Royal Horticultural Society Campuses

RHS Garden Bridgewater, the newest RHS site opened in 2021 on the historic Worsley New Hall estate, specializes in urban horticulture courses suited to industrial North West England. Covering 154 acres, it addresses contemporary challenges like pollution-tolerant planting and community green spaces, providing modern facilities for education.

• RHS Level 2 Certificate in Garden Planning: Entry-level course on urban design, container gardening, and balcony planting, using Bridgewater's walled gardens.
• Urban Biodiversity and Wildlife Gardening: Training in creating habitats for birds, insects, and mammals in city settings, with focus on the garden's wetlands and meadows.
• Plant Health and Integrated Pest Management: Workshops on disease diagnosis, chemical-free controls, and resilient cultivars for polluted areas.
• Therapeutic Horticulture: Programs exploring gardening's mental health benefits, including sensory gardens and inclusive activities for all abilities.
• Sustainable Turf and Sports Ground Maintenance: Courses on lawn care, pitch renovation, and eco-friendly surfaces, tied to the site's arboretum and lakes.

Bridgewater's state-of-the-art education center features classrooms, greenhouses, and digital tools for blended learning. Short courses cover rooftop greening and edible urban forests, appealing to city dwellers. Apprenticeships partner with Manchester's green initiatives, offering placements in public parks. The curriculum emphasizes social impact, with modules on community orchards and youth engagement. Learners access the 50-acre walled garden for practicals and the visitor pavilion for seminars. Themes include restoring historic landscapes and climate-resilient planting. Graduates enter fields like urban forestry, therapy roles, or council horticulture. As an accessible site near motorways, it attracts diverse learners, promoting inclusivity. Bridgewater's programs highlight innovation, such as vertical meadows and smart irrigation, preparing participants for urban greening demands. With its blend of formal parterres and wild woods, it inspires practical, forward-thinking gardening solutions for tomorrow's cities.

RHS Garden Harlow Carr, located in the Yorkshire Dales, excels in courses adapted to northern climates, emphasizing hardy perennials, alpine plants, and woodland gardening. Acquired by the RHS in 2001, its 58 acres provide a northern base for horticultural training, with a focus on resilience and seasonal interest.

• RHS Level 2 Award in Practical Horticulture: Beginner-friendly sessions on planting, mulching, and seasonal care, using Harlow Carr's productive kitchen gardens and alpine rockeries.
• Plant Propagation and Nursery Management: In-depth training in micropropagation, division, and layering, supported by the garden's research nursery.
• Garden Maintenance and Renovation: Courses on turf care, water features, and restoring heritage gardens, drawing from the site's Edwardian legacy.
• Sustainable Landscaping: Workshops on water conservation, native planting, and carbon sequestration, reflecting Yorkshire's environmental challenges.
• Flower Arranging and Floral Design: Creative classes incorporating Harlow Carr's floral meadows and cut-flower production.

Harlow Carr's programs integrate science and artistry, with access to experimental plots and a botanical library. Evening and weekend options suit working professionals, while apprenticeships offer paid training. The campus hosts the Northern Horticultural Society's legacy resources, enriching learning. Participants explore themes like winter gardening and pollinator habitats through guided tours. Short courses cover bulb forcing and herb cultivation, ideal for urban gardeners. The emphasis on community engagement includes volunteering in public beds, building portfolios. Graduates pursue careers in public parks, event floristry, or teaching. With its spa-town ambiance, Harlow Carr inspires holistic well-being through gardening. Programs highlight the garden's biodiversity projects, such as bog gardens and wildflower meadows, equipping learners to thrive in cooler, wetter conditions. Overall, it's a vital center for northern horticultural excellence.

RHS Garden Hyde Hall, spanning 365 acres in Essex, focuses on courses in dry gardening, drought-tolerant plants, and large-scale landscape management. Donated to the RHS in 1976, it exemplifies innovative horticulture in South East England's variable weather, offering expansive learning opportunities.

• RHS Level 3 Diploma in Horticultural Practice: Comprehensive study of plant establishment, irrigation systems, and estate-scale maintenance, practiced in Hyde Hall's hilltop panoramas.
• Drought-Resistant Gardening: Specialized training in xeriscaping, gravel gardens, and Mediterranean species, vital for climate adaptation.
• Orchard Management and Fruit Production: Courses on pruning heritage apples, pest monitoring, and harvesting, using the garden's Victorian orchard.
• Water Gardening and Pond Construction: Modules on aquatic plants, filtration, and wildlife ponds, featured in the site's lakes and streams.
• Landscape Architecture Principles: Advanced design for public spaces, incorporating Hyde Hall's dry riverbeds and rose parterres.

