Course Description
Note: No class on 5 October (Open eveniing) Half term is 26 October

Introduction to Planting Design Course.
If summer has left your garden looking tired and shapeless, why not have a think about refreshing its planting for next year? This short series of courses will introduce you to the key concepts of planting design, on the way looking at what is going on in the garden through autumn and into winter. We’ll look at some of the plants that are ‘performing’ at the moment – and hopefully help each other get the most out of the ideas, and out of our gardens.
The course tutor is Andy McClarnon, a professional gardener and garden designer, trained a Capel Manor College who runs his own design practice at www.possiblegardens.co.uk . Andy is Aldbury based, so knows the opportunities, and constraints, of gardening in this part of the world.
6 sessions, from 7 pm to 9pm on Tuesday evenings.

Fee:£70 tbc

 Course Outline
Week I Introduction to planting design, late summer flowers

week 2, The elements of Planting:
Ecology and aesthetics, soil, plants and other materials, harmony and contrast - late summer shrubs

Week 3, Thinking in 4 dimensions
the context, borders, composition in space and time - grasses

Week 4, Styles, Moods and Fashion
recognised styles, human responses to planting, Fashion - Autumn Colour

Week 5, Making over a border
Site Survey, starting point, building the plan - supporting wildlife

Week 6, inspirations
Plans, winter, gardens and designers, - Winter interest

The accent is going to be on exploration and discussion, rather than theory, so please feel free to bring your garden conundrums and opinions along with you.