Pro Landscaper February 2022

FEBRUARY 2O22

FLYING HIGH

NAO LANDSCAPES LTD FUTURESCAPE SPRING

FROM MOAT TO MEADOW

DON’T GO WILD

BIRMINGHAM SPECIAL

Sneak peek at the unmissable seminars

Behind the scenes of Superbloom

Chris Churchman on reconsidering rewilding

Showcasing the city’s green developments

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W E LCO M E T

Urquhart and Adam Hunt, for instance, are creating a show garden which shows a naturally rewilded landscape in south-west England and how re-introducing beavers benefits the landscape.

‘Rewilding’ is a term which seems to be growing in popularity – even Ed Sheeran says he’s planning to “rewild” as much of the UK as he can. But are there areas where this could do more damage than good? Earlier in the year, the government announced funding for farmers to rewild their lands, which new contributor Chris Churchman suggests needs more careful consideration.

The answer to rewilding Britain is not necessarily to replace farmland, he argues, as both are necessary for different reasons.

Whether you agree or not, it’s a step in the right direction to see biodiversity and rewilding grabbing headlines and being put on the agenda. And if Ed Sheeran is the reason people start supporting such environmental benefits, then so be it!

NINA

IT’S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO SEE BIODIVERSITY AND REWILDING GRABBING HEADLINES AND BEING PUT ON THE AGENDA

©Carol Bridges Garden Design

he start of the year has been decidedly ‘wild’. Headlines have been awash with biodiversity commitments and pledges to protect the environment.

Take the government’s new Biodiversity Net Gain consultation launched in January. The idea of ensuring new developments boost rather than reduce biodiversity has been floated for a while as part of the Environment Act, which finally received Royal Assent last year. The two-year countdown has now begun before Biodiversity Net Gain becomes law, and the government has set aside a £4m pot to help prepare local planning authorities for its introduction.

But what will it actually entail and how will it be implemented? This is what the consultation will be tackling, and it arguably provides an opportunity for the industry to share their thoughts to ensure Biodiversity Net Gain actually makes a difference.

Speaking of biodiversity, the RHS revealed the show gardens confirmed for this year’s Chelsea, with many seeking to show plants and innovations which can benefit wildlife. Debut designers Lulu

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CONTENTS

INFORM

10 13

14 16 20 25 28 29 30 31 32 34 35 6

News Our monthly roundup of industry news 20 Things We Learnt at Futurescape 2021 Highlights from the event

39 43

UK Landscape Barometer Industry feedback and statistics for November 2021 Ending On A High Neil Edwards

From Moat to Meadow Wildflowers at Tower of London Future Projects Land Studio

46

Let’s Hear it From Nilufer Danis

INSPIRE

30 Under 30 Update Samuel Moore Preview: FutureScape Spring Sneak peek at this year’s event The Elephants in The Garden Lynne Marcus

20

Creating An Industry For Everyone Thomas O’Mahony Should I Stay or Should I go?

Andrew Wilson Don’t Go Wild Chris Churchman Taking Back CPD Katie Flaxman On Public Art Christopher Martin

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IQ

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46 52 57 58 59 60 61 63

Bird’s Eye View NAO Landscapes Ltd Blending Into Nature Carol Bridges Garden Design PLBA Winner Profile Winner for the >£1m category PLBA Winner Profile Winner for the £1m-£5m category Bright Ideas Neil Parslow Garden Lighting Top tips to brighten any scheme Behind the Screens Stark & Greensmith on screening Pro Landscaper’s Special Focusing on Birmingham

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CONTENTS

F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2 NURTURE 81 84 86 87

93

Feature Garden Parham Gardens Working to Win Nick Coslett Funding the Future Lewis Normand Plants Trends What’s trending in 2022?

52 95 81

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FEBRUARY 2O22

E D U C AT E 91 92 93 95 98

A Price Is The Price Gareth Wilson Navigating Claims Oracle Solicitors Ride-on Mowers 2022 equipment developments Eight Steps to Edging How to install CORE EDGE Little Interviews Questions with the individuals who make up our industry

FLYING HIGH

NAO LANDSCAPES LTD FUTURESCAPE SPRING

FROM MOAT TO MEADOW

DON’T GO WILD

BIRMINGHAM SPECIAL

Sneak peek at the unmissable seminars

Behind the scenes of Superbloom

Chris Churchman on reconsidering rewilding

Showcasing the city’s green developments

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20/01/2022 16:28

To receive a copy of Pro Landscaper, please contact Katie Bone.

Email katie.bone@eljays44.com or call 01903 777 585.

Pro Landscaper / February 2022

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CONTRIBUTORS

CO N T R I B U TO R S Lynne Marcus Lynne tackles what she calls an ‘elephant in the garden’ – artificial grass. Arguing that it’s one of the most environmentally damaging products used in gardens across the country, Lynn questions its popularity and promotion. If the industry continues to use it, it’s no wonder the public views it as acceptable, says Lynn.

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KATIE FLAXMAN P34

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Thomas O’Mahony

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Diversity in the industry is lacking, and whilst there might not be a quick fix, we all need to work hard to address the issue, says Thomas O’Mahony. The benefits of having a diverse and inclusive workforce are many, and Maylim is exploring how it can encourage more people to join the industry and avoid exclusivity.

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Chris Churchman Commitments to rewilding are seemingly growing, but are they always carefully considered? Take the recently announced Landscape Recovery programme by the government. New contributor Chris Churchman wonders whether encouraging the rewilding of farmland is as beneficial as it seems.

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Neil Parslow

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Lighting a garden is more complicated than it sounds but can often be overlooked or low on the priority list, says Neil Parslow. He offers advice on the some of the key considerations when incorporating lighting into a garden, including longevity, and explains the importance of ensuring the lighting is well maintained.

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Design – Kara Thomas, Kirsty Turek

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Eljays44 Ltd 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA Tel: 01903 777 570

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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

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Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year

by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2022 subscription price is £100. 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.

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MANAGEMENT Managing director Jim Wilkinson Director Lisa Wilkinson Business development manager Jamie Wilkinson

Cover photograph: ©HTA Design and Nick Harrison, Saltwick Media: http://saltwickmedia.co.uk

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INFORM

NEWS RHS UNVEILS ‘WILD’ THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S CHELSEA

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ardens teeming with native plants that benefit wildlife will take centre stage at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022, sponsored for the first time

by The Newt in Somerset, as the show makes its return to the spring season from 24 to 28 May 2022.

Garden designers at the world-famous flower show are encouraging gardeners to embrace the wild and bring nature back, using native species rarely seen at RHS Chelsea to transform green spaces into wildlife-friendly havens.

Hawthorn will feature prominently alongside other woodland trees and shrubs including hazel, crab apple, weeping willow and hornbeam. Wild plants such as nettles, cow parsley, poppies and nectar-rich buttercups will add to the pastel colour palette and continue the wildlife-friendly, naturalistic theme.

First-time RHS Chelsea designers Lulu Urquhart and Adam Hunt are using native plants to demonstrate the dramatic transformation of land through beaver reintroductions.

‘The Meta Garden: Growing the Future’, designed by Joe Perkins, takes its inspiration from the British

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countryside and will feature almost 3,000 plants and trees including sweet chestnut.

Brothers Howard and Hugh Miller return for their second RHS Chelsea, designing a space with Alder Hey Children’s Charity, with a ‘hedge tunnel’, a meadow and an orchard.

The championing of biodiversity-rich spaces continues in the Sanctuary Gardens too.

Other themes include sustainability, climate change, the mental, physical and social benefits of gardens as well as a celebration of institutions such as the RNLI and the RAF. More content, including the new ‘All About Plants’ garden category will be announced soon.

Helena Pettit, RHS director of gardens and shows, says: “We can’t wait to see the return of a spring RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2022 and welcome our visitors back after a two-year wait. The show is jam-packed with stunning gardens and inspirational displays and with an abundance of wildlifefriendly planting, we won’t be the only ones buzzing!” www.rhs.org.uk

META GARDEN ©ECHO VISUALISATION

NEW CEO ANNOUNCED FOR NURTURE GROUP

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ormer managing director of The AA Roadside Services has been announced as the new CEO of Nurture Group, to take over the reins from founder Peter Fane.

With a BA from the University of Strathclyde and MBA from Lancaster University, Gareth Kirkwood OBE’s career has spanned more than three decades. He has overseen expansions and transformation at some of the world’s most recognised names, including 22 years at British Airways.

The AA’s work to support the nation through the pandemic saw Kirkwood named in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list, capping four successful years as the managing director of the AA’s roadside services division. Between the roles in British Airways and the AA, Kirkwood led a European transformation programme for the vacation property rental division of Expedia.

His appointment coincides with a period of considerable growth at the Nurture Group, including seven acquisitions since January 2021, in particular that of Rokill Pest Control Services. Peter Fane, current CEO of Nurture Landscapes, will continue to work full time at the company as executive chairman, focusing his time on growth and acquisition. He comments: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to add someone with such great experience and knowledge to our team.

We believe Gareth Kirkwood will drive us forward and will certainly make an important contribution to the growth of the company.”

Commenting on his appointment, Gareth Kirkwood says: “I am thrilled to be joining Nurture Group as CEO and excited to drive the team on to achieve its goals. I hope to help the organisation to deliver important targets, not least the achievement of the net zero business status by 2030, an ambitious goal, but one which we believe is attainable.” www.nurturelandscapes.co.uk

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INFORM

ENHANCING THE ENVIRONMENT TO BE AT THE HEART OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENTS

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lans to ensure wildlife can be better protected and enhanced in developments have been set out in a consultation launched by Environment Minister Rebecca Pow. The proposals set out in the Biodiversity Net Gain consultation will help communities, planners, developers and local planning authorities ensure new developments are “nature positive” – which means putting nature and biodiversity gain at the heart of all decision-making and design.

With Biodiversity Net Gain, developments will have to be delivered in a way which helps to reduce and restore any biodiversity loss during the building phase, and deliver a 10% boost to the area’s biodiversity. It will help deliver thriving natural spaces for local communities.

The government has also announced a new funding pot of more than £4m to help local planning authorities and other local authorities with planning oversight, to

prepare for Biodiversity Net Gain which will become mandatory two years after Royal Assent of the Environment Act. Environment minister, Rebecca Pow, expresses that: “The pandemic has reinforced how much our homes, communities and outdoor spaces mean to us. Our commitment to protecting and enhancing our natural world can and must go hand in hand with our ambition to build more high-quality homes.

“Our plans to make sure new developments better protect and enhance wildlife and nature will create better places for people to live and work, and it will ensure we leave our environment in a better state for future generations.”

The consultation and associated documents being announced have been developed with advice from the government’s statutory nature body, Natural England.

The consultation closes on 5 April 2022. www.gov.uk

PROVIDERS UNITE TO EXPAND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR CLIENTS

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wo service providers have merged to offer a united range of environmental, landscape, planning and forestry services. With a combined 65 years of experience in the sector, Nicholsons Lockhart Garratt is the result of a union between Nicholsons – which provides high quality landscaping, forestry and arboriculture services – and Lockhart Garratt, an industry leader in environmental planning, forestry, ecology, arboriculture, soils and landscape architecture consultancy.

The expansion comes after the businesses worked together to develop the not-for-profit Forest Canopy Foundation (FCF), a partnership of professionals from the forestry industry leading the way to help address climate change.

“Having collaborated so successfully on the FCF project, it became evident that our two companies had a great deal of cultural synergy and complementary expertise. The combined business will deliver an invaluable suite of joined up services, supporting clients

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NEWS IN BRIEF INDUSTRY MOURNS THE LOSS OF PETER SEABROOK Gardening writer and broadcaster Peter Seabrook has passed away at the age of 86.

His family announced that the former BBC Gardeners’ World presenter had died of a suspected heart attack. Mourning the loss of an industry stalwart, who was a regular face at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the RHS said: “We are very sad to hear that one of the greatest champions of horticulture, Peter Seabrook, has died.”

HOSSEIN ARSHADI RETIRES FROM HILLIER After more than 40 years of working for Hillier Nurseries, Hossein Arshadi has retired from his position as board member and Hillier Trees Amenity Director. Hossein made significant contributions to the industry throughout his career and played a pivotal role in establishing Hillier as the largest tree nursery in the UK. He was responsible for the development of the Hillier tree nursery sites. www.hillier.co.uk

NEW EMPLOYABILITY SCHEME TACKLES CITY ENVIRONMENT

from project inception through to the final sign off and long-term management,” comments John Lockhart.

“Nicholsons’ 40 years of expert contracting experience perfectly complements Lockhart Garratt’s impressive track record in industry leadership, influence and professional stakeholder relationships.

We are stronger together – which undoubtedly benefits our clients and the industry itself,” comments Liz Nicholson, managing director of Nicholsons. www.lockhart-garratt.co.uk www.nicholsonsgb.com

A new employability project aiming to support people into permanent jobs is also helping to improve the environment of hundreds of smaller open spaces in Glasgow. More than 70 people have been recruited to the Citymakers scheme, which gives those who have been jobless but ready for work a chance to gain paid employment and learn new skills alongside council’s parks and streetscene teams. www.glasgow.gov.uk

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INFORM

Online Exclusives WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2022?

LANDSCAPERS MAKE PREDICTIONS As we enter into 2022, we question what is to be expected – we ask landscape company directors Mark Youde, Marc Lane and Alistair Bayford what they think the next year will bring. www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ what-to-expect-in-2022-landscapersreveal-their-predictions

MITIE ACHIEVES 30% EV TARGET, THREE MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

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acilities management company Mitie has accelerated past its target to convert 30% of its fleet to zero emission electric vehicles (EVs) by March 2022 – three months ahead of schedule. As a result, the business has increased its target to have 35% of its fleet electric in the same timeframe.

Mitie now has a range of electric cars, vans, and even a gritter, taking its total as of the end of 2021 to more than 2,000 EVs, consisting of 15 different models. The vehicles are based throughout the UK, from the Scottish Highlands and Islands down to the Cornish coast, as well as EVs working on Mitie’s contracts supporting the UK’s Overseas Territories, including Ascension Island.

HARRIS BUGG STUDIO INTRODUCES NEW ‘COMMON GOOD’ MANIFESTO Launching a new 4.5-day work week for employees along with other workplace benefits, we speak to Charlotte Harris, joint director of Harris Bugg Studio, to find out about what the company’s new programme ‘The Common Good’ entails and how it formalises their commitment to people, place, and planet. www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ harris-bugg-studio-introduces-newcommon-good-manifesto

CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT RETURNS AS MATERIAL SHORTAGE SOFTENS Monthly construction output increased by 3.5% in volume terms in November 2021, which is the largest monthly rise seen in construction output growth since March 2021. Anecdotal evidence suggests pure demand and supply chain issues easing were the main causes. www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ construction-output-bounces-back-asmaterial-shortage-softens

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In addition, Mitie has invested heavily in the UK’s electric vehicle charge point infrastructure, installing thousands of charge points.

The transition to an electric fleet is a central component of Mitie’s Plan Zero commitment to eliminate carbon emissions from its power and transport. Its current fleet reduces Mitie’s annual CO2 emissions by around 10,000t and the business has a timeline to switch the rest of its vehicles to zero emission by 2025. The Mitie Fleet Team has also put a series of measures in place to reduce emissions of its existing vehicles, such as a Telematics Driver Behaviour system that reduced diesel consumption by 75,000L and saved 19.5t of CO2 in just one year.

Peter Dickinson, chief of staff, Mitie, says: “Switching 30% of our fleet to electric by the end of March 2022 was already an ambitious target, so to have hit this milestone three months ahead of schedule is an incredible achievement and testament to the hard work of the Mitie Fleet Team. www.mitie.com

GLADE OF LIGHT MEMORIAL OPENS TO THE PUBLIC

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ork has been completed on a garden space which honours those affected by the Manchester terror attack. An official opening event for the memorial is planned for spring 2022, ahead of the fifth anniversary.

The centrepiece of The Glade of Light is a white marble ‘halo’ bearing the names of the 22 people who lost their lives. Families of those who lost loved ones have been able to place personalised memory capsules, containing mementos and messages, which are embedded inside the halo. They have been given the opportunity to visit privately before the memorial opened.

The Glade of Light, designed by BCA Landscape and Smiling Wolf, is conceived as a living memorial – a peaceful garden space for remembrance and reflection. It features plants which grow naturally in the UK countryside and have been selected to provide year-round colour and echo the changing seasons.

Around the anniversary every year, the white flowers of a hawthorn tree planted at its

centre will bloom. An outer circle path, including seating, has also been included to enable people to linger in the garden for longer if they wish while preserving the intimacy of the halo area.

Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, says: “We will never forget those whose lives were lost on 22 May 2017. They already had a permanent place in the hearts of Manchester people.

Now they have a lasting memorial in the heart of our city.

“The Glade of Light is a beautiful tribute to them and somewhere which will also have profound meaning for everyone affected by the attack. We hope the memorial site will be a place of peace and comfort, standing as a reminder that love is stronger than hate.” www.manchester.gov.uk

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20/01/2022 16:03

INFORM

20 THINGS WE LEARNED AT FUTURESCAPE 2021

WE’VE PICKED OUT 20 LESSONS FROM JUST THREE OF THE SEMINARS AT FUTURESCAPE L AST NOVEMBER – AND BELIEVE US, THERE WERE MORE FROM OUR E XPERT PANELLISTS!

THE PRICE IS RIGHT – OR IS IT? • Sam Hassall, LandPRO Ltd • Mark Youde, Urban Landscape Design Ltd • Jake Catling, The Landscaping Consultants • Nick Ruddle, ActionCOACH UK

Educate yourself in business basics Understanding a profit and loss statement (P&L), KPIs and gross margin is key, says Nick.

Don’t rush your quote Clients may set a deadline, but don’t let them put you under pressure, advises Mark.

Track variations throughout a project Price it, send it for approval, take a payment towards it and then carry it out, says Jake.

RECRUIT, TRAIN, THE FUTURE OF LANDSCAPE RECRUITMENT PA N E L

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LOUD AND PROUD: THE FUTURE OF MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA PA N E L

• Oliver Hemson, Tony Benger Landscaping • Marian Barker, Fresh Horticultural Careers, • Nigel Payne, Cultura • Paul Downer, Oak View Landscapes

Employ for attitude, rather than aptitude Training gaps can be filled, so employ those which fit with your company culture, says Nigel.

Staff feedback should be encouraged Our panellists operate open-door policies, so that staff can provide feedback and influence change.

Consider an anonymous suggestion box Paul introduced one for those who might not feel comfortable providing feedback otherwise.

Invest in staff training From free webinars to more expensive training programmes, investing in your employees’ progress and development will help with staff retention.

Think about training outside of a specific role This could be driving lessons or courses which could help a member of staff progress to a different role.

Breakdown your bill of quantities to varying degrees Be more granular for commercial clients, suggests Sam, but condense items somewhat for domestic projects.

Don’t absorb material price increases Be honest with your client and build good relationships with suppliers. Make it clear in your Terms and Conditions that if material prices rise, so will the price of the job.

• Barry Randall, Landscaper’s Success Club and Unlimited Success Club • Anthony Macson, London Stone • Ben Shaw, Adtrak

A simple ‘thank you’ goes a long way Oak View Landscapes’ ‘Thank You Thursdays’, where Paul will personally call a nominated member of staff each week to say thanks, have proven extremely popular.

Health and wellbeing are important to every business Mental Health First Aid training is available – better yet, ask staff to nominate themselves for the role, says Oliver Hemson.

Think outside the box when it comes to recruitment You should still ask for a CV and references – and be sure to check the latter – but explore different methods to find the right candidates, such as a ‘deselection process’.

Take your time to recruit Rushing leads to mistakes which can take time and money to resolve.

Set achievable, meaningful goals for staff Small, manageable steps will help an employee to progress, says Marian. Be open-minded too and don’t set goals for the sake of it!

Make your branding adaptable Can it fit on social media platforms, for instance, or stand out on uniforms?

Be consistent – as long as it’s not consistently bad Barry recommends your marketing be four parts information, one part selling, to have an impact.

Measure success Monitor engagement with your marketing and change it accordingly to boost results.

Choose wisely Don’t have a platform for the sake of it, says Ben. Use it or lose it.

Try something different You don’t need to just follow trends, says Anthony. Be bold.

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©Historic Royal Palaces

INFORM

FROM MOAT TO MEADOW WORK HAS BEGUN ON AN IMMERSIVE WILDFLOWER DISPLAY AT THE TOWER OF LONDON, AND PRO LANDSCAPER WILL BE FOLLOWING ITS PROGRESS AHEAD OF ITS OPENING IN JUNE, LEARNING THE OBSTACLES OVERCOME BY LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR LANDFORM CONSULTANTS

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mess up. To a certain degree, that’s what makes it exciting – that feeling of jeopardy.”

