Garden Design Certificate Program
Garden Design Certificate Program
The Garden Design Certificate (GDC) consists of a unique curriculum that provides the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a garden design professional. It features a solid foundation in plantsmanship and science-based gardening techniques, both of which are essential to creating successful gardens for a wide spectrum of projects—from private residences to municipal plantings.
Who should participate? Aspiring professional garden designers, and gardeners and garden designers seeking professional development. There are no prerequisites to start the program, and no prior horticulture experience is needed.
Student Resources
Course Overview
Program Policies
FAQ Brochure
Graduation
Questions?
Contact Stana, student advisor:
Click here to show mail address
Program Requirements
The program requirements include 23 required courses and 24 instructional hours of elective courses. Botany 1 is recommended to take first or early in your curriculum given it is a prerequisite for many other courses. Students on average complete this program within three years. All requirements for the certificate must be completed within seven years of the start date of our first core course. For the certificate, a grade of at least 70 percent must be achieved for each core course.
Ready to get started? Begin your journey with Botany 1, Soil Basics, or any of the four Gardening Techniques courses.
Garden Design Required Courses | Prerequisites |
| Botany 1 | |
| Botany 2 | Botany 1 |
| Gardening Techniques: Session A | |
| Gardening Techniques: Session B | |
| Gardening Techniques: Session C | |
| Gardening Techniques: Session D | |
| Soil Basics | |
| Plant Health 1 | Botany 1 |
| Plant Health 2 | Plant Health 1 |
| Annuals and Biennials | Botany 1 |
| Conifers and Broad-leaved Evergreens | Botany 1 |
| Decidous Flowering Shrubs | Botany 1 |
| Decidous Trees | Botany 1 |
| Ground Covers and Vines | Botany 1 |
| Hardy Bulbs | Botany 1 |
| Herbaceous Perennials | Botany 1 |
| Small Flowering Trees | Botany 1 |
| Graphics | |
| Introduction to Professional Practice | Graphics (can be taken concurrently) |
| Principles of Garden Design | Graphics & Introduction to Professional Practice |
| Hardscape Basics | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice & Principles of Garden Design |
| Introduction to Grading and Drainage | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice & Principles of Garden Design |
| Planting Design | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice, Principles of Garden Design & Hardscape Basics |
| Garden Design Implementation | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice, Principles of Garden Design, Hardscape Basics, and Introduction to Grading |
| Garden Design Studio | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice, Principles of Garden Design, Hardscape Basics, and Garden Design |
CHOICE OF TWO OF THE FOLLOWING COURSES |
| Gardening Techniques: Session A |
| Gardening Techniques: Session B |
| Gardening Techniques: Session C |
| Gardening Techniques: Session D |
GDC Elective Courses |
24 instructional hours of GDC elective credit is required |
Available Classes
If a class is sold out, please contact us at (847) 835-6801 to be placed on the waitlist. The Garden will contact you if a space becomes available.
Graphics
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate
10 Thursdays:
January 16 – March 20
6 – 8:30 p.m.
and
2 Saturdays:
January 25 and
February 1
1 – 3 p.m.
Gardening Techniques: Session B
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate
6 Tuesdays:
January 21 – February 25
5 – 6 p.m. (online) and
6 Saturdays:
January 25 – March 1
10 a.m. – noon (classroom 4)
(rain date Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m. – noon)
Plant Health 1
Online Course
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1,
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design
6 Tuesdays & 6 Thursdays:
January 21 – March 4
no class February 20 6 – 8 p.m.
Introduction to Professional Practice
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate
Online 11 Wednesdays:
January 22 – April 2
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
On-site 2 Saturdays:
February 8 and March 1
1 – 4 p.m.
Deciduous Flowering Shrubs
Certificate Ornamental Plant Materials
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design
7 Tuesdays:
March 11 – April 29
Classroom 1, Learning Center
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
no class March 18 and 22
Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
March 15 – April 26
Meet at Visitor Center
8 – 10 a.m.
Designing for Maximum Color: Online
Garden Design Certificate
Tuesday, March 18
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Gardening Techniques: Session C
Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
March 20 – April 24
5 – 6 p.m. (online) and
6 Saturdays:
March 22 – April 26
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (classroom 5)
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
5 Mondays & 5 Wednesdays:
March 31 – April 30
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Soil Basics
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
and Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
April 10 – May 22
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
Saturday, May 3
1 – 4 p.m.
no class May 15
Principles of Garden Design
Professional Gardener Level 2
& Garden Design Certificate
8 Wednesdays:
April 16 – June 4
6:30 – 9 p.m.
and
2 Saturdays:
April 19 & May 17
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Annuals and Biennials
Certificate Ornamental Plant Materials
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design
7 Tuesdays:
May 13 – June 24
Classroom 1, Learning Center
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
May 17 – June 21
Meet at Visitor Center
8 – 10 a.m.
Botany 2
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
& Garden Design Certificate
6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
May 14 – June 25
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
no class May 26, course starts on Wednesday
Hardscape Basics
Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 2
& Garden Design Certificate
Online 9 Thursdays:
June 26 – August 21
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
On-site 2 Saturdays:
July 12 and August 9
2 – 5 p.m.