Pro Landscaper June 2017

Concept to Delivery

June 2017

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

GOING FOR GOLD THE WINNERS AT RHS CHELSEA

Let’s Hear it From

Agenda

HOW TO NURTURE SEASONAL WORKERS

30 UNDER 30 THE SEARCH IS ON

TONY HEWITT

WILD AT HEART DAVID KEEGAN GARDEN DESIGN JUNE COVER FINAL.indd 1

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WELCOME Concept to Delivery DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

June 2017

GOING FOR GOLD

June 2017 | Volume 7, Issue 6

Agenda

HOW TO NURTURE SEASONAL WORKERS

THE WINNERS AT RHS CHELSEA

Let’s Hear it From TONY HEWITT

Welcome to June 2017

30 UNDER 30

THE SEARCH IS ON

WILD AT HEART

Welcome to June’s issue of Pro Landscaper.

We’re now well into show season, and as usual the garden design and landscaping sector has shown it’s very best at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. We were very proud to see friends, colleagues, suppliers and readers showing the best of what horticulture has to offer – see a snapshot of our visit on pages 18 & 19. Well done to all medal winners and congratulations to James Basson’s ‘The M&G Garden’, which was named Best in Show.

This month also sees the official launch of Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation.

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Now in its third year, this initiative has grown substantially, with people already asking how they can enter either themselves or their staff.

The entry process is now open and we look forward to showcasing the talent and dedication of the landscape industry’s next generation.

This month’s interview with Tony Hewitt from Glendale is an interesting insight into the business; we also take a look at the city of York, whose parks and open spaces have a fascinating history – check it out on pages 41-43.

June’s portfolio section contains an impressive international project by Grant Associates in Malaysia, a property

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development where 50% of the total area is vegetated. We also showcase a hospital and two domestic projects based in the North West.

If you’re planning to visit the exciting new RHS Chatsworth show this month, read our interview with Sue Biggs on pages 64-65 to find out what’s in store. Turning to the Educate section, Ben Shaw from Adtrak offers advice on how to make your website stand out, and Sean Butler continues his series on knowing the law with information on boundaries.

All in all, we’ve another meaty issue to get your teeth into so sit back, relax and enjoy!

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

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

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CONTENTS

June 2017 INFORM

8

Agenda How can we encourage seasonal workers to remain in the industry?

27

10 News Our monthly roundup of industry news

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

16 efig Awards We report back from this year’s ceremony

18 RHS Chelsea Out and about at the 2017 flower show

xx

Concept to Delivery

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

GOING FOR GOLD THE WINNERS AT RHS CHELSEA

Let’s Hear it From

June 2017

Agenda

HOW TO NURTURE SEASONAL WORKERS

xx

30 UNDER 30

THE SEARCH IS ON

TONY HEWITT

20 RHS Chelsea Diaries The final chapter of Manoj Malde and Dan Riddleston’s Chelsea updates

23 30 Under 30 All the information you need to apply for this year’s awards

27 Let’s Hear It From Tony Hewitt of Glendale

30 Company Profile Gareth Emberton, Crown Group

32 Landscape Architect’s Journal Arup Group

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INSPIRE

38 Away Days David Dodd on the issue of working away from home for long periods

41

A Perfect Confection Pro Landscaper takes a trip up to York to see the city’s unique parks offer

35 View from the Top

Grant Associates’ Malaysian development is a tropical delight for the senses

37 Wildest Dreams

Contents.indd 4

Intelligent design from David Keegan turns a Salford garden into a buzzing insect haven

57 Paradise Found

Andrew Wilson laments the decline of vocational qualifications

Pro Landscaper / June 2017

50 Wild at Heart

A Cheshire garden is transformed by Joanne Willcocks’ lush planting and serpentine path

36 The Great Divide

4

idverde brightens up the patient courtyards at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Hospital

54 Ahead of the Curve

idverde’s Nick Temple-Heald urges the landscaping industry to value itself more

A look at Adam White’s autism-friendly RHS Chelsea garden, ‘Wild Garden’

47 Sea Change

41

60 Best in Show Anji Connell gives Pro Landscaper the lowdown on some of the most eye-catching outdoor pieces from this year’s Milan Furniture Fair

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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CONTENTS

EDUCATE

89

Target Audience Top tips from Ben Shaw on using the internet to find potential customers

90

Perfect Porcelain London Stone takes us behind the scenes for a look at how their porcelain paving is created

93

Glow for Gold Never lose sight of your project’s ultimate purpose, says Robert Webber

94

Knowing the Law Sean Butler takes a look at the laws around fences, hedging and walls

97

Ethical Sourcing Landscapers and designers have a key role in furthering the cause, Steven Walley tells us in his final article

99

SMAS Accreditation Why the SMAS certificate is a worthwhile addition to your business

100 Site Visit

54 64

RHS Chatsworth Flower Show

77

We chat to RHS director general Sue Biggs about the new addition to the RHS calendar

67

Living Walls A look at some inspiring living wall projects

73

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

74

Designer Plants

83

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109 Look Out For

The benefits of a brushless motor, plus our roundup of brushcutters

Latest Products Wildflower seed

114 Little

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

Floating Jewels Don’t overlook the waterlily, says Andy MacIndoe – it’s the perfect way to add dimension to a pond or pool

The best new publications in the world of gardening and garden design

110 Brushcutters

James Scott’s planting frames the Chiltern hills for a retired couple

76

Pro Landscaper takes a look at a selection of artificial grass projects

Jake Curley

Nursery Interview Shallowmead Nurseries

85

Expert tips to ensure the perfect design and installation

106 Book Review

Glyphosate and the Environment James Hewetson-Brown of Wildflower Turf on the controversial chemical

NURTURE

103 Garden Building

104 Artificial Grass

Miniature Heroes Ian Drummond discusses the ‘tiny chic’ of miniature roses

79

Stoneworld

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INFORM

SPOTLIGHT ON

CONTRIBUTORS

Adam White Director, Davies White Ltd

Anji Connell

Ian Drummond

Robert Webber

Interior architect and landscape designer

Creative director, Indoor Garden Design

Founder, Scenic Lighting

In this issue, Adam White ‘goes wild’ with his Zoflora and Caudwell Children’s Wild Garden for the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show – a sensory woodland garden for children with disabilities.

Adam shares his plans for the garden, which aims to show how an accessible and inclusive wild space can reconnect children of all abilities with nature.

Anji Connell continues her series looking at fabulous furniture for the outdoors with a visit to the Milan Furniture Fair. Showcasing the latest, most innovative and eye-catching designs from around the world, Anji selects the very best in show – from tropical pink daybeds and African-inspired seating, to furniture that glows from within!

Ian Drummond marvels at the midsummer garden, and enjoys the glorious and unmistakable scent of the English rose. Ian looks at how a scaled-down version of these summer stunners can be incorporated indoors in the form of miniature roses, and shares his expert knowledge and top tips on how to care for these epitomes of tiny chic.

This month’s column sees Robert Webber explore common crimes against outdoor lighting, shedding light on some of the most common mistakes that he comes across. Drawing on his wealth of experience, Robert looks at the familiar pitfalls of under and over lighting outdoor spaces, and shares his recommendations on how to avoid these.

davieswhite.co.uk @davies_white

anjiconnellinteriordesign.com @anjiconnell

indoorgardendesign.com @IndoorGdnDesign

sceniclighting.com @Scenic_rob

Other contributors Andrew Wilson Garden designer and lecturer

Andy McIndoe Leading horticulturist

Sean Butler Director, Cube 1994

David Dodd Landscaper and lecturer

Ben Shaw National account director, Adtrak

Steve Walley Managing director, London Stone

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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INFORM

AGENDA

HOW CAN WE ENCOURAGE SEASONAL WORKERS TO REMAIN IN THE INDUSTRY?

An increase in demand for landscaping and grounds maintenance services in the spring and summer months leads companies to employ seasonal workers for the duration of this busy period. We ask industry professionals how we can encourage these seasonal workers to remain in the horticultural industry year-on-year…

Mark Noakes Managing director, IPM Facilities

At IPM we seldom employ seasonal workers.

When recruiting, we tend to look beyond the seasonal constraints of our industry, although within the landscape and facilities sector there seems to be very little seasonal fluctuation these days.

However, the ability to encourage any new employee to remain in the landscape industry is reliant on the culture of your business. Our philosophy is to be an ‘employer of choice’. This is the most effective way to encourage employees to stay or even return. Providing an enjoyable, flexible, and positive workplace, with a good induction and training programmes for 8

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Pro Landscaper / June 2017

new employees, will earn you a reputation as a place where people want to work. This results not only in returning seasonal employees, but also in other trained workers hoping to gain a position within your company.

Being an employer of choice that offers a great working environment will keep your employees happy, wanting to stay with you and, if seasonal, returning to your employment again and again. Another added benefit we find as an ‘employer of choice’ is excellent staff retention and reduced recruitment costs.

Penny Fryer Operations director, Boningale Nurseries

Employing seasonal workers is essential for a busy production nursery to manage peaks in workload. This need will become greater over the next few years as the economic climate begins to change; it is therefore more important than ever that we nurture these staff and continue to promote seasonal work as a valued employment option.

Fundamentally, this is achieved by giving seasonal workers a sense of belonging and worth in the workplace – and it’s not just about the financials either. A good employer will provide fair and equal employment

opportunities and offer comfortable living accommodation, as well as giving workers the scope to learn and progress through training. In our experience, this attention to detail goes a long way towards retaining workers’ services in the future. From an employer’s perspective, experienced returning staff are a real asset. The prospect of year-after-year employment can also appeal to the employee; many like the idea of working outside in the summer with the winter months off, as an alternative to year-round full-time work.

Gavin Day Area manager, Gavin Jones

At Gavin Jones we welcome seasonal employees – they are valuable staff members at busy times of year and we encourage and support many seasonal workers with their development. Horticultural and landscape design students often work for us during their holiday period, and come back year after year.

Our training and development schemes encourage many employees to select a horticulture career path, and seasonal staff rare often young people without career goals who go on to see this industry as a potential career path. Seasonal employment is often a stepping www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/05/2017 12:42

INFORM

stone into a career within the industry. Many of the seasonal staff who join Gavin Jones have no idea what they want to do career-wise, and we hope that a period of work with us will encourage a future generation of employees to take on all sorts of roles within horticulture.

hours a week from April until October, then cut their hours back to three days a week in the winter, on the same salary. Nine months of the year you will make a profit and three months you won’t, which means you do have to budget for this, but it does tackle the seasonal staff issue.

Norman Hambrook

Ken White

Founder and managing director, Hambrooks

Managing director, Frosts Landscape Construction

You can’t get away from the fact that landscaping work is very seasonal, so seasonal workers are a perennial dilemma. If your temporary staff are good, pay them over the going rate, and this will encourage them to return the following year instead of going off and finding work elsewhere.

Another way to encourage them to return is to offer them a retainer if they come back, which would be paid to them if they stayed the season. You can also make it clear that you are always looking for permanent staff if they make the grade – it’s a good way of finding new talent.

Most landscapers cannot afford to take on staff full-time, but my view is that most landscapers want a full-time job, which leads to another way of looking at this issue.

You can employ your landscapers for 60

I don’t think we can have any significant impact in retaining seasonal workers in our industry, given that many are on another career path and are just looking for work during college and university holidays. The challenge in many cases is to get them to return the following year by offering them incentives that build with each year of returning employment, allowing both sides some form of continuity. Motivating employees who know they are only with you for a short period remains challenging. In addition, they require a lot of upfront training to enable them to carry out the work to a good standard. A good way to encourage employees to return is to provide a fun, flexible and positive work experience, and hope they realise that landscaping is a rewarding and satisfying career.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Agenda.indd 9

Mike Brunskill Sales and marketing director, Glendale

It goes without saying that seasonal workers are of paramount importance in the green services industry and must be treated as if they were full-time employees. Providing competitive rates of pay, comprehensive training and added incentives are imperative, to make it clear that their contribution is valued. Training is important as it leads to a skilled workforce and also helps seasonal staff to feel valued and have job satisfaction, meaning they’re more likely to remain in the industry. By maintaining contact during out-of-season periods you can build strong relationships, keep people informed of full-time vacancies should they arise, and even offer first refusal on specific roles. It’s also vital to understand each seasonal employee’s individual circumstances, so you can enable their summer role to fit with their winter role.

NEXT MONTH How important is ethical sourcing when choosing a supplier?

