2025 July : The English Gardening School

Here we are in high summer now and I expect everyone’s minds will be on their summer holidays. Here at the EGS we’ve been wrapping up for the summer too, as our Good Gardening Diploma students of 2024/ 2025 graduated this month.

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To find out more about our Diploma courses come along to The Chelsea Physic Garden for an Information Session and we will go through the course in detail with you

The next Information Sessions for the one year Good Gardening Diploma 2025-2026

12 August, 26 August & 2 September 11.00-12.00

The next Information Sessions for the Essential Garden Design Diploma 2026

26 August & 23 September 12.00-1.00

Please email us in advance to book this Information Session

or we can set up a call to discuss the course in further detail and answer any questions you may have.

June is here, gardens are in full growth now, and as garden lovers we know that feeling of never quite being able to catch up with that growth. While the joy of gardening is often the act of a garden’s creation, it’s also good to slow down, take a moment and enjoy what we have created.
For us this newsletter serves a similar purpose, allowing a look back at the month that’s just gone. It’s also been a full month here at The English Gardening School, and as ever we have exciting plans for future courses and events coming up too.

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We spoke to EGS alumni Frederic Whyte about his time studying on the Essential Garden Design Diploma

Why did you choose the EGS to study Garden Design?

I chose The EGS as it was, and is, one of the most prestigious gardening schools in The UK. I was also drawn to its approach to garden design as a craft, and not simply as a money-making enterprise.

Was the course as you expected? If not, how did it differ?

The course exceeded my expectations; in particular the tutors’ attention to students’ studio work.

What did you particularly value about the course?

Rosemary Alexander and the wonderful, greatly missed Simon Pyle.

Any particular moments that jump out?

Field trips, in particular, a visit to an Arne Maynard garden in Sussex.

Any surprises?

No.

What do you most appreciate about what you learned on the course?

To view garden design as a craft. To produce hand-drawn work. To pay particular and detailed attention to planting.

What difference has attending the course made to your work and your life?

Attending the course at a moment of upheaval and flux in my life gave me a new direction.

What advice would you give to future students?

The course is only the beginning. One never stops learning.

To see some of Frederic’s gardens head to his website www.fredericwhyte.com or follow him on instagram here