Adult Learning Programme
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 for 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 4 Symposia scheduled for 2026 as follows:
Saturday 7 February to Saturday 14 February 2026 – a practical Pruning Symposium
Saturday 9 May to Saturday 16 May 2026 – a theory based, General Symposium
Saturday 5 September to Saturday 12 September 2026 – a practical General Symposium
Saturday 7 November to Saturday 14 November 2026 – a practical Bulb, border design editing and management Symposium
See below for full details of these courses. Booking will go live on Friday 21 November at 16.00 (4pm) UK time.
In this section:
Nursery propagation day
The Great Dixter Nursery team will lead this Study Day held at the Great Dixter Nursery. Refreshments and lunch are included and we are offering a 10% discount on plant sales for attendees in the Nursery on the day. You will be taken through each stage from making your own compost, to taking cuttings, sowing seeds,…
21 September 2026 10:00 am – 4:00 pmGreat Dixter House and Gardens, TN316PH
Propagation for gardeners
Propagation at Great Dixter is a year-round affair and helps to ensure our borders are full of colour and interest, and our plants are well maintained. This new practical course will be led by the garden and nursery teams at Great Dixter, and will help you to understand how propagation is structured through the year. You…
28 September 2026 10:00 am – 30 September 2026 4:00 pm
Planning and preparing your border for spring and summer
Head Gardener Fergus Garrett will lead this Study Day held at Great Dixter House and Gardens. Refreshments and lunch are included, served in the Great Hall and we are offering a 10% discount on plant sales for attendees in the nursery on the day. This study day takes you through the preparation and planning involved…
5 October 2026 10:00 am – 4:00 pmGreat Dixter House and Gardens, TN316PH
Behind the scenes at Great Dixter – October
Great Dixter is a garden that delights and challenges. Our Behind the Scenes tours provide a special opportunity to enjoy a private viewing of the garden on a day when we are normally closed to the public. You will gain insight into the making of the Great Dixter borders with one of the garden team…
12 October 2026 1:30 pm – 4:15 pmGreat Dixter House and Gardens, TN316PH
The Long Season Border- A Practical Guide to Succession.
This 3-day course led by Fergus and the garden team will help you get to grips with gardening for succession in your borders. Using the garden at Great Dixter as an example, the course will teach you: How to choose hard -working woody and herbaceous plants, including grasses to create the permanent structure of your border and how…
19 October 2026 10:00 am – 21 October 2026 4:00 pmGreat Dixter House and Gardens, TN316PH
Bulbs, border design, editing and management Symposium-November 2026
Bulbs, border design, editing and management Symposium – Saturday 7 November to Saturday 14 November 2026 This is a week-long, practical, hands-on symposium with a maximum of 8 attendees. 80% of the time will be outside in the garden and 20% indoors. Accommodation, meals, as well as transport to and from the hotel every day are…
7 November 2026 12:30 pm – 14 November 2026 8:00 amGreat Dixter House and Gardens, Northiam, TN31 6PH