Pro Landscaper January 2022 by Eljays44

JANUARY 2O22

A F R ES H LOOK FOR OUR P O R T FO L IO S

SENSORY SPACE GREENSCAPE GARDENS LTD

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

SUE BIGGS

HERSTMONCEUX CASTLE

GARETH WILSON

Landscape Institute CEO Sue Morgan

On her retiring as RHS director general

Rediscovering the plants of the past

Small issues can become costly disputes

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WELCOME

W E LCO M E T

challenges – our growers, for instance, are still rolling with the punches of Brexit, with another set to come this year as Point of Destination is replaced with Border Control Points in July, bringing with it uncertainty around delays and costs. But each grower on the panel at FutureScape acknowledged that there have also been benefits from Brexit, such as the crumbling of the ‘Amazon effect’, when people expect to order an item and receive it the following day. It doesn’t work that way with plants, unfortunately. It’s also not just down to our associations to collaborate. Landscapers, garden designers, landscape architects, suppliers, growers – it’s important for each of these to share how they are overcoming hurdles and encouraging best practice. A fragmented industry would struggle to make change, but one that works together can make a difference and change the perception of the industry for the better – hopefully addressing that skills shortage which comes up at every FutureScape without fail! So, here’s to a year of collaboration and making a difference.

THIS INDUSTRY IS RESILIENT, AND IT’S LOOKING AHEAD RATHER THAN OVER ITS SHOULDER

NINA

©Pots & Pithoi

raditionally, a new year means a fresh start. We can dust off the memories of the last 12 months, holding on to the highlights whilst hopefully leaving behind the low points. There are a few things we’ll unfortunately be carrying over from 2021, though – the pandemic, for one. As winter approached, the virus upped its game, which meant restrictions coming back into force and the threat of further restrictions to come. There’s also the issue of supply shortages and potential price rises for materials. But if there’s one thing we learned from FutureScape in November, it’s that this industry is resilient, and it’s looking ahead rather than over its shoulder. There were a series of seminars focused on the future of our industry, from landscape architecture and construction to garden designers and growers. Our associations also gathered together to share their focuses over the next few years and how they are aiming to work more collaboratively in order to strengthen the industry, which you can read more about on page 12. Overall, our panellists at each of these talks said again and again how positive they were about the year ahead. That’s not to say there won’t be

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CONTENTS

31 35

UK Landscape Barometer Industry feedback and statistics for October 2021 Finishing Strong Neil Edwards

INSPIRE

INFORM 10 12 15 20 22 23 26 27 6

News Our monthly roundup of industry news FutureScape 2021 Industry leaders on collaboration

30 Under 30 Update Alex Pettitt Green Goals Sue Biggs The Young, the Brave, the Powerful Phil Jones Sleight Of Hand Andrew Wilson Let There Be Light Christopher Martin

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Let’s Hear it From Sue Morgan

38 42 47 50 53 54 55 56 57

Curving the Edge Bowles & Wyer Sensory Space Greenscape Gardens Ltd Return To The Wild Anji Connell Life/Style Simon Richards PLBA Winner Profile ASA Landscape Architects PLBA Winner Profile Sarah Eberle Landscape and Garden Design Fortification or Fortress? Marshalls on creating safe spaces On Your Bike Street Furniture: Bike Stands Predicting Paving Trends Stone paving

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CONTENTS

J A N UA RY 2 0 2 2 NURTURE 61 64 65 66 68 69

Feature Garden Herstmonceux Castle Estate Trees to Enjoy in Winter Nick Coslett A Plea for Diverse Planting Noel Kingsbury Quiet Qualities Lewis Normand Hedging Exploring methods of care Bark and mulch Right product for right purpose

E D U C AT E 73 74

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75 76 77 78 82

JANUARY 2O22

Swift Solutions Gareth Wilson

A FRESH LOOK FOR OUR POR TFO LIOS

How To Make 2022 Your Best Year Yet! Alison Warner Protecting Your Brand Oracle Solicitors

SENSORY SPACE

A Welcome Return Angus Lindsay Brushcutters Latest kit Materials Focus Terracotta Little Interviews Questions with the individuals who make up our industry

GREENSCAPE GARDENS LTD

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

SUE BIGGS

HERSTMONCEUX CASTLE

GARETH WILSON

Landscape Institute CEO Sue Morgan

On her retiring as RHS director general

Rediscovering the plants of the past

Small issues can become costly disputes

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To receive a copy of Pro Landscaper, please contact Jake Collett. Email jake.collett@eljays44.com or call 01903 777570.

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CONTRIBUTORS

CO N T R I B U TO R S Sue Biggs After more than a decade, Sue announced she would be retiring as director general of the RHS next year, but not before kicking off a sustainability strategy which will see the society striving to become ‘carbon positive’. Having brought the RHS through what has been a difficult two years, Sue is going out on a high.

P22

W W W.RHS.ORG.UK

ANDREW WILSON P26

@THE_RHS

Phil Jones

CHRISTOPHER MARTIN P27

Taking part in Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30 Reunion panel at FutureScape was inspirational for Phil, and not in the way he first thought. After hearing discussions and taking audience questions, Phil realised more needs to be done to support rising industry stars; those working for others and running their own business.

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W W W.CULTURAGROUP.CO.UK

@THECULTURAGROUP

NEIL EDWARDS P35

Noel Kingsbury In a plea for more diverse planting, Noel expresses his desire to see perennials accompanied by more than just other perennials and grasses. For commercial projects, shrubs and bulbs, for instance, could join perennials in a revival of mixed borders which used to dominate British gardens and are an unsung success story.

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W W W.NOELKINGSBURY.COM

LEWIS NORMAND P66

@NOELK57

Angus Lindsay

GARETH WILSON P73

Trade shows are back (at least, at the time of this issue going to print), which meant the return of Saltex in November. This was a chance for Angus Lindsay to speak with suppliers and end users about new challenges and developments we can expect in the coming months, including a demand for greener equipment.

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W W W.IDVERDE.CO.UK

Design – Kara Thomas, Kirsty Turek

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Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Gwent, UK Published by ©Eljays44 Ltd – Connecting Horticulture. Pro Landscaper’s content is available for licensing overseas. Contact jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2022 subscription price is £100. Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA, UK. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts. Whilst every effort has been made to maintain the integrity of our advertisers, we accept no responsibility for any problem, complaints, or subsequent litigation arising from readers’ responses to advertisements in the magazine. We also wish to emphasise that views expressed by editorial contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden.

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Cover photograph: ©Greenscape Gardens Ltd

Pro Landscaper / January 2022

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INFORM

NEWS MITIE’S SUSTAINABILITY CREDENTIALS RECOGNISED WITH TOP ESG RATINGS

itie has been awarded a ranking of 12.5 by Sustainalytics, a leading environment, social and governance (ESG) rating agency. This score puts Mitie in the ‘low risk’ category and second place in the Business Support Services industry, as well as among the top 5% most sustainable businesses in the world.

The company was awarded the highest ranking, ‘negligible risk’, in six out of the eight areas assessed. These categories include reducing carbon emissions from operations,

occupational health and safety, data privacy and security, and bribery and corruption. Mitie also received a ‘Platinum Award’, from the Sustainable Facilities Management Index (SFMI), which sees a jump from the ‘Gold Award’ it achieved in 2020. Both the Sustainalytics and SFMI rankings were awarded to Mitie in recognition of its Plan Zero commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions for its operations by 2025. Peter Dickinson, chief of staff and general counsel, Mitie, says: “We’re very proud to be recognised by Sustainalytics and the Sustainable Facilities Management Index as a leading ESG business. We remain committed to supporting Britain’s decarbonisation by using our expertise to help our customers also achieve their own net zero ambitions.” www.mitie.com

GROUND CONTROL FUNDS WOODLAND CREATION PROJECT IN LINCOLNSHIRE

o mark National Tree Week, green service provider Ground Control has funded the creation of a new woodland in Lincolnshire. Working with Openreach, Ground Control has created ‘Open Wood’ at Old Bolingbroke in Lincolnshire, with 3,339 young trees planted by workers from both companies alongside local volunteers. The woodlandcreation project, funded by Ground Control’s Evergreen Fund, provides capital for a range of sustainability and environmental initiatives. Twenty-three native tree species including, Alder, Black poplar, Cherry and Crack willow, now form a series of interconnecting copses planted over an acre of land, with a further 445m of linked hedgerow shrubs. The new woodland and hedgerow habitat will increase biodiversity and provide valuable wildlife corridors. Within 50 years, trees of ‘Open Wood’ will have sequestered around 160t C02e and the hedgerow 270t C02e, helping Old Bolingbroke make a significant contribution to the national Net Zero target. Chris Bawtree, woodland creation lead at Ground Control, says: “By planting wooded areas with native species and hedgerow shrubs, we take practical action to help arrest the climate emergency and reverse nature’s decline.” www.ground-control.co.uk

he BBC and RHS are extending their exclusive broadcast partnership for a further three years to bring gardening inspiration from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Malvern Spring Festival, RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park to millions of homes across the UK. The new contract, which starts in 2022, will see the BBC commit to broadcasting from the events until the end of 2024 and means the

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BBC retains its position as the exclusive broadcaster of RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Whilst RHS Chelsea Flower Show will continue with its standalone BBC programmes, RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park will now be broadcast through BBC Gardeners’ World. Catherine Catton, head of commissioning, popular factual and factual entertainment says: “I’m really pleased that we are working with the RHS team for another three years. The RHS

©RHS/Tim Sandall

BBC AND RHS EXTENDING PARTNERSHIP UNTIL 2025

events are a real highlight in the gardening calendar and I’m delighted that our continued partnership enables us to share these showstopping events with a wide BBC audience.” www.rhs.org.uk

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INFORM

GRADUATE GARDENERS AWARDED HIGHEST ACCOLADE AT NATIONAL LANDSCAPE AWARDS

raduate Gardeners has swept the 45th BALI National Landscape Awards, taking home the prestigious Grand Award, the Principal Award in its category, and a Special Award for Best Design and Build for a private garden in Cheltenham.

The National Landscape Awards, held at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London celebrates the skills, hard work, quality, commitment, and successes of association members and are the largest awards of their kind in Europe, recognising excellence in landscape design, construction, and maintenance, as well as supplier exceptional service and employer excellence.

Chair of the judging panel John Melmoe says: “Graduate Gardeners has combined a bold and intuitive design with construction perfection. A well-oiled machine, the designer and build team have worked seamlessly together and in partnership with the client, to create a setting for this home that embraces the surrounding landscape.” Entries were judged over summer, with 79 National Landscape Awards bestowed on 53 members of the association in September and 29 Principal, four Special and the Grand Award announced at the ceremony. Events project manager, Emily Feeney says: “It has been fantastic to have so many members come together in person once again to celebrate the culmination of so much of their hard work. The passion and dedication to quality I see continues to astound me and after what has been one of the most trying years, it has been even more humbling to bear witness to such resilience and excellence.” www.baliawards.co.uk

TIVOLI PLEDGES SUPPORT TO AIRD NA CILLE RE-WILDING PROJECT

Online Exclusives TAKING THE NEXT BUSINESS STEPS We speak to Craig Nester, joint owner of Habitat Landscapes, to find out what a small business/one-man-band needs to consider before making those all-important steps towards expansion, including different ways in which to pay yourself as a business owner. www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ taking-the-next-business-steps

SETTING UP YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA We take a look at Instagram and Twitter. How do the platforms differ in terms of their focus and audience? How can you, as a business, approach both platforms to get the best results? And how often, realistically, should you be posting? www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ setting-up-your-social-media

ivoli Group Ltd has pledged to support a nature conservation initiative to re-wild land on the Aird na Cille Peninsula, Western Isles. The re-wilding project, which commenced in 2012, aims to breathe new life into a virtually tree-free landscape, encourage biodiversity and re-establish a part of the island’s ancient natural heritage. Aird na Cille point is a 25-acre peninsula of glacial-carved rock on the southern coast of the Isle of Scalpay. The land consists of a series of headlands bound by 2.8km of coastline with rocky outcrops, waterlogged, acidic, thin and infertile peat soils. The plan was to fence the land to prevent access to free-roaming sheep and plant trees in this harsh environment. To date, more than 10,000 trees have been planted by hand. The results so far have been encouraging, with early plantings reaching heights of 10-12ft, and a surge in wildlife has been recorded. Natural reseeding has occurred, with birds in turn eating berries and planting tree

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seeds. Self-sown rowan is also springing up on the hilltops. In addition, the project’s programme of local seed collection will ensure genetic material from the few trees that exist will be preserved and regenerated. Tivoli’s support will contribute to the sourcing and purchase of local provenance broad-leaved deciduous trees; planting of all trees in a dedicated wild site, ongoing enrichment of mineral soils; and fencing and drainage ditching where required. Nicola Lovett, CEO of Tivoli, says: “We’re proud to support this project to create ecosystems where biodiversity thrives. It’s a key step in Tivoli’s plan to give sustainability a much larger focus this year and beyond.” www.tivoliservices.com

MAPPED: THE UK CITIES OFFERING THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY The ONS has released the latest house price index, noting a rise in average house prices across the UK from £264,000 to £270,000. A new study has revealed where UK homebuyers will get the most value for their money across the top 30 most populated UK cities. www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ mapped-the-uk-cities-offering-the-bestvalue-for-money

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INFORM

ONE INDUSTRY: FUTURE COLLABORATION

WAY N

E GR ILLS

F O U R I N D U ST RY A S S O C I AT I O N S S AT O N O N E PA N E L AT F U T U R E S C A P E I N N OV E M B E R TO D I S C U S S H OW T H E Y WO R K TO G E T H E R – A N D C A N W O R K M O R E C O L L A B O R AT I V E LY G O I N G FO R WA R D

t hopefully won’t come as a surprise that the main theme of FutureScape is to explore the future of the landscape industry, both short term and long term. This year’s event, held across two days in November, arguably did this more than any previous year – and the demand was for those who ‘talk the talk’ to ‘walk the walk’ going forward. Take our industry associations. A representative from the main four were asked to come together on a panel and discuss how they could collaborate better in future. The talk was aptly called ‘One Industry’, and the panellists – Brodie McAllister, president-elect of the Landscape Institute; Lynne Marcus, chair of the Society of Garden Designers; Wayne Grills, chief executive of the British Association of Landscape Industries; and Ken White, past chair of the Association of Professional Landscapers and a member of the committee – shared the crossovers of their associations and their members’ professions. So, what commitments were made? Choose Landscape was launched by the Landscape Institute, shortly after BALI unveiled its GoLandscape initiative a couple of years ago. With both aiming to bring more people into the industry, albeit to slightly different audiences and with slightly different aims, McAllister suggested to Grills that they should talk about how the two can work closer together. The two initiatives overlap more than people care to admit, said McAllister, and combining the campaigns would make them stronger. He added that the Landscape Institute is not just looking to grow but to broaden. For instance, a new category for Landscape Construction has been added to its annual awards. The LI has also upped its online CPD to make it more accessible.

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Each panellist said they were keen to break down the silos between the associations and professions and to be genuinely collaborative. The SGD and LI, for instance, have been invited to join the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable, which both BALI and the APL already feed into. But it’s also important to have more than one voice, said Grills. Each association has to listen to its members as well as feeding into the wider industry, said White. The APL has been working hard over the last few years, though, on initiatives which are beneficial to the industry as a whole. It recently launched a set of standards and guides for hard landscaping techniques which are free and accessible to all. The APL is also focusing on bringing more women into the industry, with Holly Youde set to be its first female chair. For Marcus, an industry-defining initiative that she would like the SGD to push over the next two years is around sustainability. Introducing legislation against artificial grass – which she says is one of the most damaging materials used in gardens – is a goal, followed by legislation around other unsustainable products and guidelines from the SGD on how to build a garden sustainably. But whilst guidelines and sustainability legislation are all well and good, they can’t be put into practice without the people to build the gardens, so Grills says BALI will continue to focus on its GoLandscape initiative, with the support of the other associations. As mentioned by each panellist, there is more collaboration going on behind the scenes which only comes to light when decisions are put into practice. Could we see this become more apparent over the next year? Join us at the next FutureScape to find out.

ARCUS LY N N E M

KEN

WHIT

BRODIE

McALLIS

TER

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INFORM

s a landscape architect, Sue Morgan has been inherently involved with the Landscape Institute (LI) since the start of her career. As director of Parks Alliance, her path crossed more frequently and a kernel of an idea about what it might be like to work for the LI formed. It’s no surprise, then, that when a recruitment CEO specialist reached out to her about the LI’s vacancy, she jumped at the opportunity. “It’s my dream job,” Sue tells us.

