Pro Landscaper April 2013

Concept to Delivery

April 2013

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

McQue Gardens

SCENTED SECLUSION A multi-level garden incorporating textured planting

Let’s Hear it From...

Andy Corcoran, Managing Director of Glendale Managed Services Ltd

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Portfolios An in-depth overview of three fantastic project profiles

Book review A look at the latest books on offer

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April 2013 | Volume 3, Issue 4

Welcome to April 2013 Welcome to a jam-packed April edition of Pro Landscaper – it’s unbelievable how diverse and challenging this industry is but also how great the rewards can be.

Last month Pro Landscaper visited EcoBuild where the majority of the emphasis was on the environment, and the APL seminar with presentations covering building sustainability into the design process, ethical sourcing, living roofs and porous paving.

Now on to the rewards.

The APL Awards took place last month – huge congratulations to all those shortlisted, commended and winners (see pages 14 & 15).

The awards came in all shapes and sizes but what really shone through was the passion, attention to detail and desire to deliver quality projects whatever the budget. The atmosphere within the room was excellent, competitive companies joining in and celebrating together, landscapers,

EDITORIAL editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk Director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077 Editorial Assistant – Rose Hales rose.hales@eljays44.com

ADVERTISING Business Development Manager Jamie Wilkinson Jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077 Senior Sales Executive – Luke Chaplin luke.chaplin@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077

EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL Mark Gregory Chairman of APL and Landform Consultants Sam Hassall LandPRO Ltd Russell Eales Lawn care expert Karl Harrison Decking expert

Sales Executive – Sophie Abbott sophie.abbott@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077

FUTURESCAPE CO-ORDINATOR Joe Wilkinson joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077

GENERAL ENQUIRIES Tel: 01903 234 077

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Managing Director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077

REG

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designers, architects and suppliers all being part of the same community.

This issue really reflects the landscape community by covering such diverse topics as developing our people, water management, specifying decking, our first in a series of step-by-step guides starting

Landscapers, designers, architects and suppliers all being part of the same community with pond filtration, a focus on new and interesting books plus much more. Enjoy the read and remember we always love to hear your feedback.

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@jimeljays

@lisaeljays

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P.S. Check out page 10 to see how you can get involved in the Three Peaks Challenge this September, all in aid of the industry charity Perennial.

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MANAGEMENT Managing Director Jim Wilkinson Director Lisa Wilkinson

PRODUCTION Design: Kara Thomas

Business Development Manager Jamie Wilkinson

Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Gwent, UK

Office Manager Joe Wilkinson CIRCULATION Subscription enquiries: lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077 Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2013 subscription price is £95.00. Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, County House, 3 Shelley Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1TT, 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.

Published by ©Eljays44 Ltd – Business Intelligence

Business intelligence

Eljays44 Ltd County House, 3 Shelley Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1TT Tel: 01903 234 077

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an affiliate member of BALI

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

April 2013

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Contents

April 2013 6 News Shed Round up of industry news.

10 Three Peaks Extreme challenge The launch of an industry event to raise money for Perennial.

As custodians of our industry, we have a responsibility to develop our people 13 View from the Top Phil Jones, Managing Director of ISS Facility Services Landscaping talks about the responsibility to provide the workforce of the future.

14 Association News APL Award winners plus news about the SGD spring conference and an update from BALI on the regional AGMs.

BUSINESS TIPS

20 The Costs of Planting

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Sam Hassall of LandPro Ltd advises on calculating costs of planting in planting beds.

23 When is a wall not a wall?

Andrew Wilson takes inspiration from American designer Steve Martino.

28 Landscaping for water management Waterwise Managing Director Jacob Tompkins compares the UK with other countries when implementing water management schemes.

30 How to specify decking

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Karl Harrison provides useful tips on how to get the job right first time.

33 Sustainable landscaping Part two in Janine Pattison’s topical series about improving sustainability in garden design.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Contents

52 Inside Green-tech Richard Kay takes us behind the scenes of the successful supplier of landscape products.

56 Latest Kit A selection of latest products in paving, lighting and ATVs.

66 Pond Filtration A step-by-step guide for the successful installation of water filtration systems.

70 Book Review A look at recently released books covering a range of horticultural interests.

76 People Including Out and About; Look Out For; and Little Interviews.

We find inspiration and positivity from the people we meet

AND THERE’S MORE... www.prolandscapermagazine.com Read everything from up-to-date news to the digital version of the magazine Download the Pro Landscaper App Available FREE from the App Store!

CONTRACTORS A RCHITECTS Landscape Hub ARCHITECTS GARDENERS LANDSCAPERS CONTRACTORS ARCHITECTS www.landscapehub.co.uk Landscape HUB GARDENERS CONTRACTORS ARCHITECTS Visit, join and debate within LANDSCAPERS DESIGNERS A the landscape community

www.futurescapeevent.com Save the date – 19 November 2013 Twitter @prolandscaperJW Join in the conversation on Twitter Facebook Check out the Facebook page to comment and view photo albums LinkedIn Join the Pro Landscaper group to make connections with colleagues

ARE YOU GOING? APRIL 19-21 RHS Flower Show Cardiff, Bute Park, Cardiff www.rhs.org.uk

35 Let’s Hear It From Andy Corcoran, Managing Director of Glendale Managed Services gives us an insight into the company.

25-28 Harrogate Flower Show, Yorkshire Showground www.flowershow.org.uk

PORTFOLIOS

27 SGD Spring Conference, Imperial College, SW7 www.sgd.org.uk

39 Scented Seclusion McQue Gardens of Edinburgh explain the transformation of a Victorian villa garden.

30-02 Natural Stone Show, ExCel London www.stoneshow.co.uk

42 The Quay to Success Blakedown Landscapes (SE) Ltd created a temporary feature park.

MAY 09–12 Malvern Spring Gardening Show, Malvern www.rhs.org.uk

46 Steeped in Tradition A BALI award winning courtyard scheme by J&S Scapes.

50 Plantsman’s Plot Popular plants from nurseries around the country.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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21–25 Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Hospital, London www.rhs.org.uk

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News Shed

NEWS SHED The Landscape Group’s Annual Management Conference The Landscape Group’s management team convened at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the company’s annual Management Conference in March. As appointed maintenance contractors for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park following its transformation from the London 2012 Olympic Games venue, the company has an important role to play in the legacy of the park over the next decade.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is currently undergoing its transformation, with The Landscape Group’s team already on site to monitor parts of the transformation.

The seventy managers met at the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture’s viewing platform for a morning of

DEFRA announces changes on importation of trees In the last few years, a number of new tree and plant pests and pathogens have emerged as significant risks in the UK, including Chalara Fraxinea, Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae affecting trees, heathland plants and heritage gardens; oak processionary moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) with its associated threat to human health; and red band needle blight (Dothistroma septosporum).

Statutory notification requirements concerning the import of specified genera of trees – Platanus (Plane), Quercus (Oak), Castanea (Sweet chestnut) and Fraxinus (Ash) – came into effect in January 2013.

These changes will help to protect the UK’s plant health status, by strengthening measures already in place in relation to imports of trees. Imports of ash remain prohibited in the absence of established pest free areas. More information at: www.legislation.gov.uk/ uksi/2012/2922/pdfs/ uksi_20122922_en.pdf

HTA Restructures business updates and networking with colleagues. San Johal, Group Human Resources Director said “This was a fantastic opportunity to gather our managers at this famed and high profile venue. The event enabled the management team to share in the excitement and sense of pride in being a key part of the EFM contract at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.” www.thelandscapegroup.co.uk

As part of its ongoing commitment to provide an efficient and cost effective service to members, the HTA has restructured its internal organisation.

Andrew Maxted has left the organisation; therefore PR will now fall under the Business Development department, and the National Garden Gift Voucher operation will operate under the finance and administration function.The Regional team and Commercial Manager report directly to HTA Director General Carol Paris.

Commenting on these changes Carol Paris said, “The HTA is keen to move forward and provide the best possible service to our members.

I am confident that our new focus and structure will enable us to exceed the expectations of our members and provide them with the support that they need to develop their businesses in these challenging times.” www.the-hta.org.uk

Garden Planters & Urns Giant Boxes, Troughs & Cylinders available

www.roundwood.com Tel: 01435 867 072 OAK & DECKING PRODUCTS | OAK FRAMED BUILDINGS | HOME & GARDEN FEATURES

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The Ellerslie International Flower Show Eight gardens have won gold medals at this year’s Ellerslie International Flower Show in New Zealand.

Convenor of Judges Andrew Fisher Tomlin (who was not involved in the judging of his own gardens), said the top awards this year came from a wide variety of exhibits. Andrew said “There is no distinct theme this year, each designer has followed their own heart. I was very impressed by the big ideas and simple messages this year’s designers showed.They demonstrated a deep understanding of core design values, as well as high quality material finish

Agrumi Nursery:

Getting ready for spring

and horticultural excellence. ” Fisher Tomlin, who has just been named garden designer of the year at Britain’s New Home Gardens Awards has high-calibre international credentials. He is a

director of the London College of Garden Design and sits on the selection panel for the Chelsea Flower Show. www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz www.andrewfishertomlin.com

Quadron awarded Wandsworth contract

Quadron Services have saved Wandsworth Council £850k per year with a new Parks and Cemeteries Maintenance Contract.

They fought off stiff competition to

NURSERY NEWS

win the eight year contract with four year extension option with 75 TUPE staff transfering to the Company.

The contract specification emphasises the importance that the Council and residents place on the maintenance and presentation of the Borough’s green spaces. Quadron’s bid illustrates the Company’s innovative approach and extensive

experience of working in partnership to reduce the cost of services. We will work closely with facility users, community interest groups and organisations such as Thrive and Groundwork to maximise the involvement of corporate and community volunteers. We have committed to assisting Wandsworth with the production of site management plans with the aim of increasing Green Flag accreditations and to facilitate applications for funding of improvement projects. www.quadronservices.co.uk

Over the last couple of months we have been preparing ourselves for spring. We’ve improved our infrastructure with the addition of a brand new polytunnel and shade tunnel, and more rainwater harvesting tanks. We recently held a very successful open week which gave many new faces a chance to show our stock and nursery whilst also catching up with those we hadn’t seen since last spring. The Agrumi botanical team have also been busy.

After labelling all our plants for the benefit of visitors they have been developing a new feeding programme by testing a batch of plants with different feeds and schedules and monitoring the results. More of our bespoke topiary has found its way to Paulton’s Family Theme Park in the New Forest, including African cranes, some peacocks, and a life-sized stag. The soft lovely scent of the Edgeworthia chrysantha is currently rewarding our noses as we walk around the nursery.

www.agrumi.co.uk

Hardwood Decking

Ipe • Balau • Oak • Garapa • Larch Components • Fastenings

www.roundwood.com Tel: 01435 867 072 OAK & DECKING PRODUCTS | OAK FRAMED BUILDINGS | HOME & GARDEN FEATURES

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NEWS IN BRIEF Training for Green Roofs

OnSite Training UK will be the first training provider to deliver Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas in Green Roof Installation and Maintenance.

For more info contact 01604 642 555,or email info@onsitetraininguk.co.uk

Horticulture Innovation

The Horticulture Innovation Partnership (HIP), launched in March will bring together key representatives from across the horticulture community.

Visit www.hip.org.uk or follow @UK_HIP on Twitter.

Sales trainer of the Year

Pro Landscaper columnist Phil Jones has been awarded the Sales Trainer of the Year for helping businesses gain more customers and get more from the ones they already have. Download his book “Magic Words” free at www.philjones.com

Former industrial area earmarked for grant

A project to improve an area of Cheshire modified by centuries of salt extraction and associated industrial activity has been earmarked for nearly £1m from the Heritage Lottery

Gillespies start work at Port Sunlight River Park

Manchester landscape architects Gillespies is leading the design team for the £2.3m creation of the Port Sunlight River Park on the former Bromborough Dock landfill site. Scheduled to open in summer 2014, the project is intended to

benefit local communities and, together with the heritage village of Port Sunlight, stimulate economic development of the wider Wirral area and coastline.

The 28 hectare site offers visitors direct access to the River Mersey with stunning views across the river to the Liverpool waterfront and the UNESCO World Heritage Site and plans include taking advantage of the site’s existing 37 metre mound to create a new green visitor attraction. www.gillespies.co.uk

Landscape Hub Completes Transformation Landscape Hub, (formerly Pro Landscaper network), is pleased to announce the completion of its transformation into a member run network. A steering group has been assembled to reflect the various aspects of the trades and professions the network represents, a geographical spread and an emphasis on social media familiarity. The steering group will carry out day to day running of the network, (currently 400 members) as well as

formulating and guiding the network’s future direction.

Landscape Hub aims to be a network that supports our trade and professional organisations. It will act as a resource for fellow professionals to hone their skills, enhance their businesses and be supportive of the Industry in general. More information on the Steering Group members is available within Landscape Hub “Steering Group Page”. Visit Landscape Hub at: www.landscapehub.co.uk

Landscape Collaborative Working Group (LCWG) meets to deliver objectives The Landscape Collaborative Working Group (LCWG), brought together in 2011 by former BALI National Chairman Paul Cowell, met in February at Merrist Wood College near Guildford. The meeting, chaired by the Chief Executive and Principal of the Guildford College Group, Mike Potter CBE, saw senior representatives from 17 industry bodies, including BALI, Arboricultural Association, HTA, Landscape Institute, Society of Garden Designers, RHS and Institute of Horticulture; collaborating to deliver the group’s stated objectives. Much can be achieved when the landscape industry talks with one united voice – as evidenced by the success of the cross industry approach to contesting the drought restrictions imposed last spring. The LWCG provides a forum for organisations to talk freely and openly under Chatham House rules about the issues facing the wider landscape industry and improve communication and the dissemination of information between industry sectors.

Oak Framed Buildings

Garages • Gazebos • Dining Areas Outbuildings • Smoking Shelters

www.roundwood.com Tel: 01435 867 072 OAK & DECKING PRODUCTS | OAK FRAMED BUILDINGS | HOME & GARDEN FEATURES

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Seats

Litter Bins

Bollards

Shelters

Studs

Cycle Stands

Signage

Best get in early to avoid disappointment!

Balustrades & Railings

s Lunch-time ircus dilly C are like Pica got these since they ches. nice new ben

Stainless Steel Poles

BenchMark. Off-the-shelf street furniture that doesn’t look it.

Now Gatic offers the best of both worlds. With StreetWise you can have project-specific street furniture to your own design or choose from our new BenchMark series.

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The BenchMark range looks exactly like an expensive custom-built product but is in fact, readily available off-the-shelf. The new range features corrosion resistant 316 stainless steel, rugged machined Iroko hardwood and an attractive oval design motif and section.

More than just benches

Sculptures

As well as the benches, seats, bins and bollards, shown here, there is a list of more than 20 other, equally stylish stock items available, covering every conceivable street furniture requirement – from balustrades to bus shelters and from sculptures to tree protection.

If we don’t have what you need, just ask and we’ll make it for you.

Bespoke design service Bursting with your own ideas about the kind of street furniture best suited to your project? Why not talk to our design team? We can help you refine your ideas and bring them to production.

Bump Rails

To find out more or to discuss a project with one of our advisors, please visit www.gatic.com or call our StreetWise team on +44 (0)1304 203545

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Door Barriers

Kerbing

Internal Bollards

Cladding

Rosettes

Skirting

Corner Guards

Specialised Engineering. Special Advice.

Wall Guards

Tree Protection

Benches

06/12/2012 18/03/2013 17:34 09:47

Three Peaks Extreme Challenge A group of brave landscape industry members will be taking on the illustrious Three Peaks Extreme Challenge this September. Pro Landscaper is delighted to announce the team members already signed up, and a little more about the challenge itself.

The Three Peaks 2013 Extreme Team are: ● Richard Gardiner (Norris and Gardiner) ● Mark Gregory (Landform Consultants) ● Paul Downer (Oak View Landscapes) ● Brian Herbert (Outdoor Options) ● Dan Riddleston (Bowles and Wyer) ● John Wyer (Bowles and Wyer) ● Robert Crowder and Cora Crowder (Crowders) ● Matt O’Conner (John O’Conner) ● Jim Brasier (Jim Brasier Landscapes) ● Simon Cox (Gavin Jones) ● Darren Skidmore (Skidmores) ● Ed Belderbos (Belderbos Landscapes) Support crew (mountain climbs and transportation of kit between peaks): ● Liz Hughes (Provender) ● Lorraine Hartley (Provender) The National Three Peaks Challenge involves walking the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales: Ben Nevis in Scotland (1344m), Scafell Pike in England (978m), and Snowdon in Wales (1085m). The Three Peaks 2013 Extreme Team are scheduled to complete the challenge in six days starting on 6 September 2013. To make things even more difficult for themselves, they will also be cycling between the peaks.

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The planned schedule is: ● Day 1 – Ben Nevis plus 20 mile cycle to Glencoe ● Day 2 – 115 miles cycle ride ● Day 3 – 120 miles cycle ride ● Day 4 – Scafell Pike plus 25 miles cycle to Ambleside ● Day 5 – 120 miles cycle ride ● Day 6 – 45 miles cycle plus Snowdon The team will be using the excellent guiding services of Mountain and Glen – who regularly assist teams with taking on this thrilling challenge with huge success in helping them achieve their aims.

Any money raised by the team during the Three Peaks Extreme Challenge will go directly to Perennial – the national charity for those who work or have worked in horticulture and their spouses/partners when they face adversity or need. Although started in 1839, Perennial has moved with the times as both horticulture and the needs of its people have changed.

Perennial helps by providing money and services, and by ensuring people get the help they need

from government departments, public and private organisations that are there to assist.

To kick off the fund raising, Pro Landscaper magazine has pledged £500 towards the challenge, which has also been matched by Richard Kay, Chairman of Green-tech Ltd – many thanks for the support.

If the Three Peaks Extreme Challenge sounds like something you would like to be a part of, please email 3peaksextreme@gmail.com for more information, it could bring great personal achievement and raise money for a worthy industry charity at the same time.

If you can’t face taking part, but would like to pledge your support to the team please either email editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk and we will pass on your details, or alternatively you can text NUTS67 and £5 to 70070 to make a £5 donation. We will be publishing details of any pledges within the regular updates in Pro Landscaper right up until the challenge in September. Also, keep up to date via twitter @peaksextreme and Facebook 3PE. Good luck to all involved!

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2013 16:09

TG0063 FP LT3340 Pro Landscaper C/S_Layout 1 14/03/2013 16:11 Page 1

THE NEW LT3340.

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Toro Grounds Products are distributed by Lely (UK) Limited, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 1QH. Tel: 01480 226849 Email: toro.info.uk@lely.com www.lely.com www.toro.com

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The Cushman 1600XD lives to conquer any job. There’s no task too big for the 22-hp diesel engine, 1,600lb payload and massive cargo bed.

And no matter where work needs to be done, you’ll get there thanks to user-selectable 4WD, a locking rear differential and 4-wheel independent suspension. So, whether you’re moving mountains or driving over them, the 1600XD is ready for action.

