Pro Landscaper April 2015

Concept to Delivery

April 2015

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

CHRIS DEAKIN & JASON LOCK THE DARK ART OF LIGHTING WATER FEATURES

APL AWARDS 2015

POWER TOOLS

INSIDE OUT OUTSIDE IN

GREENHOUSES &

GARDEN BUILDINGS

GOLDEN PATH

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WELCOME

Concept to Delivery DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

April 2015

CHRIS DEAKIN & JASON LOCK

April 2015 | Volume 5, Issue 4

THE DARK ART OF LIGHTING WATER FEATURES

Welcome to April 2015

INSIDE OUT OUTSIDE IN

APL AWARDS 2015

POWER TOOLS

GREENHOUSES & GAR DEN BUILDINGS

GOLDEN PATH

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DESIGN

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Welcome to the April issue of Pro Landscaper, what a glorious start to spring we had in March, let’s keep everything crossed that it continues!

We appreciate that now is the time that work gets extremely busy, new projects are starting left, right and centre and of course the grass cutting season is now underway, but we hope you can still make time to sit down and have a read.

Eljays44 Ltd 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA Tel: 01903 777 570 EDITORIAL editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk Editor – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 579 Editorial Assistant – Iszara Morgan iszara.morgan@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570

It has been a busy month for us, too. The APL Awards in March was a fabulous celebration of members’ achievements and a chance for them to network, well done to all the participants and winners. Turn to page 14 for all the details of winners and a selection of photos from the event.

Following a donation Pro Landscaper made to the armed forces veterans’ charity Gardening Leave, we were invited to visit the project’s horticultural therapy garden at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London to find out about how the monies they receive are used. ISS Facility Services Landscaping is heavily involved with Gardening Leave and at its recent management conference enough money was raised to provide 45 therapy sessions for ex-servicemen needing help to adjust back into civilian life. The charity is doing an amazing job and we take our hats off to them.

As a joint industry we need to continue our efforts to lobby government to assist in

ADVERTISING Business Development Manager – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 588 Account Manager – Luke Chaplin luke.chaplin@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 584 Sales Executive (FutureScape) – Ben Cumberland ben.cumberland@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 571

Equipment Editor – Jack Bacon jack.bacon@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 573

Horticulture Careers – Laura Harris laura.harris@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 587

Production Editor – Susie Duff susie.duff@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 578

Accounts Assistant – Lisa Woollard accounts@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570

Subeditor – Toby Wilsdon toby.wilsdon@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 578 EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL Mark Gregory Chairman of APL and Landform Consultants Sam Hassall LandPRO Ltd Russell Eales Lawn care expert Karl Harrison Decking expert David Dodd The Outdoor Room

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Managing Director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 589 MARKETING AND CIRCULATION Tel: 01903 777 571 Subscription enquiries jessica.garrard@eljays44.com

promoting horticulture as a rewarding career and the health benefits of green space, it’s great to hear that gardening and growing is now part of the primary education curriculum, now let’s get it into the secondaries so that it’s uppermost in young peoples’ minds when deciding their future vocation.

With Chelsea just around the corner, all that remains is to wish everyone involved in this year’s show the very best of luck, we’re looking forward to seeing as many designers and landscapers as possible during build up and at the show, look out for the May issue when we’ll be producing a comprehensive guide to all the gardens in our RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015 supplement.

@jimeljays

Design – Kara Thomas Amy Downes Alan Wares

@lisaeljays

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an affiliate member of BALI

Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Gwent, UK Published by ©Eljays44 Ltd – Connecting Horticulture Pro Landscaper’s content is available for licensing overseas. Contact jamie.wilkinson@ eljays44.com

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an associate member of The APL

Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2015 subscription price is £95.00.

Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA, UK. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

Whilst every effort has been made to maintain the integrity of our advertisers, we accept no responsibility for any problem, complaints, or subsequent litigation arising from readers’ responses to advertisements in the magazine. We also wish to emphasise that views expressed by editorial contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden.

MANAGEMENT Managing Director Jim Wilkinson Director Lisa Wilkinson Business Development Manager Jamie Wilkinson

Pro Landscaper / April 2015

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CONTENTS

April 2015 6 News Shed Round up of industry news over the last month

14 News Extra – APL Awards All the winners from the APL Awards

16 Association News SGD unveils new award categories for 2015; Green-tech revealed as headline sponsor for the BALI Awards; updates on new shows in April by the RHS; APL offers membership deals to celebrate its 20-year birthday and efig reflects on last year’s success OPINION OPINION

21 View From The Top

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Are lower budgets ever an excuse for poor standards, asks Phil Jones

22 Chelsea Plant-Fest Andrew Wilson explains that nurseries are the quiet stars of the Chelsea Flower Show

34 A Stepping Stone Or

25 Credit Where Credit’s Due

Stumbling Block?

David Dodd airs his views on the lack of credit given at award ceremonies

Jody Lidgard considers how to deal with newly qualified employees, and stresses patience and playing a proactive role in their training and professional development is key

26 Can Landscape Help Create Healthy Places?

52

With the state of our health services constantly in the news, Adam White considers the positives of landscaping on public health and wellbeing

37 The Dark Art Of Lighting

29 Stressing Your Resource Planning and organisation is vital to managing pressure and minimising stress, states Angus Lindsay

Concept to Delivery

CHRIS DEAKIN & JASON LOCK THE DARK ART OF LIGHTING WATER FEATURES

30 Why Are You A Garden Designer?

33 Where Focus Goes… Energy Flows

APL AWARDS 2015

POWER TOOLS

This month Steve Clarke reveals how a motorbike trip across the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert got him focusing on the road ahead

Pro Landscaper / April 2015

CONTENTS 2.indd 4

INSIDE OUT OUTSIDE IN

Water Features

Garden lighting can highlight any water feature to great effect, says Robert Webber

38 Inside Out, Outside In Interior designer Anji Connell says the connection between inside and out makes for a tranquil domestic enviorment, as well as maximising the perception of space

GREENHOUSES &

GARDEN BUILDINGS

INTERVIEW INTERVIEW

40 Let’s Hear It From

GOLDEN PATH

DeakinLock co-owners Chris Deakin and Jason Lock

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April 2015

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

BUSINESS TIPS

Janine Pattison ask what type of designer you are, and dares you to tweet her the answer

TECHNICAL

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CONTENTS

NURSERY

CONTRIBUTORS

61 Nursery News News and information from around the country including nursery notes from Coles Nurseries

66 Plantsman’s Plot A selection of plants and trees available from nurseries across the UK

Phil Jones MD of ISS Facility Services Landscaping Andrew Wilson Garden designer and lecturer David Dodd Landscaper and lecturer

PRODUCTS

68 Wildflower Turf

Adam White Director of Davies White Landscape Architects

71 Turf In Unusual Places 73 Containerised Trees 75 Greenhouses Alitex shares its top tips on finding that perfect growing space

Angus Lindsay Head of Fleet at The Landscape Group Janine Pattison Garden designer

Steve Clarke Sales mentor

40 PORTFOLIO

45 Golden Path A government funded project to create a bespoke sensory garden to help Southend dementia sufferers designed and built by the awarding-winning Cube 1994

48 Sculpting The Landscape Stewart Landscape Construction restores a Suffolk garden combining existing elements like the rill and pool to create a simple and dramatic new design

75 76 Garden Buildings

Robert Webber Founder of Scenic Lighting

79 Contemporary Planters 81 Resin Bound & Bonded Surfacing EQUIPMENT

83 Equipment News

APRIL 17 Efig Gala Awards Dinner, London www.efig.co.uk

91 General Latest Kit

56 Cotteridge Park A buzzing park used by the community close to Birmingham city centre is maintained by Quadron services

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PEOPLE PEOPLE

93 Trading With Lateral Design Studio

Anji Connell Interior architect and landscape designer

ARE YOU GOING?

87 Power Tools

52 Sitting Pretty A complete transformation by M&N Horticulture of a rundown walled garden into a modular design that enhances the feeling of space, with the inclusion of a new entertaining area

Jody Lidgard WorldSkills technical lead and landscaper

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94 Life/Style Pro Landscaper talks life and work with Yorkshire garden designer Lee Bestall

17-19 RHS Flower Show, Cardiff www.rhs.org.uk 22 BALI Designer Day, Landscape House, Kenilworth www.bali.org.uk

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NEWS

NEWS SHED ISS breaks ground at Dundee veterans’ garden project

The first earth has been dug at a soon-to-launch veterans’ garden project in central Dundee.

ISS Facility Services Landscaping, founder member of Gardening Leave’s Garden Support Team, will be working with the horticultural therapy charity to complete the build in time for a summer opening.

The new project for troubled armed forces veterans is being created on the site of a disused bowling green in Dudhope Park and has received a £10,000 Gro1000 Grassroots Grant from Scotts Miracle-Gro.

Staff from Gardening Leave, ISS, Dundee City Council and local business supporter Thorntons Solicitors gathered with their garden spades to help break the ground.

Over the coming months, ISS will transform the site into a working horticultural therapy garden filled with raised vegetable, herb and flower beds, a communal seating area, kitchen, office and quiet area.

It will be planned along the lines of a traditional kitchen garden with the produce destined for local community activities.

Phil Jones, Managing Director of ISS Facility Services Landscaping, said: “ISS has been supporting Gardening Leave since 2010 and Dundee is the fourth major garden project where we have worked together to create an environment in which our veterans can take their first steps on their journey back to good health and civilian life.” www.uk.issworld.com

John O’Conner GM apprentice recognised at House of Commons event An apprentice from John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance met Skills and Equalities Minister Nick Boles in a celebration of apprenticeships at the House of Commons on Tuesday 10 March.

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The event organised by the National Apprenticeship Service showcased products and services made by apprentices to politicians, employers and business leaders.

The government’s small business

Renishaw Hall wins 2015 Garden of the Year Award Renishaw Hall and Gardens on the edge of the Peak District National Park is winner of the 2015 Garden of the Year Award. Awarded by the Historic Houses Association and sponsored by Christie’s, the award is in its 31st year.

Charles Cator, deputy chair of Christie’s International, said: “It is

with great pleasure that we honour Renishaw Hall Gardens, which are a true testament to the dedication of the Sitwell family who have carefully and dynamically nurtured this extraordinary landscape.”

Richard Compton, President of the Historic Houses Association, added: “The gardens here were created by Sir George Sitwell, great grandfather of the present owner, in the 19th century.

“They continue to thrive in the care of Alexandra Hayward and her very knowledgeable head gardener, David Kesteven. These wonderful gardens are enjoyed each year by thousands of visitors who may also visit the house on special tours. It is a great pleasure to see this award go to such a very special place.” www.renishaw-hall.co.uk

Newcomer unveils subtropical ‘Teacup Garden’ at BBC Gardeners’ World Live Georgina Chahed will be realising her vision of a subtropical border at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (11-14 June, 2015). She set up her practice Touch Landscapes in December 2013 and ‘The Teacup Garden’ will be her first Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) display.

Working to the category theme, the ‘Industrial Heritage of the West Midlands’, the design takes inspiration Josiah Wedgwood’s Jasperware. Georgina Chahed said: “I wanted to bring a sense of

apprentice ambassador Jason Holt announced the launch of an online mentoring service for small business Apprenticemakers.

The event took place in the wake of research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) showing millions of consumers would prefer to do

excitement to my border and celebrate the legacy of the master potters who made their name in the West Midlands.” www.touchlandscapes.com

business with companies that employ apprentices.

The Cebr also found that apprentices deliver productivity gains of over £10,000 per annum for companies and the benefits are seen even before apprentices complete their apprenticeship. www.johnoconner.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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NEWS

Monmouthshire-based garden designer prepares first ever show for RHS Flower Show Cardiff Garden designer Lisa Cox is preparing her first ever show garden for this year’s RHS Flower Show in Cardiff. ‘A Front Garden’, was inspired by the launch of the new Mazda 2 which is celebrated for its eco-credentials, and will aim to show how the front of a house can be transformed from a practical place to park the car into a living space. Lisa said: “Front gardens are so often overlooked as a space to enjoy, and instead they are paved over, depriving nature and plants of a place to thrive in our urban areas. The reality is that they are walked through every day of the year, whatever the weather and time of day, and I want to show that front gardens can still look great whilst fulfilling all the

practical requirements that modern day urban living demands. Permeable surfaces can look stylish and clever storage options provide solutions for hiding away the less attractive items such as wheelie bins and recycling boxes.”

The RHS Flower Show takes place at Bute Park, Cardiff from 17-19 April. www.lisacoxdesigns.co.uk

Brambledown secures £180k of grounds maintenance contracts

Brambledown Landscape Services has procured close to £180,000 worth of grounds maintenance contracts already in 2015, an increase of £50,000 on this time last year. Brambledown mainly undertakes main contract landscape and external works contracts for local authorities and construction companies, but has found a recent growth in grounds maintenance opportunities, especially in the Yorkshire region, where it employs around 35 full-time staff, out of a total of 100 staff across the North East. Director Paul Curry said: “There is a positive feeling in the landscape industry at present, and Brambledown has worked hard to diversify into a multi-skilled operation that has enabled us to move onto grounds maintenance works in quiet contracting periods.” www.brambledown.com

Southport Flower Show 2015 to enjoy an Oriental theme A taste of China comes to Southport this summer, as the annual flower show takes an Oriental theme. Events, entertainment, food and floral marquees will all be inspired by Chinese culture and design. Ray Roukin, general manager at Southport Flower Show, said: “This

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year’s show is going to be a real spectacle, with Chinese themed food, stunning family entertainment and show gardens which show the very best in design and planting.”

The show will run from 20-23 August with a host of celebrities in attendance. Tickets are £22.50. www.southportflowershow.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF Landform Consultants awarded top honour at APL Awards 2015

Landform Consultants’ work in creating a collection of gardens and a courtyard for six new homes in Hampstead was hailed “a fabulous piece of landscaping work.”

Kubota UK appoints new marketing manager Karen Tipping will be responsible for developing and implementing the marketing strategies that will deliver continued and long term growth for all of Kubota’s key product sectors – Construction Equipment, Engines and Tractor and Groundscare.

ACD appoints three new landscape architects

ACD has appointed three new landscape architects based in its Malmesbury office. Rupinder Chawlia brings considerable experience of working with local authorities as well as a keen interest in landscape and visual impact assessments. Jai Tang brings an extensive knowledge of horticulture and has considerable practical experience. Olivia Styles has a graphic design background and will make a valuable contribution to the graphics team.

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Land Design Partnership enrolls employees at Hadlow Kent-based landscape contractor Land Design Partnership has enrolled the next three employees on the Level 2 Work Based Diploma at Hadlow College.

Business Development Manager Pete Jones said, “Enrolling employees on this training is part of our ongoing desire to give our staff the opportunity to gain further knowledge and experience in the industry. We firmly believe that this is something that all companies should be taking part in.”

The 18-month course sees employees assessed monthly, with a view to gaining the credits from each module to achieve the necessary grade. Subjects include Pests and Diseases, Nomenclature and basic machinery maintenance modules along with core subjects.

Apprentice Joe Hyde said: “It’s an excellent opportunity for me to gain experience and to broaden my knowledge. This will be a huge benefit, both for me and my employer.” www.ldp.uk.com

Quadron’s work with ex-offenders warrants visit by justice secretary Quadron Services received a visit from the secretary of state for justice Chris Grayling MP at a site in Wandsworth where the company has been working with ex-offenders charity, Blue Sky. Chris Grayling visited the contractor’s London depot where Quadron is working in partnership to provide work opportunities for local ex-offenders.

Quadron delivers grounds maintenance services to Wandsworth Council and subcontracts some of this to Blue Sky, which recruits ex-offenders

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from HMP Wandsworth and HMP Brixton to carry it out.

The justice secretary commended the scheme: “We can see the excellent results being achieved that are giving these young men the chance to lead a stable and independent life, free of crime.” www.quadronservices.co.uk

CONTRACTS WON

NEWS

Contractor: The Landscape Group Services: Grounds maintenance across sports pitches Employed by: Sport Aberdeen Start date: 1 April 2015 Duration: Five years (extension up to five years) Value: £5m

Contractor: Frosts Landscapes Services: Grass cutting Employed by: Milton Keynes Council Partners: Serco Duration: Five years (extension up to five years) Value: £7m after extension granted

Contractor: Glendale Services: Tree felling, tree pruning and shrub removal Employed by: Newcastle City Council Start date: Summer 2015 Duration: One year Value: £50,000

Contractor: County Grounds Maintenance Ltd Services: Turf re-lay at Exeter Cathedral Employed by: Exeter City Council Duration: One year Value: £5,000-£7,000

Contractor: Quadron Services: Horticultural maintenance Employed by: Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council Start date: 1 April 2015 Duration: Six years (extension up to three years) Value: Over £5m (extension granted)

Contractor: John O’Conner Services: Grounds and Horticultural maintenance Employed by: Soha Housing Start date: 1 April 2015 Duration: Three years (extension up to two years)

Contractor: Ground Control Services: Landscaping and grounds maintenance Employed by: Sainsburys Start date: April 2015

Contractor: Brambledown Services: Topsoiling works and woodland planting Employed by: Shepherd Construction at the new Hitachi Rail plant Start date: January 2015 Duration: One year Value: £400,000

Contractor: Grace Landscapes Services: Landscape maintenance Employed by: Harworth Group Start date: 1 April 2015 Duration: Three years Value: £640,000

Contractor: Continental Landscapes Services: Grounds maintenance and cleansing Employed by: Bracknell Forest council Start date: 1 October 2014 Duration: 14 years Value: £1.7m per annually

19/03/2015 15:02

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NEWS EXTRA

Glendale Apprenticeship Scheme TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION To coincide with this year’s National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), Pro Landscaper caught up with Glendale and spoke in-depth with Angus Fraser, grounds contract manager at its Lewisham branch, about the scope of its apprenticeship scheme

NAW is an awareness event created to celebrate the participation and success of national apprentices employed by varying sectors and this year it ran from 9-13 March.

Co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service, the week is aimed at raising the profile of apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

In 2015, Glendale is marking 25 years of green services provision and Lewisham’s grounds manager Angus explained why the company’s apprenticeship scheme was conceived at national and local level. “Glendale as a whole has

recognised that the number of qualified horticulturists coming into the business was diminishing.”

Angus highlighted how Lewisham was well placed to provide a regional scheme due to already having two A1 qualified trained assessors among its staff.

“We had been working with Lewisham’s mayor’s office in delivering the Future Job Scheme for 18 months and provided 73 people between the ages of 16 to 24 a Level 2 in horticulture.”

As a result of the scheme’s success, Glendale’s Lewisham branch proceeded to offer a three-year apprentice scheme for

I WAS STUDYING AT COLLEGE BUT BEING IN A CLASSROOM CONSTANTLY WASN’T FOR ME, I WANTED TO BE OUT WORKING WHILE LEARNING AT THE SAME TIME. THE GLENDALE APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME WAS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY Isaac Taylor, Rotherham-based apprentice

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

News Extra Glendale Apprentices 2.indd 11

school leavers and young adults.

Glendale delivers two types of apprenticeship scheme nationwide, a pre-apprenticeship scheme open to unemployed 16 to 17 year olds and a full five-year apprenticeship operating in green services, including arboriculture, horticulture and grounds management.

Rotherham-based arboriculture apprentice Isaac Taylor, aged 19, praised the option of learning an outdoor trade. “I was studying at college but being in a classroom constantly wasn’t for me, I wanted to be out working while learning at the same time. The Glendale apprenticeship scheme was the perfect opportunity.”

Apprentice applicants usually arrive between the ages of 16 to 24 with differing levels of English and Maths competence. Lewisham’s apprentices have been wellreceived and actively encouraged to involve themselves in projects by its local community. “Park user groups have been excited about the programme being run and used some of the projects in their parks for practical training,” said Angus.

The three-year apprentices gain specific practical experience before earning professional qualifications including PA1 & PA6, NPTC, tractor and ride on. “The apprentices gain experience in fine turf, bedding from design to planting (Level 3) as well as maintenance.”

The scheme includes an initial six-month traineeship designed for people starting their first job and promotes basic professional principals such as arriving promptly for work, showing respect and working in a team. Angus described

how Glendale supports apprentices who aren’t offered a place at the end of the six months by giving them CV, cover letter and interview preparation advice.

David Hoy, 23, from Lewisham is mentored by Angus and stressed the importance of Glendale apprentices receiving personal support. “I know I can go to him with any sort of problem, he’s always there to support me and I feel valued. It’s really good to be mentored by someone who’s putting in as much effort as we are.”

In the eyes of Glendale student Ed Forsythe, a horticulture apprentice from Birmingham, the apprenticeship is the basis for future company progression. “Should any team leader or managerial roles arise in the future, I’ll feel as though I have put myself in a good position for progression within the company.”

OVERLEAF MEET THREE GLENDALE APPRENTICES...

›

Pro Landscaper / April 2015 11

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NEWS EXTRA

MEET THE APPRENTICES...

NAME David Hoy AGE 23 SPECIALISM Horticulture LOCATION Lewisham What attracted you to join the Glendale apprenticeship scheme?

David Hoy: I used to see Glendale doing work in my local area and I’ve always enjoyed working outdoors. I made enquiries about Glendale’s apprenticeship scheme and I liked the way it sounded so I applied. It’s definitely lived up to my expectations.

What practises does your role involve?

David Hoy: At the moment I’m working mainly on our residential contracts, carrying out grounds maintenance services on housing estates across Lewisham and Deptford.

Isaac Taylor: Every day can present different challenges, but I generally do things like chainsaw 12

Pro Landscaper / April 2015

News Extra Glendale Apprentices 2.indd 12

NAME Isaac Taylor AGE 19 SPECIALISM Arboriculture LOCATION Rotherham work, tree felling, pruning, chipping, planting and relocation – often working at a fast pace.

Ed Forsythe: My duties can vary day to day, from shrub work, mowing and bedding plants to fence work and general grounds maintenance. Some work can be seasonal, such as work on bowling greens and cricket pitches or working with fine turf and mowing ornamental lawns.

Describe your most rewarding experience or achievement on your apprenticeship to date...

David Hoy: For me it was helping to plan and plant an arrangement from scratch, which was a display on Edward Street roundabout in Deptford. It was the first big project I had a main input into and the first chance I got to design something.

NAME Ed Forsythe AGE 24 SPECIALISM Horticulture LOCATION Birmingham

Isaac Taylor: I feel like every day I gain something new. I can go home at the end of the day and feel like I’ve contributed to the community. It’s also a good feeling if I’m out and about and see a stretch of land I’ve worked on, it can be a very rewarding feeling!

Ed Forsythe: Taking and passing my trailer test has been most rewarding for me so far, this qualification means I can tow, enabling me to move large pieces of equipment.

Do you have any future ambition to achieve within the company?

Isaac Taylor: For now I just want to carry on working hard and gaining as much experience as I can with such a reputable national company as Glendale, and if there are any opportunities to develop further I will gladly take them.

In what way has practical, on-the-job training developed your skill set?

Ed Forsythe: Working in the field gives you the chance to come across issues and develop a problem-solving strategy. While the theory aspect is important, I wouldn’t have learned half as much as I have without my practical training. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2015 11:36

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APL AWARDS

The APL Awards winners announced during a ceremony at The Brewery in London on 13 March saw members gain national recognition for their achievements and the array of top class projects showcased are testament to the high calibre landscaping offered

by APL members.

Categories ranged from awards for smaller projects, special features and garden maintenance to those for contracts of over £250,000. For 2015 these were split according to a company’s turnover, thus providing smaller and larger companies with equal opportunities.

A special APL Lifetime Achievement award was presented to John Brookes MBE for his outstanding services to the landscape industry. Having designed in excess of 1000 gardens, John is best known for his ability to change his style to suit the period of the house and the wider landscape and for his hugely influential first book ‘Room Outside’.

Hosted by James AlexanderSinclair, the awards ceremony was a celebration of the high standards that have been achieved by members and demonstrate the APL’s commitment to quality landscaping.

The event concluded with APL Chair Mark Gregory talking about the 20th anniversary of the APL and looking ahead to the future.

This year’s judges were Richard Barnard of Hillier Landscapes, Bob Sweet, ex RHS Head of Garden Judging, Sorrel Everton from Gardens Illustrated, Robin Templar Williams of Robin Williams and Associates, and James Steele-Sargent from Arun Landscapes.

