Gardens Illustrated Magazine

Tom and Sue Stuart-Smith have been gardening together at their home, The Barn at Serge Hill in Hertfordshire, for many years, but their latest project is more ambitious than the lauded gardens and meadows they have already created there. It's not surprising that he – an internationally famous, award-winning designer and her – a respected psychotherapist and best-selling author of The Well Gardened Mind – have come up with something as unique and interesting as The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health. It's a multi-faceted idea that encompasses the fascinating concept of a Plant Library, community allotments, an altruistic nursery and a beautiful gathering space in a purpose-built barn. You can find out more about this exciting new venture in our feature this month (page 46), and make sure…

Åsa Gregers-Warg Åsa begins a new series of seasonal plants picks, page 24. “I enjoy mixing trusted old favourites with newer acquaintances in the garden. Plants never fail to excite and inspire me.” Jimi Blake Jimi shares his passion for dicentras, page 54. “I'm taking a deep dive into the world of dicentras, and showing how I use them in the shady beds of my Woodland Garden at Hunting Brook” Mimi Connolly Mimi photographs Alan Shipp's hyacinth collection, page 68. “A vibrant palette in early spring, depicting a collector's lifetime of dedication and research, and an extraordinary history” CONTRIBUTING EDITORS James Basson James lives in the South of France where he runs Scape Design, a practice specialising in low-maintenance and dry gardens. He is a fervent advocate for creating sustainable landscapes. The winner of four Chelsea Gold medals,…

From fossil-stacked cliffs to rolling chalk hills and rich pastures, the rural county of Dorset has inspired countless creatives, both historic and contemporary. With expert plantsman Keith Wiley as your host, the tour highlights some lesser-known gardens, including the garden at The Old Rectory at Litton Cheney, designed in part by Arne Maynard, and the richly planted garden at Upper Sydling House, originally laid out by the Bannermans. Other gardens are more historic, including the walled kitchen garden at Pugin Hall, which was designed by Victorian architect Augustus Pugin, and Chideock Manor, a Regency manor surrounded by varied gardens including a parterre and rose arches. We visit River Cottage HQ, the creation of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and his knowledgeable team, for a tour of the productive ‘no-dig’ walled garden before sitting…

Look who's talking For her new book Why Women Grow (published 2 March), Gardens Illustrated columnist Alice Vincent has been speaking to inspirational women to find out why they garden and how their relationship with the natural world has informed their lives and careers. This month there's a chance to eavesdrop on some of her conversations in a fascinating new seven-part podcast series of the same name. Recorded in gardens from Totnes to Norfolk, the far-ranging chats touch on motherhood, grief, identity, saving the planet, and, of course, gardening. You can listen to the first two episodes – with gardeners Claire Ratinon and Sarah Raven – on 13 February, and future episodes will feature food writer Rukmini Iyer, novelist Salley Vickers, gardener Poppy Okocha, clothing designer Margaret Howell and social media…

LATE SUMMER BLOOM Dahlia, a new fabric pattern from designer and print maker Molly Mahon, is a glorious celebration of the late-summer favourite in all its fabulous colour. Available in four colourways (shown here in Peach/Sap Green), Dahlia is one of five patterns in Molly's new Bloom collection of block-printed fabrics that also includes bold stripes and checks. Dahlia is priced at £196 a metre, with prices for other patterns in the collection starting at £185 a metre. mollymahon.com Write away If one of your New Year resolutions is to nurture your creativity, then a residential course this spring could be the push you need to get started. Founded by Gardens Illustrated contributor and wild florist Charlie Ryrie, the Little Writing School in Dorset (pictured below) has two new workshops – Nature and…

1 A Green and Pleasant Land (HA-HA) Catch the vibrant new exhibition by London-based artist Lakwena Maciver at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Her bold, colour-soaked new paintings and textile works have in part been inspired by YSP's verdant landscape, an Eden-like place that was once the preserve of wealthy landowners but is now openly accessible to a diverse audience. Until 19 March, Tuesday – Sunday, 10am-4pm. £6. The Weston Gallery, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF4 4LG. Tel 01924 832631, ysp.org.uk 2 Terrariums: Success with Succulents Learn how to make your own glass terrarium using a selection of plants, stones, shells, sand and gravel, on one of two workshops led by horticulturist Sue Jeffries. 4 February, 10.30am12pm or 1-2.30pm. £45. RHS Garden Bridgewater, Occupation Road, Off Leigh Road, Worsley, Salford, Greater…