Courses & Workshops

2012 Workshops at Hopleys

We offer a range of workshops run by well qualified tutors in our renovated Little Barn and in the gardens at Hopleys.  Tickets for these may be purchased by pressing 'Event Tickets' on the left.

Shrub and Perennial Propagation

Aubrey Barker                                                                                                     

Wednesday 4th April, 11am-4pm                                                          

An opportunity to enjoy a mix of lectures and hands-on demonstrations on all aspects of a wide range of propagation techniques including seed sowing, stem and root cuttings, division, layering, grafting and tissue culture. Suitable for gardeners who wish to expand their knowledge. £45 (£36 RHS members)

 

Pots of Ideas

Pamela Martin                                                                                                    

Saturday 28th April, 10.30am-12.30pm                                              

Delight in a demonstration full of new and interesting ideas about planting up a variety of different shapes and sizes of pots and baskets. Suitable for all with an opportunity to have a go yourselves that will refresh your own container planting at home. The pots and baskets will be available for purchase afterwards. £15

 

Make your own plant Hanging Basket

Sandra Barker                                                                                                    

Saturday 12th May, 10am-4pm

If you’d like to learn the traditional techniques of the craft of the Basketmaker this is the workshop for you.  Using English Willow and under expert guidance you will make an unusual hanging garden basket to take home to enjoy.  Suitable for beginners or improvers. £40

 

Watching Garden Wildlife

David Chandler                                                                                                  

Saturday 26th May, 10am-1pm

There’s more wildlife in gardens than most people realise!  This course introduces some of it, including butterflies, moths, dragonflies, minibeasts, birds, pond-life and more.  It also includes some practical tips to help you make your garden more wildlife-friendly. Suitable for all (children aged 8 and above). £28

 

Pen and Wash

Alison Showell                                                                                                    

Saturday 23rd June, 10am-4pm                                                            

A workshop combining the use of watercolour washes and pen to create garden studies.  Some of the day will be spent practicing techniques from photographic reference, weather permitting we will work outside from observation.  During the day there will be a number of demonstrations and both group and individual tuition. Suitable for participants who have some drawing and watercolour experience. £30

 

Botanical Illustration

Summer Flowers in Watercolour

Gael Sellwood

Saturday 14th July, 10am-4pm

Using the beautiful summer flowers and plants from the garden you can use your watercolour paints to mix colours accurately and then paint realistic plant portraits on the paper.  We will consider composition and mix of subject matter.  Suitable for all. £38

 

Behind the Scenes at Hopleys

Aubrey Barker                                                                                                

Friday 20th July, 2pm-5pm

A talk on the history of Hopleys Nursery and Garden over the last 40 years, including a discussion on the plants we have grown and introduced.  There will be a guided tour of Hopleys Nursery and Garden explaining current practices. Suitable for all levels.  (£20 (£16 RHS members)                   

 

Creative Garden Photography

Alexandra Murphy                                                                                             

Saturday 28th July, 10am-4pm

The workshop will go through the basics of camera and compositional skills such as manual exposure and depth of field and will be supported by visuals, hand-outs and the opportunity to practice the skills under guidance. Suitable for beginners in digital photography as well as those needing a refresher in the basics – preferably those with a Manual [M] exposure mode on their cameras. £58

 

Garden Design Workshop

Jan Adams

Saturday 1st September 10am-1pm (2pm-5pm if the morning is full)

This 3 hour session will introduce you to general design principles.  To begin you will be inside to discuss design, showing you drawings and photos of different projects which are either completed or under construction.  Jan will point out the different problems and restrictions each project presented and you will discuss the different design solutions.  You will then go outside and look at the design of the gardens at Hopleys showing practical skills such as measuring and taking levels. Suitable for all. £25

Plant Names Unravelled

Aubrey Barker

Saturday 22nd September, 10.30am-12.30pm

A discussion on the system of plant nomenclature with the emphasis on the practical use of the latin names to assist with identification and cultivation of garden plants.  This will be followed by a tour of Hopleys nursery and garden to give relevant examples.  Suitable for those with some knowledge of plant names. £15

 

Autumn Pruning

Jan Adams

Saturday 13th October, 10am-1pm (2pm -5pm if the morning is full)               

Learn about different methods of autumn pruning and then put this knowledge into practice with a practical session in the garden at Hopleys with some hands-on pruning.  There will then be a round up talk answering any questions.  Suitable for all gardeners although some knowledge of plant names would be useful. £25

Botanical Illustration

Painting Autumn Colours in the Garden

Gael Sellwood

Saturday 20th October, 10am-4pm

Using the vibrant and jewel like autumn plants, fruits and leaves from the garden you can use your watercolour paints to mix colours accurately and paint realistic plant or fruit portraits on the paper.  We will consider composition and mix of subject matter.  Suitable for all. £38

 

Christmas Wreath Workshop

Fiona Franklin

Saturday 1st December 10am-1pm (2pm-5pm if the morning is full) 

Learn how to construct a stunning Christmas door wreath under expert guidance.  You will decorate your own wreath to suit your taste in a traditional or contemporary style.  Price includes materials so you will take your wreath home to adorn your door.  This workshop is suitable for all abilities. £38 

Our Workshop Tutors:

Jan Adams has 15 years experience as a garden designer and 25 years experience as a professional gardener whilst also looking after her own 5-acre garden.

Aubrey Barker is the owner of Hopleys Plants Ltd and has extensive horticultural knowledge propagating and growing plants.  He is keen to share this experience and has for some time been delivering lectures, tours and demonstrations.

Sandra Barker is a Yeoman member of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers working for societies such as English Heritage, National Trust, Workshipful Company of Basketmakers Association, and the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust.  Her aim is to preserve every aspect of her craft through workshops, course and lectures country wide. 

David Chandler is a freelance writer and educator.  He is the author of ëKingfisherí and ëBarn Owlí and co-author of the ëRSPB Childrenís Guide to Birdwatchingí.  He has been watching birds for over 30 years.

Fiona Franklin holds a National and Advanced Certificate in Floristry and has taught at Capel Manor.  She is a freelance florist combining working at a local Florist shop whilst also taking classes and workshops.

Pamela Martin grew up and worked at her parents' nursery growing bedding plants and basket plants.  She then worked at Hopleys for 17 years adding shrubs and perennials to her experience.

Alexandra Murphy is an independent photographer and has been delivering photography courses and workshops since 1995 to a wide spectrum of learners and participants, in Higher Education, Further Education and Art organizations.

Gael Sellwood is a member of the Society of Botanical Artists and is an experienced botanical artist and qualified teacher. Working mostly in watercolour she produces highly detailed plant and flower portraits using live plant specimens.

Alison Showell initially trained as a book illustrator but has been teaching art classes for 18 years at Hertford Regional College, in addition to running leisure painting and drawing classes.