This 3 day course led by Fergus and the garden team will take you through the planning and practical steps needed to prepare a complex garden like Great Dixter for the spring and summer display Read more
Discover the secrets of meadows using the wonderful Great Dixter meadows as a case study. The day takes place at the peak of orchid flowing time. Read more
Adult education courses at Great Dixter include study days, week-long Symposia, courses, lectures and workshops. Run by Head Gardener Fergus Garrett, as well as other Dixter staff and friends with an intimate knowledge of the garden, they will help people understand the ethos, methods and plants that are used.
Week-Long Symposia
Started by Christopher Lloyd, Great Dixter has been running Symposia over twenty years and owing to the excellent horticultural tuition, many participants return year after year.
Symposia span one week at Great Dixter and offer a rare opportunity for gardeners to learn first-hand with our Head Gardener, Fergus Garrett, and his team. All gardeners and levels of expertise are welcome.
There are 3 Symposia scheduled for 2024 as follows:
Saturday 11 May to Saturday 18 May 2024 – a theory based, General Symposium - Fully booked
Saturday 14 September to Saturday 21 September 2024 – a theory based, General Symposium - Fully booked
Saturday 2 November to Saturday 9 November 2024 – a practical Bulb Symposium - Fully booked
Join the waiting list for 2025 dates. Great Dixter is a renowned and innovative garden that depends on a high degree of craftsmanship to maintain and develop its year round display. This is an advanced course, exploring and teaching the skills necessary for establishing, developing and managing a garden in this style. Teaching takes place monthly through the year from February to January. Read more
The garden at Great Dixter provides the perfect setting for students to learn about the art and craft of garden design. This innovative course is held one day per month, from March to November, and as the course unfolds you will be able to observe and study the garden throughout the changing seasons. Read more
Saturday 11 May to Saturday 18 May 2024 This is a theory-based symposium (although 30% of the time will be spent outdoors). Now fully booked. Read more
Great Dixter is a garden that delights and challenges. Our Behind the Scenes Tour in June provides a rare opportunity to enjoy a private viewing of the garden on a day when it is normally closed to the public. Read more
Discover the secrets of meadows using the amazing Great Dixter meadows as a case study. The day takes place at the time when the meadows are entering their late summer flowering phase, and will discuss the practicalities of cutting and strewing to create new meadows. Read more
Great Dixter is a garden that delights and challenges. Our Behind the Scenes Tour in July provides a rare opportunity to enjoy a private viewing of the garden on a day when it is normally closed to the public. Read more
Great Dixter is a garden that delights and challenges. Our Behind the Scenes Tour in August provides a rare opportunity to enjoy a private viewing of the garden on a day when it is normally closed to the public. Read more
Gain an insight into how Fergus and the team use subtropical plants at Great Dixter to create a lush textured tropical effect. Read more
Great Dixter is a garden that delights and challenges. Our Behind the Scenes Tour in September provides a rare opportunity to enjoy a private viewing of the garden on a day when it is normally closed to the public. Read more
Saturday 14 September to Saturday 21 September 2024 This is a theory-based symposium (although 30% of the time will be spent outdoors). Now fully booked. Read more
The Great Dixter Nursery will host this day on propagation. You will be taken through each stage from making your own compost, to taking cuttings, sowing seeds, splitting perennials and looking after plants in pots. Read more
Great Dixter is a garden that delights and challenges. Our Behind the Scenes Tour in October provides a rare opportunity to enjoy a private viewing of the garden on a day when it is normally closed to the public. Read more
This study day takes you through the preparation and planning involved in getting a complex garden like Great Dixter ready through the winter for spring and early summer display. Read more
Saturday 2 November to Saturday 9 November 2024 This is a practical, hands-on symposium focusing on Bulbs, with 80% of the time being spent outdoors. Now fully booked. Read more
Fergus will use the garden at Great Dixter to illustrate how you can create a long-season border using succession planting. Read more