Hosted by Tom Stuart-Smith Studio Working With Drought: Planting For Changing Climates is two-day symposium focussed on climate resilient plants and planting - with talks, debates and demonstrations taking place in the beautiful The Apple House eco barn and Tom Stuart-Smith’s Plant Library of over 2000 perennials and bulbs; half of which are growing in sand.
Following the sold-out success of Working With Earth: Landscape and Architecture (2024) and Working With Water: From Ecology to Engineering (2025), our third symposium brings together a community of some of the world’s most innovative and acclaimed planting designers, nurseries, landscape architects, garden designers, botanists, horticulturists, naturalists, environmentalists and researchers working across the field of ecological planting and climate resilient landscapes today to share their practices, including:
James Basson
Dr Chris Gibson
Giacomo Guzzon
James Hitchmough
Mattis Köpe
Nick Macer
Nick Pusterla
Fernanda Rionda
Dr. Henrik Sjöman
Tom Stuart-Smith
Millie Souter
With more to be announced.
More about the event
Topics covered will include climate mapping, drought-tolerant plant selection including lesser known varieties of perennials, shrubs and trees, planting in sand, the ecological consequences of drought and the impact on our flora, water conservation and storage, the physiological characteristics of plants that withstand drought and exotic plants which are adapting to and regenerating in British habitats including the Latin-American perspective, to name few.
More about the event
In 2025 the UK experienced the driest spring for over 130 years and the warmest and sunniest summer on record. As climate change impacts our daily lives and drought places increased pressures on our gardens, landscapes and ecosystems, we explore the challenges and opportunities presented by drought alongside new approaches to plant selection, water conservation and planting.
The Plant Library developed and managed by Tom Stuart-Smith Studio places emphasis on plants that are long lived and tolerant of our increasingly warm and dry conditions. A collection of drought tolerant plants from warmer, drier climates is situated at the top of the site, planted in half a foot of sharp sand; this encourages root growth and makes the plants more tolerant of drought and cold. This part of the garden is not watered, other than to aid initial establishment and is rich in biodiversity.
The Working with Drought symposium takes place in The Apple House, at the heart of the Plant Library and home to the Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health. This award-nominated building, designed by architect Ben Stuart-Smith at the design collective Okra, was created using almost exclusively natural materials above ground level.
Tickets include a homecooked vegetarian lunch and refreshments.
Full symposium and individual day tickets are available, with day splits to be announced.
The profits from the event go to fund the work of The Serge Hill Project.
Accessibility & Parking
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.
On arrival, please follow signs to the parking at the end of Featherbed Lane.
Please note this is a no smoking and no vaping site.
The use of drones is not permitted.