courses - Plant Varieties Courses

“There are so many uses for these fantastic plants. Learning all about them is so very helpful for land rehabilitation and even hobbies.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, ACS Tutor. Become an Expert with Wattles Acacias grow naturally through Australia and Africa, through to parts of Asia and America. Learn about the identification and botany, and culture... more

Designed for the African Violet enthusiast, this course covers everything from potting and feeding, to pests and propagation. You learn how African Violets are classified, and cover the exciting range of varieties available. Heres your chance to achieve outstanding results with African Violets.Develop a broad knowledge of African violet cultivars and cultivation. African violets grow... more

“Learn about the care and cultivation of theses ferns for the environment and your own interest. Some of our most loved ferns need to be protected.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, ACS Tutor. Learn which ferns occur naturally in Australia, how to identify them, where to obtain accurate information on them, how to propagate them, growing and using ferns in... more

This course first teaches you about different types of Australian flora, plant identification, information sources, planting, feeding, soils, pests & diseases, watering, propagation and transplanting. The remaining lessons then deal with selected varieties of trees, windbreak planting, agroforestry, tree maintenance and tree selection. “Knowing about trees is vital for any Horticultural... more

“Learn about the amazing plants native to this great red land. Together our horticulture tutors have decades of experience with Australian Natives, so this is your first port of call if you’re interested in knowing more. There are so many important uses for them in our gardens.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, ACS Tutor. Identify and Grow Australian Plants... more

“This course looks even deeper than Australian Natives I into the various species native to Australia. Once you have studied them, it’s exciting to recognise them and to see them growing in their natural environments.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, ACS Tutor. This course deals with both woody (hard wooded) and herbaceous (soft wooded), low growing... more

Considered by many to be the very best plants a garden can offer, azaleas and rhododendrons are some of the most popular plants grown anywhere. The course shows how to grow them to perfection, and builds your knowledge of varieties available, to give you a long lasting display of colour in the garden. Soils, weed control, feeding, pest and disease control, watering, landscape design and lots more... more

Join the many who have learnt the ancient oriental art of bonsai through this practical and comprehensive course. Eight lessons cover the selection of plants suited to bonsai, understanding the history and classic shapes which form the basis of the art, techniques of planting, training, pruning, watering & feeding and ways of using bonsai both indoors and outdoors. You will create several bonsai... more

Its been said that people either love cacti or hate them. For lovers of cacti and succulents, this comprehensive 8 lesson course is a must. The course studies major cacti & succulent groups and the differences in how to treat plants from each; in terms of soils, feeding, watering, pruning, pest control, planting procedures and more. It will stimulate your interest, and set you on the path to... more

These fascinating plants provide entertainment and stimulation to the enthusiast. Nine lessons cover a range of cultivated carnivorous plants, paying particular attention to the Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes) and Sundews (Drosera).Carnivorous plants are unique. They don’t appeal to everyone; but they often capture the imagination of people who are not necessarily interested in other types of... more

Become an expert plantsman. This course lays a foundation, sharpening your knowledge and skills for identifying plants; and then progresses to build the scope of plants you are able to identify. At the end of this course you will be able to look at plants with greater focus, naturally seeing the characteristics that differentiate a plant from others, and placing it into a group (family or... more

Be a Conifer Expert Eight lessons provide you with a systematic understanding of the way conifers are classified, show you how to identify the differences between types and develop your understanding of cultural requirements common to the whole group and differences in cultural techniques needed for specific types of conifers. Sections of this course look in detail at trees (e.g. Pines, Cedrus,... more

“There is such a range of uses for these beautiful additions to a garden, and this detailed course provides specialist knowledge. The course will provide specialised information on these trees; which arms you with a great resource, either for your own garden, or others’ gardens.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, ACS Tutor.Deciduous Trees are widely planted,... more

“They are not just ‘Gum trees’ as they are known in Australia. They are an important part of the natural landscape and grow all over the world. Learn all about this Aussie Icon from the experts.”- Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, ACS Tutor. Learn about Eucalyptus : their identification, culture (propagation, soils, landscape uses, pests, feeding), and uses.... more

“You can learn so much about ferns from this course. They are such an incredible plant; able to live in such varied conditions, from tropical rainforests to freezing mountain tops. Ferns are so popular, and there is such a range of them, this course provides invaluable knowledge when it comes to planning or adding to your own garden, or other peoples’ gardens.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort.,... more

