New Plantsmanship course launched
A brand-new Certificate in Plantsmanship course has been announced by the London College of Garden Design (LCGD). The new course will run from 25 September – 5 December 2025 and is perfect for anyone with a passion for plants and a desire to enhance their existing horticultural knowledge.
Taught by expert tutors who are all professional horticulturists with experience both in the UK and overseas, the new course will teach the essential skills, knowledge and techniques of plantsmanship. This comprehensive course takes participants through basic plant biology and taxonomy, identification skills and a plant’s role in ecosystems. It also covers seasonality and best practices for sustainable planting and more - helping students develop a deeper understanding of plants, their diversity, and an appreciation of their unique characteristics.
The course will be delivered at the College’s home in the Orangery at the world-famous Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. As well as classroom-based lectures, students will be able to step into Kew’s celebrated gardens to study their extensive plant collections, and to visit other inspirational gardens. During their time at the College, students will meet some of the UK’s leading horticulturalists and plant specialists and are offered Friends of Kew membership as part of enrolment.
Nina Baxter, Director, London College of Garden Design said: “Plantsmanship is both a science and an art, blending technical horticultural knowledge with a deeper understanding of how plants grow, interact and contribute to the beauty and vitality of our gardens and wider landscape. This course offers students an in-depth appreciation of plants and an opportunity to take their horticultural expertise to the next level – whether this be simply for in their own gardens or as a foundation for going on to study garden design or planting design.”
For more information or to download a prospectus, visit www.lcgd.org.uk
Other London College of Garden Design initiatives for 2025
The London College of Garden Design is excited to announce several key media moments in 2025 that will spotlight their ongoing work in supporting and teaching the garden designers of tomorrow.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural border competition, a number of the College’s graduates will be selected to create a second educational planting feature of seven borders at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in July. This year, the stunning exhibit will showcase the diversity of plants in the Lamiaceae family and, with its location along Ditton Avenue, will be a focal point of the world-famous festival. Graduates have the freedom to design their border which could include highlighting wildlife friendly elements or waterwise planting for summer, which reflects the College’s sustainable ethos. Judging to select this year’s graduates is taking place in mid-January and winners will be announced in February, along with details of their designs.
The College’s current cohort will graduate on 18th July. With the growing success of all three of its main courses, this year’s celebration event at Kew will see the largest number of students graduating in the history of the College. Graduation will be led by Nina Baxter, who has just celebrated her 20th year in garden design and her first year as the College’s Director.
Most recently the College is delighted to announce that its co-founder, award-winning garden designer, landscape architect and tutor Andrew Wilson has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honours List 2025 for his services to garden design, landscape and heritage.
The London College of Garden Design provides world-class, inspirational garden design training both in person and online. The college’s main courses, including Garden Design [Diploma], Planting Design [Diploma] and Construction [Design Certificate] take place at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, whilst other short courses are delivered at other venues such as RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey.
To find out more about the London College of Garden Design, visit www.lcgd.org.uk