Pro Landscaper December 2018

Concept to Delivery

December 2018

DESIGN, BUILD AND MAINTAIN

Happy hollydays

FUTURESCAPE 2018

IN PICTURES

FESTIVE FOLIAGE

Let’s Hear it From

SUSSEX PRAIRIE

GARDEN The Dutch New Wave

KATE GOULD

Entertaining al fresco OUTDOOR CREATIONS

COVER FINAL.indd 1

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outdoor lighting

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WELCOME

Concept to Delivery

December 2018 | Volume 8, Issue 12

DESIGN, BUILD AND MAINTAIN

December 2018

Happy hollydays

FUTURESCAPE 2018

IN PICTURES

FESTIVE FOLIAGE

Welcome to December 2018 Welcome to the December edition of Pro Landscaper. We are putting the final touches to this issue after returning from the best FutureScape event, which this year had more trade stands, more visitors and a more packed programme than ever before. Each year we are amazed by how the event continues to grow and improve and believe that it really is where the whole of the landscaping sector comes together to share information, learn from others, find out about new innovations and products, but most of all celebrate the industry as one. We’re also very touched by the emails that are already flowing in with your glowing feedback – we’ll share this on the usual social media channels and online, plus

Eljays44 Ltd 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA Tel: 01903 777 570 EDITORIAL Editorial Director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 579

there’ll be write ups on the seminars and debates in the January issue, so if you didn’t make it you will be able to catch up. For now, see photos from the day on pages 20 and 21 of this issue.

When FutureScape was first launched back in 2012 our strapline was ‘One Day, One Industry, One Event’ and this still runs through the core of the event. Our stats tell us we have a complete mixture of landscapers, garden designers, landscape architects and suppliers with the great and good of the industry all coming together as one landscaping community.

Another point that really hit home is how the industry does and should continue to benefit from the experience of others, sharing, learning, and questioning each other – this not only helps the industry but creates a better understanding of the sector’s value and will in time drive it forward.

ADVERTISING Business Development Manager – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 585 Sales Manager – Jessica McCabe jessica.mccabe@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 587

Content Manager – Rachael Forsyth rachael.forsyth@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 578

Horticulture Careers – Liam Colclough liam.colclough@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 584

Editorial Assistant – Amy Fitz-Hugh amy.fitz-hugh@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 583

Managing Director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 589

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Leader.indd 3

PRAIRIE GARDEN

KATE GOULD

The Dutch New Wave

Entertaining al fresco OUTDOOR CREATION S

COVER FINAL.indd

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Finally, we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all the speakers, exhibitors and of course the visitors that helped make this the industry’s biggest and most informative event – in fact it’s so nice we’re doing it twice! Yes, that’s right – we will be adding an additional spring FutureScape on Tuesday 12 March 2019 so please save the date now.

We hope you enjoy reading this packed December issue and wish you a very happy Christmas and New Year, we look forward to bringing you more exciting features, news and events throughout 2019.

@jimeljays

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

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

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Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2018 subscription price is £95.

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

Cover image ©Outdoor Creations

SUSSEX

Let’s Hear it From

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

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

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

Pro Landscaper / December 2018

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CONTENTS

December 2018

INFORM

8

Agenda Looking back to look forward

10

23

News Our monthly roundup of industry news

13

News Extra Safety training: sharing responsibility

14

small project, BIG IMPACT

Concept to Delivery

Winners announced

17

Association News The latest from APL, plants@work, BALI, SGD and RHS

20

FutureScape Coverage Pictorial coverage

23

December 2018

DESIGN, BUILD AND MAINTAIN

Happy hollydays

FUTURESCAPE 2018

IN PICTURES

FESTIVE FOLIAGE

Let’s Hear it From

SUSSEX PRAIRIE GARDEN The Dutch New Wave

KATE GOULD

Let’s Hear It From Kate Gould

26

Entertaining al fresco

Company Profile Oak View Landscapes

28

Landscape Architect’s Journal

OUTDOOR CREATIONS

COVER FINAL.indd 1

56

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Outerspace

30

View From The Top Nick Temple-Heald

32

Entering Awards

INSPIRE

45

34

Living in a Material World

48

Celebrating the Best

52

Sussex Prairie Garden Dutch new perennial style

4

Pro Landscaper / December 2018

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City Retreat Entertaining Al Fresco

56

The Perfect Cover Up Anji Connell

Life/Style Chris Deakin

61

Love Horticulture Andrew Fisher Tomlin

62

Outdoor Solutions

Adam White

39

58

Maylim

Andrew Wilson

36

Norfolk Idyll Tamara Bridge Garden Design

Holly Youde

Paving Stone cladding project

63

Decking Colour palettes www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 17:02

CONTENTS

70

94

EDUCATE

85

74

Pro Landscaper Business Awards: Winner Profile Landform Consultants

48

86

Part 2: How to Build Your Outdoor Room Sean Butler

89

The High Cost of Safety Angus Lindsay

91

Look Out For Sam Gordon

NURTURE

69

92

Nurture News

Wildflower Turf

News from the UK’s growing sector

70

Designer Plants

76

Cape Diversity

78

Keeping It Real Ian Drummond

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Clinging on for Life Jeff Stephenson

Jamie Butterworth

75

Considering Hollies Andy McIndoe

Joe Perkins

72

Trading With

81

Tagging Hillier Nurseries

94

Product DNA MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME (MTX)

95

New Products A look to 2019

98

Little Interviews Quick-fire questions with the individuals who make up our industry Pro Landscaper / December 2018

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22/11/2018 17:03

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The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results (EU Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EC) 692/2008 as last amended), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

Finance subject to status. Guarantees/indemnities may be required. You will not own the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Examples exclude VAT and are based on non-maintained agreements, with a mileage of 10,000 miles per annum. Vehicles must be returned in good condition and within agreed mileage, otherwise further charges will be incurred. Prices correct at time of going to print and are subject to change without notice. Subject to availability at a Ford UK Authorised Dealer for all vehicles contracted with finance accepted between 1st November and 31st December 2018 and vehicle registered between 1st November 2018 and 30th June 2019. Not available with any other promotion. Ford Lease is provided by ALD Automotive Ltd, trading as Ford Lease, BS16 7LB.

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INFORM

SPOTLIGHT ON

CONTRIBUTORS

Nick Temple-Heald

Adam White

Ian Drummond

Sean Butler

Chairman, idverde

Director, Davies White Ltd

Creative director, Indoor Garden Design

Director, Cube 1994

Nick Temple-Heald takes us back to SALTEX this month, sharing the highlights of the day. From a raucous football game to the awards dinner where the Leicester City FC grounds maintenance team received a fantastic reception after the tragic helicopter crash at the King Power Stadium, in which they were first on the scene.

Celebrating projects that protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment, the Landscape Institute’s annual awards ceremony was an enormous success, with 21 different award categories attracting a record-breaking total of 163 entries. President Adam White shares the highlights.

The festive season is upon us, and as we look to adorn our home with decorations, Ian Drummond weighs in on the real versus fake Christmas tree debate. Though, being a gardener, his first instinct is to have a real tree at home, there are some benefits to be had by breaking tradition and decorating a fake tree instead.

Last month we learnt the benefits of cutting out the middle man and building your own outdoor rooms.

Following on from that, this month Sean Butler provides us with his how to guide, taking us through the build step-by-step and providing some of his top tips and preferences.

www.idverde.co.uk @idverdeUK

www.davieswhite.co.uk @davies_white

www.indoorgardendesign.com @IndoorGdnDesign

www.cube1994.com @cube1994

INSPIRE

Other contributors Holly Youde Director/designer, Urban Landscape Design Ltd

Jamie Butterworth Horticultural consultant, London Stone

Jeff Stephenson Head of horticulture and aftercare, Bowles & Wyer

Andrew Wilson Garden designer and lecturer

Andy McIndoe Leading horticulturist

Angus Lindsay Head of fleet, idverde

Anji Connell Interior architect and landscape designer

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Pro Landscaper / December 2018

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22/11/2018 16:14

INFORM

AGENDA

LOOKING BACK TO LOOK FORWARD – WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT IN YOUR BUSINESS IN 2018 THAT YOU WILL OR WON’T TAKE FORWARD TO 2019?

Reflecting on a year of challenges, such as dealing with extreme weather and protecting the environment, five industry figures share valuable lessons learned from 2018

Lilly Gomm Director, Lilly Gomm Studio

This has been an eye-opening year highlighting the impact our human footprint is having on the planet, our ecosystems and biodiversity within them. Into 2019 I will be taking an intensified mindset regarding our responsibility towards treading lightly, reusing materials and encouraging clients to maximise their space in favour of our environment. With a worldwide estimation of 4-5% of carbon emissions coming from cement production alone, our everyday decisions in landscaping industry have real consequences. Moving forward I want to be more critical of my actions as a designer, which can be a simple as implementing planting schemes that don’t rely heavily on vast irrigation systems.

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Pro Landscaper / December 2018

Helen Scott

Caroline Howells

Business Development, The Garden Company

Managing Director, Arch Gardening

We have had a very good year in 2018 building lots of exciting projects, both to our own designs and for other designers that we build for. It’s been very busy and we know that a focus on quality at all levels has been vitally important. When running multiple, complex projects, we have also been reminded of the old adage that there is always room for improvement. Mistakes happen and in our experience their root cause can always be traced back to a suboptimal decision, plan or action. This year, we participated in a BALI Quality Standards Review. We found it very useful – It has helped us to put additional procedures in place to ensure good practice and decision making at all levels in the company. In 2019 we will be promoting quality even more at team member level, strongly agreeing with super coach Allistair McCaw who said: “Culture doesn’t develop when a coach tells a player he’s wrong, it develops when players tell other players: ‘No, that’s not how we do things here.’”

The main challenge and talking point for 2018 has been the extreme weather we have encountered throughout the country.

With our industry being at the sharp end it really had an impact on the workload we would normally complete. As a small garden maintenance business, it was a more challenging year than previous. With winter dragging on well into April, the usual March rush of clients did not appear and so that does start to affect the bottom line.

Customers simply weren’t thinking about going outside and growers were struggling to keep plants alive, which affected supply and with the ground often frozen there were few opportunities to carry out the usual spring planting work. By summer customers were calling to say lawns had stopped growing so there was no need to mow them as the prolonged drought had caused plants to stop growing as a survival mechanism. Hoping for more seasonal weather in 2019! www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 16:36

INFORM

Phil Jaffa

James Emberson

Founder/Director, Scape Design Associates

Marketing Manager, Isuzu

This year I have truly been questioning how the development world values nature. I see more and more sites over developed at the expense of preserving the one thing that made them a desirable asset in the first place. I am certainly pro development, but my approach is to get a sense of each site and how much built form it can really take, then advise my clients as such – the answer may contradict their economic plans, but that is because they have not factored in a value for the natural space around each unit.

My belief is that there are buyers who value that and space to breath and will pay a premium for it. Next year I will continue to advocate this. It is our duty as landscape architects to lead that debate, ensuring we preserve the natural world for generations to come.

2018 has been a great year for us in terms of truck sales, with our 60% market growth at 3.5 tonnes driven by the introduction of our new Grafter Green vehicle. The light commercial market as a whole has suffered a bit of a downturn, but our new truck has helped us buck the trend and has sold well, especially with tipper and dropsider bodies. Our Driveaway range, which includes all of our most popular vehicles, has grown to include some new trucks, such as our 3.5t Utilitruck, and we will look to improve the range in 2019, as our Driveaway vehicles continue to be a great choice for our customers, offering competitive pricing and reduced lead times. Whatever the next 12 months holds for the UK, we are committed to working hard for our customers and supplying vehicles that help them build and grow their businesses.

NEXT MONTH

With property developers building to rent, what steps should the industry be taking to accommodate evolving landscaping needs?

Have your say: editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Pro Landscaper / December 2018

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22/11/2018 16:37

INFORM

NEWS BALI GoLandscape pledges support to YMCA Training

BALI GoLandscape has forged a partnership with YMCA Training and aims to support its work on delivering industry apprenticeships in the wake of a 28% shortfall in the number of apprenticeships undertaken in the UK. The Open University recently reported that only 8% of companies in the UK have drawn from their levy. This proves that

more support is needed to inspire, educate and encourage industry employers to understand the benefits of taking on apprentices as part of their workforce.

BALI’s education officer, Stephen Ensell, said: “GoLandscape is proud to support YMCA Training in the industry apprenticeships it offers; this will help develop a workforce that addresses the skill shortfall.”

BALI’s GoLandscape initiative launched nationwide in March 2018 and has made significant progress in working with employers and colleges to provide more opportunities. www.golandscape.co.uk

LI consults members on landscape apprenticeships and categories The Landscape Institute is seeking members’ views to help it remain a relevant and supportive professional body. In the run up to its 90th anniversary, the LI has begun a major project to

improve its relevance to the wider landscape sector.

Recent research conducted by the LI has highlighted a number of challenges facing the sector including significant skills

shortages, the need for greater professional inclusion and new and emerging opportunities for people to enter the landscape profession.

The LI Board, council and employee team have recognised the need to update the LI’s approach to membership to meet future needs.

All LI members are invited to complete the following three short surveys: LI membership categories survey, Landscape Technician Apprenticeship survey and Chartered Landscape Professional Apprenticeship survey. All surveys will close at midnight on Sunday 2 December. www.landscapeinstitute.org

New DCF scholarships available to students The David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) scholarship season is open for student horticulturists. This year sees the launch of three new scholarships. This provides more opportunities to students with a passion for trees, sustainability or research.

• NEW – The Majestic Trees Sponsored Travel Scholarship This is offering up to £3,000 to fund a placement abroad at a tree nursery. This also includes the opportunity for a work placement at Majestic Trees, which could turn into a permanent position.

• NEW – The John Gibson Environmental Scholarship This scholarship will award £1,500 10

News.indd 10

to a student with a keen interest in environmental solutions and sustainability as applied to commercial horticulture.

• NEW – The Horticultural Research Scholarship Awarding £2,500 to support applied research within the horticulture industry. Students keen to pursue a research career in the horticultural industry should apply.

This includes undergraduates, postgraduates and those studying for doctoral degrees.

• South West Growers Show Sponsored Regional Scholarship This awards £1,500 to support a student studying any aspect of commercial or production

Pro Landscaper / December 2018

horticulture.

• The British Protected Ornamentals Association – Peter Seabrook Bursary This offers £1,000 to support students studying commercial horticulture. The scholarship is also available to schools and horticultural colleges to finance trips.

• The Ball Colegrave Sponsored Travel Scholarship This awards up to £1,500 to fund travel to Europe in order to develop knowledge and experience in bedding plant

production and marketing.

• The Student Scholarship This awards £1,000 to each of up to five students to support their studies in horticulture. Preference is to candidates who have an interest in ornamental commercial horticulture.

Scholarship Season runs until January 2019. To enter, applicants must complete an application form online. www.davidcolegrave foundation.org.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 16:49

INFORM

Ground Control honoured at Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year UK award ceremony Competing with some of the UK’s leading entrepreneurial companies, Kim and Simon Morrish – the driving force behind Ground Control – were honoured as Transformational Leaders at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

Simon Hughes, chairman at Ground Control, commented: “They have built a world class company culture and innovative technology systems that drive national service delivery from their Essex-based headquarters.

As majority shareholders, Kim and Simon have ensured that all company employees participate in Ground Control’s success through shares, share options, and performance bonuses.

“They have invested heavily in training and systems to support Ground Control’s vast

supply chain of 6,000 operatives throughout the country. Perhaps more important is what they do with their profits – Kim and Simon have personally invested over £20m into building social impact businesses in green energy, mental health, education and electric transportation.”

Simon Morrish says: “We have worked to change the way business is run by putting people at the centre of everything we do.” www.ground-control.co.uk

Cleve West helps create Battersea Primary School garden Christ Church Battersea Primary School is the first and only school in London to achieve Gold Level Accreditation for Learning outside the classroom. Cleve West was invited to transform the school when he received a package of children’s garden designs.

Cleve spoke about why he wanted to help: “These kids are amazing, they have a great take on gardening.”

The children entered an art competition with Royal Parks to design a wildlife garden for invertebrates. They submitted their

News.indd 11

design and won and Royal Parks offered their help – but that alone wasn’t quite enough.

The Digging the Love campaign was started. Help was received from local firefighters who moved the PE shed that blocked the way.

A local running club also gave their time helping to clear brambles, move concrete slabs and dig out overgrown shrubs.

Representatives from ISG and Rochford helped to clear rubbish, craning in a bulldozer over the school wall. It took a week to clear mountains of rubbish and level the

NEWS IN BRIEF Garden trends for 2019

From the love of geometric patterns, and rise in the popularity of whimsical pleached trees, to sculptural planting and unusual garden furniture.

D-Day 75 Garden celebrates D-Day Landings 75th anniversary at Chelsea

The D-Day 75 Garden will provide a fitting platform for the public to celebrate and show their gratitude to the veteran generation and create a lasting tribute to the valiant actions these men and women undertook in 1944. www.d-dayrevisited.co.uk

Opportunity for garden designers and landscapers ground. In the meantime, a Space Hive campaign began and revealed that £64,215 was the total needed to complete the project. The Mayor of London saw the plan pledged £30,000 to help make it happen.

Battersea primary school pupils now have pledges of £62,283 and only need a further £1,932 to make their dream into a final reality.

Donations can be made via www.spacehive.com/dreamgarden-sw11

Applications for the Beautiful Borders category at BBC Gardener’s World Live are now open. They provide a stepping stone for first time gardeners and landscapers into the exciting world of show gardens. www.bbcgardenersworldlive. com/apply

22/11/2018 16:50

INFORM

NEW ON THE

website

www.prolandscapermagazine.com Helen Elks-Smith: Winter garden design

Handling staff during the Christmas period

How much theft is costing the industry

The best plants for supporting bees

Many aspects of a garden become dormant during winter. Careful design considerations can turn uninspiring winter gardens into beautiful, thriving settings. Helen Elks-Smith shares her thoughts about designing a garden that retains its beauty during winter.

Theft is rife in landscaping, with tools and equipment targeted for their resale value and lack of traceability.

2018 has seen a sharp increase in theft, with a reported rise of over 30% in incidents. We speak to landscapers to find out what this problem is costing the industry.

DIARY

OF A CHARTERED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Laura Welborn-Baker

I

’ve now been at the University just over a year – although it feels like only five minutes – and it seems like an appropriate point to reflect on the work I’ve done so far, and what’s in store for next year. I’ve implemented our new signage and wayfinding strategy including over 500 new signs.

I am continuing to work on the Masterplan with MAKE and the first projects from this are underway, including

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Pro Landscaper / December 2018

two new Residential Colleges on Campus East.

An exciting project is the development of two new residential colleges to be built on Campus East. Connectivity between Campus East and Campus West will be addressed by bringing development further west, shortening travelling distance, and we are proposing to plant an avenue of large-scale parkland trees along the route.

I have been working closely with the residences team to ensure that the landscape design and planting fits into our long-term vision for the Campus. Alongside the colleges,

As wonderful as Christmas time is, it can wreak havoc with many industries that find their workload increasing through the winter months. Grounds maintenance is a prime example. Colder weather raises the need for additional services like gritting and snow ploughing, making staff attendance essential.

With a huge focus on keeping bee populations at a healthy, sustainable level, the right plants are essential.

Bee’s importance in the public eye is at a high after the appointment of Chris Beardshaw as the first ‘Bee Resistant’ ambassador, and Alexandra Froggatt’s garden in Manchester promoting bee awareness.

