Pro Landscaper February 2025 by Eljays44

FEBRUARY 2025 KARAT LANDSCAPE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

OASISSpherical

LET’S HEAR IT FROM Peter Massini, Future Nature Consulting

SMASHING THE GLASS CEILING

Could gender disparity be damaging the industry?

BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN SPECIAL

One year on –is it hitting the mark?

NOT JUST A SEASON

Covering you every season

From all-weather louvered pergolas that enable year round use of outdoor spaces, come sun, wind, rain or snow, to contemporary patio awnings that provide welcome shade and shelter and innovative external blinds that offer much needed protection from the elements to the exposed sides of existing verandas and pergolas, Caribbean Blinds offers the perfect external shading system to crown your garden design.

Built to exacting standards right here in the UK in less than 2 weeks, delivered on our own vehicles ensuring no damage and factory set up for an effortless installation, along with free hands on product training and an optional survey and installation service, we provide you with all the tools you need to be successful in the sector.

Not just another trade supplier but a partner who works with you.

CONTACT

Eljays44 Ltd, BizSpace, Courtwick Lane, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 7TL

Tel: 01903 777 570

EDITORIAL

Deputy editor – Bethany Vann bethany.vann@eljays44.com

Tel: 01903 959 394

Senior subeditor – Katrina Roy katrina.roy@eljays44.com

Tel: 01903 777 570

Senior designer – Kara Thomas kara.thomas@eljays44.com

Senior designer – Kirsty Turek kirsty.turek@eljays44.com

ADVERTISING

Sales manager – Lewis Everle lewis.everle@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 588

Sales executive – Ollie Finch ollie.finch@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 579

Horticulture Careers – Ollie Finch ollie.finch@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 579

MANAGEMENT

Managing director – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 589

Divisional director – David Griffiths david.griffiths@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 584

Content director – Nina Mason nina.mason@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 959 393

Commercial director – Luke Chaplin luke.chaplin@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 582

MARKETING & CIRCULATION

Subscription enquiries – Laura Harris laura.harris@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 575

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

Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2025 subscription price is £128. Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, BizSpace, Courtwick Lane, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 7TL, UK. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

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

Welcome

It’s hard to believe we’re already one year into biodiversity net gain becoming mandatory. The game-changing legislation was serially postponed before finally being introduced in February last year, and it’s since not fallen from the top of the agenda.

From the opportunities it presents for the landscaping industry to the loopholes that need to be addressed to the downsides of the somewhat ‘paint by numbers’ approach of the metric, there’s plenty to talk about.

That’s why our February issue features a Biodiversity Net Gain Special, exploring the impact of the legislation one year on.

One of the biggest areas up for discussion is how the requirement for sites to be 10% better for nature post development affects smaller sites – and smaller developers. In this month’s main interview (page 21), ecologist Peter Massini tackles this, as well as the need for greater flexibility in the metric to ensure it aligns better with other environmental goals.

Then there’s our wider feature on the gaps in biodiversity net gain and whether exploiting these is impacting its success (page 57), as well as a focus on the software and solutions for implementing and achieving the 10% (page 69).

Becoming mandatory is simply the starting point for biodiversity net gain, and there’s a lot of work still to be done to ensure it has the desired effect. With any new legislation, there’s going to be a teething period. It’s the lack of communication and a timescale for resolving these issues from government that sparks frustration, according to Massini. So, the industry needs to continue to speak up and share where it considers biodiversity net gain to be falling short.

Twelve months later, the appreciation for such a nature-focused policy remains – but it’s time to admit the snags and work on these to have any chance of reversing the staggering biodiversity crisis in the UK.

Nina

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an Accredited Supplier member of BALI

The Association of Professional Landscapers

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

As many of you will already know, Lisa and I decided to sell our business and retire mid-way through 2023, having set up Eljays44 and launched Pro Landscaper in 2011.

Selling our share of the business to our son Jamie made the transaction very easy and allowed us to have a continual insight into how the business is progressing and developing.

It’s been an amazing transformation, and not just in growth and financial performance – the whole business is barely recognisable. At the heart of the business are still the core strong and performing brands, but they have all been strengthened and added to.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

maybe taken our foot off the accelerator and were dawdling along in the slow lane.

I think the biggest change has been watching and supporting Jamie build a really strong, experienced management team, consisting of top quality, committed professionals, with no inflated egos, and all driving forward together with the sole purpose of making Eljays44 better in all aspects. It was amazing to the see the difference having the right people on board can make to the business, who help, grow and breathe new life into existing team members.

I’m very proud of the brands we developed, the relationships we have formed within the market and the value we have added to the UK landscaping sector

The future looks extremely bright; we are very pleased that Jamie and his team have fulfilled all their commitments, and their desire and energy have paid – and will continue to pay – massive dividends.

FutureScape to the ExCeL (no mean feat) and building up valuable relationships within the market – and, of course, now leading from the front.

A special mention here must go to James Williams, who has been a game changer. He started as the best head of sales and management I have ever seen, and is now a shareholder who has transformed the team. His honesty, non-egotistical approach and unwaning enthusiasm is amazing.

Looking back, I’m very proud of the brands we developed, the relationships we have formed within the market and the value we have added to the UK landscaping sector. Of course, we haven’t done everything right; we have made mistakes (and learned from them). But tell me any successful company that hasn’t?

It has been a great time to reflect; it was certainly the right time for us to step aside and give the younger generation their time to shine. Lisa and I would like to thank everyone who has supported us throughout the years, and we wish you all continued success.

Looking back, on reflection it was 100% the right time to retire; even though we thought that we were doing okay and moving the business forward, we had

It has also made me aware of just how much Jamie has been pushing the business forward from day one, firstly as the main salesperson, through to business and product development, and then really managing the business for the few years before we retired, keeping the brands going during the Covid period, moving

And lastly, of course, we will be watching Jamie and the Eljays44 team’s continued development with anticipation and how they will follow the last two unbelievably successful years.

Jim Wilkinson

Building Long-Term, Trust-Based Relationships

Corten Water Features

BUSINESS

Smashing the glass ceiling

Noemi Mercurelli wants to raise awareness of the gender pay gap and other areas of inequality that could be preventing women from staying in the industry

Do companies need to have an HR representative?

They might not be a legal requirement, but Oracle Solicitors’ Kai Sammer explains why businesses should utilise one regardless

Let’s Hear It From: Peter Massini

The ecologist and director of Future Nature Consulting says more flexibility in the metric could enhance the benefits of biodiversity net gain

CONTENTS February 2025

Spherical Oasis

Karat Landscape Design & Construction built this award-winning urban garden, designed by Peter Reader Landscapes

Zones of Tranquility

Clients in Hampton asked Formosa Landscapes to turn their garden into a multipurpose space in time for it to be used for their daughter’s wedding reception

Blooming Skies

One of London’s greenest office buildings, OSMO London now has a biodiverse roof terrace designed by Camlins

Strong Foundations

Matt Evans on how to build on the basics of retaining walls and structures to make them blend seamlessly into the landscape

Biodiversity Net Gain Special

One year after it was introduced, has the legislation had the desired effect and how could it evolve to have an even bigger impact?

Summer Kit Special

Believe it or not, warmer days are coming, and there’s plenty of new equipment being introduced for the sector

PEOPLE

Rethinking what’s “in” and “out”

As we enter a new year, Andrew Duff considers whether we should be swapping talk of trends for a focus on resilient spaces

Comeback Kings

Forsythias might not seem like the ‘trendiest’ plant because they’re somewhat of a garden stalwart – but Humaira Ikram reckons they’re not to be overlooked

Five Minutes With: Robert Hughes

The winner of the Best Newcomer at last year's National Landscape Awards talks about his successful project The Dairy House

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

How can I manage becoming an EOT?

Having been through the process with Frosts Landscapes, Ken White shares his experience of transitioning to an employee-owned company

Is porcelain still popular?

Gareth Wilson explores how suppliers are reducing their carbon footprint, and why porcelain paving is far from falling out favour

Building authenticity in CGIs

Lanpro’s Vasilena Bocheva considers how project teams can address local communities’ mistrust of ‘unrealistic’ CGIs

LONDON COLLEGE OF GARDEN DESIGN LAUNCHES NEW PLANTSMANSHIP COURSE

The London College of Garden Design has launched a new Certificate Plantsmanship course which is scheduled to take place from 25 September – 5 December 2025. The course will be spearheaded by professional horticulturists with experience from both the UK and overseas. Participants will learn basic plant biology and taxonomy, identification skills and a plant’s role in ecosystems, as well as seasonality and best practices for sustainable planting, to name a few.

Nina Baxter, director of London College of Garden Design, comments: “This course offers students an in-depth appreciation of

ROUNDUP Industry Updates

PROJECT GIVING BACK TO FUND MORE GARDENS AT RHS CHELSEA 2025

Grant-giving charity Project Giving Back (PGB) has today announced it will be funding five additional gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Bringing the total number of gardens it is supporting this year to 10, including all four gardens in the All About Plants category; The ADHD Foundation Garden, designed by Katy Terr, The Wildlife Trusts’ British Rainforest Garden designed by Zoe Claymore, The Songbird Survival

Garden designed by Nicola Oakey, and Seawilding designed by Ryan McMahon. PGB also announced funding for Nigel Dunnet’s Main Avenue show garden, The Hospitalfield Arts Garden. Hattie Ghaui, CEO of PGB, says: “Our 2025 cohort represents a diverse range of fascinating causes from across the UK and it is wonderful to see the imaginative ways in which the designers are bringing them to life through their garden designs.” givingback.org.uk

plants and an opportunity to take their horticultural expertise to the next level – whether this be simply for in their own gardens or as a foundation for going on to study garden design or planting design.”

The course will be delivered at the College’s home in the Orangery at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Alongside the classroom-based lectures, students will also be able to explore the extensive plant collections at Kew, as well as explore other gardens across the UK. As part of enrolment, students will also be eligible for a Friends of Kew membership. lcgd.org.uk

TGA TO BAN MEMBERS FROM USING PLASTIC NETTING IN TURFGRASS PRODUCTION

The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) is banning the use of plastic netting in turfgrass production by its members next year. Chair Richard Owens calls it a “defining moment” for the industry. “The decision reflects the growing consensus among our members and the wider industry about the urgent need to prioritise sustainability.” An overwhelming majority of its members voted in favour of the ban, with only one out of 18 voting against.

As of 31 October 2026, all grower members must now cease using plastic netting in order to retain their membership to the association.

The TGA says it will support members during the transition period by providing guidance, resources, and collaborative opportunities to explore and implement alternative practices. It stresses the need for continued research into finding viable, sustainable solutions as there are currently no “proven, cost-effective biodegradable netting solutions widely available that meet the practical and economic requirements of turf production. While some options, such as degradable or biobased netting, have shown promise, challenges remain regarding durability, affordability, and large-scale adoption,” says the association. turfgrass.co.uk

THE RHS SUFFERS

£6M LOSS DUE TO A3/M25 ROADWORKS

The RHS calls on the government for compensation after suffering a drop in annual visitors to its Surrey based garden, which the charity says has put its on-going projects at risk. After a loss of 350,000 visitors to its RHS Garden Wisley due to the National Highways A3/M25 roadworks, the RHS has seen £6M in losses. The charity believes that by the time the roadworks reach

completion in 2026, its losses will have almost doubled to £11M. Due to the financial losses, the RHS have made the decision to delay the development of new arboretums at its gardens, as well as the planting of 4,000 trees to investigate climate resilience.

Nearly 80% of members who visited RHS Wisley less frequently in the last 12 months, attributed this to the M25/A3 roadworks. While 63% of non-visiting members in this period attributed not visiting Wisley, for the same reason. RHS director general, Clare Matterson CBE says that while the charity is “grateful for the new road and the positive difference it is now beginning to make following months of disruption”, it continues to be a flawed solution that “increases car miles around J10 by some 1 million kilometres per annum”.

The charity is calling on people to sign its petition urging the government to recognise RHS Wisley as a special case for compensation. rhs.org.uk/a3petition

JO THOMPSON RETURNS TO CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE TO REVITALISE GARDENS

Jo Thompson says it is an “honour” to be designing a garden for Corpus Christi College in Cambridgeshire where she is an alumni. The awardwinning garden designer will be overseeing the renovation of the gardens at Mogford Lodge, a property that has belonged to the college for centuries and which was previously known as Ashton House. Her design will incorporate sustainable principles, naturalistic planting and one of Thompson’s signature colour palettes. There will be areas for students to relax and socialise and which foster a sense of wellbeing, as well as wilder areas for biodiversity where the grass will be allowed to grow long.

Online exclusives

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM 2025?

As a year marked by uncertainty comes to a close and we stand on the threshold of 2025, we feel now is the moment to consider what the next 12 months have in store for the industry.

IAN DRUMMOND’S TOP FIVE HOUSEPLANTS FOR 2025

In celebration of Houseplant Appreciation Week, renowned houseplant guru and interior landscaper Ian Drummond shares his top five houseplants to take centre stage in 2025.

©Jo Thompson

“There is a journey around the garden inspired by the idea of contemplative walks as well as places to gather and places to sit quietly and enjoy nature,” says Thompson. She will be keeping as many of the existing garden features as possible, using them to define different ‘rooms’ throughout the property.

NEW DIRECTOR OF HORTICULTURE JOINS EDEN PROJECT

The Eden Project has appointed a new director of horticulture to lead its 50-strong team. Peter Jones joins from the Royal Horticultural Society, where he worked for the last 19 years. Most recently, he was garden manager for the Hardy Ornamental department at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, where he started as a diploma student. He says he is “immensely

proud” of the work he has helped to deliver at Wisley, which includes the Oudolf Landscape and the creation of Clear Lake for rainwater capturing.

Jones will now manage the plant collections in the Rainforest and

ANDREW WILSON: “I’M HOPING THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE MIGHT SEE MORE OF OVER THE COMING YEARS”

When Wilson started teaching garden design in 1984, a friend told him he’d get bored of it. Forty years later, his continued passion for teaching has earned him national recognition.

Mediterranean Biomes at the site in Cornwall as well as eight hectares of outdoor gardens, a 72ha outer estate and the Eden Project’s new plant nursery Growing Point. He will also direct the horticulture for the new Eden Projects being planned for Morecambe in Lancashire and Dundee in Scotland.

The Eden Project’s CEO Andy Jasper says Jones' arrival “heralds a new era for our gardens and is proof that there has never been a better time to work in horticulture.”

Smashing the GLASS CEILING

Garden designer Noemi Mercurelli is encouraging both employers and employees to break taboos around pay and address gender inequality

In 2016, Noemi Mercurelli had a stellar year in her career –she became one of Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation winners, won the People’s Choice award at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, and joined prolific garden designer Ann-Marie Powell’s studio working on a project at RHS Garden Wisley.

But despite this impressive series of successes, Mercurelli was ready to quit the landscaping industry – not because of a lack of passion or ambition, but because of the eye-watering costs of childcare.

“I had this excruciating moment, when I was holding my son, that I’d moved from Sardinia – from living 15 minutes away from the sea and near my friends – because I wanted to be a garden designer; and then suddenly I had a child, and I didn’t know what to do because I couldn’t afford to stay at home and I couldn’t afford childcare.”

By “literally counting the pennies”, Mercurelli managed to get by and remain part of the industry. And this year alone, she was shortlisted for Pro Landscaper’s Sustainability and Biodiversity Leader of the Year in her role as associate landscape designer and biodiversity lead for PC Landscapes, has been part of three National Landscape Award-winning projects and led on a project which has been shortlisted for the APL Awards taking place in March.

“That’s just this year – imagine if I’d been lost just because of childcare?

We’re supporting these people, giving them awards, but as soon as they become a parent they might be lost straight away

There are so many talented people who we could lose for the same reason. Take the 30 Under 30 winners. The thought that we could lose even one of these talents because of childcare fills me with rage. We’re supporting these people, giving them awards, but as soon as they become a parent they might be lost straight away.”

Nearly half of England (45%) is classified as a ‘childcare desert’, according to a study by Victoria University. It has some of the poorest access to childcare in Europe. Children’s charity Coram puts the average cost of a full-time nursery – 50 hours a week – for a child under two at a staggering £15,709 for 2024 (in the Midlands). In the home counties and suburban London, this is estimated to be around £22k per year – even more in London.

“Britain is the third most expensive country worldwide for childcare. I come from a country where childcare is free or is proportional to your income, it's never outrageous. But statistically, here in the UK, most parents spend more on childcare than they spend on their mortgage or rent. At some point, my childcare was more expensive than my salary, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity of working on certain projects.”

One in four (25%) mums have had to unwillingly give up work compared to 7% of dads, found UN Women UK last year. A quarter (26%) of mums have had to unwillingly reduce their hours too, whilst only 8% of dads reported having to do the same.

