Photography by Jim Powell, for Gardenista.
Behind a wide, heavy wooden door on Fleet Street, a small courtyard with a collegiate atmosphere has been minding its own business for hundreds of years.
Hare Court, in London EC4. A gated lane separates this woodland garden from the Round Church, built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century.
The Great Fire of London was halted at the Temple.
“I work with the framework,” she says.
The sculpture by Tanya Russell is called “Justice.”
The sunniest part of the garden requires a different approach. Plants that thrive here out in the open are a sequence of grasses, Pennisetum ‘Tall Tails’, Calimagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’, and Stipa gigantea.
The newer design includes a meandering brick path and extra seating, which is why the garden is now inhabited, instead of only providing a way of getting from A to B.
Gravel has been left alone around the perimeter of the garden or rather, it has been shifted there specifically, having dominated the space. Because these building require some maintenance, scaffolding is never far away, and the space around the buildings has been left clear.
In winter, Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ and the surrounding grasses will be left alone through most of the winter, for structure.
A loose hedge of scented Sarcococca ruscifolia restores a bit of order along the dark side of the courtyard.