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www.cushman.co.uk Distributed in the UK by Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd PL/1600XDR/04/2013

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18/03/2013 10:26

News Extra

View from the Top It is our responsibility to inspire and train young people for the future of our industry, explains Phil Jones

In a demonstration of how society has changed, we hear the news that from September 2014 gardening will be taught in schools to pupils from Key Stages 1–3.Years ago there wouldn’t have been a need to formally teach children how to get their hands dirty, whilst ‘growing their own’; this would have been an integral part of childhood.

The renewed emphasis on ‘cultivating plants for practical purposes’ is refreshing. For someone who has the responsibility for developing people in business its inclusion in the school curriculum is very welcome.

That there is now a need for the ‘formal teaching’ of practical skills that have always come naturally to some people, is a reflection on modern living. This highlights, albeit in a small way, the difficulties faced in the landscape industry when seeking to recruit and develop employees who will be an integral part of our long term success. The landscape

sector has suffered for many years from the lack of skills and experience, particularly in grounds maintenance.

Many on whom the burden of the development of the industry lays have been ‘training for today’, without too much focus on the future. The emphasis on people development in modern training is sadly more www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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about readiness for the job in hand, rather than laying the foundations for individual and therefore collective long-term success. This is not always the case however, and there are many who strive to achieve training excellence, but fall short in either the planning or implementation, because of the restrictions on funding and/or resources.

We as custodians of our great industry have a responsibility to develop our people The cynics would say that the widely publicised apprenticeship schemes that hit the horticultural press from time to time are more about good PR and marketing than a sustained approach to real training success. It takes courage, particularly in the current economic climate, to prioritise people development, some of the results of which we may not see for several years.

What of the longer term future of those children whose imagination is sparked by a renewed focus in schools? Will there be a knock-on effect for us as trainers from increasing numbers of inspired school children? If so, are we as an industry ready for the challenge of meeting expectations? Are we prepared to get in amongst those with a flair for the outdoor life?

A well thought out ‘school to retirement’ support programme that captures the initial desire with a robust and meaningful apprenticeship, leading to permanent employment with key training milestones along the way is, I would suggest, the way to go and is the way we have been going at ISS

for some time now. We train apprentices, enrol them on practical skills and then technical skills programmes. We then provide supervisory training, which leads into robust management skills development, culminating in formal courses such as the ISS Diploma and/or the ISS Advanced Leadership Programme.

The Food Growing in Schools Taskforce Report, which referenced research carried out by the RHS in 2010, highlighted one of the benefits for school pupils through gardening at school as being ‘building life and employability skills e.g. improving financial literacy, building enterprise and communication skills and helping motivation and behaviour.’

So, when we capture those teenagers leaving school into our apprenticeship schemes, we are not only looking after today, but assisting those people who will take over from us in due course.This is guardianship of the highest order.

We as custodians of our great industry have a responsibility to develop our people.This means that even after the initial stages we have to keep them excited about getting their hands dirty! That would really be growing our own!

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 also sits on the UK operational management board of ISS Facility Services. www.isslandscaping.co.uk

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Association News – APL

APL Awards 2013 The APL held its annual awards ceremony in March at the Kensington Roof Gardens, where the overall winners were announced 1

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ussex based Frogheath Landscapes has been named the Supreme Winner at the APL Awards 2013, sponsored by Bradstone, for their creation of a spectacular seaside garden retreat.

The winners, announced at Kensington Roof Gardens in London on 13 March 2013 gain national recognition for their achievements and are testament to the high calibre landscaping offered

by APL members.

“I am continually impressed at the work our APL members are engaged in” says APL Chairman and Chair of the Judges Mark Gregory. He adds, “The variety and complexity of the schemes are just brilliant and they show the skills and sheer tenacity on overcoming the most difficult of sites and site conditions. This year’s awards illustrate this point perfectly.”

The awards, sponsored by Bradstone, now in their 17th year, recognise and promote the very best in landscaping undertaken by APL members in categories that range from smaller projects, special features and garden maintenance to contracts of over £250,000.

The awards are a celebration of the high standards that have been achieved by members and demonstrate the APL’s commitment to quality landscaping.

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April 2013

APL members attending the event also heard an inspirational and motivating talk from former Royal Marines Commando and genuine hero Major Phil Ashby.

This year’s judges were Mark Gregory from Landform Consultants, Richard Barnard from Hillier Landscapes, Adam Frost from Adam Frost Designs, Juliet Roberts from Gardens Illustrated and Sarah Eberle from Sarah Eberle Landscape Design.

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The winners are: Supreme Award, sponsored by Bradstone Frogheath Landscapes Project: Hastings 3

The Supreme Winner of the APL Awards 2013 is Sussex based Frogheath Landscapes, for their creation of a visually stunning seaside garden retreat in a secluded cliff top location in East Sussex.

This garden, designed in-house

by Frogheath’s Tina Vallis, was also the winner of the Overall Design and Build Award. Set on a steep sloping, cliff-edged seaside setting, very difficult access to the site had to be overcome to create a garden with level areas and safe access with outstanding views.The client requested that the garden was to incorporate improved access from the beach to the house, a hot tub with a great view, a writing room,

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Association News – APL

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subtle lighting around the garden, and a contemporary gas fire pit.

The judges commented that the garden “does not compete with the view, it complements it, and looks as though it has been there the whole time, blending in well with the landscape.This is a beautiful scheme that shows what fantastic design is all about and demonstrates a superb showcase of skills. It shows craft, is unpretentious, beautifully detailed and appropriate. Sensitive and respectful of the setting and existing features, and with complex construction it demonstrates all of the skills of a competent landscaper.”

Project value under £20,000, sponsored by Easigrass Winner: James Bird Landscapes Commended: Artscape Design & Build Commended: Hambrook Landscapes Shortlisted: Artscape Design & Build Project value £20,000 – £40,000, sponsored by Elveden Highly Commended: The Gardenmakers Shortlisted: James Bird Landscapes

9

10

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

APL.indd 15

Commercial Garden, sponsored by Anders Plus Winner: Acre Landscapes Commended: Acre Landscapes Commended: The Garden Builders Shortlisted: Plevey & Sons Ltd Special Feature, sponsored by Classiflora Commended: Artscape Design & Build Commended: The Garden Builders Shortlisted: Marshall Landscapes Young Achievers Award, sponsored by British Sugar Topsoil Winner: Peter Belton of Frogheath Landscapes Highly Commended: Tom Spence of Arun Landscapes

For further information and images of the winners visit: www.aplawards.co.uk 2

Project value £40,000 – £60,000, sponsored by Green-tech Winner: Artscape Design & Build Highly Commended: Vandenberg-Hider Landscape Design Commended: Artscape Design & Build Shortlisted: Wildroof Landscapes Project value £100,000 – £250,000, sponsored by Quinton Edwards Winner: Walmsley Shaw Shortlisted: Artscape Design & Build Project value over £250,000, sponsored by Sovereign Turf Highly Commended: Roger Gladwell Landscapes

12

Overall Design and Build, sponsored by Provender Nurseries Winner: Frogheath Landscapes Commended: Arun Landscapes Shortlisted: New Eden Landscapes

Hard Landscaping, sponsored by Bradstone Winner: Claudia de Yong Designs Commended: The Gardenmakers

1 Supreme Winner – Frogheath Landscapes in Hastings.

2 The Frogheath Landscapes team.

3 Detail: Supreme Winner– Frogheath Landscapes in Hastings.

4 Claudia de Yong – Hard Landscaping winner.

5 Claudia de Yong.

6 Courtyard garden by Artscape Design & Build – Under £20K winner.

7 William Morris Primary School – Commercial Garden commended

by The Garden Builders.

8 Artscape Design & Build team.

9 Seaside garden by Artscape Design & Build – £40-£60K winner.

10 “A Port of Call” by Hambrooks Landscapes – Under 20K Commended.

11 Richard Barnard and Adam Frost.

12 The APL Awards ceremony.

April 2013

15

19/03/2013 12:02

Association News – SGD

Keeping up appearances The SGD Spring Conference Maintaining the Vision

G

ood design should never fade, but how do you maintain the vision that initially inspired a great garden?

Gardens are not static forms. Is it all about designing for longevity and creating the structural backbone for a garden that will age beautifully? Is it about inspiring clients to work with their garden as they develop and mature? Or a mixture of both?

This fascinating topic is the subject matter of Maintaining the Vision, the Society of Garden Designers’ Spring Conference. Held on Saturday 27 April at London’s Imperial College, the conference will analyse the life of a garden from grand plan to mature plots.

With a diverse line-up of speakers that ranges from designers and horticulturalists to artists and

Photograph by Clive Nichols.

Garden by Charlotte Rowe MSGD 16

SGD.indd 16

April 2013

Garden by John Wyer FSGD

photographers, the conference promises to give a wide perspective on the issue.The panel includes: Matthew Wilson Matthew is a well-respected garden designer, writer, broadcaster, lecturer and a familiar voice on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time.

His particular areas of horticultural interest include environmentally sensitive gardening, wildlife and landscapes. Matthew worked for the RHS for 10 years, running Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr and is now Managing Director of London’s oldest nursery – Clifton Nurseries. Matthew presented the Channel 4 series, Landscape Man and has written three books on gardening and garden design. He writes regularly for the national gardening press.

Jake Hobson Described as a ‘horticultural adventurer’, Jake is a trained sculptor and tree pruner who learnt his trade at a traditional tree nursery in Osaka, Japan. Jake worked at Architectural Plants in Sussex, before setting up his company Niwaki, selling Japanese pruning tools and tripod ladders. He prunes and consults on maintenance, restoration and design of topiary, and is particularly interested in what he calls organic topiary, influenced as much by natural landscapes and

patterns as by cloud pruning and Japanese gardens.

Jake Hobson pruning trees

Clive Nichols Clive is one of the world’s finest flower and garden photographers whose work has appeared in countless publications throughout the world for the past 25 years. He has a deep passion for recording the beauty of gardens and is a master of light – the essential ingredient in any garden photograph. Clive is also in constant demand as a lecturer and teacher.

John Wyer FSGD Society Fellow John Wyer has been creating award-winning gardens and landscapes for the past 30 years. John’s particular skills lie in design, client liaison and the planning process. He believes that successful design is distinguished by imagination and intuition: finding

solutions from unexpected sources and transforming ideas into living, responsive landscapes. He has been responsible for the design of hundreds of projects from a private garden for the late Freddie Mercury to a landscape in the US Rockies, which won the International Award in the inaugural SGD Awards.

The conference will be chaired by Ruth Chivers MSGD. Ruth has designed gardens in the UK and internationally since 1992 including six years designing, writing and lecturing in northern California, where she continues to work. She has written extensively about garden design for gardening magazines, and written several books including her most recent title Designing Gardens on Slopes.The longevity of gardens and 20th century garden design are major interests for her.

The Society’s sell-out conferences have developed a reputation for being both challenging and inspiring and an excellent networking opportunity for designers, students and contractors alike.

To find out more about Maintaining the Vision, visit the SGD website or contact the SGD office on 01989 566 695 to purchase tickets. www.sgd.org.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2013 14:56

01 PROLANDSCAPER.pdf

1

06/02/2013

09:29:27

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London Stone are pleased to formally announce two exciting new developments.

New London Stone Identity Over the winter we have been working hard behind the scenes to refresh our corporate identity and are proud to now officially launch, our new brand. Our new brand reflects our values of innovation and our commitment to constantly developing & improving our business to meet the needs of our customers.

New South East London Branch We are also proud to announce the opening of a second showroom at Coolings Garden Centre in Knockholt, Kent. The showroom will open its doors for business at the beginning of April and will give customers in Kent, East and South East London convenient access to a London stone showroom.

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18/03/2013 09:52

Kinley Systems’ Spring Promotion AllEdge

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gravel stabilisation panels Gravelrings are a uniquely effective method of stabilising loose aggregate surfacing.

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ADVERTS TEMPLATES.indd 64

18/03/2013 09:54

Association News – BALI

D

uring the round of very well attended BALI Regional AGMs that have taken place across the country recently, BALI Chief Operations Officer Wayne Grills, National Chairman Chris Carr, and Vice Chairman Bob Field have met many members and updated them on the activity at Landscape House, including progress made with the Association’s strategic plan.

Members, for their part, have seized the opportunity to give their opinions on a host of issues, both internal and external.This personal feedback is absolutely invaluable and makes a vital contribution to helping BALI improve the service it delivers to its membership, as does the annual Member Satisfaction Survey, which was also carried out recently.

All members, regardless of their particular discipline, product or service, want BALI to promote them to their target markets by communicating the message that the BALI Registered logo stands for quality, professionalism and peace of mind. As members and BALI officers go about their daily business it seems that BALI’s promotional activities and collaboration with

BALI briefing It’s all in the message taken by staff on the BALI Pavilion at this hugely successful show.

At government strategic and policy level, where the landscape industry has perhaps punched below its weight because of a lack of much needed collaboration, BALI is also making a major contribution. It was instrumental in establishing the Landscape Collaborative Working Group, which met again recently at Merrist Wood College, and is now in the process of bringing together a Sustainable Growing Media Working Group at the request of Defra. Both are clear indications that

Personal feedback is absolutely invaluable and makes a vital contribution to helping BALI improve the service it delivers other industry bodies is certainly getting the message across loud and clear.

Increasingly we are hearing from members that BALI Registered status is a requirement for tender pre-qualification, as demonstrated by the Environment Agency's recent stipulation. At the recent Ecobuild exhibition, requests for recommendations of BALI contractors to carry out residential design and construction projects were among the many enquiries www.prolandscapermagazine.com

BALI 2.indd 19

BALI is seen as a driving force in UK landscaping and that its members, large or small, represent the cream of the country’s landscape industry.

BALI recently welcomed new member Servest to its number – a major ‘multi service’ company that is extending its landscaping delivery in the UK. Maintaining its global profile and reputation for excellence is paramount, which is why it has joined BALI and is seeking to work with BALI Registered members to deliver its services at sites across

1

1 BALI stand at the Ecobuild exhibition

BALI's members, large or small, represent the cream of the country's landscape industry the UK.This is yet another vote of confidence in the quality and professionalism delivered by BALI members.

In acknowledging that BALI is certainly getting the message out to the various target audiences our members want to reach, with client enquiries via the BALI website increasing markedly in recent weeks, members too can help to build awareness of the BALI Registered logo by using it widely on stationery, emails, promotional material, websites, vehicles, work wear, business cards and exhibition stands.

The more ubiquitous the logo, the more it will be sought out by clients as a ‘must have’ qualifying accreditation.

partners from across the country will be made very welcome for what promises to be a wonderful spring weekend. Organised by BALI Wales Chair Jodie Read of Penarth Management, the cost is just £300 including VAT per couple sharing (£215 including VAT for single occupancy) and includes: ● Two nights B&B accommodation in the city centre, an easy walk from Cardiff Central railway station ● Dinner on the Saturday evening ● Entrance to the RHS Flower Show on the Saturday ● Bus tickets to St Fagans National History Museum on the Sunday (free entry) To book, contact jodie@penarth.co.uk or call her on 07711 524884.

And finally...

BALI members ‘just wanna have fun’ and BALI Wales Region are hosting a weekend in the lovely city of Cardiff from 19-21 April during the RHS Flower Show Cardiff.

Members, industry guests and their

For details of other BALI events, visit the BALI website at www.bali.org.uk or contact the Landscape House team on 02476 690333. If you are not a BALI member but wish you were you can start your membership application online today.

April 2013

19

19/03/2013 15:15

–

Business Tips

The costs of planting in planting beds Scope Much like last month’s analysis we have to start with preparation of planting beds. Let’s start with the possible assumptions and variations:

Planting is what we do some of in almost every job. We assume that we understand this element’s costs and profitability but let’s see if we really do.

1

The beds require preparation – decompaction and cultivation

2

Nursery visits and plant selection will have price impact.

We assume that we are not designing the planting in this analysis

3

The distance from offload will impact

Labour

4

The method of transport on site will impact

Labour

5

The sizes and densities will affect the pricing

Material and labour

1

decompaction and cultivation

composts and fertiliser

Composts and fertilisers are generally spread once the area has been broken up or rotavated. These materials have to be cultivated into the soil. The costs of moving these materials and cultivating them in are shown below. Choose the appropriate materials from these tables.

Fertilisers

Price/20kg £

Cost/hr

General purpose at 35g/m2

20.00

0.035

Slow release at 35g/m2

45.00

within ples

0.079

Time costs for a senior manager

Notes on the following tables ● All items are shown at cost (readers should allow for profit) ● The labour rate:£19.50 per hour ● Labour works a productive seven hour day

Table showing costs /m2 for cultivation

Decompaction and cultivation On areas where turf has grown previously or where planting has not previously existed a rotavator is generally employed to break up light compaction.

For higher quality planting hand digging may also be specified to various depths. In larger areas a tractor drawn implement may be used. (Please see the previous article on turf preparation for these costs)

2

Material labour and mechanical costs

Method

Cost £/hr

Area decompacted per man hour in m2 10

Hand drawn rotavator two passes (£/m²)

28.40

Hand digging (£ /m²)

19.50

20

1.95

0.98

30

0.65

40

50

0.49

100

200

300

0.28

0.14

0.09

0.39

Moving compost over distances of 25 meters: compost cost /m3 = £22.00 Moving method:

£ / m3

Cost/hr

m3/load

Load time (mins)

Travel 25m mins

m3/hr

Cost /m²

Wheelbarrow/hand loaded

34.58

41.50

0.12

3

3.00

1.20

1.73

Three ton dumper/ three ton excavator

6.79

62.71

1.00

5

1.50

9.2

0.34

Spreading compost and fertilisers

20

General purpose at 35g/m2

0.98

Slow release at 35g/m2

75

0.58

100

0.44

150

0.29

All items shown at cost – allow for profit

The analyses performed within this article are only examples – readers are therefore responsible for the accuracy of their final calculations

racy

20

April 2013

Sam Hasall2.indd 20

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2013 15:05

Business Tips plant selection and final grading

4

Depending on whether you are ordering your plants off a list or travelling to a nursery to select the plants, costs for this operation may be required.

Use the following table to add to your costs as appropriate. Unlike with turf areas once the decompaction and rotavating and cultivation is

complete a good raking to finalise the levels before planting is generally necessary. If topsoil has been added this would have to be lightly compacted to prevent post planting settlement.