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

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24/05/2017 12:43

INFORM

NEWS Two rising names in landscape design have joined forces to form an exceptionally talented and exciting creative team. Charlotte Harris Studio and Hugo Bugg Landscapes have now merged to form Harris Bugg Studio.

The pair have been collaborating on several projects to date, including the design for the new 445-acre Royal Botanical Gardens currently under construction in Jordan. They are also already working together on a number of new projects, including a Scottish Highland estate, six residential gardens, and retreat and wildlife gardens for a new hospice site.

It is anticipated that the current core team of five people will expand over time, although Harris Bugg Studio will remain a small operation with the two leads directing every project. Hugh said:

“Charlotte and I both like being hands-on. We value working directly with clients and being onsite. We will never get so large that we become just managers. This is all about us doing what we love and taking it to the next level.”

Harris Bugg Studio will keep both existing studios in London and Exeter, with the two designers splitting their time equally between each. Charlotte explained: “Having two locations is helpful, giving us the flexibility to really respond to our clients’ servicing needs wherever their projects are based.” www.harrisbugg.com

‘The M&G Garden’ and James Basson awarded Best Show Garden The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has awarded 73 RHS Gold Medals at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, sponsored by M&G Investments. In total, 117 medals were awarded, including 30 Silver-Gilt, 13 Silver and one Bronze.

Best Show Garden was won by ‘The M&G Garden’, plus the sponsor’s 7th Gold Medal.

Showcasing ecological sustainability and inspired by Malta, the garden also received the Best Construction Award, making it the second year running for contractors Crocus.

James Basson, designer of ‘The M&G Garden’, said: “I am thrilled to have won Best in Show for the first time at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It is an incredible feeling and a testimony to the hard work of the whole team.”

Show Garden Judging Panel Chair, James Alexander-Sinclair, commented: “The garden is

©RHS / Luke Macgregor

Chelsea landscape designers Hugo Bugg and Charlotte Harris launch Harris Bugg Studio

outstanding in terms of both construction and attention to detail.”

Kate Gould’s ‘City Living’ garden, showing how to use space innovatively in an urban context, won Best Fresh Garden. Meanwhile Best Artisan Garden was awarded to ‘Walker’s Wharf Garden’, supported by Doncaster Deaf Trust and designed by Graham Bodle.

Nurseries and growers were awarded 61 Gold Medals, with the Diamond Jubilee Award for best display going to Penberth Plants for their ‘A reflection of Penberth – A Cornish Garden’. New Design Award went to Raymond Evison Clematis, and the South African National Biodiversity Institute – Kirstenbosch stand received the popular President’s Award. For a full list of medal winners, visit: www.rhs.org.uk

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INFORM

Nurture Landscapes secures second northern acquisition in six months Nurture has secured its second northern acquisition with the purchase of Botanical Group Services, following the purchase of Heritage Landscapes in July of last year.

Botanical has annual sales of £1.6m across landscape maintenance, winter gritting, interior plants and Christmas tree installation. Clients span the corporate, education, health, retail and hotel sectors, and include Liverpool One, St.Modwen and Eric Wright.

Botanical and its 33 employees will be integrated into Nurture’s northern operation. This will expand the area’s sales to £8m and make it Nurture’s largest region, representing 25% of the company’s £32m turnover. Staff will be relocated from Botanical’s Blackburn depot to Nurture’s office five miles away in Rishton.

Gary Collinson, who founded Botanical in 1992, will work with Nurture as a consultant for six months to ensure a smooth handover and to guarantee

clients continuity of service.

Clients will have the benefit of a locally-employed team, with the specialisms and expertise of a national contractor.

Nurture’s northern region director, Nick Hills, commented: “I am looking forward to working with Gary and his colleagues and welcoming them into the Nurture family. Both companies operate in the same industry and in the same region, so I expect that the integration will be seamless.” www.nurturelandscapes.co.uk

Young Horticulturist of the Year 2017 announced This year’s final for Young Horticulturist of the Year was held at University Centre Shrewsbury.

Eight competitors fought for the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world with a £2,500 bursary.

The bursary is provided in honour of Percy Thrower, known for his work with on Gardener’s World and Blue Peter. This year’s competition received over 2,500 entries from horticulturists under the age of 30, from all over the UK and Ireland.

The audience included headline sponsors Peter Hunt from MorePeople, Raoul Curtis-Machin

from the Horticultural Trades Association, and Percy Thrower’s three daughters.

The day began with a series of plant identification rounds, which proved to have an enormous

impact on the final scoreboards.

40 points were up for grabs in the final round of 20 quick fire questions. Fern Champney of Writtle College started in the lead, but was overtaken by Lachlan Rae of Auchendolly Estate – ultimately by only five points.

Lachlan will now plan how to spend his £2,500 bursary during an extended visit to Australia.

“Looking forward, I could quite happily see myself in a television gardening role,” he said, asked where he saw himself in the future. www.horticulture.org.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF Royal Parks charity appoints new chief executive

Royal Parks have announced the appointment of Andrew Scattergood as their new chief executive. Andrew joined the Royal Parks Agency as its chief executive in June 2015, and now takes on the role with the new charity. www.royalparks.org.uk

TD Green Streets offers up £20k urban greening grant

TD Green Streets offers grants to groups or organisations for innovative urban forestry projects. Groups and organisations in Greater London and Greater Manchester are being invited to develop ideas; £10,000 is available for each region. Applications should be made by 31 August 2017, to kevin@cityoftrees.org.uk

New business development manager for Etesia UK

Etesia UK has announced the appointment of Stephen Muir as business development manager. In his new position Stephen will be promoting and creating brand awareness for Etesia, and also Pellenc and Oeliatec – for which Etesia are exclusive UK distributors. www.etesia.co.uk

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ASSOCIATION

INFORM

NEWS

APL update

APL members at RHS Chelsea APL members were involved in building more than half of the 22 gardens that featured at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May, an acknowledgement of their expertise and professionalism. This included Bowood Landscapes building the patio for the industry showcase garden exhibit ‘40 Sunbury Road’, and APL apprentices – mentored by

APL member Jody Lidgard of Bespoke Outdoor Spaces – taking a leading role in one of the five ‘Feel Good’ gardens

by BBC Radio 2, showing how plants can enrich and indulge the five senses. APL apprentices were also involved in the Jo Whiley Scent Garden.

Harrogate Spring Flower Show in April, as well as the Newby Hall Cup award for best soft landscaping for its garden ‘A Fresh Start’. The garden received material sponsorship from APL associate members Marshalls, J A Jones (who provided the plants), and WonderWall.

Paxman wins Gold again at Harrogate Spring Show APL member and APL Awards winner, Paxman Landscapes, is having a great start to 2017.

Supported by the planting of APL general manager Phil Tremayne, Paxman won its third successive Gold at the

APL WorldSkills UK Over 30 competitors are battling it out for a semi-final place at the APL WorldSkills UK heats.

Two heats took place in May at Pershore and CAFRE, with three more happening in June at Reaseheath, Myerscough and the Gardening Scotland Show.

APL Cluster meetings APL Cluster meetings this month include Cheshire on 6 June, Kent on 8 June, Suffolk on 22 June, Guildford on 26 June and London on 27 June. For details, contact Phil Tremayne at: phil.tremayne@hta.org.uk. www.landscaper.org.uk

SGD bulletin Five companies have signed up to become one of the first Registered Practices of the Society of Garden Designers Acres Wild, The Garden Company, Ann-Marie Powell Gardens, Wilson McWilliam and Mazullo Russell have all listed their companies as having practice status of

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Association News.indd 13

the Society, rather than their membership being associated solely with an individual designer in the company.

The new membership, which came into force in March 2017, allows fellows and registered members to list their business as a registered

Garden by Ann-Marie Powell Gardens

practice. It brings the SGD in line with other professional bodies such as the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and the LI (Landscape Institute), and enables society members to demonstrate that their whole practice is committed to design excellence and the highest quality standards.

SGD Chair, Philippa O’Brien, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer a new status of membership which we believe reflects the way in which many operate as garden design

Garden by Acres Wild

companies today. We think this will be of great benefit, allowing members to stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace, whilst allowing the society to continue to improve standards in the industry.”

Further information can be found at: www.sgd.org.uk

Pro Landscaper / June 2017 13

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INFORM

RHS report Chatsworth House ©Devonshire Collection

RHS Chatsworth Flower Show From 7-11 June, the RHS will welcome its latest addition to the RHS flower show calendar with the Chatsworth Flower Show. Set in the stunning 1,000-acre parkland of the Chatsworth Estate, Derbyshire, the show will feature the overarching theme ‘Design Revolutionaries’, celebrating creative people alongside headline partner Wedgwood.

Highlights will include eight innovative and contemporary show gardens, a new, unjudged FreeForm category

for the first time ever at an RHS show, and a floral marquee that takes inspiration from Joseph Paxton’s Great Conservatory at Chatsworth. www.rhs.org.uk/chatsworth RHS Garden Harlow Carr Flower Show The RHS Garden Harlow Carr Flower Show will see the garden awash with stunning floral displays and horticultural inspiration from 23-25 June.

The garden in Harrogate will be bursting with plant nurseries and gardening trade

stands, plus expert advice and guidance from horticulturists who will be on hand to answer plant queries. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/ harlow-carr RHS Garden Rosemoor Rose Festival In celebration of the nation’s much-loved flower, RHS Garden Rosemoor will be hosting the return of its Rose Festival from 17 June to 30 July. Visitors to Devon this summer will be treated to a range of rose-inspired treats freshly served from Rosemoor’s Garden Kitchen restaurant, including rose meringues, rose and rhubarb cakes, and Turkish delight coffee. Visitors

may take a self-guided rose trail on a historic journey through the garden – from the Queen Mother’s Rose Garden to the Long Borders and Cottage Garden. During Rose Weekend on 24 and 25 June, there will be a floral-themed craft and food market, free guided tours of the rose gardens, talks and advice. www.rhs.org.uk

The Queen Mother’s Rose Garden ©RHS and Jim Wileman

Parks Alliance matters

Park pledges What a difference a month makes! It’s not immediately apparent how a snap election might affect parks – but the timing is frustrating, with the government’s response to the Select Committee’s inquiry delayed as a result. It’s now clear that due to purdah, the Department for Communities and Local Government will not publish its response until after the election.

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soon as possible following The decision making and the election. reporting hiatus created by the 3. Prepare, resource and election has given The Parks implement a parks/open Alliance time to consider and space strategy that leads to release six ‘Park Pledges’, investment in the sector. which it encourages candidates 4. Work with local authorities and parties to embrace ahead to reverse and mitigate of the upcoming elections: the impact of cuts, protect funding and generate For parties sustainable income streams 1. Continue to appoint a for parks.

Minister for Parks as a key priority, ensuring they have For candidates the resources to champion 5. To champion parks within parks and open spaces. parliament, and work 2. Commit to respond to with their local authority to the House of Commons identify a ‘Park Champion’ Communities and Local in each council.

Government Select 6. Commit to ensure that the Committee parks report as

Brexit process, particularly the transition of legislation to the UK, leads to genuine enhancements for parks and open spaces.

Please help us communicate these pledges to candidates and encourage them to campaign for parks and green spaces.

As announced last month we are in the process of carrying out a member survey which will help to inform and focus our future activities. If you are not a member, and you would like to participate in the survey, please contact us on communications@ theparksalliance.org or visit our website at: www.theparksalliance.org

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/05/2017 11:40

INFORM

BALI briefing

Record Golds for BALI members at RHS Chelsea 2017 BALI Registered members at the 2017 RHS Chelsea Flower Show have been awarded a total of 20 medals – including a record breaking nine Gold, four Silver-Gilt and seven Silver – with Registered Designers, Contractors, Affiliate and Training Providers (colleges) all celebrating. BALI was also awarded three stars for its trade stand, with products supplied from WoodblocX, Mulberry Plants, Pile Height, Harrod UK and Mobilane.

This follows earlier success at Harrogate Spring Flower Show for ‘A Homecoming Prayer’ which also won Gold and Best in Show for BALI Registered Contractor Northumbrian Landscaping and the 6 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps.

BALI’s ‘Tangible Garden’ Hot on the heels of RHS Chelsea, BALI is swapping one capital city for another, as the team heads to Edinburgh for Gardening Scotland on 2-4 June. This year, BALI’s Scotland members have designed and built a feature show garden, ‘Tangible Garden’, which will be located at the entrance to the showground. Promoting social outdoor living, the garden

architectural portfolios on the stand. Registered affiliate members CED Natural Stone and Woodscape are also exhibiting at the event.