The sensitivity of the site at the Tower of London only adds to that feeling of jeopardy.

“It’s higher than a Grade I listed site, so it has to be commissioned by the government and planning permission has gone through Tower Hamlets Council. We have a full-time archaeologist watching everything that we do.

There are areas where we cannot dig at all, areas which can only be dug by hand, and areas where we can only dig to certain depths.”

WE HAVE A FULL-TIME ARCHAEOLOGIST WATCHING EVERYTHING THAT WE DO. THERE ARE AREAS WHERE WE CANNOT DIG AT ALL, AREAS WHICH CAN ONLY BE DUG BY HAND, AND AREAS WHERE WE CAN ONLY DIG TO CERTAIN DEPTHS

Until March, there is the “calm before the storm”, says Mark. Ground preparation began towards the end of last year, and in January, thousands of tonnes of topsoil are being brought onto the site to the specification of expert soil scientist Tim O’Hare. The topsoil will be levelled, and the site prepared ready for the seeding window at the end of the March. A mix of native and non-native wildflower seeds will be sown in different sections, each around 10m by 5m, and the rest of the infrastructure needs to be completed by the end of May, when Landform’s 30-week contract finishes. So, whilst there is only a team of around 12 on site at the moment, Mark expects this to jump to around 40 as the deadline approaches, with various contractors and specialists.

When Superbloom opens, there will be free tickets available to look down on the wildflowers

Continuing to pile on the pressure is a TV crew, filming the build as part of a special series on the Tower of London this year. “There will be an hour special on Superbloom and the producers will want jeopardy. We won’t need to act that, because there will definitely be those moments! It’s really exciting though, from a company point of view, to do something for the monarch in this year.”

©Historic Royal Palaces

O

nce an imposing prison, the Tower of London now stands as an historic monument in the country’s capital. The 14,000sqm moat, first created and filled with water to protect the fortress, has since undergone a variety of uses, from a grazing ground for livestock to allotments. In 2014, it held 800,000 ceramic poppies to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. This year, though, it will become awash with wildflowers in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

This spring, some 20 million seeds will be sown to create a biodiverse display, specifically designed to attract wildlife and showcase nature. From June to September, the public will be able to walk through the immersive installation too in an event Historic Royal Palaces is calling ‘Superbloom’.

Prolific landscape architecture firm Grant Associates is behind the design, along with planting design expert professor Nigel Dunnett.

Landform Consultants has been awarded the tender to construct this commemorative display, which might not seem like the obvious choice, at first. After all, the design and build company is not necessarily known for commercial soft landscaping schemes, but its recent involvement in the major redevelopment at RHS Garden Wisley is starting to change that.

Landform’s extensive experience at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with multiple Gold medals to its name, also puts it in good stead for such a large, temporary project. Managing director Mark Gregory refers to Superbloom as “Chelsea on steroids”. “It’s got similar ramifications. It’s a public event on a world stage and you can’t

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INFORM from a public viewing path. For those looking for the full immersive experience, tickets can be bought to walk through the moat, as well as tickets which include access to the Tower of London itself.

“Part of what we’re doing is putting in a huge slide, borrowed from a National Trust property. Visitors can grab a mat and slide into the moat. Once you enter on the west side, there’s an area for entertaining with music piped through the moat. You walk through meadows made up of a complex matrix of seeding towards the north side of the moat. In the far corner, there’s a slightly elevated section, like a viewing platform, where you can look back through the north moat and onwards down the east moat towards Tower Bridge. Visitors then walk through the east side, which has more intricate seeding and interconnecting paths, with willow arches and play equipment for children, so there’s an interactive element. There will be a light show at night as well, which an international designer is developing.”

Once September draws to a close, the interactive elements of the display, such as the slide, will be removed, but the paths, the soil and the levels will all remain as the first stage of a permanent transformation of the moat and a lasting legacy to the platinum jubilee.

Mark says the coverage of the installation so far as been positive, though he is aware that projects such as these fall under close scrutiny – just look at the Marble Arch Mound. He is also aware that the wildflower display is likely to be compared to the ceramic poppies which adorned the moat in 2014. “People spoke about the emotional connection and the feeling those poppies evoked. The wildflowers won’t be like that. The poppies were a sombre, very powerful art installation.

Superbloom will be immersive, with people walking through meadows of colour, so it would be unfair to judge it against the poppies.

This will be a celebration of the queen and everything that she’s done, and to play even a small part in that is brilliant.”

There are bound to be hiccups along the way and hurdles to jump over. And Landform will be installing Superbloom whilst preparing to build three show gardens at this year’s Chelsea. Has Landform bitten off more than it can chew? We very much doubt it. As Mark says, jeopardy just adds to the excitement, and Landform has had plenty of practice.

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IN STAL LATI ON BE GI NS ...

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Ysgol Cedewain

Newtown, Powys PART OF THE 21 ST CENTURY SCHOOL PROGRAMME, A NEW ADDITIONAL LEARNING NEEDS SCHOOL WILL SEE NATURE’S TRUE BENEFITS

A

brand-new school project in

and layout – through workshops, presentations

Wales is set to benefit from the

and consultations with staff and the school

winding paths, and their edges are formed by

Planted enclosures include sensory planting,

21st Century School Programme.

council we were able to design a unique school

habitat areas. Around the school and within the

As part of this programme, Powys

environment which responds specifically to the

learning gardens are single species hedges to

County Council and the Welsh Government are

schools needs and requirements,”

create structured spaces to help

building the brand-new Additional Learning

Simon Richards, director at Land

with focus and concentration. In

Needs school to replace an existing playing

Studio, the practice responsible for

fields and school site, providing shared sports

the landscaping design plan, tells us.

facilities with the neighbouring school and

“Understanding how the school

local community.

currently operates was a key part of our analysis and design process, from

UNDERSTANDING HOW THE SCHOOL CURRENTLY OPERATES WAS A KEY PART OF OUR ANALYSIS AND DESIGN PROCESS

the daily routine, existing external play and learning spaces and the importance of practical accessible spaces for all the children.”

With this in mind, external spaces have been designed around teaching groups the school currently has, crafting different external play and learning spaces for the different

Garden spaces were already an important

needs. Quiet areas are separate from

part of the children’s learning environment at

noisier parts of the school, outdoor

the school, so nature was always going to be at

learning spaces have the benefit

the heart of this project, enabling a landscape-

of a covered canopy off classrooms,

led scheme to emerge. But importantly, the

separate from play areas. This

project was also led by the school, allowing

was a key to helping the children

the team to create a space that truly responds

understand the difference between

to the needs to the students.

outdoor classroom activities and

“The school played an integral part of the design development of the new school’s design

play areas, further assisting with behaviour and concentration.

£22m SCHOOL

fact, a limited palette of materials across the whole scheme has been selected to help with this.

29,000m2 COMPLETED BY

SUMMER

2023 SPACE FOR

FOREST

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES EDGES FORMED BY

HABITAT

“Materials like timber and neutral coloured surfacing helps to create a soft, natural setting for learning and play. Repeating key materials and planting throughout the site helps to create an identity and character for

AREAS WELSH GOVERNMENT'S

the new school. It also helps with

SCHOOLS

to tell the story of the water cycle, a

21 ST CENTURY

PROGRAMME

WILL FUND 75%

wayfinding and creating focal points throughout the landscape,” Simon explains. “Where safety surfacing has been incorporated into the play areas, patterns have been designed journey that the school children can follow through their time at Ysgol Cedewain, learning about natural

REMAINING

process from rain to the ocean.”

FUNDED

species such as Stipa tenuissima

25% WOULD BE

BY POWYS COUNTY COUNCIL

Sensory planting includes tactile and Pennisetum alopecuroides.

Species which provide interest during the late summer-autumn, such as Bergenia cordifolia and

Rudbeckia fulgida, feature throughout. Trees have also been selected to add seasonal interest, such as Rhus typhina, Liquidambar

styraciflua and Pinus nigra. Elsewhere in the

16

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INFORM

school, Land Studio has

P R OJ ECT D E TA I L S

suggested specimen trees such as copper, beech and more Liquidambar all of which

collaboration with a civil engineer to create

will create focal point, seasonal colour and

a sustainable urban drainage system for the

striking canopy cover. Land Studio has even

whole site. Surface water run-off will make its

included raised beds so the children can

Landscaping design plan Land Studio Construction Wynne Construction Architects Studio KMA

grow their own plants. teachers: “The aspiration for this new

HOPEFULLY THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN OF THEIR NEW SCHOOL CAN BRING ENVIRONMENTAL, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL BENEFITS

school’s external environment has been about improving access to nature and putting nature at the heart of the school,” expresses Simon.

“The new 21st century school facility will provide a safe and inspiring environment for the children and staff to enjoy and take ownership of for generations to come. way into designed planting beds, bursting full

Hopefully the landscape design of their new

of wildflowers and grasses specifically

school can bring environmental, physical and

designed for these conditions.

mental benefits, whilst creating opportunities

Due to be completed the summer of 2023, The borders of the site will feature meadow planting, woodland shrubs, forest schools and

Land Studio has high hopes for what the new

for increased biodiversity and opportunities for all to engage with our natural environment.”

school will mean for its students and its

a ribbon of rain gardens. Wrapping around the school, these have been designed in

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17

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Let ’s Hear it From

NILUFER DANIS A RECENT UPDATE IN HER STUDIO’S BRANDING IS JUST ONE REASON WHY NILUFER DANIS IS CAUSING A STIR, AS THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT AND GARDEN DESIGNER PUTS SUSTAINABILITY AT THE HEART OF HER WORK

T

owards the end of the year, Nilufer Danis introduced – well, Nilufer Danis. After eight years under the Lotus Design Studio brand, the multi-award-winning garden designer decided to rename her practice to be self-titled, with a new look to match.

From pastel blue and green to a sleek and stylish black and white logo, the studio has undergone a transformation which arguably far better matches Nilufer’s contemporary and minimalist design style.

Nilufer says she’s proud to now have a brand which fully represents her studio. “The silver lining of a year spent away from loved ones during the pandemic was plenty of time to think about my business. I felt it had outgrown our Lotus Design brand and our old website didn’t reflect the size and calibre of our projects.

“After working with a great team of experts, we relaunched our brand and website, which is a hub of our collective projects – from commercial to residential – journals, news, images, and an opportunity to learn more about our story and design ethos.”

So, what exactly is the story behind Nilufer Danis? Born and raised in Turkey, Nilufer came to the UK just over 20 years ago to improve her English and continue her education, having gained a degree in landscape architecture from Istanbul University. As a child, she’d always been artistic, a talent which eventually led her towards her career choice.

“At school, my favourite lessons were maths and art; I always had the highest marks in these subjects,” remembers Nilufer. “I’ve had a deep love of drawing and painting for as long as I can remember; it always felt completely natural and effortless to be holding a pencil or paintbrush.

“It was suggested that I choose architecture by my school career counsellor, but the idea didn’t awaken butterflies in me. I needed something more natural, dynamic, surprising, colourful, vibrant, but also structural, where I could use maths too.

“I considered becoming a painter or fashion designer, but then my sister told me about a career called ‘’landscape architect’’ and I was captivated. I loved the idea because I love nature, and this seemed like a way to make a positive impact in people’s lives by using my aesthetic and maths skills. This is where my journey began.”

When Nilufer came to London in 2000, she enrolled on a garden design course for a year at Harrow College, after which she undertook a Masters at

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INFORM

the University of Greenwich before gaining her chartership with the Landscape Institute. Whilst studying, Nilufer worked for one of the UK’s leading specimen plant nurseries for a year, juggling education and a job. She started her first full-time role as a landscape architect in 2007.

THE SILVER LINING OF A YEAR SPENT AWAY FROM LOVED ONES DURING THE PANDEMIC WAS PLENTY OF TIME TO THINK ABOUT MY BUSINESS

Only one of the professions is regulated, though. Whilst landscape architects must complete a degree and gain a license, garden designers do not require a qualification to practice, and this can make the field unequal, says Nilufer. “Garden design can be more of a hobby to some, so sometimes they undercharge for their service. We need to earn money to make a living, though, so there should be regulations to ensure garden designers are well trained and that there is an equal environment. It can confuse clients when garden designers charge such different rates.”

Nilufer first gained the confidence to set up her own business after her experience on RHS show gardens. Whilst working with Landform Consultants on a freelance basis, Nilufer designed her first show garden at RHS Hampton

Court Palace Flower Show (now Garden Festival) in 2012. ‘Our First Home, Our First Garden’ not only won a Gold medal but also topped its category of Low Cost, High Impact Gardens. “It helped me to believe in myself, but it also helped me to attract more clients and contractors to work with me, so the business started to grow.

Now we’ve launched a new brand and website, potential clients can really see what we are capable of doing.”

There may be more show gardens on the horizon too, but Nilufer is in no rush – at least, for now. “You spend so much time on a show 1 The Community Garden, Taichung 2 Turkish Garden Of Paradise, Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, 2015

Rather than choose landscape architecture over garden design or vice versa, Nilufer had a passion for both, and having trained for each profession, her studio now offers the two services under one roof. “Landscape architecture is exciting, working on larger projects which have such a big impact on people’s lives, especially public spaces. It’s a beautiful feeling, seeing how it is used by others.

“Garden design, on the other hand, is very intimate – you work more closely with the client, and they’ll use the garden most of the time like an outdoor room. It becomes more personal, and you learn their lifestyle and what they want to achieve from the garden. Small details and changes become much more important.”

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garden, which is hard when you’re busy with your day-to-day work, and finding a sponsor isn’t easy. But there are so many benefits.

“RHS Chelsea is always an incredible experience. After designing show gardens for Chelsea and Hampton, my design approach has

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, GARDEN DESIGNERS, URBAN DESIGNERS AND GROWERS OF TREES AND SHRUBS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN GREENING OUR CITIES. IT IS OUR JOB TO POINT OUT THE POSSIBILITIES changed a lot, especially in planting design. I’ve become more of a perfectionist than ever before – I learnt that every tiny detail is important for that high-quality show garden finish.”

Winning a Gold medal and Best World Garden for The Turkish Garden of Paradise at Hampton Court in 2015, is perhaps one of Nilufer’s proudest moments. The show garden, built for The Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism, was influenced by 10th century Islamic gardens in Turkey and had a rich planting scheme inspired by the flora across the country.

As well as show gardens, Nilufer had the opportunity whilst working with Landform Consultants to design the Commonwealth Park in Gibraltar. The government was looking to turn a car park into a 2.5-acre sustainable public park, but Nilufer says they faced some opposition to the scheme at first. “People were protesting because the car park was free of charge, and it was going to be replaced by a park; they said the car park was essential. But as the park became

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more visible each day, the complaints quietened down, and on the opening day, you could see so many Gibraltarians there. I was so proud – it felt really emotional seeing it for the first time, and I was so lucky to work with Mark Gregory, who’s expert in construction detail. We worked together on the project for about two years.”

Nilufer talks passionately, too, about The Community Garden which she designed to exhibit at the Taichung World Flora Exhibition for the International Association of Horticultural

Producers (AIPH). The garden focused on sustainability, showing how urban environments could be more ‘green’ and the benefits of doing so.

Her experience working internationally and her innovative design approach made Nilufer a great choice of judge for the Landscape Innovation Awards run by the Landscape Institute. “There were so many unique projects showcasing innovative design ideas from the UK and internationally.

“It was interesting to understand what the landscape industry in other countries is doing about innovation and sustainability. It was eye opening to see how technology has been used to achieve or measure sustainability through different computer programmes and applications.

We cannot ignore the fact that technology is a big part of our lives, and we all need to keep our knowledge and skills up to date to succeed.”

Out of all the countries Nilufer has worked across – Turkey, Taiwan and Gibraltar – Nilufer says the UK seems the most sustainable, with

more generous green spaces, SuDS, mature trees, and biodiversity. Planting type, materials and landscape construction methods differed in each country too.

Even in the UK, though, there is work to be done towards becoming more sustainable, and the industry can play a key role, says Nilufer.

“Landscape architects, garden designers, urban designers and growers of trees and shrubs play an important role in greening our cities. It is our job to point out the possibilities to planners, developers, architects, and clients and to emphasise that creating a green environment is not only more sustainable than building a world of concrete and steel, but it is also much cheaper.

“Growers should help us and other designers by sharing their knowledge of – for example – which trees are the most effective for lessening air pollution and combatting UHI? Which shrubs are best for a rain garden? If we want to create a greener world, cooperation is the key word.”

Nilufer is already building her studio’s own expertise in environmental management and sustainability – as well as urban landscapes, planning and planting – by expanding her studio with new team members. “High quality and innovation will continue to drive us. I would like to grow the studio further to create more high quality, innovative and sustainable spaces.”

A change in name is just the start of a raft of developments for Nilufer Danis’ studio, and they appear to be all for the better; for the designer herself, her team, the industry and environment.

3 Insect Hotel at The Community Garden, Taichung 4 Aquaponic fish tank at The Community Garden 5 Commonwealth Park, Gibraltar

C O N TA C T Nilufer Danis Landscapes & Gardens Tel +44 (0) 20 7101 4699 Email studio@niluferdanis.com

www.niluferdanis.com

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“Camberley’s High Street transformation has set a new quality standard for the town’s public realm,” comments Joao Toscano CMLI Director of Landscape & Urban Design at Project Centre. “Our design proposals were grounded in the latest best practice in streetscape design, and we used bespoke design to elevate a sense of place, identity and quality, whilst promoting pedestrian comfort and traffic calming principles,” Stefano Scarano, Senior Landscape Architect adds.

Taking into account the invisible importance of street furniture when balancing an urban landscape, the studio worked closely with established international brand, mmcité. Together they furbished the streets of Camberley

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The mmcité portfolio is based on products which are universal, fitting in almost anywhere. They are attentively designed down to the finest detail, and even when they’re not seeking attention they have a huge effect on people’s lives in the city. “This is proof of our aim to approach public spaces with respect to their context,” said mmcité chief designer, David Karasek. “We are setting the bar for outdoor design as if it were conventional furniture. Furniture that must meet standards a thousand times more exacting than anything we have at home, thanks to the host of limitations on materials and technologies, as well as ensuring resistance against bad weather and vandalism,” he concluded.

The flexibility that the spatial design creates, the bespoke detailing of key design features (e.g. the seating planters across Princess Way and Knoll Walk, the green wall in Knoll Walk or the new High Street gate), the careful choice of paving materials and sensitive planting design – all of this illustrates a high level of placemaking ambition and innovation which prepares Camberley town centre for its future.

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CONTEMPORARY GARDEN AND BESPOKE GARDEN ROOM, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

INFORM

THE BOUNCE BACK GARDEN, HAMPTON COURT GARDEN FESTIVAL

3 0 U N D E R 3 0 U P DAT E

SAMUEL MOORE NEARLY TWO YEARS INTO SETTING UP HIS OWN BUSINESS, SAMUEL MOORE IS STARTING TO MAKE A NAME FOR HIMSELF AT RHS SHOWS

S

ince launching his own company in the spring of 2020, Samuel Moore has gone full tilt to make it a success. Consilium Hortus was set up in the midst of uncertainty, two months into the UK’s first lockdown. A trend was starting to appear, though – the public were spending more time in their gardens and so wanting to invest more into them. “It was the best time to start up a business,” says Samuel. And at just 25 years’ old, it was also the right age to take a chance, he adds. “I’m not so old that I have loads of liabilities and can’t afford to not make money for one month, but not so young that people don’t trust in what I do.”

Having the right contacts helps, too, and Samuel has been building these since college.

He met Andrew Fisher Tomlin, for instance, whilst taking part in the Ideal Home Show with Writtle College when studying for a diploma in horticulture. The team’s garden won Gold and Best in Show and, following the show, Samuel was invited by Andrew to help him on a couple of show gardens. “It opened my eyes to what you can do. So, I went on to do a degree in landscape

MODERN FAMILY GARDEN, EPPING, ESSEX

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and garden design, still helping out Andrew here and there, and he introduced me to Graham Bodle, who designed an artisan garden at Chelsea in 2017 which I helped on.”

Once he’d completed his degree, Samuel went to work for an award-winning design and build company, becoming one of Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation winners in 2018, which he said gave

IT OPENED MY EYES TO WHAT YOU CAN DO. SO, I WENT ON TO DO A DEGREE IN LANDSCAPE AND GARDEN DESIGN him confidence and recently helped him to win work too for Consilium Hortus. It can be difficult for a new company to pick up projects without an existing portfolio, so Samuel invested in his brand, hiring a company to design his website and taking advantage of paid Google advertisements. When he started to build a portfolio, Samuel engaged a professional photographer to capture images of the projects.

