Pro Landscaper December 2012

Concept to Delivery

December 2012

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

John Nash Associates

FRAME WORK

Realising the garden’s full potential while opening up and framing the view beyond Let’s Hear it From...

Juliet Sargeant, Chair of the Society of Garden Designers

Portfolios See how three companies design and implement their projects

Temperature of the market Contractors assess the state of the UK landscaping sector

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December 2012 | Volume 2, Issue 12

REGULARS

PORTFOLIOS

4 News Shed Round-up of news from the industry

7 European

Plant News

29

16 Business Tips More useful advice from our regular team of columnists

John Nash Associates

25 Let’s Hear it From…

Juliet Sargeant, incoming Chair of the SGD and garden designer

32

36

Frosts Landscape Construction

Jill Anderson Landscape Design

40 Plantsman’s Plot Popular plants and trees on the market

44 Latest Kit

FEATURES

A selection of new products from 2012

47 Trending Pro Landscaper takes a look at what’s different

8 Out & About Industry events recently visited by Pro Landscaper

EDITORIAL editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk Director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk Tel: 01903 234077 Editorial Assistant – Rose Hales rose@pro-landscaper.co.uk

9 Temperature of the market Overview of the state of the UK landscaping industry

ADVERTISING Business Development Manager Jamie Wilkinson Jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077 Sales Executive – Luke Chaplin luke.chaplin@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077

EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL Mark Gregory Chairman APL and Landform Consultants Sam Hassall LandPRO Ltd Russell Eales Lawn Care expert Karl Harrison Decking expert Keith Sacre Tree expert

Sales Executive – Sophie Abbott sophie@pro-landscaper.co.uk

FUTURESCAPE CO-ORDINATOR Joe Wilkinson joe.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077

GENERAL ENQUIRIES Tel: 01903 234077

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Managing Director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077

10 Mowers R&D The role of R&D in lawnmower manufacturing

48 People Events Diary and The Little Interview

MANAGEMENT Managing Director Jim Wilkinson Director Lisa Wilkinson

PRODUCTION Design and reproduction: Russell Cox Design & Production

Business Development Manager Jamie Wilkinson

Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Gwent, UK

Office Manager Joe Wilkinson CIRCULATION Subscription Enquiries: lisa.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk Tel: 01903 234077 Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2012 subscription price is £75.00. 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 234077

December 2012

3

News Shed

Merry Christmas from our team Firstly, many thanks to all who were involved in, supported and visited FutureScape in November. The event was a huge success with 572 visitors, 60 students and over 50 exhibiting companies.

The feedback has been phenomenal and also attracted some great ideas for additional content at the next event planned for 2013 at the same location, Kempton Park Racecourse. We will publish further feedback in due course and please do keep the ideas coming – as always we aim to provide 2012 has been exactly what you, the visitor, wants. a fantastic year… it December brings the end to a wouldn’t have been fantastic year for Pro Landscaper, with not only our regular issue but possible without a bumper 132-page supplement your support featuring this year’s portfolios. None of this would have been possible without your support and for that we give heartfelt thanks. We have even bigger and better plans for 2013 and of course we will keep you fully informed.

We hope you can all take time out to enjoy the festive season and celebrate the fruits of your labours – there will be many people looking out to their gardens from their homes whose lives will have been transformed by the creation of the space they dreamed of… and also reaping the benefits of visiting our green outdoor spaces. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year one and all.

Jim and Lisa Wilkinson editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk

Wilson McWilliam celebrates brace of SGD Awards Wilson McWilliam Studio picked up two prizes at the first ever SGD Awards ceremony in London last month.

The garden design practice won in the Public or Communal Outdoor Space category for the Savill Garden in Egham, as well as the People’s Choice Award for a large private garden in St George’s Hill, Weybridge.

The People’s Choice award came through an online voting process, but the garden also seemed to be a big hit with the wider public.

Partner Gavin McWilliam said: “Recognition of the design

Rose Garden at the Savill Garden

character and concepts embodied in the new Rose Garden at the Savill Garden is especially fulfilling.”

McWilliam extended his company’s thanks to Kings Landscapes for delivering the Rose Garden and Arun Landscapes for the Weybridge garden. www.wmstudio.co.uk

Gavin Jones wins Cardiff Metropolitan University contract Gavin Jones Group has been awarded the three-year Cardiff Metropolitan University grounds and sports pitch maintenance contract.

Estate Manager Glen Roberts said: “Gavin Jones’ reputation for delivering excellent service and The Gavin team RW_3xAds_55x186:Layout 1 11/09/2012 13:12Jones Page 2

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staff development is second to none and we are keen to establish a good working relationship to enhance both the facilities and the team.”

Gavin Jones Managing Director Will Clark said: “We are delighted to have been awarded such a

prestigious and key contract in our portfolio and are looking forward to helping enhance the university’s landscape and sports facilities while working in partnership to achieve joint sustainability policies”. www.gavinjones.co.uk

News Shed

Hambrooks ‘keeps business fresh’ with 17 apprentices Hampshire-based Hambrooks, in partnership with Apprentices for Business (AFB) and Sparsholt College, has been providing apprenticeship opportunities for 17 young people to begin a career in landscaping and horticulture since Spring 2012.

The government annually pumps around £1.4bn into the nation’s apprenticeship programme, recently increasing this by more than £200m.

This year the Royal Horticultural Society, with the support of Alan Titchmarsh, has launched an initiative to tackle what it considers to be

Youngsters with their modern a serious “green skills gap”. outlook will also help to keep Hambrooks managing the business fresh with director Norman their new ideas.”

Hambrook says: “When amount government Titchmarsh admitted you take on apprentices invests annually in its apprenticeships that the horticultural you know they are programme industry suffers with an people who are really image problem, with 70% interested in the industry. of young people believing that horticulture is only for those who have failed academically.

The government is keen to emulate the positive attitude of countries such as Germany and Holland where apprenticeships are viewed as something to be proud of.

The RHS’ apprenticeship scheme www.hambrooks.co.uk aims to tackle the ‘green skills gap’

£1.4bn

Landscape Group bags 10-year Mendip deal their preferred route forwards, The Landscape Group has been has two main advantages. awarded a ten-year multi-service First, the joint services will be contract with Mendip District Council. The contract was awarded delivered by neighbourhood teams, with teams taking personal under the competitive dialogue responsibility for both the process, which allowed bidders to horticulture and the cleanliness work alongside Mendip officers in their neighbourhood. to design a cost-effective solution Second, the whole contract to delivering a range of services. is governed by an open and The Landscape Group’s transparent solution, chosen by Mendip as RW_3xAds_55x186:Layout 1 11/09/2012 13:12 change Page 1mechanism

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which means future changes in budgets can be easily planned and agreed.

Sarah Hughes-Clarke, Director of The Landscape Group, said: “We really enjoyed the competitive dialogue process which allowed us to discuss openly with Mendip officers what kind of solutions would best suit their residents.” www.thelandscapegroup.co.uk

NURSERY NEWS Care and attention aids success We want our plants to thrive once planted out and sadly we don’t always see this. This year has been good for plant establishment, but 2013 may not be the same.

Planting of trees and specimens needs care and attention to detail to ensure success. Dig a big hole, ideally twice the width of root spread, square so roots don’t spiral on the curve, with plenty of space for roots to spread out. Fork the base and sides to aid drainage and root breakout. Don’t enrich the soil under the rootball with organic matter, use sub-soil.

Ensure the old root/soil level is at new soil level, better still plant it slightly above – 50mm and higher “mound plant” on heavy poorly drained soils. Mulch 50-75mm deep to reduce weed competition and help water retention, a dusting of sugar below the mulch 30g/m2 will aid root growth in the spring.

Stake to keep roots static and water in to close air gaps and get soil to root contact. Standard trees need irrigation weekly in their first spring-summer, 20+ litres per tree per week lets the roots follow the water down through the soil, alternatively use a Treegator.

www.palmstead. co.uk

ARTIFICIAL GRASS December 2012

NEWS

BREAKING NEWS

Artificial Grass in the Cotswolds Easigrass are delighted to be working closely with the Parish Council as the chosen supplier and installer of their Easigrass Mayfair V Yarn product. Initially it will be trialled on a 30m2 area, the same area the council spends around £1,000 per annum re-seeding and maintaining the natural turf that is present. For more information on how Easigrass could improve the performance or aesthetics of your open space please call on 0845 094 8880.

Councillor Richard Johnes pictured with the artificial grass system which runs along the River Winrush.

Throughout the past three months the picturesque village of Bourton-on-the-Water has made the headlines after their parish council voted for a trial of Artificial Grass in worn down areas along the River Windrush. Easigrass is the chosen product not only due to being the most realistic Artificial Grass product in the UK but mainly down to the ground breaking V Yarn Technology that ensures the product remains stabilised if it is exposed to high footfall traffic.

Easigrass

Easigrass Sussex,

International Growth

Anthony Gallagher and Matthew Spedding recently spent over 10 days travelling, visiting existing and potential Easigrass International License holders.

First stop was to assist in the launch of Easigrass South Africa. Presentations held in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg were very well attended and received. They met with prospective Easigrass SA Franchisees throughout the week and were impressed with the level of professionalism and proactivity in this exciting market.

The final stop was Bahrain with the appointment of a new Easigrass representative, Barbie

Transform Prestigious School Shoreham College in Sussex are delighted with their new play area courtesy of Neil Fuller from Easigrass Sussex. Shoreham College were fed up with the mud and mess that constantly made its way into the classroom. They wanted a new, state of the art system that would be practical and enjoyed by the children 365 days a year.

Williams who has an extensive Career in sales including Sales Director for The Gulf Daily News at Al Hilal Publishing. Barbie is the newly appointed Easigrass Brand Ambassador for Bahrain which opens up the Easigrass brand into the Gulf and Middle East.

Before

Easigrass Sussex installed the independently tested EASIPLAY system which guarantees safety and performance for years to come. Now the market leading Artificial Grass company in Sussex, Easigrass Sussex have established themselves on strong quality and service values throughout the area.

After

Shorham College in Sussex before and after the Easigrass EASIPLAY system was installed.

Contact us today  T : +44 (0)845 094 8880  w : www.easigrass.com

Interested in what Easigrass has to offer? Email Matthew Spedding direct to arrange a meeting matt@easigrass.com

European Plant News

TENDERCARE

Mature & Formal Hardy Plants

Avenue trees fair reignites profile The new Dutch trade fair EXPO TCO was held near Opheusden in early October. Organised by the Plant Trade Fair Association for Opheusden, it has successfully re-ignited the profile for ‘avenue trees’ both across Europe and in terms of the on-going ‘Greening the City’ concept in Holland.

EXPO TCO drew a wide audience of landscape design and contracting professionals who saw more than 130 growers and nurseries at this impressive fair.

These nurseries produce a

wide range of avenue and ornamental trees on an area of 1,527 hectares, of which 27 hectares is for container growing.

The range also includes fruit trees.

Maturity Matters - Semi-mature trees 'character', parkland and avenue specimens including graceful conifers.

Shrubs for the connoisseur larger than sold by your garden centre - 10L to 1000L pots.

Fruit trees - perfect for the Potager! Mature trees, espalier, fan-trained and 'step-overs'.

Hedges-for privacy and structure prepared units to form 'instant', clipped runs.

to show the quality of the working methods during the entire production process, from root pruning and planting right through to grubbing and delivery.

The trade fair also focused on the planting, transplanting and care of large trees in urban areas. www.treecentreopheusden.nl

into Europe’s most attractive arboricultural region. Treeport is working on around 60 projects, divided into four main themes: Marketing, Communication and PR; Education, Innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility; Agro-logistics; Spatial Design and Landscape. Their joint trade event participation includes Plantarium (10 members), and GrootGroenPlus (36 members). www.treeport.eu

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Plants in the 'Nurseryman's Art' exquisitely formed and pruned trees.

Japanese maples and bamboos admired the World over.

Treeport Europe’s expansion A major presentation took place at the GrootGroenPlus trade fair in Zundert for Treeport Europe B.V. This joint venture of tree nurseries and companies based in the West Brabant region of Holland aims to transform Brabant

To provide instant effect in your planting schemes.

Trees - 'Through the garden gate' ideal for the smaller garden.

Tree production management Under the management of DLV, EXPO TCO featured demonstrations of machines and equipment offered by eight different companies. These took place in the grounds of Huverba’s nursery which is based at the same location.

The demonstrations aimed

Unrivalled range of mature plants

Plants of the Mediterranean - and 'Planthunter' exotics - olives, palms and spikey plants for the arid and tropical look.

Wall-trained shrubs and climbers grown and trained for immediate impact.

'Instant borders' - seasonal herbaceous plants, ferns and grasses - foliage and flowering plants, deciduous and evergreen, to add form, texture and colour for any location.