Chartered landscape architect Laura Welborn-Baker, one of Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation in 2016, provides us with a quarterly update on the University of York’s £500m, 20-year campus masterplan as it goes into its first phase, along with a number of other projects across the university the development will create an area of open green space that will provide a space for informal recreation, relaxation and host pop-up events and marquees.

Over the summer, Historic England assessed our original Campus for listing potential.

Campus West was built in the 1960s and York was the first University in the UK to adopt the American ‘Collegiate’ style.

The Campus was designed to encourage users to interact by intentionally creating a mix of residential, academic and social spaces in each building in several

landmark buildings such as the Library or Central Hall. Along with a number of buildings, part of the Campus West Landscape has been listed by Historic England as a Grade II Registered Park and Garden. The designation recognises that Campus West successfully integrates a series of buildings within a carefully designed landscape. Balancing the conservation of the original design intent whilst managing the Campus for the future of the University will be an interesting challenge.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 17:05

INFORM

Safety training: sharing responsibility

I

f anyone had told me 10 years ago, maybe even five, that in 2018 there would be a forum that would be working together on a number of industry impacting issues – principally safety management – I would have been delighted, but probably a little bit doubtful. For some time, the landscape maintenance industry has been woefully short of information relating to the causes of and frequency of accidents.

Why worry about this, given I’m sure most, if not all, companies in our industry focus individually on keeping their employees safe?

To coordinate the accident statistics and therefore the knowledge – and more importantly the learnings of any occurrences that have put people in danger and caused injury or near hits – is vital if we are to learn as an industry and improve. To begin this process we need to know what the benchmark should be.

A few would say that there is a commercially sensitive aspect to this and would pose the question, why would we want to share information such as this with our competitors?

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

News Extra BALI Update.indd 13

If the above reasons of knowledge gathering and learning aren’t sufficient then read on.

BALI National Contractors Forum (NCF) members have not just sat on the statistics they have accumulated, they have also translated the trends into training needs analysis. This led to the provision of training courses in early 2018 at four locations across England and Scotland. 130 of the forum’s employees were trained and/or retrained in safe hedge trimmer use and maintenance. Hedge trimmers were the focus because it had become apparent that these were the items of equipment that operatives were injured most frequently whilst using.

To train that number of people from eight different companies at four different geographical locations in just a couple of weeks and free of charge to the candidates and employers, was an amazing feat of collaboration. It could not have been done without the commitment and financial support of Stihl UK. Following on from this, a safety working group has been established. Again, this is the health and safety representatives from BALI NCF members working together to focus on safety in the grounds maintenance sector.

The forum is now moving towards an analysis of training needs for the forthcoming winter period and has already identified a need for a focus on strimmer use and maintenance.

Those who have been around in the industry for a while will remember recent conversations about there being no collaboration amongst industry members. This is a prime example of what can be achieved when like-minded decision makers get together with a common

goal and have the will to drive progress.

Incidentally, when there has been potential for the question above relating to commercial sensitivity to be asked, it never has been asked by forum members. A testimony to the

commitment of the members. Yes, there has been the necessary due diligence to ensure anonymity of the contributing forum members with the correct processes put in place, but never a reluctance to participate.

During the last three years BALI NCF has also organised the largest gathering of contractors and clients for the Managing Green Spaces seminar, produced an industry briefing document on the use of red and white diesel, participated in discussions with The Low Pay Commission and has been represented at Parliamentary level on the industry issues of the day.

The forum’s current focus alongside safety management is on the challenges of recruiting seasonal staff, particularly with the impending unknown effects of Brexit.

Pro Landscaper / December 2018 13

22/11/2018 16:23

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Pro Landscaper / December 2018

SPBI Winners DPS.indd 14

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 15:08

The inaugural Pro Landscaper small project BIG IMPACT awards winners are finally announced, taking home an assortment of prizes kindly donated from the award sponsors and industry suppliers, and receiving industry-wide recognition for their superb small projects. Pro Landscaper would like to congratulate the winners and thank everyone who entered and attended the ceremony at FutureScape 2018. We’ll be showcasing the fantastic projects in issues throughout the coming year.

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Build under £20,000 winners, Greenscape Gardens with Cliff Mosey of Kebur Design & Build Under £20,000 winners Victoria Truman and Andrew Stringer Barbara Samitier received the Design under £20,000 award for ‘Garden for a Chef’ Better Bankside’s Georgia Smith collects the award for Special Feature under £10,000 Martha Krempel picked up the award for Planting Design under £10,000 category The sponsors and winners of the small project BIG IMPACT Awards 2018

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TALASEY TRAINING ACADEMY

Supporting landscaping professionals!

TRAINING ACADEMY

The Talasey Training Academy (TTA) is delivered by Talasey Group, who share your passion for delivering excellent customer service and desire to upskill the landscaping industry.

The Academy offers a range of thorough, informative and interactive courses that cover the installation, properties of and how to get the most out of landscaping products in domestic applications through a blend of knowledge based and hands on learning.

Our Courses Basic site setting out and preparation for domestic landscaping projects

Installation of porcelain paving materials for domestic applications

Installation of stone paving materials for domestic applications

Benefits of Talasey Training Academy: • City & Guilds accredited training for you and to upskill your staff • Work with the latest product innovations

Installation of clay paving materials for domestic applications

• Understand how landscaping designs translate into reality • Short but impactful training, so staff are not out of their day job for long • Be trained by industry professionals plus receive ongoing sales and marketing support via membership to the Talasey Landscaping Professionals • Training days include lunch and practical ‘take aways’ for learners

Installation of artificial grass for domestic applications

Installation of resin bound aggregate systems for domestic applications

• Discounts available for groups

Contact us for a copy of the prospectus, more information or to register for our courses!

0330 353 0208 Visit www.talaseytrainingacademy.co.uk or email training@talasey.co.uk

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ASSOCIATION

INFORM

NEWS

APL update APL Apprentices We were excited to welcome the next group of apprentices to Myerscough College this October for the APL Apprenticeship Scheme. This unique block release scheme has developed over the years, and is now seen as one of the industry’s leading training opportunities. During the 18-month scheme cohorts attend seven residential block releases at the college where a large percentage of the

training is delivered by industry professionals.

Apprentices will be trained to lay a wide variety of paving.

They will be taught all the various cutting techniques, grouting choices and sealing requirements. The course will also look at rendering and cladding decking (both composite and hardwood), fencing, lighting, ponds and irrigation, planting techniques, planting combinations and densities, tree work, a brief look at estimating, site surveying, drainage and an introduction to design and SketchUp.

If you are a supplier or a company interested in finding out more then contact phil.tremayne@hta.org.uk.

The course is supported by Mark Youde (Urban Landscape Design), Rupert Keys (Keyscape Garden Landscape Design & Construction Ltd.), Nick Fryer (Nicholas Edwards Design), Steve Smith (Shore Landscapes) and Jamie Butterworth, with sponsorship from Landscapeplus, Makita and JA Jones Nurseries Ltd.

APL AWARDS 2019 The APL Awards 2019 judging has taken place and the shortlist has been announced.

The full shortlist is available at www.aplawards.co.uk and booking is open. The awards will be held on 15 March 2019 at The Brewery, London.

Best of luck to all the companies who have made it through to our shortlist. www.landscaper.org.uk

plants@work outline Social media platforms Is your business using social media as part of its marketing plan? Plants@work has promoted our association on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn since 2009. As popularity of different channels has evolved, we have also joined Pinterest and in the last year Instagram.

The focus is on Instagram Instagram is one of the fastest growing platforms with 1 billion users and 500 million active users every day. Around 80%

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hashtag, a campaign hashtag, or a more general classification.

Plants@work use #plantsatwork and #plantsforwellbeing as our most frequent ones. of Instagram’s traffic comes from outside the US. 80 million photos are shared every day, 400 stories are published every day and 25 million businesses have Instagram profiles.

Hashtags Instagram uses hashtags which make posts searchable.

These can be your brand

Popular platform There have been several articles of great ‘instagrammers’ to follow and we have a few we think are worth following: • Obviously, us!

• botonygeek aka James Wong • Many of our members including indoorgardendesign and plantman_about_town (Ian Drummond), greenteaminteriorsltd

• Other plants at work members: Ambius_uk, Biotecture_, enterpriseplants, natureatworkltd, plantdesignsldn, valueofplants (Urban Planters) • And a few more: Thejoyofplants, Jamies_jungle, Fern_and_noble, prolandscaper It’s the place to be seen. www.plantsatwork.org.uk

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INFORM

BALI briefing

£11.6bn landscape services must be taken seriously A new industry report, commissioned by the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group (OHRG), to establish the total size, breadth and contribution of the UK’s ornamental horticulture and landscaping sector, has revealed that landscape services generated a total of £11.6bn GDP contributions in 2017, 47.9%

of the total GDP footprint of the sector (55% of which were direct contributions worth £6.8bn). BALI’s chief executive officer Wayne Grills is now calling on government officials to give meaningful support to landscaping in the UK. Landscape services also provide £880m in direct annual tax revenue to the Exchequer.

More information can be found online at bali.org.uk/news.

BALI’s latest design-focused webinar looked at profitability Hosted by Darren Taylor, BALI’s marketing and communications manager and design director

Marian Boswall MBALI on Thursday 15 November, the 90-minute webinar entertained over 40 garden designers, landscape architects and students. The presentation provided information on valuing your business, pitching for work, tracking a project and client satisfaction. Darren and Marian were joined by fellow BALI design director Rosemary Coldstream, as well as Kate Gould, John Wyer, Emma Mazzullo, Adam White and Andree Davies. BALI will be hosting a new series of webinars in 2019. Bookmark bali.org.uk/events for the latest on these unique events as they are announced.

BALI GoLandscape supports YMCA training in championing industry apprenticeships BALI’s GoLandscape will assist in delivering industry apprenticeships in the wake of a 28% shortfall in the number of apprenticeships being undertaken in the UK, according to FE News. Along with this decrease, the Open University reports that only 8% of UK companies have drawn from their levy, proving that more support is needed to encourage employers to take on apprentices as part of their workforce. For more see golandscape.co.uk. bali.org.uk

SGD bulletin SGD Awards Ceremony 2019 Tickets for the 2019 SGD Awards Ceremony are now on sale. Join us on Friday 1 February 2019. We are returning to the glamorous surroundings of the five-star

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Landmark Hotel in London’s Marylebone where the evening will start with a drinks reception in the hotel’s ballroom followed by dinner and the awards ceremony presentation in the Grand Ballroom.

The ceremony is not only an opportunity to celebrate the very best in landscape and garden design, it is also a wonderful occasion to meet friends and associates and a unique opportunity to network

with influential figures and journalists in the garden design industry. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting occasion.

Member tickets are priced from £163 while non-member tickets are £195. Visit the SGD Awards website for further information at www.sgdawards.com.

We are proud to be supporting Greenfingers at the SGD Awards Ceremony 2019. Greenfingers is a

national charity dedicated to supporting children and families who spend time in hospices around the UK, by creating inspiring gardens for them to relax in and benefit from.

A collection will be made for the charity during the ceremony.

Please give generously. www.sgd.org.uk

Jane Brockbank MSGD, Duncan Smith from Brett Landscaping and Sue Townsend MSGD

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 14:08

INFORM

RHS report

Christmas Glow, RHS Garden Wisley, 1 December–2 January In its fourth year, Christmas Glow at RHS Garden Wisley will feature an array of festive installations created

by Jigantics, designers of cultivated illumination, including old favourites and a number of new blooms, such as arches of gladioli over the new Wisteria Walk. The paved route will also lead visitors past a number of Wisley’s most

Christmas Glow at RHS Garden Wisley ©RHS/Luke MacGregor

spectacular trees, bathed in bright lights. The Glasshouse will be lit to form a magical Woodland Realm, complete with elves, treehouses, and Santa’s reindeer. The Wisley Plant Centre and Gift Shop will be open throughout, and hot chocolate, mulled wine, mince pies, and cranberry and gin brownies are just a just a taste of the warming food and drink on offer.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Traditional festive wreaths workshop, RHS Garden Rosemoor, 8 December Join tutor Sarah Pepper in this workshop where you can learn to make a traditional wreath using gorgeous seasonal foliage from RHS Garden Rosemoor’s own plants.

Designs will be personalised with dried fruits, beautiful ribbons, and cones. All materials will be provided.

©RHS/Joanna Kossak

4 December: National Lottery #ThanksToYou Free Entry Day, all gardens All four RHS Gardens will welcome National Lottery players for free (up until 12noon, on presentation of a valid National Lottery ticket or scratchcard) on 4 December to thank people who have raised money for good causes by buying a lottery ticket.

Boxing Day Woodland Walk, RHS Garden Hyde Hall Walk off some of the indulgence of Christmas day with a braciang stroll through the grounds of RHS Garden Hyde Hall. The guided tour follows a route which takes approximately 90 minutes. www.rhs.org.uk

At Eljays44 Ltd we’re always looking to expand our teams to ensure we have the most inspired, passionate and innovative members of staff working with us and to celebrate our success. We’re dedicated to providing the highest level of service to all we interact with, and as leaders in our industry we’re always looking to innovate and stay ahead. If you’re someone who shares this passion and is ready to make an impact every day then we would love to hear from you.

Sales

Editorial

LIFE AT ELJAYS44 LTD

Office

Freelance

• Generous annual leave

Staff at Eljays44 Ltd feel supported and + Christmas shutdown • Competitive remuneration have a fantastic balance between work and • Training, development home commitments. We have a particular and ongoing support focus on developing our staff and giving them • Modern working environment progression opportunities within our exciting with great local facilities industry. We all play a vital role in the success of • Remote and flexible working opportunities our business and like to attend various company events, away days. Other benefits our employees love:

For more information email careers@eljays44.com or call Matthew Trussler on 01903 777 570

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On Tuesday 20 November, FutureScape 2018 welcomed over 2,500 people through the doors for the busiest day in the landscape calendar. A dull rainy day outside could not have contrasted more with the atmosphere within the event, which was electric from the time the doors opened until the last people left at around midnight.

The comprehensive seminar programme saw rooms packed with industry people eager to learn, digest and put into practice the information they absorbed. Landscapers and garden designers were keen to start specifying the products they never knew existed. New industry contacts were made with exhibitors reporting good quality orders being taken on the day.

This vital event is now the most important day in the landscape industry calendar for accelerating your business and networking with like-minded industry professionals.

The two exciting main awards events, Pro Landscaper’s small project BIG IMPACT awards and Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation celebrated the projects and people that are rising through the ranks of the industry, and the Pro Landscaper Summit raised the idea that this amazing industry could now be in a ‘golden period’ for gardens and landscapes and that we must learn to collaborate more to move the industry forward.

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2018

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l u f i t u a e b g n i r i Insp landscapes

Willfield - Private Garden Designer: JPG James Scott Contractor: The Garden Company Ltd Products: Imperial Paving - Ebony Cloud

01708 867 237 enquiries@cedstone.co.uk www.cedstone.co.uk

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@CEDNaturalStone @CED.Ltd.Natural.Stone @ced_stone_group

09/11/2018 09:11:18 22/11/2018 08:36

INFORM

Let’s Hear it From

KATE GOULD KATE GOULD GARDENS

This month Pro Landscaper talks with Kate Gould, owner of Kate Gould Gardens the award-winning garden design and build company. Kate tells us all about how she got into the industry, the structure of her business and what challenges she sees the industry facing in the future.

Kate, you’ve been established as a garden designer for 20 years, but how did it all start for you?

After working as an admin assistant for a beauty brand for a couple of years, I decided I needed to do something else, something a bit more challenging! I went into a local college one lunchtime to see if I could enrol in a creative evening class, something like pottery. Somehow instead I ended up enrolled on a garden design course where I met Wendy who became my tutor.

Wendy in her quiet way encouraged me enormously and once I had finished the course pushed me to venture forth into the world of design. Twenty years later we are good friends but, ever the teacher she still continues to challenge the way I think and undertake the design process – just to make sure I am kept on my toes.

What made you set up the business as a design and build company?

I first set up as a designer only and I suspect I knew almost nothing about most things to do with landscaping. I was lucky enough early on to meet and work with some great landscapers and fabricators as well as nurseries who generously imparted their knowledge to me and I greedily soaked it up like a sponge. The business really just evolved – there was no grand master plan or vision just a bit of stumbling and some seriously hard graft. I physically built the first few gardens I designed myself, including all the hard landscaping www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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which helped me gain an understanding of the process and the rigours that it takes on you. I always really enjoy the construction part of a project and the process of problem solving when things don’t go to plan, but there is no way you would want me alone to build a garden for you. I am a self-confessed bad paver and my brickwork is beyond shocking. I do make a half decent chocolate brownie though, so I am more likely to come to site with a box of these rather than a pointing trowel.

How big is your team?

I have a team of six landscapers with two project managers who are on site Monday to Friday. In the office I have two admin staff and two assistant landscape architects.

Where are your projects based ?

We mostly do domestic projects for private clients as well as architects and developers. Our work is more concentrated in the South-East and London.

Would you say you have a particular design style or preference?

I am not a huge fan of curvy lines, naturally what comes out of me seems to be more linear. I like a clean design.

How have you seen many changes in the landscape industry since entering it some 20 years ago?

There is definitely more competition than there used to be.

Clients seem to require their outdoor spaces to work a lot harder and therefore the list of demands has grown. We are also dealing with more problems with plants and being able to source these within the UK safely. We are more concerned about sourcing items ethically as well.

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What do you think are the benefits of being part of an industry association?

We are members of both BALI and SGD and I believe accredited bodies are invaluable for setting important industry standards and maintaining these. Yet, independent credibility also gives clients a greater sense of security.

YOU ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE GARDENS YOU CREATE, SO PUT YOUR ENERGY INTO THAT. ALWAYS PUSH YOURSELF AND CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO IMPROVE How do you think we can encourage more people to take up a career in the landscape industry, whether that be in design, architecture or landscape contracting?

I think people should be encouraged to garden from a young age and to interact with nature.

They need to learn about plants and how they help us and are essential to our wellbeing.

You are very experienced in creating show gardens at home in the UK and for overseas garden shows, how do you believe you and your company benefit from these?

Creating show gardens has amazing PR www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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benefits. The gardens that we have self-funded have allowed us to push the boundary, and learn a lot about both design and construction. We also find it amazing how much we can achieve together.

What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to build their profile in the landscape industry?

You are only as good as the gardens you create, so put your energy into that. Always push yourself and challenge yourself to improve.

What do you think will be the major challenges for the industry moving forward, and how can we tackle them?

Dealing with the weather and climate change is increasingly more difficult as is where we purchase plants from, and how those plants are transported to minimise the risk of spreading pests and diseases. The answers to these are not simple and there are no quick fixes, we simply have to come together as an industry to work through these challenges.

When you’re not working, what do you like to do to relax?

The chance of relaxing would be a very fine thing. Even when I get rare free time I am still always doing something as I find it hard to just sit down and relax, although it would be great to be able to just turn my brain off sometimes.

1 A split level family garden in Twickenham ©Nicola Stocken 2 ‘Urban Lifestyle’ garden – Singapore Garden Festival 2018 3 A city courtyard garden for year round use ©Helen Fickling 4 ‘A garden for all seasons’ – The Ascot Spring Flower Show 2018 ©Helen Fickling 5 ‘New West End Garden’ – RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018 ©Helen Fickling

CONTACT Kate Gould Gardens 26 Aldenham Road, Radlett, WD7 8AX Tel: 01923 839 733 Email: enquiries@kategouldgardens.com www.kategouldgardens.com

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INFORM

COMPANY

PROFILE

Pro Landscaper talks to Paul Downer of Oak View Landscapes about adapting to past and present changes in the industry and attributing team spirit as a key factor in the company’s success

Oak View Landscapes was founded almost 15 years ago, how has your vision for the business developed or changed in that time?