WORDS: NINA MASON

©Vicki Knight

Statutory maternity pay (SMP) isn't great, either. It applies for those who have been working continuously for their employer for 26 weeks leading up to their ‘qualifying week’ – the 15th week before the expected due date. SMP is paid at 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings for the first six weeks, following which it’s either the same or £184.03 a week – whichever is lower – up until the remaining 13 weeks of the 52-week period which are unpaid.

Employers can claim back most or all the SMP, depending on the size of the business, and some choose to offer enhanced maternity pay voluntarily to their employees. But Mercurelli says full paid maternity leave in the landscaping industry is rare. “To me, success is being so profitable that I can offer meaningful benefits to my colleagues and employees such as full paid maternity leave. A lot of people in our industry are so in love with what they do that they don’t think enough about the business side; but you can love what you do and still be financially safe.”

Mercurelli – one of which is self-doubt. Sheryl Sandberg’s ‘Lean In’ quotes a finding from a Hewlett Packard internal report that men will apply for a job despite only meeting 60% of the requirements or qualifications, whilst women will only apply if they consider themselves to meet 100% of them. Professor Katherine Coffman of Harvard Business School found that “talented” women “self-selected” themselves out of senior positions in a study last year as well.

An analysis by Trades Union Congress discovered that for nearly two months of the year, women are effectively working for free compared to men... thanks to a considerable 14.3% gap in pay

Maternity leave and childcare are not the only hits women are taking on their finances. The widely reported gender pay gap puts them at a disadvantage from the start. An analysis by Trades Union Congress (TUC) discovered that for nearly two months of the year, women are effectively working for free compared to men, putting 21 February last year as ‘Women’s Pay Day’. It’s thanks to a considerable 14.3% gap in pay.

“Out of two individuals who have the same education and the same first job, the woman will statistically earn less. This is something that in their projection will keep affecting them. Most women are starting one step behind and then will encounter caring responsibility. Who does it make sense to slow down and make the sacrifice? The one who earns less – and that happens to be women. So, it’s a never-ending circle that keeps being perpetrated.”

There are a few reasons women might be paid less or not progress up the ladder as quickly as men, says

Mercurelli is eager to smash the glass ceiling in the landscaping industry, though, and start to encourage discussions around pay and equality.“One thing I say to all the young graduates who I speak to is to always be concerned about companies that don’t allow talk about wages – that's the first warning sign. In one company, I know a female senior with 20 years of experience who was earning the same as a male assistant.”

There should be pay brackets, she says, so that every employee is aware of the bracket for each role. Environmental consultancy Tyler Grange is setting the standard in this area, recently becoming one of only 16% of companies in the UK to disclose individual pay ranges to employees. Co-founder and managing director Jonathan Berry said he was confident that “embracing a pay disclosure strategy will bring benefits in attracting and retaining the best people irrespective of gender and background.”

Where companies aren’t as transparent, Mercurelli says to not be afraid to ask around and speak to others in similar roles or to recruitment agencies to better understand the average pay range for your role. “As soon as I started speaking up and advocating for myself, I noticed others doing the same; that’s given me more courage and I realised how big of an impact I could have.”

For

working men aged 55 in the UK, Fidelity International puts its average pension pot at a comfortable £114k. For working women of the same age, it’s 41% less at £66,800

After all, pay discrepancies aren’t just an issue in the short term. The gender pension gap is startling. For working men aged 55 in the UK, Fidelity International puts its average pension pot at a comfortable £114k. For working women of the same age, it’s 41% less at £66,800.

“A woman earns less from the start and is more likely to work part-time or take leave – all of which shows up shockingly when it’s too late. And no-one is talking about this. There are lots of women who are then living in poverty or challenging situations because of this.”

Mercurelli would like to see individuals and businesses put pressure on the government to offer better maternity pay, for instance, so that a woman’s pension isn’t impacted –but also to provide more flexibility.

“A lot of women drop from the industry because of inflexible hours. Sometimes, just starting a bit later – whether it be women or anyone with a caring responsibility –could be really helpful. I’m very lucky with Paul [Cowell, managing director of PC Landscapes] and, before that, HollandGreen’s flexibility. I would not have been able to progress without that, it made a huge difference. Flexibility in the short term is something that costs nothing to an employer, and Paul gave me lots of opportunities and has been really open to doing things differently.

“Every employer should be asking, ‘What can I do to help you being more performing at work?’ They might not think of something that could make a huge difference to their employee, so having one to ones and asking the question could give them the opportunity to speak up.”

There need to be more female and queer mentors in the industry too. Mercurelli had to look outside of the industry for mentorship. "There aren’t as many women in power or in the same position, so if you are an ambitious woman who is seeking mentorship, it’s very difficult – and it can be hard for women to go knocking on doors without being misunderstood sometimes and put in tricky situations.”

Continuing to raise awareness of gender discrepancies and both employees and employers actively working to address them could help to create a more inclusive industry that encourages both men and women to rise to the top – and to be paid fairly when they do.

NOEMI MERCURELLI URGES INDUSTRY TO PUBLISH RECOMMENDED PAY BRACKETS

Award-winning garden designer Noemi Mercurelli is asking for the landscaping industry to publish recommended pay brackets to help address the gender pay gap.

Raising awareness of the average salary for roles across the sector would encourage employees to be more open in discussing pay and could provide women with a better understanding of where their salaries may be falling short, says Mercurelli.

According to Trades Union Congress (TUC), women are effectively working for free for nearly two months of the year thanks to a gender pay gap of 14.3%.

This is later reflected in women’s pensions. Fidelity International puts the average pension pot for working men aged 55 in the UK at £114k, whereas for women of the same age, it’s £66,800.

“A woman earns less from the start and is more likely to work part-time or take leave – all of which shows up shockingly when it’s too late. And noone is talking about this. There are lots of women in retirement age who are then living in poverty or challenging situations because of this,” says Mercurelli.

Environmental consultancy Tyler Grange recently became one of only 16% of companies in the UK to disclose individual pay ranges to employees. Co-founder and managing director Jonathan Berry said he was confident that “embracing a pay disclosure strategy will bring benefits in attracting and retaining the best people irrespective of gender and background.”

Until the industry publishes recommended pay brackets, Mercurelli is encouraging employees to speak to others in similar roles or to recruitment agencies to understand the average pay range for their roles.

“As soon as I started speaking up and advocating for myself, I noticed others doing the same; that’s given me more courage and I realised how big of an impact I could have.”

Creating a garden design involves defining structures with an eye-catching specimen tree as a focal point. Our wind-swept pines for example, evoke a unique and harmonious atmosphere. We have a stunning plant selection available.

Boom & Bonheur – because trees give life and bring happiness

How can I manage becoming an EOT? AS K THE EXPERTS

Ken White made Frosts Landscapes employee-owned before stepping down as managing director last year. What did he learn from the process?

Managing the transition to becoming an employee-owned trust (EOT) involves careful planning and communication to ensure a smooth process and minimal disruption.

Prepare and plan

Before announcing the transition, spend ample time planning. Identify the objectives and benefits of becoming an EOT and develop a detailed timeline. Key considerations include:

• Financial and operational readiness – assess the company's financial health and operational readiness for the transition.

• Advisory team – engage with legal, financial, and EOT advisory experts to guide the process.

• Timing – plan the timing of communications to avoid periods of high business activity or stress.

• Announcing to staff – when the plan is solid, hold a company-wide meeting to announce the transition.

• Clarity and transparency – clearly explain what an EOT is, why the company is making this change, and what it means for employees.

• Q&A session – allow ample time for questions to address concerns and dispel myths.

Continuous communication and education

Maintain open lines of communication throughout the process.

• Provide regular updates on the progress of the transition.

• Hold workshops to educate employees on EOT structures, their roles, and how the new ownership model benefits them.

• Engage employees in the transition process.

• Implement feedback mechanisms like surveys or suggestion boxes to gather employee input and concerns.

• Form transition teams comprising employees from various departments to facilitate the process and promote buy-in.

• Execute the transition with minimal disruption.

Engage leadership early

This is an area I would do differently to the way we did it. Inform key leadership and senior management early in the process; their support is crucial for a smooth transition. Ensure confidentiality to avoid premature leaks that could cause uncertainty, and involve them in planning and strategising, making them ambassadors of the change.

Develop a communication plan

A well-crafted communication plan is vital for transparency and managing expectations.

• Key messages – define clear, consistent messages about the benefits of an EOT, such as increased employee engagement and shared prosperity.

• Provide support systems to help employees understand and adapt to new roles as co-owners.

Post-transition integration

After the transition, focus on integrating the new ownership model into the company culture. Celebrate milestones to foster a sense of accomplishment and unity, continue educating employees about their roles in the EOT and the benefits of shared ownership, and monitor and share performance metrics to highlight the impact of the transition on business success. By following these steps, you can manage the transition to an EOT with minimal upheaval, ensuring employees feel informed, valued, and motivated throughout the process.

The panel

HOLLY YOUDE

Former chair of the APL, Holly Youde, is a director at Urban Landscape Design in the North West and The Landscape Academy, a purpose built training centre dedicated to landscaping in the UK.

JAKE CATLING

Jake Catling founded The Landscaping Consultants at just 24, and is now also the founder of Hyphae Learning. He is a BALI board director, host of the Landscape Performance Podcast, and has delivered various award-winning gardens and outdoor spaces.

KEN WHITE

Ken White, former chairman of the APL, leads the multi-award-winning Frosts Landscape Construction, which carries out large commercial and private estate projects across the UK.

ROSEMARY COLDSTREAM

Rosemary has won numerous awards for her work, creating high quality gardens for both domestic and commercial clients. She is a fully registered member of the SGD and sits on the board of directors at BALI.

JILAYNE RICKARDS

Based in Cornwall, Jilayne Rickards is a multi-award-winning garden designer who puts sustainability and biodiversity at the heart of her designs, including her show gardens at Chelsea, both of which have been relocated to the Eden Project.

Suppliers are determined to lower the carbon footprint of porcelain paving, explains Gareth Wilson

IS PORCELAIN still popular?

Probably the most common questions I’m asked these days relate to porcelain paving. Porcelain as a paving product was launched around 2010 in the UK, and its popularity really took off in 2016. So, it’s still a relative newcomer to the market. A number of people are asking, however, if its popularity has peaked or is waning altogether. This seems to be due to concerns having been raised about porcelain’s environmental sustainability; materials are baked in a kiln at an extremely high temperature to produce the paving and it is typically imported into the UK. Despite this, discussions I have had with many leading suppliers are that sales are certainly not dropping.

In my opinion, porcelain paving is not going anywhere. It has many benefits that appeal to clients and designers alike and I see the industry beginning to address porcelain’s environmental issues, which is great news.

Early in 2024, I went to Bologna with Solus Porcelain and visited many of the leading factories. This was a huge eye-opener. I found

that the Italians were actively addressing the sustainable issues associated with porcelain. They were looking to mitigate their carbon footprint by eliminating the use of natural gas by instead harvesting the meltwater from the mountains into lakes in the spring and extracting hydrogen from the water to power the kilns.

Much of the unused porcelain biscuit –which is pressed porcelain prior to firing – is collected and re-used, making it virtually wasteless.

One of the factories I visited in Bologna was also developing a catalytic type of porcelain that absorbed pollutants and odours from the air – now this was impressive!

Nothing would please me more than to see UK-sourced natural stone used more often, but price will always be a challenge. Porcelain is a more affordable option

Sadly, the cost of UK-sourced natural stone is out of many people’s reach. Nothing would please me more than to see UK-sourced natural stone used more often, but price will always be a challenge. Porcelain is a more affordable option. The benefits of porcelain to clients are obvious: it is low maintenance and available in a huge variety of colours, textures, and sizes.

British Standard BS7533:102 (for paving) provides definitive guidance on how to lay porcelain. Still a new product to the market, some suppliers are unfortunately providing very poor guidance.

Efforts are also being put into recycling the product. Instead of it going to landfill, it can now be crushed up very finely and used as an aggregate. Keep your eyes open too for a new paving product that will recycle your old paving and create a Terrazzo paving slab. This is something I expect we will see more and more.

Beyond the improved sustainability techniques in the production of porcelain paving, there are measures to reduce its cost too. The introduction of 16mm thick porcelain, as opposed to the standard 20mm, has reduced the cost quite a lot per square metre. Some are sceptical about the durability of the 16mm slab, but I don’t see an issue if it’s laid correctly and on a patio or pathway only.

To summarise, porcelain remains a winner. There are many benefits for contractors, designers and clients, alongside continuous product development improvements to address the sustainability and technological features.

Leaving college at 17, Gareth Wilson has worked in the landscape industry since 1989. Progressing onto high-end projects, he has picked up seven RHS gold medals. He is a member of multiple professional bodies. He provides technical and product advice to large companies, mentors and trains contractors and garden designers in landscape construction and on show gardens logistics across the UK. Wilson also provides mediation services, he is a member of the BS7533:102 committee and is an industry awards judge. gkwilsonlandscaping.co.uk

GARETH WILSON

Do companies need to have an

HR REPRESENTATIVE?

Oracle Solicitor’s Kai Sammer explains how businesses of any size can offer this and the benefits in doing so

Human Resources plays a pivotal role in ensuring that operations run smoothly and maintaining employee satisfaction within the business. For companies in the landscaping industry, where teams may vary from seasonal workers to long-term employees, understanding the responsibilities of HR is critical. But do businesses legally need to have an HR representative?

The short answer is no. However, there are some important points to consider.

In England and Wales, there is no statutory obligation for companies to employ a dedicated HR representative, regardless of their size or the industry they are in. However, every employer must comply with the various and ever-evolving employment laws. Employers are required to provide written employment contracts to staff on or before their start date, adhere to health and safety regulations, and manage employee rights, such as statutory sick pay, annual leave entitlement or flexible working requests, to name but a few. Failure to meet these obligations can result in legal claims or reputational damage.

HR encompasses a wide range of functions that contribute to fostering a productive and lawful workplace. For example, recruitment and onboarding involves advertising roles, interviewing candidates, and ensuring all necessary checks are carried out. HR also plays a crucial role in employee management by handling appraisals, grievances, and disciplinary procedures fairly and transparently. Another key focus is employee wellbeing, encompassing access to training, conflict resolution, providing support and ensuring an inclusive work environment.

Finding a balance that fits the business size and resources is key

be commercially feasible. Alternatives such as outsourcing HR functions to consultancies or payroll providers can help manage day-to-day tasks like drafting employment contracts or resolving disputes. Utilising modern HR software is essential for streamlining processes such as time tracking, payroll, and policy management. In very small teams, business owners or managers often take on HR responsibilities themselves, though it is essential that they stay informed about evolving legal requirements and make the best possible use of the tools available to them.

Ignoring HR responsibilities can expose businesses to significant risks. Non-compliance with employment law is likely to result in legal claims or fines. Employee dissatisfaction arising from poor handling of grievances or unclear policies can harm morale and lead to higher turnover. Employee reviews on sites such as Glassdoor can be damaging to a company’s reputation and hinder recruitment efforts.

to document everything, including contracts, policies, and procedures, ensuring clarity and accessibility. Seeking professional advice when in doubt can help avoid costly mistakes, and investing in training equips managers with the skills to handle common HR scenarios such as grievances or disciplinary actions.

While having a dedicated HR representative is not a legal requirement, every business must comply with employment laws and manage its workforce effectively. Finding a balance that fits the business size and resources is key. Whether outsourcing, investing in software, or handling HR internally, prioritising compliance and employee wellbeing will pay dividends in the long run.

For smaller sized businesses and startups, having a dedicated HR professional may not

To meet HR obligations effectively, businesses should make it standard practice

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 the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and Africa, please visit: oraclelawglobal.com

Difficult conversations are inevitable in any industry, and landscaping is no exception.

Whether it's addressing underperformance, discussing safety concerns, or negotiating project changes, these conversations can shape the dynamics of your team and the outcomes of your projects. At Hyphae Learning, we’re committed to helping landscaping professionals grow not just their technical skills, but also their leadership and interpersonal abilities.

In this piece, we’ll explore how building relationships, understanding motivations, and employing structured approaches can make difficult conversations less daunting and more productive. We’ll also introduce you to Kim Scott’s concept of radical candor – a valuable tool for handling these situations effectively.

Building relationships

The landscaping industry is built on relationships – with clients, designers, suppliers, and most critically, within your team.

A cohesive team doesn’t just deliver better results; it creates an environment where feedback is welcomed and conversations, even tough ones, are seen as opportunities for growth.

TURNING TENSION

into pro g ress

Hyphae Learning’s Sam Grayson explains how to navigate difficult conversations to facilitate growth

they’re more likely to listen without becoming defensive. The relationship built beforehand becomes the safety net for navigating the tricky territory of constructive criticism.

Finding the motivation

The motivation to have a difficult conversation should always be rooted in improvement – improving performance, safety, team dynamics, or the success of the project. Avoiding these conversations doesn’t just harm the individual, but it impacts the team and the project as a whole.

Imagine a scenario where a leader notices a new team member improperly using a piece of machinery. Ignoring the issue might seem easier in the short term, but it risks safety, equipment damage, and even morale if other team members perceive a lack of accountability.