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Pro Landscaper / April 2015

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1 1 APL Awards 2015 Supreme Winner – Landform Consultants project, College Crescent 2 Stewart Landscape Construction’s winning project Ham Yard Hotel 3 Pro Landscaper’s Jamie Wilkinson announces the winner in the Overall Design & Build category 4 Jon Lee of Arbworx (left) receives his award in the Hard Landscaping category from Bradstone’s Commercial Director Toby Stuart-Jervis 5 Dion Wallace, Richard Lavell and Michael Lall from Landform Consultants receive the Supreme Award

6 Mark Richardson from Stewart Landscape Construction pictured (left) with Mandy Balcombe from Platipus 7 A Lifetime Achievement Award for John Brookes MBE, presented by Mark Gregory, APL Chairman 8 APL’s Rising Star Russell Malton (centre) with Paul and Chris Baker of Holland Landscapes 9 RG Landcapes’ Roger Gladwell, Angela Hart and Tristan Gladwell pictured with Jamie Wilkinson who presented the Overall Design & Build Award on behalf of Pro Landscaper

2 www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2015 11:38

APL AWARDS The winners: Supreme Award sponsored by Bradstone Winner: Landform Consultants

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11 10 W inner of Project Value under £25,000 Artscape Design & Build’s Ross Moyse (left) with Ian Rotherham of Green-tech 11 Frogheath’s Stephen Moody shows his delight at receiving the award for Project Value £75,000-£150,000

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Project Value £20,000-£30,000 sponsored by Easigrass Commended: Greenscapes UK

Project Value under £25,000 sponsored by Green-tech Winner: Artscape Design and Build Highly Commended: Arbworx Highly Commended: Artscape Design & Build Highly Commended: Oakley Landscapes Commended: Amenity Trees and Landscapes Commended: Frogheath Landscapes Commended: M&N Horticulture Commended: TS Landscapes Project Value £25,000£75,000 sponsored by Platipus Winner: Stewart Landscape Construction Highly Commended: Artscape Design and Build Commended: TS Landscapes Shortlisted: Willowbrook Landscapes

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Project Value under £10,000 sponsored by Barclaycard Commended: MJM Landscape

12 Rod Winrow, Ann-Marie Powell, Debs Winrow, Emma Hanford (Greenfingers Charity) and Mark Winrow

Project Value £75,000£150,000 sponsored by Sovereign Turf Winner: Frogheath Landscapes Highly Commended: James Bird Landscapes Highly Commended: James Bird Landscapes Highly Commended: The Outdoor Room Highly Commended: The Outdoor Room Commended: Millhouse Landscapes Project Value over £150,000 sponsored by Andersplus Horticulture Winner: Landform Consultants Highly Commended: Chester Gardener Highly Commended: Stewart Landscape Construction

Commended: Bowood Landscapes Commended: Willowbrook Landscapes Commended: Garden House Design Community Garden sponsored by Classiflora Zelari Commended: Bowood Landscapes Commended: Willowbook Landscapes Commended: Garden House Design Hard Landscaping sponsored by Bradstone Winner: Arbworx Highly Commended: Oakley Landscapes Highly Commended: Julian Barclay Highly Commended: Walmsley Shaw Commended: Greenscapes UK Shortlisted: Landspace Feature sponsored by Easigrass Commended: Landspace Commended: RG Landscape and Construction Overall Design and Build sponsored by Pro Landscaper Winner: RG Landscape Construction Highly Commended: Arbworx Highly Commended: Artscape Design and Build Highly Commended: Frogheath Landscapes Commended: Amenity Trees and Landscapes Commended: M&N Horticulture Shortlisted: Landspace APL Rising Star sponsored by British Sugar Topsoil Winner: Russell Malton, Holland Landscapes Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: John Brookes MBE

www.aplawards.co.uk Pro Landscaper / April 2015 15

19/03/2015 11:39

Association

ASSOCIATION NEWS

NEWS

RHS report National Gardening Week 13-19 April

The RHS launched National Gardening Week four years ago and it has grown into the country’s biggest celebration of gardening. Thousands of people and organisations get involved in events at gardens, museums, community centres and parks every year.

Last year there were more than 240 events with everything from beginners’ workshops to guided walks, face painting and garden parties.

Pro Landscaper readers interested in joining or hosting a National Gardening Week event can find out more

details by visiting www. nationalgardeningweek.org.uk National Open Gardens Day 17 April The RHS is launching the first National Open Gardens Day on 17 April and asking gardens that normally charge for entry or are closed on that day to take part. All RHS and RHS Partner Gardens will be opening for free as will some of the National Gardens Scheme gardens.

RHS Flower Show Cardiff 17-19 April The RHS Flower Show Cardiff marks the start of the RHS outdoor show season and captures the joys of spring.

The city’s Bute Park will be awash with spring flowers with

1995 to provide representation for domestic landscapers. Over the last 20 years it has become the market leader in this sector.

Visit www.landscaper.org.uk for more details.

APL update APL offers membership deal to celebrate 20th anniversary As part of the Association of Professional Landscaper’s (APL) 20th anniversary celebrations, landscaping businesses are

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displays from 54 of the UK’s finest nurseries.

Visitors will be able to ‘Step into Spring’ and celebrate the new season with spectacular seasonal displays in the Floral Marquee, Plant Village, Show Gardens and an exhibition of illustrations from students at the University of South Wales.

Three gardens based on the idea ‘Simple Spaces: Amazing places’ will demonstrate how even the smallest garden can become an inspiring yet practical living space. Victoria Wade will be designing a funky kitchen garden for the grow-your-own crowd, Robert Hughes will create a relaxing garden office offering a simple but dreamy space to work from and Shani Lawrence will produce a wildlife haven to attract birds, insects and hedgehogs. Macmillan Cancer Support, will also be creating a spectacular show garden.

For readers looking for a new hobby or tips on how to spruce

being given the opportunity to gain APL Registered Membership for £200 plus VAT, plus a one off joining fee of £20.

The APL is a specialist group of the HTA and was formed in

Benefits of APL membership include: ● Work is independently inspected and members receive TrustMark accreditation, a government endorsed standard that differentiates your business

up their existing plots, the RHS Potting Bench is the place to go.

BBC presenter Toby Buckland will be at the show each day, hosting the RHS Talks Theatre, offering spring gardening advice and hosting a number of demonstrations.

Visitors can browse the best gardening products on the market. More than 30 local artisan producers will be present at the farmers market and 40 craft exhibitors will also be at the show. There will be live music and entertainment to enjoy throughout the weekend.

For more information or to buy advance tickets visit www.rhs.org.uk/cardiff.

from other landscapers and reassures clients that they are dealing with a reputable landscaper ● Two memberships for the price of one. Membership of the APL comes with HTA membership as part of the package* ● Use of APL logos, access to promotional materials and useful business templates plus much more ● Listing on the APL and TrustMark websites

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2015 09:47

ASSOCIATION NEWS

efig outline efig Awards Gatsby Gala Dinner By the middle of April the news will be out and we’ll know who has won what in this year’s efig Awards.

The managing director of Pro Landscaper, Jim Wilkinson will present the awards to the winners at our Gatsby Gala Dinner on 17 April. The venue is the America Square Conference Centre where everyone will enjoy being wined and dined before the announcements are made.

● APL Awards

● Access to specialised

training courses and masterclasses ● Networking opportunities

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

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The theme will be the Great Gatsby, embracing 1920s style and glamour and we hope those who attend will embrace this and come dressed up to the nines. After the awards and photocalls, they can dance the night away to the DJs’ latest spins.

Have you booked your tickets yet? Don’t waste any time, go online now and book your seats.

Some website statistics from February – December 2014 ● We received 623,556 hits on the site ● 7,800 unique visitors took a look ● Over 100,500 pages were viewed in this time ● More than 600 visitors spent up to 15 minutes on-site ● ‘Latest News’ pages racked up almost 15,000 hits ● Most outside links came from Facebook and LinkedIn

Don’t forget efig members Pro Landscaper is looking for your news stories for the magazine.

You can promote your business WILD THING and the industry as a whole.

Please send your stories to Jim Wilkinson at editor@ pro-landscaper.co.uk

Concept to Delivery

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

March 2015

PETE JONES WORLDSKILLS SGD AWARDS

DESIGNERS & CONTRACTORS

NOEL KINGSBURY

BEST PRACTICE

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Funny footnote Saturday 18th April when we’ll all be nursing Gala Awards Night hangovers is a day dedicated to columnists.

The best way to celebrate this day is to read your favourite column. We hope you choose ours.

A really good year This time last year we had just launched our brand new website. We’re more than pleased to report that it was a great move despite the hard work transferring all the data.

at specialised regional cluster meetings and seminars ● Landscape Industry focused market information

Our two best months July and October saw visitor numbers soar to 95,500 and 66,700 respectively almost certainly due to our two online promotions in those months: National Plants at Work week and Working Christmas Trees Week.

● Free advice lines (including

legal and HR) This heavily discounted offer expires for businesses that have traded for more than two years** on Friday 8 May. Actual membership discounts are dependent on current business turnover. To take up this offer or find out more about how much you could save, landscapers can call Phil Tremayne the APL national business manager on 07808 775 175, call APL direct on

0118 930 3132, or email apl@the-hta.org.uk. * In order to be eligible for APL Registered Membership, landscapers must join the HTA and have been trading for more than two years. ** Pre-registered Membership is available for businesses that have been trading for less than two years. Please email apl@the-hta.org.uk for further details on this particular membership category.

Pro Landscaper / April 2015 17

19/03/2015 09:48

Association

ASSOCIATION NEWS

NEWS Launching the SGD Awards 2015

It is time to consider your entries for the fourth annual SGD Awards. There are several new award categories this year, including Domestic Roof Gardens and School Gardens. The student awards category has been divided in two, covering commercial and domestic projects.

Winning an SGD Award is hugely beneficial for a professional garden designer, as Sue Townsend MSGD, winner

SGD bulletin of the Small Residential Garden and Planting Awards in 2014 explained: “I’m so proud to have received such high recognition for my work at the SGD Awards.

It has been a very humbling and exciting experience all around and I would really

Sue Townsend MSGD (2014 SGD Awards winner)

BALI briefing Ecobuild 2015 This is always a fascinating exhibition and BALI was well represented at this year’s event in early March, both by BALI members with their own stands and by those exhibiting

alongside the association on the BALI Pavilion. The membership team back at Landscape House is now busy following up membership enquiries from the show and BALI exhibitors are hopefully converting leads into orders.

BALI Awards 2015 BALI is delighted that Greentech has agreed to take on the headline sponsorship of the BALI Awards for three years,

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encourage other designers to step forward and go for it. The awards have generated new enquiries for work and great media coverage. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain!”

The SGD is delighted to be working with Harrod Horticultural as the headline sponsor for the SGD Awards in 2015.

For further information about the award categories and entry deadlines, please visit the SGD Awards website.

starting this year. With the dust having only just settled from a magnificent 2014 ceremony, the call for entries for the 2015 BALI National Landscape Awards will be published shortly. We urge all full BALI members to consider entering, whether as a contractor, designer or supplier of products and services. If you want to talk to BALI about the process, please contact Angela Donovan on 02476 690 333 or angeladonovan@bali.org.uk. If you would like to speak to a BALI Award winner about the process and its benefits, visit www.baliawards.co.uk where you will find a list of the winners from 2014.

Industry Engagement BALI’s technical director Neil Huck met representatives of

The SGD Awards 2015 categories are: 1 International 2 Public or Commercial Outdoor Space 3 Large Residential Garden 4 Medium Residential Garden 5 Small Residential Garden 6 Pocket Garden 7 Domestic Roof Top New 8 Small Budget Garden 9 School Garden New 10 Future Designer 11 Planting Design 12 Hardscape 13 Historic Garden Restoration 14 Paper Landscapes 15 Student Design Award – Commercial New 16 Student Design Award – Domestic New 17 Designing for Community Space www.sgdawards.com

ELCA (European Landscape Contractors Association) and Lantra’s industry partnerships manager Stuart Phillips at Landscape House recently to discuss an ERASMUS+ funding application for a Europe-wide project to equate different landscape qualifications across member states.

Neil also attended the Invasive Alien Species conference in London recently.

BALI was heavily involved in consultations at EU level on the Pesticides Directive, which became law in the UK on 1 January 2015.

HS2 We are delighted to advise members that BALI is now a member of the HS2 Tree Working Group.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2015 09:49

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17/03/2015 14:55

OPINION

VIEW FROM THE TOP Squeezed budgets make it harder to maintain public service delivery at the same level as in economic boom times. A lower level of provision is not the same as poor standards of delivery argues Phil Jones

How many times recently have you seen poor standards in public service delivery and thought to yourself “Well, the council can’t afford it these days.”

I think this when trying to avoid the many potholes one encounters on our roads. This is a good example of where I find myself thinking “It’s not a great service, but I can understand the dilemma those who are responsible for our highways must have in deciding where best to allocate the available funds.”

I accept that the delivery of public services has had to change. I also accept that this is something we all need to get used to.

Let me give a very simple example of what I mean. For several days in a row recently, I walked along a footpath. I noticed on the second day a litter bin that was nearing three quarters full. My grounds maintenance background alerted me to this and the fact that it probably should have been emptied the day before. No matter, it wasn’t full, so it wasn’t an issue.

The next day the bin was overflowing and it remained in this state for several days. This wasn’t due to overuse, it was lack of service.

Whether this was due to an oversight or a deliberate reduction in frequency, it had consequences. Once the litter in the bin overflowed, the area around the bin became a receptacle for the litter and true to human nature, people left rubbish on the pavement rather than take it home. The base of the bin, now a rubbish heap then became a dog toilet.

So, to the question. Are lower budgets ever an excuse for poor standards? Are they ever a reason to say it is understandable because councils can’t afford it?

I have to say that I believe – and to me this is the key – that there is a big difference between poor standards and low standards. Lower standards can be set as an aim, as a service delivery criteria or target. These can be linked to www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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ARE LOWER BUDGETS EVER AN EXCUSE FOR POOR STANDARDS? the available budget and what can be delivered for the money. This can even be termed as value for money.

To my mind, poor standards means a lower than intended quality; standards that fall below the expectation set by service level agreements, specifications and scope, monitored against clearly set out key performance indicators.

Those who handle budgets and determine the appropriate inputs and outputs for our

public services have a very difficult job these days. I suggest they could make it easier by clearly defining what we are entitled to see as acceptable and what requires further scrutiny.

The key in all this is identifying what service levels have been set and what the public are entitled to expect as a minimum.

All too often in the course of my work I see local authorities negotiating changes in specification with their contractors and therefore making savings, but failing to communicate the nature of the changes to the public. Thus, the grounds maintenance contractor is deemed by the public to be providing a poor service in comparison to the previous standards, rather than operating at a lower frequency or level of service.

I accept there is a discrepancy between budgets and expectations of delivery but if the public were aware of the targets that had been set and could judge against them, we might have less of an issue with complaints.

Most importantly, poor service should not be accepted as a substitute for a lower level of service. It’s not just how this is shown to the public. It is about how lower budgets can be used as an excuse for poor service as opposed to lower service.

ABOUT PHIL JONES Phil Jones is Managing Director of ISS Facility Services Landscaping and is based at the company’s head office in Woking, Surrey. He gained an HND in landscape construction and moved into grounds maintenance early on in his career, further gaining an MBA. He has been with the company since 1987 and as well as running the landscaping business he sits on the UK operational management board of ISS Facility Services and is Chairman of BALI-NCF. Follow Phil Jones: @philjonesISS Follow ISS Landscaping: @ISSLandscaping

www.isslandscaping.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / April 2015 21

18/03/2015 12:42

OPINION

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is probably the biggest plant-fest on Earth, not just in the Great Pavilion but in the show gardens where designers weave their magic. But our nurseries are the quiet stars of the show explains Andrew Wilson

In some ways, although the construction and material sourcing can have their ups and downs, there is nothing quite like the worry of planting at the greatest horticultural show on Earth. British springs are notoriously variable. In 2013 it was 6°C mid-Chelsea week after a cold and miserable winter. Last year on press day it was 27°C after a mild winter and early spring.

Each scenario brings worries as either nothing comes into flower or planned flowering periods are completely over and last minute substitutions are necessary.

The RHS requires planting lists and details for the original submissions in the summer before Chelsea. Some stalwart plants make it through the ordeal in the period between the acceptance of the design and the show but many early selections are casualties – too risky, too late into flower, too weak if forced and so on.

THERE IS NOTHING QUITE LIKE THE WORRY OF PLANTING AT THE GREATEST HORTICULTURAL SHOW ON EARTH Can the designers manage this ever changing scenario on their own? Well, no is the most honest answer; they will benefit greatly from having the expertise and experience of a good nursery on their team. There is a crucial synergy between the creativity of the designer and the skill and knowledge of the grower and supplier.

For each of our show gardens so far we have chosen to work with Mark Straver and Robin Wallis of Hortus Loci, experts in their field and always ready with reliable advice gained through show experience. Gavin and I are no prima donnas although nerves can get frayed when key plants don’t do their thing or when deliveries are late or get stuck in the Chelsea 22

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CHELSEA PLANT-FEST

showground one-way system. Mark and Robin, on the other end of the phone, are probably suffering from severe lack of sleep and the stress of multiple lorry loads of cosseted plants leaving their care and safe keeping.

Why do designers enter the arena? Well apart from the obvious media coverage and profile raising, Chelsea offers a completely different experience of planting and design. For most of our design schemes in the real world we invest time and energy in the planting design. Other calls on our time mean that we have little space for setting out, let alone for planting operations.

For Chelsea, it’s a much more hands-on situation and is all the more fun for it as designers immerse themselves in an intense week to ten days of hands-on planting, changing associations, swapping plants for better performers and selecting last minute additions.

Our experience has led us to work with Hortus Loci on our planting schemes on a more regular basis. Their suppliers, connections and sourcing are second to none and we have the assurance of quality plants with few substitutions.

For the nursery, there is the excitement of the show and the satisfaction of being a

part of a wider team success – undeniably the PR and kudos from their involvement are also important.

But for Mark Straver, the key to success is to manage expectations from the start, never promising something that should be considered a ‘perhaps’ or a ‘maybe’. Years of experience have taught him that even reliable species can fail and the ability to seek or advise on viable alternatives is what counts and ultimately delivers ‘a sense of accomplishment’.

Our original working relationship with Mark and Robin has now evolved into a mutually supportive friendship and the coincidence this year that Mark’s old school, Wellington College, is celebrated in our garden has, in his own words proved to be “the icing on the cake and a massive honour!” No pressure then in hoping for Gold!

ABOUT ANDREW WILSON Andrew Wilson is a landscape and garden designer and a director of Wilson McWilliam Studio. He is also a director of the London College of Garden Design, an author, writer and lecturer.

www.wmstudio.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2015 12:56

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05/03/2015 15:02 17:58 17/03/2015

OPINION

CREDIT WHERE

CREDIT’S DUE...

David Dodd makes the case for crediting all those involved in the creation of award-winning projects in the garden design and landscape industries, from design to construction and supply Personally, I can’t stand watching awards ceremonies like the Oscars, Baftas and Grammys on the telly. Mainly because of the long winded, boring thank you speeches that the winners seem to insist on burbling out after receiving their award. This is where the garden design and landscape industries have got it sussed. Announce the category, rattle off the shortlist, get the winner up, give them a clap, get them off stage, boom! Next please.

Hold on, this is ridiculous! Shouldn’t we all be giving credit where it’s due? After all, gardens are created by a team, never an individual.

There is the designer or architect, the contractor, specialist subcontractors, suppliers and nurseries. It’s all these people who make an award-winning project.

GARDENS ARE CREATED AS A TEAM, NEVER AN INDIVIDUAL After the SGD Awards, a few contractors mentioned that they had observed the fact that the SGD had almost made a point of not mentioning the contractors or suppliers.

I couldn’t make up my mind whether they were just being a bit oversensitive or they had a valid point. To me, the SGD Awards is a recognition and celebration of some outstanding creativity, and the principal designer fully deserves ownership of that award. However, the design process is being carried out from the first concept drawings right the way through to the completed garden, so more often than www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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not the contractor is involved in the design process and if this is the case, they should be duly recognised. It then made me think, I wonder how SGD members would feel if this complete lack of acknowledgement was reciprocated at the BALI or APL Awards?

Show gardens are getting better. The contractor gets their name up on the RHS signage and website and Celebrating two BA LI Principal Awards with staff, designers usually in the show garden leaflets. and suppliers I think the RHS is very switched on in terms of understanding the importance of the designer/ involved?’ Go to the BALI website and look at contractor relationship and therefore they give Award Winners 2014. Read the portfolio section due recognition. in Pro Landscaper (I’ve heard it’s quite a good As regards websites, obviously designers are magazine). Everyone involved is mentioned and showcasing their creative flair for designing to me that gives the creation of these gardens a beautiful gardens and landscapers are much greater sense of achievement. demonstrating their craftsmanship and technical In fairness, most readers of highbrow skills in building and planting these beautiful lifestyle magazines aren’t actually interested in gardens. In my mind it is only right and proper who built the wonderful gardens adorning the that the designers are credited appropriately for pages of their favourite glossy. They just want any images we have in our portfolio. I see giving to know about the designers who will fulfil credit as a positive thing. It demonstrates that their dreams. my company can be entrusted to build for so Pro Landscaper is keen to expand on many high profile designers. It also prevents the this subject. We’re pleased to see the RHS blurring of any lines as to who should take credit giving greater recognition to contractors. for the design. For one particular project, both How about in the TV coverage? Let us know the designer and I use the same photo on our your views: editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk websites. I credit them for the design; they don’t credit us for construction. I’ve asked a few ABOUT DAVID DODD designers why they never give any credit on their David Dodd has been in the landscape industry since websites and one answer that interested me the age of 17. After having studied and then taught at was because they didn’t want to be seen to be Merrist Wood College, he set up The Outdoor Room in 1995. In 2013, he went into business with connected to any one particular contractor.

Landscape Architect, Joe Perkins to form Longview Another one simply said they didn’t feel the need Design Ltd. David has also lectured in design and to. Well, I suppose he was honest, at least. construction for over 20 years.

One of the things I’m interested in when www.theoutdoorroom.co.uk reading about a project is, ‘who were the team Pro Landscaper / April 2015 25

18/03/2015 15:00

OPINION

CAN LANDSCAPE HELP CREATE

HEALTHY PLACES? Adam White, Director of Davies White Landscape Architects discusses the value of landscape on public health and wellbeing and asks is landscape our best medicine?

In a recent conversation with fellow landscape architects Hal Moggridge, Rod Edwards and Sue Illman, I discussed the role landscape architects could play in improving public health and how the Landscape Institute is promoting best practice.

The Landscape Institute believes much greater priority needs to be given to the prevention of ill health. In April 2013, responsibility for public health in England moved from the NHS to local authorities, inspiring The Landscape Institute to ask “can landscape help create healthy places?”

It has long been known that landscapes promote health. In 1898 the naturalist WH Hudson wrote of the London parks: “The open sunlit and tree-shaded landscape, green with grass and bright with water... bringing home to us the glad freedom and wildness which is our best medicine”.

Scientific research supports this. “Green Exercise in the UK Countryside” by Professor Jules Pretty and his team at the University of Essex confirms the importance of landscape as a promoter of health, concluding: “there is growing evidence to show that exposure to nature brings substantial mental health benefits.”

Take That’s Mark Owen meets young patients in St George’s Hospital Children’s Garden 26

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The mental health charity MIND argues: “Ecotherapy should be recognised as a clinically valid treatment for mental distress,” and Patrick Grahn of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden agrees, stating: “A short walk through a park is of great value when it comes to alleviating stress.”

LANDSCAPE BRINGS HOME TO US GLAD FREEDOM AND WILDNESS, WHICH IS OUR BEST MEDICINE...

Compassionate design was the priority at Wandsworth Recovery Centre, Springfield University Hospital, London. The inpatient facility for adults with acute mental illness has gardens designed by Tony Danford, providing service users with a safe environment for respite and recreation.

A 2008 article in medical journal The Lancet stated: “People exposed to the greenest environments are less likely to die (from all causes or from circulatory diseases) even when taking into account income.” The Landscape Institute’s statement on Public Health and Landscape lists five principles of healthy places, suggesting how we treat our landscapes should be guided by health and wellbeing as much as other considerations.

Healthy places improve air, water and soil quality, incorporating measures that help us adapt to and mitigate climate change Healthy places help overcome health inequalities and promote healthy lifestyles Healthy places make people feel at ease, increasing social interaction and reducing anti-social behaviour, isolation and stress Healthy places optimise opportunities for working, learning and development Healthy places are restorative, uplifting and healing for physical and mental health

A recent study showed that increased exercise, a safer, greener community and the opportunity for people to learn new skills delivers a social return of £7 for every £1 invested.

Motherwell’s 7km Greenlink cycleway in Scotland’s former steel capital has created enormous improvements in an area where many of the neighbourhoods are among the 15% most deprived in Scotland.

In November 2008, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council received £4.5m from the Department of Health’s Healthy Community Challenge Fund to deliver a three-year programme aimed at transforming five local parks into ‘family health hubs’. The aim was to encourage families to make the most of these health hubs by participating in informal and structured physical activity and through these activities reduce levels of childhood obesity in the borough. By improving the structure and connectivity of its parks, the town is ushering in a range of opportunities for people to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

In the current economic climate the landscape industry needs to be prioritised in promoting the health, and consequently economic, benefits of a well designed, delivered and managed landscape.

To learn more about landscape and health and to see further case studies, take a look at the Landscape Institute’s ‘Public Health and Landscape Position Statement’, found at: http://www.landscapeinstitute.co.uk/PDF/ Contribute/PublicHealthandLandscape_ CreatingHealthyPlaces_FINAL.pdf

ABOUT ADAM WHITE FLI Adam White is a director of Davies White Ltd, a multi award-winning Chartered Landscape Architectural practice in Kingston upon Thames.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Chartered Landscape Institute and an RHS Gold Medal and BBC People’s Choice Award winner. In 2012 Adam was the youngest ever landscape architect to be made a Fellow, joining an elite group of just 75.

Twitter: @davies_white www.davieswhite.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2015 12:52

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19/03/2015 14:27

OPINION

STRESSING YOUR RESOURCE

Planning and organisation are key to managing pressures on people and plant and minimising the stresses that can result, argues Angus Lindsay With the busy season fast approaching (I say approaching but it seems we’re constantly busy nowadays as the traditional seasons have all merged into one) we’re all looking forward and probably reviewing labour, machinery and vehicles in preparation for the spring. In the case of grounds maintenance contractors, we’re anticipating the carnage that is the first grass cut. Anyone who starts a GM contract on 1 April has my sympathy. New staff, new equipment, new client, new depot and don’t forget the Easter break – a stressful time for all concerned, but was it always like this?

