Frequently Asked Questions
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
This is an intensive course for anyone interested in plants and how they are used to enhance outside spaces.
- You may be an enthusiastic gardener who wants to know more about plants and reduce the ‘luck’ involved in achieving your aims in the garden.
- You may already be working in the industry as a landscaper or designer and you want to be more adventurous and confident with your planting schemes.
- You may be particularly interested in the RHS examination, but you would also like to know more about planting design as well as horticulture.
WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE ATTEND THE COURSE?
Students attending the course share the common goals of having a passion for design and a love of gardens and plants. No previous art, design or horticultural experience is necessary but studentsmust be at least twenty years old. Most of our intake is post graduate, but mature students with sufficient prior learning experience are particularly encouraged. Students must be bright, motivated, and, above all else, enthusiastic! Students come from all over the world and many different backgrounds, many having made the decision to change career.
WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE?
The part-time Designing with Plants course is split into three terms, with attendance at college one day a week. The course covers the syllabus of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture, with an additional emphasis on planting design. For practical reasons the order of the sessions on the DWP Course follows the seasons, so that students can take full advantage of the wonderful gardens at Hampton Court Palace and the garden and nursery visits arranged for them. Teaching will be by illustrated lectures, practical sessions in the Palace grounds, demonstrations, studio sessions and other garden and nursery visits. All design tutors are experienced practising professional garden designers and other subjects such as drawing and horticulture are also taught by experts in their fields.
WILL I BE AWARDED THE RHS CERTIFICATE AT THE END OF THE COURSE?
During the Designing with Plants course you will cover the syllabus of the RHS Level 2 course. You will have the option to prepare for and sit the RHS examination in June at the end of the course.
WHAT OTHER COSTS ARE INVOLVED?
KLC will provide students with all the immediate equipment needed in studios but there are, inevitably additional costs. These are mainly for colour photocopying (we do have a subsidised A3 copier at the school), copying work at A2 and A1 sizes, books, some samples and additional materials that you feel are appropriate for a particular presentation. Students may also wish to buy a drawing board for home, and a laptop computer will be useful but is not essential. KLC has a reference library, internet access and facilities for lap top usage. The fee for the RHS Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture examination is included in the cost of the KLC course, but is optional if a student is just studying for their own enjoyment.
Outdoor Clothing - An important aspect of the KLC Garden Design course is spending time out in the palace gardens. As our term begins in January and finishes in December, we do have to face the wonderful British weather during some of the toughest months of the year. It is essential that each student has a good set of waterproofs, such as coat and leggings. Other essential items are a hat, gloves and most importantly waterproof, safety boots. This is something that foreign students coming from warmer climates may not fully appreciate. We can suggest excellent clothing suppliers once the students arrive here in England but it important to allow both the time and some budget for purchasing these essential items. KLC will supply a fleece to every student enrolled on this course.
WILL I BE ABLE TO DO THE TECHNICAL DRAWING?
This is not a large part of the Designing with Plants Course, but you will be taught to draw planting plans professionally. Many students have no previous technical drawing experience, so you won’t be alone! We know that this is an aspect of our courses that many people find unnerving but we can provide you with all the training you need to do this with confidence.
HOW MUCH PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE WILL I DO?
Designing With Plants is primarily a design course, but all our students will have the unique advantage of using the Hampton Court Palace Gardens to enhance their plant identification knowledge and their understanding of plant maintenance principles. Tutors will demonstrate practical techniques and you will be able to try your hand in the Twentieth Century Garden, which is exclusively for the teaching of KLC students. You will also be able to observe the renowned Palace Gardening Staff at work throughout the year.
HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL WORK IS THERE OUTSIDE COURSE HOURS?
All our courses are intensive and we do rely on our students being prepared to undertake work outside school hours (10.00am to 4.00pm) and over the holiday periods where this is applicable. We will advise each student individually about the possibility of work experience outside course hours.
WHAT ARE THE BACKGROUNDS OF THE TUTORS/LECTURERS?
KLC tutors and lecturers are all working professionals and include some of the country’s top landscape designers, garden designers, plantsmen and specialists.
HOW IS WORK ASSESSED?
Weekly plant identification tests contribute to your final marks for the designing with Plants Course. There will be two examinations (one open and one closed) during the course and assessment of planting design assignments.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF THE COURSE?
At the end of the course you will have the opportunity to prepare for and sit the RHS examination. It is advisable to decide well in advance whether you would like to do this. This will enable tutors to advise you and also allow you to sit a mock examination beforehand. The KLC Certificates in Designing with Plants will be awarded at the end of year annual exhibition, where your work and that of other students will be displayed.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE KLC?
KLC School of Design offers quality training, delivered in a unique, friendly, accessible and stimulating way. KLC has a policy to use only practising professionals for tuition and is committed to developing the creative potential of all its students. We include practical work outside throughout the horticultural year. Based at the magnificent Hampton Court Palace, KLC offers students a unique learning environment with excellent access to the wonderful historic gardens. Whether you want to learn more about designing with plants for your own interest, to develop your existing knowledge or as a stepping stone to a new career Designing with Plants with KLC at Hampton Court will give you the inspiration and professional tuition that you require. |
