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Knoll Gardens

A unique, naturalistic and calming garden, renowned for its whispering ornamental grasses, it also surprises and delights with an abundance of show-stopping flowering perennials. A stunning backdrop of trees and shrubs add drama to this wildlife and environmentally-friendly garden. On site nursery selling quality plants, with expert advice readily available.

Owner Info

Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens

About Knoll Gardens

Knoll Gardens is known for its spectacular plantings of ornamental grasses, yet when owner Neil Lucas arrived 25+ years ago it was the wonderful woody shrubs and rare trees that attracted him to this secluded Dorset garden. Over the years he has created a stunning naturalistic garden that thrives in our ever-changing climate and being low maintenance, is environmentally friendly too. The grasses now undoubtedly steal the show, as well as providing a fabulous foil for colourful, tall perennials.

Neil’s informal plantings create a calming and mood-enhancing garden. Grasses appear to flow alongside winding paths and tumble over borders to provide a layered transparency to this seemingly natural space, forming a wonderfully immersive garden based on the way plants co-exist in the wild. Height and further interest come from the mini arboretum of rare and unusual trees that also provides further habitat for Knoll’s wildlife.

Based in the garden, the Knoll Gardens Foundation charity works to better understand the relationship between the naturalistic planting style and its benefits to wildlife. The Foundation delivers a structured programme of walks, workshops and educational events encouraging visitors to get involved. The Foundation carries out regular wildlife surveys and the data collected, as well as being shared with local wildlife organisations, helps to shape future plans for the gardens.

Neil is the UK’s leading authority on ornamental grasses and his planting style, centred on the principal of ‘right plant right place’, is central to the garden’s continuing development. The dry meadows and rain garden, shady beds, sunny borders and gravel garden all provide practical planting ideas and welcome insight into using the right plants that will cope and thrive in challenging conditions. In 2023 the garden surrounding the Dragon Pond, with its resplendent dragon sculpture, was replanted in the prairie style.

Renowned for its grasses, Knoll’s Chelsea Gold Medal-winning nursery offers planting advice, and the website lists year-round events and practical information to help you recreate Knoll’s relaxed style and bring a flavour of the natural world into your own garden. A year-round events programme includes grass masterclasses, naturalistic design workshops and creative workshops. Events are bookable online at knollgardens.co.uk.

Website:

https://www.knollgardens.co.uk

Knoll Gardens features

Location details

Knoll Gardens,
Wimborne,
Dorset,
BH21 7ND

Directions to Knoll Gardens
Brown tourist signs from all directions, inc from A31. Car park on site.

Knoll Gardens openings

This garden has now completed its National Garden Scheme openings for this year.

Accessibility

  • Some slopes. Various surfaces inc gravel, paving, grass and bark.
  • Share this garden

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FAQs

Payment is by cash only. Please get in touch with the owners for more details.

Yes, coaches are accepted at Knoll Gardens. Please get in touch with the owners for details.

Sorry, no dogs are allowed in the garden at this time.

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at Knoll Gardens, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Yes, one or more routes at Knoll Gardens are accessible to wheelchair users.

Yes. Knoll Gardens seeks to offer a sustainable refuge for nearby fauna and wildlife. These sanctuaries host diverse habitats supporting indigenous flora and fauna and nurturing local biodiversity.