Breaking Ground Gold Medal RHS Chelsea 2017

will have two dedicated dining and relaxation areas and will be surrounded by native planting.

BALI exhibiting at Vision 2017 BALI is exhibiting at a new trade show targeting landscape architects, designers, property developers, public sector and local authorities and building contractors. Vision 2017 will be held at Olympia over the 6-7 June. BALI will be working closely with registered members to promote their design and

BALI launches new marketing strategy BALI is aiming to be the leading trade association brand for UK landscaping professionals by April 2022, providing a mark of quality and trust for public and trade. BALI will deliver an effective strategy over five years that supports the increase in membership numbers, retains existing members, establishes new industry and non-industry partnerships and increases public awareness of the brand. www.bali.org.uk

efig outline There was also the Judge’s Commendation, which was won for the fourth time by Indoor Garden Design.

Dare to be different efig’s annual awards are done and dusted for another year. This year’s venue was the Conservatory Terrace at the Barbican, where 56 awards were handed out for excellence in design and installation, maintenance, special events, Christmas and for individual technicians.

The awards included 35 Gold, 13 Silver and three Bronze awards, as well as five technician awards.

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Steve Clarke

This year, for the first time, the awards were held in the afternoon and started off with a speaker to inspire all those who attended. International professional speaker Steve Clarke, of Eureka Selling, encouraged the audience to ‘dare to be different’ with a story about his dog, Trevor. Like the audience, many of you probably already ‘know’ Trevor – the dog whose reaction to last year’s John Lewis Christmas advert was filmed and went viral.

Steve explained how the video’s success was down to him knowing who to target his video towards. He went on to remind the audience that all members

Steve’s dog, Trevor, in the viral video

of their team are responsible for sales and their company’s success, and suggested ways in which all team members could put this into practice. www.efig.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT

efig AWARDS An inspiring afternoon for indoor landscaping at this year’s awards

T

his year’s efig Leaf Award ceremony, held on 21 April at the Barbican, London, broke the mould from previous years – it was an afternoon event, and proceedings began with an inspiring talk, ‘Daring to be Different’, from professional speaker Steve Clarke.

Members were presented with 56 awards in total, for their excellence in interior landscaping installations and maintenance.

The format for the event may have been different, but the judging process remained the same. Each entry in the main categories was visited by one member of the independent judging panel, comprising Greg Redwood, Nicola Bristow and Rob Stirling, all of whom have reputable horticultural backgrounds.

Entries are judged on their merits against set criteria, but are not pitched against one another. This means there can be multiple gold, silver or bronze Leaf awards in each category.

The only exceptions to these criteria are special events, including the Christmas and overseas categories, which are judged on submitted photographs. This year, efig received three entries from overseas

– Belgium, France and Northern Ireland – and welcomed the participants from these countries to the ceremony.

The Judges’ Commendation, which is similar to an RHS Best in Show award, was won for the fourth time by Indoor Garden Design, for its installation at Sky Central. In total this year there were 35 Gold, 13 Silver and three Bronze Leaf awards presented, as well as five Leaf awards given to technicians.

The Indoor Garden Design team with their awards, including Judges Commendation

Carole Pluckaard (presenting) from sponsors Koberg and Jeanie Clark, Ambius technician

efig’s Chairman, Chris Jenkin of Enterprise Plants and EILO’s Chairman Benoit Pelleriaux

The team from Frosts Construction Landscaping

Images © S.E. Rowse

Bob Capel of Mitie Landscaping

The GP Plantscape team with MD Jimmy Gilchrist, vice chair of efig

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The Enterprise Plants team with their awards

Alistair Simpson, Urban Planters Derbyshire technician

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24/05/2017 11:10

OUT & ABOUT

“It is a truly stunning and monumental installation.

The enormous number of plants (almost 25,000) was incredible. A special mention should be made of the large grove of mature olive trees, made from real aged trunks with artificial sprigs of foliage. These were incredibly realistic and looked authentic until you were inches from the foliage. The coloured flocktipped Sansevieria looked great – these were in the same colours as Sky’s branding and matched it perfectly. This is one of the most impressive sites I have ever seen, and is my nomination for the special award – it was really well thought out and a remarkable piece of work.”

THE AWARD WINNERS AC Rentaplant 1 Gold Leaf award Ambius 1 Gold Leaf award 4 Silver Leaf awards 1 Bronze Leaf award 1 Technician’s Leaf award Steve Clarke with Chris Jenkin, efig Chairman

AnyGreen bvba 1 Gold Leaf award Enterprise Plants Ltd 5 Gold Leaf awards 1 Silver Leaf award 1 Technician’s Leaf award 1 Gold Leaf award Frosts Landscape Construction Ltd 1 Silver Leaf award

Judge Greg Redwood

Green Team Interiors with 4 Gold Leaf awards

GP Plantscape Ltd 2 Gold Leaf awards 1 Silver Leaf award 1 Technician’s Leaf award Green Team Interiors Ltd 4 Gold Leaf awards Indoor Garden Design Ltd Judges’ Commendation 7 Gold Leaf awards 1 Technician’s Leaf award ISS Facility Services Landscaping 1 Silver Leaf award Mitie Landscapes Ltd 3 Gold Leaf awards

The teams from Urban Planters Franchise, Derbyshire and Oxford

Ambius collecting their Gold Leaf award

Plant Designs Ltd 3 Gold Leaf awards 1 Silver Leaf award Tarvel 1 Silver Leaf award Urban Planters, Derbyshire 2 Gold Leaf awards 1 Silver Leaf award 1 Technician’s Leaf award Urban Planters Franchise Ltd 4 Gold Leaf awards Urban Planters, Oxford 1 Gold Leaf award 2 Silver Leaf awards 1 Bronze Leaf award

The Plant Designs team with awards

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Paul Easton and the team from A C Rentaplant, Northern Ireland

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24/05/2017 11:11

INFORM

BREAKING GROUND – ANDREW WILSON & GAVIN MCWILLIAM THE M&G GARDEN 2017 – JAMES BASSON

THE LINKLATERS GARDEN FOR MAGGIE’S – DARREN HAWKES

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA GARDEN – CHARLOTTE HARRIS

MAIN AVENUE T

BES

CITY LIVING – KATE GOULD

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FRESH

H IN S

OW

MIND TRAP – IAN PRICE www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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ICE

GOSHO NO NIWA – ISHIHARA KAZUYUKI

INFORM

THE WORLD HORSE WELFARE GARDEN – ADAM WOOLCOTT & JONATHAN SMITH

RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

ARTISAN

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS Celebrating the spectacular medal-winning gardens at this year’s festival

WALKER’S WHARF GARDEN – GRAHAM BODLE

THE ITBC LOWESTOFT BROADLAND BOATBUILDER’S GARDEN – GARY BREEZE

THE VIKING CRUISES GARDEN OF INSPIRATION – SARAH EBERLE

THE SEEDLIP GARDEN – CATHERINE MACDONALD www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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THE CHELSEA DIARIES

INFORM

Designer Manoj Malde and contractor Dan Riddleston will be keeping Pro Landscaper in the loop as they each prepare for their Chelsea 2017 gardens

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

As the show draws closer, plants have started to become an issue, with some refusing to produce flower stems. The risk was too great to wait in hope, so we had to look at alternatives. The worst part was when plants that I had personally tagged in Italy

arrived damaged; they had just been shoved on a truck with no packing. Anger would be an understatement. Nothing prepares you for crop failures – I have had to run around nurseries looking for plants to uphold my vision.

I’m grateful that the construction side has run smoothly. The steel frames for my steps came out of the ovens beautifully powder-coated. They were delivered to the Living Landscapes workshop, where the frames were filled with

Lytag, a layer of self-levelling compound was poured on top, and then they were left to cure for a few days. The next step, which I couldn’t wait to see, was watching the Topcret team apply the zinc microcement.

I held a planting team meeting with wine and nibbles

so that they could get acquainted, and to get the team spirit going. I ran through all the images of the plants I was proposing to use, and shared some pictures that would help them understand the planting scheme’s ‘look’.

Filling in the final brief was a nerve-wracking experience.

I kept editing the draft for three days, constantly questioning how the judges would interpret every word, sentence or description. 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

After weeks of planning, we’re finally on site at RHS Chelsea.

At the time of writing, we have just 20 days before the gates open to the public and the judges arrive.

As the contractor responsible for making sure it’s ready on time, we have a strict programme that sets out the sequence and timing of all operations – from those that will take several days, such as planting the three-metre high hornbeam hedge, to those that can be done in a couple of hours, like placing the rear bench into position.

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LD MEDAL

We can’t expect everything to go smoothly – it takes just one late delivery to throw things out of sequence.

But our experience of building large Chelsea show gardens means that we’re adept at dealing with most problems.

We use a huge amount of construction equipment for such a small space: three

excavation to complete to get the foundations and block wall support in for the rear walkway – an elevated platform, from which the public will be able to view the ‘hidden’ garden. excavators, two dumpers, two forklifts and the occasional 40t crane. Our workforce is expert at knowing exactly what to use for each job – small equipment for tight, inaccessible spaces and larger machines to unload and transport the central features, .

The garden is sited on the notoriously tricky Rock Bank, but fortunately the RHS has excavated some of it before we arrive. We still have a considerable amount of

A further 100m³ of material is to be removed before we can start the foundations, and with just 24 hours before the concrete arrives we need to get a shift on. www.bowleswyercontracts.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/05/2017 13:53

Better than the real thing

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info@vistagreen.com

www.vistagreen.com 18/04/2017 24/05/2017 11:38 15:25

UK’S #1 LEADING LANDSCAPE EVENT SAVE THE DATE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

14 NOVEMBER 2017 jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com / 01903 777 588

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24/05/2017 20/04/2017 16:03 19/11/2015 09:35 11:54

The search is on...

SPONSORED BY GLENDALE, 30 UNDER 30: THE NEXT GENERATION RETURNS FOR 2017, WITH PRO LANDSCAPER, PRO ARB, AND FUTUREARCH MAGAZINES BEGINNING THE SEARCH FOR 30 OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE INDUSTRIES After two successful years, we are happy to be continuing to highlight and celebrate the great work of young and upcoming talent. The competition presents a chance for you to nominate yourself, or someone you work with, if you feel that they are deserving of industry recognition.

Turn the page to find out more...

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INFORM

What last year’s winners say...

Michael Buck

Lexi Harrison 24

“Being named one of the 30 Under 30 last year was an absolute privilege and a key moment of recognition in my career. I’ve a real passion for horticulture and being a finalist in the 2016 awards will remain a highlight for years to come. 30 Under 30: The Next Generation has provided me with a fantastic platform for networking with likeminded people and has facilitated the promotion of the industry when talking to the younger generation.”

Michael Buck, Hortus Loci “The event was a fantastic opportunity to meet likeminded people. My success at the awards has increased my confidence on a personal level and resulted in me achieving £1m of new sales within the grounds maintenance division.

The event has been a great topic of conversation at networking events and was perfect for raising my profile within the industry.”

Lexi Harrison, Hultons Landscape

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Andrew Ryder

Dean Jackson

“It was a great experience – if I could enter twice, I would! The awards and the formality of the occasion makes you feel like a mini celebrity. The award has helped most with networking and put my name on the landscaping map, as having the 30 Under 30 award under your belt seems to attract positive attention.”

Andrew Ryder, Hultons Landscape

“Being part of the 30 Under 30 awards last year was a great experience, and I shared it with some great people.

Being included meant I experienced further recognition within the industry, as well as our customer base at Greentech becoming aware of the event through me being a part of it and the coverage it received. Since the event took place, I have been continuing with the management of my team and ensuring that targets are hit.”

Dean Jackson, Green-tech

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24/05/2017 13:56

INFORM

Why apply?

The 30 Under 30 initiative was started in 2015 as a way to celebrate the work that young people across the horticulture and landscape sectors put in to their careers. Entering the competition is a great way to gain recognition of either your own work, or the work of someone else who you are particularly impressed by.

Previous winners of the competition have commented on their pride in being recognised within the industry, and have said it is a brilliant way to further enhance their careers in the sector.

The winners of the award will be featured across the magazine titles and will also be invited to collect their awards at a ceremony held during our FutureScape event on Tuesday 14 November at Sandown Park Racecourse.

Sponsored by Glendale Alex Paterson, operations director at Glendale Managed Services, said: “We are delighted to sponsor 30 Under 30: The Next Generation 2017.

“We are passionate about this accolade, which aims to highlight the achievements of 30 inspiring young people in our industry who have demonstrated passion, imagination, innovation and expertise in their chosen fields, in such a way that enhances their careers and provides opportunities for advancement.

