As the mist momentarily clears on the Lower Lawn, the foreground Panicum Sea Mist is brought into sharp relief and backed by the impressive branch structure of the willow oak, Quercus phellos.
Saturday 14th November saw the garden awake to a very misty morning. The garden is only about 60ft about sea level so when conditions are right the garden can be enveloped in a swirling mist that seems to bring with it a particular kind of eerie calm that can be most engaging. As the mist ebbs and flows around the garden so the different plants and areas seem to come and go as if in a silent but nonetheless choreographed stage show.
Part of the Dragon Walk looks down onto the Decennium border and its mix of pennisetum, panicum, miscanthus and molinia.Standing on the Lower Lawn and looking up to the Decennium, the border seems to emerge from the mist to offer a symphony of textures and shapes – and muted colours in myriad shades and tones of brown and beige.As the mist retreats from this part of the Decennium border so the different colours, heights and textures of the plants is revealed and set against an almost eerie but rather beautiful backdrop.The seductive compact outline of Miscanthus Cindy in the Decennium border as it emerges from the morning mist.Not to be outdone the rather taller and very elegant outline of Miscanthus Rosi arise, almost triffid like, from the swirling mist.
In the Dragon Garden, and clear of the morning mist for a moment, the warm brown autumnal hues of calamagrostis, panicum, molinia and miscanthus are nicely effective set against the heavily berried hollies.Looking down the Long Walk toward the grasses and perennials in the Decennium border with the background mist partially obscuring the mature trees growing adjacent to the Lower Lawn.The warm almost apricot brown stems and silvery upright pointing flowers of Miscanthus Red Spear, a recent Knoll Gardens selection, working beautifully in association with the luscious wine red fall foliage of Hydrangea quercifolia.As the mist lifts the silvery blue foliage of Poa labillardierei in the Dry Meadow seems beautifully partnered with the background trees and shrubs emerging form the mist.An autumnal melee of foliage and flower from the Mill End borders mix of grasses and perennials seem enhanced by the early morning light and mist.Encouraged to seed and grow wherever they feel best, the now dry flower heads of teasels are set off near perfectly by the softness of the gardens misty morning mood.