IT’S MY DREAM JOB. IT’S A WAY OF BRINGING ALL THE ASPECTS OF WORK I’VE DONE PREVIOUSLY, TOGETHER. IT’S A HUGE CHALLENGE, HUGE OPPORTUNITY AND VERY EXCITING “It’s a way of bringing all the aspects of work I’ve done previously, together. It’s a huge challenge, huge opportunity and very exciting.” And, though she’s only been in the role of CEO for three months at the time of writing this, Sue has already experienced what was dubbed

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SUE MORGAN RECENTLY APPOINTED CEO OF THE LANDSCAPE INSTITUTE, SUE MORGAN, HAS BIG PLANS FOR THE DIRECTION OF THE ASSOCIATION. WE FIND OUT WHAT THESE ARE, HOW EFFECTIVE SHE THINKS COP26 WAS, AS WELL AS HOW SHE GOT INTO THE PROFESSION IN THE FIRST PLACE

by many as a pivotal opportunity to avoid a climate catastrophe and what is undoubtedly the most important climate-related conference on the planet – COP26. Reflecting on the event weeks later, though there were positive aspects to the conference, Sue argues a crucial solution, and the important role of our industry, was missing from the top of the agenda: “There was a nature day, which is the first time that’s ever happened, but it was on a Saturday. Nature should have been talked about through the entirety of COP26. “There were hundreds of sessions about transport and they all focused on electric vehicles or better platforms for flying so we

didn’t damage the environment as much. There wasn’t anything on active travel, or how we can create human scale cities that can allow us to walk from A to B, or even absolute carbon neutral modes of transport. Not one session. We needed more on SuDS as we still don’t have a statutory framework which other nations do. Green finance conversations focused on hydrogen, alternative nuclear, electric vehicles and the science behind it all. I would have liked to hear some conversations about green skills; around nature based solutions and green infrastructure. It’s just very disappointing.” It’s an agenda which will shape the way Sue drives forward the LI, and it’s set to be

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INFORM

her biggest challenge to date. Certainly, membership organisations are complex, with many intricacies. This must also be balanced with the fact that it’s also a charity. “My biggest learning curve is now,” she admits. “Getting the best outcomes, driving us to be the best we possibly can and creating a new dynamic, vibrant organisation that suits the purpose of our current members but also looks to the future and our next generation of members.” If her 25-year plus career is anything to go by, though, Sue is entering this challenge equipped with all the experience she may need. She becomes CEO of the LI fresh from Design Council, where she was director of architectural built environments and then executive director of social innovation and architecture built environment and finally, co interim CEO. Within these various titles there were two aspects to her role: Practical design application and the more theoretical, holistic side – developing briefs for tenders, looking at how the company could work with local authorities to be more dynamic and agile, diversify Design Council’s portfolio, supporting the need for creating more green spaces, developing aspects around local economy, and helping local communities to set up businesses. Mostly, the key was ensuring design was a topic of conversation in all sectors.

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Key clients included Highways England and Network Rail, where she was able to create a role for a full-time member of staff to drive design quality throughout the supply chain, as well as overseeing the refresh of Design Council Experts to be more inclusive and diverse.

I’VE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOUSE HIGHSTREETS, WHETHER HIGHSTREETS SHOULD BE MORE EXPERIENTIAL RATHER THAN RETAIL, AND HOW CAN WE USE THE VOIDS Whilst in this role, Sue was involved with High Streets Task Force and it’s something she’s still passionate about. “There’s been lots of talk for a number of years in various different sectors about how high streets need to be reimagined because of online shopping. Then, of course, COVID-19 hit and that’s hastened the need for that conversation,” explains Sue. “I’ve had conversations about house highstreets –

whether highstreets should be more experiential rather than retail, and how can we use the voids. All of these questions are still absolutely on the table. Local authorities and businesses need to be agile about how they can repurpose empty shops quickly – lots of spaces can be repurposed as temporary spaces which can act as a catalyst for people to come together. “Active travel is an important discussion, as is where we’re placing our ageing population – it’s about blue-sky thinking about what we can do, which in turn, drives up economic value of land and supports new initiatives going forward. There are lots of opportunities, but it’s all about how we prioritise investment to support that change.” Prior her work at Design Council, Sue has held positions with London local authorities, Groundwork London, Building Services Research Information Association (BSRIA), and a number of London Urban Study Centres. She was also a director of the Parks Alliance, a Civic Trust Buildings assessor, judge for AJ Awards and NLA Awards and Landscape Awards Assessor. Though it’s difficult to choose from such a rich career history, one of Sue’s biggest career highlights remains founding Bankside Open Spaces Trust. It came about through community activism whereby residents wanted

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INFORM

to protect their 10 pocket parks from being built on by developers. Now, the trust not only protects and preserves these parks but i t creates new ones too. “The area has got lots of affluence and wealth but also lots of social inequity,” Sue explains. “The correlation between health and wellbeing and the notion of social deprivation being linked with the lack of access to good quality public green spaces is something the Victorians understood. We’re still there hundreds of years later.”

THE CHALLENGES FOR US AS A PROFESSION ARE INVESTMENT IN GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND OUR AGEING WORKFORCE It might be surprising considering all this that Sue hadn’t always planned to be a landscape architect. With a degree in technical theatre arts her future was as a theatre stage manager. But the temporary nature of set design didn’t appeal to Sue. She wanted to create something with permeance. She scooped one of the last, then, GLC garden apprenticeships. What could have been a misfortune when the GLC was abolished and Sue was made redundant actually led her straight to landscape architecture. And the rest, they say, is history. But Sue isn’t done writing history. Her biggest challenge to date, as CEO of the LI Sue has plenty of ambitious goals. Many of the things missing for Sue at COP26 are high on her own agenda and will be seen through the LI’s new corporate strategy as it comes to the end

of its last. “Green skills, investment in nature based solutions, green infrastructure, SuDS and biodiversity. “I’ve stepped into the LI at a really exciting time; at a crucial point,” she tells us. “The challenges for us as a profession are investment in green infrastructure and our ageing workforce. Where is the new wave of talented individuals going to come from – that’s absolutely critical. I want to encourage the landscape professionals as a whole to really drive home the need for investment in aspects of green infrastructure. Finally, for me, it’s about true collaboration to partnership, so that we’re

not just talking to ourselves. We’re actually amplifying our voice to bring in new interest from other sectors, new interest from organisations, and from individuals.” It goes, almost but importantly not without saying, Sue is also passionate about diversifying her industry right the way through – from governance, to the messages the LI spreads, the language it uses, its advertising, its training, its speaker panels, as well as making it easier for people to even enter the profession in the first place. And Sue doesn’t assume the LI has it all figured out. She welcomes conversations and discussions. After all, as Sue states, you only know what you know. As they say, two heads – or even a whole industry worth of heads – are better than one. 1 Welcoming delegates to LI awards ceremony 2 At the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow 3 Speaking at the COP26 Climate Fringe

C O N TA C T The Landscape Institute Tel 0330 808 2230 Email contact@landscapeinstitute.org

www.landscapeinstitute.org

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

LHIF.indd 17

Pro Landscaper / January 2022

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ELLIE EDKINS' CHELSEA GARDEN 'HOT TIN ROOF' GARDEN, PHOTO ©KAT WEATHERILL

INFORM

JAMES SMITH'S TATTON GARDEN 'IT'S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY', PHOTO ©LONDON STONE

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

ALEX PETTITT

'SHIFTING SANDS' GARDEN AT ST MARY'S HOSPITAL

ALEX PETTITT SET UP HIS OWN BUSINESS MIDPANDEMIC AND AFTER JUST ONE YEAR WAS ALREADY MAKING HIS WAY ONTO THE RHS SHOW CIRCUIT

lex Pettitt refuses to be put in a box. He trained as a garden designer, gaining a BSc (Hons) in Landscape & Garden Design; but whilst studying, some of his lectures crossed over with those studying landscape architecture, so he took an interest in that aspect of the industry too. He went to both garden design and landscape architect practices when looking for employment after finishing his degree and ended up taking a job as an assistant landscape architect at Southern Ecological Services, where he gained a passion for ecology and worked on a leading residential development for Biodiversity Net Gain in the UK. “It shifted the focus away from being simply a money game to something with more heart and soul,” explains Alex. "There were 2,500 houses and the key strategies, from the start, were to have large areas of the development dedicated to wildlife habitats. Sometimes, landscapes can be simplified to aesthetics, but that ecological aspect is so important, particularly now because of the climate crisis.”

'URBAN OASIS' GARDEN VISUAL

20 Pro Landscaper / January 2022

30 Under 30.indd 20

For this reason, Alex is keen to incorporate ecology into his own business, which he founded in 2020 with his brother, Will. Both grew up helping out with the family’s vegetable garden so were involved in horticulture from an early age. When the pandemic hit, both brothers were made redundant within two weeks of each other, so they decided to set up their own business, Topoforma Landscape.

YOU HAVE TO ADJUST YOUR MINDSET TO BUILDING A GARDEN THAT IS GOING TO BE TAKEN APART IN JUST OVER A WEEK “I wanted to approach it with a full level of professionalism and quality,” says Alex. “I had the design experience and the horticultural knowledge, whereas my brother is more hands-on and is quick to learn things and pick up new skills, so we decided to offer both design and build, which worked better financially too.” Far from sticking to one type of project, Topoforma Landscape works on domestic projects, which continue to grow in size, as well as commercial projects, such as one on a nature reserve in Essex focused on rewilding, which Alex says allows him to create a more “experimental planting design”. As well as building up the construction side of the business and looking to incorporate more ecology and landscape architecture, Alex also

THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN VISUAL

works with a small group of other designers, such as Ellie Edkins, who he met whilst building a garden at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park for fellow 30 Under 30: The Next Generation winner James Smith. “Tatton was a brilliant experience. Normally on a project, you’d just be working with your team, the client and perhaps the neighbours, so it was quite nice to work alongside other landscape teams and meet new people. It was a steep learning curve – you have to adjust your mindset to building a garden that is going to be taken apart in just over a week rather than staying on site for years.” In the same year as building at Tatton, Alex also had the opportunity to work at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with Ellie, who was designing a container garden. “It was like we’d taken a bit of a shortcut and gotten through the backdoor at Chelsea, but we gained so much experience being on site during construction.” Alex is also eager to use his business as a force for change. Its environmental principles, for instance, mean Alex is already considering an electric fleet, reducing its use of cement, and how its planting schemes can be adaptive to a changing climate. Alex would also like to see a more diverse industry, and so will be focusing on this when expanding. It’s this perspective from 30 Under 30 winners such as Alex which is going to help to shape the industry going forward and encourage change for the better.

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16/12/2021 11:05

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INFORM

S U E B I G GS GREEN GOALS

©RHS/Paul Debois

ast year was such an exciting time for the RHS. After the challenges of 2020, which affected everyone in the industry and beyond, we were delighted to come back with a bang. While COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, and has continued to shape many of our activities, we are all learning to live with it, and are grateful that 2021 was such a positive year despite the challenges. We were particularly thrilled to be able to bring back our shows – RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park in July, followed by the first-ever autumn RHS Chelsea Flower Show in September. The shows were incredibly successful, and it was so joyful to see everyone again. It was a pleasure to see so many of our industry colleagues at the events and the support for the shows and the RHS from members, visitors, volunteers, exhibitors, growers, designers, contractors, and the industry meant so much to all of us at the RHS. We also opened RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science at RHS Garden Wisley and our fifth garden, RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford. I hardly had time to catch my breath and am so proud of both of these, for all the hard work that went into their creation, and for the people who will benefit from them for decades to come.

22 Pro Landscaper / January 2022

VFTT Sue Biggs.indd 22

Next year is already shaping up to be just as wonderful, not least with the return of RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May. The autumn show was very special but I for one am looking forward to getting back to our regular schedule, and I hope that those of you who were unable to join us in autumn will be able to return in spring. I will be retiring in June 2022, so the upcoming RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be my last as director general of the RHS, but I know I will be leaving the society in the very good hands of our leadership team and my successor, supported by our president, Keith Weed. The new director general will be coming aboard at a very exciting time for the RHS, not least because we have recently launched our vital Sustainability Strategy and campaign for Planet-Friendly Gardening. Within the next 10 years, the RHS aims to make a tangible difference through horticulture – becoming Net Positive for Nature and for People and doing everything we can to encourage and empower the gardening public and the horticulture industry to do the same. We all know that the planet is under threat from the climate emergency, dramatic species loss, and plastic pollution. We also know that gardening can help nurture the planet and people, and, with 30 million gardeners in the UK, we can add up to real meaningful change. As the UK’s leading gardening charity, we at the RHS recognise our unique position to empower the general public to make a meaningful contribution towards meeting these climate change targets. Our goals are ambitious; we aim to be climate positive by 2030, capturing and reducing more greenhouse gas emissions than we emit. Other targets to achieve by 2030 are to eliminate all single-use

plastic and ensure packaging is 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable across the RHS and to be water neutral – capturing, reusing and recycling water in gardens, shows and sites.

WE AT THE RHS RECOGNISE OUR UNIQUE POSITION TO EMPOWER THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS MEETING THESE CLIMATE CHANGE TARGETS One of the central aims of the strategy is for the RHS to use our position in the industry and relationships with government and policymakers as an active joint force for good. Much of the strategy is based on work that is already happening, such as in the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group. We very much hope that our friends and colleagues across the industry will support us in our aims and that we can work together for a greener world.

ABOUT SUE BIGGS Sue Biggs joined the RHS as director general in 2010, with 30 years’ experience in the leisure industry. She has led changes to make the RHS more inclusive and forward-thinking, including a £160m investment programme. Sue was made a CBE in 2017 for services to the environment and horticulture.

www.rhs.org.uk

Sue Biggs portrait ©RHS/Anna McCarthy

SUE BIGGS WILL BE HANDING OVER THE REINS OF THE RHS NEXT YEAR, INCLUDING ITS NEW SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY WHICH SETS A TIMELINE FOR BECOMING CLIMATE POSITIVE

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

16/12/2021 16:42

INFORM

PHIL JONES

THE YOUNG, THE BRAVE, THE POWERFUL PHIL JONES’ INVOLVEMENT IN PRO LANDSCAPER’S 30 UNDER 30: THE NEXT GENERATION REUNION AT FUTURESCAPE INSPIRED HIM TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING UP-AND-COMERS TO CONTINUE TO SUCCEED

was thrilled to be asked by Pro Landscaper to be part of an influential panel for the first-ever 30 Under 30: The Next Generation Reunion at FutureScape 2021. And what an inspirational session it was – but not in the way I had first envisaged. The normal ‘talk at’ session from the panel very quickly became a ‘learn from’ exercise from the gathered audience, or more accurately an intergenerational exchange of ideas, knowledge and thoughts between those with a number of industry years under their belts and ‘the next generation’, who will carry on our legacy. If this exchange highlighted one thing, it was that we need much more of this kind of networking and openness. I would like to think there is an opportunity here to continue this dialogue amongst all those in our industry who seek to provide the best possible pathway to success and sharing of knowledge with those who will become the future of landscaping. Equally, we the industry, should be taking note of what our emerging talent have to say. Spotting our future leaders can be challenging, and as such 30 Under 30 allows

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Phil Jones.indd 23

for these individuals to be clearly identifiable, albeit this group are not exclusively those who will shine bright in the future. As an established presence in the industry, I am always tempted to advise our up-andcoming stars on how to choose the best company to work for and the business that will

THERE SEEMED TO BE A HIGH PROPORTION OF 2021 30 UNDER 30 WINNERS WHO ARE ALREADY RUNNING THEIR OWN BUSINESSES help them the most to develop their careers; often losing sight of the fact that many young people these days have a desire to actually start their own enterprises. Highlighting this increasing trend in entrepreneurship, there seemed to be a high proportion of 2021 30 Under 30 winners who are already running their own businesses. Not only is this a driver for economic growth but will also help spark trends and drive new technologies contributing to the futureproofing our industry. However, the needs of these new business founders are very different from those in employed roles. Here, career advice should make way for support and guidance

in such matters as the principles and skills of starting and running a successful business. Whilst during the FutureScape session I advocated bravery from those who attended, I also would further suggest we, as employers and supporters, need to be brave in ensuring we afford the best possible assistance to these people who will shape the future of our industry. This could be through support and mentoring as well as a commitment to ‘find a place’ for the right people within our organisations. Starting a business or getting onto the next rung of the career ladder can be daunting at the best of times. The current environment can make things harder still. I would therefore suggest that those who have won the 30 Under 30 award have already had success in their career and have demonstrated they have the necessary skills and aptitude to succeed. I would encourage them to be brave and to take advantage of the power they have in forging ahead and taking it to the next level. Those of us who care passionately about the industry will stand ready to respond to that bravery and assist in any way possible. And accept we may learn a thing or two along the way.

A BOU T PH IL JONES Phil Jones is the CEO of Cultura Group, where he has led a complete transformation, expansion and rebrand of the business. Phil is the former chairman of The National Contractors Forum, the BALI South Thames Landscape Training Group. He has written several papers on the challenges facing our sector and is a regular contributor to industry events and publications. Phil’s great passions are horticulture, running and live sport.

www.culturagroup.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / January 2022 23

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16/12/2021 15/12/2021 10:32 15:31

INFORM

ANDREW WILSON SLEIGHT OF HAND

ANDREW WILSON CONSIDERS THE MADNESS OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION DELIVERY AND ASKS, CAN WE ALL JUST DO A RAIN CHECK?

eaching garden design involves a great deal of communication. We need to speak, write and visualise our message to our clients, our landscapers and our suppliers. Before the dawn of the computer, this was often a series of meticulous – some would say laborious – processes that took time. There was little alternative to learning good, clear handwriting in order to deliver written information. All the text had to be added to a tracing paper negative to produce a print that could then be sent to the various interested parties. Drawings were produced by hand to illustrate design ideas, construction and planting detail and designers also had to present verbally to clients, defend their ideas and support verbally their detailed thinking to their landscapers.

Designers were living computers in a way, manipulating these skills to deliver gardens and landscapes. They still are to a large extent but some of their skills have been delegated to robots. The computer has taken over many of

26 Pro Landscaper / January 2022

Andrew Wilson.indd 26

the skills outlined above and we need to be watchful of the information so delivered. In addition to the delivery of information is the reading and receiving of design concepts and detailed direction. We seem to be racing towards an investment in gadgetry rather than maintaining a hold on simple and basic methods of communication.

WE SEEM TO BE RACING TOWARDS AN INVESTMENT IN GADGETRY RATHER THAN MAINTAINING A HOLD ON SIMPLE AND BASIC METHODS OF COMMUNICATION I have already opined on the subject of iPads on site, used by landscapers to set out planting. There is no way of scaling the drawings on a tablet which is a pretty basic issue for setting out, leading to unnecessary site meetings and adjustments. A few weeks ago, Gavin mentioned the fact that someone on site couldn’t read my handwriting on my planting plans (still hand drawn I’m pleased to say). I was open mouthed in disbelief. Five years of careful handwriting practice at university, uniform in size, Helvetica based, developed into a drawing hand that has seen me through forty years of design information delivery dismissed in a single statement. It transpires, reader, that the person on site was trying to set out my planting plan from a mobile phone! What the f***?