The motivation to have a difficult conversation should always be rooted in improvement

Take the example of a project leader working with a team on a large-scale residential project. If the leader has invested time in understanding each team member’s strengths, challenges, and aspirations, addressing an issue like consistent lateness or a mistake in executing a design becomes less intimidating. When team members feel valued and respected,

Addressing the behavior, on the other hand, not only corrects the immediate issue but also demonstrates a commitment to safety and professionalism, setting a standard for the entire team. For the individual, the benefits are equally significant. A candid conversation can help them improve skills, align better with the team’s goals, and ultimately advance in their career.

Preparing for the conversation

Preparation is key to a productive discussion. Before initiating the conversation, consider your approach and the outcomes you hope to

achieve. Kim Scott’s theory of radical candor provides a useful framework here. Radical candor encourages leaders to "care personally" while "challenging directly." This balance ensures that feedback is delivered with empathy and honesty, fostering trust rather than resentment.

For instance, if a senior landscaper overlooks safety protocols, a manager might start by acknowledging the individual’s experience and contributions. Then, they can frame the issue not as a personal failing but as an area for improvement:

“Your attention to detail is one of your strengths, and it’s clear you care about the team. That’s why I want to address a safety concern I’ve noticed.

Ensuring everyone follows the protocol is critical, and I’d like to work with you on this.”

Priming the conversation also involves timing and setting. Choose a moment when both parties can focus without distractions – perhaps after the day’s work is done or during a scheduled one-on-one meeting. Avoid public settings, which can feel confrontational, and opt for a private space that allows for open dialogue.

HYPHAE LEARNING

is the industry's first all-in-one digital knowledge hub. Combining expert knowledge from the industry to give business owners the place to go to upskill and empower their teams.

Check out the Landscape Performance Podcast, with Catling and Grayson as the hosts, on Spotify, Google & YouTube

Founded

Jake Catling and Sam Grayson, Hyphae Learning

Established 1864

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“IT'S USEFUL TO HAVE METRICS, BUT WE'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY OF BEING

A BIT MORE FLEXIBLE AROUND THE EDGES”

Future Nature Consulting’s director Peter Massini is eager to see the “flaws” in biodiversity net gain addressed as soon as possible to ensure its success

WORDS: NINA MASON

As an ecologist, Peter Massini should be rubbing his hands together at the opportunities that biodiversity net gain (BNG) can provide. And don’t get me wrong, he fully endorses the principle behind the legislation introduced at the start of last year – that a development has to offset the impact on ecology and wildlife – and sees its benefits for the sector too.

“The great thing about BNG is it means that ecology and landscape have to be thought about much earlier on in the process – and that’s empowering ecologists and landscape architects to be at the table in the design team earlier on in the process, which is fantastic,” he says.

It’s early days, though – and it’s going to take time for everyone to adapt to the new way of working. Ecologists and landscape architects will need to work more closely together to make it a success, reckons Massini.

“On some projects, there’s tension between the landscape architects and ecologists, partly because the landscape architect is thinking about the development in terms of how it works with people, how you create hard space and play space, all of which are incredibly important. And if you’re lucky enough to be working on a scheme on the edge of town and it’s a brandnew greenfield site and the developer has purchased enough land for all those to be incorporated into the development along with BNG, then that’s fantastic. But where you’ve got a tighter development footprint to incorporate all the BNG elements and all the elements that a landscape architect is having to consider, then it becomes much trickier.

“So, increasingly, ecologists and architects need to be not only at the table early in the process but working collaboratively and recognising tradeoffs.”

The legislation’s focus on biodiversity arguably puts it in contention with other planning policies too, which can have unintended consequences at a project level, says Massini.

"Because it’s a legal requirement in the policy framework, it becomes one of the most important considerations for a developer and fulfilling local planning policy requirements such as those around sustainable drainage and tree planting almost becomes a secondary consideration because they’re always negotiable.”

novel. A whole bunch of students then left university in the late 80s, right at the time of the date of mass unemployment, when three million people were unemployed. The government had something called the Manpower Services Commission, which was effectively a big government funded scheme to bring people back to work, and that funded graduates going to work for charities.”

That’s how Massini ended up at the London Wildlife Trust, and where we meet, despite Massini now being a freelance consultant for the last four years.

It means there can be a “disconnect” between BNG and other policies, with little “wiggle room”. “Developers need to reach a 10% minimum biodiversity net gain and so will focus on delivering particular habitats or features that will achieve that.”

At the moment, there’s no way around this because BNG is “quite prescriptive”.

“I would hope, over time, the legislation would evolve so that you don’t lose the compulsion to deliver 10% biodiversity net gain, but there’s room at the margins to say, ‘If you did this, it wouldn’t quite meet the magic number, but the outcome for people and wildlife is perhaps slightly better.’”

introduce the tool for evaluating the quality and quantity of urban greening in a proposed development whilst working for the Greater London Authority.

Increasingly, ecologists and architects need to be not only at the table early in the process but working collaboratively and recognising tradeoffs

Policymaking isn’t exactly how Massini first envisaged his ecological career panning out, though; he had a notion that he’d be managing a local nature reserve, for instance. He grew up in Wadhurst, which is situated in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Sussex. “Having the countryside on your doorstep, you naturally get into building camps and being outside. Throughout school, you start to think about what you’re going to do for a job or career, and I thought, wouldn’t it be really nice to be able to do something around wildlife?”

“There were loads of us – suddenly this tiny charity went from 10 staff to about 90 people working for it, developing management plans for its nature reserves and physically working on them.”

By the 90s, ecology had become more mainstream as a profession, he says. Local authorities were starting to employ people with ecological experience, and Massini joined the “pioneering” London Ecology Unit, offering

advice to London boroughs. This then became part of the newly created Greater London Authority, which he went on to work for.

This is how the Urban Greening Factor works, for instance. Massini helped to

He ended up studying Rural Environment Studies at the now defunct Wye College in Kent which was part of the University of London in the 80s. The course was “one of the few degree courses that effectively did ecology”, whilst also covering economics and soil.

“It was at the beginning of people’s interest in ecology being a profession and something to be working within, rather than being a hobby. It was all quite new and

“Working in an urban area, you start having a much greater interest in how working for wildlife relates to people’s lives. From that, you gain a wider understanding that it’s not just about protecting bits of land for nature; it’s about how you green a city to provide a whole range of benefits for society as a whole, whether it’s space for people to enjoy for recreation or, increasingly, adapting a city to climate change.”

Being part of the Greater London Authority “was a fantastic opportunity to help create a quite progressive policy framework for a major city. And because London boroughs have to conform with London planning policies, the framework then cascades down into each London borough’s plans and projects. So, it’s quite a privilege.”

The Urban Greening Factor has significantly changed the way in which new developments

KIDBROOKE VILLAGE, LONDON: WILDLIFE HABITAT AND S uDS

ALL LONDON GREEN GRID

incorporate green infrastructure, says Massini. It was developed in recognition that BNG had a specific outcome of offsetting the impact of development on biodiversity and therefore wouldn’t cover other aspects of greening a development.“You can design schemes to deliver other benefits such as sustainable drainage, but that’s done alongside BNG, not because of BNG.”

A recommended score on the Urban Greening Factor is between 0.3 and 0.4, depending on the type of scheme; but developers are not obliged to achieve this, unlike BNG. “You’ve got to get a certain score through the metric, and that pushes you down particular outcomes or objectives or solutions that don’t always tie in with what might be the optimal solution for both people and biodiversity.

Working in an urban area, you start having a much greater interest in how working for wildlife relates to people’s lives

“I’ve come across examples where a team is designing a new development where local planning policy is pushing them down the route of creating as much sustainable drainage as possible; but when you enter that area of sustainable drainage into the metric, it scores far less than if you planted a line of trees, for example. So, as a developer, if you haven’t quite met your BNG score, you might swap out the sustainable drainage for some tree planting. You’ll get the score, but you’d have traded off that sustainable drainage element. Sometimes, you’ll get a tradeoff that isn’t quite right in terms of the best environmental outcome, particularly for a project in an urban area where you’re trying to address wider environmental issues other than biodiversity.”

In an ideal world, there would be “environmental net gain”, suggests Massini.“But to be perfectly honest, the idea that you can create a spreadsheet that can address all those environmental objectives seems slightly fantastical, and BNG is difficult enough in terms of using a spreadsheet. How do you develop a system that is nuanced enough to negotiate those tradeoffs?

We’re all dealing with contested space. Development, particularly in the UK, is trying to optimise the use of bits of land. We haven’t got the luxury of great new areas of land, and most of it is through private developments where the developer needs to optimise the amount of land they have to purchase with the return on that investment. It’s not as easy just buying another five hectares of land to meet all these requirements.”

Developers can achieve BNG offsite or purchase credits – options that will potentially become more popular if policies cannot be better balanced on site. But the mitigation hierarchy requires developers to demonstrate why BNG cannot be achieved on site first and foremost.“Part of that rationale might be trying to address other planning policies that are

either in conflict with the BNG requirement or don’t sit comfortably with it. Local planning authorities will therefore need to get their heads around what is a reasonable trade off.”

Unfortunately, a lot of local authorities do have the capacity to engage in this dialogue early on, says Massini. They’re not the only ones.“The notion of bringing ecologists to the table early in the process and being part of the design team just doesn’t happen at a development of five or 10 units. Developers for these sites will contract out their BNG to an ecologist and, if you’re lucky, a landscape architect will do a landscape design and an architect a design. The funds and budget don’t allow for putting together design teams and allowing them several conversations to come up with a design.”

A recent site Massini visited was for a stable being built in a field, which is still captured by BNG but is not being carried out by a development company.“They still need to submit a BNG assessment plan for a solution which is to plant two trees.” This could be “short circuited” if local planning authorities were able to triage planning applications to determine whether they need to provide a BNG assessment – something which was suggested in a blog by Natural England but no formal guidance has been given.

small companies earning a living.” There’s also a general consensus that it’s best to still use the statutory metric rather than the small sites metric for smaller sites. The statutory metric gives a more accurate assessment of the baseline site.

You can design schemes to deliver other benefits such as sustainable drainage, but that’s done alongside BNG, not because of BNG

And whilst the small sites metric requires a ‘competent’ person to carry out the BNG assessment, most developers are still bringing in qualified ecologists to avoid any issues as competency has not been defined.

“For small sites, the developer is now having to incur more cost because they've got to employ an ecologist effectively. They've got their planning consultant, their architect, and increasingly a landscape architect, but they're not working as design team, because you don't create a design team for a small project. Many developers are not making huge profits, especially at the smaller end of the scale. They’re

“The small sites metric was designed to be used by someone who’s not an ecologist but a competent person. One of the factors that affects the score is the condition of the habitat, and whilst an ecologist can say whether a habitat is in poor, medium, moderate or good condition, the small sites metric doesn’t allow this decision to be made and gives an automatic moderate score to the vast majority of habitats. So, if on a development site, the habitat is actually in poor condition, that’s not reflected in the metric which then penalises someone using the small site metric.”

The frustration, says Massini, is that there’s an awareness of these issues but no pathway or timeline being provided by Defra, the MHCLG or Natural England for resolving them.

“The reality is that no policy or piece of legislation is entirely fit for purpose; they always have flaws. I was a policymaker at the GLA and I know the Urban Greening Factor has flaws. Fortunately, because it’s planning policy, those flaws can be resolved through the process. But once you’ve got legislation, it’s harder to unpick it if it’s found to be resulting in unintended consequences. There are ways you can do it, such as providing updated

guidance on how to interpret the legislation without changing it. But it has to be formal guidance; it can’t be blogs. It's useful to have metrics, but we've got to find a way of being a bit more flexible around the edges.”

Massini uses the “not perfect” analogy of drug legislation, where a police officer can decide that if someone is in possession of a small amount of a Class C drug it’s for personal use and they’ll be fined rather than taken to prison. The police officer has got that authority; a local planning officer, on the other hand, does not have the authority to say it’s acceptable when a developer does not meet the 10% but to do so would have a negative impact on the design.“It would be interesting for a local planning officer to have some sort of authority to interpret the law.”

Despite the series of issues and loopholes in BNG that he’s flagged, Massini is not denouncing the legislation.“I'm just saying that to make it wonderful, you've got to recognise the flaws and the niggles and resolve them.

“It's inevitable when you bring in legislation covering everything from huge developments of 5,000 houses or a new big tower block in central London, right down to someone putting a stable in their field, that you can't think of every single possible solution. But, you need to have mechanisms in place and underway on the day the legislation is published to recognise that there are going to be some issues. Let's resolve them as quickly as possible and be transparent about it.”

Ultimately, this would ensure that BNG is an even greater opportunity for those working on these projects – with ecologists such as Massini at the forefront.

GOODMAN'S FIELD GREEN ROOF

©Mathew Frith

Give your project the edge

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AluExcel won’t rust, is lightweight and built to last. It is fast to install and perfect for creating a sleek, defined look to your landscape.

10 different heights

Spherical OASIS

KARAT LANDSCAPE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION, DESIGNED BY PETER READER LANDSCAPES

PRIVATE RESIDENCE IN ISLINGTON

What started as not much more than a desolate urban corridor with a concrete floor and an air of unwelcoming – described by the client as a 'dead space' – is now a contemporary outdoor living space, perfect for relaxing and entertaining.

Designed by award-winning designer, Peter Reader, this urban garden in Central London, is, like many, definitely on the smaller side. However, time and again, it has been shown that size is no obstacle to

creating a functional and thriving space – and this project is no exception. Brought to life by Karat Landscape Design & Build – an acclaimed London-based design and build company – this residential garden is now a larger-than-life urban oasis. By using a circular tile design, complemented with porcelain sett edge detailing; a series of visual boundaries and zones have been created. The design enlarges the space in all directions and creates a consistent structural flow throughout. Every porcelain sett was calibrated on site to achieve

a consistent 5mm joint spacing, requiring 180 setts to be cut along their longest sides. Each one was then meticulously mapped out and placed to ensure the pattern was perfect.

To enhance the feeling of rooms within the small space, a level change was introduced at the far garden end, using a raised composite Millboard deck. This incorporates a cedar bench seating area, set within a backdrop of raised planters. The planters feature structural specimens such as Pittosporum 'Golf Ball', Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Zebra’ and dwarf Japanese acers. Ground cover species like Pachysandra terminalis, ferns, Muehlenbeckia axillaris and Lamium maculatum 'Beacon Silver', complete the picture. The raised design also draws the eye upward along the backing wall, creating an added illusion of depth and space. An additional attraction to the seated area comes in the form of a gas fire pit. Weighing in at approximately 150kg, this was a particularly heavy challenge given the only means of access to the garden was through the stairs in the main property.

Matching planting to the raised seating area, with additions such as Heuchera 'Silver Scrolls', Campanula ‘Stella’ and Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’, borders the wider patio circular tiles, softening and adding greenery along the length of the garden. With limited space available, it can be easy for the garden to feel over encumbered by too much planting, but by the use of spherical and raised planters, the soft landscaping rests at varying heights, diffusing the harder elements and blending the two together

CLIENT FEEDBACK

“Karat Landscapes transformed my small outdoor concrete terrace that I considered “dead space”, into a stunning oasis with highly skilled craftsmanship and excellent project management. I saw first-hand the precision required to achieve the terrace construction elements - in particular the curved interlocking porcelain tiling. The time and expertise Karat put in to get everything exactly right is evident in the quality of the finished tiling, deck and planters.”

PLANTING

• Heuchera 'Silver Scrolls'

• Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'

• Hydrangea macrophylla 'Zebra’

• Pachysandra terminalis

• Blechnum spicant

• L amium maculatum 'Beacon Silver'

• Acer palmatum 'Sumi-nagashi'

• Muehlenbeckia axillaris

• Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball'

• Heuchera villosa 'Palace Purple’

seamlessly to bring the client’s vision of an evergreen city courtyard to life.

The original old retaining brick wall to the courtyard provided the perfect backdrop for the garden, with the neighbouring garden’s planting creeping through above, adding to the air of privacy and submersion. Sections of the wall did require some restoration, but the atmospheric faded paintwork was intentionally left intact. Finally, the wall has been adorned with three decorative Corten wall panels adding another textural

component, as well as attractive lighting when back-lit. The rusted patina of the panels adds atmosphere to the walls and provides a lovely foil to the planting beneath. Copper piping was used to disguise the lighting cables leading to each of the panels, which Jean-Paul Karat, director of Karat Landscape says is both “aesthetically complementary and practical”.

1 An overview of the garden

2 Backlit corten panels on the old wall

3 Dark porcelain and peripheral setts

4 Circular paving creates visual rooms

The team opted to break ground on the project in the autumn to minimise inconvenience caused to other residents within the building, who use the communal upper garden in summer. As bad luck

would have it, that autumn was a particularly wet one, leading onto an even wetter winter; presenting challenges for a project with intricate tile installation. The team overcame this by mapping out the dimensions of the project, from the tiles to the decking in meticulous detail. Linked to the heavy rain, a focus of the build was also to ensure effective drainage. This was achieved by installing a linear drain between the concrete base and the external finish levels, and by ensuring all manhole chambers and gullies remained easily accessible for maintenance.