“It’s well known that many sectors across our industry are under threat, as fewer talented young experts choose to start careers in the field. As a result, it’s more important than ever to embrace opportunities like this that support and motivate the younger members of our teams who have shown dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit. It goes without saying that they are the individuals who will go on to shape the future of our industry, and we need to invest in them in order to retain its heritage and move it forward. 30 Under 30 is an initiative that sits close to our hearts because it reflects so many of our own internal award schemes at Glendale, which recognise the hardworking individuals we employ who have shown great potential for the future.”

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Who can apply?

The rules are simple – anyone nominated must have been 30 or under on 1 January 2017, and must work in any capacity within the horticulture, garden design and landscape sector.

How do I apply?

To apply for 30 Under 30, simply send an email to Joe at joe.betts@eljays44.com and he will send you an application form. All you need to do to nominate either yourself or somebody within your company is complete the form and send it back. We are accepting handwritten or typed responses.

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INFORM

Let’s Hear it From

TONY HEWITT This month, Pro Landscaper visits Glendale to speak with Tony Hewitt, a figure in the landscape industry for over 30 years, about Glendale and the wider Parkwood group of companies Tony, how did Glendale come about? Give us a bit of history.

It was around 1987 – I was a forester at a time when the forestry market wasn’t doing so well, and I decided to look for something else to do. We had a company prior to that called Ligna Timber, and changed its name to Glendale Industries Ltd. We started making compost on an airfield near Ormskirk in Lancashire and we called it Adam’s Organic Compost – the chap who was involved at the time had just had a son called Adam. The bag we kept that compost in is still around.

It wasn’t much of a move, really, going from forestry to amenity horticulture. What’s the difference between planting a tree on the side of Snowdonia and planting bulbs outside of Buckingham Palace? It’s all vegetation management. I teamed up with David Frost, who had a nursery in the Midlands – DW Frost Wholesale Nurseries – and we decided to bid for local government grounds maintenance contracts in 1989, which we won. The first three contracts, which commenced in 1990, were for Rugby, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Solihull, and interestingly we’re still working for all three of those boroughs today.

Our contract in Solihull is still the same original arboricultural contract that we’ve had for over 25 years.

How did the business evolve?

Our first contracts began on 1 January 1990, when we still had the forestry company and were still involved in timber harvesting and forestry management as well. We moved out of forestry in 1996 in order to focus on the grounds management and arboricultural activities, which continued to grow thereafter.

In 1994 I made the decision that we’d tender for leisure facilities as well, and Glendale Leisure was formed. By 1996, the green activities of Glendale had reached £16m in revenues, and during this year Glendale’s parent company, Parkwood Holdings, floated on the main exchange of the London stock market. We continued to grow in the late Nineties, but in 2000 we had some challenges – we had set up a landscaping department that got into difficulties and had to be shut down. The other green businesses and the leisure company were www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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INFORM

still growing successfully. By that time, the leisure business was growing faster than the green business, and overtook it in terms of revenue.

And that was all via local authority work?

At first it was mostly local authority leisure centres, but then we got into the PFI (private finance initiative) market and started building leisure centres through that. It then took me 10 years to take Glendale off the main market of the stock exchange, and I eventually did so in 2011, meaning that we became a public-private company with around 600 shareholders. In 2014 we bought out all the other shareholders, and it’s now a private company entirely.

In the intervening years we grew the green services business, started a grounds management and a countryside section, moved into arboriculture and acquired a horticulture business, as well as starting golf course management in 2002/3. Glendale became a brand and a family of green services businesses – today there’s Glendale Countryside, Glendale Grounds Management, Glendale Horticulture and Glendale Golf.

all under the Glendale Horticulture name – but without losing the legacy and the history of those businesses.

Have the nurseries all been rebranded?

Yes; we started out branding them under their original names (Coblands, Merediths and Mahood), and then last year we rebranded them

Where do you operate, geographically?

We once conducted some market research in Europe but decided there was plenty to do here in England, Scotland and Wales.

WE’VE GOT SOME INTERESTING PROJECTS WHICH BRING TOGETHER GREEN AND LEISURE. IT’S IMPORTANT TO GENERATE REVENUE OUT OF THE OPEN SPACES PEOPLE USE

Are you still fully involved in the business?

A lot of the people in the sector have had a lot of their training with Glendale, and with me, over the years. I was supposed to take a backseat, but I’ve had to be pretty hands-on again these past few years.

So does each of the divisions have its own director?

On the board of our horticulture business, which does operate fairly autonomously, we have recruited a non-executive director. At Glendale, we operate regionally, so we have four regional directors in the South West, London, the Midlands and the North of England and Scotland. The golf business also has its own board of directors.

What are you doing in terms of your training, and the 5% Club that Glendale is a part of?

We joined the 5% Club in February 2016; it’s a scheme in which an employer commits to 5% of its UK workforce being apprentices, sponsored students or graduates. Because we’re a large organisation, we’ve got to pay the apprenticeship levy – we set targets for the company, and we’re well in advance of that.

We’ll be taking on over 100 apprentices at Glendale and well over 100 in Parkwood Leisure.

It’s all going well.

How do the businesses work together?

We’ve got some interesting projects which bring together green and leisure. We have an entertainment business in Parkwood Leisure, and we’ve got a theatre business which we’ve recently rebranded as Parkwood Entertainment.

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INFORM

per year, and is today worth £117bn, representing 7.5% of GDP. It’s a huge market, and of course some aspects of that leisure market are in green spaces, so it’s a good idea to connect them.

We look after the events on Blackheath Common in Lewisham, and we’re looking at possibly doing a pantomime there. That brings our entertainment side together with our green side – it’s important to generate more revenue out of the open spaces that people use, and event management is one way of doing that.

We bought an outdoor activities business in south Wales last year, which is not really connected to parks but involves activities in open space. That’s also a growing market. When we talk about our parks and gardens sector, even including the sale of horticulture plants, we’re talking around £5bn in the UK. Our grounds management market in the public sector is shrinking from £500m to perhaps £350m, which is quite small. When you talk about leisure, it’s still growing a compound 5%

What are your views on the industry associations?

I’ve never been one for associations personally, and the reason for that goes way back to the early Nineties when there was a cartel arrangement – a number of companies were accused of being in a cartel in bidding for MOD work. So I’ve always been a bit wary of that sort of thing; however, we are a member of some organisations. Personally, I’m a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters. I’m also a member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture – while strictly speaking I’m not a horticulturist, I do have a lot of experience and knowledge of the horticulture sector.

People say good things about Glendale – it’s got a good reputation.

When you go out into the market generally and interview people, quite a lot say they’d like to work for Glendale. They see that we’ve got a place in the market and some stability. They’ll be treated well and gain a lot of good experience, and their job will be stable – that’s quite important to people when you’re talking about a career. Our payroll, excluding National

IT’S IMPORTANT TO GENERATE MORE REVENUE OUT OF THE OPEN SPACES THAT PEOPLE USE, AND EVENT MANAGEMENT IS ONE WAY OF DOING IT Insurance, is something like £65-70m a year – that’s a lot of people. Our apprentices target for the year is 101. The total number of employees in January at Glendale, including Golf and Horticulture, was around 1,500.

Is your plan to carry on the way things are, or to reduce your hours of work?

Succession is important, but we have a good team. I enjoy what I do, though it can be tiring.

We have a lot of experience in the business and the sector – hopefully we’re well regarded. I’ve been spending my time on horticulture recently, as well as our property services business.

I’ve also been looking at a programme of diversification across all of our businesses.

We’ve just bought a small yacht company in our leisure business, Parkwood Outdoors, which is a new brand. Within that, we’ve also got a cycling company and an outdoor activities centre, and we also look after Rufford Abbey Park in Nottinghamshire.

By the sounds of things, Tony has no plans to retire any time soon, with plenty of projects in the pipeline to keep him busy with Glendale for the foreseeable future.

1 Richmond Park Golf Course clubhouse 2 Glendale Horticulture nursery site in Tonbridge 3 L-R Wayne Grills chief exec BALI, Paul HerveyBrookes landscape designer, and Tony Hewitt on Perennial Legacy Garden Tatton Show 2015 4 Contract with North Somerset Council

CONTACT Glendale The Coach House, Duxbury Hall Road, Duxbury Park Chorley PR7 4AT Tel: 01257 460 461 info@glendale-services.co.uk www.glendale-services.co.uk

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COMPANY

PROFILE

Managing director Gareth Emberton talks us through the four growing divisions that make up Crown Group Holdings, its recent introduction of an apprenticeship scheme, and the sustainability of organic growth

What was your background prior to Crown Group?

I left the Royal Agricultural College in 1991 with a diploma in business development and worked for a family agricultural merchant.

I ended up labouring in the turf-cutting aspect of the business, and my first company, Severn Vale Contracts, grew from there. I was only 35 and I was the managing director of a £4m landscaping company, and looking back, that’s really young, particularly in this industry.

I lost that company in 2003 – we had a large client who had a revamp and in the tender process decided we were too small a company and dropped us, we had a regional

WE’RE JUST GOING TO CARRY ON DOING WHAT WE’RE GOOD AT – ADDING VALUE FOR OUR CLIENTS

CROWN GROUP HOLDINGS

in numbers

Established 2010 Employees 15 plus 40-50 subcontractors Breakdown Crown Landscapes is the largest with 75% followed

by Facilities Management and Landscape Architects office that wasn’t particularly functional, and one our clients went bust on us and we lost £250,000. After this, I was talked into become a business consultant for a marketing company, and in some respects, this is one of the best

Gareth Emberton things I’ve done. I learned a lot: firstly that companies all go through the same problems, and secondly that, looking back at my previous company, we weren’t actually running it badly – it’s just that a few things transpired against us. The best way to recover from something like that that is to get back on the horse and do it again.

How did you get back into landscaping?

After seven years in business consultancy, I started to get bored. The defining moment for me was when a man told me he loved what I was saying in my seminar, but his problem with business consultants was that if they were any good they would be running a business themselves. That was a tap on the shoulder. At the same time, my fellow director and shareholder in Crown Landscapes, Kevin Ellis, had been made redundant from what was then Blakedown Landscapes. He asked me if I wanted to start again, which we did in 2010.

How has Crown Group developed since?

It started as Crown Landscapes, providing landscape construction. Fairly quickly, we saw the opportunity for the other divisions – Crown Landscape Architects, Crown Facilities Management and Crown Sport and Play. It became Crown Group from there. Sport is our newest sector – we’ve always built sports pitches, but we started carrying out more school projects and decided it needed its own division.

How are the separate divisions managed?

It’s divided into four teams, the smallest of which are Crown Landscape Architects and Crown Sport and Play, though the sales are quite substantial now. With a landscape architecture division, we have to pay attention to BIM. I’m chairperson of Shropshire Constructing Excellence, and BIM is very much here to stay.

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INFORM APPRENTICESHIPS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT GOING FORWARD

Which of the divisions takes the higher percentage in terms of work?

Crown Landscapes makes 75% of the business, and it is currently growing by 20% annually.

Crown Facilities Management is set to double in size this year, as it’s the division we’re currently focusing on. Crown Landscape Architects tends to be driven by itself but by the other four as well, and Crown Sports and Play is driven by the landscaping aspect to a certain degree.

What has led to Crown Group’s recent decision to introduce apprenticeships?

Apprentices will come in as landscape operatives and carry out their apprenticeship.

If they’re good enough, they’ll move up through the company ranks. It gives people opportunities, which we will always have as the company is continually growing.

Apprenticeships are really important going forward. Subcontracting doesn’t work as a business model, there’s a skills shortage, and there are going to be labour shortages after Brexit. Britain has always been a country that has used immigrant labour, and with Brexit we have to assume the worst, that there will be zero immigration and a recession. If you assume the worst, everything else is going to be better than that. We use a lot of immigrant labour currently, but what about in five years’ time? We have to do something, and we see apprenticeships as the answer.

We have a target of introducing 12 apprentices over the next three years, across each of our divisions. The plan is to get the apprentices out on site for half a day to show them what we do, the kit we use and so on.

We then bring them in on a work placement, followed by an apprenticeship.

What size projects does Crown Landscapes normally undertake?

The largest project we’re currently working on is a school project worth £1m – that’s both landscaping and sports pitches. If a client calls saying they have a £5,000 project, we’re not going to say that’s too small for us, but generally we operate north of £30,000. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Company Profile Crown Group.indd 31

1 Southwater One, Telford 2 Penglais Farm, Aberystwith 3 Southwater One, Telford 4 Holywell Sports pitch: sand spreading 5 Aberystwyth University

What geographical areas does Crown Group cover?

