School of Horticulture - Kew Diploma

Study tours

Spain

Arranged by the Plant Sciences Department of Reading University, with whom RBG Kew maintains close ties. This is a two week trip during the third year of the course traveling around Andalucia, in particular Almeria, Las Negras, the Sierra Nevada, Lanjarón and Granada. The trip provides a basis to study ecophysiology, plant architecture, plant defenses, plant aromatics the Mediterranean climate, geology, soils, vegetation classification, altitudinal zonation, environmental issues, conservation, the effects of fire on vegetation and the Islamic influence on garden design.

Germany

Every other year the Island of Mainau situated on Lake Constance, plays host to first year Kew Diploma students. Students examine ornamental horticulture, resource management, management of a visitor attraction, conservation and environmental issues, woodland management and how to adopt a carbon neutral approach to managing an institution.

When not traveling to Mainau, first year students have the opportunity to arrange an alternative trip to a different location. The most recent trip visited Bonn Botanic Gardens to examine horticultural diversity in the Rhineland region.

Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

As part of the third year amenity module, students stay in Cornwall and are given a series of lectures and tours at the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Topics covered include, the historical context and future roles for botanical gardens, alternative solutions to nature conservation, amenity management programmes, the positive and negative impacts of partnerships between industry and nature conservation and new ways of encouraging such partnerships. Comprehensive visits are made around the Eden Project and nursery, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and, in conjunction with English Nature, around the local landscape to assess the impact of local mining and associated industries.

Wakehurst Place, Sussex

During the first year lecture block trimester students spend a week at Kew’s satellite garden, Wakehurst Place in Sussex. Accommodation is provided in the Millenium Seed bank, and lectures given on seed physiology and biology.

General visits

In addition to this, day trips are arranged to other gardens and institutions to compare and contrast the work of Kew or as part of ongoing course or field work. Examples of day trips include visits to;

Rye Harbour, Hilliers Arboretum, Barnes Wetland Centre, Silchester, Various UK gardens and nurseries etc

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