Garden Design Certificate Program
Garden Design Certificate Program
The Garden Design Certificate (GDC) consists of a unique curriculum that provides the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a garden design professional. It features a solid foundation in plantsmanship and science-based gardening techniques, both of which are essential to creating successful gardens for a wide spectrum of projects—from private residences to municipal plantings.
Who should participate? Aspiring professional garden designers, and gardeners and garden designers seeking professional development. There are no prerequisites to start the program, and no prior horticulture experience is needed.
Program Requirements
The program requirements include 23 required courses and 24 instructional hours of elective courses. Botany 1 is recommended to take first or early in your curriculum given it is a prerequisite for many other courses. Students on average complete this program within three years. All requirements for the certificate must be completed within seven years of the start date of our first core course. For the certificate, a grade of at least 70 percent must be achieved for each core course.
Ready to get started? Begin your journey with Botany 1, Soil Basics, or any of the four Gardening Techniques courses.
Garden Design Required Courses | Prerequisites |
| Botany 1 | |
| Botany 2 | Botany 1 |
| Gardening Techniques: Session A | |
| Gardening Techniques: Session B | |
| Gardening Techniques: Session C | |
| Gardening Techniques: Session D | |
| Soil Basics | |
| Plant Health 1 | Botany 1 |
| Plant Health 2 | Plant Health 1 |
| Annuals and Biennials | Botany 1 |
| Conifers and Broad-leaved Evergreens | Botany 1 |
| Decidous Flowering Shrubs | Botany 1 |
| Decidous Trees | Botany 1 |
| Ground Covers and Vines | Botany 1 |
| Hardy Bulbs | Botany 1 |
| Herbaceous Perennials | Botany 1 |
| Small Flowering Trees | Botany 1 |
| Graphics | |
| Introduction to Professional Practice | Graphics (can be taken concurrently) |
| Principles of Garden Design | Graphics & Introduction to Professional Practice |
| Hardscape Basics | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice & Principles of Garden Design |
| Introduction to Grading and Drainage | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice & Principles of Garden Design |
| Planting Design | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice, Principles of Garden Design & Hardscape Basics |
| Garden Design Implementation | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice, Principles of Garden Design, Hardscape Basics, and Introduction to Grading |
| Garden Design Studio | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice, Principles of Garden Design, Hardscape Basics, and Garden Design |
CHOICE OF TWO OF THE FOLLOWING COURSES |
| Gardening Techniques: Session A |
| Gardening Techniques: Session B |
| Gardening Techniques: Session C |
| Gardening Techniques: Session D |
GDC Elective Courses |
24 instructional hours of GDC elective credit is required |
Available Classes
If a class is sold out, please contact us at (847) 835-6801 to be placed on the waitlist. The Garden will contact you if a space becomes available.
Landscape Design for Energy Efficiency | Online
Garden Design Certificate
Saturday, April 11
1 – 3 p.m.
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials, Professional Gardener Level 1 and 2, and Garden Design Certificates
5 Mondays & 5 Wednesdays:
April 13 – May 13
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Soil Basics
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
April 16 – May 21
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
Saturday:
May 9
1 – 4 p.m.
Principles of Garden Design
Professional Gardener Level 2 and
Garden Design Certificate
8 Wednesdays:
May 6 – June 24
6:30 – 9 p.m.
and
2 Saturdays:
April 16 and June 6
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Landscape Graphics Studio Workshop
Garden Design Certificate
3 Thursdays:
May 7 – May 21
6 – 8 p.m.
Small Flowering Trees
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
May 12 – June 30
(no class May 26)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Also includes Garden Walks. Meet at Visitor Center.
6 Saturdays:
May 16 – June 27
(no class May 30)
8 – 10 a.m.
Botany 2
Professional Gardener Level 2 and Certificate Garden Design Certificate
6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
June 1 – July 8
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate
5 Tuesdays & 5 Thursdays:
June 2 – July 2
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Gardening Techniques | Session D
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
6 Sundays:
June 7 – July 26
(no class June 28 or July 4)
9 a.m. – noon
Plant Health 2
Professional Gardener Level 2 and Garden Design Certificate
6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
July 13 – August 19
6 – 8 p.m.
Rain date: August 24, 2026
Ground Covers and Vines
Certificate Ornamental Plant Materials
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design
7 Tuesdays:
July 14 – August 25
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and
6 Saturdays:
July 18 – August 22
8 – 10 a.m.
Also includes Garden Walks, meet at Visitor Center.
Harmonizing Design and Plant Selection
Garden Design Certificate
2 Thursdays:
July 16 – 23
6 – 8 p.m.
Perennial Bed Design for Sun | Online
Garden Design Certificate
Saturday, July 25
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Perennial Bed Design for Shade | Online
Garden Design Certificate
Saturday, August 1
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hardscape Basics
Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 2 and
Garden Design Certificate
Online 9 Thursdays:
September 10 – November 5
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
On-site 2 Saturdays:
October 3 & 24
2 – 5 p.m.
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate
4 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
September 14 – October 21
(no class September 21 or October 12)
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Deciduous Trees
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
Multiple Dates Available
Soil Basics, Intensive Session
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
3 Saturdays:
September 19 – October 10
(no class October 3)
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Gardening Techniques | Session A Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
September 24 – October 29
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.(online)
6 Sundays:
September 27 – November 1
10 a.m. – noon (Classroom 5)
Gardening Techniques | Session A Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
Online and On-site Hybrid
6 Thursdays:
September 25 – October 30
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Online
6 Sundays:
September 28 – November 2
10 a.m. – noon
Classroom 5
Wellness Garden Design | Online
Garden Design Certificate
Saturday, September 26
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.