RHS Level 2: Planting Styles

Course outline

• Historical contexts

  We’ll look at the key design aspects of historic gardens and landscapes, and the influence on modern garden design and maintenance.

• Formal Planting

  This lesson covers the role of plant selection and location in garden and landscape design. We’ll look at features of formal planting including geometric shapes and the impact of formal planting on biodiversity and sustainability.

• Informal planting

  You’ll learn about the features of informal planting, plants which are more suitable for informal planting and the impact of informal planting on biodiversity.

• Plant associations

  In this lesson we’ll look at how to create plant groupings where each plant enhances the others and how to balance your plant selections.

  You’ll learn to look at plant foliage, heights, textures and flowers and how to combine plants to create the planting design and style.

• Plant uses

  This lesson looks at the multiple roles of plants in the garden.

  You’ll learn how to choose plants for their role – for example hedges, climbers and trees to create garden structure, and how plant choices can affect the design function.

• Edible landscapes

  Edible landscapes are growing in popularity, and in this lesson we’ll look at suitable planting styles for edible landscapes.

  You’ll learn how to select fruit, vegetables and herbs for your design style, the principles of growing systems and container gardening.

• Short-term Plantings

  This lesson looks at planting for short-term displays, how to choose plants for short-term use and the environmental impact of short-term planting.