It seems to be the inappropriate use of technology that is the issue here. I have nothing against tablets or mobile telephones, but perhaps not when used for site works. I just have to somehow prepare my graduates for this crazy world. I take pains to stress the importance of the circle to represent plants in planting design. Their diameters relate to the plant used and to the densities required. With this, there’s little confusion to be had. What could be more simple? Well, it appears that software designers know better, designing keys and symbols to represent species used so that the schedule can be automatically completed as you use them. I have to say that on site this technique is a nightmare. Keys distract the eye from the plan and make the process more time consuming. The symbols are not dimensioned which makes planting densities difficult to implement and if annotation is used, this links to one symbol on the plan but counts all symbols used. So, I either get 25 plants in one location or I have to go hunting for the other 24. I don’t call that progress. As the year comes to a close, for their New Year’s resolution could all software providers please read this, or pass the message on to your peers? Humour me, I’m getting old, but I do know a thing or two about effective communication.

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

www.lcgd.org.uk

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16/12/2021 16:40

INFORM

C H R I STO P H E R M A RT I N LET THERE BE LIGHT

WHILST THE WAY WE LIGHT OUR STREETS HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY SINCE THE 1800S, WE SHOULD STILL BE LOOKING AT WAYS TO IMPROVE IT AND ITS IMPACT ON HUMANS, SAYS CHRISTOPHER MARTIN

e are now used to afternoons and evenings being shorter and darker, so I’ve been reflecting on lighting in cities: how much we rely on it; how much of an effect it can have on a place; what can be done to improve it and better align it with new technologies and discoveries? This isn’t to say that what we have now we shouldn’t be grateful for, because during the 18th and 19th century the nights were a painfully dim place to be. The gloom of the pre-electrified world was a haven for crime, and if there was no moonlight, people would have to find their way with personal lanterns or ‘links’. The first statutory requirements for lighting streets did not occur until the late 17th century when eligible householders in the City of London were required to hang a lantern outside their homes or pay a rate towards municipal lighting. These early streetlights consisted of a simple oil lamp, which illuminated the pavements beneath but not the streets. Furthermore, lighting was concentrated around shops and in fashionable streets where there were the most ratepayers, with less affluent areas and streets with fewer houses remaining sparsely lit, if at all. The first public street lighting was fuelled with gas and was first demonstrated in Pall Mall on 28 January 1807. Gas street lighting wasn’t widely

Benjamin Warfield and George Brainard Thomas Jefferson University

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Christopher Martin.indd 27

available until the mid-19th century and as late as the 1930s almost half of the streetlamps in London still used gas. These gas lamps again only shed light around their base, and they were placed some distance apart, so generally darkness lay between each lamp, with the light columns more marking the way and providing

THE UNNATURAL LIGHTING CONDITIONS WE CREATED HISTORICALLY TURNED LIGHTING COLOURS INTO BOTH A POTENTIAL HAZARD AND A TREATMENT points to aim for. Lighting the lamps wasn’t so easy of course, and the times varied depending on the lamplighter’s speed, and still today you can see lamps with horizontal bars across the column (now normally home to hanging baskets) which were for the lamplighter’s ladder. How we light our urban places hasn’t changed hugely since these times, albeit the bulbs have become more efficient, more directional and of course brighter. But here I think we have a huge opportunity based on scientific discovery which we haven’t yet fully realised in the public realm. The 1998 discovery of a new photoreceptor in the human eye – which later turned out to be especially sensitive to blue light – changed our thinking and understanding

of how light affects human beings. Today, we understand the many unique physiologic effects of light, including influencing hormone secretion, heart rate, alertness, sleep propensity, body temperature, and gene expression. This sensitivity to blue also proved to be more powerful in elevating body temperature and heart rate and in reducing sleepiness; studies have shown that human performance improves acutely after the onset of light exposure, both at night and during the day with quicker auditory reaction times and fewer lapses of attention under blue light. The unnatural lighting conditions we created historically turned lighting colours into both a potential hazard and a treatment for the ailments it brought about. Moving forward, we must reimagine the traditional architectural lighting values of visual comfort, aesthetics, and energy efficiency and redesign lighting within buildings and in public spaces to account for its biological and behavioural impact on humans. By optimising lighting, we will be able to improve health, save energy, and improve learning and performance.

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

www.urbanmovement.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / January 2022 27

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n this issue of the UK Landscaper Barometer, we are focused on the trading month of October 2021. National turnover decreased on last month’s figure where 84% saw an increase; that figure is now at 62%. Respondents explained a lot of forward planning is happening, and that enquires are continuing to gently slow down. However, further issues could be on the horizon as inflation hit 4.2% during October. This figure is also expected to rise to 5% by April 2022. The ONS has said the increase has been driven by the rising cost of transport and energy. One participant mentioned they have noticed the growing fear among clients regarding inflation, and another mentioned that although their order book is encouraging, “economic uncertainty” is having a damaging effect. The inflation is likely to have an even further impact on the material crisis, as “the belt tightens” on the industry – many may attempt to stock up even further in advance as prices could be set to rise. If you would like the full report or would like to contribute to the UK Landscape Barometer moving forward, please send an email to Gemma Lloyd on gemma.lloyd@eljays44.com or call on 01903 777 594. Please note that all statistics are based on those surveyed and compare October 2021 to October 2020.

NATIONAL TURNOVER 19%

19%

Higher Equal 62%

Lower

PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS MORE CONFIDENT COMPARED TO LAST MONTH 100%

2021

90%

2020

80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30%

ENQUIRIES

20% 10%

Higher

32% 58%

Equal

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

STAFF

Lower

10%

Jan

Sep

Oct

Higher

50%

Dec

CONVERSION

43%

PROJECTS

Nov

Equal Lower

Higher 31% 63%

Equal Lower

18%

Higher 47% 35%

Equal Lower

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UK Landscape Barometer.indd 31

A significant 32% saw a decrease in enquires, which could indicate why 19% reported a decrease in turnover this month. However, conversion rates saw the highest percentage of participants (63%) reporting increase – the highest percentage increase ever recorded under conversion rates since the start of barometer, which could indicate those who are enquiring are more serious and committed. It may be positive to see that 43% of respondents have seen an increase in their staff levels.

Pro Landscaper / January 2022 31

16/12/2021 15:49

CONVERSION

TURNOVER

ENQUIRIES

THE SOUTH

THE MIDLANDS

SCOTLAND AND THE NORTH

GARDEN DESIGN

DESIGN AND BUILD

COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING

DOMESTIC LANDSCAPING

20%

40%

60%

80% 100%

Equal

40%

Higher

Less

PROJECTS

20%

60%

Equal

80% 100% Lower

YEAR ON YEAR

THE SOUTH

ENQUIRIES THE MIDLANDS OCT 2021

SCOTLAND AND THE NORTH OCT 2020

GARDEN DESIGN

20%

40%

60%

80% 100%

Higher DESIGN AND BUILD

PROJECTS

COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING

DOMESTIC LANDSCAPING

20% More

40%

60%

Equal

80% 100% Less

32 Pro Landscaper / January 2022

UK Landscape Barometer.indd 32

OCT 2021

OCT 2020

20% More

40%

60%

80% 100%

20% Higher

40%

60%

Equal

80% 100% Lower

Commercial landscapers showed a positive month, with a majority of respondents seeing increases in turnover, enquiries, projects and conversion rates. A 67% of garden designers saw a decrease in enquires, and Scotland and the North saw the largest decrease in enquiries, with 60% reporting a decrease. In the Midlands, 80% of respondents reported a rise in projects. Here, we are looking at year-on-year data for enquiries and projects. For both, the data recorded was higher this time last year. 2020 was an unprecedented year where the industry was booming. This, in comparison to a fairly typical 2019, presents a large increase. 2021’s increase isn’t as large; however, this does not necessarily mean enquiries and projects are slowing down. Interested to see an in-depth analysis or find out what the confidence and staff statistics look like? Please email gemma.lloyd@eljays44.com or visit the Pro Landscaper website to download the full report.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

16/12/2021 15:49

NURSERIES

ON AVERAGE

In the midst of the autumn months, things are certainly feeling a little chillier, and battling the colder months isn’t easy for the nursery industry. Results were varied, and a significant number of participants reported decreases. Turnover saw 40% of participants responding with less, and 60% saw a decrease in quotes too. Anecdotal evidence suggests the sector feels uncertain due to “plant health, import, prevailing pandemic and economy.” However, there does appear to be a feeling of relief in the air as: “the industry is calmer, and things are getting back to more sensible levels of work, in sensible time frames”, this could also explain why confidence levels are higher this month as many are now busy: “planning work for next spring and summer.”

CONFIDENCE

TURNOVER

20%

40%

Equal

80%

Higher Lower

20%

QUOTES

40%

Higher

60%

Lower

SOIL After two strong months where 100% of participants saw increases across all areas of measurement, this month results were evenly split, with just 50% seeing an increase in turnover and quotes. One respondent explained the industry seems to be “holding up well”, though “the price increases are expected to continue to have an impact”, and “environmental concerns are becoming more potent. Innovation is believed to be key right now to a positive future for the sector and environment.

CONFIDENCE

50%

TURNOVER

50%

Equal

50%

QUOTES

50%

Higher Lower

National turnover increased by

Enquiries increased by

33% 1% 27%

TURNOVER for soil suppliers DECREASED BY 6% Projects rose by

Commercial landscapers saw an increase of

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Quotes for soil suppliers rose by

30% 21% 2% 69% 40% 23% 24% 19% 63% Turnover for garden designers increased by

Conversion rates increased by

in enquiries

Enquires for garden designers decreased by

Quotes for nurseries rose by

Projects in the midlands increased by

Turnover for commercial landscapers rose by

Turnover for nurseries decreased by

Projects for commercial landscapers increased by

in the South

Design and build companies saw an increase of

16% 1% 55% in enquiries

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National conversion rates rose by

DECREASED BY 4%

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FINISHING STRONG THE BCLIVE LEAGUE TABLE ONCE AGAIN BROKE THE £5BN MONTHLY TOTAL TO SEND THE UK CONSTRUCTION SECTOR INTO THE FESTIVE PERIOD WITH ITS HEAD HELD HIGH AND WITH MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2022. NEIL EDWARDS LOOKS OVER YET ANOTHER POSITIVE SET OF FIGURES

ith a week of the month left to run, the BCLive league table looked set to fall short of the £4bn benchmark to which the industry has become accustomed. But with just a few days remaining, the industry apparently reached down the back of the sofa and found sufficient new contract awards to push the total for November past first £4bn and ultimately reaching £5.1bn. Bearing in mind that November traditionally marks the beginning of a slow and inexorable slide towards the Christmas period, a £5.1bn total should send the sector into the festivities with renewed confidence. Leading the charge this month is Wates with an 11-contract haul valued at more than half a billion pounds (£557m). The largest of these is a £157m mixed use development on Plot A1 on London’s Surrey Quays Road and Canada Water Dock. That development will comprise a 35-storey building made up of 168 apartments, office space and extensive external landscaping and public realm creation. Securing a pair of projects and simultaneously claiming the number three position is a joint venture between Galliard Homes, Apsley House Capital and Wavensmere Homes. The largest of the two project wins is a £150m contract to build 400 new homes at Shotley Peninsula near Ipswich on the site of the former HMS Ganges naval facility. That project is expected to require a significant level of landscape involvement. In a month in which 13 companies picked up in excess of £100m in new contract awards, McAleer & Rushe took the number

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four position with a three-project haul valued at a combined £197.5m. The most significant of these is the £140m redevelopment of the former Royal Mail Mount Pleasant sorting office in Farringdon, part of a mixed-use development including the construction of new homes. Hampshire-based landscapers will be eyeing the £135m redevelopment of the former Bargate Shopping Centre in Southampton. Henry Construction Projects has won the

NOVEMBER TRADITIONALLY MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A SLOW AND INEXORABLE SLIDE TOWARDS THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD, A £5.1BN TOTAL SHOULD SEND THE SECTOR INTO THE FESTIVITIES WITH RENEWED CONFIDENCE

in which house building once again accounted for almost 40% of new contract awards during the month. Factor in the housing element of the miscellaneous category that covers mixed use developments, and it is likely that housebuilding contributed around half of the monthly total. Industrial units & factories (£677m), offices (£527m), education (£479m) also saw an uptick during the month of November. Regionally, London led the way yet again, reporting 116 new contract awards valued at a combined £1.19bn. The West and East Midlands (£705m and £194m respectively) continues to enjoy a period of positivity. Scotland reported £237m, up on the previous month, but still lagging behind Yorkshire which reported 12 new contract awards valued at £270m. There was a hope that the BCLive league table’s rolling year total might surpass the £90bn mark. That now appears unlikely. But £85bn remains an all-time high and it should provide the confidence the industry needs as it prepares for 2022.

A B O U T N E I L E DWA R D S £135m contract to transform the shopping centre including the creation of 519 new homes, car parking and public realm landscaping. Rounding off the BCLive league table top five while simultaneously retaining its crown for the highest number of contract awards is Kier Group which collected 17 new contract awards worth a combined £185m. This included a £35m contract for the construction of four residential blocks at Princess Road in Bournemouth that will comprise 121 flats. That Bournemouth contract was one of 156 pure housing projects recorded during a month

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

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Impress planners and homeowners with biodiversity BioCube® is the revolutionary new way to boost biodiversity and encourage local wildlife. Designed around the needs of today’s Landscapers and Specifiers, it has been specially created using a patented layered system of habitat zones which attract wildlife. By incorporating more than 10 different habits, BioCube® can be tailored to the ecological requirements of any commercial or residential commission, while its stylish construction makes it ideal for placemaking. Enhance any project BioCube is the brainchild of BioScapes, an exciting new part of the Rolawn Group. Its unique design sees 50 years of innovation in the UK horticulture industry go into its creation. The result of which means you can attract wildlife that complements BioCube’s surroundings. These include: Butterflies Solitary bees Worms Amphibians

Ladybirds Hedgehogs

For smaller projects choose NatureArk® To further enhance biodiversity in private gardens we have also developed NatureArk®. Smaller and constructed from untreated wood to avoid unwanted chemicals, it’s the perfect choice for residential gardens. Together, they give you the flexibility to choose the right solution for every project – big or small.

To find out more

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PORTFOLIO 1 BOWLES & WYER

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I N S I D E I N S P I R E T H I S M O N T H PAG E 3 8 P O RT FO L I O 1 : B OW L ES & W Y E R , PAG E 4 2 P O RT FO L I O 2 : G R E E N S CA P E G A R D E N S LT D, PAG E 47 A N J I C O N N E L L , PAG E 5 0 L I F E / ST Y L E : S I M O N R I C H A R D S , PAG E 5 3 P L BA W I N N E R P R O F I L E : ASA L A N D S CA P E A R C H I T ECTS , PAG E 5 4 P L BA W I N N E R P R O F I L E : S A R A H E B E R L E L A N D S CA P E A N D G A R D E N D ES I G N , PAG E 5 5 M A R S H A L LS : FO RT I F I CAT I O N O R FO RT R ES S ? , PA G E 5 6 S T R E E T F U R N I T U R E : B I K E S TA N D S , PA G E 5 7 S T O N E PAV I N G Inspire Cover.indd 37

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CURVING THE EDGE R EG E N T ’S C R ESC E N T BOWLES & WYER

inding a quiet and secluded area in central London can be a tall task, but not, it seems, for Bowles & Wyer. One of its latest projects forms part of a luxurious residential development in central London, Regent’s Crescent. The secluded retreat for the residents aims to create a calm and tranquil space which looks visually striking both at ground level, and from above. Design and build The scheme was based on original design intent sketches from Kim Wilkie. These had been used during the planning application, so Bowles & Wyer had to stick reasonably closely to these – which didn’t prove too difficult, as the design was very close to what the company would have chosen itself. But the site itself also influenced a lot of the decisions. Due to the site levels, the lawn was terraced as the site needing to be level with the boundary footpaths that border the courtyard lawn area. There was a further challenge too with the entrance to the proposed underground parking, meaning that the finished slab levels pushed the landscaped areas up at the back of the site.

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PROJECT D E TA I L S Build time 20 months Size of project 2.5 acres Contractor Modular Designer Bowles & Wyer

As most of the site was a podium structure, the walling that defines most of the gardens was built up from the basement roofs. This effectively created a series of containers that were then infilled with loose aggregates, void former or rootzones for soft landscaping or building aggregates/void formers for hard landscaping. Yorkstone and Yorkstone setts make up most of the paving, although porcelain in the lightwells, and resin bound gravel was also used. “The setts were used to emphasise the sinuous nature of the path winding through the terraced lawn, while the slabs were used in the less ‘dynamic’ areas of the scheme where we wanted people to rest,” describes John Wyer, CEO of Bowles & Wyer.

