Pro Landscaper July 2017

Concept to Delivery

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

NORTH STAR SHEFFIELD IS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE’S LEADING LIGHT

July 2017

Inside

RHS HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW

2017

Preview special

Making waves USING SHIPPING CONTAINERS

PINE TIME CONIFERS ARE BACK

Let’s Hear it From BAWDEN GROUP JULY COVER FINAL.indd 2

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WELCOME Concept to Delivery DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

July 2017

NORTH STAR

July 2017 | Volume 7, Issue 7

Inside

RHS HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW

2017

SHEFFIELD IS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE’S LEADING LIGHT

Welcome to July 2017

Preview special

Making waves USING SHIPPING CONTAINERS

PINE TIME

CONIFERS ARE BAC K

Let’s Hear it From

Welcome to the July issue of Pro Landscaper.

Since the last issue we have seen the first Pro Landscaper Live event held in the North at the end of May. It was well received by attendees and we’re looking at rolling the concept out to other areas of the UK, to further strengthen the Pro Landscaper community.

This month we’re excited for Pro Landscaper Tech, which will be held at Google HQ in London on 11 July with a focus on getting your online marketing right.

The session will offer help and advice, as well as including a panel debate. We look forward to reporting back on this next month.

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

This issue includes the winners of the inaugural RHS Chatsworth show, and an insight into some of the gardens being created for this month’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, plus a look at the department of landscape at the University of Sheffield – the leading place to study landscape architecture in the UK, soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Industry giant Mark Gregory tells us why he loves horticulture, and we get an insight into what it’s like to work in interior landscaping with Samantha Adler from Enterprise Plants.

Our bumper Educate section includes contributions from Sam Hassall on the

ADVERTISING Business Development Manager – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 588 Account Manager – Dale Keenan dale.keenan@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 571

Deputy Editor – Nina Mason nina.mason@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 583

Account Manager – Jessica McCabe jessica.mccabe@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 587

Content Manager – Claire Maher claire.maher@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570

Horticulture Careers – Laura Harris laura.harris@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 580

Editorial Reporter – Joe Betts joe.betts@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 573

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

Editorial Assistant – Ellie Foster ellie.foster@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 607

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costs of digging, Robert Webber on planning your lighting projects, and Sean Butler on the all-important issue of planning law.

Sadly, this month sees the final opinion column from David Dodd, who has put his head above the parapet on many industry issues. We thank him for his support for, and contribution to, the magazine over the past three years. This also seems a good opportunity to thank all our contributors for their continuing support, as it’s these people that the industry really wants to hear from, and the magazine wouldn’t be the same without them.

Happy reading,

@jimeljays

@lisaeljays

Design – Kara Thomas, Mandy Armstrong Pro Landscaper is proud to be an affiliate member of BALI

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 2017 subscription price is £95.00.

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.

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

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

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

Production Editor – Charlie Cook charlotte.cook@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 578 Subeditor – Kate Bennett kate.bennett@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 578

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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CONTENTS

July 2017 INFORM

8

Agenda How important is ethical sourcing when choosing a supplier?

10

31

News Our monthly roundup of industry news

14

News Extra Garden designer Faith Ramsey becomes chair of trustees at Thrive

17

Pro Landscaper Live A look back at our event in Manchester

19

RHS Chatsworth Flower Show 2017

Concept to Delivery

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

NORTH STAR SHEFFIELD IS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE’S LEADING LIGHT

Our coverage of the RHS’s newest show

31

Let’s Hear it From Richard Stone and Nicki Bawden of Bawden Group

2017

xx

Preview special

PINE TIME CONIFERS ARE BACK

Let’s Hear it From

27 RHS Chelsea Diaries

Five reasons why you should apply

Inside

RHS HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW

USING SHIPPING CONTAINERS

The latest updates from efig, SGD, BALI, RHS, APL and Parks Alliance

30 30 Under 30

July 2017

Making waves

23 Association News

Post-Chelsea, our diarists look back on a job well done

xx

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43

Artificial Intelligence Angus Lindsay makes the case for artificial grass

42 Hidden Gems

Caudwell Children Adam White talks us through how his Wild Garden will be reimagined at Keele University

43

Take a moment to think about those who support you, says Andrew Wilson

Back to the Future We take in Plymouth’s parks offering, where pre-war plans are getting a modern update

INSPIRE

34 Company Profile Bill Trotman, Continental Landscapes Ltd

51

Small Wonder Aralia’s sharp and modern transformation of a small Manchester courtyard garden

36 Landscape Architect’s Journal Oobe

39 View from the Top

54 Circle Time

40 A Fond Farewell...

58 Private Screening

Stunning water features form part of an ambitious Edinburgh project by Water Gems

Ground Control’s Marcus Watson looks at the role of technology in landscaping

In his parting column, David Dodd assesses the present state of the industry

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Viridian Landscape Studio creates a sense of seclusion for a Berkshire hotel

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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CONTENTS

92

Pine Time Jamie Butterworth on his favourite pines – a big trend at Chelsea 2017

93

Sowing Beauty Perennial seed mixes have Noel Kingsbury excited for the future

95

Green Roof Projects A look at some impressive green roofs from around the UK

EDUCATE

99

Knowing the Law Sean Butler advises on planning permission for party walls and drives

101 Building a Brand Tips on making your branding fit for purpose, from Adtrak’s Ben Shaw

102 Helping You Make a Profit Cost consultant Sam Hassall breaks down the costs of digging

105 Bright Ideas

54 61

Pro Landscaper pays a visit to the University of Sheffield’s renowned landscape architecture department

66

Making Waves

87

Anji Connell takes a look at container pools – an easy way to add a pool to a garden

68

Love Horticulture Landform Consultants’ Mark Gregory kicks off our #lovehorticulture campaign

71

Latest Products Corten steel planters and high-end firepits

75

RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show Preview A comprehensive look at the upcoming event, including interviews with key designers and an overview of the gardens

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Contents.indd 5

91

London Stone explains why porcelain isn’t just for contemporary projects

Philippa O’Brien reviews The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben

Nurture News A roundup of news from the UK’s growing sector

88

106 The Versatility of Porcelain

109 What I’m Reading

NURTURE

North Star

There’s no success without planning and dedication, says Robert Webber

110 What’s Your Role?

Samantha Adler, Enterprise Plants

Designer Plants Amanda Patton adds gorgeous texture to a Taunton garden

113 Latest Kit

Off the Wall

116 Trading With

A living wall is an artistic and spaceconscious way to bring the outside in, says Ian Drummond

75

PPE

Hi-Tech Turf

121 Little Interview Quick-fire questions to the people who make up our industry

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09/06/2017 10:15:35 21/06/2017 14:15

INFORM

SPOTLIGHT ON

CONTRIBUTORS

David Dodd

Marcus Watson

Noel Kingsbury

Sam Hassall

Landscaper and lecturer

Managing director, Ground Control

Garden designer and writer

Managing director, LandPro Ltd

In his final column, David Dodd looks back on some of his most memorable articles, and reminds us why supporting our landscaping colleges is crucial to nurture the next generation of talent. David’s honest, thoughtful and entertaining column has been a continual highlight – we will truly miss his voice, and would like to thank David for his contribution.

In this month’s View from the Top, Marcus Watson gets technical, delving into the world of information and communication technology. Marcus looks at how technological innovations are likely to influence the landscaping industry, from experiencing garden designs using virtual reality to identifying and managing invasive weeds via satellite imagery.

In this issue, garden designer and writer Noel Kingsbury explores the potential of sown perennial mixtures over conventionally planted perennials. Noel considers the cost-saving and design possibilities they offer, but fears poor quality products and the technical challenges involved may threaten the progress of this exciting new development.

Specialist cost consultant Sam Hassall continues his series looking at common industry overheads, helping you improve your profit from landscape contracts. This month, Sam examines the costs involved in excavation and provides illustrative data, so that you can calculate the expense to your own company and ‘dig for victory’.

www.theoutdoorroom.co.uk @Doddster1970

www.ground-control.co.uk @MDrWatson

www.noelkingsbury.com @noelk57

www.landpro.co.uk

Other contributors Ian Drummond Creative director, Indoor Garden Design

Sean Butler Director, Cube 1994

Andrew Wilson Garden designer and lecturer

Jamie Butterworth Plant manager at Hortus Loci

Ben Shaw National account director, Adtrak

Anji Connell Interior architect and landscape designer

Robert Webber Founder, Scenic Lighting

Adam White Director, Davies White Ltd

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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INSPIRE

Angus Lindsay Head of fleet, idverde

Pro Landscaper / July 2017

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INFORM

AGENDA HOW IMPORTANT IS ETHICAL SOURCING WHEN CHOOSING A SUPPLIER?

Ethically sourced products often come at a higher price, so we ask leading industry figures how important ethical sourcing is to them, and whether this is something that should be raised with the client at planning stage

owners who face a choice between winning a contract or providing ethically sourced paving would pick the contract.

Barry Randall

There should simply be no choice other than an ethical choice when sourcing both hard landscaping materials and plants. It is up to us as designers and contractors to ensure that our clients are well informed about how materials selected for their projects are sourced. If, as in many cases, clients say that they can purchase materials more cheaply, then as the people who are installing, laying or planting those items, we should make sure the supply chain is one that conforms to the highest standards possible.

Operations director, Leicestershire Garden Design

An ethically sourced product isn’t the first thing we think of when choosing suppliers and placing orders. It’s important, but ultimately you have to give the client what they want – within reason. Do I think we have a responsibility to use ethically sourced products? Personally, I believe we do, and we’ll always suggest a Marshalls product for that very reason. I do, however, think our responsibility lies more with educating the consumers and homeowners who choose the products – not just as a business, but as an industry. There’s far too much emphasis put on contractors educating their customers and convincing them to purchase based on ethics, when a large portion of customers actually want value for money.

The ethically sourced products generally cost the homeowner more, and most business 8

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Pro Landscaper / July 2017

Kate Gould Garden designer, Kate Gould Gardens

Sarah Seery Head of school for horticulture and landscaping, Capel Manor College

Across all levels, our teaching at Capel Manor College focuses on raising awareness about the importance of sustainability and the ethical sourcing of material used in the horticultural industry. We encourage and inspire debate in

our classes about all aspects of sustainability.

What’s best to use? Peat or compost? What will be the impact on the environment with the depleting resources of stone across the world?

Our aim is to enable students to make considered decisions when they embark on their careers in the industry. We try to prepare them so that they can competently inform clients who are choosing materials. However, at the end of the day, industry will always have to respond to the expectations of the client.

David Morrell Group head of sustainability, Marshalls PLC

Ethical sourcing is an issue affecting many industries today, and isn’t going away any time soon. The stone industry’s reputation has traditionally been marred by issues such as slave and child labour, but a positive move towards transparent supply chains has been a sea change of late. Specifiers are now often required to source ethical products, so companies have a requirement to make financial, social, environmental and ethical data transparent. This will inspire trust, leading to customers buying more of our products, investors purchasing more of our stock, and engaged employees working harder. Marshalls recognised the need to openly www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 10:44

INFORM

showcase ethical sourcing a few years ago, leading to the adoption of our Fairstone brand; this assures buyers that the stone is quarried and processed to the strict standards of the Ethical Trading Initiative. When choosing a supplier, it’s also important to consider other ethical initiatives that a company may adopt.

Marshalls, for example, is the first company to gain the Ethical Labour Sourcing Standard 6002, is a holder of the Fair Tax Mark, and is also an accredited Living Wage Employer.

some contractors. This is where communication needs to be upfront between contractors and designers, to ensure all parties are using the same ethical suppliers nominated within the tender package. That way, ethical suppliers and contractors are not losing out because of their values.

Richard Curle

It is simply unacceptable for UK landscapers and designers to buy products that have been made using child labour or bonded labour and without any regard for social or environmental responsibility. We need to understand how we can all contribute to the sustainability of our own landscape projects.

Unfortunately, when choosing a supplier, operations checklists traditionally include factors such as durable contract terms, a smooth delivery schedule, the financial viability of the supplier, and, of course, price. In all the years I’ve been designing, the end user has never asked if the products we source are ethical.

Therefore, it’s important for us to highlight this to our customer. The best way is to ensure this is by using our local talented tradespeople and craftspeople, working with them to develop innovative, inspiring features and products.

Managing director, Landscape Associates

Ethics is important when choosing a supplier and I believe we have a duty to ensure we use ethical suppliers. I agree with Steven Walley’s article in last month’s Pro Landscaper, which stated that we’re often in a unique position to be able to communicate the issues directly to our customers. We can explain that a price is higher than anticipated because we have ensured it was ethically sourced. This is fine when dealing directly with clients who have the budgets to make these decisions, but it can fall on deaf ears when dealing with projects in a competitive tender scenario. If obliged to find the cheapest supplier to compete, then ethics might slip for www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Agenda.indd 9

Laura Anstiss Landscape designer, Laura Anstiss Garden & Landscape Design

Tecwyn Evans Director, Living Landscapes

I’ve found that, on the projects we’re involved in, the question of ethical sourcing does come up.

This applies not only to bricks, paving and stone but also timber and planting. It’s clear from the attitudes of our clients and prospective clients that knowing their product is sourced correctly gives them piece of mind.

Clients will often ask for materials to come from or to have been grown solely in the UK. For me, this provides a fantastic opportunity to supply excellent products for which I can trace the supply line straight back to the grower, quarry or mill. Supplying this information to our clients helps to establish a trusting relationship, which can lead to successful contract tendering.

Consideration of ethical sourcing of products creates a professional image that reaps rewards.

NEXT MONTH What importance do you place on your online marketing strategy?

Have your say: editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk Pro Landscaper / July 2017

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INFORM

NEWS London Metropolitan University appoints landscape architects to create community campus

London Metropolitan University has appointed landscape architecture practice Gustafson Porter + Bowman to design a new public square within its Holloway campus.

The Camden-based practice will work with students, staff and the local community to create an engaging space which will become a landmark within Islington.

The development is part of the university’s plans to invest £125m into its Holloway campus. Due for completion in 2019, Gustafson Porter + Bowman’s design will enhance the visual and sensory experience across campus, improve orientation and strengthen links with the wider community.

Furthermore, it will act as a central

amenity space, providing events and exhibition space.

Gustafson Porter + Bowman is renowned for creating original and engaging spaces in urban areas. Its work includes the redevelopment of Nottingham’s Old Market Square, which won 13 awards including a Civic Trust Award and the Design Council’s CABE Award. The appointment follows a competitive tendering process that included a panel of staff and students. The university will now hold a series of consultation events to hear views on how the space can be best developed and features they wish to see included. www.londonmet.ac.uk

BEAUTIFUL SUSTAINABLE OPTIGREEN

Quarry Garden wins hat trick of awards at RHS Chatsworth

The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) is celebrating success for its Quarry Garden at the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, winning ‘Best in Show’, a Gold Medal and ‘Best Construction’. The Quarry Garden, sponsored by Bradstone and designed by Paul Hervey-Brookes, celebrates the role of quarrying and mineral extraction in modern life.

The garden is divided into three zones: a floriferous and naturalistic area featuring slate monoliths, wildflowers and plants associated

with former extraction sites, moving through to a sunken concrete pool and finally a structured paved area bordered by a sculptural artwork. Horticultural students

from Nottingham Trent University were challenged to produce the initial garden concept, which Paul Hervey-Brookes then developed into a completed design. They learned about how a show garden is created, from the growing process and the origins of garden landscaping products, through to construction of the actual garden. They joined young leaders from Aggregate Industries, Cemex, Hanson and Tarmac as garden ambassadors during the week of RHS Chatsworth.

EcoPave Textured flag paving in Grey Fleck was used throughout the garden, while Eco Countryside Kerb served as the garden edging, replicating the look of natural granite.

Manufactured in the UK from 82% recycled or reclaimed materials, it boasts excellent environmental benefits and is highly durable. This means that the garden, which will be reconstructed at the National Memorial Arboretum after the show, will retain its premium finish for the long term once in situ at its new home in Staffordshire.

At 480m², the Quarry Garden is one of the largest RHS show gardens ever. www.quarrygarden.org

YOUR PARTNER FOR GREEN ROOFS AND PODIUMS New edition 2017!

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INFORM

Show garden success at BBC Gardeners’ World Live Lanwarne Landscapes, and inhouse designer Martin Lines, have been awarded a Silver-Gilt and Best Construction in Show on the APL avenue at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 50th Anniversary show.

The Contemporary Bee and Butterfly Garden is Lanwarne Landscapes’ first show garden.

The garden was broadcast on Gardeners World, with Joe Swift referring to Martin Lines as an ‘emerging talent’, who we ‘may see at Chelsea one day’. Joe also

complimented the garden’s finish, referring to it as ‘immaculate’.

The garden was designed for a couple who work long hours and have an active social life, and need a relaxing outdoor space.

The garden includes an outdoor dining area, firepit and living picture planted with specially grown moss, which was a huge hit with Joe Swift and the public. The garden is designed to encourage wildlife, including timber posts incorporating bee and insect houses and bubble

fountains that act as both a water feature and safe place for the bees and insects to drink.

Sponsors included Black Rock, Into University, Writtle University and London Stone who supplied the honeycomb paving, black slate cladding and blue black granite, with timber supplied by The Garden Trellis Company. Local sponsors included plants from Aylett Nurseries, aggregates by Deamer Ltd and electrical works by DB Renovations. www.lanwarnelandscapes.co.uk

London’s first floating pocket park launched London’s first floating pocket park has opened to the public at Merchant Square in Paddington.

The 730m² park provides a striking green public space on the water, with its own canal boat mooring.

Developer European Land and Property Ltd commissioned garden designer Tony Woods of Garden Club London to create the new park, complementing the canalside neighbourhood’s award-winning public realm, and strengthening its commitment to providing innovative ways for the local community to connect through the use of outdoor space.

The park features an open lawn area, densely planted mixed raised

borders and communal seating.

People can walk over the water on decked platforms and walkways.

The main areas of the garden are planted with wind-tolerant grasses and nectar-rich flowers, and a wildlife island is planted with native waterside plants to encourage waterfowl to feed and nest.

The park forms part of the Greater London Authority’s ‘green infrastructure’ – an ongoing initiative to improve and connect streets, squares, parks, and canal and riverside spaces across London.

The park will complement existing urban design interventions, including award-winning pedestrian bridges and a programmable water maze. It forms part of Merchant Square’s overall commitment to create a sustainable and connected community. The neighbourhood is linked digitally, socially, physically – with excellent transport infrastructure – and by a sense of shared knowledge and learning. www.merchantsquare.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF Groundwork to develop ‘Young Green Leaders’

Groundwork has launched a recruitment drive to encourage young people to sign up to the Groundwork Youth initiative, developing the next generation of environmental leaders.

The initiative will support 16-24-year-olds as they develop leadership potential. www.groundwork.org.uk

LandPRO Ltd to consult on two major projects

LandPRO Ltd has been appointed to consult on the Brighton Valley Gardens project and on an update to the RHS Wisley Botanical Gardens.

LandPRO will provide advance cost feasibility information to help achieve budget certainty and build fruition. www.landpro.co.uk

Pro Landscaper to work with Majestic Trees for brand new event

Pro Landscaper will be collaborating with Majestic Trees to run an event at the nursery on Tuesday 19 September. Please contact the Pro Landscaper team on 01903 777 570 if you’d like to attend. www.majestictrees.co.uk

Hillier Plant List 2017/18 now available The interactive Hillier Plant List 2017/18 is now available, offering trade customers a guide to all the plants that Hillier Wholesale Nurseries can provide. Its aim is to offer inspiration, share the Hillier passion for horticulture and help trade customers sell more plants that their customers will cherish. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

News.indd 11

In keeping with this, some changes have been made to the plant list this year, including two clear sections. The first, the Merchandising Calendar, showcases the most important and popular plants available to order each month. The second, The Essentials pages, offers an A-Z of

all smaller volume or more unusual plant ranges.

The plant list is available via the Hillier website. A printed version of the plant list can also be requested.

For more information, or to request a copy of the new plant list, contact the Hillier Sales team

on 01794 368733 or email sales@ hillier.co.uk. www.hillier.co.uk/nurseries Pro Landscaper / July 2017 11

22/06/2017 11:35

INFORM

The last stage in the planning process has been successfully passed to allow Salford’s £30m RHS Garden Bridgewater to go ahead. The government will not call in plans for the garden, which will transform the site of the former Worsley New Hall into a major tourist attraction.

Salford City Council’s planning panel granted planning permission in principle for the 154-acre garden last month, but plans had to go before the Secretary of

State for Communities and Local Government because the site is in the green belt.

City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “This is fantastic news for the people of Salford and Greater Manchester. RHS Garden Bridgewater will bring the historic grounds of Worsley New Hall back to life, and create jobs and business opportunities for the local area.”

The RHS has already begun the mammoth task of assessing and getting to know the huge site. A

small team of staff is now based on site at the garden, undertaking the many tasks involved in creating a brand new garden, from planning the recruitment of further staff to cataloging the condition and significance of thousands of existing individual trees and plants.

The ambitious plans for the garden include designs for a new

©Hodder and Partners

RHS Garden Bridgewater gets the go ahead

Welcome building by architects Hodder+Partners, which will provide a visitor gateway to the garden, and a magnificent 11-acre walled garden designed by landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith. www.rhs.org.uk

Can-do idea helps Paul Stone win gold at Gardeners’ World show The Eden Project’s landscape manager has won a gold medal at the Gardeners’ World Live show – with the help of tin cans recycled from the project.

Paul won the prize in his own name for a nostalgic garden set in the Sixties, designed to celebrate 50 years of Gardeners’ World on the BBC. Paul said: “I was delighted to be asked by the show organisers to have a look back at the way gardening used to be. The public is invited into a late Sixties village setting and can see how planting and potting was back then and how things have changed – or not!”

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Pro Landscaper / July 2017

One of the big changes since that time is the introduction of plastic pots for containerised plants. Fifty years ago, metal cans were still widely used.

Paul sought out some empty tomato and bean cans from the Eden Kitchen and turned them into eye-catching planters.

“Using cans is a lovely piece of recycling, and reminds gardeners that there are good alternatives to plastic pots,” he said.

The medal-winning garden was on show at Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC Birmingham until Sunday June 18, and was featured on BBC2’s Gardeners’ World on Friday June 16, after Paul gave leading presenter Monty Don a tour.

Paul is a very experienced landscape gardener and has spent many years designing and building gardens at RHS shows, winning a clutch of medals along the way. www.edenproject.com

Perennial funds new horticultural traineeship at West Dean Gardens Perennial, the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping all horticulturists in times of need, has confirmed a new partnership with West Dean Gardens. West Dean Gardens is part of The Edward James Foundation, a charitable education trust located on the 6,400-acre West Dean Estate in est Sussex. It is the first Perennial-funded traineeship to be agreed at West Dean and further strengthens Perennial’s existing portfolio of fully funded placements for students of horticulture.

The new trainee will assist in the day-to-day cultivation, maintenance and development of the gardens.

Working under gardens manager

Jim Buckland, the successful candidate will receive paid, high quality on-the-job training, which includes an appropriate RHS ualification by day release at a local horticulture college.

The funding is provided through Perennial’s Lironi Training Fund, established in 2009 with a generous legacy left to Perennial by Miss Joan Lironi.

The traineeship runs for a fixed two-year term, with a salary of £16,500 for a 39-hour working week. The closing date for applications for the role is Friday 23 June. Interviews will take place in late June/early July. www.perennial.org.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 16:32

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www.vistagreen.com 18/04/2017 21/06/2017 11:38 14:17

INFORM

Garden designer Faith Ramsay has been announced as new chair of trustees at the charity Thrive. Pro Landscaper spoke to Faith about the message she hopes to promote through her new role From London banker to Berkshire garden designer, Faith Ramsay knows the benefits of gardening for both mental and physical health.

While pregnant, the mother of two moved to a house in Berkshire with a four acre garden that gave her the chance to fully explore her interest in gardening and plants.

To gain a better understanding of how to maintain her garden, Faith started RHS courses, and eventually left her 15-year career in finance to set up her own company, My Country Garden Design Solutions. “I started to enjoy not just working in my garden but also changing its layout, completely redesigning areas. I decided to undertake a Planting Design diploma at KLC School of Design, and then to set up my own business.

“It was definitely the right decision – working in the city certainly wasn’t helping my physical or mental health. I loved being in and around gardens and plants, and it made it me feel happier and healthier.”

Faith uses gardening as a form of therapy, having suffered with depression since her early twenties – as well as coping with hypermobility syndrome and fibromyalgia. It’s hardly surprising

A NEW ROLE FOR

FAITH RAMSAY that she was drawn to Thrive, a charity that promotes this message and provides a space for this sort of therapy to take place.

“Moving out of the city, I wanted to be involved in charity work and have had a series of roles with a variety of charities – the National Childbirth Trust, Home Start and Naomi House Children’s Hospice, where I’m now vice chair.

