Workshop Dashboard

A warm welcome and introduction to A Garden Alchemy, an overview of the workshop structure and the place to download your workbook. Let’s begin!

Module 01 is about teasing out your why and how finding a sense of place can influence your garden design. It’s about reflection, discovering your purpose and learning to pay attention to the smallest things. We explore multiple concepts, guiding you to discover inspiration in the most unexpected places and bring more beauty into your world.

Here we focus on establishing a good foundation and developing a robust creative brief that you will continually refer to throughout the whole garden design process. It will be your source of truth, your compass, and every decision you make will be filtered through your creative brief. It’s about clarity, so you can move forward with confidence as you embark on this magical journey.

Most properties don’t have panoramic landscape views, but there is a view nonetheless. In this module, we look at how we can maximise the good views and hide the bad ones. We also delve into why it’s important to create stronger connections between interior and exterior spaces and how this strengthens our connection with nature.

Intentional garden design can enhance ecological function and have a positive impact on the environment. Establishing nature partnerships through garden design can play an important role in encouraging and improving biodiversity. In this module, we explore the benefit of encouraging biodiversity and how you can apply this in your own garden. Establishing nature partnerships also fosters a sense of belonging and a stronger attachment to place.

Module 05 looks at the science of your site. Through site inventory and analysis we look at the elements and conditions that will impact and inform your garden design masterplan. We deep dive into understanding your existing site and I guide you through a systematic approach to collect information and interpret the findings. When design is based on thoughtful inventory and analysis, we have an opportunity to create beautiful landscapes that respond to the local conditions.

Concept development is an important stage in the garden design process, where your ideas and vision for your dream garden are explored. In this module, I teach you how to generate multiple concepts and select your preferred option. We look at a number of considerations of elements such as circulation and views and harness the opportunity to dream and explore different possibilities.

What a journey! The journey so far has involved theory, science, observation and discovery of your authentic style. Before commencing your garden design masterplan, I provide you with a garden design framework. My framework is a set of guiding principles that I use every time and will help you understand the art of garden design. The principles provide a structure, to help with intentional decision making and generate creative thought.

Garden design is the combination of artistic creativity and scientific aspects. The modules so far have taken you on a personal and creative journey. In this module, we recap to ensure you have absolute clarity and prepare for creativity to give you the confidence to start designing. With your preferred concept as your compass, I teach you how to weave your dreams into an ethereal garden masterplan.

This module shows you how to create a beautiful tapestry of seasonal interest through plant selection. Plant selection is as equally important as your design, as it helps create the narrative to tell your story. I teach you how to weave a rich tapestry of multi-layered planting to create a changing landscape within your garden places to keep the narrative dynamic. Let’s create beauty!

There is magic in creating something yourself! This module is when we pop the bubbles and celebrate the transformation of your dreams into a magical garden design masterplan. Here I also share some final notes and tips to grow and nurture the garden you have created in your masterplan. You now become a co-creator with nature and begin to transform tiny beginnings into flourishing landscape places.