Samuel also utilised one of the best marketing tools in the industry – the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. “We gained sponsorship and support for a show garden,” says Samuel. “Writtle College let us grow the plants on site in their glasshouse, with the students looking after them. The main context

SUNKEN GARDEN WITH FIRE TABLE, CHELMSFORD

of the garden was around outdoor living in the pandemic, so we had a dining table set up for six, a pergola, an outdoor kitchen and a herb garden. We had hidden speakers as well.”

The Bounce Back Garden, sponsored by Lower Barn Farm, gained Samuel his first RHS medal. It was built by Ashworth Specialist Landscapes, which Sam works closely with on most of his domestic projects, having met the owner at an awards ceremony and discovering he lived locally and matched Samuel’s ethos and dedication.

CONTEMPORARY OUTDOOR ROOM, CHELMSFORD, ESSEX

Now, Samuel is looking towards events like the next Hampton Court, with hopes to exhibit at another show soon. He will also be working towards becoming a member of the Society of Garden Designers in the new year and, when eligible, will be applying for both BALI and the APL. This, alongside plans to take on his first member of staff, suggests 2022 will be yet another busy and successful year for the budding designer.

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Tuesday 15 March 2022

Sandown Park Racecourse

Face the future of the UK and play your part amidst a showcase of future-fuelled products, materials and services – all you need to stay ahead in your landscape business. Powered by a superb seminar programme, expert panellists with real-life, relatable experiences get ready to tackle the issues you face and challenge industry norms for a brighter landscape future.

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Tuesday 15 March 2022 | 9am - 4:30pm Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Rd, Esher KT10 9AJ FREE PARKING

A

fter a two-year hiatus, FutureScape Spring is back.

The event will be taking place on 15 March 2022 at Sandown Park Racecourse, bringing the industry together to see the latest product innovations, planting trends, and technologies.

The one-day event first launched in 2019 but has unfortunately been unable to take place the last two years due to COVID-19 restrictions. But with events now back on the calendar, and following the success of FutureScape in November, FutureScape Spring will once again be opening its doors to visitors from 9am to 4:30pm.

A diverse, engaging seminar programme has been put together, offering visitors expertise and insights into everything from plant health to business growth to reusing materials. Our panellists will be announced soon, along with more seminars, product demonstrations and a keynote speaker. Keep an eye out for the latest announcements!

A Sneak Peek at the Seminars

INFORM

NURTURE THEATRE • Protect and Secure: Embracing Biosecurity and Plant Health With biosecurity threats grabbing the horticultural headlines, this discussion wi ll get to the very roots of the current situation – the rules, Defra’s approach, and support available.

• Managing Trees: Brace yourselves – are you really ready?

A panel of tree growers and designers will outline how specifying and buying large trees should put proper handling, securing and planting conditions at the top of the agenda.

• Circular Thinking: Influencing client choice for reusing materials Recycling. Repurposing. Reusing. Our panel will consider the key elements of the specification and use of reusing materials and the potential pitfalls of choosing a sustainable approach.

• Perpetuating successful landscapes: The power of proper aftercare How does the designer and contractor relationship extend into aftercare? Posing questions to a panel of aftercare specialists, this debate considers the challenges beyond the finished landscape.

BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY THEATRE • Taking the Next Step: Expand your business professionally and profitably Taking the leap and expanding your business will take planning but it need not be daunting, thanks to our expert panel, who will share their experiences and offer helpful advice.

• Small business, big prospects: Supporting the sole trader The debate’s speakers will champion the importance of mental health and wellbeing and discuss the keys to self-discipline, time management and building your brand and reputation in the industry.

• No more skirting the issue: Women in the Landscape Expect the discussions to tackle how issues like menopause and childcare are considered within the sector and how the landscape is levelling up in more ways than one.

• Quest for the Best: The Great Paving Debate From the popularity of porcelain and sustainability, to best installation methods, tools and materials, the panel will tackle the biggest issues in paving.

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LY N N E M A R C U S THE ELEPHANTS IN THE GARDEN

ARTIFICIAL GRASS IS DAMAGING TOO MUCH FOR US AS AN INDUSTRY TO STILL BE PROMOTING IT, LYNNE MARCUS ARGUES

T

here I was, at the BALI Awards, just a couple of weeks after COP26 with the overwhelming shadows of apocalyptic climate change, the horror of the 6th Mass Extinction and imminent doom we are leaving behind. Surely, at least in this industry we have a really important part to play in this (a mantra I comforted myself with).

My first conversation was about the recent debate on sustainability at FutureScape, where I’d found myself on the panel, and which inevitably turned to artificial grass. I was told that in response to questions on sustainability and the use of plastics in the landscape, one artificial grass supplier always says, ‘get a life’.

My question is, which life? Soil life?

A thousand years of soil generated is lost in installing plastic grass. Insect life? It’s a dead zone for insects. Bird life? There’s no soil life and no insects, so no birds. Animal life?

It’s a no-go zone for endangered mammals. Aquatic life? Plastic particles degrade, particularly when hot, penetrating the drainage/ groundwater systems, poisoning aquatic life.

Supported by Sir David Attenborough, The Government Biodiversity Report 2021 shows that the UK has one of the worst biodiversity records in the world, so we clearly don’t seem to care much about that sort of life, so in search of ‘getting a life’ then presumably the supplier meant human life, even though this view is a threat to human life itself?

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Lynne Marcus.indd 29

Where do humans come into this? Fossil fuels are used to make plastic grass, then to transport it and then once laid, the air above scalding summer plastic lawns heats, rises and contributes to a warming climate. More than 50% of rainfall runs straight off plastic grass (more off

IT HAS ALWAYS SHOCKED ME THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE AWARE OF THE DAMAGE OF PLASTIC BAGS DON’T MENTALLY EXTRAPOLATE THIS INTO THE IMPACT OF COVERING THEIR ENTIRE GARDEN SPACE WITH PLASTIC the most expensive lines) whereas a living lawn absorbs almost every drop. Climate change is bringing increasingly intense bursts of rainfall to the UK, with tropical-style downpours become commonplace during the summer leading to flash flooding, especially in urban areas.

So, assuming we don’t drown, then the thing we seem to value most – the value of our houses, is in jeopardy. This study was undertaken by Dr Francis (Kings College, London) published in ‘Urban Forestry and Urban Greening’ inspiring further studies of fake grass regarding microplastics, overheating and soil health.

For years suppliers have been able to grow their market with impunity, with some companies seeing as much as a 60% growth in sales just since the first COVID-19 lockdown!

It has always shocked me that people who are aware of the damage of plastic bags don’t mentally extrapolate this into the impact of covering their entire garden space with plastic.

Springwatch’s Chris Packham described fake grass as the ‘horticultural antichrist’ and those who bought it as ‘idiots’. Yet we cannot entirely blame the public, when all the professional associations and the main charity representing horticulture and land-based industries (except the Society of Garden Designers, I say proudly) still accept advertising, sponsorship and exhibition income from plastic grass suppliers, who are permitted to market at shows up and down the country. No wonder the public perceives this as acceptable when our industry is complicit.

This isn’t the only elephant in the garden is it? It may be at the top the horticultural pyramid of fossil fuel folly, but surely we can comfort ourselves with counting up the number of trees we plant as the passport through the ‘eye of the needle’ to the garden of heaven? Until we add up the kilos of carbon spent flying to the nursery to choose the tree, then to utilise a truck, ship, crane, telehandler, forklift truck and digger and for just one specimen tree.

A BOU T LY NNE MARCUS MSGD, CHAIR OF THE SOCIETY OF GARDEN DESIGNERS

Lynne Marcus has been designing gardens since 1997 having trained under Professor David Stevens FSGD. Her award-winning portfolio includes contemporary, traditional, formal and naturalistic gardens recognisable for their innovative use of space, strong, pared-down layout and the sensitive integration of natural materials and planting. Lynne has also been Chair of the SGD since September 2020.

www.sgd.org.uk

Pro Landscaper / February 2022 29

20/01/2022 11:26

INFORM

T H O M AS O’ M A H O N Y CREATING AN INDUSTRY FOR EVERYONE

THOMAS O’MAHONY DISCUSSES EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, AND WHAT THE INDUSTRY NEEDS TO DO TO IMPROVE IT

F

ollowing on from BALI’s Access All Areas panel discussion in December last year, it’s clear that there is a still great deal of work for businesses and the wider industry to do to improve equality, diversity and inclusion. The panel, hosted by Adrian Wickham and Paul Downer, shared their experiences and explored some of the barriers that both those within and those looking to enter industry are confronted with.

As a business, Maylim faces the same challenges as most in attracting a diverse pool of candidates to the range of roles we offer.

That is said in recognition of the fact that many of the barriers are linked to the long-standing stereotypes of the industry. Unfortunately, we don’t have the answers and, as of yet, there is no instant fix.

The EDI statistics vary across the built environment and horticultural sector and, fundamentally, each have their own challenges.

As an industry, faced with significant skills

shortages at all levels, we need to send a strong message that construction is a viable and attractive career choice for individuals from all backgrounds. The built environment is for everyone and the more inclusive and diverse the industry can become, the more it will support the needs of our communities. There has never been a more important time for the industry to make diversity and inclusion a priority.

Currently the construction industry remains male-dominated across the world. The main

30 Pro Landscaper / February 2022

Thomas OMahony.indd 30

areas of concern over recent years focus on improving EDI for women, individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with a disability and the LGBTQ+ community.

Currently within the industry: • Women make up 15% of the UK construction industry, with approximately 2% working on-site • Employees from an ethnic minority background make up 6% of the workforce • Employees with a disability also make up 6% of the workforce • 60% of LGBTQ+ employees have experienced homophobic and derogatory terms at work.

Whilst in some ways the industry is more open than it has ever traditionally been, the actual representation of minority groups in the industry’s workforce still remains low. With a large proportion of the industry made up of white males, there is a significant risk of unconscious bias in decision making. In the status-quo our industry will fall behind with innovation and different viewpoints, which a diverse workforce promotes.

The report Equality and Diversity: Good Practice for the Construction Sector, notes four major advantages of implementing good equality and diversity best practice. These benefits are: • Improved staff retention • A wider pool of talent available to the industry from under-represented groups • A more diverse supply chain with better support for small business •Improved on-site working relationships based on respect for everyone’s differences.

I believe that education is key to improving awareness within the industry – not just of the current imbalance but of the benefits that a diverse workforce lends. Once equipped with more knowledge, this must then translate into positive action. Acknowledging and accepting that your workforce might be lacking in diversity

is simply an opportunity to reflect and set targets to make improvements.

At Maylim, we are aware that there are areas where we must do better. Our first step is to address our own equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are exploring ways to encourage pursuing a career in the industry, and prioritising initiatives that create opportunities for groups that have felt unwelcome. This could contribute to addressing the skills shortage and recruitment needs. It is vital that this doesn’t become a box ticking exercise. In order to benefit all involved, it will need progressive, positive policies and behaviours with real care and commitment behind them.

If the industry is to realise its ambitions to become more inclusive and diverse change needs to begin with leadership, including that of our trade bodies. After all, an industry is only as good as its people.

ABOUT THOMAS O’MAHONY Thomas O’Mahony is managing director of Maylim, a BALI Grand Award-winning organisation, specialising in high-quality external works and landscaping schemes. Originally from a civilengineering background, Tom has over 30 years’ experience across a diverse range of landscaping, infrastructure and urban regeneration projects.

www.maylim.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/01/2022 10:51

INFORM

ANDREW WILSON SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?

ANDREW WILSON PONDERS THE ART OF GROWING OLD AND WHETHER RETIREMENT IS ON THE CARDS

M

y father retired at the grand old age of 54. I remember feeling envious at the time and thinking that I would do the same. I was getting married at 25 with a whole career ahead of me so it seemed like a goal. That decision gave my dad 36 years of retirement, the majority of them shared with my mother – the chance to do as they pleased and to enjoy the lives of their children and grandchildren.

At 25 that point in time seemed very distant – in July I’ll be 63!

Dad worked for ICI and had a pretty fab pension, but times have changed significantly since then. I have mainly been self employed and what is more, I’m a designer.

I don’t mean that in a pompous way but being self employed and creative are two factors that

seem to make life more difficult when it comes to calling it a day.

Traditionally designers say that they do their best work when older, that perhaps there is always that last tantalising commission to stretch the brain cells or deliver a new opportunity. Sarah Eberle subscribes to this school of thought, still going strong, still pulling show gardens out of the hat and seemingly determined to keep going.

I THINK THE KEY IS TO BE SELF-AWARE, TO LISTEN TO YOURSELF AND TO THOSE CLOSE TO YOU AND TO STRIKE A BALANCE For my own part I remain busy both designing and teaching which for the short-term is fine, but what about the longer term? I love my work and I love the profession within which I work but I am also aware that there is more to life than work, especially when my wife has already retired and we have two grandchildren to enjoy. But my big question is does that creative urge continue or do I put that to bed when I call it a day?

I suppose the answer is to slow down gradually or to cherry pick but does that creativity slow down too? Several years ago, Ian Humby, my go to surveyor for garden surveys and teaching took me by surprise when he suddenly packed up his kit and stopped. I admired his self-will and decisiveness when I tried to lure him back to teaching –

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Andrew Wilson.indd 31

he was vehement in his response which was a firm no.

Creatively I can paint, draw, take up photography, sing, ride my motorbike, travel again once COVID-19 is vanquished, care for my garden – so life may well be full but the garden design and teaching stir a passion (and the writing) that is not easy to lay down.

I have worked with several people who have been unable or unwilling to stop and I’m unwilling to take that route into my dotage – trying or perhaps even forgetting to stay relevant. I admire the sportsman or woman who knows when to call it a day – perhaps that is more to do with physical stamina, but I could apply the same rule to mental stamina.

So far, I’m still more than happy to throw off the duvet and get to work, (my current students will be happy to read that) still happy to devote time to new projects, still delighted to be winning awards with the amazing Mr McWilliam.

Don’t worry, there’s life in the old dog yet.

After or upon graduation, my students often refer to my teaching as inspirational and I have always thought that when that accolade stops then so will I. I think the key is to be self-aware, to listen to yourself and to those close to you and to strike a balance. Watch this space.

Pictured: Benjamin and me: becoming a grandfather puts a different perspective on life. Ethan, grandson number two, arrived in December.

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

Pro Landscaper / February 2022 31

19/01/2022 18:52

INFORM

CHRIS CHURCHMAN DON’T GO WILD

REWILDING IS NECESSARY, BUT NOT AT THE COST OF REPLACING FARMLAND, SAYS CHRIS CHURCHMAN

T

he government is finally investing in our landscape, or so it says –

announcements about funding for rewilding enjoyed headline exposure in January. Is this really the Conservative Party finally showing true commitment to the environment? Or is this just another of Boris’s vanity projects, another attempt to appease Carrie Symonds?

Of course, the Landscape Recovery programme is small beer; just 10,000ha at the cost of £800m per annum, one of three new funding streams for farmers aimed at restoring biodiversity and a replacement for the subsidies of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. While certainly a step in the right direction, this is hardly enough to transform the UK’s natural capital. The £2.5bn on offer to farmers is a fraction of the central government funding for roads, buildings and, of course, the NHS. Even HS2 will cost 30 times as much. The eventual ambition to rewild an area equivalent to Lancashire, while sounding impressive, would still leave an area equivalent to the other 26

counties unchanged. This Landscape Recovery initiative is not aimed at small tenant farmers, nor at saving the planet; it is meant for Lord and Lady Landowner as public money to fund their whimsical approach to countryside stewardship.

But there is a bigger and more significant question we must ask ourselves: Is rewilding on

32 Pro Landscaper / February 2022

a vast scale what we all really desire? No one doubts its value, particularly if it replaces

his acolytes are already successfully delivering improved agriculture alongside returning

marginal farming that has only been propped up for the last 50 years by the perverse economics of the Common Agricultural policy.

The concept of wilding is very dubious, though, when applied to highly fertile land.

This cessation of farming activities will undoubtedly come at a cost. The complex mosaic of fields, hedges and woodlands that still covers most of this country is as British as

wildlife. The Matterdale valley which James

IT IS ABSURD TO SUGGEST THAT THE ONLY WAY TO DELIVER GREATER LEVELS OF BIODIVERSITY IS TO STOP FARMING fish and chips, James Bond, The Beatles and the Queen. It is deeply embedded in who we are as a nation, reflected in our music and literature. William Blake’s Jerusalem rails against the destruction of our green and pleasant land; AA Milne could never have written Winnie the Pooh without the 100-acre wood. Those much-loved wild landscapes of the fells and moors exist because someone manages them, and something grazes them.

It is absurd to suggest that the only way to deliver greater levels of biodiversity is to stop farming. Until agriculture was industrialised after World War II, farmers and wildlife happily coexisted, and still do in some parts of Britain.

The environmentally conscious members of the farming community led by James Rebanks and

farms looks the way it looks because he puts sheep in it; take away his sheep and that quintessential character will disappear.

Moreover, we won’t enjoy the same access, nor will the rest of the Lakeland Fells, Dartmoor or the Cairngorms.

Do we want to sacrifice national treasures so that we can reintroduce bison and beavers?

The right answer is to have both farming and rewilding, but this does need a considered plan, not just a headline.

Views expressed in the content are the personal views of the content creator,

ABOUT CHRIS CHURCHMAN Chris is a landscape architect with 50 years in the profession. His work at Elephant Park National Maritime Museum and Birmingham Green Heart is widely respected. Chris mixes design creativity with a passion for science. Work related to pollution mitigation has led to a wider understanding of the benefit of green infrastructure. Advocacy on climate change is now his focus, posting thought pieces to social media. Chris seeks to drive down wasteful greenfield development by raising awareness of our most valuable natural asset – soil.

www.churchmanthornhillfinch.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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20/01/2022 12:56

INFORM

K AT I E F L A X M A N TAKING BACK CPD

KATIE FLAXMAN URGES US TO TAKE BACK CPD AND UTILISE IT TO EXPAND NOT ONLY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE, BUT BUSINESS TOO

C

PD (Continuing Professional Development). How do you feel about it? Does the very mention make you inwardly groan, or does it feel like an opportunity? My guess is increasingly the former is true, particularly for those working in very busy or very small practices. It’s easy for the day to day to take over, and for CPD to slip down the priority list.

It’s easy to log onto a webinar and have it open on one screen whilst doing your day-to-day work in another and to consider that a box ticked on your Landscape Institute CPD log.

But what if we took back CPD? Claimed it back as our own. Reminded ourselves that it’s more than webinars on health and safety and instead an opportunity to take control of our careers. It’s a way of expanding our knowledge, learning new skills, networking, trying something new and carving out a niche in a practice.

A member of our team has for the past 18 months been training as an arboriculturist. He showed a keen interest in trees and wanted to not only develop his own career, but his training offered our practice the opportunity to diversify further into arboriculture. He presented a good rationale for his own, our practice and wider industry development and made it a simple decision to support him.

A move to online training has opened huge opportunity to learn from a far more diverse

34 Pro Landscaper / February 2022

Katie Flaxman.indd 34

range of perspectives on a much more diverse range of topics.

It’s literally made the world smaller and increased accessibility to knowledge from both a physical and financial perspective.

We are no longer limited to our local pool of people or long train rides to London. We can seek out what we want to learn and who from more easily than we ever have been able to before.

IT’S A WAY OF EXPANDING OUR KNOWLEDGE, LEARNING NEW SKILLS, NETWORKING, TRYING SOMETHING NEW AND CARVING OUT A NICHE IN A PRACTICE Of course, this remote learning has also come with downsides too. For those of us who learn best away from the office and through connecting face to face, the lack of face-toface training has been challenging. Those opportunities are opening again now though, and some of them in fairly radical and exciting new ways.

We need to think in new ways about CPD, it doesn’t have to be reserved for learning the latest technology or updating your compulsory training modules. Imagine, for example, you work for a practice with international offices, and you’d like to travel or work abroad, could you learn a new language? Could you then take your existing skills to that office and expand

their team whilst opening the door for others to reciprocate? Imagine you are fuelled by the work you do in your practice but have ideas about the ways it’s marketing or media could be improved to better reflect this. Could you learn

skills in marketing and utilise your existing design skills for the betterment of your practice, colleagues, and the industry? Are you glued to a computer but desperate to use your hands more creatively? Could you enrol in a sketching or drawing course? Could that bring a new dimension to your practice’s design work?