When the company was formed in 2004, I initially wanted to develop the business to a £1.5m turnover concern, but more importantly focus on installing high quality landscapes in a profitable manner. Over the years this has changed and the dark days of the recession from 2009-2013 was a turning point for the business. I felt disillusioned, everyone in the business was working twice as hard for little return and we needed change as the signs of recovery began to appear. In 2013 we met Nick Ruddle at a NatWest bank seminar, within 20 seconds of him starting to speak I was sold. We set a target of growing the business by £1m in sales from 2013– 2016 whilst greatly increasing profitability and building the team. In 2016, we hit £2.4m sales (2013, £1.3m). For the period 2016– 2019 we set the same financial target of an additional £1m in sales and are well on target after hitting £3.2m in sales in 2018. My vision for the business has changed since 2004, it’s now our vision. We have built the team. Our focus is on quality, to be a market leader, an employer of choice, rewarding and recognising great performance, and to win national landscape, employer and business awards that reflect these factors.

OAK VIEW LANDSCAPES

in numbers

Established 2004 Employees 33 Awards BALI Best Newcomer 2006, Essex Best Growing Business Award 2007, BALI National Awards 2006, BALI National Awards 2010 x 2, BALI Principal Awards 2008 & 2015, BALI Employer of the Year 2015, BALI Employer Excellence 2017, ProLandscaper Business Awards Landscape contractor turnover over £1M 2017 Turnover £3.2M

Paul Downer

monitor our performance and ensure we get as much client feedback data as possible so that we can analyse areas for improvement. The testimonials gained can be used for future marketing to reinforce our high level of service delivery. The largest area within the business is commercial landscaping, but we also have a bespoke domestic department that works with garden designers to install high quality private gardens. Maintenance is a small but important part as some projects have a maintenance period upon completion that needs servicing.

Do you concentrate your projects in a particular area or would you take on work countrywide?

We work regionally, I have never had the desire to work nationally. As part of our growth strategy

How and where does most of your work come from and is it spread evenly over commercial and domestic projects, and maintenance?

Most of our business comes from repeat clients, commercial main contractors, garden designers and landscape architects. We 26

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due to client requests, we took on a couple of larger contracts that were outside our core operating area. Whilst these contracts have been successful we have listened to our staff who would rather be working than driving and this, coupled with the fact that they feel driving to and from projects is more dangerous than working on site, has confined our operating area to East Anglia, North and East London and North Kent.

How is the business structured?

I am owner and managing director, Matthew Selby is commercial director overseeing the sales and contracting departments, Jakki Jenner is operations director, covering finance, marketing, HR, IIP, ISO and special projects such as awards. We have a contracts manager, Tom Robinson and a commercial assistant Francesca Davis who both work with Matthew. We have recently reviewed our site team structure and introduced additional tiers to reflect progression made throughout the company. We now have project managers, senior supervisors, supervisors, senior operatives, operatives and trainees/apprentices. We realised that with staff retention at 89% since 2012 it was difficult to demonstrate levels of progression and reward staff accordingly.

How do you measure your success?

We have a few measures of success, obviously financial and new work secured. Other important measures are staff retention and progression, client feedback, awards and external audits such as ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 and IIP.

a challenge. In terms of our people we are working to achieve IIP at gold standard by next September – our continued success is down to our people and we need to ensure they remain at the forefront of our business and our decisions.

How do you monitor your staff development?

We have a structured appraisal process where personal development plans are set for all members of staff. These are monitored regularly with a full review every six months. As well as general performance, training and development areas, staff are assessed against our company culture values, behaviours and attributes and their team key performance indicators.

How do you feel the industry can encourage people to pursue a career in the landscape sector, and what is your company doing to promote it?

Initiatives such as BALI’s Go Landscape and Pro Landscaper’s 30 under 30: The Next Generation have definitely helped raise the profile of careers in the industry. With Go Landscape we need as

many ambassadors as possible who are passionate about the industry and have great career stories to tell, going into schools and colleges to spread the word about the diverse wide ranging employment opportunities within the land based sector. At Oak View we have always promoted the sector by attending careers events and giving talks to students about working in our fantastic industry and its great opportunities. Personally, I feel it’s careers advisors that need educating as the vast majority do not have a clue about what the industry offers and I’m glad I ignored the advice I was given in 1985 and followed my passion into the industry.

1 The team of 25 in 2016 2 Capital Square, Chelmsford 3 Balls Park, Hertford 4 The Galleries, Warley 5 Paul Downer with Jakki Jenner

CONTACT

What are future plans for the business?

We have worked to two consecutive three-year plans, the second of which will come to fruition in June 2019. So where do we go from here? I will be discussing this with my fellow directors and decide what our business strategy will be for the next three years. With the potential impact of Brexit and the uncertainty of it, this is likely to be www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Oak View Landscapes Pattens Yard, Nayland Road West Bergholt, Colchester CO6 3DQ Tel:01206 271676 Twitter: @OakViewLandscap Email: info@oakviewlandscapes.co.uk Web: www.oakviewlandcapes.co.uk

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C-Space

INFORM

Chalk Ridge

Royal Exchange Kingston

LANDSCAPE

Isaac Newton School

ARCHITECT’S JOURNAL

Pro Landscaper talks to Richard Broome, founder of Outerspace – a thriving practice that endeavours to address both the wellbeing of people and the welfare of nature in its varied landscape schemes STARTING OUTERSPACE UK Growing up in a family full of creative and design-type people, Richard Broome found an interest in landscape from a very young age.

After years spent working for various design companies across the UK and Europe, Richard set up Outerspace UK in 2002. What began as Richard working from his dining room table at home has since developed into a thriving business with 12 employees based in a Grade II listed building in Teddington Lock.

The overriding approach of Outerspace is all about considering ‘human-nature’ in everything it does. This means promoting both the mental and physical wellbeing of humans and the ecological and biodiversity welfare of nature.

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This is particularly important in its higher-density schemes in and around London, where there are great problems in social isolation, obesity, and poor air quality.

Richard believes the key to success is ‘connectivity’ – on the human scale, ensuring people feel part of the wider community together with play and exercise, and with nature through extended corridors both at street and roof garden level.

Outerspace mainly focuses on large-scale and prestigious residential masterplan projects that involve streetscapes, including parks and piazzas, podiums, sky terraces and roof gardens. Its employees’ experience covers all the RIBA stages from design and planning through to the technical delivery. Through a few of these projects they have also been involved in the design of public art and bespoke furniture.

While most of their work as landscape architects is in London and the South East, they have worked as urban designers on town centre regeneration strategies across the country including Truro, Dorchester, Wigan and Worksop.

STAND-OUT PROJECTS The project that first put Outerspace on the map, according to Richard, was Maple Quay at Canada Water. It highlighted how Outerspace was a serious practice that could technically deliver a large and complex scheme. Maple Quay was a £2m landscape project that involved the design and technical delivery of a 500-unit residential masterplan. This included homezone streetscapes, a pocket park, podium gardens, roof gardens and sky terraces. The project was an Urban Design Group Award Winner in 2014. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Grays Brewery Yard

Maple Quay Garden

Blackfriars roof garden

Residential courtyard Mill Hill masterplan

Greenwich Square piazza

Another stand-out project was Greenwich Square (which had a value of £2.1m). The project won a What Housing award in 2015. The piazza had a strong design theme linked to the nautical history of the area and the indigenous landscape. Its layout (including sculptural seating elements) takes its form from the shipping maps at the peak of world trade and exploration. The planting combines native woodland species with plants discovered in the 18th and 19th centuries.

A unique element to this project was the opportunity to design a bespoke sculpture piece to stand in the middle of the piazza. The Outerspace design represented the contrasting history of Greenwich – blood thirsty battles with botanical discovery and enlightenment. Figures of Lord Nelson and Charles Darwin were made from corten steel by the artist and blacksmith Chris Brammall.

CURRENT PROJECTS Outerspace’s current project is Parkside in Lewisham for Peabody. It’s the regeneration of a www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Long view of park

1950s housing estate, with more than 2,000 homes being built over six phases.

Outerspace has been involved since phase two, which included the redrawing of the whole landscape masterplan. This includes a piazza, homezone streetscapes, podium communal gardens, green and brown roofs and a central park that binds the estate

together. The park really celebrates Outerspace’s design ethos of promoting ‘human-nature’. The design elements within the park include opportunities for social interaction, play and recreation for all groups and is tied together by bands of planting.

The planting includes a significant biodiversity offer, with native trees and groundcovers that link to the adjacent SINC woodland, together with shrubs and perennials to encourage the b’s, that is: birds, bees, bats, butterflies, bugs and beetles.

Richard is incredibly excited to see this park being built and witness the anticipated series of experiences together with the personalisation and activity brought by the local community.

CONTACT Outerspace Tel: +44 020 8973 0070 Email: hello@outerspaceuk.com www.outerspaceuk.com

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22/11/2018 13:53

VIEW FROM THE TOP NICK TEMPLE-HEALD

Nick Temple-Heald reflects on the success of SALTEX last month and looks forward to a promising future for the industry populated by young talent I was at our stand at SALTEX this October, and although I appreciate that the move to the NEC has been a great commercial success for the IoG, I do fondly recall the days when SALTEX was held at Windsor racecourse. There was almost always an Indian Summer in those few days in September and the outdoor environment seemed neatly appropriate given what we do. This year idverde chose to showcase its Mixto hybrid turf product outside at the NEC. It was only 9am on the first day and the mini Mixto pitch was not the only thing or person, that was frozen.

Other than me showing my age, there were two highlights for me at SALTEX that showed that things do not change, except for the better.

The first was when around 20 apprentices from our Performance Campus in London showed up at our stand, along with their manager – thanks to Element Skills Training who loaned their bus. Now, put together 19 guys, young and old, a mini hybrid pitch and a

football and only one thing can result, 15 minutes of mayhem – and yes, I did join in.

I am always really proud of all the young people in our business and the unbridled enthusiasm that they display. Ours is a specialist job, whether you are a landscaper, designer, gardener or groundsman we only have one solution to any perceived lack of skilled people and that is to grow on our own.

This is not unique to idverde however, just take

THESE MEMORIES OF SALTEX REMIND ME THAT FUNDAMENTALLY OUR INDUSTRY IS A PEOPLE ORIENTATED BUSINESS a look at the list of award winners in Pro Landscaper’s 30 under 30, all of whom demonstrate that our industry has a great future. I simply do not subscribe to the doom and gloom merchants that decry the lack of up and coming talent in the green industries. It is incumbent on all of us in positions of influence to ensure that this continues.

Just one slight negative, why only 19 guys playing footie? Well, we also had one female

apprentice in attendance who didn’t play.

One out of 20 is just not enough I am afraid. I have banged on about this for years without sufficient success. We simply have to create an environment and an image that attracts more women both into the grassroots of our business and into management. Answers on a postcard please – or your CV’s.

The other moment came at the IoG awards dinner. Okay, it did go on a bit, but the fantastic reception from the room for the Leicester City FC grounds team just four days after the tragic helicopter crash at the King Power Stadium was extremely moving, even to an old hard-nosed so-and-so like me. These lads were among the first on the scene that night but of course were unable to help in the circumstances. Both of these memories of SALTEX remind me that fundamentally our industry is a people-orientated business. We can sometimes get hung up on process, rules and formality, but for me it is a fundamental of business that you recruit and/or train the very best people you can find, by whatever means.

Treat them with kindness and respect and just let them do their job.

ABOUT NICK TEMPLE-HEALD Nick Temple-Heald is chairman of idverde in the UK and a member of idverde’s group board in France.

Together, idverde employs some 5,000 people in France, England and Scotland and it is the largest landscapes business in Europe.

www.idverde.co.uk

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22/11/2018 11:46

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22/11/2018 15:17

INFORM

ENTERING AWARDS

HOLLY YOUDE You have to be in to win; Holly Youde considers the pros and cons for a business taking part in industry awards Over the past couple of years, we decided to venture into the world of awards. We didn’t really know what might come of it, but we thought it would be a good measure of our growth and how we are performing within the industry.

Sitting down to write our first entry for The APL Awards, we submitted a strong commercial project with excellent photographs and we didn’t want to mess around. No sales patter, just honest and open – and it seemed to work.

Many stars have to align to produce a close to perfect award winning project. Massive kudos to those companies who repeatedly achieve this.

Project-based awards are great for making sure that standards remain high and keep climbing, but you may find you can go a while without having that wow factor project that you instantly know is a contender in an award category.

When Pro Landscaper announced their business awards last year we were delighted because we believe it’s just as important to be achieving a high standard in the running of your company, and this is something we are truly passionate about.

YOU HAVE BEEN JUDGED

BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS SO IT ENABLES YOU TO MEASURE HOW YOU ARE PERFORMING AGAINST OTHER FELLOW COMPANIES THAT YOU MAY ADMIRE You get shortlisted – and that may have been your aim. It’s great to be part of the whole thing, but winner or not, there is a whole list of positives. Getting shortlisted gives you and your team a confidence boost. You have been judged by industry experts so it enables you to measure 32

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how you are performing against other fellow companies that you may admire. It injects energy into your business and your team, creates pride and let’s face it, gives us owners

YOUR CUSTOMERS WILL BE MORE CONFIDENT AND YOU WILL BECOME A MORE DESIRABLE COMPANY TO WORK FOR a pat on the back which we need every so often. It makes you strive to be better and raises your profile. For us it has created many opportunities – would I still be writing this article now without it? And, we have met many more people and friends in the industry through networking.

How you are perceived will change too.

Your customers will be more confident and you will become a more desirable company to work for, enabling you to attract better quality candidates. This of course is as long as you let them know, so make sure you shout about it!

Some awards offer a trophy, some a prize.

In a local business awards this year we won an award for enterprise, and the prize was a place on the Chester University MBA programme worth £10,000 (I start it this month – and am part terrified, part excited).

There are some disadvantages too however. It is not always easy finding the time in our busy lives to sit down and write an essay about a project or how the business works (or do an MBA!) It’s another deadline to meet, and it can be expensive – entry fees, tickets, travel – and all that hard work could amount to nothing, so think carefully about whether you feel taking part will benefit you.

You may decide an award is not going to contribute to your end goal. If you do decide to go for it, you don’t have to go for the national

industry awards you could also consider entering local awards, and if you are in a rural area there are a number of rural business focused events and award opportunities. So, if you’ve never entered anything before, give it some thought, afterall who wouldn’t want to say they are an award-winning company?

ABOUT HOLLY YOUDE Holly is joint director of north west based Urban Landscape Design Ltd, having a fundamental role in the growth and diversification of the business.

Recently they have won Best Commercial Garden at the APL awards, Employer Excellence Award in the BALI Awards and the High Sheriff of Cheshire Award for Enterprise. Holly has also been listed this year as one of the Business Insiders 42 Under 42 entrepreneurs in the north west. www.urbanlandscapedesign.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 11:27

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04/07/2018 08:37 12:54 22/11/2018

INFORM

LIVING IN A MATERIAL WORLD ANDREW WILSON

Andrew Wilson ponders over the role of the artificial in life – artificial lawn producers look away now A short while ago I was dragged off by my wife and eldest daughter to IKEA, recently enough to be faced with the usual half a marathon walk of Christmas decorations. You know the sort of thing, wreaths for the front door, Christmas trees, floral decorations and so on, all of which were artificial. Plastic, inert, dead as the dodo!

WHY DO WE FILL OUR HOUSES WITH THE ARTIFICIAL? Whatever happened to the holly, ivy, yew and other seasonal evergreens hauled into the house to celebrate the middle of winter and the promise of spring? Life in the darkest days. It’s just not possible to feel the same way about plastic.

So why do we fill our houses with the artificial? Well, I guess it just takes away the hassle, labour, and the mess – and gives us more spare time in which to gaze fondly at polypropylene, polyester and plastic.

I suppose the same rule applies to artificial lawns. Two friends recently admitted that they have replaced their real turf with the artificial. It took both of them nearly four 34

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months to admit their guilty secret which left me thinking about this whole charade.

This is not garden snobbery. Gavin and I have designed larger gardens with artificial sports surfaces meant for heavy wear and tear from active families, but we do balk at requests for an artificial lawn to simply ease maintenance.

Added to this scenario was the discovery of artificial turf used around the Sylvia Crowe pavilion at RHS Wisley. An interesting use of a material that is still banned in RHS shows if used as a lawn replacement.

The simple fact remains, an artificial lawn is not fundamentally a lawn. It is genetically closer to a carpet, an inert surface introduced to withstand day to day use, to stay resolutely green in the darkest days of winter and in the driest days of summer.

For the wildlife that we normally encourage into our gardens this material might as well be paving. So why isn’t it? Paving is probably much easier to maintain but it is generally a more expensive surface to install, so there may well be budgetary issues in the client decision making process. Most clients also feel that the grass-like surface is more flexible for family use, providing a softer fall for children.

In a wider sense though, the artificial lawn symbolises a disengagement with our natural

environment – a growing, permeable, insect and wormridden lawn is a living habitat albeit not the most diverse. And yes, this needs mowing as it grows and the odd feed and watering, but it is hardly the most taxing plant material to deal with horticulturally, and it is the cheapest surface to include in any garden. What is our garden if it is not an interface with nature and the planet we live on?

There are more inventive lawn alternatives such as pictorial meadows, prairie planting, ornamental meadow, groundcover planting or gravel gardens. Clients would say these are difficult for children’s play, but it depends on how that is defined. My eldest often chose to play in our gravel garden rather than on the lawn alongside it.

THE ARTIFICIAL LAWN SYMBOLISES A DISENGAGEMENT WITH OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT We also have many public parks where children can play – sometimes shockingly with other children, although many families seem to have waved goodbye to this community based concept, demanding that everything has to happen in their garden, no matter how tiny.

We all need a reality check but for now I’m off to harvest my holly and ivy.

Merry Christmas!

ABOUT ANDREW WILSON Andrew Wilson is a landscape and garden design consultant, director of the London College of Garden Design, and an author, writer and lecturer.

www.lcgd.org.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 11:50

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22/11/2018 08:39

INFORM

CELEBRATING THE BEST ADAM WHITE

President of the Landscape Institute Adam White shares some of the highlights of last month’s annual awards ceremony, and reveals his choices for the prestigious President’s Award New York Times best-selling author and journalist Florence Williams took to the stage as the keynote speaker. Her most recent book, The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative is an investigation into nature’s restorative benefits and the science behind its positive effects on the brain.

Each year, the Landscape Institute Awards

Quarry Gardens in Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Gardens

celebrate projects that protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment, with many of the entries this year having an emphasis on how landscape can improve health and wellbeing in society.

With 21 different award categories attracting a record-breaking total of 163 entries, all landscape disciplines were recognised at this year’s ceremony. The Dame Sylvia Crowe Award for Outstanding International Contribution to People, Place and Nature, was the first ever Landscape Institute Award open to individuals and organisations globally and it was won by Quarry Gardens in Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Gardens.This new award is the first step in recognising the global reach of the profession and celebrating major achievements that benefit people, place and nature through landscape led approaches.

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Ecology Award, which showcased established planting schemes and horticulture focused projects that demonstrated environmental, ecological and educational responsibility. The award winner in this category was Beech Gardens at the Barbican Centre by Nigel Dunnett which also picked up the prestigious College of Fellows Award.

ALL LANDSCAPE DISCIPLINES WERE RECOGNISED AT THIS YEAR’S CEREMONY The Landscape Institute President’s Award is the highest accolade and most anticipated. It is given to a project that the serving president believes has made the most positive contribution to society. It was difficult to single out one project from so many brilliant winners, but South Gardens, Elephant Park in London by Chris Churchman Associates stood out as a benchmark project.