THRIVE HELPS PEOPLE WHO FACE A HUGELY DIVERSE RANGE OF CHALLENGES “I had an awareness of Thrive, and as its head office is local to me, I went along to one of the open days around the same time as I was setting up my own practice. Large areas of the garden are actually looked after by the charity’s clients. They’re not there to become the world’s best gardener or to gain the greatest horticulture knowledge – it’s about horticulture as therapy.”

“When I saw that they were looking for trustees about three years ago, I sent in an application and was fortunate enough to be asked to join the trustee board. Earlier this year 14

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News Extra Faith Ramsay.indd 14

I was asked if I would step in as chair, which I was delighted to do.”

Thrive helps people who face a hugely diverse range of challenges, from schoolchildren with learning difficulties to veterans suffering from PTSD. It’s this message that Faith will continue to promote through her new role, encouraging more people to see gardening as a therapeutic alternative and also encouraging donations.

“Like all charities, we rely on third party funding and charitable giving so that more people can hear our message. We currently have three main centres across the UK where we train therapists and run programmes for clients, which all takes time, money and effort.”

The charity recently partnered with the organization Green Plant Swap to encourage people to open their gardens in aid of Thrive, much like the National Garden Scheme encourages people to open their gardens in support of the charity. It also has other open days throughout the year, local to the centres in Beech Hill and Battersea.

Thrive’s impact on Faith and so many others is obvious, and gardening’s therapeutic benefit is certainly something worth promoting. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 12:51

Vitripiazza, high quality porcelain paving designed for beautiful inside-outside living.

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Vitripiazza offers 21 different colours across six beautiful ranges, with a wide selection of accessories to create the perfect finishing touches.

The Vitripiazza collection is available in 20mm thick flagstones, designed for external use and also 10mm thick tiles, suitable for internal use, enabling designers and home owners to create a flush finish from garden to home.

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NEW FOR 2017 We have introduced ‘Anno’ a trade range available in a single size 600x600x18mm format and a choice of 3 colours.

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21/06/2017 14:18

40mm Thick Bullnose Steps in Porcelain.

Another first from London Stone!

Step treads look so much more impressive with a chunky thickness, we get that. That’s why we’ve launched a “Made In House” 40mm thick Porcelain Bullnose Step Tread, a first for the landscaping industry and yet another reason why London Stone remain the first choice for UK Landscape Specialists.

Stay ahead in a competitive market: choose the best. #ThisIsLondonStone www.londonstone.co.uk

Pro Landscaper (June150 Issue) bullnose7.indd 1 July_Adverts.indd

06/06/2017 12:48:21 22/06/2017 11:37

INFORM

PRO LANDSCAPER LIVE MANCHESTER

The first of the new Pro Landscaper Live events took place on 31 May in Manchester, bringing together the top players in landscaping in and around the region for a day of panel debates, seminars and networking

Paul Morris @PaulMorris_Eng Thanks for inviting me along @ProLandscaperJW interesting discussion. The future is green!

Urban Landscapes @UrbLandscapes Enjoyed a well-run, great event for the North yesterday @ProLandscaperJW Live Manchester, met new faces, learned lots and good catch-up :)

Caitlin McLaughlin @Caitlin_125 It was a pleasure to talk on the panel yesterday at the @ProLandscaperJW event on Show Gardens with @TheOutdoorRoom1 @Landstruction

Johnsons of Whixley @JohnsonsWhixley Great afternoon @ProLandscaperJW #Manchester

Landscapeplus @landscapeplus Great talk on #ShowGardens hosted by @ProLandscaperJW including @Doddster1970 @Landstruction @ThriftLandscape

CW Studio @CW_Studio Fantastic talk by Tim O’Hare on soil at @ProLandscaperJW event. Use a tine ripper on compacted soil, so important @TOHA_Soil

The Turf Group @TheTurfGroup It was great to present at @ProLandscaperJW Manchester Live yesterday! Thanks to the awesome crowd & I hope everyone got back safely!

APL @Th e_APL Great to se e everyon e here. Brilli ant venue , great peo ple #northern powerhou se

Louise Harrison-Holland @BlueTulipGarden @ProLandscaperJW thanks for a great day, lots of interesting talks and thought-provoking panel debates (food top notch!)

Up next Pro Landscaper Tech Tuesday 11 July Google London Offices

TECH GROW YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE

Pro Landscaper Tech gives attendees the opportunity to visit Google’s London HQ and learn about increasing their online exposure with design and marketing agency Adtrak. The event will be supported by Pro Landscaper and FutureScape, as well as leading suppliers Green-tech and CED. For more information, please contact amber.bernabe@eljays44.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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©Mark Waugh / RHS

INFORM

Despite torrential rain for most of the week, the first RHS Chatsworth Flower Show has been a success. Held from 7-11 June at the Chatsworth House estate, the event saw visitors brave the mud and explore 16 remarkable – and hardy – gardens

SUE BIGGS

RHS director general

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© RHS

arden for a hanging limate

©Mark Waugh / RHS

R S hatsworth showground

The People’s hoice Awards went to Jo Thompson’s The rewin olphin arden, for est FreeForm arden, and to utter akefield’s elmond nchanted ardens, for est Show arden.

Alongside the show gardens and the eight unjudged FreeForm gardens, other main attractions of the show included the R S arden for a hanging limate, as well as eart of lass’, a stunning horticultural installation by ityscapes in Sir Joseph Paxton’s reat onservatory. e’re already looking forward to next year.

ityscapes installation

© RHS

A total of 79 medals were awarded to both gardens and oral exhibitors, including 34 old Medals, Silver ilt Medals, 1 Silver Medals and four ronze Medals. Paul ervey rookes’ I uarry arden won the coveted est Show arden, as well as the est onstruction Award for contractor areth ilson.

R S

© RHS / Tim Sandall

RHS Chatsworth Flower Show 2017

R S

arden for a hanging limate

ur first R S hatsworth Flower Show was a great success, with lots of positive feedback and several oral exhibitors completely selling out of owers and plants. The high winds and torrential rain earlier in the week caused some initial problems, including serious tra c delays for which we apologise, but once these were resolved everyone seemed delighted with the show and its spectacular setting. hatsworth ouse provided such a stunning backdrop and we look forward to creating more exciting shows for many years to come.”

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©RHS / Neil Hepworth

INFORM

Peo

Choice e’s A pl

rd wa

WINNER Freeform gardens

FREEFORM GARDEN The Brewin Dolphin Garden Designer Jo Thompson, Contractor Jody Lidgard Sponsor Brewin Dolphin

RHS Chatsworth Flower Show THE SHOW GARDENS

©RHS / Lee Beel

©Benjamin Davies photography

The Wedgwood Garden – A Classic Re-imagined GOLD MEDAL Designer Sam Ovens Contractor Swatton Landscape, James Bird Landscapes Sponsor Wedgwood

Experience Peak District & Derbyshire Garden SILVER-GILT MEDAL Designer Lee Bestall Contractor Jon Housley Sponsor Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire 20

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©RHS / Lee Beel

Peo

Jackie Knight’s Just Add Water BRONZE MEDAL Designer Jackie Sutton Contractor Jackie Knight Landscapes Sponsor Jackie Knight Landscapes Choice e’s A pl

rd wa

WINNER Show gardens

©RHS / Tim Sandall

Belmond Enchanted Gardens GOLD MEDAL Designer Butter Wakefield Contractor Outdoor Options Sponsor Belmond

Cruse Bereavement Care: ‘A Time for Everything’ SILVER-GILT MEDAL Designer Neil Sutcliffe Contractor Creative Roots Sponsor London Stone, Miles Nurseries, John A Stephens

Moveable Feast SILVER MEDAL Designer Tanya Batkin Contractor Andrew Ball The Agriframes Garden BRONZE MEDAL Designer Melinda Thomas and Fleur Porter Contractor Smartscape Cardiff Limited Sponsor Agriframes ©Agriframes

w

INFORM

WINNER IQ Quarry Garden GOLD MEDAL Designer Paul Hervey-Brookes Contractor Gareth Wilson Sponsor Institute of Quarrying www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Best Construction Best Show Garden

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ASSOCIATION

INFORM

NEWS

BALI briefing More medals for BALI members BALI members have achieved top awards at Gardening Scotland and the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show.

Associate designer member Lynn Hill of Lynn Hill Garden

Best New Show Garden

Design and contractor Endrick Landscapes won Best New Show Garden and a SilverGilt at Gardening Scotland.

At Chatsworth, contractors Outdoor Options and James Bird Landscapes both won Golds; designer member Lee Bestall and contractor JPH Landscapes took a Silverilt, and a liate member Agriframes won a Bronze.

A clear Vision BALI exhibited at Vision ondon for the first time in June, recording 16 enquiries

and distributing over 50 copies of BALI’s Who’s Who Landscape Directory.

Watch this space The RHS has joined forces with BALI-registered designer Andy Sturgeon and BALI’s GoLandscape to design and build a garden called ‘Watch this Space’ – four to five interconnecting gardens that will be on display from 4-9 July at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

2017. The garden will be built by students, apprentices and volunteers. The project aims to raise awareness of the GoLandscape initiative, which aims to encourage young people into a landscaping career.

BALI wants your feedback Share your views on BALI’s website at www.surveymonkey. co.uk/r/baliwebsite www.bali.org.uk Pictured: Lee Bestall MBALI and Jon Housley, JPH Landscapes

efig outline nature, is receiving more and more attention; plants in our workplaces help to make us less stressed and improve our wellbeing and productivity.

Plants at work We are just a couple of weeks away from efig’s annual campaign for plants in the workplace, National Plants at Work Week, which takes place from 10-14 July. The week’s mission is to explain the benefits of having plants in your workplace. The concept of ‘biophilia’, our human need to connect with

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Association News.indd 23

Pop-up plants The campaign is conducted mainly on social media, and has grown since its inauguration in 2013. We are confident that it will continue to grow this year. The details are being finalised as we go to press, but we are looking to demonstrate the di erence that plants make to a workspace using a ‘pop-up’ opportunity.

Members will be encouraged to do their own pop-ups, giveaways or competitions, working with clients or with the general public. In previous years, we’ve seen members initiate plant giveaways, and had ‘plant selfies’ featuring workers with plants on their desks, as well as plants in unusual places.

Further information On Facebook and Twitter plantsatwork , and on efig’s website, where there’ll be information about our Favourite ce Plant of the ear and award-winning case studies

of real workplaces that have embraced working with plants – courtesy of our members.

Sponsorship The event is being sponsored

by Dutch supplier NieuwkoopEurope bv. We can’t wait to have you onboard too. e g co

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21/06/2017 13:19

INFORM

APL update

Show Gardens • Gold – Royal Bank of Canada Garden Design: Charlotte Harris Build: Landscape Associates • Gold – The Linklaters

Fresh Gardens • Gold & Best Fresh Garden – City Living Design: Kate Gould Build: The Teamlandscapers • Gold – Mind Trap sponsored by id verde Design: Ian Price

City Living by Kate Gould

Build: Conway Landscapes • Silver-Gilt – Inland Homes: Beneath a Mexican Sky Design: Manoj Malde Build: Living Landscapes Artisan Gardens • Gold & Best Artisan Garden – Walker’s Wharf Garden supported by Doncaster Deaf Trust Design: Graham Bodle Build: Walkers Nurseries • Gold – Seedlip Gardens Design: Dr Catherine MacDonald

Build: Landform Consultants, supported by Gadd Brothers • Silver-Gilt – Hagakure – Hidden Leaves Design: Shuko Noda Build: Frogheath Landscapes • Silver – The Poetry Lover’s Garden Design: Fiona Cadwallader Build: Landform Consultants • Silver – The CWGC Centenary Garden Design: David Domoney Build: Arun Landscapes Bespoke Outdoor Spaces, Zion Landscapes and Morgan Oates Ltd were all involved in 5 star tradestands, while TKE Landscapes got a 4 star. www.landscaper.org.uk

© Image RHS / Sarah Cuttle

APL at Chelsea APL members had a huge presence at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on 23-27 May. 12 members were involved in over half of the 28 main featured gardens, with many working on multiple gardens.

Here are our winners:

Garden for Maggie’s Design: Darren Hawkes Build: Bowles & Wyer • Silver-Gilt – The Chengdu Silk Road Garden Design: Laurie Chetwood and Patrick Collins Build: Bespoke Outdoor Spaces • Silver – The Welcome to Yorkshire Garden Design: Tracy Foster Build: Landform Consultants

RHS report RHS Garden Hyde Hall Global Growth Vegetable Garden Visitors can join RHS Garden Hyde Hall to celebrate the opening of its new edible garden. Divided into four quarters to represent Europe and the Middle East, Asia, North and Central America, and South America, the garden will harvest fruits and vegetables from around the world to inspire gardeners and foodies alike. The o cial opening on 16-17 July will

24

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Association News.indd 24

Visitors can take their pick from an array of species, from citrus, palms and olives to chillies and ornamentals. Some of the country’s best growers will be Fruit and Vegetable Garden ©RHS/Guy Harrop on hand to o er advice. www. rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhsfeature a variety of talks and tours, cooking demonstrations, london-shows/rhs-summerand tasting sessions. www.rhs. urban-garden-show org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall RHS Hampton Court Palace RHS Summer Urban Flower Show Taking place on 4-9 July, this Garden Show year’s show will introduce On 12-13 July, RHS Lindley a new category, ‘Gardens Hall hosts the London for a Changing World’, with Summer Urban Garden Show. designs championing ideas Launched last year, this event such as ood prevention and is the perfect place to buy rainwater management. For plants for small gardens, the first time, the R S and balconies and windowsills.

BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen will join forces to broadcast live

RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show ©RHS /Luke MacGregor

from the RHS Kitchen Garden, created by award-winning designer Juliet Sargeant. Other highlights include inspirational show gardens, 87 specialist nurseries in the Floral Marquee and the return of the utter y Dome. www.rhs.org.uk/showsevents/rhs-hampton-courtalace o er sho www.rhs.org.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 13:19

INFORM

SGD bulletin

SGD Student Awards now open for entries The 2017 SGD Student Awards are now open for entries. This year’s awards will be judged by award-winning designers Andy Sturgeon FSGD and Debbie Roberts MSGD of Acres Wild, as well as Arabella St John Parker, Houses & Gardens editor at Homes & Gardens magazine.

There are categories for both commercial and residential design projects.

The judges will be looking for outstanding design skills

and a demonstration of a clear understanding of the brief provided. There is no limitation on size or type of project, or the number of entries you can submit in the Student Awards.

To enter, you must either be an SGD student member, or have progressed from SGD student member to

Joint winner

ictoria hesterfield,

pre-registered member status between 19 August 2016 and 1 September 2017.

There is plenty of time to enter your submissions for this year’s awards. Discounted ‘early bird’ fees are available to anyone who registers their entry before 21st July 2017. The final deadline to register is 1

oodcombe rescent

ictoria hesterfield

Restorative iewing Platform Jane Finlay

August 2017, and actual project submissions are not due until 1 September 2017.

The SGD Student Awards are the perfect springboard for any new designer’s career, and an ideal opportunity to raise your profile. Start planning your entries today, and visit the SGD Awards website to download the ‘entry information’ document and entry form.

Good luck! www.sgdawards.com www.sgd.org.uk

Parks Alliance matters

Post-election hopes As the post-general election dust starts to settle and parks enter their busiest period of the year, The Parks Alliance (TPA) is reinvigorating its campaign to secure a future for UK parks. We were delighted with the participation in our recent member survey, which rea rmed that funding is the biggest challenge facing parks and green spaces (watch our website

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Association News.indd 25

for more detailed results).

This information is helpful in informing our future direction, and will soon be shared with the many partners we are working with to support parks and the activities initiatives that take place within them.

We were delighted to participate in the recent University of Leeds Social

Sciences Institute conference ‘Reimagining the Future of Urban Public Space’. It was a fascinating insight into the opportunities and challenges facing public spaces, and has set the bar for the parks specific conference ‘The Future of Public Parks’ in July. This will explore the findings and recommendations of the Communities and Local Government Committee’s public parks inquiry.

TPA is delighted that Andrew Percy MP has been reappointed Minister for Parks, and we look forward to working with him and the team at the Department for Communities and Local Government to improve the

outlook for our green spaces.

We hope that the consistency re ected in this appointment will mean that the DCLG response to the inquiry will come soon, and that proactive solutions will emerge.

Parks matter, and those of us working to maintain and improve them with decreasing funding are striving to deliver safe, good quality community spaces that benefit health, education, social cohesion, and the environment. Perhaps our new political era will focus less on austerity and more on investment, recognising the value that parks provide. www.theparksalliance.org

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 25

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11:01 22/06/2017 09:32

THE CHELSEA DIARIES

INFORM

After a successful RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017, designer Manoj Malde and contractor Dan Riddleston sign off their Chelsea diaries

MANOJ MALDE COUTURE GARDENS Debut Designer at RHS Chelsea 2017

VER GILT SIL

Garden Beneath a Mexican Sky Contractor Living Landscapes Sponsor Inland Homes & Living Landscapes

At last we were on site. There is always camaraderie and a sense of competition at Chelsea, and this year was no di erent. ur makeshift site o ce was set up, the site was marked out and away we went. By the end of the first day, the pool area was

excavated and the cappuccino wall was already up. n day two, the pink and orange walls were built, and render applied to the cappuccino wall. It was exciting to see my vision rising out of the ground. The site was dangerous, with so much heavy machinery moving around – you need eyes in the back of your head. The worst part was when it rained, slowing down work and making planting impossible.

The steps were put in with absolute precision. It took

almost a full day, but was worth the time and care. The garden came alive when the walls were painted and the trees planted.

The delivery of the Agave, with its architectural 3m ower spike, was one of many highlights. I had an experienced planting team; every one of them had worked on show

gardens before. They cleaned the multi-stem trees and made sure there were no yellowing leaves or broken stems.

Cleaning the Agaves was the most di cult.

Beneath a Mexican Sky has been an emotional rollercoaster. ne day I was paid such wonderful compliments that I welled up. It was wonderful to hear so many people say the garden made them smile; the rollercoaster ride was worth it. www.couturegardens.co.uk

DAN RIDDLESTON BOWLES & WYER CONTRACTS Contractor at RHS Chelsea 2017 Garden Linklaters Garden for Maggie’s Designer Darren Hawkes Sponsor Linklaters

Well, Chelsea was emotional – and a lot of hard work. The weather was with us this year, so very few hours were lost during the build – although it took every hour we had to get it completed on time.

We aimed to get major construction works completed by mid-May, giving Darren Hawkes nearly a week before the judges arrived. We made good progress at first, with excavation, foundations, retaining walls and the first line of hornbeam hedging in place in a matter of days, but issues with the walkway handrails

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GO

LD MEDAL

meant delays – and several long days to follow.

The hedging from Deepdale and the precast concrete from South Wales arrived, and the garden started to take shape, complete with our statement 5t Amelanchier tree.

With the arrival of the Aralia, Sambucus and Buxus,

the garden took on another dimension, and when a delivery of beautiful roses from Peter Beales arrived it became apparent that something special was going on. Some of the plants I was looking forward to seeing, such as Echium and Chrysosplenium, didn’t make the cut, while others such as the anemones and the peonies became star performers.

Late in the afternoon on the final Friday before the show, the garden was complete. It suddenly felt very quiet. Medal day brought a real high, with another Gold for Darren. The months of planning, the long hours and the sacrifices had all been worthwhile.

All too soon, thoughts turned to breakdown. The planting and hard landscape materials are being reused across the country, including at Maggie’s centre in Fife and the new Barts Centre in London.

A week after the show closes it’s a thrill to see all our concrete structures leave in one piece to build new gardens at Maggie’s. www.bowleswyercontracts.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 27

21/06/2017 13:04

INFORM

Pro Landscaper media partner

Special events Business seminars

THE FUTURE OF L

SANDOWN PARK RACECOURSE, ESHER, SURREY 18

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INFORM

Join the community The UK’s pe a c s d n la g in d a le event

Largest array of exhibitors

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19/01/2017 09:26

Five reasons you should apply to

30 UNDER 30: THE NEXT GENERATION Showcase your work and celebrate your achievements The 30 Under 30 awards present a fantastic opportunity for you to celebrate everything that you’ve achieved in your career. It’s our belief that we should bring the young people in the industry together to recognise their amazing achievements, and look forward to what they will be able to accomplish in the future.

Don’t just take our word for it, though. One of last year’s winners, Scott Hawkes, told us: “It was incredibly satisfying to be acknowledged in the industry along with so many other talented individuals, demonstrating the passion and skill set that the landscape sector’s younger generation possesses. It’s something I’m very proud to be a part of, and a great scheme for future stars of the industry.”

The FutureScape awards ceremony Not only will the winners be profiled in our magazines, they will also be invited to attend a dinner and awards ceremony on the evening of our FutureScape event, taking place on Tuesday 14 November at Sandown Park Racecourse. The evening has proved popular with previous winners, who have found the evening to be a fantastic opportunity to network with likeminded young people throughout the industry.

James Sadler, contract delivery manager at Ground Control and a previous winner, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the event; the team put on a lovely evening for us. It was great to sit among business leaders and experts from some of the largest and most prestigious companies in our industry, and to see the support they had for the awards and the winners.”

Show someone else some recognition You don’t have to nominate yourself to be named one of our 30 Under 30. If you feel that someone you work with deserves some recognition for the outstanding work they’ve achieved within the industry, then fill out an application form and nominate them to become one of our winners. It’s a great way to show your appreciation for an employee.

Providing opportunities for the future The exposure of being named one of our 30 Under 30 and featured across our publications has proven to be a great way for previous winners to build their confidence and find new opportunities to develop their career.

“The award has helped most with networking and putting my name on the landscaping map – having the 30 Under 30 award under your belt seems to attract positive attention,” said Andrew Ryder, one of last year’s successful applicants.

Murielle Jayer spoke of the confidence that receiving the award gave her: “Since gaining this recognition, I’ve been given more responsibilities within my company. I feel excited and confident about reaching my eventual objective of becoming a sales director and am looking forward to continuing to work within the landscaping industry as it develops.”

Continued coverage After the awards, we love to keep up with how our winners are doing and continue to find out what they’re up to with coverage across our magazines. The aim of the awards isn’t just to celebrate the work that has already been achieved, but to pick out and support the industry’s key players of the future.

It’s simple to apply – just email joe.betts@eljays44.com to receive an application form, fill it in explaining why you or your nominee deserves to be chosen, and send back the completed form by 1 September.

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INFORM

Let’s Hear it From

BAWDEN GROUP This month, Pro Landscaper visits the offices of Bawden Group, to speak to directors Richard Stone and Nicki Bawden about the business, its recent diversification and its plans for the future How did the company start and get into the industry?

RICHARD STONE (RS): Nicola’s husband Richard Bawden started the business 30 years ago, installing artificial cricket wickets as a subcontractor. This led him into subcontracting grounds maintenance on military bases for a local company. It was relatively successful, to the extent that we decided to form a partnership. I was working for HSBC at the time and doing the administration in my spare time, leaving Richard to deal with the practical side of the business. We formed a company in 1990 once we started winning more work. I left the bank in 1997 and became the company’s www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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full time finance and business development director. Nicola is director and company secretary and is also responsible for the HR side of the business, and Richard is managing director. He’s very kit-orientated and organises our jobs in terms of what equipment, machinery and resources are needed. We’ve been at our current location in Amesbury for 10 years.

I THINK WE AND SMALLER BUSINESSES CAN PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE Have you always been based and worked in this area, and how have you since diversified?

RS: We’ve always been based here but until recently a lot of our larger contracts were outside the immediate area. In a way we’ve suffered from that, and in recent years we’ve had to look at changing our approach. In 2005, we felt the effects of the recession in landscaping like

everyone else, so we scaled down. We had to shut down our commercial landscape team because we couldn’t get enough work, and we decided to concentrate purely on maintenance.

At the same time, we started our tree surgery business, and that’s been very successful. It’s also heightened our presence locally. We also set up a retail fencing business – Fencing Essentials – because, as landscapers, we found it difficult to buy quality fencing materials locally. As well as selling the products we also offer an installation service and we’ve got a good e-commerce site that is separate from our business site, which is doing well.

What’s the structure of the business?

NICOLA BAWDEN (NB): I came into the business from my previous career in mental health six years ago and tend to focus on HR. I also deal with the ISO accreditation, and the day to day operational management of the grounds maintenance teams. Along with the Pro Landscaper / July 2017 31

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INFORM

finance, Richard [Stone] does the tendering and contract preparation, and then Richard Bawden looks after machinery, works out how long a project is going to take, that sort of thing. On the next tier we have an arboricultural manager, Dave Abrahams, who has two teams under him –

THE PLAN IS TO FOCUS ON DEVELOPING THE FENCING AND TREE SURGERY PARTS OF THE BUSINESS we’re looking to increase that to three. Mark Edwards is our fencing manager and he has a team of two for carrying out fencing installations, deliveries and so on. The role that’s currently vacant and surprisingly difficult to fill is that of contracts/grounds maintenance manager, and finally we have six grounds maintenance operatives, split into two teams. On the admin side we have one full time administrator, a part time wages and purchasing clerk and a full time bookkeeper.