THERE SEEMS TO BE A PERCEPTION THAT SECURING SKILLED OPERATORS, VEHICLES AND MACHINERY IS AS EASY AS GOING TO THE SUPERMARKET WITH EVERYTHING AVAILABLE OFF THE SHELF There used to be realistic lead times for contract start-ups (don’t get me wrong, in many instances this is still the case). Contracts were awarded in late December for a 1 April start.

Excellent, but what about those awarded in early March for a 1 April start? It’s not exactly good for the blood pressure. Cutting grass – how hard can it be?

There seems to be a perception from some of those awarding contracts that securing skilled operators, vehicles and machinery is as easy as going to the supermarket with everything www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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available off the shelf. If only it was that simple. It is true that transferring staff will probably be skilled but to what extent? This can be the start of an extremely pressured and stressful time for all.

Stress can be defined in two ways – pressure or tension exerted on a material object or a state of mental or emotional strain or tension, resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. So here are two definitions that cover both our equipment and those who operate and manage it respectively. Push your machinery too hard and it’ll break. This leads to the second definition. You could say that this is all down to the pressure of the job and people sometimes get confused about the difference between pressure and stress. We all regularly experience pressure. It can act as a motivator to make us perform better, but it is when we experience too much pressure and feel unable to cope that stress can result.

Turning to the mechanical side for a moment, it amazes me that clients and customers expect the first cut of the season to result in a bowling green finish on verges that haven’t been cut for three months or more. I find it frustrating that having serviced grass cutting machinery we fit new blades and then beat them up on these verges which contain all sorts of debris from grit to car parts.

Why not sharpen the old ones and sacrifice them on the first cut? Or better still, cut a bit higher. It’s easy to say that with a bit of planning and organisation the season will start smoothly and you’ll keep on top of things but then there’s the weather, external budget cuts, internal budget pressures, machinery reliability and demanding clients.

These are all part and parcel of the job but sometimes I feel that with a little more communication and understanding the pressure could be reduced. Pushing things too hard will result in failure but remember, machinery can be repaired, it’s not so easy with the human body!

At these pressured times it is worth taking a step back to review your resources and in particular your human capital. You may not realise it but you could be sitting on a stress time bomb, which may just explode when you least expect it, leaving your business extremely vulnerable.

ABOUT ANGUS LINDSAY Angus spent several years working on arable farms in Scotland before joining VSO in Egypt, implementing a mechanisation programme, managing field operations for a commercial cotton plantation in Nigeria and as a contract instructor for Massey Ferguson in Yemen. He gained an MSc in agricultural engineering and mechanisation management before returning to the UK and joining Glendale as machinery manager in 1994. He then joined The Landscape Group in 2009 as group head of assets and fleet. Contact alindsay@thelandscapegroup.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / April 2015 29

18/03/2015 12:50

BUSINESS TIPS

WHY ARE YOU A

GARDEN DESIGNER? Asking why someone wants to be a garden designer is a simple enough question, but one that can be very revealing, says Janine Pattison. Here’s what people said in reply – what type of designer are you?

Over the years I have asked the question, “Why did you want to be a garden designer?” many times and I have summarised the answers for you. The names of all my respondents will remain secret but you might have some fun guessing who said what!

The most common response is ‘to be creative’. These CREATIVE are people who simply have to work in a role which allows their creativity to flourish. They like to produce original, innovative work and are usually good at finding clever solutions to problem sites.

These creators are easily bored and need fresh challenges to keep them motivated.

They often sketch and draw incessantly and have other interests in art, music, theatre and photography.

THE

Other people seek meaning in their design work and need THE SEARCHER to feel that they are making a difference by working on projects which they feel are worthwhile. I call this group searchers and they are often drawn to social projects that benefit the community in some way. School gardens, care homes, therapeutic or sensory gardens and public spaces appeal to them. Generally they work well in collaborative teams and like to make sure the client brief has been fulfilled.

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The spirit on the other hand needs freedom and THE independence and is SPIRIT drawn to garden design for the flexible nature of the work. They enjoy being on site, visiting suppliers, nurseries, quarries and generally being in charge of their time to do things exactly as they want. Their cars are likely to have the highest mileage and you can only get hold of them on their mobile phone.

The expert is the garden designer who is fantastic at technical drawings EXPERT and specifications.

They love detail and will happily spend hours researching the right fixings for a pergola or profile for a step. It’s possible they may struggle with the creative side of the design, but at least it will have superb construction drawings.

The friend will be drawn to garden design for the THE opportunity to connect FRIEND with a wide variety of people and to form strong friendships with clients, contractors and suppliers. They will be the one sitting on their client’s patio drinking wine long after the project is completed. They seem to have more time in their day than other designers and enjoy an unhurried coffee and a chat during site meetings.

The director is the garden designer who is DIRECTOR very good at telling everyone what to do.

They will often be on site ordering people around and getting involved in things that probably shouldn’t concern them. They need influence over other people in order to feel good. They often have good relations with the client, though, as all that ordering about gives the client confidence that someone is in charge.

The star is the garden designer who always seem THE to be in the public eye.

They enjoy being recognised and respected and often design show gardens, lecture, write books, enter awards and try to get on TV.

STAR

The builder is the person who is primarily motivated by making money. They BUILDER are often very good at the contracts side of their business and seem to be able to get invoices out (and paid) more easily than most of us.

THE

THE

THE

So there you have my take on the eight types of garden designer. Which category do you fit into? Tweet your answer to me @janinepattison if you dare!

ABOUT JANINE PATTISON Janine Pattison MSGD is a multi awardwinning garden designer and horticulturalist who trained with English Heritage at Eltham Palace in London and at Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester. A registered member of the Society of Garden Designers, the British Association of

Landscape Industries and the Garden Media Guild, Janine is also a highly qualified RHS horticulturalist. www.janinepattison.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/03/2015 16:21

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18/03/2015 16:36

BUSINESS TIPS

WHERE FOCUS GOES...

ENERGY FLOWS In Steve Clarke’s world, business lessons are to be found in the unlikeliest of places. This month he tells how a motorbike trip across the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert got him thinking about focusing on the road ahead I’m no petrolhead, not an engine kind of a guy at all, but I do love adventure.

I spent the other week powering my way up and over the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and riding off-road in the Sahara dessert on a monster BMW GS1200 motor bike. This was a new experience for me.

It had breathtaking scenery and was an eye opening cultural experience – what a trip. On reflection, it held some very important business lessons, too.

The night before we got going we had a briefing from our guide. A highly skilled and experienced rider, Patrick has completed the iconic Paris-Dakar rally on a number of occasions. He has raced all over the world and broken just about every bone in his body. Very encouraging, you might think.

Setting out from our hotel in Marrakech was a white knuckle experience from the start.

Riders in the bustling traffic take an ‘every man for himself’ attitude, with no allowances made for newbies such as myself. Scary.

It would have been quite easy to tell the others to go ahead then turn back and lounge around the pool. But that wasn’t why I’d made the trip.

What kind of journey are you on with your business? Who is acting as your guide? Are you clinging on for dear life, challenging yourself each day or lounging round the pool, metaphorically speaking? www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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As we broke the city limits and the traffic thinned out, we started to gather speed and the journey began in earnest. It started to feel less frightening and more exciting with every mile and every turn we made.

Each bend in the road revealed another dimension of the truly unique landscape until we climbed to our first coffee stop. We parked up, took off our helmets and looked back at the winding road in the valley far below.

There were huge smiles all round and with no fallers and no incidents, it was our first chance to celebrate. We were all

WHAT KIND OF JOURNEY ARE YOU ON WITH YOUR BUSINESS?

unscathed and loving life. I was feeling particularly pleased with myself for having kept up with the group. It felt amazing. I’d developed a new skill. I was still a beginner, but I’d kept up.

Do you take time to celebrate the small victories? Do you recognise the small steps that you’re making in your business each day, week and month?

With every turn the scenery took on a new look and brought with it fresh challenges – hairpin bends on steep single track mountain roads with no safety barriers, just sheer drops.

Crossing the valleys of the Sahara, I kept an eye out for so many hazards – camels, sheep, goats, rocks, soft sand and then out of nowhere, another oncoming lorry.

Patrick, our guide, explained to me that the important thing was to stay relaxed, look ahead and read the situation. Don’t look down, don’t focus on the hazard or the problem. Focus on the road ahead and where you’re going, where you want to be.

Don’t focus on the problem. Be aware of it but don’t focus on it. Look around the bend to where you want to be. Select the right gear, keep the power on and away you go. Have faith.

Does this sound familiar? In business and in life, ‘where focus goes, energy flows’. You’ll get what you focus your attention on, be it the hazard or the clear road ahead.

Keep focused on your goal and continue to push yourself. Get out of your comfort zone, into your stretch zone and don’t spend too long in the panic zone. Start thinking it’s easy and complacency will get you.

If you’d like help achieving your business goals, contact me at: www.eurekasales.co.uk/contact ABOUT STEVE CLARKE An exceptional sales mentor and sought after motivational business speaker who draws upon his own first hand experiences. He built his last UK business to £30m in annual sales in just eight years, sold out and retired at 45. Now he helps businesses around the world generate more leads, more sales and more profits, and with less blood, sweat and tears. www.eurekasales.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / April 2015 33

18/03/2015 12:47

OPINION

COLLEGE LEAVERS

A STEPPING STONE OR STUMBLING BLOCK? How should we deal with newly qualified employees?

Jody Lidgard makes a case for patience and playing a proactive role in their on-the-job training and professional development I can recall when I had finished my basic training, my trade training and my first posting as an armoured infantryman. I was 18 years old, and confident that what I had been taught was enough to get me by.

When I met the flight for the first time and worked with the team, I felt all my training drain away, rendering me speechless. I quickly became very proficient with a broom, sweeping out the bays and hangers, fetching and carrying equipment, cleaning kit and any other apparently menial tasks that could be thrown my way! I had received the training in the classroom and practised in an artificial environment but when it came to putting it all into practice I was shown the ropes by the guys who had been around a little. I wanted to run before I could walk, yes, but I realised this wasn’t going to be and as I gained experience my responsibilities were gradually ramped up, until it reached the point that I was directing new guys in the nuances of the sweeping brush.

We have all taken someone on fresh out of college and having interviewed and appointed them, lit the fuse, stepped back and waited for them to go off like a 34

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firework and dazzle us with their skill set and attitude. Landscapers are a great group of people to be around but I sometimes observe in a slightly Freudian way that we have become a little ‘tribal’ in our ways. It can be difficult for a new operative to fit comfortably into a team. Put into a management or supervisory position this can be compounded.

As employers we need to have a clear strategy for how to deal with new employees and how we can manage the transitional period. This can result in an initial drop in productivity for the company. I know a great many firms will have this nailed, so forgive me for the ‘sucking eggs’ bit.

As the owner or manager of the company,

AS EMPLOYERS WE NEED TO HAVE A CLEAR STRATEGY FOR HOW TO DEAL WITH NEW EMPLOYEES AND MANAGE THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD take the responsibility for easing the newly qualified person into post. Let’s not overload these people, but allow them to observe how we operate on the ground. We’re all different after all.

Be around to do a little hand-holding, allowing them to see the company culture firsthand. Keep in touch with the people at the coalface, we’ve all been there. I have observed a ‘fire and forget’ attitude with colleagues and it’s a recipe for disaster. Allow them to discuss what they see as their strengths and play to them, while easing them out of their comfort zone. On their personnel file record a skills audit that is updated

on a regular basis. Let them know you have their best interests in your sights.

‘Repetition is the mother of all learning’ I observed one of our recently-qualified guys grumbling about a particularly difficult cut on a piece of paving, on his third attempt I heard him declare “It’s impossible!” We discussed it, demonstrated better use of the cutter, and after another couple of attempts he was beaming from ear to ear having attained a blooming good finish. This arguably cost me in productivity and material wastage but was a lesson well learned and well worth the input.

I’m a big believer in lifelong learning and will always make time to stop and teach someone.

As the owner or manager of the company, take responsibility for updating employee skills through CPD. Call on your local colleges and trade associations to see what’s on offer. By creating a structured pathway we can begin to strengthen our companies’ positions within the market place while retaining and developing people’s skills on a personal and business level.

ABOUT JODY LIDGARD Jody Lidgard of Bespoke Outdoor Spaces has been in the landscaping industry for 20 years.

After studying at Otley/Writtle college he worked as a landscape contractor and taught landscape construction and horticulture at Askham Bryan and UCS Otley. Working abroad in various locations for leading designers, his ability to gain the best from the people he works alongside has led him to his ongoing involvement with WorldSkills competitions. info@jodylidgard.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2015 14:55

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18/03/2015 15:56

TECHNICAL

THE DARK ART OF LIGHTING

WATER FEATURES Focusing light on key areas like water features can transform a garden, says Robert Webber.

Here he explains how to use garden lighting to highlight any water feature to great effect Good lighting design is everything. It can reveal the magic in your landscape and transform your garden by night. Painting with light can change the mood of your space, using colour and shadows to bring out the best of your garden.

More often than not, most gardens are poorly lit. It’s obvious where the services of a quality lighting designer and installer have been employed. The two classic mistakes are over lighting a feature, or complete under lighting.

Both are crimes in my book. We employ a simple approach to all garden lighting, similar to how most people approach internal lighting, without the walls to bounce the light back from: ●F unctional lighting: to enable you to use your

space for the purpose you want it for.

●A esthetic lighting: to create mood and feeling.

It’s the soul of a good design.

●F eature lighting: to help accentuate the key

features of the garden. Sculptures, water features, feature trees etc.

Getting started Water fractionates light. That is to say it helps to carry the light. So a small amount of lighting can create dramatic effects. This does depend on the colour of the light you are using. We tend to use either a ‘colder’ white light for a more traditional feel, or an ultra blue LED for a contemporary feel.

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Some water features may look the same, but their lighting requirements are different. Having a good brief from either the garden designer or the client is essential, as is consultation.

During consultation, pictures help bring words to life, and often we will mock up an effect for the relevant parties to see. It’s good to have a constant flow of information back and forth of what’s required and achievable.

The rules to follow In principle, there are a few rules to employ when looking at lighting a water feature: ● Think feature. Is it the main feature in the garden? If so, light it well, to the detriment of other areas if budgets are a constraint. This is particularly the case if it is architecturally designed. It becomes a piece of artwork that can be enjoyed from inside the house when the garden isn’t used. ●T hink colour. A water feature is one of the few places we will use a different colour light in the garden. Water carries any colour well, unlike green foliage and trees. That’s all to do with colour temperature, which I’ll talk about in another article. Simple clip-on lenses can be added to most lights to change the colour. ●T hink maintenance. Often water features are fully self-contained. This means accessing a light for maintenance can involve draining away thousands of litres of water. Plan the design so lights either have long-life LED lamps or the lights are easily accessible. ●T hink installer. There are not many specialist external lighting contractors around. You need to make sure it’s installed both safely and it has longevity. A minimum of a year guarantee should be applied to all garden lighting and a certificate of compliance with the current Institute Of Electrical Engineers regulations given as assurance. ●T hink fun. We love the creative aspect of garden lighting. It can be a complete mix of dreams, expertise, approach and challenges.

Mix them all together and you have a cocktail of light that can bring a fresh presence to any outside space.

1C alled ‘The Cradle’, this feature fills and empties to simulate human breath. A complex DMX controller controls the single pump and five lights in complete symmetry. The lighting intensifies as the cradle fills with water and disappears as it reaches empty 2 A bright white weighted light shines up under the cascade from the rill, and a warmer white light illuminates the pool below. These were wired to two separate circuits so that when the rill was not in use the stillness of the pool created mood 3 A water feature designed using recycled bottles and lit at the Chelsea flower show

ABOUT ROBERT WEBBER Robert Webber is the founder of Scenic Lighting, a specialist exterior lighting company based in Berkshire. He designs and installs garden lighting throughout the UK and internationally. Robert can be contacted on rob@sceniclighting.com or via his mobile on 07766 051000.

www.sceniclighting.com

Pro Landscaper / April 2015 37

18/03/2015 09:10

TECHNICAL

INSIDE OUT OUTSIDE IN UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DESIGN

A seamless connection between inside and out maximises perception of space and makes for a harmonious domestic environment, says interior designer, Anji Connell

Using a side return: Aedes Studio

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The location, setting and your view are all determinants for both indoor and outdoor design. A fabulous view (if you are lucky enough to have one) maximises your interior space by leading your eye outside, making it feel larger, lighter and more open.

If you are not lucky enough to have an exciting urban skyline, rural or sea view, you need to look at ways to cheat the eye. An ‘eye catcher’, something placed in the landscape as a focal point to ‘catch the eye’ can make a real difference.

Art curator Alison Pickett told me: “I think the most important factor in the transition from interior to exterior is to make it as seamless as

possible. The placing of a sculpture draws the eye through the interior to the landscape. That is for me what unites and links the two spaces.”

With sea views, you might consider sandy colours, soothing blues and decoration with a seaside aesthetic, it does not need to be a full on seaside representation. For urban views that are vibrant and bright, consider using more neutrals in your interiors to bring focus to your fabulous vistas. Rural views inspire you to invite nature indoors. If you have a window wall, it is best to leave the view as unobstructed as possible.

Interior space is visually maximised by an outdoor vista and light and physically by sagacious decoration and perhaps extending into any outside space you may have. Can you utilise any space from a garden, terrace, or side return as an outdoor room or open up your space by adding a balcony; if your outside space is limited how about a Juliet balcony or a skylight?

If you are looking out to a wall, you can improve it with planting, a mirror or sculpture, www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2015 14:00

OPINION IF YOU ARE LOOKING OUT TO A WALL YOU CAN IMPROVE IT WITH PLANTING, A MIRROR OR SCULPTURE, WATER FEATURE AND LIGHTING

An Eye Catcher. found on www.deborahsilver.com Improving the view of a wall, in the garden of landscape designer Chris Moss. Photograph by Marcus Harper

End Wall Ideas: Canny Design Australia

water feature and lighting. Lighting should not be over looked in any decorative scheme inside or out. If your outside space is truly limited, clever thinking is required and this is where a professional can help.

A HARMONIOUS DESIGN NEEDS TO HAVE CONTINUITY IN STYLE AND IN THE COLOURS YOU USE, LINKING THE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AREAS You will need to check with your local council to see if you need planning permission to extend. Budget will also play its part. A harmonious design needs to have continuity in style and in the colours you use, linking the indoor and outdoor areas. Allowing your exterior views to guide your colour choice inside, as well as the ‘look and feel’ of your home in combination with your functional needs are all important factors in creating harmony. Your personality should also shine through, you must feel comfortable in your own home.

Matching your inside and outside space does not need to involve a literal reflection but www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Anji Connell TW.indd 39

Or something fun...Adagio Outdoor Swing by Francesco Rota

it is important that they do not jar. “Clients often underestimate the importance of linking inside to out. Particularly in the UK where the weather isn’t great we spend most of our time viewing the garden from inside. Planting around the house anchors the house to the site, it also allows for it to be seen from inside.

Colours can be linked to the interior scheme,” said Andrew Duff, RHS show garden judge and director of the garden design faculty at Inchbald School of Design.

Award winning Interior Designer Yasmin Chopin takes this further: “Our physical and mental wellbeing is dependent on our environment; what we see, touch, smell and hear. Each aspect must be considered in design to create harmony in our home.

Interiors cannot be thought of in isolation and it is essential to understand a property, for example, knowledge of its history and how it sits in context with its neighbours. What lies beyond, in the visible landscape through the windows and what we experience as we enter and leave a property all have a palpable effect on our expectations, mood and consequently our relationship with the property. A designer’s role is to make the experience as enjoyable and positive as possible.”

Push out balcony

ABOUT ANJI CONNELL Internationally recognised Interior Architect and Landscape Designer Anji Connell is a detail obsessed Inchbald Graduate, and has been collaborating with artisans and craftsmen to create bespoke and unique interiors for a discerning clientele since 1986. Anji is a stylist, feature writer and lover of ‘all thing’s art and design’.

www.anjiconnellinteriordesignacid.com

Pro Landscaper / April 2015 39

18/03/2015 14:01

Let’s Hear it From INTERVIEW

CHRIS DEAKIN & JASON LOCK OF DEAKINLOCK Chris Deakin and Jason Lock established the successful garden and landscape design practice DeakinLock in 2008 with the aim of creating inspirational design of the highest standard. Both had many years of experience in the design and build business and had worked on award winning projects before setting up their own business in 2008. Pro Landscaper caught up with them at their offices in the beautiful surroundings of rural Suffolk.

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2015 16:02

INTERVIEW

E

veryone has their own unique path into the landscape industry and Jason’s started following a careers day at school. “My original idea was to be a vet but I hadn’t realised just how difficult it was going to be! I got chatting to a guy from Merrist Wood and he inspired me and suggested I attend an open day at the college, which I did and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I subsequently started applying for college courses and opted for a four year sandwich course at Askham Bryan.”

“On completion of the course I applied for a trainee position with Notcutts Landscapes and was lucky enough to be taken on as a trainee working for Mark Rumary FSGD, who was the design director, and Geoff Frost, who looked after the contracting side.”

The arrangement worked well and Jason stayed for 20 years, moving through various positions from trainee designer to several management roles and finally becoming landscape director. “I cut my teeth through the company and spent many years there involved in all types of projects.”

Chris began his journey at Easton College in Norwich before becoming a full-time gardener.

This proved unsustainable, however. “Although it was a beautiful lifestyle being a gardener on a large estate, I decided that I wanted to develop my career further so I enrolled on a three-year landscape and garden design course at Writtle College.” This led to an 18-month internship with Frosts Landscapes before I moved on to Pantiles Landscapes, run by Tony Winder and Brendon Gallagher in Surrey.

“At that time it was a big business and we designed and built gardens at Hampton Court and everything from Elton John’s garden to small gardens in Teddington. It was a very focused, www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Let's Hear it From TW.indd 41

driven environment. It was a fantastic time but hard too.”

Chris was looking to move back to his native East Anglia so when the opportunity to work at Notcutts arose, he jumped at the chance.

Following a series of management changes and a wholesale company reorganisation Notcutts Landscapes closed, allowing Chris and

WE SPENT A LONG TIME CHASING WORK, PUTTING LOTS OF EFFORT INTO NETWORKING TO GET THROUGH THIS CHALLENGING PERIOD Jason to set up their own business with both agreeing that it would be purely design based.

“Luckily, because Notcutts was closing we came to a financial arrangement that any new leads would come to us as that side of their business had closed,” says Jason. “Initially, this worked

well”, said Chris “But in our third year when we moved office to Earsham Hall, the recession started to bite deeper resulting in work being more difficult to secure”.

People were still expressing an interest, but often they didn’t have the confidence to fully commit to their project, according to Chris. “We spent a long time chasing work, putting lots of effort into networking to get through this challenging period.”

Now heading towards their eighth year, Chris and Jason see a more positive market emerging and are delighted to find that most of their work is now coming through repeat business and recommendations.

2014 saw Deakinlock enter their first Chelsea Garden since 2011 with their submission called ‘Fabric’ sponsored by the House of Fraser in the Fresh garden category. Working alone, they found it very demanding. “In the past we had always worked with other people so there were a couple of times when we wondered whether we had done the right thing,” says Chris.

House of Fraser was not keen to invest heavily in the project as it was their first foray into Chelsea, stretching DeakinLock’s resources.

“They were helpful and great to work with but our cashflow suffered as we often found ourselves having to pay people and for products before we got paid ourselves,” says Chris. “More importantly we couldn’t afford to be on site every day as we were not getting paid for that and we still had a business to run. We got the

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Period House with Armillary Garden – Mollands Hall, Suffolk

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Hawkedon House, Suffolk – APL Supreme Winner 2014

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‘Nighttime’ Contemporary Garden – Felixstowe, Suffolk Pro Landscaper / April 2015 41

18/03/2015 16:03

INTERVIEW

impression the RHS weren’t very happy about the situation. So although we were both very experienced at being involved with Chelsea, it was a different story running the whole thing and at times more or less funding it ourselves, it stretched us to the limit.”

Jason too has his doubts. “It was quite stressful and with hindsight we wonder whether we should have done it, although it was very uplifting and we had some amazing feedback from the public and our sponsors. Financially, though it stretched us both through the cost of our involvement but also the lost opportunity which we underestimated, it took us until December 2014 to recover and get back on an even keel.”

Working throughout East Anglia and across the South of England, Chris and Jason are very aware of regional differences in the approach to commissioning landscape and garden designs.

“People tend to be cautious so it becomes a process of building confidence and selling the benefits of making the investment in good design before the earth is broken.”

So how do the two work together? Jason explains, “We used to each take every other enquiry but last year we thought it might be time to change how we work. We got someone in to review the business and he came up with a different strategy.” Chris continues, “We changed what we did and were advised to play to each other’s strengths. I took on the role of meeting prospective clients and pitching for the work.

Jason took on the contract management side of

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Let's Hear it From TW.indd 42

PEOPLE TEND TO BE CAUTIOUS SO IT BECOMES A PROCESS OF BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND SELLING THE BENEFITS OF MAKING THE INVESTMENT IN GOOD DESIGN BEFORE THE EARTH IS BROKEN the business and also does all the tender spec and gets the prices in, but we still both work on the design side too.”

