Jack Aldridge
Jack Aldridge is a plantsman and horticulturist with a very keen interest in all plants hardy in the temperate world, with woody plants his particular focus.
Gardening with shrubs with Jack Aldridge
Ref: S1D33891
About this course
Learn about the wide variety of shrubs available to gardeners and how they can be used effectively in different ways to provide colour, texture, structure and form to planted landscapes.
Course Description
A critical but often overlooked component of our gardens, shrubs are essential in providing colour, texture, structure and form to planted landscapes. Yet, with more exciting plant material available to us than ever before, it would appear this diverse plant palette is never fully exploited when planning or designing gardens, with shrubs sometimes dubbed as 'unfashionable'.
This course will look to redress that, as we appraise the wide variety of shrubs available to gardeners and how they can be used effectively in different ways, especially to provide a lower-input approach to planting, while still capitalising on a long season of interest through careful plant selection.
Structure of the day:
9.15am–10.30am - First illustrated talk: an introduction to shrubs, looking at some key groups of plants and how/where they might be used in the garden
Mid-morning - Tea/coffee break
11am–12.45pm - Walk around West Dean, looking critically at different ways shrubs have been used around the garden
12.45pm–2pm - Lunch
2pm–3.30pm - Second illustrated talk: focusing on some of the less familiar shrubs, which are very worthy of a place in many gardens, plus discussion on how and where plants can be sourced
Mid-afternoon -Tea/coffee break
4pm–5pm - Workshop: a practical session on integrating shrubs into planting design plans
Course Materials
What students need to bring
Notebook, pens, pencils and basic drawing equipment
Please bring a few ideas about an area of your own garden that you would like to include more woody plants in. This will provide an individual focus when it comes to the practical workshop at the end of the day.
Please wear suitable footwear and clothing for outside sessions.
Additional information
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Timetable
Timetable for one day courses
Students should arrive by 9am for registration.
Classes are from 9.15 - 5pm
Lunch is included.
General Information
Tutors
