For those interested in the works of renowned planting designer Piet Oudolf, a planting design course entitled “Planting the Piet Oudolf Way,” will be taught by Oudolf and Dr. Noel Kingsbury in association with Gardens Illustrated.
Oudolf’s work as a planting designer includes designs such as The Olympic Park, The High Line – New York, Chicago Botanic, Wisley and more. His designs are based very much on knowing plants over time, and the palette of plants he uses is for continental Northern Hemisphere climates.
This four lesson teaching video takes Kingsbury on a tour of the Oudolf family garden at Hummelo with Oudolf. They will discuss plants as well as plant combinations before going into Oudolf’s studio to look at plans for planting and some pictures of the garden at Hummelo at different times of the year.
The video will concentrate on identifying the elements of structure, form, color and texture that are characteristic of Oudolf’s planting style. The video was shot in September, which is the high point of the garden year at Hummelo.
Along with the video will come four assignments which will be aimed at encouraging viewers to get out and about and view plants that grow around them, and to help them look at plants and planting “the Oudolf way.” The idea of the assignments is to encourage planters that wherever they are in the world, it is up to them to identify and seek out nature’s beauty and potential and use them.
Kingsbury will evaluate the assignments. The course will focus on Piet’s design style, and other complimentary courses taught by Kingsbury are offered as well. “Planting Design with Perennials” will teach the more technical detail of Piet’s signature style, using plants that are long-lived and predictable. “Perennial Meadow Planting” is a detailed course that covers all aspects of this planting style taught by Michael King. “Gardening with Grasses” takes a detailed look at this critical element of the Oudolf-look planting palette.
Each lesson begins with a 30-minute video, and after each lesson there will be an assignment. After the assignments are reviewed, participants will receive personalized feedback from the tutors.
Lesson one reviews plant structure; lesson two reviews plant combinations; lesson three reviews considering seasonality; and lesson four reviews plant suggestions for your region.
The cost of this course is $320, and participants can begin at any time they choose.
To view a preview of the course, click here.