For those of us who find peace in the rustle of leaves, the unfurling of a new green shoot, or the immersive dance of pollinators buzzing around the garden, Piet Oudolf is well-known and beloved. His name, gardening style, and methods bring a particular magic and enrichment to any garden.
Piet Oudolf is, quite simply, a gardening visionary. A gifted landscape designer who has redefined our understanding of natural beauty in the garden, moving beyond traditional yet fleeting floral displays so common in UK gardens to embracing the enduring architecture and seasonal rhythm of perennial plants.
Now, thanks to the online course ‘Piet Oudolf Gardens' from Learning with Experts, his profound wisdom and inspiring unique approach are accessible to gardeners of all levels, offering a rare opportunity to learn from a true master who has left a lingering impression on this world.
Piet Oudolf, Sculpting Nature with Time
Piet Oudolf is not your typical everyday garden designer with a rigid mind frame. He is a true horticultural artist and a thoughtful sculptor of space using the living canvas of the plant world. His name is synonymous with a naturalistic approach to planting that has swept through the world of contemporary gardening. His work has influenced public parks, private estates, and even the humblest of back gardens.
What sets Oudolf apart from his contemporaries is his deep understanding and appreciation for the entire life cycle of a plant. Following his teachings, you can forget the fleeting beauty and perfection of a single bloom; Oudolf sees beauty in the new shoots, the emerging foliage, the sturdy stems, and the intricate seed heads that persist through winter, catching the frost and transforming them into winter works of art.
His philosophy is deeply rooted in having respect for the inherent qualities of perennials, which prioritises the structure and texture of the living plant over transient, fleeting colour. As Oudolf himself eloquently states, "A garden is exciting for me when it looks good throughout the year, not just at one particular time. I want to go outside and for it to be interesting in seasons, in early spring and late autumn." This emphasis on year-round interest is a departure from traditional flower-centric design held by most traditional garden designers.
Unlock Oudolf's Secrets: A Masterclass for Every Gardener
For the keen beginner gardener, perhaps just finding their feet, the prospect of learning from such a luminary might seem overwhelming. However, the ‘Piet Oudolf Gardens' collection on Learning with Experts has been thoughtfully put together to welcome all levels of gardening enthusiasm and experience. It provides a unique gateway into Oudolf's world, explaining his techniques and offering practical insights that can be immediately applied to your garden, regardless of size or scale.
If you already know about the amazing work of Piet Oudolf, imagine yourself being guided through his personal garden at Hummelo - a living example of his design principles. In the 'Planting the Piet Oudolf Way’ course, you will have the privilege of virtually walking alongside Oudolf himself and the esteemed garden writer Dr Noel Kingsbury, as they dissect the planting combinations and structural elements that make this garden so captivating throughout the seasons.
Oudolf shares his rationale behind plant selection for specific areas, revealing the subtle nuances of texture, form, and seasonal progression that contribute to overall harmony. This gives you a first-hand masterclass in observation and plant pairing and invaluable lessons in creating a garden that evolves and delights you and your family all year round. The expert-level course includes personally reviewed and marked assignments by Dr Kingsbury, providing personalised feedback and reinforcing your understanding of Oudolf's principles.
What You Will Learn
The ‘Perennial Management, The Piet Oudolf Way’ part of the collective course offers a fascinating insight into the practicalities of maintaining Oudolf’s living artworks, particularly focusing on the iconic New York High Line.
Following Oudolf and Dr Kingsbury, you will learn about the lifecycle of perennial plant management, from initial selection, planting and establishment of perennials to the ongoing care required to maintain the intended planting design. During the course, you will hear from gardening experts like Roy Diblik and Gabriela Marin, Chief Horticulturist at Battery Park (one of Oudolf's early commissions). This adds further depth and practical context to your learning experience. This course is invaluable for creating and maintaining sustainable, low-maintenance perennial gardens.
When you take the 'Piet Oudolf Vlinderhof Garden' course, which is part of this bundle, you will be taken on an autumnal tour of a community garden project in the Netherlands designed by Oudolf. Here, you will witness how his planting principles translate into a larger scale, showcasing the impactful combinations of over 100 plant varieties that create year-round interest.
Oudolf himself explains his approach to combining "key plants," "combination plants," and "surprises" to achieve a dynamic and engaging design. This course provides a fantastic opportunity to practice your own garden design skills, inspired by Oudolf’s expert guidance.
Book Your Pier Oudolf Collective Course
Learning with Experts offers a truly immersive and interactive online learning experience. You can begin the courses at your own pace, fitting your learning around your existing family, work and social commitments.
The motivational lesson tutorials provide clear and engaging content, while the optional assignments at the end of each lesson encourage you to actively apply what you have learned. The invaluable opportunity to receive direct, personal feedback from world-class experts like Dr Kingsbury is a valuable advantage for gaining a deeper understanding.
You can connect with passionate gardeners from around the globe, sharing ideas, asking questions, and celebrating your progress together in your online classroom. This sense of collaboration and community enriches the learning experience, providing different perspectives, ongoing inspiration, and building lasting friendships. Book your place on the 'Piet Oudolf Gardens’ collection today to learn to see the world of gardening through the eyes of a master and begin your journey towards creating gardens that resonate with natural beauty and enduring seasonal charm, guided by the expert hand of Piet Oudolf.
