Croquet Lawn

Designed for a late-season peak

The main Croquet Lawn borders are on a steep west-facing slope that is sunny and sheltered with free-draining soil. The microclimate of this area is ideal for many plants from Chile, Tasmania, New Zealand and South Africa.

These borders have been planted with species chosen from the huge range of southern hemisphere plants that are suited to a sunny, sheltered position with free draining soil, but will also cope with our generally cool, wet climate.

Geographic variations affect the characteristics of each plant group:

• Geophytic plants (bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes) from South Africa, home to more of these species than anywhere else in the world.
• Woody plants from the cooler, southerly latitudes of South America.
• Alpines from the mountainous areas of New Zealand as well as woody species from lower altitudes.

Late summer impact

The resulting mix, including Kniphofia, Dahlia and Gladiolus, produces a stimulating late summer display and a range of tender plants helps extend the period of interest.

Many of the species seen here have their origin in the smallest and richest flower kingdom - the South African fynbos, which boasts approximately 9,000 species.