Exotic specimen plants for interior landscaping -Flowering & evergreen specimen tropical and arid plants. Citrus trees to 2.5m Aloes, agaves to 160L grown in our 125m2 greenhouse. Extensive range of containers, sundries & expert advice.

Celebrate the season ‘Swigs & Twigs’ Trade Preview Days December 5 & 6th We source and hand-select plants worldwide from over 150 specialist and unique growers Nationwide Delivery Planting Services Southlands Road, Denham, Middlesex UB9 4HD 01895 835544 sales@tendercare.co.uk www.tendercare.co.uk Open Monday - Saturday 8am - 5pm

Out & About  BALI Yorkshire & North East Region hosted an event in Harrogate where TV’s Matthew Wilson, The Landscape Man, talked about his time as curator of both RHS Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr Gardens and his approach to design, planting and landscaping. Matthew is a well-respected garden designer, writer, radio and television broadcaster and lecturer. He has recently been appointed as Chairman of Greenfingers and a collection at the end of the evening raised money for the charity. www.bali.org.uk

 Robert Hammond and Joshua David, founders of the New York High Line, attended a symposium at The Garden Museum to discuss the history of the High-Line and explain its design and success. Josh and Robert also announced the winner of the High Line for London competition, Fletcher Priest Architects, for Pop Down – an idea for an urban mushroom garden inside the old ‘Mail Rail’ tunnels beneath Oxford Street. www.gardenmuseum.org.uk

 The £5m re-landscaping of Jubilee Gardens on London’s South Bank was celebrated with the official unveiling of a plaque by HM The Queen. Kate Hoey, MP for Vauxhall, delivered a speech and afterwards Her Majesty met representatives from Frosts Landscape Construction Ltd who carried out the re-construction of the gardens. www.frostslandscapes.co.uk

UT&AB UT

Pro Landscaper has been visiting many of the great industry events – here are some we’ve been to recently. If you have an event you’d like us to attend, please email editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk

 A reunion of lecturers and students was organised by Tony Begg, lecturer in landscape construction, to celebrate 40 years of the Landscaping Department at Merrist Wood College near Guildford.

There were speeches thanking the expert teaching staff who have helped the college reach the status that it has today. A tree was also planted to commemorate the event. www.merristwood.ac.uk

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 The APL held its AGM and networking event at Wyevale East Nurseries in Swanley.

Called From Promotion to Profit, it was opened by Mark Gregory who has been elected Chairman of the APL for another year. Mark acknowledged it has been an incredibly tough year which means businesses have had to look at how they can improve profitability which is fundamental to success. Presentations by Mandy Buckland, James Steele-Sargent and Rod Winrow were followed by the opportunity for the 50-plus attendees to network. www.landscaper.org.uk

News Extra

Temperature of the market Pro Landscaper spoke with a handful of design, build, and maintenance contractors to gain an understanding and overview of the state of the UK landscaping market. We asked them how business has been this year, in comparison with last year, and why they think it might have changed. We also listened to their predictions for the industry in 2013

For the majority of contractors business has been slower and quieter this year. David Dodd at The Outdoor Room said that 2012 has been “dreadful”, Jo Hardingham from Grace Landscapes said they had received fewer tenders than previous years and have found it hard to compete against lower and lower prices. A survey by the Construction Enquirer found that 88% of firms have faced competition from others who are putting in suicide bids in order to fill order books. Sharon Butler at Butler Landscapes said that things were “still quiet… quieter than last year” – to exemplify, Sharon explained that the company worked on a garden at Tatton Park, and neither themselves nor the designer came away from the show with a single prospective client visit – which is unusual.

Gavin Jones Ltd had seen an increase in profits and activity over the past year, which is due to www.prolandscapermagazine.com

to improve things. David Dodd believes that designers play a vital role, and need to be emphasising the importance of using a landscaper rather than a builder to construct their designs.

There have also been similar responses that designers need to be making clients aware of the need for on-going maintenance once a garden has been completed. Sharon Butler believes that the biggest problem facing the industry at the moment is a general lack of public interest – in comparison to 10-15 years ago when landscaping and garden design were heavily publicised and business was booming. This is the essential boost that the industry needs, to attract everyday people who are influenced by trends.

successfully winning big contracts.

Director Martyn Mogford said the company has benefited substantially from the Olympics over the past few years, without which it would have expected business growth to be flat during 2012-2013.

We wanted to know why it was that business has been so bad for many, and if expectations are that things will get better or worse in 2013. The weather has undoubtedly been a contributory factor; Jo Hardingham explained that this led to an increase in labour costs. David Dodd Changing trends believes that the problem has More than anything, Sharon resulted from a lack of building believes landscaping and garden work forcing builders into design has fallen out of the landscaping market, fashion and it needs a thus flooding the push to become industry with fashionable again. of firms have faced competition from others sub-standard (but Forecasts for the who are putting in cheap) workmanship. industry in 2013 have suicide bids to fill been varied. Some, order books Home extension laws although hopeful that Theoretically, the government’s things can only improve, proposal to relax the rules on admitted that the signs “aren’t home extensions would see good”, but others believe that “the builders move back into the signs are there” for things to get building sector. Although there is better – David Dodd believes that work, Jo Hardingham feels clients people in the UK soon get bored if are expecting an identical service they are not spending money. If for the same or lower cost, with the help of the media, the contrary to inflation. Martyn public can be inspired to spend Mogford also explained that money on their gardens again and pricing is very competitive, so designers support landscape although there is a reasonable contractors by passing the work amount of commercial work on to skilled labour and opportunities, it is difficult to come recommending continuing away with a profit. maintenance, then the possibility Some contractors offered is definitely there for business ideas on what needs to be done and profits to increase.

88%

December 2012

9

News Extra

1

2

Cutting edge

3

4

for machines that can perform

1 Ransomes Jacobsen TST011B.

multiple tasks. Research also

2 Kubota STV40.

revealed cutting frequency has

3 Allett Mowers C24.

been reduced, and clients are

4 John Deere 1026R compact tractor.

demanding lower maintenance costs. To combat this Kubota

Research and development (R&D) is a highly important part of the equipment industry. Pro Landscaper discussed with four of the leading lawnmower manufacturers: Kubota, Allett Mowers, Ransomes Jacobsen, and John Deere the role of R&D within their companies and how their machines are being specifically designed for the UK market. Rose Hales reports Research and development

● John Deere operates four

has developed cut and collect

well as dozens of attachments

machines that don’t block easily

and implements to provide true

with the high moisture grass in the

year-round versatility. Research

UK. They are seeing a continuing

revealed operator comfort, easy-

move towards rotary mowers,

to-use controls, a comfortable

that can now give almost as high

seat, and low noise levels will lead

quality a finish as cylinder, but

to higher productivity, thus lower

cope better with the difficulties of

operating costs.

Other areas of progress are in

bridges the gap between the

Technology Innovation Centres

customer’s needs, and the

worldwide in which regular

machine that can perform the task

feedback sessions are held

developed the Meteor mini flail

Allett is exploring. Ransomes

required. Most large companies

with turf professionals, whose

mower, which has the same

Jacobsen is responding to a need

carry out R&D worldwide; for the

“participation is vital to enable

footprint as a municipal triplex

for better health and safety by

UK it is carried out within the

us to produce the right machines

with the same ground following

producing machines with inbuilt

Northern European market as it

and systems for our customers”.

capacity but is more flexible at

TST (tilt stability technology)

coping with a wider range of

which measures the machine’s

is not usually financially viable to

● Kubota’s design engineers

reduced cutting frequencies.

Ransomes Jacobsen recently

lower or zero emissions, which

research and produce machines

visit existing users to obtain

grass heights than a cylinder or

tilt angle and calculates the degree

solely for the UK. At Allett, all

responses on current products,

rotary yet still leaves even, striped,

of risk; first warning the user of

R&D is done in the UK, and the

and ask what their “perfect

grass distribution. The company

the danger, then moving into the

machines are then sold

mower” would be. They also

has also co-operated with

safest position and shutting off.

worldwide. Understanding the

use field research and real

various established flail mower

This shows a trend in proactive,

similarities and differences

life conditions to develop the

manufacturers to develop out-front

rather than reactive machines, that

between markets in order to

machines.

mounted flails to fit on its HR300

can calculate risk and alert the

out-front rotary mower tractor unit.

user when they need servicing.

produce options that will enable

● Ransomes Jacobsen feels it’s

In summary, it is clear that

a machine to perform specific

important to “understand the

tasks in various sectors is vital,

customers’ unmet needs”;

machines respond to the need to

R&D is a hugely important area of

according to Ransomes Jacobsen.

observing, listening and gaining

be versatile, strong and durable.

the industry – one in which value

an in-depth knowledge is key.

The 26hp 1026R sub-compact

is added to both the producers and

tractor has a mower deck, as

end users.

We were interested to investigate how R&D is carried out within each company:

Future demands

● Allett has a New Product

How will the next generation of

Introduction programme: led

mowers respond to the needs

by their Engineering Manager,

and demands of contractors?

the sales and marketing team

Clearly in 2012, money was

ask current customers what

going to be central in deciding

they need from the Allett

what buyers want, and why.

product range.

One consequent demand was

10

December 2012

John Deere’s high quality steel

Rotary mowers can give almost as good a finish as cylinder, however, they are able to cope better with reduced cutting frequencies www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Association News – APL 1 APL members showcase Low Cost High Impact gardens at this year’s RHS Hampton Court Flower Show.

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

Profit centred Driving business through promotion and profit at APL networking event

L

andscapers and garden designers were asked to consider their USP, be innovative, add value and collaborate at the APL networking event, ‘From Promotion to Profit’, held at Wyevale East Nurseries in Swanley, Kent on 17 October.

Understanding the value of marketing is crucial to the success of any business said Paul Hodgen from IT Genetics. He spoke about the different marketing methods he has used to enhance and grow his own business, including social media. A website presence is a must as 91% of people use search engines to research a product/service.

Mandy Buckland, Managing Director or Greencube Garden and Landscape Design spoke about the importance of working closely with landscapers to ensure that detailed plans can be achieved.

Mandy also emphasised the importance of having good quality photographs taken of your work in order to promote your business.

James Steele-Sargent from Arun Landscapes provided an honest account of the way he has guided his business through the recession unscathed by minimising his overheads. By having three teams of landscapers who operate as mini www.prolandscapermagazine.com

2 As well as a medal, Twigs Gardens won the People’s Choice Award for the best small garden at Hampton Court 2012.

customers through presence at consumer shows and our involvement in the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.”

1 1

companies, and offering incentives, he has made huge financial savings, has a loyal and enthused work force and plenty of satisfied customers to boot. Rod Winrow from Garden House Design takes a different approach; he aims to increase profit by adding value and upselling. Many thanks to event sponsor Natural Paving for its support and to Wyevale East Nurseries for hosting the event.

APL welcomes new committee members Three new members have been

Roger Gladwell from RG Landscapes and Paul Baker from Holland Landscapes on the committee. Mark Gregory continues as chair for a further year with Paul Baker taking on the role of vice chair from Richard Barnard.

Mark Gregory said, “We have seen a year of consolidation for the APL. Through the Cluster Group meetings and events, members have benefited from greater networking and ideas sharing. We will continue to strengthen member communications in 2013 as well as raise awareness of APL direct with

The Low Cost, High Impact gardens are aimed at showcasing a practical approach which also provides a wow factor welcomed to the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) Committee following the AGM held at Wyevale East Nurseries in Kent on 17 October.

David Sewell from The Gardenmakers, Richard Bickler from Arbour Design and Build, and Claudia de Yong from Claudia de Yong Garden Design join Mark Gregory from Landform Consultants, Richard Barnard from Hillier Landscapes, James SteeleSargent from Arun Landscapes,

2

Low Cost, High Impact at Hampton Court 2013 The APL are once again to team up with the RHS to present Low Cost, High Impact gardens at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2013.

The new category provides APL members with an exclusive opportunity to showcase their work. Landform Consultants, Twigs Gardens, Garden House Design and Arun Landscapes all took part in 2012, winning one gold (and best in category), two silver gilts and one silver medal respectively. Twigs Gardens also won the People’s Choice award for best small garden at the show.

The gardens aim to showcase a practical approach which also provides a wow factor. The aim is that visitors can recreate the garden design, based on a fixed budget for hard landscaping, plant material and labour. Four gardens will be selected to showcase what can be achieved for £7k, £10k, £13k and £15k.

APL members can submit entries free of charge and there is no limit to the quantity of entries per member. The RHS and APL will award the total amount to each winning applicant in each budget category so that the winners can build the garden at the show.

For further information contact exhibitorapplications@rhs. org.uk.

December 2012

11

No matter how small the job The SE750 Trailer will take the weight of it With the SE750, a potential nightmare becomes nothing as you can now get the right gear to the task in hand.