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The structure of the water feature was built up from the basement roof below, which was then edged in stone. The surface consists of paving loose laid onto crates below, allowing room for the water feature kit. The water feature is then serviced from the plant room in the basement, with the connecting pipes needing to be cored through the basement roof. The final layer of the installation was the turf and the planting – the cherry on top. “The success of the lawn terracing was thanks to the use of a Grassfelt product from Lindum Turf,” John explains. “It’s mature soil-less grass, especially designed to retain moisture and give great strength and flexibility.” 1 Terraced beds are finished in Corten steel 2 Design includes more secluded seating areas

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Soil None of the existing topsoil was retained, as the basement covers virtually the whole site – which amounts to over an acre, not including the building footprint and access road. Tim O’Hare was heavily involved in the specification of the growing medium, which consisted of a washed sand subsoil layer and a sand-rich rootzone layer. Tim’s involvement was critical to the success of the project, as Bowles & Wyer was involved in detailed discussions with Westminster over a twelve-month period about the correct specification and depth of growing medium over the basement. Planting “This scheme features many elements of hard landscaping and is surrounded by buildings,” John tells us. “So the intention here was to soften the

Herbaceous perennial • Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ • Anenome ‘Honorine jobert’ • Asarum europaeum • Asplenium scolopendrium • Astelia banksii • Carex ‘Silver Sceptre’ • Deschampsia cespitosa • Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ • Euphorbia amygdaloides purpurea • Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ • Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ • Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ • Liriopes muscari • Luzula nivea • Rodgersia ‘Bronze Peacock’ • Sedum spectabile ‘Stardust’ • Stipia gigantea • Tricyrtis formosana ‘Dark Beauty’ • Tricyrtis hirta • Verbena bonariensis

hard lines of the raised beds and let the planting ‘speak’.” And speak it did, with planting spilling onto paths, breaking up the hard landscaping. Above the podium, tree depths vary – the further you go down the site, the more the basement roof slopes. “Generally, we worked to a planting build-up of 800mm topsoil and a minimum subsoil build-up of 450mm,” John explains. Challenges There were significant design challenges in accommodating all the services intrusions into the landscape, as well as some of the unusual shapes in the ‘curvy’ courtyard. The trees in the main lawn were the most challenging aspect of the build. These were planted in four-metre square tree pits with a combination of washed sand and rootzone.

Shrubs Bulbs • Abelia x grandiflora • Allium hollandicum • Buxus balls ‘Purple Sensation’ • Cistus alan fradd • Colchicum speciosum • Cornus canadensis • Cyclamen coum • Cotinus ‘Ruby Glow’ • Cyclamen hederifolium • Daphne laureola philippi • Galanthus nivalis in the green • Euonymus alatus • Tulip ‘Queen of the Night’ • Fatsia japonica • Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Pallida’ Hedges • Hebe ‘Silver Queen’ • Ilex aquifolium Elveden Instant • Hedera helix ‘Green Ripple’ • Taxus baccata hedge • Hydrangea quercifolia • Hydrangea ‘Zebra’ Climbers • Lavandula munstead • Holboellia latifolia • Lonicera crassifolia ‘Little Honey’ • Trachelospermum jasminoides • Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’ • Nandina domestica ‘Obsessed’ • Osmanthus × burkwoodii • Photinia × fraseri ‘Red Robin’ • Pittosporum Tenuifolium ‘Silver Sheen’ • Pittosporum tenuifolium x ‘Tom Thumb’ balls • Rhododendron ‘Cunningham’s White’ domes • Santolina pinnata ‘Edward Bowles’ • Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis

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“The intention here was to soften the hard lines of the raised beds and let the planting ‘speak’” JOHN WYER

3 Curving pathway leads residents from water feature 4 Terraced lawn edged in Corten steel

A B O U T B OW L ES & W Y E R Bowles & Wyer designs, builds and tends landscapes for individuals, businesses and organisations in the UK and beyond. With a reputation for creating award-winning gardens and landscapes with a high-quality service, it believes landscapes have the power to enhance lives, and works hard to make that happen.

www.bowleswyer.co.uk

REFERENCES

All photographs ©Paul Upward

Design Bowles & Wyer www.bowleswyer.co.uk Turf Lindum Turf www.turf.co.uk Seating in zone 3 Garden Trellis Company www.gardentrellis.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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S E N S O RY

SPACE T H E S EC R E T SENSORY GARDEN GREENSCAPE G A R D E N S LT D

PROJECT D E TA I L S Project value £41,694 Build time 11 weeks Size of project 360m2 Awards • Shortlisted for Marshalls Register National Awards for “Best Collaboration With a Designer” • 2021 Winner APL Awards: £35k-£50k Project Value

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his garden may have resulted in Greenscape Gardens scooping two awards, including an APL Award, but the real success was in creating a safe and accessible sensory garden for the clients’ two children – one of whom has severe learning difficulties and cerebral palsy. Brief The garden needed to cater for this child’s very specific sensory and physical needs without looking like a children’s playground. The clients wanted to include a sunken trampoline, a nature path, outdoor musical instrument, a raised boardwalk and a water feature – all things that both children would enjoy exploring, whilst maintaining a sense f sophistication and ease within the garden. In essence, it needed to be a secret sensory garden. Design “From a design point of view this was quite a bit to fit into the designated space – the sunny aspect at the rear of the garden, whilst maintaining a good-sized lawn,” explains designer Dru Allan. “The challenge was to design an area that met the brief but didn’t look over cluttered or over designed. This was achieved by keeping the layout simple and creating a seamless flow between the areas.” Dru worked closely with the clients on the design, using software which enabled him to make live amendments and adaptations to the design layout and materials during their meetings. This allowed the design process to be efficient and effective – giving the clients a clear understanding of the proposal to help ensure maximum confidence in the process and the build to follow. Build “Having worked for the clients a number of years ago, we were already invested in the project,” managing director Carl Chaney tells us. “Once we saw the design from Dru Allan we knew we wanted to bring it to fruition.” The clients were heavily involved in the preparation for the project with Greenscape Gardens as well. Greenscape Gardens requested (and they accommodated) a number of meetings so that it could better understand their child’s specific requirements. The ability for her to be able to safely and independently explore the garden was paramount so it was vital that Greenscape Gardens was able to understand the details which would enable this to happen. Work started on 3 February 2020 and was expected to take eight weeks. “Our client’s child was due to have a serious operation on 7 April and the plan was to be finished and ready so that she could recuperate and enjoy the garden during her long six-month recovery, Carl tells us. Greenscape Gardens decided to allow for an extra two weeks to work on the project due to the level of detail in the design and the February start date – you never can predict the weather. Work began with a 200m uphill barrow run, which also ran through the house, with a huge volume of material to be

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Trampoline by Capital Play www.capitalplay.co.uk

Water feature by Adezz www.adezz.com

Standout features

Fire pit by Adezz www.adezz.com

excavated. Once that was complete, Greenscape Gardens shifted gears dramatically, moving on to the mitre detail. Greenscape Gardens made a decision early on to mitre the edges of the slate paving riser profile to ensure that the edges of the pavers weren’t visible. It did this by hand on over 160 cuts on the timber sleeper beds to add an extra level of finishing detail to the project. As Greenscape Gardens entered the third week of the project it was hit with three consecutive storms which slowed progress. Working practises had to be adjusted to ensure the safety of its team in the challenging conditions. But another bump in the road was about to hit, and Greenscape Gardens wasn’t so sure this could be as easily overcome – you probably guessed it, COVID-19.In its current state the garden was completely unusable; the turf had been completely stripped back

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“The challenge was to design an area that met the brief but didn’t look over-cluttered or over-designed” CARL CHANEY

INSPIRE

REFERENCES Contractor Greenscape Gardens Ltd www.greenscape-gardens.co.uk Designer Dru Allan www.druallandesign.co.uk Cassatra slate Marshalls www.marshalls.co.uk Plants Johnsons of Whixley www.nurserymen.co.uk Soil Bourne Amenity www.bourneamenity.co.uk Cacoon swing Cacoon World Musical instrument Acoustic Arts www.acousticarts.org.uk

and land drainage channels had been dug ahead of a new lawn being laid. Everybody involved was understandably concerned that if work were to cease it could be months until the children were able to enjoy the garden. It was decided that Greenscape Gardens would order as many materials as possible. Fortunately, Johnsons of Whixley and Bourne Amenity managed to get its plants and soil out at short notice despite their own challenges. The plan was to get them on site as social distancing and lockdown measures were introduced, and see how things progressed. The importance of good and communicative relationship with the client was abundantly clear as it negotiated the unclear obstacles on such an important and complex project. It established and implemented a comprehensive list of changes to its working methods to ensure maximum safety and it

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was agreed that it would reduce the number of staff on site to a maximum of three, travel to and from the site in separate vehicles, not enter the main house, maintain a safe two metre distance from each other at all times, have access to separate toilet and handwashing facilities, wash all door handles and key other points of contact on a daily basis, and, finally, notify the clients if anyone develops a fever or a new continuous cough. As Greenscape Gardens entered it seventh week the site had drained and the digger had arrived. The team managed to get 90% of its materials ordered including 40 tonnes of soil, hundreds of plants, 170m of turf and a musical instrument. However, the effects of COVID-19 were becoming clear and by the ninth week of the project it still had some way to go to reach completion. Despite this, Greenscape Gardens was able to handover the completed project only nine days after the projected deadline.

Due to the client’s child’s vulnerable status, they decided to reschedule her operation and to home school from the start of the pandemic, so having the garden completed was more invaluable than they ever could have imagined.

A B O U T G R E E N SCA P E G A R D E N S LT D Greenscape Gardens was founded in 2004 by Carl Chaney when he was just 20 years old. Since then, the company has grown organically with the help of best friend and manager James Gleghorn to become a multi-award-winning company that continues to progress within the landscaping industry.

www.greenscape-gardens.co.uk

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RETURN TO T H E W I L D REWILDING WILL BE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TREND FOR 2022, ANJI CONNELL PREDICTS

limate change, scarcity of resources, and the pandemic have influenced our shopping habits, lifestyles, mindsets, and routines. Moving us away from a ‘more is more’ attitude to a ‘less is more’ appreciation – away from constantly seeking newness to the more enduring quality of inner wellbeing. All of which is guiding the garden trends we’ll see through 2022. The most significant of which is rewilding. Rewilding is all about restoring ecosystems to become self-supporting and restoring our relationship with the natural world and encouraging wildlife into our green spaces.

FINDING OUR WAY: AN NHS TRIBUTE GARDEN BY NAOMI FERRETT-COHEN

Every bit helps There is no space too small to be home to wildlife. Our joint efforts can positively affect the natural world by creating green pathways for animals to traverse and thrive. One of many firsts for RHS Chelsea this year was the container garden section which inspired visitors to turn balconies into mini paradises. Alexandra Noble’s Balcony of Blooms showcased a picture-perfect abundance of long-flowering perennials and billowing grasses.

GARDEN CLUB LONDON

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Isabelle Palmer, the Balcony Gardener and author of Modern Container Gardening, suggested placing cut circles of wildflower turf to compost-filled containers to capture the rewilding aesthetic and benefits in miniature. Let it grow Neat gardens and green lawns may look beautiful, but they’re something of a green desert in terms of being a habitat for wildlife. Mown lawns are water and energy-greedy and one of the least sustainable features of any garden. Leaving them to grow wild looks good and helps cope with the increasingly dry summers and wet winters. Encourage less mowing, scatter wildflower seeds, and let it grow. It will soon transform into a wildlife haven. Alternatively, use meadow turf for an instant meadow. Go natural Ditch the fertilisers, herbicides, and pesticides and go organic, allowing nature to find its balance again. Greenflies, aphids, slugs, and snails might be a bit annoying, but many of the products that rid of these ‘pests’ can be harmful to other wildlife, as well as pets and children. Tom Massey’s Yeo Valley Garden is Chelsea Flower Show’s first-ever organic show garden. Massey worked closely with Yeo Valley’s head gardener Sarah Mead, who summed up the current feel in gardening: “Nobody’s perfect, and a garden shouldn’t be. It should be about going with nature and letting the seasons show.” Marie-Louise Agius’s climate awareness COP26 garden also advocated the importance of wildlife-friendly plants, with the message: “Look after your soil and don’t be too tidy.”

JAMES SCOTT MSGD

New wave gardens As our gardens move away from a more formal aesthetic taking on a more experiential role, we will see more of Piet Oudolf’s naturalistic New Wave style gardens that resemble the Impressionist painting style, with ‘waves’ of colour woven through them. Oudolf defines his style as: “inspired by nature – choosing plants for their structure, form, and texture over colour.” Oudolf considers how light falls on the plants, how the wind and rain moves plants around, and even how plants flowers look when covered in dewdrops, spider webs, frost, through dieback, and sporting their beautiful seed heads.

DOBBIES SAIL SHADES GAZEBO

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Permaculture gardening Taking a more holistic approach to gardening, living off the land using the elements to provide all the resources needed is becoming increasingly popular. Compost permaculture is a natural growing system that sustains a continuous cycle. Dead plants are mulch to new growth, and composted food waste is a natural fertilizer, and slug and weed repellent. It’s all about working with nature, not against it.

©Leigh Clapp

Edible planting Integrating edible plants into ornamental landscapes has increased through the pandemic and they can be achieved almost anywhere: in a front garden, on a terrace, a roof, or even on windowsills. Alan William’s

CANOPY GARDEN BED - COTTAGE BY KETTAL

GARDEN DESIGN BY CAROLYN MULLET

Chelsea Garden, Parsley Box Garden, showcased a beautiful outdoor dining room enveloped in abundant planting, creating a wonderful sense of privacy mixed with edible plants, which he says are: “fun to have at easy picking distance”. Cutting gardens Pick-your-own-flower gardens are a new take on the kitchen garden. And what better way to fill or beautify lives than with an abundance of sustainable flowers? Water on tap Adding a pond or stream provides a diverse habitat for wildlife. Make sure the water source is relatively shallow, with no steep edges so that small animals don’t get trapped and drown. Make an escape route by placing stones or gravel on one side. Size is not important. Even mini ponds will make a difference. They are vital for swallows and swifts, amphibians such as frogs, newts, toads (toads love to eat slugs), and insects including dragonflies, damselflies, and water boatmen.

GARDEN CLUB LONDON

HALDANE MARTIN DAY BED

Natural materials Outdoor furniture is more sustainable, locally sourced, and beautifully crafted with a more ECHOES CHAIR organic form – in BY FLEXFORM natural materials including bamboo, cane, rattan wicker rope. In fabrics, the texture is king, with lots of feel-good linens and upholstery fabrics in coarser weaves. Add warmth with natural woods, tree stumps, fossilised wood, and natural stone. Colour in the garden Colours we’ll be seeing more of include pastel tones of pink, blue, mint green, and pale orange, alternated with more vivid accents, with coral red playing a fresh and softening role. Pantone’s colour palette for 2022 mimics the colours of nature with soft, neutral, and peaceful cool

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SHEILA JACK LANDSCAPES

greys, crystal clear blue, oyster beige, limestone chalk, opaline green, and a raw suede-like colour sodalite and smoked brown. Hygge outdoors Emulate a relaxing hygge with throws, cushions, candles, warming fires, and ambient lighting, enticing clients to stay just that little bit longer amongst their mini meadows and the relaxing sounds of the birds and the bees.

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

www.anjiconnellinteriordesign.com

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Strulch was developed at Leeds University by Dr Geoff Whiteley. It is made from wheat straw, is an earthy brown colour has a neutral pH and lasts on the surface for up to two years. Strulch stops weeds germinating by blocking light, retains moisture in the soil and the added minerals and texture deters slugs and snails. 13.5 kg bags of Strulch are available on pallets of 12, 25 or 48 bags. Delivered within 4 working days. Trade discounts available

www.strulch.co.uk

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WORK

Best project That’s a hard question as I’m proud of all our work. One of my favourite projects has been working with the National Trust over the past five years at the magnificent Lyme Park in Cheshire. We’re often asked to work in sensitive, historic landscapes and to consider the careful integration of infrastructure with new uses. Colleagues Land Studio (www.landstudio-uk.com) will celebrate its sixth birthday in January. We have worked on some fantastic projects over the years and the team we have built up is, I think, LYME PARK

what makes us special. Every one of us comes from a different background and culture and with our own viewpoints. It’s this rich diversity which enhances our designs. Mentors After graduating from Edinburgh College of Art, I started working for the international architectural practice RMJM. My boss, Kenny

Fraser, was a great mentor to me. He championed putting landscape at the heart of design, which I have done ever since. It was my first job, working alongside Spanish architects EMBT on the new Scottish parliament building.

was a worrying time, but it gave us the chance to look ahead and address a key opportunity to bring a civil engineer in-house.

Issues to address We are very mindful of the environmental impact of our work. We specify materials which are ethical and green. We mostly use native plants when considering structural planting, but we’re also proposing some exotic planting as it’s often more appropriate from a climate change point of view. As a business, it’s important to us to evaluate our carbon impact. We’re currently looking at ways we can calculate, reduce and offset it in a meaningful and long-term way for every project we work on. High and low points of career I’m proud to have made the leap from working in big multi-disciplinary practices to setting up and growing Land Studio. We’ve built a great team and we work on some amazing projects. I also enjoy my work as a design panellist for the Design Commission for Wales. The pandemic

Leadership style My approach as a landscape architect is that it’s something I do seven days a week. Immersing ourselves in all disciplines of design should be inherent to everything we do as landscape architects, and I want my team to be continually considering this. I find inspiration in all sorts of places, from walking through an old square in a French village to looking at a beautiful piece of contemporary furniture. What you hope to achieve in your work Reconnecting people with nature is vital to tackling the impact of global warming. Sadly, too many of us have little or no understanding of the natural processes and cycles that surround us. We embed nature into our designs, whether we are designing a landscape for a school, a residential street, or the re-interpretation of a National Trust property. The water cycle is a key component of our landscapes that also needs to be addressed and fully integrated into our built environment. In 2022, we’re looking to appoint a director of civil engineering. This will be a new division and will involve building a team to focus on sustainable drainage design, flood risk and the civil engineering involved in these key areas.

