Garden Design
Become a… garden designer, gardener, garden restorer, landscape architect, planting designer, design adviser and many more…!
Our reputation for garden design training is internationally respected and our tradition for excellence is shown through many years of award winning show gardens as RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows.
Set in 400 acres of rural estate, our courses are taught through a series of lectures, practical sessions and visits to gardens. You’ll learn practical and theoretical skills required for garden design and practice by undertaking imaginative projects, taking into account the essential elements of context, planning, design and construction.
You work on projects of increasing complexity, building up your own portfolio and individual style, which will significantly enhance your career prospects and ability to secure future work with clients.
Why choose Merrist Wood?
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Over 40 medals won at RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Court
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Merrist Wood has strong connections and an excellent reputation in the garden design industry
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Inspirational training: professional lecturers teaching in their specialist areas
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Unrivalled plant collection, well-equipped design studio and library containing an immense collection of horticulture and design books
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Ongoing programme of model gardens under construction on the College’s 400-acre estate
Day to day
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Site surveying
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Concept and context
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Project design and visualisation
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Research methods
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Planting principles
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Garden history
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Ecology and sustainability
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Computer-aided design
Average salary
Gardeners can earn from around £11,000 to £19,000 or more a year. For qualified, experienced garden designers, the figure is considerably higher, somewhere between £25-40,000.
Moving on
You could move on to the Garden Design Foundation Degree followed BA at the College or the Garden Design Diploma or apply for associated degrees at an alternative institution.
Links
www.nationaltrust.org.uk - Brief histories and visitor information on over 300 historic buildings and gardens owned by the National Trust in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
www.kew.org - The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is one of the world's leading botanic gardens.
www.sgd.org.uk - The Society of Garden Designers website lists all accredited members of the Society of Garden designers, as well as industry professional landscape designers.