The team at Karat Landscape Design & Construction was praised by the client for its professionalism, craftsmanship, and dedication to delivering “outstanding results” – and it’s easy to see why.

ABOUT

Karat Landscapes is at the forefront of garden design, constructing complex schemes in London and the Home Counties to the highest standard. Its garden design is influenced by the fusion between architecture, interior design and research into new outdoor materials including natural stone, porcelain and composite materials. karatlandscapes.com

REFERENCES

Garden design Peter Reader Landscapes readerlandscapes.com

Porcelain tiles London Stone londonstone.co.uk

Corten panels Stark & Greensmith starkandgreensmith.com

Fire pit Paloform paloform.com/uk

Cedar bench timber

Southgate Timber southgatetimber.co.uk

Aggregates Lawsons lawsons.co.uk

Decking Millboard millboard.com

5 A view from above

6 The view on entering the garden Photographs ©Karat Landscapes

ZONES OF Tranquility

FORMOSA LANDSCAPES

HAMPTON GARDEN

Hidden beneath what was once an unassuming and disused area was the potential for a space that could seamlessly blend both functionality and beauty. Formosa Landscapes, a BALIaccredited practice, just had to discover it – and quickly –before the client's daughter turned the area into a venue for her wedding reception.

After completing a recent house extension, the clients turned their attention to the outside – they longed for a garden that would match the aesthetics of their home, but they also needed a multipurpose space to entertain their substantial family.

1 Multiple seating areas seamlessly blending Japanese and Mediterranean influences

PROJECT DETAILS

Project value

£60-£100k

Build time

Four months

Size of project 300m2

The original site lacked a focal point or designated seating area, offering little in the way of entertainment. Additionally, the fence was in disrepair and a brick garage had been relegated to a storage room.

To begin, Formosa Landscapes brought the garden back to a blank canvas, with the exception of two existing mature pine and acacia trees – which were both utilised in the final design, as well as a Cornus kousa var. Chinensis to harmonise the Asian and Mediterranean fusion Formosa Landscapes was looking to achieve. Shade tolerant species, such as ferns and Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' – supplied by Creepers Nursery – were planted beneath the existing trees, while a selection of dwarf pines were planted to mirror the existing multi-stem pine, and permeable clay paving was installed below the tree to allow for water drainage. Both mature trees now bring in visual draw and offer a multi-level attraction to the garden.

PLANT

LIST

• Olea europaea (F)

• Amelanchier lamarckii

• Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'

• Cornus kousa var. chinensis

The existing terrace and steps were given an overhaul, as before they offered little to no cohesion to the flow of the garden. Two Corten steel facia structures; a planter and pond – both a bespoke design by Formosa Landscapes and fabricated by EverEdge –

2 Corten steel water reel

3 Japanese rock garden, surrounding multi-stem pine

4 Bespoke Corten steel pond and planter with cloud olive

5 Shou Sugi Ban pergola, table and bench made in-house by Formosa Landscapes

were installed to round off the harsh drop of the terrace, unifying the change in levels. Both the pond and plants surrounding it play a vital role in promoting biodiversity within the garden.

The Shou Sugi Ban method refers to the charring of the wood, then cooling it and cleaning by brushing and washing, and then finishing the wood with oil. One way to achieve this is through the burning of each wood plank with a blow torch, but the more traditional method requires bundling three planks at a time into triangular tubes and lighting the interior.

From storage room to indoor entertainment, the garage structure was also left intact but given a new lease on life, as now it houses one of the new seating areas, directly connecting to the new purpose built pergola. One of the main challenges of the build came from wanting to incorporate a charred larch pergola using the Shou-Sugi Ban method, but this proved too costly, leading to Formosa Landscapes taking on the task themselves so as not to compromise on the integrity of the design. This meant undertaking the task of burning the wood out in the open, in the middle of a particularly wet March – a purpose built shelter was erected to carry out the task and the garage was used to allow the planks to dry. The pergola now rests atop a raised decking area – supplied by Millboard – with an outdoor table beneath, offering a view of the back of the house which showcases the symmetry of the house and the garden design, fitting with the client’s brief.

CLIENT FEEDBACK

“The garden continues to evolve and as it becomes more mature, we can see more of the design thinking that went into it. We have several places/zones built into the design and each has its own view and provides a different perspective of the garden. The lighting adds something special, particularly through winter when we could still view the olive tree lit up brightly from inside our house. Overall, I have been blown away with the resultant garden. We are really looking forward to years of enjoyment.”

The hardest challenge posed to the practice however came in the form of the water pump used for the water rill. Due to the large proportions of pine needles settling in the vessel, they would be pushed through the pump and cause the nonreturn valve to stay open. To resolve this, a fine mesh was wrapped around the pump to prevent the needles from entering.

The client can now enjoy their garden year-round, and it will always hold a special place in the memories captured at their daughter’s wedding reception.

6 Old garage now converted into beautiful garden room with crittal doors

7 Textured planting soften the rock garden Photographs ©Joanna Kossak

REFERENCES

Planting Creepers creepersnursery.co.uk

Pergola UK Timber uk-timber.co.uk

Corten steel fascia Formosa Landscapes and EverEdge everedge.co.uk

A path running the length of the garden was laid central to the house extension, with multiple intersections to change direction towards each one of the seating areas, creating zones throughout the space that are connected through one central line to bring cohesion.

ABOUT

Formosa Landscapes offer a service that is entirely client-centric. Its focus is in creating the very best experience for you as it becomes your trusted advisor in the design, build and maintenance of your garden. The company’s goal is to surpass your expectations and transcend conventional boundaries, merging the beauty of highend luxury with a deep respect for nature. formosalandscapes.com

Outdoor furniture Formosa Landscapes and Garden Trading gardentrading.co.uk

Decking Millboard millboard.com/en-gb

Boulders CED Stone cedstone.co.uk

SIMPLE TO INSTALL

MAINTENANCE FREE

EDGING

RINGS

AFFORDABLE

LASTS A LIFETIME

PLANTERS

Blooming SKIES

CAMLINS

BUILDING DESIGN: EPR ARCHITECTS, DEVELOPER: QUADRANT

OSMO LONDON

Sitting in the heart of the new Nine Elms linear park – one of London’s emerging neighbourhoods and one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe – OSMO London is a mixeduse, contemporary office building, designed with wellness, sustainability and eco-working in mind.

It is considered one of London’s greenest office buildings, and with good reason. Focusing heavily on biophilic design, you’d be hard pressed to find an area of this project not encased in planting. Beginning at

PROJECT

DETAILS

Project value

£1.75m

Build time

36 months

Size of project

215,000sqft

(total gross internal area)

ground level, the surrounding planting seamlessly extends the existing Nine Elms Park landscape by adhering to the same plant specifications, from species to size, these include Sanguisorba 'Pink Tanna', Polystichum munitum (Western Sword Fern) and Geranium phaeum (Dusky Cranesbill), while the variety of shrubs and trees have been deliberately arranged to create a parkland atmosphere. Positioned adjacent to commercial units on the site, the new green areas are intended to foster a vibrant and welcoming environment for both visitors and the local community.

Moving up to the balcony planting, a mix of species have been used to offer seasonal variation and year-round interest.

Planters have been integrated into the architectural design of the building to ensure the soft landscaping occupied a prominent position and was a key visual feature of the structure. Camlins says the aim was not only to create a “lush and inviting atmosphere for balcony users” but also to craft a “verdant, dynamic element that spanned the full height of the building, establishing a living façade”. Finally ascending to the rooftop terrace, you are greeted to panoramic views of London, including the River Thames and Battersea Power Station. The client’s brief for the terrace was clear: it needed to be biodiverse, with a mix of plant species and an informal atmosphere to encourage a natural feel. In order to make the most of the raised, but limited space, the design was structured within a grid layout. Despite utilising this layout to help organise the landscape spatially, it was crucial that the planting was allowed to break the formality of the grid to allow the space to feel organic and inviting. Allowing the plants to be the

PLANTING

• Sanguisorba 'Pink Tanna'

• Polystichum munitum (western sword fern)

• Geranium phaeum (dusky cranesbill)

• Salvia 'Amistad'

• Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus Group'

• Geranium Rozanne ('Gerwat')

• Dryopteris affinis

• Iris 'Butter and Sugar' (Sib)

• Vinca minor f. alba

• L avandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'

Plus many more...

TREE PLANTING

• Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata'

• Sorbus intermedia

• Tilia cordata

• Amelanchier × grandiflora 'Robin Hill'

• Liquidambar styraciflua

Plus many more.

main focal point meant using minimal hard landscaping, including steel planters, timber benches and porcelain tiles, while also letting the plants gradually soften the hard surfaces as they matured to give the impression of nature reclaiming the space. The roof terrace planting, provided by Robin Tacchi Plants, includes Geranium 'Rozanne' (Gerwat), Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus Group', and Salvia 'Amistad'. Each species chosen for its hardy nature and ability to survive in the higher altitude's harsher environment, as well as for their ability to thrive in both sunny and shaded areas, with a mix of plants chosen to suit each condition.

To secure planning approval, the development was required to meet the mandatory 10% uplift under the biodiversity net gain legislation.

1 The terrace in bloom including Anemone, Rudbeckia and Salvia

2 OSMO London within its Nine Elms Park setting

3 Looking out over Battersea Power Station from the roof terrace

4 The flexible amenity space wrapped in green on top floor, OSMO London

5 Pinus Nigra, Betula Pendula and Amelanchier lamarckii in public realm

6 The interior planting by Plant Designs

This led to the installation of several new habitats and wildlife friendly features, such as bee habitats, and bird and bat boxes within the rooftop terrace – allowing both the greenery to flourish and people to connect more freely with nature.

BREEAM ASSESSMENT –SUSTAINABLE BUILDING CERTIFICATION

BREEAM provides a holistic sustainability assessment framework, measuring sustainable value in a series of categories and validating this performance with third-party certification. Categories are assessed on influential factors, including low impact design and carbon emissions reduction, design durability and resilience, ecological value and biodiversity protection. Ratings range from Acceptable (in-use scheme only) to Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, to Outstanding. breeam.com

OSMO has also achieved a BREEAM rating of Outstanding, reflecting its exceptional commitment to sustainability. The building is powered by 100% renewable sourced power, achievable through the solar panelled roof, and has zero in operation CO2 emissions and zero operational waste to landfill. Throughout development, 100% of waste was also diverted from landfills – all of which contributes to its status as one of London’s greenest office buildings. In the client’s brief, it was outlined that the roof terrace should be maximised and should strive to be exceptional. From the wildlife habitat inclusion to the renewable energy facilities and extensive planting, it is safe to say that has been delivered, making OSMO a fitting addition within the journey to make Nine Elms one of London’s greenest districts.

7 Verbena Bonariensis, Cornus Kousa and Hydrangea Paniculata bringing colour to the roof terrace 8 Embracing London’s landscape Photographs ©EPR Architects

ABOUT

Camlins is a Shrewsbury-based landscape architect with decades of experience designing landscape and public realm projects of national importance. The practice works across all scales and sectors, with projects ranging from the transformation of Ancoats in Manchester to taking a lead role in making Nine Elms one of London’s greenest districts. camlins.com

REFERENCES

Landscape contractor (building) Frosts Landscape frostslandscapes.co.uk

Landscape contractor (park) Maylim maylim.co.uk

Architect and principal designer EPR Architects epr.co.uk

Plants (roof level) Robin Tacchi Plants robintacchiplants.com

Trees (roof level)

Lorenz Von Ehren Nursery lve-baumschule.com

The result of many years of research and development to create a deck board that truly replicates natural timber, Redux ™ has been cast from aged American Red Oak timbers and is hand finished in six naturally aesthetic colourways.

FAWN

SHADOW

CASHMERE SMOKE

HAVANA DUSK

Retaining walls can be daunting and difficult to tackle in a garden design brief. Used to create level areas for planting, or functional space on a sloping site, they need to be designed carefully, with consideration in terms of structural design and resulting longevity. From a design point of view, it’s not only how the wall works and interacts with the site that needs consideration; it’s how it looks and impacts the space that’s just as important.

Before getting creative, it’s worth considering the following: the height of the wall or structure and the load it needs to support are critical factors in its design. Moisture content and soil type will affect the walls design and stability. Proper drainage systems are key to ensuring the wall doesn’t suffer damage from water build up which can exert additional pressure on the wall or cause issues with the exterior finish over time.

Stylistically, retaining walls need dressing and finessing in order to seat them appropriately into a space. There are certain ways to achieve this successfully depending on the style of garden you’re working in. Here are some of our favourite ways to tie them into your design.

Gabions are mesh containers filled with materials like rocks, boulders, brick or concrete. In certain scenarios they can be filled with recycled material and then dressed to the front side with a chosen material that suits the site. Consequently, they are a cost-effective way of retaining a slope or level change. Often popular in more commercial settings, we like to use gabions where there’s space for them in the scheme, often on rural sites, or

Strong

Foun d ations

Matt Evans shares how to build on the basics of retaining walls and structures to make them blend seamlessly into the landscape

on sites where you can dress them in a contemporary facing stone or brick. They’re great for linking together and creating unusual shapes – like Lego for landscapers! Versatile and cost effective and really effective in coastal garden settings, we love gabions.

Sleeper retaining walls are particularly cost effective and aesthetically

Retaining walls need dressing and finessing in order to seat them appropriately into a space. There are certain ways to achieve this successfully depending on the style of garden you’re working in

versatile. At home in contemporary schemes or more rural sites, they can be painted, overclad, laid flat or vertically. Beware of using recycled railway sleepers, particularly if you’re planning on the wall being a place to perch or sit -- they ooze tar and chemicals from their previous life. Always use sustainably sourced timber.

Sheet metal retaining details can create beautiful curves and there are many off the shelf suppliers offering linktogether profiles for creating seamless level changes. They offer you the opportunity to have galvanised, powder coated colours or Corten/mild steel weathered looking walls – perfect for contemporary urban gardens and more classical looking schemes where you’re looking for a sharp detail or focal point. The raw material is more

environment and in our experience still need re-painting. We’re seeing an uptake in clients using fluted tiles on the wall face, running up to a classic bullnosed coping stone. Alternatively, brick facing a wall with slips is a nice way of having a structural aesthetic but using cheaper blockwork for the structural element. You can clad a block wall in almost anything assuming you consider moisture and the coping detail to the top of it. Many suppliers are now supplying natural stone cladding, backed off paddlestones and interlinking panels – quick to apply and cost effective.

ELEVATE the landscape

If designing a garden with significant level changes and multiple walls, a nice way to break up and sof ten the wall is to forward plant it

expensive, and so it should be noted that the client will need an appropriate budget before specifying. These profiles will only retain level changes to approximately 500mm unless custom made with engineered fixings, and so it’s advisable to survey the site in detail before specifying to make sure they’re up to the job.

Concrete blockwork walls remain a cost effective and structurally safe way to retain levels. Relying on the weight of the blockwork to retain the level and resist soil pressure, you can also reinforce them with steel, meaning they are suitable for higher walls that need to bear significant strength. Bricks and blocks are long lasting and resistant to weather, pests and fire. Importantly, if built properly, they will withstand significant loading over a long period of time.

Most of the time we specify cladding to a concrete block wall, opting for a nice detail over a basic render which cracks, weathers horribly and needs painting. Resin-based renders are expensive and bad for the

If designing a garden with significant level changes and multiple walls, a nice way to break up and soften the wall is to plant in front of it. Planting provides the opportunity to add texture, seasonal interest, structure and uplighting. The wall can then become the backdrop to a focal point or point of interest, lessening the impact on the space. Living walls are also becoming increasingly popular in the urban environment where floor space is limited. Soften a large elevation completely by covering it in plants. There are numerous off the shelf solutions; consider light, maintenance, access and irrigation before getting too excited. It’s not as easy to achieve as it looks!

Retaining structures are an important component in most of our landscape schemes. They provide not only functional support but also enhance the aesthetic of a space, providing drama, scale and balance to a design. Careful design, material selection and maintenance are key to ensuring their longevity and performance once built.

Matt Evans is the managing director and design lead at The Garden Room Living and Landscape Studio, based in Poole, Dorset. The Garden Room is a young, creative design studio founded by partners in life and design, Matt and his wife Elle Evans. Located just a stone’s throw from the shores of Poole Harbour and the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, they operate across Dorset, London and the south of England offering garden design, project management and planting as well as specialist aftercare. thegardenroomstudio.com

Price: From £36.10 (excl. VAT) jacksons-fencing.co.uk

Backed off paddlestones

Backed off paddlestones are the perfect naturalistic solution to clad garden walling and create every garden structure imaginable, from firepits to kitchens and steps.