LIFE/STYLE

SIMON RICHARDS T H I S M O N T H , W E H E A R F R O M L A N D S T U D I O’ S S I M O N R I C H A R D S TO L E A R N M O R E A B O U T H I S H I STO RY, D E S I G N TA ST E S A N D FO R WA R D -T H I N K I N G B U S I N E S S P H I LO S O P H I E S

Gardens I believe my love of nature came from growing up in the Welsh countryside in a remote village, close to where I live with my family today. Immersing yourself in the landscape and reconnecting with nature helps you to feel grounded. As a team, we try and visit a number of gardens across the UK. We recently visited the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It’s normally a spring

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©Pete Stuart/Shutterstock.com

INSPIRATION fixture so it was interesting to see the show gardens with late-performing plants instead of the usual spring blooms. We also recently walked round RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford taking in the new gardens designed

by legendary garden designer Tom Stuart-Smith, who specialises in creating gardens that combine naturalism and modernity. I’ve also been inspired by some incredible parks and gardens in France, such as Parc de la Villette in Paris, which was built on the site of former abattoirs, and the Parc des Buttes Chaumont with its landscaped slopes, hidden grottoes and waterfall, which you just wouldn’t know are there.

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INSPIRE

PERSONAL Hobbies I love cycling because you see life at a different pace on a bike and really appreciate your surroundings. I try and get out as much as I can, no matter what the weather. I once cycled the epic 735km Raid Pyrénéen route across the Pyrenees from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea in under 100 hours. Cycling is a great way of getting exercise; it boosts your endorphins and is good for the environment. If I leave the car at home and cycle once a week, that’s a 20% reduction in my carbon emissions. Design tastes I enjoy Danish design whether that’s a classic piece of 20th century Scandinavian furniture or a building like the SAS Royal Hotel, designed by Arne Jacobsen and Copenhagen’s first skyscraper. The whole building is stunning, even down to the doorknobs. I recently treated myself to an Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair and it is the most beautiful thing, a masterpiece of Danish design. I just need to train the dog not to sit in it! Food and drink There’s the most amazing simple restaurant next to a port in the South of France, called the Jolly Whale, which I love. It serves incredible calamari, stunning pasta with homemade pesto and chilled carafes of rose. Thanks to COVID, it has been two years since I last went there. Eating a meal there, sitting next to the sea, is a most wonderful thing. Most fun you’ve ever had Living in America was great fun. I did a landscape architecture internship for a year with a firm in Philadelphia as part of my degree. A highlight was designing gorilla and lion enclosures for a firm of zoo architects. I’ve been back out to the States since with Kate – before we had our daughters – and we always have a good time.

TRAVEL Places you’ve been When I was growing up, my family spent a lot of holidays in the South of France, and it remains a special place for me. Places you’d like to go It’s more challenging to travel when you have two small children and COVID has put the brakes on holidays abroad. I’m looking forward to taking the family to France in the future. I’d also like to see more of Europe and go back to America.

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How you like to travel I like to travel as simply as possible and ideally by car, not plane. You can take in the scenery and stop off for lunch and coffees along the way. Kate and I are pretty spontaneous, so we don’t like to plan too far ahead and we’d rather stay in somewhere small and independent rather than somewhere more commercial.

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Bespoke Planters - London Design and craftsmanship take centre stage We were commissioned to design and make seven bespoke steel planters in three different sizes to sit between the brick columns at Sam’s Riverside, a fine-dining restaurant that forms part of a multimillion-pound redevelopment of the Riverside Studios arts complex in Hammersmith. The Planters were made from galvanised steel then powder coated to ensure maximum longevity, with our precise on-site measurements, exacting workmanship and accurate manufacturing tolerances ensuring a perfect fit. View this project online: www.outdoordesign.co.uk

Whatever you can imagine, we can make it a reality in metal. To discuss your ideas, email info@outdoordesign.co.uk or call us now on 01903 716960.

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INSPIRE ASA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS WON LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE STUDIO OF THE YEAR FOR ITS GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICES, STRONG INDUSTRY RELATIONSHIPS AND AN INVALUABLE AND POSITIVE WORKFORCE

SA Landscape Architects believes in personal contact – having a conversation, which may seem old-fashioned these days, but this approach is combined with in-depth knowledge and use of cutting-edge technology. This emphasis on building professional relationships has meant the successful retention of many of its clients, some since Anthony Stiff founded the company as a sole trader. Technology has no doubt further helped with this retention and success of its projects. ASA Landscape Architects has developed tool using ArcGIS (a geographical information system) centred around intelligent mapping of landscape assets including Portsmouth City Council and Milton Park. This has enabled the management of landscape assets to be closely monitored over time, allowing better transparency for future budgeting for maintenance and capital expenditure.

MAPLEWOOD, CHINEHAM PARK

ASA has also introduced Vectorworks as its new drawing and design package, so it is fully BIM enabled. Several members of its staff have attended a bespoke training course over several months and the studio hopes to shortly implement this office-wide. Indeed, training is important to the company with approximately 2% of its turnover spent on training and sharing good practice. At the beginning of 2021, it conducted a Belbin analysis of team roles which assisted in identifying strengths and weaknesses with the team. This helped the company adjust roles, so they played to individual’s strengths while implementing WINNERSH TRIANGLE additional training to BUSINESS PARK fill any skills gaps.

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

ASA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE STUDIO, SPONSORED BY BRITISH SUGAR TOPSOIL

Alongside this, the studio has always taken on work experience, summer placement and new graduates, several of whom have gone on to take the Landscape Institute Pathway to Chartership. “We look to

WE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR INCLUSIVE AND FLEXIBLE OFFICE CULTURE, SUPPORTING STAFF THROUGH ALL STAGES OF THEIR CAREER PROGRESSION continue empowering women and young people in the industry through pathway to chartership mentoring of our graduate staff and through working with local schools to enthuse and broaden the minds of the next generation, as to what types of careers are possible,” Anthony tells us. “We are very proud of our inclusive and flexible office culture, supporting staff through all stages of their career progression.” Offering a range of services – from landscape master-planning, landscape visual

impact assessments, landscape design and development through to tender and construction supervision – ASA Landscape Architects is always dedicated to its local community. None more so than its recent project at St Nicolas School in Abingdon. MILTON PARK, ABINGDON, UK

The school reached out to ask the team to improve their outdoor classroom/open space. ASA Landscape Architects ended up offering its services for free and was also able to use its relationships to bring a landscape contractor on for free as well. “Sometimes we can be so busy that we forget to stand back and look at the bigger picture,” Anthony says. “Winning the Pro Landscaper Business Award has helped us to do that, and to recognise the achievements we’ve made over the last year; from staff development to the size and complexity of the projects delivered, it is great to be recognised for all our hard work and to celebrate that as a team.”

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INSPIRE SARAH EBERLE LANDSCAPE & GARDEN DESIGN IS A FORCE FOR GOOD, WITH A LENGTHY LIST OF ACHIEVEMENTS

arah Eberle is one of the most recognised garden designers in the industry. With numerous medals from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, most of them Gold, Sarah has become an inspiration for budding designers. It’s her approach to show gardens, though, that is perhaps more admirable even than the result. Extensive research goes into each design. Take the ‘600 Days with Bradstone’ garden at Chelsea in 2007, which scooped Best in Show as well as Gold. Sarah dedicated nearly eight years of research with the British Science Museum and the European Space Agency in Holland towards creating the garden. And for The Resilience Garden in 2019, Sarah spent time with researchers and staff at the Forestry Commission facilities at Bedgebury Pinetum, Westonbirt and with senior staff at Kew Gardens. After researching climate change in such detail for this garden, Sarah’s concern for the planet was amplified, and she decided to take action. She purchased a 7.5-acre site in Lower Normandy – due to its direct travel links to the UK – and will be creating a more permanent and experimental Resilience Garden as a legacy project in support of the industry. The site will be ‘an exercise in environmental sustainability’, says Sarah, who will be creating a space to support wellbeing and to encourage people to interact with nature. She also hopes for the garden to provide a training facility as well as to be available for charity use.

For now, the project is self-funded, with Sarah’s design business becoming limited in 2020 to enable her to invest earnings into it. As the project develops, Sarah hopes to attract other forms of funding and to gain wider

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

SARAH EBERLE LANDSCAPE AND GARDEN DESIGN

GARDEN DESIGN COMPANY, SPONSORED BY CASATUA

support. It is already supported by several French horticultural colleges and an established firm of landscaper architects in Paris. Sarah herself is a chartered landscape architect, as well as a garden advisor to RHS Harlow Carr and an RHS show garden judge. She mentors students and newly qualified

I BELIEVE EVERYONE DESERVES A FAIR CHANCE AND TO BE TREATED WITH COMPASSION AND PERSONAL INTEREST designers, both in practice and at RHS shows, dedicating her time to help those stepping into the industry for the first time. As a trustee for the RHS, Sarah is also committed to helping the organisation’s campaigns, such as its Green Plan-it event at schools. To help with community projects such as Gibbons Rent Community Garden in Tower Bridge, Sarah will occasionally work on a reduced fee or expenses-only basis and has previously reduced her consultancy costs to help clients develop their gardens.

Throughout the time in the industry so far, Sarah has also served as vice chair of her regional BALI group and as education chair for the Society of Garden Designers, of which she

is now a fellow and which led to her being granted degree status for garden design. Sarah says: “As a woman with nearly 45 years in the industry, working on developing my career while bringing up three daughters, I believe everyone deserves a fair chance and to be treated with compassion and personal interest. I have been given opportunities to shine and I always try to echo this.” Sarah uses her knowledge and status to help others in the industry and to benefit the environment – and it’s this which made Sarah a standout winner for Garden Design Company of the Year at the Pro Landscaper Business Awards.

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INSPIRE

FORTIFICATION OR FORTRESS?

ROGER KNIGHT OF MARSHALLS LANDSCAPE PROTECTION EXPLAINS HOW NON-INTRUSIVE SAFETY SOLUTIONS ARE THE WAY FORWARD FOR ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS TO KEEP PEOPLE FEELING SAFE NOT SCARED

arlier this year, the government published a consultation on new legislation that will require owners and operators of public spaces to provide adequate protection from potential terrorist attacks. Vehicle collisions into people or property, whether by pre-meditated attack or by accident, are a growing cause for concern, particularly within highly populated urban areas. Thus, when the new Protect Duty comes into force, landscape designers can expect an increase in client demand for protective street furniture to help fulfil this requirement. But what are the key elements that need to be considered to ensure that the optimum protection measures are specified? And how

LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS CAN EXPECT AN INCREASE IN CLIENT DEMAND FOR PROTECTIVE STREET FURNITURE TO HELP FULFIL THIS REQUIREMENT can urban landscapes be fortified without turning them into fortresses that could lead to heightened anxiety in those who live there? Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) solutions have come a long way from the industrial and imposing concrete bollards and barriers of the past. There is now a wide range of crash-tested street furniture in the market including seating, planters, litter bins and cycle stands that can be

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customised in different colours, finishes and even corporate branding. This allows security measures to blend seamlessly into existing environments without having a detrimental effect on the look and feel of the space. Some solutions do not need to be anchored into the ground and can be constructed as a temporary measure; for example, to protect people and property during a busy event. A Vehicle Dynamics Assessment (VDA) is an important step in the specification process. This involves an analysis of possible approach routes, speeds and angles of attack by a hostile vehicle. This also take into account any existing traffic management measures like chicanes or speed bumps, which could affect its impact. The detail gathered in the VDA is then used to calculate the worst-case scenario; what could be the largest and heaviest vehicle that could gain access and what maximum speed could it achieve at impact. We can then determine the correct level of protection required and select the most robust products to achieve this. Solutions are available at all levels, including some that can protect against a 7.5t vehicle travelling at 50mph. Conducting a comprehensive utilities survey is also imperative to establish the topographical details of the site. For example, if the ground is not deep enough to accommodate the appropriate foundations for a bollard, or if there are manholes or high voltage cables that need to be avoided, a utilities survey will identify these hazards so that an optimum bespoke solution can be achieved. Working with a professional HVM expert like Marshalls will ensure the best possible safety

products are specified for every scheme and budget. All Marshalls’ HVM solutions have been successfully crash-tested to PAS 68 and IWA 14.1 standards, providing independently proven and verified assurance that the products will effectively protect people and property in the event that something did happen. Architects and planners should have the freedom they require to create safe and attractive spaces. Our technical experts are on hand to help achieve this with a range of design-led landscape protection innovations, keeping people safe, not scared.

ABOUT ROGER KNIGHT Roger Knight is the head of new product development and engineering for Landscape Protection at Marshalls PLC. Prior to joining Marshalls, Roger was the engineering and innovation manager at ATG Access, where he was heavily involved with developing automated HVM security solutions for critical national infrastructure and utility companies. He was also operations manager for APT where he assisted in developing the first UK crash test standards, PAS 68/69, with the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI).

www.marshalls.co.uk

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MMCITÉ

INSPIRE

GOME Z

A stand with a minimalist circular form for a unique side profile, strong enough to support bicycles but soft enough not to damage it. A simple circle with no superfluous decorations works well in any architectural context, whether installed individually or in long rows for a subtle interplay of circular forms. Material A galvanised steel frame on the inside, with an external coating of durable rubber. The ring is seated in a subtle cast aluminium bracket. Price TBD WWW.MMCITE.COM/EN

FURNITUBES LET TERFORM CYCLE STANDS Designed and manufactured in-house, the Letterform cycle stand range provides a creative yet robust take on cycle parking provision. With every letter from the alphabet available including blanks, stands can be arranged in public spaces to spell out the name of the place, company, or a message in style. Materials Steel, polyamide coating Price POA WWW.FURNITUBES.COM

O N YO U R B I K E

A S AC T I V E T R AV E L B EC O M E S I N C R E A S I N G LY P O P U L A R , W E E X P LO R E FO U R B I K E S TA N D S F R O M S U P P L I E R S

BAILEY STREET FURNITURE GROUP THE RIDE CYCLE STAND

The Ride Cycle Stand features concealed connections and discreet levelling glides to make the stand appear balanced in air. The cast aluminium flat ribbon frame marks it as a member of the Metro40 family of street furniture. It provides great bicycle support with the capability for attachment at two points and holds two bicycles. Material Aluminium casting finished with Pangard II powder coated, offered in selection of colours. Price £500 WWW.BSFG.CO.UK

GREENBLUE URBAN VELONE BIKE STAND

The VELONE is a versatile and functional bike stand comprised of topical wood boards that’s supported by a galvanised and powder coated steel frame, providing a durable and secure place to secured bicycles. Material Tropical wood, metal Price POA HTTPS://STREETPARK.CO.UK

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INSPIRE

PREDICTING

PAV I N G TRENDS

STONEWORLD

Predicted trend: More local stone requested “The UK has a vast array of natural stone to offer. With the ever-pressing urgency to address climate change, 2022 will see clients requesting more locally sourced stone, reducing its mileage and environmental impact.” Product Lambton Self-Faced York Price per m2 (incl. VAT) £89.50

Predicted trend: Landscapers/clients requesting stone in multiple formats “Landscapers and garden designers will be drawn to one stone type that fits all their project needs. Stoneworld can provide natural stone in multiple formats, from steps, to paving, to bespoke garden features and more.” Product La Roche Acid-Etched Price per m2 (incl. VAT) £72.50 WWW.STONEWORLD.CO.UK

LEADING SUPPLIERS TELL US WHAT THEY EXPECT A TREND TO BE FOR NATURAL STONE PAVING IN 2022

MARSHALLS

Predicted trend: Demand for contemporary continues “The love for grey tones will continue, with people shifting towards a modern aesthetic that is sleeker than traditional heavily riven stone. As people continue to choose grey, we’re seeing a rise in those who love natural stone but want a modern finish.” Product Sylvern Price per m2 (incl. VAT) From £55.91 WWW.MARSHALLS.CO.UK

CED STONE GROUP

Predicted trend: Keeping it local “We predict a rise in the use of more locally sourced stone (UK/EU) due to the current issues with Far East supply chain costs and a sustainability standpoint.” Product Caithness Paving Price per m2 (incl. VAT) £85 WWW.CEDSTONE.CO.UK

KEBUR

Predicted trend: Designs will include more natural stone accessories “With budget high on any homeowner’s agenda, natural stone accessories are a great way of breaking up paved areas and adding accents of character whilst keeping the price affordable.” Product Kebur Asian Blue Tumbled Limestone Sett (200x50x50mm) Price per m2 (incl. VAT) £70 WWW.KEBUR.CO.UK

VERONA

Predicted trend: Outdoor porcelain will become more popular than natural stone “Following the demand for stylish hard landscaping options, outdoor porcelain is fast becoming a go-to choice for modern homeowners seeking practicality, versatility and unrivalled design potential.” Product Al Fresco Welford Geometric Grey (600x600x20mm) Price per m2 (incl. VAT) £52 WWW.VERONAGROUP.CO.UK

STONE ZONE & LANDSCAPING CENTRE

Predicted trend: Natural stone paving will grow in popularity in 2022 due to its rustic features “With an effort to purchase environmentally friendly products, people are also leaning towards natural products as opposed to manufactured products.” Product Umbra Sandstone Paving Price per m2 (incl. VAT) £36 WWW.STONE-ZONE.UK

LONDON STONE

Predicted trend: Warmer colours will grow in popularity “We are seeing clients moving away from grey paving and preferring the more earthy, beige tones of materials.” Product Dune Sawn Sandstone Price per m2 (incl. VAT) £38.25 +VAT (for trade) WWW.LONDONSTONE.CO.UK

©Barnes Walker

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NURTURE

F E AT U R E GARDEN

HERSTMONCEUX CASTLE HEAD GARDENER AT HERSTMONCEUX CASTLE, GUY LUCAS IS ON A MISSION TO REDISCOVER THE GARDENS' PAST AND BRING IT BACK TO LIFE. WE FIND OUT HOW HE’S DONE THUS FAR, AS WELL AS HOW THE GARDENS AND THE WIDER ESTATE ARE DOING THEIR PART IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

s treasurer to King Henry VI, Sir Roger Fiennes became extremely prominent during wartime. And with this wealth and prestige, he did what anyone would do – he built himself a castle. As with so many of these gardens, at the time they emerged purely for food production. But misfortune struck and the castle become unfashionable, cold, and wet, so the owner at the time tore down its internal walls and its roof and left it open as a ruin. Contrary to the meaning of the word, it seems that when Herstmonceux Castle was destroyed, it thrived. Clambering over the gothic structure, roses blossomed, clematis tumbled – nature took over; and with it being the Victorian era, where the gothic and the romantic were at an all-time popularity high, the castle was enjoyed regularly. As the castle was repaired by future owners, the gardens too changed from a romantic but wild form to something much more structured. But current head gardener Guy has big plans to hark back to a time when nature ruled. “I don’t want to recreate what was here during that period, but we’re aiming to rediscover the sense of place that existed then – quite a significant point in the castle's style and personality,” he explains. “They've always been referred to as formal gardens, but truthfully nothing was very formal about them. They have a relaxed style. I want to encourage that to tie in with the relaxed style of the wider estate, bringing in the ecology and biodiversity aspect as well, ensuring that the gardens maintain the same story as the rest of the estate.” Before Guy joined as head gardener, the gardens stood much unchanged from when the Royal Greenwich Observatory took over the grounds. Functional gardens, they featured lots of bedding with plants such as Cleome, Pelargonium peltatum and

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Dahlias. This has changed, but there are elements left from past owners which remain. Avenues of Irish yew trees as well as a strong north-south access right the way through the gardens remain from Colonel Claude Lowther. Paul Latham and his keen eye for detail crafted small garden rooms reminiscent of Sissinghurst, adding around 1.5 acres of gardens.

