The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity, and Health, is a not-for-profit initiative based on the understanding that working with nature can radically transform people’s health and wellbeing. The aim is to foster community inclusion through gardening and other forms of creativity.
Join us for the first garden visit of the year to explore The Plant Library of over 2,000 species of perennials and bulbs as well as Tom and Sue Stuart-Smith’s Barn Garden as they burst into bloom for Spring.
The Plant Library is a living catalogue of perennials and bulbs and this early Spring opening gives you the first glance at many of its 500 bulbs surrounded by emerging foliage. Expect to see a range of species Tulips, Daffodils, Scilla, Fritillaria, Anemone, Pulsatilla and more.
The Barn Garden includes an enclosed courtyard with corten water tanks, the west garden with large areas of herbaceous planting in a formal frame of yew and hornbeam hedges, the vegetable garden, meadow, wildlife pond and prairie. In Spring, the wildflower meadow is carpeted with narcissus and cowslips. In April there are Magnolias and white narcissus throughout the west garden and lots of tulips. Later in April there are a variety of species Malus which make a beautiful show.
The Plant Library and The Barn Garden will be open to visit between 10.00am–1.00pm, with refreshments and seasonal site baked cakes available to enjoy within The Apple House (available by pre-order only).
Pop-up plant sales will be hosted by The Plant Library team and Sunnyside Rural Trust’s Orchard nursery, providing the opportunity to take home distinctive and unusual plants grown from The Plant Library stock.
All profits from ticket and refreshment sales goes directly to support the work of our not-for-profit, The Serge Hill Project for Gardening Creativity and Health, which provides therapeutic and educational programmes to local schools, charities and community groups most in need.
Tickets are limited to only 50 per garden visit, meaning you can enjoy the tranquility of the gardens with only a small number of other visitors.
Photo Credit: Marianne Majerus
‘Gardening is unique amongst the creative therapies in drawing on the power of nature’s growth and in the extent to which it brings together the emotional, physical, social, vocational and spiritual aspects of life.
Some of the benefits of gardening derive from the focus on caring for plants, others from the direct influence of green nature on our nervous systems. The safe green space of a garden is calming which reduces stress and helps promote human connection.’
— Sue Stuart-Smith
Support Us
At a time when the therapeutic benefits of horticulture are so clear and cuts to social care are so common, this project will provide a space to heal. We envisage the development of the community garden as a whole team effort, with designers and volunteers coming together to create a space that will help people experience the mental and physical health and wellbeing benefits of gardens and gardening.
Explore The Plant Library
Members of The Plant Library have access to a database of more than 1500 different varieties of mainly herbaceous plants. This is a unique and extensive educational and well-being resource for anyone interested in plants and planting design.