Price: From £715 (excl. VAT) (3-4m² coverage per crate) arbourlandscapesolutions.co.uk

DesignClad is an ultra-sleek, versatile, durable, lightweight porcelain cladding material, perfect for contemporary landscaping projects. Price: From £38.88 m² (excl. VAT) (For trade when logged in online) londonstone.co.uk

DesignClad

Jacksons Fencing

Arbour Landscape Solutions

London Stone

Jakwall® Landscape Timbers/Sleepers

Jakwall® is a timber retaining wall system; a modern alternative to traditional garden or railway sleepers, with chamfered edges. It comes in grooved and ungrooved designs.

MATT EVANS

Careers, Training & Qualifications

Growing Skills in the land-based and Environment Sector

Lantra is an independent, awarding and accreditation body which exists to help the land-based and environment industries meet their skills needs.

We develop and certify specialist training and qualifications for a range of industries, including landscaping and horticulture.

Check out our website to learn more about how we can support your skills and training needs!

MILLBOARD

Millboard Enhanced

Grain Ebony Grey

Price: £69 per board

“In 2025, decking trends will focus on sustainability, with eco-friendly materials like recycled wood and composite decking taking centre stage. Darker tones and rich, natural colours are likely to be popular, providing a sophisticated, modern look. There will also be an emphasis on multifunctional spaces, with built-in seating, lighting, and smart technology for convenience.” - Millboard

• Hand moulded and coloured

• Natural wood look

• Recycled materials

• Integrated UV stabilisers

• Low maintenance millboard.com

RYNO

Vitrified Composite® Decking

“The demand for noncombustible, low-maintenance decking with realistic wood finishes will dominate outdoor living trends. Products that offer seamless design integration for balconies, terraces, and steps will define 2025's must-have innovations.” - Ryno

• Realistic hard-wood effect

• Non-porous, frostresistant surface

• Class A1 fire-rated for safety

• Slip-resistant, low-risk surface (PTV ≥ 36)

• Matching bullnose boards for seamless edges rynosystems.com

DECK HIT THE running

TREX UK

Trex Transcend Lineage Biscayne composite decking

Price: £145 per metre square

“Inspired by the mangroves and sandy coasts of Florida, Trex UK predict coastal-inspired honey colours to dominate home exteriors in 2025.” - Trex

• High-performance protective outer shell for durability; resists fading and staining

• Quality, low-maintenance material; cleans easily with soap and water

• Created from up to 95% recycled materials

• Backed by a 50-year limited residential warranty

• Incorporates innovative heat-mitigating technology

EVA-LAST

Apex

Price: Apex – 4.8m x 24mm x 140mm – RRP £80.39

“Decking trends are moving more towards creating an ‘outdoor living area’, it is no longer just a patio, but rather a multi-level entertainment area. This could include a lounging patio area, an outdoor kitchen area or a fire pit area.” - Eva-Last

• Natural aesthetic

• Lightweight

• Fire and slip resistant

• Low-maintenance

• Eco-friendly eva-last.com

MATTHEW SPEDDING In conversation with...

THE YEAR AHEAD

Composite Prime’s business development director on what the supplier’s 10 year anniversary has in store

What will Composite Prime be focusing on in 2025?

This year, in line with our five year Global Growth strategy, we will be focussing on continually developing our value proposition to ensure we are the go-to trusted brand for professionals. The demand for our products is surging, so progressive development is key for the business; this drives value to all stakeholders from the stockists that stock Composite Prime products down to the landscape contractors and garden designers that recommend our products daily to their customers. 2025 also marks the 10-year anniversary of Composite Prime –so it’s a year for celebration!

The demand for our products is surging, so progressive development is key

Where do you envision the company being by the end of the year?

On top of the world. No seriously, we will be on top. The energy within the business currently is infectious, and we have such a fantastic team with a focus on the growth of the organisation. Our objective is to be the supplier of choice for composite decking, fencing and cladding, along with supporting the industry by raising the

standards of the installation of our products at their final destination.

Can we expect to see any new products from Composite Prime in 2025?

We are super excited to launch the cladding version of our Redux product in February – this will further boost the success of the Redux product range. Our Redux cladding will be available in three natural colour tones, and has a Class D Fire Rating. Q4 2024, we launched two significant new products into

It's clear there is huge potential for growth in 2025

our decking portfolio – Elements and Boardwalk – both manufactured in the US and feature unique proprietary technology with multiple installation and design benefits. I can’t wait to see all these new products installed throughout the year and our customers pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

What successes did Composite Prime have in 2024?

Our primary success in 2024 was the launch of our ‘Build with Prime’ accreditation course, which was built in partnership with our training partners The Landscape Academy and accredited by Lantra. The aim of the course is to raise the standards of Composite Decking installation and up-skill the next generation wanting to offer composite decking within their portfolio. The course was attended by over 50 individuals in 2024, and it will relaunch in March this year. We also celebrated being part of a gold-medal winning show garden at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, ‘Entertaining meets Nature’, built by young garden designer Callum Corrie who achieved both a gold medal and the People's Choice Award, and featured a Redux cashmere floating deck.

Where can people purchase Composite Prime products?

We sell all our products through a carefully selected network of stockists across the UK and Ireland. New for 2025, we have launched a product sourcing platform for customers looking to purchase our products – our team in Yorkshire will connect you to the stockist in your area and secure you the best possible price. We have invested heavily in the training of our internal sales team and can assist with everything from drawing take offs to the calculation of sub frame requirements under your deck. Composite Prime also offers a full sample service along with an array of valuable product resources such as case studies, test certificates and installation guides for our full product portfolio.

Final comments

Be hungry, this year is full of opportunities. I’m excited for the year ahead, and if January is anything to go by, it’s clear that there is huge potential for growth in 2025 – which we definitely plan to capitalise on. It’s Prime time!

‘BUILD WITH PRIME’ ACCREDITATION COURSE

EVEREDGE

Rolltop Titan

Price: From £20.84 per metre

• Available in 2.5mm and 4.0mm thickness with a rolled top edge

• 4.0mm ‘Hydra’ provides sturdy edging, ideal for car parks and driveways

• 2.5mm ‘Rolltop Titan’ is flexible and suited where a proud edge is required

• Rolltop Titan can be used to create straighter, firmer and more robust edges

• Supplied in 2.5m lengths in either a brown, mild steel or corten finish everedge.co.uk

Price: From £51.60 per metre

• Add colour to your design with multiple finish options

• Achieve both straight and curved edges with one system

• Configure Contour onsite with basic tools to any length

• Heights up to 600mm without concrete foundations –structurally guaranteed

• Buy online in seconds and install onsite in minutes gardenedgingonline.com

KINLEY

AluExcel

Price: From £10.13

• Rigid and f available for seamless landscape lines

• 100% recyclable premium quality aluminium (6005A T6 alloy) making it suitable for hot lay surfaces

• Over 10 different heights available – suitable for a wide range of build ups

• Refined and improved 10 times following market feedback over the years

• Design life of aluminium is approximately 30 years kinley.co.uk

TRIM & PROPER

A multifaceted addition to any outdoor space, from water management and weed control, to maintenance and safety, these edging options offer a variety of solutions.

CORE LANDSCAPE PRODUCTS

CORE DATUM EDGE

Price: £20.50 (excl. VAT) per lm

(volume-based discounts available)

• Heavy duty 3mm steel: Strong, flexible, and built for commercial use

• Seamless front face: Robust rear fixing plates ensure a seamless, flush front face

• DatumLock™ System: Enables precise micro-adjustments for perfect edging height

• No preformed spikes: Simplifies installation, even in tough ground conditions

• Three finishes: Available in mild steel, galvanised, and corten steel. corelp.co.uk

MARSHALLS

Fairstone Sawn

Versuro® Borders

Price: £45.57 per lm

• Premium sandstone lawn edging, offered in four sophisticated neutral tones

• Marshalls unique light blasting highlights sandstone’s authentic texture and elegance

• Backed by the exceptional quality of Marshalls

Stone Standard

• Highly durable and engineered to endure diverse and extreme weather conditions

• Seamlessly integrates with Marshalls Versuro paving for cohesive outdoor designs marshalls.co.uk

WATER-WISE SOIL

With flood warnings occurring across the country, rain gardens have grown in popularity, raising the question: which types of soil are most beneficial?

BOURNE AMENITY

BA Rain Garden Soil

Price: £35 - £45

• Looking for a natural soil with a sand content around 85-95%. If not, blend in a washed sand.

• Mo derate saturated hydraulic conductivity rate (100 –200mm/hr ideally).

• Organic matter content around 3-5%.

• Ph level no more than 8.0 and ideally as close to neutral as possible.

What makes the soil suitable for a rain garden?

“Good drainage properties and enough fertility to support healthy plant life.”

How can professionals help the soil thrive?

“Good and proper installation with outflow drainage pipes, a good free-draining subsoil and correct gradients to ensure healthy water flow. A good rich organic matter additive should be used on poor soils to encourage healthy plant growth to support the system.”

Where will you see the best results with this soil?

“Rain gardens in domestic or commercial areas where water buildup is a problem.”

Jonathan Bourne, Director of Bourne Amenity bourneamenity.co.uk

BOUGHTON

BLRG Rain Garden Soil

Price: Priced to specification

• Organic content circa 3.5%

• A low pH of circa pH 7.3

• Total porosity 53.7 %

• Bulk density at field capacity 1.36 t/m3

• Saturated hydraulic conductivity 11.2 mm/min

What makes the soil suitable for a rain garden?

“Boughton BLRG Rain Garden Soil is based on an extensive green roof substrate, with a small amount of topsoil blended into the mixture to slow down filtration and provide more body. This will retain water for a longer period of time within the soil mixture, increasing its water storage performance, and improving water quality benefits.”

How can professionals help the soil thrive?

“Maintenance is essential to prevent run off clogging the substrate over time, this is straightforward removing larger debris and periodically agitating the surface.”

Where will you see the best results with this soil?

“Rain garden soils are used alongside roadways and hard surfaces to capture water runoff to regulate infiltration into the ground and/or to slow entry to the main rainwater drainage infrastructure. The soil is often placed with a gravel mulch to improve aesthetics.”

Simon Hedley, Managing director of Boughton boughton.co.uk

BURY

HILL

Rain Garden Soil

• Scientifically tested for rain garden use

• Verified rate of drainage

• Screened and friable for year-round use

• Balanced nutrient levels for healthy plants

• Available loose, bulk bags and small bags

What makes the soil suitable for a rain garden?

“It is specifically formulated to provide certified soil solutions for SuDS rain gardens. These soil blends help manage surface water while delivering the necessary nutrients to support flourishing and sustainable planting schemes.”

How can professionals help the soil thrive?

“For optimal performance, our rain garden soils should be integrated into a project-specific soil profile with appropriately draining subsoil, installed without compaction, kept clear at inlets/outlets, and combined with suitable planting.”

Where will you see the best results with this soil?

“Rain garden soils are ideal for areas prone to surface water issues and urban environments with impermeable surfaces.”

Russell Eales, Sales account manager for Bury Hill buryhilltopsoilandlogs.co.uk

JONATHAN BOURNE SUPPLYING SOIL FOR LONGEVITY In conversation with...

The managing director of Bourne Amenity’s is looking into the carbon footprint of its soils

What sets Bourne Amenity apart?

The fundamental, underlying principles are really basic: service, quality and reliability. We’ve been going for almost 80 years now, and if you were to ask anyone across our businesses or our customer base, that’s what they would say – that we’re built on the fact that we do what we say we’re going to do. But also, Bourne Amenity is one of the largest of four companies that make up the Bourne Group, which includes John Bourne, Bourne Sport and Gardenscape. So, we’ve got expertise spanning multiple sectors, including many people that we can call on for knowledge and experience, which gives us an advantage. And we have our own fleet of trucks that we can call on whenever we need them; not being beholden to third-party hauliers. Also, we carry out muck away and recycling. So, not only do we take materials onto site, but we take materials out of site too.

Tell us about the various types of soil available.

We’re up to about 30 different soils and substrates now. Ten years ago, there were probably just the basic British Standard soils. Now, through our clients and their requirements, that’s expanded. British Standard is still our biggest seller, but some clients want a special soil for different occasions. So, we're very much led by the industry and by the incredible architects, specifiers and contracts managers that have these unique and wonderful projects in mind, and their specific soil needs.

Which product is experiencing fastest growth?

SuDS is definitely the fastest. We’ve been involved in SuDS schemes for the last decade, when it was around 1% of what we were doing. Last year, it was probably closer to 25%, with a lot of retrofit projects in London and other major cities, and all housebuilders now understand the importance of implementing SuDS in their developments. British Standard soils will always be our biggest seller, but SuDS are catching up.

Why is testing soils for a landscape so important?

It’s more than testing. If I were a contractor who is putting a lot of resources towards a supplier of a material like topsoil, I’d want to go and see how they make it to give a real flavour of what goes into the soil. You expect that soil to be there for hundreds of years, and you want to know that you’re getting a good material. So, we do that a lot with our customer base. We test every material regularly, but none of that matters if the material doesn’t do what it’s meant to do; you need to get a feel for the site and have trust in the supplier.

How do you ensure a product's longevity?

A few years ago, I was really interested in how some of the sites that I’d worked on in the early part of my career, that we’d supplied like the Olympic Park, were progressing now. Longevity is crucial, making sure these soils are performing. We revisited sites in and around London with Alistair Bayford to gain an understanding of this. Feedback and communication from our clients is key for product development, so we make sure to support projects over an extended period of time to understand our product's longevity and progress. We’re also working with Dan Evans at Cranfield University on how the soils have evolved over time, and Tim O’Hare Associates tests all our soil.

Longevity is crucial, making sure these soils are performing

What are some ambitions for the company in the year ahead?

As well as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), we’re in conversation with Cranfield to understand the carbon impact of soil and how it can be measured. We have trucks which are FORS Gold and we run as efficiently as possible; whilst there’s no getting away from the fact that they are detrimental to the environment, every ton of soil we supply becomes a self-sustaining ecosystem and sequesters carbon. We’re not just doing the research to become carbon neutral, though; we’re doing it because there’s a genuine desire from the industry to understand what these landscapes offer in terms of a carbon reduction.

BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN Special

In partnership with

SUPPORTING BIODIVERSITY - THE LINDUM WAY

Transform your landscape instantly with our award winning wildflower turf, designed to create a vibrant wildflower meadow or garden area. It features a carefully balanced blend of native wildflowers, herbs, and colourful flowering perennials, all thriving in a moisture-retentive, plastic-free, biodegradable felt. This eco-friendly solution not only enhances the beauty of your outdoor space but also supports local biodiversity. Experience the joy of an instant wildflower area that is both sustainable and visually stunning.

Our Species-Rich Turf is a harmonious blend of wildflowers and grasses, the 80/20 mix is carefully cultivated into a plastic-free, moisture-retentive mat, creating an instant biodiverse haven. This unique turf can be maintained like a traditional lawn with regular mowing, or left to grow naturally to encourage the flourishing of diverse plant species.

MINDING THE GAP? Should we be

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While biodiversity net gain promises to enhance the natural environment, it can be argued that existing loopholes within the system may be undermining its effectiveness

WORDS: BETHANY VANN

According to the 2023 State of Nature Report, the UK is one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries, with many habitats of significance now considered to be in poor condition and almost 1,500 UK native species of plants and wildlife currently facing the threat of extinction.

In an attempt to not only reverse the damage but also improve the country’s natural habitats, the government introduced a new naturefronted legislation, which for the last year has required developers to deliver measurably positive net gain to the natural habitat found on development sites, compared to what was there prior.

Since February 2024, developers, local planning authorities, land managers and all nature-based professions in between have been getting to grips with biodiversity net gain (BNG) to facilitate the mandatory 10% uplift required of them. Despite the legality of the legislation, it was revealed at the House of Lords in early November last year that only 7% of planning applications were identifying a need for BNG, which the government expressed was “massively lower” than it had expected – prompting the question, are there gaps in the legislation being exploited and if so, how can they be addressed before our country’s ecosystems deteriorate further?

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BIODIVERSITY GAIN HIERARCHY

There are three ways developers can achieve the statutory uplift, but before those come into consideration, they must first take steps to avoid adverse effects and where that is unavoidable, they are required to mitigate said effects.

Known as the Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy, developers can combine all three of the following steps, but they must follow them in order of priority when planning and implementing biodiversity improvements.

ENHANCE AND RESTORE BIODIVERSITY ON-SITE

Create new habitats or improve existing ones on the development site.

AN ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE COMBINATION

Create habitats off-site, such as on nearby land or through partnerships with other organisations.

PURCHASING BIODIVERSITY CREDITS

Purchase credits to make up for biodiversity loss, which are used to fund environmental improvement projects led by relevant organisations.

BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN Timeline

Gaps in the policy create uncertainty and uncertainty breeds inaction

Brian Hawtin, Associate landscape architect, Huskisson Brown Associates

When questioned about potential loopholes in the legislation, Oliver Lewis, CEO and founder of Joe’s Blooms, digital BNG tool provider, highlighted the "de minimis exemption" as "by far the biggest one”, referring to the “huge numbers of people asserting that they're eligible for de minimis”, – Lewis goes on to says that the low quality of checks in place to ascertain de minimis eligibility is resulting in people sidestepping the whole BNG process, which arguably negates the intended purpose of the legislation in the long-run. He notes that through Joe’s Blooms’ exemption checking service, the BNG specialist has helped approximately 12,000 people assess their BNG requirements ahead of development, “and basically everyone just gravitated straight to the de minimis” – which in itself arguably reveals a reluctance to incorporate BNG into planning projects, and in turn highlighting the potential negative stigma the legislation is building.

Associate landscape architect, Brian Hawtin, from landscape and environmental design consultancy Huskisson Brown Associates, adds that while he has noticed a lack of “definition to what constitutes significant” in relation to onsite gains, which he argues “could be a loophole or a trip hazard depending on your point of view”, the overarching exemption loopholes stem from “planning authorities not having the time or expertise to see when claims for exemption are spurious at best.”

Hawtin notes that another loophole being exploited derives from “the small site metric, which seems to be causing problems with build on plots over the minimum requirement, particularly single house builds with large gardens, as there is little or no room for ecological enhancement”, he recalls seeing applicants trying to “prove exemptions to get round this”.

The government launched six biodiversity offsetting pilot schemes across England to test and monitor their feasibility.

2011 2013 2019

Jumping ahead to March 2019, it was announced that BNG would become a mandatory legislation across the country as part of the forthcoming Environment Bill.

Two years later the government published its Green Paper detailing plans for further biodiversity offsetting incorporation into the UK planning system.

THE DE MINIMIS EXEMPTION

This exemption applies to developments where the biodiversity impact is considered minimal and applying the full BNG requirements would be deemed disproportionate. It applies to development that does not impact a priority habitat and impacts less than 25 sqm of non-priority onsite habitat, or 5m for non-priority onsite linear habitats.

SIGNIFICANT VS NON-SIGNIFICANT

Significant enhancements are habitat parcels that contribute significantly to the development’s biodiversity. They will vary depending on the development’s scale and the site’s existing habitats. Non-significant enhancements refer to habitat enhancements included in a site’s metric calculations that contribute little to the biodiversity value. An example of this is private gardens which have low distinctiveness value.

With every loophole exploited and unwarranted exemption granted, the legislation will surely become increasingly ineffective and could arguably alienate those who are actively adhering to it.

Lewis concurs that if the policy is meant to “change the whole attitude and approach to development across England”, but it's only a small percentage of people “who are adhering to it, it becomes deeply unfair”, and those who aren’t adhering to the guidelines “are basically getting away with not having to consider nature's impact.” Arguably the lack of consistency within the policy up and down the country has contributed to these loopholes, Hawtin claims “gaps in the policy create uncertainty and uncertainty breeds inaction”, and that by delaying the release of the legislation “and in particular the publication of the mechanism of BNG, has meant that some did not

them behind the curve,” resulting in a non-cohesive workforce that is at vastly sporadic skill levels for delivering BNG.

And while the legislation may not be everyone’s cup of tea, its purpose is surely one we can all get behind – persevering the country’s biodiversity and safeguarding it for future generations. “It's worth pointing out that smaller developments have a really important role here,” says Lewis. “If you create small islands of

2025 2023

It was then confirmed in February 2023 that BNG would become mandatory in November that year, but two months prior to roll out, the government announced it would be delaying the policy until the new year.

BNG is currently slated to extend to nationally significant infrastructure projects from late November this year.

2021 2024

In 2021, the BNG framework was outlined in the Environment Act 2021, giving a first glimpse into what the legislation would entail. This was followed up with a government-led consultation period on BNG implementation, which ran until April 2022.

After being delayed a second time in January 2024, launch day was finally upon us as the legislation made its debut, coming into effect on 12 February for all new major developments. On 2 April 2024, the nature fronted legislation extended to all new small development planning applications across England.

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We need a system whereby local planning authorities and other recognised bodies are able to properly interrogate whether or not someone is eligible for an exemption

Oliver Lewis, CEO and founder, Joe’s Blooms

habitat here, there and everywhere,” the benefits will outweigh those of a singular large development. “If you have big chunks of nature, it all becomes one species, which in turn runs the risk of becoming one disease or the same issue taking hold,” – “it just removes the systemic risk to species and habitats, which is why it’s so important everyone plays their part.”

It would be safe to assume that without adequate professional support and tighter regulations where necessary, the legislation is likely to become a hindrance more than a solution – so how can this be rectified? “We need a system whereby local planning authorities and other recognised bodies are able to properly interrogate whether or not someone is eligible for an exemption,” says Lewis. “While there is a sensible system already outlined by the government,” he believes that the requirement for a habitat assessment to be provided during exemption assessment using the BNG metric would prove more beneficial, as it “allows the validation team to check whether or not the project is eligible for de minimis.” He believes that instead of “accepting exemption applications at face value” we need more in-depth checks using the BNG metric findings. But again, this responsibility resides under the local planning authorities remit, which Hawtin believes are currently lacking in the necessary resources to enforce BNG; “it seems clear to me that once local planning authorities realise there is a potential cost recovery income stream that would self-fund inspections and enforcement, then I think they’ll find the resources necessary.”

The legislation has only been in effect for a year, so it is easy to note the potential issues within it. But also, it is easy to negate the knowledge gap which is an unsurprising but crucial factor to consider. “It basically requires developers to think really seriously about nature for the first time on their site,” says Lewis. “Whenever you are getting people to change their behaviours, or their attitudes, it will always be the case that you're going to see side effects.”

LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE

Created and enhanced habitats are required to be maintained for at least 30 years after development. This means developers and land managers will need to plan for site maintenance, as well as the upkeep of created and enhanced habitats. Those planning to sell off-site biodiversity units will need to commit to managing the habitat for the minimum period as well.

This will be legally secured through either a Section 106 agreement or a conservation covenant. At the end of this time period, it is entirely possible for landowners to further enhance the habitat and sell these benefits on as biodiversity units. To re-enter the site into the off-site BNG market, a new baseline will need to be established using the metric. If habitats are not reentered into the market, the government does not expect them to be lost and the net gain to be reversed, they will instead be maintained by the area’s governing body, or the landowners, just like green spaces are now, but without the BNG rules in play.

The discourse surrounding BNG has been turbulent to say the least over the last 12 months, from unclear guidelines and wavering expertise availability and now to the potential exploitation of loopholes, but surely, we never expected a legislation of this magnitude to be smooth? Yes, it could be said the government should be putting more resources at the hands of developers and land-based professionals, to facilitate the policy in which it has been working towards for over a decade, and yes, it would be easy to lose sight of the end goal of BNG, but it is a goal that none of us can afford to miss.

It seems clear to me that once local planning authorities realise there is a potential cost recovery income stream that would selffund inspections and enforcement, then I think they’ll find the resources necessary

Brian Hawtin, Associate landscape architect, Huskisson Brown Associates

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Since biodiversity net gain (BNG) was launched in February, this self-titled “world leading” legislation by Natural England has been anything but straightforward.

In theory, this legislation when taken at face value is a beautiful approach to making the world a better place to retain and create habitats. But this holistic rather than practical approach couldn’t be further from the truth.

MISSING the mark?

There are loopholes in biodiversity net gain for smaller sites that need to be addressed for it to be a success, says Luke Mills

The Landscape Service has been delivering BNG as a service since its implementation, including metric completion, habitat plans and 30-year maintenance schedules. Predominantly, our work has covered smaller sites where it seems most of the issues occur and the guidance lacks clarity.

Below, I have highlighted some (though not all) major unresolved issues that are not only causing frustration with the consultants who deliver BNG but are also having a dramatic effect on housing delivery and the planning process.

We have raised the following multiple times with the Biodiversity Net Gain Advice Team at Natural England and the principal advisors. We have either received copy and pasted guidance as a response or been completely ignored.

Private gardens

An ongoing issue up and down the country for both private consultants and local authorities is the removal of any opportunity to enhance or create any habitat within a private garden. Yes, you read that right: the legislation is actually forcing developers not to enhance any existing habitat, or create any new habitat such as tree planting, wildflower meadow, green roofs and so on in areas considered to be private a garden.

The reason for this (they say) is that they can’t take any responsibility for what a new homeowner may do with the space and any potential removal they may carry out. This is obviously a very negative approach to habitat creation – assuming everyone will destroy a new garden instead of enhancing it.

This piece of updated legislation came into effect in July, and prior to this a 10% net gain was easily achievable on most sites. I do question the motives behind this update, as the 14-year development

phase behind BNG never mentioned an issue behind habitat creation within private gardens, until such time off-site habitats might be going unused and potentially become redundant. But I’m sure this cash cow is just a happy coincidence.

Essentially, developers are being encouraged to create habitat-free spaces and forced straight towards purchasing off-site units or statutory credits. An interesting example: You can keep an existing tree that ends up in a private garden, but you are not allowed to plant a new tree next to it under BNG – which is clearly just ridiculous as there is nothing stopping a new homeowner from removing an existing tree either.

So, Natural England’s view is, what’s the point in planting any trees or creating a wildflower meadow as someone might just remove it one day? It’s a shame Natural England didn’t stop and think for one minute and assume a new homeowner may just want to make their garden a better place for wildlife. Surely, it’s better to maximise habitat creation with the view some might be removed, rather than not creating any at all. But this approach would reduce the need to purchase off-site units and expensive statutory credits from the government where the cost doubles, of course.

©Jun

Compensation

When looking to compensate for habitats onsite, you can only really compensate for the same habitat type. For instance, tree loss has to be compensated with new trees. If you cut down some trees, you can’t make this up by putting in more hedging.

With trees, anything removed after January 2020 will have to be compensated for, regardless of who cut down the trees, who owned the site at the time, if they fell over in a storm or died –they all have to be compensated for, unfortunately. We are increasingly being brought into the process a lot earlier, which is good. But BNG can have a dramatic effect on a site making a development completely unviable. The Landscape Service has recently started running a free 30-minute BNG feasibility on potential projects. We review the site and look into any habitats that may result in an off-site payment, such as any large trees or irreplaceable habitats.

Essentially, developers are being encouraged to create habitat-free spaces and forced straight towards purchasing off-site units or statutory credits

The main thing to consider when looking at a site is the bigger the tree, the bigger the problem. Anything more than a 30cm DBH will be an issue to compensate on site.

Planning

This was never a problem before BNG when following landscape planning conditions. Ironically, BNG is now creating poorer landscapes than those that were being created before its implementation. So much for Natural England’s “on-site first” approach.

400% not 10%

10% is the golden figure we are all told to achieve. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The 10% does not relate to a literal increase in habitats but the comparison in units between the existing site and the proposed site.

A site before development (baseline) is recorded for habitats and the measurements are populated in the metric; this then produces a certain number of units. The same is done for the proposed site and this also produces a certain number of units. The difference between the units has to be a minimum of 10%.

However, what makes up these units and the increase required for certain soft landscaping is not 10%. For instance, to replace a removed tree of the exact same size requires four new trees to be planted in its place to meet BNG requirements – that’s 400%. The same is for other habitats such as wildflower, hedges, etc. It's not a literal 10% increase in landscaping, but a 10% increase in the units given to a site.

It’s a shame to see habitat creation now being developed in an Excel spreadsheet, rather than an organic design process.

BNG is creating a huge delay in the planning process, affecting ecologists, architects, planning consultants, tree consultants, landscape consultants and the local authority.

Planning applications have halted with local authorities unable to make a decision, who in fairness have been given no formal training on BNG but are still expected to determine a planning application. This is having a dramatic effect on the new housing targets which seems to be getting worse.

The network of individuals having problems with BNG is growing, with multiple established governing bodies formerly raising concerns about the legislation and its implementation. Sadly, there has been no recognition of the issues from Natural England or Defra.

LUKE MILLS

Luke Mills is director of The Landscape Service. With over 15 years of experience in the landscape industry, he originally trained as a landscaper, then graduated from The Oxford College of Garden Design in Residential Landscape Architecture before establishing The Landscape Service in 2017. He is an award-winning designer and previous recipient of Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation award. thelandscapeservice.com

Huang / Shutterstock.com

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8 RECOMMENDATIONS

for Biodiversity Net Gain in Practice

The Pro Landscaper Biodiversity Net Gain Workshops Day brought together representatives from various stakeholder groups last year to collaborate, coming up with solutions and approaches that could ultimately help to ensure the legislation is implemented as successfully as possible. From this, we produced the following eight recommendations.

ENSURE AN INITIAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE LEGISLATION AND METRIC

An emphasis on the legal details of biodiversity net gain is needed right at the start of a project, and the end point deliverability should be based on an understanding of these. There also needs to be a working understanding of the metric – a tool which enables the biodiversity value to be calculated, and of which there is one for developments and one for small sites

EARLY ENGAGEMENT AND BETTER COMMUNICATION FROM THE START

Improving the level of engagement between stakeholders and getting as many as possible involved from the first stage could ensure a smoother transition of knowledge and remit between these groups as the project goes through planning, design, implementation and onto maintenance.

MORE CLARITY OF LOCAL STRATEGIES AND MORE SUPPORT

Local planning authorities set the tone for local strategy, which can help with anchoring the intent of biodiversity net gain, rather than allowing a ‘paint by numbers’ approach with the metric. However, this does mean that interpretations of the guidance differ from one LPA to another. Allowing time to understand each authority’s approach and funding models will aid site design and help at the planning stage.

CLOSE LOOPHOLES AND FILL IN THE GAPS

Areas of the Environment Act 2021 – from which biodiversity net gain stems – lack detail and there’s little acknowledgement of the impact of seasonality. Flexibility within the process is necessary, in particular when it comes to liabilities. One of the most talked about grey areas, though, is around the 30-year management plan.

UPSKILLING IS A NECESSITY

From local authorities right through to maintenance providers, upskilling is needed to better understand biodiversity net gain, how it can be best achieved and how to ensure its long-term success. Managing complex habitats onsite will require specialist knowledge and equipment from grounds maintenance contractors, and they may need training to assess whether the habitats are performing to the legal requirement as well as to bid more accurately for the tender.

LONG-TERM THINKING IS REQUIRED AND BRINGING IN GROWERS TO THE CONVERSATION

Involving the grounds maintenance provider at the early stages would help to ensure that the project is designed with the ongoing management in mind and possibly designed with less maintenance required and a lower carbon footprint. But climate change also needs to be taken into account.

TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE END USER

The design needs to be aware of the end user of the landscape and open spaces, with newly created habitats being realistic and consistent with their requirements to encourage better adoption and ownership. It’s important to integrate people into the decisionmaking to encourage engagement, and to create an appreciation of wildlife that will aid the habitats’ long-term success.

CONSIDER OFF-SITE OVER ON-SITE GAINS

The biodiversity gain hierarchy pushes developers towards achieving biodiversity net gain onsite within the boundaries of a development. But onsite gains are not an easy option. The density of developments can be too high and so the space available is too little to be able to make a difference.

To read the full Pro Landscaper Biodiversity Net Gain in Practice Guide, download it here:

You can also download our Insight guide to Biodiversity Net Gain here:

•

GREEN GROWTH

Driving innovation and sustainability, Lindum pioneers eco-friendly growth and greener solutions

INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT GROWTH AT LINDUM

Lindum's Commitment to Sustainability

Sustainability lies at the core of Lindum's ethos, driving every facet of our operations as we strive to grow and produce our range of products in an environmentally responsible manner. From our commitment to implementing sustainable farming practices to our innovative approaches in product development and landscaping solutions, Lindum is dedicated to minimising our impact on the planet while maximising the quality of our offerings.

INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AT LINDUM

Introduction of plant-based product lines at Lindum

Plastic pollution is a big problem, which is why we're always on the lookout for innovative alternatives to traditional growing practices and instead using compostable options. We're branching out with plant-based product lines at Lindum; by offering sustainable alternatives to traditional products, we're helping our customers make choices that are better for both their health and the environment. Through ongoing research and development initiatives, we're committed to finding new ways to grow and produce our range of products in even more sustainable ways.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT INITIATIVES

Lindum's partnerships with environmental organisations

We believe in the power of collaboration. That's why we have partnerships with leading environmental organisations such as Plant Life & LEAF, Linking Environment and Farming, meaning we take great care in all our farming operations to be great custodians of our immediate environment. By working with experts, we gain insights and resources to drive positive change in our practices.

SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES IMPLEMENTED BY LINDUM

Regenerative farming methods utilised by Lindum

We believe in getting back to basics, which is why we embrace regenerative farming methods at Lindum. By dramatically reducing the use of synthetic chemicals and focusing on natural processes, we're able to produce high-quality products that are good for both you and the environment.