Relevant to our profession and the sector, this project provides a case study of how a residential landscape can become an urban sanctuary – inclusive, and ecologically rich – with a philosophy that places the community, wellness and ecology at its heart. The courtyards link into healthy new streets, encourage strolling and places to pause through horticulturally rich

Beech Gardens, High Walk, Barbican Centre

roofs have been designed to mimic locally rare habitat with maximised species diversity.

The landscape architect has created a variety of conditions within their planting designs for the courtyards and green roofs that are aimed at being resilient to climate change. Strategies for insect, bird and bat habitats are embedded covertly into buildings or as conspicuous sculptural objects. The benefit of SUDs has been incorporated through the use of rain gardens and lessons have been taken from permaculture techniques by planting Nitrogen fixing trees and companion plants near productive fruit trees.

The level of community engagement, rather than just tokenistic consultation, really stood Quarry Gardens in Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Gardens out. It was also refreshing to hear acknowledgement being given to the landscape contractor, Gavin Jones Ltd, who worked closely with the landscape architect to fine-tune the arrangement of trees, shrubs and boulders.

The scheme is an exemplar urban residential landscape, achieved through genuine placemaking, environmentally sensitive planting and meticulous high quality landscape design.

ABOUT ADAM WHITE FLI

South Gardens, Elephant Park

gardens with opportunities to forage fruit or grow fresh food. Opportunities for creative play by children weaves through the courtyards and the planting responds accordingly. Biodiverse green

Adam White FLI is a director at Davies White Ltd, a double RHS Gold Medal, double People’s Choice and RHS Best in Show award-winning Chartered Landscape Architects practice. He is a Fellow and President of the Landscape Institute.

Social media: @davies_white www.davieswhite.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 13:47

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22/11/2018 08:40

INFORM

GO WILD

in the country Pro Landscaper witnesses the influence of the Dutch ‘new perennial style’ at the spectacular Sussex Prairie Garden

S

ituated in the heart of the Sussex countryside, Sussex Prairie Garden is not only one of the most beautiful green spaces in the UK, but also a triumph of British (albeit by way of Europe) horticultural ingenuity.

Current co-owner and landscape designer Pauline McBride, grew up on the land back in the 1950s. In 2005 Pauline and her husband Paul decided to buy what at the time was 32 acres of farmland from her parents, with the intention of creating one of the grandest spaces in the whole of the UK. Two years later, the pair had designed and completed the garden from scratch, working on the principles of what Sussex Prairie Garden’s website refers to as the: “Dutch new wave perennial style.” The result – now as then – is an oasis of colour planted and maintained to the most exacting standards, while at the same time communicating a loose, almost wilderness feel. It is a truly unique space.

Spiral dynamics Speaking in greater detail about the history of the site, as well as why they adopted the aforementioned design style, Pauline says: “Paul and I had been involved in design projects around the world, and had ended up in Luxembourg working on the same garden for something like ten years.

“The owner of the property had read an article in the Sunday Times about the Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf, who had just planted the borders at Wisley and had also won gold at Chelsea. He wanted to get him in. Piet was a bit of a hero of ours, so when the chance to work with him was too good to turn down – we picked his brains and developed huge knowledge.”

She continues: “We were into a very naturalistic style of planting, in part because of his influence, and it started us thinking about the possibility of having our own garden, which in turn prompted us to take a leap into the unknown. At the time, it was quite an unusual thing to design a naturalistic or prairie style of garden, particularly in the UK. We wanted to create a kind of living canvas.

“We love it, firstly because it’s very beautiful but there’s also

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this huge sense of freedom about it which is very beguiling. Part of that is the decision to incorporate long views and vistas across what is essentially a big, flat open space. People that visit tend to find it a very calming experience, and we’ve encouraged that by designing the beds so that people can walk right inside the borders. It’s total immersion – the sights, the sounds and the smells.”

The garden – which according to Pauline was designed the old-fashioned way: “no CAD for us” – takes the form of an enormous spiral with the plants themselves providing its architectural shape in the form of large borders.

Through these run what she calls: “sinuous wood chip pathways” taking visitors, as mentioned, straight into the heart of the planting itself. There also exists a central avenue through the site, along which runs a more formal hornbeam hedge.

The big move While the layout will be of massive interest to anyone with an interest in innovative garden design, Sussex Prairie would clearly be nothing without its plants. Paul and Pauline set about creating the 30,000 plants required for their ambitious planting plan from scratch during the winter of 2017 and spring 2018.

Taking cuttings, making divisions and sowing seed, the numbers soon multiplied.

Transporting over 3000 plants a week in their

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horse box the pair soon amassed the catalogue of plants they needed for their ambitious design. They often frequented the inspirational Piet Oudolf nursery in Hummelo during this time to build upon the range of unusual plants for their own.

She continues: “The beds are a mix of ornamental grasses – which make up about 30% of the garden – alongside herbaceous perennials. That mix gives us what we think is the perfect combination of flowers, which arrive earlier in the season, and then the grass which arrives later and gives height. The garden has two distinct times, with the flowers and grasses complementing each other incredibly well.

THE RESULT – NOW AS THEN – IS AN OASIS OF COLOUR PLANTED AND MAINTAINED TO THE MOST EXACTING STANDARDS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME COMMUNICATING A LOOSE, ALMOST WILDERNESS FEEL

PAULINE AND PAUL MCBRIDE “In terms of the style of planting, we’ve found that having large swathes of the same colour and species delivers huge impact when it comes to this kind of design. There’s been a broader trend recently to move to mixed or matrix planting, which is fine but also has issues maintenance-wise from our point of view. You really have to know your plants to get the best out of that kind of approach.”

According to Pauline, while the essential structure and design of the garden has remained constant over time. The plants are part of an ongoing narrative, written in part quite naturally by the site itself, the make-up of which has evolved over time. Pauline says: “In many ways, the plants themselves have dictated what we’ve grown, which in itself is an obvious feature of this style of design.”

“One reason for that is the way the garden allows new plant varieties to develop through cross breeding,” she continues. “Another interesting factor however is that certain plants have behaved differently over here than they did in Luxembourg. For example, there’s a Thalictrictrum lucidum which was very well behaved on the continent, but has since become more of a pest than a pleasure. There are some which I’d describe as self-seeding monsters.”

Going back to the subject of the how the garden progresses over the course of the year, Pauline is vehement that the only time it should be accessible to the public is in summer and autumn.

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INFORM

incredibly wet and soggy, something which wouldn’t be made any easier by the fact that car parking for visitors takes place in a field. The other reason is that quite simply the plants don’t start to achieve their designated effect until later in the year.

WE WANTED TO CREATE A KIND OF LIVING CANVAS The cleansing flames As indicated, while Sussex Prairie Garden may look wild, it’s by no means unkempt. Turning to the maintenance side, Pauline says that she and Paul employ a core team of five people, all of whom work on a seasonally-adjusted, part-time basis. These are joined at different times of the year by volunteers, work parties from local colleges, as well as members of an intern programme, participants which have come from as far away as China and Russia – and Sheffield.

Needless to say, care of the garden in and out of season takes a variety of different forms, most of which are exactly what you’d expect to see on a site of this size. According to Pauline however, there’s one particular activity which may very well be unique to Sussex Prairie – burning it down on an annual basis.

“We do the most incredibly mad thing,” she says. “Every January or February, we set the whole garden on fire – everything up in flames in order to clear the dead matter from the previous season. It’s a bit of a guerrilla gardening tactic, but it’s the perfect way of managing a mass of plant material and clearing such a huge space.

It also puts potash immediately into the soil and helps with pests and diseases.”

Elaborating on the origins of this practice, she continues: “It came out of laziness really, essentially because Paul was fed up with chipping, cutting and carting stuff away. We burn it in situ, with the buds and roots all safely underground.”

“The flames have to take very quickly so it has to be done in windy conditions, but once it gets going it’s incredibly good fun and really exciting. The first time we did it – which was while we were working in Luxembourg – I was totally terrified. The boss had gone off to the Bahamas for the winter, so we just thought why not?” www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Other major – although possibly less adrenaline fueled – events taking place on the site on an annual basis include horticultural fairs in June and September, the latter of which is specifically to showcase unusual plants. This year, they also ran their Indian Summer event, which included the sale of Indian themed art and clothing, as well as curry for lunch.

Sussex Prairie Garden is a unique and incredibly valuable part of the UK horticultural landscape. The last word should go to Pauline, about the pleasure she still derives from the space, over a decade after its original creation.

“It’s an incredible thing really,” she says, “and far more beautiful than I ever imagined it could be. It’s also amazing to see all the plans that we made right at the beginning come to fruition, year after year. It’s started off as a labour of love for us, and that’s how it’s continued – although now I’m running the tea shop in the summer instead of getting on with gardening.”

Long may the flame of Sussex Prairie Garden continue to burn bright.

1 Rudbeckia deamii 2 Foeniculum vulgare with Lythrum virgatum and Liatris spicata 3 Astilbe ‘Purpurlanze’ with Achille ‘Hella Glashoff’ and Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ 4 Phlomis russeliana with Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii ‘Goldsturm’ All photographs ©Marianne Majerus

Sussex Prairies will be open from 1 June until 13 October 2019 , six afternoons a week 1pm until 5pm, closed on Tuesdays

CONTACT Sussex Prairies Garden Morlands Farm, Wheatsheaf Road (B2116) Near Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9AT Tel: 01273 495902 www.sussexprairies.co.uk

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TAMARA BRIDGE GARDEN DESIGNS

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Breathing new life into a dreamy hilltop garden

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22/11/2018 08:51

PORTFOLIO

FINALIST

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his vibrant garden is set in one of the most idyllic areas of rural Norfolk, nestled on a hill overlooking the village of Morston and out to the sea. The garden is bordered on three sides with shelter belt woodland, which happens to give the most spectacular display of bluebells and protects the garden from wind.

Brief Tamara Bridge Garden Designs was asked to breathe new life and colour into a well-established garden that had become overgrown and had lost its sparkle. The client wanted a new and refreshing approach to the garden, the planting was to be designed to encourage excursions around the garden with mild changes needed to create the illusion of a larger space. A desire to pick a vase of flowers and foliage every week of the year focused the planting to provide something to enjoy and something to look forward to – scent and colour were essential components.

Design and build The design work involved long afternoons of pouring over books, catalogues and bulb lists with the client, whose passion for plants is second to none.

Tamara Bridge Garden Designs started selecting mature trees and shrubs to retain, remove or prune in December. Some borders were to be removed entirely, starting from scratch, but others required a more sympathetic approach. It was important to www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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NORFOLK IDYLL TAMARA BRIDGE GARDEN DESIGNS Vibrant planting and a refreshing design breathe new life into a dreamy hilltop garden, bordered by bluebell woods with views to the sea Pro Landscaper / December 2018 45

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PORTFOLIO

PROJECT DETAILS Project value £75,000 Build time 4 months Size of project Approx. 1,000m2

retain some of the more unusual or characterful plants to bridge the gap between the new planting and to ensure that it looked as if it could have always been there.

The setting out stage was extremely important to the success of the garden. The planting plans offer a guide, but once on site it is a lot easier to see the planting and therefore ensure that the effect will work. Tamara Bridge Garden Designs spent a few days arranging the plants, going back to key windows and view points to check that the layering effect of the planting worked from these angles.

Certain areas of the garden hardscape were tweaked to make the most of the new planting.

Focal points were readjusted and refined and a new courtyard garden was created which focuses on texture, form and shades of grey and green to contrast with bursts of pink, silver and blue.

A focal point was needed at the end of the new wildflower meadow so an existing curved stone bench was relocated, and a small paved area with gaps for planting was created. The bench is surrounded by white hyacinths in the spring.

The Mediterranean courtyard needed to be wheelchair accessible, so Tamara Bridge Garden Designs used a self-binding gravel with sandstone set details. The main sculptural element of the garden is the planting, which is used to frame the bespoke garden window set into a trellis clothed in Trachelospermum, Rosa ‘Alberic Barbier’ and Ceanothus, designed by George Carter. This delightful feature links the courtyard with the walled garden.

All shrubs, trees and topiary were sourced through The Romantic Garden Nursery in Swannington. Howard Nurseries in Diss, Edgefield Nurseries just down the road from the garden, and North Hill Nurseries supplied for remaining plants.

ABOUT TAMARA BRIDGE GARDEN DESIGNS Based in Norfolk, Tamara who originally trained as an arborist and T A M AG a Rr d Ae n DBe sRi g In D G E horticulturist combined her creative side with practical experience to establish her award-winning design business in 2013. In the following five years the business has focused on creating thoughtful and captivating gardens with atmosphere and a sensitive approach to planting. www.tamarabridge.co.uk

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TA M A R A

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GARDEN DESIGN

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Some structure in the garden was provided by new garden features. Repeating pots or obelisks help anchor the soft perennial planting in a similar way to shrubs, while offering greater flexibility for seasonal changes.

Muntons obelisks were a happy combination of elegance and casual but Tamara Bridge Garden Designs did add a little gilding. Pots will have tulips in for the spring, agapanthus and annuals for the summer and occasionally winter evergreens. These were planted in pot liners, making it easy to swap displays over.

Challenges In the early part of February when most of the planting had been removed and Tamara Bridge Garden Designs was involved in the most chaotic part of the build, it was discovered that a friend of the clients was to be married that summer in June, in the garden. Up until her recent visit to the garden, she had been unaware that the garden was to be replanted.

After the initial shock from both parties, Tamara

Throughout the design process Tamara Bridge Garden Designs had been working closely with the client and the gardener appointed to take over the scheme upon completion. Unfortunately, the gardener was unable to take up this role which created a problem as far as the June wedding was concerned. To save the day, Tamara decided to stay on one day a week for a season to train one of her own team to undertake the maintenance. This proved to be a successful scheme and there is now a team of three looking after the garden.

Bridge Garden Designs started working from the date of the wedding backwards to ensure the garden was looking its absolute best in time.

Fortunately, many perennials were planned to be incorporated for the first few years and so there wasn’t much need to worry about the overall impact, but a few more plants were added to the order for the key areas of the garden.

1 Architectural foliage punctuates the planting 2 New underplanting enlivens the rose garden 3 Mount Etna Broom and newly planted beds 4M illium and Persicaria with Hesperis and Anthriscus in the background 5 Obelisks and pots create rhythm in a long border 6 Gypsophylla and lavender in the rose borders 7A colourful view into the walled garden Photographs ŠAnnie Green-Armytage

REFERENCES Design Tamara Bridge Garden Designs

www.tamarabridge.co.uk Build

Russel Wright Landscapes and Garden Designs

www.thewrightcompany.co.uk Self-binding gravel CED Stone Group

www.cedstone.co.uk Mature trees, shrubs and topiary The Romantic Garden Nursery

www.romantic-garden-nursery.co.uk Perennials Howard Nurseries

www.howardnurseries.co.uk Edgefield Nurseries

Tel: 01263 587457 North Hill Nurseries

www.northhillnurseries.co.uk Plant supports Muntons

www.muntons.net Trellis George Carter

www.georgecartergardens.co.uk

DURING www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PORTFOLIO

CITY RETREAT MAYLIM In London’s Rathbone Square a tranquil residential garden offers a calming retreat away from the bustling West End

R

athbone Square is one of central London’s largest mixed-use developments. The land was previously occupied by Royal Mail, as the location of their central sorting and delivery office.

The 1,800m2 publicly-accessible garden lies at the heart of this new residential and commercial development designed by Make Architects for client Great Portland Estates.

Located close to London’s popular shopping and theatre districts, Rathbone Square offers respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Designed by Landscape Architects Gustafson Porter + Bowman, Rathbone Square is sensitive to its surroundings. It has been designed to engage visitors and elevate the sense of space.

The square now unifies the collection of buildings, creating cross-site pedestrian routes.

The design and final landscape retains the positive characteristics of the surrounding

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area and complements the architecture of the new development.

Design and build The incorporation of water was a major feature and priority for the design of the central garden.

Located close to each of the main entrances are two water tables which reflect the natural setting of the garden and encourage the public to explore the space within. The sculpting of the stone resembles water grasses and reeds simulating the appearance of flowing water. This creates a relaxing and soothing ambience.

Approximately 1,300m2 of ‘Azul’ silver grey granite paving was sourced and installed by 1 Central courtyard with raised lawn 2 Water channel, weir and waterfall 3 View from Rathbone Place entrance archway 4 Aerial view of central courtyard 5 Raised granite planters and water features

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 13:32

PORTFOLIO

WINNER

Hard Landscaping Construction (non-domestic) over £1.5m

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PORTFOLIO

PROJECT DETAILS Project value Approx. ÂŁ3.3m Build time 54 weeks Size of project 1,800m2

Maylim. This granite was selected after a thorough and extensive sampling process, in which a clear range was agreed. Maylim completed the full design of the paving layout to co-ordinate the paving pattern with raised planters and edgings. The size of the paving elements at the entrances was made larger to match the adjacent highway pavements. This gradually reduces to a smaller size towards the centre of the square.

The palette of natural stone selected for the central garden is appropriate to both function and aesthetics, contrasting yet complementing the granite used for the water rills and planters.

The design of the contoured curved bench made from Camaru by Woodscapes was achieved by using innovative 3D modelling technology. This bespoke seating comprises of individual slats which seamlessly graduate upward to create a backrest. The bench was delivered in sections and fixed to a concrete structure over a stainless steel angle using reinforced concrete to hold in place.

Maylim’s project team refined the design and construction of the surface water drainage system, minimising the need for access boxes and reducing the quantity of visible stainless steel at the surface. Maylim also designed a waterproofing system comprising of all building interfaces including skylights, as well as pre-cast elements and a ceramic archway with 50

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penetration detailing.

In addition, they designed the detailing around all penetrations, including drainage outlets, water features and irrigation pipework. Maylim’s project team installed two drainage mat systems for both hard and soft landscaping elements.

Both systems were integrated into the surface water drainage system with an extended gully connection piece. Maylim installed concrete sub-base including all

expansion and movement joints to form a level surface. Consideration and care was taken not to exceed allowable loadings on the structural podium slab.

The mixed-used development which surrounds the square comprises of six to eight storey buildings. Accordingly, a great deal of thought and process went into the design and development of the soft landscaping elements, to make sure that they were suitable for the planting conditions.

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PORTFOLIO

DURING Across the scheme there are seven large raised planters which vary in size and design.

Over 75m2 of linear granite cladding was used to build the planters. Due to the size and weight of each individual unit, the planters were installed using a 20ft mobile city crane.

After installation, the planters were clad in Canadian ‘Picasso’ granite. The water channel weirs were then integrated within the planters.

The depth of the planters allows for sufficient amounts of soil for cherry and magnolia trees, box hedging and understory planting.

Initially, the planters were proposed to be made with reinforced concrete structures.

However, because of programme restraints, Maylim issued a contractor’s proposal to change the structures to precast units.

Maylim led the selection and off-site maintenance of the semi-mature trees. These were all maintained away from site for two years. During this time, they were planted within air pots that allowed them to be transported to site during the summer months when they were planted at their final destination.

Within the raised granite planters perennial species were planted to add softness in contrast to the hard granite and stone elements of the scheme.

The hard landscaping complements the soft with a pathway gently curving around the central lawn to meet the edge of the building. Maylim constructed raised beds, incorporating metal edging, to create a deep growing medium for semi-mature trees and deep-rooted plants. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Private residential garden Maylim’s work on the scheme also included the private residential garden. In contrast to the public central garden, the scale of the residential garden is much more compact and provides an area where residents can relax and unwind.

