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How Do I Design A Garden With A Mix Of Native Grasses And Herbaceous Perennials?

So, I was browsing through the internet and I stumbled upon this beautiful picture. It's a picture of Carole Drake planting something in a walled garden and I can't help but think how amazing this looks. But of course, you didn't come to hear me gush about this picture. You want to know everything about it and why it's so amazing. Let me break it down for you:

The Walled Garden

Firstly, let's talk about the walled garden. For those of you who don't know, a walled garden is essentially a garden that is enclosed by walls - usually brick or stone. These gardens were popular back in the Victorian era and were used to grow all sorts of fruits and vegetables, as well as flowers and other decorative plants.

Now, the reason why I find this particular walled garden so amazing is because of how well-maintained it is. The grass is perfectly mowed, the plants are all healthy and thriving, and everything just looks so neat and tidy.

The Grasses

As you can see from the picture, Carole is planting some grasses in the garden. Grasses are a popular choice for gardens because they're relatively low-maintenance and provide a nice texture and structure to the garden.

But what I find interesting about the grasses in this particular garden is the variety. There are different types of grasses planted together - some are tall and wispy, while others are shorter and more structured. This creates a nice contrast and adds some visual interest to the garden.

The Late Planting

Another thing that caught my eye in this picture is the fact that Carole is planting these grasses quite late in the year. Typically, you would want to plant grasses in the spring or early summer so that they have time to establish themselves before the colder months set in.

However, it looks like Carole is planting these grasses in the fall, which means they won't have much time to get established before winter arrives. This is a bit risky, but it also shows that Carole is confident in her gardening skills and willing to take a chance.

The Mixes

Lastly, let's talk about the mix of grasses and other plants in the garden. As you can see from the picture, there are other plants growing alongside the grasses - some tall and spiky, others with big, round leaves.

This mix of plants creates a nice balance and adds some visual interest to the garden. It also helps to attract different types of insects and birds, which is always a good thing for a garden.

Overall, I think this picture is a great example of a well-maintained, thoughtfully designed garden. Carole has done a great job of mixing different plant types, textures, and structures to create a beautiful and functional space. And who knows, maybe those late-planted grasses will surprise us all and grow into something even more amazing.

This garden was planted in 2009. Lots of ornamental grasses and prairie
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