Soft Grasses

By August, the garden has a more relaxed feel. The structure is still clear, but planting is in a softer, late‑summer phase.

Perennials and grasses coming into their own 

The herbaceous and woody perennials continue to earn their place, with plants like lavender, Perovskia, Nepeta and Gaura often flowering well into late summer. Eryngium holds its spiky, architectural shape, drawing questions from visitors who want to know what it is. Ornamental grasses build volume and movement, picking up every breeze that comes across the rooftop. Wisteria has “a less pronounced second flowering”, but the main effect now is its shade and greenery.

What to look for 

– Soft, hazy runs of blue, purple and white along key beds  

– Eryngium and other structural plants standing out among looser growth  

– Grasses starting to define areas that will carry interest into autumn and winter  

Why visit in August: enjoy a calmer, more relaxed garden with plenty still in flower.