Very good tutorial from a professional garden...
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 ...
Louise Brown
Apr 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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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 ...
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Apr 1, 2026
What a great investment
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 imagi...
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Mar 30, 2026
I loved this course with Amanda\u2026
I loved this course with Amanda Lindroth! Her approach to decorating is so relaxed and she makes it feel attainable. She explains the reasons behind her decisions...
Elizabeth
Mar 27, 2026
Very good tutorial from a professional garden designer
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 ...
Louise Brown
Apr 10, 2026
Time spent well
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
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 kno...
sojojo
Mar 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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