The Piet Odulf Field in Somerset

At the end of September, Ru and I visited the Piet Oudolf field in Somerset at the Hauser and Wirth Gallery in Bruton. It was a grey day with a flat light, but still the garden was striking. We came at a great time of year to experience and see the benefits of Oudolf's signature planting style. He creates planting plans with bold blocks of colour, almost like colour field painting, the space is curated by colour and form. 

I loved the distinct layers of colours that can be seen as you look out over the planted space, the view is not obstructed so you can see both the large sections of plants in the foreground as well as the effect of translucent layers meeting in the  distance.

After visiting the field I came across words on Oudolf's work by Lulu Urquhart, 'Piet's legendary style embraces diversity, seasonality and an allowance of the late summer border to stand long into winter, so that time and winter frosts an take hold of decaying plant forms...' (House and Garden, Oct 2024)

Oudolf carefully chooses plants that 'die' well, plants that hold their form after their flowering season is over. Plants are chosen that continue to add beauty for many months longer than gardeners historically allow. September was a great time to visits as many of the plants have late flowering interest so that colour choices when the plants are in bloom can be enjoyed, I would love to visit again in Winter to see how the beautiful forms capture the winter and light and water droplets.