Versatile, robust and fixed sided, the SE750 can be used to transport a wide range of materials and machinery starting with the lightest of lawn mowers!

For more details & info, call Jason Hardwick on:

07900 195065 or e-mail:

info@indespension.com

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Pro Landscaper Sept12-186x118h.indd 1

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Parts

Hire

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24/09/2012 14:51

Association News – SGD MARION BRENNER

1 Design by Andrea Cochran.

2 John Brookes MBE FSGD at the SGD conference.

A storming weekend John Wyer FSGD reports on another successful conference for the Society 1

W

ith the inaugural SGD Awards on Friday 9 November and the Conference on Saturday 10 November, the Society of Garden Designers put on a weekend show to remember. Both events were a sell-out. Pro-Landscaper will be running a full review of the awards with details of the winning schemes in the January issue, but for the moment, suffice to say that the event exceeded everybody’s expectations.

In an exciting evening, one of the more contemplative moments was the short film about Charles Jencks, who won The John Brookes Award. His work is a fascinating blend of conceptualism, landscape and architecture and would have struck a chord with Saturday’s conference audience, where the theme was ‘A Perfect Union; the marriage of horticulture and architecture’. Even the sponsors – Barcham Trees and Elveden Hedges – fitted the theme.

The conference was ably chaired by Brita von Schoenaich, whose evident expertise and knowledge provided a useful framework into which the speakers slotted neatly. The day started in earnest with Andrea Cochran’s www.prolandscapermagazine.com

elegant North Californian portfolio.

This was a subtle weave of light and shade, hard and soft, crisp geometry and smooth natural lines.

It answered the brief perfectly and left the audience with a kind of wistful breathlessness. Kate Baker’s contemplative essay on courtyards and walled gardens was followed up with an enthusiastic romp through rain gardens, green roofs,

2

living walls, pictorial meadows and of course the Olympics from Nigel Dunnett. Nigel was on excellent form and this was an impressive spread of work.

Toasting a 50-year career The day finished with an almost impossible task of trying to summarise the 50-year career of John Brookes MBE FSGD in just under an hour. It was a pleasure to hear first-hand from the man who almost single-handedly launched garden design as a profession in the

UK. As always I came back with a head full of ideas for my own and other people’s gardens.

For myself and many others, what makes these conferences so great is the almost perfect balance between inspiration, networking and information gathering. As preregistered member Philippa Keeling put it: “It is the most productive platform to informally meet up with our business community and get a wide picture on the state of the industry against a background of inspirational speakers”.

The trade exhibitors find the experience equally useful, as Clive Warwick from Cranborne Stone explained: “The SGD conference is an excellent opportunity to explain and showcase our products to a professional audience… providing a great forum in which we can forge new relationships and rekindle old ones. It’s a Saturday well spent.” These trade stands are serious affairs, with trees, paving, furniture and tables laden with books fill the margins of the hall.

One of the great things about the Conference is the sheer range of people there, from students through to well-known designers.

As David Johnson of Barcham says: “Conference attendance always

amazes me, in a time when we are all having to work that much harder it’s a credit to the SGD that they can attract delegates from all over the country.” Although, as he points out, being a main sponsor gives him a distinct advantage – “There are only so many people you can talk to during the breaks but having a slot in the theatre does mean you can flag wave to them all at once”.

Don’t miss the SGD Spring 2013 conference on Saturday 27 April 2013, but remember to book early as tickets for the autumn conference sold out almost eight weeks before the event. www.sgd.org.uk

ABOUT JOHN WYER John Wyer was recognised as a fellow of the Society of Garden Designers in 2011.

He is a widely published and respected designer and his schemes have won many awards.

He and Chris Bowles formed Bowles & Wyer in 1993 and John has been responsible for the design of hundreds of projects spanning private gardens and roof gardens, as well as large commercial and residential development projects.

December 2012

13

Association News – BALI

BALI briefing Successful events highlight strength of the regions

The Landscape Man On Thursday 18 October, 106 BALI members and guests from the SGD, LI and APL, had a fabulous evening at the Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, when Channel 4’s The Landscape Man – Matthew Wilson – gave a brilliant talk that drew from his wide-ranging career as 14

December 2012

1 Students and lecturers past and present celebrate 40 years of landscape education at Merrist Wood College.

1

B

ALI’s strength as an association has always come from the grass roots (forgive the pun) – our members across the country. Each of the nine BALI Regions is run by a volunteer committee of BALI members and supported by a Regional Development Officer and the team at Landscape House in Stoneleigh Park.

It has long been the practice of the committees organising the events to use them as a means of bringing together not only BALI members but professionals from a wide cross-section of the landscape industry.

The success of this approach was certainly demonstrated at two recent events; one in the North East and the other in the South East of the country.

2

3

the former curator of both RHS Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr gardens, managing director of Clifton Nurseries and highly respected broadcaster and lecturer. Designers and contractors listened intently to Matthew’s pearls of wisdom in the areas of design, planting and landscaping and were treated to a host of great images.

The evening’s headline sponsor was BALI member Bradstone, who gave a pre-dinner presentation on the company’s Bradstone Assured installer scheme. Other BALI Affiliate (supplier) members supported the event by taking small display areas where guests had time during a drinks reception to network and talk to suppliers. Matthew Wilson has recently taken on the mantle of Chairman of the Greenfingers Charity and a collection during the evening saw BALI’s Chief Operations Officer Wayne Grills present Matthew with a cheque for the charity for £420.

After the event, Twitter went into overdrive – it was a great evening on all fronts and the BALI Yorkshire & North East Region, headed up by Chairman Nigel Coultas of Johnsons of Whixley,

have raised the bar yet again where hosting regional events is concerned.

South Thames region The BALI South Thames Region event at Wyevale East Nurseries on 24 October has already received excellent coverage on the Pro Landscaper website. It was another great networking opportunity but also an informative and practical event that gave designers and contractors the chance to benefit from the experience and

2 BALI Yorkshire & North East event in Harrogate.

3 BALI South Thames event at Wyevale East Nurseries.

to be part of Merrist Wood College’s event on 1 November to celebrate 40 years since they introduced the first landscape course in the UK and, most probably, in the world. They also celebrated, a little in advance, the hosting of the first BALI National AGM and Conference at the college in early 1973. Landscaping lecturer Tony Begg was the driving force behind the event, which welcomed more then 50 alumni, the majority of whom are now BALI members.

Speakers included former

Regional events bring together not only BALI members but professionals from a wide cross-section of the industry knowledge of Wyevale East’s Richard McKenna and Palmstead Nurseries’ Nick Coslett.

Discussing the issues of supply chain efficiency and spelling out the importance of good planning and communication between plant suppliers, designers and contractors, both Richard and Nick delivered an event that fully justified BALI members and guests giving up valuable working hours to attend.

40th anniversary And finally, in BALI’s 40th anniversary year, it was a pleasure

lecturer Geoff Ace, past students and BALI members David Dodd (The Outdoor Room), Paul Cowell (PC Landscapes), Bob Field (Robert Field Landscapes), and David Winn from Lantra.

There was little doubt that those alumni who attended the event held the college and their former lecturers in very high esteem and most are now achieving great things within the industry.

Congratulations to the Merrist Wood College landscaping faculty on 40 years of excellent service delivery. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Business Tips

The costs of building walls Scope In this section we begin examining the operations and costs of constructing walls on a landscape site. This first part will deal with the costs of standard foundations.

Notes on the following tables ● All items are shown at cost (readers should therefore allow for profit). ● The labour rate used is £19.50 per hour.

2

SETTING OUT WALLS

1

The measurement and hence the costing of walls is measured using both square and cubic measurement under the Standard Method of measurement. ● Setting out

Trenches The size of the trench must be dug to accommodate both the concrete foundations and hardcore if specified and some underground brickwork or blockwork. The factors affecting trench excavation were covered in a previous article. The table is partially repeated below.

Please note that the costs of moving the excavated material and disposal has not been repeated here. Readers should refer to the previous costing articles in Pro Landscaper which cover these specific items.

The wall needs to be carefully set out and the foundation marked out. The excavation is critical to limit the size and use of the concrete and minimise the waste.

Setting out walls Labour (£) Straight

SIZES OF FOUNDATIONS

In most cases the size of the foundations will be specified. The architect or engineer would specify the width and depth of the foundation depending on the type of wall (retaining or boundary etc) or the soil conditions (heaving clay etc).

As can be seen by the above, the process of costing the wall consists of different elements which have to be added together to give a total for the whole wall from excavation to coping. The tables below and in the next article should be combined to build a cost for these items.

Length

● Trenching for foundations – m3 ● Optional hardcore base or blinding for foundation – m3 ● Concrete footing – m3 ● Optional steel reinforcement – tonnes

Curved

1-5 m

19.50

39.00

5-10 m

39.00

78.00

10-20m

48.75

97.50

All items shown at cost – allow for profit

Excavating trenches: data for this information based on our earlier excavation cost investigation (Pro Landscaper October 2011) Foundation size

Incl underground brickwork: Total volume – m3 Underground brick courses

Cost of trench excavation – no of brick courses £/linear m Hand excavation

Width

Depth

300 400

3-tonne excavator

2

3

4

2

3

4

2

3

4

150

0.09

0.1125

0.135

2.08

2.60

3.12

0.87

1.09

1.31

150

0.12

0.15

0.18

2.77

3.47

4.16

1.16

1.45

1.74

500

200

0.175

0.2125

0.25

4.04

4.91

5.78

1.70

2.06

2.42

600

250

0.24

0.285

0.33

5.55

6.59

7.63

2.33

2.76

3.20

600

300

0.27

0.315

0.36

6.24

7.28

8.32

2.62

3.05

3.49

600

400

0.33

0.375

0.42

7.63

8.67

9.71

3.20

3.64

4.07

These rates can be doubled for curved walls

16

December 2012

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Business Tips

3

BLINDING OR HARDCORE

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

At this point there exists a trench in the ground. The trench itself acts as a shutter for the concrete foundation. In some cases a blinding or hardcore base will be required below the concrete foundation in order to minimise waste into the ground of the concrete. This is dependent on ground conditions.

4

If steel bar reinforcement has been specified or designed it will be fixed at this stage to the trench to receive the foundations.

The complexity of this operation cannot be addressed here but a rule of thumb may be applied. Based on current rates for steel costs of £550.00/tonne.

The linear meterage for steel bar fixing of commonly used steel sizes in a landscape situation are as shown on the table below. Due to the complexity of the steel permutations in any foundation these figures cannot be related to the linear measurement of a foundation.

Readers should calculate the tonnages of steel required based on the table below and add these to the other components of your calculations.

Blinding to bases of excavations at 100mm thick Labour only

Material + labour (£)

Time (hr) Cost (£m ) Hardcore Type 1 3

Spread and level by hand

0.16

1.60

3.10

5.34

Spread/level by 3t machine

0.03

0.51

2.01

4.25

5

STEEL BAR REINFORCEMENT

CONCRETE

Once the steel is fixed and the level of pour of these foundation is marked on the trench the concrete can be poured. The factors affecting price here are as follows: ● Type or strength of concrete mix ● Ordinary or sulphate resisting ● Ready-mixed or site-mixed ● Distance of cartage from offload / mixing position ● The costs of concrete mixed on site based on 45 minutes for one man to load and mix are as follows: —1:3:6 = £90.00/m3; 1:2:4 = £102.00/m3 The costs of using ready-mixed concrete are generally far more economical. The only hitch is that there is usually a minimum quantity of 6m3 although some companies do now provide smaller quantities but at a premium rate. An average price for a GEN 1 or ST1 type mix with a 10-15 N/mm2 is £75.00 to £85.00 (average £80.00). Other factors affecting the pour of the concrete will be the speed due to the distance and the amount of steel and thus the vibration cost.

Steel bar reinforcement length/weights/fixing times Steel at £550/tonne

Fixing times

Total (£)

Diameter (mm)

Mass/m run

m/tonne

m/hr

Labour £/m of steel

6

0.222

4504.50

20

0.98

1.10

8

0.395

2531.65

18

1.08

1.30

10

0.616

1623.38

14

1.39

1.73

12

0.888

1126.13

10

1.95

2.44

16

1.579

633.31

8

2.44

3.31

20

2.466

405.52

5

3.90

5.26

ABOUT sAm hAssAll Costs of concrete foundations: concrete laying £/m run Foundation size Width

Depth

Site-mixed at location of foundation Volume m3

Laying labour 1 m/hr/m3

1:3:6

1:2:4

Ready-mixed Concrete Gen1

Mixmate

300

150

0.045

1.76

5.81

6.35

5.36

7.16

400

150

0.060

2.34

7.74

8.46

7.14

9.54

500

200

0.100

3.90

12.90

14.10

11.90

15.90

600

250

0.150

5.85

19.35

21.15

17.85

23.85

600

300

0.180

7.02

23.22

25.38

21.42

28.62

600

400

0.240

9.36

30.96

33.84

28.56

38.16

1000

1000

1.000

39.00

129.00

141.00

119.00

159.00

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Sam Hassall is the UK’s only dedicated specialist landscape cost consultant.