We’re national, though most of our work is from the M62 downwards. It depends where the volume of work is.

Where do you see the company in the next five years?

We’re just going to carry on doing what we’re good at – adding value for our clients. I favour organic growth, which can cause problems in some sense as there is a trend for buying businesses at the moment. I’m not going to say I’ll never buy a business, but I’m not attracted to it because I think organic growth is more sustainable. If the right business comes along at the right price and in the right location, then we’ll obviously consider it.

Finally, what is the one thing you think the industry could and should do better?

It could market itself better. I was talking to the director of a Top 50 construction company, and he said the biggest problem is that people don’t take landscapers seriously on site – they’re perceived as being gardeners in the derogatory sense. Landscaping sells buildings, yet it’s the first thing that’s cut through value engineering.

CONTACT Crown Group Holdings, Blenccathra A, Upton Magna Business Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 4TT Tel: 01743 709411 Twitter: @Crown_Group_UK Email: info@crownlandscapes.com Web: www.crownlandscapes.com

Pro Landscaper / June 2017 31

24/05/2017 11:38

Great Castle Street, London – Oasis Street ©Arup

INFORM

Bangalore: Ulsoor Lake ©Arup

LANDSCAPE

ARCHITECT’S JOURNAL

Pro Landscaper talks to Arup’s landscape architecture practice about its current flagship projects

F

ounded by Sir Ove Arup in 1946, Arup was originally a small firm of engineers in London; since then, the company has gone from strength to strength. It now has over 90 offices globally and specialises in a number of services in design, planning and engineering in the built environment.

Looking to take landscape architecture to the next stage is Arup’s global landscape architect leader Tom Armour. Now with its own practice, landscape architecture has become a key focus, and one of the ways Tom is driving this forward is through the London Infrastructure Plan 2050.

“Working with the Greater London Authority (GLA), the London Infrastructure Plan 2050 looks at how we can plan the city’s infrastructure into the future, as its population continues to increase. What’s brilliant about this report is that green infrastructure has its own chapter, presenting it as just as important as other elements of planning.”

Further promoting the importance of green infrastructure is Cities Alive, a series of reports published from 2014, with Arup’s landscape practice authoring The Green Building Envelope report in 2016. Cities Alive looks at air pollution, 32

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Architects Journal Arup.indd 32

climate change and protective measures in an effort to put landscape into the same position as energy, waste, water and transport when it comes to thought processes and budgets.

“Cities Alive is now a world registered trademark,” Tom tells us. “It’s been featured in a variety of media outlets and is a degree module at Leeds Beckett University. Because we’re an independent company we’re able to apply for investment funding for thought leadership initiatives and this is how we could commission this report. It’s now spawned what we call the Cities Alive Community within Arup.”

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE HAS ITS OWN CHAPTER, PRESENTING IT AS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS OTHER ELEMENTS OF PLANNING Streets for people Arup does not only focus on city-wide projects – it is also determined to use green infrastructure to improve smaller areas. Tom explains: “Globally, there’s around 80-90 landscape architects employed by Arup, which allows us to take on large projects. Our team is characterised by big infrastructure projects, but we’re now also involved in master

planning, we’re close to the urban design team, and we’re doing a lot of work around implementing small projects on the ground.”

Its Streets for People initiative is a prime example of this. “We’re looking at street interventions that make them better for people, by closing streets or building parklets within them,” says Tom. “Cars don’t need to drive up every street. We have to think about how we can reduce or slow down traffic. We believe that once we have two or three of these in place, people will begin to see the benefits.”

One of these schemes is Windmill Street, close to Arup’s head office in London. The firm is working with its local business improvement district, Fitzrovia, to create Fitzpark, a temporary street intervention that will include seating, trees, and a crossing to reduce traffic. Simon Green, an associate director of landscape architecture at Arup, explains: “We’re not actually taking the traffic out – we’re putting in a ‘colourful crossing’ to slow cars down. It’s an artwork, so that when traffic comes around the corner, people will see it and slow down. We’re trying to turn the idea of the street on its head by saying that streets need to be for people, not just for cars.”

At the other end of the scale are projects such as the Thames Tideway Tunnels. “It’s a new sewerage system for London,” says Simon.

“Overflows of untreated sewage are currently www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/05/2017 11:15

Wild West End ©Arup

INFORM

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford ©PaulCarstairs/Arup

Summer Arch

Parklet, Windmill Street, London ©Arup

Hotel Park Doha ©Arup

regularly discharged into the Thames. The Thames Tideway Tunnel will clean up one of the world’s most iconic rivers as well as create numerous new and improved public spaces where the old and new infrastructure will be connected along its length.”

The landscape team were lead designers for the entire project during the design for planning and tender stages, which fed onto the wider development consent order for the project.

Arup has now been awarded the contract for the western section, around 6km of the 25km tunnel, and is putting together detailed designs, aiming to be on site in two years. The tunnel aims to futureproof the city to help it cope with its rising population, by tackling the issue of rainwater and untreated sewage currently entering the River Thames.

Raising profiles One of the projects Tom feels has raised the landscape practice’s profile within the 13,000-strong company is the work carried out on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (South) in the East End: “I was in charge of a team of engineers and through this work we were able to demonstrate to other professions the importance of our own, in how it can shape meaningful places and build legacy. We always try to think how we can create a long term www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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legacy with big projects, and there’s always a massive opportunity for this with large scale infrastructure and regeneration projects and particularly so with an Olympic project. It was an excellent example of what can be achieved through close collaborative working between consultants, contractors, local authorities and the client. The project really got us noticed within Arup – it was a key moment for landscape architecture.”

WE’RE TRYING TO TURN THE IDEA OF THE STREET ON ITS HEAD BY SAYING THAT STREETS NEED TO BE FOR PEOPLE, NOT JUST FOR CARS The practice has also been involved in a unique programme with some of the West End’s largest property owners, building on the Cities Alive ideas to develop an ‘ecological masterplan’. The project has since developed into the ‘Wild West End’, a partnership with the aim of increasing connections to green space and nature for residents, workers and visitors.

The firm is also developing green infrastructure in south London, most prominently the Peckham Coal Line – a linear park reminiscent of New York’s High Line. “It’s a proposition to

replace old infrastructure with green infrastructure, and landscape is fundamental to that,” explains Tom. The 900m-long urban park will connect Queens Road and Rye Lane, using the disused Rickett coal sidings along the railway.

Whilst Arup is undertaking many exciting projects in the UK, it is a global company, and has a number of international projects – notably the Madinat Al Irfan, a new business district in Muscat, the capital of Oman. “It’s a mixed development that we worked on with Allies and Morrison, and is a huge area of the city. The landscape drove the whole design because down the middle is a large wadi, which became a park. This park became the central theme for the whole development; it acts as flood protection, food production, and a way of cooling the area.”

Arup is not focused simply on landscape architecture, but on how it can benefit the people in the spaces it works on, and futureproof cities where population growth is inevitable.

CONTACT Tel: 020 7636 1531 Email: landscape-architecture@arup.com Twitter: @ArupGroup Website: www.arup.com/services/ landscape_architecture

Pro Landscaper / June 2017 33

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VIEW FROM THE TOP NICK TEMPLE-HEALD

These days, a social outing for me normally translates to happy hour in our village local.

There, everyone knows everyone’s business, and so the question “what do you do?” rarely arises. However, we are nothing if not a welcoming lot, and from time to time newcomers and visitors are invited into the conversation. In those circumstances, my response to that inevitable question is “I cut grass”. That’s normally sufficient to close off the line of enquiry but, just occasionally, I am obliged to expand – and when I do, the hearts of my drinking companions sink, as they know what is coming. He or she has inadvertently got me on to my hobbyhorse, and everyone else knows there is little chance of getting me to dismount until I have told them all about our fantastic industry.

HAVE A LOOK AT THE CONTRIBUTION BEING MADE BY OUR INDUSTRY TO SOCIAL INCLUSION, ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS, TRAINING AND EDUCATION I have an opening gambit: to the best of my knowledge, ours is the only industry where, when we do a job, the environment is better afterwards than it was when we set out. Every other job inevitably has a negative impact on the environment, however slight.

I explain that our industry comprises thousands of individuals who make their living under difficult conditions but, in general, are passionate about what they do. It doesn’t matter what your specific perspective is: whether you are Enko, the gardener at Russell www.prolandscapermagazine.com

View From The Top.indd 35

Square in London (idverde’s latest new contract), my best mate Terry Brood running his two-man landscaping business in Cumbria, a landscape architect, a project manager, a garden designer, or even if you manage the largest landscaping business in Europe.

The conclusion will be the same: “It’s not easy being green”, as Kermit the Frog sang.

What do I mean by this? Let’s go back to the grass cutting. When you tell someone you ‘cut grass’, you know the person’s reaction (privately, at least) is going to be: “How hard can that be?”

©Harmony Gerber / Shutterstock.com

Nick Temple-Heald makes a plea for a more positive outlook by our industry

People and organisations come into our industry thinking the same, only to find out fairly quickly just how hard it can be. A director of a major UK facilities management provider once said those exact words to my face: “It’s only a bit of grass cutting, how hard can it be?”. That was a few years ago, before he decided to ‘self-deliver’ this aspect of his multi-faceted contract; he went on to lose £2m in two seasons.

It is too easy to drift towards negativity and pessimism, because the job we do is highly skilled, difficult to manage, and performed in the face of multiple challenges. We have read in this very magazine that public sector budget cuts, the National Living Wage, the skill shortage, Brexit and even an ‘influx of overseas interests’ are all likely to kill us off. I’ve got news – they are not!

Have a look in your local park, at the latest new public realm landscaping project in your town, or even the green space on your estate or village. Have a look at the contribution being made by our industry to social inclusion, environmental projects, training and education.

If you like what you see, stand back and think: “We did that”. If you don’t like what you see, complain to the council.

Time for me to dismount the hobbyhorse.

Unusually for me, I am going to leave the last word to someone else – in this case a frog. So, back to Kermit: “But green’s the colour of spring And green can be cool and friendly-like And green can be big like an ocean Or important like a mountain Or tall like a tree When green is all there is to be It could make you wonder why But why wonder, why wonder?

I am green and it’ll do fine It’s beautiful!

And I think it’s what I want to be” ABOUT NICK TEMPLE-HEALD Nick Temple-Heald is Chief Executive of idverde UK and a group board member of Amorica SAS, idverde’s French parent company. He has been in the horticulture industry in numerous guises for over 30 years.

www.idverde.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / June 2017 35

24/05/2017 10:17

INFORM

THE GREAT DIVIDE ANDREW WILSON

Andrew Wilson looks at the drift away from vocational programmes towards money grabbing but ultimately dull and unrewarding careers. Wake up, parents!

There are many things for which I should thank my parents, but their greatest gift was to allow me to follow my dream. At 13 I wanted to be a landscape architect. At the time they weren’t sure what that was and neither was my career teacher – but somehow we all hatched a plan and, eventually, off I went to study and start my career.

Thirty-something years on I share the running of my own college and a successful design practice, and write about my favourite subject.

There are many who envy my career and my lifestyle, and while I have to say it’s hard work for a salary that could not be described as mega in any way, I’m as happy as a sandboy.

Gavin and I recently judged a project produced by the students at Wellington College.

It stemmed from our Chelsea show garden this year, and asked students to design their own version of a show garden, illustrating in the process the various educational links made across their curriculum. The project took flight after I had been invited to identify these links to

heads of department. The ‘what does a flower show have to do with education and careers?’ fog lifted as I talked about physics and structural engineering, geometry, IT, biology and chemistry.

The teachers became animated and the project was underway.

AS A GARDEN DESIGN COURSE DIRECTOR I HAVE INTERVIEWED MANY IN MY CAREER WHO HAVE BEEN BRAVE ENOUGH TO MAKE A CAREER CHANGE The animation and enthusiasm evident in the various presentations (an additional skill) was palpable, and the research and investigation behind the various submissions was stunning – with pressure pads, energy capture, scent analysis, irrigation, diurnal light patterns, model making, the Fibonacci sequence, input/output cycles and drones all making an appearance.

I do not doubt that we need lawyers, mathematicians, architects and bankers, but we also need landscape architects, garden designers and horticulturists.

