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:
Practical Symposium-September 2026
A September Practical Symposium – Saturday 5 September to Saturday 12 September 2026 This is a week-long practical hands on symposium, the aim being to demonstrate, explain and inspire, with a maximum of 12 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
5 September 2026 12:30 pm – 12 September 2026 8:00 amGreat Dixter House and Gardens, Northiam, TN31 6PH
Gardening with subtropical plants
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. Gain an insight into how Fergus and the team use subtropical
14 September 2026 10:00 am – 4:00 pmGreat Dixter House and Gardens, TN316PH
Growing and integrating summer bedding for late season interest
Introducing summer bedding to your borders is an excellent way to extend your garden’s season, maintaining interest and colour into the autumn. At Great Dixter we grow summer bedding plants from seed as well as using tender perennials and hardy subtropical plants to keep the display going. This day will teach you how to choose and grow summer bedding from
15 September 2026 10:00 am – 4:00 pmGreat Dixter House and Gardens, Northiam, TN31 6PH
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