Use of renewable energy sources on Lindum farms

To reduce our carbon footprint, we harness the power of renewable energy sources on our farms. From solar panels to boreholes for irrigation, we're committed to making sure our operations are as green as can be. After all, sustainable farming isn't just about what happens in the fields – it's also about how we power our operations.

FUTURE GOALS AND STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AT LINDUM

Long-term sustainability targets set by Lindum At Lindum, we are always looking ahead. Our long-term sustainability targets serve as guiding stars, propelling us towards a greener future. By setting ambitious yet achievable goals, we push the boundaries of sustainable growth and challenge ourselves to make a meaningful impact on the environment.

Through the collective efforts of our dedicated team, supportive communities, and environmentally conscious consumers, we are confident in our ability to make a positive impact and inspire change within the industry. Join us on this journey towards a greener tomorrow, where sustainability and excellence go hand in hand.

MAINTAINING HIGH QUALITY STANDARDS WHILE PRIORITISING SUSTAINABILITY

Balancing quality control measures with sustainable practices

Quality is non-negotiable at Lindum. While we uphold stringent quality control measures to ensure excellence in every product, we do not compromise on our sustainability goals. By integrating sustainable practices into our production processes, we strive to achieve the perfect harmony between quality and environmental responsibility.

Consumer perception of Lindum's sustainable product range

We understand that consumer perception plays a crucial role in driving sustainable practices forward. That's why we are committed to transparent communication about our sustainable product range. By sharing our journey and values with our customers, we aim to foster trust and loyalty among ecoconscious consumers.

Net gain DIGITALISATION

Streamline your way to the mandatory uplift with the help of these biodiversity net gain digital aids

GENTIAN

Gentian True Sight

Price: Initial hectare: £25, Two to 30 hectares: £12 per hectare, 31 hectares and above: £6 per hectare

Software overview

“Gentian True Sight is an AI-powered habitat mapping solution that provides instant, accurate habitat classifications tailored for developers, landowners, and consultants. Designed for use during site scoping, it delivers near-instant, high-resolution insights that help evaluate site suitability and potential constraints early in the planning process. By aligning with the statutory biodiversity metric, Gentian True Sight reduces the risk of unforeseen issues, ensuring projects remain cost-effective and environmentally compliant while supporting informed decision-making from the outset.”

Counting towards BNG

“Gentian True Sight empowers developers with instant habitat mapping, streamlining the site-scoping process to save time and reduce costs. By delivering accurate outputs aligned with the statutory biodiversity metric, it simplifies early-stage decision-making and minimises the risk of delays, ensuring a smoother path to project approvals.”

Software evolution

“Gentian True Sight has been refined to align with the statutory biodiversity metric, ensuring compliance with evolving BNG requirements. Its enhanced precision and scalability make it an invaluable tool for projects of all sizes, enabling developers to efficiently assess biodiversity baselines during site scoping and make informed decisions early in the planning process.” gentian.io

JOE’S BLOOMS

Joe’s Blooms BNG Tool

Price: £495 for sites below 5000m2

• Interactive tool that allows users to find BNG solutions

• Simple-to-use Geographic Information System (GIS) tools

• Dynamic BNG modelling and calculator features

• Produces compliant BNG reports and metric sheets

• Automated data searches of priority habitats BNG

Software overview

“The Biodiversity Net Gain Tool is an end-to-end online platform which provides users with the ability to fully complete the entire BNG process. It provides an intuitive means of entering information about a site, mapping out in a matter of minutes the baseline data and the intended works.

"It curates and presents a menu of possible options for delivering a 10% biodiversity net gain, allowing users to very quickly and effectively find an option that works for them. It also allows users to easily access offsite markets, giving the user the ability to find the exact number and type of units they need.”

Counting towards BNG

“The tool provides small developers with all the tools and facilities that they need to comply with the BNG process. There are an estimated 35,000 small developers and this simple-to-use platform allows us to determine whether the developer must complete the small site metric, and if so, help them to complete every step of the BNG process.

“The platform provides a simple map based interface to enter the information needed, produces a complete Biodiversity Gain Plan guaranteed to be compliant with the new laws and all the necessary supporting documents, including a completed Biodiversity Metric calculation and Ordnance Survey-powered maps.” joesblooms.com

BIOSCAPES

BioScapes® SuDS and BNG Planter

Price: Price on application

• 10 optional integrated biodiversity habitats

• Water storage capacity of 0.35m3

• Surface-mounted, with simple connection to existing pipework

• Suitable for retrofit or specification in planning

• Stainless steel framework and market-leading 10-year warranty

“The BioScapes SuDS Planter delivers water attenuation, water quality improvements and biodiversity, contributing to the four pillars of SuDS and BNG, from a compact, robust, yet attractive structure. Alongside its engineered water management system, the patented design of this planter includes a range of wildlife habitats, combined to help support a complex ecosystem.”

BioScapes® Biodiverse Turf Price: Price on application

• 20% native species wildflower mix with 80% grass fescues

• Creates a biodiverse lawn with the practicality of traditional turf

• Improves soil health with deep roots

• Can be left to grow naturally without mowing

• Can b e trimmed to a minimum height of 35mm/1.5inches

“Beyond adding visual interest, the diverse plant species in this turf provide food sources for pollinators and create varied microhabitats for insects and small animals. The turf contains deeprooted plants that not only improve soil structure but encourage a thriving underground ecosystem.” bioscapes.co.uk

BIODIVERSITY Bringing the

NICHE

Sand Planter Price: £840

• Mild steel with marine primer and powder-coated finish options

• Designed for zero irrigation if the planting is established from seed

• Fill with recycled sand, aggregates, and deadwood

• Provides habitat for ground nesting solitary bees and solitary wasps

• Can b e combined with Niche Bee posts “Most of the UK’s 250+ species of bee are solitary and require specific nesting habitat to complete their life cycles. This product works alongside vegetation improvements such as tree, shrub and wildflower planting to ensure these critically important pollinators’ needs are met.”

XL Bee Post Price: £600

• Made from British Grown Douglas Fir

• Stands 1.8m Tall once installed

• Finished with natural oil for additional weatherproofing

• Supports a wide array of solitary bees and other invertebrates

• Protected from wet rot with protective post tape below ground “Most of the UK’s 250+ species of bee are solitary and require specific nesting habitat to complete their life cycles. This product works alongside vegetation improvements such as tree, shrub and wildflower planting to ensure these critically important pollinators’ needs are met.” niche-environmental.co.uk

Credits or no credits, boosting biodiversity is a worthy cause and these products are just some of the ways facilitating that

Insect Habitat (Small & Large)

Price: £446.40 (small) and £624.07 (large)

• Safe haven for insects

• Weather resistant

• Double-sided for high occupancy

• Made of SC Douglas Fir

• Learning resource for schools

“The Insect Habitats are man-made structures designed to mimic the natural habitats and nesting spots of beneficial insects. They are more than just charming garden decorations; they are tools for conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainability. By adding these miniature insect sanctuaries to our gardens, we can help insects and create a balanced ecosystem in our urban spaces.” harrowdenturf.co.uk

HARROWDEN TURF

MAKITA

LM001G 2x 40VMAX XGT 4

80mm brushless lawn mower

• Durable, steel cutting deck

• Three cutting modes: normal/ soft no-load/noise reduction

• 10-stage cutting height adjustments between 20-100mm

• Equipped with self-propelled function

• Fit two batteries in parallel, facilitating extended run time and uninterrupted working

The 62L LM001G provides a 480mm cutting width at up to 3,200rpm. The machine can also be operated in a quieter, ‘Noise Reduction’ mode with a no-load speed of 2,500rpm for working in public spaces. makitauk.com

CRAMER

ATM76S

• Digital control panel

• Variable drive speeds from 2 – 6.4km/h with reverse function

• Independently controlled hub motors for full control up and down slopes

• 3 in 1 function – hybrid cutting blade allows rear collection, mulching or rear discharge

• 3.7kW power delivering 220cc equivalent power

The ATM76S is an innovative twin blade selfpropelled lawn mower for professional use, featuring a wide 76cm/30” robust steel cutting deck with dual motors for exceptional cutting performance and unrivalled productivity. Producing power equivalent to 220cc petrol performance, the lithium-ion battery is also interchangeable with all other Cramer 82V tools. cramertools.com/ global/en

TORO

LT-F3000 triple flail mower

• Powerful 32.4kW (43.4hp) turbo diesel engine

• Patented CrossTrax AWD transmission system

• Exclusive Toro TEMPEST blades ensure optimal performance in short or long grass

• Variable width of cut, from 76cm up to 212cm

• Dedicated F30 fine-cut flail cutter unit design for an impeccable finish Designed to deliver more value for the budget, the Toro LT-F3000 triple flail mower allows the frequency of cuts to be reduced while still achieving a great finish, saving time and money. reesinkturfcare.co.uk

CUTTING EDGE

The latest mowers to hit the professional market, from pedestrian to ride-on

EGO

LM2230E-SP 55cm Self-Propelled Mower

Launch date: February 2025

• A new lightweight and robust super composite cutting deck

• Touch drive and selfpropelled motor takes the strain out of mowing sloping ground

• Quick-release aluminium telescopic folding handles for easy access to the collection bag

• Self-propelled with automatic variable cutting speed for effortless mowing

• Cuts up to 2000sqm on a single charge with a 10.0Ah battery

Ego’s largest mower to date, the flagship LM2230E-SP is ideal for larger and sloping lawns due to its generous 55cm cutting capacity. Extremely versatile, the SelectCutX interchangeable multi-blade cutting system allows users to mulch, side discharge, or collect grass. egopowerplus.co.uk

Summer Kit SPECIAL

SWARDMAN

Edwin 95

• 95cm cutting width

• Briggs & Stratton Vanguard® 200, 6hp engine

• Under 20kg in weight

• 7,885m² per hour cutting speed

• Engine features include TransportGuard™, 600-hour air filter replacement intervals, optimised three-step starting process

STIHL

RMA 7 series mowers

(RMA 750 V, RMA 756 V, 7 RV)

Launch date: March 2025

• First machines in the double AP battery platform, which means any combination of the AP 300 S and AP 500 S can be used to achieve full power

• A comfort mono-handlebar is standard on all models, which makes removing the grass box easier

• Intuitive controls including simple buttons with LED screen showing drive speed and power level, as well as displaying battery charge level.

• Five speed levels ranging from 0-6 km/h, soft start drive activation and robust gearbox protection

• An integrated smart connector which enables the device to be used with Stihl Connected, its digital fleet management system

Three new lawn mowers in Stihl’s extensive

The Swardman Edwin 95 is a highperformance professional reel mower powered by the Briggs & Stratton Vanguard® 200 engine. Offering an eight-blade reel with a cutting width of 95cm, it provides an ultra-precise cut and remarkable efficiency. vanguardpower.com

RANSOMES

Ransomes Aurora ELiTE

Launch date: February 2025

• Zero emission operation with up to 80% lower operating costs

• Five-year Samsung SDI lithium battery warranty

• All day operation with over 40 kWh of battery capacity

• 1.52m commercial rotary deck with direct drive, high powered electric motors

• 25 kph road transport speed

Powered by ELiTE Lithium technology, this zero-emissions, road-worthy, quiet turf maintenance solution is meticulously designed to meet the demands of professional operators for their hardest working days. ransomes.com

FERRIS

FRC7 Remote Controlled Mower Performance Upgrade

• Bi- directional mowing prevents potential turf damage caused by having to turn the mower at the end of slopes

• True hybrid drive system enables power to be instantly available to the deck and track system when needed, making the mower better responsive to different loads

• Vanguard EFI engine with Electronic Throttle Control ensures efficient fuel use and increased performance

• The FRC7 can handle inclines up to 55°

• Diagnostic Service Portal (including GPS tracking and other mowing data) included free for two years With the 2025 Performance Upgrade, up to 55° inclination, a hybrid e-drive system and bi-rectional mowing, the FRC7 is a safe and productive solution for mowing steep banks and slopes. ferrismowers.com

CRAMER

ATM53A

• Integrated digital control panel

• Variable drive speeds from 2 – 6.4km/h

• Independently controlled hub motors

• 3 in 1 function – hybrid cutting blade allows rear collection, mulching or rear discharge

• 4kW power delivering 230cc equivalent power

The ATM53A is a single blade self-propelled lawn mower for professional use, featuring a 53cm/21” aluminium cutting deck with an independent motor for exceptional cutting performance and unrivalled productivity. Producing power equivalent to 230cc petrol performance, the lithium-ion battery is also interchangeable with all other Cramer 82V tools. cramertools.com/ global/en

SNAPPER

Snapper RTX HD/XD

Series high-dump tractors

Launch date: Spring 2025

• Powerful and reliable Briggs & Stratton PXi twin-cylinder engine

• Available in 102cm and 122cm cutting width

• The 400L collection bag can be lifted up to 190cm

• 4WD version available (XD)

• Commercial-grade components ensure reliability and endurance In addition to its existing RTX

THE SUN Here Comes

As well as mowers, there's a of other products to embrace this summer

MAKITA

DUR368 36V (2x18V) LXT brushless brush cutter

• Active feedback sensing technology (AFT) shuts down the tool in the event of kickback or a sudden slowing down of the blade rotation

• Two model variants: DUR368A with offset bike handle and DUR368L with loop handle

• Three speeds: high/medium/low (6,500/5,300/3,500 min-1)

• Reverse switch for easy removal of grass clippings

• Low noise

High powered, quiet and easy to use, this brush cutter features a U-handle for comfortable use and manoeuvrability. Automatic torque drive mode automatically increases the torque when under increased load, making this machine ideal for heavy duty applications. makitauk.com

STIHL

TSA 300

• TSA 300 features variable speed control thanks to the powerful EC motor, allowing for easy handling and high cutting accuracy

• Creates a narrower cut compared to petrol models such as the TS 410, resulting in less breakage and potentially less wastage when cutting materials

• Compared with the TS 410, the TSA 300 is lighter, more compact and has less vibration

• Maximum power output of 2.5 kW when used with the recommended AP 500 S battery

• Ideal for quickly cutting roofing tiles, bricks, metal and paving blocks up to a thickness of 110mm

Stihl has launched its first 12” cut-off machine in the AP System of battery tools. Suitable for hardscaping, construction and pipework. The TSA 300 combines impressive cutting performance with a compact and well-balanced design. stihl.co.uk

MAKITA

CE004G 40VMAX XGT 305mm

brushless disc cutter

emarkably lightweight and capable of high speed and powerful cutting x cutting depth of 121mm

ctive feedback sensing technology (AFT) shuts down the tool in the event of kickback or a sudden slowing down of the blade rotation ater supply kit can be connected for dust suppression emely low vibration rate of 3.8 m/s2 at the left handle

This compact machine offers a maximum cutting depth of 121mm at 5,000rpm. Unlike petrol models, it starts reliably, even in cold conditions, with no emissions – for use in any location, including indoors and underground when used with dust suppression. makitauk.com

Goodwood Downs Course

Thursday 12 June 2025

Experience the perfect blend of golf and networking, at the prestigious Goodwood Downs Course, one of the finest golfing venues in the country. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a passionate enthusiast, this event offers an unforgettable day on a championship course.

JOIN US FOR A DAY OF CAMARADERIE AND COMPETITION, AT ONE OF THE UK’S MOST PICTURESQUE COURSES

What’s Included

• Entr y for a Fourball to this exclusive tournament.

• Breakfast to kickstart your day.

• A spectacular 18 holes of golf on the world-renowned Goodwood Downs Course.

• BBQ lunch served post-game, perfect for unwinding and networking.

• Refreshments and camaraderie throughout the day.

Entry Fee

£1,000 for a Fourball team

Spaces are limited – Book now!

Don’t miss your chance to enjoy an incredible day of golf at Goodwood Downs Course, Chichester

THE DATE SAVE

7 - 8 October 2025 ExCeL London

TWO UNMISSABLE DAYS

WORLD CLASS

SECTOR-SPECIFIC EXHIBITORS

LEADING CPD-ACCREDITED SEMINAR PROGRAMME WITH EXPERT SPEAKERS

HANDS-ON FEATURES AND DEMOS

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Building Authenticity IN CGI s

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.

This is particularly applicable in planning and development as without a visual depiction, it can be very difficult for local residents at a consultation or potential purchasers to envisage a housing development.

But CGIs are sometimes criticised as being unrealistic and depicting too positive an image. What needs to be done to correct misapprehensions?

Is it wrong that CGIs present schemes at their best – with mature landscaping, blue skies and happy residents? And should these circumstances change, is it right to label CGIs as dishonest? To engender trust in the process, I believe it is important that audiences understand exactly what a CGI is and how it is created.

Perhaps some of the mistrust of CGIs is due to the fact that they have progressed rapidly in a short space of time. Only a few years ago, CGIs were blocky computer models – these rarely led to criticism of being overly beautiful. Today, with a combination of more sophisticated IT and visual artists, we can create an image which looks as genuine as a photograph.

