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Garden Name: Knoll Gardens & Nursery
Last Modified: 12/01/2011
Garden ID: 0018

pic: 0018_Knoll.jpg

Owner: Mr. Neil Lucas
Address:
Hampreston
Wimborne Minster

Postcode: BH21 7ND
County: Dorset

tel: 01202-873931
fax: 01202-870842
website: www.knollgardens.co.uk
email: enquiries {at} knollgardens.co.uk

Features: 
Large modern collection of grasses set amongst many perennials and mature trees and shrubs.
Popular Grass Masterclasses run by Neil Lucas on 15th and 24th September and 6th and 13th October. These take 2-3 hours and include a cream tea (£30). See website for details.
Book by tel 01202 873931 or online

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
Tues to Sat - 10.00am - 5.00pm (4pm Nov - March). Last entry to garden 30 mins before closing.
Closed Sundays and Mondays except Bank Holidays.
Also open Sundays in September and October.
Closed 18th Dec 2011, reopening 1st Feb 2012.
We regret that in periods of adverse weather such as high winds, severe frost, or extreme rain the garden may be closed for safety reasons.

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
June onwards.

To see: 
Grasses and perennials.

National Collection: 
Deciduous Ceanothus and Phygelius and Pennisetum

National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Adult £5.50 Child (5-15) £4; Concessions £4.75; Group rate (min. 12 people) £4.50pp
Disabled person + helper - £1 off each category.

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: No
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: No
Teas: No
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: No
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: No
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
Chelsea Gold Medallist for each of the past nine years. Mail order/website service for nursery plants.


Designer: 
Description of Garden:
Hidden away in a quiet corner of East Dorset is the garden of internationally acclaimed plantsman, Neil Lucas. As the UK's leading authority on ornamental grasses, Knoll is the showcase for Neil's naturalistic style which includes plantings of some of the most exciting and varied selections in the country.

Strolling around this secluded four-acre garden you'll discover rare and unusual trees and shrubs, quiet places of contemplation and dramatic focal points, from the fabulous Dragon Garden to the glorious grassy Decennium Border.

With over 5,000 plant species, including many rare and native varieties, this is not a garden that is set in time. Knoll is constantly evolving, celebrating a way of gardening that welcomes wildlife, encourages true sustainability and has year-round beauty as a direct result of its guiding principles.


History: 
The garden is of comparatively recent vintage as it was only in the early 1970's that Mr and Mrs John May began planting on what was then a carrot field and semi-wooded overgrown area of scrub. Thanks to their hard work and enthusiasm the collection of plants increased rapidly and the garden became known as 'Wimborne Botanic Garden'. In 1988 the garden was acquired by Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Martin who were responsible for the water and formal gardens.

In early 1994 the gardens came into the care of the current owner, Neil Lucas who has carried out a major refurbishment, adding many interesting and unusual plants and developing the gardens current naturalistic style.
The garden's name was changed to 'Knoll Gardens' to reflect the name of the 'Knoll' nursery that existed before it

Local Inns: 
Old Thatch - half mile (lunches -01202 877192)

Accomodation: 
Ashton Lodge, Wimborne Minster

Restaurants: 
Littlemoors Farm Shop/Haybarn Coffee Shop (quarter mile 01202 891489

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Wimborne
Ferndown
New Forest