The pair display a confidence befitting their experience. When an enquiry comes in Chris makes the visit and only once the clients have signed up does charging kick in. His experience has taught him how to pitch to a certain level and offer a preliminary solution to clients’ problems with general concepts.

As for their design styles, Chris explains that there are similarities and differences “Although there can sometimes be tensions, which are few and far between, the benefits far outweigh the negatives with our design styles complimenting each other. It also allows us to problem solve, sharing ideas and often a fresh perspective on a scheme.”

The partners both like to be involved in the plants and planting, feeling their horticultural training and experience at Notcutts makes them more than qualified to do so. It also gives them a more tactile connection with the garden, according to Chris. “We can bring more knowledge and skill to the planting and therefore avoid mistakes with the wrong plant being supplied.” Jason adds: “Of course the extra revenue helps, too.”

Chris and Jason clearly work very well together but they are now looking at alternative relationships with clients and contractors according to Jason. “We are now looking to offer a more holistic approach for our clients by working very closely with carefully selected contractors to deliver our projects to the highest standards.”

DeakinLock’s core of contractors are in the main APL or BALI registered. “Having been involved in the associations we have a good idea of who the best companies to work with are,” Jason says. “I was involved in the APL for 10 years so I think it’s a very good organisation.

There is definitely a place for membership associations but I’m not sure we should have

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18/03/2015 16:06

INTERVIEW

WE ARE NOW LOOKING TO OFFER A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH FOR OUR CLIENTS

BY WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH CAREFULLY SELECTED CONTRACTORS TO DELIVER OUR PROJECTS TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS three or four. It would be more cost effective and efficient to have one voice to represent the industry as a whole.”

“We are both Registered Designers with SGD and BALI because we both believe it’s important for us as designers and for the public to have a benchmark.

The practice usually has anywhere between 15 and 20 clients’ projects in various stages of the design and build process at any one time. Chris and Jason agree that an ideal contract would involve a large scale scheme with the scope to allow them to fully immerse themselves in the project.

Having established the business on the cusp of the economic crisis of 2008, DeakinLock has drawn upon experience to build a sustainable model that is now being rewarded with repeat business and recommendations.

They display a flexibility in their mode of working, demonstrating that it is always worth revisiting and reconsidering established business models and drawing on your strengths. Pro Landscaper wishes them well.

1 ‘Fabric’ RHS Chelsea Garden 2014 for House of Fraser 2 Chris and Jason with Lily Cole, Chelsea 2014 3 The Penguin Garden – Aldeburgh, Suffolk 4 Contemporary water feature – Lower Ufford, Suffolk 5 Swimming Pool Garden – Kettleburgh, Suffolk

ABOUT DEAKINLOCK DeakinLock is a successful landscape design practice creating inspirational design of the highest standard throughout East Anglia and the UK. DeakinLock Garden Design, The East Wing Earsham Hall, Bungay, Suffolk NR35 2AN Tel: 01986 893480 Email: info@deakinlock.co.uk Web: www.deakinlock.co.uk

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18/03/2015 16:06

5 YEAR Guarantee

Delivers high traffic performance, prevents peeling or flaking for 5 years Works on new and weathered wood and for recoating old applications Protects against moisture damage, with excellent adhesion and flexibility Available in a wide range of attractive colours to bring new life to any decking

owatrol.indd 1

19/03/2015 12:07

PORTFOLIO

GOLDEN PATH CUBE 1994 GARDEN DESIGN A government-funded project built to help Southend dementia sufferers is a lesson in skillful layout and creative design

C

alled ‘Walkway to a Long Life’, this custom-made sensory garden was officially opened by Angela Rippon OBE on 23 May 2014. Designed to help Southend dementia sufferers, the garden is based at St Martin’s Residential Care Home in Westcliff and is run by The Southend-on-Sea Darby and Joan Organisation, who received £275,645 from the Department of Health to fund the build. As well as incorporating the best design principles for dementia care and research from the King’s Fund Institute on Enhancing the Healing Environment, it has been described as a national example of excellence in dementia care.

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PORTFOLIO

WINNER

Community and Schools Development

Landscape designer Sean Butler from Cube 1994, an Essex based company with expertise in developing sensory gardens, worked closely on the design with the council’s dementia manager Chris Harris and staff and relatives from St Martin’s.

The garden is specifically designed to help with challenging behaviours such as aggression, to help trigger memories, and stimulate the senses with floral fragrances and colours. There are activity areas for no-bend vegetable growing and workshops for painting and craft work.

ABOUT CUBE 1994 GARDEN DESIGN Designers and creators of bespoke landscaped gardens, Sean Butler and his team at Cube 1994 have been specialising in garden design and build for 20 years. Members of the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) and the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), as well as Winners at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2014 and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2012 and 2013, Cube 1994 works across Essex, Hertfordshire and North London. www.cube1994.com

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Design and works This was a large-scale project – 638 tonnes of earth were moved through the home, while 289 tonnes of new materials were transported into the garden. Twenty thousand bulbs were planted individually over a period of four days by five men, and irrigation was also incorporated. The garden was designed with many features to initiate physical, cognitive, social and psychological benefits: The pathway The figure-of-eight pathway has no dead ends, helping dementia sufferers who like to wander and can become frustrated on meeting a boundary. It links all areas of the garden to a central line forming a safe environment for the residents. The single yellow colour means patients can easily identify the route.

Safety The garden has various safety triggers which easily allow residents to locate where they are and find their way back. A brightly coloured timber frame was placed around the doorway to the conservatory to make it identifiable from the garden. The garden planting scheme was designed on a colour wheel to help residents identify where they are within the garden. Metal sphere sculptures with repeat flowering roses

trained over were strategically placed for memory triggers that denote entrances and exits. The use of water in two different locations creates an atmosphere of tranquility and reflection and also attracts wildlife to the garden.

Seating Multiple seating areas ensure patient safety and provide a place to relax and chat with family and friends. A garden club area was created with games and a place for residents to help cultivate plants, invigorating patients physically and making them feel useful. Seating was built into the raised beds so that they can rest during activity time. A gazebo offers a place to rest and view the whole garden while protected from the elements.

1 View from the conservatory, across the wild flower meadow 2 Planning stages, May 2013 3 Construction begins on the Garden Club area 4 Underlay preparation for the artificial lawn 5 Complete, spring 2014. Hyacinths, part of 20,000 bulbs used to create the colour wheel 6 The figure of eight path unifies the design 7 The Fountain Garden, with hot vibrant colour provided by the tulips www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PORTFOLIO

PROJECT DETAILS Project value 1,255m2 Build time 12 weeks Size of project ÂŁ275k

REFERENCES Landscape designer and construction

Turf

Water feature

Easigrass

Landscape Plus

Cube1994 Garden Design

The Old Grass Depot, Park Avenue, London UB1 3AJ Tel 0845 163 4724 Web www.easigrass.com

Unit 1-2, Kemble Business Park, Malmesbury, Crudwell SN16 9SH Tel 01666 577577 Web www.landscapeplus.com

Shrubs and topiary

Outdoor heaters

Europlants UK Limited

Tansun

Great North Road, Bell Bar, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 6DA Tel 01707 649996 Web www.europlants.net

Unit 1, Ridgacre Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands B71 1BW Tel 0121 580 6200 Web www.tansun.com

62 Main Road, Danbury, Essex CM3 4NG Tel 01245 227148 Web www.cube1994.com Timber edging, sharp sand, ballast, cement and Marshalls Tegula block paving Jewsons

Montrose Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 6TE Tel 01245 467181 Web www.jewson.co.uk Oak railway sleepers and softwood railway sleepers

Perennials Premier Plants

Irrigation

Ongar Road, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3NT Tel 01245 422525

City Irrigation

Tel 020 8462 4630 Email chris@cityirrigation.ltd.uk Web www.cityirrigation.co.uk

Purdeys

Maldon Rd, Colchester CO5 0QA Tel 01621 893322

Bulbs Blackheath Bulbs

Electrics

Nayland Rd, Colchester CO6 3DE Tel 01206 271261

Cable Plan

Tidmarsh Blinds

Crushed concrete and aggregates

Safety rubber tarmac surface

Lodge Farm Bungalow, Pump Lane, Pleshey, Chelmsford CM3 1HF Tel 01245 237228 Web www.tidmarsh.co.uk

JKS

Gym Fix

Purdeys Way, Rochford, Essex SS4 1LZ Tel 01702 530010 Web www.jksgroup.co.uk

15 Coleridge Road, Romford RM3 7BD Tel 01708 379063 Web www.gymfix.co.uk

Tel 07949 096275

External blinds and gazebo

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PORTFOLIO

SCULPTING THE LANDSCAPE

STEWART LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION The restoration of this Suffolk garden used existing elements like the rill and pool to create a simple and dramatic new design

T

he first priority for the new owners of this property in Suffolk, was the restoration and refurbishment of the house itself. An extensive programme of works was planned, to transform the dramatic but unloved building into an eclectic family home, full of personality and style. As the house entered a new phase in its history, attention was turned to the landscape, and in particular to an existing area of garden immediately behind the house.

The garden had evolved over time, and any coherent design for the space had long since dissolved, with various existing features seeming disparate and disconnected. There was, however, a beautiful old red brick wall to one of the boundaries, and uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside providing a soft, undulating backdrop.

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The clients engaged Thomas Hoblyn to reimagine the space, to create a new garden that would complement the house and blend with the landscape beyond. With an interest in design, the owners were keen to commission a scheme that would reflect their personal style, without being overstated. They hoped for it to be simple and timeless, and to add drama and interest without dominating the surrounding environment.

The clients decided to retain a modern rill to the rear of the house, providing a strong linear focal point. There was also an existing swimming pool, and although this would be refinished and the adjacent hard landscaping redesigned, the location and the pump room would be retained.

The pool had been built at an interesting angle, so although these two features provided a

starting point for the design, they also created a significant challenge aesthetically.

The levels across the site also needed to be considered. Existing levels dropped away from the house towards an adjacent paddock, but were vague and untidy.

The new design incorporated both the rill and the pool, using them as axes to pin together a series of simple yet dramatic interlocking terraced lawns. A lozenge shaped deck was specified to surround the pool, and an enlarged outline of this rotated to spin the feature into 1 The finished rill 2 A frosty layer on the completed garden 3 The pool’s surrounding detail www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2015 15:39

PORTFOLIO

PROJECT DETAILS Project value ÂŁ290,000 Build time May 2011 to August 2013 Size of project 3,600m2

HIGHLY COMMENDED

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18/03/2015 15:39

N

18.08

17.58

18.10

18.24

19.32 +18.25

+18.00

+17.75

0

2

17.16 FOCAL TREE TO SCREEN PUMP HOUSE

20.06+ 19.91+

19.76+

+18.86

18.21

+ BWH 18.82 + TWH 19.31

+18.86

3no.Step

TWH 19.775 +

+18.86

+ 18.86

+18.75

+18.50

IPE DECKING INTRODUCED TO ACCOMMODATE THE INTRODUCTION OF EXTERNAL SHOWER.

+18.25 +18.00 +17.75

16.78

Proposed retaining walls introduced to site, Retaining wall material to be red brick material to match that on existing property and out buildings unless otherwise stated.

Existing brick walls to remain in place.

16.48

19.24+ 19.05+

Existing Reclaimed York Stone paved terrace. All materials to be protected during build. Security fencing to prevent traffic flow across material. Cordex or other protective surface to be laid across any through route before and during all works.

17.05

TWH 19.41 +

19.43+

+ TWH 19.31

GRAVEL SURFACE SURROUNDED BY NEW RAILWAY SLEEPERS

17.60

EXISTING PUMP/POOL HOUSE

Existing water features to remain in place. Security fencing erected to prevent damage during proposed works. Internal gravel to be replaced with >20mm Black Bassalt material

RETAINING WALL INTRODUCED

17.70

+TWH 20.375 + BWH 18.86

+ TWH 19.65 TWH 19.41 +

Existing gravel paths to remain in place with surface protected from vehicular movements and construction works, Security fencing erected where necessary. Material to be identified and matched on all proposed gravel surfaces.

16.80

19.76+

+ TWH 19.991

4% fall

19.31+

16.95

+TWH 20.375

TWH 20.25+

TWH 20.375 +

2no. sweeping RETAINING WALL TO CREATE TIERS WITHIN LAWN

350x various lengths (unless otherwise stated) Proposed 6 Side Sawn, pencil edged, York Stone steps introduced to site.

17.

28

TWH 20.375+

Existing lawn. All areas re-graded and re-seeded upon completion of works. Lawn to have steel edging where meeting hard standing areas unless otherwise stated.

.8

97 .4

17.74

3no.Step

Proposed 6mm pea gravel. Material to dress the planted borders and to blend in with 14mm pea gravel. Material to match existing gravel paths with exact stone and colour to be confirmed. Contractor to supply with all samples to be approved by both client and designer prior to purchase.

6 SIDE SAWN YORK STONE STEPS 17.

LEADING TO TERRACED LAWNS 921 7

+17.50

TREE 38.47 20.06+ 19.91+

19.76

FORMAL AVENUE

+18.50

20.21+

20.21

19.91

Proposed 14mm pea gravel. Material to match existing gravel paths with exact stone and colour to be confirmed. Contractor to supply with all samples to be approved by both client and designer prior to purchase.

17.32

+TWH 20.375 +18.75 +18.86

TWH 20.375+ 19.91+

20.06

17.37

18.25

18.95 18.34 18.49 18.32

20.27

19.90

19.37

20.28

MH CL19.49

TWH 20.25+

17.82

19.76+

3no.Step

+TWH 20.375

TWH 20.375+

18.07

+ TWH 20.21 +BWH19.76

LEVELLED LAWN

Proposed IPE timber decking with Sawn York, radius cut edging detail.

PATHS RE-ALIGNED - NEW PATH TO BLEND IN WITH EXISTING

19.05

MH CL18.06

20.21+

+ TWH 20.21 + TWH 20.335

Man hole cover to be re-located/ re-positione d in gravel path

LEVELLED LAWN

All planted borders to have 25x100mm timber edging unless other-wise stated. Plant size, species and spacing to be indicated on Planting Plans and within Specification document

+TWH 20.375

TWH 20.375+

MH CL18.23

COURT-YARD

TWH 20.335 +

+TWH21.12

19.86

DP

MH CL19.87

DP

GY MH CL20.22

TWH 20.25+ +19.91

18.82 MH CL18.64

+20.64

MH CL20.24

DP

+20.25

INTRODUCE RETAINING WALL TO ACCOMMODATE LOWERING OF LEVELS REPLACE EXISTING GRAVEL, RE-ALIGN THE PATHS

EXISTING RILL WITH AMENDMENTS TO WATER FEATURE

LEVELLED LAWN

+20.25

All proposed hedging. Exact locations, size and species to be indicated on Planting Plans and within specification document.

EXISTING FORMAL TERRACING TO BE REPLACED WITH SAWN YORK.

17.97

+TH21.12

Existing trees to remain on site. All trees to have security fencing erected around the drip line to protect from all traffic to, from and during site works.

1no.Step 20.06+

20.21+ 1no.Step +20.21

19.91+

+BWH20.72

Existing buildings to remain in place, security fencing erected on major access routs and where necessary to avoid all risks of damage.

All proposed trees. Locations, size and species to be indicated on Planting Plans and within specification document.

Top pillar height to match existing + TWH 20.325+ TWH 20.455+

+20.21

+TWH21.12

19.86

DP

DP

DP DP

DP DP MH CL20.28

MH CL20.30 DP

el 19.98+

PL19.96+

MH CL20.27

GARAGE AND OFFICE BUILDINGS

DESIGN PLAN

DP

20.30 DP DP

DP MH CL20.31

GRAVEL SURFACE TO REMAIN IN PLACE WITH GRAVEL MATERIAL REPLACED USING DESIGNER RECOMMENDATION

LOW STRUCTURAL PLANTED BORDERS

17.83 17.97 18.11

Paved detail to be retained and protected during construction

18.25

DP

DP

19.01

PORTFOLIO

Proposed Timber foot bridge to gain access from main garden to opposite paddock and fields.

Material to be confirmed. Contractor to ensure all construction details are checked by structural engineer prior to ordering materials and installation

+ TWH 19.31 + TWH 20.21

+BWH18.86

+BWH19.76

+18.95

+18.95

+18.95

TIMBER GATE INSTALLED + TWH 20.21 +BWH19.76

+ TWH 18.86

EXISTING TREE TO BE REMOVED FROM SITE

+18.95 +18.95

TREES INTRODUCED TO ENHANCE BOUNDARY

+18.75

+18.50

+18.86

+18.25 +18.00

+17.75

+17.50

EXISTING VEGETABLE GARDEN

PROPOSED TIMBER BRIDGE TO CROSS HAHA

SLOPED BANK Area not surveyed so finished levels to be determined on site (grading to meet existing contours) TEMPORARY ACCESS ROUTE VIA THE ADJOINING PADDOCK, INTO GARDEN DURING THE 'WORKS'

Existing spot levels provided by existing site survey. All levels should be checked on site.

5000

LEADING TO EXISTING ORCHARD (Area not surveyed)

+ BWH17.50 +19.00

20.21

2000

+18.86

+ TWH 19.31

+ TWH 20.21

16.94

+18.95

16.04

+18.95

EXISTING SWIMMING POOL WITH SLATE COPING MATERIAL

+17.50

WICKER 18.17

+18.86 + TWH 19.31 +BWH18.86

IPE DECKING WITH 6 SIDE SAWN YORK STONE PAVING DETAIL TO SURROUND

Proposed spot levels and approximate contour lines. All site grading to be checked by Designer prior to completion/signing off.

+18.95

16.82

Pleached trees to run along historic wall. Planted borders below using different grades of gravel to define path from borders.

+20.21

PLANTING TO MIRROR THAT WITHIN FORMAL BORDERS

+17.50

1000 Scale 1:200 @A2

REV N 22nd August 2011 Formal Terrace layout amended, with the formal borders placed within the lawns rather than the York stone terrace.

GENERAL NOTES: *All dimensions shall be checked on site. *Drawings shall be read in conjuction will all other contract documentation and other consultants drawings. *Any discrepancies shall be reported to the Contract Administrator. IF IN DOUBT, ASK. *DO NOT SCALE FROM THIS DRAWING (Except for planning purposes only). USE FIGURED DIMENSIONS ONLY. *WARNING: This drawing is issued in colour. Š2010 Thomas Hoblyn Garden Design Ltd. Jones Client: Property: Hawkedon House Title: JON. Master Plan Drawing No.JON.4.0.01 Scale: 1:200@A2 Revision: L Date: 1-Feb-11 Drawn by: RJH Checked by:

Thomas Hoblyn Garden Design Ltd. Mansard House, Low Street, Bardwell, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 1AR

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PORTFOLIO

ABOUT STEWART LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION LTD

line with the rest of the design. The crisp tiers would terminate along a substantial new retaining wall at the foot of the garden, supporting the final terrace, and acting as a ha-ha to preserve the distant view from the house.

Large volumes of soil were displaced and redistributed to form the sculpted terraces. Long, curved retaining walls were built and faced in handmade Northcot Plumstead Antique bricks to match the Victorian reds of the house.

A rich hardwood deck was built to create a social space around the pool, and edged with chunky, precision-cut, six-way sawn York stone. A formal row of box head Tilia was installed against the backdrop of the historic wall.

Making reference to the avenues of historic country houses, the trees added weight and height to the design and provided an instant feeling of maturity. Great care was needed in the positioning of such large specimens, and in anchoring their rootballs below ground. The avenue was underplanted with an army of Buxus balls of differing sizes and a subtle tapestry of perennials and bulbs.

Inevitably, various issues were met and overcome during the course of the build. One of the most significant surrounded the large, grey York stone terrace immediately behind the house. The stone, which had been chosen by the client, was sourced from a new quarry recently established by the supplier. It was delivered and installed, and quite quickly began to turn orange! Metal ores within the stone were oxidising, and the terrace was rusting before our eyes.

Fortunately, the suppliers were willing to resolve the problem, and the order was collected and replaced.

Ultimately, with everything complete and with issues resolved, both the clients and the designer were delighted with the finished result. The garden looks stunning, and is both a timeless piece of landscaping and a legacy for the future of this unique site.

Stewart Landscape Construction was formed by Mark Richardson, who has been involved in commercial and domestic landscaping at management level for more than 15 years. The company specialises in bespoke urban gardens, including terraces and roof gardens, has a soft landscaping division and a design and consultancy service that deals with planning issues for all forms of landscaping. www.stewartlandscape.co.uk

REFERENCES Landscaper

Paving

Stewart Landscape Construction

Stone UK Ltd

Staplefords Farm, Alphamstone, Bures, Suffolk CO8 5DT Tel 01787 269920 Web www.stewartlandscape.co.uk

Green Lane, West Garstang, Lancashire PR3 1NJ Tel 01995 600551 Web www.stoneuk.com

Designer Thomas Hoblyn Landscape & Garden Design

Mansard House, Low Street, Bardwell, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 1AR Tel 01359 252056 Email enquiries@thomashoblyn.co.uk Topsoil British Sugar

Sugar Way, Peterborough PE2 9AY Tel 01733 422084 Web www.bstopsoil.co.uk Turf Sovereign Turf

Fir Tree Farm, Blaxhall, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 2DX Tel 01728 688984 Web www.sovereignturf.com Plants Hortus Loci

1 The finished scheme, photographed from an attic window

4 The retaining walls taking shape

2 The site on the first day of the build

6 Buxus topiary cones

3 Generously proportioned steps with York stone treads www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Portfolio 2 Stewart 2.indd 51

5 The finished terraced lawns 7 The garden and the ‘borrowed landscape’ beyond

Mount Manor House, 16 The Mount, Guildford, Surrey GU2 4HN Tel 0118 932 6495 Web www.hortusloci.co.uk

Trees and hedging Deepdale Trees

Tithe Farm, Hatley Road, Potton, Sandy, Beds. SG19 2DX. Tel 01767 26 26 36 Web www.deepdale-trees.co.uk Bricks Travis Perkins Worcester North

Lodge Way House, Lodge Way, Harlestone Road, Northampton NN5 7UG Web www.travisperkins.co.uk Decking Southgate Timber Company

Southgate House, Nether Hall, Church Road, Moreton Essex CM5 0JA Tel 01277 890783 Web www.southgatetimber.co.uk

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PORTFOLIO

SITTING PRETTY M&N HORTICULTURE M&N Horticulture transform a run-down walled garden with a modular ‘garden within a garden’ design that maximises the feeling of space and includes a larger entertaining area

PROJECT DETAILS Project value Under £25,000

COMMENDED

Build time 3 weeks Size of project 320sqm

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PORTFOLIO

H

aving worked with the client previously, on this project M&N Horticulture was given carte blanche and a good budget to create a new garden. The client wanted the iron wood decking area to stay, but required a larger entertaining area. An issue to solve was the overlooking commercial windows.

Using previous knowledge of the client’s likes and dislikes M&N Horticulture designed a low maintenance garden of mainly summer interest with an area for entertaining and an overall greater feeling of space. Created as a modular ‘garden within a garden’, sleepers were used throughout to give a range of heights as raised beds and edgings to structures, such as the ultra low-maintenance artificial lawn. A circular patio set within the main beds adjacent to the lawn allowed the client to make the best of the sunshine.

A simple but effective water feature created sound and movement and interest from the entertaining areas. A row of pleached Carpinus betulus gave relief from the overlooking commercial windows and a greater feeling of privacy. Low maintenance plants, including ornamental grasses, evergreen and deciduous shrubs, carefully chosen herbaceous and conical Buxus cones gave continuity and structure during the autumn and winter months. Betula jacquemontii trees were chosen for their striking white bark, which stood out against the surround brick wall.

Construction The existing garden was comprised mainly of lawn, surrounded by informal overgrown borders with a mixture of shrubs and small trees, and a water feature incorporated in a gravel garden. The garden was enclosed by a curved 1.8m brick wall. The site was cleared, with select herbaceous being kept to one side for possible reuse. Due to limited access this was carried out by hand.

A previous length of armoured cable had been installed in the garden for the water

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Portfolio 3 M&N 2.indd 53

feature, this was lifted and trenched across the garden from the garage to the site for the relocated water feature.

The raised sleeper beds, which would house the new and extended entertaining area, were marked out and constructed first. Each raised bed sleeper wall was made to the same specification, held by treated wooden posts which were concreted into the ground. Right angled sleeper corners were constructed and all sleepers were interlocked to give strength to the corners.

Once the initial sleeper bed had been constructed the base works were implemented for the patio. A small brick wall was built which in turn would hold the new raised patio supporting wall, before it stepped down and matched with the existing side pathway.

As the first sleeper beds were constructed, the next sleepers were laid out and the garden within a garden theme started to give great visual effect, especially with the varying heights.

The new focus then became the support system and installation of the pleached Carpinus betulus, which were graded and placed for greatest impact and uniformity. Key elements were the correct planting depth, vertical stems and adjustment of any pleached heads, which were running off square. To give the greatest privacy from the overlooking windows, it was decided that an additional Carpinus would be required.

This involved moving the metal safe store shed, lifting 1.2m of the existing side paving including base works, and constructing and continuing the raised bed.

Attention was paid to securing the pleached Carpinus betulus so it had slight movement but did not rock during windy conditions.

