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Learn with Dr Toby Musgrave

The History Of Garden Design

Learn the history of garden design by taking the The History Of Garden Design course on Learning with Experts.

Course overview

In this lesson we will explore the earliest gardens made. In the West we will look at the first garden-making culture, the Egyptians, the origins of paradise in Mesopotamia before examining the gardens of Greece and Rome.

Meet Dr Toby Musgrave

I have an absolute passion for garden design and garden history - you will regularly see me writing in the Royal Horticultural Society Magazine, and scholarly articles in broadsheet newspapers and journals all over the world. I have written 10 books and counting. I'm a practising lecturer and write a well trafficked blog - Garden History Matters. As a garden designer I have created gardens in the UK, the USA, India and in Denmark. I live in Denmark, am 'between gardens' and find the climate ‘challenging’. I look forward to sharing my knowledge on Garden History with you. I joined Learning with Experts because I'm keen to help educate the next generation through digital learning.

Course description

Learn about the history of garden design - from ancient Egyptian gardens to modern urban gardens, with garden historian Dr Toby Musgrave.

Ornamental gardens are complex, three-dimensional works of art, and since the first garden was made in Ancient Egypt over 4,300 years ago they have acted as cultural barometers.

Down the years and across continents, every civilisation and nation has developed its own garden styles. These styles have evolved in tune with changes in the cultural, artistic, social, economic, technological and political landscapes.

We'll look at gardens throughout history from the courtyards of Roman villas to sensuous paradises of the Islamic world; from the stylized nature of Japanese gardens, through to the Baroque opulence of Versailles to Arts and Crafts designs; cottage garden artisanship to the 21st century functionality of Californian Modern garden; including formal gardens and pleasure gardens. We'll also cover some of the most famous garden and landscape designers including Capability Brown.

Garden art and culture have always been interactive - and this course will give you an insight into the role gardens perform in art, culture and purpose, and explain how the garden style impacted the cultural spectrum, both nationally and on a global level.

The study of garden history includes the artistic analysis of individual garden styles, which reveal design principles and aesthetics. Garden form will be deconstructed to display the style’s constituent elements, their configuration and the planting.

You'll learn:
  • the development of the first designed gardens
  • different garden styles and their inspiration
  • the impact of art, culture and politics on garden designs
  • famous landscape designs and garden designers including Capability Brown
  • modernism and post-modernism garden designs
The course includes:
  • 4 on-demand video lessons - presented by Dr Toby Musgrave
  • lifetime access to the videos, notes and interactive class
  • flexible classes - join and learn when and where you like
  • downloadable lesson notes
  • practical garden history projects (with feedback available from Toby)
  • access on your mobile, PC, Mac or laptop
  • small interactive online classroom - chat online to students from around the world and share your creative ideas
Time to complete the history of garden design course:

Every student is different but in general we think the whole course will take around 10 hours 5 minutes to complete including:

  • Video lessons: 2 hours 5 minutes in total
  • Course notes: 30 minutes per lesson
  • Your garden designing projects: at least 1 hour per lesson
  • Interactive classroom time: 15 minutes per lesson
  • Tutor feedback review (Expert level): 15 minutes per lesson
You'll need:

You don't need any special equipment, but you will be looking at garden designs through history and analysing their impact and significance. The course is suitable for gardeners at all levels - from new gardeners to professionals who want to learn more about the history of garden design.

Ready to get started?

Just add the course to your basket above - choose the 'Expert' option for personal feedback from Toby on your garden history assignments.

If you know someone who'd love this course then give it as a gift - just tick "This is a gift" at the checkout.

Any questions? Contact us by clicking on the orange speech symbol - we'd love to hear from you.