I do know that there are many unhappy people out there for whom first careers became permanent careers, and that they are often forced down these paths by overanxious parents. How do I know? Well, as a garden design course director I have interviewed many in my career who have been brave enough to make a career change, or have had to wait for their parents to pass away before finally making their move.

My wife and I went for dinner the other day and started chatting to our waiter. She was moving lock, stock and barrel to Australia with her fiancé, and wasn’t sure what she would be doing – but so far, her favoured occupation was driving a tractor on a banana farm. (We were then informed that she had yet to take her driving test, which was an interesting thought!)

My reaction was to say: “Good on you!” Why train to be something you don’t want to be when there are options like that on the other side of the world. She is possibly never going to have a big house (and a big mortgage) or a fancy car, but why are these of overriding importance? And who knows, she could end up owning the banana farm!

The world thrives, I think, upon diversity.

Could I convert our Wellington students en masse into garden design? No, but then again I wouldn’t want or expect that. But, if one or two students have that urge to explore the subject a little further, or perhaps convince their parents and their career teacher (if they still exist) that it is a possible career path for them after our project, then I will be a happy man.

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

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/05/2017 13:54

WILDEST DREAMS

INFORM

ADAM WHITE Adam White gives us a sneak preview of his garden for RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, a sensory woodland ‘Wild Garden’ designed with autistic children in mind Ten years after winning an RHS Gold Medal and a BBC People’s Choice Award for our Hampton Court show garden ‘Playscape’, Andrée Davies and I are back with ‘Wild Garden’. We have been working with the charity Caudwell Children and sponsors Zoflora to create a sensory garden for children with various disabilities, in particular autism. Using a woodland setting, the garden shows how an accessible and inclusive wild garden can reconnect children of all abilities with nature.

Sensory stimulation will occur courtesy of playful planting and the use of materials that engage the five senses. Studies have shown that over 90% of children with autism experience unusual sensory processing. As you enter the garden, it will cater for those children looking to avoid an overload of sensory input (hypersensitivity). As you travel deeper into the garden, you will experience a natural transition into a space for those seeking a greater sensory input (hyposensitivity).

The garden will feature a treetop nest, a mushroom cave, a huge spinning boulder, hidden woodland scent pots, a hollow oak log and opportunities to play with water, all woven together with playful and edible planting. Following the show, ‘Wild Garden’ will be reimagined at the Caudwell International Centre for Children at Keele University.

Children, especially those with autism, enjoy secluded spaces where they can hide – accordingly, we have designed a treetop nest www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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AN ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE WILD GARDEN CAN RECONNECT CHILDREN OF ALL ABILITIES WITH NATURE and woodland floor nests. Spinning will also feature, from a sycamore key falling from the nest to a two-tonne boulder rotated with just a finger; the motion of spinning creates interest for some children with autism, activating and encouraging communication, social interaction and motor skills.

Layers of natural woodland habitat have been substituted for edible and sensory plants.

The upper tree canopy will include Juglans regia, Aesculus hippocastanum, and Pinus sylvestris, and the lower canopy Corylus avellana, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aucuparia and Sorbus torminalis.

Small trees will include plums, damsons and gages.

There will be a shrub, herb and ground cover layer made up of currant bushes, annual and perennial herbs and low-growing, ground-hugging plants such as wild strawberries.

Just one native tree can support hundreds of species; birds perch or nest in branches, lichens grow on trunks, spring blossom brings in nectar-loving insects, and fruits and seeds feed birds and small mammals in autumn. Many of the chosen plants will be species rather than varieties as these are usually more attractive to bees and insects, with nectar-rich open flowers.

We believe the Zoflora and Caudwell Children’s ‘Wild Garden’ will help reconnect families with nature and create a wonderful horticultural sensory experience for children, while supporting the goals of the RHS Greening Grey Britain campaign. There are over 19m families in the UK, and if we can encourage more of them to make their gardens playful through planting then we will be helping to tackle many of the challenges outlined in the RHS Greening Grey Britain campaign. Not only could we improve air quality, help reduce garden flooding, create diverse habits for wildlife and improve health for both the plants and those looking after them, but we could also tackle the problems of both childhood obesity and ‘nature deficit disorder’ by getting everyone more active outdoors.

Adam White with Giles Heap from CED Aggregates Ltd

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 davieswhite.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / June 2017 37

24/05/2017 09:58

INFORM

AWAY DAYS

DAVID DODD Does working away from home really pay?

David Dodd considers the effect on both staff members and profit margins I remember when I first moved to Sussex I asked a plumber from Pulborough to do some work at my house in Billingshurst. He sucked his teeth and informed me he didn’t like to travel too far, especially ‘up North’ as he put it, and Billingshurst was a bit out of his area…it’s a 10-minute drive! So why are some landscapers (and other tradespeople) prepared to put in huge mileage and time to get to work?

Every May, The Outdoor Room moves up to West London for the RHS Chelsea flower show.

We’ve built gardens all over the country, and for a couple of years we were ‘on the road’ for a further four months while knocking out gardens for the TV show Love Your Garden. All good fun most of the time, but does working away from home really pay, and what impact does it have on your staff’s morale and family life?

The Outdoor Room has lost five staff due to them being unhappy with long hours driving to and from sites. Because of this, we set a policy stating that we wouldn’t undertake any work that is more than an hour and a half’s drive from Horsham. Any more than that is exhausting, and the last thing you want to do on top of a hard day’s graft.

Okay, you can never predict traffic on the M25 or in London, but as a rule the policy works quite well and we are still able to cover a massive area of the South East. Any further than

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WORKING AWAY FROM HOME CAN OFTEN BE A VERY GOOD TEAM BUILDING EXERCISE this, and we need to cover accommodation and subsistence allowance – which is fine, but it racks up the cost of labour enormously. Quite often this isn’t an issue if the clients want one particular contractor, but it’s definitely not worth wasting time pricing if the job is out to tender, particularly against a more local company. We’ve been asked to hide hotel and food costs by a couple of designers, as they said it would scare off the clients. I’m not sure why – I thought most people would be happy to see staff welfare being provided for.

Another problem is if the weather’s bad, or additional work is required. This results in more costs, and if the project starts to overrun it can really start to eat into any profit margins.

As my staff have got older and started having families, it’s harder to ask them to stay away from home all week, for months at a time – but if the project is a ‘not to be missed’ garden, then most are still happy to pack their bags and load up the vans. They always get a decent hotel or B&B and a room each; I think relationships start to get a bit strained if they are working, eating

and then sleeping together. It’s good to have that little bit of alone time, and not be woken up by your roommate snoring and farting all night! Apart from the odd squabble, the camaraderie can be excellent, and working away from home can often be a very good team building exercise.

For some companies, especially in more rural areas, travelling long distances or staying overnight is just part of their life in order for their business to survive – but for us, the quality of the project has to be right, as does the money, and the duration can’t be more than 10-12 weeks.

The single most important thing to ask is: ‘are the staff going to be happy doing it?’.

ABOUT DAVID DODD David Dodd has been in the landscape industry since the age of 17. Having studied and then taught at Merrist Wood College, he set up The Outdoor Room in 1995. In 2013, he went into business with landscape architect Joe Perkins to form Longview Design Ltd. David has also lectured in design and construction for over 20 years.

www.theoutdoorroom.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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INFORM

A PERFECT confection

among the most stunning. It also has a fascinating – and rather unusual – parks offer.

In recent years, following its industrial heyday in the 19th century, it has become a major centre n this Pro Landscaper series looking at for tourism (thanks in part to the iconic York local authority parks and green spaces, Minster). As of mid-2015, the population was we’ve covered some truly beautiful cities. estimated at around 200,000 people, spread out This month, we’re looking at somewhere over an area of 105mi². with the potential to top them all, in the shape of York, situated in the northeast of England. It is A patchwork of parks one of the most historically and culturally Dave Meigh is public realm operations manager significant sites in the UK, as well as being at York City Council. According to him, the city’s

Pro Landscaper takes a trip to York to explore its unique, multi-faceted parks offer

I

parks offer – which is not purely the responsibility of the council – is a reflection of the many different interests and organisations that make up the fabric of life in York.

“The Yorkshire Museum Gardens, which was founded about 1840, is a case in point when it comes to ownership of parks and green spaces,” he says. “It was established by Yorkshire Philosophical Society, before passing briefly into the hands of the council, which then set up the Museums Trust. That’s the organisation that manages it now.

WE’RE ALWAYS TRYING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE CITY

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24/05/2017 10:05

INFORM

THERE’S CURRENTLY A REAL PUSH BY US TO ENGAGE WITH OUR COMMUNITIES, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ENCOURAGING THEM TO LOOK AFTER THEIR OWN GREEN SPACES

“Another example is the land around York Minster, which is called the Dean’s Garden.

That’s been there for hundreds of years, and is owned by the Minster itself. These are both incredibly important parks in relation to the life of the city, with the latter in particular being enjoyed by people visiting York.”

He continues: “In terms of civic parks that are actually owned by the council, our principal site in the city itself is Rowntree Park, which consists of 30 acres of land just outside the centre. It was gifted to York by the Rowntree family – whose confectionary business was based here up until the Fifties – as a memorial following the First World War. Prior to that there’d been a few pocket parks, the first of which opened around 1913.

“The other thing you get in York is what’s known as ‘strays’, which are areas of common land located around the city, consisting of around 800 acres altogether. There are four in total – Bootham, Micklegate, Monk and Walmgate – all of which are in the control of the council, even though we haven’t got the deeds, so we can’t actually prove we own them. They were essentially grazing ground for use by the freemen of York for their flocks.”

Rowntree Park, meanwhile, is used primarily to escape the hustle and bustle of what can be an extraordinarily busy city. Situated on the banks of the river Ouse and designed by WJ Swain alongside Fred Rowntree himself, the park includes an open-air performance area, as well as a tennis court, skate park, cafe and lake.

Perhaps the most memorable features are the park’s iron gates, which were given to the people of York by the Rowntree family in 1955 – ‘in thanks for the courage and steadfastness of the people of York’ following the Second World War, according to a nearby donation plaque.

What is the council’s strategy when it comes to planting and maintenance? “Looking at Rowntree specifically, our approach has always been quite different from most of our neighbours in terms of how they manage their destination spaces,” he says. “We went specifically for

herbaceous about 20 years ago, and that’s what we’ve kept with. The result is that there’s no bedding in Rowntree Park at all – indeed, the area devoted to planting out itself is very small.

“That’s not to say we don’t use bedding or colourful plants in other parks across York, although it can be quite awkward in the city centre itself because there are no lamp posts to hang baskets from – they’re all situated on the sides of houses. We did introduce flower towers as well.”

Speaking of how the city council resources its parks, Dave says: “We don’t assign a budget for the parks themselves, but to the green spaces as a whole, which includes strays, allotments and so on. That’s part of our public realm service, which also includes street cleansing. In the same way, we don’t have gardeners so much as general operatives who might be gardening for six months and then go on to something else after that period has finished. It’s entirely outdoor work related to green space, including looking after the land around our housing stock. We have about 65 of those operatives working for us.

Courage and steadfastness Unfortunately, locations such as the Dean’s Garden and the Yorkshire Museum Garden fall outside the scope of this article because they’re not maintained by the council, even though they are accessible to members of the public. Both, however, are beautiful spaces, which would do any town or city proud.

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“In terms of skills, we do have people on the team who specialise in different areas of work – for instance, there’s several arboriculture professionals, as well as the guys who are qualified to operate specialist machinery such as mowers. Some have come through the horticultural apprenticeship, which is something we’ve been running for years.”

Famous city walls York is a fascinating city, with an equally interesting offer when it comes to its parks and green spaces. Many of its larger civic parks aren’t under council control, with the breakdown of ownership – not including the aforementioned strays – about 70/30 in favour of the local authority. That said, the council has used its parks to good effect. One example is its biodiversity action plan, the results of which are readily apparent in the wilder areas around York’s famous city walls, which come alive each spring with daffodils and cow parsley. The council also recognises just how important parks are to the communities it works for.

“There’s currently a push by us to engage with our communities, while at the same time encouraging them to look after their own green spaces,” says Dave. “We’ve got a volunteering www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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THE CITY’S PARKS OFFER IS A REFLECTION OF THE MANY DIFFERENT INTERESTS AND ORGANISATIONS THAT MAKE UP THE FABRIC OF LIFE IN YORK programme, through which we’re transferring the management of some the physical assets to the people of York themselves. The bowling greens have gone to the bowlers this year, and we’re working to transfer the city’s allotments to a new charity. We’re being forced to do this because of politics and budget constraints, but to my mind it’s also a good idea.