The single sleeper frame for the artificial grass lawn was constructed and adjacent to the artificial lawn we installed a 2.8m circular bistro patio area, which was connected by a pathway from the lawn. To break up the side of the bricked garage wall, the client supplied a

ABOUT M&N HORTICULTURE M&N Horticulture was established in 1997 to undertake garden design and MN HORTICULTURE maintenance for . domestic and commercial clients across Norfolk and Suffolk and has grown to include hard and soft landscaping, fencing, hedging, patios, tree and shrub planting and estate and grounds maintenance programmes. The partners of M&N Horticulture, Martin and Nicky Wood, are professional horticulturists each having over 20 years horticultural experience including college training, garden centre & plant nursery management, together with lots of hands-on experience.

GARDEN MAINTENANCE

LANDSCAPING

www.mnhorticulture.com

1 Stunning foxgloves in the afternoon sun 2 Establishing garden after six weeks 3 Perfect artificial lawn highlights colour and structure of the planting scheme 4 Construction of modular raised sleeper beds 5 Simple planting creates a secluded area in which to enjoy the afternoon sun Pro Landscaper / April 2015 53

19/03/2015 11:49

PORTFOLIO

stainless steel mirror, this altered the view of the garden by giving a feeling of extra depth.

During the construction phases for the raised beds, patio and base works of the artificial grass area the unwanted topsoil had been moved into the various raised beds. Extra topsoil was required from a local haulage firm, and 17 tons was delivered over the wall.

Planting The main planting followed the simple but effective form of drift block planting. With all

planting, careful attention was paid to the depth of the plants and to aid establishment planting mulch was spread over the beds, helping to really show off the new plants. The water feature area was dressed with local stone and 20mm round stone arcs of cobbles were displayed around key plants, adding extra interest.

1 Installation of circular patio 2 Trees and shrubs planting underway 3 Artificial lawn base construction 4 Sunny corner for late afternoon sunshine 5 Sharp angular paving and raised beds 6 Construction of pathway from lawn to patio 7 Mature grasses give seclusion to the patio

Establishment and care The client asked M&N Horticulture to look after the garden during its establishment, and it continues to do so.

8 The afternoon of completion

REFERENCES Design and construction M&N Horticulture

Woodlands, 49 Queens Street, Spooner Row, Wymondham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR18 9JU Tel 01953 600518 Mobile 07721 521100 Email info@mnhorticulture.com Paving stones, cement

Trees, shrubs, herbaceous and grasses

Galvanised wires and strainers

Fordham Nurseries

Farm Bits

Scotsdales Fordham, Fordham, Nr Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 5LQ Tel 01638 720455 Email enquiries@fordhamnursery.co.uk Web www.scotsdalegardencentre.co.uk

Ayton Road, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 0QH Tel 01953 606668 Web www.farmbits.co.uk

Longwater Construction

54

Planting and garden mulch

Robin Tacchi Plants

Fen Farm, Garboldisham Norfolk IP22 2RL Tel 01953 681312 Email rtp@robintacchiplants.com Web www.robintacchiplants.com

Mill Farm Bungalow, Mill Street, Elsing, Dereham, Norfolk NR20 3EQ Tel 01362 638441 Web www.tmabark.co.uk

Sand, gravels and cobbles

Metal work

Top soil and waste removal

Longwater Gravel

Standley Steel Stock holders

Richards Haulage

Longwater Business Park, Dereham Road, Costessey, Norwich, Norfolk NR5 0TX Tel 01603 743767 Email sales@longwatergravel.co.uk Web www.longwatergravel.co.uk

Valley View Works, London Road, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 9JD Tel 01953 602116 Email sales@standleysteel.co.uk Web www.standley-steel.co.uk

Grab Lorry Hire, 25, Grove Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 4LQ Email paul@richardsongrabhire.co.uk Web www.richardsongrabhire.co.uk

Portfolio 3 M&N 2.indd 54

Walnut Tree Farm, Silver Street, Slutshole Lane, Besthorpe, Norfolk NR17 2LF Tel 01953 453625 Email office@baldwinskiphire.co.uk Web www.baldwinskiphire.co.uk

TMA Bark

William Frost Way, Costessey, Norwich, Norfolk NR5 0JS Tel 01603 731555 Email sales@longwatersupply.com Web www.longwatersupply.com

Pro Landscaper / April 2015

Skip hire Baldwins skip hire

Water feature pump, underlay and liner Notcutts Garden Centre

Daniels Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 6QP Tel 01603 453155 Email norwich@notcutts.co.uk Sleepers Brown’s Timber Yard

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18/03/2015 16:47

PORTFOLIO

COTTERIDGE PARK RECEIVED A GREEN FLAG AWARD IN 2012 AND HAS RETAINED IT EVER SINCE 56

Pro Landscaper / April 2015

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PORTFOLIO

COTTERIDGE PARK QUADRON SERVICES This busy park used by people from all sections of the community close to Birmingham city centre is maintained by Quadron Services

C

otteridge Park is maintained by Quadron Services, who have held a 10-year contract for its upkeep and that of Birmingham City Council’s other parks in the Selly Oak, Yardley, Hall Green, Hodge Hill and Ladywood constituencies since 2009. These have a combined value of £6.4m annually. It received a Green Flag award in 2012 and has retained it ever since.

The Edwardian park is on the busy walking route to and from Cotteridge School, is popular with dog walkers and has a number of facilities including a central children’s play area, tennis court and skate park.

Other features include the ‘wigloo,’ a willow sculpture with domes and tunnels that small children love crawling through and an amphitheatre, which is used for outdoor music and theatre.

Most of the paths in the park are easily accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, making it a welcoming place for individuals and families of all ages. The wide range of

facilities and ease of accessibility mean it is busy all day long. The park is open from 7.30am until dusk.

Cotteridge Park is home to a wide range of trees, including horse chestnut, lime, poplar and disease resistant elm. It is 80% grassland with native wildflowers and plants such as yellow rattle and cowslips provided by Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife

1A quiet seating area near the community orchard. Green waste generated in the park’s maintenance operations is composted in the bins visible on the left. This is then reused in the park as mulch.

2 Cotteridge Park is covered by 80% grassland.

A mobile team of three members of staff undertake mowing in the park each fortnight.

3 The ‘Wigloo’ was originally constructed by volunteers and is a well-used play feature, particularly popular with the younger visitors to the park.

4 The children’s play area. Quadron’s park keeper inspects this for defects and health and safety issues as part of his daily morning checks.

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PORTFOLIO

Trust under the recent Nature Improvement Area funding scheme.

Compostable materials are recycled in the community orchard to be used as a mulch throughout the park and there is a drive by The Friends of Cotteridge Park to encourage local residents to recycle their Christmas trees each year. On average, more than 400 trees are chipped every year with the resulting materials returned to the informal paths and beds in the park.

ABOUT QUADRON SERVICES Founded in 1993, Quadron is an award-winning green space management company priding itself on the quality of its work and proactive approach towards cultivating sustainable green communities. Quadron provides grounds maintenance services to a number of local authorities and housing associations throughout London, the Midlands and the South West. The company currently maintains 68 Green Flag accredited parks and has been recognised with three BALI Principal Awards in the last two years. www.quadronservices.co.uk

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Quadron employs a full time park keeper on site and the incumbent, Richard Turner, has held the post since 1990. This highly visible and familiar presence gives local residents a sense of continuity and security.

Like all of Quadron’s park keepers, Richard has undertaken additional training including the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Level 2 Award in Conflict Resolution and Personal Safety. This is designed to enable staff to recognise confrontational situations and protect themselves.

Richard is supported by three mobile staff who mow an area of approximately 500,000m2 fortnightly. There is a further staff of around six people who assist with larger community events in the park, such as the annual Cotteridge Community Festival of Music, Arts and Dance (CoCoMAD). Quadron helps prepare the park for the event, organises road closure for the festival procession and provides a team during and after the event to ensure the wellbeing of the public, clear litter, empty bins etc.

On a day-to-day basis, Quadron’s responsibilities include inspections of furniture,

sports pitches and play areas by 10am. Other regular duties include litter picking, leaf clearance, shrubs and bedding maintenance, and hedge cutting. Quadron does not carry out arboricultural work, however, which is done by another contractor. All equipment is inspected on a when used basis and staff receive small plant induction training before being allowed to use it.

Cotteridge Park serves a diverse area of Britain’s second city with a range of facilities to suit differing demographics. For more information on ‘the best little park in Birmingham’, visit http://cotteridgepark.org.uk.

1 The annual CoCoMad Festival (Cotteridge Community Festival of Music, Arts & Dance) attracts around 5,000 visitors each year. Quadron supplies a team of around six extra staff to help prepare the park, organise the road closure for the festival parade and ensure the park is returned to a clean and tidy condition afterwards 2 Some of the park’s mature trees 3 Birmingham City Council’s constituency parks manager (right) lends a hand with litter picking following the CoCoMad Festival 4 Quadron’s long-serving Park Keeper, Richard Turner, is a familiar face to users of the park. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2015 12:38

PORTFOLIO

TREE SPECIES

AT COTTERIDGE PARK

● Horse chestnut ● Lime ● Beech ● Ash ● Sweet chestnut ● Sycamore ● Lombardy poplar ● Disease resistant elm ● Yew ● Tulip tree ● Carpinus

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Pro Landscaper / April 2015 59

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18/03/2015 16:24

NURSERY

NURSERY NEWS Boningale wins top marketing crown at 2015 UK Grower Awards Boningale Nurseries, one of the country’s largest nurseries and environmental horticultural specialists, is celebrating after scooping a coveted award at a top industry event for the second year running.

Thomas Stabler, business development and marketing manager for Boningale Ltd, Boningale GreenSky, Boningale Garden Creations and the newly acquired Worfield Gardens, was crowned top sales and marketing professional at the 2015 UK Grower Awards, which recognises

the best in the UK production horticulture industry.

This award comes after last year’s success when the company, which is based in Albrighton, Shropshire, picked up the Best Business Innovation award at the

same ceremony in London.

Thomas, aged 33, who has worked at Boningale for 13 years, admitted he was stunned when his name was read out at the glittering event which was held at the Grand Connaught Rooms in February.

“I am so proud to have won the award,” he said. “The Grower Awards is such a prestigious awards event for the horticultural industry, so I’m naturally delighted that I and Boningale have been recognised by the judges for the work we do. Boningale is an exciting and dynamic company to work for – we are constantly innovating, which is what makes my job a real pleasure to do.” www.boningale.co.uk

Darren Hawke’s key plants in the Brewin Dolphin Garden 2015 Darren Hawke Landscapes is creating the Brewin Dolphin Garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Darren has chosen to fill the garden with Ulmus minor (small leaved elm) to give the it a rugged, rural feel and because of their wonderful corky bark and ridged stems. Darren felt elms were appropriate as they, like the firm, have a real sense of heritage. Elms are often considered as risky and Darren applauds Brewin Dolphin for taking a risk on him, a relatively unknown garden designer.

Despite the disease issues, elms have continued to thrive in the www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Nursery News 2.indd 61

south west of England where Darren lives and they still have a presence that he felt ought to be celebrated. It’s unlikely that elms will appear on any other show garden.

Other plants Darren will include are Viburnum carcephalum, with its open habit and heavenly scent and Aquilegia tower blue, which will be used sparsely as only six of these plants are available, all from Darren’s own garden.

Darren said: “Having done my first Chelsea Garden in 2013, I learnt a huge amount about what not to do and when to worry and when not to. With Kelways growing for us and Bowles & Wyer building, I believe that the Brewin Dolphin Garden is in the best possible hands.”

NURSERY NOTES

With the lifting season coming to a close and spring now upon us, we prepare for the shift in demand from bare-root to containerised stock. We’re fully stocked up on container trees, starting at 150cm tall in 10 litre pots, up to 25cm girth in 150 litre Air-Pots, as well as shrubs in sizes two litres and up.

We’ve had a busy start to the year with plenty of reason to celebrate. Our training course ‘An Awareness of the National Plant Specification (NPS)’ has been granted CPD accreditation. The course is designed to give an understanding of how plants are grown and sized both in UK nurseries and those further afield. Being CPD accredited means we are now able to offer the course in one or two hour presentation slots, as well as the full-day training programme, which is accredited to NVQ level 2. Don’t hesitate to get in touch for more information. www.colesnurseries.co.uk

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NURSERY

The positive power of plants

Experts are to use state-of-the art facial recognition technology monitoring eye contact, physical gestures and smiles or frowns to reveal that some plants make us happier than others.

The top 100 plants nominated by the public will be voted on via social media to produce a top 20 list in time for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015.

TV gardener David Domoney will create a Chelsea science and educational exhibit complete with special cameras to monitor visitor reactions to individual plants.

With many of Chelsea’s 150,000 visitors having enjoyed the exhibit by the end of the festival, the experiment will reveal which of the plants creates the greatest sense of personal wellbeing and happiness.

Launching the ‘Positive Power of Plants’ project, David Domoney

said: “It’s amazing how much sense of well-being and happiness the sight of a plant can bring.

“We are hoping to identify the best-loved plant, be it the sight of red roses on Valentine’s, a field of sunflowers or even the magic of a Christmas tree. Plants lift our hearts just by the sight of them.

“We think there will be real differences between age groups and gender. It’s a fascinating experiment and a real talking point.

“To get started, we are involving as many people as possible with them telling us their three favourite ‘happy plants’ – those that really make them smile – so we can start to build up the list of the nation’s top 100.

To cast your vote visit: www.daviddomoney.com/ happy-plant-top-100

Field grown material in demand Green Mile Trees reports late orders for their range of field grown material. Managing director Chris Scott said: “With the weather improving, a sense of urgency is apparent with later orders for field grown plants. Green Mile Trees is expecting to sell considerable 62

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Nursery News 2.indd 62

amounts of field grown laurels and pines in the coming weeks.

“We still have excellent quality 2m laurels and fantastic rootballed pines up to 3m. These are staple items for a nursery best known for its top quality field grown trees,” Chris said.

Agrumi looks back at its 2014 successes and forward to an exceptional year in 2015 Fast expanding UK topiary and specimen plant specialists Agrumi was founded in 2006 as a familyrun wholesale ornamental tree, shrub and plant supplier.

Highlights among its 2014 commissions included a project to create the words ‘BBC Entertainment’ in 1.2m topiary letters for a promotional event abroad, creation of a life-size giraffe in box privet for ITV’s hugely successful ‘Love Your Garden’ series with Alan Titchmarsh and a project to celebrate the relaunch of Britsh company Radley’s flagship store in Covent Garden.

Agrumi also made substantial additions to its topiary installations at the Paultons family theme park in Hampshire. Paultons already had a vast range of Agrumi’s topiary designs to compliment their rides and gardens. Last year they added a series of life-sized, circus themed characters to accompany the park’s magnificent new double-decker Victorian carousel.

The nursery’s existing giant topiary stiletto shoe for Rain Communications at St Christopher’s Place in London’s West End will receive a facelift with a covering of LED lights.

Agrumi wants to keep pushing the limits of what it does and recently produced a set of human-size figures based on the original drawings for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

Carroll’s eccentric, whimsical characters as realised by artist John Tenniel, are well suited to topiary.

Alice Liddell, Carroll’s inspiration, lived and is buried near the Agrumi nursery, making the project particularly appealing.

Agrumi will be displaying their topiary Alice characters in RHS venues and at other shows around the country later this year.

Agrumi anticipates that 2015 will be an exceptional year, building on a growing reputation and expanding into previously unexplored design territory. www.agrumi.co.uk

The company had had a busy winter and expected trade to stay buoyant over the coming months, he explained.

“We are now busy lifting for orders and planting stock for next season. Potting specimen plants for the container unit will certainly keep us busy!” www.greenmiletrees.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2015 14:11

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NURSERY

Chris Beardshaw champions independent British growers at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015 Multi-award winning plantsman and designer Chris Beardshaw has chosen to work with specialist independent British based nurseries to grow many of his star plants for The Morgan Stanley Healthy Cities Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015.

Chris is renowned for his verdant and original planting schemes and is passionate about promoting the skills and expertise of the UK’s smaller, lesser known growers, who he believes can often provide a more unusual selection of plants.

In 2012 he showcased rhododendrons and azaleas in his Furzey Show Garden. In 2013 it was towering Echiums that pleased the crowds in his garden for the Arthritis Research UK Garden.

Chris said: “As with all our schemes, the plants are always the stars. This year we really wanted to showcase the talents of smaller specialist British growers as we believe they can provide us with our standout plants for the garden.

Some of these nurseries have never grown plants for a Chelsea show

garden before but they have confidently taken up the challenge and are using their wealth of knowledge and passion to grow the highest quality plants for us to work with.” www.rhs.org.uk

Hat-trick win for Majestic Trees at UK Grower Awards Majestic Trees had cause for celebration at this year’s UK Grower Awards. The company won the Nursery Stock category

before going on to win the overall Ornamental Grower of the Year.

This is not the first time Majestic Trees has been awarded the title, having received the honour in 2008 and 2001. This year’s win is particularly significant since no nursery has ever been awarded the title three times.

“It is a really satisfying achievement,” said

Christina Jones, who has been involved with the company since its infancy. “For the company’s performance to be recognised with such consistency over the years speaks volumes of the team.”

Majestic Trees will go on to compete at the IAPH International Grower of the Year awards in Germany, having brought home a Silver Rose when it last represented the country in 2011. www.majestictrees.co.uk

Survey shows market buoyant Pro Landscaper has been speaking to nurseries to gauge how trading has been so far this year.

Seventy-five per cent of nurseries had seen an increase in sales on last year. Most reported an increase of between five and 10% with one achieving 40% growth.

None of the nurseries had seen a downturn in sales so far in 2015.

It should be borne in mind however, that many of the nurseries www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Nursery News 2.indd 65

had suffered in the early months of 2014 due to the terrible rain.

Driving the uplift are landscapers with 85% of the nurseries reporting that they had seen sales of plants to landscapers increase.

We also asked if there had been growth from commercial landscapers or landscapers working on commercial projects.

Sixty-two per cent of respondents said they had increased their sales

to this sector with one having supplied a large number of plants for one local authority across a number of projects this season.

Finally, we asked them to predict trading for the remainder of the year. The majority expected business to increase year on year, providing that we don’t have any significant problems with the weather over the coming months.

Anthony Paul to speak on a spiritual approach to design at Barcham Trees A landscape designer with more than 30 years’ experience will be giving a talk entitled “The Spirit of the Tree, Enlightenment From the Forest” at Barcham Trees, Ely, Cambridgeshire on 29 April.

Anthony Paul grew up in New Zealand and was inspired by the Maori people’s reverence for the native rainforest of that country.

Now he will be speaking to designers in the hopes of passing on his spiritual design philosophy.

Speaking about the talk, Anthony said: “Learning about and loving nature and trees and plants are essential ingredients to being a good garden designer and of course gardener.

“Respecting and knowing that a tree or an ancient plant has a spirit or significance, maybe even sacred and that our life on earth is totally connected to plants is the first basic rule to creating your business. This mantra should be deeply woven into our design philosophy.

“Today we need to reconnect ourselves to our forests and landscapes. The earth is the not just the common property of the human race but all living things that inhabit it” www.barchampro.co.uk

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NURSERY

PLANTSMAN’S PLOT A round-up of trees and plants available at some of the country’s best nurseries

Renowned for their beautiful scent, the attractive yellow flowers of the Edgeworthia chrysantha brighten up the garden in late winter/early spring. These surprisingly tough plants are frost hardy but will require some protection in colder areas. The oval green leaves of this rounded deciduous shrub emerge after the flowers but it’s really for the scent that this plant is grown. Having smelt the fragrant flowers, it comes as no surprise to find that the Edgeworthia chrysantha is related to the Daphne. www.theplantationnursery.co.uk Holboellia latifolia (Sausage Vine) is a somewhat rampant evergreen spring-flowering climber. It has lovely white bell shaped flowers sometimes tinged with purple. Sausagelike fruits can appear after flowering. Plant in a position where they have room to clamber and cover. Holboellia like a sheltered spot in well drained moderately fertile soil, full sun or part shade. They have the potential to put on metres of new growth in spring. Careful pruning is necessary to keep it under control but not to lose the blooms.

With a hardiness rating of H3, it is fine for mild areas. Holboellia are likely to be damaged or killed in severe winters or if kept in pots. www.architecturalplants.com

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The species from which Betula albosinensis ‘Fascination’ (Chinese Birch) was developed was brought back from China in 1901 by Ernest Wilson, who described it as follows: “The bark is singularly lovely, being a rich orange-red or orange-brown and peels off in sheets, each no thicker than fine tissue paper.” Fascination is a refined clone with dark green leaves appearing in April along with a showy display of yellow catkins up to 10cm in length, that open to a rich yellow-brown. It has outstanding stem colour – orange, peeling to pink and cream and then purest white once the tree gets beyond 30cm girth. It is a medium sized tree, becoming oval as it matures and has stiffly ascending branches.

A great choice for parks and verges, it grows well on most soils. The photo shows a tree supplied three years ago with a girth of 12-14cm. It now has a girth of well over 40cm. For more information visit: www.barchampro.co.uk

Malus Rudolph is many people’s favourite pink flowering crab apple and for good reason. This small tree is upright when young but develops a rounded crown in maturity. You certainly can’t beat its late spring display of rose red flowers, which are framed by the newly emerging bronze/ red foliage. The leaves then turn dark green over the summer while still retaining the red veins and stem. With yellow autumn colour, small glossy orange fruits that remain into winter and a wonderfully textured bark, this tree is a brilliant choice for year round interest and it’s even resistant to scab! www.deepdale-trees.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2015 14:29

NURSERY

To appear in Plantsman’s Plot, please send your plant of the month, details and image to editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk

A graceful tree with an elegant spreading habit, Cornus ‘Norman Hadden’ is named after a chance seedling that was found in the garden of Norman Hadden in the late 1960s. Four large, tapered, creamy white flower-like bracts are produced freely in May, turning pink with age just before they fade and drop. A truly stunning display is usually seen after a long hot summer the previous year and is followed by small strawberry like fruits in the autumn. Cornus ‘Norman Hadden is semievergreen in nature, forms a small tree or large shrub and can reach 3m in height. www.provendernurseries.co.uk

Sarcococca confusa also known as Christmas or sweet box is an easy to grow evergreen and with its glossy leaves and incredible smelling flowers, it’s a real treat walking past a Sarcococca bed.

It is great for neglected shady corners or under trees where no other plant will thrive, but will also grow in full sun if the roots are kept consistently moist. www.walnuthillnurseries.co.uk

A robust perennial set to be very popular this year, Iris ‘Sable’ will flower early in sunny aspects and grow vigorously up to a metre tall in many soil types. With its showy purples and blacks the Iris ‘Sable’ would make a good feature plant in herbaceous borders.

The best of our irises will be displayed at RHS Chelsea Flower Show later this year and have been earmarked for television on BBC2 in April. www.howardnurseries.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Plantsmans Plot TW.indd 67

As the name suggests, Acer Palmatum ‘Emerald Lace’ has a deeper green colour than you would normally associate with green Acer varieties.

Graced with a beautiful delicately dissected leaf, its early spring colour of yellow-green is soon replaced by the deeper green that it holds through summer before turning bright burgundy-red in the autumn. Relatively quick growing, its long pendulous branches give it a regal impression. It is available in both half standard and pillar forms. www.tamata.co.uk

The genus Camellia is wide and varied, meaning there is a plant to suit most gardens. Depending on the species, their showy but elegant flowers make an eye-catching display right through spring. Their evergreen nature also means they can add structure to a border all year round. The popular japonica varieties will grow into large shrubs but are easily contained by pruning. The sasanqua varieties generally flower in mid to late autumn and some have the added benefit of being scented.

Camellias from China are sometimes grown in this country to produce tea. They all prefer a slightly acidic soil, well drained and humus rich. Plant them in a sheltered spot away from strong cold winds or early morning sun. Agrumi has a wide selection of Camellias in different sizes. www.agrumi.co.uk

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LATEST PRODUCTS

WILDFLOWER TURF

Providing an alternative to wildflower seeds, Lindum Wildflower Turf is a pre-grown mixture of wildflowers, herbs and perennials growing in a strong felt mat which can easily be rolled out like a carpet.

Lindum Wildflower Turf creates a diverse habitat for pollinators including butterflies, moths, hoverflies, honey bees and bumblebees. The wildflowers in the mixture have been selected for their nectar producing properties and including late flowering perennials in the mix makes it more attractive to a wider range of pollinating insects. By using Lindum Wildflower Turf you can increase local biodiversity and support the survival of these important species, while enjoying a stunning and colourful display from early spring through to autumn. For more information please call 01904 448675 or visit our website.

WWW.TURF.CO.UK/WILDFLOWER-TURF

Phoenix Amenity Supplies in co-operation with British Flora supplies one of the widest ranges of wildflowers ready to create a bespoke wildflower turf. Quickly transform the look of a new or pre-established lawn with over 300 native British wildflower plugs grown in peat-free nurseries ready or pre-grown to order.

The benefits of this approach can be a more well-suited range of wildflowers or a better ecological mixture. For advice on the types of grass and wildflowers that mix well and an easy to view and download wildflower plug list, visit our website.

WWW.PHOENIXAMENITY.CO.UK

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Green-tech’s Wildflower Turf is a balanced mixture of wildflowers and grasses growing in a moisture retentive biodegradable felt, providing an instant wildflower meadow.

