Doing a PhD

Festival of Britain Planting Plan (Extract), Water Garden to Restaurant, designed by Maria Parpagliolo Shephard, copyright The National Archives WORK 25/111/C1/SB19-M13

Speaker: Sarah Dickinson

My study is of the planting plan, as opposed to the garden plan. How and why did the planting plan become an essential tool to the professions of landscape architecture and garden design? As such, has it been influential in the historic progression of planting style and design? Is its evolution mirrored in landscape architecture curriculums? Is there a chronology in the evolution of the drawn planting plan which introduces a new narrative of influence? Was the planting plan an educational tool for new movements in style? Does chronological analysis of planting plans and who drew them chart the use of a methodology intended to influence change?

My research to date indicates a close corollary between the planting plan as a practise for effective and efficient delivery of commercial planting schemes and the emergence of the landscape profession in England in the early 20th century. To illustrate an element of my research as I develop this thesis, my talk will take a snapshot in 1951, arguably a pivotal moment when the Festival of Britain showcased planting style and aspirations across the profession. The associated narrative introduces practitioners whose professional development is illuminating in this context while giving a flavour of how the research pertains to the questions posed. 

Sarah Dickinson is studying for a PhD at the University of Buckingham. Post a career in the City as a property lawyer she retrained as a garden designer and enjoyed a second career aligned with her passion for gardening. She completed an MSc in the Conservation of Historic Gardens and Cultural Landscapes from Bath University and was a trustee of the Gardens Trust for seven years from 2015, acting as vice chair and chair of the conservation committee. Sarah is chair of the Surrey Gardens Trust.