C. The next cost is the time to unload your plants and move them into correct positions: barrow costs per plant

A. Final cultivation Area covered per man hour in m2 Cost per m – £ 2

20

30

50

75

100

125

200

0.98

0.65

0.39

0.26

0.20

0.16

0.10

B. Plant selection costs (based on travel to local nursery travelling time not exceeding two hours each way)

m2 of planting

Selection time – hrs

Cost – £/m2

10

1

11.50

25

1.5

5.30

4

50

2

3.00

100

4

2.20

200

5

1.28

300

6

0.97

Plants per barrow

20

15

8

6

5

3

1

Load and unload time

7

6

3

3

3

2

2

Loading costs £/plant

0.11

0.13

0.12

0.16

0.20

0.22

0.65

Distance

2L

3L

5L

10L

15L

20L

25L

Mins

£/trip

20

15

8

6

5

3

1

10

3

0.98

0.05

0.07

0.12

0.16

0.20

0.33

0.98

20

3.5

1.14

0.06

0.08

0.14

0.19

0.23

0.38

1.14

50

5

1.63

0.08

0.11

0.20

0.27

0.33

0.54

1.63

100

10

3.25

0.16

0.22

0.41

0.54

0.65

1.08

3.25

setting out and planting

Assuming now that the plants have arrived on site they have to be moved into position and set out. The costs of this vary depending on the following:

● Working from a drawing ● Planting groups (mass planting or small groups) ● Density

Table showing - Planting sizes and densities (equal offset centres) times and costs: Sizes and densities Plants spacing’s

Planting time and costs Setting out

Herba’cs/Bedding

2L–3L

5L

10L

15L–25L

Plant centres in mm

Plants per m2

Placing in mins

£/m2

Time

£/m2

Time

£/m2

Time

£/m2

Time

£/m2

Time

£/m2

150

48.7

5

1.63

10.0

3.25

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

200

27.4

4

1.30

6.2

2.01

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

250

17.5

3

0.98

4.4

1.42

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

300

12.2

3.5

1.14

3.3

1.08

6.0

1.95

-

-

-

-

-

-

400

6.8

1.5

0.49

-

-

3.4

1.10

5.0

1.63

-

-

-

-

5

500

4.4

0.5

0.16

-

-

2.2

0.70

3.2

1.04

17.5

5.69

-

-

600

3.0

0.4

0.13

-

-

1.5

0.49

2.2

0.72

12.2

3.95

45.6

14.83

750

1.9

0.3

0.10

-

-

1.0

0.31

1.4

0.46

7.8

2.53

29.2

9.49

1000

1.1

0.2

0..07

-

-

0.5

0.18

0.8

0.26

4.4

1.42

16.4

5.34

examples

ABOUT sam hassall

The following examples assume the following nursery costs (2L = £2.80; 3L = £3.40; 5L = 5.00) (20L = £22.50; 25L = £28.50)

Prepare area by rotavator; rake and grade; add compost by barrowing 25m; hand pick plants from nursery; set out in groups and plant at 300mm centres (21 plants at 2.80 each)

63.82

Planting as above but ordered by phone and planted at 600mm centres

13.82

Herbaceous planting (PC £1.50) at 200mm centres with one 25 litre specimen (PC £25.00) per 10m

2

45.40

Landscape cost consultant LandPro Ltd: 01252 795030 LiberRATE Estimating www.landpro.co.uk

Don’t forget to add your profit onto these figures. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Sam Hasall2.indd 21

April 2013

21

19/03/2013 15:07

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10:04 18/03/2013 10:06

Business Tips

When is a wall not a wall?

Andrew Wilson takes lessons from an American master, celebrating the need for inventive design in the face of increasingly subjective planning decisions. But will the National Planning Policy Framework help?

Steve Martino

Having long admired the work of American designer Steve Martino, I booked in to an overdue meeting with him last year when he came to speak at the Garden Museum in Lambeth. He has long championed an alternative way to design gardens in Arizona, an approach that uses the native desert flora to create a sense of localism and a more sustainable system.

Walls are the stars of his shows though, or at least I thought they were until I realised he was talking more and more about sheds. It seems that walls fell foul of of his local planning regulations if they were too high or too dominant. As key elements for privacy in his designs he was experiencing an increasing number of disputes.

Instead of getting riled about this situation, he effectively got even by designing his walls as storage units for the garden, otherwise known as “sheds”. The front elevations suggest a wall but a side elevation reveals a depth sufficient to install doors and storage within. Sheds or storage buildings are not subject to the same stringent planning issues and Martino continues to produce award winning schemes that satisfy his clients and their needs.

Steve’s message chimed significantly with us having spent the best part of eighteen months in a dispute with a local planning authority about garden walls.The walls are simple, free standing elements that relate to the colour and finish of the house.They link house and garden together and provide shelter and screening for more delicate gravel planting within the garden.They do not run www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Andrew Wilson.indd 23

on the boundary of this sizeable garden but stand within the space, allowing planting to screen and soften their impact.

The original garden resulted from the sale of an unwanted portion of a larger garden in the 1960s. Having recently bought the original house, our clients demolished, rebuilt and commissioned the garden design.The property is surrounded by other houses and gardens, and virtually invisible from the road but the town in which it sits is in the greenbelt.

Instead of getting riled about the situation, he effectively got even by designing his walls as storage units for the garden Several walls have been condemned by the local planners after neighbour complaints.The reasons cited were that walls are too urban in character and that they block the open views required in greenbelt areas. Hedges could be used as alternatives to replace the walls even though the planning officers accept that hedges will also block views and restrict openness!

Supported by precedent images and local research we pointed out that walls are not the preserve of the urban garden and that they are present as features in most local gardens. Many great country gardens, generally within greenbelt areas, also boast fine specimens of walling often

used for the protection of tender plants.

The planners and the local councillors of the planning committee responded subjectively rather than objectively, dismissed a series of submissions.

Similar objective discussions about the required openness within a greenbelt town were also rejected.The majority of the original garden was enclosed with tall boundary planting and fences that already blocked views.The views themselves are simply of other people’s houses and gardens, not of open countryside.

These seemingly irrational responses have resulted in a huge waste of our time, of our client’s time and money, and of the tax payer’s money in support of what? – the zealous control of a garden design that thrills our clients but upsets one or two vocal neighbours, remains unseen by the general public and yet significantly increases bio-diversity over and above the original garden. I despair of a planning system that allows this to happen. Gavin and I are already investigating the use of “sheds” throughout our gardens.Thank you Mr Martino!

ABOUT ANDREW WILSON Andrew Wilson is a landscape and garden designer as well as Director of Wilson McWilliam Studio. He is also a Director of the London College of Garden Design, an author and an RHS judge of Show Gardens. www.wmstudio.co.uk

April 2013

23

19/03/2013 15:01

Business Tips

For companies with an existing Quality Management System that meets the ISO14001, Jodie Read explains that far from being onerous, companies can build upon existing systems to minimise the amount of effort required during the implementation phase

Laying the Foundations Two key areas where ISO14001 differs from ISO9001 is with the concept of Environmental Aspects and Legislation. Before attempting to detail what legislation may apply, it is necessary to understand how the business impacts on the environment in order to build the Register of Environmental Aspects.

Environmental Aspects The Register of Environmental Aspects should include details of all environmental impacts, taking into account normal, abnormal and emergency conditions. Whilst every business is different, typical topics to be considered within an ISO14001 system for the landscaping sector will include: ● Effluents ● Paper usage ● Energy ● Suppliers and ● Fire subcontractors ● Flood ● Traffic and transport ● Hazardous substances ● Wastes ● Noise ● Water Legislation Only once a company understands how it impacts on the environment can it hope to identify all of the relevant legislation. Working out what legislation applies can be tricky, especially when trying to take into account the requirements for multi-sited operations. Here are a few useful sites to take into account within the United Kingdom:

Adding ISO14001 to an existing QMS Once the relevant legislation has been identified, there is then a need to evaluate legal compliance. (Assessors will expect to see that companies have addressed any nonconformities relating to legal requirements prior to the initial certification visits).

Building on common ground After developing the registers, there is a need to develop procedures. When taking a look at the standards, it becomes clear that there are a number of areas where the requirements are very similar. For instance, although there are many topics that require mandatory procedures within ISO14001, anyone who has been assessed to ISO9001 will already have documented processes in place for: ● Control of documents ● Records ● Nonconformity ● Corrective Action ● Preventive Action ● Internal Audits

Other topics that usually have procedures after implementing ISO9001 include: ● Competence, Awareness and Training ● Management Review All of these areas are equally relevant to ISO14001, so with a few minor amendments to reflect any items specifically required from an

Websites for Environmental Legislation: www.legislation.gov.uk





www.environment-agency.gov.uk





www.gov.uk



www.wales.gov.uk





www.sepa.org.uk



www.netregs.org.uk



www.epa.ie 24

April 2013

Jodie Read.indd 24



 

environmental perspective, a company already has several items in place, thereby freeing up time to focus on areas that might require new procedures to be developed (such as waste management or emergency preparedness, for example).

Checking and planning With the procedures prepared, existing systems for internal audits and management review meetings provide the framework for checking the systems and planning future improvements.

ABOUT JODIE READ Jodie Read is the Managing Director of Penarth Management Limited; a company which helps to make businesses better, greener and safer through the provision of specialist compliance consultancy and training for quality, environmental, health and safety management. She and her colleagues assist companies to implement and maintain management systems, such as ISO9001, NHSS18, ISO14001 or OHSAS18001. Jodie is also one of only a few approved ROLO trainers in the country. The company is an affiliate member of BALI and one of the first ever winners of the prestigious BALI Affiliate Award for Exceptional Service. If readers have any queries regarding continual improvement in business management systems, they are welcome to contact Jodie via e-mail: jodie@penarth.co.uk or by telephone on 029 2070 3328. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2013 10:52

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18/03/2013 11:10

Training

Spoiler alert In part two of the series, Margaret McNeil looks at how to deal with ‘spoilers’ in the team

Having spent time ensuring that you, the team leader, are in the right frame of mind to lead your team (positive, clear-headed, committed to the job and the organisation) you can now turn to the various ‘spoilers’ that your team might be employing that impact on the quality of the work they do and customer service they deliver.

You can’t do it all at once, but you can’t let bad practice continue either. List the difficulties you perceive and then rate them. Give them a rating for how easy you think it will be to put right, and also rate their importance. Use these ratings to form a plan of attack.

Inviduals If the problem is with an individual, speak to them away from the group. Tell them what the problem is as you see it, and ask them why they are doing something that hinders the progress

Plenty of input right from the start will reap rewards later when the team have pride in themselves and their work

of the job. Listen to their side of the story – there might be a legitimate reason. After listening, if you are clear about the way forward, tell the operative what you need to see from them, and why. Check they understand and let them go. Make a note of what was agreed and the date. If their behaviour doesn’t change, you must deal with them straight away – didn’t they www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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understand what is required? Why haven’t they changed their ways? Again, do this away from the rest of the team – you will not suffer from ‘grandstanding’ that way. Make a note of this second ’advice’ session, and explain that if your requests aren’t carried out, then you will have to take formal action, because they are putting the contract at risk and you have a responsibility to protect the team’s jobs.

You can try asking the offender how many times he thinks he should be told not to smoke on site/wear a hi vis/arrive on time, or you can ask them why they think they should not be subject to the rules of the business. This can make them embarrassed and feel childish and realise that they need to start behaving as an adult at work.

This is hard work – no doubt about it, but plenty of input right from the start will reap rewards later when the team have pride in themselves and their work and want to do a better job. Schedule some stress relieving activity at the end of the day and learn to switch off.

Encouragement Try to remember that ‘if you have a job you love, you will never need to go to work’. Help your team enjoy their days at work – remember to praise, fit in a bit of training, pass on praise that has come from the client and get experienced workers to show the less experienced how it’s done. Find out about what they are doing at the weekend and show an interest.

If you have a problem with the job, ask the team for their suggestions. It will help them feel responsibility and ownership and again,

!

that underused word ‘pride’.

You will never please all of the team all of the time, but so long as you know the rules, listen to what they are saying and ask yourself ‘is this a reasonable request?’, you should make

A good team leader will always want their team to be good, and be looking to develop them for their next role

good decisions and soon have a team who want to do a good job. A good team leader will always want their team to be good, and be looking to develop them for their next role.

Make yourself look good by making your team good.

One last thing: the old saying ‘do as I say not do as I do’ is not an appropriate one – you must set an example at all times – it’s part of your job.

ABOUT MARGARET MCNEIL Margaret McNeil is from OnSite Training UK. Whilst lecturing at a horticultural college, she spotted an opportunity to offer flexible learning to horticulturalists and started OnSite Training UK with Roger Clarke.

Since then over 1,000 landscapers have qualified through them. Their Lamport Gardening Academy launched on 2 February 2013. www.onsitetraininguk.co.uk

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19/03/2013 10:57

Business Tips

Landscaping for water management Using examples from around the world, Jacob Tompkins looks at how valuable green landscaping in the urban environment is for water management

Around the world urban planners and politicians are realising that well planned landscapes can vastly improve and regenerate the urban environment.They can be used to improve traffic management (e.g. Exhibition Road, London), to cut crime (e.g. Chicago, USA), and to improve health (e.g. Aalborg, Denmark); however, I am interested in the use of clever urban landscaping for water management. I touched on this last month: landscapers are at the sharp end of changes in the weather and are the people who will have to deal with floods and droughts – this is an area where the expertise of the profession will be in great demand in the near future.

Why aren’t councils and utilities using urban green space to manage water?

We know that green landscapes in the urban environment can mitigate the city heat-island effect, ease the risk of flooding by reducing run-off, retain water in the environment reducing the need for urban watering, and can also filter and purify water. So why aren’t councils and utilities using urban green space to manage water whilst creating all the other benefits for city dwellers? Over the past few years the penny has dropped and there are now some good examples: ● Philadelphia has greened its streets to reduce urban run-off and improve water quality, the city is now full of permeable paving, planted verges and open watercourses; the water authority decided that this approach was cheaper and more sustainable than more concrete pipes and sewers.

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● Perth City Council converted the top story of a car-park into an urban orchard providing local people with fresh food; this project was the work of landscape and water expert Josh Byrne (www.joshbyrne.com.au) who specialises in this sort of thing and works closely with the local water corporation. ● In New York, a disused railway has been turned into an urban park, the High Line, reducing urban runoff and improving water quality. ● In many parts of the Netherlands river flooding is incorporated into the urban landscape and there are hundreds of ‘floating’ houses which simply rise up with the flood waters, they are set in parkland that doubles as flood storage. The landscape is designed to accommodate water and people harmoniously using soft engineering. ● In Germany the Emscher project has been transforming the former industrial Ruhr Valley for the past 20 years. By developing parkland the economy has been revitalised and the wellbeing of local people improved, furthermore the risk of flooding has decreased, and water quality improved by allowing the river to act more naturally. ● From a human perspective, Singapore is opening up access to waterways and reservoirs rather than keeping them in concrete culverts and behind locked gates like we do. The public are positively encouraged to use the water supply network for recreation and education, and many service reservoirs and former concrete channels have been re-naturalised and adopted by local people.

In regards to the UK, London are about to spend over £4 billion on a tunnel to intercept the overflows from the Victorian sewer network that pollute the Thames after rain. Unfortunately having done nothing about this problem for years,

we now have no option but to go with the big-engineering approach.

So why has this not spurred a debate over the role of urban water landscape features and permeable surfaces? Likewise the Olympics were pretty good on the sustainable building side, but the water aspect of the landscaping seemed to be all about getting the water away as quickly as possible and there was little opportunity for public interaction with the watercourses on the site. A few years ago Camden Council discussed opening up hidden rivers as urban water features but the idea never came to fruition. We have the skills and the ideas so why aren’t these things happening?

There is a big opportunity here for landscapers to shape the water landscape, please do everything you can.

ABOUT WATERWISE Waterwise is a UK NGO focused on decreasing water consumption in the UK and building the evidence base for large-scale water efficiency. Waterwise is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working closely with the water industry, governments and regulators, manufacturers and retailers. Waterwise is acknowledged by governments and regulators as the leading UK authority on water efficiency. www.waterwise.org.uk Jacob Tompkins is the Managing Director of Waterwise, the independent water efficiency organisation: jtompkins@waterwise.org.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2013 11:01

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Decking

How to specify decking Professional designers and architects regularly specify decking. Although considered an integral part of the initial cost analysis of the project, decking is often in the back seat. Professional decking installation is a specialist trade and has a key role to play. Allowing a nominal sum for a decking project isn’t good enough; a detailed and accurate specification for the decking element of your project is always necessary – Karl Harrison advises The contractor Only a professional contractor should be selected, they should prove the following attributes: ● Suitably qualified or endorsed by the manufacturer. ● Has attained professional membership of a recognised association or institute. ● Can demonstrate history of experience with a portfolio of key projects. ● Absolute knowledge of the materials specified for that project Longevity of the installation The required service life of the decking installation should be high priority for any specification.

This time period is to be listed on the specification and warranted by the installation contractor for the substructure, and the decking by the manufacturer. It is up to the contractor to provide evidence of lifespan by either demonstrating chemical treatments that the materials have been subject to or with evidence from the manufacturer. In the case of composite a warranty should be requested in writing.

Budget Contractors can avoid the ‘surprise’ cost by specifying a professional decking company who will do the job to the correct standard first time.

Decking material selection Aesthetics ● How does the decking look upon installation – how will it look over the service life? ● Will the timber bleach out tannins, how stable is it? ● Checking, fissures, splitting, and cracking – does the client know this is normal? Do you?

Composite or timber?

This is a choice for the designer. Specifiers must 30

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follow the manufacturer’s guidelines – timber beam, joist and deck spans for timber are completely different to that of composite.

Hardwood or softwood, which botanical species?

This is a simple choice borne out of budget and aesthetics, not one of longevity. There is a massive choice for softwoods and tropical hardwoods, they all have different density, stability and durability ratings, an experienced timber decking company can advise on the best timber for your deck.

Traffic and deck loading Has the specified decking material been tested and proved to withstand the desired loading required for the intended service? 1.5 kN or 4 kN is normally required depending upon the application.

Fixing technique Manufacturers’ recommendation The manufacturer’s instructions should always be followed.

Side fixing or surface fixing (timber) ● Side fixing will present a smooth decking board on the surface. ● Nailing shouldn’t be considered by professionals. ● Stable timber and some composite decks can use trim head screws, others need to be pre-drilled and countersunk.

Using screws in rebated holes and concealing with a plug is also a popular finish. ● For all exterior decking, stainless steel with at least 304 grade should be specified along with the screw dimensions.

Deck finish In most cases timber can be left natural to silver out over time but it is usually recommended to apply a quality oil treatment to increase stability, durability and enhance the aesthetics of the finish.

The manufacturer will specify which oil type should be used.

Maintenance Aftercare is essential and the contractor should specify the cleaning interval, what is required and what chemicals should or should not be used.

Managing the clients’ expectations ● If it is not cleaned it will stay dirty. ● Timber left untreated will change colour, treated timber will still change colour. ● Timber is not slippery; it is the algae on the dirt on your deck that is slippery. ● The original colour of the timber can be returned. ● Timber is an organic material, neither the colour, texture, size nor shape will remain exact after installation, it will check, warp, split and crack. This can never be avoided but can be kept to a minimum should a professional company install your deck with proper materials and provide regular maintenance.

ABOUT KARL HARRISON Karl Harrison runs Exterior Solutions Ltd based in Buckinghamshire, with his wife Lana. The company offers expert decking advice and is the sole UK distributor for high-end timber decking manufactured by Exterpark. www.exteriordecking.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2013 12:14

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Business Tips

Sustainable Landscaping A sustainable garden or landscape will require just as much attention to design details as a traditional design.The goal here, being to design a functional, maintainable and cost-effective landscape that also satisfies the aesthetic requirements.The design must also be well suited to the specific location.