Do you carry out any domestic landscaping or is it all commercial?

NB: We do both, plus a fair amount of domestic garden maintenance.

What sort of percentage turnover is each of the sectors?

RS: Fencing accounts for approximately 15%, 25% is tree surgery, and the rest is grounds maintenance and landscaping.

NB: Grounds maintenance has shifted in recent times because some big sites that we were looking after are now tendered and organised in a way that has cut us out of the market.

Is that because they’ve been taken on as national contracts?

NB: Yes. RS: It’s something of a bugbear for us; for years we were a go-to supplier for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for jobbing works, but that disappeared two years ago because they placed everything with a facilities provider. This change to the MOD’s procurement process has been the biggest challenge for Bawden, and smaller companies than us have ceased to trade 32

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because of it. It will be interesting to see how long this will last.

NB: We lost a major MOD contract last year in a process that did nothing to reassure us that regional companies like Bawden can compete with national contractors. We’ve spent the winter adjusting and are proactively looking for opportunities to replace that business, but it’s not easy.

Do you think it’s going to be narrowed down to a few nationwide contracts or will it come full circle?

RS: For the sake of competition and maintaining standards I certainly hope there will continue to be room for smaller and medium sized local and regional contractors. I think we and smaller businesses can provide a better service – and not necessarily at a higher cost – but I’m not sure I can see any evidence of a return to the status quo at the moment.

NB: We simply can’t compete with some of the bigger companies. They’re clearly not making money on some contracts, they just use them as loss leaders to increase their dominance in an area and drive out competition.

In terms of reinventing yourselves or doing something different, would you look more into other propositions, similar to the fencing?

RS: We did see some of this coming, which is why we started the arboricultural and fencing businesses. David, who runs Bawden Tree Care, is keen to incorporate ecology and environment into the business so we’re looking at developing those spheres of operation as they fit well with what we already do.

What about local authorities, do you work with them?

RS: Absolutely. We hold the Amesbury Town Council grounds maintenance contract and a five-year arboricultural contract with Salisbury City Council. We’ve also just done quite a big soft landscaping project for them and carry out smaller works such as putting up signs and fences. We were also recently successful in being appointed for a four-year term to the Fareham Borough Council supplier framework for tree maintenance services. We’ve always worked with parish councils and recently won a tree survey contract for Stratton St Margaret Parish Council near Swindon. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Would you subcontract to large maintenance companies?

RS: We’ve never really wanted to be part of someone else’s business.

NB: We’ve built a reputation and been around for a long time; when you start working for someone else, they’re either going to get the benefit of your reputation, or you may lose control of it.

What about long term then, what’s the plan?

Would you sell the business?

NB: We’ve talked about selling, or trying to develop people who’ve got the potential to carry on so that we could take a step back.

Richard [Bawden] is 61 this year and, although he complains about aches and pains, he still enjoys the business and is reluctant to sell. It’s a conundrum.

Is your region a competitive environment?

RS: It is. My take on the larger companies now operating in our area is that they’re coming down the food chain because the upper market is absolutely saturated and they’ve got nowhere to go. I was explaining this to a smaller contractor recently – he was telling me that we bumped his mate off a contract that he’d had for a long time, and I explained that we’d just been bumped off a larger contract ourselves. It’s the domino effect.

So what are the future plans for the company?

RS: Initially we’ve got to steady our position.

We’ve not completely gone through our adjustment, we really want to make trees and fencing the focal point. I don’t think there’s any point in us trying to compete with larger businesses, but we’re not going to stop doing grounds maintenance.

NB: We’ve picked up a couple of large soft landscaping jobs in the last few months, and maybe that’s something that we will revisit, because we’ve got lots of kit and the ability to do that type of work. It’s an area that we need to look at. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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People seem to believe that soft landscaping is a specialism, so it could be a good thing.

NB: Exactly, and it’s an area in which we have the ability and expertise.

RS: Soft landscaping projects also usually bring with them ongoing maintenance for one or two years. We’ve also recently invested in tree surveying equipment and training and will be carrying out our own tree surveys rather than subcontracting them.

LARGER COMPANIES ARE COMING DOWN THE FOOD CHAIN BECAUSE THE UPPER MARKET IS ABSOLUTELY SATURATED Is tree work more profitable than landscaping and maintenance?

RS: It’s on a par. Our purpose in the arb area is to specialise, offering management, tree surveying and arboricultural consultancy. David Abrahams is well qualified to lead a strong department, and we are proactively marketing this to land managers in the area, rather than trying to compete with one man and his van.

It’s very easy to talk about succession planning, but when it actually comes to doing something about it, it’s difficult to think ahead.

NB: We’re open-minded about the future of the business and what form it will take. Currently the plan is to focus on developing the fencing and tree surgery parts of the business, which we believe is the best way to secure the future of the business in the current climate.

1 Nicola Bawden, Richard Bawden & Richard Stone 2 David Abrahams and Mark Edwards 3 Bawden Tree Care hedge cutting at Tedworth House 4 Beech section fell 5 Beech section fell 6 The Bawden offices 7 Finished boardwalk

CONTACT Bawden Group Unit 1 Millsway Centre, Boscombe Down Business Park, Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7AU Tel: 01980 622185 enquiries@bawdengroup.com www.bawdengroup.com

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21/06/2017 16:35

INFORM

COMPANY

PROFILE

Bill Trotman, managing director of Continental Landscapes Ltd, explains how a landscaping company with over 20 branches ensures compliance and sustainability, and the impactful steps it’s taking with apprenticeships to tackle the industry-wide skills shortage

How was the company founded?

Continental Landscapes Ltd (CLL) has been delivering grounds maintenance services to local authorities for over 25 years. It was created in 1989 following the awarding of a landscaping project in Stockley Park, London to the Dutch landscaping specialists Krinkels BV. With opportunities for contractors available via Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT), we expanded our portfolio of contracts, and as local government tenders evolved, so did CLL. How has it evolved with local government tenders?

The local authority marketplace has undergone dramatic changes over the last 20 years, with much greater demand for ancillary services as local government budgets have declined. This presents challenges, but also provides opportunities to develop a more joined-up approach. This is integrated with a high level of customer service and information accessibility, and a reduction in the management doublehandling that was prevalent in CCT client/ contractor relationships.

As the company has grown, so has the internal support network that keeps

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CONTINENTAL LANDSCAPES

in numbers

Established 1989 Employees 800 Turnover £30m Breakdown 30% street cleansing and environmental services, 70% horticultural services Branches 23 Awards 54 Green Flag Awards, 16 London in Bloom Awards operations at peak performance. Our homegrown compliance team cut their teeth as operatives, supervisors, administrators and managers, embarking on a career development programme that turned them into industry specialists in their fields. Our team now consists of transport managers, occupational safety practitioners, auditors, environmental business managers, and conservation and ecology specialists.

How does this team ensure compliance?

The team can provide support to any of our

Bill Trotman

branches or clients at any time. When not performing routine compliance duties, they provide training to our staff and customers, and maintain a range of certifications. They are involved in every mobilisation to ensure full compliance and adherence to good working practices.

We hold certification for four standards – ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, and ISO 50001 – and our business management systems are integrated to include the requirements of all these standards, to ensure that we deliver a quality service.

What services does the company now offer?

We specialise not only in horticultural services, but also street cleansing, waste management and a range of specialist management functions. With a group turnover of over €230m, a specialist management team and no reliance on external finance, our services are focused on partnerships between client, contractor and the public.

Did CLL have to make any changes when it started to offer street cleansing?

Our street cleansing operations are highly visible, and we regard our street sweepers as ambassadors, with high profile local authority clients including the London Boroughs of Wandsworth and Richmond upon Thames.

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As our business has evolved into waste and street cleansing, our compliance requirements have kept pace and developed into the transport sector. With operating centres across the UK, and with cleansing and waste now representing 30% of UK turnover, transport management is a key business area. We are a member of the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS), and each of our operating centres has met the criteria for its highest level of membership (gold) for five successive years.

We also hold the RoSPA gold award for occupational safety, and this year had the privilege of helping celebrate RoSPA’s centenary year at Buckingham Palace.

What do the street cleansing and waste services involve?

In addition to keeping streets free from litter, graffiti, fly-tipping, weeds and incidental spills on a daily basis, we provide effective clean-up before and after special events, such as Wimbledon. Each of our contracts has its own bespoke services developed to suit the neighbourhoods, inner city commercial centres, residential areas, townships, parks and rural communities in which we work. Our waste services division deals with street bin emptying, gully cleaning, and collection of recyclate from bring banks and schools. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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What is your approach to sustainability?

We employ a biodiversity and community relationships coordinator and an environmental advisor to develop our approach, culminating in our biodiversity strategy document, Together for Nature. This document provides company-wide guidance on what we are doing to implement improvements to our methodologies and contract management techniques. Together for Nature is based on analysis of national, regional and local biodiversity strategies and needs, and informs us where we should focus our efforts to achieve the best outcomes for biodiversity.

What does the company offer in terms of training and apprenticeships?

We are part of the Trailblazer scheme, in which industry-leading organisations and commercial operators take the lead in developing standards and assessments for apprenticeships. CLL is an active Trailblazer in horticulture and landscaping sector apprenticeships, and we and the other Trailblazers are in the process of creating a new apprenticeship for the future – ensuring that it is focused on what the modern job market requires, the skills employers are looking for, and what will benefit the clients of those employers.

A key change is the age range, which focuses on the entire workforce rather than just

those aged 18-24. With the possibility of a horticultural management apprenticeship at degree level, a realistic filling of the skills gap within the industry is looking very likely.

How is CLL tackling the skills shortage personally?

We are a member of The 5% Club, meaning we are committed to ensuring that 5% of our workforce is on apprenticeships, on graduate training programmes, or are sponsored students.

1 We Care 2 Refuse collection in Wandsworth 3 Education session with school group 4 Creating bug hotels 5 Grasscutting at Kendal Castle 6 Rugby World Clup cleanup 7 Road sweeping Richmond Green 8 Victoria Embankment Gardens

CONTACT Continental Landscapes, Wychwood House, 4 Landscape Close, Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire OX25 3SX Tel: 01869 344000 Twitter: @CLLServices Email: wecare@continental-landscapes.co.uk Web: www.continental-landscapes.co.uk

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21/06/2017 16:36

INFORM

Kings Road, Newcastle University

Littlehaven Promenade – Tyne Eye

LANDSCAPE

ARCHITECT’S JOURNAL

Newcastle landscape architecture practice OOBE opens up on its recent and upcoming projects

S

cience Central is one of the largest development sites in the UK. The 24-acre urban quarter in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne is sponsored by the local authority and Newcastle University, and focuses on creating a sustainable future for the city. Key to Science Central is the Newcastle Laboratory, 76,000ft² of commercial laboratory space.

Newcastle-based landscape architect practice OOBE is ensuring that the building is integrated into the wider development with a SuDS strategy including rain gardens.

“The aim of the mixed-use development is to create an innovation hub for investors, businesses and scientists to collaborate and find solutions for tomorrow’s cities. The Newcastle Laboratory has just gone to site and we’re also currently looking at other projects on Science Central,” says director Mike Goodall.

Mike founded OOBE in 2010 with fellow director Oliver Smith and, following its success, launched a second office in London four years later, which he says has opened up many opportunities for the practice.

One of these opportunities is with Cranfield University. Education has always been a key 36

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sector for OOBE, and the firm announced last year that it had been commissioned by the Bedfordshire university to create an overall landscape masterplan and framework as part of its campus enhancement and development programme. “We won the scheme through a competition – it’s a really good project for us, which is quite strategic and takes the wider campus into account. It’s a three-year commission that will hopefully be extended.”

OOBE will be collaborating with plantsman and lecturer Nigel Dunnett, whom Mike met at the University of Sheffield while studying landscape architecture and ecology; Mike is now an external examiner at that university.

The Cranfield scheme will involve OOBE developing a strategy that encompasses the whole campus, creating attractive settings with elements of biodiversity for both existing and proposed buildings.

Campus commissions The project that Mike feels led on to both Science Central and the University of Cranfield commission is Newcastle University King’s Road, phase one of which was completed in 2015. “It was the first project where we’d really taken a particular flood attenuation approach, and this is something we’ve started to use on many more of our projects. The

THE AIM OF THE MIXEDUSE DEVELOPMENT IS TO CREATE AN INNOVATION HUB FOR INVESTORS, BUSINESSES, AND SCIENTISTS, TO COLLABORATE AND FIND SOLUTIONS FOR TOMORROW’S CITIES scheme focused on reducing the burden on the existing sewer system, as it had previously struggled to cope with heavy rainfall. Our approach looked at rain harvesting and storage, with rainwater planters that could potentially release water through evapotranspiration, permeable paving that would allow water to filter through and be stored in the sub-base, and also tree pit attenuation.”

The scheme was also won through a competition and, alongside flood attenuation, it aimed to create a pedestrian-focused and multifunctional environment. The road is used by pedestrians moving between the northern and southern parts of the campus, so the university wanted to widen pavements by removing parking along the road, with planting to soften the area between the footpath and the buildings.

Oobe has added to its higher education portfolio with a recently completed project at the www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 13:16

Littlehaven

INFORM

Cranfield University

Newcastle Laboratory

University of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. The Oastler Building, which houses the university’s Law School and School of Music, Humanities and Media, acts as a gateway building on the campus’ new development; the firm’s work on it has led to a further commission to design the student plaza at the opposite end of the building.

“We showed how the design and philosophy of the landscape for the building could be pulled into that space. The commission was to design a student plaza with a welcoming, pedestrianfocused space that was also flexible.”

The planting scheme around the Oastler Building, which was designed by architect and building consultancy practice AHR, requires minimal maintenance and aims to increase biodiversity, with beds of perennials and grasses.

Both the Newcastle University and the University of Huddersfield developments were mostly landscape-led – the Oastler Building acted as a catalyst for the landscape, but was landscape-led in the way that the project developed, and this is where Mike sees more and more of OOBE’s projects heading.

Seeing and looking Outside of the education sector, OOBE developed an award-winning scheme for South Tyneside Council, alongside Broadbent Studio and Royal HaskoningDHV. “Littlehaven www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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University of Huddersfield

Promenade was completed in 2014 and has since won nine awards, two of which are Landscape Institute awards,” says Mike. “It was a neglected stretch of coastline where the land was flooding on a regular basis. We were brought in as part of a coastal defence scheme – rather than simply having an engineered solution, it needed softening with landscape input.

WE WANT TO CREATE BEAUTIFUL, INSPIRATIONAL AND RELEVANT SCHEMES, WITH RIGOUR BEHIND THE CREATIVITY “The design was influenced by the unique location of the site, where the River Tyne meets the North Sea. The concept was ‘seeing and looking’, inspired by the idea of people waiting for their loved ones to return home from the sea. We involved Stephen Broadbent, a public artist who helped us with the concept and some of the bespoke art pieces in the scheme.” This includes the popular ‘Tyne Eye’, an 18t cast concrete sculpture that encapsulates the concept behind the project.

In upcoming months, OOBE is involved in a major development in Sunderland, creating

Ryder Building, Newcastle Laboratory

landscape proposals for a new structure in the city called The Launch. The 25m-tall metal structure, designed by EDable Architecture, concludes the Keel Line, a memorial to the city’s shipbuilding past; the landscaping scheme will be split over two levels to complement the architecture.

The Launch connects the Vaux site at the top of the cliff to the South Bank of the River Wear, in an effort to attract more footfall to the area. Proposals for the upper level of landscaping will include a natural-coloured asphalt walkway that intersects with a space for people to congregate before entering The Launch. The cliff face will be left in as natural a state as possible, while the lower level – where the riverside park resides – will include an undulating grasscrete surface and a feature tree, concluding in a sculptural terraced seating area made in coloured concrete.

As Mike tells us: “We want to create beautiful, inspirational and relevant schemes, with rigour behind the creativity.” This is certainly the case.

CONTACT Tel: 01912 813775 Email: info@oobe.co.uk Twitter: @OOBE_Ltd Website: www.oobe.co.uk

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21/06/2017 13:16

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08/06/2017 21/06/2017 10:51 14:23

VIEW FROM THE TOP MARCUS WATSON Marcus Watson takes a look at how various technological innovations can be put to use within the landscaping industry – and the importance of cyber security Information and communications technology (ICT) has become a part of everyone’s business, providing us with increasing transparency and a greater ability to reach a diverse range of people.

Not only does ICT improve operations and the speed and quality of communications, it can improve our responsiveness so that we can better serve our customers. It’s no wonder the development and application of ICT in the landscape industry continues to rise.

Customer experience Today, a customer’s interactive experience comes not only from the products and services they receive, but also from the service suite surrounding the products. This is key in taking an individual or company from one-off client to lifelong customer. Without technology, your customer base may look elsewhere.

Seventy one per cent of UK adults have a smartphone, meaning that a large proportion of the population uses mobile devices for procuring products and services through apps and the internet – without having to speak to someone.

The impact this has on a business is significant, as it means your landscaping portfolio needs to be mobile friendly.

Big Data A further technological innovation is the use of ‘Big Data’. Every connected organisation has

significant amounts of data, dating back many years, on its customers, operations, industry trends, geographies, services delivered, and issues logged – to name just a few areas. ‘Big Data’ analysis is the process of examining large and varied data sets to uncover hidden patterns, correlations, market trends, customer preferences and useful information that can help companies make informed business decisions.

Virtual reality Thanks to the availability and affordability of new technologies, virtual reality is used more and more to view physical environments in a virtual world — not only looking at the artificial environment, but also interacting with virtual items and features. It’s not hard to imagine the benefits of clients being able to experience and refine their designs in a virtual world, before those designs are created in the real world.

IN A TECH-DRIVEN WORLD, AND A COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION IS VITAL TO SET A BUSINESS APART Satellite imagery Satellites and drones can provide a clear, concise and accurate representation of how events are unfolding, with direct applicability to the landscape industry. As far back as 2006, for example, NASA used satellites to help weed out an invasive plant that was affecting water supplies on the west coast of the US. It does not take a huge leap to see how our industry could use this technology to help customers with vast estates identify and better manage the spread of invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed.

Invasive plants are traditionally located, identified and monitored by manual ground surveys. While effective, these are expensive,

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time consuming and difficult to manage over large areas. Technology could help identify plant species quickly and accurately, ensuring all seed sites are covered and managed.

Cyber security We cannot talk about technological innovation without discussing cyber security. According to a study commissioned by cyber security firm CGI and conducted by Oxford Economics, companies have lost at least £42bn since 2013 due to severe public domain cyber security incidents. This says it all. Cyber attacks are commonplace nowadays, affecting not only governments, multinationals and banks, but also small businesses and individuals. It is incumbent upon all of us to have systems that are resilient against cyber attacks, and robust protocols in place to protect ourselves.

Technological innovations are vital for the success of the landscaping industry. In a techdriven world, and a competitive industry, they are vital to set a business apart. However, with new technology comes very real security considerations.

Failing to give thought to these will, at best, cost your company’s finances and reputation; at worst, you could be put out of business.

ABOUT MARCUS WATSON Joining Ground Control in 2011, Marcus Watson champions outstanding customer service and innovation in the grounds maintenance, arboriculture and landscaping sectors. Last year Ground Control was recognised with a Queen’s Award for Innovation, celebrating the company’s application of technology.

www.ground-control.co.uk

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21/06/2017 11:25

INFORM

A FOND FAREWELL...

DAVID DODD

After three years of writing for Pro Landscaper, David Dodd is moving on, and offers some last words of wisdom And so I face the final curtain! That’s right, readers, this is my last column for Pro Landscaper. I’ve had some amazing and flattering feedback from people who have enjoyed my pages over the past three years, and I’m equally sure there are a few who have had enough and are relieved that I’m moving on.

All I can say is that, from my first piece to this final one, I’ve always tried to be as honest and open as possible. This hasn’t always done me

DEBATING ISSUES CAN ONLY IMPROVE THE WAY WE ALL WORK TOGETHER any favours when it comes to business, but it’s vital that certain issues within the landscape industry are aired. Sometimes I’ve been a little too candid; I’ve even had to leave a few columns out, as I’d probably end up getting sued. I’ve been told more than a couple of times by other landscapers that they love my column, but they wouldn’t dare admit it to others. Why? Debating issues can only improve the way we all work together. One high profile contractor even went as far as saying: “I love watching the competition hang itself”.

First and foremost, I’ve always said that we work in a fantastic industry and, with my hand on my heart, I honestly believe the UK has the most highly skilled landscapers in the world.

Moving forward, we must all make the effort to re-engage with the colleges where landscaping is being taught. We need to work alongside and support landscaping students, to start producing the next generation of talent. Sadly, there will always be a few shysters in any industry who simply chase the money, and landscaping is no exception – but overall, we’re not a bad bunch.

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Our garden design industry is getting better, but it is still open to huge improvement in terms of how it operates. There are some brilliant designers out there who produce beautiful gardens, public spaces and landscapes. Unfortunately, there are also some woeful designers, when it Mazes, Decembe comes to both ability and codes of r 2016 conduct. I blame a lot of it on the lack 7 of consistency and varying syllabuses GoLandscape, March 201 between the privately run ‘schools of garden design’. They need to sit down together, along with BALI, the APL and the SGD, to write a national syllabus and come up with a nationally recognised qualification.

You need to be a fully qualified architect to design a house, so why Plastic F shouldn’t the same apply to antastic, May 201 5 gardens? It’s scary just how unregulated garden design is; after doing what is essentially a Showtime, June 20 15 nine-month course, you can go off and frolic with projects that are often worth hundreds of thousands The end of an era... of pounds. I’m not here to bash designers on a look back on some the head – I just want them to raise the bar, of David’s columns study to a higher level, and gain experience with a professional practice before going it alone in the big bad world. ember 2015 I’ve written about plastic grass, working TV shows, Sept standards and salaries, show gardens, difficult clients, crap TV garden programmes and GoLandscape, but my favourite column has to ABOUT DAVID DODD be the one about mazes (December 2016). It David Dodd has been in the landscape industry gave me the chance to write about something I since the age of 17. Having studied and then really love. I’ve enjoyed every minute of writing taught at Merrist Wood College, he set up The Outdoor Room in 1995. In 2013, he went into for Pro Landscaper, and I just hope that whoever business with landscape architect Joe Perkins to replaces me is as cantankerous and bloodyform Longview Design Ltd. David has also lectured minded as me, and doesn’t shy away from in design and construction for over 20 years. giving their genuine opinion. www.theoutdoorroom.co.uk Thank you for reading! www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 11:38

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

INFORM

ANGUS LINDSAY Low-maintenance and instantly effective – Angus Lindsay makes the case for using artificial turf in commercial projects Being involved in the grounds maintenance and landscaping sector, it may seem somewhat hypocritical of me to extol the virtues of artificial turf, but in the right place its value far outweighs its natural competitor. It may initially seem a more expensive alternative, but your opinion may change when you consider all the benefits.

It’s fair to say that alternatives to natural grass have come a long way from the sand- or water-filled Astroturf playing surfaces seen at sports and leisure facilities around the country.

The technology associated with DESSO and Mixto hybrid grass systems is mindboggling and somewhat pricey, so remains out of reach for most – but over the past few years there has been such a dramatic improvement in the quality of artificial grass surfaces that, to the untrained eye, much of it can easily pass for natural. So far it has been used very much for domestic purposes and less in the commercial sector – but is it time to rethink that?

For landscapers and maintenance contractors alike, some of the biggest headaches come from those areas that are designed to have grass but whose location dictates that the grass doesn’t grow properly – for example, shady corners or narrow strips around buildings that are overshadowed by shrubs and trees. In these situations, the ground often remains bare or has bark mulch

Artificial grass need no longer be a domestic-only alternative to natural turf

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strewn over it, which gets dragged onto pavements and into buildings. As trees grow, the surfaces around them crack and expand, leaving unsightly eruptions and trip hazards for the unwary shopper. Using artificial turf would keep the weeds at bay, allow the ground to

IT’S FAIR TO SAY THAT ALTERNATIVES TO NATURAL GRASS HAVE COME A LONG WAY FROM SAND- OR WATER-FILLED ASTROTURF PLAYING SURFACES

Artificial verges are a realistic and cost effective alternative, well worth considering

drain and expand, reduce maintenance, and add colour to an otherwise dull corner.

On a similar note, consider ribbon verges and grassy areas in busy thoroughfares.

These look great when the grass is green and manicured, less good when they become worn out by constant footfall or vehicle traffic.

Keeping the grass maintained can also be a headache, especially when using the ‘weapon of mass destruction’ that is the strimmer – thrown debris causes no end of problems, from grass splattered along the side of parked cars to small stones fired at pedestrians, cyclists and

Pop-up parks – not as daft as they sound

windows. Artificial alternatives may initially seem expensive, but consider the plus points: minimal maintenance, reduced potential for injury and associated insurance claims, no issues with fuel, machine vibration, PPE, transport or machine theft… it all starts to make sense.