Financial year ends are coming to a close this month and this usually gives way to a new pocket of money for practices to spend on CPD. Now’s the moment to take a look at what you or your practice is missing. What space can you breathe into and expand? Find the answer, learn how it will help you, your colleagues and/or the wider industry and then… present your case.

You might just find the answer is yes.

A B O U T K AT I E F L A X M A N Katie Flaxman is co-founder and director of Studio 31 Landscape Architects. Studio 31 is an awardwinning, adventurous and environmentally conscious landscape architecture practice working across the residential, public realm and health sectors.

www.designstudio31.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/01/2022 10:40

INFORM

C H R I STO P H E R M A RT I N ON PUBLIC ART

PUBLIC ART IS MORE THAN A NICE-TO-HAVE, AS CHRISTOPHER MARTIN EXPLAINS

J

anuary is often cited as the most depressing month of the year; however, as my birthday lands in this great month, I feel like we all need a little optimism bomb for February. This is why this month I want to talk about art. Some people think art is not for them, but as the great man said, the purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls, and we all need a bit of that.

Public art is freely accessible to everyone. At its best, it reflects society and can strengthen sense of place by telling local stories and responding to the spaces around it, and the activities that consume it. Public art is a communal activity; it brings people together as a point of triangulation, and it can reach a wide variety of people – connecting people to their past, present and future. It can be engaging, inspiring and, importantly, challenging – and it can help stimulate conversation between strangers and diverse ranges of individuals and groups.

FROM THE INTERACTIVE...

Traditionally, public art was permanent.

Monuments, memorials, civic statues and sculptures commemorating or celebrating historic people and events. More recently the scope of public art has expanded to include more transient activities such as performance, dance, theatre, and installations. Street art, including murals and graffiti, whether permanent or temporary, embrace political themes and protest, adding voices, energy and interest to the public realm and to civic debate.

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Christopher Martin.indd 35

Not only this – art provides benefits for people in terms of education, health and wellbeing. The conditions in which we are born, grow, work, live and age have a profound effect on our health and

ART IN THE PUBLIC REALM IS TRANSFORMATIVE. IT CARVES THROUGH THE NOISE OF LIFE, WASHES THE DUST OFF OUR SOULS, AND CONTRIBUTES REAL MEANING wellbeing. Engaging with art and culture can have a positive impact on social determinants improving health, wellbeing and quality of life for people of all ages, and there is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates the benefits employing art and culture can have in helping people stay healthy, recover faster, manage long-term conditions and experience a better quality of life.

The ability we have as the designers of public spaces, the platforms of public life, is the creation of public spaces that enliven the mind, body and spirit – whilst making monumentally enjoyable ...THROUGH THE PLAYFUL...

places to spend our lives. Poor quality built environments have a damaging effect upon people’s health and wellbeing, and 85% of people in England agree that the quality of ...TO THE MONUMENTAL: ART ADDS A SMILE

the built environment influences the way they feel. This is why integrating art and culture into street and public realm design helps improve people’s health and wellbeing and delivers healthier and more fun places for people.

Art in the public realm is transformative.

It carves through the noise of life, washes the dust off our souls, and contributes real meaning.

The next time you’re designing that park, a street, a public space or new building, ensure there’s a moment for public art and connect the dots with cultural strategy. Drop some optimism bombs to get people through the greyer months.

A BOU T C H RISTOP HER MARTIN Christopher is an influential urban designer and planner working all over the globe to help communities improve their public spaces; as well as supporting cities and governments to develop strategy, change policies, and make great places possible. He is co-founder and director of Urban Strategy at Urban Movement; a trustee of the UK charity for everyday walking – Living Streets; vice chair of the UK Urban Design Group; and is a member of the United Nations Planning and Climate Action Group.

www.urbanmovement.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / February 2022 35

20/01/2022 10:37

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20/01/2022 12:57

IQ

I

n this issue of the UK Landscaper Barometer, we are focused on the trading month of November 2021. With autumn drawing to a close, it was one month until Christmas. For many, money was being spent on shopping and festivities, and so naturally, the industry may have felt quieter as work was put on hold. One participant mentioned: “Towards the end of November clients started saying they would think about moving things forward after Christmas.”

Unfortunately, November coincided with the UK being hit with the Omicron variant and the impact of this news is something that could easily have had an effect on confidence levels as fear for what the new variant could bring grew.

As an industry, at this point, we are all aware of what the next few months could hold.

However, in a recent report released by the ONS, November saw a month-on-month increase of 3.5% in construction output which presented the largest monthly rise in construction output growth since March 2021. One participant mentioned: “We are doing just as well as we were last year, but we must not forget we all experienced a huge annual jump in demand last year. So, doing the same as we achieved last year is no bad thing at all.”

If you would like the full report or would like to contribute to the UK Landscape Barometer moving forward, please send an email to Gemma Lloyd on gemma.lloyd@eljays44.com or call on 01903 777 594. Please note that all statistics are based on those surveyed and compare November 2021 to November 2020.

NATIONAL TURNOVER 20%

Higher Equal

15% 65%

Lower

PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS MORE CONFIDENT COMPARED TO LAST MONTH 100%

2022

90%

2021

80%

2020

70% 60% 50% 40% 30%

ENQUIRIES

20% 10%

43%

36%

Higher

0%

Jan

Equal

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

STAFF

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

CONVERSION

Lower 18%

21%

27%

Higher Equal

PROJECTS

Lower 36%

36%

Higher Equal Lower

28%

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

UK Landscape Barometer.indd 39

21%

Higher 50%

29%

Equal Lower

55%

Enquiries represented a significant change on previous months, with the highest percentage decrease (43%) ever recorded under enquiries since the start of the barometer. Participants explained customers are “taking longer to make decisions,” but there is said to be more negotiation.

Nevertheless, 65% saw an increase in turnover, and confidence increased by 5%, perhaps due to conversion rates remaining positive, with 50% seeing an increase and 29% remaining static.

Pro Landscaper / February 2022 39

20/01/2022 14:32

IQ

CONVERSION

TURNOVER

ENQUIRIES

THE SOUTH

THE SOUTH

THE SOUTH

THE MIDLANDS

THE MIDLANDS

THE MIDLANDS

SCOTLAND AND THE NORTH

SCOTLAND AND THE NORTH

SCOTLAND AND THE NORTH

GARDEN DESIGN

GARDEN DESIGN

GARDEN DESIGN

DESIGN AND BUILD

DESIGN AND BUILD

DESIGN AND BUILD

COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING

COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING

COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING

DOMESTIC LANDSCAPING

DOMESTIC LANDSCAPING

DOMESTIC LANDSCAPING

0%

20%

40%

More

60%

80% 100%

Equal

0%

40%

Higher

Less

PROJECTS

20%

60%

Equal

80% 100% Lower

YEAR ON YEAR

THE SOUTH

ENQUIRIES THE MIDLANDS NOV 2021

SCOTLAND AND THE NORTH NOV 2020

0%

GARDEN DESIGN

20%

40%

60%

80% 100%

Higher DESIGN AND BUILD

TURNOVER

COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING

DOMESTIC LANDSCAPING

0%

20% More

40%

60%

Equal

80% 100% Less

40 Pro Landscaper / February 2022

UK Landscape Barometer.indd 40

NOV 2021

NOV 2020

0%

20% More

40%

60%

80% 100%

0%

20% Higher

40%

60%

Equal

80% 100% Lower

Design and build companies appear to have experienced a difficult month, with 100% of respondents reporting a decrease projects and enquiry rates. However, a significant 83% of commercial landscapers saw an increase in their conversion rates, and 100% reported increase in turnover too.

Projects and enquiries have been quiet in Scotland and the North, with no respondents reporting increases. However, the number of those experiencing an increase in turnover in the South was high, with 90% reporting a rise.

The difference between the years is minor, particularly under turnover. This is positive however, as it suggests the boom of last year remains similar – with enquiries this year being even higher.

Interested to see an in-depth analysis or find out what the confidence and staff statistics look like? Please email gemma.lloyd@eljays44.com or visit the Pro Landscaper website to download the full report.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/01/2022 14:33

IQ

NURSERIES

ON AVERAGE

In terms of the quantifiable data, nurseries experienced a good month with 67% of participants reporting an increase in their turnover and quotes. With this in mind, it could be disappointing to see that only 33% of nurseries were feeling more confident. This low level could be due to growing fear for the possible effects Omicron could cause in the near future, and one participant mentioned supply is still an issue too as “stock is tight and could be up until mid-spring.”

National turnover increased by

CONFIDENCE

TURNOVER

33%

33%

More Equal

67%

Higher 67%

Equal

18% Conversion rates rose by

2%

Project commencing time for domestic landscapers was

THREE MONTHS Enquires increased by

15% 11%

INCREASED BY 26%

Enquires for commercial landscapers

QUOTES 33%

Equal

67%

Nurseries saw an increase of

33% 23% 11% 23% Turnover for nurseries saw an increase of

Higher

Projects increased by

Turnover for soil suppliers decreased by

in quotes

Enquiries rose by

SOIL Approximately 50% of soil suppliers are feeling similar levels of confidence compared to last year. Despite this, increases are still apparent, with 50% experiencing a higher turnover and 50% experiencing a higher number of quotes too.

Anecdotal evidence from soil suppliers suggests the industry is looking forward to 2022, one supplier commented: “We’re wasting no time in moving forward with projects and forward planning, despite COVID-19 interruptions. The industry is buzzing and looking at another big year.”

CONFIDENCE

50%

50%

Equal

50%

50%

QUOTES

50%

50%

Higher Equal

60% 30% STAFF LEVELS for design and build companies

TURNOVER

More

Turnover for Projects for domestic design and build landscapers companies increased by decreased by

Higher Equal

REMAINED STATIC

Turnover for commercial landscapers increased by

Garden designers saw a decrease of

for garden designers

Projects for domestic landscapers increased by

33%

Enquiries for design and build companies increased by

4% 26% 26% in turnover

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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20/01/2022 14:34

The official job board of Pro Landscaper magazine

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Advertise your job on horticulture careers for free!

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F

irst, the bad news. The annual BCLive league table for 2021 was down around £8bn on the previous 12 months, coming in at £75.8bn. But the good news is that the figures for 2020 were skewed somewhat by around £12bn of HS2-related work that was awarded at the end of the year.

Furthermore, even though December is traditionally a quiet month that is greatly curtailed by the festive holidays, December 2021 still delivered £4.4bn in new contract awards, above the established £4bn monthly benchmark. In addition, the statistics for the final month of 2021 show an encouraging geographic spread of forthcoming workload.

One of the largest new contract awards secured during the month was won by BAM; a £250m mixed use development at Gateshead Quays on the south bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead. That development will include an indoor arena and exhibition

DESPITE THE MONTH BEING SHORTENED BY MORE THAN A WEEK DUE TO THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, 11 COMPANIES PICKED UP OVER £100M IN CONTRACT AWARDS, FURTHER REINFORCING DECEMBER’S POSITIVITY space, public realms, and hotel, leisure and residential space. It had been previously reported that this contract had been secured

by Sir Robert McAlpine. The client is Ask Property Developments.

Also flying high during December 2021 was Hill Partnership, which won three new housing contract awards during the month that together were worth £187.7m. The largest of these is a £95m project to create 547 new dwellings as part of the Marleigh Phase 1 development in Cambridge. In addition to the new housing, that project also includes a new primary school, a nursery, a market square and a new community centre.

Claiming fifth position on the BCLive league table and simultaneously regaining the crown for the most projects in the month

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Neil Edwards.indd 43

IQ

ENDING ON A HIGH

ANNUAL FIGURES FROM THE BCLIVE LEAGUE TABLE FOR 2021 WERE DOWN ON THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND FELL SHORT OF THE £90BN THAT HAD BEEN PREDICTED. BUT THE TABLE ENDED ON A HIGH, SENDING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY INTO THE NEW YEAR WITH ITS TAIL UP. NEIL EDWARDS REFLECTS ON A SURPRISINGLY UPBEAT MONTH...

was Morgan Sindall. The company picked up a creditable 18 new contract awards during the month worth a combined £152.3m. The largest of these was picked up by group company Lovell Partnerships; a £43m housing new build for client Norfolk County Council on a site at Bowlers Green in Hopton.

Landscaping companies in and around Sussex will also be monitoring a £90m housing new build contract awarded to Cala Homes (South Home Counties) for a site close to the village of Angmering. In addition to providing 525 new homes, that project calls for the creation of commercial spaces, gardens and a play area.

supreme in the regional run-down, netting 82 new contract awards worth a combined £776m.

The North West (£644m) and the North (£549m) enjoyed upbeats months, while the West Midlands (£201m) and East Midlands (£138m) were down on recent highs. Scotland reported 22 new projects valued at £340m to end the year on a high while Wales continues to languish, serving up £71m split across just 13 new contract awards.

Of course, while 2021 is now at an end, 2022 begins with a hangover. The construction sector still faces the triple threat of skills shortages as well as both materials and fuel price hikes; however, £4.4bn in a short month in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic still feels like something akin to a Christmas miracle.

A B O U T N E I L E DWA R D S

Despite the month being shortened by more than a week due to the Christmas holidays, 11 companies picked up over £100m in contract awards, further reinforcing December’s positivity.

Although it failed to pass the £1bn mark for the first time in a long while, London reigned

Neil Edwards is CEO of Builders’ Conference, the construction industry’s leading trade body. It provides its members to sales leads and market intelligence, as well as statistical data and networking opportunities. BCLive is a real-time league table of construction contract award activity. Operated by the Builders’ Conference, the BCLive league table monitors more than 6,000 new contract awards each year with a combined value of over £80bn. www.buildersconference.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / February 2022 43

20/01/2022 11:19

The power to colour green VA N D E N B E R K T R E E S I N T H E U K

SQP Level 56

Green Quarter Southall

Van den Berk Nurseries specialises in medium to very large sized trees and shrubs. With around 450 hectares and a range of 1600 species and cultivars, we are one of the largest nurseries in Europe. The trees end up in assorted locations such as city centres, business premises, parks and private gardens.

London City Island

Rathbone Square

South Quay Plaza

S I N T- O E D E N R O D E THE NETHERLANDS

This process involves our working closely with landscape architects, landscape contracters, greenery managers and garden designers, enabling us jointly to complete the most successful greenery projects, and that is a source of great pride for us!

UK LIMITED MIRFIELD UNITED KINGDOM W W W.V D B E R K . C O .U K

Advert Template PL.indd 15

20/01/2022 15:38

INSPIRE

PORTFOLIO 2 CAROL BRIDGES GARDEN DESIGN

P52

I N S I D E I N S P I R E T H I S M O N T H PAG E 4 6 P O RT FO L I O 1 : N AO L A N D S CA P ES LT D, PAG E 5 2 P O RT FO L I O 2 : CA R O L B R I D G ES G A R D E N D ES I G N , PAG E 57 P L BA W I N N E R P R O F I L E : L A N D S CA P I A , PAG E 5 8 P L BA W I N N E R P R O F I L E : AC R E L A N D S CA P ES LT D, PAG E 59 N E I L PA R S LOW: B R I G H T I D E AS , PA G E 6 0 T O P T I P S F O R G A R D E N L I G H T I N G , PA G E 6 1 B E H I N D T H E S C R E E N S Inspire Cover-2.indd 45

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B I R D’ S EYE VIEW S O U T H Q U AY PLAZA LEVEL 56 RO O F T E R RAC E N AO L A N DSCA P ES LT D

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how stopping was the name of the game when it came to this roof garden.

At approximately 300m2, perched on the 56th floor – one of the highest roof gardens in the UK – in the heart of Canary Wharf, it already held striking possibilities. NAO Landscapes Ltd was awarded the contract for the hard and soft landscaping. Its specification? Simply to use the best quality materials and highest level of attention to detail possible.

1 Seating area with expanding views next to planting on roof garden

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20/01/2022 12:12

INSPIRE

PROJECT D E TA I L S Project value £642,667 (excl. VAT) Build time 6 months Size of project 300sqm on the 56th floor Designer HTA Design LLP The HTA Design LLP scheme was designed by senior landscape architect Natalia Roussou Contractor Berkeley Homes Awards BALI 2021 Award Commercial Roof Garden or Podium Landscaping – Over £500K

“At approximately 300m2, perched on the 56th floor – one of the highest roof gardens in the UK – in the heart of Canary Wharf” www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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“The space has been created to maximize the impressive views over London, giving residents of this new apartment building a relaxing communal space”

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20/01/2022 12:14

INSPIRE

Design and build Though it wasn’t part of the design process, NAO was heavily involved in the finally touches.

Mostly, though, NAO was responsible for the installation of floor drains; insulation; granite planters; granite paving on pedestals; external lighting; green wall system; irrigation system; subsoil and topsoil; tree installation; and planting.

The space has been created to maximise the impressive views over London, giving residents of this new apartment building a communal relaxing space, designed to bring a touch of urban oasis, with lush seasonal planting and large areas of hard landscaping with granite paving to allow space for luxurious seating.

A large majority of the area was paved using Namaka Granite supplied by Marshalls, laid on

pedestals supplied by Buzon for a smooth and perfectly laid feature finish. Large planters were also built using the same granite with detailed lighting for a spectacular evening effect.

Soft landscaping The main soft landscaping features are a green wall of around 26m2 and several large Namaka granite planters. Planted in these are established Amelanchier trees and soft multi seasonal plants including lavender, hebe, echinacea, agapanthus, geranium, alliums, salvias and strantia.

2 3 4 5

Large paved areas with stunning city views Led strip lighting on granite planters Cantilevered granite coping Raised planters doubling as bar areas

Installed by NAO Landscapes NAO Landscapes installed the following elements within this scheme:

• Floor drain • Insulation • Granite planters • Granite Paving on pedestals • External lighting

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• Green wall system • Irrigation system • Subsoil and topsoil • Tree installation • Planting

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INSPIRE

The large green wall, built by ANSGlobal using its green wall system, featured a mix of green wall appropriate textured plants and grasses. The end result for the planting is a palette that is both lush and vibrant.

Challenges The biggest challenge for NAO is probably not too surprising – its incredible height. Not only was getting materials up to the 56th floor a hard task but managing a procurement of internationally sourced elements and complicated delivery schedule took significant organising.

All materials delivered to site were unloaded and lifted to the 56th level using the onsite crane

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and NAO trained slinger. On some occasions NAO had to lift and store some materials/pallets of stone on the 68th roof (the top of the tower) to use as a storage area as there was no space available on the ground floor. When the material was required, NAO would lift from the 68th floor down to the 56th. This made the arrival of trees a real test to the determination and skill of its team.

Working at this kind of height also naturally meant wind restrictions – something which proved tricky in an already pretty windy and exposed spot.

6 Dining areas with a dramatic backdrop 7 Green walls and soft seasonal planting 8 Multi-stem Amelanchier trees

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/01/2022 12:18

INSPIRE

ABOUT NAO LANDSCAPES LTD NAO Landscapes LTD is a young landscaping construction firm growing rapidly. Starting just five years ago in September 2016, it has proudly won numerous landscaping contracts for commercial developers. Founded by Nick Osman, who has over 15 years’ experience working for landscape construction firms in both London and his native Sydney, Australia. It has been a BALI registered contractor since April 2019 and won awards for the last three years. NAO Landscapes is particularly interested in hard landscaping challenges, roof gardens and terraces at height across London.

www.naolandscapes.co.uk

REFERENCES Green wall ANS Global www.ansgroupglobal.com Pedestal systems Buzon www.buzonuk.com

Trees Van den Berk Trees www.vdberk.co.uk Plants Palmstead www.palmstead.co.uk Photographs ©HTA Design and Nick Harrison, Saltwick Media: http://saltwickmedia.co.uk

“The biggest challenge for NAO is probably not too surprising – its incredible height”

Granite paving and planters Marshalls www.marshalls.co.uk

Topiary Smiths Nurseries www.smitsbv.nl Lighting Orlight www.orlight.com Lighting technician Wishbone Exteriro Lighting www.wishboneexteriorlighting.co.uk Irrigation Waterwise Solutions www.waterwisesolutions.co.uk Insulation and floor drainage IKO Group www.ikogroup.co.uk/ product-systems/roofing

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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B L E N D I N G I N TO

NATURE

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE CAROL BRIDGES GARDEN DESIGN

F

ar from creating a ‘wow’ factor, the standout feature of the front and back garden of this 1820s property was actually the opposite – that instead of standing out, it blended into the age and character of the cottage as well as its rural location, as though it had always been there.

Design brief For the clients, one existing problem to be addressed within the design was gaining privacy from houses opposite.

