RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth,
Garden Planning and Applied Propagation
Unit List
This
unit provides learners with the opportunity to investigate the key
periods of history with relation to garden design including the
principle design features for each period and an awareness of the key
influences on the development of gardens including politics,
exploration and trade, colonialisation and development of empire, and
the assimilation of gardening styles from different cultures.
Learners
have opportunities to explore the value of horticultural heritage to
society, including the economic benefits, the role of heritage gardens
and designed landscapes in conservation, along with the models and
techniques that are used to evaluate these concepts.
Learners
will also be aware of the impact of horticultural heritage on the
management of gardens and designed landscapes informs many of the
decisions required in the care of these important spaces. This includes
aspects such as statements of significance, prioritisation of works and
spirit of place.
2.
Plant knowledge
In this unit, learners will
explore plant exploration and collecting in both historic gardens and
landscapes, and current practice. They will develop skills in research
to inform plant husbandry including assessing the reliability of
information sources, along with a knowledge of international standards
of plant nomenclature.
This unit covers areas of research that include; origin and natural
habitat, folklore and use in medicine, biodiversity ratings and
conservation status. From this research, learners will be able to apply
this information to the selection of species, the management of living
collections and horticultural interpretation.
3.
Plant selection and cultivation
In this
unit learners will explore the function and role that plants play
within a garden, understanding how the specification of plant material
is critical to the ultimate quality of plantings. Learners will
understand how to use technical language and apply a range of criteria
to inform the specification of plants for planting. Learners will
explore how plant-based design principles support the selection of
combinations of plants to create gardens and designed landscapes.
Learners will also understand how to select plant species to fulfil a
function within a garden or designed landscape. This includes the
specification of plant material and the combination of plants to create
a garden.
4.
Managing plant propagation
In this unit, learners will
develop an understanding of the management of plant propagation
operations, including propagation facilities, planning processes,
propagation techniques, and the development of propagation protocols.
Learners will explore the effective use of propagation facilities and
examine how specialist techniques, research, and development can be
applied to maximise the value of investment in plants for planting
schemes, heritage landscapes, plant collections, and commercial stock
production.
5.
Garden styles and Specialist Areas
In this unit, learners will
understand how to determine and work with a number of different design
styles. They will explore how garden styles are created in part by the
selection and style of plantings and how the gardens created can
benefit the wildlife and biodiversity, along with the mental health and
wellbeing of garden visitors.
Learners will also understand how hard landscaping materials, including
paths, benches and plant supports contribute to the design style and
planting to create ambience. Learners will explore how the use of trees
influence garden style whilst providing a range of functions for both
the environment and visitors.
6
Productive growing
In
this unit, learners will explore the role of productive growing within
a garden setting which involves the cultivation of fruit, vegetables
and flowers for cutting. Learners will understand how productive
growing involves careful planning and scheduling of crops for
continuity of supply. It also involves the selection and implementation
of cropping systems and approaches.
Learners will also
understand how successful productive growing includes a number of key
elements, for example, optimising soil fertility, the management of
weeds and other unwanted plants, along with the application of best
practice and sustainability. They will consider how to use the latest
findings from horticultural research and development. This research
informs the selection of crops, cultivars, and husbandry decisions.
7.
Gardens management
In
this unit, learners will explore the ways in which gardens are
maintained and managed. They will understand how to ensure that
maintenance is carried out in an appropriate and sustainable manner.
This process includes the recruitment, induction and training of staff,
the development of maintenance schedules and the management of health
and safety.
They will also understand how to devise, implement and manage projects
within gardens.
Learners
will understand how to set standards, and use IT to develop and
implement maintenance schedules and garden management plans.
8.
Gardens, people and spaces
In
this unit, learners will explore the role of gardens as visitor
attractions. They will understand how gardens are judged on the quality
of their pre-arrival information, the arrival experience, the
experience of wandering through plantings and garden areas, the
customer care offered by team members along with the quality, range and
diversity of events and exhibitions.
Learners will understand
that horticulturists who manage gardens will often work on a variety of
projects to engage their communities within the garden under their
care, including involving communities adopting areas of gardens,
volunteering and the development of school gardens.
Learners
will also explore how gardens and gardening impact on wellbeing and the
role of gardens as places of nature-based therapy.
Learners will understand the importance of using feedback from a range
of stakeholders to improve standards.
RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth,
Garden Planning and Applied Propagation