Local authorities are currently trying to save money, and grounds and landscaping are always at the forefront of cuts. Artificial grass can help here, with its reduced maintenance, reduced emissions and creation of a greener environment.

With increased pressure on space for building in towns and cities, and a move towards easy-to-clean hard surfaces that are suitable for holding a range of events, artificial grass has another trick up its sleeve in the form of the pop-up park. In a world where things seldom stay the same for long, and consumers are always looking for the next big thing, the pop-up park can provide a little bit of tranquillity in a sea of concrete. When people get bored, roll it up, take it somewhere different and roll it out again.

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

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

Contact: angus.lindsay@idverde.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 41

21/06/2017 11:08

INFORM

HIDDEN GEMS ANDREW WILSON

I have just come through one of the busiest and most stressful periods of my professional life.

Despite virtually a year of planning, detailing and programming, the production of a Chelsea show garden still takes a huge effort from all concerned, both physically and emotionally. The delivery of a show garden in readiness for assessment is like no other project, demanding long hours, hands-on planting, detailed and reflective thinking and quick, effective decisionmaking to resolve issues as they arise.

This is followed by a week of support for the sponsor, engaging with media, royal visitors and the show audience, evening events and early morning starts. A typical day during show week might start at 5am and end at 11.30pm, by the time I’ve ridden home on the motorbike.

Gavin and I have to run our practice alongside Chelsea, as clients in the real world still require support and action. I also have my students at the London College of Garden Design to manage and support, so the ball juggling becomes increasingly complex. For my sins, I also have writing deadlines, and had to leave for Dublin two days after Chelsea closed in order to spend four days assessing and judging at Bloom.

I can honestly say, as I write this overdue copy, that I am exhausted – albeit in a good way. I have spent some time in these last few weeks reflecting on the role my wife and children play in this scenario. Barbara (Mrs Wilson) became first a Chelsea widow and then a Bloom widow. She encouraged me in my endeavours and listened to the highs and lows of each day with patience; her stomach churned along with mine as the build-up to medals commenced. Overall she provided a haven of calm and often unspoken support (Heidi Dodd 42

Pro Landscaper / July 2017

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© Charlie Hopkinson

Andrew Wilson turns the spotlight onto those who support us in our work – people who are the lynchpins of our lives but rarely get the praise they deserve

SHARE WITH, TALK TO AND ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE AROUND YOU WHEN THEY OFFER THEIR BACKING and Gretchen McWilliam will undoubtedly identify with this phenomenon.)

Without this quiet but reliable backdrop to my life, the whole construct would come crashing down, and yet how often do I, or do we, stop and fully acknowledge this? Far too infrequently is the honest answer, and so this column is for Barbara and my daughters, Rebecca and Naomi, and for all the partners and children or wider families and parents who support us without question in the work we do.

On a much more personal note I have also turned over a new leaf. My eldest daughter Rebecca developed epilepsy when she grew into adolescence. Now at 26, her seizures are increasing rather than diminishing; during Chelsea’s final build week and show week she was admitted to A&E five times, having suffered

multiple seizures. The pressures on our family were immense, but I am proud to say that we came through it all as a strong supportive unit.

Professionally I have tried to keep a lid on this situation, but after opening up to one of my students on the Thursday of Chelsea week after my motorbike had been stolen and trashed, I realised that others can help or make useful connections that would otherwise never be offered. As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved – so share with, talk to and acknowledge those around you when they offer their backing. Let’s not simply take it for granted. And thank you Barbara for everything.

Pictured: Gavin and Andrew awaiting the assessment of their Gold Medal winning garden at RHS Chelsea 2017

ABOUT ANDREW WILSON Andrew Wilson is a landscape and garden designer and a director of Wilson McWilliam Studio. He is also a director of the London College of Garden Design, an author, writer and lecturer.

www.wmstudio.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 11:04

CAUDWELL CHILDREN

INFORM

ADAM WHITE

Adam White explores his garden from RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, designed for autistic people, as it is reimagined at Keele University You’ll have hopefully read about our Zoflora and Caudwell Children’s Wild Garden in last month’s Pro Landscaper – you may have even seen the garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Following the show, the garden will be transported to the new Caudwell International Centre for Children, which is being built at Keele University in Staffordshire.

This state-of-the-art children’s centre will be the first of its kind in the UK, and promises to lead the way in multidisciplinary assessments, family support services, and research into a wide range of autism interventions. Purposebuilt with autistic people in mind, it will include assessment suites, a sensory garden to help children interact with nature, two internal courtyards, family training areas and a kitchen garden for cookery classes.

Gardens and gardening give enormous pleasure to many of us, and people with autism are no exception. Autism is a lifelong and complex neurological condition that affects

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THE REIMAGINED GARDEN WILL CONTINUE TO WIDEN THE PUBLIC’S UNDERSTANDING OF AUTISM the way a person communicates and relates to other people and the world around them.

As a spectrum condition, it affects people in different ways.

The design philosophy and features from the RHS show garden will all be included in the garden at the centre. These include the treetop nests, a hollow log, spinning and carved-out boulders, a ground level trampoline, Zoflora Scent pots, and the CED boulder footpath. All the show garden planting will be utilised, much of which is playful and edible. The garden will increase in size from 400m2 to 1,000m2, and will accommodate more play items, such as a large basket swing and additional quiet breakout areas.

The reimagined garden will widen the public’s understanding of autism, but will primarily function as a practical space. The more relaxing and calming areas, with less stimulation, will be accessed directly from the building and are for children at the hypersensitive end of the spectrum. On the other side of the garden, there is an area that will be more stimulating and playful. This space is specially designed for children at the hyposensitive end of the spectrum.

Design can go a long way, although it has to be borne in mind that there can be no rigid set

of ‘one size fits all’ design rules, as each person’s experience of autism can vary considerably. There are, however, some general guiding principles to be considered in every design choice made for such a garden. One such principle is to try to cater for those who need to be able to read a coherent, predictable layout in which, for example, the end of the path they are about to take is visible from the outset.

We gave consideration to social interaction, communication, special interests and sensory preferences in an environment that is, by nature, dynamic and subject to unpredictable elements such as weather, wildlife and seasonal change.

We have designed a truly unique garden that will complement the iconic building designed by James Law at C4 Consulting. We hope this project will become a case study for others, help tackle the issue of ‘nature deficit disorder’ and promote the therapeutic quality of landscape and horticulture.

Adam and business partner Andrèe on site at the build

ABOUT ADAM WHITE FLI Adam White FLI is a director of Davies White Ltd, a RHS Gold Medal and BBC People’s Choice Award winning Chartered Landscape Architects’ practice in Kingston upon Thames. He is a Fellow of the Landscape Institute and in July becomes President Elect of the Landscape Institute.

Twitter: @davies_white www.davieswhite.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 43

21/06/2017 10:57

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22/06/2017 11:03

INFORM

BACK

to the future Pro Landscaper visits Plymouth, where pre-war park plans have been dusted off for a 21st century update

W

hen it comes to its green spaces offer, Plymouth City Council is a local authority at the cutting edge, both in terms of the way it manages its parks, and how it involves local residents in their development. It also operates in awareness of the city’s rich history – the most famous example of which is probably the Pilgrim Fathers’ embarkation for Massachusetts in the early 17th century.

Situated on the south coast of Devon, Plymouth’s history dates back to the Bronze Age and the city’s original site at Mount Batten, www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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a large outcrop of rock on a nearby peninsula that operated as a trading outpost during the Roman Empire. This mercantile tradition continued into the 19th century, when the city consolidated its reputation as a commercial shipping port.

Plymouth currently has a population of approximately 260,000, making it the second largest city in the south-west of England, after Bristol. It spreads across just over 30 square miles, a large proportion of which consists of some of the most impressive parks and green spaces in the whole of the UK. These include

Devonport Park, Plymbridge Woods and the Elizabethan Gardens, all of which hold a special place in the hearts of their communities. The two main destinations, however, are Plymouth Hoe – where Sir Francis Drake famously played bowls while waiting to engage the Spanish Armada – and Central Park in the middle of town.

Sustainable development Kat Deeney is Natural Infrastructure Manager for Plymouth City Council and is responsible for many of the strategic decisions taken in relation to the city’s parks and green spaces. She is Pro Landscaper / July 2017 45

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INFORM

currently overseeing a major redevelopment of Central Park, the intention of which is to transform it into a signature attraction.

Speaking of the council’s parks offer more generally, Kat says: “We own a lot of land of all different kinds, including traditional Victorian parks, county wildlife sites and a variety of pocket parks. We also have nature reserves and valley park areas, which sit north of the A38.

“As you might imagine, the Victorian parks are the main destinations, with the Hoe being particularly iconic. The other major location is Central Park, which the King gave to the city in the Thirties, to improve the health and wellbeing of the residents of Plymouth. There was a great plan attached to it at the time, but it was never implemented due to the outbreak of the Second World War. That’s something we’re trying to remedy now with the current development.”

Plymouth City Council has put aside around £6m to revamp Central Park, with much of the original plan remaining intact. Areas of work include looking at walling around the site, as well as a complete overhaul of several plant areas.

“Central Park was originally a bit of farmland, and because it was never developed as originally

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THE COUNCIL IS ADHERING CLOSELY TO THE SPIRIT OF THE PLANS, GIVING THE CITY A NEW HISTORICAL LEGACY WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MAKING SURE IT PROVIDES FOR RESIDENTS’ IMMEDIATE NEEDS planned, we need to re-lay a lot of the old Devon banks and hedges that are still around,” she says. “In terms of plants, one of the main areas of work is around trees, with a whole field being given over to a new planting programme in collaboration with the Plymouth Tree Partnership.

“The other key feature we’re looking at is more sustainable water management – dealing with the park’s springs, drains and so on. We’re having a hydrological survey done to get a better understanding of where the water comes from and where it goes. We’ll then put in sustainable drainage systems, which will help the park and also mitigate any potential flooding in the surrounding streets. All of that will be in complete sympathy with the aesthetic of the park – no big concrete basins or anything like that.”

A new legacy While Plymouth City Council is using much of the original blueprint for Central Park as a guide, it won’t be sticking slavishly to the plans, as some of the features are neither required nor tenable in an age of limited public sector funding. Some of the things that are not being built include a large greenhouse structure and a zoo, which gives an idea of the sheer ambition of those who drew up the original document.

Having said that, the council is nonetheless adhering closely to the spirit of the original plans, aiming to give the city a new historical legacy while at the same time making sure it provides for the residents’ immediate needs. Inevitably, just as in the Thirties, these needs revolve primarily around health.

Speaking of the work that’s gone into developing both new and old attractions within the park, Kat says: “In terms of the historical aspect, we’ve brought in someone to do an audit of the site, working out what the original features were and what’s come in later. We want to make the most of the historical infrastructure, for instance by renovating pillars, gates and so on.

“We’re also planning to provide our own historical legacy – for instance with our Mayflower arboretum, which will coincide with the Mayflower 400 celebrations that are taking place in two years. Hopefully, in another century, people will see the arboretum as part of their own history.” www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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INFORM

She continues: “In relation to the more practical aspects of the park, we’re building four new tennis courts and a skate park, as well as looking at how we can best use the bowling pavilion. Another major aspect of the project is the way in which we’re reinvigorating our play offer by making it more interactive.

“We’re getting rid of the giant bouncy ducks, and putting in more natural, adventurous play to get kids running around. That in itself is part of the effort to combat childhood obesity, and is something we’ll be rolling out across the city.”

We ask Kat about the challenges of planting in a maritime environment.

“You have to be careful about what you plant, particularly in our coastal areas. That includes the Hoe, as well as places such as Devil’s Point.

When it comes to those locations, all you can do is let nature lead in terms of what’s going to survive, which generally means you have to use species that naturally grow in those areas. Our plant guys are very good at filling the appropriate beds with maritime species, as well as the natural features that would be in those places.”

Community spirit One of the things that distinguishes Plymouth City Council from some other local authorities is the effort that has been put into consulting local residents about what they want from their parks and green spaces. For instance, the aforementioned play area improvements have been a collaborative effort with the people of Plymouth from the beginning, with consultation taking place in part via an online platform. The changes to Central Park, meanwhile, have been informed by drop-in and ‘walkabout’ sessions, through which local residents can offer input while walking around the park itself.

While this is commendable and will leave the city’s plants in good stead for years to come, there is one area where the council have little or no leeway in terms of maintenance – the plants.

PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL IS A LOCAL AUTHORITY AT THE CUTTING EDGE, BOTH IN TERMS OF THE WAY IT MANAGES ITS PARKS, AND HOW IT INVOLVES LOCAL RESIDENTS

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“That’s the same with other sites across the city as well, where the environment is quite specific but in a different way. For instance, a limestone belt runs through the middle of Plymouth, so you have to plant according to the underlying geology. Field eryngo, for instance, is a plant which grows very well in some parts of the city but not in others.”

In terms of planting more generally, the current strategy is governed by ongoing cuts to

local authority budgets. As in so many places around the country, Plymouth City Council has taken account of this by broadening its palette to include schemes involving wilder species.

“We’re trying to bring in mixes that work well in terms of creating wildflower meadows, which only need maintaining a couple of times a year,” says Kat. “We’re also trying to move away from cutting grass to within an inch of its life, which is neither practical nor aesthetically desirable. That’s been really successful, but you have to get people on-side in the short term, because it’s not immediately apparent how beautiful something like the wildflower meadows are going to be.

“We’ve had problems in the past, but our more recent conversations and consultations have been much better – and so have the wildflower mixes. Hats off to the maintenance guys for getting the mixes right. They know these sites inside out.”

Plymouth City Council is doing a truly fantastic job of taking its plants and green spaces offer into the future, while keeping a firm hold on its past. Pro Landscaper can’t wait to return to Devon in the future and see how this most exciting of projects is coming along.

1 Central Park 2 Victoria Park 3 Central Park Pro Landscaper / July 2017 47

21/06/2017 11:51

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21/06/2017 14:27

ARALIA

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Sculptural planting and modern shapes give this small courtyard a fresh look

CIRCLE TIME WATER GEMS

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An Edinburgh garden is radically overhauled with stylish water features

PRIVATE SCREENING

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VIRIDIAN LANDSCAPE STUDIO Bringing peace and privacy to the grounds of a Berkshire hotel

NORTH STAR

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UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD A visit to the landscape architecture department in the run-up to its 50th anniversary

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21/06/2017 14:25

PORTFOLIO

SMALL WONDER ARALIA

PROJECT DETAILS Project value Circa ÂŁ30k Build time May 2013-April 2014 Size of project 75m2

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Portfolio 1 Aralia.indd 51

A petite courtyard garden near Manchester is given a chic transformation with sharp lines and an eye-catching planting scheme

T

he client approached Aralia to design their small courtyard garden, having seen their show gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and RHS Tatton Park in 2012. The space was tiny, approaching 80m2 including the front garden, and felt very much like a corridor due to a new L-shaped kitchen extension that protruded significantly into the garden.

The brief was to maximise the functionality of the space, while also ensuring a beautiful view when seen from within. To achieve this effect, Aralia focused on creating a mix of levels to capitalise on the existing space, as well as

adding a terrace that served as an ambient seating area and could be easily accessed from the kitchen.

Materials After discussing the brief with the client, Aralia researched ideas for a material palette, created a mood board and liaised closely with the customer, gaining a good understanding of the material aesthetic and clinical level of detail required in the finish. Aralia then contacted a number of their trusted suppliers and consultant contractors to discuss which materials would suit these requirements most appropriately. Once final Pro Landscaper / July 2017 51

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PORTFOLIO

selections had been made, samples of all materials were collated and sent to the client for approval.

Design and build In this small courtyard garden, spatial planning and simplicity was paramount, in order to maximise usability and make the space feel larger than it actually was. A high level of attention to detail and material quality were imperative to reflect the exceptional standard of the interior, and to successfully juxtapose contemporary materials with the Victorian terraced house. Soft landscaping pockets were used to break up the corridor-like side space, creating two separate, comfortably proportioned areas and providing seasonal interest.

A beautiful Ipe hardwood deck was designed and installed to provide a seating area that can

be accessed immediately from the kitchen. The existing brick wall was rendered and painted an off-white colour to create a feeling of lightness and airiness, and was complemented with pale grey sandstone paving, trimmed with grey sandstone sett detail. Slate grey planters were introduced to provide raised planting, creating a mix of levels to offer interest as well as an aesthetic transition from the lower level sandstone paving to the upper deck, Due to budget restraints, only a very low-key lighting scheme was introduced.

Aralia designed a mix of evergreen and herbaceous planting so that the garden had structure throughout the year, while also having colour and seasonality. As the garden is very compact, the plants were chosen specially for their size and impact, given the constraints of the site.

Challenges Initial proposals had to be adapted to suit a reduced client budget while maintaining a strong design. An existing brick wall had significant issues, being aesthetically unattractive and in poor repair; to overcome this, Aralia introduced steel posts and a hard wood slatted trellis, strengthening the wall and providing privacy.

ABOUT ARALIA Aralia is an award-winning practice that works to the highest standards, pushing boundaries and exploring new concepts in landscape design.

Aralia has a strong record in delivering residential gardens that are unique to each client and have a distinct character that relates to the architecture of the house and surrounding landscape. www.aralia.org.uk

FINALIST

POCKET GARDEN (100M2 OR LESS)

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PORTFOLIO

BEFORE/DURING

REFERENCES Design

Stone setts

Decking

Aralia

CED

Exterior Decking

www.aralia.org.uk Build/Contractor

www.ced.ltd.uk

www.jacques landscapes.co.uk

Decorative aggregates, fencing, hard wood slatted trellis, plants and rattan garden furniture

Stone paving

All sourced by Jacques Landscapes

Jacques Landscapes

London Stone

www.londonstone.co.uk

www.jacques landscapes.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Portfolio 1 Aralia.indd 53

www.exteriordecking.co.uk Planters Europlanters

www.europlanters.com

1 Front driveway, Buxus cubes and hydrangea hedging 2 Contemporary planter formed with a block work rendered wall and natural stone coping 3 Alliums and lillies providing colour and impact 4 Side courtyard – horizontal paving details break up the space and stop it looking like a corridor 5 View of paving detail during the build 6 Front driveway as was 7 Side courtyard as was

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 53

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PORTFOLIO

CIRCLE TIME WATER GEMS A clever circular water feature is the centrepiece of an ambitious domestic landscaping project in Merchiston, Edinburgh

T

he clients approached garden designer Carolyn Grohmann of Secret Gardens in 2014 and asked her to join a team of architects and interior designers in creating a home and garden for them in the Merchiston area of Edinburgh. Carolyn created an ambitious design and asked Water Gems to build it.

Brief The brief was to create ‘something amazing’ that maximised space and complemented the clients’ Georgian villa. The garden also had to function well.

The design involved the construction of a sunken garden, across which a scorched oak boardwalk creates a bridge leading to a stone and slate garden building. A circular rill water feature runs through the sunken garden, which is planted with clipped box balls and tulips.

Build The garden has many points of interest, including a mosaic at the front door, a copper tub water feature with water lilies, a cedar greenhouse and an attractive log store. Water Gems also installed four raised vegetable beds, black basalt paving and steps that are defined by a Clashach sandstone inlay, a circular Cedagravel driveway, bespoke trellis panels and a gate, as well as ducting for electrical and water supplies, and base preparation for the shed and greenhouse.

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Planting included 50 mature trees and shrubs, extensive herbaceous specimens, mature beech hedging, a lawn, and underground staking of 20 pleached Photinias and Parrotias, which provide structure and privacy.

The sunken garden was a risky design feature due to the difficulty in getting the heavy clay soil to drain sufficiently for successful planting. Topsoil was removed and set aside, subsoil was removed, drainage crates were installed and 450mm of topsoil was returned to the area to provide the finished levels. Drainage gravel was incorporated, as well as 100mm of reshredded mushroom compost.

Care was taken to ensure that turf could grow successfully right up to the coping stone of the retaining walls around the sunken garden. A subtle water feature was installed using a steel rill, pump and filtration system underneath the boardwalk. This allowed for easy access, and also deadened the sound of the pump.

1 Oak boardwalk across the sunken garden planted with clipped box and tulips 2 Burlington stone and slate roofed garden building viewed across the sunken garden with rill 3 Joel Baker’s intricate mosaic in clashach stone and black basalt 4 London Stone’s black basalt stone copes and Burlington walling stone 5 Copper tub water feature by Ratho Byres Forge 6 Front garden black basalt paths, beech hedging and tulip planting

PRINCIPAL AWARD WINNER Domestic Garden Construction (£100,000-£250,000)

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PROJECT DETAILS Project value Up to £200k Build time Two years Size of project 1,250m2

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The walls of the garden building – and the retaining walls of the sunken garden, patio, and step risers – were all built out of blockwork, and finished with dry stone-effect facing from Burlington Stone. Four raised rebar beds were created to provide areas for fruit, vegetables and wildflowers to be grown. The beds were built with reinforced steel bars, used as uprights around which longer lengths of rebar were woven to produce an effect similar to woven willow. These structures were exceptionally strong, and also had very low impact on the garden as only minimal foundations were required to anchor them into the ground. They were then lined with Terram and filled with a soil/manure mix ready for planting.

Underground work included the installation of drainage crates in the sunken garden to help with poor draining clay soil and accommodation of house drains, as well as an attenuation tank and its associated power supply, access hatch, and ventilation pipe. Water Gems installed ducting for lighting and water supplies, with a state-of-the-art electrical system inside the house requiring a complicated network of cables to allow for a variety of lighting circuits.

Challenges The project took almost two years to complete, from site clearance to finishing touches. Efforts were made to ensure neighbours were disrupted as little as possible. Considerate parking, off-street skips and daily road and pavement cleaning were strictly applied. Deliveries by articulated lorries were difficult as the street was narrow, and during the winter months the site became so wet and muddy that temporary hardcore access was created to allow the delivery of skips and materials.

The project involved working alongside the clients, their architect, quantity surveyor and the main contractor for the internal works. Water Gems built up an excellent relationship with all parties, which allowed for trust and good 56

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cooperation on issues such as access and shared tasks. Both internal and external sites were accessed via one very narrow driveway. Water Gems suggested creating a second, temporary entrance by taking down part of the front boundary wall and then rebuilding it at the end of the project. It was then possible to ensure that key areas of the garden did not become compacted by site traffic.

As mentioned, drainage was an issue from the start. Topsoil was reserved during the first phase and protected for the duration of the build, round-particled drainage sand was rotovated into the lawn area and dressed over the surface, and all borders were prepared with a thick layer of reshredded mushroom compost. Midway through the project, the siting and size of an attenuation tank changed, so Water Gems had to make changes to the design to accommodate access hatches and the power supply, ensuring the tank was sited beneath a path rather than a border.

Despite this, costs remained under control. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PORTFOLIO

The clients are absolutely over the moon with this garden – they love the finish, the attention to detail, and the quality of workmanship. They were particularly appreciative of the time and care taken by all of Water Gems’ staff involved and the successful coordination with other contractors.

ABOUT WATER GEMS Water Gems is a landscape and water feature specialist based in Edinburgh. Its services include garden and water feature design and high quality landscape construction, from small gardens and ponds to full design and build packages. Water Gems has extensive experience, a broad range of skills and an innovative approach. www.watergems.co.uk

1 Black basalt path with clashach inlay 2 View of garden building 3 Carolyn Grohmann’s design 4 The water rill under construction 5 Joel Baker installing the mosaic 6 The rear garden before construction began 7 Bespoke log store made from Scottish larch 8 Front garden pedestrian entrance with Ratho Byres Forge’s railings and gate

REFERENCES Build Water Gems

www.watergems.co.uk Design Carolyn Grohmann

www.secretgardensdesign.co.uk Circular steel rill water feature

Metal curved railings and gates, copper tub water feature

Cedar greenhouse

Cedagravel

Gabriel Ash

CED

Ratho Byres Forge

www.gabrielash.com

Mosaic

Plants, hedges and trees (including pleached Photinias and Parrotias)

Drainage crates

Joel Baker at Stoneman Mosaics

Binny Plants

www.plasticdrainage.co.uk

www.rathobyresforge.co.uk

www.stonemanmosaics.com

www.binnyplants.com

www.ced.ltd.uk BP Plastics

Built by Water Gems

Black basalt paving

Reshredded mushroom compost

London Stone

Ducting for electrical and water supplies

www.londonstone.co.uk

Garden Solutions

Scorched oak board walk

DM

Michaela Huber

www.michaela-huber.co.uk Trellis panels and gate The Garden Trellis Company

Dry stone effect facing Burlington Stone

www.burlingtonstone.co.uk

www.gardentrellis.co.uk

Clashach sandstone inlay

Bespoke timber log store

www.scottishcobbles.co.uk

Built by Water Gems, larch supplied by Scottish Wood

www.scottishwood.co.uk Raised rebar beds Built by Water Gems

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Portfolio 2 Water Gems.indd 57

Tennants of Elgin

Stone and slate garden building Framework by Edinburgh Building Company

www.edinburghbuildingcompany.co.uk

www.gardensolutions.info

www.pdmltd.co.uk

Turf

Garden lighting

Rigby Taylor

Installed by Nicholson Brothers Electricians

www.rigbytaylor.com Lawn edging (EverEdge Pro) EverEdge

www.everedge.co.uk Gravel, Type 1, builders sand, decorative aggregates, Terram lining The Builders Supply Company

www.thebuilderssupply.co.uk

www.nicholsonbros.com Garden furniture Cyan

www.cyan-teak-furniture.com Terracotta and ceramic pots Italian Terrace

www.italianterrace.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 57

21/06/2017 16:38

PORTFOLIO

PRIVATE SCREENING VIRIDIAN LANDSCAPE STUDIO A problem-solving approach brings a sense of seclusion to the grounds of Cliveden House in Berkshire

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liveden House is a privately owned five star hotel and spa that sits within a 375 acre National Trust estate. London and Regional Properties purchased the lease in 2012 and began a restoration programme for the property and its immediate surroundings.