There were also plenty of opportunities to add in more colour, interest, and planting too. A huge Leylandii hedge offered privacy but not much else, and the clients were keen to replace it with something more pleasing. Some form of boundary was also needed along front to prevent drivers mounting the verge as the cottage was set on a corner of a country lane.

The cottage looks south-west across fields with beautiful views but the ground, particularly at the front, had been decimated following the extension and interior works. The cottage was set on a mound with unsightly steps from the drive and a little gravel/mud left to park on. Alongside the enormous Leylandii hedge, posts and gates were falling apart, as was the front entrance porch. It needed two means of access – one from the driveway and one from the road to the front door. An old garage was removed to create extra parking space below for up to four cars.

Build Materials were chosen in order to fit in with the age of the Grade II listed cottage. The main part of the budget was spent on good quality reclaimed Yorkstone for the front and 1 Woven raised chestnut fence 2 Yorkstone terrace sunset view 3 Reclaimed retaining sleepers, Yorkstone front

52 Pro Landscaper / February 2022

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20/01/2022 11:58

“The cottage looks south-west across fields with beautiful views.

Carol Bridges Garden Design wanted to make the most of this eyeline in the terrace positioning and planting”

INSPIRE

PROJECT D E TA I L S Project value £50k • Front: £29 437.50 • Rear: £25,000 Build time 8 weeks over a period of 4 months Size of project Front garden: 8 x 15m, Rear garden: 15 x 10m Contractor Legacy Property Solutions

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INSPIRE rear terrace with an aged patina – which should never be jet washed.

The driveway and front garden needed reconfiguring and retaining, and Carol Bridges Garden Design kept the costs down with an entrance of granite setts and a relatively inexpensive gravel surface.

The mound at the front of the house was disguised by shaping and stepping the area into various levels of paving and planting using reclaimed sleepers, especially requested by the client for their character.

The raised rectangular planter helped to soften the approach to the house from the road and is insect friendly which was important to the client.

The entrance porch was re-made by a carpenter using traditional techniques of mortise and tenon joints. Bespoke chestnut palisade fencing in varying heights along the front aims to prevent drivers from ruining the grass verge – fence panels were made of rustic woven chestnut too.

Lighting was repaired and added to with more traditional shades where possible.

My client was quite opinionated in plants that she liked and disliked.

Grasses were banned. She couldn’t bear them in any shape or form.

She liked my own form of naturalistic planting” CAROL BRIDGES

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/01/2022 12:02

INSPIRE Soft landscaping The cottage looks south-west across fields with beautiful views. Carol Bridges Garden Design wanted to make the most of this eyeline in the terrace positioning and planting.

The soil was clay, and the ground was in poor condition with some compaction following the extension and interior works so this needed some TLC. The soil had to be rotovated, dug over well, with nutrients added in the form of improved topsoil, decent compost and a mulch added after planting. Sustainability was considered in groundworks so that soil was

not taken offsite but levelled within other elements of the design at the front.

When choosing the planting palette, Carol Bridges had a lot of input from the client: “My client was quite opinionated in plants that she liked and disliked. Grasses were

4 5 6 7 8 9

DURING CONSTRUCTION

Alternative approach to house, old gate and new porch Smaller container planting adds character Primula auricula in stone trough View over fields, tiny summerhouse for two Glen working hard during build Raised brimming planter, bespoke palisade fence

THE COMPLETED FRONT GARDEN

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banned. She couldn’t bear them in any shape or form. She liked my own form of naturalistic planting.”

In the front garden, Allium ‘Summer Beauty’, Oenothera lindheimeri, Scabious, Chives, the pale pink Umbelliferae, Chaerophyllum hirsutum ‘Roseum’, and Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’ soften the space, alongside euphorbia, hellebores, brunnera and foxgloves for early spring, followed by Alchemilla mollis, salvias,

Astrantia ‘Moulin Rouge’, Erigeron, lavender and Agastache.

The planting at the rear had more height and form which included Eupatorium, fennel, Veronicastrum, Verbena, paeonies and angelica towards the rear of the borders so that when on the terrace, the clients are enclosed by planting.

This L-shaped bed made the view more colourful and interesting from the inside too, but allowed the clients to still appreciate the beautiful views and the sunset in the countryside beyond.

10 Surrounding taller terrace planting 11 Former approach from driveway

REFERENCES Contractor Legacy Property Solutions info@legacypropertysolutions.co.uk Reclaimed Yorkstone Abacus Stone Sales www.abacusstonesales.co.uk Sleepers/chestnut woven fencing Chart Fencing www.chartfencing.co.uk Chestnut palisades/porch Bespoke

A B O U T CA R O L B R I D G ES Carol Bridges has been designing gardens in the Surrey area (mostly) for the past 13 years, having re-trained at Merrist Wood after a career in television production. Every garden is unique in its circumstances and of the individual needs of those who live there. A more naturalistic planting approach is preferred by me where possible – nothing too neat and tidy.

Plants Jacksons Nurseries www.jacksonsnursery.co.uk Lighting Jim Lawrence www.jim-lawrence.co.uk Garden Trading www.gardentrading.co.uk

www.carolbridges.co.uk

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20/01/2022 11:56

INSPIRE LANDSCAPIA LTD WON THIS AWARD BY BEING A FORWARD-THINKING, PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS THAT’S NOT AFRAID TO INNOVATE

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or a relatively small company, Landscapia doesn’t necessarily operate like one – from the technology it has created, to its training skills matrix, to its vast number of high-quality projects.

The team of nine (which has since grown to 11 in 2022) completed between 50 and 60 projects in 2021, comprising 10 large projects and 40 to 50 small projects, but quantity hasn’t compromised quality. Before Landscapia even starts on a project, it offers the client a bespoke pre-project guide, collated based on customer experiences of its service including health and safety on site, storage, FAQs and more.

What’s more, once the project is completed Landscapia provides its customers with a bespoke aftercare guide which includes tips to help keep their garden looking great. And any feedback forms completed by customers afterwards are taken seriously, with many having led to the team making changes to the business, now part of standard practise.

It’s this feedback after all that helps a business to grow and improve, and it’s a process which Landscapia takes seriously when it comes to its staff, too. The company uses an industry specific skills training matrix system which allows managers, team leaders and all team members to be easily evaluated on their individual skill level. The skills matrix is comprised of five bands that contain six or seven specific techniques before an employee can progress to the next level. This also allows employees the opportunity to develop, with the banding for each section containing a minimum and maximum salary bracket to encourage growth and ensure fair pay.

“We are happy to employ people with little or no experience in the industry as long as they have the right attitude; we feel we can develop their skills and ensure that they can be trained

T HE P RO L A N DSCA PER BUSINESS AWARDS 2021 WINNER PROFILE

Landscapia Ltd

LANDSCAPING COMPANY UNDER £1M, SPONSORED BY CARIBBEAN BLINDS

correctly,” director Marc Lane tells us. “We employed two apprentices in 2018 and they have both completed qualifications to become full time junior landscapers. As a result of this success, we employed another apprentice in October 2020.”

WE ARE HAPPY TO EMPLOY PEOPLE WITH LITTLE OR NO EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE; WE FEEL WE CAN DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND ENSURE THAT THEY CAN BE TRAINED CORRECTLY External training is of equal importance to the company, regularly training for its design software requirements so it can continue to offer clients the best visualisation for their garden design project. But Landscapia has also created its own innovative technology. “We were struggling to find an off the shelf CRM system that provided us with what we needed,” Marc

explains. “We made the decision to recruit IT expertise that could not only help us custom build our own CRM system but give us the ability to expand this to other areas of the business.”

What started out as a central place where Landscapia could log customer information and keep track of interactions has grown into a business management platform where it can keep everything in one place. This includes invoices, sales enquiries, design plans, vehicle checks and automated specifications and calculating estimates and quotations.

Landscapia’s future goals are to grow its design, site and admin teams so that it can provide an increased design service. This would include its own in-house planting and maintenance team. The proactive and driven team also aims to be seen as the leading design and build company in the West Midlands. With an already respected name in its local area, we’re certain this isn’t far away.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR THE PRO LANDSCAPER BUSINESS AWARDS 2022 AT: WWW.PROLANDSCAPERBUSINESSAWARDS.COM

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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INSPIRE ACRE LANDSCAPES LTD IS A COMPANY MAKING A DIFFERENCE BOTH INTERNALLY, TO ENSURE IT’S A GOOD PLACE TO WORK, AND EXTERNALLY TO THE INDUSTRY, COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT

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hose who know Acre Landscapes won’t be surprised to read that the company is dedicated to the landscaping industry. For a start, its managing director Nigel Bowcock co-founded BALI’s GoLandscape, an initiative aimed at attracting the next generation of horticulturists and raising the profile of the industry. Through the initiative, ambassadors go into schools and promote the various career paths available.

Not stopping at simply attracting new entrants to the industry, Nigel also aims to ensure they are well trained. As vice chairman of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), Nigel and his team at Acre Landscapes pilot and assess the course content to check it meets standards.

Acre Landscapes itself has a strong focus on staff training and development. Alongside

in-house training and mentoring programmes, the Sussex-based company allocates funding for each employee to enrol on external training opportunities, such as those with training providers ROLO, CSCS and CPCS, CITB and the RHS. Individual goals and aspirations are agreed at every Performance Appraisal Review – ‘agreed’, as the employee works with their manager to set these targets, giving them autonomy and ownership over their own development, instilling passion and motivation.

Contracts manager Stuart Dunn, for instance, joined as a landscape operative in 2010. Having showed promise and enthusiasm, Stuart embarked on a fully funded training programme to become

T HE P RO L A N DSCA PER BUSINESS AWARDS 2021 WINNER PROFILE

ACRE LANDSCAPES LTD

LANDSCAPING COMPANY £1M-£5M, SPONSORED BY GREENBLUE URBAN

a contracts manager and is now qualified to teach colleagues and industry members.

An open-door policy at Acre Landscapes enables employees to share suggestions or concerns, and each member of the management team has received training t o promote health and wellbeing in the workplace, with Nigel himself a trained counsellor. Also, health and safety representatives chair quarterly meetings where employee feedback is shared and acted

THE COMPANY IS NOT JUST PART OF THE INDUSTRY BUT IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING AND PROMOTING IT TOO upon. Thanks to this focus, the company’s Accident Frequency Rate has remained at zero since it was first founded in 2008.

Acre Landscapes is also focused on lowering its carbon footprint and benefiting the environment. It has taken to promoting both recycling and wildlife habitat projects to clients, redistributing green waste to specialist compost sites and discontinuing the use of pesticides such as glyphosate.

On its own site, it manages six beehives as

a member of the British Beekeepers Association, offering the honey produced to employees, charities and other local causes.

To help provide green space to those in need, Acre Landscapes often offers its services on a cost-only basis. The team constructed the Brighton Open Air Theatre for the local community and provides maintenance at no cost. During the first lockdown, the company gave away free compost to local key workers and continues to supply local charities and groups with plants and trees left over from projects. It also supplied and planted, at cost only, 40 seven-tonne yew trees at the Australian War Memorial in France for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The list of generosity, achievements and commitments of Acre Landscapes is far too long to include here. But it’s clear that the company is not just part of the industry but is dedicated to improving and promoting it too.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR THE PRO LANDSCAPER BUSINESS AWARDS 2022 AT: WWW.PROLANDSCAPERBUSINESSAWARDS.COM

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20/01/2022 11:44

B R I G H T IDEAS

INSPIRE

N E I L PA R S L O W S H A R E S H I S S U G G E ST I O N S FO R G A R D E N L I G H T I N G A N D E X P L A I N S T H E VA LU E O F M A I N T E N A N C E , W H I C H C A N O F T E N B E OV E R LO O K E D

I

t gets dark every night, but cleverly designed landscape lighting has the ability to transform a night-time garden into a magical scene which easily captivates the imagination, whilst providing safety, security and aesthetics.

Lighting unfortunately, though, can often be an aspect of the landscape or garden design process which is overlooked or produced without detailed consideration. Some basic rules and planning should be considered for all garden sizes where landscape lighting is to be installed.

Understanding the clients intended use of the space including where the main viewing points from inside the house or building may be, especially during colder months, to areas spent outside during the warmer summer months, may have different requirements like shielding the light source from view when inside or out.

Extra low voltage or (ELV) is preferred as it is simpler to install and much safer as the voltages used are typically between 12v or 24v, with wireless switching also being the go-to method for controlling lighting in most scenarios.

Landscape lighting is very complex and differs considerably from interior lighting, as there are no walls or ceilings to mount fittings too. It is also very dark outside. Humans typically see vertical surfaces before horizontal surfaces, so try to incorporate lighting of trees, shrubs and key features with spike mount

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Neil Parslow.indd 59

uplights with soft down lighting where possible to couple these focal areas together and give a sense of boundary which in turn makes the viewer feel comfortable and able to enjoy the lighting – this can also be beneficial to our health and our minds.

Viewing landscape lighting from an interior space through glass windows and doors can create reflections on the glass and will drastically reduce the ability to view the landscape lighting. Reflections are caused by the interior lighting being brighter than the lighting outside, as we require interior lighting to be bright enough to enable us to carry out daily tasks. The lighting designer needs to work with the interior electricians to ensure dimming

AS GARDENS MATURE AND EVOLVE THROUGH THE DIFFERENT SEASONS AND YEARS, THERE NEEDS TO BE FLEXIBILITY IN THE LIGHTING DESIGN of the interior lights to levels lower than the outside lighting. Lighting a focal point like a statue towards the rear of the garden, and with a brighter level of illumination than the interior lighting will help transition the viewers eye out through the glass and into the lit landscape.

However, our eyes are amazing at adjusting to low light levels so utilising very low wattages within the garden and aiming lights correctly will reduce our impact on light pollution and the daily night-time cycle required by all living things.

Professional landscape lighting is not inexpensive, but for longevity of the lighting system high-quality equipment should always be used alongside specialist electrical contractors experienced in landscape lighting, and with a regular maintenance programme set in place. Maintenance may not be practical or affordable for the majority of smaller projects, but as soon as an installation has been completed and handed over to the client (after

the final night-time focusing session by the lighting designer), the system starts to fall apart unless maintenance is carried out.

This can be as simple as removing fallen debris from glare shields, to the re-aiming of light fittings which have been knocked out of adjustment by animals or gardeners during their works.

As gardens mature and evolve through the different seasons and years, there needs to be flexibility in the lighting design to enable adaptability of the light fittings to continue to provide the desired lighting effects, and this is why maintenance is such a crucial element of landscape lighting design.

A B O U T N E I L PA R S L O W Neil is the founder and lead designer at Light Visuals, a London-based landscape and architectural lighting manufacturer.

Neil originally trained as an electrical designer before his passion for lighting and landscapes transferred to him setting up his own landscape lighting design and consultancy business called Neil Parslow Design | Landscape Lighting. This passion also extends to the design engineering and manufacturing of high-quality Britishmade lighting products. www.lightvisuals.co.uk www.neilparslowdesign.com

Pro Landscaper / February 2022 59

20/01/2022 11:42

INSPIRE

TOP TIPS FOR

GARDEN LIGHTING NEED ILLUMINATING WHEN IT COMES TO LIGHTING? SUPPLIERS SHARE THEIR ADVICE TO HELP BRIGHTEN UP ANY SCHEME

Light Visuals

Lighting for Gardens

Hudson Lighting

Use low voltage lighting as it is safer than 240v and less likely to trip the RCD. Lower voltage means bulbs can be smaller and more versatile, allowing for more varied and creative lighting designs.

Low voltage lighting also provides a longer lifespan.

Extra-low voltage is better than low voltage. The common definitions are all wrong. More often than not when someone is talking about low voltage, they mean extra-low voltage.

Extra-low voltage is touch-safe and can be run from the driver to the last fitting over 1km if designed correctly. ess is more but plan for more.

L Put less lighting into your specifications, lower output, and a more spacious placement, but ensure you leave spare cabling and ducting in place for future additions. If the client doesn't need extra lights, then great; if they do then you've allowed for it already which makes it easier for everyone involved.

Try to specify the best quality products the budget will allow, and preferably with the ability to upgrade or replace the components, as this prolongs the overall life and cost of the system. Also remember to incorporate sensible lighting controls and hours of use to enable suitable night-time darkness cycles for plants animals and insects.

Soft lighting or spread lights are a great addition to your garden lighting scheme as they can blend everything together without being too dominant. They produce a wide spreading, nondirectional, warm light that is much softer than the spotlights used for highlighting features.

For tree lighting, we recommend a strong compact LED spotlight that has everything you need for lighting large trees.

We usually prefer to position the light close to the tree and point upwards as this avoids any stray light and brings a three-dimensional quality that is better than washing it with light from the side.

SPIKE SPOT LVCU (ABS)

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Adjustable 12v spike spotlight typically used for task lighting including spotlighting focal points and uplighting small trees. www.lightingforgardens.com

Glare is probably the main issue which needs to be eliminated from any landscape lighting design, as it is the effect of the light rather than the light fitting itself which should be seen.

If using LED tape install in-line dimming modules so they can be permanently set to lower outputs, as LED tape in most scenarios is far too bright and distracts the viewer from the overall design.

Less is more when it comes to landscape lighting design, so try to use light fittings with a much lower wattage/lumens. But the key to a successful lighting design will require more fittings with lower outputs which when used correctly and collectively will create a subtle cohesive lighting composition.

60 Pro Landscaper / February 2022

Protect the night skies and wildlife. Try to keep to downward and horizontal plane lighting. Changing traditional uplighting, for example. Strap mounted tree lighting can really enhance the more overlooked surrounding planting around trunks of trees.

Moonlights and pathway lights are all great options – often better than just throwing in spike lights.

This downward-facing light is designed to illuminate without the glare – perfect for illuminating stairs, for example. www.hudsonlighting.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

INSPIRE

Q &A On average, how much would it cost to get a bespoke screen designed and fabricated by Stark & Greensmith?

It depends on the complexity, size, choice of material and finish.

If you require a bespoke size and colour using a pattern from our pattern library in a standard sheet thickness, then this could cost as little as £200 for a small panel, rising to much larger budgets for larger projects.

Does Stark & Greensmith install the finished product?

We do not. We have a wonderful network of registered installers who cover much of the country, and we are always looking for new talented landscapers to work with.

How does the design process work?

It’s a collaborative process. Clients come in all shapes and sizes, and we have been able to create finished products for clients from as little as a broad idea of the size requirement and an aesthetic comment such as “we like floral patterns” or “I would like a woodland scene”.

What materials do you work with?

We primarily work with metal, and in most cases, that means Corten steel, aluminium and mild steel. We are very keen to do as much as possible with aluminium going forward, as it’s light, beautiful, powder coats well, and is just about the most sustainable material known to man.

What can a bespoke screen add to a garden?

They can bring privacy, shade, structure, style, seclusion, height and more – they’re incredibly versatile.

Because of the sheet thickness, it also means you’re not losing any space when installing screens meaning they can work wonders in the smallest of gardens when space is at a real premium.

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BEHIND THE

SCREENS

WE SPEAK TO STARK & GREENSMITH ABOUT A CORTEN SCREENING PROJECT THAT REALLY TESTED THEIR CREATIVITY, WHILE FINDING OUT A BIT MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY AND WHAT BESPOKE SCREENING CAN ADD TO A PROJECT

CASE STUDY

LOCATION MIDLANDS ARTS CENTRE PROJECT EXTERNAL SCREENING FOR THE CHILDREN’S SENSORY GARDEN

Brief Stark & Greensmith was given the challenge to create a series of panels which had to act as a secure boundary with the inclusion of a secure gate, whilst appealing to children of all ages and reflecting the nature and wildlife of the park the centre is located in. The client also wanted the screening to be zero maintenance, while staying fresh for decades.

Design and build Creative director Martine Le Gassick created the designs which included animals hidden at low

levels so the children could find them.

Stark & Greensmith went for 5mm thick Corten panels mounted onto welded angle section frames, mounted to large steel posts, set into the ground, and suspended using M8 threaded studs and spacers.

