Seeing these two images of Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ side by side illustrates the change weather can play on plants. Walking around the garden on a wet morning the lustre on the foliage of the black strap leaves of Ophiopogon sets the plant apart from other ground flora. Yet, on a dry day the lustre is lost and a much more muted appearance is observed. A multitude of these plants grow through the Hornbeam hedges within the Queen Mothers Memorial Garden. Thriving in dense shade they have water holding vessels on their roots adapting to these extremely dry conditions. Get out of the comfort zone on these short days; take a walk on a wet day to appreciate the hidden depths of the garden.