The designer must start the design process with a clear intent for the site, there must be detailed site surveys and assessments.The existing features must be documented and factored into the design.The designer’s knowledge of the site conditions regarding soil type and condition, wind characteristics, topography and drainage, and seasonal variations in sun and shade can all have a significant impact on the long-term survivability and therefore sustainability of the scheme. Issues such as storm water runoff, pedestrian and vehicular access and movement patterns, parking needs and of course locations of utilities (buried cables, manhole covers, rodding eyes, metres) must be considered at the design stage.

Working with existing conditions will be more sustainable in the long term. For example, an area of a garden that has poor drainage could be considered a problem solvable with the construction of underground drainage. Alternatively, it could be used to create a wetland feature by selecting plants that will thrive in that environment – a cheaper and more sustainable solution as there will be no drains to block up in years to come.

Garden and landscape design is an interactive process and the initial ideas that the designer comes up with will be a combination of the briefing from the client and the site information gathered by the designer.

These ideas need to be developed into something that can be presented to the client for their feedback.

This feedback then shapes the next phase as the designer works towards a final design. At this stage the designer should consider involving the landscape and maintenance contractors whose input regarding the practicalities of any proposals www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Janine Pattison APP version.indd 33

and their likely impact on build cost and ease of maintenance will be invaluable.

It is critical that the maintenance contractor understands the designer’s intention otherwise unfortunate modifications can occur in subsequent years which can effectively re-design the garden.

Inappropriate pruning, plant substitutions and alterations to lawns and beds can render the garden unrecognisable to the original plans. Sharing the design vision with the team will ensure the garden can reach its full potential.

Selecting plants to improve sustainability Matching the plants to the growing conditions of the site is one of the main considerations to improve sustainability. We’ve all had clients who desire to grow ericaceous plants like rhododendrons and camellias in their chalky garden. Planting these shrubs will result in disappointment and wasted time and money. Even raised beds and containers will ultimately prove unsustainable.Taking into account each area of the garden in terms of sun and shade, soil moisture and microclimate and weaving that into a coherent planting scheme which also factors in design criteria of heights, flower colour, foliage colour and seasonal changes, is a real skill. It is always helpful if the client is honest about what likely maintenance the garden will receive in the future.

The skill levels and available time of the gardeners

In part two of this series, Janine Pattison explores how sustainability starts with the initial design process

will also have an impact on the planting selections.

Clients often don’t appreciate how long it takes to prepare a planting scheme which deals with all these elements successfully. Indeed, we find that sometimes the planting plans take longer to complete than the original design!

Next month I will look at hard landscaping materials and processes to see how the landscape contractor can contribute to the creation of a more sustainable garden without being out of pocket.

ABOUT janine pattison Janine Pattison MSGD is a multi award-winning 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

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Let’s Hear it From...

LET’S HEAR IT FROM...

Andy Corcoran

1

Glendale Managed Services Ltd was established in 1989, and offers a wide range of grounds maintenance services throughout the UK. Andy Corcoran, Managing Director of the business since January 2012, explains how Glendale operates and tells us about the ways it has diversified to offer extra services to its’ clients.

Can you give us a short history of Glendale?

Glendale was originally a private company owned by entrepreneur Tony Hewitt, founded in the late 1980s. In 1992, it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Parkwood Holdings plc. Within the last two years the company has reverted to a private company with Tony Hewitt as the main shareholder.

Which parts of the company do you run?

I look after Glendale Managed Services – the environmental and green services management division of the holding company. We have five main activities; they are grounds management, countryside management (which includes arboriculture), Glendale Golf, Glendale Horticulture (previously Coblands) and Glendale Recycling.

Where are you based?

The Glendale Managed Services head office is based at the golf course in Duxbury, Chorley.

This is the base from which the divisional business development, finance, and commercial teams support our managers. We have regional offices throughout the UK to ensure that our

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senior management team is near to our clients, the contract, and the contract operators.

We have a very lean management structure, with only five layers of management in the whole organisation.

Our plans are to grow, but to remain sustainable and stable As we understand it, the structure of the company is that it is split into four regions each with a regional director, is that correct?

Yes. Each region has a regional director and then there are varying numbers of senior managers in each. There might be an assistant regional director or a number of general managers, who are in the senior manager positions. Again the number of those varies, due to the size of the contracts in the regions.

What is the turnover of the group?

It is mid £40million which is slightly down on last year but although our turnover was down, our profit rose so it wasn’t a bad year at all!

In terms of tendering for new contracts and business development, is that done centrally?

We mix the responsibility for business development between the divisional team and the regional teams. We have a pricing policy, and there is a level at which regional directors have authority and autonomy which is dependent upon the turnover and capital investment. We have a very structured approach – everyone knows where their decisions begin and end, and within that range, directors make those decisions.

Does it work like that for purchasing equipment?

We have a central purchasing team. Our commercial team, lead by Stuart Darbyshire, deal with purchasing. We have preferred suppliers and use an internal list on our intranet so that everyone knows what the prices are and who they can buy from. Then we do encourage the

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Let’s Hear it From...

local managers to seek out better deals, and to come forward with them. I think we have seen, especially in the food market recently, that you need to be careful who you buy from. For machinery we have a company engineer Mark McKinnon, who checks to make sure an item is fit for purpose, has the right level of quality, and that it will last for as long as it possibly can at the right level of work load.

Glendale is able to provide multiple services to manage green spaces, and we have a huge amount of expertise in our organisation

In terms of staff development and training, how does that work within the organisation?

We have a number of approaches. We have apprentice schemes, (Liverpool even have a Pre Apprentice scheme for school leavers for which we have had over 80 applicants), and internal training and appraisal systems for which there is an electronic training record system. In terms of health and safety, we check that everyone has the relative training, so arboriculture people and our utility people in particular can be kept up to date. Our managers are trained to monitor and to deliver training where they can. We have various people within the company who also deliver certain types of training but some we outsource because it is often a more cost effective option.

1

2

rises in place for April onwards. You have to reward people who work hard and make sure you look after them. Even as we get downward pressure, we have to find ways of supporting our workforce as individuals and providing benefits to communities in terms of their skill sets, their horticultural knowledge, and providing beautiful places where people want to live. We can then still be surrounded by pleasant things, even in tough economic times.

Is there a large amount of pressure on the cost of contracts and are you having to re-engineer the cost base depending on the contract?

this sector has tendered for those contracts competitively. Most people-based and service operations do not operate with large margins, so when clients come to request these things, it can be tricky to be able to do it. Clearly you want to work with the client, so often you have to change how services are delivered, for example, by reducing the frequency of grass cutting.

We want to work with the clients because we want to extend our contracts and win more contracts but in order to do that you have to be flexible.

Do you think 2013 will be more of the same?

Often our clients will come to us and say that they need to save money. We say that we will do what we can, but to do that you need to carefully manage the quality of the services that you deliver. That’s because everyone in

Absolutely. The economic commentators and newspapers tell us that 2013 will be a time where companies and people will still be tightening their belts – it is tough. We are currently working on our annual pay review, and are putting pay

Glendale is able to provide multiple services to manage green spaces, and we have a huge amount of expertise in our organisation. We are able to help and support local authorities who are our principal clients. As well as having locally based teams who can turn their hand to a number of jobs in a local area, we can also provide landscaping

Moving on to the developments for 2013, what is the plan for the group?

Our plans are to grow, but to remain sustainable and stable. In our business we have seen a number of failures that have affected the industry. I think it is very important that if you are a private sector company providing public services and having a public service ethos, that you are sustainable, reliable and deliver the right quality of service. When we bid for business, we bid for it at a sustainable price.

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How do you differentiate yourselves from your competitors?

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8

Let’s Hear it From...

3

4

5

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management; arboriculture management; supply trees and plants; and we can help people move away from peat based composts with the Glendale Recycling’s West Country Compost product range.

Are you going to expand the recycling side wider than the south west?

We would love to expand the recycling activity.

At the moment it is a business that we have considered disposing of, however, if the right opportunity comes around that fits our core business strategy then that may change.

Looking at the sector as a whole, what do you think of the industry bodies?

How active are Glendale within the associations?

Glendale is active in a number of the associations and organisations, and we attend and speak, whether it is the SGD, BALI, Green Flag or the green space forums. I think it’s important to get a clear message across to society overall about the strengths of the industry, the skills we have and how the industry benefits the country as a whole.

For that, however, there does need to be a level of integration between the associations.

Are you part of the contractor’s forum, the splinter group of BALI?

We have been invited and we attend whenever we can.

How long have you been at Glendale?

I’ve been at Glendale for just over a year now and came from Parkwood Holdings leisure division, Parkwood Leisure. I joined that part of the business after being at Leicester City Football Club. I moved across to head the green services division Glendale, in January 2012.

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You have to reward people who work hard and make sure you look after them 7

Is your background in horticulture or in business?

1 Grounds Management at Croxteth Hall and Country Park.

My background is in the business side, I have a law degree. Most of my career has been in the service operations sector.

2 Flybe Training Academy Landscaping.

3 Richmond Park Golf Course.

4 Landscaping at Dartington Primary School.

5 Richmond Park Golf Course.

What do you do outside of work to relax?

6 Countryside Management for the National Trust.

I have three kids and a dog so I relax by them beating me at sport these days! I’m a big fan of rugby, Leicester Tigers in particular. My playing days are over now! I also like walking – we are doing the Three Peaks Challenge soon, and I do a fair bit of cycling too. I have cycled the Tour de France stage around Col de Tourmalet before, all be it slightly slower than the riders in the tour, and aim to complete the “l’Étape” including Alpe d’Huez at some time in the next few years.

7 Glendale staff.

contact Glendale Managed Services Ltd The Coach House, Duxbury Hall Road, Duxbury Park, Chorley PR7 4AT Tel: 01257 460 461 Web: www.glendale-services.co.uk

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Quality, Consistency, Reliability, three very important words when considering the supplier of your growing media and landscaping products. From Natural or Manufactured Certificated Topsoil to Award Winning Green Roof Substrates and Bespoke Compost Mixes, choosing Boughton will ensure you really will get a quality and consistent product, delivered to site when you want it.

boughton.co.uk Tel: 01536 510515 email: enquiries@boughton.co.uk

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scented seclusion McQue Gardens The clients requested a design incorporating textured planting around a family friendly space for play and relaxation

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cQue Gardens was commissioned to design the back garden of a Victorian villa, in a conservation area on the south side of Edinburgh, in January 2011.The design was created and agreed during the spring. Construction started at the end of May and took a couple of months to complete.The planting was carried out in a couple of phases and was completed by the end of August 2011.

It is approximately 20m x 25m in size, surrounded by 2m tall natural stone walls on all sides. It is south east facing with good loamy soil.The garden was on two levels: the top one contained a large yellow manmade stone terrace with some small concrete steps leading down to the lower section which was mainly grass with some narrow planting beds hugging the boundary walls.The garden budget was up to £30,000.

THE CLIENT BRIEF The clients were a couple with three children under ten and wanted to create a space that they could all enjoy together.They wanted to include a natural stone patio near to the house for more formal dining, socialising and cooking outside, a small greenhouse, a decent sized lawn, a summerhouse with a second more informal seating area, some tucked away storage, and a play area for the children.They asked to explore the option of including a sunken trampoline if possible.They wanted to include lighting so they could not only entertain in the garden at night, but be able to enjoy the view into the garden all year round too.

As the house is Victorian they requested a mixture of traditional stone along with other natural materials whilst adopting some more current and bold design elements too.They were keen on it being informal and for curvy sinuous shapes to be used.They had a preference for purple, blue, and white flowers, as well as silver and purple foliage.The original planting was quite shrubby and 2 evergreen, so they wanted planting that was more seasonal, colourful and interesting. It was important for the garden to be wildlife friendly.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS & PLANTING The final design incorporates several main elements. First a set of curvy limestone steps lead from the house down to a large circular limestone 40

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Shed Limestone path to side gate and front garden

Antique limestone terrace, providing a place to play ball games and barbeque

Paved storage area and access to front garden

Curved limestone steps leading down to dining terrace. Mixed stone walls and risers

Play bark area for chute and swing.

Mixed planting included to soften space

Curved raised stone herb and mixed planting beds providing height and linking the two levels of the garden together Antique limestone dining terrace, surrounded by scented planting, giving a feeling of seclusion and privacy

New lawn, giving a place for children to play football and enjoy other sports Sunken trampoline surrounded by colourful and scented planting

Cedar lean-to greenhouse

Existing apple tree providing shade and a place to picnic on a sunny day

Compacted gravel path meandering through mixed planting

Curved wooden bench nestled amongst scented planting, giving a quiet spot to enjoy sun later in the day and a view back over the whole garden

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Summerhouse and small stone terrace to enjoy the evening sunshine

The clients were a couple with three children under ten and wanted to create a space that they could all enjoy together dining patio, which is enclosed by colourful, scented planting. Stone to match the house exterior was used to build retaining walls and planters. A pale compacted gravel path leads from the cedar greenhouse and continues through a mixture of planting to a bench which enjoys views back over the garden to the house.

A newly laid large lawn will allow the children to play or sit enjoying the sunshine under the apple tree.

Tucked around the corner is a play area with climbing frame, swings and nearby a sunken trampoline is surrounded with lots of soft textural planting. On the opposite side of the garden a wooden summerhouse is nestled amongst more planting.

As well as the design’s plan views, the clients were shown 3D Sketchup models of the garden so that they could see how the levels worked.These were also helpful in showing them what impact the planting, structures and other features would have on their views as they moved around and sat in various parts of the garden.

The end result included shrubs such as:

Year round colour comes from:

● Amelanchier ● Viburnum ● Weigela ● Choisya ● Erysimum ● Callicarpa ● Pittosporum ● Convolvulus ● Artemesia ● Physocarpus ● A variety of box balls are also included

● Salvia ● Lupin ● Achillea ‘The Pearl’ ● Stachys ● Thalictrum ● Anemone ● Anthriscus ● Iris ● Libertia ● Hellebore ● Brunnera ● Dicentra ● Nepeta ● Echinops ● Actaea ● Geranium ● Aster ● Sedum ● Aquilegia ● Astrantia ● Agastachea

Lots of bulbs have been planted – Allium,Tulips and Iris to provide early season colour.

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SOURCING MATERIALS As the property is in a conservation area of Edinburgh planning permission for certain aspects of the garden was required – including the installation of a new greenhouse and the sinking of a trampoline. This required additional drawings and visits from the council planning office, before permission was granted.

Access to the garden was pretty limited – a narrow path between the house and the garage – but the contractor was able to squeeze a one tonne micro digger through, and that plus a tracked dumper helped remove the large amounts of material speedily. The clients wanted to see much more of the walls once the garden was finished, and when the shrubs that had surrounding the garden boundaries had been cleared, it became apparent that they would need to be repointed. The sandstone for the retaining walls and planters was to be a mix of greys, buff and a little pink. So we ordered small amounts of each and got the stone mason to experiment with the proportions of each until we were happy with how it complemented the various colours in the house walls. The boundary

stone walls were tall enough for a lean-to cedar greenhouse, which made best use of the space.

We sourced a trampoline that was built specifically for sinking in to the ground, with shorter legs than normal trampolines which meant the pit could be much shallower and the job very straightforward.

The only problem we encountered during the build was that we’d worked to get the steps, walls and patio all ready in preparation for the arrival of the limestone we were using, only to find the day before it was due to arrive that there had been a mix up in the delivery chain, and our stone had gone to another site by mistake. Luckily we were able to get on with other elements in the garden (installing the base for the greenhouse, trampoline sinking, the first phase of planting) and move back to it when the new stone arrived a week or two later.

LED lights were used to highlight some of the structural planting and also to be able to dine and socialise in the garden in the evenings.

The clients were delighted with the garden which is now a much used space by the whole family.

ABOUT MCQUE GARDENS McQue Gardens are an Edinburgh based garden design studio whose portfolio contains a wide variety of contemporary and traditional gardens.

They have worked as far north as Perthshire, down through the Scottish Borders to Northumberland. They work for both private and commercial clients. Tracy McQue is renowned for her innovative use of technology as an aid for presenting designs to clients and preparing drawings for contractors.

www.mcquegardens.com

1 The final design drawing.

2 A view across the garden to the summerhouse, sunken trampoline and play area, a few months after planting.

3 The old yellow patio is removed and lawn stripped.

4 The compacted gravel path being completed, stonework being finished, walls repointed and lawn area being prepared.

5 The limestone terrace being laid.

6 Mixed tree shrub and herbaceous planting begins.

7 3D visual of the garden.

REFERENCES

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Designer McQue Gardens Rose Cottage, Middlemains, East Lothian EH34 5DU Tel: 07812 080 445 Email: tracy@ mcquegardens.com Web: www. mcquegardens.com Main contractor Gilmour Gardens 35 Hailes Gardens, Edinburgh EH13 0JH Tel: 01314 413 020 Email: david@ gilmourgardens.co.uk Web: www. gilmourgardens.co.uk Paving & Stone Setts Stonemarket – Vintage Stone Frost grey limestone Oxford Road, Ryton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire CV8 3EJ Tel: 02476 518 700 Email: sales@stonemarket. co.uk Web: www.stonemarket. co.uk

Sandstone Walls Tradstocks – random walling Dunaverig, Thornhill, Stirling FK8 3QW Tel: 01786 850 400 Email: info@tradstocks. co.uk Web: www.tradstocks. co.uk

Sunken Trampoline Berg Toys Berg Toys UK, Unit A – Great Bank Road, Wingates Industrial Estate, Westhoughton, Bolton BL5 3XU Tel: 08448 800 915 Email: info@bergdirect. co.uk Web: www.bergdirect.co.uk

Compacted gravel path CEDEC Footpath Gravel in Silver 728 London Road, West Thurrock, Grays, Essex RM20 3LU Tel: 01708 867 237 Email: sales@ced.ltd.uk Web: www.ced.ltd.uk

Plants McLarens Nurseries Lochlibo Road, Uplawmoow, Barrhead, Glasgow G78 4DN Tel: 01505 850 666 Email: debbie@ mclarensnurseries.co.uk Web: www. mclarensnurseries.co.uk

Cedar Greenhouse Gabriel Ash Monument Farm, Farndon, Chester CH3 6QP Tel: 08454 348 897 Email: enquiries@ gabrielash.com Web: www.gabrielash.com

Macplants Berrybank Nursery, 5 Boggs Holdings, Pencaitland, East Lothian EH34 5BA Tel: 01875 341 179 Email: sales@macplants. co.uk Web: www.macplants.co.uk

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the quay

to success Blakedown Landscapes (SE) Ltd A new temporary feature park in Canary Wharf created an appealing public place to enjoy, relax in and hold events within

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he project was the complete hard and soft landscaping on the Heron Quays entrance at Canary Wharf, commissioned by Canary Wharf Contractors Ltd. The site originally consisted of a collection of low-rise office units which the client wished to clear in preparation for future development. In advance of any development, the client saw the opportunity to create a usable temporary park. Blakedown took over the site once the demolitions where completed and sculpted the land to create a new feature park.