THERE’S ALWAYS GOING TO BE A FLOWER THERE FOR A POLLINATOR TO FEED OFF, OR A SUNNY WALL WHERE A SNAKE COULD HIBERNATE, OR SOME IRISES FOR FROGS TO HIDE

not just in filling those June or late May gaps, intermingling with early perennials, it’s also something you can enjoy for minimal effort.” As we know, though, Guy has plans for renovation. A key change includes reworking the tired 80s/90s bedding. In the rose garden, planting will be diversified, transforming beds full of shrubs and climbing roses into mixed borders, including companion planting which will help with pests and diseases. “A lot of what we have here is herbaceous borders. That means we have three shinning months – part of June, July and August – where everything looks amazing, but then the main show is all over and done with,” Guy explains.

This will be replaced with a layered planting technique – trees and shrubs for permanent structure and early spring bulbs to mid-season perennials. This not only means there’s always something for visitors to see, but also that there’s always a habitat or food for wildlife. “There’s always going to be a flower there for a pollinator to feed off, or a sunny wall where a snake could hibernate, or some irises for frogs to hide, and there's always going to be that kind of continual change of habitat” describes Guy. “Large scale bedding changes are just not sustainable. It's expensive in terms of money, but also in resources – like the time it takes and the harsh impact on soil.” Sustainability and being environmentally friendly is an enormous driving force behind the maintenance of Herstmonceux Castle’s gardens. There are no synthetic fertilisers to be seen on the grounds. Instead it uses alternatives like nettle tea, seaweed fertiliser, and sheep’s wool. Though it has been an experimentation, these techniques are born from old school practices within allotments, before anyone had even heard of the chemicals which have become so common place now. “We hark back to the more traditional ways of doing things, before the industrialisation of agriculture and gardening,” Guy tells us. “We borrowed our sheep wool technique from Great Dixter. We have sheep on our estate for conservation projects, so when their fleeces are shorn we’ll use it to wrap around Hosta to

Today, the gardens are bursting full of climbing roses such as Rosa Saint Swithun ('Auswith'PBR), self-seeders such as Cosmos, Lunaria annua, Myosotis sylvestris, Hollyhocks, poppies, and spring bulbs – of which Guy’s favourites include: “Tulipa 'Negrita', Tulipa ‘Black hero’, Tulipa ‘Orange emperor’, and Tulipa ‘Spring Green’,” he tells us. “We use those in a way that will be beautiful but also provide an early source of food for pollinators. Self-seeders are useful

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keep slugs off, mulch the beds, and insulate Dicksonia antarctica.” There are some downfalls to this approach. For example, when Dahlias are being attacked by slugs, Guy can use an organic slug pellet, but this has an effect on the earthworms in the soil, instead opting for biological control using nematodes. “You have to be a bit more realistic. Maybe the Lunaria is going to be attacked by cabbage white caterpillars, but actually, that could bring in finches, bluetits and blackbirds. We instil the idea that as well as a human aesthetic creation, the gardens are also a functioning ecosystem.” Indeed, the main pro to maintaining the gardens in such a way is the environment, and climate change takes a similarly high priority at Herstmonceux Castle as it does for the majority of the world. “Right plant, right place is the key now, because where you may have got away with more forgiving mistakes in the past you won’t be able to any more – for example, planting Rodgersia pinnata in a dry part of the gardens would have been okay when the summers weren’t so intense, but you’d end up with a very short show from a Rodgersia now.”

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It’s something which Herstmonceux Castle tries to pass on to its visiting students, allowing them to leave with a well-rounded understanding of ecology, biodiversity and the English landscape – especially its history.

WE INSTIL THE IDEA THAT AS WELL AS A HUMAN AESTHETIC CREATION, THE GARDEN IS ALSO A FUNCTIONING ECOSYSTEM Recent students were hands-on weeding the SSSI ponds throughout the estate, removing bulrush, reed grass and soft rush to allow the rare plants like Sibthorpia europaea (Cornish moneywort), Peucedanum palustre (milk parsley), and Hottonia palustris (water violet) to flourish. “They really made that habitat a better place for those rare and endangered plants. It’s not just a 600-acre estate. We’re trying to do the best we can with this bit of land, and their involvement in it will help,” Guy tells us.

Part of doing their best will soon involve the welcoming of 15 rare breed Sussex cattle. It’s one of many steps the team will take towards the rewilding of the estate, aiming to improve biodiversity through a return to nature. “We’re allowing those ecosystem engineers to come back and do their own thing,” Guy explains. “It’s a well calculated, hands-off approach – knowing how far you can go, allowing it to be natural without it looking like a mess. Here, we can afford to experiment and see what works.” Though its history may have been lost through the years and its origin diluted, Guy and the whole team’s attention is certainly on it now as they make strides to show off what the gardens were and what it is now through a flair of creativity and a whole heap of sustainability. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

South entrance and moat with banks of wildflowers Rosa ‘Blue For You’ in the beds of walled gardens Dahlia ‘Ryan C’ and Verbena bonariensis Cosmos ‘Purity’ and Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ Aster x frikartii 'Monch' & Hylotelephium 'Red Cauli' Anemone × hybrida floats through the shady areas Dactylorhiza fuchsii (The common spotted orchid) Lonicera periclymenum (Honeysuckle) berries The Magic Gardens stumpery Drifts of romantic planting with splashes of colour Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’ and Wisteria sinensis

Pro Landscaper / January 2022 63

16/12/2021 14:47

BETULA UTILIS JACQUEMONTII – PLANTED IN AN ALMOST FUNERIAL GROVE AT NT ANGLESEY ABBEY

NURTURE

TREES TO ENJOY

I N WI N TE R

Ice Age and would have been widespread until later arrivals pushed them north. A relic of these early trees can be found in the Caledonian forest in Scotland and seeds from these trees

BETULA UTILIS JACQUEMONTII IN CAMBRIDGE BOTANIC GARDEN

IN NT PRUNUS SERRULA RDENS GA ANGLESEY ABBEY

64 Pro Landscaper / January 2022

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ACER GRISEUM IN CA BOTANIC GARDMBRIDGE EN

Firstly, the white stemmed birch is sadly vastly overused and becoming a default planting choice, but the bark of Betula utilis jacquemontii can be splendid. I had a customer on the nursery who scrubbed and washed the stems before displaying in a medal-winning show garden. There are other birches such as Betula ermanii or nigra which are also attractive. However, all birches will have a consequence as they all shed vast quantities of pollen and this can cause a severe respiratory reaction.

NICK COSLETT SHARES SUGGESTIONS FOR TREES THIS SEASON OUTSIDE OF YOUR TYPICAL EVERGREENS

Secondly, there is the smooth barked or Sheraton cherry, Prunus serrula tibetica, introduced in 1908 by Ernest Wilson. Its polished bark is very attractive, but the flowers are ultimately pretty insignificant. It is a candidate for the ugly practice of top grafting with a better flower display such as Prunus 'Kanzan' – great to touch too.

IT’S NOT JUST EVERGREEN TREES WHICH STAND OUT OVER WINTER; THERE IS BARK TOO Thirdly, there is the peeling bark of Acer griseum. Again, very popular and demand for mature specimens far outstrips supply. Another of Ernest Wilson’s introductions, they take years to give a display such as this. Although tactile, too much physical contact can remove all the peeling bark. Of course, there are others; the snake bark maples or eucalyptus which is evergreen and has beautiful, smooth bark. Lagerstromia has wonderful bark plus late summer blooms and whilst it’s just hardy enough for southern urban plantings, offering great potential for the future.

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

s we recover from the seasonal holiday and return to ‘normal’, the deciduous trees are dormant and without their leaves. It seems that the final leaf fall is later each year, with the oaks and apples amongst the last to succumb. We can now enjoy the tracery of their branches against the sky. However, since Pagan times, evergreen trees have been cherished as they display life and the promise of growth even in the depths of winter. Evergreen yew trees have been found at pagan sites of worship that were adapted for Christian worship by early missionaries. It’s not just evergreen trees which stand out over winter; there is bark too. Amongst my favourites are the pine trees, are valued for forestry planting. The pine grows especially our native Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris. a straight trunk, and this has been used for I particularly like its orange-pink bark on young construction, planking and ship building. Scots trees and in the canopy of mature trees. Its two pine and other pines are underused in landscape needles are slightly blueish green whilst other plantings and the shrubby Pinus mugo warrants European pines are much darker green – a wider audience too. e.g. Pinus nigra which also Here are three grows faster. The photograph personal choices for to the right is of a Scots pine small-to-medium trees local to me within a coppice where bark is a winter of sweet chestnut. I have feature, unencumbered a fastigiate form growing in by the distraction of my own garden which retains foliage. However, for the a narrow profile and is full effect, intimacy is home for goldfinches. needed so they need Scots pines were to be planted close to amongst the first trees to where they will be IS IN SWEET RS TR ES LV recolonise the UK after viewed and, better SY PINUS SPRIVE PPICE AT NT CHESTNUT CO the retreat of the last still, touched.

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16/12/2021 11:39

NURTURE

A PLEA FOR

DIVERSE PL ANTING A FIXATION ON PERENNIALS COULD BE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD, SAYS NOEL KINGSBURY

erennials have dominated garden design for nearly 20 years now, arguably to the extent that the use of woody plants, shrubs in particular, has declined so much that we are beginning to see negative effects, not just in gardens themselves but in the nursery trade that supplies them. Perennials have made nothing like the same impact in public landscapes or larger commercial projects. Partly, this is the result of Britain not having developed a viable strategy for their large-scale use and management, unlike Germany, France, the Netherlands, and increasingly, other mainland European countries. Any big public projects tend to be well-funded ‘one-offs’ by designers with established names, such as the University of Sheffield’s Nigel Dunnett. As a consequence, they tend to be high profile, well-designed and well looked after. Should we be seeing more perennials used in larger, more ‘commercial’ projects? I suspect many of us might say “yes” but immediately

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qualify it with something like “only if they are maintained properly”. The fact that maintenance is seen as a problem by clients and specifiers is probably holding us back. The ‘mixed border’ of shrubs, perennials, bulbs and the occasional small tree, was the

THE ‘MIXED BORDER’ OF SHRUBS, PERENNIALS, BULBS AND THE OCCASIONAL SMALL TREE, WAS THE DOMINANT FORM FOR MANY BRITISH GARDENS BEFORE THE ‘NEW PERENNIAL’ MOVEMENT SEIZED EVERYONE’S ATTENTION dominant form for many British gardens before the ‘new perennial’ movement seized everyone’s attention. It was a highly flexible way of putting plants together which suited many locations and the British climate. I think this is perhaps a more appropriate model for larger scale and public projects, rather than the extensive perennial and grass projects of the sort that Piet Oudolf has popularised and which so many garden designers are now determined to imitate. Shrubs add permanence and stability in situations where maintenance may be

limited and unskilled. Crucially, they add massively to the biodiversity value of plantings – particularly for birdlife. So successful have the promotors of ‘plants for pollinators’ been that we risk forgetting the rest of the web of life. Shrub-based plantings with an outer edge of compatible perennials, or the occasional more open ‘glade’, makes for an attractive, practical and wildlife-friendly planting form, and despite its relative simplicity has been poorly developed for British public space. The perennials that thrive in conjunction with shrubs are ones that do particularly well in the long growing season that our climate offers – thinking geranium, Alchemilla mollis and Anemone x hybrida, very often plants of light shade rather than full sun. Such an intimately combined shrub-perennial mix is inherently flexible and might go some way towards ending that current bane of public planting, the unimaginative power-tool driven clipping of evergreen shrubs. Vigorous perennials and a few grasses combined with shrubs which are managed through coppicing – i.e. an occasional drastic cut-back as opposed to frequent nibbling, makes for a more dynamic planting style; the decreased competition allows the perennials to regenerate and spread and something of a varied patchwork (interesting visually and wildlife-beneficial) to build up. Britain’s relatively mild winters means we have a lot of perennials that are either evergreen or show some winter growth – such species that combine well with deciduous shrubs. Mixed borders that involved them and relied far less on evergreens would do a lot to create more interesting and varied public plantings. The pragmatic mixed border style of British gardens has perhaps been an unsung and uncelebrated success, one which is perhaps deserving of more attention as a model for more ambitous schemes.

ABOUT NOEL KINGSBURY Noel Kingsbury is a freelance designer, writer and researcher who has long promoted naturalistic planting design. He also teaches at Boston Architectural College.

www.noelkingsbury.com

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16/12/2021 16:45

NURTURE

QUIET QUALITIES

GARDEN DESIGNERS – AT LEAST, GOOD ONES – EMBODY A VARIETY OF SKILLSETS WHICH NEED TO BE RECOGNISED, SAYS LEWIS NORMAND

s I write this, I have just returned from Futurescape, which was fantastic, and it was great to see so many people that I haven’t seen for some time now. For you reading today, it may seem like a distant memory; indeed, it was such a busy event for me that it feels like a lifetime ago already. The show, as always, got me thinking about the industry and the people, connected but different, with a broad spectrum of talent and experience. It led on to me recalling a discussion I had with a colleague years ago about what a garden designer needs to be in order to be able to take a project from start to finish. It is true of all professions and professionals within the horticultural and landscape spheres that we generally have an extensive set of skills; something that should neither go unrecognised or undervalued, but I fear often does.A good garden designer has many skills to understand gardens and be able to design a new layout. They may be a mathematician, adeptly using scale in drawings, surveying sites and quantifying volumes needed to realise designs. They are artists, detailing visuals that sell a dream, harmoniously balancing 3D spaces and composing planting palettes of sympathetic partners. They are soil scientists, measuring and engineering soils for pH, fertility and drainage. They are climatologists, determining appropriate plant selections for each site and utilising plants and materials to create protective environments for others. They are botanists, identifying and recording existing flora on site, and horticulturists, selecting apt additions to complement and thrive in the environment provided. They are pest and disease experts, identifying these in plants and soils, reporting them where required and prescribing mitigation and treatment regimes. A good garden designer is an engineer, capable of designing structures and surfaces for use and with function. They are often architects specifying built structures to complement their designs. They are arbiters of style helping to lead clients to a solution that is sympathetic to the locality, architecture and otherwise within the boundaries of good taste. Anyone who has ever practised as a garden designer will also probably have spent some

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time as a mediator between client couples arguing over a design choice, or possibly even between a client and contractor (my recommendation here is to speak with expert witness Gareth Wilson, at least for guidance). Many act as accountants for themselves and in the balancing of costs in a project.

IT IS TRUE OF ALL PROFESSIONS AND PROFESSIONALS WITHIN THE HORTICULTURAL AND LANDSCAPE SPHERES THAT WE GENERALLY HAVE AN EXTENSIVE SET OF SKILLS; SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEITHER GO UNRECOGNISED OR UNDERVALUED, BUT I FEAR OFTEN DOES I have yet to encounter a good garden designer who isn’t a keen gardener and indeed it is a skill that should never go unmentioned or undervalued. To be a good gardener is to be a great many things as well and a master of several of the qualities above. In recent years, though not yet publicly considered, good gardeners and garden designers have recognised themselves as keen ecologists and sustainability enthusiasts at the very least. This is true of everyone in the landscape industry (and if not, it should be).

The qualities of ecologically and sustainably conscious business behaviour is where ‘we’ (i.e. the landscape industry) can play our strengths to the wider audience as the people who most actively contribute positively to our environment. After all, it will be the landscape industry that plants, grows and maintains the trees the government targets to offset carbon deposition to the atmosphere. Similarly, it will be the industry who helps to green the UK economy, manage the public and private landscapes of the country and continue to improve our own green credentials by removing peat and expanding the recycling of materials, including plastics, in our work. Importantly, experienced garden designers know that while they embody all of these qualities to an extent, they are always better employing specialists in these relevant fields to achieve true success and instead be skilled project managers and teachers to their clients, who oversee and coordinate these expert professionals, while guiding their clients on the journey, rather than trying to be a 'jackof-all-trades' themselves.

ABOUT LEWIS NORMAND Lewis has worked in a wide variety of roles within horticulture over a 20-year career. He has lectured on garden design and horticulture, and designed gardens in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Since 2011, Lewis has focused on nursery sales, now working as sales manager at Bernhard’s Nurseries, and has helped to launch a number of new plants into the UK plant market. He is a specialist supplier to show gardens, supplying more than 100 gardens at major shows.

