This course is for those people who would like to take their planting design to the next level and learn how to create effective planting schemes and planting plans on paper. In the first lesson we will discuss all the factors that affect plant selection so that you really can select the right plant for the right place. Having made your plant selection you will then be guided through the process of creating a planting plan on paper. We will then consider all the different planting styles such as cottage garden, naturalistic or minimalist that you might like to create. Finally we will look at buying plants, creating a plant schedule and a few ideas you could follow if you are thinking of setting up your own business

Lesson 1

In lesson one we explore plant selection and all the factors that will determine the success of your planting scheme. Firstly we will consider the garden and all the factors that will impose themselves on plant selection such as the location, soil, aspect, rainfall and wind exposure. We will then consider how to select plants that will fit in with the overall design and use of the garden. Learning to garden ecologically by researching plant origins and where they would grow in the wild is also important if your plants are to thrive and not just survive. Finally we will consider the plants’ horticultural and visual characteristics such as height and spread, whether they are evergreen and their form, texture and other decorative features.

Lesson 2   

Lesson two is about creating a planting plan on paper. A planting scheme will be much more successful if you can think of it three dimensionally. You will be encouraged to practise drawing plant forms so that you can then plan the planting three dimensionally by sketching elevations that show the height, and the forms and textures of the plants. Once you have made your plant selection you can then sketch in the plants on plan form before drawing up a planting plan on paper where each plant is represented by a circle or group of circles. The final stage is writing the plant names on the plan.

Lesson 3 

Lesson three looks at all the different ways that plants can be used in order to create a particular style or theme of planting. We will look at designing and planting a mixed border, a traditional herbaceous border and a more ecological approach called naturalistic planting. In a warm sheltered garden you may be able to create some Mediterranean style planting, or a woodland garden might be appropriate in a shady north facing garden. Other styles that are considered are cottage garden, meadows, low maintenance, modern or minimalist and container planting.

Lesson 4

Lesson 4 looks at buying plants and the range of options available from buying plants on line to finding a good local nursery. It is important when ordering a tree to specify the size, that is, its height and girth. Shrubs and herbaceous plants are normally sold by container size and this is stated as volume. If you are ordering large quantities of plants then you will need to prepare a Plant Schedule to send to the supplier. We will also look at preparing a Maintenance Schedule, how the law can affect you and your neighbours’ gardens and how to set about designing for other people.   

Course Outcome

Having completed the course you will understand the importance of selecting the right plants for the right place and how to create an effective planting plan that communicated your planting ideas for a particular style of planting

Course Dates are the First Saturday of every month