Brief The project was commissioned in February 2016, with the brief consisting of two parts. The first part was to create a feeling of exclusivity in the Members Area and Astor Grill in the Clocktower Courtyard, using planter installations. The second part was to provide screening from the main Spa Garden for Garden Room guests, using planters and trelliswork, and to divide the Garden Terrace into four private areas with hardwood partitions, each serving an individual bedroom suite.

The Garden Terrace divisions were required to be slatted Iroko screens, with gates for maintenance and fire access, but posts couldn’t be secured into

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PORTFOLIO

WINNER Design Excellence Award, Overall Scheme over £50k

the ground as there was a void beneath that was being used as a plant room.

post fixings with 8mm thick and 500mm square steel base plates, from the centre of which rose the post supports. The base plates were fixed Design and build through the York slab at each corner, using There were significant restrictions as the hotel 12mm anchor bolts secured with resin Kemfast. has Grade 1 listing, and any installation or To provide stability, 400mm polystone cubic refurbishment work had to be approved by the planters were bolted onto the plates and filled National Trust. The stone setts in with pea shingle to a depth of the Clocktower Courtyard and 150mm; this was followed by the stone slab surface of the John Innes No.3 compost Garden Terrace were of particular before Buxus balls were concern. The courtyard was laid planted. Additional stability with uneven cobbles that fell to a was provided by 27mm gradient, and the National Trust diameter galvanised steel Project value had instructed that no part of the rods running along the length £60k surface could be disturbed. As of the screens, through the the Garden Terrace was raised posts, and into receiving Build time above the plant room, a creative brackets secured to the hotel 10 weeks including design solution was needed for wall. To ensure there was no commissioning installing the Iroko screens. The ‘back side’ to the screens, partitions were required to be as which are viewed from both Size of project 2 lightweight as possible due to sides, the slats were secured Two areas: 203m 2 the void beneath. centrally to the posts within a and 120m As no in-ground method slotted rail system. could be used to attach the A late development in the screens to the terrace and fixings had to be refurbishment programme for the Garden applied directly to the surface of the slabs, Viridian Terraces was the installation of an individual hot used several innovative techniques to secure tub in each of the four private areas. This them. This included the manufacture of bespoke delayed the date when work could begin

PROJECT DETAILS

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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1 The Clocktower Courtyard 2 Finished garden terraces 3 & 4 The Clocktower Courtyard 5 Garden Terraces Pro Landscaper / July 2017 59

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PORTFOLIO

on site, and meant that there were only four days for the installation of three screens, 11 planters and 22 wirework trellis sections – as well as planting and clean-up.

To address this challenge and reduce installation time, Viridian built the screen panels and gates off site. The Iroko screens were designed in sufficient detail that all the timber was ordered and supplied to exact sizes, and construction of the panels could progress speedily. An unfortunate interruption occurred when the timber merchants’ crosscut saw broke in the middle of the order being machined, resulting in a day’s delay in its delivery. However, this problem was solved by the construction team working over the weekend.

All planting had to be containerised as there was no opportunity to plant directly into the ground, and it also needed to be aesthetically pleasing while being manageable for the maintenance company. In addition, Viridian designed lockable castors for the Clocktower Courtyard planters, to enable flexibility.

Special requirements Sensitivity was required to ensure as little disturbance as possible to the hotel and guests during the installation process. This meant

ABOUT VIRIDIAN LANDSCAPE STUDIO Viridian is a landscape design studio run by Andrew Halksworth and Anne Jennings, whose combined knowledge and experience has developed over many years working in different areas of the landscape industry. Viridian works with architects, property developers, planning consultants and private homeowners, and its portfolio also includes private schools and a wide range of commercial organisations.

www.viridian.uk.com

ABOUT ANNE JENNINGS Anne Jennings MBALI MSGD MCIHortt trained in horticulture and garden design from 1989, following a 15 year banking career, and acted as horticultural advisor to the Garden useum in London for almost 20 years. She is the author of seven gardening books and writes for gardening magazines and newspapers, as well as appearing on television and radio gardening programmes.

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BEFORE

meeting hotel staff early in the design stages to agree visit times and working hours, as well as parking and access instructions.

Deliveries required prearranged meeting points, as the house stands within a large estate with a 5mph speed limit on the main driveways. Each supplier was instructed to pull in at the coach drop off point, and was then escorted to the relevant delivery area.

Other challenges included tight budgets and timescales, with the end date being fixed due to room bookings – all work had to be completed within ten weeks of commissioning.

Sourcing materials The trellis and planter manufacturers Viridian wanted to work with could not deliver within the timeline as their order books were full, so Viridian prepared detailed construction drawings for the trellis and worked with Tendercare Nurseries’ landscapers for off site construction.

The planters, meanwhile, were manufactured by Alan Hayward.

REFERENCES Design Viridian Landscape Studio Anne Jennings

www.viridian.uk.com

Installation, screen construction and plants Tendercare Nurseries

www.tendercare.co.uk Iroko timber posts and slats, machined and cut to length Whitmore’s Timber

www.whitmores.co.uk Bespoke timber planters with integrated lockable castors Alan Hayward Joinery Ltd

www.alan-hayward.co.uk

Polystone planters – Poly Cubic 40cm The Pot Company

www.thepotco.com Wirework trellis panels and bespoke metal gate Garden Requisites

www.garden-requisites.co.uk Terracotta planters Yorkshire Flower Pots (Naylors)

1 The Clocktower Courtyard before work started

www.yorkshireflowerpots.co.uk

2 Garden Terraces during installation

Decking, hot tubs, furniture and storm lanterns

3 Garden Terraces before work began

Not sourced by Viridian

4 Garden Terraces arriving on day one www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 15:18

INSPIRE

North star

Sheffield

The Department of Landscape at the University of Sheffield is renowned for its groundbreaking research and successful alumni, as well as its ongoing and influential work on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Pro Landscaper visited the university during the build-up to its 50th anniversary celebrations to find out what makes it the go-to place for landscape architecture, and about the research that is having a global impact

Image ©Grant Associates

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elebrating its 50th anniversary at the start of the next academic year, the University of Sheffield’s Department of Landscape has established itself as one of the leading places in the world to study landscape architecture. Situated on the 13th floor of the Arts Tower, the department has panoramic views of the landscape that makes Sheffield one of the greenest cities in Europe.

The view encompasses schemes that students and staff from the university are involved in, including the Grey to Green project, a water management plan that will transform the redundant road systems of the Riverside Business District into green public spaces.

Closer to home is the university’s own regeneration, where a ‘Campus Masterplan’ is in place to make the university a greener www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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environment. Working with Sheffield City Council, the plan aims to create safer and more pedestrianised key spaces – including the Arts Tower Court, where car parking will be replaced by a new, greener public open space. It also aims to better link the campus with the city centre, and connect the east and west areas of the campus by extending the ‘University Gold Route’.

Announced back in 2014, this plan will be implemented over a period of 10-15 years, with landscape architects Grant Associates delivering phase one of the ambitious public realm project.

S H E F F I E L D L A N D S C A P E ARCHITECTURE

Multidisciplinary approach Founded by Arnold Weddle in 1967, the department is now the largest school of landscape architecture in the UK. It plays host to 18 academics and university teachers, 199 Pro Landscaper / July 2017 61

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INSPIRE

undergraduates, 134 postgraduates and 34 PhD students. “We’re much larger than other departments, and we pull in lots of different people as tutors,” explains Head of Department Professor James Hitchmough. “If you’re studying at the university you could be taught by up to 60 different people, which means students are exposed to a much broader education.”

The department prides itself on this multidisciplinary approach, with members of staff coming from a range of backgrounds.

James says: “Everyone’s got their own niche – arts, science and so on – but what unites us is a focus on using design, management and planning to improve the environment.”

Employability Boasting 97% graduate employment1, the

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Professional skills are an integral part of courses

©Grant Associates

department equips its students with a range of skills to broaden their knowledge and prepare them for the workplace.

Overseeing this is Director of Learning and Teaching Mel Burton. “What’s unique about this department is that we teach the full breadth of landscape architecture, including landscape design, planning and management, and urban design,” says Mel. “When students graduate, they have a grounding in all of those areas.”

Undergraduates can choose from a range of Landscape Institute-accredited courses, with a number of postgraduate courses available as well – including a two-year accredited conversion course in landscape architecture.

The undergraduate programme also gives students the opportunity to undertake a placement year to gain practical experience.

The five-year Integrated Masters is split into three sections: a three-year undergraduate course, which gets the student their degree, a year out in which students can undergo a placement, and a final year in which they complete their Masters and gain an MLA. Field trips are also key to each course, covering everything from first-year students visiting sites in Sheffield, to week-long trips for third-year students. Most recently, third-year students visited Reykjavik in Iceland.

Postgraduates can also benefit from a number of other opportunities through the Postgraduate Advantage Scheme. “We’re quite

The Department of Landscape is based in Sheffield’s iconic Arts Tower

The campus masterplan will create more green open space

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 13:33

INSPIRE

Professor Nigel Dunnett

Undergraduates visiting Reykjavik

The ‘Sheffield School’ style makes an impact on Park Square Roundabout

Students help to build the ‘Garden for a Changing Climate’ at the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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fortunate in that we run a postgraduate advantage scheme within the Faculty of Social Sciences. This provides funding for small companies to take on a student. Quite a few students have benefitted from this – for example, a couple of years ago two students undertook a placement over the summer at The Eden Project. Students have also gone into local practices and worked with Sheffield City Council.

This scheme is very much driven by the postgraduate – if the student is keen, the staff are there to provide support.”

The Postgraduate Advantage Scheme also allows postgraduates undertaking 100-hour internships to apply for bursaries, to help them gain work experience, enhance their CVs and turn theory into practice.

The university is keen to help those who are looking to go into the profession, and provides support throughout the course as well as through this scheme. “We have a professional practice module in the Masters year, which provides more formal learning about what it means to be a professional and what the landscape profession is all about. It covers the Landscape Institute’s Pathway to Chartership and how you progress through, as well as ethics, contracts, contract management and legalities. It gives students knowledge and confidence when it comes to the professional aspect.”

“We have recently received funding for online resources to develop portfolios. We’re working with employers to find out what the UK and international market is looking for and how students can put their best face forward. The whole university is quite hot on employability, especially with vocational courses.”

The Department of Landscape also works closely with the university’s career service, which

has a specific landscape-focused careers officer available to provide support for CV writing and interview techniques. Careers fairs are held throughout the year, as well as an end-of-year exhibition that employers are invited to attend.

Having an impact The university’s outstanding reputation is undoubtedly another factor in its students’ employability. Consistently raising its reputation is the department’s Director of Impact Professor Nigel Dunnett, who alongside James Hitchmough was appointed principal planting and horticultural consultant for the Olympic Park.

That particular project is a prime example of how the research coming out of the Department of Landscape can actually be applied on the ground, and cements its reputation as one of the leading research-led departments in the UK. The Olympic Park led on to local projects in Sheffield, such as Grey to Green. Following large budget cuts to local authorities, Nigel was approached by the council to work with student projects to develop the scheme and bring some of the Olympic Park to Sheffield.

A derelict space close to the Grey to Green scheme is to become the pocket park Love Square, which was designed partly through student projects. Landmark, the university’s landscape architecture student society, will be maintaining it, and students can help with fundraising to support it. “It’s fantastic for us because we basically have our own park that we can look at, add to and maintain. It’s great for research as well – seeing how people use the space. I think all of this has raised the profile of landscape-led activity.”

REF 2014, Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education 2014-15

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INSPIRE

The department’s influence has led to the term ‘the Sheffield School of Planting Design’, describing an approach that mixes horticulture and ecology to deliver sustainable landscape planting. “It’s taking a very ecological approach, but thinking foremost about how people interact with the space and how it looks,” says Nigel.

“One of the areas we are focused on is developing solutions for creating the highest quality horticultural planting and landscaping, in a way that’s sustainable, low cost and simple to maintain. We recognise that a lot of skills have left the industry as budgets have gone down, so we are trying to address this.”

Encompassing this is the new Centre for Designed Ecology, which opened in the department earlier in March and creates a focal point for this ‘Sheffield’ approach to planting.

“The Centre for Designed Ecology is an expansion of the Green Roof Centre, which was set up as a national information and research hub for green roofs. The same is true of the Centre for Designed Ecology, going more widely into green infrastructure and science.”

Research As well as being implemented in the public realm, research by the department’s academics is also fed into the university’s courses. Since 2000, the department’s academic staff have published more than 200 research papers in scholarly journals, and in the most recent Research Excellence Framework, published in

The employment rate for Sheffield graduates is 97%

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Clockwise: Nigel Dunnett, Mel Burton, James Hitchmough and Anna Jorgensen

2014, the department was rated as the best for landscape architecture in the UK. Managing the department’s output is Director of Research Anna Jorgensen. “We practice what’s known as research-led teaching, which means we’re constantly updating our courses on the basis of what we’ve discovered. The kind of problems you set students, the way you ask them to look at something and the sites you choose – all of these things will be influenced by your own research.”

Producing research papers is a requirement for all academic members of staff: “We’re expected to do research that is socially relevant, and to be proactive in gaining funding for it.”

Anna explains that interdisciplinarity is becoming increasingly important in research at

the university: “There’s an understanding now that most of the problems we face cannot be solved by one discipline alone – we need to have interdisciplinary research teams to solve them.

Part of my role is to help create and encourage these interdisciplinary networks, which can form research ideas and become funded projects.”

There are currently three research clusters within the department, one of which is Designed Ecology, popularised by James and Nigel, as well as others in the department. The others are the Place, Inclusion and Equity (PIE) cluster, which Anna and Mel are both members of, and the Creative Spacial Practices cluster.

“PIE is about ensuring equal access to landscape as a resource. My area of specialisation is health and wellbeing – how we can plan, design and manage landscapes to benefit people. As I teach landscape planning, it’s likely that I’ll be delivering a course focused on this, getting students to think about how they can create healthy environments.”

Anna is working on a funded research project that looks at how the benefits of green spaces and the natural environment can be mobilised more effectively in the way cities and health and social care are organised.

The final research cluster, Creative Spacial Practices, uses landscape architecture “as an artform and cultural production, looking at what it means to people, how they understand it and the processes of design and communication. There’s quite a wide range in its scope – from the creative, design theory and conceptual aspects, to understanding landscape change, identity and characterisation, all of those planning toolkits.”

The future Next year, the Department of Landscape will be hosting a festival to celebrate its 50th anniversary, which will highlight the innovation, teaching and research for which it has become world-renowned. Ten famous landscape architectural thinkers and practitioners have been invited to the university to run TED-style talks, which will be livestreamed around the world. Continually looking to have an impact on global landscape architecture, the University of Sheffield is fast becoming a hub for the profession, and this event is likely to push it even further to the front. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 13:36

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21/06/2017 14:36

shipped.com

INSPIRE

Eye-catching and adaptable, the shipping container pool is a quick and easy way to incorporate a pool into a project, says Anji Connell The trend of converting shipping containers into buildings that are both architecturally interesting and habitable continues across the world. We have seen them repurposed as homes, cinemas, shops, restaurants and hotels, in schools and as student housing, proposed as skyscrapers – and now we have the perfect accessory, the container swimming pool.

Vancouver-based company Modpools, founded by Paul and Denise Rathnam, repurposes standard Chinese shipping containers by reinforcing the walls and adding a heavy-duty pool coping to the top edge, enabling them to hold 4,800 gallons of water.

A dramatic viewing window is then cut into one wall.

The Modpool works where traditional in-ground pools struggle, such as in places where the ground is too hard because of rock, or too soft because of high water levels. They can be placed above ground with decks constructed around them, partially in ground behind a retaining wall, or built in ground.

Each Modpool has a sanitation and heating system, eight jacuzzi jets, and colour-changing LED lights that are controllable by a smartphone app. The water can be heated up to 30°C in one hour, in -10°C weather. An interior sliding divider wall made of sturdy, heat-resistant plastic creates a water barrier so that you can use the hot tub on its own if you wish, reducing unnecessary energy consumption. Adding an optional ‘endless swim spa’ is an excellent way to 66

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MAKING WAVES keep in shape: pumped water creates a strong current to swim against, a great way to swim lengths when you have limited space. Production time is six to eight weeks, and the company works with local contractors on the installation.

THE TREND OF CONVERTING SHIPPING CONTAINERS INTO BUILDINGS THAT ARE BOTH ARCHITECTURALLY INTERESTING AND HABITABLE CONTINUES ACROSS THE WORLD Another benefit of container pools is the minimal site preparation. All you need is an area of hardstanding that is slightly bigger than the pool – Modpool suggests a 20cm layer of compacted gravel, rock or concrete slab for this – plus a natural gas or propane line to fuel the heater, an electric supply ground wire, and a water supply. Modpools are available in 2.4 x 6m or 2.4 x 12m sizes, and come in a standard black finish, although there is a custom paint colour option available. There are both snapclose and electronically operated covers, and the pools ship worldwide.

Container Pools NZ Ltd has four aboveground models. The Plunge is its entry-level model, a simple 6m swimming pool, while The

Modpool

Custom graffiti option from shippingcontainerpools.com.au

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 13:14

INSPIRE

Modpool

Tommy Hilfiger pop-up, by Brisbane’s Gateway Containers

Nagel shipping container swimming pool

Badeschiff pool in Berlin, Germany

Entertainer is a 5m pool with an entertainment area and a six person spa pool, with the option of being constructed as a two module unit.

They also sell a 12m Lap Pool, and a 6m Dual Spa commercial unit with two spa baths. There are three filtration systems to choose from: a standard chlorine filtration, standard salt filtration and an oxygenated filtration system.

The Canadian company Kurt Wittin Shipping Container Pools make their pools from CorTen steel and ship throughout Canada, the US and the UK. Extras include porthole windows, pool benches, electric pool covers, gas or electric heating, fibreglass or spray-on liners, an exterior colour of your choice, and LED lighting.

German company Nagel has commercial pools available for events, shows, exhibitions, concerts and festivals, with fun porthole windows in the sides. They’re completely self-contained, with full pool filtration system and

CONTAINER POOLS ARE AN ECO-FRIENDLY AND COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO GET FIT AND HEALTHY

Modpools Spa with divider in place

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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lockers. Gateway Containers in Brisbane also adapts containers as pools for events, such as the one it created for a Tommy Hilfiger pop-up event. Here in the UK, Aquatic Impact Ltd can do the same, with its container for Nivea in Covent Garden showcasing a similar seethrough pool.

NZ ools ter P in a t Con l by poo Lap

Colchesterbased Container Pools UK has a 20ft model with a choice of three liner finishes: Relax, Authentic, and Elegance. All of its pools come with built-in stairs, a child-friendly self-closing door, and a safety ledge with an anti-slip surface, while extras include a solar pool cover, a winter cover and a jet to swim against. Adaptair UK’s container pools are made in Australia by Robust Pools. They are available to buy from the company’s Ipswich office, and to hire from its Hertfordshire branch.

These come in 6m and 12m models, with a choice of chlorine, magnesium or salt water. They also sell a container sauna, for double the fun.

Container pools are an eco-friendly and cost effective way to get fit and healthy – and that’s not to mention the legendary pool parties you can have! A great addition to any project.

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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INSPIRE

Why I...

#lovehorticulture

I

f you’ve eaten any fruit or vegetables today, walked through a public park or garden, or even played a round of golf, you have benefitted from horticulture.

Few of us really give much thought to how intrinsic horticulture is to our everyday lives – how much it enriches our days and how crucial its role in our leisure activities is.

FEW OF US REALLY Walking through any landscape, GIVE MUCH THOUGHT whether it be rural, suburban or urban, we benefit from the skills provided by TO HOW INTRINSIC the horticultural industry. Landscape HORTICULTURE IS TO architects and designers plan and OUR EVERYDAY LIVES shape our open spaces, along with horticultural therapists who can use the power of plants to soothe and heal the body and mind. Landscape contractors build and maintain these areas to ensure their longevity and beauty, along with arboriculturists, groundsmen and greenkeepers. Biodiversity and environmental scientists investigate our natural world and futureproof our food resources, while also discovering vital knowledge that can lead to breakthroughs in medicine and alternative energy resources. We even rely on horticulture to ensure that the pitch is perfect for the Premier League.

This diverse and wonderful industry is life-fulfilling for me, and I’m passionate about demonstrating that to others.

I became a co-founder and co-director of the London College of Garden Design to do just this. I’m a National Council Member for the HTA, was chair of the APL for six years, helped set up the World Skills Academy, and have attempted to inspire landscapers at the start of their careers by giving them the chance to build at world class arenas such as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. I believe that there is something for everyone within horticulture – and we’re also the nicest bunch of people anyone could hope to work with, too.

At Landform Consultants, we have five apprentices and have grown our design team with a new designer, Rhiannon Williams; she’s just designed her first show garden at Hampton Court, sponsored by Landform alongside Squire’s Garden Centres and London Stone. Inspiring the next generation is vital to ensure that horticulture and its associated industries will flourish in the future.

MARK GREGORY

MANAGING DIRECTOR, LANDFORM CONSULTANTS

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

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 14:52

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22/06/2017 10:43

RHS HAMPTON COURT PALACE

Flower Show 2017

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INSPIRE

Right as rain Pro Landscaper spoke to debut designer Rhiannon Williams about her rain garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

I

with those two opposites – the wet and the dry – has been interesting, looking at how they can adapt to different conditions while maintaining the same colour scheme and planting style.”

The Urban Rain Garden follows the publication of ‘Gardening in a Changing Climate’, a report launched by the RHS in collaboration with the universities of Sheffield and Reading. This report

n this year’s new category, ‘Gardens for a Changing World’, designers are tackling sustainability in gardening. They will be looking at a variety of issues, including climate change, flood alleviation and reducing our impact on the environment.

THE CONCEPT BEHIND THE Debut designer Rhiannon Williams is GARDEN IS TO CAPTURE, focusing on the issue of increased rainfall, taking STORE AND USE EVERY DROP the commercial concept of rain gardens and OF RAIN THAT FALLS ON IT placing this in a residential setting.

“The concept is to capture, store and use looks at some of the issues that Rhiannon every drop of rain that falls on it, whether as a focuses on in her garden, including how water feature, irrigation or simply by slowing garden design and planting can be adapted down the time it takes for rainfall to reach the to climate change. sewer system. At the moment, rain gardens are Rhiannon – who has worked for the contractor mostly found in commercial settings; this garden and co-sponsor of the garden, Landform is designed to give people an idea of what they Consultants, since 2016 – took an interest in rain can do in their own back garden.” gardens while being taught by Professor Nigel The Urban Rain Garden, sponsored by Dunnett at the University of Sheffield, who played Landform Consultants, Squire’s Garden Centres an integral role in producing the RHS report. “It’s a and London Stone, will feature two house facades personal interest which I looked into while at that the public can walk between, giving visitors university, but Landform Consultants has also a 360° view of both front and back garden. worked quite a lot with Nigel at previous shows “Downpipes on the facade lead into the planting, and a discreet storage system in the front. There will be water running through the garden at the show, so people will be able to see exactly where it goes.”

The planting is able to adapt to different levels of rainfall, with planting near the downpipes carefully chosen to withstand wetter conditions, while the The John Lewis Rain Garden Sheffield Bioswale other end of the garden will feature drier in Victoria, London planting – it will still be in contact with rainfall, but will not receive the direct runoff from the down pipe. “Trying to deal

and on commercial projects – including the John Lewis rain garden in Victoria, London. Nigel has been mentoring me on how to actually get the garden from being a picture to being built.”

While this will be her first show garden, Rhiannon has had plenty of experience working at RHS shows, including designing the Hartley Botanic trade stand at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show last year. This year, she is keen to use local nurseries to supply the plants alongside Hortus Loci, to help them gain the recognition they deserve and to emphasise the accessibility of rain gardens.

Rhiannon’s garden, alongside the five other gardens in this category, are sure to have an impact on the future of sustainable gardening, and are a fantastic addition to an already captivating show.