Established plants are grown in a felt base which acts as a weed barrier and makes this a low maintenance product. Green-tech suggests one cut per year is all that is needed. The wildflower turf is a 50% wildflower and 50% grass seed mix which is pre-planted at the correct density to give optimum conditions for establishment. It attracts wildlife such as butterflies, insects and other invertebrates, birds and mammals. It also enjoys a prolonged flowering period throughout the year.

WWW.GREEN-TECH.CO.UK

Wildflower Turf is the pioneer of a soil-less turf system that enables landscapers to achieve an instant wildflower meadow with ease. To accompany its classic native perennial ‘Landscape 34 Turf’ the company now offers a diverse product range, including a ‘Species Rich Lawn Turf’ for times when biodiversity is required without the height of a meadow, and a ‘Shade Tolerant Turf’ suitable for tree-lined areas. Its ‘Border Turf’ turns up the colour dial with a selection of bright, non-native wildflowers. Wildflower Turf guarantees results in terms of attractive bio-diverse wildflower displays for landscaping projects without the heartache of seed establishment. Suitable for any wildflower project over 15m².

WWW.WILDFLOWERTURF.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2015 09:16

FloraNative91x240_Layout 1 11/02/2015 13:36 Page 1

Introducing a diverse and comprehensive range of UK provenance wildflower mixtures that create, restore and enhance distinct habitats and landscapes

www.deepdale-trees.co.uk

Brochure available now

Flora

Native

Encompasses landscape architect specifications Range of wildflower and grass mixtures and 100% grass mixes Selected species of bulbs, plug plants and wild flower turf Features flowering species from the RHS 'Perfect for Pollinators' list Ideal for country estates, solar parks, green roofs, road & rail, golf courses, moorland Soils from acidic to alkaline, coastal to clay, wetland to woodland

mail@deepdale-trees.co.uk Tel: 01767 262636 Fax: 01767 262288

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Freephone 0800 424919 Web site: www.rigbytaylor.com E-mail: sales@rigbytaylor.com

19/03/2015 09:08 19/03/2015 09:57

READY-SPACED, READY TO PLANT, READY WHEN YOU ARE.

READYHEDGE

RH 'Hand-crafted' half-page Pro Landscaper:RH 'Hand-crafted' half-page Pro Landscaper

3/10/14

16:39

Page 1

Introducing hand-crafted hedging.

At Readyhedge, before our instant hedging is dispatched to customers it is inspected, tidied-up and cleared of any imperfections by hand. We call it hand-crafted hedging.

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , c a l l t o d a y o n 0 1 3 8 6 7 5 0 5 8 5 E m a i l l i n d s a y @ r e a d y h e d g e . c o m o r v i s i t w w w. r e a d y h e d g e . c o m

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LATEST PRODUCTS

TURF IN UNUSUAL PLACES

Back in August 2011, visitors to the Newcastle Gateshead Bridges Festival were able to stroll across the Swing Bridge and enjoy artist Julia Barton’s recreation of Lord Armstrong’s long lost formal garden floating over the Tyne.

Called Lost & Found, community groups from across the region worked together to transform this usually busy urban crossing into a classical tranquil green space. Large green swathes of Rolawn’s Medallion turf helped to bring the classical formal paths and planting of the garden into this busy urban centre, creating an unusual pedestrian walkway and garden for visitors to enjoy. Carol Bell, Head of Culture & Major Events at Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, said: “Due to the large expanses to be turfed and the tight time constraints involved, Rolawn’s Medallion turf in 13m2 large format rolls was used.”

WWW.ROLAWN.CO.UK/TURF

Paynes’ Pro Sport Turf has recently been laid at a world famous international sporting park in Stratford, London, as part of an exciting project that has seen the area transformed into a beautifully landscaped 250 acre open space of parkland and waterways. In total, an Olympic-sized 20,000m² of Paynes Turfs’ Pro Sports Turf was installed during the renovation process. Paynes Turfs’ Pro Sport Turf was selected for this prestigious project owing to its outstanding quality, durability and attractive all year round appearance, and was delivered onsite via Paynes’ fleet of delivery vehicles, all of which include forklift unloading.

WWW.PAYNESTURF.CO.UK An example of Britain’s gardening heritage is now forming the centrepiece of a new park on Gibraltar, thanks to Yorkshire business Inturf. The new Commonwealth Park on the island includes a grassed area of 4,000sqm, a landscape first for Gibraltar. Designed by Landform Consultants, it was constructed

by Gibraltar Joinery and Building Services who turned to Inturf to deliver and install turf to the right specification. “As well as producing the turf at our Yorkshire turf farm the challenge was to deliver it field fresh to Gibraltar – four days drive away,” says Alex Edwards, Inturf joint managing director. WWW.INTURF.COM

In a turfing first, over 2,500m² of Lindum Grassfelt was successfully laid on a 50° slope to turf the motte of an 11th century castle. Lucy Tower Motte presented Lincoln Castle with an enormous challenge, as it is an incredibly steep slope to turf. In what could be described as ‘extreme turfing’, Lindum Grassfelt was used to stabilise and protect the motte from soil erosion. The Grassfelt was cut into 30m rolls, winched up the slope and firmly pegged into place. The project would have been impossible to accomplish using conventional turf, which would have broken up during the laying process. Lindum Grassfelt, a patented product, is grown in a felt that not only acts as a weed barrier and soil stabiliser but also gives great strength and flexibility. WWW.TURF.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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CG ProLandscaper April halfpage wildflower.pdf

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GO WILD! FOR ABUNDANT FLOWERING SOW IN OUR PEAT-FREE SEED COMPOST OR BLEND OUR ENRICHED BIOCHAR SOIL IMPROVER INTO SOILS.

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17/03/2015 15:41

LATEST PRODUCTS

CONTAINERISED TREES Barcham Trees has been specialising in the production of containerised trees for 28 years and next September will have the rare and beautiful deciduous conifer Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Gold Rush’ for the first time (above). It will be available in Barcham’s 65L Light Pot containers at the instant impact size of 14-16cm girth. Young feathery foliage emerges a golden yellow in April/May and this display is retained until leaf fall in November. This is a great tree for giving contrast within a garden, especially against a dark green backdrop. It thrives on most soils and quite likes it damp but not waterlogged. Barcham will only have 100 specimens so you will have to get in quick! For more information please visit: WWW.BARCHAMPRO.CO.UK Of the ten species of the beautiful, deciduous climbers Wisteria, the three most commonly grown in the UK are Wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria), Wisteria sinesis (Chinese wisteria) and Wisteria brachybotrys (silky wisteria) and their cultivars. All are capable of reaching heights of around 10m in trees or a spread of up to 20m against a wall. Topiary specialist Agrumi containerises them as freestanding standard trees and weaves their stems into umbrella shapes that create useful shade in a small garden while showcasing the beautiful, scented white, pink, purple or blue flowers that appear in spring or summer. After a long summer, established plants may form the additional feature of pendant seedpods. Wisterias prefer well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny position but can also be grown in slight shade.

WWW.AGRUMI.CO.UK Pinus nigra Austriaca is one of the most popular plants sold at Deepdale Trees. Known as Austrian Pine or Black Pine, this tough evergreen grows well in a wide range of conditions. It is the ideal plant for screening and windbreaks and is tolerant of urban, coastal and exposed environments. When young it has a conical form, broadening and becoming more irregular with age and reaching up to 30m in height. The needles are arranged in pairs, longer and greener than Scots Pine and with a denser habit. Pinus nigra Austriaca is available from Deepdale as a standard or feathered plant.

WWW.DEEPDALE-TREES.CO.UK

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The ideal tree to create shade in a small garden is the Morus alba ‘Platanifolia’ (roof top or table top).

Typically the tree has a 2m clear stem and a 1.8x1.8m top. It creates shade without dominating the garden or blocking out too much light. This variety of Mulberry is fruitless so it presents no problems with juice stains, making it an ideal site for a bench or seat. The tree is fast growing and resistant to drought, air pollution and salt. For more information visit: WWW.PRACBROWN.CO.UK A small semi-evergreen tree available in a 10 or 45 litre container, Cotoneaster x watereri ‘Cornubia’ can grow to around 6m tall and boasts an attractive, arching habit. A superb choice if you’re looking for interest throughout the year; Cotoneaster form dense clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring, loved by all manner of insects.

These are followed by bright red berries in autumn that will last well into the depths of winter assuming the birds don’t get to them first. If planted in moist, well-drained soil and in full sun to partial shade, Cotoneaster will provide a fantastic natural looking raised-hedge with a six foot clear stem.

WWW.COLESNURSERIES.CO.UK

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17/03/2015 15:45

PRODUCTS

ADVICE FROM ALITEX ON WHAT TO THINK ABOUT WHEN BUYING A GARDEN BUILDING The idea of a quality greenhouse means so much more to a client than just an outbuilding.

It’s a project they have likely been dreaming about for years, a place where they can relive their childhood, finally grow their own produce and begin to create a legacy of their own. Here are some top tips to bear in mind when specifying that perfect growing space.

Proportion

Style The style of the greenhouse needs to be in keeping with that of the house. Check the period of the property and source a garden building that reflects this. The Victorian style is elegant and quintessentially English, however small architectural changes can be made to turn the structure Georgian, Edwardian or contemporary – seek advice from your greenhouse designer.

Orientation

A quality greenhouse should be the focal point of a garden and adding a lobby allows the structure to present itself beautifully. Quadrants of growing beds are often placed here as the close proximity to the structure keeps growing practical for the client. Be realistic when it comes to the size, a greenhouse will typically split a 10m wide garden into thirds, with the structure sitting proudly in the middle.

Extras and fittings It’s not just the external style that needs to be authentic, the fittings should reflect the same high standard. If the structure is Victorian, add cast lifting vent handles, iron floor grids and bespoke benching. A company that can offer these accurate accessories as well as the full turnkey service; advice on ventilation, heating and lighting, is reassuring for both you and the client.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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The correct positioning needs to be spot on for successful growing. It is advised that the greenhouse faces south with the ridgeline

running east to west; this way crops will receive the optimum amount of sunlight. Add shades to give the client control over the light levels

Planning permission

Preparing the base

If the planned structure is larger than 30m2, has a height of over 4m to the ridgeline and/ or is within 2m of the boundary line, planning permissions need to be checked. Mark Godfree, Alitex project manager, adds, “If you are working on a property that is listed, within an area of outstanding natural beauty or a conservation area and the client wants the greenhouse somewhere other than the back garden, seek planning permission immediately.”

Each case is unique and wherever unsure, seek guidance from your greenhouse company or the local planning office.

When sourcing a greenhouse company, look for one that offers a suitable after-care service. Whether it be cleaning advice, growing tips or replacing weather damaged glass, it’s important they continue their service for the years that follow.

As well as making sure the chosen base material matches the bond and colour of the adjacent property, it must also complement the greenhouse; bright red brick may not seem so easy on the eye if paired with a pale blue structure. Simon Corstophin, Alitex buildings manager, also suggests these three rules for builders to ensure the base is prepared correctly: • Make sure that you excavate to a depth where the existing ground is firm.

• Take time when setting out your first course of bricks, this sets the pattern and dimensions.

• Double check your dimensions during the build, the base will house an engineered product that cannot be stretched or compressed.

Delays and discrepancies occur when too many companies get involved, always ask the greenhouse company about their building solutions, it may save you valuable time.

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LATEST PRODUCTS

GARDEN BUILDINGS

The Cliveden is the largest greenhouse from The National Trust Collection by Alitex. The greenhouse measures 3.5x6.4m with an extended lobby giving a generously proportioned growing area. The Cliveden is a practical, low-maintenance aluminium greenhouse with an abundance of authentic features from the cast finials, cresting and spandrels, the narrow glazing beads, traditional panel feature of the sturdy doors to the traditional link and lever vent mechanism. A modern greenhouse which captures the timeless aesthetic qualities of an original timber heritage structure.

WWW.ALITEX.CO.UK

Garden House Design has a perfect and practical solution to live outdoors even longer. The Algarve aluminium terrace cover has automated rotating blades which rotate to 150° to allow sunshine and airflow through but when closed form a waterproof roof. A gutter system drains the rainwater away towards the columns, protecting furniture and guests and ensuring a dry terrace.

With a full range of RAL colours, it can be freestanding, facade mounting or roof only. The Algarve range fits in with any building style, contemporary, traditional or modern. It comes in sizes from 2x2.6m through to 4.5x6m. Garden House Design offers design and installation.

WWW.GARDENHOUSEDESIGN.CO.UK

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On a high ridge in mid Kent is one of the most unusual glasshouse features in the country – an Alpine outcrop with a regular stream of fresh air, sunshine and shade. Dr Adrian Cooper’s Griffin Glasshouse has been specifically designed to accommodate an eight ton Kentish Ragstone mound that is home to some of the rarest Alpine plants in Britain. The 16x24ft glasshouse was designed with Griffin Glasshouses to produce a constant cross stream of fresh air and sited to catch maximum sunlight until the afternoon when it dips into shade. WWW.GRIFFINGLASSHOUSES.COM For those with a preference for contemporary architectural design or anyone who is simply looking for a garden glasshouse that makes a statement, the new Horizon from Hartley Botanic is modern, minimalist and extends the sought after feeling of light and space. The uncompromising ‘concealed engineering’ and simplistic values of this aluminium (BS1474) structure could be a 21st century greenhouse or a garden room in which to relax.

WWW.HARTLEY-BOTANIC.CO.UK

Round Wood of Mayfield offers a wide range of oak framed structures, from outbuildings, garages and gazebos, right up to complete houses.

While most are built to specific requirements and are often erected by the company’s own team of fitters, it also supplies a range of 47 standard garage kits with the tradesperson in mind. Kits start at £2,665 for one a bay garage including all posts, braces, studwork, rafters and weatherboard. Each one is pre-assembled in workshop to ensure ease of build should you wish to arrange assembly yourself. Pictured is a three bay garage with a barn end roof.

WWW.ROUNDWOOD.COM A bespoke summerhouse can enhance the finished effect of an individually designed garden, reflecting shape, colour and texture of planting and features. Scotts of Thrapston is one of the few summerhouse manufacturers that can create a garden building customised to your personal design or to suit an unusual shape in your garden. If you dream of a very special garden retreat, with a unique colour finish, fitted with a wood burning stove, or a layout or style then the Scotts design team can make your building a reality.

WWW.SCOTTSOFTHRAPSTON.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2015 14:34

Artificial Grass £2.99 YOUR NAME YOUR BRAND

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17/03/2015 15:58

R

resin bound permeable surfacing specialists

The Finest in British Outdoor Joinery Designers and manufacturers of hardwood planters and garden furnishings For more information: Email:- info@oxfordplanters.co.uk or call:- 01608 683022 Other services include a bespoke joinery service for all interior & exterior design. All products manufactured in the Cotswolds using sustainable timber.

Oxford Planter Qtrpage.indd 1

16/03/2015 11:48

BritishFlora Planting the seeds for a greener tomorrow

Research Leads Performance Sports mixtures that excel.

PREMIER RYESPORT

THE PREMIER WHOLESALE PRODUCER OF NATIVE BRITISH WILDFLOWER AND AQUATIC PLANTS British Provenance Native Wild flowers, Grasses and Sedges, Marginals & Aquatics – Native species green roof plants. Ecologically created ‘NATIVE’ wildflower mixtures.

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11/04/2014 07:08 18/03/2015 16:28

LATEST PRODUCTS

CONTEMPORARY PLANTERS Elmas is a divider for use both indoors and outdoors and provides excellent protection against prying eyes. Low and tall plants benefit equally from the subtle pattern, which harmonises with modern and classical ambiences. Its specially arranged wheels ensure manoeuvrability and exceptional stability. Two different heights and the impressive width give the system its necessary presence when dividing large areas. However, its low depth also provides advantages in confined spaces.

WWW.ENCOMPASSCO.COM

Be spoilt for choice with a huge range of indoor and outdoor planters from Garden House Design. Add instant wow factor to any outdoor space with a variety of styles that complement contemporary designs and are available in a wide number of colours and textures. Planters can also be used to add or continue an accent of colour. Our collections include garden planters, troughs, window boxes, vases and water tanks. Drainage holes can be arranged free of charge before delivery.

WWW.GARDENHOUSEDESIGN.CO.UK

Introducing Europlanter’s Fabulous Flexi, this new wave, contemporary planter has a textured, wavy finish that reflects the light beautifully, especially in metallic finishes. Popular finishes for this modern, tall, square planter are the light and dark copper, which ensure a stunning visual impact to any space. Sizes range from 400mm to 1200mm high, and it is also available as a cube or a trough, which can be made up to two metres long. Perfect for both interior and exterior planting.

WWW.EUROPLANTERS.COM For a fresh take on contemporary planters, think inside the box.

For a contemporary planter with an innovative edge, we recommend LivePicture. With plants in a wall-mounted frame, these are pieces of living art. LivePicture can house a handful of plants, thoughtfully arranged, and let them shine as individual specimens. You can even personalise the frames. They bring the health and aesthetic benefits of plants where space is tight, and can improve acoustics in open-plan offices. What’s more they are easy to maintain, needing watering just once every six weeks.

WWW.URBANPLANTERS.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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The Feature Wall from Livingreen Design is a new concept in wall decoration. This innovative modular panel system allows you to specify and build a unique wall that can be as complex or simple as required.

Plain, single or multicolour panels can be interspersed with a multitude of other designs, including 3D contours, logos and artwork or pictures, shelves and a variety of live and artificial planting. The beauty of this system is the ability to mix and match to create a perfect solution for every situation. Feature Wall offers the ultimate in flexible design.

WWW.LIVINGREENDESIGN.COM

Caprice is the ultimate choice in contemporary planters. In either ‘lit’ or ‘lacquered’ versions, the latter has a multi-layer pearlescent gloss which gives a luxurious finish that is weather resistant if used outdoors. Available in two sizes, both have an internal planting space for pots or plants. Created in Italy from polyethylene, they are made to order and hand finished to create a truly stunning planter.

The quirky curves are guaranteed to add instant glamour to any space, such as offices, reception areas, outdoor commercial or garden areas.

The lacquered bronze is especially stunning.

WWW.ADVANTAY-GARDENIA.CO.UK

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Prac Brown V4 91mm x height 240mm._Layout 1 11/06/2013 13:12 Page 1

DESIGN & MANUFACTURE SINCE 1954

GARDEN STRUCTURES ARCHES • PERGOL AS • OBELISKS FRUIT C AGES • RAISED BEDS & PL ANTERS FL OWER SUPPORTS • FENCING • G ATES

Elveden Instant Hedge

TM

The only true Instant Hedge

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Trade Brochure & Price List available • UK made designs with RHS endorsement.

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We have 40,000 metres of certified UK provenance stock, across 15 species, available all year round that is now offered to the trade at a discounted rate.

Practicality Brown are the sole suppliers of the Elveden Instant Hedge TM

PRACTICALITY BROWN LTD Iver Stud, Swan Road, Iver, Bucks. SL0 9LA.

TRADE BROCHURE: 0845 218 2120 TRADE ENQUIRIES: trade@harrod.uk.com

www.harrodhorticultural.com

36 harrod.indd 2

Tel: 01753 652022 E-mail: hedge@pracbrown.co.uk Web: www.pracbrown.co.uk

18/03/2015 15:59

LATEST PRODUCTS gt Resibond is an easy to install porous resin bonded surface layer of aggregate, suitable for the surrounds of trees within hard-landscaped areas. gt Resibond can be used in areas where conventional means of mulching with loose materials may not be practical due to the constant displacement of the material increasing maintenance time and costs. Regarded in the industry as a ‘resibound’ system, gt Resibond relies on the aggregate and the resin being agitated together in a mixer, and then spread over the prepared base with hand floats and trowels. Once laid and cured gt Resibond is virtually maintenance free; it is durable and hard wearing, able to withstand pedestrian trafficking, wheelchairs and prams.

WWW.GREEN-TECH.CO.UK

Long Rake Spar has gained national status as the chosen supplier of dried decorative aggregates, sands and powders to the resin surfacing industry. Our naturally coloured, highly decorative products have been used extensively within resin bound and bonded schemes, where a seamless slip resistant finish is required that is both hard wearing and aesthetically pleasing. The flexibility and suitability of our products enable them to encompass an extensive scope of industry sectors from small domestic schemes to large commercial projects.

WWW.LONGRAKESPAR.CO.UK

RESIN BOUND & BONDED SURFACING SureSe t UK Ltd T: 01985 841 845 E: mail@sur eset.co.uk

SureSet recently added the pastel shades of blueberry, candyfloss, lavender, peach, sherbert and spearmint to their recycled glass range of resin bound permeable paving, Spectrum. SureSet create their recycled coloured glass in-house, at their Wiltshire based manufacturing plant, producing a range of UV stable primary, glittery and now pastel colours. This method also allows SureSet to produce bespoke colour blends for ultimate design creativity.

Offering the same permeable qualities as their other resin bound products, Spectrum is ideal for recreating logos and emblems, such as the Manchester City Football Club logo, outside the famous Etihad Stadium and ‘rainbow’ pathway at BRE. WWW.SURESET.CO.UK set.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

W: www.sure

Clearstone’s resin bound has sympathetically transformed the tired, impractical outdoor dining area at Grade I listed National Trust property Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire.

The original courtyard surface had suffered much wear and tear from diners’ chairs and looked messy. In addition, the sloping site was collecting water. Using resin bound technology, Clearstone provided a solid, tough surface and the heritage look required by the National Trust for this 16th century home. With a recognised reputation for installing resin bound in heritage properties, Clearstone has the design flair and experience to meet every paving challenge – contemporary or traditional.

WWW.CLEARSTONEPAVING.CO.UK

DekorBound from DekorGrip is a high quality resin bound system which creates a spectacular finish. A natural or coloured decorative surface resin system, it is designed to bind natural aggregates to give the look of a loose gravel surface as well as retain porosity, and is SUDS compliant. The bound gravel system provides a safe, hard wearing and low maintenance surface.

The system can be laid at various depths, turning any surface into a canvas for a designer or architect. If the substrate is ‘sound’, DekorBound can even be applied over the top. The image above shows Roasted Red and Natural Wicker in a chequerboard design.

WWW.DEKORGRIP.COM

The Addagrip Addastone Resin Bonded Surfacing System provides a hard wearing and low maintenance surface, by bonding or fixing loose gravel aggregates to concrete, asphalt, wood or metal. Aggregates that are bonded in this way give the appearance of loose gravel, but without the on-going maintenance that gravel demands. In addition to its natural decorative appearance, Addastone is resilient and anti-slip, making it an ideal solution for heritage sites, landscaping schemes, parks, paths and driveways. In terms of maintenance, Addastone surfaces simply require occasional sweeping or pressure washing.

WWW.ADDAGRIP.CO.UK

SureSet UK Ltd T: 01985 841845

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Courtesy of Dekorgrip

E: mail@sureset.co.uk

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EQUIPMENT

EQUIPMENT NEWS

Welcome to the equipment pages of Pro Landscaper, where we will be looking at new products and developments in the market.

If you have any stories, please email them to jack.bacon@eljays44.com or tweet me @ProLanKit

John Deere dealers welcome visitors to test drive ‘Experience Days’

Toro walk mowers used by groundsmen at the ICC Cricket World Cup

Between March and September John Deere dealers in the UK and Ireland will host a series of ‘Experience Days’ for visitors to test drive machines.

The power performance specialist Gator utility vehicles, TerrainCut front rotary mowers and versatile R Series compact tractor models are just an example of turf equipment ranges to be showcased at these commercial open day events.

Visitors will also be given an opportunity to discover John Deere solutions such as overnight parts availability, flexible finance programmes and PowerGrad maintenance and repair plans.

Toro’s turf equipment is once again featuring prominently on the Cricket World Cup stage, as venues across Australia are using Toro’s Greensmaster Flex walk mowers for the preparations of cricket pitches.

In addition, Reelmaster mowers are being used to maintain the outfields and the Workman MDX or HDX utility vehicles to transport equipment and materials around their facilities.

Various combinations of these machines are in use at the Gabba in Brisbane, Queensland; the Bellerive Oval in Bellerive, Tasmania; the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide and The MCG, host of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Final, with a capacity of 100,000 people.

“We are honored that these world-class stadiums have chosen Toro equipment to ready their fields for

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The Gator utility range is among the most extensive in the industry with multifunctional capabilities. New to the mowing equipment lineup, the TerrainCut front rotary mowers provide a leading cut quality, while compact utility tractors from the 1R up to the 4R Series offer high levels of comfort and manoeuvrability. www.john-deereexperience-day.com

the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup,” said Paul Prout, national corporate accounts manager at The Toro Company.

Toro has been a leader in turf maintenance equipment and irrigation solutions for cricket stadiums around the world, including several previous Cricket World Cup venues in India. www.toro.com

18/03/2015 16:17

EQUIPMENT

Isuzu Truck to unveil new Euro VI model at the Commercial Vehicle show Isuzu Truck has announced the company’s new Euro VI Isuzu 12 tonne ‘forward’ model will make its debut appearance at the Commercial Vehicle show in April.

The Isuzu F120.240 4×2 rigid is compact in size with a low chassis height. It features a compact footprint as well as a class-leading carrying capacity of 7,952kg.

Available with either Isuzu’s Easyshift or manual transmissions, it is simple to drive and manoeuvre.

Isuzu’s Euro VI four-cylinder 5.2 litre diesel engine creates 240PS

Charterhouse Turf Machinery hires Graden product specialist

power and 765Nm torque.

Also making its debut is the Euro VI Isuzu ‘Urban’ N75.150(E) short wheelbase chassis, featuring a Brit-Tipp all-steel tipper body that offers a payload of 3,780kg.

