Garden Design

Learn to design with confidence and creativity – practical skills for a beautiful, functional garden

Tuesday* Evenings 6.30pm - 9pm 
24 February - 24 March 2026
Practical Day: Saturday 29 March 10am - 4pm

* Please note, the third session will run on a Thursday evening

Transform your garden into a beautiful and practical outdoor space

Join us for an immersive garden design course that will help you see your outdoor space with fresh eyes. Over seven sessions, you’ll gain practical skills and design knowledge to create a beautiful and functional garden tailored to your needs. Each session will comprise of a mixture of teaching and hands-on activities, with a short break in the middle.

Week 1: Tuesday 17 February 6.30 - 9pm
Understanding your garden space

• Assess soil, climate, and environmental conditions

• Consider shadows, slopes, paths, steps, and patios

• Learn site measurement and drawing techniques

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Week 2: Tuesday 24 February 6.30 - 9pm
Seeing space like a designer

• Explore spatial characteristics: horizon, viewpoint, and perspective

• Understand boundaries, enclosure, and spatial organisation

• Master proportion and scale for practical spaces

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Week 3: Thursday 5 March 6.30 - 9pm
Sensory characteristics of plants

• Discover how size, form, and texture influence design

• Learn about movement, sound, and scent in the garden

• Use plants to create atmosphere and experience

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Week 4: Tuesday 10 March 6.30 - 9pm
The power of colour in your garden

• Understand colour theory: hue, value, and chroma

• Learn how light affects colour perception

• Create stunning colour schemes for your garden

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Week 5: Tuesday 17 March 6.30 - 9pm
Mastering design principles

• Understand proportion and scale

• Explore visual energy

• Master unity, diversity and balance

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Week 6: Tuesday 24 March 6.30 - 9pm
Begin work on your personal garden design

• Draw a concept plan

• Begin to explore your plant palette

• Start drafting your final garden design plan

Week 7: Sunday 29 March 10am - 4pm
Hands-on design sessionPlease bring a plate of kai to share for lunch

• Discover plants and their adaptations

• Develop your planting plan

• Work on your personal garden design

• Engage in small group discussion

• Receive one on one support

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Requirements: No prior knowledge of garden design is required for this course; however, participants should be prepared to dedicate at least 1.5 hours per week to homework to ensure they are ready for the next session.

Materials: Participants will need to provide some of their own sketching tools. A list will be provided to participants prior to the start date.

Tutor Elizabeth Wilks

TutorElizabeth Wilks is an environmental scientist and lifelong gardener with a passion for garden design. Her diverse upbringing across Africa, the UK, and Southeast Asia has enriched her appreciation for various climates and landscapes. Since the early 1990s, she has called New Zealand home. Elizabeth's design philosophy emphasizes creating plant communities tailored to their environment, embracing Beth Chatto's "right plant, right place" approach. She focuses on developing naturalistic gardens that harmonize with their surroundings.

Visit Elizabeth's Instagram page

Payments

$590 CHS Members & Friends of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens
$700 Non-Members
Bundle the course with a CHS Membership and pay just $655

We are pleased to offer a payment plan for this course. Give Jenny a call or email  in the office to chat through the options. If you are unable to attend this course, or miss out on a spot please also contact us and we can add you to a waitlist.

You will note we offer two ticket types: General Admission and CHS Member. A CHS Membership can save you up to 30% off workshops and courses AND provides great discounts at local retailers as well as FREE attendance at our Monthly Meeting, Garden Life.

To become a Member sign up on our website. Membership starts from as little as $30 per year.