Rhiannon’s inspiration

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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INSPIRE

Healing spaces Designer Frederic Whyte and contractor Charles Benton speak to Pro Landscaper about their show garden at RHS Hampton Court based around mental health

T

he Centre for Mental Health is a charity on a mission to change the lives of people with mental health issues, encouraging better services and fairer policies with their research.

It was approached to be the charity sponsor of the show garden, which aims to tell the tale of a journey from mental distress to acceptance and self-understanding. This acceptance is embodied in a colourful, therapeutic area where the individual can reflect on their troubles and come to terms with them. The garden doesn’t focus on one particular mental health issue; instead, the aim is for the garden to encompass all the mental health troubles that affect so many people globally.

Frederic Whyte How did you come to be involved in this garden?

I was planning to have a year off, as I’ve done an RHS show every year since 2012.

Charles then approached me with the idea, and I was inspired. I have had my own mental health issues, which came to a head a couple of years ago when I left London and established my own business. I had been in a very dysfunctional personal relationship, and as a result of that I was on the edge, which is the title of the garden.

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represent the selfacceptance that comes with therapy.

I THINK IT’S VERY INTERESTING THAT THERE IS A TREND NOW FOR THERAPEUTIC GARDENS So, the garden is personal to you?

It is very personal, but hopefully it’s also very universal. I would like to describe this garden as a narrative garden, because it tells a story in an accessible way. It tells a personal story, but that story should resonate with an awful lot of people.

How have you incorporated the theme into the design?

The garden is divided into two parts, and in those two parts, similar materials are used in different ways to describe the journey. There are many forms of mental illness and it’s not particularly linked to a specific one.

The first half of the garden is very narrow, with uncomfortable steep steps, a pool with a broken reflection, and grey-coloured flowers. This represents the mental health problems people have and the state of mind that you can find yourself in. When you progress through the garden it becomes wider and more colourful, to

How do you hope people react to the narrative?

The second half of the garden is a therapeutic zone where I hope people will be able to reflect on their own stories and troubles.

Gardens are spaces in which people can reconnect with their childhoods and with nature; they are spaces in which you can find peace and tranquillity. I think it’s very interesting that there is a trend now for therapeutic gardens.

What are you most looking forward to?

When I see the finished garden ready to be judged, that will be the best moment for me.

After that the show is for networking and the creative process has ended. I look forward to the completion, when I have those few moments alone with myself and the garden.

How does this compare to your shows in the past?

I think that this garden is particularly significant to me because it’s a very personal story. I have opened myself up and admitted to the world that in the last couple of years I have had some quite difficult times. I was planning to do two gardens last year, one at Chelsea and one at Hampton Court; I did the Chelsea one, but the Hampton Court one fell through and I was let down by an awful lot of people, which exacerbated my mental health condition as well. This garden is very much a healing project for me. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/06/2017 12:34

INSPIRE

Charles Benton What does this garden mean to you?

I’ve never done anything like this before, so it’s exciting, but also nerve-wracking and stressful. I’ve not suffered with mental health problems myself, but I know others who have, and it will be nice to see their stories and moods reflected in the garden.

Have you worked with Frederic before?

This will be our first show garden together, but we have worked closely on projects before, and with our maintenance clientele. We met up and had a discussion a year ago because he didn’t have anyone to undertake his maintenance work, so now we do that for him across London www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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and the south east. That’s how we came to work with him on this show garden.

What will be the main challenge?

The timing. We’ve got about two weeks to build it, and everything has got to be regimented.

Everything we have to achieve on each day is planned out and there is just no room to slip up, the timing is so tight. We have to make sure everything is ready for the contractors who come in on day three.

What are you most looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to completing it, meeting new clients and putting ourselves out there.

I want to show people what we can do; we’re quite happy to be thrown in the deep end because it gives us a challenge. If we can build our profile up, gain new clients and expand our business then it will have been a successful show.

WE’RE QUITE HAPPY TO BE THROWN IN THE DEEP END BECAUSE IT GIVES US A CHALLENGE How big will the team on the build be?

David Taylor Landscapes from Suffolk will be helping us with the build, and then we’ve got microcement and SureSet – however most of the work will be undertaken by Benton Landscapes.

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 79

21/06/2017 15:32

Show gardens INSPIRE

All the show gardens for the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, and exclusive Q&As with the designers

Blind Veterans UK ‘It’s all about community garden’ Designer Andrew Fisher Tomlin and Dan Bowyer Contractor Landform Consultants Sponsor Blind Veterans UK Plant Supplier Hillier Trees and others This garden reflects the sense of community within the charity, which helps veterans who have lost their sight to recover their independence.

It will include a number of features that are created by the blind veterans themselves.

What do you anticipate the biggest challenge of the build to be?

Coordinating all of the different craftsmen that we’re working with.

The interaction between the willow sculptures, the oak buildings and the ironwork will be challenging, but it’s something we’re excited about.

What are the stand-out features of the garden?

I’m particularly excited about the willow walk in the garden, for which we’ve commissioned Tom Hare.

We’ve seen the willow walkway in his workshop but it will come to life when positioned within the planting.

Are there any new or unique plants visitors should look out for?

We have a particularly impressive Liquidambar styraciflua.

A Viking Cruises Discovery Garden

Journey of Life Designer Edward Mairis Contractor Xardin Gardens Sponsor Xardin Gardens Plant Supplier Flower Pot Nursery “What is the meaning of life?” That is the key question that this garden aims to answer. By combining a number of vivid colours and exquisite features, visitors to these gardens will be refreshed and greeted with a sense of positivity.

What do you anticipate the biggest challenge of the build to be?

The technical challenge is to build the amazing salad towers, which is a bespoke hydroponic system showcasing farm-to-table systems for organic, healthy veg, fresh for restaurants and institutions.

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What are the stand-out features of the garden?

The most amazing part of the garden will be how the plants sing to your soul, the fence lifts your spirit and the water calms your mind. You will find it hard not to speak out about all the drama before you.

Are there any new or unique plants visitors should look out for?

There are interesting plants in all parts of the garden, including ‘Lollo Rossa’ lettuce in the hydroponic towers, Schefflera actinophylla in the atrium, and also cloud-clipped Ilex crenata, which comes from a specialist supplier.

Designer Paul Hervey-Brookes Contractor G K Wilson Landscapes Sponsor Viking Cruises Plant Supplier Glendale Horticulture A garden with a traditional design element, inspired by worldwide travels with Viking Cruises, encapsulates the exotic Mediterranean landscape. A number of features pay homage to the Mediterranean, creating a relaxing atmosphere.

What do you anticipate the biggest challenge of the build to be?

I expect the biggest challenge will be creating the arch, which is a big feature within the garden. I also anticipate that laying the paving, which includes sections printed with

a pattern over the paving stone, may prove a little tricky as well.

What are the stand-out features of the garden?

The sheer wealth of plants from around the world.

Are there any new or unique plants visitors should look out for?

There are not likely to be any new introductions, but there will be plants you don’t normally see at the show. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 15:35

INSPIRE

Zoflora Caudwell Children’s Wild Garden Design Adam White and Andrée Davies Contractor Gerald Davies Ltd Sponsor Zoflora Plant Supplier Tendercare and Palmstead This sensory garden was inspired by working with children with learning disabilities, in particular autism. Sensory stimulation will be present throughout this woodlandset garden, which aims to reconnect children with nature.

What do you anticipate the biggest challenge of the build to be?

How to move the sliced 8t boulders which will create the footpath through the garden. To avoid annoying our contractor, we’re going to create cardboard templates of each slab, and work

‘On the Edge’

out the configuration and arrangement first in their yard.

What are the stand-out features of the garden?

Lots of the features in the garden have come from ideas generated at the model making workshops with the children from Caudwell Children. Hidden within the woodland groundcover planting will be a ground level trampoline, as bouncing is one of the few motions a child in a wheelchair never gets to experience.

What do you anticipate the biggest challenge of the build to be?

Designer Frederic Whyte The biggest challenge is the Contractor Charles Benton Sponsor Centre for Mental Health, timing. We’re working with some Benton Landscapes highly skilled suppliers, such as Plant Supplier Glendale SureSet and Deco-Cemento, Horticulture, Deepdale Trees, which require time to install their Barcham Trees, Peter Beales products. Hopefully, the weather Entering on a narrow path will be on our side. surrounded by spiked, colourless plants, this garden has been What are the stand-out features created to raise awareness about of the garden? depression and therapy, and We’re using three kinds of provide a journey from darkness to York Stone from London Stone hope: the narrow path leads for our steps and pathways. towards a therapeutic space.

The difference in texture and colour represents the journey towards healing – it’s also a great showcase for London Stone’s products. We have semi-reflective pools, too.

Southend Council ‘By the Sea’ Designer James Callicott Contractor Southend Borough Council Sponsor Southend Borough Council Plant Supplier Provender Nursery, Grafton Nursery The iconic coastline of Southendon-Sea, as well as its pier and beach, have inspired the construction of this garden, which has been created by young offenders from Southend in order to help them pave the way to a brighter future.

What do you anticipate the biggest challenge of the build to be?

Making sure that we focus on the main reason why we’re building the

garden – to help this team of young people learn new skills and get jobs.

For the team, it’s an achievement just to get to Hampton Court, let alone win a medal.

What are the stand-out features of the garden?

The gravel path wanders among the plants, inspired by the waves of the sea, and leads to a decking area for entertaining and relaxing.

The decking will be made from recycled boards taken from the pier during restoration work 60 years ago, while a section of railway track in the front right corner of the garden is a nod towards the railway which runs along the pier and is still in operation today.

Colour Box Designer Charlie Bloom Contractor Burnham Landscapes Sponsor Stark & Greensmith, Burnham Landscapes, Rolawn, London Stone Plant Supplier Glendale Horticulture Bold, vivid and striking colour schemes reflect the message of this garden, which is to celebrate people helping each other within the horticultural community. Charlie Bloom has crafted a beautifully intricate garden, regardless of its lack of financial sponsorship.

What do you anticipate the biggest challenge of the build to be?

The biggest challenge will not be the actual build – it has been putting together a team of

landscapers, horticulturists and tradespeople who have offered their time and products for the good of the project, not financial gain.

What are the stand-out features of the garden?

The stand out features are all-black landscaping provided

by London Stone, and filigreed Corten steel panels provided by Stark & Greensmith.

Who will be supplying the plants?

The plants are being grown by Coblands.

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21/06/2017 15:35

Gardens for a changing world

INSPIRE

The gardens in this category are designed to demonstrate the relevance, functionality and beauty of gardens in our changing world

The Urban Rain Garden Brownfield – Metamorphosis Designer Martyn Wilson Contractor Keyscape Design & Construction Ltd Sponsor St Modwen Properties PLC Plant Supplier Hortus Loci

In his first garden at Hampton Court, Martyn draws inspiration from Landschaftspark in Germany and the High Line in New York, exploring regeneration and incorporating post-industrial heritage in the design.

The Perennial Sanctuary Garden

Designer Tom Massey Contractor Landform Sponsor Perennial Plant Supplier Hortus Loci Constructed in a spiral shape with a vivid, colourful palette of plants, the garden encapsulates the message of sponsor charity Perennial, which provides sanctuary for those in chaos within the horticultural community.

Holding Back the Flood

Designer Rhiannon Williams Contractor Landform Consultants Ltd Sponsor LandForm UK, Squire’s Garden Centres & London Stone Plant Supplier Hortus Loci and local nurseries

Rhiannon was inspired to create this garden by climate change and the consequent increase in rainfall; she wanted to raise awareness of the need for sustainable rainwater management.

Within this construction, a number of rainwater catchment and collection systems are present.

The Power to Make a Difference Designer Joe Francis Contractor Josh Jupp Landscapes By drawing on man’s destructive effect on nature, as well as the importance of nurturing our environment, Joe Francis has created a garden of intricacy. Vivid and plentiful foliage surrounds the centrepiece, strengthening the idea of rebirth and the impact of change.

London Glades

Designer Will Williams Contractor Streetscape Sponsor Streetscape Plant Supplier Various, including Barcham Trees and Palmstead

Designer Andreas Christodoulou and Jonathan Davies Contractor Flower & Stone Sponsor Future Gardens Plant Supplier Various, including Provender, Kelways, Incredible Vegetables and R W Walpole

The key message of this garden is that nature is just as strong as manmade elements when it comes to flood protection. Inspiration has been drawn from the devastating flooding in the north of England, where thousands of alder trees have been planted as a form of natural protection for the future.

Based on forest gardening techniques, a large number of the plants are edible, paired with a variety of seeded vegetables to create a low maintenance garden that nurtures our relationship with nature, while still being functional.

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 15:38

INSPIRE

Conceptual gardens Gardens that tackle themes from soil to the ivory trade

The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Designer Sadie May Stowell Contractor Sadie May Studios Ltd Sponsor Brand USA Plant Supplier Variety

Inspired by the beauty of Ellen Biddle Shipman’s Moonlight Garden, Sadie has created a garden with a colour scheme of blues, pinks and creams.

The Oregon Gardens Not for Sale Designer Mark Whyte Contractor Hythe Garden Landscapes Sponsor Tusk & Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens Plant Supplier Plantbase, Harts Nursery Entering the garden, visitors will be greeted by an arch of 160 elephant tusks, representing the number of elephants killed by poachers each day in Africa. This garden draws on the gruesome ivory trade that is still present today.

The Charleston Garden

Mimicking the Japanese-style gardens set in the mountainous region of Oregon, USA, this garden aims to capture and accentuate the beauty in nature.

Kinetica Designer John Warland Contractor/Sponsor Paneltech Systems Ltd Plant Supplier Shallowmead Nurseries, Phoenix Plants and Clifton Nurseries Uncertainty within an increasingly unstable world is the key focus of this garden. A tree seat is present at the centre, encased by curved benches. Kinetic planters are present at the end of each branch, which move according to the climate or human intervention.

Miracle/Elements of Life Designer Bill Wilder Contractor Wilder Garden Design Sponsor Scleroderma, Raynaud’s UK, Eskilstuna AMA Sweden, Capel Manor College Visitors to the garden are able to ‘go underground’ and explore soil and roots. The pear tree stands alone in a natural wild meadow, with the base engraved in stainless steel, displaying the soil elements. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

RHS HCPFS other gardens.indd 83

Capturing elegance and charm, these gardens are inspired by Charleston’s notorious hidden gardens.

World gardens These designs take their inspiration from locations around the world

The Pazo’s Secret Garden Designer Rose McMonigal Contractor Bowood Landscapes Ltd Sponsor Galicia Tourism Plant Supplier Hortus Loci and others Long, winding green vines paired with vivid pink water lilies exude the beauty and history surrounding The Galician Pazo, located in Northern Spain.

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 83

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NURTURE

NURTURE NEWS Mobilane green screens used to create Highways England’s first ‘green bridge’ Mobilane Green Screens have played an integral part in the installation of Highways England’s first ‘green bridge’, part of the new £192m A556 Knutsford to Bowdon dual carriageway. The bridge has been built to provide a safe crossing for wildlife; Highways England is

New technical brochure for Optigreen Optigreen, the specialist green roof systems supplier, has released an updated version of its comprehensive technical brochure.

The brochure combines basic and specialist roof greening knowledge, and gives safe and approved solutions in accordance with GRO and FLL green roofing guidelines.

Each green roof system is presented with relevant data, system build-ups, accessories and a brief description.

The brochure also includes new products, and system solutions for blue roofs, pitched roofs and roof planters.

Webcodes included in the new brochure mean you will always be able to access up-todate information on all optimised products and systems through the Optigreen website. The online version of the brochure has interactive features and links to further information and services. www.optigreen.co.uk

Green-tech supply urban tree planting materials for Glasgow Fort Retail Park Glasgow Fort Retail Park is one of Scotland’s largest and most popular out of town shopping destinations, with 100 outlets and parking for 2,500 vehicles. Award-winning commercial landscaper Grace Landscapes won the landscaping upgrade contract, which included www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Nurture News.indd 87

landscaping vast borders across the site, and planting 12m tall semi-mature birch trees and pines to echo the Scottish woodlands.

Green-tech supplied everything required for the successful installation of the trees, shrubs and overall planting scheme, which

committed to minimising the impact of roads on native species and the natural ecosystem.

“Green Screens are wire security fences upon which ivy has been cultivated,” explained Mobilane’s Paul Garlick. “In total 88 1.8m high screens were purchased and installed by Costain. These screens feature Hedera helix ‘Woerner’ and powder-coated steel posts. The use of our screens on

this green bridge is a first. We are very proud they have been used on this landmark construction.”

The new dual carriageway will make travelling between the M6, south Manchester, and Manchester Airport quicker and more predictable, and will bring significant benefits to strategic traffic by reducing journey times. www.mobilane.co.uk

Great Comp Garden’s Summer Show: Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th August The Summer Show, featuring art, music and plants, is Great Comp Garden’s biggest event of the year, highly regarded by plantsmen and women. Over 40 exhibitors will be attending the show, including RHS Chelsea and RHS Hampton Court Palace Gold Medal-winning nursery Heucheraholics, which will be bringing around 50-60 different varieties of Heuchera.

Julie Burton, who runs Heucheraholics, described the development of the Heuchera over the last decade as “incredible”, and promised to bring along some

included 60 tree anchoring systems plus irrigation systems.

Darren Hardman, regional contract manager (NE) at Grace Landscapes,

“fantastic specimens”, such as ‘Hocus Pocus’.

William Dyson, curator at Great Comp, will be displaying and selling his Salvia plants. “Salvia has shaped the gardener I am today, and it’s fair to say I have the most varied collection in Europe,” he said. www.greatcompgarden.co.uk

said: “We have worked with Green-tech for many years, and have no hesitation recommending them.”

Head of Green-tech sales, Richard Gill, said: “It was a pleasure to help Grace Landscapes on this project.”

The landscaping for this development has been well received, and Grace Landscapes recently commenced Phase 3 of the project. www.green-tech.co.uk Pro Landscaper / July 2017 87

21/06/2017 11:54

NURTURE

Astrantia ‘Hadspen Blood’

Designer PLANTS Amanda Patton creates a sumptuously textural planting scheme for a Taunton coach house garden

Winning the 2013 SGD Planting Design award, this beautiful coach house near Taunton occupies part of the original kitchen garden belonging to the adjacent manor house. As such, it benefits from the backdrop of a wonderful high wall made of mellow old bricks, with a thatched summer house built into it on the manor side.

The garden was redesigned with a focus on the width, to minimise the effect of its long, thin shape. With a restricted budget and a relatively small site, the plants had to work hard to fulfil a number of design criteria, not least to create the framework of the garden.

The structural planting consists of a double yew hedge with buttresses towards the house, creating a strong horizontal division across the 88

Pro Landscaper / July 2017

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garden. Squaring off the lawn in front of the yew walk led to the formation of a roughly triangularshaped bed, planted with predominantly herbaceous plants to give a long succession of textural and flower interest, along with winter seedheads. A large Prunus x yedoensis was planted to give instant height and maturity.

Herbaceous plants were selected to provide varied forms, leaf shapes and tones, and this took priority over specific flower choices. In spring, the colour scheme is muted with Allium hollandicum, Iris sibirica ‘Tropic Night’, Hesperis matronalis ‘Alba’, Tellima grandiflora and Geranium phaeum offering interest. Later in the

summer, stronger colour and tonal variations are created with Geranium ‘Patricia’, Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ and Rosa ‘Mrs Anthony Waterer’, with contrasting pale tones provided by Campanula lactiflora ‘Prichard’s Variety’ and Stachys byzantina; this combination makes for a vibrant planting scheme. Stipa tenuissima winds through the planting with clumps of Miscanthus, with grasses and flowers providing winter interest from seedheads and forms.

Because this border is visually dramatic, the remaining borders surrounding the lawn are deliberately calm. Against the wall, where it is shady, existing early spring plants were retained (including Helleborus, Pulmonaria and Anemone), but as the border was enlarged, Alchemilla mollis, Hosta and Hakonechloa macra were planted to provide an unobtrusive rhythm.

Against the backdrop of the yew, Viola ‘Belmont Blue’ was planted en masse with small grasses, followed by white Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ and Verbena bonariensis. The www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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NURTURE

Allium hollandicum

Plant list

original grass selected was Sesleria nitida, but this failed to thrive and was replaced with Festuca glauca.

Once mature, the yew walk will form a serene and still area that contrasts with the main garden and borders, while creating flow around the space. At one end the walk leads to an evening terrace, and at the other an urn, surrounded by the shady textural planting of Hakonechloa macra, Dryopteris filix-mas, Astrantia ‘Hadspen Blood’, Asarum europaeum and white foxgloves.

The herb garden (with central sunken pond) has key elements of planting that unite www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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an otherwise varied group of plants; specifically, three box cubes frame each of the four corners of the beds surrounding the pond, and Stipa gigantea is scattered throughout. The selection of herbs includes culinary use (thyme, sage and chives), scent (Lavandula × intermedia ‘Grosso’, Calamintha nepeta ‘Blue Cloud’ and Dianthus ‘Mrs Sinkins’), and winter interest from the seedheads of Monarda ‘Croftway Pink’ and Origanum laevigatum ‘Herrenhausen’.

ABOUT AMANDA PATTON Amanda Patton is a garden designer based in Storrington, West Sussex. Amanda founded her practice in 2000, and her work focuses on creating modern gardens using natural materials with a naturalistic planting style. She has won numerous awards including Silver-Gilt medals from RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court, and SGD awards including the Judges’ Award in 2013.

www.amandapatton.co.uk

• Alchemilla mollis • Allium hollandicum • Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ • Asarum europaeum • Astrantia ‘Hadspen Blood’ • Calamintha nepeta ‘Blue Cloud’ • Campanula lactiflora ‘Prichard’s Variety’ • Dianthus ‘Mrs Sinkins’ • Digitalis • Dryopteris filix-mas • Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ • Festuca glauca • Geranium ‘Patricia’ • Geranium phaeum • Hakonechloa macra • Helleborus • Hesperis matronalis ‘Alba’ • Hosta • Iris sibirica ‘Tropic Night’ • Lavandula × intermedia ‘Grosso’ • Miscanthus • Monarda ‘Croftway Pink’ • Origanum laevigatum ‘Herrenhausen’.

• Prunus x yedoensis • Pulmonaria • Rosa ‘Mrs Anthony Waterer’ • Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ • Sesleria nitida • Stachys byzantina • Stipa gigantea • Stipa tenuissima • Taxus baccata • Tellima grandiflora • Thymus • Verbena bonariensis • Viola ‘Belmont Blue’

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 89

21/06/2017 13:01

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22/06/2017 10:53

NURTURE

Installing a living wall is a great way for the space-conscious to add a leafy piece of art to their interior, says Ian Drummond

E

very plant on this earth is a living work of art, but it’s rare that we think about them in this way. Outside, plants are too ubiquitous, I suppose – it’s rare that we study their individual beauty for what it is, much less examine the effect it has on us. There’s no time and too many distractions, and often we’re rushing about – the context is wrong.

Inside, although it’s easier, it remains a challenge (albeit an enormously fulfilling one) to find ways to present plants that invite the curiosity, admiration and awe they deserve.

Larger plants are an exception – if carefully positioned, their scale means they can become living three-dimensional sculptures to be studied from all angles, and that’s exactly as it should be.

But how often do we think about plants as a two-dimensional art form? While living walls are not a new trend, this way of organising elements on a flat surface lends itself to our interpretation of painterly art, so already we are a few steps in the right direction.

There have been giant artistic strides in this field since living walls first appeared, and this is good news for us all. There are ‘living’ walls out there now that are made from preserved moss and ferns, along with other natural elements, requiring no maintenance at all. They are every bit as beautiful as the real thing, but more than that, the combination of moss and ferns creates contrasting texture and visual interest that rivals

‘At Home with Plants’ Silver Medal – RHS Chelsea 2017

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OFF THE WALL

Ian Drummond

that created by fine artists with their brushstrokes and oil-paint-laden palette knives.

Living walls that contain living plants are more difficult to install and maintain – but the end result is far more diverse. They create a superb, often breathtaking design feature, particularly in urban

HOW OFTEN DO WE THINK ABOUT PLANTS AS A TWODIMENSIONAL ART FORM? spaces where floor space can be at a premium.

Living walls convey the impression of an abundance of greenery while taking up little space – a huge advantage over floorstanding plants.

Because of the scale of planting involved in living walls, the health benefits are similarly upscaled. A large living wall in an interior office creates an immediate connection with nature, which can transform the morale and wellbeing of a building’s inhabitants. The sound insulation that they offer is not to be overlooked – all those leaves, earth and pockets of air dampen noise. In open plan offices and spaces, this quality can be used to its greatest advantage in creating quieter areas, where the calm

and greenery combines to generate a sense of peace.

Perhaps it is that sense of peace that forms the meeting point between horticulture and art.

While plants, just like art, can evoke an array of emotions, what lingers for me is the sense of harmony and oneness. Looking at a living wall and being in its proximity is time richly spent.

