Members of professional bodies are often required to undertake a recorded amount of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training to ensure that they are up-to-date with the latest practices in their industry.

Here, you can learn about interior landscaping with our on-line CPD course, written by the horticultural experts in Rentokil Initial's Research and Development department and assessed by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the BOMI Institute.

Our on-line CPD course is divided into 5 modules, which you can sit one session (which will take approximately 3 hours in total) or one at a time.  Each module takes between 30 - 45 minutes to complete.

We recommend that you take the modules in order, although it is not essential, except for Module 5, which is best read after completing modules 3 and 4.

Module 1 is called 'Why Plants?'  Here you will discover why plants are used in buildings and discover some of the benefits of plants.

Module 2, Design, covers some of the design aspects of interior landscaping.  We explore different styles of plant displays, the use of containers, top dressings and other design accessories.

Module 3 is all about the requirements of plants.  In other words, what must be provided in a building to keep plants healthy and attractive.

Module 4 covers health, safety and the environment.  Here we explain how health and safety can be managed in relation to interior landscaping.  We also cover environmental issues: the impact of our industry on the environment and the benefits to the environment of indoor plants.  We also discuss 'Green architecture' and the way that interior plants can help developers gain 'Green building' status.

Finally, Module 5 deals with the practicalities of installing and maintaining interior plant displays.  We cover project management issues such as fitting in with building schedules and making sure that indoor plants are installed at the right time.

At the end of each module, there are some quiz questions.  You can then generate a certificate that records your participation in this CPD course, which you can print out and place in your personal training file.

There is also an optional feedback form at the end of each module so you can let us know whether the training was useful to you.  You can leave your suggestions for improvements, or ask us to contact you directly.

We also offer an on-site seminar covering some of these topics.  If your practice would like us to hold such a seminar, you can contact us through the feedback form or by e-mail to info@plants-in-buildings.com

We hope you enjoy taking part in this course.

Kenneth Freeman and Mike Lothian

Authors of www.plants-in-buildings.com

Acknowledgments and credits