Dan Pearson

For thirty-five years, Dan Pearson has shaped some of the most ambitious landscapes in the world — from the 400-hectare Tokachi Millennium Forest in Japan to the restoration of Lowther Castle's lost Edwardian gardens. Eight-time Chelsea Gold medallist, MBE, author of four books, longtime columnist at The Observer. He teaches from his own 20-acre Somerset farm.

Acclaimed naturalistic landscape designer. Multiple Chelsea Gold Medal Winner. OBE.

Course

Naturalistic Garden Design Masterclass

Explore the fundamental building blocks of great garden design with one of the UK’s most celebrated designers and horticulturists, Dan Pearson. Both practical and philosophical, this course will equip you with all the skills needed to make the most out of your garden, from learning how to plot your plants for optimum structure, layering and coverage and choosing the right plants for your ecosystem, to planning the framework for your garden and learning to provide year-round interest through the use of a considered plant palette. Ideal for gardening enthusiasts, Dan Pearson will teach you how to plan and maintain any size outdoor space, from grand country gardens to townhouse roof terraces, to create your own harmonious, well-considered and productive garden throughout the year.

27 Lessons

Included with membership

Lesson plan — 27 lessons

01 Introduction

01 Meet Dan
02 Dan’s approach to landscape design

02 Dan’s principles of garden design

03 Establishing a brief
04 Sense of place
05 Places to be and places to do

03 Understanding the aspect, location, and soil

06 Introduction to aspect and soil
07 Understanding your soil
08 Understanding your site: biodiversity, balance and working with nature

04 Dan's process in the studio

09 The design process
10 Evaluating your plot
11 Materiality
12 Creating a general arrangement and zoning plan
13 Creating a mood board
14 Creating a planting plan

05 Hillside - a case study

15 Hillside: planting design - part 1
16 Hillside: planting design - part 2
17 Hillside: planting design - part 3
18 Hillside: planting design - part 4
19 Hillside: meadows, hedgerows and orchards
20 Hillside: the kitchen garden - part 1
21 Hillside: the kitchen garden - part 2

06 Old Rectory - a case study

22 The Old Rectory: introduction
23 The Old Rectory: water
24 The Old Rectory: meadows
25 The Old Rectory: mood

07 Summary

26 Final words

08 An exclusive preview

27 An Expert Guide to Planting Design

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Course

An Expert Guide to Planting Design

Discover how to approach planting design for a range of different garden environments with acclaimed horticulturist and naturalistic landscape designer, Dan Pearson OBE. Learn how to create beautiful, sustainable and naturalistic planting schemes - in any sized space - that will harmonise with the landscape and thrive in the local environment. Following on from his naturalistic garden design course exploring the fundamental philosophy and practicalities of naturalistic gardening, this course provides an in-depth look at planting design, teaching you how to translate your garden designs into considered planting plans. In over five hours of lessons filmed at Dan’s studio and across three garden projects - including a small city garden, a coastal property and the creation of a brand new pond environment at Dan’s private garden in Somerset - Dan breaks down each planting system into different layers, showing you how to create a variety of garden styles that are not only beneficial for both environment and wildlife, but will also provide year-round visual interest. This course is suitable for both those looking to take their first steps into garden design, as well as more experienced gardeners who are looking for new sources of inspiration and education.

31 Lessons

Included with membership

Lesson plan — 31 lessons

01 Introduction

01 Introduction

02 Part 1 - Hillside in spring

02 A layered planting system
03 Naturalistic planting layout

03 Part 2 – The pond at Hillside

04 Introduction
05 Design considerations
06 Plant selection
07 Planting the bank
08 Planting the marginal shelf

04 Part 3 – Little Dartmouth

09 Introduction
10 The key moves
11 Establishing the planting zones
12 Boundaries, meadows and materials
13 The front terrace
14 The orchard and productive garden
15 The herb terrace
16 Designing the walled garden
17 The walled garden
18 The planting plan process

05 Part 4 - Camden

19 Introduction
20 The shady back garden
21 The design process
22 The south-facing front garden
23 Reflections

06 Part 5 - Hillside

24 Introduction
25 The perennial garden
26 Creating a successful planting scheme
27 The boundary hedge
28 Grasses
29 Beside the studio
30 The barn garden
31 The pictorial meadow

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“I am enjoying this landscaping design course 100%. So much information. It has introduced me to new plants I have not heard of but interested in exploring. I think I stumbled across the perfect course to help me tackle a big project.”

Karen Paschke, US, Dec 2025

“I have subscribed to access all the courses so have watched one on interior design and this one with Butter Wakefield who specialises in small garden design. She has a lovely personality and comes across as being a ve...”

Louise Brown Apr 10, 2026

“I love CreateAcademy. I came in for the gardening and floristry courses, but am also watching an interior design one at present. And the photography course is an absolute must, best I've ever done.”

Wellesley Apr 1, 2026

“What a great investment, I have learned such a lot from the first three courses. My evenings have gone from not being able to find anything that captured my imagination on TV to learning and expanding my knowledge on ...”

sojojo Mar 30, 2026

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