Learn what a cottage garden is, and how to apply the principles of this concept to garden design and garden renovation.  In this cottage garden design course you will discover the History of Cottage Gardens, Planting Design for Cottage Gardens, Features and Components of Cottage Gardens (eg. Arches, furniture, lattice, sundials, barriers and walls) and more.

On successful completion of this cottage garden design course you should be able to do the following:

• Explain the concept of a cottage garden.
• Prepare concept plans for cottage gardens.
• Prepare planting designs for cottage gardens.
• Plan the incorporation of appropriate non-living landscape features in a cottage garden.
• Prepare a detailed design for a cottage garden.

There are 8 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Cottage Gardens

• • What is a Cottage Garden
  • Components
  • Guidelines for Using Cottage Plants
  • Plant Naming
  • Principles of Landscape Design
  • Preplanning Information

2. History of Cottage Gardens

• • 19th century Cottage Gardens
  • History of Cottage Gardening
  • Case Study

3. Design Techniques and Drawing Plans

• • Garden Rooms
  • Positioning Garden Features
  • Framing Views
  • Drawing the Plan
  • Design Procedure

4. Plants for Cottage Gardens

• • Mixing Plants
  • Designing a Garden Bed
  • Perennial Plants
  • Designing a Perennial Display or Border
  • Bulbs
  • Scented Geraniums
  • Lavender
  • Other Cottage Garden Plants

5. Planting Design in Cottage Gardens

• • Using Colour in theGarden
  • Shade Trees
  • Repellant Herb Plants
  • Companion Planting
  • Planting Design

6. Landscape Features and Components

• • Walls and Fencing
  • Pickets
  • Woven Wire Fencing
  • Stick Fencing
  • Stone Walls
  • Garden Art: sculpture, pottery, architecture, wall plaques, sundials, weather vanes, feature tiles, etc.
  • Furnishing; outdoor furniture
  • Paths, Gravel, Coloured Gravels, bark, brick, cobbles, etc
  • Guidelines for Path Design
  • Seating
  • Arches
  • Barriers and Walls

7. Cottage Gardens Today

• • Where are Cottage Gardens Appropriate
  • Making a Courtyard More Exciting
  • Planning For Perfection
  • Old (disappearing) Garden Skills

8. Special Assignment

• • Coherence and Contrast
  • Evaluating Cottage Garden Designs
  • Design of A Complete Garden.

When you have completed the lessons of your Certificate course, you will be given the option of taking the optional exam. It’s okay if you don’t want the exam, we still issue your Careerline Certificate. For Advanced Certificates however, the exam is compulsory (per module) and are included in the course fee.