The spring and summer programme for 2011 featured a number of gardens created by Tom Stuart Smith whose designs, life and work are part of a series of lectures at The Garden Museum.  Tom has literally opened garden gates for us by prevailing upon his private clients to invite us into their gardens. Our programme presents a chance to appreciate the breadth, variety and complexity of Tom’s designs and his mastery of naturalistic multi-textural planting based on sound ecological principles.   Two of the days gave a chance to meet him, one in his own garden – a place that reveals a lot about any designer. In addition we had a variety of fascinating twentieth century gardens which contrast in exciting ways.

Kent  – Great Dixter, Hole Park & Boyton Court

Fergus Garrett talks about wildflower meadows at Dixter after which we explore the gardens before they open to the public. Next, we travel to Hole Park where we have a guided walk around the garden with the owner Edward Barham.  At Boyton Court, our host, Richard Stilemen shows us around his beautiful garden

Gloucestershire - Broughton Grange, Oxfordshire & Upton Wold

Broughton Grange is a very special garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith which is only opened to the public very rarely.  Head gardener, Andrew Woodhall, tells us about the garden. After lunch the afternoon continues with a visit to Upton Wold, a beguiling garden, where we have a talk about the design and planting.

Wiltshire - Shute House Gardens, Dorset & Moor Hatches SOLD OUT

The day begins at Shute House Gardens where we are welcomed by owner Suzy Lewis with a tour of the garden. There is an opportunity to see Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe’s original designs for the Gardens and a talk about them is given by Christopher Woodward, the Director of the Garden Museum. Next we visit Moor Hatches, a three acre very private garden with a frontage on the river Avon designed by Tom Stuart-Smith.

Hertfordshire  – Benington Lordship Gardens & Tom Stuart-Smith’s garden

The day starts at Benington Lordship Gardens with a one hour tour of the gardens from the head gardener. In the afternoon we visit the garden owned by Tom Stuart-Smith, Tom uses his own garden as an experimental area for new plant combinations.

Berkshire – Kirby House & a newly planted garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith SOLD OUT

Kirby House owner Mrs Astor shows us around the garden and explains its development and the inspiration. The day continues with a tour of a fabulous three acre extremely private garden that has been recently designed and planted by Tom Stuart-Smith

Gloucestershire - Througham Court & The Old Rectory

Dr Christine Facer owner and designer of Throuhgham Court will welcome us with coffee and give us a tour of her garden inspired by scientific principles. We are privileged to have Mary Keen as our hostess for the afternoon in her own Old Rectory garden, the creation of which was the subject of one of her many books.