“That community focus is also reflected in how we’re developing green spaces themselves, and the investment we’re putting in. For instance, there’s something like 95 play areas across the city, and we refresh or redevelop about one of those a year. We’ve also got a new scheme running at the moment where we’re going to improve around another ten. We take the same attitude to our sporting facilities, such as the skate park in Rowntree, which we recently rebuilt for about £120k.

We’re always trying to improve the quality of life for people who live in the city.”

With that in mind, how would he sum up what parks and green spaces mean to those who live in York? Given how idyllic and historic the city is, could there be a danger that the residents might become complacent? “People who live in York tend to be quite local,” says Dave, “and as such they really value their local spaces, so absolutely not. The parks are heavily used as destinations, but they’re also deeply ingrained in the practical life of the city itself, for instance with people using them to find easy, relaxing routes to and from work, and to travel across the city.

“Given the size of York, I would anticipate that most people see at least one of the green spaces every day. The parks are of tremendous value to people – and although the governance and ownership is perhaps a little unusual, they’re of tremendous value to us too.”

We can see why.

1 The gatehouse at Rowntree Park 2 Rowntree Park’s Mercury fountain 3 One of York’s many play areas for children 4 The ornamental lake at Rowntree Park Pro Landscaper / June 2017 43

24/05/2017 10:06

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Patient courtyards get a cheerful makeover at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester

WILD AT HEART DAVID KEEGAN

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Creating a sanctuary for the birds and the bees in a small Salford space

AHEAD OF THE CURVE

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JOANNE WILLCOCKS A clever winding path updates this lakeside Cheshire garden

PARADISE FOUND

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GRANT ASSOCIATES This Malaysian development is a lush sensory experience

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WINNER Hard Landscaping Construction Cost under £300k

PROJECT DETAILS

SEA CHANGE

Project value £75k Build time Eight weeks

IDVERDE

Size of project 600m²

Meticulous planning ensures the successful refurbishment of patient courtyards at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester

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dverde was employed to refurbish the courtyards at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester. Works to the PR2 and PR3 courtyards were undertaken in late 2013; these involved removing existing landscaping surfaces and features, installing a timber retaining wall with feature lighting and seating areas, and a sympathetic soft landscaping scheme.

The second phase, to a courtyard immediately outside the paediatric ward PR4, was undertaken in summer 2014. The project aimed to turn the disused courtyard outside the unit’s waiting room into a space for young outpatients. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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The project was named ‘The Starlight Garden’, and was predominantly financed through fundraising activities arranged by local charities and Manchester-based radio station Key 103FM. Key 103FM launched the ‘Operation Outpatients’ appeal as part of their annual fundraising event ‘Cash for Kids Day’, aiming to raise funds to undertake the rejuvenation of the courtyard.

Unfortunately, the funding fell short, so idverde used its relationship with its supply chain to reduce costs where possible, in order to achieve the required overall scheme designed by Halsall Lloyd Partnership. Works included colourful Pro Landscaper / June 2017 47

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paving and sensory planting in a maritime theme with a colourful blue pool, gravel beach and chunky timber uprights; dry coastal style plants and grasses rustle in the breeze and provide interest for touch and smell.

Build With the site being a live hospital, access restrictions and the safety of patients, staff and the general public were paramount. All materials had to be trafficked through the hospital, and their movement had to be coordinated so as not to disturb surrounding wards. Works were undertaken at hours to suit the wards and outside peak visiting periods.

Works to the courtyard included the removal of existing concrete surfacing, earthwork remodelling, installing gabion walls, log walls and a new drainage system, futureproofing the lighting scheme, cladding existing walls, resin bound surfacing and a soft landscaping scheme.

Materials had to be transported by crane as the courtyard was enclosed within the heart of the hospital complex, and no materials could be moved through the wards. A lifting schedule was produced in line with idverde’s construction programme and delivery schedule. One neighbouring area was a neuropathic ward in which sleep monitoring was taking place, so close liaison with this department was required.

Challenges As the environment was a working hospital, dust and waste had to be kept to a minimum.

Restrictions were imposed on waste production and dust-causing operations, due to dust spawn creating bacteria within the hospital. To ensure dust presence complied with hospital regulations, weekly meetings were held with the hospital’s professor in microbiology, to analyse data gathered around the working area.

Due to cleanliness requirements, idverde had to seal all windows and doors that opened onto the courtyard to prevent dust and bacteria getting into the wards and operating theatres. Air and dust samples were taken on a weekly basis by the hospital trust to monitor operations. All operatives gaining access to the courtyard had to remove outside boots and use foot covers to prevent the spread of bacteria and dust throughout the hospital corridors.

The site had very limited access, so materials had to be transported via crane over the building and lowered into the courtyard. Even the excavator required to remodel the ground levels had to be lifted in and out.

Approximately 100m³ of spoil needed to be removed as a result of remodelling works. The spoil was put into jumbo bags, stacked in the already small courtyard, and then craned out. This made the working area even smaller, and required

detailed planning to ensure that works could take place each day, with minimal crane requirements to keep costs down.

Detailed weekly meetings were held between idverde’s project manager, Kevin Pearson, and the hospital trust staff to liaise on operating schedules, planned appointments and sleep clinics, ensuring that logistics plans complemented these and caused no operational disruption to the functions of the adjoining wards and theatres.

1 Children’s soft surfacing play area 2 Sensory garden and resin paths 3 Sea-themed soft surfacing 4 Gabion walling 5 All plant had to be hoisted into the courtyard 6 Unilog retaining wall

ABOUT IDVERDE idverde is Europe’s leading specialist green service provider, offering a range of services to support the creation, maintenance and management of landscapes and green spaces throughout the UK, working with both public and private sector clients to deliver bespoke solutions. www.idverde.co.uk

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REFERENCES Contractor idverde www.idverde.co.uk

Topsoil

Design

Plants

Halsall Lloyd Partnership

Boningale

www.hlpdesign.com

R Draper Ltd

www.rdraperltd.co.uk

www.boningale.co.uk

Crane work

Resin bound paths

Commhoist

Midland Decorative Surfaces

www.commhoist.co.uk

www.decorativesurfaces.co.uk

Mot stone, ballast cement, weatherboard, cladding

Wet pour

AGS

www.dcmsurfaces.com

www.advancedgroundwork.com

DCM Surfaces

Log retaining wall gates, framework for cladding, sleeper steps Hales Sawmills Ltd

www.halessawmills.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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WILD AT HEART

WINNER Finalist and Winner: ‘Residential Landscaping Design Award 2016’

PROJECT DETAILS Project value £30k Build time 2 months Size of project 170m2

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DAVID KEEGAN GARDEN DESIGN Clever use of space transforms a small city garden in Salford into an award-winning and picture-perfect haven for insect life

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he fundamental design principle behind this project, and the brief set by the client, was for a low maintenance space that was more outward looking and European in its aesthetic than a traditional English garden. It was also a requirement that the design for the garden displayed a strong architectural context, as well as providing a haven for insect life that could coexist in harmony with humans – quite a lot to expect from what is a very small space.

Design A big part of David’s vision was to create a connection between the inside and outside space, and generate a sense of being immersed in the garden, even when seated inside. In carrying this out, he deliberately decided not to follow the fashion of extending the inside out, and instead created a separate nature space that provided a complementary flow between the two, rather than a continuous connection. David wanted the garden to connect to all the senses and to be a ‘picture’ whatever the weather and time of year, whilst equally needing it to fill and flow with the seasons.

As the garden was very small, the primary challenge was to try and include everything the client wanted without compromising or swamping the space. For example, the hidden raised beds came about following a conversation David had with the client where it became evident they would be used to grow a small selection of seasonal salad leaves and spinach – plants that would cope with the reduced light levels of raised beds – but equally, hidden away, wouldn’t look unsightly when not in use. By incorporating the raised beds behind a screen, David was able to achieve this without compromising the overall aesthetic balance of the garden.

Similarly, the wood store is practical as a space to season wood for a wood burning stove, but is also aesthetically complementary to the overall scheme. The green walls allowed David to create depth and use colour and planting to draw the eye beyond the sculptural screens, but in a space-controlled way that could also be easily maintained. Likewise, the bug houses were visually complementary as well as being useful habitats for wildlife.

The use of a cobble base was a deliberate move to get away from the usual grassed lawn area, requiring less maintenance and therefore causing less environmental pressure. It also played to the sculptural dimensions of the design,and lends texture and contrasting foils to the interplanting, the effects

1 View across central terrace with western red cedar sculpture panels 2 Bespoke log store filled with cherry wood prunings from a tree in the garden 3 White butterfly adds to a long list of insects making use of the garden’s rich nectar store Pro Landscaper / June 2017 51

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of which will increase as planting matures and develops. In this way, the small space provides the calming retreat that the client wanted, as well as embracing and supporting the natural environment in a holistic and balanced manner.

Planting The wildlife-friendly planting included the new hybrid Verbena bonariensis ‘Lollipop’ – a lower growing and more compact variety than the standard Verbena bonariensis, which can tend to get overly large and straggly in a small space. This was combined with Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’ and Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’, plus another, somewhat new Echinacea purpurea hybrid, ‘Kim’s Knee High’ – a shorter and more compact variety of Echinacea, with an almost metallic sheen to the petals. Origanum vulgare, with its soft lime green foliage and pale pinkish-white flowers, and creeping lemon thymes, were then planted to add contrast. David also chose the compact Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’, completing the haven of colour and scent.

The effect of this style of planting is to create layers of colour and contrast from the ground up to just over 60cm – about the right height for the size of the space, as it provides a good picture without overwhelming the senses of the viewer. Cool colours in the lower planting layer act as a perfect foil for stronger colours in the top layer.

Planting to the cobbled areas was more muted, with silver greys and bronzes providing a framework for the central zone. The scheme included such gems as Eryngium giganteum ‘Miss Wilmott’s Ghost’, contrasted with the bronze panicles of Carex buchananii ‘Red Rooster’, which picked up the tones of the Corten pots, cobbles and boulders. The striking panicles and flower stems of Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, green with flowering stems of soft buff, continue the evolving sense of drama and contrast in the garden.

The end result when you are seated inside the house and looking out on the garden is that it acts as a calming backdrop and picture. When you sit in the garden, on the other hand, you are totally immersed, and can escape the connection and confines of the house. In this way, the garden becomes a discrete, but complementary, separate space. While the two spaces coexist and connect, they both offer very different moods and, consequentially, very different emotional responses.

On David’s summer visit to the garden in the first year, he was delighted to find it brimming with colour, texture and wildlife.

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REFERENCES Garden design and planting David Keegan Garden Design

David Keegan, assisted by Natalie Rutter www.davidkeegangardendesignand landscapingconsultancy.co.uk Hard landscaping Spruce Landscapes

Kris Kennedy, assisted by Shaun Hattersley and Bradley Campbell www.sprucelandscapes.co.uk Timber supplies (American yellow pine and western red cedar) The Manchester Deck Company Ltd

Chris Lowe www.manchesterdeck.co.uk

Bespoke screens, raised beds, living walls wood store and bug house Spruce Landscapes

Kris Kennedy www.sprucelandscapes.co.uk Green wall components Tree Box Easi Green Wall

www.treebox.co.uk Plants

Boot & Co Nurseries

BEFORE/DURING

www.boot.nl/en Furniture

Bespoke order from the Skyline range

Made in Belgium, supplied by DK Garden Design on behalf of Skyline www.sky-linedesign.co.uk Corten steel pots

1 Summer colour stone effect cushions, with Corten pots in background

The Pot Company

www.thepotco.com

2 View from back of garden towards seating area outside the house’s bifold doors

Stone effect cushions Custom made Livingstone cushions

3 Bumblebee collects nectar from Verbena bonariensis ‘Lollipop’ inflorescence 4 Hidden planters to rear of sculpture panels provide the perfect place to grow salad leaves and other semi-shade loving edibles 5 Even dragonflies have turned up to feed on the nectar-rich plants 6 Green walls draw the eye past the Corten Pots and cedar panels and into the trees beyond, lending a sense of depth to a shallow garden 7 Acers planted in the Corten pots lend exquisite colour, warmth and seasonal interest 8 Bare bones, the framework of a garden midconstruction 9 The garden as seen on David’s first visit www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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ABOUT DAVID KEEGAN GARDEN DESIGN David Keegan is an award-winning garden designer specialising in medium to large scale domestic and commercial projects. His designs set out to strengthen the connection between people and place through harmonious use of plants and materials. www.davidkeegangardendesignand landscapingconsultancy.co.uk

Designed and manufactured

by Stéphanie Marin in Nice, France www.smarin.net/en/ Portuguese bush hammered stone Trade Price Stone Ltd

www.tradepricestoneltd.co.uk Scottish river cobble JH Mayor Timber and Fencing Specialists

www.jhmayor.com Large boulders Reclaimed

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WINNER Big Ideas, Small Budget Winner of the Big Ideas, Small Budget category at this year’s SGD Awards Ceremony on 27th January 2017 at The Landmark Hotel, London. What the judges said: “A beautifully effortless garden, designed to enhance a lovely view.