ABOUT IAN DRUMMOND Ian Drummond is the creative director of Indoor Garden Design, Europe’s leading interior landscape design company. Based in Highgate, north London, IGD has been bringing nature into offices for over 40 years.

www.indoorgardendesign.com

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NURTURE

Jamie Butterworth welcomes the reemergence of pine as a landscaping trend, and selects his four favourites

L

ove it or hate it, the Marmite of the horticultural world is making a big return. Pine is back, with these prehistoric trees taking pride of place in many of the 2017 RHS Chelsea – one of the trends to come out of this year’s show.

One of the best parts of my job is getting to travel across Europe to source and tag some of the most amazing trees you could ever hope to see. This winter, we spent most of our time looking through cold, wet fields in Germany, hunting out the individual, unique pines that would be put on centre stage at Chelsea, led

by Mark Straver.

PINE TIME

Jamie Butterworth

Pinus mugo ‘Mops’

Pinus montezumae ‘Sheffield Park’ My personal favourite pine from my time studying at RHS Wisley, this beautiful tree boasts huge, 10in glaucous needles. A truly beautiful specimen grows at the entrance to Battleston Hill at Wisley.

Pinus montezumae ‘Sheffield Park’

Studying at RHS Wisley also introduced me to many beautiful specimen pines; a walk through the incredible pinetum every morning on the way to work never failed to impress and inspire. The morning dew catching the pines was a sight to see, as was the evening sun setting them alight with colour.

the garden were 45-year-old stunners, hand-selected from fields in Hamburg.

Characterful, ancient and breathtakingly beautiful, they lean in as though they want to tell you their story.

Pinus banksiana Arguably the star of the entire show at Chelsea this year, featuring in Charlotte Harris’ beautiful Canadian wetland creation for RBC. The exceptionally slow-growing trees showcased in

Pinus mugo ‘Mops’ Not all pines have to be monstrous, and you don’t necessarily need several acres in order to grow and admire them – there are a number of specimens that would suit even the smallest of gardens. Pinus mugo ‘Mops’ featured heavily in Matt Keightley’s BBC Radio 2 Touch garden at Chelsea this year, proving an excellent alternative to Buxus and Taxus topiary. The pines added tactile structure, mounded throughout the planting.

Pinus halepensis A curveball, and one that most British gardeners won’t have grown before. Pinus halepensis covers the hillsides of Spain, but will tolerate a moderate British winter; it starred in Hugo Bugg’s 2016 Chelsea garden. Light green and airy, it smells gorgeous, and will instantly transport you to the Mediterranean.

THE MARMITE OF THE HORTICULTURAL WORLD IS MAKING A BIG RETURN I am delighted that these majestic trees are making a return to the frontline of British horticulture. The following is a small selection of my personal favourites – there are so many fantastic varieties to choose from, including options for every garden.

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Graduating from RHS Garden Wisley with a distinction in summer 2015, avid plantsman Jamie now works as show plant manager at Hortus Loci, growing the plants for major ower shows such as RHS Chelsea, Hampton Court and Tatton. Jamie is a YoungHort ambassador and RHS ambassador, promoting horticulture to young people across the UK. Pinus banksiana

Email: Jamie.butterworth@hortusloci.co.uk www.hortusloci.co.uk

Images ©Lynn Keddie

ABOUT JAMIE BUTTERWORTH

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 11:10

NURTURE

Noel Kingsbury discusses a radical new approach to sown seed mixes, as seen at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

J

ames Hitchmough’s recent book, Sowing Beauty, is potentially a game changer for the landscape industry. The reality, however, is that the ideas he puts forward are so radical and so far beyond current practice that they may never be taken up.

For those who are unfamiliar with his work, Hitchmough is Professor of Horticultural Ecology at the University of Sheffield, and was one of the key people who worked on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The dramatic perennial planting used on the project – some of which was developed with his University of Sheffield colleague Professor Nigel Dunnett – was mostly sown, rather than planted, and created a lot of public interest.

The possibility of sowing functional, decorative and biodiversity-friendly vegetation sounds like a dream come true. Most people in the industry would immediately recognise that sowing rather than planting could equal huge cost savings and design possibilities. However, the challenges involved are immense – Hitchmough and his postgraduate researchers have been tackling this issue for over twenty years. Unlike annual mixes, perennial seed mixes may take a long time to establish, so there is more time for things to go wrong.

The use of native seed mixes in landscape projects as part of environmental amelioration

SOWING BEAUTY

Noel Kingsbury

is now a well-established practice. The landscape contractor, however, tends to have little ownership of this aspect. Any seed mix takes years to develop a relatively stable flora, and this means it is beyond the contractual involvement of the landscape professional.

ANY SOWN PLANT COMBINATION IS INHERENTLY DYNAMIC AND TO SOME EXTENT UNPREDICTABLE; EXPERT INPUT INTO ITS MANAGEMENT IS REQUIRED IF THEY ARE TO REALISE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL Sowing more expensive ornamental mixes involves higher financial stakes, and there is a danger that they will not be specified, as clients may not wish to take the risk.

The landscape industry sees plants as predictable and static elements, and is used to only being responsible for them for a short period after installation. Any sown plant combination is inherently dynamic and to some extent unpredictable; expert input into its management is required if they are to realise their full potential.

Such expertise is not to be found in the landscape industry, and is also rare in

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Noel Kingsbury.indd 93

horticulture. To be a commercial success, the perennial flowering meadow needs a new job description to go with it.

A start has been made by Green Estate, a Sheffield-based community interest company that is commercialising some of the university team’s research; it produces a range of perennial seed mixes. Sadly, there is no funding for ongoing research into how its mixes are faring, so although Green Estate knows that the mixes work when the company sows them, we cannot be sure what happens when others do.

It is early days for what could be a whole new product category. My worry is that where angels fear to tread, cowboys gallop in. Occasionally I come across seed mixes aimed at the amateur or smaller-scale professional market, claiming to be either wildflower meadow, ‘bee-friendly’, or ‘perennial’. These horrify me, as they are typically composed of fast-growing annuals or biennials that offer instant gratification but no longevity.

They may not even germinate that well – the seed industry has long been home to a certain level of sharp practice. It would be a tragedy if an exciting new development was stymied by poor quality products and a lack of people with the expertise to oversee new projects.

Pictured: An experimental prairie at Sheffield Botanical Gardens, mid-September, showing the potential of sown perennial mixtures — all are great pollinator plants. Note how plant density is much greater than with conventional perennial planting

ABOUT NOEL KINGSBURY Noel Kingsbury has been involved in the horticulture industry since the mid Eighties as a nurseryman, garden designer and writer, with features appearing in The Garden, The Daily Telegraph and Gardens Illustrated. Since the mid Nineties he has played a major role in introducing the British gardening public and the horticulture profession to naturalistic planting with a series of books, four of which he has written with Dutch designer Piet Oudolf.

www.noelkingsbury.com

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 93

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NURTURE

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SKY GARDEN The Macallan Distillery 12,000m² Bespoke Sky Garden Wildflower Blanket Living Roof System The Macallan Distillery wanted an eye-catching roof that matched its brand qualities of craftsmanship and luxury. Sky Garden was selected by the landscape architects to assist with the design in 2014, and saw the project all the way through to its fulfilment. It is the largest known wildflower roof in Europe by some margin, and, given the challenging roof design, it required a great deal of innovation to successfully complete the project using Sky Garden’s Wildflower Blanket Living Roof System.

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The architects for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool incorporated green space into their building design, providing access to nature for children in poor health. Wildflower Turf Ltd grew and supplied 5,000m² of a bespoke Wildflower Roof Turf to cover the roof, working with accredited installer ABG Geo Synthetics. A key challenge was to successfully incorporate wildflowers onto both the flat and steeply curved areas of the building’s design. Developed to require minimal irrigation and maintenance, Wildflower Turf Roof Turf has delivered a guaranteed wildflower environment which has continued to thrive.

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GREEN-TECH Four Pancras Square, King’s Cross 136m3 Green-Tree Intensive Roof Garden Substrate Four Pancras Square is a grade A office building, north of King’s Cross railway station.

Green-tech supplied Willerby Landscapes Ltd with Green-Tree Intensive Roof Garden Substrate for the rooftop planting scheme. Its lightweight texture and good waterretaining capacity ensures healthy plant establishment in harsh rooftop environments.

Green-Tech also supplied gt Roofdrain, a lightweight, high-performance drainage layer that allows for the collection and storage of water. This aids moisture retention within the soils, and therefore assists with plant irrigation. WWW.GREEN-TECH.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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SEAN BUTLER

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Straightening out confusion around party walls and driveways

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THE GRASSLANDS ADVANTAGE

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The future is looking distinctly chilly for Grasslands Turf. However, Frank Webster, head of sales and business development, is confident that their new offering of cooled turf will receive a warm reception from trade customers in the south of England.

Landscapers, he says, are painfully aware of the problems caused by sod heating, where the build-up of heat in the centre of the pallet can lead to yellowing or even black turf that smells more like silage than freshly mown grass. In extreme cases, most of the turf on a pallet can be lost in as little as three to four hours.

The solution to this industry-wide problem was relatively simple. “All we had to do was totally reorganise our harvesting operation, reconfigure our yard, employ extra staff, and commit to massive capital expenditure on stateof-the-art vacuum cooling facilities!” says Frank Webster.

Grasslands see the move to chilled turf as a game changer that will benefit trade customers in particular. “Most people operating in the landscape sector are already aware of the excellent qualities of our Rysport turf; this development will only enhance our reputation and competitiveness” Many landscapers are working to very tight schedules on building sites. If something goes wrong on the day – as it often does – the extended shelf life of our cooled turf will come into its own. Any surplus will also be able to be carried over to the next project.

Another major benefit will be the ability to have turf delivered to site a day early, safe in the knowledge that there will be no deterioration in quality. Gone will be the days of heated mid-morning phone calls to turf suppliers, demanding to know where the turf is and who will pay for the downtime.

Landscapers will also be able to take two or three days’ worth of deliveries at a time to a site without any loss of quality – and with significant savings on haulage. All this adds up to a great deal for our new and existing trade customers. Cost savings, a great product and less stress – that’s what we call The Grasslands Advantage.

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EDUCATE

KNOWING THE LAW Major excavations to driveways and gardens require a good understanding of planning law.

Where planning permission is required, timescales will be affected, and so this needs to be discussed from the outset to avoid costly delays. In part three of this series on knowing the law, we will look at how planning law affects your business.

Planning permission for driveways

Design and Build by Cube 1994 / Photography by Gap Photos

In October 2008, the permitted development rights allowing householders to pave their front garden with hardstanding without planning permission changed. To reduce the impact of this type of development on flooding and the pollution of watercourses, you will not need planning permission if a new or replacement driveway of any size uses permeable (or porous) surfacing, such as gravel, permeable concrete block paving or porous asphalt, or if the rainwater is directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally.

If the surface to be covered is more than 5m2, planning permission will be needed for

laying traditional, impermeable driveways that do not provide for the water to run to a permeable area.

Applying for planning permission will require you to fill in an application form, draw to-scale plans, and pay a £150 fee. Planning applications for this type of development will normally be decided within eight weeks of submission.

Photography/Design and Build by Cube 1994

In the third part of his series on laws affecting landscapers, Sean Butler talks planning permission for driveways and party walls

PART THREE

The Party Wall Act in brief The Party Wall Act 1996 provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes in relation to party walls, boundary walls and excavations near neighbouring buildings. A building owner proposing to start work covered by the Act must give adjoining owners notice of their intentions as outlined in the Act. What is a party wall?

The main types of party walls are: • A wall that is on the lands of two or more owners and forms part of a building – this can be part of one building only, or separate buildings belonging to different owners • A wall that is on the lands of two or more owners and does not form part of a building, such as a garden wall • A wall that is on one owner’s land, used by two or more owners to separate their buildings • The Act also uses the expression ‘party structure’. This could be a wall or floor

partition, or another structure that separates buildings or parts of buildings that are under different ownership, such as in flats.

What the Act covers • New building on, or at the boundary of, two properties • Work to an existing party wall or party structure • Excavation near and below the foundation level of neighbouring buildings.

This may include: • Building a new wall on, or at the boundary of, two properties • Cutting into a party wall • Making a party wall taller, shorter, or deeper • Removing chimney breasts from a party wall • Knocking down and rebuilding a party wall • Digging below the foundation level of a neighbour’s property.

While the property owner is responsible for any planning applications required, it is our responsibility as professional designers and landscapers to know the law. Creating landscapes that won’t break the law or cause disputes is essential.

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

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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22/06/2017 11:45

EDUCATE

BUILDING A BRAND Ben Shaw, national account director at Adtrak, explains why branding is so important for your landscaping business, and how best to go about it Branding is the marketing practice of differentiating your company from its competitors and making your business easily identifiable to both existing and prospective clients. This is usually achieved through the likes of a logo, font, colour scheme and slogan.

However, branding goes much further than this. It encompasses every aspect of the customer experience – from your website and marketing literature to your office design, staff uniforms and company vehicles. Your branding is representative of your company’s identity and values and, as such, tells a cohesive story about who you are and the work you do.

Promoting recognition Branding is a highly effective way of ensuring your business stands out and is recognised by customers. In addition, consistent branding will help the public feel familiar with your business.

This feeling of familiarity is conducive to brand engagement and the generation of sales.

CONSISTENT BRANDING WILL HELP THE PUBLIC FEEL FAMILIAR WITH YOUR BUSINESS Building trust, credibility and loyalty Consistent and professional branding is a great way to build your company’s credibility.

People are more likely to purchase goods or services from a business that looks polished and legitimate. Branding that has been well-planned, well-created and well-delivered will ensure people trust you, which will increase the number of returning customers and improve loyalty.

Creating an emotional connection Purchasing is an emotional decision. In the landscaping sector, both domestic and commercial customers are ultimately hoping for an end result that looks great, but also makes them feel good. A strong brand will connect with people on an emotional level, helping them to engage with your business.

adverts and stationery. It’s therefore important that your branding is consistent, and can be used appropriately for a variety of purposes.

Your primary consideration when creating branding should be how it will look and fit across different applications. A logo that looks great across your company van might not look so good squeezed into a Facebook profile picture.

Similarly, the colour scheme that makes your business card stand out might also make your website difficult to read or navigate. A great solution to this is to create a set of brand guidelines detailing what should be used in which situation. Within this, you could have variations of your logo, colour scheme and font that are each suitable for different applications.

Another important consideration is tone. It’s really important that this is in keeping with your company’s visual brand, and is reflective of your company’s values and personality. The tone should then be consistent across all mediums, including your website, social media and any articles or blog posts. This helps to solidify your branding and creates something that people will remember and engage with.

ABOUT ADTRAK

Consider your brand across all applications Your brand can (and should) be published through a huge range of media, including your company website, social media platforms, business cards, brochures, www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Adtrak.indd 101

Adtrak is a web design and internet marketing company based in Nottingham. t offers all BAL members a free website health check and consultation, aiming to help you improve your online presence and build your business.

Tel: 0800 030 9062 www.adtrak.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 101

21/06/2017 11:02

EDUCATE

3 PART

HELPING YOU MAKE A

PROFIT The costs of digging

Sam Hassall analyses the costs of excavation, breaking down labour, machine efficiency and more to give you the tools you need to make a profit

Digging is what we as landscapers do almost every time we work, and consequently is a huge source of expenditure. To understand everything after this expenditure, and the knock-on impact, we need to really understand what digging costs us. We dig by hand and by machine and, as professionals, we have a smart name for it — excavation!

THE THEORY Size of machine 1. There is no point in Generally speaking, the larger the working if you are machine, the lower the cost per m³ going to lose money. excavated. Obviously, there are 2. You have to numerous factors affecting choice understand your costs. of machine, including: • Access • Operator ability • Efficiency • The operator rate here is based on a cost of £24 per hour.

(Please refer to our previous cost investigation in the April 2017 issue to see the source of this rate.)

Let’s take a look…

The table below shows the basic costs of the different machines that are commonly used in our sector.

These prices include: • Hire rate, based on a weekly hire • Operator, at £24 per hour cost • Non-productive time of eight hours, per 40 hours weekly hire (20%) • Fuel costs, using manufacturer-issued information for consumption.

The following table assumes the following: • Machines are hired on a weekly rate • Operator cost is included at £24 per hour • Delivery and collection charges are not included in these costs • Weekly hired machines, hired for 40 hours per week, actually work 32 hours per week. This allows for downtime, refuelling time, repairs and so on. Efficiency is only 80%.

These figures do not include: • Delivery to site and collection charges • Profit • Soil bulkage • Banksmen, which are a legal requirement.

Factor the costs in the table by these factors: Least cost

Most cost

Loading

Bulk groundworks

Excavation for removal

Excavation to reduce levels

Trenches for services

Trenches for foundations

Hand excavation

1

1.1

1.5

1.2

1.3

1.35

Variable

Machine costs and outputs Use this table to calculate the dig type. The easier the dig, the more cycles per minute and hence the lower cost per m³. We assume that a shallow dig of 300mm is slightly slower than a deeper 600m dig. Create your own table, like this, to examine your own costs:

102 Pro Landscaper / July 2017

Sam Hassall.indd 102

300mm deep

Excavation cost by machine, inclusive of labour Dig vol

600mm-1.2m deep

Digs/min

Vol/hr m³

Digs/min

Vol/hr m³

Hand excavation

24.00

0.02

3

1.4

17.78

2

0.9

£26.67

1t excavator

33.85

0.04

2.4

5.8

5.88

1.5

3.6

£9.40

3t excavator

41.83

0.13

2.4

18.7

2.23

1.5

11.7

£3.57

5t excavator

46.28

0.28

2.4

40.3

1.15

1.5

25.2

£1.84

8t excavator

29.55

0.28

2.4

43.2

1.24

1.5

27

£1.09

21t excavator

47.50

1.21

2.75

199.6

0.24

2

145.2

£0.33

Method of excavation

Cost/hr (£)

• Add on the soil type bulking factor • Add on your profit percentage as well.

Bulkage rates — increase the volume and your pricing as follows:

Price/m³

Sandy

Loam

Heavy loam

Clay

1.2

1.25

1.3 -1.35

1.5

Price/m³

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 15:26

EDUCATE TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING AFTER THIS EXPENDITURE, AND THE KNOCK-ON IMPACT, WE NEED TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT DIGGING COSTS US

Moving excavated material Once you have excavated your material, you usually have to move it. The costs shown below are for loading at dig time to the dumper or wheel barrow, travelling 25m or 100m, and then returning. Removal off site is not included.

25m travel

Moving method

Cost/hr (£)

m3/load

Load time

Travel minutes

Trips/hr

100m travel

m3/hr

Cost/m3 (£)

Travel minutes

Trips/hr

m3/hr

Cost/m3 (£)

3t dumper

30.00

1.8

2.0

1.0

12.0

21.6

£1.39

2.75

8.0

14.4

£2.08

5t dumper

31.00

3.0

3.0

1.0

8.6

25.7

£1.21

2.75

7.1

21.2

£1.46

6t dumper

33.50

3.6

4.0

1.0

6.7

24.0

£1.40

2.75

6.3

22.7

£1.47

Wheelbarrow/hand loaded

24.00

0.1

0.1

3.0

8.6

1.0

£23.33

6

4.3

0.51

£46.67

From the above, you can see the capacities of machines and their cost implications. Use the biggest machine you can to reduce your costs.

If you apply the information from the table above to the type of dig you’re doing, you then get your cost rate per cubic metre for the work you are performing.

From the table above, all you have to do now is apply the costs to the volumes.

Example • A 3t machine on a light, easy dig costs you £3.57/m³ • Add the cost of loading it by dumper, £1.39/m³ = £4.96/m3 • Allow for normal soil bulkage at 25%, £6.20/m3 • Allow for the fact that you’re digging a trench for a foundation (the slowest work – 35%) = £8.37/m3 • Add your profit.

Conclusion • Using these tables gives you the theoretical cost of the machines, and represents the true cost in an ideal situation • Very rarely are landscape sites absolutely ideal, so readers should apply productivity factors to the tables above • Readers should use these tables, and then adjust the base figures using factors of productivity and bulkage for the soil types being excavated.

We hope to deliver you relevance and accuracy.

Please let us know if you feel these figures are an accurate representation by writing to sam@landpro.co.uk.

ABOUT SAM HASSALL Sam Hassall is the UK’s only dedicated specialist landscape cost consultant. As managing director of LandPRO Ltd, his range of services include providing cost and implementation information to landscape design professionals and contractors. Sam’s expertise are gained from his formal training, and many years of experience in the landscape industry. Sam also compiles the Spon’s External works and Landscape price book, and developed the market leading LiberRATE Estimating system.

www.landpro.co.uk; Tel: 01252 795030

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Sam Hassall.indd 103

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 103

21/06/2017 15:27

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22/06/2017 12:09

EDUCATE

To truly turn your clients’ lighting dreams into a reality, you need to plan thoroughly and go the extra mile, says Robert Webber I have just returned from a great day teaching at the SGD with Gill Goodson. It’s always good to be able to pass on what I know, and share common experiences with people who I hope will carry the torch for fantastic lighting.

Questions invariably occur, with the biggest always being procedure – where to begin, where to involve us, and when to start talking to the client – and it got me thinking that it’s about time I brought some clarification to the process: • Always listen to what the client wants.

Don’t be swayed by styles, finishes and types.

The most common mistake is just delivering what we want – that’s when you’ll surely be met with: “I didn’t ask for that!”. A detailed brief from the client is always paramount – it is your ‘10 commandments’ for customer satisfaction.

• Next is budget. Always talk about money early on. It’ll save you hours of pain trying to convince clients of ongoing costs later. Garden lighting isn’t cheap – a properly installed system runs at around £300 per light fitted, and on average costs around 20% of the build budget. Be honest, know your value and sell it.

People buy people before they buy products.

• Draw good plans. Hand drawn, rendered, 3D, profile, schematic, it doesn’t matter as long as all the information is included. You’ll realise whether you took a good brief when you sit down to do the plans. Positions, circuits, switching, dimming, power, planting, and timing are always the questions we will come back with. None of them are dealbreakers in isolation, but when two or three are neglected it’s impossible to cost without a thousand emails and hours of talking – especially if the commission is going to tender.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Robert Webber.indd 105

BRIGHT IDEAS • A realistic schedule for both client and installer is very important. Normally for us, it’s getting in on day one and making any existing services safe for the landscaper, or fitting temporary supplies for lighting and charging batteries – and, obviously, the kettle!

ALWAYS TALK ABOUT MONEY EARLY ON. IT’LL SAVE YOU HOURS OF PAIN TRYING TO CONVINCE CLIENTS OF ONGOING COSTS LATER Then plan around subbases, pouring of concrete, planting, erection of sheds and garden rooms, soil preparation, irrigation and turfing. Lay the whole process out once in a spreadsheet that is easy to adapt for each commission. Above all, if you issue a schedule, make sure everybody has input.

• Conduits. They show your client that you are invested in the project, and also help with damage limitation. If a light needs moving or you have to add a feature, the conduit makes adding or repositioning lights easy. When I meet clients who have small budgets, I never talk them into lighting – I’d far rather talk them into conduits, so I know that when the time

and money is right, they will come back to us for a lighting installation.

• Aftercare. The main flaw in most lighting commissions is a lack of aftercare. It’s crucial that you go back, set up, and talk the client through any specifics they may need to know; often, it’s the only time you will meet them again after the initial consultation. Make sure your installer sets the lighting up at night, and put it on the drawing in red so they understand expectations. Normally the fittings are installed during planting, so it’s easy for them to get knocked and covered in mulch. This is your opportunity to sell yourself again and show that you care. Guarantee that you’ll come back free of charge in the autumn to clean the lights and set them up again to suit the garden as it sheds its colours, preparing it for winter. We do this for most clients, without being asked – we set aside dates in October and November when we email a number of key customers from that year to set up, clean, and care again.

We can be at different stages of this process across 30 commissions every week, so if you’re ever in doubt as to what makes it run smoothly, then do ask. After all, we are the fourth emergency service – first aid for darkness.

ABOUT ROBERT WEBBER Robert Webber is the founder of Scenic Lighting, a specialist exterior lighting company based in Berkshire.

He designs and installs garden lighting throughout the UK and internationally. Robert can be contacted on rob@ sceniclighting.com or via his mobile on 07766 051 000.

www.sceniclighting.com

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 105

21/06/2017 10:51

EDUCATE

THE

VERSATILITY OF PORCELAIN

In the final part of its series on porcelain, London Stone explains why it is such a versatile option for landscapers – whatever the project

D

esigners and landscapers have become increasingly confident specifying and installing porcelain; it’s versatility is such that is has become a staple part of the landscaping diet. In the past, porcelain has been considered a contemporary paving material, perfect for the modern pocket garden, but as designers and landscapers become more comfortable with the material we’re starting to see it used more and more in a diverse range of garden styles.

Whatever the style of the garden, porcelain has something to offer. As the porcelain manufacturing process improves, so does the range of finishes and colours available.