The works required importing large quantities of bespoke subsoil and topsoil to support the intensive planting, there were over 60 mature trees planted with the largest in excess of four tons. As well as the trees there were densely

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planted shrubs and over 300 metres of buxus hedging.To support the newly planted and turfed areas a fully automatic irrigation system was designed and installed, included drip lines, pop up sprinklers and tree necklaces. New resin bonded footpaths were created, a tarmac car park, new bespoke concrete paved pedestrian path and granite kerbs added. Along with the hard landscaping, new feature lighting and street furniture was installed. Blakedown also created a feature mound using voidformer to create a unique shape which was then turfed with lighting around the edge to create a blanket of light.

The edge of the mound was created using steel angles with a stainless steel facia. Blakedown also fitted over 600m² of antislip decking to a floating pontoon to create an arts display area. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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All the works had to be complete in a tight 12 week deadline so it could be open for the Olympic Games The works were all completed to a very tight deadline to enable the park to be useable during the Olympic Games – this was made even more difficult given the unseasonal heavy rain.

Blakedown overcame this by using its in-house staff to resource the project to meet the deadline and using its own fleet of plant. The site logistics were also very difficult, with a busy road which had to remain open and two office buildings on the site which were fully functional during the works.

DEVELOPMENT TIME The project needed to be open for the Olympics, so there was a tight period of three weeks to mobilise and then a 12 week construction period. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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CLIENT BRIEF Townshend Landscape Architects designed the scheme with the following brief. The principal aims of the landscape design were to: ● Create an attractive and comfortable temporary environment for people to use and enjoy. ● Create a new space which has visual interest. ● Ensure that the proposals are designed to afford access and enjoyment for everyone, safely and without prejudice. ● Improve the entrance of Heron Quays West to revitalise the visual appeal. ● Improve links to establish new public connections and routes. ● Create an identity through the use of high quality materials and an attention to aesthetic details.

ABOUT BLAKEDOWN LANDSCAPES (SE) LTD

Blakedown Landscapes (SE) Ltd have been operating for over 40 years specialising in quality hard and soft landscaping. Our attention to detail and highly trained workforce has seen the company produce award winning projects year on year. With our dedicated in-house teams we have the ability to construct a wide variety of projects such as historic park restoration, roof gardens, environment improvement, private residences and bespoke play areas.

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More images at: www.prolandscapermagazine.com

As a new area with intensive planting, the soiling buildup needed to be very specific ● Link the proposals to the surrounding environment. ● Provide an opportunity for artwork and community engagement.

To ensure Heron Quays West creates a vibrant space with improved permeability it is important to consider the relationship it has with its surroundings – the docks and the community, as well as the retained buildings on the site. A well designed space can contribute significantly to the quality of the built environment, and play a key role in the creation of inclusive communities and environments. The landscape proposals were based on a number of integrated principles to produce an attractive and distinctive temporary place, which maintained the area’s character and identity. The public realm brings these

principles together in a cohesive manner and enhances the character of the estate. Heron Quays West is now a a visually pleasing, diverse and safe series of green public places for both visitors and the local community to enjoy.

SPECIALIST INPUT As a new area with intensive planting, the soiling build-up needed to be very specific; this was delivered by creating a special blended topsoil tested by Tim O’Hare Associates and supplied by Mark Luck. There were also over 60 mature trees which needed planting out of season, Deepdale Trees helped to select and import the mature trees in line with the clients' specification. In addition to densely planted shrubs, over 300 metres of buxus hedging was required, all of which was supplied by Robin Tacchi Plants. Other features included new

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1 Resin bonded footpaths meander through the park.

2 Decking provides an art display area.

3 Seating was installed for visitors to enjoy the surroundings.

4-5 Preparing the site.

6 Dense planting brings interest and colour.

7 Mature trees are planted.

8 A colourful planting scheme complements the footpaths.

9 Stainless steel bollards add a contemporary touch to the design.

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lighting throughout the park, resin bonded footpaths, automatic irrigation system, feature turf mound with stainless steel surround and bespoke lighting, granite kerbs, bespoke trief granite kerbs, stainless steel trellis green wall and extensive turfing. The majority of the works were completed by Blakedown’s skilled in-house team.

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references Client Canary Wharf Contractors Ltd One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AB Tel: 02074 182 000 Web: www.canarywharf. com/workwithus/ construction/ Main Contractor Blakedown Landscapes (SE) Ltd Halebourne Lane, Woking, Surrey GU24 8SL Tel: 01276 856 856 Email: landscape@ blakedownse.co.uk Web: www.blakedown. co.uk

Landscape Architect Townshend Landscape Architects 3A Zetland House, 5-25 Scrutton Street, London EC2A 4HJ Tel: 02077 299 333 Email: TLA@ Townshendla.com Web: www.townshendla. com Mature trees Deepdale Trees Ltd. Tithe Farm, Hatley Road, Potton, Sandy, Beds. SG19 2DX Tel: 01767 262 636 Email: mail@deepdaletrees.co.uk Web: www.deepdaletrees.co.uk

Shrubs Robin Tacchi Plants Fen Farm, Garboldisham, Diss, Norfolk IP22 2RL Tel: 01953 681 312 Email: rtp@ robintacchiplants.com Web: www. robintacchiplants.com Irrigation Waterscapes Ltd Murray Court, Wincanton Business Park, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 9RX Tel: 01963 824 166 Web: www. waterscapeslimited.com

Soil testing Tim O’Hare Associates Howbery Park, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BA Tel: 01491 822 653 Web: www.timohareassociates.com

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Tel: 0800 376 8377 Web: www.kentstainless. co.uk

Lighting Woodhouse Spa Park, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV31 3HL Stainless steel trellis Tel: 01926 314 313 S3i Web: www.woodhouse.

Doncaster Road, co.uk Bawtry DN10 6NX Tel: 01302 714 513 Specialist Web: www.s3i.co.uk blast-resistant bins Glasdon UK Ltd. Bespoke stainless Preston New Road, steel fascia Blackpool, Lancashire FY4 4UL Kent Stainless Ltd Ardcavan, Wexford, Tel: 01253 600 404 Ireland Web: www.glasdon.com 9

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Winner: Domestic Garden Construction – cost between £60k-£100k

Project cost The project was valued at approx. £85,000

ABOUT J&S SCAPES J&S are in their 21st year of trading and are always striving to keep that same high standard of workmanship; they achieved a Chelsea Gold in 2011 with another Chelsea garden being built this year where they hope to repeat their success. Headed up by Jeremy Pugh, they employ 12 local members of staff, and are able to carry out four projects simultaneously, with most of their work taking place in the home counties.

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STEEPED IN TRADITION J&S Scapes A scheme integrating a paved courtyard into its surrounding house and garden

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&S Scapes, were winners in the Domestic Garden Construction – cost between £60,000-£100,000 category at the BALI National Landscape Awards 2012. The project, a private residence in Beaconsfield, took six months to complete with a team of four men. The Whitchurch based landscape design and construction company, were asked to create a courtyard with decorative walls, paving, new stream, cottage garden and Breedon gravel driveway.

PROJECT DETAILS We were instructed to carry out various landscaping works for the client who had no design but some pretty strong ideas about what they wanted. Jane Follis, one of our key designers, created a design from the clients’ brief. After several meetings and numerous revisions, a design was achieved that fitted the client brief.

The client wanted to create a new courtyard that had the feeling of it having always been part of the original house.

The side entrance to the house was deemed to be more important than the front entrance, as it was the main day-to-day route, so this was where the

1 The decorative wrought iron gates, commissioned by the clients.

2 Steps area of the courtyard.

3 One of the many sculptures.

4 An overview of the whole courtyard.

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courtyard was to be linked to the house.

The courtyard needed to be welcoming, not imposing; it needed to have intrigue with features and mature planting to soften the hard landscaping, and the client also had many sculptures that were to be incorporated into the design. The scheme also included a new driveway, the house keepers garden, steps down to the pool area and also a new stream was to be created.

The client wanted to create a new courtyard that had the feeling of it having always been part of the original house The site provided many challenges, one was the huge slope in the ground, a drop of approximately two metres from one side of the courtyard to the other, the lower section was made-up ground and needed raft foundations. As usual the winter weather caused problems with up April 2013

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More images at: www.prolandscapermagazine.com An interesting courtyard feature linking area between drive, house and rear garden. Paving neat and well executed throughout.

BALI judges comment

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Decorative panels were required to add interest to the vast expanse of wall to two feet of snow at one time when trying to complete brickwork and paving, which we had to work through because of the clients tight deadline.

For the walls, an old stock brick was used to match the new pool building, decorative panels were required to add interest to the vast expanse of wall, and roman mosaics were recessed into the wall with a stone surround. Paving materials used included sawn sandstone, Belgian pavers and reclaimed York stone to create a classic formal feel. The French limestone water feature was mortared together and waterproofed on site.

The client wanted to add interest to where the courtyard and the pool building were linked so a stream was added into the design. The subtle lighting picks out the main features in the courtyard and provides a route to the door at night. A decorative wrought iron gate was commissioned from the clients own design to complete the courtyard entrance from the pool area.

1 Paving and garden furniture.

2 Some of the decorative panels on the wall, as well as seating and sculptures.

3 Selection of pots, sourced by the client.

4 The French limestone water feature.

5 A view across the courtyard.

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REFERENCES Main Contractor JS Scapes Ltd Abbey Tree Nursery, Bushmead Road, Whitchurch, Bucks. HP22 4LG Tel: 01296 688 080 Email: jsscapes@ btconnect.com Web: www.jands-scapes. co.uk

Designer/Architect Jane Follis Garden Design Abbey Tree Nursery, Bush Mead Road, Whitchurch, Bucks. HP22 4LG Tel: 01749 860 184 Email: jane@janefollis.com Web: www.janefollis.com

Paving Country Supplies Oakleaf Farm, Warrendene Farm, Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe Bucks. HP14 4LY Tel: 01494 562 406 Web: www. countrysupplies.uk.com Decorative wall panels JS Scapes Ltd Tel: 01296 688 080 Email: jsscapes@ btconnect.com Web: www.jands-scapes. co.uk Planting Tendercare Nurseries Southlands Road,

Denham,Uxbridge Middlesex UB9 4HD Tel: 01895 835 544 Email: sales@tendercare. co.uk Web: www.tendercare. co.uk

Gravel driveway Breedon Aggregates (Offices countrywide) Tel: 01332 694 010 Email: sales.england@ breedonaggregates.com Web: www. breedonaggregates.com Lighting Brian Redrup Lighting Design Princes Risborough Tel: 07947 657 009

Bricks Beeby Bricks The Vale, Nut Hazel Cross Farm, Chesham, HP5 3NU Tel: 01494 783 670 Web: www.beebybrickscheshamhp5.co.uk/ Sculptures, limestone water feature, wrought iron gate, seating and pots Supplied and sourced by client

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RH 'Movie' Pro Landscaper:Pro Landscaper

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Readyhedge, the movie.

Featuring a cast of thousands (of hedging plants), dramatic landscapes (more hedging plants) and people who think they should be movie stars, the Readyhedge movie can be viewed at www.readyhedgeltd.com right now!

For more information, call today on 01386 750585 or email simon@readyhedgeltd.com You’ll find we’re ready when you are.

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

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Plantsman’s Plot

Plantsman’s PLOT A round-up of trees and plants available at some of the country’s best nurseries To appear in Plantsman’s Plot, please send your plant of the month, details and image to editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk

The Chaenomeles x superba ‘Jet Trail’, a free-flowering Quince that is most beautiful if set against a wall to gather warmth for its egg shaped edible yellow fruits appearing in August, these make a great preserve. Its mid-green thorny spreading branches have clusters of cup shaped pure white flowers from March to May. It withstands any aspect, is fully hardy and tolerates alkaline, acid or neutral soils. Keep pruned for shape against a wall after flowering. It will grow to 1.5m high by 2m spread. www.nicholsonsplants.com

Of all the numerous Astrantias we grow Roma has to be our favourite. Its beautiful delicate silvery pink pin cushion flowers are held on strong upright stems above mounds of mid green leaves. Longer flowering than other Astrantia, from June to September, it is at home in either sun or partial shade. We have been growing this variety for a number of years and whether used in small numbers or en masse in large borders, it will not disappoint. A good companion to silver leaved plants such as Artemisia, Stachys or even Nepeta. www.manorfarmnurseries.com

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As winter fades to spring Cytisus or the Broom will bring a welcome lift to the garden. The green mass of stems with small simple silky green leaves will soon bear an abundance of golden yellow pea like flowers.

Each stem is covered with a mass of fragrant blooms from late spring to early summer. This hardy shrub that suits a wide range of soils and situations requires little maintenance but benefits from a trim after flowering. Other flower colours are available from this very useful border plant. www.colesnurseries.co.uk

Betula pendula Zwisters Glory is a fabulous Birch clone offering a gleaming white stem colour which is particularly noticeable during the long winter months. It has a very uniform habit with its branch angles a regulation 45 degree angle from the main trunk. One of our clients has recently planted a cluster grouping of this clone and the effect has been stunning.

Check out the videos online of this clone at: www.buythetreeyousee. com/trees/buy-birchbetula-pendula-zwistersglory-medium

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Plantsman’s Plot

A delight for the senses, Edgeworthia chrysantha is unusual to look at and at its best in April when in full bloom. Clusters of fragrant yellow, trumpet-like flowers are borne on bare wood at the end of the branches from late winter to late spring giving a long display. When in full flower this plant is arresting in appeal. Suckering in habit, these can be easily removed to improve structure. Reaching an eventual height and spread of 1.5m Edgeworthia chrysantha is happy in a dappled shade with a humusrich soil. Cultivated in Japan for the manufacture of thin yet strong paper, in fact the stems can almost be tied in knots adding to its novelty value. www.provendernurseries.co.uk

Everyone is familiar with Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’, a great performing large shrub with brilliantred new shoots in the spring or after pruning, often matching Pieris for its colour without the need for acid soils. A relatively new addition is the much smaller and more compact growing, Photinia x fraseri ‘Little Red Robin’. You get the same magnificent red new growth, particularly in a good sunny position, but without the almost brutish growth of its parent. Full sun will also encourage the white flowers to appear in late spring if not heavily pruned. It also copes well with pruning though and keeps the colour going, so can be used to form low hedges within the landscape scheme; an excellent all-rounder. www.crowders.co.uk

To the untrained eye our deciduous varieties of magnolia have spent the winter looking like a bunch of twigs and sticks but they are now full of bud and ready to burst with the warm weather. Interestingly, Magnolia is an ancient genus which appeared before bees. The flowers therefore evolved to encourage pollination by beetles, hence the tough carpels. www.agrumi.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Nandina domestica, often known as ‘Sacred Bamboo’, is a personal favourite – as well as being a favourite of most of our customers! This mid-sized evergreen shrub, resembling bamboo, has the benefit of all year interest. The green divided leaves turn a reddish colour in winter, and the white flowers of summer develop into red berries in autumn. Often planted as individual specimens they also look spectacular planted in groups or even as an informal hedge. Although thriving in partial shade, the leaves turn a brighter colour in sunnier spots. www.theplantationnursery.co.uk

With the continuing popularity of traditional herbaceous borders Lilacs fit naturally into the cottage garden look. They have a wide colour range from sophisticated white, through cream, pretty lavender pink to deep purple.

Where space is limited, Syringa microphylla or velutina can be used. Their wonderful fragrance can perfume the whole garden. www.dingleydell.co.uk

Bleeding hearts have enjoyed a renaissance in recent years with the introduction of several new varieties that offer that little bit more. Dicentra ‘Burning Hearts’ is perhaps the best of the lot, bearing arching sprays of clustered deep-red, heart-shaped flowers dramatically tipped with white, over compact, spreading clumps of filigree foliage.

The flower colour is best described as lustful red on recessive glaucous-pink stems, so the blooms contrast beautifully against the feathery pillows of blue-grey leaves. Best of all, the pendent bleeding hearts are produced in succession from early spring until late summer. Excellent choice for edging beds and borders and is drought-tolerant enough for containers, too. www.hortusloci.co.uk

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Company Profile

Inside

Green-tech Green-tech supplies innovative products that protect, enhance and improve plants and their environment. Chairman Richard Kay takes us behind the scenes of this market leading business...

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Tell us a bit about Green-tech; how and when it was set up and the structure of the business.

Green-tech is the leading UK supplier of products that protect, enhance and improve plants, trees and their environment. For over 19 years Green-tech has supplied landscape, grounds maintenance, forestry and agriculture markets with innovative products that add value to the landscape environment.

Formed in 1994 by myself and wife Rachel, Green-tech started life supplying the amenity, leisure and landscaping market with essential maintenance products.The business quickly developed with demand increasing for a broader product range and expansion into other related markets such as forestry, construction and horticulture followed.

At this point we employed five people and operated out of a small garage, a far cry from the 40-strong team plus two dogs, 17 UK-wide soil production sites and extensive head office site at Nun Monkton,York we have today.

What is your company ethos?

To deliver the ultimate customer service experience backed up with quality advice, rapid delivery coupled with passion, commitment and innovation. At Green-tech we believe that excellent service, product development and a down-to-earth group of people is the key to our exceptional business growth and customer retention. At a time when the economy is making slow progress and construction output is showing minimal growth, the Green-tech team are maintaining their foothold in the market place whilst still managing to deliver on all their promises.

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It has taken over 19 years to get Green-tech to the efficient and proactive business it is today.

Our staff are the key to the company’s success they are empowered and work hard to agreed objectives, Green-tech is a great environment to work in.The team will drive the business to achieve the ambitious target of £15m turnover by 2016/17.The ‘team’ effect at Green-tech can be felt throughout the business with over 30 per cent of staff remaining with the business for over 10 years and 50 per cent clocking up over five years’ service.

Who are your main client base and how do you reach them?

We work with the majority of land based industries from landscape contractors and ground workers to professional growers and landscape architects. With a product portfolio stretching to 5000 lines, our range is broad and has been developed in line with requests from customers. Our sales team are building relationships all day, every day, speaking with customers and fact-finding, we have built up some excellent relationships with our core database. Our annual catalogue is always eagerly anticipated by our contacts and now we are finding more and more people are using our websites as an information resource.

We also issue a quarterly newsletter called Growing News, which focuses on big project wins, the team, new product developments, events and exhibitions. In this time of economic change, businesses adapt and people move about, but they remember Green-tech and take us with them.

3

4

How do you market the business?

Our biggest marketing tool is the strength of team we have, that have built up excellent customer relationships. We don’t hide behind our catalogue and websites, we like to get out on site and demonstrate the ‘can do’ attitude that runs through the business.

We utilise all elements of the marketing mix for our campaigns which are usually product led and seasonal. Our biggest driver over the last couple of years has been our website, we have listened to the requirements of our customers and built a website around their ideas, suggestions and needs. We send out two e-shots each month to our extensive database and always receive great feedback from our email marketing, our customers especially enjoy our competitions. We also have a great mix of online and offline marketing, to capture all our contacts, those who prefer everything electronic and the traditionalists out there that like to flick through a catalogue.

