Certificate of Merit in Landscape Design

The Certificate of Merit in Landscape Design is intended for individuals who are interested in gaining the knowledge and drawing skills to design the landscape of their own property with expertise. Previous knowledge of plant material is strongly recommended and is required for some courses. Landscape design courses are available to all continuing education students, both those in pursuit of the certificate and those who are not.

Curriculum
The student must satisfactorily complete the following core courses, receiving a minimum of 70% in each course. Core course grades will be based on assignments, class projects, and participation. Elective courses will be graded on a pass/non-pass basis. Small class size ensures low student-teacher ratios. Please register early.

Core Courses
To earn the certificate, complete the following core courses:

• People, Plants, and Landscape Design
• Sketching with a Design Perspective
• Landscape Design I
• Landscape Design II
• Planting Design
• Elements of Design Garden Tour
• Sustainable Landscaping and Design Theory
• Three (3) certificate of merit plant identification courses (prerequisite for planting design)

Electives
A minimum of eight (8) elective credits are required for the certificate. A selection of elective courses will be offered every year, but the offerings are subject to change from year to year.

In 2010, choose from:
• Scentscape Your Garden - 3 credits
• The How’s and Why’s of Rain Gardening - 3 credits
• Designing an Edible Landscape - 3 credits

Courses:

Lost Landscapes of the Brandywine Valley

DATE: Tuesday, March 16; 7:00 pm
FEE: $18 Garden pass member / $20 non-member
WHERE: Ballroom

with Chad Nelson

While gardens and landscapes envelope our lives and help to define our existence, they can be ephemeral. Even the most spectacular and imposing landscapes are subject to change and irreversible loss. Although it is impossible to stop this inevitable change, photographs and documents help to capture the spirit of lost landscapes. In this inspiring presentation Chad shares images and evocations of some of the important gardens and landscapes in our area. Some will be familiar to you, including Gibraltar, Goodstay, and Longwood Gardens. Although these gardens still exist, it is fascinating to see images of how they appeared in their youth and in their heyday. Some gardens you may have heard about, but likely haven’t seen, like The Ruin Gardens at Eleutherian Mills. Whether you are simply interested in seeing moments lost in time or you are a designer hoping to create enduring gardens, studying landscapes of the past is a fruitful way to broaden your understanding.

Refreshments will be provided.

Planting Design

DATE: Fridays, February 26 – March 19, 4 sessions; 12:00– 5:30 pm
FEE: $203 Garden pass member / $225 non-member
WHERE: Catalpa Room

Landscape Design Core Course

with Jules Bruck

In this course students will learn the aesthetic considerations and cultural requirements of both woody and herbaceous plants for a planting plan. The basic elements of design: line, form, color, and texture, will be applied for plant selection and composition to create beautiful planting designs with balance, repetition, and cohesiveness. Students will gain exposure to real garden situations, such as the sunny perennial border or woodland garden; and will take into account important ecological aspects, such as plant nativity and habitat.

Topics include traditional plant combinations for specific styles, both formal and informal. Effective planting designs used at Longwood and other gardens will be identified. Assignments will be given for students to develop a planting plan based on realistic situations.

Inclement weather date: March 26

Prerequisite: Landscape Design I + A minimum of 3 certificate of merit plant identification courses are a prerequisite for this course.

Please note: Class ends at 5:00 pm on 3/12 & 3/19.

The How’s and Why’s of Rain Gardening

DATE: Sundays, February 28 – March 14, 3 sessions; 1:00 to 4:00 pm
FEE: $90 Garden pass member / $100 non-member
WHERE: Acer Room

Landscape Design Elective

with Catherine Renzi

Learn how and why to add rain gardens to the landscape almost anywhere. Students will see examples of rain gardens and suitable plants. We will also cover selecting and preparing a site, determining the size of the garden, choosing native plant species appropriate for conditions, and aestheticconcerns. Each student will design one rain garden for review in the final class session.

Inclement weather date: March 21

People, Plants, & Landscape Design

DATE: Tuesdays, March 2–23, 4 sessions; 7:00 to 9:00 pm
FEE: $108 Garden pass member / $120 non-member
WHERE: Betula Room

Landscape Design Core Course

with Dan Maffei

Creating visually appealing, emotionally intriguing, and socially engaging gardens begins with a basic understanding of the design process and then expands into an exploration of the relationship of client/site/designer. The instructor will delve into interviewing techniques, advanced program statement development, and site evaluation methods that will yield more pertinent and dynamic landscape designs. Further discussion and analysis of design elements such as form, texture, and scale will enable the student to create garden spaces that are supportive of both people and plants. The course will also explore the hierarchy of decision-making in the design process, the evocation of mood, architectural metaphors, sequencing, and the “unfolding” of the garden.

