Landscape Design Study Program

National Garden Clubs, Inc. welcomes all students, both members and non-member, to its educational program in landscape design under the guidance of California Garden Clubs, Inc.  The objectives of the program are: 
1)  Develop a greater sense of appreciation, pride and knowledge about our private and public gardens;
2) Become better educated to make changes in our surroundings so that they will be more beautiful, useful, convenient, ecologically sound and easily maintained; 3)  Stimulate interest in all phases of landscape design, including community planning, that will affect all of our lives; and 4)  Develop a contingent of qualified Landscape Design Consultants to serve in such decision-making areas of public life as providing leadership, educational programs, scholarships, awards and promoting better landscape design.  Besides gaining greater enjoyment in their gardens through this knowledge, members have found the program inspirational, leading to the development of important civic and private projects.

The Landscape Design Study Program is a series of four courses, educational/optional programs and tours.   National Garden Club members who complete a series (of four courses), passing the examinations with grades of 70 or above, are eligible to receive the Consultants Certification Card, an NGC credential.  (This certificate does not qualify the graduate to go into professional practice, but it is recognized as a sign of special achievement among NGC members.)  The four courses must be completed within no fewer than two years nor more than seven.  A student unable to complete the four courses within seven years due to health or another serious problem, may request an extension from the CGCI LDSP Chairman; the student must make this request before the seven years have elapsed.

A non-NGC member student who has successfully completed the four courses may apply for consultant certification upon joining an NGC garden club within five (5) years after completing the series.  A Certificate of Appreciation may be awarded to a non-NGC member student attending a full course in a series.

Curriculum - Course 1
Space, Design and People; Principles & Elements of Landscape Design; Planning Your Home Grounds; Basics of a Site Plan; The Private Garden; Design for the Environment; Public Landscapes; Development of Landscape Design; Landscape Design Resources; Special Interest Lecture

Curriculum – Course 2
Landscape Design Process; Site Design & Landform; Plants in the Landscape; Plant Selection; Structures in the Landscape; Landscapes as a Learning Experience; Development of Landscape Design in Early America; Preservation of Historic Sites & Structures; Community Landscape Management;  Special Interest Lecture

Curriculum – Course 3
Color in the Landscape; Landscape Design Accessories; Landscape Design for Maintenance; Design on the Land – Regional Expression; Development of Landscape Architecture from 1840-1940; Introduction to Urban Design; Parks, Playgrounds & Conservation Areas; Graphics Interpretation; Guidelines for Evaluating Landscape Design; Special Interest Lecture

Curriculum – Course 4
Development of Landscape Architecture from WWII to Present; Contemporary Landscape Design; Design for the Future; Special Interest Lecture; Redesign of Areas; Herbaceous Materials in the Landscape; Community Participation – Organization & Individual Responsibility; Evaluating the Landscape Designs of Residential, Public & Business Property

To see the dates of the next Landscape Design Program school courses,
please click here.

For more information about Landscape Design Consultants, select from the following:

L.D. Consultants Make a Difference

Instruction for Award of Merit

Instruction for L.D. Commendation

Schedule of Award Presentations

or contact the Landscape Design School chairman, Pat Clayes.

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