Practical workshop with Merilen Mentaal
Designing with Roses
23th August, 2026. 10am – 4:45pm
Vilnius
Roses are often called the queens of the garden, yet integrating them into modern, sustainable, and aesthetic design requires specialized knowledge. This practical workshop with Merilen Mentaal is designed for those who wish to “tame” roses and learn how to masterfully combine them with perennials to create long-lasting, evocative landscapes.
The session seamlessly blends theory with practice: following a theoretical introduction, we will visit public rose gardens to analyze real-life examples. Upon returning, we will continue with collaborative group work, solving specific design scenarios.
The workshop is designed for:
- landscape architects and designers looking for new plant combination formulas;
- green space designers and specialists wishing to deepen their knowledge of modern rose varieties and their maintenance;
- gardening enthusiasts aiming to create professional-grade compositions in their own private gardens.
During the workshop, you will:
- gain practical expertise in creating enduring rose gardens and perennial beds that you can immediately apply to real-world landscaping projects;
- learn to professionally select rose varieties based on their classification, resilience, and function, ensuring they become a sustainable garden highlight rather than a maintenance burden;
- discover aesthetic plant combination formulas that will help you master the use of roses in both private and public spaces;
- analyze real-life examples in person – during a site visit to 3–4 public rose gardens, you will see how design principles work in a natural environment;
- test your creative skills in a team setting, solving specific design situations and creating plant compositions alongside your colleagues.
Preparation:
A full set of professional creative materials will be waiting for you at the venue, so you won’t have to worry about a thing. However, if you prefer using your personal pencils or other favorite tools for your creative process, please feel free to bring them along.
Merilen Mentaal (Estonia)
Garden and Landscape Designer
A graduate of the prestigious Oxford College of Garden Design, Merilen has been a member of the UK’s Society of Garden Designers since 2012, where she now even serves on the panel that selects new members. It is truly remarkable to see an Estonian designer achieve such heights, with her work gaining recognition across Europe.
Merilen’s professional palette is vast: her journey began with a passion for roses, leading her to manage her own nursery for two decades. However, her greatest passion and expertise lie in private garden design. As you will see, her gardens are more than just spaces—they are experiences. It is incredible how she manages to evoke such deep emotion through her landscapes.
The workshop will be held in English and translated into Lithuanian.
Workshop timetable:
9:30-10:00 Registration and welcome coffee
10:00-11:00 Theory – presentation on who is rose and how to select them
11:00-11:30 Teamwork – selection of roses for the design (and coffee during that)
11:30-12:00 Theory – combining roses with other plants
12:00-13:00 Early lunch
13:00-15:00 Site visit of 3-4 different areas designed with roses
15:00-15:15 Coffee break
15:15-16:00 Teamwork – finishing the designs with roses and other plants
16:00-16:30 Team presentations
16.30:16:45 Certificates
Workshop fee and registration:
Workshop price: 269 EUR
Early bird price: 159 EUR. The price increases on May 21th at 11:59 PM
Certificates: to be awarded
Number of participants: up to 30.
Venue: the premises of the Science and Arts School “Taškius”, in the historic former Basilian Monastery in Vilnius, 4th Building, 1st floor, 18 Arklių Street, Vilnius.
Working language: English (with Lithuanian translation).
For business companies:
Should you need an invoice in advance, please contact info@gardenstyle.lt VAT invoices are issued after the services have been provided – after the workshop – and sent by email.
The design workshop with Arjan Boekel will take place on 24 August. For more information, click here >>