The curriculum leverages the garden's experimental dry garden, a showcase for water-wise techniques. Facilities include lecture halls, propagation units, and a visitor center for immersive education. Short courses address container gardening and vertical planting for smaller plots. Apprenticeships collaborate with local councils, providing real-project experience. Learners benefit from international plant trials and guest speakers. Themes include biodiversity in grasslands and sustainable turf alternatives. Graduates excel in arboriculture, golf course design, or conservation. Hyde Hall's rural setting encourages outdoor immersion, with trails illustrating course concepts. Programs also cover wild harvesting and foraging, tying into the kitchen garden. As a center for innovation, it prepares students for future-proof gardening amid water scarcity. The site's grandeur inspires ambitious projects, making it ideal for aspiring landscape professionals seeking breadth and depth in their training.

RHS Garden Rosemoor, nestled in the scenic Devon countryside, specializes in courses that highlight regional horticulture, particularly in mild, maritime climates. Opened in 1988, it offers education tailored to South West England's unique growing conditions, blending theory with practical outdoor learning across its 70 acres.

• RHS Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture: Introductory training in plant cultivation, garden maintenance, and sustainable practices, with emphasis on Devon's fruit and ornamental varieties grown in Rosemoor's orchards and rose gardens.
• Advanced Pruning and Training Techniques: Workshops focusing on fruit trees, climbers, and shrubs, using the garden's extensive collections for demonstration and practice.
• Garden Construction and Planting Design: Courses on creating mixed borders, wild gardens, and formal parterres, inspired by Rosemoor's award-winning displays.
• Organic Gardening and Biodiversity: Modules teaching natural pest control, composting, and wildlife-friendly planting, aligned with the garden's conservation efforts.
• Specialist Plant Propagation: Hands-on sessions in seed sowing, cuttings, and grafting, featuring rare Devon natives and exotics in the propagation house.

The curriculum at Rosemoor promotes resilience in gardening amid climate change, with field trips to local estates and expert-led seminars. Short courses cater to weekend gardeners, while longer diplomas prepare for professional accreditation. Facilities include demonstration gardens, a lecture theater, and herbarium resources. Learners engage in community projects, such as meadow restoration, gaining practical experience. Rosemoor's programs underscore the joy of gardening, fostering skills in everything from kitchen gardens to woodland walks. Graduates often advance to roles in estate management or eco-tourism. With its family-friendly vibe, the site also offers youth programs introducing horticulture basics. In total, Rosemoor's offerings empower enthusiasts to cultivate vibrant, self-sustaining landscapes suited to the West Country's temperate environment.

The RHS Garden Wisley is the flagship site for horticultural education, offering a comprehensive range of courses focused on practical gardening and plant science. As the oldest RHS garden, established in 1903, it serves as a hub for both amateur and professional learners interested in sustainable horticulture.

• RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development: This foundational course covers soil science, plant nutrition, and propagation techniques, with hands-on sessions in Wisley's extensive trial grounds.
• RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Maintenance: Advanced training in landscape design, hardscaping, and plant selection, utilizing the garden's diverse landscapes for real-world application.
• Garden Design Diploma: A two-year program emphasizing creative design principles, site analysis, and planting schemes, taught by leading designers with access to Wisley's inspirational borders and glasshouses.
• Practical Horticulture Skills Workshops: Short courses on pruning, pest management, and organic gardening, ideal for hobbyists seeking to enhance their home gardens.
• Plant Identification and Propagation: Specialized modules exploring the 10,000+ plant species at Wisley, including rare exotics and natives, with laboratory and field components.

These courses emphasize evidence-based practices, sustainability, and biodiversity, drawing on Wisley's research facilities. Learners benefit from expert tutors, state-of-the-art nurseries, and networking opportunities at events like the Wisley Flower Show. With a focus on career development, many graduates pursue roles in landscape architecture, nursery management, or public garden curation. The campus's 240-acre expanse provides an immersive learning environment, fostering skills in everything from alpine gardening to tropical conservatories. Additional offerings include online modules for flexible study and apprenticeships for young professionals. Overall, Wisley's programs equip participants with the knowledge to create thriving, eco-friendly gardens, contributing to the society's mission of advancing horticulture nationwide.