CGI is used extensively in other sectors, from product design through to advertising. This is perhaps where the mistrust occurs, as CGIs used for a planning consultation should never seek to persuade using sometimes unrealistic images of perfection, as advertising does. Instead, CGIs used for planning purposes should depict a potential scheme as honestly as possible.

So, it’s important that CGIs, especially those used in public consultation, show different scenarios –

Local communities can mistrust CGIs if they appear to be unrealistic. Vasilena Bocheva considers what needs to be done to address misapprehensions

for example, the impact of shadows at a specific (rather than optimal) time of day, or a view of a less attractive part of the scheme. In reality, most visualisations we create are actually intended to demonstrate how a scheme wouldn’t be visible from a specific viewpoint location – i.e., that it has a low impact on its surroundings.

Perhaps some of the mistrust of CGIs is due to the fact that they have progressed rapidly in a short space of time

In planning and development, there are three main uses of CGI: CGI masterplans (often in 3D), which give the audience a clear impression of the siting

and context, along with an overview of the communal spaces and the flow of the development; internal and external CGIs –individual images showing what the inside and outside of a property will look like once finished; and thirdly, CGI films and animations – animated renders, allowing walk-through of a completed home or development. They give the audience a chance to explore a residence as if they were there in person, before a brick has been laid.

It is particularly important in consultation that audiences understand the benefit that CGIs can bring to an open and honest planning application process. The optimal use of CGIs is to adapt them to show alternative scenarios – for example, residents may want to understand the impact of smaller front gardens on the overall provision of public spaces in the scheme, the shading resulting from buildings of varying heights, or the visual impact of energy efficient features such as heat pumps. When CGIs are used as a tool for dialogue rather than as a “finished product”, it opens the path to honest and transparent communication.

Furthermore, CGIs can become a touchstone for the evolving design – ensuring that the developer is complying with the consented scheme. The graphic presentation must be realistic. Different surfaces are suitable for different uses – so it is entirely appropriate, for example, to depict a child on a scooter on an asphalt surface, but it would be quite wrong to depict this on grass. The comparison enables local residents to evaluate the design options with great understanding. The use of humans in such circumstances is also important in communicating scale and atmosphere.

Like artists’ impressions which were used previously, CGIs need not look like the finished product. We frequently produce quite ‘sketchy’ images and find that this is popular in the consultation process, as the consultees often prefer that the scheme isn’t presented as one which has already been determined.

I believe that some of the mistrust of CGIs could be abated if there was greater understanding of the veracity of the information used to produce them. This, of course, depends on the original purpose, but CGIs usually start with

the 3D architectural model and also utilise data including topographical surveys, daylight and shading analysis and photographs of the wider context. Another considerable benefit of the advance in technology is that this data can be made easily accessible; for example, on a consultation website or in a data room, enabling consultees to understand the level of accuracy.

Sometimes developers are criticised for depicting public open spaces featuring attractive, mature trees. While this is not dishonest as a depiction of the scheme several years after construction, there is a preference to show the impact of planting in years one, five and fifteen, so that it is clear that while the image is realistic, it is also a long-term aspiration. This helps manage expectations and demonstrate a long-term commitment to landscaping and biodiversity.

gain the local residents’ support for a planting scheme which entirely shielded the centre, and in fact, considerably added to the landscape character and biodiversity of the neighbourhood.

When CGIs are used as a tool for dialogue rather than as a “finished product”, it opens the path to honest and transparent communication

Overall, a successful visualisation is one that includes surrounding context, often using photomontages that combine realworld photography with CGI elements. This addresses the concern that a new development might disrupt the existing character of a neighbourhood.

I recently produced a selection of CGIs for a client who was proposing a recycling centre. With large bins, trash and trucks, recycling centres rarely have a positive impact on the local environment from an aesthetic point of view. The purpose of the CGI was to depict the impact of the facility from several key viewpoint locations. The process was used to determine the height of the planting and the fences that surrounded the facility and ultimately enabled the client to plan for and

Whether a fully rendered 3D model or a sketchy artist’s impression, it is crucial to first clarify the purpose of the CGI that’s being used. This would determine the level of accuracy that’s required and the use of site data, vegetation growth data, sun analysis, human scale and surrounding context. Higher accuracy visualisations are normally accompanied by environmental reports that detail the sustainability measures being implemented and are a result of an entire team working behind the scenes, being very purposeful in what they want to communicate. Transparency and communication are the key factors here, as ultimately the goal is to create a collaborative design process where communities feel heard, understood and confident that the visualisations they see today will become the reality they experience tomorrow.

Vasilena Bocheva is a highly skilled 3D architectural visualiser with expertise in transforming design concepts into compelling visuals. Currently a valuable member of the Lanpro team, she brings a wealth of experience in creating interior and exterior 3D renderings and captivating animations and walkthroughs. Bocheva's experience also includes creating Accurate Visual Representations (AVR), and she has ventured into the realm of drone and aerial visualisation too, offering a unique perspective on project contexts and surroundings. Bocheva holds a BA (Hons) degree in Interior Architecture and Design. lanpro.co.uk

VASILENA BOCHEVA

“IN” AND “OUT”Rethinking what’s

Andrew Duff questions whether the concept of ‘trends’ is still relevant in a changing climate

I’m often asked about trend predictions, especially as we approach a new year. While it’s natural to wonder what will be “in” for the months ahead, it’s worth pausing to consider what truly matters in garden design. Let’s reflect: can a plant actually be “on trend”? Personally, I’m not so sure.

Take Verbena bonariensis, for example. A decade ago, this tall, airy purple umbellifer paired with golden grasses like Stipa tenuissima became the epitome of contemporary garden style. But the term “on trend” has stuck with me, almost tarnishing my appreciation for the plant. If a plant is considered trendy, does that make it fleeting or temporary?

As designers, we must make informed, responsible choices that transcend the aesthetics of a single plant or the latest planting scheme

This got me thinking: can a plant truly be fashionable? Can an individual species represent the zeitgeist of a whole year, like seasonal clothing or home decor? Perhaps we’re looking at it the wrong way.

If we reframe Verbena, we see it not as a fleeting trend but as part of thoughtful planting design. Picture it massed, self-seeded through an abstract topiary arrangement or nestled in a meadow-like setting with Veronicastrum. Suddenly, the plant takes on a new life – not because of its inherent qualities, but because of how it’s used in context. This is where the magic happens: it’s not the plants that go out of fashion, but the planting styles that evolve over time.

This brings me to the theme of this year’s Society of Garden Designers’ Symposium – Extreme: Designing Sustainably for a Changing Climate. It’s encouraging to see sustainability recognised not as a buzzword but as an essential foundation for modern garden design. It’s no longer a passing trend but a fundamental shift that demands our attention.

Regrettably, some still treat climate change as just another topic for debate. Yet, the evidence is all around us. Things are changing – and not in a way that we can easily reverse. The climate crisis is not a theory; it’s a reality that is here to stay, and we must design accordingly.

In this context, trends seem almost irrelevant. What we truly need is action. As designers, we must make informed, responsible

choices that transcend the aesthetics of a single plant or the latest planting scheme. Sustainability should be embedded in our design principles, sitting alongside timeless considerations like balance, proportion, and the thoughtful selection of materials that speak to the local vernacular. And perhaps most importantly, it should sit firmly in our client briefs – not as an afterthought, but as a core guiding principle.

In fact, garden design is due for a rewrite. For too long, the client has been central to the process. But as one graduate aptly put it: “Gardens are no longer for people – they are for everything.” Gardens are ecosystems, not mere spaces for human enjoyment. Our designs must reflect this perspective.

As we step into the new year, instead of searching for the next big trend, let’s focus on creating landscapes that are resilient, meaningful, and sustainable. The only thing that should be “on trend” is a philosophy that considers the planet’s health and the generations to come.

ANDREW DUFF

An internationally recognised garden designer, Andrew Duff MSGD has been designing gardens for over 30 years. In addition to running his practice, he is managing director of the world renowned Inchbald School of Design and is Chair of the Society of Garden Designers. sgd.org.uk

VERBENA BONARIENSIS

Creating Inspiring Streetscenes

CIS Street Furniture offer a diverse range of street furniture which will complement any

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STORY Same Old

Rewatching a film from the 70s has Lewis Normand wondering why we continue to ignore the climate crisis despite being warned for decades

During the tail end of 2024, I watched the 1972 movie ‘Silent Running’ for the second time. I realised how significantly it had impacted on my thoughts on landscape and the value I put on our planetary environment, having first watched it at least 35 years ago. You could argue that it was ahead of its time and that it foresaw the climate crisis we are starting to see play out well ahead of science; but the reality, of course, is that it was inspired by developing science of the time, which could see the impending changes to our environment from the way our activities impact on it.

We have been actively warned about a need to change our ways for decades, and we have still treated the global climate crisis that we are beginning to experience as an inexorable change beyond our control.

In the film, a series of ‘Ark’ spaceships protect the last remaining plant and animal species with a view to rehoming them once the planet is in better shape to accommodate them. That time doesn’t come, and as a cost-cutting exercise, the government responsible for these Arks (United States of America) decides to blow them up and return

the handful of astronauts back to Earth. It should be noted that disease has been eradicated, employment is at 100% and there are no poor or homeless people in this otherwise wild, plant-free world. That utopian element of the future is desirable at least. Only one person has the belief that wild landscapes with trees and other plants supporting life is something that should be preserved. The film is focused on his railing against the ignorance of the decision to give up on life and the valuelessness of utopia without wild landscape.

Only humans, with so much at stake, could cheat a system they created to afford themselves a pat on the back in place of actual commitment to doing the right thing

It is quite an incredible vision for 1972, and the ideas are as fresh and poignant now as they have ever been. Short-termism in political policy has harmed our ability to both set and achieve targets, and the 1992 Kyoto Protocols to reduce carbon emissions have taken years to ratify and far more to come close to being realised.

The first commitment period, which concluded in 2012, achieved an ‘on paper’ reduction in emissions ahead of the pledged reduction; but the reality here was that some participating nations, particularly Russia, achieved the reduction by selling more carbon credits than actually reducing carbon dioxide output.

Only humans, with so much at stake, could cheat a system they created to afford themselves a pat on the back in place of actual commitment to doing the right thing. We have endless COP meetings all

around the world, where delegates fly in on private planes to discuss how their country will reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. Smaller nations who will be most immediately impacted by rising sea levels and significant temperature increases regularly make impassioned cries for consensus to commit meaningful change.

Generally, their pleas remain unanswered.

Mauritius is thought of as a dream holiday destination, with sandy beaches, clear blue seas and sunny days. But it will likely end up like those wild landscapes in Silent Running, disappearing beneath the sea within our lifetime. They will not be the only country where this happens, and even those countries that are high enough above sea level to not disappear have no guarantees of a favourable climate in the future.

I am no fan of the way that Just Stop Oil operates, and their approach to ending oil consumption overnight is a naïve ask; but I do see the reason behind why their approach is so militant. They recognise the need to knock us out of the trance we are in, slowly marching towards doom while congratulating ourselves on being less damaging than we have been, rather than committing to a new future.

Lewis Normand 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.

LEWIS NORMAND

KINGS Comeback

Forsythias kick off Humaira Ikram’s new series on plants with a bad rap that are due a comeback

Ah, forsythias! Or argh, forsythias! Which one are you? Those cheerful and sunny harbingers of spring that burst into bloom when most of us are still shaking off the cold and grey winter blues – this is another plant that was a stalwart in many a 1970s garden and therefore may not feel like a plant that has much to offer today. However, if you look at Instagram in spring, you may be surprised to see a whole new generation of forsythia lovers. Why? I hear you shout. They are not that good and they’re over pretty quick – and you’d be right. But at that moment when the sky has been grey and it’s been raining for almost five months in the UK, the sunny disposition of this plant offers a lot of hope. These shrubs are originally from Asia, with most species hailing from China and are part of the Oleaceae or olive family. Forsythia suspensa was found in the wild in West Hubei and then cultivated in North China. It’s described as a lax but graceful shrub in the Phillips and Rix Shrub Book, and I think that they are right. It is graceful, if left to grow as it wants and not in the round blobs that they are so often pruned into. They grow in any soil, sun or part shade and are hardy to -25°C. Not many plants are this tolerant.

If you look at Instagram in spring, you may be surprised to see a whole new generation of forsythia lovers

The first forsythia to catch a Western botanist's eye was the aforementioned Forsythia suspensa, spotted in a Japanese garden by Carl Peter Thunberg in the 1770s where he wrongly identified it as a lilac. So, the original Chinese name of ‘lianqioa’ (which was perfectly valid) was changed to Syringa and then latterly to ‘forsythia’ after William Forsyth, a Scottish botanist who lived from 1737 to 1804 and, as an aside, was also a founding member of the RHS. Robert Fortune, a Scottish plant hunter, brought a Forsythia viridissima back from China in the 1840s and it was crossed with Forsythia suspensa to give the more upright and showy Forsythia × intermedia.

One of the most popular forsythias is Forsythia × intermedia 'Lynwood Variety', which is a medium sized deciduous shrub with bright (and I mean bright) yellow flowers in the spring on bare branches. It has dark green oval leaves which are tinged with purple in the autumn before they fall. But if you like a rarer variety then you could go for the European Forsythia europaea which was discovered in the Balkans in 1897. It’s an ice age relic and is slightly more hardy than the regular varieties, but on balance a lot less spectacular.

What would you plant your forsythias with? Well, I would set it back in the border so that once the display was over, it was a backdrop and foil with its deep green leaves for other plants in front; but when it’s in flower you could pair it with all sorts of early spring bulbs including white and yellow narcissi such as the small but perfectly formed Narcissus 'Tête-à-tête' and maybe early tulips. I like the white and yellow ones to continue the theme, things like Tulipa ‘Sunny Prince’ or ‘Calgary Flames’.

If this is still all too much for you then how about trying the white forsythia, Abeliophyllum distichum? It’s light and airy and again a bit lax but, in the right position, can look pretty glorious with its white with a hint of rose flowers with a slight and sweet perfume. Forsythias may have a bad rap, but they really are resilient and robust plants, so maybe we should reconsider them.

Humaira Ikram has been working as a professional garden designer at Studio Ikram for over 10 years. She runs the Garden Design Diploma at the KLC School of Design, is a gardens advisor to RHS Hyde Hall, and a judge and on various selection and advisory panels for the RHS. She is co-curator of the newly established thehub.earth, and is an awardwinning broadcaster who has contributed to BBC Radio 4 Gardeners Question Time, been part of garden focused TV and media campaigns and programmes and writes for various gardening magazines. studioikram.com thehub.earth

HUMAIRA IKRAM

Five minutes with ROBERT HUGHES

Robert Hughes – director of Robert Hughes Studios – delves into his garden design process, which earned him Best Newcomer to the British Association of Landscape Industries for his project The Dairy House at the 2024 National Landscape Awards

How do you balance functionality and aesthetics in your landscaping designs?

I find this balancing act to be one of the most challenging and important aspects in any garden design. If the scales are tipped in any one direction the garden falls short in my opinion. Too much form over function and the impracticalities will eat away at the success of the aesthetics leaving the garden unloved. Too little consideration for aesthetics and you’re left with something that resembles a car park.

I find architecture a great source of inspiration when looking to get wind of new trends and techniques

Hours of tireless work – often involving a lot of trial and error – is the answer to making sure something beautiful can be drawn out of something that’s practical.

What role does sustainability play in your landscaping projects?

Creating contemporary gardens can sometimes feel at odds with wider sustainability goals. However, when designing gardens and advising clients, I am in the fortunate position to be able to make more positive impacts, such as encouraging clients to make decisions that will not only improve their gardening experience but will also make

the operation more sustainable. For example, promoting a greater ratio of planting to hard landscaping will not only increase BNG but also improve a scheme aesthetically, making for a more successful garden overall.

How do you stay up to date with the newest trends or techniques in landscaping?

I’m forever trawling Pinterest, keeping an eye on my peers on Instagram, reading books and magazines for inspiration and knowledge. Regular events with the SGD or at award ceremonies are where you get to bounce ideas off one another. It all adds up and keeps you up to date. However, landscaping is often a little lagging behind other industries, so I find architecture a great source of inspiration when looking to get wind of new trends and techniques. I’m always on the hunt for something new to bring to a garden.

What was the biggest challenge of The Dairy House project?

The greatest challenge I faced came in the segregation of space. The converted barn didn’t have a traditional front and back

garden, and the cars were parked next to the patio set, so the space didn’t feel welcoming. Creating a garden that felt totally separated from the adjacent driveway was difficult, however challenges such as these often throw up the best solutions.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in landscape design?

Take every opportunity that comes your way and try to make the most of it. It’s a hard slog at first, especially if you don’t have the financial backing like myself. Every project is an opportunity to improve on the last and each one a rung on the ladder. Keep working to improve and don’t be too hard on yourself when you fail.

CONTACT

Robert Hughes Studio

Email: hello@roberthughes.studio

Phone: 01565 621304

roberthughesgardendesign.co.uk

THE DAIRY HOUSE

Photographs