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.

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Becoming a member of The Plant Library grants you access to the database. Other benefits include free drop-in visits to The Plant Library every Friday afternoon, priority access to events at The Apple House, priority access to seasonal guided tours and subscription to newsletters from The Plant Library.

Talks
Jonny Bruce in conversation with Tom Stuart-Smith on The Field Nursery: Setting Up an Organic Plant Nursery
The Apple House, Sergehill Lane, Bedmond, Hertfordshire WD5 0RZ
Tuesday 7 October, 2025, 6pm-8pm

Alongside training at Great Dixter and four years working at the renowned nursery De Hessenhof with Hans and Miranda Kramer in the Netherlands, gardener and writer Jonny Bruce has also been the sole gardener at Derek Jarman’s Prospect Cottage, situated on the shingle beach at Dungeness, since 2018.

Join us in the Apple House for an evening of inspiring horticultural conversation as Jonny talks to Tom Stuart-Smith about his current project, setting up a perennial nursery in the heart of the Cotswolds.

In August 2024 work began in earnest on a field near the village of Siddington, just south of Cirencester. These few acres of field, pond and mixed woodland represent the culmination of a long held dream to start an organic plant nursery.

Jonny was inspired by traditional nurseries, such as the one at Dixter where he had trained, but it was his time with the Kramer's at De Hessenhof which convinced him that he should start his own.

It was clear that there was something fundamentally wrong with the industrial nursery model and its mass production of often poor quality and environmentally unsustainable material. Traditional nurseries, once such a familiar part of Britain's physical and cultural landscape have been closing down, despite providing a much-needed antidote to this fast fashion approach as well as offering learning opportunities for a new wave of people many of whom discovered the joy of gardening during lockdown.

Hosted in The Apple House eco-barn, in an old orchard, guests can explore Tom Stuart-Smith’s Plant Library of over 2000 herbaceous perennials and bulbs ahead of the talk and enjoy a drink while they do so.

Information

About Jonny Bruce

In 2013 Jonny Bruce graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in Art History before becoming immersed in the world of horticulture. A preliminary year at Aberglasney Gardens in Wales was followed by two years as the Christopher Lloyd Scholar at Great Dixter, in Sussex. Subsequently Jonny spent four years at the renowned nursery De Hessenhof with Hans and Miranda Kramer in the Netherlands. Since returning to England in 2020, Jonny has enjoyed working independently but also alongside numerous high-profile designers including Dan Pearson, Arne Maynard and Luciano Giubbilei. Since 2018 Jonny has also been the sole gardener at Derek Jarman’s Prospect Cottage, situated on the shingle beach at Dungeness.

Further event information

Accessibility

Accessible parking for those who require it is available at the entry to 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. Please be aware that due to the ongoing building works around the Apple House, there may be additional hazards to look out for.

Parking

Parking is limited so please car-share or use public transport wherever possible. Details of how to find us are here.


If you arrive by car, as you turn into Featherbed Lane, the gravel lane off Sergehill Lane, please drive all the way to the end of the lane, and park in the field as signposted. Please do not park in residents only bays which are along Featherbed Lane.

Please note this event will be recorded.