How important is online business to you?

Very important, we are finding that more and more of our existing customer base utilise our website for estimating work to build up technical data and also product specification details. We have worked hard over the past six months to make sure that the website provides an excellent support system for www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2013 12:46

Company Profile

specifically tasked with providing product assistance whether it is at planning stage, costing stage or on-site.The gtspecifier team also provide bespoke CAD drawings for individual projects and visit landscape architects the length and breadth of the country, providing educational seminars on soils, irrigation and urban tree planting.

Do you expect business turnover to increase, decrease or stay the same in 2013?

our sales team and customers.Trade-wise, our website is very popular with small to medium gardeners, gardener designers, allotment societies and independent land owners as it provides a onestop-shop for professional landscape products.

What additional support do you offer landscape contractors purchasing your products?

We offer many different levels of support whether it is in the form of price support for a particular project, sourcing an unusual product or simply delivering to a difficult to reach location. Our internal sales team is our strength, the team of 15 guys and girls in the sales office provide an excellent level of support to landscape contractors.

They know their products inside out, they understand site conditions and considerations and above all they speak to over 1000 landscape contractors each day getting to grips with individual jobs and projects. We conduct regular feedback surveys that provide honest and invaluable feedback on our product range, customer service, and delivery ensuring we meeting the needs of landscape contractors. Over the past 12 months we have added a specification team to our profile under the banner of gtspecifier, this new team is www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Inside Green Tech.indd 53

2013 is a year of planned consolidation within the Green-tech business. We have a number of great products such as gtPermavoid and related urban tree planting products that are currently being specified on major projects. We are working with landscape architects all over the UK to ensure trees planted in urban areas are receiving the best start, and I expect we will benefit from this education work for years to come. We are proactively researching new markets and looking for bolt-on acquisitions, plus our export customers are experiencing growth this year which is reassuring.

We have a new Sales Director joining the team within our third quarter, bringing new energy to the sales team and overall business.This year, it is business as usual for Green-tech, with a motivated team that will push on and achieve our target of £15m by 2016/17.

You supply a wide range of products – have you anything new for 2013 that will be invaluable for landscapers?

The gtPermavoid system was introduced to the market in June last year and is still developing as a product. gtPermavoid is a load bearing system for trees planted in urban environments.

The gtPermavoid units are locked together and inserted above the sub base to act as a load bearing support and prevent soil compaction.

More and more landscape contractors and architects are converting to the simplistic installation of gtPermavoid and its qualities. We have exclusivity in the landscape market for distribution of gtPermavoid, a product that has been tried and tested in Europe for many years.

Our soil and growing media brand Green-tree is already exceeding expectations for the first quarter of 2013. We are expecting continued growth with the product development of bespoke soil mixes and the launch of gtSportsmix, a sand and compost based top dressing, the latest addition to the Green-tree range.

Why do landscapers choose your brand over your competitors’?

Landscapers like to deal with Green-tech because we are straight talking, experienced and flexible to meet their needs. We have excellent stock availability, whether you need 10,000 tree shelters in Penzance, or one grit bin in Paisley, the Greentech team will get it delivered on time, every time. We make their job a lot easier, by being able to supply all their equipment in one delivery, reducing their time on site, consolidating their invoicing and ensuring all products received are of a consistent high quality.

Which exhibitions will Green-tech be attending this year and why?

We have already attended BTME in Harrogate this year, we launched our new product gtSportsmix at the show and received excellent feedback from the sports industry.The team is disappointed that the BALI landscape show has be cancelled this year, as an enquiry from last year’s show has led to Green-tech being specified on a £2.2m regeneration project. Green-tech is supporting its BALI region at the Harrogate Flower Show in April and the Leeds Ecofair in May. Of course, we are also pencilled in for the FutureScape exhibition in November, an extremely successful show for us last year, opening up a whole database of garden designers and architects that we previously 5 hadn’t dealt with.

1 Green-tech sales team members.

2 British Standard Green-tree Topsoil.

3 The gtPermavoid system.

4 Green-tech Mona Vente.

5 GT4 Roof Garden Substrate.

Green-Tech Ltd Sweethills Park, Nun Monkton, York YO26 8ET Tel: 01423 332 100 Web: www.green-tech.co.uk April 2013

53

19/03/2013 12:46

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Paving

Making paving legal Planning rules controlling new and resurfaced front drives for homes and paving around commercial buildings are now being enforced more strictly.

Landscapers need to advise their customers how to stay on the right side of the law, as the trade body Interpave explains...

Now that spring is here, many homeowners will be thinking about adding a new drive, parking area or other paving in their front garden – or replacing tired old paving with something more attractive. However, many people don’t realise that they need to comply with extra planning rules – aimed at reducing rainwater runoff and flooding – which govern the type of paving they can install. Following a year of unprecedented rainfall in 2012, action is urgently needed to avoid yet more flooding around the UK. It is well recognised that sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) and permeable paving must play a key role.

Rules applied rigorously For new projects, the Flood and Water Management Act will effectively make SuDS mandatory.The Act’s wide-ranging measures cannot, however, be strictly applied until publication and implementation of the long-awaited National Standards for SuDS – estimated to be in April 2014. Existing planning rules are already in place applying to retrofit projects, and local authority planners are being encouraged to apply them rigorously to help reduce flooding.

Before the rule changes, paving anywhere in a garden was considered ‘permitted development’ – effectively, an automatic planning permission.This was stopped in England in 2008 for new or replacement paving bigger than 5m2 in front gardens – such as drives. Similar measures apply for homes in Scotland. Rules were also extended to cover paving around many commercial properties in 2010.

The exception to these rules is ‘permeable paving’, such as concrete block paving specially designed for rainwater to soak through joints

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Paving Interpave.indd 55

and the laying material, which continue to enjoy permitted development status. As an alternative, paving that directs water onto already suitable or specially designed garden areas where it can soak away or be stored on the property is also permitted.

Many people don’t realise that they need to comply with extra planning rules – aimed at reducing rainwater runoff and flooding

Similarly, traditional soakaways can dispose of water on site but they involve disruptive building work and limitations to where and how they can be used. Any other types of paving that do not deal with rainwater on site now need a full planning application – with drawings, forms and fees – which should be refused anyway.

Local Authority action If owners go ahead without either permitted development or planning permission, the local authority Planning Enforcement Officer could demand an application or removal of the paving. And when it comes to selling a property, the buyer’s solicitor will check that necessary planning permissions are in place.

If not, this could delay or even stop a sale, and add to costs.

So, how do you know which paving really is permeable? Traditional tarmac and ‘printed concrete’ are obviously not and water will just run off. Also, conventional block or brick paving is not designed to be permeable, the sand filled joints soon clog up to provide a sealed-up surface and the material below is not intended to handle water. So, it will need to drain water onto a suitable garden area or soakaway, or onto an area of permeable paving to comply – not into a drainage pipe or onto the road.

Although looking similar to conventional block paving, permeable paving will contain porous material – which looks like coarse, sharp stone gravel – filling the joints and under the blocks.

A recent planning appeal decision highlights this issue and spells out what is needed, using government guidelines. These guidelines refer specifically to the Interpave website www.paving.org.uk for further help. Here you can download free, essential information on the rules and how to satisfy them.

For more information: Interpave, 60 Charles Street, Leicester, LE1 1FB info@paving.org.uk www.paving.org.uk

April 2013 55

18/03/2013 08:46

Latest Products

PAVING Kilsaran International has extended its existing range of environmentally friendly hard landscaping solutions with a new flag paving product, Pembroke. Pembroke carries a wealth of environmental benefits, boasting an ‘A’ BREEAM rating in accordance with the Green Guide specification, the product contains a minimum of 25 per cent non-primary aggregates, up to 10 per cent of a pre consumer aggregate replacement and a carbon neutral high quality replacement for up to 50 per cent

of the standard Portland cement.

In addition Pembroke has pleasing aesthetics and multipurpose functionality. Pembroke will be among the product ranges on display on the Kilsaran stand (F3) at the Greenbuild Expo in May, celebrating its UK launch.

Available in silver and black granite, slate and bracken, in standard smooth, ground or textured finish.

RRP: approximately £26 per m² + VAT WWW.KILSARAN.IE/UK

Superstore Pro Range Sawn Sandstone – buff neutral: Paving Superstore’s Professional Paving Range complements the full range of major brand paving products for sale on their website. This beautiful, commercial grade sawn sandstone with a gently sandblasted texture to enhance its non-slip properties is ideally suited to stylish contemporary themed garden projects where a classic and understated colour palette is desirable. At 30mm thick, it is a durable and long-lasting paving product.

RRP: £44.33 per m² incl. VAT and delivery

Simyra brossatto limestone paving is exclusively from Beltrami and is one of the few paving tiles available in beige limestone that is frost-proof at 2cm thick. The brosatto finish gives enough slip-resistance yet is also good for use internally, perfect for the inside/outside look. Available in lots of tile sizes from 30 x random lengths up to 90x60cm, mosaics, wall strips and capping pieces, this top-of-the range limestone will give a quality look to any landscaping project.

RRP: approximately £80 per m² + VAT for 30 x random length x 2cm WWW.BELTRAMI.CO.UK

WWW.PAVINGSUPERSTORE.CO.UK

Clearstone’s individually hand-crafted resin-bound paving is the perfect combination of beauty and practicality. Made from shingle, granite or quartz in a range of natural colours, it can be laid in decorative patterns to complement any

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setting including homes and public spaces, installation is also quick and fuss-free. It is flexible and therefore ideal for shaped areas – no messy joins. This eco-friendly surface is water permeable, complying with Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDs) regulations and, with no loose

stones, wheelchair and buggyfriendly. Resistant to petrol, diesel, oil and invasive plants, Clearstone’s resin-bound paving will keep looking beautiful – with minimum maintenance. RRP: approximately £45 per m² for 140m² + VAT (including materials and labour) WWW.CLEARSTONEPAVING.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/03/2013 08:42

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National Trust Landscape Collection The National Trust together with established reproduction paving company Westminster Stone have created ranges of paving and landscaping products of unrivaled quality and character influenced by National Trust properties and gardens throughout the UK. The Collection offers an authentic ambiance and instant maturity and charm to any setting.

Paving | Decorative Shingle | Garden Artefacts Visit Westminster Paving Collection sites at Westminster Paving Collection, Burford Garden Company, Shilton Road, OX18 4PA Call: 01993 822877 WS Paving & Landscaping Centre, Shaws Estate, Sodylt, Ellesmere, Shropshire SY12 9EL Call: 0844 248 9262

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Grass Concrete Limited Duncan House, 142 Thornes Lane, Thornes, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF2 7RE England

Ayletts Nurseries, North Orbital Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 1DH Call: 01727 822255 The Paving Centre, Meadow Lane, Ellesmere Port, Wirral CH65 4EA Call: 0151 357 2244

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20/03/2013 09:31

Latest Products

PAVING Quarried in Co. Donegal, Ireland, McMonagle Donegal Quartzite Sawn Paving can be used internally or externally. This paving is characterised as being exceptionally durable with an enormous flexural strength, low water absorption, high thermal

properties with excellent resistance to acid rain, frost and air pollution, as well as its suitability for heavily trafficked areas. The natural surface is natural riven with a high slip resistance. The blend of colour tones makes it distinct from all other natural stone varying from

warm golden browns to cool blue grey tones. Available in 200mm, 250mm, 300mm, or 350mm wide with random lengths (bespoke sizes also available), depths of 10-20mm or 2030mm. RRP: £50-£60 per m² WWW.MCMONAGLESTONE.COM

sawn paving. The step treads can also be cut down to suit your individual requirements.

Create functional, visually stunning steps for your clients.

RRP: from £75 each + VAT WWW.LONDONSTONE.COM

London Stone bring you, straight off the shelf, bullnose sawn sandstone step treads.

Sawn on all sides to a chunky 40mm thickness and bullnosed on the one long edge, these sawn step treads are available in 2000 and 1500mm lengths, and complement London Stone’s range of

Patio Deck™ from Bradstone is designed to make the laying of paving easier than ever before.

Patio Deck™ is a complete paving installation system, which utilises a lightweight steel framework on to which Bradstone paving slabs are securely fixed using adhesive.

Requiring no foundations or mortar, Patio Deck™ is supplied in 8m² packs which contain everything needed to lay a patio in just a couple of hours – for a larger patio, simply add more packs. Each system contains Bradstone Panache paving slabs, steel frame, pads, feet, skirts and corner pieces, plus screws, adhesive and adhesive gun.

RRP: £799.00 incl. VAT per pack WWW.BRADSTONE.COM/PATIODECK

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The sleek, smart Artisan Serenity paving is a stylish stone, and Monsoon is a brand new colour for 2013 from Global Stone, the premium natural stone paving supplier. Its fine texture instantly adds a luxurious look and feel to contemporary

Island Stone have been busy creating new innovative tile designs for the ever expanding range. The featured Flat Pebble French Tan (FP1.PF) is a new addition to the Pebble Series and is the natural choice for people eager to explore the possibilities of new surface designs. With its flawless flat finish this series is perfect for

schemes and is becoming a popular product with those who have an eye for quality. It looks great indoors or out, and works very well with the complementary range of copings.

RRP: £60 per m² + VAT WWW.GLOBALSTONEPAVING.CO.UK

anything from high heels to outdoor tables and chairs.

On the website there is a new feature whereby using a simple colour swatch tray system, customers are able to view the available tile design options for each colour in the one place.

RRP: £137.11 per m² incl. VAT WWW.ISLANDSTONE.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2013 14:00

The Platipus Tree Anchoring System was first developed 30 years ago.

Since that time we have developed an extensive range of tree anchoring solutions and the award winning Piddler tree irrigation system.

Our latest innovation, the D-MAN, is a strong, compact and lightweight cell primarily designed to replace the traditional kerbstone or sleeper deadman.

Old York & Indian Paving Garden Walling & Rockery Chippings, Setts & Cobbles

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Key Benefits include:

We g u a r a n t e e r e a l q u a l i t y, great value, and tremendous choice. With over 40 years experience we can help you create your perfect garden.

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18/03/2013 11:58

Lighting

Stu dios

Trip the light fantastic By bringing in a lighting design consultant to a project, the client will have contemporary direction as to which lighting fixtures available and appropriate in scale, design and performance to the landscape project. Lighting can be used to enhance the usage of an outdoor space quite simply by adding another dimension to an external space, which can work throughout the seasons: for example a tree can look dramatic with its leaves and foliage up-lit, but can equally look more sculptural in the winter months.

Choosing appropriate lighting There is an abundance of external lighting fixtures available on the market, which can greatly vary in quality. When choosing an appropriate lighting fixture for a project it is always best to go with a tried and tested quality brand that has a high IP rating, good output, variable optics and excellent build quality. The majority of schemes I am now working on consist of LED lighting fixtures, which have an expected life span of in excess of 25,000hrs and very low power consumption (from 1- 30W). Low voltage lighting is specified less and less now with the efficiency of LED technology making it an appropriate contender. Fibre optic lighting is becoming more popular for landscape projects, where access to fittings may be an issue, for example water feature lighting.

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Lighting David Atkinson black page.indd 60

Keep the lighting pallet simple A ‘less is more’ approach, in particular with external landscape lighting is a good rule of thumb. There is always a danger with lighting design to get carried away with technology, so keep the lighting pallet simple. ● Tree Lighting – depending upon the size and position of a tree, you could look at potentially back-lighting the tree with a controlled light source, which will help to accentuate the form of the tree throughout the seasons, perhaps using a high output LED or Metal Halide light source. ● Small Shrubs – small shrubs should be illuminated by discreet LED ‘Spike’ fixtures, which can easily be hidden within planting. The key of course when using small ‘spike’ lighting fixtures is for the lighting focus not to be disturbed during regular garden maintenance, this can be achieved by cementing the lighting fixtures into the ground and by using a fixture which can be locked in position (pan and tilt). ● Water Feature – lighting a water feature can be either from external sources hitting the water then reflecting light off surrounding planting and architecture or from underwater fixtures up-lighting. ● Practical lighting – feature and bollard lighting can be used within some lighting schemes not only from a practical point but also from aesthetical perspective. Pathways and steps should always be lit appropriately with good visual contrast.

Commercial projects now need to include ‘Secure by Design’ within the lighting scheme allowing adequate lighting of communal areas.

Pa ttis on

David Atkinson of David Atkinson Lighting Design, explains the use of lighting as a means of revealing form, texture and colour to enable spaces to be used functionally

Denise

e nin /Ja t h Wrig

The Landscape Group

There are no major differences between a commercial and residential scheme apart from the potential scale of the fixtures and that with commercial projects the lighting fixtures should perhaps be more robust and vandal proof.

When designing lighting into a project, it is a good idea to involve the lighting designer/ consultant from the beginning as this will enable practical elements such as trenching to lighting elements to be incorporated into the scheme.

ABOUT DAVID ATKINSON David Atkinson Lighting Design is an independent specialist lighting consultancy with over 25 years’ international experience.

The award winning company are experienced at working with globally acclaimed designers, architects and organisations. For further information contact David at david@dald.co.uk or visit the website: www.dald.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2013 14:54

Anthony de Grey Garden Lighting

Low-voltage Garden Lighting in a choice of three finishes, copper, anodised aluminium or black Beautiful lights at sensible prices

Modern lighting solutions

020-7738 8866

www.lightinggarden.co.uk

sales@anthonydegrey.com ADG.indd 4

WISHBONE

lighting catalogue with style shots available on request 0208 123 7914 • www.modernlightingsolutions.co.uk

final mod lighting.indd 2 18/03/2013 12:04

11/03/2013 10:07

EXTERIOR LIGHTING Our position in the market over the last 10 years has enabled us to be at the forefront of the latest LED technology We only specify quality light fittings that are appropriate to each individual design We encourage the use of our design service where we listen to how the space will be used and answer any questions that you have We also have a dedicated team that is highly competent to install the latest LED colour changing lighting systems and we are an NICEIC approved contractor

Design by Jade Goto • Build by Scotscape

www.wishboneexteriorlighting.co.uk Wishbone2.indd 1

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Tel: 020 3114 2129 18/03/2013 12:09

18/03/2013 12:13

Wyevale Ticket Advert Jan 2013:Layout 1

NICHOLSONS

Trees,Hedging Screening &Topiary

10/1/13

13:48

Page 2

Your ticket to a greener landscape

We have over 10 miles of container grown established hedging on our nursery- ready for your schemes.

Contact Shirley, Merlin or Fenella to see how we can help you.

Wyevale Nurseries Ltd, Kings Acre, Hereford HR4 7AY Tel: 01432 845200 Email: sales@wyevale-nurseries.co.uk www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk

We look forward to your call.

