Tickets go on sale on general sale Sunday 21 December 2025.
The Serge Hill Project's three-part Planting Design Course in collaboration with Garden Masterclass returns for a second year and runs across three seasons and three sessions, on 29 April 2026, 8 July 2026, 30 September 2026 with an online session.
Over the full course, participants will be given a choice of four different sites in Tom and Sue Stuart-Smith’s The Barn Garden to redesign and create planting plans with the opportunity to research site conditions and develop personal plant combinations.
Throughout the course, participants will:
- Gain an introduction to planting design theory and be shown different approaches to planting design techniques from Tom Stuart-Smith Studio Landscape Architect, Mattis Köpe and Annie Guilfoyle
- Learn about plant competition and tackling plant combinations with an online session from Noel Kingsbury
- Explore The Plant Library of over 2000 perennials and bulbs with Head Gardener Millie Souter, exploring seasonal changes and discovering a range of new plants for varying conditions, creating planting and plant combination lists
- Discover a range of planting conditions across The Barn Garden, including the Prairie and perennial borders, vegetable garden with talks from Tom Stuart-Smith and head gardener Derek Hunter
- Redesign 3 areas of the garden creating concepts, planting plans and plant lists before a final presentation of one of them to the group and tutors on 30 September.
- Gain free Plant Library membership for the 6 months of the course and an official certificate of completion for those who attend all sessions and present their work
“The course was an incredibly inspiring experience. The collective minds and ideas of the lecturers and other students offered such a great wealth of knowledge. The plant library itself is a veritable treasure trove of flora, and the seasonal visits have broadened my knowledge enormously. I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of planting design.” Giles Hoey (Planting Designer)
Course information
Tickets will also include refreshments and a homecooked, vegetarian lunch with local ingredients served in The Apple House. It also includes free Plant Library membership (worth £40) for the 6 months of the course, with access to the online database of over 2000 perennials and bulbs.
If you are interested, please note that it is essential to attend each day and they cannot be purchased individually.
50% of profits from this workshop go to fund 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.
Information for Visitors
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.
Further Information
With the exception of registered support dogs, no dogs are permitted in the gardens.
Please note that this is a no smoking, no vaping site.