DSH Bloom 2016 – Silver Medal
Once again Bloom 2016 was a wonderful success. We met many old friends and past students. The display won a silver medal in the educational category. There were interesting demonstrations of various propagation techniques including: Display of conifers (Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’) propagated using Manuka honey – giving 100% take and Lilac (Syringa) in flower grafted onto privet rootstock.
Dermot O’Neill with Carl Dacus on the Use and Benefits of Manuka Honey for Plant Propagation
“The Burton Hall Gardens are a pioneering community-based rehabilitation centre for people with mental health difficulties. They are also used for horticultural training purposes. This is where Dermot O’Neill met Carl Dacus, the Director of the Dublin School of Horticulture and he shows him how to take cuttings.”
http://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2016/0523/790322-how-to-take-cuttings-in-burton-hall-gardens/
I had worked in architecture for 15 years and was looking to change career to garden and landscape design. I undertook the RHS Diploma in Theory and Practical Horticulture with the Dublin School of Horticulture and found the course to be invaluable in aiding me with my career change. The course gave me a solid education in both the theoretical aspects of botany and the practical side of horticulture which are necessary tools for a career in garden and landscape design. I thoroughly enjoyed my studies with the DSH and found it both challenging and rewarding.
Ingrid Smyth – ingridsmythgardendesign.com
Having graduated from University College Dublin with a major in Botany, I found that while I had a good understanding of plant science I knew very little about actual plant care. The RHS Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture at the DSH expanded my range of knowledge in a fun and informative way due to the extensive course material and topics covered during the year.
The teachers not only had a deep and thorough knowledge of plants but an obvious love for working with them which made learning in class very enjoyable. The practical classes in particular gave me a lot more confidence in my abilities and before I knew it I was applying my new found skills in propagation and plant care at home.
The passion for horticulture continuously demonstrated throughout the course by Carl and his team has encouraged me to continue following a career in botany and horticulture and helped me in completing a Masters at the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh in Plant Biodiversity and Taxonomy. I would recommend this course to anyone with a love of plants and an interest in gardening.
H. Roche
‘I studied with the Dublin school of horticulture for 2 years. All aspects of horticulture are covered thoroughly and the knowledge that the lecturers have is impeccable. I have set up my own garden maintenance company since finishing the course and it’s safe to say I wouldn’t have achieved this if it wasn’t for Carl and the rest of the team.‘
Kind Regards,
Thomas K
The total teaching hours for the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticultural as run by the Dublin School of Horticulture are 120 hours classroom based over 24 weeks with an approximate 30 hours over 5 days in the National Botanic Gardens giving a total of 150 tutored hours.
We recently received the following testimonials from past pupils of the Dublin School of Horticulture:
Romie C. said, “I recall my year with Dublin School of Horticulture as a time of inspiration, discovery and detailed study. Particularly fond memories are the relaxed manner of the teachers, the breadth of their knowledge, their genuine love for plants and the wonderful trips to the RHS Gardens at Wisley. I value the skills and learning on the course, and the sound basis it provided for my later work in horticulture.”
and Ross B. sent these words, “Thank you for all your tuition it has really helped me in my business, I learned a huge amount from you and the other lecturers.”
Thank you to all the past pupils of the Dublin School of Horticulture.
Here is a recently received testimonial from Peter J. one of our past student:
“As I was working during the day I took the option to attend evening classes with DSH.
Thanks to the teachers’ deep knowledge the course materials were well explained (and students’ curious questions answered). There were students from different work backgrounds and nationalities in the class so the questions were from different points of view.
Practical hands on classes gave me more confidence. Since attending practical classes I try various propagation techniques which I probably would never do.
Thanks to commitment of all teachers to pass their knowledge and explaining relationship within plants, environment, plant health, design I find following and understanding gardening programmes and books much easier.“
In August a group of DSH students were conducted around Kilmacurragh National Botanic Gardens, Co. Wicklow by Mr. Philip Quested. We saw many interesting shrubs and trees, great day was had by those present.
New growth of Rhododendron falconeri sub. sp. eximium
DSH @ Kilmacurragh Gardens
Rhododendron excellens
The visit to Dublin Zoo by the Dublin School of Horticulture in July was a wonderful day. We were guided by Steven Butler, Head of Horticulture at the zoo. In just two years the planting had matured impressively as can be seen in some pictures from the visit below.
Dublin Zoo “African Plains” – July 2015
New Sea-lion Enclosure at Dublin Zoo with Interesting Background Planting
Mature Planting within the Great Apes Enclosure at Dublin Zoo