As the managing director of LandPro Ltd he provides cost and implementation information to landscape design professionals and landscape contractors. Sam also compiles the Spon’s External Works and Landscape Price Book and he developed the market leading LiberRATE Estimating system which is available as a 90-day trial. Call: 01252 795030 or visit www.landpro.co.uk.

December 2012

17

Business Tips

Simple steps to forming business alliances 1. Define your target market Understand exactly who your ideal customer is and what their current spending habits are.

2. Identify potential partner industries Consider all avenues of potential product and service providers that already have a trusted relationship with your target market.

RUSSELL COX

RUSSELL COX

Fishing in the same pond Forming strategic alliances with companies that have the same target market as your business is a good way of gaining new customers, as Phil Jones explains

Most of us are looking to grow our business in some way and high on our priority list is the acquisition of new customers. Finding new, qualified prospects is one of the most difficult parts of the sales process and to conquer this there are many ways that we can fast-track it.

The tactic in question is the approach of developing strategic alliances. This is working coherently with like-minded businesses that have the same target market as you, yet with whom you are typically not in competition with.

The lesson of the power of forming strategic alliances was strongest when developing our property business. We had an investment property product that was an alternative to a pension and resulted in a fair size investment to be made by the customer for some significant long-term rewards. Finding people for this product from traditional advertising and digital media was inconsistent and unpredictable.

ABOUT PHIL JONES Phil Jones has been in business since he was 14 years’ old and has been fine-tuning his sales process since. Published author of Toolbox and an award-winning business educator, Phil has been instrumental in turning around underperforming businesses and his expertise makes him an invaluable resource for organisations to tap into. Email enquiries@ philmjones.com, or telephone 01527 531 393. www.philmjones.com

18

December 2012

This led us to consider which business professionals have access to a good number of our target customers. Defining our target market helped us to understand that our potential customers are typically successful business owners and high-salaried employees who were already customers of financial advisors, accountants and solicitors.

This allowed us to change our sales process entirely and to take control of our results by forming partnerships with the

Can you imagine the difference it would make to your business if you were receiving referred appointments with personal recommendations? professionals who could introduce us to their customer base. Can you imagine the difference it would make to your business if you were receiving referred appointments with personal recommendations?

Why not start thinking today about who could be passing you a steady stream of business? Given the choice of finding customers one at a time or utilising someone else’s hard work and receiving them in multiples, I know which option I would choose.

3. Make a list List the names and contact details of the people in the organisations that you would like to speak with.

4. Create a win-win scenario Successful strategic alliances will only work if both parties are happy with the rewards.

Financial reward is only one form of motivation, so consider what else you have to offer. Expertise, data and introductions are all immensely valuable.

5. Create appointments to build relationships Get face to face with the people who you are looking to refer you and your business. Introducing a human rather than an organisation is more rewarding for the introducer.

6. Look for first action Don’t get too excited by the big picture, the idea will “grow legs” and will soon become a massive job; if you make the change too significant nothing will happen. Start with something small, I would typically look for just the first introduction.

7. Communicate like a pro When you receive introductions you must understand that you are being trusted with someone else’s most valuable asset. Act accordingly and communicate with your introducer every step of the way.

8. Say thank you Take time to show your sincere gratitude for each introduction you are passed regardless of results.

9. Over deliver Whatever you promise to your introducer you must over deliver upon.

A big goal is to get the contact introduced to thank your introducer for the introduction.

If you can gain this result then expect a good number of further introductions.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Business Tips

Tree of knowledge When installing Christmas trees for commercial clients it’s important to plan well in advance and consider site-specific issues and hazards, such as working at height and electrical safety. Jodie Read reports

Decorated trees are an instantly recognisable and much loved part of Christmas. Commercial clients such as retailers or hoteliers recognise this fact and know the value of adding a Christmas tree to encourage their customers to feel festive.

Many interior landscapers provide a special seasonal service of supplying Christmas trees.

Christmas comes just once a year. To make the most of the occasion, companies need to plan ahead. Many organisations recognise that setting up Christmas trees can be a distraction from the day job, especially during what for many is the busiest time of the year.

Planning ahead In order to secure the best price and quality of stock, interior landscapers will have placed bulk orders for Christmas trees during the summer months, and rely upon their good relationships with suppliers who understand the importance of supplying quality specimens.

Christmas seems to start earlier each year. With many organisations now displaying decorations and gifts as early as November, there is a real need to think about the longevity of a cut tree. The Nordman Fir is well regarded for having low needle drop and is favoured by many for its ability to last the season.

Installation Once the tree arrives on site, the installation technique will depend according to size, taking 20

December 2012

into account any site-specific hazards. Often it is useful to have a small team carrying out the installation. This eliminates lone working, reduces potential manual handling concerns and can make the job a lot easier and quicker to complete.

How tall the tree is and site-specific information will determine whether ladders or mobile work platforms are the most appropriate means of working at height.

Electrical safety is something that should not be overlooked. It’s quite possible that Christmas tree lights escape normal Portable Appliance Test (PAT) regimes if they are tucked away in a box that only ever surfaces at Christmas time. Interior landscapers understand this and will therefore have a plan to ensure they are checked at appropriate intervals.

Disposal Once the festivities are over, the spent tree

becomes surplus to requirements. By having appointed a professional team of interior landscapers, customers benefit from knowing that their waste trees will be collected, shredded and turned to mulch for further use as a weed suppressant on grounds maintenance projects.

Systematic, safe and sustainable Interior landscapers with ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001 help to ensure Christmas is delivered in a systematic, safe, sustainable manner.

ABOUT JODIE READ Jodie Read is Managing Director of Penarth Management Limited; a company that helps make businesses better, greener and safer through specialist compliance consultancy and training for quality, environmental, health and safety management. She and her colleagues help to implement and maintain management systems, such as ISO9001 (Quality), ISO14001 (Environmental) or OHSAS18001 (Health and Safety).

The company is an affiliate member of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) and is delighted to have been announced as a winner of a prestigious BALI Affiliate Award for Exceptional Service. Jodie is looking forward to collecting the winning plaque on behalf of the company at the BALI Awards 2012 ceremony in London on 7 December.

Please email queries regarding ISO9001, ISO14001 or OHSAS18001 to Jodie at jodie@penarth.co.uk or telephone 029 2070 3328.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Business Tips

Designanddetail

Garden design courses fail to reflect the true role of the garden designer in a holistic way and tend to concentrate more on planting. But why is that the case? asks Andrew Wilson

I am often surprised by the responses I receive when I ask people to define design. Garden designers especially have a strange view of the world in which they are happy to develop an outline design or masterplan and more than happy to design the planting in great detail, but when it comes to build and construction the responsibility is suddenly that of the landscaper.

Perhaps it’s my landscape architectural background that causes me some concern here; not that it necessarily delivers a sound and in-depth knowledge of construction, but that it makes me aware that the whole design package is my responsibility. The idea that I might cherry pick the process in some way in my work as a garden designer is worrying.

This is not to say that I have anything against collaboration, which sees talents combine to create something greater than the individual might produce.

Most people come into garden design because of their love for plants. They see the profession as a means of making a career out of this passion because the garden is a depository for lovely plants and lots of them.

The construction of the garden is for many a necessary evil and so many designers are only too happy to pass that aspect of garden-making on to another party. But, gardens are much more than a collection

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

of plants, beauteous though they may be.

Typically a garden build programme will devote only 20% of its time to planting operations, ergo the big question, what is the other 80% and why are so many garden designers running away from it? Sadly there are many answers here but let me start with education. Most horticultural graduates will end up working as garden designers with almost no training in construction and garden making.

Even many garden design courses fail to reflect the true role of the garden designer in a holistic way, preferring to concentrate on plants.

Garden journalism Most of our garden journalists are selfconfessed “plantaholics” who promote the myth that gardens are just for plants. How many of them cover the amazing materials and quality of construction on display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for example? I’d suggest none of them, not even once.

The construction element of a garden accounts for most of its cost but with so many garden designers plunging their heads into the sand in this area, few are able to talk knowledgeably or with confidence about budgets, often to the annoyance and dismay of the client. This is also a subject that few in the media will cover, creating the lie that

Gardens are much more than a collection of plants, beauteous though they may be

gardens are cheap and cheerful things.

Design is not simply the development of the initial concept. It is a process that continues as the design is refined, moves into detail (both hard and soft) and on into site monitoring and completion of a whole project.

If the construction is handed over to the landscaper then a proportion of the design becomes his responsibility – as ideas change or are reinterpreted whose design is it that comes to completion? Whose is the design award or the RHS medal?

Many contractors are seizing the opportunity to not only design for designers but also to design for themselves, expanding their businesses to effectively absorb or possibly cut out the sole trader designer. So, what’s to be done? Well designers could start by owning up to their failings, take back the responsibility for the detailing of their work and regain control and ownership of their projects.

Our media could take a more balanced and realistic view and perhaps everyone involved would benefit, especially the client. It would be a long uphill struggle but worth it.

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

December 2012

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Business Tips

The elephant in the room IDLERS

Management Toolkit for IDLERS ● Clearly define specific (SMART) objectives. ● Set regular times for feedback and follow-up to ensure that work is being done. ● Address unfinished projects or outstanding actions immediately. Insist that work be completed on time. ● Ensure that the employee keeps to their contractual working hours. ● Be a regular presence in the work area so that you know what’s going on. ● Make a clear connection between productivity and reward. ● Praise productivity, progress, and punctuality. ● Address performance issues immediately. ● If you sense that the employee is totally unsuited to the job, consider if a more appropriate position is available or consider disciplinary proceedings or capability review.

By Yvette Etcell As managers we all have to deal with difficult employees at some time or another. If we don’t, it only gets worse.

We learn how to adapt our leadership approach to work effectively with a range of different employees; however, on occasion we are met with individuals who have characteristics that are extreme. Managing these people can be tricky, since their behaviour in itself may not easily justify formal disciplinary RUSSELL COX

Obvious malingerers are easy to identify – making personal calls, openly surfing the internet, or at someone’s desk for a lengthy chat. Devious idlers are harder to pin down – finding justifiable reasons to run lengthy errands, spending excessive hours on work they prefer to avoid tasks they dislike, and only making personal calls (or sending texts) when nobody is around.

Idlers love laissez-faire managers who leave them alone to do whatever they want, or who are afraid to address performance or attitudinal issues. Malingerers need to understand that a salary represents an investment by their employer who has the right to expect a certain return.

As such, the employer “owns” the employee’s working hours and reasonably expects the time to be used for the employer’s benefit.

action or capability review. Two such characters that you may recognise are the “idler” and the “antagonist”.

ANTAGONISTS Antagonists take the opposing view. When presented with a proposal, suggestion, instruction, or idea, they automatically point out flaws, obstacles, and potential difficulties.

They challenge management, believing it establishes independence. They resent authority and never show respect just because the person has a title. Antagonists often get into heated discussions with colleagues in meetings.

Their focus is on winning the argument, not resolving the problem.

Antagonists prefer weak managers who easily back down in the face of challenge. They like to work for someone they can dominate.

To develop and mature, antagonists need to understand that their rebellious nature will eventually compromise their career and prevent them from achieving their ambitions. They must learn to focus on team objectives and engage in collaborative problem-solving.

DO NOT

DO NOT

1 Accept shoddy work or tolerate poor excuses.

2 Allow malingerers to work at home or in remote locations.

3 “Reward” laziness by giving difficult tasks to someone else.

4 Put off discussing issues with performance.

1 Be intimidated by the antagonist’s forceful behaviour.

2 Back down or change plans.

3 Get embroiled in endless debate and argument – when it’s time to end the discussion, close it down.

4 Allow the antagonist to dominate meetings.

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Intro at so or a w

Management Toolkit for ANTAGONISTS ● Understand their career aspirations and point out how their behaviour will interfere with achieving them. ● Turn arguments into problem-solving discussions. Help the antagonist to learn these skills. ● Listen and respond positively when the antagonist presents views in an appropriate, non-confrontational manner. ● Include the antagonist in projects where teamwork is necessary for success – providing feedback during this process. ● Help antagonists understand that while they see themselves as strong and independent, others may view them as difficult to work with or hard to manage.

ABOUT YVETTE ETCELL Yvette Etcell is Director of Business Development and HR at Gavin Jones Ltd. With an early career in sales, advertising, marketing and assisting with personal injury litigation, she then took a career break to spend time with her family. Yvette spent five years with English Landscapes as an Operational Contracts Manager (Coventry City GM/Cleansing contract), then as Area Manager. Yvette joined Gavin Jones Ltd in 2003 as Business Development Manager and was promoted to the board in 2009. Contact: yvette.etcell@gavinjones.co.uk

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Let’s Hear it From...

