Approach landscape design from the ground up. Students will learn how to analyze a site considering soils, slopes, sun and shadow, access and circulation, drainage, etc. Site development, house-site place-ment, and materials will also be covered. Field trips to gardens and nurseries will help students start to visualize actual garden designs and become more familiar with plants. Students will design a landscape that draws inspiration from the natural world, accommodates their needs, and is aesthetically pleasing. Bring pictures of your site and other intriguing landscapes, and ideas that you have been considering.

Earn college credit through UVM:  This course is available for credit through the University of Vermont (PSS 95, 1 credit).  In-state tuition is $414, plus a non-refundable $100 program fee to Yestermorrow. Click here for UVM registration information.

  • Competency Level: All Levels
  • UVM credits: 1
  • AIA credits: 21 -- Qualifies for HSW requirements.

Course Objectives

  • To become familiar with the history of Landscape Design
  • To start to understand site analysis
  • To explore some existing gardens
  • To work on a site plan that you can expand on at home
  • To understand the principles of Landscape Design
  • To become familiar with native plant species for your area

Suggested Reading

William A. Mann. Landscape Architecture, An Illustrated History in Timelines, Site Plans and Biography

The Best of Fine Gardening Garden Design Ideas

Ian McHarg. Design With Nature

Rick Darke. The American Woodland Garden

Tom Wessels. Reading the Forested Landscape

Elizabeth H. Thompson and Eric R. Sorenson. Wetland, Woodland, Wildland, A Guide to the Natural Communities of Vermont

Grant W. Reid. Landscape Graphics, Plan, Section, and Perspective Drawing of Landscape Spaces

Gary L. Hightshoe. Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines for Urban and Rural America, A Planting Design Manual for Environmental Designers

William Cullina. Growing and Propagating Wildflowers of the United States and Canada

William Cullina. Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, a guide to using, growing, and propagating North American woody plants

Thomas C. Wang. Plan and Section Drawing

Materials to Bring

  • Students should come prepared by having a specific site in mind to work on and develop throughout the class. Pictures, plot plans, elevations and plan drawings, lot maps, and as much information about the specific sight should be brought in with you or considered beforehand. Know where south is for your site. Also bring in pictures of landscapes that you like or do not like and your reasons why.
  • Since we will be spending time outside and the weather in Vermont is question-able at any time of year, come prepared with rain gear, warm clothes, and boots/shoes that you can get muddy.
  • Notebooks
  • Sketchbooks
  • Cameras
  • A hand lens
  • Favorite drawing implements and tools are also suggested.
  • Most importantly, bring in your questions, curiosity, and willingness to learn.

Class Outline

Day 1

  • History of Landscape Design
  • Visit a garden/nursery
  • Look at individual projects
  • Site Analysis

Day 2

  • Hardscaping
  • Continue design on individual projects
  • Plant habitats and plant associates
  • Field trip to a garden or native plant preserve

Day 3

  • Continue on individual projects
  • Trip to nursery
Start Date: August 6, 2010
Closed