Leitmotif

Although it was not originally really a conscious element of the  garden's design I have really embraced the idea of having a recurring theme that ties together the different rooms. The use of the black grasses as a leitmotif does give the whole garden some coherence. Their correct full name is ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'

The first of our black grasses where planted at the front of the grass border, they are intended to make a clear definition of where the lawn ends and the border begins. However, because they did so well and they help to set off other plants they have gradually been incorporated into other beds around the garden.

pot on steps leading to front door

It has now reached the point where all the parts of the garden must have (even if quite inconspicuously) some of these special little plants.The black grasses are small, easy to grow, clump-forming evergreen perennials. Although not truly black, they have very dark inky purple, grass-like leaves. In summer, small spikes of bell-shaped, pale mauve flowers appear, followed by spherical, dark blue fruit. This unusual plant looks fantastic with other grasses, especially if  planted into gravel, and it provides a brilliant contrast with so many other plants in the garden. I have used them to pleasing effect in numerous tubs and pots.

It is because it grows from short rhizomes from which the tufts of grass like leaves develop, that it is very easy to propagate. All our black grass has come from just a few specimens. It is native to Japan, where it grows on open and forested slopes so is plainly suited to our climate.