Stark & Greensmith fabricated the screens ‘backwards’ so that there were no fixings on the outer face, thereby avoiding any threat of theft or removal of the panels, while keeping the face of the pattern facing inwards for the children. They also used security fixings as an additional safety measure, and specified a marine grade push-panel locking latch from Gatemaster, where the normally bright green button was recoloured to black. Attention to detail can make a real difference. www.starkandgreensmith.com

MIDLANDS ARTS CENTRE COMMISSIONED THE PIECE FROM STARK & GREENSMITH

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20/01/2022 20/01/2022 09:49 12:59

BIRMINGHAM

BIRMINGHAM SPECIAL

CONTENTS

65 66

BAROMETER

FOCUS ON BIRMINGHAM

HS2 MEETS BIRMINGHAM THE CURRENT PL ANS

68 71

FIRA

L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT’S JOURNAL

A BOLDER BIRMINGHAM

BIRMINGHAM CIT Y COUNCIL

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MODERN CLASSIC

PROJECT BY L ANDSCAPIA

©Kiev.Victor/Shutterstock.com

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BIRMINGHAM

STATS MIDLANDS SPECIAL

I

n this special of the UK Landscaper Barometer, we are focused on the Midlands, for the trading month of November 2021.

Over the past few months, the East and West Midlands have successfully secured Levelling Up Funding from the government for a number of regeneration projects across the region.

In addition, the BCLive league table (a real-time league table of construction award activity, operated by the Builders’ Conference) revealed very positive figures in the overall value of new contracts won in the region during November, with the West Midlands achieving £705m in total, and the East, £194m.

Naturally, as we begin to approach winter and Christmas, things can feel quiet in the industry. One participant commented: “Towards the end of November, clients started saying that they will think about things after Christmas. We do end up with less contracts during this month.”

Furthermore, the bad weather in November certainly proved unhelpful, and Storm Arwen caused a stir across the Midlands. Bringing disruption all round with snow, travel difficulties, and power cuts too.

Nevertheless, for companies in the Midlands, projects, turnover and enquiry rates all increased, which is certainly a great positive given the difficulties and time of year.

TURNOVER

ENQUIRIES

25%

25%

Higher

Higher

Equal

Equal

75%

75%

PROJECTS

33%

34%

STAFF

Equal

Lower 33%

100%

A significant 75% of participants reported increases in turnover and enquiry rates. Staff levels remained static for all participants, and projects were evenly split between those experiencing an increase, decrease, or similar levels. One respondent mentioned they had noticed “a lot of delays for materials and deliveries during November,” they continued to explain that this hadn’t necessarily had an effect on their enquiry rates, but it’s possible the delays could be an indication as to why 33% experienced a decrease in their projects.

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25%

ENQUIRIES IN THE REGION INCREASED BY

35% 18% PROJECTS ROSE BY

ON AVERAGE

Higher Equal

TURNOVER IN THE MIDLANDS INCREASED BY

CONVERSION RATES SAW A DECREASE OF

9%

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BIRMINGHAM

HS2 MEETS BIRMINGHAM WE EXPLORE WHERE THE PL ANS FOR HS2 ARE CURRENTLY AT, AS WELL AS HOW BIRMINGHAM IS SET TO CHANGE AS PHASE ONE JOINS LONDON TO THE WEST MIDL ANDS

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©Alex Daniels / Shutterstock.com

he HS2 Interchange Station is set to be a Northern Powerhouse. But with fears towards the end of last year that this may be downgraded, where do we now stand with the billion-pound scheme and what is the Government’s plans for the long-awaited rail services?

Though there were concerns that the Prime Minister had plans to downgrade, a spokesperson said: “Obviously we recognise the importance of improving transport links across the North as a way of levelling up the country.

It is an absolute priority for the government.”

FUTURE OF HS2

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Indeed, when they were released the £96bn rail plan saw services stretch to Kings Norton in Birmingham. Phase one of HS2 will see a new high speed railway line constructed from London to the West Midlands, joining the existing West Coast Mainline. From here, services will travel onwards to places Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, Preston and Wigan.

But in what ways will Birmingham feel the presence of HS2?

Located near Solihull at the NEC, the new HS2 Interchange Station will serve Solihull and the West Midlands, with links to local roads and the UK motorway network, making it one of the th best-connected places in the UK. In fact, customers would be able to reach London Euston in just 38 minutes.

The Curzon Street station will be the first brand new intercity terminus station built in Britain since the 19th Century. Eventually, nine trains per hour will direct in each direction

from the station. The proposals for the 141 hectares of regeneration will not only cover the station but £724m investment into the surrounding area.

Of course, we can’t mention HS2 without noting some of the passionate fears over the loss of habitats and wildlife. The Wildlife Trust, for example, states: “Construction works to enable Phase One of the line has caused irreparable damage to precious wildlife sites already. With no evident plans in place to achieve the very best outcomes for nature, HS2 Ltd must take the worsening impacts seriously, before it is too late.”

"The Curzon Street station will be the first brand new intercity terminus station built in Britain since the 19 Century"

PHASE 1

PHASE 2A

• Open between 2029 and 2033 • London to the West Midlands • 140 miles of dedicated track • Four brand new stations and two new depots

• Fradley in the West Midlands to Crewe in Cheshire • Begin operating between 2029 and 2033 • 36 miles of track • Two tunnels • 17 viaducts

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BIRMINGHAM

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With both phase one and two due to be complete between 2029 and 2033, only time will tell the true impact HS2 might have on Birmingham and its role as a Northern powerhouse.

Metro running alongside and underneath, pedestrian routes to local bus services, and space for more than 250 bicycles. Birmingham City Council’s Curzon Street Investment Plan will also see £900m spent on regenerating the area, leading to the creation of a number of new neighbourhood covering almost 150 hectares.

N

When discussing the Birmingham stations, HS2 does make a point to highlight the environmental aspects. Birmingham Interchange Station will be built to achieve the BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ certification – a measure of sustainability for new and refurbished buildings – “putting it in the top 1% of buildings in the UK for eco-friendly credentials.”

While Curzon Street Station will be built to achieve a ‘BREEAM excellent’ standard and zero carbon emissions. HS2 also states both stations will capture rainwater for recycling, with the HS2 Interchange Station’s design incorporating rain gardens in the public plaza and an outdoor terrace.

Curzon Street station also has goals of improving access to different modes of transport, with Midland

THE STATIONS

PHASE 2B • Between Crewe and Manchester, witha connection to the West Coast Main Line • Subject to consultation, HS2 East will see a new high-speed line between Birmingham and the East Midlands

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• Trains will continue to central Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield on an upgraded, electrified Midland Main Line.

• The UK Government is preparing a hybrid Bill for the Western Leg of HS2 Phase 2b

• The government will look at the most effective way to run HS2 trains to Leeds

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BIRMINGHAM

EDGBASTON RESIDENCES AND STADIUM CONCOURSE IMAGE ©WOO ARCHITECTS

LANDSCAPE N ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL FIRA

OPERATING OUT OF THE JEWELLERY QUARTER, WE SPEAK TO TWO OF THE DIRECTORS OF FIRA, JANE FINDL AY AND RYAN SUDALL, ABOUT HOW BIRMINGHAM’S GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE HAS COME ON OVER THE YEARS AS WELL AS MORE OF FIRA’S PROJECTS FROM WHICH THE CIT Y COULD TAKE NOTE

estled in Birmingham’s bustling Jewellery Quarter, placed conveniently in the centre of the country, Fira has had a hand in projects all over the UK in nearly every sector you could imagine. One of the real triumphs of the practice, though, is the impact it has had on the growth and the character of Birmingham itself.

Over the past 40 years, Fira has worked on the International Convention Centre, Brindleyplace, and the Midlands Metro – the tram from Birmingham to Wolverhampton – and more recently this work has seen Fira transforming the cityscape further with its work on Paradise.

“I walked through the city back to our office last night and there wasn’t a point in time where I didn’t see a building or site that we’re working on,” Ryan Sudall, director of Fira tells us.

“Birmingham is the city of a thousand trades, and I finally feel like we’re part of that – we’re one of those crafts that Birmingham needs.”

WHIPPS CROSS HOSPITAL VISUAL

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BIRMINGHAM One such project which stands the test of time is Moonlit Park in Birmingham’s Attwood Green housing development. Extending three hectares the space includes two play areas for different age groups and a multiuse games area.

Green space connects to the neighbourhood by a series of paths through semi mature tree planting and swathes of shrubs.

Fira’s work has also reached the outskirts of Birmingham in Lichfield where it’s done copious amounts of work on the National Memorial Arboretum, which led to the practice being invited to prepare designs for the new visitor centre. The design gradually softens from a plaza, incorporating paving memorials and used for formal events, into a garden meandering into the arboretum. Planting – an important emphasis at Fira – includes a mix of perennials that transition into informal prairie-style planting as visitors move from the Remembrance centre and towards the Millennium Avenue.

NEW GARDEN SQUARE, BIRMINGHAM Though Ryan, fellow director Jane Findlay, and the team are understandably proud of the work they have done transforming Birmingham, there, so people know and can aspire to better. they’re nowhere near done. “Birmingham city There are still very poor developments going on centre is not as green as it needs to be,” Jane without the input of landscape architects.” Jane tells us. “Interventions like the ones we're doing Findlay, director of Fira, states. And, certainly, are going to be very important if Birmingham within many of its projects Fira paves a takes itself seriously as a biophilic city.” landscaped path. In the late 80s and early 90s it “This is the period of time Birmingham was at a brand-new school in London, has been waiting for. The biggest the first design of its kind to suit problem is if it doesn’t seize the a new curriculum. Fira opportunity to start developing developed an outdoor green infrastructure across learning space and the city now, it will miss it,” championed learning Ryan continues. “It should through the landscape. be pushing the agenda More recently, it towards carbon neutrality, was at research labs at but it’s also about getting Oxford University, so the fundamentals of what staff could appreciate a city is – enjoin schemes with fresh air and take time out J A N E F I N D L AY, DIRECTOR, FIRA key areas, new streets, and key of the lab to write up notes. transport links so areas adjacent After all, “how do you attract don’t feel disenfranchised.” some of the best staff in the world?

Birmingham’s future projects could certainly You give them a really good environment to take notes from another project which Fira is work in, not just indoors but outside as well,” currently undertaking – a new development Ryan argues. And the same principal can be in Fairham on the outskirts of Nottingham. given to its education work. “Providing beautiful Delivering 3,000 homes, one million square feet of employment space, a primary school, community and sports facilities, a neighbourhood centre, and more than 200 acres of green space.

Importantly, this green infrastructure has been designed to interlink – open green spaces, play spaces, gardens and green streets will characterise neighbourhoods and ensure green space is never far from people’s doors.

“Landscape architects have a natural affinity for the issues facing the planet. Landscape is now at a point that we as professionals have to develop our collective voice to really push it out

"Interventions like the ones we're doing are going to be very important if Birmingham takes itself seriously as a biophilic city”

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NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM: HEROES SQUARE

places for people at higher education level is as important,” explains Jane. “You want to attract students and make them feel safe and happy.”

Fira’s health work is still very much active, and though it sees developments like Fairham as essential for health and wellbeing, and hopefully as helping to keep people out of hospitals in the first place, it’s still crucial to ensure that these spaces have access to nature.

At Whipps Cross, Walthamstow, a currently sprawling hospital site is being optimised, offering the opportunity to create an urban village. Rain gardens will be overlaid with biodiverse planting, meadows and play spaces, delivering everything in a much more open setting. It also has the added benefit of a far less intimidating approach to the hospital, trading a roundabout for a walk through a park. “We did that project in four months during lockdown with a cast of thousands on Teams. It showed how you can work under pressure in terms of making it work collaboratively, but how you can have really positive outcomes,” Ryan tells us. “It reassured me that our industry – not just us, the architects and engineers too – can come up with unique solutions and ways of working together.”

The industry's future does look bright. But there are, of course, skills shortages – something Fira is keen to address by offering a multitude of opportunities. The only requirement is a shared passion for detail, health and wellbeing. It’s what formed Fira 40 years ago, and it’s what will propel it into the future.

SOUSSE & BARDO MEMORIAL

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BIRMINGHAM

A BOLDER BIRMINGHAM he first city to come to mind when thinking about green space probably isn’t Birmingham. You might bring up images of the vastness of Richmond Park in London or the ‘Grey to Green’ schemes across Sheffield, but Birmingham?

A key player in the Industrial Revolution, home to Cadbury World, and the place where Peaky Blinders is set? It doesn’t immediately scream green.

Birmingham, though, is one of the greenest cities in the UK, and the council is working hard to make it even greener. It’s already the second best city in the UK in terms of accessible green space, according to an Ordnance Survey. And as host of the Commonwealth Games this year, Birmingham City Council is taking the opportunity to add to this.

Taking place from 28 July to 8 August, the Commonwealth Games is being marketed as an opportunity to showcase the best of the West

Midlands. A new, purpose-built swimming and diving venue is being constructed ahead of the Games which Ian Reid, CEO of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, says is going to be “one of the jewels in the Birmingham 2022 crown.” Sandwell Aquatics Centre will boast a 50m Olympic-sized swimming pool, a 25m diving pool and a community diving pool, as well as an urban park and children’s area as, post-Games, the centre will open to the public in 2023 following further work.

That’s one of the key drivers in spending millions developing or redeveloping areas for the Games – that, like the Olympic Park, there is a legacy once the closing ceremony comes to an end. A raft of redevelopments, for instance, are taking place around the existing Alexander Stadium, designed to house 30,000 spectators. After the Games, this will shrink to 18,000 as it becomes a “focal point of

"Over the next decade, more than £700m is being invested into Perry Barr in north-west Birmingham, one of the most diverse parts of the city"

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Birmingham City Council feature.indd 71

©chrisdorney/Shutterstock.com

T

REGENERATION AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES TAKING PL ACE THIS YEAR IS JUST THE START OF BIRMINGHAM CIT Y COUNCIL’S AMBITIONS TO BECOME THE CIT Y OF A 1,000 GREEN SPACES

health, wellbeing, sport, academic and community activity” as part of the wider Perry Barr Regeneration Scheme in Birmingham.

Over the next decade, more than £700m is being invested into Perry Barr in north-west Birmingham, one of the most diverse parts of the city (Penny Barr has some 60% of the population from a BAME background) and one of the youngest – nearly half of its residents are below the age of 30. It already boasts open spaces, such as Perry Park, but the council plans to add more, alongside more than 1,400 new residences.

The Games are said to be a major catalyst for the regeneration.

Councillor John O’Shea, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for Street Scene and Parks,

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©Joe Dunckley/Shutterstock.com

BIRMINGHAM

tells us that the Perry Barr 2040 Masterplan prioritises greening the area, as well as huge investment in public and sustainable transport.

Birmingham 2022 is aiming to be the first ever carbon neutral Commonwealth Games and, with numerous partners involved, O’Shea says they will be beneficial to the whole of the West Midlands, not just Perry Barr or Birmingham.

Sustainability doesn’t stop here, though. The council has set itself a target to become net zero by 2030, with the city to follow as soon as possible after that date.

It also has ambitious plans to become known as the ‘City of a 1,000 Green Spaces’, having historically been known as the City of a Thousand Trades thanks to its vital role in the Industrial Revolution. To do this, the council has set out a delivery framework to become A City of Nature, showing how it can achieve this status over the next 25 years. It has been built upon a new map identifying the areas in need of “environmental intervention”, as the pandemic highlighted the inequalities in access to green space and nature. This framework will be presented to the cabinet this February, when the council will ask for it to be endorsed.

“Birmingham is incredibly lucky to be home to more than 600 green spaces, many of which are already fabulous," says O'Shea. We need to do more to make sure that not only all our existing green spaces are good quality, but that we also create more good quality green spaces in the City."

‘Birmingham A City of Nature’ is one of six themes in the council’s ‘Our Future City Plan 2040’, outlining its vision and roadmap over the next two decades. It has big ambitions. This year, for instance, will see the launch of the UK’s first Urban Forest Master Plan for Birmingham, which sets a goal of achieving a minimum of 25% tree canopy cover across the city.

Its bold ambitions to go greener could even see car zones be turned into green spaces.

Amongst plans to encourage residents to adopt public transport are considerations to create more pedestrianised areas and turn car parks

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into housing, as well as removing free and pavement parking. It hopes to allow for this by providing better and greener transport alternatives. Birmingham already has a Clean Air Zone in its city centre, which O’Shea says has led to traffic reductions and habit changes, and its newly adopted Birmingham Transport Plan aspires to create a ‘Park Web’ through the city centre, with greenways linking out to interconnected green routes and parkland sites.

There are challenges, though, the greatest of which O’Shea says is one which is not often identified – governance. Issues and values on climate change and the green environment are inter-connected and a governance structure is needed which recognises this. So, Birmingham City Council is establishing a new governance structure, with a City of Nature board to join the dots across the organisation and its key partners, a Steering Group where directors

spot potential synergies to link outcomes that benefit both people and the economy through improving the environment, and a Delivery Group, with key partners joining forces in the delivery. To support these groups, a Community Alliance of key environmental NGOs will be formed.

But what about overcoming the limited local authority budgets? Budgets within and outside the council are siloed, says O’Shea, and the council needs to break out of these and boldly rethink finance. It plans to work with community groups to support fundraising and engage with large corporates looking to invest their resources in the environment. Crucially, O’Shea says parks will no longer be isolated as a service subject only to cuts and challenges.

The problem in maintaining parks and open spaces to such a high standard, admits O’Shea, is that there is no minimum national standard.

As a result, he says continuous cuts have been difficult to seriously challenge. Birmingham City Council’s solution was to create its own benchmark – the Birmingham Fair Standard – to bring each of its parks to entry level standard for Green Flag. It’s based on the Green Flag award criteria but extends to equity and the context and locality, and more recently includes the climate challenge and the city’s nature recovery ambitions.

Where there’s a challenge in creating a greener city, you can be sure Birmingham City Council is tackling it head on. From funding to regeneration to nature recovery, the council is setting the sky as its limits, and you might find that Birmingham is soon the first city which comes to mind when thinking of green space.

“Birmingham is incredibly lucky to be home to more than 600 green spaces, many of which are already fabulous. We need to do more to make sure that not only all our existing green spaces are good quality, but that we also create more good quality green spaces in the City” COUNCILLOR JOHN O’SHEA

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/01/2022 12:36

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05-01-2022 12:25

20/01/2022 13:29

PROJECT VALUE

(INCLUSIVE OF VAT)

BIRMINGHAM

£135,656.08 BUILD TIME

4 MONTHS SIZE OF PROJECT

1,500m2 AWARDS

APL finalist

(outcome in March 2022)

1

PORTFOLIO

MODERN S CLASSIC BARNT GREEN, SOUTH BIRMINGHAM

L ANDSCAPIA LTD

ettled in the rural Barnt Green, just south of Birmingham, this large garden may be bordered by a variety of interesting trees and shrubs, but beyond this there was very little interest. Perhaps unusually, Landscapia’s clients for this particular project didn’t know what they wanted from their garden. All they knew was that they didn’t like the existing space, and barely used it. Having previously belonged to a professional footballer, it mainly consisted of a large level lawn – practical for kicking a ball around, but not very interesting. Armed with a strong budget and free rein, Landscapia was able to utilise the space and incorporate several elements of interest.

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BIRMINGHAM

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Though Landscapia was brought onto this project as a contractor, when the previous commissioned design just wasn’t working for the clients or the space, it stepped in to produce a new design. A large part of its offering are the 3D visuals it creates for designs.

And for good reason: “The clients couldn’t visualise the garden from a 2D design – like so many others,” explains Marc, finding there are

less changes along the way when everyone is clear on the vision from the start.

Keeping in mind the need for a multi-use space, something that reflected the style and high spec interior of the client’s home, as well as keeping the balance between practicality and striking aesthetics, Marc crafted a space that would work for both the children and the adults.

“Previously, it was just a large square featureless

space and we desperately wanted to break the mould,” Marc tells us.

The first feature designed forms the largest feature in the space – the vast Millboard circular 1 2 3 4

Large Millboard seating area Cosy fire pit area Large porcelain patio overlooking garden Boardwalk leading to wild flower garden

“The space was previously just a large square featureless space and we desperately wanted to break the mould” MARC LANE

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BIRMINGHAM

seating area. Leading from the kitchen/dining area, this is where the clients would spend a lot of their time. Next, the team turned their attention to the creation of three other seating areas, all offering their own unique use.

The garden snug features a gas-powered fire table, hugged by planting and featuring walls clad in DesignClad porcelain veneers. An area for dining is encased by a chunky pergola that created a room-like feeling within the garden, whilst still allowing natural light to pour in. This zone is further surrounded by raised beds filled with planting and the walls were faced in a slate veneer to add a different feel and complement the simplicity of the porcelain paving. At the top of the garden sits a large porcelain patio, featuring large format tiles to avoid the busyness of too many joints.

Full width steps lead on from here, 5 opening into a boardwalk which carries a warmth through the entire garden. This takes the clients to a wild natural area which will eventually be covered in wildflowers for the clients’ children to explore and have adventures in. This is joined by a more structured children’s play area, covered in shock pads and artificial grass so the children can safely enjoy the space.

