Join us for the final garden opening of the year, to explore two large country gardens within a short walk of each other: The Plant Library of over 2,000 species of perennials and bulbs and Tom and Sue Stuart-Smith’s Barn Garden.
The Plant Library is a living catalogue of perennials and bulbs and this final, autumn opening will showcase many of the 2000 species in their peak mid-season splendour including Aconitum, Amsonia, Symphotrichum, Anaphalis, Tricyrtis, Strobilanthes, Hesperantha, Agastache, Salvias, Persicaria, Ligularia, Caryopteris, Ceratostigma, a vast range of ornamental grasses including Miscanthus, Stipa, Pennisetum, Acantherum, Oloptum, Calamagrostis, Anthropogon, Sorghastrum, Pancium, Molinia and many, many 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 autumn the prairie hits its peak and is bursting with colour. A wide range of plants including Symphyotrichum, Silphium, Euphorbia corollata, Rudbeckia, Pycnanthemum, Solidago and Coreopsis. Various shrubs such as Cotinus and Aronia start to colour and in the rest of the garden grasses, Actaea, Asters and Sedums are especially apparent.
The Plant Library and The Barn Garden will be open to visit between 10.00am–1.00pm.
All profits from ticket ales 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: Jason Ingram
Visitor Information
The gardens are open from 10am–1pm, and it usually takes around two hours to walk around The Barn Garden and The Plant Library. Please note that it is possible to pre-book tea, coffee and cake to enjoy during your visit.
Parking onsite is limited so please car-share or come by public transport wherever possible.
Please note this is a no smoking and no vaping site.
Accessibility
Accessible parking for those who require it is available directly outside The Apple House. There is step-free access to the building and all areas. However, there are many potential trip hazards and uneven surfaces that may be encountered whilst visiting the gardens, along with gravel paths that aren’t suitable for walking frames with wheels.
The gardens are extensive so there’s a lot of ground to cover. Please be aware that due to the ongoing building works around the Orchard, there may be additional hazards to look out for.
We have a mobility scooter available for use. If you would like to reserve it, please contact info@sergehillproject.co.uk