Maylim’s remit on this part of the project included waterproofing, insulation, drainage mat works as well as build ups.

The neutral palette of natural stone used for the garden is appropriate for both function and aesthetic. Maylim installed block work retaining structures, which were clad in Azul Picasso granite, in line with the public realm.

The granite was used to create different levels for planting, lawns and paved areas.

Granite was also used for both the paving and the dividing walls.

The design and development faced numerous constraints. The space has an irregular site boundary and is located above a basement storey – both challenging aspects that Maylim had to work around – the garden itself could only be accessed through the residential building development.

Completing insulation and waterproofing whilst working on a live site was logistically challenging. Throughout the duration of these works Maylim had to maintain access for other trades as well as provide storage for materials.

6 Contoured timber bench 7 View over CNC cut table-top water feature

REFERENCES Water drainage systems Kent Stainless

www.kentstainless.co.uk Water features The Fountain Workshop

www.fountains.co.uk Soft landscaping

Willerby Landscapes

www.willerby-landscapes.co.uk Stone suppliers Miller Druck International Stone

www.millerdruck.co.uk Bespoke seating Woodscape

www.woodscape.co.uk Planters Plean Pre-cast

www.plean-precast.co.uk

ABOUT MAYLIM Based in central London, Maylim are specialists in high quality external works and landscaping schemes.

It also completes highway and civil engineering projects, working across both public and private sectors. Established in 2002, Maylim deliver a range of schemes, from small-scale developments and improvements to multi-million pound projects across the capital. www.maylim.co.uk

All images ©Maylim Pro Landscaper / December 2018 51

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PORTFOLIO

PROJECT DETAILS Project value Over £300,000 Build time 13 months Size of project 6 acres

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22/11/2018 13:38

PORTFOLIO

BALI PRINCIPAL AWARD WINNER 2017

Domestic Gardens Over £250k

ENTERTAINING AL FRESCO OUTDOOR CREATIONS Introducing the new and reusing the old combines to transform a traditional Reigate garden into a spacious outdoor entertainment area

T

his award-winning scheme, designed by Acres Wild and delivered by Outdoor Creations involved the redevelopment of a large, existing garden following a major extension and remodelling of the client’s home.

The brief was to create a garden that seamlessly integrated with the house – better connecting the house and terrace with the lawns and the existing swimming pool – and to provide a more generous space for entertaining.

Build The clients original garden was truncated by a beech hedge, overgrown shrub borders and a www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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huge Victorian greenhouse which dominated and blocked the view from the house to the wider garden. The glazing and bricks of the original greenhouse were carefully dismantled and reclaimed so that a smaller version could be incorporated into the new scheme as a feature beyond the swimming pool. A new, potager style, kitchen garden was developed, blending well with the existing orchard and sitting comfortably in an area of the garden that was previously unused.

Following the construction of the new greenhouse, a fruit cage was added, raised beds for vegetable growing, separated by neat, Breedon gravel paths and a brick-laid terrace,

dressed with large containers and pots.

Significant provision for utilities had to be made as part of the groundworks. There was significant cabling for lighting, power and Cat6 cabling to the pool house, as well as an automated irrigation system from an underground rainwater harvesting tank to the new planting areas, mains and grey water supply to numerous standpipes around the garden. A gas supply was also provided from the house to the client’s new fire table that Outdoor Creations installed.

Reclaimed materials from the site were incorporated where possible, re-using Yorkstone paving and some of the client’s natural stone walling. The paving was carefully lifted and re-used beneath the pergola, creating an attractive, rustic terrace providing a spot to sit and relax in a secluded area of the garden.

Planting was refreshed throughout the scheme and new planting areas now incorporate the client's love of Mediterranean style plants with clipped box lavender, Alliums, 1 Sawn sandstone main terrace with sett detail 2 Intermediate relaxing terrace with gas fire pit 3 Ornamental grasses soften the terrace 4 Sawn sandstone mixes with natural stone walling Pro Landscaper / December 2018 53

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PORTFOLIO

scented roses and ornamental grasses, providing year round interest.

The existing shrub borders were either reorganised where appropriate as significant existing plant numbers were reused, or replaced where the design necessitated their removal.

A section of the handsome 9ft mature beech hedge needed to be moved to accommodate the new design and this was successfully lifted and replanted over the winter. A large, existing bespoke oak pergola was carefully dismantled and rebuilt in a new, more appropriate position, framing the view through to one of the upper lawns.

In addition, some significant, large and particularly fragile pieces of sculpture had to be carefully lifted and relocated to their new positions within the garden.

Of particular sentimental value were some pieces of wrought iron railings and gates that had been bequeathed to the client by his late father. These were sensitively restored by

Outdoor Creations’ metalsmith and incorporated within a revised design layout to feature within the garden, creating defined access points in three areas of the garden.

AFTER

BEFORE

Judges comments This garden scheme won the Principal Award at the BALI National Landscape Awards in 2017 where the judges commented: "Comprising the complete refurbishment of an extensive existing garden, this fantastic scheme has been executed with care, passion and thought. The changes in levels are seamless, the planting exceptional, and the detailing throughout is beautiful, including where reclaimed stone walling and paving has been used. The contractor worked closely with the

DURING client to introduce elements that help to make the garden work better for the entire family and the result is a garden where every aspect blends perfectly. This is, quite simply, a lovely scheme that reflects the excellent client/ contractor relationship."

REFERENCES Garden design Acres Wild

www.acreswild.co.uk Sawn sandstone paving and setts London Stone

www.londonstone.co.uk Walling stone from B&S Natural Stone Ltd

www.bandsnaturalstoneltd.co.uk London mixture brick paviors Chelmer Valley

www.chelmervalley.co.uk Footpath gravel Breedon Wayfarer

www.breedon-special-aggregates.co.uk

5 Pool softened with surrounding planting 6 Existing oak pergola relocated

Lighting Hunza

www.hunzalighting.com Irrigation

ABOUT OUTDOOR CREATIONS Outdoor Creations, the Kent based landscape design and build company led by Graeme Carpenter and Ramon Lawal, celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.

The company initially employed just six people when it was set up in 2008. It has grown significantly over the past decade and now employs 20 plus members of staff, creating a highly skilled and dedicated team. www.outdoor-creations.co.uk

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Leaky Pipe Systems Ltd

www.leakypipe.co.uk Garden electrics Landscape Plus

www.landscapeplus.com Plants Palmstead

www.palmstead.co.uk Turf Grasslands Ltd.

www.grasslands-turf.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 13:39

London Stone are now stockists of VistaGreen Artificial Green Walls You can now view and purchase VistaGreen’s range of beautiful and practical artificial green wall products in all of our Showrooms.

Stay ahead in a competitive market: choose the best.

#ThisIsLondonStone www.londonstone.co.uk

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22/11/2018 08:54

Miles and Lincoln courtyard garden Harley

INSPIRE Decorative, stylish and superbly versatile, panels and screens can hide the ugly and highlight the beautiful; Anji Connell casts her eye over the latest array Laser panels and screens are thin sheets of metal or wood with a precision cut pattern. Both functional and decorative, they make excellent screens and privacy walls offering protection and shade – all while adding architectural detailing.

They create eye-catching facades, feature walls, vertical gardens, entryways and gates, and are perfect for hiding air conditioning units, compost bins, services and any unsightly neighbouring views.

Laser panels also work to great effect as ceilings in pergolas and sunrooms offering some protection against the sun as they cast mesmerising patterns of light and shadow.

Modified into light boxes, or backlit with LED’s they add ambient lighting and a sculptural element.

Laser screen cladding, known as brise soleil or ‘bris-ole’ from the French ‘sun breaker’, is an architectural facade that reduces heat gain within a building by deflecting sunlight.

Brise soleil latticework and perforated facades come in a wide range of textures, finishes and colours and are designed to let natural sunlight in and then diffuse it upwards instead of directly onto the building – all while

THE PERFECT

COVER UP

improving the energy efficiency of the building.

Exterior cladding is a cost-effective way to update and add drama.

Grace & Webb work with architects and designers to create bespoke laser-cut screens and decorative architectural panels for balustrades, juliet balconies, room dividers, architectural cladding, window shutters, brise-soleil, suspended ceilings, decorative wall features or public art commissions. It can create them in a wide variety of metals and other materials.

Natasha Webb is the creative force behind the UK based Grace & Webb, combining unique intricate and delicate patterns with laser and water-jet cutting technology and high structural and tensile materials.

Tilt Screens, a South African company based in Cape Town, Tilt Screen Bertie privacy screen

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has a fabulous range of cutting-edge screens designed with in-house AutoCAD software, a computer numerical control (CNC) router – a computer controlled cutting machine – and welding processes.

Tilt screens are available in a non-corrosive powder-coated finish with a standard panel size

Ductal Engineering Solutions

of 2,400 x 1,200mm and custom panel 3,000 x 1,500mm. Available in limitless design options, including patterns with a global reference, geometric designs, ornate patterns and organic and botanical patterns available in aluminium. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 14:04

INSPIRE

Miles and Lincoln roof garden Cascade

They are sustainable and environmentally friendly, and ideal for coastal areas. Check out Tilt screens’ Instagram account for inspiration.

Nearer to home, Stark & Greensmith design and make architectural screen fencing for commercial and domestic use. It has an off-the-shelf range as well as a bespoke service.

It maintains that its panels are durable, long lasting (up to 25 years), affordable and beautiful, requiring practically no maintenance.

The panels are available in either weathering steel, which is available pre-weathered or in a natural raw finish, or in powder-coated aluminium and the designs are laser cut and deburred for consistency, precision and safety.

Miles and Lincoln lily pond

Tilt Screens residential security gate

Steel clamps fix the panels to aluminium posts that are set in concrete just as a regular fence post would be. The inherent strength of their construction means that these posts will stand the test of time.

Stark & Greensmith recently collaborated with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to create a new range of panels for the garden, featuring designs inspired by images from the RHS Lindley Library. The range of panels are inspired predominantly by nature and include four products, a full-height panel and a balustrade panel – both available in two finishes, corten steel and powder-coated aluminium.

Miles and Lincoln screens are used as wall cladding to enhance plain surfaces and to screen and separate landscape areas. Their background is a pattern design, combining art and functionality. Miles and Lincoln have a unique collection of exterior laser-cut screens which are available in any size, scale, material and finish. It supplies framed screens, balustrades, ceilings, walls, doors, and gates in geometric, world, botanical, and classic patterns to complement external cladding and for refurbishment projects and landscape architecture.

Your creativity really is the only limiting factor when using laser screening.

Miles and Lincoln garden screen frond

ABOUT ANJI CONNELL Internationally recognised interior architect and landscape designer Anji Connell is a detail-obsessed Inchbald Graduate, and has been collaborating with artisans and craftsmen to create bespoke and unique interiors for a discerning clientele since 1986. Anji is a stylist, feature writer and lover of all things art and design.

Laser-cut decorative screens

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Tilt Screens Toll patterned pergola

www.anjiconnellinteriordesign.com

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INSPIRE

WORK

Best project It’s very difficult to select which project has been the best. I have been very lucky to work on some fantastic projects over the years with some lovely clients. I am currently working on a large garden in Suffolk.

Mentors I started my career at Frosts Landscapes, working alongside an inspiring senior designer, Samantha Boyd-Smith. She taught me the importance of professionalism in design development by paring back the design to its core elements, whilst applying focus and trusting my instincts.

Whilst working at Pantiles Landscapes later in my career, I found the wonderful creativity and amazing draughtsmanship skills of John Kenny extremely motivating and have tried to learn from the intuition he displayed with clients in understanding what their requirements were.

Issues to address I have been very fortunate with the start-up of my new business. However, my main challenge is to grow the company, ensuring that the structure is well designed to cater for the exact needs of my clients.

Best learning curve I am always trying to learn from the previous work with which I have been involved, and starting Chris Deakin Garden Design has probably been my best learning curve to date.

I have been able to take the valuable things that I learnt at Deakinlock Garden Design over the last nine years and apply them with a fresh approach.

The challenge ahead is exciting and my aim is to

develop a strong, successful design practice.

High and low points of your career The high points of my career have been starting Deakinlock and now Chris Deakin Garden Design by myself.

I also found winning RHS Gold medals and the Tudor Rose medal at Hampton Court hugely rewarding.

My career low points tend to occur when the prospective clients do not appreciate the craft and professionalism of our industry. I feel that on occasion, the landscaping industry is undervalued compared with other industries, with some failing to appreciate that the same skill is required for a landscaping project as is needed for a house renovation or new development.

Leadership style I always adopt a collaborative approach, to ensure that those with whom I am working have a clear vision of the design and landscaping goals in any given project. It is of paramount importance to me to work with all parties; clients and landscape contractors on site to obtain the best results.

What you hope to achieve in your work during the next 12 months Overall I want to grow my new business, with a particular focus on continuing to develop my design practice and creating beautiful gardens for satisfied clients. I will work closely with contractors on an ongoing basis and hope to submit a scheme to the SGD or BALI awards.

LIFE/STYLE

INSPIRATION People When I first started at horticultural college one of the lecturers, Alan Barson, made me fall in love with horticulture, gardens and gardening because of his passion, humour and knowledge.

Gardens There are several gardens that I find inspirational. The gardens at the Villandry Chateau in the Loire Valley are magnificent, and the gardens designed by Jacques Wirtz, the Belgian designer are often exceptional. Closer to home, the garden I started my career at in Ranworth on the Norfolk Broads is a very special place. To visit, the garden at East Ruston near Happisburgh remains firmly in my mind, as does my parents’ garden when I was growing up, as they were very keen on growing as much of their own produce as possible.

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Chris Deakin

The Norwich based garden designer speaks about his career, inspirations and his dream of owning a bespoke Savile Row suit

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 15:10

INSPIRE

PERSONAL Hobbies I enjoy watching sport – almost all sport but especially cricket and football. I really enjoy playing golf, although sadly there is huge room for improvement! I have a love of history but in the last few years I have developed an obsession with horology, which is both endlessly fascinating and potentially expensive. I love a nice car too.

Design tastes Anything with clean lines, that is simple and elegant, is always appealing. I find that the design that tends to draw me in is timeless and classic – ranging from art deco to strong post-modern architecture.

Most treasured possession(s) As mentioned, I have a passion for vintage and modern mechanical wristwatches. They are so varied in style and yet it is that meeting of design, art and engineering that attracts me to them. My watch collection takes pride of place – I love the balance of form and function. And obviously, our family dog Harvey.

Favoured dress style My preferred dress style is smart casual but I am fascinated by the world of bespoke tailoring and formal attire. My dream is to have a bespoke Savile Row suit (or several!)

Food I cannot resist good old fish and chips – especially from Aldeburgh or No.1 Cromer. It has to be accompanied by mushy peas drenched in salt and vinegar.

Drink Champagne whenever possible!

Most fun you’ve ever had My best mate’s stag do in Bratislava, but the less said about that the better!

TRAVEL Places you’ve been/places you would like to visit My wife and I, together with our two sons, had a marvellous city break in New York earlier this year and in my view this is one of the best destinations I have ever visited. We loved Johny’s Luncheonette – an amazing authentic New York Diner with pancakes to die for!

We are very keen to go to San Francisco and travel along the Californian coast road, taking in Monterey, Carmel and Los Angeles, and then go on to the Great Parks of Yosemite and Yellowstone.

How you like to travel As luxuriously as possible!

Favourite continent It has to be Europe because I have visited it more, but also because of the sheer volume of great culture, cuisine and architecture.

How you like to stay when you’re on holiday Again, luxury has it!

Preferably in a hotel but with the freedom to explore.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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22/11/2018 15:10

LEVATO MONO

Porcelain paver system and coordinating internal tiling Surface 360, formally The Deck Tile Co, has 150+ colours and finishes in their Levato Mono 20mm porcelain paving tile ranges. Plus create a seamless visual transition between internal and external spaces with coordinating interior 10mm porcelain tiling.

For both residential & commercial use.

Ideal for balconies, roof terraces, garden decking and piazzas.

Various sized 20mm thick porcelain tiles.

An eternal zero maintenance product offering massive over-life savings.

Timber, stone & cementitious effects.

‘Floating floor’ – installation over single ply membranes.

Height adjustable/slope correcting support system: 9mm - 550mm.

Lightweight – 45kgs per m2.

Highly abrasion and stain resistant.

Highly slip resistant: R11 A,B&C. High load bearing.

Impact resistant.

Completely non porous.

Frost proof.

INTRODUCING OUR NEW WEBSITE: WWW.SURFACE360.CO.UK

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INSPIRE

Why I...

#lovehorticulture Associating gardening with family and childhood friends has given Andrew Fisher Tomlin a lifelong passion for horticulture, bonding him with numerous people he has met from his student days to working in the industry

M

ANDREW FISHER TOMLIN CHARTERED HORTICULTURIST AND DIRECTOR, LONDON COLLEGE OF GARDEN DESIGN

ore than anything else there’s a bond that is created by horticulture. It’s something that is hard to explain but when you’re in it you tend to get it.

Before I started my career proper I spent my childhood helping my dad out at his allotments, one of which was behind Barclays bank in the village. It’s where we talked because typically men don’t talk to each other, but working side by side they do. I then spent teenage years picking fruit for Chivers Farms in the summer alongside my friends – a band of youngsters scratched to pieces by gooseberries but gaining healthy tans and enjoying many laughs.

I didn’t choose horticulture straightaway, but eventually I made the right choice and went to study at Askham Bryan College. The course was brilliant and we were another band of students bound together by a love of plants, parks and gardens.

We even had a song and we supported each other as we started out in more ways than just studying. I look at the groups of students we have at London College of Garden Design and I see a similar thing happening. A love of horticulture brings people together and gives them a support network that goes above and beyond just plants.

My work is often with communities across a wide range of ages and abilities. When you experience the camaraderie of vision-impaired veterans in their 80s or talk to a 104-year-old veteran about his garden, you get it. The power of horticulture to help children escape tough family situations, to give young adults a THE COURSE WAS BRILLIANT new start when they’ve been carers AND WE WERE ANOTHER BAND OF all their lives, to let adults with STUDENTS BOUND TOGETHER learning challenges live independent

BY A LOVE OF PLANTS, PARKS lives and the elderly with dementia AND GARDENS in care home settings is in many ways immeasurable.

But we are starting to measure it and the powers that be, those who hold the purse strings are starting to understand.

When we see the power that they hold being directed to plants, parks and gardens, that will make me love horticulture just a little bit more.

Tweet us @ProLandscaperUK and tell us why you love horticulture using the hashtag #LoveHorticulture

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PORTFOLIO INSPIRE

CED STONE GROUP Silverbirch Hotel

LONDON STONE

Stone Cladding: TIER Standard Panel System CED Stone Landscape supplied 380m2 of the Standard TIER Panel System to The Silverbirch Hotel redevelopment, in the colour Nordic. Using TIER has totally transformed the building and is a perfect example of how using quality stone cladding can make a huge difference to the aesthetics of a building. The TIER panels fit seamlessly together and are crafted from real stone ensuring that each panel looks completely unique.

Contractors Lowry Building & Civil Engineering were awarded the Best Commercial Project in the UK award at the Federation of Master Builder’s Awards for this project.

WWW.CEDSTONE.CO.UK

Tom Howard Garden Design

Stone Cladding: black slate cladding Tom Howard Garden Design has used black slate cladding on this project in South London to cleverly house a living wall, as part of a kitchen-cum-entertaining area. By using black slate, Tom has managed to provide a stylish, low-maintenance back drop to frame the green plants in the living wall. The cladding has become a standout feature in its own right, as it also provides tonal contrast to the light grey limestone paving.

