Information Session
Diploma Courses Information Sessions
Join us at The Chelsea Physic Garden for an informal Information Session and discover how our Diploma courses could transform your gardening journey.
From its home at the historic Chelsea Physic Garden, The English Gardening School has shaped generations of exceptional gardeners and garden designers.
The school offers a range of internationally recognised programmes including its signature Diplomas, short courses and distance-learning options. Designed for both aspiring professionals and anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge and understanding of plants and gardens, the programmes give students the opportunity to learn from tutors at the forefront of horticulture and garden design..
Acclaimed Diploma Gardening Courses
Our signature courses for students passionate about gardens and plants are delivered by leading tutors and feature practical work and site visits.
Diploma course
Essential Garden Design
A comprehensive, step-by-step course covering all aspects of garden design from first principles to final plan.
Diploma course
Good Gardening
An inspiring programme for gardeners looking to deepen their understanding of plants and plantsmanship.
Courses
The History of The English Garden School
The English Gardening School was founded in 1983 at the Chelsea Physic Garden by pioneering garden designer Rosemary Alexander. Since then, it has inspired generations of gardeners and designers, and its alumni are prominent throughout the horticultural profession. Today, under the leadership of B Brooks, the School builds on that legacy, blending tradition with innovation to bring together a community united by a shared passion for gardens and the plants that shape them.
Our Tutors
Our tutors are subject experts, leading garden designers, and horticultural professionals. They support students through courses, providing fresh and informed guidance.
B Brooks
Loading image: B Brooks
B Brooks
B completed her garden design studies at the EGS before establishing BB Garden Design in 2012. Now Principal of The English Gardening School and Course Director of the One Year Good Gardening Diploma, she combines creative design with practical horticultural expertise to inspire the next generation of gardeners and designers.
Catriona Rowbotham
Catriona Rowbotham is Course Director of the Essential Garden Design Diploma and has taught at EGS since 2018. A former architect with more than 30 years' design experience, she now leads her own successful garden design practice, bringing a wealth of professional expertise and practical insight to her teaching.
Sarah Eberle
Sarah Eberle is one of the world's most celebrated garden designers and the most decorated designer in RHS Chelsea Flower Show history, with 20 Gold Medals to her name. Tutoring on both the Good Gardening and Garden Design Diplomas, Sarah brings unparalleled expertise in planting design and horticulture to EGS students.
Edward Flint
Edward Flint is one of the UK’s most respected practising head gardeners, with decades of horticultural experience. Trained under Christopher Lloyd at Great Dixter and Elizabeth Strangman at Washfield Nursery, he has designed gardens across Europe and now brings his exceptional practical knowledge to EGS’s Good Gardening Diploma.
Caroline Jackson
Caroline Jackson combines more than 30 years of teaching experience with extensive practical horticultural expertise. Alongside tutoring on the Good Gardening Diploma and Advanced Practical Horticulture course at EGS, she works as a roving Head Gardener for Marian Boswall Landscape Architects and teaches professional horticulture at the RHS School of Horticulture, Wisley.
Ben Pope
Ben Pope is an accomplished horticulturist with over 25 years of professional experience. Alongside leading a private garden in West Sussex, he lectures widely, writes for publications including Gardens Illustrated and The Telegraph, and serves on the RHS Herbaceous Plant Expert Group, bringing exceptional practical expertise to every EGS course.
Troy Scott Smith
Troy Scott Smith is one of Britain's most respected horticulturists and has been Head Gardener at Sissinghurst Castle Garden since 2013. A tutor on the Good Gardening Diploma, he combines decades of experience leading some of the UK's most celebrated gardens with an internationally recognised reputation for planting, garden stewardship and horticultural excellence.
Nick Tripp
Nick Tripp is Managing Director and co-founder of the award-winning landscape design practice Taylor Tripp. A graduate of The English Gardening School, he has spent almost three decades creating timeless private gardens, bringing a deep understanding of landscape, architecture and classical design principles to every course he teaches at EGS.
Our Alumni
EGS alumni are at the forefront of horticulture and garden design both in the UK and internationally. From Jo Thompson, Pollyanna Wilkinson and Rachel de Thame to Joe Swift, Henry Agg, Tania Compton and Manoj Maldé, the EGS community spans RHS Gold Medallists, garden designers, horticultural experts, television presenters and garden journalists. We are proud to have played a part in the horticultural journeys of so many distinguished alumni.
Next Information Sessions
The English Gardening School
Chelsea Physic Garden
66 Royal Hospital Road
London
SW3 4HS
Administration days
Monday: 9:30am to 2:30pm
Wednesday: 9:30am to 2:30pm
Phone
+44 (0)1730 818373