LET’S HEAR IT FROM...

Juliet Sargeant The incoming Chair of the SGD discusses her plans to further develop the Society, as well as her path into the industry and experiences along the way

How did you get into garden design?

I originally qualified as a doctor, which I enjoyed, but it was very stressful with long working hours followed by exams and more exams. It was by chance that my husband read about the new garden design degrees that were being established at Writtle, Hadlow and Middlesex.

He suggested that I try it out, because I had always been interested in gardening. Initially the plan was just to have a break from medicine, but by the time I had been out of it for three years doing my degree I didn’t really fancy going back – and now it’s been 17 years.

Where did you do your degree?

At Middlesex University, but we were on two sites. The studio work was at Bounds Green in London and the horticulture was at Capel Manor.

It was a three-year degree, but I had my daughter in the middle of it so it took me four years. It was a great privilege to be taught by Jill Billington FSGD, Julia Fogg MSGD and Hilary Pearce.

What was the course like?

It was fantastic. Sadly, it doesn’t exist any more in

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degree form, but it was brilliant for me because it covered every aspect of spatial design. When you have the luxury of three years to study garden design, it means you can cover architecture, garden history and architectural history. We also did life drawing, photography, and model making.

I really enjoyed immersing myself in art, as I’d always regretted giving it up to pursue sciences.

What was your next step after finishing the degree?

A tutor had told us it takes roughly three years to drum up a decent client base and I think that’s about right. I was just getting established, when we moved down to Brighton, so I had to start all over again. I do know how difficult it is to set up and also to gain confidence as a garden designer;

When I started I tried to be all things to all men but you need to look at where your strengths lie

it’s really tricky when you’re new out of college. In my opinion my course didn’t teach enough about the business side of garden design: running a business; marketing; getting your name out there; looking after the client and liaising with the client or contractor.

What was the problem with that?

I teach regularly at KLC School of Garden Design and I know that new garden designers can be quite naïve in thinking they are going to spend all their time creating gardens. In reality, you have to give about a quarter of your time to running the business. When I tell my students this, I see their faces drop and their hearts sink. The secret is to remember that success is all about finding what the client wants and providing that, rather than telling the client what you are selling.

How do you identify potential clients?

It’s been a process of evolution. When I started I was trying to be all things to all men and that was a mistake. I think you need to look at where your strengths lie in design terms, but also the sort of people you get on with, and the styles you

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Let’s Hear it From...

enjoy creating. From that you can find yourself a niche where you are confident and comfortable.

What is your niche?

I think I’ve got two – I like to create gardens with a light touch, so they don’t look over-designed, but I also enjoy designing gardens that are a challenge. Where I live there are steeply sloping gardens; shaded, chalky gardens; rabbit-infested gardens and salt-laden winds. Here on the coast, clients often come to me in desperation and tell me they are thinking of paving over the lot because they can’t get anything to grow. I love it when I can give them hope of a beautiful garden and turn things around.

How do students know how to price their work when they finish college?

It’s tricky; students are always asking how much they should charge. The SGD has a guideline, because we think it is important to have a structure. It’s difficult for people coming out of college to charge the right price, but if they charge too low, not only are they undercutting experienced designers, but they also devalue their own work. This undermines their confidence at a time when they really need to be building it.

There’s an industry-wide problem that clients often undervalue people who work in gardens. I think it is because traditionally gardeners generously shared their knowledge with each other and people see garden design as an extension of that.

Explaining that what you do is time-consuming and that you are producing something unique that is worth paying for, can be difficult.

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Clients can find having their garden designed stressful… I want them to enjoy the experience

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How do you choose your contractors?

How long have you been an SGD member?

What are your goals as Chair?

I work with quite a few contractors, who I have developed relationships with over time. I try to match the contractor with the client – both in personality and the nature of the work. It makes such a difference if the contractor enjoys the job and the client feels happy having him around.

Clients can find having their garden designed quite stressful. At the end of it all, I want them to love the garden, and to have enjoyed the experience. I am looking for contractors who I can respect and who respect me. A collaborative relationship between designer and contractor is always the most fruitful.

I think my training in medicine has taught me the value of doing things properly and gaining professional recognition. I joined the SGD as a student and I became an MSGD in 2006 – I wanted to demonstrate my commitment to providing a professional service.

My main aim is to help the Society with its next stage of development. We have moved from a small voluntary organisation to a large voluntary organisation and we are at a stage now where it is really difficult to sustain the ambition we have for the SGD with just volunteers. If by the end of my term we are firmly established on foundations on which we can grow even more, I’ll be very happy.

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What made you go on to the council?

I like to get involved with things. I volunteered to do an exhibit and Andrew Fisher Tomlin, who was the then Chair, asked me if I wanted to come on to the council. After a time, I became ‘Internal Vice Chair’ where my job was to look after members.

What do you mean by growing?

It’s two things really. I’m ambitious for the SGD to be seen within the industry and also by clients as the authoritative place to go if you are

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Let’s Hear it From...

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1 and 2 Garden design by Juliet Sargeant MSGD.

Members who have been awarded the honorary status of Fellow for exceptional contribution to the Society or the profession.

3 Delegates at the SGD Spring Conference at Imperial College London.

How does the consumer understand the difference between an SGD member and an MSGD?

4 Garden by Ian Kitson FSGD, opened as part of the SGD Open Gardens series.

looking for a garden designer, or for an opinion or information about garden design. But also I want garden designers to automatically think that, in order to progress their careers and be professional, they need to become a Preregistered Member of the SGD at first and then, in time, a Registered Member.

How do you differentiate between designers of different levels, for example a three-month course compared to a three-year degree?

There have always been many different routes into garden design. This is reflected in our structure of membership. After qualifying from your course, when you will have been a student member, you apply to be a Pre-registered Member. This is the gateway to further training, and at least three years of experience creating gardens. When a Pre-registered Member feels ready to have his or her work and business practices adjudicated by a panel of peers, then it is time to apply to become a Registered Member of the SGD. Registered Members have the letters MSGD after their name. There are also Fellows (FSGD) who are Registered

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We are working hard to make it clearer for consumers. For instance, we only promote the work of fully Registered Members (MSGD) on the SGD website, so members of the public know they are searching a list of professional designers who have reached a certain standard.

We also have a rolling programme of initiatives that we use to explain the various levels of membership to consumers. For example, next year we’re running an initiative with the National Garden Scheme (NGS) where Registered, Pre-registered and student members will have gardens open to the public, but we will be using the opportunity to clarify the difference between them.

How does the SGD get the word out to the public?

Over the last few years we have instigated a number of events and initiatives to raise the profile of the Society, both independently and through other garden organisations like the RHS. We have had a consistent presence at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the past five years and will be exhibiting again in 2013. Our most ambitious project by far has been the introduction of the SGD Awards this year. It is the only awards scheme dedicated to rewarding achievement in the garden and landscape design profession and we think it will set a benchmark for designers and clients alike. We have a

fantastic panel of independent judges and the level and standard of entries this year was very high. We recognise there is a lot of work still to be done, though, to get the SGD name out there. However, I think that we are growing from strength to strength.

Does the Society of Garden Designers charge an annual fee?

Yes. It ranges from £65 for a student member to £265 for a fully Registered Member. You can also be a Friend of the Society or simply subscribe to the Society’s Garden Design Journal.

How is the council set up?

Any Registered Member can sit on the SGD council. Council members are elected by the membership. Currently we have a Chair, two Vice Chairs and the different council members, who have responsibility for the different areas of activity.

Do you see that there will be a general manager full time in the future?

It is possible. It is an idea that has been raised several times and I think that we should seriously look into it.

CONTACT Juliet Sargeant 39 Falmer Road, Rottingdean, Brighton BN2 7DA Tel: 01273 300 587 Email: info@julietdesigns.co.uk Web: www.julietdesigns.co.uk The Society of Garden Designers Tel: 01989 566 695 Email: admin@sgd.org.uk Web: www.sgd.org.uk / www.sgdawards.com

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RISEANDSHINE Winner: Design Excellence Award – Project cost over £50,000

John Nash Associates A creative scheme was devised to harmonise a garden previously spread out over four levels

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ur client’s garden in Radlett, Hertfordshire sloped steeply from side to side and front to back.

However, due to the steep banks and overgrown vegetation, less than half of the available area within the boundaries was in fact useable. It was probably originally laid out when the house was built, 70-80 years ago, and would have involved some limited cutting, filling and levelling and then probably about some 20 years ago, a swimming pool was installed. It would seem that the resultant spoil from the various excavations was dumped mainly at the back, which created a very steep clay bank. Access was very restricted.

The ground comprised a series of four levels from front to back. An upper crazy-paved terrace and a lower, similarly paved terrace around the swimming pool. These had become very uneven. The area between the lower terrace and lawn was a steep bank covered with Rhododendron ponticum and a variety of weeds. The lawn was accessed by a narrow, uneven, steep flight of crazy-paved steps.

The garden afforded views to the hills beyond but it didn’t utilise its potential and the presence of an unbroken laurel hedge across the back gave the impression of it being much shorter.

CLIENTS’ BRIEF The clients, a young couple with two young children, wished to realise the potential of the garden. Their requirements were as follows: 1 To provide a larger, more useable terrace for entertaining.

2 To extend the existing pool house to include for a store room, changing area and WC. 3 To get rid of the steep Rhododendron bank and replacing the narrow, irregular steps between the lower terrace and lawn.

4 To increase the width of the lawn by at least 4m and to enhance the view.

5 To provide an interesting play area for the children.

6 To improve the planting, albeit for it to be on a low maintenance basis.

PREPARING THE PLANS Concept plans were prepared following several meetings with the clients and a scheme was agreed which included lighting and an irrigation 30

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On-site duration 7 months Size 2,000m2 Cost £220,000

Registered member

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ABOUT JOHN NASH ASSOCIATES John Nash’s background is an architectural designer whose original profession was a chartered building surveyor. His practice served clients wishing to develop and improve their homes. This progressed naturally into designing their gardens and following a spell at Capel Manor he developed his garden design practice. This is now a separate enterprise but retains links to architecture and building. Style leads towards contemporary but often draws from classical and oriental elements. Harmony with the environment is a prerequisite.

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system. Increasing the width of the lawn was met by cutting and filling the banks and constructing retaining walls. Improving the steep bank between the lower terrace and lawn was achieved by creating terraced beds held in place by hardwood sleepers on end.

It was evident that the potential for the garden was not fully realised. The existing Laurel hedge at the end gave the impression of the rear boundary but in reality, there was a further 10m, albeit that a large proportion of this was a mostly unusable steep clay bank. The hedge also cut off the view beyond. My scheme addressed this by cutting an opening in the hedge, framing it and providing a patio and jetty. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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1 View back to the house through the Japanesestyle frame.

2 One of the journey paths.

3 The gazebo.

4 View down garden from upper terrace pool area.

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5 Tiered steps linking lawn to vegetable garden.

This area then caught the evening sun and gave views back to the house. Visually the garden was extended as it slipped smoothly and imperceptibly into the valley and the hills beyond – in effect, ‘shakkei’. A journey through the garden was created by the provision of a winding path down the sides, linking up with the new vegetable garden at the end which utilised an otherwise dead area. A gazebo opposite the children’s play area balanced the tree house and gave another view across the garden.

Detailed drawings were prepared, together with a specification of work, and specialist contractors were invited to tender, resulting in the appointment of Robert Field Landscapes.

MEETING EXPECTATIONS The design of the garden met all the clients’ requirements, while providing new perspectives, secret views and surprises. The approach from the front is by way of narrow side passages, so the garden when first seen comes as a surprise.

The design achieved more than the client envisaged – not only a garden to be viewed all year round, but used and enjoyed all year round.