Learn everything you ever wanted to know about fuchsias, from soil management and feeding to pruning and propagation. Discover how fuchsias are classified into several major groups, the characteristics of those groups and how/where to grow different types to achieve the best results.Open your eyes to the world of fuschias. Fuchsias are a colourful group of plants with many varieties to collect... more

There is more to Geranium and Pelargoniums than meets the eye! These wonderful plants have been seen on our window boxes for hundreds of years and are a big part of many garden lovers lives. Learn ways to maintain them to optimum performance. Learn how to avoid problems that can be easily cured. Learn how to take your own cuttings, grow them successfully and discover how many different types... more

Annuals are a valuable horticultural crop grown commercially as cut flowers, as seedlings or as advanced pots of colour.  With careful choice,  versatile annuals can deliver year round colour in the home garden. They work to fill gaps between perennials, they can be used to disguise the messy foliage of bulbs as they seasonally die-off,  and they can help to keep gardens or parks in the peak... more

Beautiful camellias require little attention, once established, and yet there is so much to know about them. This course is a wonderful way of learning about the different groups of camellias (eg. japonicas, sasanquas, reticulatas), their special characteristics, and their culture. Develops your understanding of soils, feeding, watering, pruning, planting methods, pest & disease control,... more

Become a Carnation Expert A serious course equally valuable to the home enthusiast or the commercial cut flower grower. You learn about growing quality carnations (planting, watering, pest & disease control, fertilizing), different ways of growing them (e.g. as row crops in soil, in hydroponics, in a greenhouse); and harvesting, post-harvest treatments, and quality control.Get serious about... more

“There are so many of these wonderful colourful plants in our gardens today. Not only are they striking to look at, they also attract birdlife. It really is worth getting to know them a little bit better.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, ACS Tutor.Become an expert on Grevilleas.This course provides a thorough grounding in identifying, growing and using... more

This is a valuable course for anyone with a serious interest in irises either as a commercial grower or an enthusiastic home collector. You will gain an in-depth appreciation of the iris, how to grow them to achieve optimum results and the identification of different varieties of irises. Significant sections are included on landscaping with irises, hybridisation and propagation, harvest,... more

“Indoor plantscaping and care is a great profession to get into, and this course will help you to build the required knowledge to be able to maintain these plants – both commercially and in the home.”- Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, ACS Tutor.This is a course equally applicable to the professional interior plantscaper or the home owner (or interior decorator)... more

Develop your knowledge of orchids, their culture and uses.Get the broad picture of what orchids are all about and learn how to improve your results and grow flowers which will be the envy of all who see them.Course developed by John Mason (author of Growing Orcjhids, published by Hyland House). Tutors include expert professional horticulturists from Australia, N.Z. and the U.K.Develop your... more

“These amazing plants present so many opportunities. Benefit from our course writers’ and tutors’ decades of horticultural experience when you take this course - it’s worth getting to know these plants a lot better!”- Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, ACS Tutor. Become an expert in palms and cycads.Throughout this course you will learn to distinguish... more

Practical and versatile perennials. Perennials come in all forms, from herbaceous plants that die down in the winter and re-emerge in spring (year after year), to plants that retain their soft-stemmed leafy growth year round. Although beautiful, many perennials are also tough and very much adapted to a variety of climates - ranging from very dry to wet. Some have colourful foliage as well as... more

Learn where and how to grow one of the most stunning groups of plants in the world. With the right cultural techniques (e.g. proper drainage, soil treatments, irrigation methods, feeding, pruning, weed control), you can achieve top quality, large blooms in what might otherwise be considered poor horticultural conditions.Became a Protea Expert True Proteas come from Africa. Many produce... more

For the rose enthusiast - this unique and comprehensive course is equally relevant to professional and amateur growers. Roses, often referred to as 'The Queen of the Garden', are one of the most popular and prized ornamental plants. They are included in the greatest gardens in the world  and many claim roses to be the most beautiful flower in existence. The  value of their blooms however... more

"This course will cover everything you need to know to successfully grow these beautiful and unusual plants, and you don’t necessarily have to live in a warm climate to have tropical plants; there are plenty of ways of adapting the environmental conditions to suit them.”- Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, ACS Tutor.Learn where and how to grow tropical plants.This... more