This course explores the way colour is used in the garden and how we can create our own unique planting pallets by understanding the relationships between different combinations.
Welcome to our talented designer Rachel Owens 2026 garden workshop series. These workshops will teach you everything you need to know about creating the garden you have always dreamed of.
This course explores the way colour is used in the garden and how we can create our own unique planting pallets by understanding the relationships between different combinations.
The morning will start with creating a personal colour wheel from paint samples and playing with the relationship between certain colour combinations. We will work through colour selections to include analogous, harmonious, complementary, split-complementary, triadic schemes.
After lunch we will look at the way these relationships can work outdoors and how these combinations can be used to select plants for a scheme. We will look at examples by working garden designers and see how their ideas have adopted these schemes. Once we have analysed the chosen examples, we can start to think about what colour combinations we would like to transfer to our own gardens.
Painting pallet work using different colour combinations
Exploration of established colour combinations
Exploration around colours and how this could relate to plants
Examples of existing planting schemes
Ways to use colour theory to start planning our own spaces
Our very own studio space is set within the grounds of Old Barn Garden Centre, Dial Post, South of Horsham. Our dedicated space for courses, is a light airy and spacious place to learn.
· A broader understanding of the colour wheel and the way colours interact with each other
· An understanding of the different colour schemes and colour relationships
· An insight into how these colour relationships can relate to plant choice
· A beautiful colour palette to work with in future planting schemes.
Rachel teaches in small groups which ensures everyone gets the opportunity to practice, and time to ask questions. Our monthly workshops are a great way to meet like minded people with an interest in gardening and the natural world.
This course is for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of colour in the garden. It is a fun day where we will explore the many ways that colour can be used and how this can help us make plant choices for our own gardens. No experience is needed in art or plants just enthusiasm and a love of colour!
The day will be class based and may be a bit messy so please bring an old t-shirt to protect your clothes.
An engaging talk with demonstrations, from a gardening expert.
Refreshments
Tutor:Rachel Owen is a designer with 30 years’ experience, working from concept through to build.
Alongside her background in horticulture and design, in recent years she has focused on urban forestry and the protection of trees in the landscape, promoting resilience and longevity. She has recently completed an MSc in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry and manages the health of urban trees within Sussex daily. Rachel is also part of a Community Interest Company creating a large-scale land-based Centre for Resilience in East Sussex. This project will be a flag ship for agroecological farming, resilience planting and support environmental regeneration and land stewardship.
Rachel has a passion for soil health, plants, our relationship with the landscape, and tailors her teaching to suit learners from beginners to professionals.
Early Bird Ticket: £62
Standard Ticket: £69
Sunday 20th September 2026
10am – 3:30pm
Sussex Garden School Studio, at Old Barn Garden Centre, Dial Post, Nr Horsham, RH13 8NR
Once you have booked, you will receive an email confirmation of your booking – please check your junk email folder if you do not hear from us.
Shortly before the workshop, you will receive another email from us, giving your directions and any joining instructions – please check your junk email folder if you do not hear from us.
Gardening Workshops by Rachel happen throughout the year at the Sussex Garden School Studio (RH13 8NR) and pre-booking is essential. These small-group sessions, led by expert gardener Rachel, cover essential skills to help your garden thrive—whether it’s choosing trees, planting design for future climates, making the most of difficult garden spaces or the art of planting design. Check out Rachels courses in 2026:
How to choose the best trees for your garden – Saturday 24 January 2026
The Art of Planting Design – Sunday 22nd March 2026
Design Solutions for Difficult Garden Spaces – Saturday 25th April 2026
Colourful Planting Design – Understanding a Gardener’s Palette Saturday 6th June 2026
Planting Design for future Climates –Sunday 21st June 2026
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Tel: 01273 834 083
Sussex Garden School
Oak Studio
Old Barn Nurseries
Worthing Road, Dial Post
Horsham RH13 8NU