REFERENCES Designer John Nash Associates 19 Cannon Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 5JR Tel: 01727 869 989 Email: info@garden designershertfordshire. co.uk Web: www.garden designershertfordshire. co.uk Main contractor Robert Field Landscapes 4 Lydiard Close, Aylesbury, Bucks HP21 9XU Tel: 01442 247123 Email: info@robertfield landscapes.co.uk Web: www.robertfield landscapes.co.uk Paving CED 728 London Road,

West Thurrock, Grays, Essex, RM20 3LU Tel: 01708 685278 Email: sales@ced.ltd.uk Web: www.ced.ltd.uk

Irrigation Watermatic Unit 6C Ivory’s Business Centre, Harper Lane, Radlett, Herts WD7 7HU Tel: 01923 839988 Email: info@water maticltd.co.uk Web: www.watermatic. co.uk Garden lighting AJ Electrics (Coleshill) Unit B4 OYO Business Park, 187 Park Lane, Castle Vale, Birmingham B35 6AN Tel: 01675 463350 Email: david@lighting installations.co.uk Web: www.lighting installations.co.uk

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Gazebo Stan Fairbrother Unit 2, Altys Brickworks Station Road, Hesketh Bank, Preston PR4 6SS Tel: 01772 814274 Email: stan@fairbrother. co.uk Web: www.stan fairbrother.co.uk Treehouse Cheeky Monkey Treehouses The Old Post House, Broadwater Lane, Copsale, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 6QS Tel: 01403 732452 Email: cheekymonkey treehouses@hotmail.co.uk Planters IOTA Garden and Home Wick Road, Wick St Lawrence, North Somerset BS22 7YQ Tel: 01934 522617

Email: iotagarden@bt connect.com Web: www.iotagarden. com

Granite barbecue top Stone of London Unit 9, Parkbury, Handley Page Way, Colney Street, St Albans, Herts AL2 2DQ Tel: 01923 856 100 Email: dan@stone oflondon.com Web: www.stone oflondon.com

(A1000), Bell Bar, Nr Hatfield, Herts AL9 6DA Tel: 01707 660101 Email: gabbi@euro plants.net Web: www.europlants.net

Kent TN30 7LT Tel: 01580 765600 Email: jeanc@hopes grovenurseries.co.uk Web: www.hopesgrove nurseries.co.uk

Potting Shed Nurseries Hinton Road, Longworth, Nr. Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX13 5HQ Tel: 01865 820300 Email: info@potting shednurseries.co.uk Web: www.potting shednurseries.co.uk

Barcham Trees Eye Hill Drove, Ely, Cambs CB7 5XF Tel: 01353 720748 Email: Lee@barcham trees.co.uk Web: www.barcham. co.uk

Plants Palmstead Nurseries Harville Road, Wye, Ashford, Kent TN25 5EU Tel: 01233 811304 Email: nick@palmstead. co.uk Web: www.palmstead. co.uk

Joseph Rochford Gardens Pipers End, Letty Green, Hertford, Herts SG14 2PB Tel: 01707 261370 Email: gianna@rochfords. net Web: www.rochfords.net

Europlants UK Great North Road

Hopes Grove Nurseries Smallhythe Rd, Tenterden,

Deepdale Trees Tithe Farm, Hatley Road, Potton, Sandy SG19 2DX Tel: 01767 262636 Email: mark@ deepdale-trees.co.uk Web: www.deepdaletrees.co.uk

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December 2012

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BANKSTATEMENT Frosts Landscape Construction Regeneration of Jubilee Gardens on London's South Bank has seen the transformation of a flat featureless space into a lush green landscape

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he Jubilee Gardens project on the South Bank saw the regeneration of the public open space with world-class high-quality flowerbeds, turf, trees, granite seating and a children’s playground, creating a stylish garden that is accessible to all able and disabled visitors.

Jubilee Gardens was an ambitious scheme to transform the riverside park in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the Olympic Games, and forms part of the Mayor of London’s Great Outdoors programme.

The site was at the centre of the Festival of Britain in 1951 with its Dome of Discovery.

It was laid out as a garden in 1977 in celebration of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Since then it has had a chequered history, including a period as a work site for the construction of the Jubilee Line extension.

In September 2011, Frosts Landscape Construction was appointed main contractor, to work with Dutch landscape architects West 8, which developed the scheme. Frosts also carried out the detail design and was involved in the novation of the client’s design team, M&E Consultant and Construction Engineer. In October 2011, London Mayor Boris Johnson

ABOUT FROSTS LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION Frosts is a well-established family-owned group of companies with over 60 years' horticultural experience, more than 35 years of carrying out major hard and soft landscaping projects, roof gardens; green/brown roofs; green walls; grounds and estate maintenance; interior landscaping; tree surgery, garden design and construction.

SBEG

Winner: Hard Landscaping – Construction Cost over £1.5 million

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www.frostslandscapes.co.uk

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and key figures from the Jubilee Gardens Project joined some of the Frosts Project team at the ‘Breaking Ground’ ceremony.

The regeneration of the public space restored the flat and featureless space into a new lush green landscape (1.6 ha), which can be enjoyed by those who live, work and visit the area. In addition, the new gardens will continue to afford open views between the Riverside Walk at the base of the London Eye across to Shell Centre with its prominent tower. The topography will permit improved views of the river and of the Palace of Westminster through the London Eye. Works included: ● Removal of existing hard surfaces, retaining walls, concrete bollards, floodlights and other fixed structures. ● Relocation of the International Brigades Memorial (see image 4) – commemorating members of the International Brigades who fought in the Spanish Civil War. ● 69 new trees (English Oak, Pin Oak, Common Beech, Bald Cypress, Sweetgum and Large Leaf Linden). Also retained six existing trees. ● Change existing levels to undulating topography – importation of 8,200 tonnes of soil and subsoil. ● 350m2 flowerbeds (to Royal Parks standard) Rootzone soil. ● High quality durable lawn – 10,700m2 of Arena Sport Turf. ● Irrigation and drainage. ● New ‘meandering’ paths linking four access points. ● Granite sett paving both flamed and 34

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Project duration 8 months Size 1.6ha Cost £3.2m

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1 View of the finished gardens.

2 Final cut before the official opening.

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3 Children’s

play area.

4 The International Brigades Memorial.

5 Laying drainage in January 2012.

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Aerial plan

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cropped 3,700m2. Granite seating and 1,600 edging units. ● Comprehensive lighting and CCTV system. ● Innovative children’s play area (see image 3).

During the construction phase, Frosts’ Project Team worked closely with the other members of the design team as well as Lambeth, South Bank Employers Group, South Bank Centre, Shell and the Jubilee Gardens Trust to produce a high quality product in terms of design and workmanship.

The granite was sourced from China because of the amount and size required, which had to be cut precisely and each piece identified to match its position on the plan. A trip to the quarry in China was made to inspect the quality of stone and to ensure the cutting processes were fit for purpose to meet the stringent requirements from the architect, and tight delivery deadlines.

Frosts overcame a number of logistical challenges, the removal of thousands of tonnes

Thousands of tonnes of reinforced concrete had to be removed to provide a suitable growing environment for the new trees, planting beds and lawns

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of reinforced concrete to provide a suitable growing environment for the new trees, planting beds and lawns. Safe pedestrian and traffic management of an island site in the busiest part of London, while maintaining the high level of security required in such a high profile location, was achieved through meticulous planning and a close working relationship with Frosts’ partners and neighbours. A new drainage connection also had to be made into the adjoining River Thames through The Queens Walk, while still maintaining pedestrian access. This was successfully achieved by phasing of the works and the use of mobile platforms to drill through the river wall.

Working closely with the client and Davis Langdon, Frosts completed the project on budget and on time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The official opening took place in October when HM The Queen unveiled a plaque and met all those associated with the design and reconstruction of the gardens.

REFERENCES Main contractor Frosts Landscape Construction Wain Close, Newport Road, Woburn Sands, Buckinghamshire MK17 8UZ Tel: 0845 021 9001 Email: info@frosts landscapes.com Web: www.frosts landscapes.co.uk Landscape architects West 8 Urban Design and Landscape Architecture b.v.

Schiehaven 13M, 3024 EC Rotterdam, The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0) 10 485 5801 Email: west8@west8.com Web: www.west8.nl

Granite seating, paving CED UK 728 London Road, West Thurrock, Grays, Essex RM20 3LU Tel: 01708 867237 Email: jenniepalmer@ced. ltd.uk Web: www.ced.ltd.uk Trees Lappen Nurseries Herrenpfad 14, 41334 Nettetal, Kaldenkirchen Germany Tel: +49 2157 8180 Email: gengelke@lappen. de Web: www.lappen.de Hillier Nurseries (Trees) Andlers Ash Farm, Andlers Ash Road, Liss

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Petersfield, Hants Tel: 01794 368733 Email: caroline.swann@ hillier.co.uk Web: www.hilliertrees. co.uk

Turf Tillers Turf Company Grange Court, Grange Lane, N Kelsey, Market Rasen, Lincs LN7 6EZ Tel: 01652 678 000 Email: adam@tillersturf. co.uk Web: www.tillersturf.co.uk Subsoil London Rock Supplies Unit 5, Delta Court, Manor Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 1FJ Tel: 020 8207 5566

Email: sam@londonrock. co.uk Web: www.londonrock. co.uk

Tree pit and planting soils Freeland Horticulture Rosedale Nursery, College Road, Hextable, Kent BR8 7LT Tel: 01322 619161 Email: philippa@freeland horticulture.co.uk Web: www.freeland horticulture.co.uk Lawn root zone soil Tarmac Topsport Tarmac Building Products Ltd, Millfields Road Ettingshall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV4 6JP

Tel: 01902 353522 Email: buildingproducts@ tarmac.co.uk Web: www.tarmac buildingproducts.co.uk

Fencing for playground Alpha Rail Ltd Urban Road, Kirkby in Ashfield, Notts NG17 8AP Tel: 01623 750 214 Email: gavin.thorne@ alpharail.co.uk Web: www.alpharail.co.uk Playground equipment Timberplay Aizlewoods, Mill, Nursery Street, Sheffield S3 8GG Tel: 0114 282 3462 Email: Rebecca@ timberplay.com Web: www.timberplay.com

Lighting columns Woodhouse Spa Park, Leamington Spa, Warks CV31 3HL Tel: 01926 314313 Email: enquire@ woodhouse.co.uk Web: www.woodhouse. co.uk Pointing for granite setts Parex – Easipoint Parex Façade Systems and TECROC Products, Holly Lane Industrial Estate, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 2QZ Tel: 01827 711755 Email: Norman.Larsen@ parex.co.uk Web: www.parex.co.uk/ Easipoint

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FEEL THE FLOW Anderson Landscape Design The designer divided this rural Surrey garden into distinct zones, each with its own character, but which flow effortlessly into one another

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he project was a 1930s house surrounded by a large, sprawling garden, in a lovely wooded setting in rural Surrey. The house itself had been recently renovated and the clients wanted the garden to reflect it’s smart interior.

The clients were a friendly, sociable couple with a busy lifestyle and wanted a garden where they could relax and enjoy the surroundings with their family and friends. They wanted somewhere for their grandchildren to play, though didn’t want primary-coloured play equipment, and asked for somewhere to grow herbs and salad vegetables.

They also wanted plants for interest in late summer. A swimming pool had already been ordered and a timber building, to be used as a gym, had just been installed, so these were to be incorporated into the design.

THE DESIGN My aim was to develop the garden into a more inspiring place, so that rather than sit on the terrace near the house and look at the garden, people would be tempted into it, to look round and enjoy it. I also wanted it to look dynamic, to reflect the changing seasons so there would always be something interesting to see.

The design divides the garden into distinct areas, each of these was developed to have it’s own particular character while flowing into each other. This encourages a journey around the garden with places to sit and view the garden from different perspectives.

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1 The finished garden.

2 Master plan.

3 Pool seating area.

4 Grassed mound incorporating slide for the children.

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5 View from the terrace.

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My aim was to develop an inspiring garden that people would be tempted into, to look round and enjoy 1

FRONT GARDEN The drive was made larger and reshaped with a generous sweeping curve; it looks a lot more attractive and there are more parking spaces. The gravel surface is held in a stabilising membrane to keep it looking neat and making it easy to walk on. There’s structural planting of small rhododendrons, azaleas, perennials and spring flowering bulbs.

1 Driveway before.

SIDE GARDEN A small vegetable garden was constructed at the side of the house, along with a shed and timber greenhouse. It’s a perfect place to grow salad vegetables and herbs.

The terrace had been constructed by the builders who extended the house. It didn’t make sense to replace it, but the steps needed to be rebuilt into more pleasing proportions.

Steps were also added at the centre of the patio to connect it to the garden – they’re flanked by standard Ligustrum (that were already in the garden) and a low hedge.

The rear of the garden was screened by a curved border that reflects the curve of the patio. The key plants are clipped Carpinus and Ilex columns to add the necessary structure, while grasses allow glimpses through to the back of the garden. Perennials and Alliums provide interest during the spring and summer

2 The finished driveway.

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into autumn. The woodland atmosphere at the back of the garden behind the curved border was enhanced by the use of rustic style pergola with green roof materials and informal plants such as foxgloves, ferns and hellebores. A grassed mound with a slide incorporated into it is a real hit with the small grandchildren, there’s also an oak-framed swing and a grass-roofed timber shelter to sit in and enjoy a different view of the garden while the children play.