Open Monday-Friday 7.30am-4.30pm

NICHOLSONS North Aston, Bicester, Oxfordshire. OX25 6HL. 01869 340342 e-mail sales@nicholsonsplants.com

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19/03/2013 14:46

Latest Products

LIGHTING The Cyclops range of IP rated LED floodlights are machined from solid aluminium and then silver anodised to give extra protection even in salt environments. Using the latest LED array technology in four sizes from 45mm/400lumen to 150mm/5000lumen. Manufactured in the UK with a five year warranty. Spike mount optional. www.led-zip.co.uk

The Elipta range of tree mount spotlights has been extended to include 240V GU10 and miniature 12V MR11 models in addition to the existing 12V MR16 halogen models. The tree spotlight system includes both a slim screw-mount bracket and a strap mount with a choice of five strap sizes allowing fixing on branches up to 1.5m in diameter. All spotlights can use halogen lamps and low energy LED lamps, while the 240V models also accept compact fluorescent lamps up to 13W, combining wide coverage with warm white light. The tree spotlight range is available in black or rustic brown. www.lightingforgardens.com

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The Hunza Tier Lite is suited to medium level foliage. It is mounted atop a 700mm pole. Light is emitted on a horizontal plane around 360 degrees via a 5, 10 or 20 watt halogen capsule and does not project any vertical light. Available in powder coated finish (various colours) and also available in copper and stainless. www.allweatherlighting.co.uk

Garden Zone is a range of professional quality landscape lighting. It offers a versatile selection of high quality, easy to install and energy efficient products for all parts of the garden landscape, designed for use by professional gardeners, landscapers and architects. There is an excellent low voltage ‘plug & go’ system which allows a large number of fittings from the Garden Zone ranges to be connected together over a distance of up to 80m. Featured is the GZ/Bronze5 spotlight. www.elsteadlighting.com

CLMHO: The popular CLM profile is now available in a higher output version running at 700 mA with an external driver. This gives the possibility to use this robust product for applications which demand more power (up to 4500+ lumens per metre) than the normal wall grazing systems. Interior or exterior (IP67) versions. www.crescent.co.uk

These stylish surface mounted bi-directional lights are particularly good for highlighting garden structures or washing walls with vertical light. They are produced in three finishes – copper, anodised aluminium or black. Lights are low-voltage and use either LED or halogen lamps. A fitting with integral transformer is available for mains power retro fit. www.lightinggarden.co.uk

April 2013

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19/03/2013 14:05

For mature plants... in an instant!

Wykeham Mature Plants

Instant solutions Supplying the trade for over 30 years, Wykeham Mature Plants produce a range of mature trees, shrubs and preformed hedging for instant effect Wykeham Mature Plants offer a complete package of stock and services to support designers and specifiers

The Walled Garden, Wykeham, Scarborough, YO13 9QS Phone: 01723 862406 Fax: 01723 865643 E-mail: a.smith@wykeham.co.uk Visit us: Clearly signposted from the A170, 7 miles west of Scarborough. Satnav: follow YO13 9QT Walled Garden open Mon-Sat 9.30-4.30 For special attention or a nursery tour (Mon-Fri 8.30-4.30), call to make an appointment.

www.wykehammatureplants.co.uk Wykeham.indd 1

13/03/2013 10:46

AVOID GETTING

IN A SPIN WoodBlocX are like kids building blocks for designing and creating a pond or any structure in your garden.

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Grass & Gravel porous pavers Applications Grass or Gravel surfaces Parking areas Emergency/HGV access routes Walkways & disabled routes

Made from sustainably sourced timber and manufactured in the Highlands of Scotland. WoodBlocX can be built on earth, grass or even hard surfaces like paving, concrete or tarmac.

The clever part of WoodBlocX is that the blocks are linked together using our own specially made dowels and wedges, made from recycled plastic.

WoodBlocX completely removes the need for any heavy lifting, drilling, screws or nails.

BlocX can easily be built by anyone.

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A

BUSINESS

18/03/2013 12:23

Edging

On the edge

Richard McMullan explains the different landscape edging systems available – aluminium, steel and plastic; and which type fits best with each installation

Why use aluminium as an edge restraint for hard landscape?

Aluminium is an effective and permanent way in which to edge hard or soft landscapes as it offers a flexible, durable, rust proof and totally recyclable method of creating a neat edge to almost any surface material.The L shaped profile is the most common used for hard landscape and AluExcel, a UK made profile, is robust and flexible as well as being fast and simple to install.The range includes nine profile heights – from 18mm to 150mm ensuring there is a height to suit almost any hard landscape application.These aluminium edgings are supplied in 2.5m lengths in either rigid or flexible options.

The basic installation The profile is usually installed onto the MOT type sub-course on a nominal 10mm sharp sand/cement dry mix race or “bedding layer”.

The depth can be adjusted to suit the required hard landscape build up. By fixing the foot of the profile onto this layer the edging has continuous support along its length and no voids are left underneath. The 2.5m profiles are then connected using the connector strip provided. NB: if the product is being installed in conjunction with hot-lay surface such as tarmacadam, a 5-8mm space must be left between each 2.5m length to allow for expansion. The product is then nailed down into the compacted MOT using the 250mm

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spiral nails provided, spacing these at approximately 500mm centres. Extra fixings may be required on tight curves. The top surface is then applied.

Forming curves and corners AluExcel is available in both rigid and flexible options.The flexible option can be curved effectively to radii as small as 1m.

Complete circles require more care and anything under 2.5m radii should be pre-rolled. If in doubt you could consider using Kinley Systems specialist pre-forming service.To install the edging in a curve, bend the profile by hand to create the required radii and then simply lay into place, securing into the MOT using the pins and working from end to end, making adjustments as required. Corners can be formed effectively by mitre cutting the end of each profile, bending a joiner section to the required degree and butt joining the two profiles together with the joiner. Alternatively pre-welded 90° corners can be supplied.

Intersections can be created similarly.

Other installation methods The method outlined above is a typical installation. However, the product can also be fixed in a variety of other ways.The 18mm high aluminium trim has been designed for resin bound gravel applications and is usually fixed down to a hard surface such as concrete or tarmacadam, using either concrete screws or nail gun. Another application, “root protection zone” is where the profiles are installed onto the cellular web material once the outer

pockets of the webbing have been filled with concrete.

Comparisons with other edgings Aluminium is a relatively new method of edging in comparison to concrete pin kerbs or timber edging.

However it has several significant advantages.

The light weight and convenient 2.5m length of the product makes it easier to handle and install compared to concrete “pin” kerbs or timber edgings. As the product is not installed using wet concrete, surfacing can take place immediately after setting out, potentially saving hours on site. Aluminium is an inert material and will last indefinitely and will not rust. Probably one of the most appreciated attributes of the AluExcel aluminium landscape edge is its flexibility enabling smooth sinuous curves to be created very effectively.

Kinley Systems is based in East Sussex and specialises in landscape edging systems – along with supplying a range of other innovative systems for the landscape industry – all backed up with an excellent technical support service. www.kinleysystems.com

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18/03/2013 16:20

Water Features

Pond filtration A step-by-step guide Simon Sales of Landscapeplus offers tips for successful installation of water filtration systems If you’re building a water feature, don’t end up with a disgruntled client and a pond that looks like pea soup. Just follow our step-by-step guide for crystal clear water, every time.There’s no mystery to creating a beautiful water feature, because selecting the right filtration is a simple process of establishing a few facts and then choosing a filtration system that suits your situation.

1. Calculate the volume of water Keeping all measurements in metres, multiply length x width x depth. Multiply this x 1000 for the number of litres, for example, 4m x 2m x 1m x 1000 = 8000 litres. In reality, an informal pond of these dimensions, with marginal shelves and shallow area would only hold approximately 6000 litres, but be generous and always oversize a little for the best results.

2. Fish or no fish?

The more fish = the more waste = the more algae = the greater the filtration requirement, for example, a system sold as a 30,000 litre filter will only be suitable for 30,000 litres when no fish are present. With goldfish in the pond; the same size filter will only be suitable for 15,000 litres; and if Koi (or any carp) are present in the pond, then the same filter is only suitable for 7,500 litres.

3. Different types of filters Once it comes to choosing the filter, there are four different types of filtration to choose from.

Don’t forget that filtration systems are generally sold as integrated packages that include pump, filter units and UV lights so pick the system that suits your situation. Here are the four types of filter: 66

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In-pond filtration is perfect for small ponds of up to 9000 litres (without fish) as the equipment (pump filter and UV) is installed under the water.

This allows for neat and easy installation but does mean extracting the pump for maintenance.

Pressurised filters are easy to integrate into the garden and can be located anywhere as the water from the filter can be pumped uphill to a stream or watercourse and are effective for ponds up to 30,000 litres (without fish). Maintenance is usually straightforward with inbuilt cleaning mechanisms but is required more frequently because of the compact housing.

Flow-through filters, or box filters as they are sometimes called, offer excellent filtration, can be self-cleaning and need less maintenance due to their larger sizes. This enables them to be used on much larger ponds of up to 140,000 litres (without fish) with some modular systems allowing filtration of any size pond.

However, the flow through filter can be more difficult to integrate into the surroundings due to their larger size and because they generally need to be above ground with the outlet at the highest point of the system.

Gravity fed filtration offers the size advantages of a flow through filter with the integration advantages of a pressurised filter.

A gravity fed system is usually a modular system

that allows you to filter a pond of any size by adding more modules as required.

Don’t forget the benefits of using plants in a water feature. Where possible, including pond plants is highly desirable because they naturally filter the water, they help shade the pond and many of them feed from the same nutrients as algae thereby reducing algae growth.

Finally, if you are in any doubt about what you need and where to install it, ask your supplier.

A good supplier will be able to give you the help and advice you need to confidently and successfully design and install your water feature.

If you want to know more, landscapeplus.com hosts a series of FREE to attend, Skills Workshops throughout the year at which you can develop the practical skills to design and install lighting, irrigation and pond product in your gardens. For more information call 01666 577577 or email help@landscapeplus.com.

Unit 1 Kemble Business Park, Crudwell, Nr Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9SH Tel: 01666 577577 Web: www.landscapeplus.com Email: help@landscapeplus.com

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18/03/2013 16:22

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19/03/2013 09:52

Latest Kit

ATVs Polaris has introduced a new class of side-by-side utility vehicle, the Ranger XP900 – everything about it is new. It has the new ProStar 900 engine which is a twin cylinder 875cc four-stroke that pumps out 60hp with incredible

The RTV1140 offers peace of mind like all Kubota utility vehicles and is designed to be robust, efficient and versatile. Developed using the same technology as Kubota’s market leading tractors, the RTV1140 features a foldaway second bench seat so it can carry two extra passengers. It also has one of the biggest cargo boxes available for any

John Deere’s 25hp XUV 855D Gator 4x4 utility vehicle is now

four-seater on the market. The RTV1140 has an excellent centre of

available with power steering, which features anti-kickback and speed sensing – the faster you travel, the more responsive the steering becomes. The design also reduces tyre wear on hard surfaces, and is more turf friendly.

The full Gator range, excluding the

class-leading torque across the power band. The all-new chassis gives you by far the smoothest ride in Ranger history, built around a ‘centre spine’ for greater rigidity, with a 12.7cm longer wheelbase and 2.54cm more suspension travel. A redesigned cockpit fits more people more comfortably,

gravity and equal weight distribution to give the vehicle a light footprint.

All the wheels have independent and advanced suspension systems to compensate for rough terrain and uneven ground, to minimise bumps and offer ample ground clearance for a safe and comfortable ride.

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featuring a three-person split bench seat that also flips up for easy access to under seat storage. In all, there are thirty seven new features on the Ranger XP 900, all of which live up to the Polaris Ranger motto of ‘hardest working, smoothest riding’.

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Ransomes Jacobsen is the European distributor for Cushman utility vehicles.They have launched the Cushman 1600XD-R, a road homologated 4x4 all-terrain utility vehicle, which features a powerful 22hp, 1,007cc three-cylinder OHV diesel engine.

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19/03/2013 14:15

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18/03/2013 10:40

Book Review

BOOK REVIEW Rose Hales takes a look at a selection of recently released titles, from container and edible gardening handbooks, to a The Landscaper’s Survival Manual technical account of urban masterplanning worldwide.

The Landscaper’s Survival Manual

For

Founder of the APL, Past BALI Council Member, Past Chairman of PR & Marketing for BALI

Living Land: The Gardens of Blasen Landscape Architecture

Consultant – Author – Feature Writer for Horticulture Week Lecturer – Trainer – Contractor – Gardener

This is a no holds barred, open and honest manual and guide book for all professional gardeners.

£25.50 Blasen Landscape Architecture is located in San Anselmo, California.

Projects from the design studio formed of husband-and-wife team Eric and Silvina Blasen are displayed in this beautiful book ‘Living Land’. Each project demonstrates the Blasens’ ability to effectively intuit and brilliantly forge a relevant, contemporary dynamic between architecture and land.

Each of the projects is characterised by clean lines, and blocks of luscious green juxtaposed with gleaming white.The gardens appear achingly simple, although they are also clearly complex designs.This book is pure inspiration and will transport you to gardens of another world. www.blasengardens.com www.amazon.co.uk £35.00

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Designed by Alan Sargent

This is not a gardening book, it is a practical guide to more than just perils and pitfalls. It is based on more than four decades of experience as an awardwinning designer and contractor – over 50 RHS Show Garden medals and many hundreds of completed gardens.

The Landscaper’s Survival Manual

All those involved in the Design, Construction and Maintenance of Private Gardens

For those involved in the Design, Construction and Maintenance of Private Gardens

Alan Sargent FIHort Founder of The Association of Professional Landscapers

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2013 14:19

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19/03/2013 10:01

Book Review The Yellow Book 2013 – NGS gardens open for charity

The Little Book of Popular Perennials – A guide to the selection and cultivation of your favourite plants

£9.99 The National Gardens Scheme has been opening gardens for charity since 1927; so by either opening or visiting a garden you will be helping to support a great tradition and contributing to the nursing and caring charities the NGS supports. In 2012 the NGS donated £2.6 million to charity. Most of the gardens that open are privately owned, the NGS provides a unique opportunity to enjoy a huge variety of horticultural creations. For anyone interested in taking advantage of the open gardens,The Yellow Book is helpfully sectioned into counties, with a marked map and lists of gardens in the area including defining details, entry price, opening times, and directions. www.ngs.org.uk

Maureen Little

£9.99 If you’re looking to brush up on your knowledge of perennial flowers, starting out in the industry and need a bit of bedtime reading to get you up to speed, or want to research a specific plant a client has requested this is the book you need. Written in an easy to follow, informative, dictionary style, each entry contains practical and detailed advice on appearance and main characteristics, how to grow and propagate, growing conditions and maintenance advice, flowering season, and any problems that might be encountered including any elements of the plant which are poisonous or an irritant. On top of all this information, superb photographs accompany each entry.This is the ultimate guide to perennial plants, detailed but accessible. www.howtobooks.co.uk

Landscape and Garden Design – Lessons from History Gordon Haynes

£35.00 ‘Not just another landscape history book’, this book aims to highlight some of the design achievements in parks, gardens, and estate landscapes over the past 500 years, showing how techniques used then, are still relevant now. Beginning with early renaissance experiments from 1500–1688, taking the reader through the romantic revolution, and the part played by the increasing understanding and appreciation of science, technology, modernism, and temporary gardens. Gordon Haynes identifies principal designers during the period, extant examples, and the principal components, before going on to discuss in detail the history and design, contextualising the features which define the stage using pictures and photographs where possible to illustrate his points. www.whittlespublishing.com

RHS Small Garden Handbook – Making the most of your outdoor space Andrew Wilson

£20.00 Expert garden designer Andrew Wilson guides you through the process of planning, planting and maintaining a small garden that will make you happy every time you step outside. It begins by explaining how to assess your plot so that you are aware of the soil, orientation, microclimate, existing materials and proportions that you have to work with, before revealing the principles of good design. Showing how your decisions on layout, colour and texture will affect the finished design and what tricks can be played to create a greater sense of space – with expert design advice on boundaries, hedges and fences to clever ideas for containers and storage. Each chapter includes 15 ways to make instant improvements and a real-life case study to inspire change. www.octopusbooks.co.uk

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The Edible Landscape – Creating a beautiful and bountiful garden with vegetables, fruits and flowers Emily Tepe

£16.99 Emily Tepe readily admits in the opening preface of this book that she is not a landscape architect – but hear her out. She’s a person with a love and a passion for eating and growing fresh fruit and vegetables, especially when they’re from her own back garden.The book nicely balances the aesthetics and ‘design’ element of edible gardening, with the practicalities, and simply what tastes good! There are planting schemes showing how to make good use of a small space, what prefers sun and what will tolerate shade, and the types of soil, and other conditions you may be working with. Fruit and veg aren’t just edible plants, they’re attractive plants too that will make any garden or balcony beautiful.

5 www.voyageurpress.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2013 12:07

8

Book Review My Secret Garden – A personal tour of my own private plot

The Landscaper’s Survival Manual Alan Sargent

£35.00 For all those involved in the design, construction and maintenance of private gardens; this is not a gardening book, it is a practical guide to more than just perils and pitfalls. It is based on more than four decades of experience as an award winning designer and contractor.This is a no holds barred, open and honest manual and guide book for all professional gardeners featuring numerous true stories documenting Alan’s experiences while working in the landscaping industry. He outlines many diverse situations where things didn’t always go to plan; these situations can be used to ensure that you are prepared for every eventuality! www.alansargent.co.uk

The Landscaper’s Survival Manual

r’s Survival Manual For

Past BALI Council Member, PR & Marketing for BALI

ture Writer for Horticulture Week – Contractor – Gardener

ed, open and honest manual all professional gardeners.

£35.00

Designed by Alan Sargent

a practical guide to more than just perils n four decades of experience as an award– over 50 RHS Show Garden medals and of completed gardens.

The Landscaper’s Survival Manual

n the Design, Construction ce of Private Gardens

For those involved in the Design, Construction and Maintenance of Private Gardens

Alan Sargent FIHort Founder of The Association of Professional Landscapers

The Urban Masterplanning Handbook Eric Firley and Katharina Grön

£50.00 The Urban Masterplanning Handbook provides important new case study analyses of 20 major urban extensions and masterplans worldwide. Placing a significant emphasis on how development processes have influenced the form of masterplans, looking at both additions to existing cities and wholly new towns. This highly visual reference title includes thorough analyses of 20 worldwide projects, alongside a multitude of image viewpoints from aerial to close-up, the text discusses the project organisation and team structure, the space, architecture, landscaping, and connectivity.

The book culminates in a conclusion of the www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Book Review.indd 73

Alan Titchmarsh

£25.00 To those outside of the landscaping industry, Alan Titchmarsh is ‘Britain’s most famous gardener’ – a TV personality and gardener for the people. Although for professionals Alan may not be held at quite the same level of regard – this book may well change your mind. Although he is most often seen transforming the private gardens of members of the public with impossibly small amounts of time and money, his private garden is something else entirely – comprising many different styles and spaces, from an acre of formal beds and ponds to wildflower meadows and a stunning winter garden. With the plot encompassing raised vegetable gardens and fruit trees, a handsome greenhouse and wildlife-friendly plantings, gardeners of all styles and levels will find something to enjoy. www.eburypublishing.co.uk

Turn your talent into a business – Design, Grow, Sell – A guide to starting and running a successful gardening business from your home Sophie Davies

£12.99 Aimed at garden lovers who have always dreamt of making a living outdoors, and second career-ers who have a flair for gardening and want a job that makes them happy; this book looks at the diverse opportunities that exist in gardening, from running a nursery, to building a garden maintenance business, to taking a course and becoming a landscape designer, and takes the reader through

project in which Firley and Grön touch on subjects such as if the same scheme could exist elsewhere, and how it contributes to contemporary urban planning. www.wiley.com

how to do just that.