Build The build of the basic walls were very straight forward when creating the planter around the

fire pit area, but the complete wrap in 6m porcelain was not so easy. With so many mitre cuts and zero error Landscapia had to take its time with this.

The floating seating was produced with a small framework and cladded with Millboard.

The seating sits on a steel box section that is built into the wall in preparation. The lawn area was extended and raised with a large halfmoon wall. Nearly 100t of soil was imported on top of recycled earth from the site excavations to achieve this large family lawn.

But it was the circular seating area which was the most challenging aspect of all. To create a perfectly curved wall in itself takes a lot of care and planning. The capping was bespoke and due to the lead times Landscapia had to order these before the wall was built so it had to ensure that the wall was built exactly to the CAD it had produced. The porcelain was laid first and then cut to a radius. Landscapia built a circular framework within the walls and had to cut the Millboard decking into the porcelain.

“We wanted to create a dramatic seating area, so we decided to use a Millboard product to offer a natural-looking feel and change of style from the mass of porcelain paving. “This was a time-consuming and delicate operation, but it was very worthwhile as the extra time has delivered this amazing feature.”

6

Soft landscaping Landscapia collaborated with Linda and Stuart Foley from Creative Planting to craft the palette of planting. The garden viewpoints were two Taxus spirals in two display planters and the red Acer ‘Bloodgood’ which can be seen from the main house. Contrast in the planting was the Cupressocyparis Bonsai in front of the large flowers of the white Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ as it creates brightness. The left hedge adds height while Cephalotaxus adds to the flow of the Prunus lusitanica hedge.

The modern grasses Deschampsia ‘AmiLime’ in the fire pit area add movement and texture. The Cordyline australis ‘Verde’ adds a tropical look against the wood panel backdrop,

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“We created many challenges for ourselves in this project by adding many complicated details, but we believe it was all worth it”

BIRMINGHAM

5 Aerial view of the garden 6 The pergola-covered dining space offers a perfect place to relax and entertain 7 Base construction of circle seating area 8 Millboard and slate cappings 9 Garden fully planted and furnished, ready to be enjoyed Photographs ©Enwood productions

MARC LANE

ABOUT L ANDSCAPIA Landscapia is a garden design and build company based in Hagley (on the border of Birmingham and Worcestershire).

Founded in 2006 by lead designer Marc Lane, it focuses on high specification, contemporary garden build projects and offers 3D visualisation concepts using state of the art software. It builds great relationships with its clients to design and build their dream outdoor spaces. www.landscapia.co.uk

REFERENCES Design Marc Lane www.landscapia.co.uk

for easy maintenance. The red hedge of the Chinese Loropetlum adds drama next to the oriental style white panels. The pots contain a Ligustrum bonsai which can viewed from the main seated area and the Phormium tenax ‘Variegatum’ adds modern texture.

Challenges The project ran from late summer to early winter, so the weather threw everything at Landscapia – from high heats to masses of rain to low

temperatures. The access was also very tight into the site and with hundreds of tonnes of material being moved in and out of the garden the driving skills of the project’s suppliers were certainly tested.

“We created many challenges for ourselves in this project by adding many complicated details into the design, but we believe it was all worth it,” Marc says.

“This is a very special garden that is completely unique and offers an amazing place for a lovely family to enjoy for a very long time.”

Build Landscapia www.landscapia.co.uk Paving and walling around fire pit London Stone www.londonstone.co.uk Decking and floating seat Millboard www.millboard.co.uk Slate walling on raised beds Marshalls www.marshalls.co.uk Artificial grass and shock pads Quick Grass www.quickgrass.co.uk Real grass Teal Turf www.tealturf.co.uk/home Timber for pergola Davies Timber www.daviestimber.co.uk

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Pro Landscaper / February 2022 77

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FEATURE GARDEN PARHAM GARDENS

P81

Photography byJonathan James Wilson ©Parham Park Limited

N U RT U R E

INSIDE NURTURE THIS MONTH PAGE 81 FEATURE GARDEN: PARHAM GARDENS, PAGE 84 NICK COSLETT, PAG E 8 6 L EW I S NOR M A ND, PAGE 87 PLANTS: WHAT’S TRENDING IN 2022?

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F E AT U R E GARDEN

S

NURTURE

PARHAM GARDENS PARHAM GARDENS HAS BEEN RAMPAGED BY BINDWEED, TRIGGERING A FIVE-YEAR REGENERATION PLAN. WE SPEAK TO HEAD GARDENER ANDREW HUMPHRIS ABOUT THIS, AS WELL AS HOW HE HOPES TO DRAW ON HISTORY TO SELECT THE PLANT SPECIES

urrounded by seven acres of pleasure grounds, speckled with spring bulbs, a brick and turf maze and many specimen trees, Parham’s old four-acre walled garden should be blossoming uninterrupted. Instead, the romantic wide herbaceous borders, a rose garden and a cut flower garden are under attack and head gardener Andrew Humphris and his team are undertaking a five-year programme to tackle the problem – bindweed.

This trumpet-flowered weed twines itself around other plant stems, smothering them in the process. It can spring up anywhere – from uncultivated ground, beds, and borders to paths, driveways, and lawns – and the roots are able to regenerate from the smallest sections, with seeds reportedly remaining viable in soil for years.

Understandably, removing this from Parham has become one of Andrew’s biggest challenges. “During lockdown a lot of the staff

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were furloughed, and the volunteers weren’t able to come in. This really highlighted the extent of the bindweed throughout the garden, and it’s pretty rampant, covering nearly all the plants,” Andrew explains.

The team has had to go back to basics, digging over beds where they’ve sprayed to make sure that if there are any roots left in there, they’re getting them out as much as they can. “We’ve had to start quite a long, hard process of emptying the beds and spraying the bindweed as it comes through. It’s almost like going back to square one,” Andrew tells us.

But starting from square one isn't necessarily bad. “It is pretty tough, but it gives you lots of opportunities to introduce new planting and to rethink what we’re doing,” explains Andrew. “In particular, it allows us the chance to select plants that will cope better with climate change and the hotter, drier, summers – especially in a walled garden where this is even more intense.”

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NURTURE

As the team makes its way through the borders, Prairie style planting such as Veronicastrums and various grasses will be utilised. Andrew is adamant that it won’t become a prairie garden though, understanding that this style isn’t suited to a walled garden where the plants can’t blend into the wider landscape.

Salvias, ideal for warmer summers will also make an appearance, alongside Euphorbias, and other, as Andrew calls it, “bombproof planting” such as Hemerocallis and Campanulas.

Despite the changes, Andrew is keen to keep the garden close to its roots, maintaining the atmosphere and feel of the place. And this more than nods to the garden’s history.

There are few documents which remain to give an idea of the history of the four-acre walled

garden. It is known that it predates the house, and it is likely that the land has been cultivated since the 14th century, while the wall dates back to the 18th century. But, at Parham, perhaps the clue to uncovering its past is in its name. Parham is thought to derive from the Old English "perham", a compound word meaning "pear enclosure". It is thought, then, that the space would have been used purely for growing food.

It wasn’t until the Hon. Clive and Alicia Pearson bought the property in 1922 that the house, gardens, and parklands surrounding it underwent a huge renovation. Taking place in the 20s and 30s by architect Victor Heal, the work was done with attention to detail and historical accuracy, and this design will play heavily into how we can expect Parham to change over the next few years.

The walled garden has been characterised as a series of “interlocking pictures” and as “exemplifying the best of the English romantic tradition.” As the garden states, the family, Andrew and his team, aim to restore it to this effect, “whilst maintaining its special nature and idiosyncratic sense of place.”

WE’VE HAD TO START QUITE A LONG, HARD PROCESS OF EMPTYING THE BEDS AND SPRAYING THE BINDWEED AS IT COMES THROUGH. IT’S ALMOST LIKE GOING BACK TO SQUARE ONE There are specific borders used for cut flowers and these will be colour coordinated to make it easier for picking the flowers which are done to match the specific colours of individual rooms in the house, and are quite a feature of Parham. Excess flowers from here have been sold to visitors in the past, which not only brings enjoyment to the visitors but also means the team don’t have to undertake quite as much deadheading – a win-win.

Elsewhere, elements of the romanticism which the family fondly remember will creep back into the garden. “The owners have quite specific memories of what the garden was like when they first came. It was full of roses, clematis, and fuchsias with herbaceous planting.

We’ll be redoing all the borders to incorporate these features.”

Luckily, Parham is blessed with one thing which should make all these changes that little bit easier. “We have the most glorious soil I’ve ever worked with,” states Andrew. “It’s probably been gardened for hundreds of years and had many things added to it. It's green sand so it’s fairly light, but because it’s had all this organic matter added to it, it’s really dark.” This all means that nearly anything will grow in it.

It’s clear Andrew and his team have plenty to be getting on with over the next five years, at least. As the bindweed gets cleared and there’s more room for Andrew to start implementing, he’d love to see the garden become more organic.

“I think if the garden is a very natural process, then the wildlife will find you,” Andrew explains.

“But it’s all a balance.” The other side of this comes from the way in which the garden manages its weeds. The rampant bindweed is

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NURTURE

naturally tackled with weed killer, and so are the annual weeds. “We’ve got miles of gravel paths, but we don’t have the manpower to weed those by hand. The burners you can use aren’t effective either. We’ve looking into killing bindweed with an electrical current, but it costs £16k to set up. You do have to look at it economically as well."

But the wider estate is inherently biodiverse, managed as a conservation area. As such, deer have habited the parkland for hundreds of years, while red kites and buzzards fly overhead, as trees fall, they are left as food and hiding places.

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Feature Garden-3.indd 83

WE HAVE THE MOST GLORIOUS SOIL I’VE EVER WORKED WITH. IT’S PROBABLY BEEN GARDENED FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS AND HAD MANY THINGS ADDED TO IT

There’s no doubt that as the immediate bindweed issues are resolved, the walled garden will continue to gain from a biodiverse and intrinsically environmentally friendly approach.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Vegetable garden views to house and South Downs The blue borders as of 2021 The display house The white border, replanted spring 2021 Lake with water lilies in the pleasure ground Delphiniums planted for cut flowers Clock tower opposite the house entrance Photography by Jonathan James Wilson ©Parham Park Limited

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NURTURE

WORKING TO WIN

NICK COSLETT EXPLAINS WHY AWARD ENTRIES NEED TO REFLECT THE EFFORT PUT INTO THE JOB ITSELF

L

ike many others, I enjoyed attending the BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) National Landscape Awards in early December. Along with around 1,000 other people, I witnessed the excellent work that our industry does. Well done BALI for another successful ceremony. It was good to see folk after two years and catch up.

Although we were crowded into one room the air conditioning fans were turned up to 11. I’d done a lateral flow test that morning and didn’t get any pings afterwards. Thankfully, Omicron was at an early stage and as landscapers spend so much time outdoors, they are perhaps far healthier than the general population.

At the ceremony we only get a quick view of the work done and it can be difficult to see the difference between entries. However, this year’s Grand Award won by Graduate Gardeners for its garden in Cheltenham exhibited the skill and attention to detail that they paid on this job.

Well done to them, worthy winners. Of course, all jobs that tend to enter awards need a good partnership between contractor, designer and especially client – true teamwork.

Awards ceremonies are a chance for colleagues and friends across the industry to get together and celebrate the efforts of all. It would be good if this excellence across our industry can reach a wider audience too. I’m sure the BALI team work on interesting the press and media, but old parties seem to have their attention.

AN ENTRY WARRANTS THE SAME ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND EFFORT THAT THE PROJECT YOU ARE SO PROUD OF TOOK TO ACHIEVE As a judge, I feel especially proud to see the entries for not just the Pro Landscaper awards (small project BIG IMPACT and some Podiums), but also some of the BALI Supplier member awards. These are all desktop entries, unlike the main BALI categories which require a judge to visit the site. These entries need to give detail, before and after evidence, plus some of the story of the project. I was frustrated by one category last year when reviewing the paperwork

submitted; that the entrant had not addressed and answered all the questions and published criteria. Judges make their decisions on the

evidence submitted. It’s like taking exams – read the questions a couple of times and then answer them and then read through your answer to be sure you have hit the bullseye. Sadly, those entrants who had not answered all the questions did not maximise their potential for points and frittered their entry fee, even if their entry had intrinsic merit and we all know points mean prizes!

So, all those looking to enter the developing plethora of awards programmes available to the landscape industry please remember; that an entry warrants the same attention to detail and effort that the project you are so proud of took to achieve. It’s not a five-minute exercise and needs to be done with the same professionalism you put into your best work. If you do that you will gain rosettes and be praised. Awards give your business credibility and give potential customers confidence to engage you, so they are well worth attempting. Good luck.

GRAND AWARD WINNING CHELTENHAM GARDEN BY GRADUATE GARDENERS

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All photos ©Graduate Gardeners/BALI

ABOUT NICK COSLETT Nick is now retired but has worked in landscape offices, parks management and horticultural nurseries. For the past 20 years, he has also run soft landscape workshops at Coblands and Palmstead. He has been involved in BALI at a regional and national level, and is a trustee of the BALI Chalk Fund, as well as an awards judge.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/01/2022 11:27

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NURTURE

FUNDING THE FUTURE CONSIDERING HOW VALUED GREEN SPACES HAVE BECOME THANKS TO NUMEROUS LOCKDOWNS, LEWIS NORMAND PONDERS WHY THEY REMAIN SO POORLY FUNDED

O

ne of the great successes (if that is the appropriate choice of words) during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the appreciation and use of public space across the UK. For some during lockdown, parks represented their only avenue to the outside world; a space to exercise, breathe fresh air, appreciate the landscape or, at the very least, to get away from the confinement of their homes.

With all these advantages and the everincreasing value put on publicly usable space, it is particularly saddening to see that our parks continue to be underfunded and struggle to meet maintenance demands with a diminished and diminishing budget. In fact, I was reading recently in the APSE ‘State of UK Public Parks 2021’ report that, since 2010, our parks have had £690m removed from their budget.

If we start from the position that parks were adequately, if not generously, funded back in 2010, how can we justify this reduction in spending in the following 11 years? I noted that the Charter for Parks website gives an estimated total budget for all UK public parks at around £1bn, though also highlights that an estimated £2-3bn is actually required to run them to an acceptable standard.

So, if we assume that £1bn is the current spend on parks and this has declined from £1.690bn over the last decade, it is firstly miraculous that we have any quality parkland to speak of at all in the country. Secondly, the people providing maintenance of these spaces should be commended on how well they have done under a steadily yet significantly reducing budget. Ultimately though, the current rate of decline in investment can’t be sustained if we

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expect to keep parks functioning. In fact, it is obvious that we need greater funding, not just to see us resourced with open space through the pandemic, but as an approach to better valuing these resources and investing in their development rather than causing their decline.

THE CURRENT RATE OF DECLINE IN INVESTMENT CAN’T BE SUSTAINED IF WE EXPECT TO KEEP PARKS FUNCTIONING

The APSE report goes on to say that in 2016 when they last reviewed the situation, an average of 4.2% of a council budget was spent on parks and green space. In 2021, this figure was reduced further to 3% of most council budgets. Now, we can argue that since 2019 we have had bigger concerns, but we must not fail to recognise that this is an erosion to budgets that started long before COVID-19 impacted our lives. In fact, we have been steadily experiencing diminishing spend for more than a decade now with the impact being a reduction in park staff, greater outsourcing, reduced planting and high maintenance areas and, perhaps most significantly, a drive to utilise volunteer support and fundraising through external sources.

I’m all for people being vested in their community and public resource and I believe that there is a place for volunteer support within our public greenspace; but fundamentally, I struggle with the idea of a state owned and regionally run resource requiring sponsorship or charity investment to run core services.

I see the need for lottery funding in restoration and development projects and accept that fundraising is a valuable tool, but to bolster services this way is an issue. I think it devalues the skills of the parks employees to replace unfunded positions with volunteers and in mitigating shortfalls in funding with these measures we allow the state to continue merrily in reducing the resource still further.

Having checked the government’s ‘Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Better’ from October 2021, ‘parks’ aren’t mentioned at all and ‘green space’ only twice. No funding strategy to improve them, only a comment that they value them. Of course, we all do, but we need them to put more money into them; not to maintain service levels, but to restore them and follow a model where public space is valued highly and invested in accordingly.

Surely it is not too much to ask if we recognise the value of these spaces to secure a steady, if not increasing, budget to support them?

ABOUT LEWIS NORMAND Lewis has worked in a wide variety of roles within horticulture over a 20-year career. He has lectured on garden design and horticulture, and designed gardens in the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

Since 2011, Lewis has focused on nursery sales, now working as sales manager at Bernhard’s Nurseries, and has helped to launch a number of new plants into the UK plant market. He is a specialist supplier to show gardens, supplying more than 100 gardens at major shows.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/01/2022 13:59

NURTURE

WYEVALE NURSERIES Wyevale Nurseries says bright and boldly coloured, British-grown and low maintenance plants look set to be on-trend this year.

Carol Dickinson, head of business support, explains: “For our 2022 promotional catalogue, the later than normal autumn Chelsea

PLANT LIST ‘Lavender ‘Bubbles’, Exochorda racemosa ‘Niagara’, Digitalis x valinii ‘Firebird’, our Astrantia Star Collection, our Hardy Fern Specimen Collection, Lomandra longifolia ‘White Sands’, and our Phormium Collection.”

Flower Show gave us an opportunity to look at different varieties, styles and to include unique features and shapes, as well as focus on provenance and low maintenance planting.

“Plants looking particularly popular for 2022 are Allium

• Allium 'Lavender Bubbles’ • Exochorda racemosa ‘Niagra’ • Digitalis x valinii ‘Firebird’ • Astrantia Star Collection • Lomandra longifolia ‘White Sands’

HT BRIG LD O B &

BRITIS H GROW N

r ‘Bubbles’ Allium Lavende

Lomandra longifolia

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Exochorda racemosa ‘Niagra’

The Phormium Collection

©Kat Weatherill

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• Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex' • Broussonetia papyrifera • Musa • Canna

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The likes of Tetrapanax and Broussonetia with their unusual shaped leaves pull in the eye and can be used to great effect surrounded by late flowering summer perennials. Musa and Canna used as highlight or focal plants in mixed plantings or decorative pots with their foliage reminiscent of tropical climes and exotic holidays.

Pro Landscaper / February 2022 87

20/01/2022 13:51

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At Beauxfort, quality is at the heart of everything we do from the products we sell to the experience of our customers. This is where the idea of GravelEdge was born.

E

dging is an important component to a gravel driveway, it is used to create clean, crisp lines between the driveway and the surrounding lawns or plant beds. Aesthetics aside the primary purpose of using edging in this application is to secure the gravel in place. In the installation of a gravel driveway, a gap has to be le around the edges to account for material expansion in the warmer weather. Edging prevents gravel from slipping out the sides because it acts as a barrier between the expansion gap and the area beside it.

Introducing GravelEdge To further enhance our customer experience, we created GravelEdge as an add-on product to our most-loved product, Gravelrings. This means landscapers are able to buy all the structural components to a gravel driveway under a single roof with the confidence they are created from premium, quality materials manufactured in the UK.

WWW.BEAUXFORT.COM ○ EMAIL: INFO @ BEAUXFORT.COM

Advert Template PL.indd 24

Quality is key GravelEdge is underpinned by quality because it is formed of the most durable aluminium alloy, which is also rust resistant.

Sustainability is a factor Beauxfort is continually working on as such the aluminium used is sourced from 100% recyclable material. Yet, it is flexible enough to cra curved or straight lines by hand. The installation is dry fix which means no concrete is required, saving on time and money. ○

TEL: +44 (0) 330 055 2599

20/01/2022 13:36

ONCE A PRICE HAS BEEN AGREED, ANY CHANGES TO MEET THIS BUDGET NEED TO BE SIGNED OFF BY THE CLIENT, SAYS GARETH WILSON

EDUCATE

A PRICE IS THE PRICE L

ast week, I travelled to the Midlands to survey a project that a young landscaper had undertaken.

Both parties had agreed to a joint ‘Statement of Opinion’ commission. I had received my brief from both parties outlining issues and raising points in comparison with the quotation.

I arrived on site to find a very well executed project with the young landscaper present, should I require his input. Sandstone paving was laid beautifully and grouted traditionally with sand and cement and finished with a 10mm finger trowel. A raised bed had been rendered in sand and cement and then painted in masonry paint.

The perimeter was installed very well, and a small wildlife pond was in the corner of the garden. Although this project was not ever going to win an award, it was certainly executed to a high standard.

