Glorious Grassses
This garden highlights the beauty, usefulness and diversity of the Grass (Graminae) family. The garden is divided into five main sections each of which feature a selection of grass species that are of major importance to humans. These are the economic crops, bamboo, turf grasses, sand dune grasses and ornamental grasses.
Either directly or indirectly all of these products are derived from grasses. They are the major food source of most civilisations throughout the world.
Wheat, barley, oats and rye are grown in temperate regions, millets, sorghum and Tef in Africa, rice in east Asia, and Maize in Central America. Wheat, rice and maize provide more than 50% of calories consumed by humans. Grasses also form the basis of extensive pasture for grazing animals, providing us with meat and dairy products. The economic section contains a selection of these grasses.
Bamboo are a major group of Graminae which are used extensively in tropical countries for furniture, food and building purposes, and have great ornamental value in the garden.
Turf grasses are often taken for granted but make a significant impact to our lives. They are also used extensively in our urban landscapes, in our parks and gardens, and are still the main surfaces on which outdoor sports are played on. Displays of different grass mixtures are grown for the public to compare.
Grasses also play a very important role in holding sand dunes together. Their roots help to bind the sand and prevent it being blown away. A sand dune beach area has been created featuring Marram grasses.
The garden also shows the ornamental use of grasses in gardens. Some of them have very attractive flower spikes, while others are grown for their coloured leaves.
As well as the plants themselves the area has been attractively landscaped and features a boardwalk running alongside the canal, large boulders and stones, a central seating area and a thatched wooden roundhouse in which you can sit and relax. Throughout the garden there are a range of interpretation boards informing visitors about the usefulness and diversity of this amazing family of plants.