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.
Annuals and Biennials
Ornamental Plant Materials, Garden Design, and Professional Gardener Levels 1 & 2 Certificates
7 Tuesdays:
May 13 – June 24
Classroom 1, Learning Center
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
6 Saturdays:
May 17 – June 21
Garden Walk, meet at Visitor Center
8 – 10 a.m.
Botany 2
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
5 Mondays, 7 Wednesdays:
May 14 – June 25
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
No class May 26,
course starts on Wednesday
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and
Garden Design Certificate
6 Tuesdays, 4 Thursdays:
June 3 – July 10
No class June 19 and July 3
5 Mondays, 5 Wednesdays:
September 8 – October 20
No class September 22, October 1 and 13
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Harmonizing Design and Plant Selection
Garden Design Certificate
2 Wednesdays:
June 11 & 18
6 – 8 p.m.
Gardening Techniques: Session D
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
6 Saturdays:
June 14 – July 26
No class July 5
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Patterns in Garden Design: Online
Garden Design Certificate
Saturday, June 14
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hardscape Basics
Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 2 and
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.
Plant Health 2
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
6 Mondays, 6 Wednesdays:
July 14 – August 20
6 – 8 p.m.
Rain date: August 25, 6 – 8 p.m.
Herbaceous Perennials
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
July 15 – August 26
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Includes Garden Walks,
meet at Visitor Center
6 Saturdays:
July 19 – August 23
8 – 10 a.m.
Soil Basics, Intensive Session
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
3 Saturdays:
September 6, 13 and 27
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
No class September 20
Conifers and Broad-leaved Evergreens
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
September 16 – November 4
No class September 23 and
October 14
Wednesday, November 12
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Classroom 1, Learning Center
6 Saturdays:
September 20 – November 8
No class September 27 and
October 11
8 – 10 a.m.
Garden Walks, meet at Visitor Center
Gardening Techniques: Session A Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
Online and On-site Hybrid
6 Thursdays:
September 25 – October 30
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Online
6 Sundays:
September 28 – November 2
10 a.m. – noon
Classroom 5