The 35 trainees visited Parham Manor, where head gardener Tom Brown gave them the opportunity to take part in hands-on training by planting bulbs for naturalising, clearing a herbaceous border and preparing the bed and the plants for replanting. Surplus plants were potted for resale in the plant centre.
PGG chairman Tony Arnold said: "Along with good weather, it proved to be an exciting day enjoyed by all the participants."
The trainees also visited Petworth House, where they toured the Capability Brown landscape with head gardener Gary Liddle, followed by a tour of Lady Egremont's private garden with head gardener Jonathon Arnold.
A question-and-answer session followed with a panel of experts along with a talk by Martin Duncan of Arundel Castle, in which he related his experiences of managing gardens in the UK and abroad.
The last day involved a visit to Arundel Castle and a tour of the garden, including the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk's private garden.
Organisers were John Humphries of the PGG and Fiona Dennis of the HBGBS.
