True grit

Since they appeared in the 1990s, gravel gardens have grown in popularity, especially in recent years. What are the keys for success, asks Non Morris

- Non Morris

IT feels like a moment of change for the gravel garden. The Walled Garden at Knepp, West Sussex ('Doing things differently', June 26, 2024), led the way with its transformation of a flat croquet lawn into an exquisite biodiverse haven, with the plantsmen Prof James Hitchmough and Tom Stuart-Smith casting their own spells on different combinations of sand, gravel and crushed brick. Dan Pearson has followed suit, adding an inspiring sand garden to his beautiful domain in Somerset, and Sarah Price has created a dry garden in the old walled kitchen garden at her Abergavenny home in Wales, removing the topsoil and adding a mix of recycled sand, gravel and rubble to create an immersive space that dances with delicate sun-loving plants and wildflowers.