Completing the four vehicle line-up for Isuzu are two Isuzu ‘forward’ N75.190 Euro VI rigids for two of the industry’s biggest names, Argos and HSS. The Commercial Vehicle show, 14-16 April, NEC Birmingham, Hall 5, Stand No: 5F40. www.isuzutruck.co.uk

Charterhouse Turf Machinery (CTM) has appointed John Fitzpatrick as ‘Graden product specialist’ following its exclusive takeover of Graden machinery’s UK distribution. Affiliated with the previous Graden distributor, John’s appointment is part of a company-wide staff strengthening programme.

John has been in the Groundcare industry for the entirety of his working life and gained a wealth of experience in sports recreational areas from bowling greens to rugby pitches before joining contractor Keith Kensett.

“They are great machines and I get huge pleasure from working with the end users to help build their confidence to achieve the very best,” said John.

CTM Sales Manager, Nick

Darking, added: “We are delighted that John has joined us.

He brings with him a fountain of knowledge and expertise of the Graden products and has already proven himself to be a massive asset to the team.” www.charterhouseturf machinery.co.uk

John Deere turf dealer Balmers GM Ltd has relocated to new, state of the art premises at Manchester Road, Dunnockshaw, Burnley, as part of its ongoing development as one of the UK’s largest groundscare dealerships.

The new site includes a spacious showroom, fully stocked and equipped parts and service centres and a dedicated test area for customers to try out new and second-hand machines.

The business was established

in 1979 by founder David Balmer as Burnley Garden Machinery Centre, repairing domestic machinery. It now employs 36 people providing sales, service, parts and hire.

“The new site suits our needs perfectly and will improve our business processes and efficiency, as well as providing customers with a better buying experience,” said Joanne BalmerSmith, David Balmer’s daughter. www.balmersgm.com

Makita sponsors Writtle College in ‘Young Gardener of the Year’ competition Balmers GM opens new Makita UK will sponsor groundscare dealer premises Essex-based Writtle College in support of its entry in the Young Gardener of the Year competition at the Ideal Home Show from 20 March to 6 April, Olympia Kensington, London.

One of several sponsors, Makita has provided a full package of power tools suitable for hard landscaping which includes circular saws, belt sanders, routers and planers, mitre saws and jigsaws as well as a dust extraction system.

Writtle College is one of six colleges to compete – Chichester College, Capel Manor, Askham Bryan College, Pershore College and Shuttleworth College – who will each build a garden in a designated plot at the show, 84

Pro Landscaper / April 2015

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conceived to encourage the best of young ‘green’ talent among leading horticultural colleges.

“The team was thrilled to win gold at last year’s competition.

We hope Makita’s contribution will help in some small way to achieving the team’s ambition this year,” says David Hales, regional sales manager, Makita UK. www.makitauk.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2015 16:19

Unequalled.

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Step up into new levels of comfort, reliability and performance with the new STW compact tractor series from Kubota.

From mowing to loading, the new STW is an unequalled performer. Amazingly quick and impressively powerful, it’s lightweight and compact design delivers outstanding efficiency with minimal surface impact.

Heavy duty tasks are light work thanks to the STW’s high torque, low noise Kubota diesel engine plus a host of standard features including the exclusive Bi-Speed turn.

With a panoramic, spacious and air-conditioned cab, the STW offers class leading visibility and operator comfort.

A full range of Kubota engineered implements are available for enhanced productivity.

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“Grillo have it covered”

An extensive range of quality Groundcare Equipment Nationwide Dealer Network For more information visit : www.grilloagrigarden.co.uk Tel: 01889 569149

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Generous cutting width from 57cm to 90cm.

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Steering brakes for smooth manoeuvring.

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Twin drive wheels with heavy tread pattern, ideal on slopes and uneven terrain.

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18/03/2015 16:04

EQUIPMENT

POWER TOOLS

The Pellenc Treelion range of pruning shears has been designed for professionals looking for power, cutting diameter and productivity, while maintaining unbeatable quality and workmanship. Each Treelion model has three operating modes – continual mode for precision work, pulsed mode for rapid and repeated cutting and wide opening mode, which allows you to switch from an intermediate opening to a wide opening with a single press of the trigger. With a weight of just 945g the Treelion is extremely light and the operator’s experience is enhanced by an ergonomic soft touch handle that reduces levels of vibration and noise. It gets the job done quickly, quietly and effectively.

WWW.ETESIA.CO.UK/PELLENC

The Cobra LRH40E electric longreach hedge trimmer has an impressively long 39cm double sided blade with 20mm head and tooth spacing for ease of shaping and versatile design.

The blade articulates through 90° and its head can easily be adjusted at the press of a button, perfect for tall hedges.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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With a 1:2.07 gear reduction ratio, ECHO’s SRM-420TES high torque brushcutter gearbox spins the cutting head one-and-aquarter turns per engine cycle and delivers 50% more torque than its predecessor. When fitted with heavier line, the added torque enables the brushcutter to efficiently maintain dense bramble

Husqvarna’s battery series has been engineered to give petrol performance with the lower vibrations of a battery-powered product. The 536LiXP/T536LiXP chainsaws, 536LiHD60X hedge trimmer and 536LiR/LiL trimmers eliminate harmful emissions and reduce noise pollution. The

The LRH40E has been designed with both comfort and safety in mind. To this end, it has been given ergonomically positioned controls that make cutting hedges a simple and effortless task.

or brush without losing head speed. The cutting head’s greater radius ensures operators can cut wider swathes, reducing the number of passes required to complete the task. Coupled with ECHO’s ‘Tap & Go’ quick line

latest 536LiB blower allows optimum handling combined with a cruise control feature that maintains a single speed for easy operation. Moreover, the boost effect option provides increased use blowing performance via the intuitive keypad.

WWW.HUSQVARNA.COM

Thanks to its 500W motor and high speed, the LHR40E is an excellent performer.

Also new for 2015 are four petrol chainsaws, a petrol grass trimmer and a mulching mower.

WWW.COBRAGARDEN.CO.UK

release system, the SRM-420TES can quickly work through larger areas with few stops to load new line. Now stage two emission compliant, the 41.5cc engine boasts a power output of 1.78kW, over 10% more than the previous model.

WWW.ECHO-TOOLS.CO.UK

The Makita DUC302 LXT chainsaw generates 800W output from the twin 18V batteries, to run the 3/8in chain over the 300mm bar at up to 8.3m per second.

This chainsaw should only be used by certificated professionals.

The DUB361 LXT two speed blower produces 4.4m3 of air per minute with an air speed of 93m per second. The DUH551 LXT

hedge trimmer has a 550mm double-sided blade that runs at up to 1,800 strokes per minute and cuts branches of up to 18mm diameter. The DUR361U LXT brush cutter has a 230mm blade, offset low-vibration cow horn handlebar control and reverse switch for easy clippings removal.

WWW.MAKITAUK.COM

Pro Landscaper / April 2015 87

19/03/2015 11:18

EQUIPMENT

POWER TOOLS The Husqvarna 536LiR bullhorn trimmer is lightweight, high performing and well-balanced, with an ergonomic design that makes it suited to landscapers, contractors and gardeners.

The Li-ion battery and brushless motor provide long lasting power to the trimmer’s two-way rotation trimmer head.

The Pellenc Helion hedge cutter provides odour-free operation and its lightness allows the user to work comfortably when maintaining robust hedges or ornamental trees. By using the four speed selector switch, the tool can be adapted to the type of cut required whether it’s for the maintenance of hedges, parks and gardens or ornamental trees.

On each of these tools, the disc hedge trimmer can be adjusted for a clean cut: 51cm, 63cm (also available with single rake baffle plate, model 63 D) and 75cm.

All of these cutting heads are universal, meaning they can be fitted on any Pellenc model and are easily interchangeable. The Helion is also available in three different sizes.

WWW.ETESIA.CO.UK/PELLENC

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The 536LiR is highly versatile, can be tailored by the user to suit their needs and has a high handle

Maruyama manufactures a full range of high quality two stroke equipment including a market leading anti-vibration brushcutter, a powerful backpack blower as well as a landscape blade brushcutter. With engines for every application, from the lightweight LE series for hedge cutting, to the higher power NE for increased torque and throttle response,

EGO’s arrival in the UK’s cordless garden product sector will see the company pit its favourable 56V battery powered range up against rival petrol fuelled competitors. The EGO Power+ blower offers the best power of any cordless blower on the market. Just one charge of a powerful 2.0Ah 56V Li-ion battery

to free up movement when working on grass verges.

The machine is operated via a keypad with start and stop controls, a savE button to maximise runtime and a switch for changing the trimmer head’s direction of rotation. A comfortable padded harness is included.

WWW.HUSQVARNA.COM

Maruyama’s machines are designed and tested to the most rigorous standards. A full range of accessories are available to get the most from the user’s equipment. They include the extreme comfort full support harness, EZ-Feed metal plate, bump feeds, safety glasses, gloves and more for complete safety.

WWW.MARUYAMA.CO.UK

(supplied separately) will provide up to one hour’s work on low or normal speed, less if the boost is

The Easy Petrol Post Driver has made fence post installation less demanding with the arrival of its latest model, the CHPD78. With a lightweight and portable form, it is ideally suited to garden perimeter build. It was designed to embed any sized stake, peg or post into the ground up to a 4in diameter.

The new driver has a larger striking hammer and guide tube enabling posts to be knocked into the ground at a faster rate. Powered by the compact Honda GX35T four stroke engine, the high impact hammer’s action of 1720 BPM can drive a post into the ground in seconds.

WWW.PETROLPOSTDRIVER.COM

used. The blower performance and wind speeds are 425m3/h (45mph) on low, 650 m3/h (74mph) on high and 810 m3/h (92mph) when in boost mode.

This machine is a hand-held tornado and really does shift rubbish and leaves quickly and effectively.

WWW.EGOPOWERPLUS.COM

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2015 11:23

se products on display at stand C35 in theYellow Area.

GroundsCare Products will be running live demonstrations of TURFTEQ landscape maintenance machines and ZIPLEVEL survey products on Stand C35 Yellow Area

Narrow Access Professional Power Sprayer Designed to easily pass through 450mm (18”) beds Call us for a free 80 page brochure

The TURFTEQ range consists of:

Surface Preparation Rake Power Broom Trencher Rough-cut Mower Bed Edger Snow Plough all powered by the hydrostatically-driven TURFTEQ walk-behind 13hp Honda engine.

ZIPLEVEL is a high precision survey level for landscapers, garden designers, contractors, civil engineers and the construction industry. It can work around corners. It needs only one person to operate it; is compact and light weight; easy to use.

Call Judy Stafford on Tel: 0118 981 1313

E-mail: judy.stafford@groundscare-products.co.uk iGRASS_advert_Pro_Landscaper_118x186_17.03.15.pdf

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15-08 WM Pro Landscaper Advert new services 118 x 91_Layout 1 13/02/2015

New products for 2015 Tiger Gneiss Feature Stone

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19/03/2015 10:33

EQUIPMENT

GENERAL LATEST KIT Delivering new era transfer wheel technology, the Briteliner Arrow from Vitax Supaturf features all the benefits of its predecessor and delivers

Seven Dolmar chainsaws are available through certain dedicated Makita garden machinery

Designed for routine maintenance or intensive mowing, the lightweight Pellenc Excelion 2000 Professional Brushcutter eliminates tall, dense grasses, woody weeds, brambles and shrubs. Powered by a Pellenc ULiB 1100 battery, its quiet, non-polluting operation with low vibration provides comfort for the user. Adaptability is also guaranteed as the Excelion 2000 can be purchased with a choice of three cutting heads: the ‘roll-cut’ head will accommodate 7m of 3mm twisted wire or up to

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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dead straight lines time after time. Centralised axle eyelets allow the operator the accuracy and control to complete perfect circles when marking out sportsturf, while any liquid left in the tank after use can be drained off conveniently into a bund, making the machine even easier to

distributors including the 31cc top-handle PS310TH with 30cm bar; the PS32CTLC 35cm bar lightweight, entry level saw; the PS350SC and the 34.7cc and PS420SC, 42.4cc semiprofessional specification saws with 35cm and 45cm

9m of 2.7mm, the ‘tap-cut’ head is capable of using the same wires and a new ‘multi-head’ is available for quick changes between wire and blade.

WWW.ETESIA.CO.UK

clean and maintain.

Light enough for a single operator but tough enough for the big challenges, the Briteliner Arrow features a spring-loaded, positively fixed transfer wheel to deliver line quality and consistency throughout the day.

WWW.SUPATURF.CO.UK

bar lengths respectively. The 50cc PS500C model is known as the “farmers” saw, an economic model with full professional specification. The Dolmar inventory for the UK market is completed with the PS6100 saw which does the job of a felling saw and debranching saw in just one machine.

WWW.MAKITAUK.COM

The HYW4000P is the most powerful Hyundai pressure washer. Designed for heavy duty industrial, agricultural and professional use. The 14hp, four-stroke engine drives the Italian Annovi Reverberi (AR) pump with a flow rate of 15 litres per minute and a maximum pressure of 4000psi. Weighing 63kg, the machine is portable with a heavy duty frame and large tyres. Standard features include: 15m hose, quick release lance, a five-piece nozzle set including a turbo nozzle which can cut

The Kubota STW Series has the capability to handle a range of tasks with quick and powerful performance, from everyday jobs to heavy-duty tasks. The large hydraulic pump capacity, with a flow rate of 30 l/min, is ideal for a wide variety of implements. The four-pillar design, with a large, curved windscreen, offers a 360° view.

Standard with the STW Series is Kubota’s exclusive Bi-Speed Turning, which makes turns quicker, smoother and tighter with minimal potential damage to the ground surface, and helps to reduce operator fatigue.

WWW.KUBOTA.CO.UK

cleaning time by as much as 25%. The handles can be folded for easy transport and storage.

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Pro Landscaper / April 2015 91

18/03/2015 15:26

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18/03/2015 15:17

PEOPLE

TRADING WITH LATERAL DESIGN STUDIO Lateral Design Studio has revolutionised drainage in landscaping projects.

Pro Landscaper spoke to managing director John Harte to find out more

Where is the product in terms of pricing?

The RRP of the covers is from £99 to £165. The plastic channels are £15.99 per m, the polymer concrete with a galvanised edge is £39 per m.

The aluminium channel is a bit more because it’s bespoke. All prices are exclusive of VAT.

Do you provide samples?

We offer samples of our stainless steel, cast iron and Jonite stone to clients on a loan and return basis. Alternatively we can meet and showcase our products face-to-face. We also offer CPD events to architects and designers.

What warranties do you offer?

Our covers and channels all have a 12 month manufacturer’s warranty. We’ve been making these for two years now and we haven’t had a problem. We’re also affiliate members of BALI.

Do you supply UK wide?

UK and worldwide. We have already exported to Switzerland, Africa, Canada, America, France and Spain. We are looking to find more partners to work with in the UK and internationally.

Has winning the Society of Garden Designers’ first Product of the Year Awards helped business?

We’ve had a great amount of interest and an increase in orders as a result. We were pleased because we’ve entered a few awards and made the finals of another three, so to win was great.

How long has the business been going?

I came up with the idea while I was working in the construction industry 20 years ago when clients would complain about unsightly drains and ask if we could do without them. The business was launched in April 2011. I started on internal products, progressed onto the external side and launched the landscape collection in 2013.

Has the strength and durability of the products been tested and approved?

Everything has been tested and approved. We use standard channels and supply polypropylene plastic, polyconcrete and an aluminium drain system developed in-house. The installation is all predrilled and comes with a guide. The channels have a choice of covers in cast iron, stainless steel and Jonite stone.

How long is the ordering and installation process?

It’s pretty quick. Depending on the type of channel and cover, delivery is two to six weeks. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Trading With TW 2.indd 93

CONTACT Company name Lateral Design Studio Address 91b Mora Road, London, NW2 6TB Tel 0208 450 2244 Email info@lateraldesignstudio.co.uk Twitter @Lateraldesignst Facebook lateraldesignstudioltd Web www.lateraldesignstudio.co.uk

What are your plans for this year?

To get our products into landscape suppliers, garden centres and pretty much everything to do with the landscaping industry. We’ve created this market as we wanted to change people’s perceptions that drainage is purely functional.

We deliver on function, but excel in design.

Pro Landscaper’s readership includes landscapers, garden designers and landscape architects. Why would they choose your product?

It promotes the use of channel drainage in a way that means you no longer have to compromise the position or aesthetics of the drainage in your project. Architects and designers use it to add that extra flair that won’t detract from their design intent, contractors use it because it provides protection where it’s needed, keeping clients happy. We offer a trade discount too.

Pro Landscaper / April 2015 93

19/03/2015 11:26

PEOPLE

WORK At the age of 16 I was asked what I wanted to do when I left

is supported by the great relationships we

school. When I answered the question honestly, I was told: “Lee,

have built with our suppliers, most of whom

you’re too clever to be a gardener, why not become a teacher?”

I’ve used since I began.

Thanks to my careers advisor, it wasn’t until eight years later that I

My leadership style is very informal at the

decided it was time to follow my dream career and in 2004 I was

moment but I’m quickly learning that as we

selected from more than 4000 people to star in an ‘Apprentice

continue to grow I’m having to lead with a very clear

meets Big Brother’ style gardening TV show. Presented by

vision. I spend a lot of time working with my four

Diarmuid Gavin and based at the RHS garden in Wisley, we spent

business mentors, who help me in various ways. I’m

six months working with some of the best people in the industry.

the kind of person who needs someone to hold me

I was lucky enough to be part of ‘money can’t buy’ experiences,

accountable on a monthly basis and these people do

such as afternoon tea with Beth Chatto, a private tour of Great

just that. We’re currently working towards our 2020 plan,

Dixter with Christopher Lloyd and a helicopter flight over Chelsea

which details exactly what our vision is and where we

during build up week.

want to be. I’m planning on celebrating my 40th birthday

In 2005 the programme was aired on BBC2 and I decided to set up Inspired Garden Design. After much retraining it has grown from a simple makeover business to our design studio at Renishaw Hall.

Choosing my favourite garden project is tricky. I love the

on a luxury yacht somewhere warm and if all goes to plan by 2020 I can look back and say ‘we’ve made it!’

The next 12 months for us is about increasing efficiency and trying to figure out how to effectively manage projects we’re working on further afield. We have our first

intimate courtyard/outdoor kitchen we recently designed in

Chelsea garden and we’re doing the largest ever show

Harrogate but also the large Italianate garden we’re currently

garden at the Harrogate flower show for MacMillan just

project managing, or maybe my favourite is the country barn

three weeks earlier – that should be interesting!

conversion with its blend of old meets new. Oh, I can’t decide.

Communication is the single most important

Formal gardens, straight lines and beautiful hard landscaping,

part of our business. Whether it’s between my

all softened with planting is what makes me tick.

staff and me, contractors, suppliers or clients,

I have surrounded myself with a fantastic team of people

setting and agreeing your ‘rules of the game’

including Paul, our design director; Jamie, our project manager;

is essential to ensure expectations are met

Peter, our surveyor and Jon, the construction manager. Our team

by all stakeholders.

INSPIRATION I love to seek inspiration from other industries, especially those that move much faster than ours.

Retail design seems to have some really innovative people working hard to constantly reinvent the look of their stores.

I’m rarely inspired by old public gardens as many are very much the same. That said, I believe the most exciting projects never get to be seen by the general public and are safely locked behind closed gates. I’m really inspired by Mr Selfridge and think his vision in the early years of the store was tremendous. I’d love to be the Mr Selfridge of the gardening world (we are about the same height).

94

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LIFE/STYLE Lee Bestall

Stylish garden designer and Yorkshireman Lee Bestall sets out what makes him tick and how his life and work aspirations have developed over time

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2015 09:04

PEOPLE

TRAVEL Until recently, travel meant time away from work and I genuinely thought holidays were a waste of time until I realised we were holidaying in the wrong places! I love luxury and indulgence, particularly that of a traditional English country house and I regularly visit Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate which has to be my favourite right now. We’ve recently toured America which although not relaxing was an eye opener. I particularly enjoyed the layered planting in Key West which to be honest, wasn’t dissimilar to the houseplant department of our local Dobbies. I’d love to travel the world designing gardens, perhaps a roof garden in New York or a chateaux in the south of France. I’m not sure where I’d eventually like to hang my flat cap but I think a Georgian townhouse in the Cotswolds with a walled garden would be my base – the symmetry appeases my OCD – although a recent business trip to Paris with the team made me realise I’d quite like a city apartment there too.

PERSONAL

E

My business is my hobby. I read a lot of self improvement books and books on how to grow the business. I’m passionate about the customer experience and designing gardens that change people’s lives.

My wife is big on shopping and I have to be honest, I love spending money, holidays, new clothes whatever really. I enjoy dressing smartly and would love the ‘regency gentleman’ look to come back into fashion. I have a growing collection of knitted ties and pocket squares that I’m keen to expand and I aspire to be a country gent.

My most treasured possession is my nan’s cake mixing bowl. I have fabulous childhood memories of digging huge holes in my grandparents sandy soil then running across the immaculate striped lawn to lick out the cake bowl.

The most fun I think I’ve ever had was when we hired a speed boat in the Dominican Republic. I think it’s where I discovered my inner adrenaline junkie.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Trailflex uses recycled car tyres and stone bound with polyurethane to create one of the greenest paving solutions on the market today. Installed using a simple, single pour process, the resulting surface is uniquely flexible to 90 degrees, which will not clog and requires virtually no maintenance, ensuring, fast and efficient drainage of rainwater and the replenishment of groundwater allowing surrounding trees and plants to thrive. With a straight line loading of 17.5 tonnes Trailflex paving is extremely robust, making it suitable for almost any application or location in Town or country. BREEAM credits are available for using Trailflex, which requires minimal ground preparation and is ideally suited to Cycle paths, footpaths, golf cart paths, and tree surrounds.

BREEAM credits are available

Piccadilly House, 49, Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AP T: 0161 212 1617 E: info@trailflex.co.uk www.trailflex.co.uk ENQUIRY 00

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THE LANDSCAPER’S CHOICE...

19/03/2015 CORElawn

10:23

Designed to mimic natural grass as closely as possible, our artificial grass range is without doubt among the most realistic synthetic turfs availabe in todays market. No other UK company can offer such outstanding value for money. Perfect for pets and children, suitable in commercial or domestic applications.

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THE PERFECT LOOKING LAWN 365 DAYS A YEAR We are proud to say our products are manufactured in strict accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards. These standards are implemented from raw material acquisition to delivery of the finished article. Our artificial specialist sports turfs have been awarded FIFA, SGS and CE certification.

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JOBS

For full details on all jobs, please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk Call 01903 777 570 or email hortcareers@eljays44.com with your vacancy

MAINTENANCE TEAM LEADER & TRAINER STREETSCAPE London

Streetscape is an award-winning social enterprise that provides apprenticeships in landscape gardening to young people who are long-term unemployed. The main purposes of the role will be to provide high-calibre on-the-job and off-site training to our apprentices; provide an unrivalled garden/grounds maintenance service to our clients.

The right candidate will have a minimum of three years’ experience leading horticultural teams; training to L3 standard or above; excellent IT literacy and numeracy; a full UK driving licence and permission to work in the UK. For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

LANDSCAPE FOREMAN LINDEN LANDSCAPES Kent

Linden Landscapes Domestic Gardens is an award-winning landscape company based in Sevenoaks, Kent. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and mainly design and build large gardens within a 40mile radius of our base. We are looking for a skilled and ambitious foreman to lead a new team to take on some of our projects. The suitable candidate will have a breadth of landscaping knowledge and be competent in both hard and soft landscaping. A full UK driving licence is essential.

Head Groundsperson Estate Management Section An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head Groundsperson at the University of Essex.

The post holder will oversee the complete management and maintenance of the University’s outside sports facilities. They will manage their own time and that of the Assistant Head Groundsperson, to achieve a very high standard of grass sports pitches, synthetic pitches and tennis courts.

Extensive experience of working with Sports Surfaces is essential along with relevant experience of machinery and equipment.

The ideal candidate should be highly motivated with a high attention to detail. Driving Licence essential.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

Salary: £23,386 per annum

GENERAL MANAGER

Apply online (Ref. SG694). If you have a disability and would like information in a different format telephone (01206) 873521/874588.

THE LANDSCAPE GROUP Surrey We are looking for a dynamic General Manager to be part of The Landscape Group team and be responsible for our Elmbridge and Mole Valley District Council contracts.

The role will be based in the Surrey area and the position reports directly to the Assistant Operations Director. This role will require a self-starter with a positive attitude and strong leadership skills to develop these contracts to deliver excellent levels of grounds maintenance performance. The ideal candidate will have experience of; grounds maintenance and landscaping services, and asset management experience would be advantageous.You will also need to be a proficient user in MS Packages.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

LANDSCAPER/SWIMMING POND FOREMAN MORE PEOPLE South East

Our client is the leading UK company in the construction of swimming ponds and natural swimming pools, looking for an enthusiastic landscaper to develop to a permanent swimming pond foreman position. The ideal candidate will have five years’ experience in hard and soft landscaping. Knowledge of water features and pond construction an advantage, and knowledge of small and large machinery is essential. Salary £22k-£26k while training, £26k-£28k once a foreman. Stay-aways often required. Needs full driving licence and professional appearance. Landscaping qualifications an advantage.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Jobs Apr.indd 97

Closing date: 12 April 2015

www.essex.ac.uk/vacancies LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION SITE ENGINEER WILLERBY LANDSCAPES South East

Duties include: multiple site support to cover a variety of technical specifications and meet the needs of the client and business; site surveys; preparation of design solutions; preparation of drawings, reports, specifications and estimates; contributing to the resolution of technical issues on projects and providing technical guidance; working in collaboration with other design disciplines to ensure the integrity of the overall design – interfaces with disciplines such as structural engineering, street lighting, geotechnical engineering and landscape architecture will help to broaden appreciation of the industry; being familiar with, and compliant with, relevant H&S regulations; interrogation of CAD drawings to generate setting out information.

