Before we know it, the end of the year is already in sight. Even though staying closely connected to the natural world through gardening helps us notice every small seasonal shift, it still feels as though this year has slipped by especially quickly. As you all prepare to settle in and enjoy the festive season with your loved ones, we’re taking a moment to look back. In life, as in our gardens, it’s always worthwhile to pause and reflect on what we’ve accomplished—and in the darkest days of winter, what better way to lift our spirits?
Reflecting on our 2025 Courses
Essential Garden Design Diploma
EGDD2025 students taking a break in the March sunshine at the Chelsea Physic Garden
This year, Rosemary entrusted the day to day running of this course to Catriona Rowbotham, who is now Course Director. EGDD 2025 was a strong year, and our graduates have already gone on to do some really interesting things in the world of horticulture and garden design. Here are just a few examples, along with their Instagram handles. Do follow along to give them your encouragement!
After being offered 3 positions in garden design studios, Luca Mantovanelli (@luca_mantov) is now working for a small garden design and build practice as well as carrying out his own garden design work. Lucy Hall has formed her own garden design and build business (@green_wilddesign) and is booked out until next spring. Michelle Benzer (@hey_benzer) and Miranda Taylor (@mirandataylorgardendesign) are back at the EGS, studying on our Good Gardening Diploma to improve their planting and gardening knowledge. Karl Hammond volunteered on Manoj Malde’s Chelsea Flower Show Garden, then Adolfo Harris’ Hampton Court Flower Show Garden this year, and after a short stint working for a trade nursery decided to use all his new knowledge and experience to set up his own garden design business. He has put so much energy and dedication into making a big change of career from animation to garden design this year – do give him a follow @arbor_and_fern. He has also collaborated with Claire Girkin (@clairegirkindesign), something we love to see from past students. Teaming up, especially when you’re fresh out of education, can be a great way to support each other as well as capitalising on the best of previous experiences. Meanwhile, as well as becoming a father this year, we congratulate Piers Dixon (@piersdixongardendesign), who earned a silver award for his ‘Held’ Border at the BBC Gardener’s World Autumn Fair. With so much energy from this year’s cohort in only the first few months after leaving the design diploma in March, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.
Catriona and B have been running Information Sessions together at The Chelsea Physic Garden this year, often joined by Rosemary, and have enjoyed welcoming new students into the EGS fold. For EGDD 2026, B will work alongside Catriona as the principal course tutors, supported by our exceptional team of best-in-class lecturers.
Good Gardening 2025
OYGG students inspecting their bulb planting in the meadows at Arundel Castle in May 2025
B and Rosemary also had a great time with our Good Gardening Students this last academic year, and have already welcomed a full new class in for 2025 – 2026. Six of last year’s cohort will go on to study on The Essential Garden Design Diploma, bringing their excellent grounding in plants and gardening techniques along with them. Highlights of the year always include our termly visits to Arundel Castle. Maybe the students’ hard work planting bulbs helped Arundel Castle Gardens win the coveted Historic Houses Garden of the Year award for 2025!
Gardening for Beginners 2025
Ben Pope (@theworkinggarden) and Tina (@bactina), Rosemary’s own head gardener, introduced beginners to the very foundations of gardening in our four day course. They may be experts, but this is a relaxed, fun and above all, beautiful introduction to gardening. Here are a few of our favourite shots from this year’s course.
Rosemary’s Plant of the Month
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’
Rosemary’s Top Gardening Jobs This Month
- Avoid turning compost heaps so as not to disturb sheltering and hibernating animals such as voles and hedgehogs.
- Pick fading leaves and flowers from all the overwintering plants regularly, this helps prevent disease and rot on alpines and pelargoniums.
- Bring potted prepared hyacinths into the house to flower over winter. Place them in a cool and bright spot to admire.
- Use any whippy growths of wisteria to make a circular frame for a Christmas wreath. Use evergreen foliage from the garden such as ivy, holly, skimmia and collected seedheads.
- Most importantly in December, get out into the garden and watch the nature work, even in the coldest wettest months, behind the clouds the sun is always shining!
Upcoming Courses and Visits
We have quite a few things to look forward to next year and at least one of them would make a thoughtful Christmas present for any beginner gardeners you might know! Here’s what’s coming up:
Next Open Day at Sandhill Farm House, Rogate
15th February 2026
Our EGS Founder, Rosemary Alexander’s own stunning front and rear garden. The one acre garden is broken up into garden rooms, which include a small kitchen garden. The front garden has a spring focus, with a small woodland area. Each year, Rosemary opens her garden to herald the start of spring with a stunning display of snowdrops, set amongst other treasured trees and shrubs.
Spring Garden Tour, Oxfordshire
24th April 10am – 4.30pm
Join us for an exclusive day exploring two remarkable Oxfordshire gardens: Rousham, the iconic 18th-century landscape by William Kent, and Ham Court, artist Matthew Rice’s imaginative and sensitively restored country garden.
After a guided tour of Rousham, we’ll continue to Ham Court for a seasonal lunch and visit its kitchen gardens, orchard and grounds. The day concludes with tea & cake in Matthew’s beautiful studio.
Sketchup for Garden Design, Beginners Course
15th & 16th April at The Army Museum, London SW3 4HT
2 in person days with John Brooks, of SketchUp for Garden Design
Day 1: Introduction to SketchUp and what can be achieved using the software, template setup, interface & navigation; drawing basics; 3D modelling, groups/components/tags, 3D Warehouse
Day 2: Working with surveys, extensions and plugins, planting plans, including an introduction to PLANT25, presentations using Layout.
Gardening for Beginners
22nd – 30th April 2026
The first 3 days of this popular 4 day course take place in the Chelsea Physic Garden lecture room. Your tutor is RHS Master of Horticulture Ben Pope.
Gardening for Beginners covers all you need to know to care for your garden – understanding your soil, choosing and selecting new plants, growing new plants from seed and taking cuttings, common pests and diseases, lawn care, pruning trees, shrubs and climbers, vegetable and fruit growing, control of weeds, mulching and composting are all explained and demonstrated.
The final day spent in 2 private gardens brings everything into context and gives time for questions and personal involvement.