Interior and exterior confidence
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of inform...
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Jun 10, 2026
The Fundamentals of Garden Design
Walking through the planting
with JO THOMPSON — A distinguished British garden designer and plantswoman
Lesson 21 of 22
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Choosing your plants in the right order will help you pull together the most effective design. We look at how to create a robust structure in your planting, and the plants Jo chose for The Bell.
From the Lesson Workbook
Walking through the planting
Choosing your plants in the right order will help you pull together the most effective design. Let's walk through the planting plan together at The Bell to get to grips with how the planting is layered.
Plant Directory
Calamagrostis species and cultivars
Feather reed-grass
Ornamental deciduous grass
Poaceae
Corylus avellana
Hazel
Hardy deciduous large shrub or small tree
Betulaceae
Cynara cardunculus (Scolymus Group)
Globe artichokes
Hardy herbaceous perennials
Asteraceae
Dahlia species and hybrids
Dahlias
Tender perennials growing from tubers
Asteraceae
Erigeron karvinskianus
Mexican fleabane
Hardy semi-evergreen perennial
Asteraceae
Geranium 'Rozanne'
Cranesbill 'Rozanne'
Hardy perennials
Geraniaceae
Hylotelephium species and cultivars (previously Sedum)
Ice plants, stonecrops
Hardy herbaceous perennials
Crassulaceae
Malus domestica cultivars
Apples
Hardy deciduous trees
Rosaceae
Amelanchie
Narcissus species and cultivars
Daffodils
Bulbous hardy perennials
Amaryllidaceae
Nepeta species, hybrids and cultivars
Catmint
Hardy herbaceous perennials, occasionally annuals
Lamiaceae
Olea europaea
Olive
Half-hardy or hardy evergreen tree
Oleaceae
Pyrus communis
Pear
Hardy deciduous tree
Rosaceae
Rosa species, hybrids and cultivars
Roses
Hardy deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or scrambling climbers
Rosaceae
Rosa rugosa cultivars
Japanese rose
Hardy deciduous shrub
Rosaceae
Rubus fruticosus cultivars
Blackberries
Deciduous or evergreen fruiting scramblers
Rosaceae
Salvia rosmarinus
Rosemary
Hardy evergreen shrub
Lamiaceae
Salvia species
Sages
Hardy, half-hardy or tender annuals, biennials, perennials or shrubs
Lamiaceae
Taxus baccata
Yew
Hardy evergreen tree
Taxaceae
Tulipa species and cultivars
Tulips
Bulbous hardy perennials
Liliaceae
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Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renew...
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May 31, 2026
Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
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May 30, 2026
The best adventure
The best adventure. I like all the courses, but my favorite are both Rita Konig interior design courses and Anna Jones. Excellent!
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May 20, 2026
Interior and exterior confidence
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of information to dive into and explore new ideas. I'm...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
Absolutely love Create Academy
Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renewing my subscription yearly because there are ...
SG
May 31, 2026
Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
Carla
May 30, 2026
Your Instructor
Jo Thompson
A distinguished British garden designer and plantswoman
Jo Thompson is a distinguished British garden designer and plantswoman, who has garnered widespread acclaim and recognition for her exceptional expertise in horticulture. Jo is the winner of four Gold and five Silver Gilt medals from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, as well as the coveted People's Choice award at the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show in 2017. As a member of the RHS Gardens Committee and Garden Advisor for RHS Rosemoor, and an RHS Shows Judge, Jo plays a significant role in shaping the horticultural landscape. She gives regular lectures on her work, including tutoring at The London College of Garden Design, and is a Fellow of the Landscape Institute and a Registered Member of the Society of Garden Designers. Jo is also the author of two books - The New Romantic Garden and The Gardener’s Palette.
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