WWW.LONDONSTONE.CO.UK

PAVING STONE CLADDING BRADSTONE Kate’s House

Stone cladding: Bradstone Mode Profiled in graphite, Bradstone Madera Antigua in grey, Bradstone Natural Slate walling slips in blue-black After moving into a new build property, the client wanted to add personality to the rear garden. The brief was for a contemporary patio space with a separate walled seating area, to provide the perfect summer retreat.

Mode Profiled porcelain paving in graphite was selected for the main patio area. To create the separate seating space, Madera Antigua in grey was used to create a distinctive contrast between the main patio and this relaxed area.

The design was finished with Natural Slate walling slips in blue-black, and Mode Profiled paving used as coping, to add a real finesse to the overall design.

WWW.BRADSTONE.COM

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 16:22

INSPIRE

ECODEK®

ARBORDECK

Ecodek® Heritage

Trex Transcend

• High-quality, British-made wood plastic composite • Ecodek® contains 95% recycled and sustainably sourced materials and is 100% recyclable • Solid boards that will not splinter or rot • Carbon negative production • Low potential for slip, wet or dry • Low maintenance • 25 year warranty Colour: Cornish Pebble, Brecon Shale, Highland Basalt, Pennine Millstone and Welsh Slate WWW.ECODEK.CO.UK

• High-performance composite decking by Trex, ideal for residential and commercial projects •A vailable in deck boards (25mm x 140mm x 3.66m, or 25mm x 140mm x 4.88m) and fascia boards (14mm x 184mm x 3.66m, or 14mm x 286mm x 3.66m) •A professional grade product with long lengths and the heaviest grade Trex shell – scratch, fade and stain resistant •D eep and realistic woodgrain effect •L ow maintenance, with no need to oil or paint, and easy to install •2 5-year residential and 10-year commercial limited warranty Colour: Island Mist, Tiki Torch, Lava Rock, Vintage Lantern, Spiced Rum and Gravel Path WWW.ARBORDECK.CO.UK

DECKING SAIGE SAiGE Rustic Decking • Composite decking with a traditional, weathered effect •D ecking board size – 140mm x 22mm x 3.6m •M ade from 45% recycled plastic and 50% recycled wood (the other 5% is made up of colour pigments and anti-mould and fungal properties) •E xcellent anti-slip rating, very low maintenance, easy to install and long lasting as well as splinter free • UK SGS test reports for strength, colour, water resistance and slip resistance • 10-year manufacturer’s warranty with an expected life span of 25 years Colour: Walnut and Grey WWW.COMPOSITEDECKING.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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MILLBOARD Enhanced Grain Decking • Authentic painted woodlook decking • Moulded from real timber, engineered for performance • Colour won’t flake off, resistant to staining • Won’t rot or develop algae growth • Slip resistant • Virtually maintenance-free Colour: Golden Oak, Coppered Oak, Jarrah, Limed Oak, Smoked Oak and Brushed Basalt WWW.MILLBOARD.COM

Pro Landscaper / December 2018 63

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S E I N

R PE T N O

E OW N

Podium [ po.di.um ] noun

a podium landscape is a green space built on top of a structure

For more information please call 01903 777570 or email podiumawards@eljays44.com

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HEADLINE SPONSOR

THE ONLY INDUSTRY AWARDS THAT HIGHLIGHT AND RECOGNISE PODIUM LANDSCAPES IN THE UK

Categories Category Sponsors

Commercial Build

Commercial Design

The project should show excellent core skills, a lovely finish, an innovative use of logistics and an effective use of products. The project will demonstrate quality and technical ability and will match the customer brief.

The project should show excellent core design skills matching the client brief, an effective use of products and plants and there must be a good example of communication, both from a client and landscaper aspect.

Domestic Design

Domestic Build

The project should show excellent core design skills matching the client brief, an effective use of products and plants and there must be a good example of communication, both from a client and landscaper aspect.

The project should show excellent core skills, a lovely finish, an innovative use of logistics and an effective use of products. The project will demonstrate quality and technical ability and will match the customer brief.

Outstanding Podium Products

Planting Design

This is a category for a product or a service that has helped revolutionise the rooftop garden sector. It needs to have solved a problem, created an opportunity, have had a major impact on the look/design or have helped the landscaper with the installation.

The project will need to demonstrate an understanding of the setting of the podium, client’s requirement, plants working well together, structure of the planting design, year-round interest, suitable for the rooftop climate and ease of maintenance.

CHECK OUT PRO LANDSCAPER ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

To enter the awards and for full terms and conditions, please see our website www.prolandscapermagazine.com/podiumawards/ Podium.indd 3

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23/03/2018 22/11/2018 11:46 08:57

JOE PERKINS

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Bringing spring closer to home

CAPE DIVERSITY

72

JAMIE BUTTERWORTH Exploring the landscapes of South Africa

CONSIDERING HOLLIES

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ANDY MCINDOE Add a touch of festivity

TAGGING HILLIER NURSERIES

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Eight trees to use on your next project

NURTURE

DESIGNER PLANTS

PLUS...

NURTURE NEWS (P69) IAN DRUMMOND (P75) JEFF STEPHENSON (P78)

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RH 'Expertise' half-page Pro Landscaper:Layout 1

2/12/16

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Page 1

Readyhedge.

The home of expertise.

Readyhedge instant hedging is cared for by experts at every stage, from planting to irrigation, feeding and trimming, so that every plant is perfect and ready for despatch.

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22/11/2018 14:30

NURTURE

NURTURE NEWS Wyevale Nurseries announce new 2020 amenity plant range

Eight new plants are taking their place in the amenity crop range for 2020 at Wyevale Nurseries. The selection was based on habit, colour and functionality.

Kyle Ross, production manager at Wyevale Nurseries based in Hereford, explained: “We have been trialling and testing these plants over the past two years. This is to ensure the crops we put forward are the absolute best for our customers.

Trialling consists of reviews of the plant’s hardiness and comparing different growing and pruning methods. Finally, Wyevale go through monitoring their susceptibility to pest and diseases.”

The selection includes Amelanchier ‘Rainbow Pillar’, Teucrium fruticans ‘Selection’, Sycoparrotia ‘Purple Haze’, Viburnum nudum ‘Brandywine’, Viburnum dentatum ‘Blue Muffin’, Dianella ‘Blue Stream’, Anthyllis barba-jovis and Euonymus ‘White Spire’. www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Nurture News.indd 69

Family nurseries team up to restore Grade II listed barn Two family nurseries, Johnsons of Whixley and Ray Skelton (Harrogate) Ltd, have teamed up to supply plants for a Grade II listed, newly-renovated barn.

Tithe Barn, built in the 1500s, is set within the grounds of the Duke of Devonshire’s majestic Bolton Abbey Estate in the Yorkshire Dales. It has had developers Cripps & Co working on restoring the barn to its former glory.

Ray Skelton (Harrogate) Ltd carried out groundworks such as seeding, turfing and planting work. Fellow family-run nursery,

Johnsons, supplied £19,000 worth of products. This included 78 trees, 13 pleached Quercus Ilex and more than 3,000 shrubs.

Ellie Richardson, marketing co-ordinator at Johnsons of Whixley said: “It’s fantastic to work on the transformation of Tithe Barn. We have supplied the Bolton Abbey Estate for many years so it’s lovely to supply another area too.

Ray Skelton (Harrogate) Ltd has done a wonderful job of the outdoor space and the barn itself is spectacular.”

Andrew Barker, amenity sales representative for Johnsons, further added: “It is wonderful to work on projects where the planting really finishes the project.

Hopefully it will provide a backdrop for some fantastic wedding pictures. As always, it’s been great working with true professional contractors in Ray Skelton (Harrogate) Ltd.” www.nurserymen.co.uk www.rayskelton.co.uk

Palmstead Soft Landscaping Workshop 2019 Green Connections Empowerment through collaboration Wednesday 23 January 09:00–17:00 Ashford International Hotel, Kent

Within the world of horticulture our innate need to connect to our landscape underpins everything we do. Many believe that human beings are genetically predisposed to want to find connections with the natural world (commonly termed as ‘biophilia’). As human beings we are also tribal animals, craving social

interaction and gaining pleasure and motivation from our interactions with each other. When we inhibit or remove our connections with the natural world and with each other we are limiting our potential and the opportunities to find a balance between modernity and nature.

Palmstead 2019 Soft Landscaping Workshop will be discussing the importance of its ‘green connections’ and how through interaction with each other we can work together to create a much-needed balance in our landscape. It believes that through industry collaboration, each one of us can be empowered to create a greener future.

Along with a stimulating line up of speakers arranged for the day

there will also be a number of mini-workshops taking place and a larger than ever number of exhibitors and industry professionals who will be offering advice and guidance throughout the day. Speakers include Helen Elks-Smith, Sarah Morgan, Dr Ken Thompson, Adam White Andrew Wilson and John Wyer. www.palmstead.co.uk

SEND US YOUR

NURTURE NEWS! editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk

01903 777 570

Pro Landscaper / December 2018 69

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NURTURE

Amelanchier lamarkii underplanted with Deschampsia ‘Goldtau’

Stachys byzantina

Designer PLANTS Joe Perkins has designed an intimate and secluded garden, offering privacy and brimming with seasonal planting

Part of a larger project for a four-acre country garden, the brief for this planting scheme was to bring spring and early summer close to the house. The further parts of the garden then develop and flower as the seasons progress.

The client wanted maximum impact around the living areas of the house at that crucial time of the year for gardens from April to June.

When Joe first visited the site one rainy January morning there was only a wide and desolate expanse of lawn leading directly from the house. Adjoining acres of farmland offer wonderful views, but the space felt more like a field to move through rather than a garden you would want to spend time in.

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The design brings a semi-formal structure of rectangular planting beds close to the house, adding a sense of seclusion whilst allowing views though to the larger more informal lawn area and beyond that, to the wildflower meadow and views across the countryside.

Groups of trees – Amelanchier lamarckii, Cornus controversa and Alnus incana ‘Laciniata’ – enclose the space and make it more intimate, also adding spring and autumn colour. The multi-stemmed trunks of the Amelanchier make a sculptural statement rising though the groundcover layer of Deschampsia ‘Goldtau’.

Although the planting design has a backbone of evergreen presence in the form of Taxus baccata hedging and domes, the emphasis is on seasonal change. The majority of the plants used are herbaceous perennials and the feeling is intended to be ‘country

cottage’ although with perhaps a more rigid underlying layout. The house is a vernacular Sussex country house, loaded with character which would have been a mistake to ignore.

Roses were of prime importance to the client, and Joe chose several strong growing, scented David Austin shrub varieties around which to arrange the rest of the plants. These included R. ‘Heritage and R. ‘Queen of

Iris Jane Philips

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 13:18

Repetition adds rhythm

NURTURE

Delphinium

Allium Purple Sensation

Nepeta

Sweden’. Other key plants include Nepeta ‘Walkers Low’, which is not actually that low, but which does a fantastic job of flowering for a long season through June and into early autumn if clipped back after the first flush of flowers.

Stachys byzantina, or Lamb’s Ears, adds a great soft, woolly texture to any planting scheme, and here it has been used quite extensively to provide a silvery contrast to all the greens. It does need dividing every couple of years to keep it under control.

Height in these borders comes from Iris ‘Jane Philips’ and ‘Superstition’ as well as Delphinium and perhaps most strikingly, Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ which has been a favourite variety for many years flowering from mid-May. It prefers sandy soil, so bear in mind if planting over clay that it may need replacing or topping up every couple of years. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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The plants were supplied by Provender Nurseries and the garden was built and planted

by The Outdoor Room.

The client is delighted with the result and has to resist staring out of the window for too long, especially when she has other things that need doing!

ABOUT JOE PERKINS Joe started as a landscape gardener in 1996, working and living in the UK, Southern France, the Pyrenees and Madrid. He studied garden design at the Oxford College of Garden Design, and Landscape Architecture at Greenwich University. Joe worked with Sarah Eberle at Hillier Landscapes and was manager of The Outdoor Room for almost 10 years before setting up Joe Perkins Design. Joe is a registered member of The Society of Garden Designers. www.joeperkinsdesign.com

•Agapanthus ‘Glen Avon’ • Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ • Alnus incana ‘Laciniata’ • Amelanchier lamarckii • Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’ • Camassia leichtlinii • Cornus controversa • Crocus ‘Blue Pearl’ • Delphinium ‘Rosemary Brock’ • Delphinium ‘Celebration’ • Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ • Eryngium ‘Big Blue’ • Geranium ‘Rozanne’ • Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ • Ilex crenata • Iris ‘Jane Phillips’ • Iris ‘Superstition’ • Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ • Liatris spicata • Liriope muscari • Papaver ‘Patty’s Plum’ • Rosa Heritage • Rosa Queen of Sweden • Rosa Sharifa Asma • Rosa Winchester Cathedral • Salvia ‘May Night’ • Stachys byzantina • Taxus baccata • Tulipa ‘Spring Green’ • Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Album’

Images ©Natalia Odescalchi

Plant list

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NURTURE

On a recent trip to South Africa Jamie Butterworth discovers a plethora of exciting species and recognises some familiar ones too

H

orticulture really does allow you to travel the world, visit the most amazing places, and meet the most inspiring people. So far this year I have personally travelled across Europe, Russia and now South Africa. Seeing plants in their natural habitat is not only inspiring, but crucial to understanding how they grow, what conditions they need, and how best to grow them. If you know this, it gives you infinite more creativity when pulling together planting plans and inspiration for gardens.

CAPE DIVERSITY Jamie Butterworth

helping to create this biodiverse haven for plant species.

Cape Town is in the southern hemisphere, and despite only a two-hour time difference, it is about six months ahead (or behind) in seasonality. Being there at the beginning of November, the weather, flowers and seasons were similar to those in June in the UK.

Kirstenbosch flora

View from Tree Top Walk

Last month I was in Cape Town for the maiden FutureScape South Africa event, the very first international FutureScape show. It was a roaring success, very well attended and an inspiring show for the South African landscaping industry.

This is part one of a three-part series into just a selection of some of the South African gardens, plants and features that stood out during my one week visit. In this first article, I look at why South Africa is such a hot spot for plants, and a huge inspiration for gardens across the world. Even in three articles, I will struggle to display even just a fraction of the exciting plants that caught my attention.

Liparia splendens

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Having never been to South Africa before, I was hugely excited to visit Cape Town and see the local flora, meet the local landscapers and get to know the local plant scene. Cape town is in fact home to the Cape Floristic Region which is the smallest Floral Kingdom in the world, of

Protea

THE MIND-BOGGLING DIVERSITY OF PLANTS GROWING IN ALL AREAS MAKES IT A MUST VISIT FOR ANY KEEN HORTICULTURIST OR DESIGNER which there are only six. This the climate and conditions in the Cape region of South Africa makes it an area of immensely high diversity of plant species. The fynbos biome is credited with

What most surprised me was the huge amount of plants we know, use and love in the UK, being used in gardens across South Africa.

An unmissable aspect of the cape town landscaping scene is the water conservation methods being used to avoid ‘Day Zero’. Last year, Cape Town ran out of water. Every resident was limited to 50 litres of water a day, and as such, gardens and plants had to fend for themselves. This has caused a huge push into using and growing many more indigenous plants and drought-tolerant species. Perhaps something we will have to consider in the UK? In next month’s article, I explore two of the most influential South African gardens – Kirstenbosch and Babylonstoren.

If you’ve never been to South Africa before, I would highly recommend it. The mindboggling diversity of plants growing in all areas makes it a must visit for any keen horticulturist or designer looking to expand their plant base.

ABOUT JAMIE BUTTERWORTH Graduating from RHS Garden Wisley with a Distinction in summer 2015, avid plantsman and RHS Ambassador Jamie now works as a horticultural consultant for London Stone, having spent the last two years growing plants for the world’s top designers at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with Hortus Loci.

jamiebutterworth@londonstone.co.uk www.londonstone.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 15:35

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NURTURE

Perfectly formed and convenient to assemble, fake Christmas trees have their advantages, but Ian Drummond argues there’s nothing like the real thing

T

he bar is set high for Christmas tree design and decoration this year with the announcement of Diane von Furstenberg as the designer of the Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2018. The American fashion icon will be following in the footsteps of Karl Lagerfeld, who designed an inverted tree for the iconic hotel last year.

KEEPING IT REAL Ian Drummond

Claridges Christmas Tree 2012

by Kally Ellis for McQueens

Claridge’s Hotel has been collaborating with designers since 2009 and it’s interesting to see that frequently the Christmas tree as we know it isn’t present at all. John Galliano reimagined it as a gnarled, tropical tree with a snow leopard in a design that bore no relation to the conical spruce we all know and love. Another year, Kally Ellis of McQueens created a breathtaking magnolia tree, complete with arching branches and lichen moss, studded with crystal and emerald jewel eggs to create a canopy of colour and glamour. It couldn’t have been further from tradition, but nevertheless, it spectacularly captured the spirit of Christmas.

The point is while tradition lies at the heart of our seasonal celebrations, it’s okay to break the rules at Christmas, which leads me on to the current real versus fake Christmas tree debate.

As a gardener, my first impulse is always to have a real tree at home – I like nature www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Ian Drummond.indd 75

and living things, it is part of my job and fundamentally who I am. There’s a comforting ritual to the purchase of the tree, choosing where to place it, bringing out the Christmas decorations, the inevitable wrestling with the lights – it’s all part of the seasonal ceremony.

But of course, it doesn’t stop there. Real trees require real care and this is where it can all go so very wrong, because is there anything sadder than an ailing Christmas tree?

A parched and forlorn tree with drooping branches and dull, lifeless needles ready to shed, it’s like looking at a hangover.

Suddenly, the fake option has its advantages, particularly in a retail or hospitality environment where the tree is likely to be viewed from every angle (fakes don’t have a bad side). They are life-like too, having moved on from the plastic horrors of yesteryear, dutifully unfolded from a long white box marked ‘Christmas tree’ – in case you weren’t sure.

Today’s fakes are a better shade of evergreen, some with hand painted branches, pre-prepared with their own twinkling perfect lights. They come in an impressive range of shapes and heights. They are balanced, uniform and flawless, poised to endure the most inhospitable environments.

Some artificial trees come complete with fake snow. Though, I would probably draw the line here because even a real tree doesn’t have snow, fake or otherwise.

Ironically, if placed amid other living Christmas plants, particularly evergreens, they somehow look even better. It must be a trick of the eye, like glimpsing Santa on a roof as a kid – we want to see a real tree and so we do.

ABOUT INDOOR GARDEN DESIGN Established in 1975, Indoor Garden Design is a multi-award winning company at the forefront of contemporary interior and exterior horticultural design, transforming workspaces, offices, hotels and restaurants, and bringing events to life.

Ian Drummond is creative director.

www.indoorgardendesign.com

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NURTURE

Famous for its festive foliage, holly can be found in various forms; Andy McIndoe looks at some eye-catching examples

A

lthough there are many species of holly, both evergreen and deciduous, it is the larger evergreen types that are mainly used in gardens and landscape projects. The dwarf, compact Ilex crenata and its cultivars offer alternatives to Buxus sempervirens and these have shown an upturn in popularity in recent years. However, they are quite different plants to Ilex aquifolium and Ilex x altaclarensis which offer wonderful structure shrubs and alternatives to small trees.

CONSIDERING HOLLIES Andy McIndoe

Ilex aquifolium ‘Argenteo-Marginata’

Ilex aquifolium

Interestingly, the larger leaved hollies – including varieties of the British native Ilex aquifolium – are not hardy enough for colder regions. The smaller leaved, tougher Ilex x meserveae is used instead. Cultivars of the latter are widely grown in Europe and are offered as rootballed plants during the winter months. The foliage is very dark, the leaves small and the habit dense. Take this into account when selecting them.