THE POND The low lying area in front of the new timber building has been made into a new pond, over which we extended and cantilevered the decking that came with the building. This low lying area around a weeping willow was

REFERENCES Designer Jill Anderson Anderson Landscape Design, Stable Cottage, Munstead Heath Road, Goldalming, Surrey GU7 1UW Tel: 01483 890079 Email: jill@anderson landscapedesign.co.uk Web: www.anderson landscapedesign.co.uk Landscape contractor The Outdoor Room High Seat, 1 High Street,

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December 2012

Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 9PJ Tel: 01403 780354 / 01403 785585 Email: enquiries@ theoutdoorroom.co.uk Web: www.theoutdoor room.co.uk

Plants Coblands Nurseries Trench Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9NG Tel: 01732 378202 Email: Plants@Coblands. co.uk

Web: www.coblands.co.uk

Compost bins Recycle Works Ltd Unit 1, Bee Mill, Ribchester, Lancashire PR3 3XJ Tel: 01254 820088 Email: sylvia@recycle works.co.uk Web: www.recycleworks. co.uk Hedging Deepdale Trees Ltd Tithe Farm, Hatley Road,

Potton, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DX Tel: 01767 262636 Email: mail@deepdaletrees.co.uk Web: www.deepdaletrees.co.uk

Gravel (front drive) Nidagravel See web for local distributor Web: www.nidagravel. co.uk

one of the challenging parts of the garden.

Most of the time it was boggy, then the soil cracked and dried out briefly during summer.

The best option was to take advantage of this waterlogged area and build a pond with a boggy area next to it featuring suitable plants.

SWIMMING POOL The swimming pool has a generous area of paving with a timber pergola over it for shelter, and is partially screened from the rest of the garden by a Carpinus hedge. Some of the spoil from the pool was used to build the grass mound in the woodland area of the garden.

It was lovely to be invited back for lunch later in the year to see how well everything had developed.

ABOUT ANDERSON LANDSCAPE DESIGN Jill Anderson set up Anderson Landscape Design 15 years ago, after studying amenity horticulture and garden design at Merrist Wood College. Jill works mostly in Surrey and London and has recently co-written the book Planting Design Essentials. Jill says: “The important aspects of my practice are a thorough brief and designs with strong structure, good proportions, wonderful plants and attention to detail, this works for contemporary and traditional gardens.”

www.andersonlandscapedesign.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Stretchy Ripstop.

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Plantsman’s Plot

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

The Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’ produces masses of very fragrant lavender blue flowers from July to September which will attract many bees, butterflies and insects.

The plant is non-invasive and the seed is sterile, it is also low maintenance and can be grown in full sun or partial shade and is drought and frost tolerant. It grows no taller or wider than 80cm, making it ideal for borders and planters, and is an essential plant to gain BREEAM points. www.boningale.co.uk

These topiary conifer plants are ideal for adding interest to the winter garden.

They’re fully hardy so fine to be left out all year round and they look great when used in pairs to frame a doorway or entrance. During Christmas they can be decorated with lights and tinsel.

We have a range of conifers available as standards, pom poms, and spirals. www.agrumi.co.uk 40

December 2012

Wykeham Mature Plants specialise in offering larger trees, shrubs and hedging for instant effect. A particular speciality is providing plants for instant privacy and security, such as a range of “instant” hedging. A particularly popular option is our Laurel hedging, clipped in-situ in the growing fields twice per year for a minimum of 4-5 years or more (depending on size) before sale to provide a dense hedge. These are individually lifted during dormancy as large wire-wrapped rootballs. www.wykeham.co.uk

One of our favourite plants at the moment is Liriodendron tulipifera.

The combination of its unique leaf shape, glowing yellows and goldenbrowns of the autumn foliage make it a remarkable tree at this time of year. It is also attractive throughout spring and summer with green, tri-lobed leaves that appear to have the middle lobe cut off. It forms a tall, slender specimen, and on mature plants you also find pale yellow tulip-like flowers in summer. www.deepdale-trees.co.uk

Ilex x koeahniana ‘Chestnut Leaf’ is one of the unsung heroes of the holly clan.

Its slick, pale-green, broadly elliptical leaves, up to 15cm long, distinctively margined with strong, spiny teeth give rise to its ‘chestnut’ tag, but it’s the huge crops of large spherical orange-red berries that make this holly stand out from the crowd. It makes a large, conical evergreen shrub, eventually reaching 7m high – used as an alternative to Holm Oaks in cooler climes. www.hortusloci.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

LADYBROOK

Plantsman’s Plot

N U R SE R Y

Online Nursery - One Stop Shop Box, Taxus, Citrus, Olive, Bay and Bamboo Shrubs and Perennials from 1ltr Herbs and Alpines 9cm to 25cm Palms and Spikeys, Grasses and Ferns Traditional and Bespoke Topiary Specimen Trees & Shrubs 10 to 1,000 litres 01590 683487 agrumi.co.uk info@agrumi.co.uk Nationwide delivery or Cash and Carry from Agrumi Limited, Meadow Farm, Sway Road, Tiptoe, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 6FR. For competitive quotes contact Stanley Jackson on 0778 606 4018

mature stock specialists www. ladybrooknursery .com

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0161 440 8060

the wyevale east team ...

Wild ducks make a

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lot of noise

but they also have the

good sense to benefit from flying in formation

N U R S E R I E S

The Landscape Centre, Leydenhatch Lane, Swanley, Kent BR8 7PS T 01322 662315 E sales@wyevale-east.co.uk W www.wyevale-east.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

December 2012 41

Plantsman’s Plot

One of the plots of Van den Berk Nurseries has turned into a big red flame with 320 eye-catching multi-stem red maples. The variety Acer rubrum, ‘Brandywine’ at this plot, is known for its extraordinary red colour in autumn.

Van den Berk has many more types of red maples, such as Doric, Tilford, Schlesingeri, Autumn Flame, Bowhall, Embers and Fairview Flame. The colouring of red maples is most spectacular when the tree grows in moist, slightly acid soils. www.vdberk.co.uk

After a glorious display of autumn colour Hamamelis settle into the background. Look closely and you will see the tiny flower buds clustering along the branches. In mild weather from December onwards they will begin to open. Delicate spidery petals unfurl with varieties in pale lemon through to burnt orange and warm reds. Look on the internet and you will find some fascinating time-lapse sequences of the flowers opening. At Dingley Dell Nurseries we have four varieties available. www.dingleydell.co.uk

Ladybrook Nursery holds a wide stock of mature conifers suitable for planting as permanent Christmas trees, a sustainable option for a private garden or public space. A tree planted for this purpose not only brightens up the dark winter months when decorated but can also be enjoyed all year round. We recommend Picea omorika for a traditional Christmas tree shape at an affordable price; Ladybrook has some beautiful specimens up to 5m. www.ladybrooknursery.com

There are very few trees that offer a truly great yellow foliage display, especially now the once popular Robinia Frisia is so blighted by disease that it is no longer worth pursuing. This Norway Maple – Acer platanoides Princeton Gold, is best in the spring but retains a lovely leaf contrast throughout the summer months making it ideal for a large garden. www.buythetreeyousee.com www.barcham.co.uk

Many plants that flower in the winter months have the added attraction of scent; this Sarcococca’s knockout scent is a must for any garden to lift the winter blues. Sarcococca ruscifolia var. chinensis ‘Dragon Gate’ is a dwarf, evergreen shrub of upright habit with glossy, narrow leaves ending in a dainty tip. The small white flowers are borne in abundance in the winter months, heavily scented and followed by red berries. www.wyevale-east.co.uk 42

December 2012

Winter colour can be difficult to achieve but there are many options. The subtle autumn tints have gone, but the purple berries shine out. Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’ AGM is an erect shrub that will grow to 2m tall. It berries better when grown with its brothers and sisters rather than a solitary specimen. www.palmstead.co.uk

Cupressocyparis leylandii – Castlewellen Gold – is a fast-growing conifer that can be used for hedging or trained as topiary to create a specimen plant. It provides a neat colourful instant hedge to cover bike sheds, bin stores and fencing. Leylandii get a lot of bad press but if planted in appropriate places and maintained with an annual trim they provide the perfect solution for property developers and landscapers who are continually requesting 400/500cm high evergreen screens to block a view. www.plants.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Hall’s Rainsaver

helps keep gardens and allotments watered throughout the year

In times of unpredictable weather, saving water for dry spells is growing in importance.

Hall’s Rainsaver is a great British invention that simpli es collecting rainwater from ust about any sloping surface in a garden or allotment.

By tting to the roof edge by hand using uni ue patent pending brac ets, the world rst system optimally collects rainwater regardless of roof overhang. ach Rainsaver gutter it includes everything needed e cept the water container. ith e tendable its priced from ust . , the water saving solution truly offers an affordable, simple alternative to comple I guttering.

The award winning product is entirely British designed and made, guaranteed for ve years. The company welcomes orders large and small, and with weather uncertainty li ely to continue, help save a shedload of water

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10:55:52

Topsoils,Growing Media and Landscaping Materials

Quality? Consistency? Reliability C

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Three very important words when considering the supplier of your growing media.

Choose Boughton and you really will get a quality and consistent product, delivered to site when you want it.

From Natural Topsoil to Bespoke Compost Mixes, Boughton are able to supply nationally, loose or bagged. We really do have every surface covered!

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Telephone 01536 510515 or visit www.boughton.co.uk

Latest Kit

LATEST KIT Etesia’s Helion hedge trimmer has a back-pack lithium battery, weighs just 3kg, and features a pivoting handle and a range of cutting heads. Beat the discomfort of using a petrolpowered machine for long periods of time: the benefit of switching to battery-powered

Made from galvanised steel and painted brown or slate grey, the EverEdge Garden Ring can be used to form a perfect circle around a tree or shrub.

The rings are available in two diameters, 600mm (24”) or 900 mm (36”) and in heights of 75mm (3”), 100mm (4”) or 125mm (5”). Once installed, the EverEdge Garden Ring makes mowing and maintenance so much easier and adds beautiful definition to any garden.

WWW.EVEREDGE.CO.UK

Kinley Systems is pleased to announce the launch of its unique Gravelrings loose aggregate paving panel system to the landscape industry.

The unique product is simply laid on to a good quality sub-base material before

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December 2012

The Groundsman TMC24 model is a compact professional turf cutter with the traction and cutting ability to strip sod effortlessly in all types of grass surfaces and conditions. Four widths of sod blades are available to cut from 30cm (12”) to 45cm (18”) adjustable to 7cm (3”) thick. Groundsman Turf Multi Cutters are recognised

trimmers is the ease of use.

They are so much lighter, yet just as effective as petrol machines, and of course quieter, free of fumes, and without potential harmful vibration. The hedge trimmer can last for an entire day on a single charge.

WWW.ETESIA.CO.UK

for effortless clean cutting with the lowest operator handle-arm vibration (HAV) levels on the market. A flat-toothed belt drive provides quiet, smooth operation of the cutter blade and the oil-filled disengaging worm gearbox gives durable low maintenance ground-drive.

WWW.GROUNDSMAN INDUSTRIES.COM

The Team Vixen powered pedestrian sprayer is fitted with a 24v battery-powered axle which features variable forward and reverse drive and low ground pressure tyres. The 3m folding boom comes equipped with six triple nozzle assemblies and ‘break back’ sprung protection against contact with stakes or trees.

being filled with loose aggregate stone. The result is a stable and fully permeable surface over which it is easy to drive, walk, cycle, or push small wheeled vehicles such as wheelchairs.

Gravelrings are unique in that they rely on an integral backing

It can be used with full 3m application or 1.5m with one boom folded and nozzles switched off. The 14 LPM diaphragm pump offers reliable and fully adjustable application rates. A 120-litre polythene tank with wide, filter protected filling facility completes the robust design.

WWW.TEAM-SPRAYERS.COM

grid that enables the flow through of silts and other fines, but prevents the loose aggregate from working its way beneath the panel and ultimately undermining the surface finish.

WWW.KINLEYSYSTEMS.COM

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Latest Kit

Altrad Belle’s innovative solution to alternative lightweight wheelbarrows, the Belle Warrior, features: an extra strong HDPE 100-litre tray; an adjustable wheel plate for better balance, preventing common back strain; heavy duty and reinforced electroplated frame offering longevity; environmentally friendly ‘never run flat’ tyres; and one-year warranty, that gives total assurance.

WWW.ALTRAD-BELLE.COM

GroundsCare Products has now introduced the Rotowash, a self-contained, professional pressure washer designed for cleaning tarmac, concrete, brick pavers and wooden boards. It has a heavy duty skirt that eliminates overspray, and is ideal for

Mountcharles Sandstone Paving is a new product added to the 2012/2013 McMonagle Stone Paving Collection. Quarried from its own family quarry, Mountcharles is fast becoming one of McMonagle’s most popular paving options. McMonagle Stone has been handcrafting natural

cleaning almost any flat surface.

Can be fed from the mains supply, or draw water from a container, and is supplied complete with a lance and hose that enables it to be used as a normal pressure washer if needed.