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16/12/2021 15:20

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NURTURE

CUTTING HEDGE WE EXPLORE SOME UNIQUE WAYS OF GROWING AND MAINTAINING HEDGES

Organic pruning

TOP TIPS • Preparation is key. Examine the plant inside and outside before you make any cuts. Plan how you're going to shape it. Being confident and taking your time is key. Sharp, clean tools are also a must. • Be creative. Thinking outside the box and letting your creativity guide you, no matter how whacky you think it will be, will help you to achieve an interesting and unique design. • Be patient and maintain the plant. It’s highly likely that the plant you've just pruned will look bare and not particularly pleasing to the eye but stick with it as this is an inevitable part of the process. Once regrowth has occurred, use shears or a hedge cutter to maintain the shape.

EDGE

SUSS

E X TO

I A RY WHAT IS ORGANIC PRUNING? & HE DGES Organic pruning, often also known as creative pruning is the process of creating natural, abstract shapes with hedges and shrubs. Organic pruning can simply be whatever shape the gardener (or the plant) desires. The process stems back to Japanese gardens, where large evergreen shrubs and hedges are shaped to mimic the surrounding hills, mountains and landscape. WHAT SPECIES SHOULD YOU USE? Small, leafed evergreens are excellent candidates for organic pruning. However, this style is not merely reserved for evergreen plants. Deciduous hedging can be pruned to create a wavy, flowing appearance that also looks great during the winter months. One of the best plants for beginners is Lonicera nitida as it has a natural urge to topple over, creating its own natural shapes. It’s also fast growing and doesn’t mind being pruned, so it’s very forgiving. Avoid plants that don't tolerate hard pruning, conifer hedges as an example are not suitable unless trained from a very young age. WHERE CAN THIS TECHNIQUE BE USED? If the garden consists mainly of formal hedging and geometric shapes such as box balls, your organically pruned plant may end up looking like the ugly duckling. If the garden is informal or contains a good mix of both, then it's a great choice. A large organically pruned shrub situated in the middle of a lawn or at the end of a garden will give a contemporary feel and provide an excellent focal point. www.sussexhedges.co.uk

WHAT IS A PLEACHED HEDGE? A pleached hedge may be classed as a panel, where the foliage starts from the ground rather than on a stem like a tree. Pleaching is a method of controlling the growth of a tree or bush, whereby the branches of the young tree are trained along a bamboo framework to create a shape – most commonly a slender, manageable profile for garden screening.

H ANT I N ST

WHAT SPECIES SHOULD YOU USE? Most plant species can be pleached, if foliage is needed all year round it’s best to choose an evergreen variety. WHERE CAN THEY BE USED? Pleached trees are commonly used in front of fences to create extra screening at the top of the fence. They can also be used to separate one area of the garden from another. www.instanthedges.co.uk

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PLEACHED HEDGING TOP TIPS • If a uniform look is needed, the trees will need to have the same stem height and frame size. • For the best coverage on a freshly pleached tree it’s wise to choose a tree with a bushy crown, as this will fill the space much better from the start rather than waiting for the foliage to grow into the frame. • Planting on a gentle slope can create a slightly staggered effect or make sure your ground is flat to create a sleek seamless look.

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16/12/2021 15:05

NURTURE

BARK AND MULCH LOOKING FOR BARK ON A BUDGET? OR PERHAPS A PREMIUM PRODUCT? MAYBE YOUR CLIENT WANTS THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY OPTION AVAILABLE? LEADING SUPPLIERS SUGGEST THE RIGHT PRODUCT FOR ANY OF THESE SCENARIOS

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Medium Amenity Mulch This good all-round bark is great for schemes which are on a tighter budget. A long-lasting mulch which is a course grade and dark brown in colour, is made from mixed conifer with a high percentage of spruce. White wood content no more than 20%. 100% British. www.ahs-ltd.co.uk HALLSTONE

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8-35mm Contract Ornamental Bark AHS’ bestselling bark, the 8-35mm contract ornamental, is a staple for all landscapers. This hardwearing product is made of 100% British conifer, with a large percentage of spruce and suitable for all landscaping applications. White wood content no more than 15%. www.ahs-ltd.co.uk ROLAWN

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Melcourt Ornamental Bark Mulch A great looking, long-lasting bark from the deluxe range. A high-performance mulch, suitable for a wide range of professional and domestic landscape applications where a neat, decorative finish is required. It is a long-lasting pine, larch and Douglas fir bark with nominal particle size 5-35mm. www.green-tech.co.uk AHS LTD

15-60mm Bark Nuggets AHS’ 15-60mm bark nuggets are perfect for prestigious schemes, which want to make an impact visually. This chunky redwood bark is a mix of pine, Douglas fir and larch, which is mid brown in colour. White wood content no more than 5%. 100% British. www.ahs-ltd.co.uk ROLAWN

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Pro Landscaper / January 2022 69

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16/12/2021 11:41

SWIFT

EDUCATE

SOLUTIONS DON’T LET SMALL ISSUES BECOME COSTLY DISPUTES – PUT THEM RIGHT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, SAYS GARETH WILSON

t’s now coming up to 12 months since I moved into my new career as a hard landscaping expert witness. During this time, I’ve often reflected upon my 32 years in landscaping and horticulture. One expert witness commission recently reminded me of a similar scenario I found myself in a good few years ago. I’ve mentioned before that when a client appoints an expert witness and it goes straight to Civil Procedure Rules Part 35, this means that they have got the bit between their teeth and are fully prepared to go to court. A Statement of Opinion still gives a chance of resolution and working together with the client and contractor, in some other instances, avoids going to court. Over the last year, I’ve had two similar commissions where landscaping projects have been carried out and, although both projects were of a decent standard, there were issues that needed attention. Firstly, I had a job in Manchester where the client had commissioned me to look at certain aspects of the project which she was unsure were up to specification. I happened to find three issues from the client’s brief which she had provided and one issue which I had spotted myself. This was also part of my brief – to identify any issues I may find. The contractor had been sent a copy of my report and agreed to deal with the issues. They were dealt with the same week, and everyone was happy. In the second instance, the client had sent me a brief outlining his issues – and things at this point were pretty amicable. The issues I found via the brief and my own findings were no more than a day and half’s work, such as relaying a couple of paving slabs that had chips on them, breaking out three fence posts that had been set out of level and needed realigning,

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and a small French drain between the patio and the lawn to prevent a boggy and muddy lawn. The contractor and client had verbally agreed that the next time the contractor ‘was passing by’ he would deal with the issues. We all know what’s coming! Two weeks’ later, the client had enough of waiting for the contractor to ‘pass by’

WHEN A CLIENT SAYS, OR INTIMATES, THAT THERE’S NO RUSH WITH THE SNAGS OR FINISHING THE JOB OFF, VERY, VERY RARELY DO THEY MEAN IT. MOVE FAST BEFORE THINGS TURN SOUR OR YOU END UP BEING OUT OF POCKET and put the issues right. He went for the jugular and asked me to convert the Statement of Opinion to a Civil Procedure Rules Part 35 report and the client had terminated the contract he had with the landscaper outlining all the issues with the project. The client had three quotes to amend the issues, of which the cheapest quote was just over £2,000, plus VAT. All three quotes were overpriced due to the fact that very few landscapers want to get involved with correcting other landscapers’ work and few

of the high-end landscapers would even consider such a project. The landscaper came out with all the excuses under the sun but was backed into a corner and agreed to pay the amount due without negotiation. I can easily say the landscaper had no more than £220 in materials, including a mini skip and £300-£400 of his own labour. Even a couple of hours each evening would have put this job to bed in six days. The moral of this article is that when a client says, or intimates, that there’s no rush with the snags or finishing the job off, very, very rarely do they mean it. Move fast before things turn sour or you end up being out of pocket. My personal similar scenario was a single vertical paling on a one-metre-high fence next to the gate. Again, the client and I agreed I would sort it out when I was passing. Three days later it was on Facebook that I’d not replaced the paling. Within the hour, the paling was on the fence.

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

www.gkwilsonlandscaping.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / January 2022 73

16/12/2021 16:52

EDUCATE

HOW TO MAKE YOUR BEST YEAR YET! HOW OFTEN DO YOU TAKE A STEP OUT OF YOUR BUSINESS TO THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU’RE GOING, WHAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE AND CRUCIALLY WHY YOU DO WHAT YOU DO? ALISON WARNER POSES SOME THOUGHT PROVOKING QUESTIONS TO GET YOU STARTED

What were your biggest achievements in 2021? This doesn’t have to be about a huge increase in turnover, it could be something personal, anything that you feel is important to you, that you are proud of.

What are your top five goals for 2022? Personally, I always have a mix of both business and personal goals and review them quarterly. Don’t feel under pressure to have exponential increases in turnover if that isn’t really what you want. Take the time to think about what is most important to you.

What were your biggest disappointments in 2021? This isn’t to beat yourself up, but purely to recognise them and move on. I know it’s a cliché, but we often learn more about ourselves and our business from our failures than our successes. If you tried something and it didn’t work, that’s great, you tested it and you now know!

What will you do to make absolutely sure you will achieve them? This could be in the form of having a mentor or coach, or simply an accountability partner. Unless you have someone to report your progress to, the likelihood is you won’t achieve everything you’ve set out to – it’s just human nature.

What lessons did you learn? This is one that we rarely think about, and linked with the previous question, it’s so worthwhile taking note of. Journal these, so that the learnings won’t be lost over time.

What will you stop doing? Think about the things you should really be delegating, or giving up altogether. Identify tasks that might be welcome distractions but don’t add any real value to your business.

Who can you add to your peer group to help you achieve your goals? A mentor of mine once said to me that you are an amalgamation of the five people you spend the most time with. This is why I think Mastermind groups can be so powerful, as you are surrounding yourself with likeminded people who are positive and eager to learn. On a scale of 1-10, how committed are you to achieving your five goals? Be honest, and if you write down anything less than an 8, it is unlikely you will achieve the goal. Maybe it is the wrong goal, or maybe you have a limiting belief getting in the way. Simply ask: “what would need to change for this to be a 9/10 for me?”, and see what comes up. Why are you committed to achieving them? This is very important to understand – i.e. what is driving you to set these goals? Is it ego, because you feel you should, or because your heart is truly in it? To measure the health of your business, take our free BUILD system scorecard, available on our website: www.evolveandgrowcoaching.com

A B O U T A L I S O N WA R N E R

Alison Warner is the founder of Evolve and Grow, a business coaching firm that specialises in the trades and construction industry. She is also the author of bestselling book ‘How to go from Tradesperson to Managing Director in the Construction and Trade Industries’. https://amzn.to/2QIb467 www.evolveandgrowcoaching.com

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16/12/2021 11:17

PROTECTING YOUR BRAND

EDUCATE

SHOULD YOU REGISTER YOUR TRADEMARK, AND WHAT WOULD THIS INVOLVE? JASON MCKENZIE AND RANDIP RAI OF ORACLE SOLICITORS EXPLAIN THE PROCESS AND THE BENEFITS OF DOING SO

What is a trademark? The words “trademark” and “brand” are often used interchangeably. Both refer to signs which are used by traders to differentiate their goods from those of other traders. Simply put, branding was, and still is today, a way of saying “this is mine”. What can function as a trademark? A mark must be unique, and may consist of (for example): • Words • Slogans • Designs or logos • Internet domain names • Colours Or a combination of these. Your trademark cannot: • be offensive (including swear words, for example) • be misleading (using the word ‘organic’ for goods that are not organic, for example) • be non-distinctive or too common • look too similar to state symbols like flags or hallmarks. Registering a trademark When you register your trademark, you’ll be able to: • take legal action against anyone who uses your brand without your permission, including counterfeiters • put the ® symbol next to your brand – this shows it is yours and warns others against using it • sell and license your brand – it can be a valuable commercial asset. Before you apply, you must search the trademarks database (maintained by the Intellectual Property Office) to check if anyone has already registered an identical or similar trademark for the same or similar goods or services.

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Oracle Solicitors.indd 75

You must also check the EU Trademarks Register for any EU applications that were ‘pending’ on 1 January 2021. These applications would have priority over yours. Applying to register a trademark You’ll need: • details of what you want to register (for example a word, slogan or logo) • the trademark “classes” you want to register in. You should read the guide provided by the Intellectual Property Office before commencing an application if you have not applied before.

Fees There are (non-refundable) fees associated with each application. These vary depending on the type of application being made, the number of “classes” you want to register in, how many marks are being applied for at one time and whether the application is via post or online. You cannot change your trademark once you’ve applied. After you apply 1. You’ll get feedback on your application in up to eight weeks. This is known as an ‘examination report’ and you will have two months to resolve any identified issues. 2. If the examiner has no objections, your application will be published in the trademarks journal for two months, during which time anyone can oppose it.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) will contact the holder of any existing trademark that is considered similar to yours. 3. At the end of the opposition period, you have to wait an extra two weeks so that any oppositions made close to the deadline can be processed. 4. Your trademark will be registered once any oppositions are resolved – you’ll get a certificate to confirm this. Unregistered trademarks Even if you have not registered it, it may be possible to stop someone using a similar trademark to yours on their goods and services (known as ‘passing off’). However, it is much harder to prove passing off than it is to defend a registered trademark. To be successful you will need to show that: • the mark is yours • you have built up goodwill associated with the mark • you have been harmed in some way by the other person’s use of the mark Why bother? Registration of trademarks is voluntary but advisable, given the benefits of registration and the comparable difficulties in protecting an unregistered mark. A trademark is relatively easy to protect and enforce and renewable indefinitely.

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

www.oraclesolicitors.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / January 2022 75

16/12/2021 14:32

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A WELCOME RETURN

ANGUS LINDSAY HAILS THE RETURN OF SHOWS SUCH AS SALTEX, BUT WARNS THERE ARE OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME FOR THE SECTOR

ovember saw another step towards normality with the return of SALTEX at the NEC and a chance to catch up with people whom, for the last 18 months, we have only communicated with through a plastic screen. Nice to see that not too many have put on lockdown pounds! Whilst it was good to catch up, there was still an element of trepidation around social interaction and, despite the NEC’s best attempts to scrutinise all visitors, I believe a couple of individuals did test positive for COVID after the event but have thankfully recovered.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT THIS IS A ROBOTIC CYLINDER MOWER. TIMES ARE CHANGING

As to be expected, equipment supply and cleaner power sources were major talking points, with the latter taking centre stage on several suppliers’ stands, in particular Dennis and SISIS which displayed an impressive range of UK-built electric machines. Several autonomous options were also on display from a range of suppliers new to the UK. The RoviMo in particular made me look twice because it took a minute or two to work out what it was – the traditional cylinder mower is definitely changing. Several machines were operating in the live action area, a novelty in the indoor environment, which sort of worked, albeit restricted to quietly manoeuvring across the carpet, but it brought an element of realism to the event and showed that emission-free electric drive is viable.

Pro Landscaper / January 2022

Angus Lindsay.indd 76

Coinciding with the COP26 summit and with global emissions such a high priority on all our radars, I had expected some of the bigger names to be in attendance showing their thoughts for the future, and in particular those manufacturers who already produce electric power tools: the ideal time to be displaying their wares, possibly an opportunity missed. A further disappointment was the cancellation of a discussion session organised by BALI for the National Contractor Forum, where it had hoped to get a panel of manufacturers to discuss future developments and better understand the needs of

MY ADVICE WOULD BE TO GET YOUR REQUIREMENTS SORTED OUT AND ORDERS PLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE contractors. Possibly this was due to timing, concerns around COVID, or maybe the larger manufacturers don’t see our industry as being a significant player compared to agriculture and construction. I very much hope that it can be part of next year’s event, especially as the equipment we utilise predominately operates in built-up and urban areas where a cleaner power source would make a greater difference than in a quarry or the middle of a 50ha field.

As to be expected, the biggest questions were around supply and lead times for 2022. Some manufacturers were quoting a staggering 12 months plus for some equipment coming

INTERESTING ELECTRIC CONCEPT VEHICLE BUT 2WD AND 3500KG AND BIT OF A HEAVYWEIGHT

from the States, coupled with significant price increases. My advice would be to get your requirements sorted out and orders placed as soon as possible. Despite supply issues, price increases, labour supply, and a lack of new people coming into the industry, there was a positive air on several stands, which many put down to physical communication and just being able to speak with people face-to–face, along with a general good feeling about the industry and its future. I’m sure this was also the case at FutureScape. Some suppliers even had the luxury of taking orders during the course of the two days, unheard of in past years, so all-in-all a thumbs up for the show and the industry in general. But, I think we are all under no illusion that next year is going to be tough for all sectors.

A B O U T A N G U S L I N D S AY

ELECTRIC AND ROBOTICS WERE THE GENERAL THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SALTEX

Angus spent several years working on arable farms in Scotland before joining VSO in Egypt, implementing a mechanisation programme, managing field operations for a commercial cotton plantation in Nigeria and working as a contract instructor for Massey Ferguson in Yemen. He has an Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation Management MSc from Silsoe, and joined Glendale as machinery manager in 1994, then idverde UK in 2009.

angus.lindsay@idverde.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

16/12/2021 11:34

BRUSHCUTTERS

EDUCATE

L AT E ST

KIT

LO O K I N G FO R YO U R N E X T B R U S H C U T T E R ? O U R G U I D E W I L L H E L P YO U F I N D T H E R I G H T TO O L FO R T H E J O B

UR012GZ04 – XGT BRUSH CUTTER

STANLEY 52CC 43CM PETROL BRUSH CUTTER

FS 411 C-EM

(BODY ONLY MODEL)

NAP BRANDS LTD

MAKITA

The STANLEY two-stroke 52cc brush cutter is the ideal garden tool to keep long grass and brushwood under control. Clear the yard with the 255mm cutting diameter delivering 10,500 rpms of pure power or switch the head to the line trimmer and you’re ready to trim the lawn edges around the house. It has an innovative recoil-starter allowing for an easy start and ergonomic anti-vibration soft handle with cockpit operation, allowing for comfortable handling. It also includes a dividable middle shaft for easy storage and transport.

