Fergus Garrett and the Great Dixter Charitable Trust see the Christopher Lloyd Bursary as a way of giving something back to the horticultural world by creating opportunities for trainee or young gardeners to widen their experience and gain inspiration from experts in the UK or abroad by travelling to, and/or learning in, horticulturally interesting places, attending courses and conferences and studying plants in the wild.

Nurseries who attend the Great Dixter Plant Fairs support the fund by giving 10% of their takings.

Applications are invited for up to a maximum of £1,500 with preference being given to applicants who might struggle to find funding from established organsations or institutes (Kew or Wisley applicants should first approach their own bursary providers). Applications with connections to the style of gardening and ethos of Great Dixter are preferred.

How to apply:

For travel, please provide a CV and a description of your trip, including planned expenditure. We would also like to know where else you have applied and how much of the trip you plan to fund yourself.

Successful applicants will be required to write about their experience within a month of their return. This could be in the form of a written report, a blog, an Instagram feed or other means but ideally something that can be shared on Dixter’s social media or website! They may also be asked to come and give a short talk to Great Dixter staff and Friends.

For training, please provide details of the course or conference you wish to attend, potential expenditure (including travel) and a short explanation of how the training will benefit you.

Successful applicants will be asked to send in a photo of themselves along with a brief paragraph about their training for our website.

To discuss the application process further or to apply please email: [email protected]

Deadlines for applications during the year are 1st April and 1st October. Applications will only be considered at these times.

Applicants will be informed of the decisions within two weeks of the deadlines. Only applications from EU residents are accepted.

In 2021 we awarded Sharon Horder £200 towards her Garden Design In Greece and the Mediterranean course.  Below is an account of her experience. 

This week of garden design teaching was a wonderful introduction to an area I really wanted to learn more about. Through the classroom sessions and practical exercises, I was able to gradually gain confidence in the subject matter as I took in the teaching through the week. Having practical drawing exercises and tasks to complete meant that I was able to try out what I was being taught and consolidate new skills. I hope that I can take what I have learnt and build on it as I go forward in my day-to-day work as a gardener.

To be able to undertake this course in Greece was a wonderful opportunity to see a whole new region of the Mediterranean and the flora that grows there. I was able to see plants that I was already familiar with in a new light, and take inspiration from plants that I came across which were new to me. The week sparked a personal interest in Greece and I hope to be able to return to explore its landscape and gardens much more.

I am extremely grateful to the Great Dixter Charitable Trust for very generously supporting my trip through the provision of a Christopher Lloyd bursary.

Previous awards

Jo Wilson, Garden Design Course, August 2020, £500

Daniel Monge, Hawaii  February 2020, £150

Michael Wachter, Slovenia, May 2018, £300

Lisa Rue, Slovenia, May 2018, £160.

Rosie Anderson, Slovenia May 2018, £300.

Jamie McCormick, Himalayas, August 2017, £600

Eve Halliday, USA, July 2017, £600

Josh Taylor, RHS level 2 course, June 2017, £600

David Bull, USA, May 2017, £400

Christina Clowser, Italy, April 2017, £400

Harry Baldwin, USA, April 2017, £200

Rebecca Lane, Alhambra and Sierra Nevada, April 2017, £600 (shown right)

Olivia Steed- Munden, USA, April 2017, £200

Sean Harkin, USA, Autumn 2012, £500

Hannah Wilson, Vietnam, October 2011, £1500