Designing With Common Nursery Plants

create a resilient, functional space by learning plant behavior

If you're new to natural garden design, using layers, and creating both ecological resilience and beauty, this class is for you.

We take 18 of the most common native plants available for sale at big box retail nurseries, go through their pros and cons, shrink the list, then design a sample space suitable for any small urban or suburban landscape.

By the end of these 60 minutes you will learn how to research and evaluate plants, leverage a plant's sociability index to create a resilient and functional garden, and allow plants to teach you as they self organize based on your initial research and selection. Garden design has never been so clear even if the life lessons aren't always so immediate.

Join award-winning author, speaker, and garden designer Benjamin Vogt on an empowering journey to inspire and invigorate your natural landscape. All sales are final and no refunds will be issued. The class is self paced and remains online at the sole discretion of the author. You have unlimited access to the class as long at it remains online. The class and all material is the sole copyright of Benjamin Vogt (author) and can't be rebroadcast, transcribed, or shared in any way without the prior written permission of the author.


Your Instructor


Benjamin Vogt
Benjamin Vogt

Benjamin is the author of A NEW GARDEN ETHIC and PRAIRIE UP, owner of the design firm Monarch Gardens, and has a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska. His work has been featured in The American Gardener, Fine Gardening, Garden Design, Houzz, Midwest Living, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and many books including American Roots. Benjamin speaks nationally to botanical gardens, environmental organizations, and city parks staff. He lives in Lincoln dreaming of restoring a prairie and hosting an artist residency program on 40 acres.


"I liked how he connected what we do in our gardens to the overall health of our ecosystem. He provided facts I hadn't heard before and I walked away from the presentation inspired to make changes."

"Wonderful! Combination of knowledge, wit, and alacrity of presentation.... So interested in his topic that he made me interested!"

"He did an outstanding job bridging practical gardening with the philosophy behind why we need native plants in our landscapes. He had great photos, statistics, and personal stories."

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We are sorry to hear that, however, all sales are final and no refunds will be issued.

Get started now!