Ilex x altaclarensis ‘Golden King’

Both Ilex aquifolium and Ilex x altaclarensis are often rather sparse in growth when young, becoming fuller, and more beautiful as they mature. They are evergreen shrubs to plant for the future. Smaller container grown plants establish well, but can take a few years to make an impact. More mature shaped specimens can be costly and are usually best as field-grown rootballed stock, planted during the winter months. Careful handling of rootballs is essential as damage prior to planting can result in failure.

Even small holly plants should be planted as container plants, never bare-root.

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A few good cultivars to consider Ilex aquifolium ‘Pyramidalis’ is plain green with slightly spiny foliage. Narrow and conical when young, becoming broader with age. Self-fertile and free-fruiting with masses of red berries. Ilex aquifolium ‘J.C. Van Tol’ is similar but more open in habit. It is good for hedging.

Any pruning to control size and spread is done in early spring before new growth commences.

Light pruning from an early age encourages more compact, well-branched growth.

Ilex aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’

There are many cultivars to choose from – plain leaved and variegated. Nomenclature is confusing. Those with masculine cultivar names are usually females that bear fruit and vice versa.

Fruit set is more certain where male and female hollies are planted in reasonably close proximity, although some, such as Ilex aquifolium ‘J.C. van Tol’, are self-fertile. Never assume that native holly planted in hedgerows will fruit

Ilex aquifolium ‘Argenteo Marginata’ is a broad-leaved silver holly and has deep green leaves with creamy-white edges, with pinktinged young shoots. A female variety producing abundant red berries, it needs a male pollinator.

Ilex aquifolium ‘Elegantissima’ is similar in leaf, but male, so makes a good planting partner. Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ is perhaps the best known of the golden variegated hollies. Broad almost spineless leaves, with golden margins.

Easy to grow, it is a female that fruits well.

Ilex aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’ is the silver variegated form of the oldest holly in cultivation.

The curiously rolled leaves have spines on the surface and around the edges. Lax in habit, it is a good choice for underplanting deciduous trees and is excellent with plain evergreens and very shade tolerant.

Ilex aquifolium ‘Elegantissima’

Hollies are perfectly suited to wildlife friendly planting schemes – the ripe fruit is enjoyed by wild birds and the earlier, insignificant flowers are a rich source of nectar and pollen for insects.

ABOUT ANDY MCINDOE

Ilex aquifolium ‘J.C. Van Tol’

to some extent. The ratio of female to male in seed-raised populations can be as low as 1:18.

Andy McIndoe is a practical horticulturist with more than 30 years’ experience in ornamental horticulture.

He has designed and advised on gardens of all sizes and has been responsible for 25 Gold medal winning exhibits at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Twitter: @AndyMcIndoe

www.andymcindoe.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 11:17

SO NICE WE’RE DOING IT TWICE! 12 MARCH 2019

SANDOWN PARK RACECOURSE, ESHER

19 NOVEMBER 2019

SANDOWN PARK RACECOURSE, ESHER FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT: EVENT DIRECTOR JAMIE WILKINSON T: 01903 777 570 E: jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com FutureScape Spring.indd 8

22/11/2018 08:44

NURTURE

Living walls add a dynamic dimension to a landscape says Jeff Stephenson but regular and specific aftercare is vital for their survival

T

here’s no denying it, you cannot fail to be impressed by the sight of a verdant wall of foliage cascading down an otherwise stark and lifeless facade in an urban setting. The rise in living wall installations has added a new and exciting dimension to the integration of

CLINGING ON FOR LIFE

Jeff Stephenson

too dry and the shading too excessive. If something isn’t flourishing there is no point in persisting with it. Therefore, a more suitable planting complement was needed. After a few trials, a mix of, Sarcococca, Fatsia, Hedera, Fatshedera, Asplenium, Aspidistra and Fascicularia, proved to be more robust.

Pests The chief threat I’ve encountered is vine weevil as both adult and larvae. Avoidance of host plants such as Heuchera is easier than trying to control it.

Pruning Regular heading back is necessary to prevent higher level plants overshadowing those below.

Rodgersia is used to fantastic effect in this wall

architecture and landscape. There is now a diverse range of systems on the market to choose from, including textile mats and pockets, cellular hydroponic Rockwool panels, individual soil-filled cell panels and modular stackable plastic troughs containing lightweight growing media. Getting it right in the design stage is essential as these planting opportunities come with their own set of challenges which the aftercare gardener must face. Any maintenance contract should allow for a 10–25% contingency annual replanting budget – depending on the system used – as there will always be failures.

Irrigation Irrigation is key to a walls survival and is integral to their construction, if the watering system fails there is a much swifter and often catastrophic

Vibrant colour enlivens an otherwise empty space

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decline in the planting scheme than would be seen in borders or containers. I’ve experienced a pump breakdown during the summer which the client failed to replace. Within three weeks the Rockwool based wall lost 85% of its plants.

Regular monitoring is essential, which can be achieved remotely via software and WiFi communication. I’ve found that nothing beats direct observation by an experienced horticulturist and the ability to manually adjust a system whilst on site. Larger installations should be split into smart irrigation zones, allowing greater control and adequate distribution of water pressure. The top sections inevitably dry out fastest and require plantings more tolerant of desiccation. Mastering the subtleties of effective schedule durations can take a little time. Little and often is best, as the lowest zones are usually the wettest and prone to root hair death.

Plant choice Careful plant selection is essential, especially where the aspect is subject to any form of physiological stress such as shade, exposure and desiccation (from airflow channeled by buildings and that produced by air-conditioning units). I’ve worked on one wall in a shady courtyard which was planted with ferns, an appropriate well considered choice. It grew well for a season but started to fail, the air was a little

Feeding Nutrient loss is much faster in living walls than pots or borders. The provision of a dosatron to add fertilizer via the irrigation system, or regular foliar feeding is necessary. Chlorosis becomes evident if feed is depleted or watering is too high.

Outside of our private gardens I’ve seen walls by others on display in the public realm where continuous aftercare clearly hasn’t been sufficient, and we are left with visual scars which are less acceptable than the blank spaces they were cloaking. If upkeep can’t be sufficiently

Insufficient water pressure quickly leads to failures

guaranteed and funded, then green wall systems are best avoided from the outset and simpler, more manageable solutions should be sought.

ABOUT JEFF STEPHENSON With more than 29 years’ experience in horticulture, Jeff Stephenson (Dip.Hort. (Kew) Hons MCIHort) heads up the horticulture and aftercare division of Bowles & Wyer.

He joined in 1996 and has worked on small installations, soft landscaping and gardens maintenance for the vast majority of their schemes.

www.bowleswyer.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 12:57

Precision Laser Cutting Focus your creativity

Laser cutting opens up incredible new creative possibilities in metal. Bold forms and complex outlines, massive structures and intricate details – all produced with perfect accuracy and precision, in steel and aluminium, or more exotic materials like copper and brass. Discover what our state-of-the-art technology could do for you. And see metal in a whole new light.

Find out more at: www.outdoordesign.co.uk

Whatever you can imagine, we can make it a reality in metal.

To discuss your ideas, email info@outdoordesign.co.uk or call us now on 01903 716960.

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22/11/2018 14:40

www.hillier.co.uk/trees

TAGGING

NURTURE

WITH HILLIER TREES Pro Landscaper visits Hillier Trees’ nursery in Hampshire and discovers the pick of the popular varieties

Magnolia kobus

Carpinus betulus Lucas

This vigorous tree has an upright pyramidal form whilst young. As it matures the branches spread out a little further, opening its canopy. In spring it produces creamy white flowers.

The deep emerald green leaves of this tree melt into golden yellows in the autumn. Providing tree planting solutions to cramped, otherwise inflexible locations, it is fantastic for narrow streets and tight public open spaces.

Height & spread: 8 x 4m after 25 years Preferred conditions: moist, well drained soil with a slightly acidic pH level. Perfect for urban locations.

Height & spread: 10 x 2.5m after 25 years Preferred conditions: favours shade, highly tolerant of poor planting conditions.

Betula utilis Edinburgh

Prunus litigiosa

The upright, tighter canopy of the ‘Edinburgh’ is ideal for busy retail districts and high streets, providing dappled summer shade. Its white peeling bark will also contrast well with the urban infrastructure.

This tree’s slender columnar form grows with a half open canopy that remains narrow into maturity. Its delicate buds unfold with elegant flowers that hang gracefully in clusters with the opening foliage.

Height & spread: 10 x 2.5m after 25 years Preferred conditions: will tolerate dry conditions and prefers an acidic soil.

Height & spread: 8 x 3m after 25 years Preferred conditions: requires free draining soil, does not tolerate water logging.

Betula utilis Jermyns

Hippophae salicifolia Streetwise

A popular ornamental birch with an open canopy and stunning white bark which shines brightly in moonlight.

The leaves are long and willow like. They open a fresh subtle green, with an almost white underside. A bright orange fruit develops in October, ready to support wildlife with winter nutrients.

Height & spread: 10 x 5m after 25 years Preferred conditions: Well drained soils.

Ilex x koehneana Chestnut Leaf A French selection and cross between our English Holly Ilex aquifolium and the large leaf Holly Ilex latifolia. It has emerald waxy leaves and is perfect for screening or offering all year colour.

Height & spread: 8 x 5m after 25 years Preferred conditions: well drained soils, tolerates acidic and chalky conditions.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Tagging.indd 81

Height & spread: 8 x 3m after 25 years Preferred conditions: tolerates urban issues, has been planted throughout London.

Ulmus New Horizon Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ is a medium to large tree which is completely resistant to Dutch Elm Disease (DED). In maturity, it forms an attractive rounded canopy with fresh green leaves. The leaves continue to look fresh even in drought conditions.

Height & spread: 12 x 4.5m after 25 years Preferred conditions: all soil types, urban or coastal conditions.

Pro Landscaper / December 2018 81

22/11/2018 15:04

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22/11/2018 14:42

ANGUS LINDSAY

89

Protecting your employees

LOOK OUT FOR SAM GORDON

91

World Skills finalist

TRADING WITH WILDFLOWER TURF

92

A look at the company’s products and past projects

PRODUCT DNA MEDITE

94 86

EDUCATE cover.indd 83

MDF? Outside? In the rain? For 50 years? Are you mad?

EDUCATE

THE HIGH COST OF SAFETY

PLUS...

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22/11/2018 14:46

EDUCATE

WINNER PROFILE Landform Consultants

This month, we take a look at Landform Consultants and some of the projects that this award-winning company has completed

Winner: Design and Build (sponsored by Creepers)

T

The company is heavily involved with the RHS Flower Shows, having built over 150 show gardens in the last 30 years, making Landform Consultants the most medalled contractor in the history of the RHS, with over 30 Chelsea Gold medals among its tally.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

PLBA winner Landform.indd 85

regularly consulted by other designers and contractors. Mark has been a past board member of BALI and was formerly a director of the HTA and chairman of the APL. Mark is a

MARK GREGORY, MANAGING DIRECTOR

©Rachel Warne

‘The Seedlip Garden’ designed by Catherine MacDonald

WE WERE DELIGHTED TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD, THE DESIGN AND BUILD ASPECT OF OUR BUSINESS IS GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH AND IT’S FANTASTIC TO BE RECOGNISED BY OUR PEERS FOR THIS ACHIEVEMENT

Mark Gregory, managing director of Landform Consultants, has himself won four gold medals for designs at Chelsea Flower Show and has won numerous industry awards for projects in London and the South East.

His dynamic approach, energy and experience have given him a reputation for innovation and technical expertise within the landscaping community.

As well as heading up Landform Consultants, Mark is incredibly active in the landscaping and horticultural industries. He lectures all over the country delivering workshops and seminars for the Society of Garden Designers, BALI and APL and is

‘The Welcome to Yorkshire Garden’ designed by Mark Gregory

©Rachel Warne

he winner of the Design and Build Category at the 2017 Pro Landscaper Business Awards was Landform Consultants – a well-established landscape company working predominantly on high-end residential gardens and commercial schemes. As well as private clients Landform also works with architects, developers and commercial clients, including Royal Parks, The Royal Household, the RHS and Kew. Landform offers a full build service covering all aspects of hard and soft landscaping. It also offers an in-house design service to private and commercial clients and has a dedicated maintenance department.

It operates a traditional style of business with over 50 staff employed, with an office based in Chobham, Surrey. On site it has teams ranging from two to six people plus the extensive use of proven support specialists and sub-contractors.

Landform Consultants is a full member of BALI and the APL and has won numerous Principal Awards at BALI and the Supreme Award three times for the APL.

regular RHS judge and assessor and has been involved in Show Garden Selection Panels.

Notable projects for the company include multiple award-winning RHS Flower Show Gardens, achieving a hat trick for show garden design and build in 2018 when three of their designers were awarded gold (for Welcome to Yorkshire and Seedlip at Chelsea and the Landform Garden Bar at Hampton), and also the installation of the landscape for Caring Wood in Kent, named House of the Year 2017. This project has been shortlisted for a Principal Award for Domestic Garden Construction at this year’s BALI Awards.

Pro Landscaper / December 2018 85

22/11/2018 16:16

EDUCATE

PART 2

HOW TO BUILD

YOUR OUTDOOR ROOM Following on from last month, Sean Butler explains how to construct an outdoor room, so that you can offer this service to your clients For the base, you can either use ground screws or lay a concrete raft, but ground screws are our preference. The ground screw method can be used on flat ground or as an easy solution to sloping sites. See diagram below.

With a maximum ground variance of 375mm, these are quick and easy to install. They come in either 650mm or 850mm lengths. The 650mm screws can have a maximum of 175mm out of the ground and the 850mm screws can have a maximum of 375mm out of the ground. As well as using them in the construction of outdoor buildings, consider using them to keep timber away from ground contact, giving longevity to all your work. Designers should consider specifying these on all projects where applicable.

As an example, if your building is 4 x 5m using 150 x 50mm joists, you would require 16 ground screws. Each ground screw once fully embedded can take a load of 430kg.16 x 430kg equally a maximum load of 6880kg (6.88t) – this sum is based on ideal ground conditions so to be on the safe side factor this down by 50%.

The foundation may be a simple concrete raft, typically on flat ground. Because this is an outdoor building a damp proof course is required. Once your base is down you need to 86

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protect it from rising damp. We lay crane mats (see below). Placing these heavy-duty mats at the correct centres will give you air flow and add a second protection to the timber floor from damp. At Cube, we use structurally insulated panels (SIP). SIP can be pre-ordered from www.sips.uk.com. The panels can be

bought as standard sections for you to cut on site or you can send a CAD design and they will pre-cut all the panels and deliver to site.

Lay the floor so its joints are centred on the crane mats, and they simply lock into each other, then run a mastic tube of high grip glue down each joint and screw them together. It’s best to pre-order your windows and door, then once your frame is up, ask the manufacturer’s surveyor to do the final check so they are processed in time for your build.

Now the sides are all up and the openings are ready, it’s time for the roof. The pitch should be run to the rear as these buildings have low ceiling heights and the entrance doors need to have a frame of approximately 205cm. If you’re not sure how to make a furring you can order these to be pre-cut from a good local timber merchant. A timber furring is a wedge-shaped timber that creates the slope on the roof. Use

200 x 50mm tanalised timber fixed at 450mm centres. SIP are then laid over the rafters. You can now get your specialist roofer in or continue on your own if you are confident.

We use ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, you can buy this as a kit and apply it yourself. The weak points are the joints/mitres so be sure to join the sections in the dry, applying the right heat to seal the joints correctly.

Now the windows and doors can be fitted by the manufacturer to make the building water tight. The external finish is generally in cedar cladding. Top grade cedar is knot free and should be the only grade that you choose.

We recommend www.benchmarktimber. co.uk. Be brave and advance your skillset; good luck!

ABOUT SEAN BUTLER Sean Butler is a landscape designer and director of Cube 1994. With a background in civil engineering, Sean has an in-depth understanding of the design, construction and maintenance of the physical and naturally built landscape. www.cube1994.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 11:54

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22/11/2018 14:53

EDUCATE

THE HIGH COST OF SAFETY

Safety and wellbeing shouldn’t be seen as an extraneous cost, it must be viewed as part of the culture of the workplace insists Angus Lindsay There is no doubt that our industry, like so many other land-based operations, faces significant challenges when it comes to managing safety and reducing accidents – an area where I think our industry does a pretty good job. Construction has definitely been the leader in improving safety standards over the last few years but, sadly, agriculture is still lagging behind and as we are more closely related to that industry, this is a concern.

During 2017–2018, 29 people were killed on British farms – a rise from 27 from the previous year – this means that agriculture has the highest fatal accident rate of all the main UK industry sectors at 8.44 fatalities out of 100,000 workers. This is 18 times higher than the average. Whilst our industry is not in the same league in terms of the scale of operations and complexity of the equipment used, we do have different challenges when it comes to interaction with the public, operator competence, smaller but equally dangerous pieces of equipment and the ever-present issues with risk taking.

With the older generation reaching retirement and being replaced by less-experienced workers, along with a rise in the use of www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Angus Lindsay.indd 89

fixed-term employees and agency labour, training and safety practices become more and more crucial if we are to avoid similar trends of those suffered in the agricultural sector. Whilst this may seem a bleak and possibly unwarranted vision of the situation, a continuing stream of minor incidents and accidents would indicate otherwise. Injuries sustained through poor manual handling techniques, flying or falling debris and accidents involving power tools can often only be attributed to the individuals not paying attention to their own wellbeing.

A ludicrous approach to safety ©Cranes and Access

Whilst manufacturers do their bit to make machines more user-friendly through better guarding, safety systems and more ergonomic designs, they cannot legislate for the operator who decides that a guard impedes their ability to cut grass, or the individual who can’t be bothered to ensure a work area is suitably cordoned off before dropping a tree. In some cases, it is pure stupidity, as the image above shows. How many hazards can you spot? There are at least three potentially fatal ones.

It’s not enough to give an operator safety equipment, you need to ensure it’s relevant, compliant, fits properly and is being used correctly. Despite what people may think, a high visibility jacket is not a Marvel™-type shield which protects the wearer from all forms of danger.

The ‘where there’s blame, there’s a claim’ culture doesn’t help any of us, as unscrupulous lawyers will use every trick they can to prove negligence – even if it is a lack of common sense which has led to the individual being injured.

Other than the main purpose of protecting your employees, this is another big reason to make sure your systems are in order, with all relevant training documentation and risk assessments in place, effective and up to date.

That said there will undoubtedly be an occasion where you are deemed responsible because you didn’t include in your risk assessment not to put your fingers in the truck door before closing it.

ABOUT ANGUS LINDSAY Angus spent several years working on arable farms in Scotland before joining VSO in Egypt, implementing a mechanisation programme, managing field operations for a commercial cotton plantation in Nigeria and working as a contract instructor for Massey Ferguson in Yemen.

He gained an MSc in agricultural engineering and mechanisation management at Silsoe, joining Glendale as machinery manager in 1994, and then idverde UK in 2009 as group head of assets and fleet.

Contact: angus.lindsay@idverde.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / December 2018 89

22/11/2018 13:50

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22/11/2018 15:25

EDUCATE

LOOK OUT FOR...

SAM GORDON Pro Landscaper chats to Garden Makers apprentice Sam Gordon about his enthusiasm for the industry and preparing for the forthcoming World Skills final

What was your route into the industry?

