Creating a drought tolerant garden with Tom Brown

Garden courses

Ref: S1D30045

Location: West Dean
£153
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About this course

Gardening with less water is a reality for most of us. Learn about techniques to reduce the amount of water that your garden needs to not only survive but thrive and become a haven for insects.

Course Description

The West Dean Gardens team has created an experimental area within the gardens to showcase a range of drought tolerant perennials, which thrive in drought stricken conditions. This course will cover plant choices for a beautiful community of pollinator-friendly plants and the use of recycled materials as a mulch to retain moisture and provide a low fertility layer, which causes the plants to grow in a more compact way, avoiding the need for staking with enhanced flowering performance.

During the day, you will explore and learn how to collect seed from drought tolerant plants, clean the seed and then sow the seed, as many of these drought tolerant plants are easily propagated in large numbers to create your own dry meadow at home.

Some time will also be spent considering a drought tolerant planting list, with some ideas for matrix planting from the tutor.

Timetable

Timetable for one day courses

Students should arrive by 9am for registration.

Classes are from 9.15 - 5pm

Lunch is included.

Course Materials

Included

  • Seed and propagation materials used on the day, and paper to sketch ideas will be supplied.

What students need to bring

  • A notebook and pencil
  • A camera may be useful
  • Wear suitable outdoor/gardening clothing, which may include gloves, waterproofs and gardening boots for the outdoor session.

Additional information

Please note, there will be some walking around the gardens as part of this course. Wear suitable outdoor/gardening clothing, which may include gloves, waterproofs and gardening boots for the outdoor session.

Tutors

Tom Brown. Photo credit: Sam Stephenson

Tom Brown

Having worked at RHS Wisley Gardens, latterly running the plant and vegetable trials, Tom then moved to become Head Gardener at nearby Parham House for nearly ten years. Tom joined West Dean College of Arts and Conservation in May 2019 to head up the garden team and manage the impressive Kitchen Garden, Cut Flower Garden, extensive fruit collection and 13 large, Victorian Glasshouses – along with the College Grounds and Arboretum. 

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