Knoll Gardens, one of Britain’s leading suppliers of ornamental grasses, has announced it is building on its successful events programme in 2010 with new masterclasses in Naturalistic Gardening.

Knoll's owner, Neil Lucas, will be offering the Masterclassses in Naturalistic Gardening in addition to the garden's well established programme of Ornamental Grass Masterclasses.

The new Masterclasses are logical extensions of Knoll's work with ornamental grasses and have been developed as a result of the extensive planting within the four-acre Dorset show garden.

Initially planted for their year-round beauty, minimal maintenance and choice of plant for virtually any situation, it quickly became apparent that grasses offer an easy naturalistic style and also make a huge contribution to a genuinely sustainable garden.

Neil is enthusiastic about the new Masterclasses: "This is the first time we have offered our accumulated knowledge in this way. It is an opportunity to learn at first hand the principles that guide our naturalistic planting and gardening style and gain an overview to help you develop your own environmentally friendly garden."

Knoll Gardens have championed the naturalistic style of gardening in the UK for many years. Last year Neil launched the Knoll Gardens Foundation at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The Foundation takes the Knoll remit a step further researching, promoting and disseminating a practical, sustainable gardening ethos for horticulture and garden design available to both the professional and domestic gardener. Part of that ethos is to develop educational ‘outreach’ programmes through workshops, courses and lectures both on site and at other venues.

At Knoll Gardens all Masterclasses are led personally by Neil and centered on a tour of the garden. Details of classes are available by logging onto: www.knollgardens.co.uk and are also listed in the Reckless Gardener Events Calendar.

(Photographs are copyright of Knoll Gardens)