Garden border design workshop at Coleton Fishacre
A practical, hands‑on introduction to the process of designing a garden border, using Coleton Fishacre as a living classroom.
This after hours workshop will walk guests through the key stages of creating a successful border, from the first spark of an idea through to the final planting.
During the workshop, Coleton Fishacre's Head Gardener will take guests around selected areas of the garden, highlighting the fundamental principles behind good border design. This will include looking at structure, form, and scale; understanding how colour, texture, and seasonality work together. You'll look at how a border sits within its wider landscape and the importance of soil, aspect, and microclimate, and how these practical factors shape the choices we make.
As you move through the garden, take a closer look at Coleton Fishacre's garden borders to understand what works well, what challenges the team faced, and how they’ve adapted designs over time.
There'll be the chance to discussion plant selections and the practical steps involved in bringing a new border to life, from planning and preparation to planting and long‑term maintenance. The workshop will finish with light refreshments, including one of Coleton's signature cocktails on the terrace.
The workshop is designed to be informative, approachable, and rooted in real horticultural practice, giving guests the confidence to apply these principles in their own gardens while gaining insight into how the team design and manage borders at Coleton Fishacre.
Please note:
- Meet at Visitor Welcome.
- This workshop takes place outdoors, we recommend weather appropriate clothing and suitable footwear.
- This evening event takes place within the garden, with undulating gravel paths, steep areas and steps. There is an accessible toilet available near the Visitor Welcome Building.
- Not suitable for children
Ticket options
A practical, hands‑on introduction to the process of designing a garden border, using Coleton Fishacre as a living classroom.
This after hours workshop will walk guests through the key stages of creating a successful border, from the first spark of an idea through to the final planting.
During the workshop, Coleton Fishacre's Head Gardener will take guests around selected areas of the garden, highlighting the fundamental principles behind good border design. This will include looking at structure, form, and scale; understanding how colour, texture, and seasonality work together. You'll look at how a border sits within its wider landscape and the importance of soil, aspect, and microclimate, and how these practical factors shape the choices we make.
As you move through the garden, take a closer look at Coleton Fishacre's garden borders to understand what works well, what challenges the team faced, and how they’ve adapted designs over time.
There'll be the chance to discussion plant selections and the practical steps involved in bringing a new border to life, from planning and preparation to planting and long‑term maintenance. The workshop will finish with light refreshments, including one of Coleton's signature cocktails on the terrace.
The workshop is designed to be informative, approachable, and rooted in real horticultural practice, giving guests the confidence to apply these principles in their own gardens while gaining insight into how the team design and manage borders at Coleton Fishacre.
Please note:
- Meet at Visitor Welcome.
- This workshop takes place outdoors, we recommend weather appropriate clothing and suitable footwear.
- This evening event takes place within the garden, with undulating gravel paths, steep areas and steps. There is an accessible toilet available near the Visitor Welcome Building.
- Not suitable for children