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.
Bring the garden inside through a series of exploratory floral masterclasses at The Apple House, within the Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity, and Health. Hazel Gardiner, passionate floral artist, gardener, and broadcaster will be teaching a day of workshops celebrating cut flowers and the mindful, healing, practice of floral design. Your day starts with a tour of the private cutting garden at Tom Stuart-Smith's Plant Library where Hazel will be joined by its Head Gardener, Millie Souter.
This rare opportunity to explore the field for fascinating insight into curating and growing a wide selection of floral varieties. You will also be able to select and pick a selection of flowers. Returning to the beautiful Apple House, your harvested flowers will be used in the first workshop of the day. Hazel will teach how to create a striking hand-tied bouquet in her signature naturalistic style with additional flowers harvested from the cutting garden and surrounding Serge Hill site. Once completed, your bouquet will be lovingly wrapped for you to take home and enjoy.
After a nourishing lunch, Hazel will demonstrate how to create an impactful and imaginative vessel arrangement using sustainable foam-free techniques showcasing the unique and varied varieties grown in the Plant Library. You’ll gain insight into Hazel’s design techniques using the principles of colour, texture, and structure. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions, and Hazel will share her insider care tips and knowledge throughout the session. Afterward, you’re invited to take a relaxing self-guided tour of the garden to further explore and learn about the initiative.
This one-day masterclass is a true celebration of seasonality and a unique opportunity to experience and learn about the Serge Hill Project, meet the team, and nurture your creativity in its stunning surroundings. Workshops are suitable for all skill levels; all materials are provided. Please note, the cutting garden tour is weather-dependent; please wear suitable footwear for potential inclement weather.
All money raised from ticket sales will go directly to the Serge Hill Project which is a not for profit CIC (Community Interest Company).
‘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
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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.