WWW.GROUNDSCAREPRODUCTS.CO.UK

stone for more than 40 years, selecting stone for its character, quality and colour. Extremely versatile, it is suited both internally and externally. Its consistent warm sandy buff tones look stunning in any environment whether traditional or modern.

WWW.MCMONAGLESTONE.COM

The new Clumber is already one of Smart Direct’s best sellers for 2012 with its luscious thick tricoloured natural look and spring-back action. The clumber has a 35mm pile height, comes in 2m or 4m widths and doesn’t need a sand infill. The Clumber is maintenance-free and doesn’t need to be brushed up as it Springs back itself. Be smart, buy direct. WWW.SMART-DIRECT.CO.UK

Ryetec’s Triflex 2 is new for the 2013 grass-cutting season. A wet 2012 combined with reduced frequency cutting left local authorities and contractors struggling with conventional mowers. Triflex’s flail design allows it to cut with equal quality to rotary and cylinder mowers

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

thanks to 50% overlap blades, high speed rotors and floating cutting decks, the ability to cut any length of wet grass and evenly spread cuttings make Triflex suitable for regular 14-day cutting cycles to 4, 3, 2 and even single annual cuts with minimal adjustments. WWW.RYETEC.NET

Yamaha’s newest addition to its Grizzly range could be just what you need for a variety of everyday tasks around your site. While the Grizzly 300 is a 2WD machine it will get to almost any place its higher specification big brothers can reach due to its compact dimensions and light weight. It’s a great general workhorse with its gutsy engine and Hi-Lo ratio gearbox with fully automatic transmission, meaning it will haul a good-sized trailer while also carrying a reasonable load on its racks. WWW.YAMAHA-MOTOR.CO.UK

December 2012

45

LANDSCAPE PLANTING ?

Crowders Nurseries is one of the foremost suppliers, to many BALI Award Winners, of quality nursery stock. From cell grown trees to transplants, container grown shrubs to standard trees – we can supply all your needs.

For more information contact Tom Owen at Crowders Nurseries

Crowders Nurseries Lincoln Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5LZ Tel: 01507 525000 Fax 01507 524000 Email: sales@crowders.co.uk www.crowders.co.uk

Growing through caring

The Finest Decking for Beautiful Projects by

Exterior Decking supply the finest decking materials to commercial and domestic projects across the UK and Europe.

With the largest range of decking materials in the UK, Exterior is the first choice by Architects and Designers for specifying projects where their clients demand the best.

Exterpark Hardwood decking is available in 10 timber species, 3 thicknesses and is the only timber decking to have a patented invisible stainless fixing system providing a beautiful screw-less decking project.

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Trending

Pro Landscaper looks at what’s different this month READERS GET 10% DISCOUNT ON LAND GIRL GARDENING WEAR Land Girl gardening clothes are designed by women gardeners for women gardeners. The UK-based brand takes its inspiration for the designs from the remarkable women in the Land Army and with a nod to the vintage feel of the 1940s and 1950s. The stylish range of trousers and dungarees are practical and tailored for a flattering fit with good coverage on the lower back for bending and stretching. All pieces are made from a high quality, robust comfortable fabric with triple-stitched seams for wear and tear, full and three-quarter length options are available. Each pair also comes with a range of extras including lightly padded knees, and convenient pockets. Designer Nina Baxter has kindly offered Pro Landscaper readers a 10% discount when they use the code PL1112 when shopping online. www.land-girl.com

London Heathrow opened a pop-up garden in Terminal 5 during November, with grass, plants, real rosemary bushes, jasmine, and picnic EVERGREENS UK’S FLYING VISIT TO T5 benches. The area is designed to be “a relaxing space to de-stress” before passengers embark on a flight. Evergreens UK supplied their LazyLawn artificial grass for the new facility, and passengers could buy a picnic from a nearby food outlet to enjoy ‘al fresco’ in the garden. Ben Crowley, from Heathrow, said: “We want to help our passengers start their holiday the moment they arrive at the airport, and make sure their time away is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. It looks fantastic.” www.evergreensuk.com

NEW CONCEPT WILL LEAVE YOU POTLESS All the latest garden trends make sure that green planting is everywhere and no space is left unused – for example hanging baskets, green walls, and green roofs. Hanging baskets aren’t new, but a Dutch artist and botanist has reinvented the traditional design into something completely different with a lot of potential. Fedor van der Vlak’s string gardens are created using clever pot-less plants suspended in green ‘baskets’ – van der Vlak wraps intertwined string around the plant’s root balls which gives them their potless appearance. His creations contain all sorts of plants from perennials, shrubs, annuals, orchids, carnivorous plants and even small trees. www.stringgardens.com

APP FOR TRACKING ASH DIEBACK An app has been launched to help track and prevent the spread of the devastating Ash dieback disease which has wiped out millions of ash specimens on the continent, and endangers the 80 million trees in this country. The free app, AshTag, is available for Android and iPhone. The app can be used to identify the disease on a tree, and file a location report of any suspect trees using the smartphone’s camera and GPS. Experts will verify the picture report, and partners at the Forestry Commission will mobilise to try and prevent the fungus spreading. www.ashtag.org

Pro Landscaper received an early Christmas present in the post – a toy version of Solo’s CHRISTMAS CUTS 646 SP chainsaw.

EARLY WITH SOLO An exact replica of the real thing, although not quite as sharp or powerful, and can’t be used to fell any real trees – which is probably for the best in our hands! The grown-up version combines a powerful engine with an ergonomic design and anti-vibration system to allow for longer working periods.

The saw also offer a 75% reduction in emissions as well as a 20% improvement in fuel economy on recommended levels. From day-to-day outdoor maintenance to specialist forestry tasks, there is something to suit an array of jobs and individual requirements. www.sologarden.co.uk

People

THE

LITTLE INTERVIEW Dave Bennett Greenhaven Landscapes www.greenhavenlandscapes.co.uk What is the best thing about your job?

Problem solving, we often have clients with a difficult access or sites that require a ‘think outside the box’ approach.

What made you want to get into the industry?

My dad often re-landscaped areas in our large garden, rejuvenating an area was so exciting.

How is the bulk of your work made up?

We mostly work for designers and architects in the local area, London and across the south of England.

Your company’s plans for the next five years…

To expand our client base and concentrate on delivering a quality product.

How do you remain competitive?

We’re investing in machinery and working on ways

Thomas Houghton Thomas Houghton Gardens www.thomashoughtongardens.co.uk What is the best thing about your job?

Endless creativity: every garden is different and has a new design scheme, along with new challenges.

What made you want to get into the industry?

City and Guilds Modern Apprenticeship – a love of designing and building and being outdoors.

Challenges ahead in your work?

Creating a professional company and continuing to offer dynamic design.

Current trends in the market?

Being cost effective while delivering a high level of quality and finish.

48

December 2012

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 lisa.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk of making our daily activities more productive.

Who are you inspired by?

Mark Gregory.

Countryside or seaside?

I am lucky that I live in Dorset and therefore am very close to both.

Your proudest achievement?

Winning my first gold medal at Hampton Court Flower Show this year. It’s quite infectious and even after all the hard work I want to get back to Chelsea next year.

Favourite song?

Queens of the Stone Age, No One Knows, because you just don’t!

Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

Autumn/winter, it’s a chance to sit back and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Your company’s plans for the next five years…

Continue expanding with the help of more staff.

Who are you inspired by?

William Morris, Capability Brown, designers and landscape architects with vision for improving landscapes for future generations.

One thing you want to do before you’re too old?

Climb the Inca Trail.

Tim Williams Millhouse Landscapes www.millhouselandscapes.co.uk What is the best thing about your job?

Initially securing the design (and build) concept with the client and then seeing their reaction to how the garden will eventually look.

Challenges ahead in your work?

Keeping patient!

Current trends in the market?

Clients are asking for clean, structured lines and evergreen planting. People seem to prefer natural stone and wood for hard landscaping, nothing that looks too artificial – all with minimal maintenance.

Your company’s plans for the next five years…

Although we have no wish to diversify, we constantly try to improve all aspects of the design and build process and deliver the highest quality.

How do you remain competitive?

Constantly innovating and improving our systems, designs and training.

Who are you inspired by?

Robin Williams Snr – I first saw one of his designs in the early 1980s and was blown away by the quality and detail of his design and illustration.

Favourite TV show?

Blot on the Landscape!

Your proudest achievement?

Graduating as a Residential Landscape Designer.

Your proudest achievement?

The first of our seven BALI Awards back in 1991 – I really loved that garden!

Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

Spring mornings, with bright sun and hard frost.

Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

Summer – that is when we are at our busiest.

Favourite holiday destination?

Cape Town and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Favourite holiday destination?

I love the wild north west coast of Portugal/Spain.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

People

Peter Fane Nurture Landscapes Ltd www.nurturelandscapes.co.uk What is the best thing about your job?

Building and motivating a team to manage the growth in the business.

What made you want to get into the industry?

My Dad owned garden centres so we worked on the nurseries at weekends and holidays. This led to an interest in all things green and a desire to run my own business.

How is the bulk of your work made up?

I motivate and assist the management team, as

Nick Allen

well as focus on running the financial side of the business.

Current trends in the market?

Clients looking for single service excellence.

Your company’s plans for the next five years…

Continuing to make acquisitions and add business development managers.

How do you remain competitive?

We offer a quality service at a competitive price.

One thing you want to do before you’re too old?

Retire! It would be good to take a step back from the day-to-day operations by the age of

Your company’s plans for the next five years…

I’d like more long-term maintenance jobs where we have a bit of input into the design also.

Cordyline www.cordyline.co.uk What is the best thing about your job?

Being outdoors and feeling fit. Making gardens is the perfect combination of craft, science and art.

What made you want to get into the industry?

I worked at a bonsai nursery during my A levels and got hooked.

How is the bulk of your work made up?

Regular work at a couple of schools, mostly planting and maintenance – the rest is design and build.

How do you remain competitive?

I genuinely enjoy what I do so I’m happy to read books and magazines and visit gardens and shows which keeps me in touch.

Who are you inspired by?

Positive people who are committed to what they do, enjoy it and take it seriously.

One thing you want to do before you’re too old?

I would like to spend time working on a bonsai

60 and spend more time with my family.

Your proudest achievement?

I am very proud of what the five directors have achieved at Nurture Landscapes in four rather hectic years.

Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

Autumn – I love all the changing colours.

Favourite holiday destination?

The Italian hills south of Florence. I love the people, the language, the food, the wine and the sunshine.

nursery in Japan. And another garden for the Chelsea Flower Show.

Countryside or seaside?

I am lucky to have both. If I had to choose, probably the seaside.

Your proudest achievement?

Designing and building a garden at Chelsea, and my kids. Not in that order.

Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

Spring – I always feel relieved when the crocuses pop up.

DIARY DECEMBER 06 IOG Conference and Awards 2012: York Racecourse YO23 1EX www.iog.org

JANUARY 2013 22–24 BTME Harrogate Week, Harrogate International Centre HG1 5LA www.btme.org.uk

07 BALI Awards 2012: Grosvenor House Hotel, London www.bali.org.uk

22–25 IPM: Essen, Germany www.ipm.messe-essen. de

24 Surviving the Recession Seminar by Alan Sargent: Brinsbury College, Pulborough Email: sargent396@ btinternet.com FEBRUARY 06–07 Executive Hire Show: Ricoh Arena, Coventry

www.executive hireshow.co.uk 19–20 RHS London Plant & Design Show: RHS Horticultural Halls, London www.rhs.org.uk/ShowsEvents

YOUR EVENT If you have a diary event you wish to publicise, email details to the editor: lisa.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

December 2012

49

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December 2012

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6ft x 2ft £100.00 7ft x 3ft £160.00 All plus VAT & delivery

Tree and Nursery Supplies & all Planting Sundries

Mark Vigrass Ltd 01507 604201 / 07971 190345 www.markvigrass.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

www.ground-control.co.uk The Stables, London Road, Billericay,Essex CM12 9HS

December 2012

51

Work with the UK’s leading artificial grass brand

Chosen by LOCOG for the 2012 Olympic Rowing Village

Installed in the 2012 Olympic Athletes Village

Why choose Namgrass?

The UK’s leading artificial grass brand

• NO joining or ‘start up’ costs

• 100% European manufacture European manufacture

• No stock to hold

ISO9001 certificated • Products ISO9001 certificated

• B enefit from Global marketing and Namgrass’s ‘economies of scale’

years manufacturing • O ver 30 years manufacturing experience

• Vast product portfolio

present • G lobal brand present countries in over 30 countries

• P roducts stocked in the UK ready for next day delivery

quality • U nrivalled quality and pricing

RE EA Y T 0 N A 1GUAR E

• E xclusive trade only products

Scan to claim your free samples!

For more information and trade pricing

call us on 01425 627832

enquiries@redcliffegardeners.co.uk • www.namgrass.co.uk Redcliffe, Bashley Road, Bashley, New Milton BH25 5RY