Are you a lover of all things green and leafy? Are you a creative at heart? Have you considered a career in garden design? As a garden designer, you will spend a lot of your time working with clients, so in addition to your botanical and horticultural knowledge, you will need to communicate effectively and handle administrative tasks. You may find yourself designing public spaces for local councils, helping private clients achieve their dream gardens, or working on large community-led projects. The satisfaction of transforming a neglected area into a beautiful green space is immeasurable. We have sought advice from experts in the field to guide you in starting your career in garden design.
According to Tim Hughes, the principal horticulture training officer at the Royal Horticultural Society, garden designers need to have a thorough understanding of horticultural practices and plants. Employers look for theoretical knowledge and practical experience when hiring garden staff. Theoretical knowledge can be obtained through part-time or full-time courses at land-based colleges or by correspondence courses. Employers also prefer job applicants who have attempted to apply the theory in practice, either through a horticulture job or volunteering at gardens or nurseries. Majority of garden staff members have either NCH, OND, or RHS level 2 or 3, while those in training for garden design or landscape architecture usually hold a degree. However, they still require hands-on knowledge of horticulture to be successful in their roles.
Robert Holden, head of landscape and garden design at the University of Greenwich, notes that BA (Hons) garden design programs require applicants to have an interest in and aptitude for garden design. Holden suggests prospective garden designers build their visual portfolios, including drawings, by keeping a visual diary and sketching regularly. Visiting garden designers’ studios or offices and working on conservation projects can provide useful insights. Garden design requires artistic and scientific skills and an interest in botany or biology may be helpful. Holden advises people without prior art experience to attend art evening classes or do some sketching. He also advises that a garden designer should be persuasive, able to present ideas, and must have an interest and passion for the field.
Maren Hallenga, a graduate who succeeded in becoming a garden designer, highlights the benefits of studying garden design at a graphics-based institution, where creativity and passion are valued. Hallenga and her peer, Hugo Bugg, were immediately employed by the local council to work on a £22m lottery-funded scheme in Cornwall, called the Heartlands project. After the Future Gardens competition, they decided to follow through with their collaboration, and Hallenga is thrilled by the prospects of their business. To break into the field, Hallenga advises thinking outside the box, researching and learning as much as possible, speaking with people who work in the field, and building a diverse skill set.