The guide is clear and organised, refreshingly clean and uncluttered, simply laid out, easy to read and follow.

With helpful tips which stand out from the text, and clearly marked case studies in which those with businesses already established offer their experiences for the reader to learn from. www.brightwordpublishing.com www.harriman-house.com

Christine Walkden’s no-nonsense container gardening Christine Walkden

£20.00 No-Nonsense Container Gardening is the new book from TV and radio broadcaster Christine Walkden, in which she offers inspirational and practical container projects for growing flowers, vegetables, fruit and herbs. Considering more people are now living in flats and in cities, container gardening is becoming more pertinent than ever; using containers or pots as a base for your gardening is so versatile and the planting options are endless. Packed with tips and techniques, perfect for beginners, great for kids, and inspirational for the more experienced gardener. www.christinewalkden.com April 2013

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19/03/2013 12:07

Trending

Pro Landscaper looks at what’s different this month POLARIS TO INTRODUCE FLAT-PROOF “AIRLESS” TYRES

LANDSCAPE INSTITUTE RECOMMENDATIONS ON DELIVERING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

OPENING PLANS ARE ANNOUNCED FOR THE QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPIC PARK For years, pneumatic tyres – the kind you fill with air – have been a burr in the side of the ATV industry. Even on short excursions over rocky terrain a popped tyre is not unexpected, and they often occur far from home.

Now, off-road vehicle specialist Polaris may have cracked the code, with plans to debut an “airless” Non-Pneumatic Tyre (NPT) in America early next year, with a British launch hopefully on the cards for the future. NPTs will be made from a proprietary plastic formed into a flexible web. That means not worrying what you drive over, and not carrying puncture repair kits for fear of a breakdown out in the wilderness. Polaris also says the airless tyre absorbs impacts without the typical jarring bounce of a pneumatic tyre. Watch this space… www.polarisbritain.co.uk

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The London Legacy Development Corporation has unveiled its plans for the opening of the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. By spring 2014, the 560 acre Olympic Park will become an exciting new visitor destination and community park, unlike any other in the UK. The new Park – which will begin to open its gates from July 2013 – will combine lush parklands and waterways, new neighbourhoods and world class sports and entertainment venues. It will draw on the unique character, energy and heritage of London’s East End and the best elements of London living, to create a brand new space for residents and visitors. The first area, the North Park will re-open from 27 July 2013 – exactly one year after the Olympics Opening Ceremony. www.noordinarypark.co.uk

JOE’S GARDEN GLOVES Even if you’ve already got a pair of gloves, you haven’t got a pair of these gloves – and you really need a pair of Joe’s Garden Gloves. Bright and colourful (meaning they’re less likely to get lost or misplaced), and available in four different types depending on the job at hand – the Protective One, the Essential One, the Dexterous One, and the All Season One. Each style is specifically designed for a different task, using suitable materials and structure to support your hands whatever you’re doing, if the problem is cold, or thorny, or requires dexterity and flexibility – there’s a glove that’s waiting to help. £5.99 and available in three sizes. www.joes-garden.com

The Landscape Institute have published six recommendations for how to deliver the next generation of green infrastructure (GI). Despite a groundswell of support in recent years, including increasing policy support in the government’s National Planning Policy Framework and Natural Environment White Paper, the Landscape Institute is calling for this growing interest to be matched with funding and a new approach to the landscape that enables GI to flourish. Projects featured include the Great Fen in Cambridgeshire, one of the most ambitious GI projects in the UK, and the Mersey Forest in Cheshire and Merseyside. The Great Fen will see more than 3,500ha of intensively farmed arable land restored to natural wetland and low-intensity farming. www.landscapeinstitute.org These super-comfy, light-weight, and waterproof slip on Backdoor Shoes tick pretty much all the boxes when it comes to affordable yet durable footwear for the garden. The shoes come in a variety of designs and patterns including floral, lush green grass, chili peppers, and autumn leaves available from a women’s size 3 up to a men’s size 13.

Backdoor Shoes are unbelievably light (only 200g a pair), but also waterproof, non-slip BACKDOOR SHOES and incredibly robust for their weight. They have a wide and roomy foot-bed with removable and washable white textile insoles. £20 www.backdoorshoes.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2013 12:04

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18/03/2013 14:47

UT&AB UT As usual, the Pro Landscaper team have been up, down and across the country in recent months, this is really important to us and we find such inspiration and positivity from the people we meet, which helps guide the magazine forward. In February we took a trip to beautiful Yorkshire, and whilst there we popped into Johnsons of Whixley for a tour around their widespread site – the hardworking team were dealing with freezing temperatures to make sure the stock is looking at its best at all times. Also in the same month we visited the RHS London Plant and Design show in London, where we 3

saw a fantastic array of spring flowers on sale, as well as visiting the exhibitors and looking at the designs for the gardens being built at this year’s RHS Tatton Flower Show Tatton Park. The APL was busy in March, with the Ethical & Sustainable Landscaping Seminar at Classiflora, Essex which had a great attendance and some really interesting presentations. To round off the month, the prestigious yearly event, The APL Awards 2013 at the Kensington Roof Gardens, showcased some of the finest projects entered by its members, producing some very worthy winners.

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2

4

5

6 7

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1 RHS London Plant and Design Show.

8

2 RHS Tatton Flower Show 2013 entry by Florian Degroise.

3 Lindum Turf at Ecobuild.

4 Janine Pattison speaking at the APL seminar at Classiflora, Essex.

5 Rod Winrow (Garden House Design), Nilufer Danis and Mark

10

Gregory (Landform Consultants) at the APL Awards.

6 Display at Ecobuild.

7 Wayne Langford demonstrates Sudscape porous paving, with the help of Paul Baker (Holland Landscapes).

8 Steve McCurdy (Majestic Trees), Jim Wilkinson, and Richard Kay (Green-tech) at the APL Awards.

9 Richard Barnard (Hillier Landscapes) and Adam Frost announce the winners at the APL Awards at Kensington Roof Gardens.

10 Helleborus at the RHS London Plant and Design Show.

11 Claudia de Yong and Michael Toon (Claudia de Yong Designs) 10 76

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celebrate success at the APL Awards.

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18/03/2013 16:43

People

LOOK OUT FOR...

PETER READER

Rose Hales spoke to Peter Reader – winner of the Student Design & Build competition 2012, about his journey into the industry, his ambition, inspiration, and the winning design.

What inspired you to change your career?

Despite a solid career in medicine for over 20 years, I was a frustrated garden designer at heart and eventually realised that it was ‘now or never’. I studied at the KLC School of Design, gaining a distinction in the garden design diploma in December 2012 and fortunately I have a very understanding family who have been hugely supportive, I am enjoying every minute.

Do you see a link between medicine and landscaping/garden design?

Absolutely. There is plenty of evidence that shows that if you look after patients in an aesthetically designed environment they get better much more quickly. It’s exactly the same in our day to day lives; that’s why city dwellers flock to the parks on a sunny weekend or get out of their office to sit outside.

Can you tell us a little about the Student Design & Build competition and your design ‘Four Corners’?

The competition is sponsored by Provender Nurseries in association with the RHS. The brief was to design a garden for a young couple who have travelled, enjoy art and are interested in nature. The Student Design & Build Award prize is to build at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in summer

What is your design style?

It is probably too early to say I have a style. At a personal level I enjoy both naturalistic modern perennial planting and also more formal gardens. My aim is to always find the magic of a space and deliver a design that is both beautiful and in keeping with the surroundings. into four by rills enables each area to have a subtle flavour of its own; unity across the areas is delivered through flower colour and plant structure. The water also adds an additional element of relaxation and reflection, and encourages and supports nature. Finally there will be picture frame mosaics of sempervivums hanging from the boundary fence, adding an arty twist.

I will be supported by a great contractor Tecwyn Evans of The Real Garden Company, and a BALI mentor, Brian Herbert of Outdoor Options Ltd, who is providing sagely advice on the build.

My dad has also been helping me construct the sempervivum mosaic frames.

Who or what inspires you?

At a garden designer level it is hard to beat Tom Stuart-Smith, but then I also love designs like the High Line in New York. Certainly the beauty of nature and its ability to match and balance colour, light and texture are a source of joy and inspiration.

What are your plans for the next few years?

I have launched my own design business, Peter Reader Landscapes, and am already working on a number of gardens. I would also like to work as part of a design team, as I enjoy and value the stimulation and fun of working as part of a team.

I was a frustrated garden designer at heart and eventually realised that it was ‘now or never’ 2013, and we have just been formally accepted by the RHS to do this! I have access to unlimited plant options from Provender Nurseries, but the budget is limited to £5,000 for construction and hard materials.

My design was inspired by the Persian Chahar Bagh gardens; which were areas of quiet contemplation, ideal for a busy professional couple wanting space to relax. The division of the garden www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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How do you think winning the competition will benefit your career?

It is a most fantastic opportunity and launch to my career. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a chat on the BBC with Monty Don sitting relaxing in my garden! I am learning a lot about the realities of sourcing and building a garden with great support from people who have done it before.

Peter Reader Landscapes www.readerlandscapes.com Provender Nurseries www.provendernurseries.co.uk Follow Peter’s progress on Twitter @PeterReader9

April 2013

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People

THE

LITTLE INTERVIEW Nick Hamilton Barnsdale Gardens www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk

A small insight into the world of other professionals from our wide and varied industry. If you’d like to appear in a future issue please email enquiries to editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk Describe yourself in three words.

Enthusiastic, thoughtful, humorous.

Name one thing unique about your business.

We have the largest collection of individually designed gardens in the country.

What are your unfulfilled career ambitions?

I have a vision to move this fantastic resource towards becoming one of the foremost educational facilities in the country for amateurs and professionals.

What is the busiest time of year for you?

We are classed more as a tourist attraction than a horticultural business, which invariably means we are busier through spring, summer and autumn.

Best book you’ve ever read?

Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall by Spike Milligan

How important is social media?

It is very important, not only for attracting new business but keeping many of our return visitors up to date with what’s going on at Barnsdale.

Do you monitor your competitors’ progress?

I like to visit other gardens to get ideas. Nobody can think of everything and it’s nice to be continually learning and then pinch the best ideas!

Jason Cottingham MODern Housing Solutions Ltd www.modernhousingsolutions.com In business terms, do you expect 2013 to be better than 2012?

It’s looking to be every bit as challenging, with heightened expectations from clients with lower financial commitment. With the vast number of companies tendering each contract, cost savings seem to take precedent over quality offered.

What do you think the trends/changes will be in 2013?

I think there will be more focus on a greener approach in regards to carbon footprint and machinery used.

How important is social media for the company?

MODern Housing currently use Facebook as a portal for information, which creates honest feedback.

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Your most inspirational garden?

This one. I feel very honoured to have been left in charge of such a wonderful place.

First album you ever bought?

Parallel Lines by Blondie.

If you could be any Superhero – who would it be?

Superman – I just like the idea of wearing your pants on the outside!

Janey Auchincloss

Janey Auchincloss Designs Landscape Design & Construction www.janeyauchincloss.co.uk What is your most important piece of machinery/equipment?

My drawing pens and my Land Rover Defender.

What is the busiest time of year for you?

April – October, though I keep trying to educate clients into planning over the winter!

What do you think the trends/changes will be in 2013?

I see a move towards pictorial meadows –perennial rather than annual wildflower meadows – much less work in the long run.

How is sustainability embedded within your business?

We try to source from local businesses wherever possible.

What are your unfulfilled career ambitions?

To progress to senior management.

How important is social media as a means of communication with clients?

Very – we use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, social media is a constantly evolving form of communication.

Best book you’ve ever read?

Bear Grylls, ‘Born Survivor’.

Describe yourself in three words.

Vibrant, creative, quirky.

Your most inspirational garden?

Blenheim Palace, as I used to be a gardener there. The rose garden and hedges are quite a sight.

Best book you’ve ever read?

Notes from Walnut Tree Farm by Roger Deakin.

Your dream job?

An airline pilot, to fly around the world and get paid for it!

First album you ever bought?

Musical Youth (on cassette), I played it to death.

If you could be any Superhero – who would it be?

Batman – I love gadgets.

Your most inspirational garden?

One of them is Pensthorpe in Norfolk, with inspirational planting by Piet Oudolf.

First album you ever bought?

Something by Slade I fear.

If you could be any Superhero – who would it be?

I’ve got my own Superheroine – I’d like to be Carol Klein. If I had a fraction of her knowledge I’d be happy...

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2013 14:49

People

Ben Dyson Earth Supply Ltd www.earthsupply.co.uk What is your most important piece of machinery/equipment?

As someone that spends a lot of time out of the office, I have to admit it is probably my mobile phone.

What do you think the trends/changes will be in 2013?

An even greater focus on value for money as the market adapts to the shrinking economy.

What is the busiest time of year for you?

We are always busy – there’s no reason not to be.

How is sustainability embedded within your business?

In the sense of global sustainability we manage resources by improving efficiency, reusing materials where appropriate, and by recovering commodities from any resultant waste.

How do you find new clients?

A robust and evolving marketing plan is the key.

Describe yourself in three words.

Friendly, ambitious, tenacious.

Anthony George PC Landscapes Ltd www.pclandscapes.co.uk In business terms, do you expect 2013 to be better than 2012?

I think it’ll be very similar in the domestic market.

Every job is becoming a tender battle often between three to five companies. Budget is a big deciding factor...

Do you monitor your competitors’ progress?

Yes, by keeping an eye on the trade press as well as attending shows, awards and BALI meetings.

It’s good to see who’s doing what, otherwise you can feel a little isolated.

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Little Interview.indd 79

Most important piece of machinery/equipment?

My computer where everything from my diary, contacts and schedules to all the pricing software and reports is stored.

Name one thing unique about your business.

We are small enough to adapt quickly and are forward thinking.

What do you think the trends/changes will be in 2013?

Water use is pretty high on the agenda after last years “wettest drought”. Rain and grey-water harvesting will be important.

Best book you’ve ever read?

Any Terry Pratchett book.

Best book you’ve ever read?

Anything by Chris Yates.

Your most inspirational garden?

The National Trust’s Trebah in Cornwall – you can’t beat a big Gunnera!

First album you ever bought?

Def Leppard, Hysteria.

If you could be any Superhero – who would it be?

Bananaman.

Your most inspirational garden?

The Lost Gardens of Heligan. I’d love to discover an old garden and restore it.

What’s your favourite meal?

A good curry with all the trimmings.

Your dream job?

Restoring and racing classic cars. I love classic motorsport and dream of owning a Ferrari 250 GTO. First album you ever bought?

A hits album including such greats as “I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper”, “Rat Trap” and “Toast”...

April 2013

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19/03/2013 14:50

Jobs MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS MANAGER Claphams Landscape Services Ltd Location: South West Midlands

JOBS For full details on all jobs, please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click on the ‘Jobs’ section.

Contracts manager required to work for national landscape contractor’s Worcester office. Excellent opportunity for advancement within a rapidly expanding company.

Please send a CV to cls@claphamslandscapes.co.uk stating which job and location you are applying for. For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click the ‘Jobs’ section.

Call 01903 234 077 or email jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com with your vacancy.

LANDSCAPE FOREMAN

GENERAL MANAGER

Salary: Competitive

Location: East Staffordshire Salary: Dependent on skills and competences, includes benefits package.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced landscape foreman. We are a national landscape contractor and require an individual to manage the day to day site activities that our Northampton office carries out.

We require a dynamic General Manager to take responsibility for the East Staffordshire Borough Council, Cannock Chase District Council, Trent & Dove Housing and other clients in the Staffordshire area. The role is based at the East Staffordshire depot.

To apply, please call Mick on 07973 804846 or email your CV and a covering letter to office@whitinglandscape.co.uk. For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click the ‘Jobs’ section.

If you would like to be considered, please send a covering letter and up to date CV to recruitment@thelandscapegroup.co.uk.The closing date is 5 April 2013. For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click the ‘Jobs’ section.

Head Gardener

PROFESSIONAL SALES PEOPLE

QUADRON SERVICES

Easigrass

This exciting role within one of Southwark’s flagship parks requires a person with an excellent track record in horticulture and a visionary approach.You will be responsible for the maintenance and enhancement of all horticultural areas within Dulwich Park.

Due to their continued growth, Easigrass are looking for professional sales people throughout the UK. Experience in the home improvement market and retail sector would be advantageous. Easigrass are offering a very competitive package and commission structure including a company car, phone and laptop.

Please send a comprehensive CV and an accompanying letter to highlight why you are the right person for this job to southwark.admin@quadronservices.co.uk.

Closing date Friday 22 March 2013, 12 noon. For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click the ‘Jobs’ section.

Please contact Matthew Spedding via matt@easigrass.com for more information.

For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click the ‘Jobs’ section.

CONTRACT MANAGER

Landscaper

THE LANDSCAPE GROUP Location: Mid Hampshire

andersplus horticulture

To support the General Manager in the delivery of a unique partnership contract for Winchester City Council and East Hampshire District Council, an integrated clean and green service. This will involve the day to day managing of the contract, encompassing contract performance, delivery of contract objectives, client relationships, people management, safety conformance and financial performance.

Our client has run a successful and respected garden design, installation and maintenance business in London and the South East for over 20 years. They are seeking an experienced landscaper to work mainly on domestic builds, with especially good skills in paving, decking and brickwork. Most of the work is in Central and SW London. A van is provided. Applicants will need to have a portfolio of their work

If you would like to be considered, please send a covering letter and up to date CV to recruitment@thelandscapegroup.co.uk. For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click the ‘Jobs’ section.

Please apply to andrea@andersplus.com with full CV. For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click the ‘Jobs’ section.

MAINTENANCE LABOURERS

CONTRACT MANAGER – AYLESBURY

Whiting Landscape Ltd Location: Northampton area

Claphams Landscape Services Ltd Salary: According to experience Landscape maintenance workers required to work for national landscape contractor in North (1) and South Birmingham (1), and South Manchester(2). Working in a team delivering a quality service on varied commercial maintenance contracts. Enthusiastic, energetic and motivated personnel, preferably with landscape experience. Min 40 hr week, but possibly more. Driving licence and spray certificate would be a benefit.

Please send a CV to cls@claphamslandscapes.co.uk stating which job and location you are applying for. For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com.

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The Landscape Group

THE LANDSCAPE GROUP

To manage the day to day running of the contract, encompassing contract operational financial and quality performance, delivery of contract objectives and KPI’s, client relationship management, people management and safety conformance.

If you would like to be considered, please send a covering letter and up to date CV to recruitment@thelandscapegroup.co.uk. For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click the ‘Jobs’ section.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2013 10:45

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