a triangular spring meadow with pheasants eye Narcissus poeticus, white and cream Camassia, Lychnis flos-cuculi (Ragged Robin) and Cardamine pratensis (Ladys Smock or is it Cuckoo Flower).

Bennet Smith