Description
Learn to design with confidence and creativity – practical skills for a beautiful, functional garden
Tuesday* Evenings 6.30pm – 9pm
24 February – 24 March 2026
Practical Day: Saturday 29 March 10am – 4pm
* Please note, the third session will run on a Thursday evening
Transform your garden into a beautiful and practical outdoor space
Join us for an immersive garden design course that will help you see your outdoor space with fresh eyes. Over seven sessions, you’ll gain practical skills and design knowledge to create a beautiful and functional garden tailored to your needs. Each session will comprise of a mixture of teaching and hands-on activities, with a short break in the middle.
Tutor Elizabeth Wilks
TutorElizabeth Wilks is an environmental scientist and lifelong gardener with a passion for garden design. Her diverse upbringing across Africa, the UK, and Southeast Asia has enriched her appreciation for various climates and landscapes. Since the early 1990s, she has called New Zealand home. Elizabeth’s design philosophy emphasizes creating plant communities tailored to their environment, embracing Beth Chatto’s “right plant, right place” approach. She focuses on developing naturalistic gardens that harmonize with their surroundings.
Visit Elizabeth’s Instagram page: www.instagram.com/elizabethwilksgardens
Week 1: Tuesday 17 February 6.30 – 9pm| Understanding your garden space
Assess soil, climate, and environmental conditions Consider shadows, slopes, paths, steps, and patios Learn site measurement and drawing techniques
Week 2: Tuesday 24 February 6.30 – 9pm| Seeing space like a designer
- Explore spatial characteristics: horizon, viewpoint, and perspective
- Understand boundaries, enclosure, and spatial organisation
- Master proportion and scale for practical spaces
Week 3: Thursday 5 March 6.30 – 9pm | Sensory characteristics of plants
- Discover how size, form, and texture influence design
- Learn about movement, sound, and scent in the garden
- Use plants to create atmosphere and experience
Week 4: Tuesday 10 March 6.30 – 9pm| The power of colour in your garden
- Understand colour theory: hue, value, and chroma
- Learn how light affects colour perception
- Create stunning colour schemes for your garden
Week 5: Tuesday 17 March 6.30 – 9pm| Mastering design principles
- Understand proportion and scale
- Explore visual energy
- Master unity, diversity and balance
Week 6: Tuesday 24 March 6.30 – 9pm| Begin work on your personal garden design
- Draw a concept plan
- Begin to explore your plant palette
- Start drafting your final garden design plan
Week 7: Sunday 29 March 10am – 4pm| Hands-on design session
Please bring a plate of kai to share for lunch
- Discover plants and their adaptations
- Develop your planting plan
- Work on your personal garden design
- Engage in small group discussion
- Receive one on one support
Requirements
No prior knowledge of garden design is required for this course; however, participants should be prepared to dedicate at least 1.5 hours per week to homework to ensure they are ready for the next session.
Materials: Participants will need to provide some of their own sketching tools.
Location
Join us at The Kiosk, Christchurch Botanic GardensTe Māra Huaota o Waipapa
(Just over the footbridge from the Armagh St carpark).
Tel: 366 6937
Email: office@chsgardens.co.nz
Costs & Payment
$590 CHS Members & Friends of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens
$700 Non-Members
Bundle the course with a CHS Membership and pay just $655
We are pleased to offer a payment plan for this course. Give Jenny a call or email in the office to chat through the options. If you are unable to attend this course, or miss out on a spot please also contact us and we can add you to a waitlist.
Self serve tea, coffee & biscuits available throughout
Become a Member of the CHS and receive up to 30% off all our courses and workshops
