Garden Design Spring 2026

Learn how great gardens are designed

This seven-session course is designed to give you a thorough understanding of how successful gardens are planned and designed. You'll explore the key stages of the design process and learn how designers assess sites, develop concepts and create cohesive outdoor spaces.

Drawing inspiration from your own garden (or a future garden project) you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to make better design decisions and approach garden projects with a designer's perspective as you begin to create your own plan.

Sessions include a combination of teaching, discussion and practical activities, with a short break in the middle.

Wednesday Evenings 6.30pm - 9pm 
14 October - 25 November 2026
Practical Day: Sunday 29 October 10am - 4pm

Week 1: Wednesday 14 October 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: Wednesday 21 October 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: Wednesday 28 October 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

Please note there is no session on Wednesday 4 November

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Week 4: Wednesday 11 November 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: Wednesday 18 November 6.30 - 9pm
Mastering design principles

• Understand proportion and scale

• Explore visual energy

• Master unity, diversity and balance

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Week 6: Wednesday 25 November 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

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Week 6: Sunday 29 November 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

Tutor Elizabeth Wilks

Tutor Elizabeth 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 harmonise with their surroundings.

Visit Elizabeth's Instagram page

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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.

• This course has a strong educational focus, equipping participants with the knowledge and tools needed to confidently design a garden space tailored to their needs. A weekly homework component is included, and the more work participants are able to put in between sessions, the more they will gain from the course.
  The homework programme will be sent out prior to the course start and will also be included in the course information folder.

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

Pricing

$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 with an initial payment of $100 and the balance ($555) paid off in full by 11 November 2026. An invoice will be emailed to you following this initial payment with our bank details for future payments.

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.