The Chanticleer USA Christopher Lloyd Scholarship was conceived in order to provide a gardener from the United States with a year-long, practical education in the traditional style of ornamental gardening as practised at two of the world’s most respected gardens, Great Dixter in East Sussex, England, and Chanticleer near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

The scholarship offers an American gardener a chance to develop deep practical skills and an understanding of the ‘sense of place’ needed to manage complex, innovative flower gardens such as those at Great Dixter and Chanticleer. It is hoped that the scholar, in turn, will inspire a future generation of North American gardeners, passing on knowledge and skills.

The scholar spends 11 months, from September through July, living and working at Great Dixter, immersed in all aspects of the garden’s operations. The individual will also attend symposiums and visit gardens, plant trials and garden shows. The final month of the scholarship is spent working at Chanticleer. The scholar may also wish to complete an internship at Chanticleer prior to beginning at Great Dixter (from March through August). They will receive a bursary from Chanticleer to cover their living costs while in the UK. Accommodation is provided at both gardens for the duration of the scholarship.

The scholarship, named in honour of Christopher Lloyd who lived and gardened at Great Dixter and established close ties with Chanticleer, is open to trainee gardeners who are U.S. citizens. The Scholarship is generously funded by Chanticleer. www.chanticleergarden.org.

The closing date for applications for the 2024-25 scholar has now passed. To register your interest in future scholarships please email Catherine Haydock: [email protected]

Meet our 2023-24 scholar, Will Larson. 

Will comes from New England and brings a wealth of experience of wild plant communities from his work with conservation organisations, and native plant nurseries. He’s particularly excited by the opportunity to see and work with different wild plant communities as well as experiencing traditional UK gardening culture by immersing himself in the garden at Great Dixter.  

Will is keeping a diary in which he documents his time at Great Dixter. You can read it below. 

September 2023

October 2023

November 2023

Previous Scholars:

Andrew Wiley

Eloise Gayer

Peter Slothower

Margaret Easter

Jack McCoy
@JackMccoyGardens
(Instagram)

Coralie Thomas (now Assistant Head Gardener at Great Dixter)

Matt Burgesser

Ben Pick