I worked as a part-time gardener for a couple of years when I was 16 and really enjoyed it. Then after working in an office for two years, I realised that I wanted to challenge myself and do something more practical. Since working as a landscaper, I have enjoyed learning a lot of new skills and it feels more like a hobby than work.

The industry also seems to be thriving with plenty of work out there.

What’s a stand-out project that you’ve been involved with?

The biggest project I’ve been involved with since I started working for The Garden Makers, I would say, is a big job that we completed in Tanworthin-Arden, Warwickshire. This was built to a plan

AFTER WORKING IN AN OFFICE FOR TWO YEARS, I REALISED THAT I WANTED TO CHALLENGE MYSELF AND DO SOMETHING MORE PRACTICAL that was designed by a garden designer and included a mixture of hard landscaping and soft landscaping. The terraced patio was built around the house with bricks, walls and flower beds all the way round. There were two large sets of steps and plating on the lower level too.

How did you become involved with the Garden Makers?

I previously worked for another landscaping company who went into difficulty and had to lay me off. When noticing an advert online for The Garden Makers I found their quality of work to be impressive and after a chat with the director David Sewell it seemed to be a good opportunity to become a trainee landscaper.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

My responsibilities vary day-to-day, but I am starting to be given more responsibility and do plenty of building work, including brick laying, slab laying, stone work, concreting, and building steps. I am also involved with soft landscaping which can be planting and turfing. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Look Out For.indd 91

What is your favourite thing about horticulture and being part of the landscaping industry?

My favourite part of the industry is the satisfaction that you get when you have built something and transformed someone’s garden.

Also, the variation of different jobs means you are never doing the same thing everyday.

What has been your greatest achievement to date?

My greatest achievement within landscaping is to get to the World Skills final. This has given me a good opportunity to show what I can do and has given me more confidence in my work.

What has getting to the World Skills final entailed?

My college tutor and David suggested I enter and I agreed it would be a good experience for me. To get to the final I have completed two heats which included various building tasks as well as being tested on plants. The best six candidates were selected for the final.

What’s next for you?

I will be busy preparing for the final and will aim to finish the task to the highest standard I can to try to compete for a medal. The experience will hopefully help me progress with The Garden Makers and will be good for my portfolio.

Pro Landscaper / December 2018 91

22/11/2018 11:21

PEOPLE

TRADING WITH WILDFLOWER TURF

CONTACT

Company name Wildflower Turf Ltd Address Ashe Warren Farm, Nr Overton, Basingstoke, Hants RG25 3AW Tel 01256 771222 Twitter @wildflowerturf

Pro Landscaper speaks to James Hewetson-Brown, managing director at Wildflower Turf Ltd about their products, past projects and new developments for the future

Instagram wildflowerturf.co.uk Web www.wildflowerturf.co.uk

product, which is weed suppressing, easy to handle and delivers a guaranteed biodiverse wildflower environment.

Can you give briefly describe the brand?

Wildflower Turf Ltd is recognised as the leading organisation in the UK for those seeking knowledge or products to develop James wildflower spaces.

Hewetson-Brown Founded in 2003, the company pioneered a soil-less growing system which transformed the process of establishing wildflower meadows. The company has a range of products and training courses to create and enhance a low maintenance, biodiverse and beautiful meadow.

Our products include, Wildflower Turf®, a pre-grown mat of wildflowers in a turf format and Wildflower Earth®, a pre-seeded growing medium substrate for green roofs and bulbs to complement wildflower meadow areas.

What are the key selling points of your products?

We live, breathe and specialise in wildflowers only. We are the pioneers of Wildflower Turf® and over the years we have perfected a top-quality 92

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Wildflower Earth® is our newest innovation – unique to us and the marketplace. It provides an accurate seed rate, blended with a premium and extensively tested growing medium, which gives exceptional levels of wildflower seed germination and establishment. As it is essentially a simple top dressing, it requires significantly less investment in ground preparation, saving time and machinery costs.

Where do you deliver to and what are your delivery times?

We deliver all over the UK, Ireland and Europe too.

We deliver Tuesdays to Fridays and can turn around orders within three working days, if needed urgently. Most of our deliveries are sent via a national Palletways service, but we can offer a dedicated delivery service too which can be more flexible in terms of timing and vehicle sizes.

How did you come to provide Wildflower Turf for film sets and the 2012 Olympics?

We started working with one of our valued clients – a film set supplier – a few years back when we provided some green turf on a table tennis table to replicate an airfield for the movie Memphis Belle. The same client has used us ever since for multiple movie sets – Alice in Wonderland, The Legend of Tarzan and most Harry Potter movies.

Richard Brown, who is now amenity sales manager for Germinal, helped us get involved with the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony. For the landscaped areas, we worked with Biodiversity by Design to help deliver against the strict criteria set out by the Biodiversity Action Plan in force in London at the time.

What’s the next step for the company?

We are trialling many new ideas at our Research and Development Centre in Hampshire. We are currently working on a pollution mitigation mix with the University of Portsmouth. We want to expand our physical growing areas as part of a five-year plan to increase production capacity, and invest time and resources in developing our staff and new products. We want to continue to promote the understanding that wildflowers offer quick results and a long-term solution for biodiversity improvement. All unused but regularly cut urban and semi-urban areas should be considered for wildflower establishment to help improve wildlife friendly habitat.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 11:18

CORE EDGE Now Better Than Ever...

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22/11/2018 16:49

EDUCATE

1. Extreme durable MDF MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME (MTX) is a revolutionary, high performance wood based MDF panel, designed for use in exterior as well as interior, wet and high moisture applications.

It demonstrates outstanding durability and dimensional stability in the most extreme and challenging environments.

PRODUCT

DNA MEDITE SMARTPLY

2. Technology MTX was developed by challenging the most fundamental reason for wood swelling – water absorption into wood fibres. This is due to the presence of hydroxyl groups within the fibres. These hydroxyl groups bind and release water molecules, causing wood to swell or shrink. By using a proprietary acetylated wood technology, the groups are converted into naturally waterrepellent acetyls.

3. Durability and stability MTX has all the attributes associated with normal MDF such as design freedom, great cutting, routing and machining capabilities, with ground-breaking performance attributes. Manufactured from sustainably sourced timber and perfect for coating, or wrapping, it is the long-term performance that sets it apart.

94

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MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME (MTX)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Longer lasting, perfect for external and internal wet environments • All the design, fixing and machining flexibility of MDF • FSC® certified. Wood used from sustainable sources • Up to 50-years’ guarantee • Resistant to fungal decay • Enhanced stability – swelling and shrinking dramatically reduced • Improved stability and durability enhances service life of the coating • Independent testing by BRE shows an expected service life of 60 years for exterior use

CONTACT MEDITE Smartply Persimmon House Anchor Boulevard Dartford, DA2 6QH Tel 01322 424900 Email info@mdfosb.com Web www.mdfosb.com Twitter @MEDITESMARTPLY Facebook MEDITE SMARTPLY

4. Features and benefits Resistant to fungal decay and with enhanced dimensional stability, MTX provides reduced upkeep costs due to extended periods between external coating maintenance.

5. In use Manufactured using a formaldehyde free resin system, MTX can be cut, coated, coloured, sanded, glued, machined and fastened, just like any other high performing wood fibreboard, allowing users all the freedom normally associated with traditional MDF, but with a guarantee of 50 years above ground and 25 years in ground.

6. Applications The endless design and application possibilities offered by the marriage of acetylated wood fibre with the manufacturing technology of MEDITE MDF has excited and stimulated landscape architects and garden designers to use MTX in a range of different applications, from garden buildings to planters, screens, sculptures and art installations, bird boxes and more.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 13:55

EDUCATE

Camargue Skye The Camargue Skye takes comfortable outdoor living to the highest level. The rotating and sliding aluminium roof blades turn your terrace into an extra outdoor room that can be used all year round. The rotating blades protect you from both the sun and the rain. But you can also slide the blades open completely to fully enjoy the sunshine during the day or the starry sky at night.

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Release date: March 2019

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New Products.indd 95

Harrier Pro Range The Harrier® 48 and 56 Pro mowers are all-new additions to the Harrier rear-roller mower line-up.

Since the first Harrier® professional lawn mower was established over a decade ago, the range has been completely overhauled and professionals will enjoy the enhanced features and benefits in the latest models.

Innovation is at the heart of the new designs, which feature the Crank-Safe Blade Brake Clutch (BBC) system, an exclusive feature to Hayter and a first of its kind in the industry.

Release date: Feb/Mar 2019

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TORO

WWW.TALASEY.CO.UK

Grandstand Rear Discharge The Toro Company, has announced the launch of the new 36” and 48” Grandstand mowers. The Toro Grandstand combines the speed and comfort of a zero-turn mower with the benefits of a professional walk-behind. Fast and manoeuvrable, the productive mower ensures the user can cover maximum area in minimal time.

The cushioned suspension system, rear discharge deck and twin-levered steering controls also makes mowing easier for the operator.

Release date: April/ May 2019

Premium Porcelain Metallics Range Create the metropolitan feel of city life with a very modern and contemporary design in 2019.

Metallics is Global Stone’s powerful new range, which comes in three strong colours – Corten Steel, Aluminium and Platinum. This unique range is the perfect choice for creating a landscape that intends to give a sleek and bold impression.

Release date: 2019

CuTex CuTex is a safe and effective root growth blocking material. It reduces the risk posed

by Japanese Knotweed to environments such as utilities’ infrastructures and foundations, across a wide range of industries including construction, highways, rail and water. The encapsulated copper sheet acts as a signal layer that all plants avert their growth from and provides direct protection from invasive weeds and plants.

End of 2018

WWW.GREEN-TECH.CO.UK Pro Landscaper / December 2018 95

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JOBS

For full details on all jobs, please goFor to full details on all jobs, please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk. www.horticulturecareers.co.uk Call 01903 777 587 or email ellie.downes@eljays44.com vacancy.

Call 01903 777with 584your or email liam.colclough@eljays44.com with your vacancy

QUANITITY SURVEYOR

TECHNICAL SALES MANAGER (HORTICULTURE)

Bernhard’s is a leading commercial landscaping and sports surfacing contractor based in Rugby but operating nationwide. With a combined turnover in excess of £8M we are currently seeking an experienced quantity surveyor to take financial control of multiple projects ranging from £20K to £2M.The role will include, preparation of bills of quantities from working drawing, assisting estimators with the pricing of tenders, submission of interim valuations, identification and pricing of variations, sourcing and procurement of suppliers and subcontractors amongst other jobs.The role would be suited to someone who has experience of quantity surveying and/or estimating within the landscaping or sports surfacing sector. For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

Bathgate Silica Sand Ltd is a leading producer and supplier of high-quality products into a number of different markets throughout the UK. Due to continued expansion of our Bathgate Horticulture product range, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced individual to join the Bathgate team. The ideal candidate must be highly motivated, have the ability to work well unsupervised, and will concentrate on new/ current business for our horticultural range. This role is in support of an existing office based sales team, and is field orientated. Excellent knowledge of the retail and professional horticultural market would be a distinct advantage.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

SKILLED LANDSCAPERS

SOFT LANDSCPAPE INSTALLER

Nicholsons is looking for skilled landscapers to head up our successful teams on site.

The position requires candidates with proven experience in all aspects of landscaping of at least five years. Key skills include, excellent man management skills, including ability to develop and nurture team members, strong client liaison skills, a good technical knowledge of working with a range of materials, ability to read and interpret plans and keeping a commercial overview at all stages. Post holders must be physically fit as the role regularly requires physical work, and they must also be comfortable working outside in all conditions.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

We are currently looking to recruit a soft landscape installer who can deliver highquality work within our busy teams. The right candidate should be well-presented, self-motivated, enthusiastic, and be able to use their own initiative. They also need to be flexible, organised and willing to undertake any required training. They need to be competent in using the appropriate power tools where required. The ideal candidate should have experience in all aspects of a soft landscape installer role and be able to read plans. A full, clean driving licence is essential. Candidates must have a formal qualification in horticulture, passion for this job and practical skills.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

SKILLED HARD LANDSCAPER

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE GARDENER

Danscape Gardens Ltd is looking for a skilled hard landscaper to work on site near Shepton Mallet. All candidates must be polite, presentable and hard-working. A good level of spoken English is required. You must have a good eye for detail and have at least 4 years’ experience in garden construction. You must be able to deliver top quality work with a high-end finish. Skills should include paving, brick/block-work, decking and basic carpentry. Good communication and organisation skills are essential. Would suit a self-motivated assertive individual. The site is in a rural location so you will need your own transport.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

Multi award-winning landscape construction company requires an experienced grounds maintenance gardener who will be responsible for the care of an exclusive residential development in Holland Park, London.The successful candidate must be an excellent horticulturist, passionate about the landscaping industry.They should have an extensive understanding of different plant types and their maintenance requirements, the ability to work on own initiative and maintain this prestigious location’s appearance, demonstrate excellent communications skills, build relationships with visiting Maintenance Manager as well as colleagues, the ability to identify potential pest and disease issues and a spraying certification.

Training will be provided if required. For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

SALES – SPECIMEN PLANTS & TECHNICAL PRODUCTS

APPRENTICE PROJECTS ADMINISTRATOR

BERNHARD’S LANDSCAPES Location: Warwickshire

NICHOLSONS Location: Oxfordshire

DANSCAPE GARDENS LTD Location: Shepton Mallet, Somerset

TENDERCARE Location: London

Lorberg Nurseries in Germany has worked in partnership with Tendercare Nurseries for over 10 years.The two companies wish to further promote their strong horticultural expertise by employing a chartered landscape architect to progress the project-based work for which the partners have successfully collaborated to date.The role will involve liaising with a varied range of clients to provide the technical knowledge and expertise to progress and procure projects which the companies are well resourced to supply and install. Making CPD presentations, attending conferences and assisting at industry-oriented exhibitions will also form part of this key position. For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

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BATHGATE SILICA SAND Location: Cheshire

CREEPERS LTD Location: Surrey

FROSTS LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION Location: Buckinghamshire

IDVERDE Location: London

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an apprentice administrator to join our successful, award winning team delivering projects for local authority and main contractor clients across London and the South East. Reporting directly to the projects administrator, you will be providing administrative support and will be responsible for completing admin tasks in relation to HR, finance, operations and business development. To be successful in this role you will need to be highly organised with a keen eye for detail. You will be a confident communicator with the ability to work as part of a team. You will have the ability to work efficiently, structured and organised.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 15:21

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Buy online at www.lws.uk.com

01353 862044

• Manufactured in the UK • 12 month warranty • Manufactured in the UK • 12v 40L/min pump • 12 month warranty • 440l & 220L options • AdBlue option available pump • 12v 40L/min

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FOR ALL YOUR IRRIGATION NEEDS

Design and Advice • Irrigation Parts Catalogue 24/7 Online Parts Ordering www.access-irrigation.co.uk • sales@access-irrigation.co.uk

01788 823811

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PEOPLE

LUKE PLUMSTEAD Landscaper, Elizabeths Gardens www.elizabethsgardens.co.uk Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Very inspiring – shows motivate people within our industry and challenge them to be better.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

Holland’s landscape inspires me more than any other.

What would you blow your budget on?

Planting, as this can completely change the whole look of any garden.

The one person in the industry you’d love to meet?

Beth Chatto.

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

I think there has been a real struggle in recent years to bring young people into our industry. There has been a lot of changes made within 98

the past 12 months to try and change this but I think more can be done to help, just by making students more aware of landscaping courses as they leave school and also colleges doing more to improve the courses.

Best piece of trivia you know?

Queen Elizabeth ll is a trained mechanic.

Couldn’t get through the week without…

I think my phone is one of the main things I depend on daily, just because now it is so much more than just a device to make a call. Whether it being taking photos on site, answering emails on the go, or just keeping up to date with our social media accounts.

Best invention in recent years?

The landscape industry has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. For example, the quality of artificial grass has improved massively. The paving sector has changed to porcelain as opposed to concrete or natural stone products. These might not be inventions but they are massive improve-ments from what we did have.

Pro Landscaper / December 2018

Little Interview 2.indd 98

Pro Landscaper asks quick-fire questions to gain a small insight into the people who make up our industry. To take part email rachael.forsyth@eljays44.com

i

ROMAIN BARDIN Landscape architect, Thomas Hoblyn Garden Design Ltd www.thomashoblyn.com

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Inspirational for all ages as they showcase the latest trends not only in garden design but also in the fine arts, such as sculpture, architecture and poetry, by exploring new ways of creating interactive and peaceful spaces.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

France’s landscapes are well known for their beauty and diversity, combining coasts, valleys and mountains.

What would you blow your budget on?

A professional camera and an orchidarium.

The one person in the industry you’d love to meet?

Dan Pearson as he is expert at combining the search for a non-intrusive design with an ecological consciousness of the project.

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

I think that creating a stronger relationship between the disciplines involved in projects, such as urban planners, landscape architects and architects would certainly improve the industry.

Role model as a child?

My grandfather, the most dedicated and hardworking person I have ever known. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/11/2018 16:25

PEOPLE

BO COOK Landscape and Garden Designer, Bo Cook Landscape and Garden Design www.bocook.co.uk

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Definitely inspirational as they allow you to see materials in unique, challenging and inspirational ways.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

California - I am a particular fan of Bernard Trainor.

What would you blow your budget on?

I struggle with restraining from buying plants I love.

The one person in the industry you’d love to meet?

I’d love a coffee with Julie Bargmann of D.I.R.T Studios

Role model as a child?

My mum! She was strong and had relentless energy.

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

Better connection, collaboration and communication.

Couldn’t get through the week without...

Coffee and laughter!

Best piece of trivia you know?

T-Rex is closer to humans in the geological timeline than it is to a Stegosaurus.

WILL INNES-TAYLOR

REBECCA HOLLANDS

Project Manager, Tim Wells Nurseries & Commercial Landscapers Ltd

Soil Scientist, Tim O’Hare Associates

www.tim-wells.co.uk Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Inspirational, bringing wider audiences into horticulture.

However, I think there should be greater recognition for the landscapers who bring garden design to life.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

Singapore – the green architecture is simply mind blowing.

What would you blow your budget on?

A trip to Singapore, so I can’t imagine the budget would last too long. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Little Interview 2.indd 99

www.timohare-associates.com The one person in the industry you’d love to meet?

Adam Frost, who has done wonders in encouraging young people into the industry One thing that you think would make the industry better?

We must talk big when it comes to landscaping!

It is an awesome career and industry.

Couldn’t get through the week without...

Going to the gym.

When your job is quite mentally demanding I think it does your body good to work out physically.

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Inspirational – they are a great opportunity to get an insight into the different types of soils which may be required in future projects.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

New Zealand – this country is full of natural beauty.

What would you blow your budget on?

Soil assessment and soil

monitoring! It pays to get things right from the start.

The one person in the industry you’d love to meet Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

Basic training in soil science so that the industry as a whole has a better understanding of looking after our soils.

Best invention in recent years?

Drones -science and the landscaping industry can only benefit from what it will have to offer in the future.

Pro Landscaper / December 2018 99

22/11/2018 16:26

Can’t see the wood for the Millboard Only the keenest eye can detect it’s not wood. Millboard decking provides the timeless appeal of natural wood because it’s hand-moulded from natural timbers. But its unique polyurethane composition makes it exceptionally hardwearing, slip-resistant, and immune to the normal wood deterioration – no rotting, warping or algae growth. No wonder it’s accredited by the BBA (British Board of Agrément). Millboard adds instant distinction, creating beautiful outdoor spaces where people love to spend time. Simply, it’s time to see decking differently.

Millboard: Live. Life. Outside.

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Live.Life.Outside.

31/01/2018 08:53 11:20 22/11/2018