Traditionally, porcelain was available for external use in just a handful of modern base colours, perfect for a contemporary pocket garden. As the demand from the landscaping industry grows, we’re seeing porcelain manufacturers respond with the continuous introduction of new products – there is so much choice. Wood106 Pro Landscaper / July 2017

London Stone porcelain.indd 106

effect textures, supplied in linear formats, are proving to be extremely popular. We’re now seeing surface finishes that are so realistic they offer a credible alternative to natural stone, as well as the ever-increasing range of textures that imitate the flamed, sandblasted and raked finishes of natural stone. Not to mention the colour range – porcelain is available in the darkest black and the brightest beige, plus every other colour in between.

WHATEVER THE STYLE OF THE GARDEN, PORCELAIN HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER Design and style is all subjective, though, so let’s look at the data. There are many technical reasons explaining why porcelain is proving to be so popular in the UK. Its virtually zero porosity mean it won’t be a haven for algae, and so will retain its colour for longer. Porcelain is fully rectified so, unlike natural stone, there is no dimensional tolerance. This speeds up installation and allows the installer to use tile spacers – handy for creating those clean lines.

Finally, there is the matter of consistency, which porcelain offers in terms of both texture and colour. For clients who don’t like the natural variation found in stone, it offers the perfect solution. While we are on the subject of technical characteristics, lets dispel a myth. We often hear suppliers pushing porcelain as a zero maintenance product – at best it can be described as low maintenance, and will still require periodic cleaning to keep it looking tip-top. Luckily, because of its very low porosity, porcelain is relatively easy to clean, and in most cases a jet wash will be perfectly adequate.

Then there is the bespoke side of hard landscaping, with custom materials now a staple part of the landscape industries diet. Applying bespoke processes to porcelain is difficult, but as our experience of this material grows, so does our confidence to push the boundaries and apply increasingly complex masonry techniques. After lots of in-house development work we’ve recently launched a range of 40mm porcelain bullnose steps, very much a first for the UK landscaping industry and a true indication that when it comes to bespoke porcelain, anything is possible with the right skills and machinery. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 13:22

EDUCATE

1 Harrington Porter, Urban Grey Porcelain 2 Ann-Marie Powell, Golden Stone Porcelain 3 Jo Thompson, Sandy White Porcelain 4 External Concepts, Beola Bianca Porcelain 5 Langdale Landscapes, Silver Grey Porcelain

There really is no downside to porcelain. The range of colours and finishes, the superior technical characteristics and the option to go bespoke is giving designers and landscapers the confidence to use porcelain in a diverse range of garden styles – from ultra-urban right through to the traditional country garden. Pictured are some of our favourite porcelain projects.

CONTACT London Stone 08442 251 915 info@londonstone.co.uk www.londonstone.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

London Stone porcelain.indd 107

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 107

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22/06/2017 11:50

EDUCATE

WHAT I’M READING Philippa O’Brien, Philippa O’Brien Garden Design

PHILIPPA

ANCIENT LANGUAGE

Title The Hidden Life of Trees Author Peter Wohlleben Publisher Greystone Books This unimpressive-looking little book, illustrated with just a few pen and ink drawings, has made me think about trees in a completely different way; never again will I whip out the pruning saw in my old thoughtless fashion and lop off a limb. For anyone even faintly interested in ecology – and this includes everyone in horticulture – this should be essential reading.

The joy of The Hidden Life of Trees is that it is so unexpected. I launched into it expecting lots of biochemistry and other sciences, but instead found a back door into the forest – one that sheds light onto all sorts of previously unexplained aspects of trees.

SUPPORT SYSTEM I have always thought that the Ents were the best part of JRR Tolkien’s Middle-earth, so to discover that wild trees in ancient forests communicate with each other, while those grown in captivity do not, was breathtaking.

The first chapter talks about the friendships between trees, and how they look after each other and share nutrients in forests. The author discovered this phenomenon when he found some old stumps with no visible means of support – they had been kept alive by surrounding trees. According to the book, only ancient forest trees behave in this way. Trees that are grown in containers are apparently entirely selfish and only look after themselves. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

What I'm reading.indd 109

My favourite chapter has to be ‘The Language of Trees’, which begins by discussing the scents that are released by trees to warn others to produce pest-deterring toxins. I am not sure which is more surprising – the fact that trees can, when warned, produce their own pest repellent, or the fact that a tree can tell when it is being attacked and only produces the pest repellent at that point. Trees can also release chemicals that attract beneficial predators, to help them fend off the attacks of pests.

O’BRIEN

Trees don’t always work on their own.

Research at The University of British Columbia has shown that trees enlist the help of fungi, which apparently act like fibre optic cables, carrying messages from one tree to another.

I LAUNCHED INTO IT EXPECTING LOTS OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND OTHER SCIENCES, BUT INSTEAD FOUND A BACK DOOR INTO THE FOREST Best of all, trees actually communicate using sound, sending low frequency sound waves through their roots that affect the growth of other trees.

I don’t think this book has influenced any project that I am working on – I still want to rip out the overgrown and badly pruned Eucalyptus that is presently gracing a garden I am working on in Sheen. However, it has widened my knowledge of trees and changed my approach, and for that reason I think it is a very valuable volume.

ABOUT THE BOOK The Hidden Life of Trees talks about the woodland as a social network, and delves into author Peter Wohlleben’s observations on trees. Wohlleben is a German forester whose writings are based on his twenty years spent working for the German forestry commission.

He now runs an environmentally friendly woodland where he puts his ideas on ecology into practice.

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 109

21/06/2017 11:33

PEOPLE

WHAT’S YOUR ROLE? SAMANTHA ADLER Samantha Adler, interior technician at Enterprise Plants, spoke to Pro Landscaper about providing horticultural services and incorporating planting into working spaces and offices in the capital Can you tell us about your role – what does a normal day look like for you?

As an interior technician I maintain interior plants and orchid displays. I have a structured schedule, so every day is slightly different – it depends on the clients and their rotas for that day. All plants have to be watered, cleaned, looked over and changed if necessary, and the containers must be cleaned. At the end of each job we always try to speak to the clients in order to maintain client satisfaction. That’s not always possible when we start work at five o’clock in the morning – a lot of clients aren’t about at that time! But our aim is always to keep the clients up to date so they know everything that’s occurring and we can deal with any questions or problems they may have.

Where do your new clients come from?

We have a sales team that actively sources new clients, although I can seek new opportunities myself. If we go into buildings and there’s a vacant floor, we tend to leave the company’s cards there for people to see, or if we see a new building being constructed we’ll let sales know.

working as part of a team, I also appreciate the opportunity here for individuality. It gives me a sense of satisfaction to improve other people’s working environments with plants.

What do you find most challenging?

Parking and driving in London! Luckily we start work quite early so it’s not a problem until seven or eight o’clock in the morning – but after that it’s horrendous, and it is getting worse.

Do you approach things differently depending on the size of the organisation you’re working for?

We always make sure that we maintain the same standards of service across all clients. The equipment we use changes – when it’s a bigger job we might take in a water bowser rather than a watering can, for example – but all clients are treated the same.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy the day to day variety, and not having to sit in an office all day. Although I do enjoy

110 Pro Landscaper / July 2017

Whats your role.indd 110

What are your future aspirations?

At the moment, I’m really happy in the job that I’m doing. In the future, I just hope to keep myself informed and up to date with any new techniques and developments within the industry. Just as we’ve gone from soil to hydro in recent years, I’d like to learn about all the new things that are happening so that I can continue to provide high quality customer service. I’d also like to continue raising environmental awareness, which is obviously important for us at Enterprise Plants as well. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 11:28

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22/06/2017 11:26

EDUCATE

PPE: THE EXPERT VIEW Pro Landscaper speaks to three experts from different areas of the landscaping industry about how their companies approach PPE

COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPER – WILLERBY LANDSCAPES

STUART WRIGHT HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGER, WILLERBY LANDSCAPES

Willerby Landscapes provides PPE to its

sites we may be working on (as there still isn’t a

employees to help reduce the risk of injury or

consistent approach across the industry). Additional PPE,

harm. However, Willerby understands that PPE is not the

such as hearing protection, RPE etc., will be supplied

first line of defence, and we will always try to implement

when identified as part of the risk assessment and

other control measures that reduce the reliance on PPE.

COSHH assessment process.

We provide whatever PPE is required for the tasks our

We have an identical approach for maintenance,

employees are carrying out, but as a minimum we expect

although hard hats aren’t mandatory. PPE is replaced

them to wear a hard hat, hi-vis, gloves and safety boots.

when required, either through use, loss, damage, or as

The PPE supplied, issued at no charge to our employees,

recommended by the manufacturer/supplier.

will also depend on the particular requirements of the

www.willerby-landscapes.co.uk

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE – GLENDALE At Glendale, all climbing arborists are supplied with four main pieces of PPE, designed to provide all round protection: chainsaw trousers, chainsaw boots, a helmet with ear protection and either a

PHIL HYATT

CONTRACT MANAGER, GLENDALE

visor, goggles or safety glasses for eye protection.

Arborists working on the ground are supplied with the

injuries to the eyes. In addition, arborists occasionally need to use chemical suits and masks, which we provide when required.

Glendale carries out weekly PPE inspections to ensure all equipment is in safe working order, but lifespan will depend on the material and conditions it’s used in, so

same equipment, as well as chainsaw protective gloves.

it’s important to follow manufacturer’s guidance in relation

All PPE equipment is essential to protect staff from saw

to how often it should be replaced.

cuts, falling debris, noise-related damage to the ears and

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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND SALES MANAGER, THE LAND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP LTD

the operations that will be carried out, and appropriate to the risk. We have a ‘new for old’ system in place for

need to provide the staff with the correct and relevant

all general PPE items such as ear defenders, and a

PPE should be at the forefront of the employer’s mind.

signing in/out procedure for special equipment such

It is worth noting that as PPE is solely for the

as chainsaw trousers. Employees are responsible for

protection of the individual, we treat it as a last resort,

the storage and care of their PPE, and we carry out

once all attempts to eliminate risks at source have

spot checks periodically to ensure PPE is present and

been exhausted and any collective protection

in good condition.

measures are in place. PPE issued must be specific to

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114 Pro Landscaper / July 2017

PPE LK.indd 114

The issue of PPE is a vital part of any employee’s induction into our company. The

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22/06/2017 12:02

PEOPLE

TRADING WITH HI-TECH TURF

Hi-Tech Turf sales manager Paula Rodham gives Pro Landscaper the details on the company’s latest products and what it can offer landscapers

We also supply a treatment product for lawn areas to reduce the odour created by animal waste. Our accessories range makes up about 10% of our sales.

Can you tell us a little about Hi-Tech Turf?

Hi-Tech Turf has been expanding since it came onto the market 10 years ago. There are two sides to the business: installation Paula Rodham and trade. With six full time teams stationed around the country for installation services, we don’t require subcontracting for our products, which means that customers have the convenience of everything being controlled in one place. The trade side of the business sells our range of products directly to the trade across the UK. Do you sell any artificial grass accessories?

We sell a large range of accessories, including glue, tape, membranes, underlays and 18-25mm shockpads for a variety of projects.

Are you releasing any new products in the coming months?

We release the majority of our new offerings at the beginning of the calendar year. This year we’ve launched two new products for the trade, Storm and Trade 2.

Do you offer a trade discount?

We offer both a trade price and volume trade prices for larger orders.

Trading With Hi-Tech Turf.indd 116

Company name Hi-Tech Turf Address Unit 14 Drome Road Zone 1 Deeside Industrial Estate Flintshire CH5 2NY Tel 01244 289 182 Twitter @HiTechTurf Web www.hitechturf.co.uk

about the quality service and products we supply. Advertising in leading trade publications such as Pro Landscaper also greatly aids our brand awareness.

How do you ensure the quality of your products?

We frequently meet all of our manufacturers to ensure the quality of our products and monitor consistency across all of the products we send out.

Have your products been used in any prestigious projects?

We provided our services to cover the entire rooftop of Tottenham Hotspur’s new offices, which are adjacent to its new football ground.

What are your lead times?

We keep all of our products in stock so that next day delivery is available. For larger orders, we have our own delivery vehicle that covers the whole of the UK, ensuring that our products arrive in excellent condition and on time within two to three days. For our installation service, our lead times are up to six to eight weeks during busier times of the year.

How do you market the business?

A large quantity of our orders come from recommendations made by our previous clients. Our reputation often precedes us – because the Hi-Tech Turf brand has been running for such a long time, customers know

116 Pro Landscaper / July 2017

CONTACT

What is done to make your products more like their natural alternatives?

We’re constantly moving with the times, incorporating the latest technology into our products so that they come as close to the natural alternative as possible. Currently we are producing the most natural-style products we’ve ever had, including 11 types of turf across the range; each has individually tailored properties for different applications. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21/06/2017 11:21

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JOBS

TRAINEE ROLES GROUNDS MAINTENANCE APPRENTICESHIP

APPRENTICE LANDSCAPE GARDENER

Candidates must demonstrate a genuine interest in the industry and have a passion for outdoor life.You will be expected to complete a Level 2 Work Based Diploma in Horticulture through DART.You will be working within a team to deliver grounds maintenance and small landscape projects. The work involves mowing and strimming, marking out sports pitches, weeding, pruning, hedge trimming, installing landscapes around buildings, roads and open spaces, planting shrubs, trees, turfing, lawn and associated works.

We are looking for an energetic, passionate person who wants a career in an exciting industry, with a supportive, passionate company that has a track record of supporting and promoting our apprentices and staff.You will get continual training and support, collegebased and accredited training in addition to in-house training, and support throughout your employment, not just through your apprenticeship.You will have friendly and enthusiastic teammates, and learn from knowledgeable professionals who are happy to impart their skills and techniques.

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

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

TRAINEE LANDSCAPER

LANDSCAPE LABOURER

Reporting to the landscaping foreman, you will be assisting a team of soft and hard landscapers in carrying out their duties by undertaking specific tasks as directed, under supervision. Soft landscaping duties will include site preparation and maintenance. Hard landscaping duties will include preparation and handling of materials, and assisting in hard and water feature construction. The role requires that the job holder must be physically fit and strong and prepared to work outside in all weathers.

This position would suit a recent graduate looking to join the garden landscaping industry.

The role is to assist the landscaping foreman in all aspects of hard and soft landscaping. This position will run on a trial basis, with ongoing work offered to the right candidate. We are looking for landscapers who can demonstrate skills and experience, either through collegebased learning or ‘on the job’ experience, in the following: paving, bricklaying, blockwork, rendering, decking, fencing, turfing, planting bed preparation and operating plant machinery.

Applicants must have a high level of fitness and a full driving licence.

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

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

ARBORICULTURAL APPRENTICES

HORTICULTURAL GROUNDS MAINTENANCE APPRENTICE

KILLINGLEY Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire

CORPORATE ORANGE Location: Wallingford, Oxfordshire

BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS Location: Nationwide

We are recruiting apprentices for our offices across the UK. Our 12-18 month apprenticeships are designed to challenge students to learn and prosper in the arboriculture field, while being mentored by the best minds in the industry. Key duties involve tree climbing and dismantling, felling and stump grinding, vegetation removal, and groundsman duties – chipping wood and servicing equipment such as chainsaws.You must have transport to get to and from the office, and previous experience of working within the arboriculture industry would be beneficial.

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

BUSHY BUSINESS LTD Location: Cranleigh, Surrey

SIMON SCOTT LANDSCAPING Location: South East

ID VERDE Location: Sutton

Candidates will undergo a structured programme working alongside experienced team members. Responsibilities will include grass cutting, strimming, sweeping, litter picking and cleansing, emptying bins, maintenance of shrubs and flower beds, edging and clearing, hedge cutting, pruning, watering, planting and spraying. Reporting to the contract manager, candidates will be working as part of a team ensuring a high quality of work while complying with health and safety procedures at all times.

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

APPRENTICESHIP IN WORK-BASED HORTICULTURE

HARD AND SOFT LANDSCAPE APPRENTICESHIP

Our apprenticeship is work-based, with one day a week spent at our purpose-built training centre to complete portfolio work. For the remainder of the week, trainees will be working on-site with our operational teams to gain practical experience and knowledge. During a day on-site, assessment observations are carried out by our own fully qualified assessors, so we can condense the timescale of the training course. The course is fully funded and all apprentices are paid a weekly wage .

Day to day, the candidate would be involved in assisting the team in building and maintaining gardens in and around Cheltenham. Training is provided through work-based learning and structured formal teaching sessions. The weekly wage will be dependent upon age and strength of application. The working week will be five days of 8.5 hours. After successful completion of training, a full time position is available.You must have a genuine interest in making a career in gardens and the ability to work hard in all weathers.

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

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

GRACE LANDSCAPES Location: Mirfield, West Yorkshire

118 Pro Landscaper / July 2017

Jobs.indd 118

EMOTIVE LANDSCAPES LTD Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/06/2017 10:58

JOBS APPRENTICE LANDSCAPE GARDENER

HORTICULTURE APPRENTICESHIP

35 hours per week, reporting to team leader and trainer. Streetscape is a social enterprise dedicated to providing apprenticeships in landscape gardening.You will be working with small teams in building and maintaining gardens within private, commercial and/or other sites as allocated, working on soft and hard landscaping projects.You will also undertake a diploma in Work Based Horticulture at Level 2, undertake training and personal development sessions in formal classroom sessions, and attend classroom sessions, appraisal meetings, external visits and a work placement.

We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join Glendale’s apprentice programme. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a keen interest in horticulture to join one of the UK’s leading green service providers. Horticulture apprentices will obtain skills to operate ride-on mowers, hedge trimming, clearing leaves, shrub bed maintenance, rose pruning, sweeping, and clearing gardens and litter as required. We are currently seeking hort apprentices for Civic Trees (Watford), Surrey Heath, Surrey Schools, Waltham Abbey, Lee alley, Enfield, Epsom, Gatwick, Lewisham, Waverley and Watford ousing.

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

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

STREETSCAPE Location: London

GLENDALE Location: South East

For full details on all jobs, please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk Call 01903 777 580 or email laura.harris@eljays44.com with your vacancy

GARDEN DESIGNER

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT (FULL TIME)

We are looking for a keen young individual who wants a career in the garden design and landscape industry. The post will include site visits, 3D CAD design, company admin, topographic surveying, estimation and invoicing, planning production and design works, and social media and communications.You will be guided through what we do and how we do it, with the option of sponsored higher education and further vocational qualifications as necessary. The position is full time and based in our tockton-on-Tees office. alary will be based on experience and suitability. A current driving licence is required.

Working for our head of studio, you will carry out LVIAs, including site surveys, assessments, mitigation plans, constraints plans, maps, graphics, photomontage, visualisations and report writing. Additional duties will include masterplanning, design statements, feasibility studies, specifications, planning applications, landscape design, landscape plans and planting plans.You must have at least two years experience in landscape planning, an academic qualification in landscape architecture, a track record of conducting LVIAs, strong working knowledge of VectorWorks Landmark, Photoshop and InDesign, and a full UK driving licence.

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

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

HARD LANDSCAPE FOREMAN

HIGHLY SKILLED LANDSCAPER

Reporting to the landscape manager, the hard landscape foreman is responsible for leading a team to ensure productive and quality workmanship on hard and some soft landscaping installations, from setting up site to snagging and sign off.You must have good working knowledge of all aspects of landscaping in both residential and commercial projects.You should have previous experience managing a small team as well as good organisational skills. Good motivational and time management skills will also be required. A full driving licence is required and CSCS card is preferred, but not essential.

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled landscaper to join our awardwinning company. The right candidate should be positive, self-motivated, enthusiastic, and able to use their own initiative. They also need to be flexible, organised and willing to undertake any required training. The ideal candidate must have at least five years experience in all areas of both hard and soft landscaping, be able to read plans, and be fully H&S compliant (a CSCS card is preferential, but not essential). A full, clean driving licence is essential.

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

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

GENERAL MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT

PRODUCTION TEAM LEADER

This exciting hands-on role, where you will work closely with your GM foreman, offers the opportunity to work on top-end domestic and commercial gardens. A good basic knowledge of horticulture and experience within the industry is required.You will be planting annuals and bulbs, weeding and pruning, hedge cutting, lawn mowing and border edging, watering, and installing and repairing irrigation systems.You must have previous landscape maintenance experience and a clean driving licence; PA1, PA6 and horticultural qualifications are desirable.

You will be leading and supervising the departmental team, and supporting your manager in the planning and management of all the department s processes.You must have horticulture skills knowledge qualifications, experience in plant care and maintenance, the ability to lead and develop a team, people skills and people management skills, and direct experience of the role.

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

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

NORTHUMBRIAN LANDSCAPING LTD Location: Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham

GARDEN CLUB LONDON LTD Location: London

CAMERON LANDSCAPES AND GARDENS Location: London

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Jobs.indd 119

JANINE PATTISON STUDIOS Location: Poole, Dorset

THE OUTDOOR ROOM Location: Cowfold, West Sussex

JOSEPH ROCHFORD GARDENS LTD Location: Birch Green, Hertfordshire

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 119

22/06/2017 10:58

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PEOPLE

ANNABEL BRIDGE Garden designer at North Leeds Garden Design www.northleedsgardendesign.co.uk Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Yes, but take them with a pinch of salt.

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

Italy.

What would you blow your budget on?

A pergola covered in mature Wisteria, over a really long table and chairs in the sunshine.

Too many people don’t associate what we do with architecture, for example.

Best piece of trivia you know?

The saying ‘the sun is over the yardarm’ originated from when the sun rose past the uppermost sails of a boat, which was when sailors went below deck for their first tot of rum.

Role model as a child?

Madonna – not sure how that fits in with my career choice…

Couldn’t get through the week without…

Music and red wine.

Favourite joke?

Why did the mushroom go to the party? Because he was a fungi.

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

On the edges of the industry, Terence Conran, or in proper garden-land, Luciano Giubbillei.

One thing that would make the industry better?

A greater awareness of the professionalism that is required to get somewhere, and therefore the fees we expect to command.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Little Interview.indd 121

Best recent invention?

Hammock stands and the Dyson fan.

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

i

MATT GEORGE Lead designer, Garden Design by Matt George www.gardenmg.co.uk

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Inspirational – cutting edge material use and planting.

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

South Africa – such varied landscapes.

What would you blow your budget on?

Handcrafted oak outdoor furniture from Gaze Burvill.

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

Chris Beardshaw – he’s brought so much ‘real’ gardening to the public via show gardens and TV.

One thing that would make the industry better?

Banning cheap Indian sandstone imports.

Best piece of trivia you know?

The grasp of a newborn baby is so strong its whole body can hang in mid-air.

Role model as a child?

John Noakes – “Get down Shep!”

Couldn’t get through the week without…

Nespresso machine.

Favourite joke?

What did the banana say to the doctor? “I am not peeling well.”

Best recent invention?

The ‘Nest’ thermostat – the first mass market remote monitoring thermostat.

Pro Landscaper / July 2017 121

22/06/2017 10:56

PEOPLE

ANDY WOODASON Owner, Bowood Landscapes Ltd www.bowoodlandscapes.co.uk

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational?

Definitely inspirational.

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

North-west Spain.

What would you blow your budget on?

Diamond blades for cutting

porcelain, or a radiocontrolled stump grinder.

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

Garden designer Kim Wilde.

One thing that would make the industry better?

Naming and shaming the cowboys.

Best piece of trivia you know?

The numbers on a roulette wheel add up to 666.

Role model as a child?

My dad.

Couldn’t get through the

ED BURNHAM

GILLY DUKES

Director of Burnham Landscaping Ltd

Nursery manager, Knowl Park Nurseries

www.burnhamlandscaping.co.uk Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Definitely inspirational.

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

Australia.

Stop people charging too little for their services.

Best piece of trivia you know?

There are more atoms in a spoonful of water, than there are spoonfuls of water in the Atlantic Ocean.

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Informative rather than inspirational.

Role model as a child?

Arnold Schwarznegger.

Couldn’t get through the week without…

Cake.

What would you blow your budget on?

A lake.

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

Andrew Wilson.

Favourite joke?

A man goes in a bar. What’s a mango doing in a bar?!

One thing that would make the industry better?

Best recent invention?

Zip level, and Flex Wet Saw.

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

Monty Don – so I could ask him to stop criticising commercial growing methods.

122 Pro Landscaper / July 2017

Little Interview.indd 122

Favourite joke?

How many builders does it take to build a patio? None, you need a landscaper.

Best recent invention?

Decent battery-powered tools.

www.knowlpark.co.uk

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

Norway.

What would you blow your budget on?

A Jerk Pan barbecue.

week without…

My family and my team at Bowood Landscapes.

One thing that would make the industry better?

Better understanding of plant specification.

Best piece of trivia you know?

How to sex a spider.

Role model as a child?

John Noakes.

Couldn’t get through the week without…

A good laugh at work.

Favourite joke?

Can I have these plants today?

Best recent invention?

The smartphone.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

22/06/2017 10:56

129 3773

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