STIHL

The UR012GZ04 is powered by Makita’s most powerful cordless battery platform yet: XGT Twin 40VMax (80V). Powered by two 40VMax XGT batteries, the UR012GZ04 makes light work of any task and delivers output equivalent to a 40cc petrol engine machine without exposing the user or the environment to harmful petrol fumes. This machine is ideal for use outdoors thanks to its IPX4 water resistant rating.

Available in February 2022, the new FS 411 C-EM brushcutter features a number of improvements over the popular FS 410 C-EM model. Large 520mm cutting diameter, new gearbox with modified gear ratio for faster working. Technical modifications lead to reduced vibration and noise levels, suitable for long durations of use. New mowing guard enhances visibility of cutting attachment and gives better storage options. Better ergonomics due to new handle construction.

Battery or petrol?

Petrol

Battery

Petrol

Engine size and type or voltage

52cc, two-stroke, air cooled petrol engine

Twin 40VMax (80V)

6cc, 2.0kW/ 2.7hp. 2-MIX engine with M-Tronic technology

Fuel tank capacity or charge time

0.46L

Two XGT 4.0Ah batteries charged using the twin-port charger DC40RB will charge in 45 minutes (2.5Ah batteries will charge in 25 minutes)

0.75L

Handle types

Bullhorn

Bullhorn/bike handle

Bike handle

Cutting diameter (cm)

43cm

48cm

52cm

Weight (kg)

10kg (11.17kg, packaged in box)

8-9.3kg

8.7kg

Five key selling points of the product

• JETForce3 engine gives more power with less fuel consumption • Anti-vibration system • Digital ignition • Unique starter system for a fast and easy start • Light and easy to transport and store

• Suited to high demand applications thanks to Twin 40VMax (80V) battery technology • Water resistant (IPX4 rated) for use outdoors in unpredictable weather • Low noise and vibration levels for comfortable and safe working (even over extended periods) • Active Feedback Sensing Technology ensures improved user safety • Automatic Torque Drive Technology included for optimum operation

• Larger cutting diameter for improved mowing performance • New gearbox design optimised gear ratio • Reduced vibration and noise levels compared to previous model, higher comfort level • New mowing guard, enhanced visibility, better for storage on ground • Robust, tried and tested design for frequent use.

Price including VAT

£138.98

£689 (MSRP)

£972

What is included in the purchase?

52cc petrol brushcutter, three-tooth blade, line trimmer head with 5m spool and shoulder belt with padding

Body only tool, with nylon line cutting head, two hex wrenches, box spanner and shoulder belt

FS 411 C-EM, AutoCut 46-2 mowing head, ADVANCE harness and safety glasses

Warranty

One year

One year (with the option to extend to three years upon registration).

One year

Website

www.napbrands.co.uk

www.makitauk.com

www.stihl.co.uk

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16/12/2021 13:21

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he dictionary definition of ‘terracotta’ (or terra-cotta) is a reddish-brown clay that is baked and used for making things such as ornaments, bricks, tiles and pots. The English word derives from Latin, literally meaning ‘baked earth’. History Terracotta is a material that has been used across the world for centuries. There is evidence of Palaeolithic figurines made of clay along with examples of Chinese pottery dating back to 10,000 BC and Greek pottery around 7,000 BC. The Minoan civilisation dates back more than 4000 years ago and there are still pots on display at the Palace of Knossos ruins as well the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, both on the Greek island of Crete.

M AT E R I A L S F O C U S

TERRACOTTA POTS & PITHOI’S MANAGING DIRECTOR DAVID DODD REVEALS THE HISTORY BEHIND TERRACOTTA AND ITS RELEVANCE TODAY

Historically, as well as being ornamental and used for planters, pithos were used as large storage vessels for wine, oil and grains and more ghoulishly the Minoans used them for burying their dead.

MAIN BENEFITS OF TERRACOTTA • Terracotta is naturally porous, making it difficult to overwater, especially if drainage holes have been drilled. • This porosity allows for air, as well as water, to penetrate the sides of the pot. This helps roots to breathe and aids growth leading to healthier plants. It also helps prevent root rot. • Terracotta naturally has thermal properties which is far better for containerised planting as it slows down the heat transfer between the soil and external environment. • Before a plant starts to suffer, the colour of unglazed terracotta can show whether or not a plant needs watering; the colour is darker if moisture is present. • Terracotta is made from a natural sustainable material which is reusable. Broken terracotta can be used for drainage crocks in new pots and if you are throwing them away, it is an inert harmless material creating no impact on the environment. • The colour of natural terracotta is timeless and works with just about every possible planting scheme. • Pots come in thousands of shapes and sizes so there is nearly always something suitable, whether you’re planting small perennials or large shrubs and small trees. • Plants that prefer drier soils tend to thrive in in terracotta. • Good quality terracotta pots are more durable than plastic and other materials and if looked after will last forever.

Pro Landscaper / January 2022

Materials Focus.indd 78

MINOAN PITHOS DATED CIRCA 1450 BC – PALACE OF KNOSSOS, CRETE

Quality The quality of a terracotta garden pot can vary enormously depending on the skill of the potter, purity of the clay, additives used and how it is fired. The temperatures in the kiln can vary between 600°C and 1,150°C. Any hotter than this will lead to the terracotta fracturing and crumbling, so it’s essential to maintain the correct temperature for the correct length of time. The frost resistance of a pot is based on the temperature it is fired at. The higher the temperature, the better the frost resistance.

Pots & Pithoi The unique secret recipe of our blended clay and the traditional way our pots are fired are two of the key elements that make Pots & Pithoi the best terracotta in Europe, if not the world, in my opinion. After being hand thrown by the skilled potters, the pots are left to dry for around a week before being carefully loaded into one of the two kilns. It is the last pottery in Crete to still use crushed olive stones and grape seeds for THE KILN CAREFULLY BEING LOADED BY NIKOS the kiln fuel. These are both by-products from the surrounding local olive oil and wine producers and as the fuel combusts the flames leap around in the kiln creating amazing colour variations. The pots are fired up to around 1,150°C and you can actually see the pots glowing in the kiln as the coarse silica melts. They are left in the kiln for three days to slowly cool down and as they are brought out each pot is filled with recycled water to essentially

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16/12/2021 16:47

EDUCATE

‘temper’ the terracotta. From throwing a pot to it being ready for loading takes around 10 days. You can buy cheaper terracotta pots which are often made in moulds from a far finer clay, put into the gas fuelled kiln the next day and fired at far lower temperatures. This is a quicker process, and the pots are essentially ‘mass produced’ and available in all garden centres.

THE QUALITY OF A TERRACOTTA GARDEN POT CAN VARY ENORMOUSLY DEPENDING ON THE SKILL OF THE POTTER, PURITY OF THE CLAY, ADDITIVES USED AND HOW IT IS FIRED

OUR DISPLAY COURTYARD AT TURNERS HILL

In the four years I’ve owned Pots and Pithoi, I’ve been to Crete 16 times. The potters are more like family to me now and every time I visit, there’s always something new to see and learn about pottery and ceramics. THE 1.4M BEEHIVE ON DISPLAY FOR THE HIGHGROVE FLORILEGIUM EXHIBITION

CAS E ST U DY BOTTLE LANTERN – CAN BE USED WITH EITHER A GARDEN LIGHT OR A CANDLE

HRH The Prince of Wales has our pots throughout the gardens at Highgrove and in 2019 they became stockists with a limited selection. Our pots can also be seen at Buckingham Palace.

A 100 YEAR OLD OLIVE TREE BEING PLANTED INTO A CITRUS POT

I’m always thinking of new designs and it’s amazing to see my rough sketches become a reality. With inspiration from the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech, I worked with one of the potter’s wives, Pelagia, to create our stunning terracotta lanterns. We’ve also added to our range ‘charred’ pottery. This is a process where manganese is worked into the surface before firing, giving a beautiful contemporary finish. I always love to push the sizes to the limit of both the potter’s wheel, their skill, and sometimes patience! One of our biggest growth areas has been the conversion of our pots into water features. We convert them in our workshop, with lots of trial and error. We’ve really mastered the perfect self-contained terracotta pot water feature.

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Materials Focus.indd 79

Highgrove

RIBBED LABYRINTH WATER FEATURE

Pro Landscaper / January 2022 79

16/12/2021 16:47

JOBS

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

TEAM LEADING ARBORIST - 43304

LANDSCAPE GARDENER

Fresh Horticultural Careers’ client seeks a self-motivated team leading arborist wishing to join a friendly, motivated company to work part as a team. You must have excellent timekeeping skills as well as always putting in maximum effort and working to a high standard. Based in Esher, Surrey, the client offers a good variation of works, both domestic and commercial. It operates throughout Surrey, South London and Reading. Duties will include all aspects of felling, planting and pruning of trees, shrubs and hedges. Applicants must have experience working with heavy equipment: MEWPs, tracked chipper and tracked stump grinder.

Distinct Landscapes is actively looking to recruit a fully skilled landscape gardener to work in a small team within a small but very busy company. It constructs gardens for mainly private home owners in and around the Walton-on-Thames area with attention to detail and a very high standard of work. Applicants should have a minimum of 10 years’ experience, have a full clean UK driving license and their own transport, be able to understand and set out designs and plans, and be passionate about landscaping. They must be a team player, hard-working and punctual, with great communication skills. The company is also looking for labourers.

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

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE MANAGER

SENIOR CONTRACTS MANAGER/CONTRACTS MANAGER

FRESH HORTICULTURAL CAREERS Location: Surrey

S&D LANDSCAPES LTD Location: Yorkshire

The candidate would be responsible for the day to day running of grounds maintenance operations for the company. This would include managing service delivery, pricing, expanding the service and client base and helping with the management of our health and safety compliance. The candidate would report to the managing director and be accountable for grounds maintenance supervisors and operatives. Applicants should have relevant industry experience as well as experience managing multiple teams in multiple locations. They should have strong organisation and planning skills as well as strong attention to detail.

DISTINCT LANDSCAPES Location: Surrey

TILHILL Location: Kent

Tilhill has planted more than one billion trees over the last 70+ years and, as a private company, has the greatest number of professionally qualified managers. It specialises in woodland creation and management, timber harvesting and buying, and landscaping. It strives to provide an unrivalled service to its clients and customers. It has vacancies for a senior contracts manager and a contracts manager within its landscaping division. You will be responsible for delivering a high-quality soft & hard landscaping contracting service for our clients.

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

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE TEAM LEADER - 41897

TECHNICAL SALES – HORTICULTURE (TRAINEE)

Reporting to assistant operations manager, you will be working remotely in Kent. As the team leader you will be working alongside and supervising the operatives on new sites providing grass cutting, strimming, shrub and border maintenance, hedge cutting, litter picking, and a full range of horticultural work as required by the contracted works. The successful candidate needs to be reliable and enthusiastic with a determined, flexible approach. They must ensure tasks are completed to the required standard and machinery they are using are in good working order.

The successful candidate will be responsible for building long-term relationships with existing customers and generating new ones through active pursuing cold, warm and qualified leads. They will process customer orders, identify the right product for the customer’s needs when required, and ensure customers have a good understanding of East Riding Horticulture’s product portfolio. They will also keep customers up to date with latest practices, products and promotions; and analyse the market by tracking sales, highlighting customer needs and potential for new products/services.

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

LANDSCAPE PROJECT MANAGER

CONTRACTS MANAGER (OR DESIGNER/CONTRACTS MANAGER)

FRESH HORTICULTURAL CAREERS Location: Kent

GERALD DAVIES LTD Location: Nationwide, Glamorgan

A superb opportunity exists for an ambitious manager who is passionate about the industry and wants a full-time direct employment career with an award-winning commercial landscape contractor. Gerald Davies Limited is a contracting company based in Port Talbot, South Wales and operating across Wales and England. Having been established for 37 years, it operates within the landscape and environmental sector. It is looking for a motivated and experienced project manager to deliver commercial hard and soft landscape contracts. Although no qualifications are essential for the role any relevant industry qualifications would be of advantage. For more details, please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

80 Pro Landscaper / January 2022

Hort Careers.indd 80

EAST RIDING HORTICULTURE Location: Yorkshire

THE GARDEN COMPANY LTD Location: Hertfordshire

The Garden Company has an exciting new opportunity for a contracts manager. The purpose of the role is to estimate for and deliver landscaping projects. The successful candidate will also need to prepare, present and progress estimates for high-end residential and commercial landscaping schemes. They will need to manage profit and loss for individual projects and source hard landscaping materials and plants, working in partnership with suppliers. They will be educated to degree level or similar vocational qualification, with at least five years’ experience at managerial level . For more details, please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

16/12/2021 15:24

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CIS Street Furniture offer a diverse range of street furniture which will complement any location. As a result of the built environment compaction can inhibit or prevent natural root growth of trees. CIS SUDs compliant resin bound tree grilles are a great way of enhancing the sustainability of your project for future generations. Find out more at our website below.

www.cis-streetfurniture.co.uk Tel: 01483 203388

16/12/2021 10:50

EDUCATE

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

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

82 Pro Landscaper / January 2022

Little Interviews.indd 82

AMY HOPKINSON

LORCAN KILMURRY

Garden Designer, Amy Hopkinson Garden Design

Project manager, Anderson Landscaping

www.amyhopkinson.com

www.andersonlandscaping.co.uk

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing? Working in Parliament as a researcher.

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing? Cowboying on a Texas ranch.

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not? RHS Chelsea Flower Show really is the greatest flower show in the world and a massive source of inspiration.

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not? Inspirational.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most? France. What would you blow your budget on? Antique copper planters. The one person in the industry you’d love to meet? Lady Arabella Lennox-Boyd One thing that you think would make the industry better? Increased diversity. Newest gardening trend in your opinion Outdoor curtains. Best piece of trivia you know? Main difference between Japanese and Chinese wisteria is that Japanese wisteria grows clockwise around host plant whereas Chinese wisteria grows anti-clockwise. What three things would you take to a desert island? SPF factor 50, a sketch pad and my husband. Your favourite joke? What do you call a dentist who doesn’t like tea? Denis.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most? Texas, USA and Scotland. The one person in the industry you’d love to meet? Diarmuid Gavin. One thing that you think would make the industry better? Regulation, becoming a recognised trade. Newest gardening trend in your opinion? Artificial materials. Role model as a child? Steve Harris, the bassist for Iron Maiden, or John Wayne. Couldn’t get through the week without… Biscuits. Your most used saying or cliché? ‘Get it done’ or ‘I’d rather a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy any day’. Favourite tipple? Mexican beer. What three things would you take to a desert island? Guitar, music collection, apple pie. Your favourite joke? Kevin Bridges’ material.

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16/12/2021 16:45

EDUCATE

PHIL SWAINSTON

K AT Y CA R DW E L L

PETER DONEGAN

Corporate partnership manager, Perennial

Associate landscape architect, Atkins

Garden designer, Peter Donegan Garden Design

www.perennial.org.uk

www.atkinsglobal.com

www.doneganlandscaping.com

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

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing? I would definitely still like to be in a design profession. Creative thinking is what drives me and gives me huge job satisfaction. I particularly love the design and packaging of perfume bottles, from classic elegant designs to the quirky new products.

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

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most? Italy. What would you blow your budget on? Golf. The one person in the industry you’d love to meet? Monty Don – love the crumpled look! One thing that you think would make the industry better? Continued increased awareness and support for Perennial and the work we do. Newest gardening trend in your opinion? Less formal planting – e.g. wildflowers and meadow grass. Best piece of trivia you know? USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. Role model as a child? Bobby Moore. Couldn’t get through the week without… A game of golf. Best invention in recent years? Zoom and Teams. Your most used saying or cliché? ‘Taking a provisional’ – it’s a golf term. What three things would you take to a desert island? Golf clubs, unlimited golf balls and a sturdy dinghy.

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Little Interviews.indd 83

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not? Inspirational – it’s a fantastic platform for displaying ideas and sharing the wonderful talent in the landscape profession. Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most? I have spent most of my childhood summers in France, so it has definitely played a part in my love for design and choice of career path. What would you blow your budget on? Large specimen trees. They can provide instantaneous wow factor and create a sense of maturity and establishment. The one person in the industry you’d love to meet? Right now, I’d like to meet David Harland, the CEO for Eden Project North. One thing that you think would make the industry better? More talented young people joining our wonderful university courses. Best piece of trivia you know? Bubble Wrap was originally intended to be used as 3D wallpaper. Your most used saying or cliché ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’.

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not? Not. Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most? Péronne, Northern France. What would you blow your budget on? Steel. The one person in the industry you’d love to meet? Steve Walley. One thing that you think would make the industry better? As versus the proven formula, taking more of a chance (if I may) on the daydream. Newest gardening trend in your opinion? Non formulaic gardens. Best piece of trivia you know? Takes four hours to set up a 130t tower crane. Role model as a child? Marc Bolan, T Rex. Couldn’t get through the week without… Coffee. Your most used saying or cliché? ‘What’s meant for you won’t pass you by’. What three things would you take to a desert island? Geotropism, iPad, Guinness.

Pro Landscaper / January 2022 83

16/12/2021 16:46

Meet FERN

Made in the UK, 100% recycled steel Made with 3mm thick steel

The freestanding independent planter solution

Three styles: circular, trough and square Two standard heights: 600mm & 900mm Adjustable feet and drainage pipe included Corten, mild steel and powder coated (to any RAL) Quick lead times

Green grey areas and make an impact in public spaces with our latest planter solution. FERN is our robust and versatile freestanding planter that is fully welded for a water tight performance like no other.

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13/12/2021 16/12/2021 21:30 10:51