Inclement weather date: March 30

Sketching with a Design Perspective

DATE: Fridays , April 9 – April 23, 3 sessions; 12:30 to 4:30 pm
FEE: $108 Garden pass member / $120 non-member
WHERE: Catalpa Room

Landscape Design Core Course

with Chad Nelson

Field sketching is a vital communication skill in landscape design, as it enables designers to quickly and effectively record ideas for their own use or to share with a client. Many would-be designers are intimidated by the range of materials and approaches to sketching, needing direction on how to begin. This course introduces the novice landscape designer to drawing exercises and techniques that will develop a foundation in field sketching techniques covering line, tone, and an introduction to color. Using both indoor and outdoor venues at Longwood Gardens, students will learn to communicate their thoughts visually. Weekly peer-reviewed assignments give students discreet goals and supportive feedback.

Inclement weather date: April 30

Limited enrollment.

A materials list will be provided with your confirmation letter.

Scentscape Your Garden

DATE: Tuesdays, April 13 – 27, 3 sessions; 6:30 to 8:30 pm
FEE: $90 Garden pass member / $100 non-member
WHERE: Betula Room

Landscape Design Elective

with James Sutton

A fragrance can change your mood and perspective. Learn how and why to add planned fragrant gardens to the landscape. The course uses the fragrance exhibit at Longwood to identify key plants and design strategies to enhance your fragrance garden. Plant selection, site considerations, “scentscaping,” and planning for aesthetic concerns are covered. Students will design one fragrance garden for review in the final class session.

Designing an Edible Landscape

DATE: Wednesdays, July 7 – 21, 3 sessions; 7:00 to 9:00 pm
FEE: $90 Garden pass member / $100 non-member
WHERE: Acer Room

Landscape Design Elective

with Nancy Bell

This three session course helps students explore the many different options for incorporating edible plants into the landscape. Students will learn soil needs, light conditions, and planting times to optimize the success of the design. We will look at raised beds, container planting, kitchen gardens, as well as using edibles in traditional ornamental beds. You will be able to reference Longwood’s Idea Garden, whenever you want, as one design model. As a final project, students will design a bed, taking into consideration plant needs as well combining plants for form and texture to produce an appealing garden.

Landscape Design II

DATE: Wednesdays September 8 – November 10, 10 sessions; 6:00 to 8:00 pm
FEE: $203 Garden pass member / $225 non-member
WHERE: Betula Room

Landscape Design Core Course

with Allan Summers

This course builds on what is learned in Landscape Design I by encouraging students to create more design plans to solidify concepts presented in the first course. It also delves deeper into design creativity, detailed garden features, and more advanced graphics. Students will conceptualize gardens using a variety of elevation techniques and develop a deeper understanding of design theory while becoming increasingly comfortable with drawing and presentation skills.

Landscape Design I is a prerequisite for this course.

Elements of Design Garden Tour – Style & Material Focus

DATE: Friday, September 24; 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
FEE: $130 Garden pass member / $145 non-member
WHERE: Meet Visitor Center Parking Lot

Landscape Design Core Course

with Jeff Jabco

Students will visit a variety of unique gardens, both public and private, and will study the theory and structural design of the gardens. The focus will be on design philosophy and the designer’s individual style, as well as material selection and use of special features; such as, water, lighting, and structures. Attention will also be given to determining the designer’s philosophy and individual style, as well as material selection and utilization of special garden features. Students wishing to receive credit for their Landscape Design Certificate must complete and submit a worksheet or other assignment for a grade.

Lunch included

Landscape Design I

DATE: Fridays, October 1 – November 12, 7 sessions; 1:00 to 4:00 pm
FEE: $203 Garden pass member / $225 non-member
WHERE: Acer Room

Landscape Design Core Course

with Jules Bruck

In this hands-on course, students develop a familiarity with the design process by designing a landscape from start to finish. Starting with the basics and learning how to use design tools such as a scale, triangle, and t-square, students will master drawing and drafting by accurately measuring a garden space, translating measurements to scale, and drafting a base plan.

Participants gain the knowledge to develop a concept plan, converse professionally with other designers, and examine landscapes with an educated eye.

A materials list will be sent with the confirmation letter.

Sustainable Landscape and Design Theory

DATE: Thursdays, October 7 – 28, 4 sessions; 3:00 to 5:00 pm
FEE: $108 Garden pass member / $120 non-member
WHERE: Acer Room

Landscape Design Core Course

with Susan Barton

This course will introduce the contemporary theory of sustainable landscape design, in which the goal is to conserve local biodiversity. Students will learn alternative landscaping methods to alleviate environmental pressures caused by invasive species, storm water runoff, and habitat destruction.

Participants will study the landscape to recognize potential problems and identify solutions that will reduce the environmental impact and conserve biodiversity.

A materials list will be sent with the confirmation letter.

Certificate of Merit Recognition

The accomplishment and satisfaction of completing the courses necessary for the awarding of the Certificates of Merit in Ornamental Plants, Ornamental Horticulture, Floral Design, or Landscape Design will be celebrated yearly.

We will host the graduates at a celebration on Friday, August 27, 2010. Eligible candidates will receive detailed information and an invitation in advance. To check on your eligibility for certificate completion, call 610-388-1000 Ext. 559.