Introduction to Garden Design

---

This afternoon's taster session is designed to give you an overview of how gardens are designed. You will be introduced to some simple steps to take when designing your own garden and gain a snapshot of the factors and features you might want to consider.

Tutor Ian Smith, RHS Advisor, will guide you through the basic principles, using the garden at RHS Rosemoor as inspiration for designing your own space.

• Tutor: Ian Smith has over 20 years of horticultural experience across a variety of creative, practical, and educational roles, and has a passion for gardening. He has designed a range of gardens for clients, from compact spaces to large country estates, and has studied many aspects of horticulture, including the RHS Master of Horticulture in 2015. Ian has taught horticulture and garden design with Bicton College and the RHS, is an RHS Horticultural Advisor at RHS Rosemoor and the RHS Flower Shows, and is a trustee for the Devon Gardens Trust. He is interested in historic gardens, their research and future development, and is keen to inspire more people to garden. 
• Location and arrival information: The workshop will take place primarily at the Peter Buckley Learning Centre, with some time spent in the garden. Please allow 15 minutes to park in the main visitor car park, enter the garden, and reach the Learning Centre.  
• Catering: Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available in the classroom.
• For this workshop, you will need:
  • Your booking reference number to show to the team at the Garden Entrance. 
  • A notebook and a pencil to make notes.
  • Clothing suitable for being indoors and outdoors, appropriate to the weather on the day.
  • Closed-toed shoes (not sandals or flipflops).

Skill Level: Beginner – I am eager to try growing, keen to learn, and to develop my experience and confidence.