Job requirements: previous site experience; adaptable, flexible and committed; CSCS, IT literate including advanced skills in AutoCAD, own transport.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / April 2015 97

19/03/2015 15:14

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lightweight mobile shredder NextCompact, Sale Days: goes wherever it’s needed Compact, lightweight mobile Saturday 21st March: The shredder Sale Field, Compact, lightweight mobile shredder goes wherever it’sofneeded Blakes Road, Wembdon, Makes easy work branches, goes wherever it’s needed Bridgwater, wet green-waste mixed leafage Makes easy work and of branches, TA6 7RS Makes easy workand of branches, wet green-waste mixed leafage 4wet Season shredder for Saturday 25th April: The Oak Tree green-waste andyear mixed leafage 4round Season shredder for year effectiveness Arena, Edithmead, M5 J22, Somerset, 4 Season shredder for year round effectiveness TA9 4HA Produces easily- compostable round effectiveness Produces compostable BioTech™ chips Enquiries toeasilyTamlyns, 56 High Street, Produceschips easily- compostable BioTech™ Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3BN www.drsimmons.co.uk BioTech™ chips T 01278 458241 45 Market Way, Tel: 01775 723320 / 766028 www.psdgroundscare.co.uk Pinchbeck, Spalding, Fax: 01775 760451 / 714970 Ewww.psdgroundscare.co.uk ross.whitcombe@tamlyns.co.uk Lincolnshire PE11 3PE e-mail: sales@drsimmons.co.uk PROFESSIONAL www.tamlynsprofessional.co.uk Wwww.psdgroundscare.co.uk

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For more information email info@oxfordplanters.co.uk or call 01608 683022 For more information email info@oxfordplanters.co.uk or call 01608 683022 allinformation horticulturalemail and Garden design enquiries please Martin For For more info@oxfordplanters.co.uk or contact call 01608 683022 on 07765 188725 or email info@martincadams.co.uk For and design enquiries please contact contact Martin Martin Forall allhorticultural horticultural and Garden Garden design enquiries please All products manufactured inemail thedesign Cotswolds using sustainable timber.

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Ride-On Tractor Mowers £1’500 John DeereTractor GT235, 48” SD deck, 18hp petrol, 2WD, HST – 355 hrs Ride-On Mowers John Deere 48” HST – –195 Stihl Hand-Held Demonstrator Kit /petrol, Balmers GM Fleet – hrs 2014 £1’500 John Deere X320, GT235, 48”SD SDdeck, deck,22hp 18hp petrol,2WD, 2WD, HST 355 hrs Machines £2’500 £3’000 Deere GX355D, deck, 16hp diesel, 2WD, HST – choice of 2machinery that £2’500 John Deere X320, 48”48” SDSD deck, 22hp petrol, 2WD, HST – 195 hrsStihl WeJohn are once again selling off our 2014 Stihl demonstration kit.

All the £5’500 48”48” SD SD deck, 24hp diesel, HSTHST – 1922 hrs of only £3’000 John Deere GX355D, deck, 16hp 2WD, – purposes choice 2 – All prices weJohn have Deere for saleX495, has had light to moderate usediesel, for2WD, demonstration £6’250 JohnVAT. Deere Collector choice of 2 hrs £5’500 Deere X740, X495, 54” 48” SD SD deck, deck, Low-Tip 24hp diesel, 2WD,–HST – 1922 include £6’750 John Deere X748, 48” deck, 24hp diesel, 4WD, –HST – 1380 £6’250 Deere X740, 54” RD SD deck, Low-Tip Collector choice of 2hrs £95 Stihl FS38 Grass Strimmer (RRP: £149) £2’250 Etesia Bahia,X748, 32” RD & collector, 2WD 4WD, HST – 1380 hrs £6’750 John Deere 48”deck deck, 24hp(RRP: diesel, £267 Stihl FS90R Brush Cutter –RD Loop Handle £492) 01473 328272 www.schsupplies.co.uk £4’750 Etesia H124DS, 48” deck,collector, Hi-Tip Collector, 25hp diesel – 828 hrs £2’250 Etesia Bahia, 32” RDRD deck 2WD £335 Stihl FS94C Brush Cutter – ‘U’ & Handle (RRP: £390) 01473 328272 www.schsupplies.co.uk ££4’750 POA Etesia Attila Bank48” Mower (Ex Demo) –Collector, low hours25hp diesel – 828 hrs Etesia H124DS, RD–deck, Hi-Tip(RRP: £500 Stihl FS360C Brush Cutter ‘U’ Handle £774) British built, robust equipment £ POA Etesia Attila Bank Mower–(Ex – low £450) hours £285 Stihl HS56C HedgeTrimmer 24”Demo) blade (RRP: www.landmarktimber.co.uk 0808 129 3773 Compact Tractors British equipment Bespoke orders takenbuilt, – werobust can build to your specifications £360 Stihl HS81TC – 24” blade (RRP: £550) www.landmarktimber.co.uk 0808 129 3773 Compact Tractors John DeereHedgeTrimmer X748, 54” Snow Blade, 24hp diesel, 4WD, HST – choice of 2 £6’750 Bespoke orders taken – we can build to your specifications £395 Stihl HS86T – 30”Loader, single side blade (RRP: £ 562) JD 4600 &HTFront 43hp, 4WD, G.Box, Power Reverser 4331hrs John Deere X748, 54” Snow Blade, 24hp diesel, 4WD, HST – –choice of 2 £7’750 £6’750 £195 Stihl MSA160C – 12” Battery Chainsaw, shell only (£285) JD 4600 & Front 43hp,HST, 4WD, G.Box, – 4331hrs John Deere 3320,Loader, 33hp, 4WD, turf tyres,Power roll barReverser – 1230 hrs £7’750 £9’000 Unwanted grounds maintenance equipment? £214 Stihl MSA160T – 12” Top Handle Battery Saw (RRP: £312) John Deere 3320,Loader, 33hp, 4WD, tyres, roll bar – 1230–hrs JD 4410 & Front 34hp, HST, 4WD,turf G.Box, Power Reverser 2279 hrs £9’000 £9’750 Unwanted grounds maintenance equipment?

Unwanted grounds maintenance equipment?

JD 4410B2410, & Front Loader, 34hp, G.Box,roll Power Kubota 24hp, 4WD, HST,4WD, turf tyres, bar –Reverser 1720 hrs– 2279 hrs £9’750 Don’t scrap it - SELL it at Tamlyns Outdoor Auctions £6’900 Ride-On Tractor Mowers Kubota B2410 B2410,&24hp, HST, turf4WD, tyres,HST roll bar – 1720 Don’t scrap Auctions Kubota Front4WD, Loader, 24hp, – 1076 hrs hrs £6’900 £7’900 Don’t scrap it it -- SELL SELL it it at at Tamlyns Tamlyns Outdoor Outdoor Auctions John Deere GT235, 48” SD deck, 18hp petrol, 2WD, HST – 355 hrs £1’500 PL App Ad.indd 1 21/01/2015 12:17 Kubota B2410with & Front 24hp,Gear 4WD, HST – 1076 £7’900 Kioti DK551C Cab, Loader, 54hp, 4WD, Box – 612 hrs hrs £13’750 Next Sale Days: John Deere GX355D, 48” SD deck, 16hp diesel, 2WD, HST – choice of 2 £3’000 Kioti Holland DK551CTC27D, with Cab, 54hp, 4WD, Gear – 612 £13’750 New 27hp, 4WD, HST, turfBox tyres, roll hrs bar – 2312 hrs Next Sale Days: £7’500 Saturday Next Sale21st Days:March: The Sale Field, John Deere X740, 54” SD deck, Low-Tip Collector – choice of 2 £6’250 Holland TN55D TC27D,with 27hp, 4WD, HST, turfGear tyres, roll– bar – 2312 £7’500 New Holland cab, 55hp, 4WD, Box 1751 hrs hrs £12’500 Saturday 21st March: The Sale Field, Blakes Road, Bridgwater, John Deere X748, 48” RD deck, 24hp diesel, 4WD, HST – 1380 hrs £6’750 Saturday 25thWembdon, April: The Oak Tree New Holland TN55D with cab,4WD, 55hp,turf 4WD, Gear £12’500 Yanmar FE280H, 28hp diesel, tyres, rollBox bar––1751 262 hrs £7’500 Blakes Road, Wembdon, Bridgwater, Etesia H124DS, 48” RD deck, Hi-Tip Collector, 25hp diesel – 828 hrs £4’750 Arena, Edithmead, M5 J22, Somerset, Yanmar FE280H, 28hp diesel, 4WD, turf tyres, roll bar – 262 hrs £7’500 TA6 7RS Etesia Attila Bank Mower (Ex Demo) – low hours £POA TA6 7RS Ride-On Cylinder Mowers TA9 4HA 25th April: The Oak Tree Saturday Amazone PH125 Ride-OnMowers Flail Mower 48” width, 24hp, 2WD – 450hrs £7’000 Ride-On Cylinder John Deere 900 Commercial Triple, 30” fixed units – choice of 2 Saturday 25th TheJ22, OakSomerset, Tree £5’500 Saturday 11th April: July:M5 The Sale Field, Arena, Edithmead, John Deere26” 9008 Commercial Triple,rollers, 30” fixed units ––choice £5’500 JD 2653A, blade units, spiral scrapers choice of of 24 from: £5’500 Arena, Edithmead, M5 J22, Somerset, Blakes Road, Wembdon, Bridgwater, TA9 4HA Compact Tractors JD 2500 2653A, blade scrapers – choice 4 from: £5’500 JD (A)26” (E),8 22” 11units, bladespiral units,rollers, groomers, brushes, grassofboxes TA9 4HA JDDeere 2500ofX748, (A) 22” 11 blade brushes, grass boxes TA6 7RS to Tamlyns, 56 High Street, John 54” Snow Blade,units, 24hpgroomers, diesel, 4WD, HST – 1417hrs -choice 3 (E), from:£8’750 £5’750 Enquiries -choice of3320, 3 33hp from:£9’500 £5’750 Enquiries to Tamlyns, High Street, John Deere diesel, 4WD,units, HST, grooved turf tyres,front roll rollers bar – 1230 hrshrs JD 3235B with Cab, 22” 8 blade – 2708 £6’500 Enquiries to Somerset, Tamlyns, 56 56 Bridgwater, TA6High 3BNStreet, JDDeere 3235B4300, with 22” 8 blade rollers – 2708 hrs £6’500 £8’500 John diesel, 4WD, turf roll bar JD 3235B, 22” 32hp 8Cab, blade ESP units units, –HST, 2691grooved hrstyres,front £7’500 Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3BN Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3BN JD 3235B, 8 blade ESP units –G.Box, 2691 hrs roller £7’500 £9’750 JD JD 4410 & Front Loader, 34hp, 4WD, Power Reverser – 2279 hrshrs T 01278 458241 3225C, 722” blade light-weight units c/w rear brushes – 2217 £8’000 TT 01278 458241 JD 3225C, blade light-weight units rear brushes 2217 hrs £8’000 £7’900 Kubota B2410G7&Plex, Front Loader,serviced 24hp, 4WD, HST 1076 hrs units– available Jacobsen recently & c/w extra set– roller scarifying 458241 £5’500 E 01278 ross.whitcombe@tamlyns.co.uk Jacobsen G Plex, recently serviced extraheads set scarifying units £5’500 POA Kubota B2400HD Front Loader, 24hp, HST, PTO – 1467 EE ross.whitcombe@tamlyns.co.uk Hayter LT324, 6& blade units with 10”&4WD, fixed – choice of hrs 10available from:£ £6’500 PROFESSIONAL www.tamlynsprofessional.co.uk Wross.whitcombe@tamlyns.co.uk Hayter LT324, 6gang, blade 10” fixed heads of 10 from:£12’000 £6’500 Kubota B2230 &5Front Loader &with Lewis Back Hoe c/w 3–ofxchoice 22hp Hayter T424, 6 units blade – 30” units – choice 2buckets, from: £9’000 PROFESSIONAL W PROFESSIONAL www.tamlynsprofessional.co.uk W www.tamlynsprofessional.co.uk Hayter T424, 5 Cab, gang, blade –of30” units from:£13’750 Kioti DK551C with 4WD, Box––choice 612 hrsof 2 Ransome Highway 354hp, –6choice 2Gear ££9’000 POA Ransome Highway27hp, 3 –30” choice of 2units £7’500 POA New Holland Parkway TC27D, 4WD, HST, turf –tyres, Ransome 3, 6 blade 1970roll hrsbar – 2312 hrs ££POA Ransome Parkwaywith 3, 30” blade4WD, units Gear – 1970 £12’500 £ POA New Holland TN55D cab,655hp, Boxhrs – 1751 hrs £7’500 Yanmar FE280H, 28hp diesel, Mowers 4WD, turf tyres, roll bar – 262 hrs Ride-On Front Rotary Ride-On Front Rotary Mowers John Deere 1445, Mowers various deck sizes and hours – choice of 8 from: £6’500 Ride-On Cylinder John Deere 1445, various deck sizes and hours – choice of 8 from: £6’500 John Deere 1445 with Cab, 60” SD deck, Serviced – 2126 hrs £8’500 John Deere 9001445 Commercial Triple, 30”deck, fixed Serviced units – choice of 2hrs £5’500 John Deere with Cab, 60” SD – 2126 £8’500 John Deere 1545, 62” RD deck, 31hp, 4WD, HST – choice of 2 from: £9’750 JD John 2653A, 26” 81545, blade62” units, scrapers ofof 42 fromfrom: £5’500 Deere RDspiral deck,rollers, 31hp, 4WD, HST– –choice choice £9’750 For all your golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs.

Deere 1565 with cab, units, 62” RD, 38hp, 4WD, HST grass – 1044 hrs £9’750 For all your golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs.

JD John 2500 (A) (E), 22” 11 blade groomers, brushes, boxes John Deere 1565 with cab, 62” RD, 38hp, 4WD, HST – 1044 hrs £9’750 John Deere 1600TMowers Wide Area Mower with canopy – choice of 2 from:£5’750 £8’500 Ride-On Tractor Choice of 3 from John Deere 1600T Wide Area Mower with canopy – choice of 2 from: £8’500 Buy online at www.lws.uk.com Ride-On Tractor Mowers John Deere 997 Zero Turn Mower, 60” deck,front 30hprollers – 291– hrs £9’000 Buy online at www.lws.uk.com JDJohn 3235B with Cab, 22” 8 blade units, grooved 2708 hrs £6’500 £1’500 GT235, 48” SD deck, 18hp 60” petrol, 2WD, HST––291 355hrs hrs JohnDeere Deere 997 Zero Turn Mower, deck, 30hp £1’500££9’000 John Deere GT235, 48” SDunits deck,Mower 18hp petrol, 2WD, Jacobsen HR6010 Wide Area –hrs 1615 hrs HST – 355 hrs POA JDJohn 3235B, 22” 8 blade ESP –Mower 2691 £7’500 £2’500 Jacobsen HR6010 Area22hp – 1615 Deere X320, 48”Wide SD deck, petrol, 2WD,hrs HST – 195 hrs £ POA £2’500£12’000 John Deere X320,recently 48”Wide SDserviced deck, petrol, 2WD, 195 hrs Ransome HR6010 Area 22hp Mower – choice ofHST 2 –units from: Jacobsen G Plex, & extra set scarifying available £5’500 Ransome HR6010 48” Wide – choice of 2HST – choice of 2 from: £3’000 £12’000 John Deere GX355D, SDArea deck,Mower 16hp diesel, 2WD, £3’000 John Deere HR300, GX355D, 48”RD SDdeck, deck, 16hp diesel, HST Ransome 60” HST ––2WD, choice of of 4–4choice ££POA Hayter LT324, 6 blade units 10”4WD, fixed heads –choice choice 7 hrs of 2 from£5’500 £6’500 Ransome HR300, 60” RDwith deck, 4WD, HST POA John 48” SD 24hp diesel, 2WD, HST ––of 1922 £5’500 John Deere Deere X495, X495, 48” SD deck, deck, 24hp diesel, 2WD, HST 1922 hrs Hayter T424, 5 gang, 6 SD blade – 30” units.

Deluxe Cab – 2659 hrs £12’500 £6’250 John Deere X740, 54” deck, Low-Tip Collector – choice of 2 £6’250 John Deere X740,Pedestrian 54” SD deck, Low-Tip Collector – choice of 2 Commercial Mowers Ransome Highway 3 – choice of 2 £POA Commercial Pedestrian Mowers £6’750 John Deere X748, 48” deck, 24hp HST ––1380 hrs John Deere X748, 48” RD RD deck, 24hp diesel, diesel,–4WD, 4WD, HST52” 1380 Huge choice of Ferris and Scag 36”, 48” Zerohrs Turn mowers. £6’750 HugeBahia, choice ofRD Ferris Scag mowers mowers Etesia 32” deck && collector, 2WD £2’250 Etesia Bahia, 32” RD deckand collector, 2WD – 36”, 48” 52” Zero Turn mowers. £2’250 Ride-On Front Rotary Mowers £4’750 Etesia £4’750 Etesia H124DS, H124DS, 48” 48” RD RD deck, deck, Hi-Tip Hi-Tip Collector, Collector, 25hp 25hpdiesel diesel––828 828hrs hrs Ferris IS1500Z, Zero-Turn, 44”Demo) RD Deck, 19hp, 2WD, HST – 436 hrs £3’500 £ Etesia Attila Bank Mower (Ex – low hours £POA POA Etesia Attila1445, Bankvarious Mower deck (Ex Demo) – lowhours hours– choice of 10 John Deere sizes and from £6’500 Compact Tractors Tel 0345 9697 ••60” www.lws.uk.com Deere230 1445 with Cab, SD deck, Serviced – 2126 hrs £8’500 Compact Tractors TelJohn 0345 230 9697 www.lws.uk.com John 4WD,Blade, HST 24hp £POA John Deere X748, 54” £6’750 JohnDeere Deere1545, X748,34hp, 54” Snow Snow Blade, 24hp diesel, diesel,4WD, 4WD,HST HST––choice choiceofof22 £6’750 John Deere& 1565 cab,43hp, 62” RD, 38hp, 4WD, HSTReverser – 1044 –hrs £9’750 JD Loader, 4WD, G.Box, Power £7’750 JD 4600 4600 & Front Frontwith Loader, 43hp, 4WD, G.Box, Power Reverser –4331hrs 4331hrs £7’750 John Deere 1600T Wide Area Mowerturf with canopy – choice of 2 from£9’000 £8’500 John ww w w. w. rr o oc ch h fo fo rr d ds s .. n ne e tt John Deere Deere 3320, 3320, 33hp, 33hp, 4WD, 4WD, HST, HST, turf tyres, tyres, roll rollbar bar––1230 1230hrs hrs £9’000 w Ransome HR300, 60” RD 34hp, deck, 4WD, G.Box, HST – choicewww.prolandscapermagazine.com of 4 £POA JD Reverser 50 December December 2012 2012 £9’750 JD 4410 4410 & & Front Front Loader, Loader, 34hp, 4WD, 4WD, G.Box, Power Powerwww.prolandscapermagazine.com Reverser––2279 2279hrs hrs 50 £9’750 Balmers GM Ltd, Manchester Rd, Dunnockshaw, Balmers GM Manchester Rd, Kubota 24hp, HST, turf roll £6’900 Kubota B2410, B2410, 24hp, 4WD, 4WD, HST,Ltd, turf tyres, tyres, roll bar bar––1720 1720hrs hrs Dunnockshaw, £6’900 Commercial Pedestrian Mowers BB11 Kubota 24hp, HST hrs £7’900 Burnley, Lancs, BB11 5PF Kubota B2410 B2410 && Front Front Loader, Loader,Burnley, 24hp, 4WD, 4WD,Lancs, HST––1076 1076 hrs 5PF £7’900 Huge ofwith Ferris and54hp, Scag4WD, mowers 36”,–48” £Enquire Kioti DK551C Cab, Gear hrs £13’750 Kiotichoice DK551C with Cab, 54hp, 4WD, Gear–Box Box –612 61252” hrsZero Turn mowers £13’750 New Holland TC27D, 27hp, 4WD, HST, turf tyres, roll bar – 2312 hrs £7’500 Holland TC27D, 27hp, 4WD,Mower HST, turf tyres, roll bar – 2312 hrs £7’500 Ex Demo – Niko Robo-Flail New Holland £12’500 Holland TN55D TN55D with with cab, cab, 55hp, 55hp, 4WD, 4WD, Gear GearBox Box––1751 1751hrs hrs £12’500 Now: Radio Controlled 48” flail mower on tracks for bank mowing (RRP: £32’000 Yanmar FE280H, £7’500 FE280H, 28hp 28hp diesel, diesel, 4WD, 4WD, turf turf tyres, tyres, roll rollbar bar––262 262hrs hrs £7’500 £16’000 Only 165 demo / hire hours

the interactive app

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Go to the app store • search ‘PRO LANDSCAPER’ • download the free app choose and download your issue

CLASSIFIED CLASSIFIED

Visit our website: website: www.balmersgm.com www.balmersgm.com

Ride-On Ride-On Cylinder Cylinder Mowers Mowers ALL PRICES ARE PLUS VAT – UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED John Deere £5’500 Deere 900 900 Commercial Commercial Triple, Triple, 30” 30” fixed fixed units units––choice choiceofof22 £5’500 JD 2653A, from: 2653A, 26” 26” 88 blade blade units, units, spiral spiral rollers, rollers, scrapers scrapers––choice choiceofof44 from: £5’500 £5’500 JD 2500 2500 (A) (A) (E), (E), 22” 22” 11 11 blade blade units, units, groomers, groomers, brushes, brushes,grass grassboxes boxes -choice of from: of 33 from: £5’750 £5’750 3235B with with Cab, Cab, 22” 88 blade blade units, grooved front frontrollers rollers 2708hrs hrs JD 3235B 22” ––2708 £6’500 £6’500 Balmers GMunits, Ltd, grooved Manchester Rd, Dunnockshaw, 3235B, 22” 22” 88 blade blade ESP ESP units units 2691 hrs hrs JD 3235B, –– 2691 £7’500 £7’500 Burnley, Lancs, BB11 5PF 3225C, 77 blade blade light-weight light-weight units units c/w c/w rear rear roller rollerbrushes brushes––2217 2217hrs hrs £8’000 JD 3225C, £8’000 01282 453900 Jacobsen GG Plex, Plex, recently recently serviced serviced && extra extra set set scarifying scarifyingunits unitsavailable available £5’500 Jacobsen £5’500 LT324, 66 blade blade units units with with 10” 10” fixed fixed heads heads––choice choiceofof10 10 from: £6’500 £6’500 Hayter LT324, from: T424, 55 gang, gang, 66 blade blade –– 30” 30” units units –– choice choiceof of22 from: £9’000 £9’000 Hayter T424, from: Ransome Highway Highway 33 –– choice choice of of 22 POA Ransome ££POA Pro Landscaper /March April 2015 99 Pro Landscaper 2015 99 99 Pro Landscaper // March 2015 Ransome Parkway Parkway 3, 3, 30” 30” 66 blade blade units units –– 1970 1970 hrs hrs POA Ransome ££POA

Visit our website:

www.balmersgm.com

Joseph Joseph Rochford Rochford Gardens Gardens Ltd, Pipers Pipers End, End, Letty Letty Green, Green, Hertford, Hertford, SG14 2PB Tel: Fax: Tel: 01707 01707 261370 261370 Fax: 01707 01707 262847 Email: Email: sales@rochfords.net sales@rochfords.net

www.prolandscapermagazine.com www.prolandscapermagazine.com www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Ride-On Front Front Rotary Rotary Mowers Mowers Ride-On John Deere Deere 1445, 1445, various various deck deck sizes sizes and and hours hours––choice choiceofof88 John John Deere Deere 1445 1445 with with Cab, Cab, 60” 60” SD SD deck, deck, Serviced Serviced––2126 2126hrs hrs John

from: £6’500 £6’500 from: 19/03/2015 18/02/2015 12:38 14:44 14:44 £8’500 18/02/2015 £8’500

FREE

HAYTER WORK TROUSERS

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The choice of the professional The Hayter Harrier Pro Range is handmade in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, in the same factory that’s been producing the country’s finest lawnmowers for over 65 years.

Robust, reliable and trusted by thousands of landscape professionals across the land to produce perfect stripes, day-in, day-out, whatever the weather, the Harrier Pro is the choice of the professional.

Ask your local Hayter Dealer for information on the qualifying 2015 models and claim a free pair of Hayter work trousers worth £49.99* when you purchase a Harrier 48 or 56 Pro model. *RRP. Terms and conditions apply, see leaflet or online at www.hayter.co.uk/trouseroffer. Promotion open to Harrier Pro purchases made 30/3/15 to 30/6/15 inclusive.

Find your nearest Hayter dealer at www.hayter.co.uk or call 0800 781 8832 for a brochure.

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