All this said, it’s my duty to look at both sides of issues and remain completely neutral. My next job was to examine the client’s brief, and this is where issues began to become apparent. The

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quotation stated that raised beds would be rendered with K-Rend and not sand, cement and masonry paint. On top of this, the pond should have been almost double the size that it is.

The young man explained he had been bartered down on price for a cash deal. He had

IT IS IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW YOUR QUOTATION TO THE LETTER UNLESS PRIOR AGREEMENTS ARE MADE. MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU MUST STAND YOUR GROUND REGARDING BEING BEATEN DOWN ON PRICE done his sums at a later date, and he realised that the ‘cash deal’ was not so great for him and his profit margin, meaning he would have to cut corners on cheaper materials.

Although the client wasn’t jumping up and down with rage and the landscaper had completed the project to a quality finish, the landscaper hadn’t done what he had said he would do on his quotation. This meant the landscaper was in breach of ‘consumer rights’ as he had taken it upon himself to make the changes to the project without agreeing or discussing with the client.

The client is prepared to live with the rendered raised beds but won’t budge on the

grout being changed and wants a larger pond.

The landscaper has agreed but it’s sadly a costly exercise for him.

It is important to follow your quotation to the letter unless prior agreements are made.

You must stand your ground regarding being beaten down on price. Your overheads can’t change, and you should be getting the best deals from your merchants so that only leaves your own pocket that will get hit hard in these circumstances. If the client won’t accept your price, walk away and save yourself many potential issues.

ABOUT GARETH WILSON Leaving college at 17, Gareth has worked in the landscape industry since 1989. Progressing onto highend projects over the years, he has picked up 30 RHS medals, including Gold at Chelsea. Now a retained consultant to The Landscape Academy, Gareth is a member of multiple professional bodies. He provides technical and product advice to companies, mentors and trains landscapers across the UK, and provides arbitration and mediation services.

www.gkwilsonlandscaping.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / February 2022 91

20/01/2022 15:55

EDUCATE

NAVIGATING CLAIMS YOUR CLIENT IS TAKING YOU TO COURT – WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? JASON MCKENZIE AND WINIFRED MBIELI OF ORACLE SOLICITORS EXPLAIN YOUR OPTIONS

U

nfortunately, there can be occasions where a client may take matters to court. Such claims can take many forms, but primarily relate to disputes over fees, breach of contract claims or negligence.

For claims alleging negligent advice or negligent work, it is advisable to first check whether your business has relevant insurance cover – if so, ensure that you comply with any requirements to notify your insurers.

SUCH CLAIMS CAN TAKE MANY FORMS, BUT PRIMARILY RELATE TO DISPUTES OVER FEES, BREACH OF CONTRACT CLAIMS OR NEGLIGENCE But what about claims that may not be covered by insurance, such as some breach of contract claims, or disputes regarding fees?

Before court A party is generally required to send a “letter before action” with detail of the potential claim before lodging it with the court. It is important to deal with this letter – this is an opportunity to set out a response in sufficient detail to possibly get rid of the issue or increase the chances of recovering legal costs incurred later.

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Oracle Solicitors-2.indd 92

So, I’ve received a claim form from the court…

Where previous discussions and correspondence have not worked, there are some basic points to follow when faced with a court claim form, including:  Adhere to any time limits for responding: Usually, you have to: ● File an acknowledgment form within 14 days from the date of service of the claim form on you; and ● File and serve a Defence (within 28 days of service of the claim form).

If you need more time to respond to the claim, you can ask for certain additional specified periods – any requests must be made promptly and before the original time limits expire, however.  Do not ignore the claim form: The court is likely to issue a “default” judgement against you if you do not respond in time.  Consider all relevant information/ documentation you have before responding, to assess: ● What evidence there is; ● Whether the claim has any merit, is worth defending, or should possibly be admitted; ● What the content of your Defence will be; ● Other relevant factors (e.g. reputational impact); and ● Whether you should submit a counterclaim (are there grounds for a claim against the claimant?).

Carefully consider and cross-check the information at this stage, as you want to avoid having to alter or contradict your Defence later in the proceedings.  Consider the actual time and resource costs of defending the claim, as well as the amounts being claimed in the Claim Form.

If the proceedings go all the way to trial, witness statements will need to be prepared

and documents collated, as well as attendance at the hearing. You may need to factor in how much staff time and resources this will take and the impact of this on the business.

Legal costs?

Generally, for claims above £10,000 in value, the unsuccessful party will usually be ordered to pay the successful party’s legal costs. Claims with a value of less than £10,000 are considered to be “small claims” and each side generally pay their own legal costs, win or lose.

It may not be necessary or commercially viable to instruct lawyers to assist on much smaller claims. For more complex or higher value claims, this should certainly be considered.

Consider ADR Litigation should be a last resort. At any stage throughout a dispute, it is always open to the parties to look at Alternative Dispute Resolution options (such as mediation). The courts encourage the parties to consider these alternatives. Don’t panic. Most matters can be resolved without having to go through proceedings all the way to trial.

A B O U T O R AC L E S O L I C I TO R S Oracle Solicitors is an award-winning law firm with a deep understanding of the landscape industry and expertise in employment, commercial, litigation, property and contract law. Oracle Solicitors, founded in 2002 has since grown to include offices in London, Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester, Frankfurt, and Addis Ababa – please visit:

www.oraclesolicitors.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/01/2022 11:41

I S T H E G R ASS GREENER IN 2022?

EDUCATE

W H AT W I L L B E T H E B I G G E ST F O C U S F O R R I D E- O N M OW E R M A N U FAC T U R E R S T H I S Y E A R ? A N D W H AT C A N W E E X P E C T I N T E R M S O F P R O D U C T D E V E LO P M E N T ?

T

he key focus for Husqvarna throughout 2022 for ride-on mowers is sustainability and our new hybrid-powered P 535HX,” says business development manager James Walker. “We anticipate this ride-on mower to generate a lot of interest across the board as all industries, specifically government and councils, are now look at moving away from fuel and using a more sustainable form of energy.

“The P 535HX is a first for Husqvarna, and offers a more sustainable and quieter option, without compromising on performance. In fact, the P 535HX

KUBOTA

PHIL CATLEY, KUBOTA

K

ubota has updated and expanded its ride-on mower range over the past 12 months, and the line-up now offers purchasers a choice of models to precisely suit their requirements, explains groundcare product and key accounts manager Phil Catley.

F251

“There are now three different options in professional mulching rear discharge mowers for different mowing situations.

“We’ve refined our popular F-Series front mower to offer the F251, a 25hp model for routine maintenance and the Stage V-compliant F391 which has a 38hp engine for heavier applications.

This is the industry standard for commercial mowing and has been brought bang up to date with

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Ride-on Mowers.indd 93

HUSQVARNA

JAMES WALKER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

P 535HX

improved controls, one-piece bonnet and cut width up to 1.82m.”

The ZD1211 zero turn is a great choice for those working around obstacles such as playground equipment or street furniture, he points out.

“This productive mower can turn in its own length, working close to obstacles to minimise strimming, yet has a 1.52m cut for high outputs.”

A completely new addition to the range is the G261 RD, derived from the popular Kubota cut and collect ride-on, but with a rear discharge mulching deck.

“At just 1.2m wide, this is a great choice for sites with restricted access, such as ornamental lawns, play areas and housing contracts,” Phil comments. www.kubota.com

G261 RD

P 535HX

offers more power and therefore increased productivity, while using 30% less fuel (when compared to the smaller P525DX).”

As to what we can expect in terms of product development, Husqvarna will continue to focus on the environment. “The most exciting product development for Husqvarna in 2022 is the P 535HX. "This hybrid front mower is a first for Husqvarna and also further demonstrates Husqvarna’s

commitment to driving a more sustainable future. The hybrid technology makes the P 535HX ideal for maintaining larger lawns and green spaces and offers the ability to drive in noise sensitive areas, making transport also more sustainable.

“Adding to its sustainable credentials is the fact that all oils used in transmission, hydraulics and engine are biodegradable for a lower environmental footprint.” www.husqvarna.com/uk

TURFCARE EQUIPMENT, TORO ALASTAIR ROWELL, UK SALES MANAGER

"W

e have two primary product focuses in 2022 for ride-on mowers – the Toro LT-F3000 triple flail mower and the Toro Greensmaster electric eTriFlex 3370. I see the success of the eTriFlex with lithium-ion battery spreading to the sports market in 2022. With an eight-blade cutting unit, it is perfect for fine turf cutting in a sports environment. eTRIFLEX 3370

“The LT-F3000, which is a Stage V compliant maintenance mulching flail, can cope with longer grass and finely mulches the clippings, evenly depositing them back on the ground to be broken down naturally.

It is a game-changer for councils, local authorities and landscaping customers.

“Stage V was the biggest legislation update to happen to the industry in a long time and with all deadlines and engine adaptations

LT-F3000

and redesigns now made, the only change this year, will be the older models coming out of circulation.

“What’s up next in terms of new product development are allelectric options for other specific areas of cutting. Customers will perhaps diversify sustainability programmes and the supporting infrastructure will develop.

“Autonomous mowers are being researched and developed for larger areas in the landscaping and grounds sectors; the technology is no different to what is being used in the farming industry and it will have a role to play in other groundscare industries in the near future.” www.toro.com/en-gb

Pro Landscaper / February 2022 93

20/01/2022 11:34

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Supplying orders from one bag to many thousands of tons, we can undertake the most challenging deliveries using our own fleet of Silver Fors specialist delivery vehicles.

Please call us to discuss your next projects needs.

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20/01/2022 15:43

ADVERTORIAL

EIGHT STEPS TO EDGING CORE LANDSCAPE PRODUCTS’ MANAGING DIRECTOR MANNI KEATES OFFERS A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR INSTALLING THE COMPANY’S POPULAR CORE EDGE

C

ORE Landscape Products has more than 30 years’ experience of product design and manufacture – specialising in designing landscape products with the installer in mind.

Here, MD Manni Keates shows you how easy it is to create a professional finish by using CORE EDGE – its ultimate steel edging – in just eight easy steps.

HOW TO INSTALL SCAN TO WATCH THE CORE EDGE INSTALL VIDEO

HOW TO CREATE CORNERS AND 90 DEGREE RETURNS SCAN TO WATCH

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

Begin by preparing the area in which you would like to install the edging. If the ground is hard, we would advise that you loosen the ground with a flat spade or pickaxe to ensure the edging can be installed without difficulty.

Once the ground is prepped, begin by placing your first piece of CORE EDGE into the ground, up close to the edge you have formed. Be sure to note that the edging is facing the correct way – with the diamond of the

Once your first length is in, you can then attach your second length by firstly securing them together using the large connecting tab at the top of each piece of edging.

ground spike facing outwards.

The best way to drive the edging into the ground would be using a block of wood and a hammer/mallet. The block of wood ensures the top of the edging doesn’t get damaged and makes installation safer for you also.

STEP 5

STEP 6 (OPTIONAL)

STEP 7 (OPTIONAL)

STEP 8

After securing the edging at the top, take a pair of long nose pliers and then bend the locking tabs at the bottom back on themselves to fully secure the two pieces of CORE EDGE together.

If you encounter particularly soft ground, our optional 300mm rebar extension pins can be used. Take the clip and pop it through the window on the spike first. These can be retro fitted – so no need to start again if you encounter soft ground part way through installation.

Once the clip is secure through the window in the spike, take the 300mm rebar pin and place it through the hole and hold it in place. Take your hammer/mallet and tap down. Once it’s through, you can strike down to bury the spike to the top of the clip.

The finished result will leave a crisp and neat finish to your garden borders. Here is a straight-line edge, but the edging can be curved or bent into 900 angles for corners, shown by scanning the QR code to the video above.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Pro Landscaper / February 2022 95

20/01/2022 11:15

JOBS

For full details on all jobs, please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk Call 01903 777 570 or email daniel.riley@eljays44.com with your vacancy.

LANDSCAPING FOREMAN

PROJECT MANAGER

Due to continued growth, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a landscaping foreman to join a well-established young team. Working mostly in and around St Albans and Harpenden, Landesigns has been landscaping gardens for 19 years this year. The company works with designers to deliver exceptional quality gardens for its customers and has recently won a BALI Award for a project undertaken in 2021. The purpose of the landscaping foreman role is to manage all on site project work in an organised and productive manner ensuring the end results are to the highest of standards.

Thomson Environmental Consultants is looking for a full time, permanent environmental project manager to be based in its head office in Guildford. The successful candidate will have flexible working with an office/home-working split based on business needs. You will have experience of working in landscaping, ecological contracting, countryside management or a similar field. In this role you will be managing and delivering various sized complex projects to time and client satisfaction; resourcing and line managing a site team whilst promoting compliance with all company systems and policies.

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

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

GARDEN DESIGNER – PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME

HEAD GARDENER

LANDESIGNS Location: Hertfordshire

PAPILLON DESIGNS AND LANDSCAPING LTD Location: Scotland

THOMSON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS Location: Surrey

EXCLUSIVE HOUSEHOLD STAFF Location: Jordan

Papillon Designs and Landscaping is a design, build and maintainence company based in Aberdeen. It is looking for a designer that has a flair to their designs and loves to see their designs get built. The successful candidate will gain great experience designing gardens, with build costs from £10k to £30k, and will benefit from a dynamic work environment and interaction with the build process. A flexible working arrangement is available, though the successful candidate would need to occasionally come to the Papillon office.

Exclusive Household Staff’s client, with a large residence in Jordan, requires a head gardener to start ASAP for the design, follow up and implementation of a general site annual strategy plan and improvements including the site budget, staff training, chemical application plan, seed, bulb and plant purchases and more. You will be responsible for staff including attendance, appearance and time management and help in the design and implementation of a staff training plan for different gardening skills in coordination with the departmental manager. General maintenance will be performed in all areas within BAU site or for any other requested locations.

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

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

LANDSCAPING ASSISTANT/TRAINEE

LANDSCAPE PROJECT MANAGER

A general gardener/labourer is required to start as soon as possible at The London Lawn Turf Company. Some experience in garden work is desired but is not essential. Punctuality and a conscientious attitude are expected. The company needs someone who is friendly and a good team worker. The role will include assisting the team leader in their daily duties and projects in and around London. Benefits include competitive rates of pay, enrolment onto a bonus scheme, and comprehensive training in all aspects of soft landscaping.

A driving licence is preferred.

A superb opportunity exists for an ambitious manager who is passionate about the industry and wants a full-time direct employment career with an award-winning commercial landscape contractor. Gerald Davies Limited is a contracting company based in South Wales and operating across Wales and England. Its scope of works is diverse and encompasses all works external to the built environment. The company is looking for a motivated and experienced project manager to deliver commercial hard and soft landscape contracts. Although no qualifications are essential for the role any relevant industry qualifications would be of advantage.

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

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

HORTICULTURAL EXPERT

ASSISTANT GARDENER

Are you looking to change your lifestyle and work in an industry that you love?

Or have recent events left you looking for a role with a growing company? Are you a professional with experience in the horticulture, growing or garden centre sector?

Would you like to have the security of working with a successful, friendly team remotely or from a brand new, purpose-built office and warehouse with great benefits?

Agrigem offers a great opportunity for genuine career development and is currently seeking confident managers with excellent customer and management skills, who are commercially astute, numerically sound and take pride in attention to detail.

You will be assisting your supervisor with offloading trees, hedging and plants delivered to site, then setting out (using plans provided by the in-house design studio) and planting to a high-quality horticultural level. This will include staking, mulching and any other sundries applications required of a similar nature. Soft landscaping clearance, turfing and planting bed preparation work will be required occasionally.

All works on site will be executed to a high level of horticultural practice, cleanliness and efficiency. From time to time, you may be required to assist with the assembly and installation of simple irrigation systems.

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

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

THE LONDON LAWN TURF COMPANY Location: London

AGRIGEM LTD Location: Nationwide

96 Pro Landscaper / February 2022

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GERALD DAVIES LTD Location: Glamorgan

HENDRIX GARDENS Location: Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/01/2022 14:43

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20/01/2022 13:38

EDUCATE

T H E L I T T L E I N T E RV I E W

PRO LANDSCAPER ASKS QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS TO GAIN A SMALL INSIGHT INTO THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP OUR INDUSTRY. TO TAKE PART, EMAIL CONTENT@ EL JAYS44.COM

98 Pro Landscaper / February 2022

Little Interviews.indd 98

ANDY SPETCH

RACHEL GOOZEE

National TOPSOIL manager, British Sugar TOPSOIL

Garden designer, Rachel Goozee Garden & Planting Design

www.bstopsoil.co.uk

www.rachelgoozee.com

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

Farming.

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

I’d be working in an animal rescue centre or be a food tasting judge.

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Extremely inspirational.

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

New Zealand.

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

Charles Dowding.

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

More young people.

Best piece of trivia you know?

In the 15th century, Norfolk was the most populated part of England.

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Always inspiring, love them!

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

Difficult, there are so many, but I’m going to say Thailand – tropical, lush, awesome bamboo, bananas and palm trees.

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

Percy Thrower – what a legend and loved watching him with my grandad, Newest gardening trend in your opinion.

Hot tubs and Lay-Z-Spas.

Role model as a child?

Billie Bremner, Leeds United.

Role model as a child?

Wonder Woman – tall, gorgeous long hair, pretty cool outfit and a do-gooder.

Best invention in recent years?

Electric car.

Couldn’t get through the week without...

My trusted little Peugeot Bipper Van.

Your most used saying or cliché?

“Crack on.”

Best invention in recent years?

It has to be the small domestic coffee machine; it’s a game changer.

Favourite tipple?

A pint of Timothy Taylor.

What three things would you take to a desert island?

Kindle, exercise bike and walking boots.

Karaoke song of choice?

‘Tubthumping’ by Chumbawamba.

Favourite tipple?

A piña colada conjures up memories of wonderful travels, sunshine, warmer climes, flip flops, and Del Boy! Who would play you in a movie of your life?

My daughter, she’s a mini me.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/01/2022 11:37

EDUCATE

MEGAN MONTGOMERY

STEVE CLARK

TYLER BURNS

Owner and designer, Megan Montgomery Design LLC

General manager, Chilstone

Owner and designer, Ground Effects Landscaping

www.meganmontgomerydesign.com

www.chilstone.com

www.nwageffects.com

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

Flipping houses. I love a good before and after with architecture and interior design.

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Inspirational; they showcase some of the country’s most talented designers and landscapers.

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

Probably something with the aviation industry. I love to travel.

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Yes, I learn so much from what is up and coming with plants and trends and I also enjoy meeting new people in the industry.

What would you blow your budget on?

A really fancy greenhouse to grow more food and share with the community.

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

He is no longer alive, but it would be Garrett Eckbo. He has been my inspiration for modern landscaping since college.

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

Climate change. Being in south Louisiana, we lose so much work because of the rain and hurricanes.

Newest gardening trend in your opinion?

Edible gardens. I have noticed in the past three years almost half of my clients ask for an edible space in their design.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Natalie Portman.

What three things would you take to a desert island?

My favourite bikini, my family, and music.

Karaoke song of choice?

‘Crazy’ by Patsy Cline.

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Little Interviews.indd 99

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

Australia, The Blue Mountains and Whitsunday Islands.

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

Sharing knowledge, contacts, collaborating and making referrals, while promoting excellence.

Newest gardening trend in your opinion.

Large focal points such as stone garden pavilions or fountains.

Couldn’t get through the week without...

Cups of coffee and bananas – but not together.

Favourite tipple?

Harvey’s bitter.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Sir Clive Woodward, we look similar (sorry Clive).

Your favourite joke?

Tommy Cooper once met the Queen and asked her if she liked football. She replied: “Not really.” Tommy Copper said: “Can I have your cup final ticket, then?”

Karaoke song of choice?

I can’t sing! So probably ‘Sweet Caroline’

by Neil Diamond.

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Yes, they are inspirational; however, not profitable if you are a participant.

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

Probably Swedish or Icelandic.

Iceland is an amazing country.

Newest gardening trend in your opinion?

The most frequent request I’ve seen recently is for actual raised garden beds; people want to be able to grow their own vegetables and herbs. It’s something they can do as a family.

Couldn’t get through the week without...

An afternoon coffee – a good latte. We have so many local coffee shops that are amazing. It gives me a moment to recharge and start planning for the next day.

Best invention in recent years?

The small stand on skid steer.

It’s an amazing machine.

Your most used saying or cliché?

“No worries.” Doesn’t matter what situation we are in, we figure out how to make it work and make sure the customers are happy.

What three things would you take to a desert island?

My boat. I love the islands, but don’t want to stay forever!

Pro Landscaper / February 2022 99

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20/01/2022 13:40