Sustainable and Resilient Succession Planting

About this course

The workshop explores how to maintain seasonal interest in an ornamental garden by combining plants with different flowering periods, foliage textures and colours. Topics include planning and evaluation, layered planting, long-term design, biodiversity and wildlife. Teaching combines classroom-based theory with a garden walk to assess plants and sample combinations, alongside discussion of planting scenarios and visual examples. Participants also complete a short exercise to create a succession planting plan from a selection of plants, applying the principles covered to their own ideas.

What you'll learn

• Explain the principles of ornamental succession planting.
• Plan seasonal interest using plants with varied flowering periods, foliage textures and colours.
• Evaluate plant combinations and layered planting within a garden setting.
• Create a succession planting plan using a selection of plants.
• Identify ways to incorporate biodiversity and wildlife considerations into a resilient garden design.

Is this course right for you?

Listed as suitable for all levels, the workshop is recommended for people with some gardening experience who want to develop their approach to seasonal garden design. Participation includes classroom learning, a garden walk, group discussion, individual questions and a short planning exercise.

• Recommended for people with some gardening experience.
• Suitable for planning an ornamental display in a private or communal garden.
• Focuses on ornamental succession planting rather than vegetable production.

Before you go

• Participants are asked to bring photographs of planting in their garden for the discussion session.