A strong, simple and incredibly effective idea.”

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AHEAD OF THE CURVE JOANNE WILLCOCKS An innovative winding path leads to an idyllic lakeside setting in this rural Cheshire garden

PROJECT DETAILS Project value £12k Build time One month Size of project 107m²

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Portfolio 3 Joanne Willcocks.indd 55

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his garden belongs to a converted mews barn in a quiet rural setting, overlooking a small lake in Cheshire.

It is southwest facing, surrounded by nature and teeming with wildlife. The original garden was heavily hard-landscaped 25 years ago using a number of different materials, with heavy rustic fencing, sparse planting, and – surprisingly – nowhere to sit.

The brief was to create a garden that sat comfortably in its setting, with a terrace for lounge chairs where the clients could relax and make the most of the view and early evening sun. A large planting area was also required to provide some privacy for the main seating area in the summer months, to be created in a naturalistic style in order to encourage bees, birds and butterflies.

The design and build The garden required a sensitive approach that embraced its natural setting. The solution was to design something simple, bold and organic, that encouraged wildlife, harmonised with the view, and used natural materials that respected the local vernacular. The curvaceous hardwood deck design creates movement through the garden and makes it feel bigger as it winds its way to the water’s edge.

1 The curvaceous deck viewed from the bedroom 2 Light metal fencing built on site by local artist 3 The view from the main living area (early May) 4 ‘ See-through’ string chairs were chosen so as not to dominate the space and preserve the lake views even when left in front of the glass doors 5 A garden full of bee and butterfly friendly plants 6 View back to the house (late June)

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BEFORE Jo worked in collaboration with Rick and Mark from Richard Morris Garden Landscaping in order to realise the design. The path’s frame was built in sections and the boards laid parallel to the house, before the final curved shape was marked out and cut.

Challenges The garden could only be reached through the house and via a footpath running along the back of adjacent properties; fortunately, the neighbours were supportive of the improvements. Deliveries and skips had to be positioned at the end of this path, so there was a lot of barrowing back and forth — no mean feat, with 20 tonnes of topsoil.

Water seepage from the lake had been a problem at the bottom of the garden, so a submerged retaining wall was built and camouflaged with reclaimed duck stones that sloped gently to the water’s edge, to allow wildlife to wander in and out.

The clients’ immediate neighbour is increasingly housebound and wanted to enjoy

ABOUT JOANNE WILLCOCKS Joanne Willcocks, Gardens by Design, creates beautiful and imaginative outdoor spaces in Cheshire and surrounding counties.

Her appreciation of good design, along with her love of the landscape and horticulture, allows her to create gardens that work both functionally and aesthetically for their owners.

www.joannewillcocks.co.uk

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the views to the lake from their lounge, so Jo designed a light, rusted metal fence that mimics local estate fencing and commissioned local metal artist, Andrew Smith, to build it on-site.

Planting took a few adjustments to keep a channel of plants at a lower level, so that the view to the lake could be maintained from the neighbour’s favourite armchair.

1 Before: heavily hard landscaped with no comfortable area to sit 2 During: sinuous curves revealed just after cutting 3 After: the richness of the yellow balau hardwood deck shines through post rain

REFERENCES Designer Joanne Willcocks, Gardens by Design

Planting and accessories The garden was designed to respond to the seasons and the needs of its owners, by keeping the planting low in the winter and spring to make the most of the views from inside the house at ground level, and then high in the summer when more privacy is required.

The scheme includes two multistem Amelanchiers to provide privacy and spring and autumn interest. As they mature, the lower stems will be kept clear to allow glimpses of the lake.

Planting includes butterfly-friendly Cirsium, Cephalaria, Salvia, Echinops, Persicaria and Verbena. Evergreen Libertia, Euphorbia, grasses and various seed heads — including Allium, Sedum, Rudbeckia, Phlomis and Agastache — provide additional winter interest, with miniature Narcissus, Fritillaria, Pulmonaria and Tulipa sylvestris marking the arrival of spring.

The old carriage lamp that was already in situ was left in place for task lighting, but lighting is primarily provided by candles and storm lanterns. Finally, light garden chairs were chosen to preserve the organic lines of the deck, along with a Danish-designed table with a removable tray, to carry drinks and nibbles to the terrace.

07903 974 467; jo@joannewillcocks.co.uk www.joannewillcocks.co.uk Landscaper Richard Morris Garden Landscaping

07791 871 946 Decking Silva Timber

www.silvatimber.co.uk Bespoke fencing Andrew Smith – Hillview Forge, Tattenhall

01829 770 082 Plants

Bluebell Cottage Nursery

www.bluebellcottage.co.uk Ladybrook Nursery

www.ladybrooknursery.com Pickmere Perennials

www.pickmereperennials.com Garden Furniture: string chairs Cox & Cox

www.coxandcox.co.uk Cane-line table Outdoor Chic

www.outdoorchic.co.uk Duck stones Lifted from original garden and reused

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INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO

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PROJECT DETAILS Project value RM282.9 million Build time 2.5 years Size of project 1.9 hectares

PARADISE FOUND GRANT ASSOCIATES An ambitious Malaysian development provides a sensory experience for residents and visitors

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esigned by developer Pulau Indah Ventures to offer an oasis of urban wellness, the Afiniti development covers a total area of 1.9ha and comprises five zones: serviced apartments, residential units, a wellness centre, a corporate training centre and wellness-themed retail.

Afiniti, with architecture by the Kuala Lumpur-based aQidea Architects, was a key project in the development of Medini, a township spanning 9.2km².

With a focus on sustainability, Medini is earmarked to be the Central Business District of Iskandar Puteri in Malaysia’s southern economic zone of Iskandar. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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The Oasis garden All of Afiniti’s zones converge on a green podium courtyard which sits on the development’s basement car park. Designed and delivered by Grant Associates’ Singapore office, The Oasis is a green space with landscape features on multiple levels, including a central ravine, colonnade, water walls and overhead walkways. Each garden space was designed to respond to the adjacent building: • The wellness centre garden was devised to create a soothing retreat, with an enclosed feel for privacy. Features include a yoga deck, reflective pool and reflexology path, and the planting palette focuses on scented and medicinal plants, to soothe the senses.

• The corporate training centre maximises opportunities for people to meet and share ideas. An indoor/outdoor experience provides shelter from the tropical heat while still benefiting from a lush garden setting.

• Gardens relating to retail, food and beverage include spaces for outdoor dining beneath feature trees, providing shade and maximising views through the wider landscape.

• Residential gardens create a welcoming retreat for occupants, including tropical flower gardens and a children’s play area.

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water features to offer a cooling experience in the city.

Level changes were maximised by creating a sheltered colonnade space, large central pool and water walls.

Key facts • 50% of the development area is vegetated • 550 trees are planted including 36 different species, 15 native species • 55 different species of shrub and ground covers • 30% of the proposed species have medicinal benefits

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Concept The aim of The Oasis is to provide a retreat where people can enhance their wellbeing by immersing themselves in nature. Grant Associates took the structure of a fruiting tree as its inspiration: shoots and stems (paths and linking walkways) create a network across the space, with fruits and pods (individual gardens) occurring at key nodes. These provide spaces for seeds and flowers (art, play and water features).

The key theme of multi-layered green space continues into the five zones in the form of sky-rise, rooftop gardens and vertical planting.

Carly Lamb, senior associate at Grant Associates, comments: “Afiniti’s landscape concept was a fundamental part of the identity of this scheme for Medini, which centres on the theme of wellbeing.

“Every aspect of the landscape aims to enhance residents’ and visitors’ sense of wellness and to inspire the imagination and excite the five senses. The scheme offers a range of experiences, from adventure and discovery to therapeutic areas of reflection and calm.

Social experiences are also provided for in the form of barbecue areas, play spaces and places to sit together and enjoy the surrounding, natural lushness.

“This project is significant as it demonstrates the possibilities of creating unique and characterful spaces,

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while dealing with the complexity of establishing a landscape on a podium structure.”

Challenges Considerable coordination was required between Grant Associates and other disciplines and contractors to ensure that the key landscape elements would be maintained throughout the build. For example, lowering the structural slabs and beam to allow for required soil depths and water features within the limited space.

The site’s relatively small size and intensity meant there was an overlap of various contractors working at any one time. This called for the careful protection of completed works. In addition, high quality tree stock proved difficult, though possible, to source in Malaysia.

Planting • Tropical, informal spaces The aesthetics of the planting are informal, embracing the patterns of nature rather than straight lines. The layered and lush feel of the planting gives a relaxed feel to each space, which in turn adds to the restorative benefits.

• Medicinal and indigenous species Many species that are indigenous to Malaysia and South East Asia were used, allowing the gardens to be rooted in the local context. Plant species traditionally related to healing are also

incorporated throughout. The aim is to weave nature into the built environment, emphasise the connectedness of all life forms, and enable people to experience nature’s healing power.

• A sensory experience The planting was chosen to appeal to the five senses: scented and colourful flowers, textural leaves, plants that move in the breeze, and edible herbs. All selections were made to demonstrate the multifunctional uses of plants and the delight of the natural world. The planting also provides a retreat for fauna in the urban environment, with birds, butterflies and insects enhancing the sensory experience of being immersed in the natural world.

• Colour and delight Among the layered tropical planting of various greens, colour highlights were used, as found within a natural rainforest. The colour of the planting responds to the use of the space: for example, the food and beverage areas have richness with red and blue highlights,

while the wellness centre garden uses cooler shades of white and pink.

• Creating structure, shade and screening The multi-layered forest approach provide a structure to give hierarchy to the sequence of spaces. Taller trees offer a filtered shade canopy to key spaces and routes, while smaller flowering and fruiting trees and shrubs provide colour and richness. Taller shrubs were used to provide enclosure and screening where privacy and seclusion were desired.

REFERENCES Design Grant Associates

www.grant-associates.uk.com Main contractor, including all hardworks and structures Sunway Construction Sdn. Bhd

www.sunwayconstruction.com.my Soft landscape contractor (planting) Green Hub Sdn. Bhd

www.green-hub.com

1 Illustrative view looking into the ravine

Architecture

2 Illustrative section through the central ravine

aQidea Architects

3 Entrance steps and water cascade 4 Sensory garden 5 Waterfall into the ravine pool

www.aqidea.co.my Developer Pulau Indah Ventures

6 Bridge linking across the ravine

ABOUT GRANT ASSOCIATES Grant Associates is an international landscape architecture consultancy. It has experience in all scales and types of ecological and landscape development including strategic landscape planning, master planning, urban design and regeneration, and landscapes for housing, education, sport, recreation and commerce. www.grant-associates.uk.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Vela by Vondom

INSPIRE

Anji Connell reports back from the Milan Furniture Fair’s 2017 event, presenting a selection of eye-catching pieces for adding flamboyance to an outdoor space

BEST IN SHOW

geometric shadows in the sunlight, and was Following on from last month, I continue to created by Ange for the Wallpaper* Magazine explore the best products for glamming up Handmade exhibition space, in collaboration outdoor spaces, reporting back from a visit to with The Invisible Collection and Green Gallery. It the Milan Furniture Fair. Fortunately for us, there is also available from The Invisible Collection in was no shortage of exciting new outdoor pieces blue and green indoor versions. to incorporate into future projects, all exceptionally designed and fabricated.

THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE The Milan Furniture Fair’s 2017 edition once OF EXCITING NEW OUTDOOR again demonstrated why it deserves its reputation as the leading event for showcasing PIECES TO ADOPT INTO new and innovative furniture, lighting and home FUTURE PROJECTS furnishings from around the globe, conceived by Almost as immersive an experience is the both new and established designers. Dedon, new Saga Double Lounge Chair, designed by Minotti, Paola Lenti and Varaschin presented Christophe Delcourt for Roche Bobois. Saga is a complete furniture ranges in weatherproof striking and eco-friendly collection featuring an materials, textiles and special foams, which will abstract, twig-like wooden slat design that withstand sun, rain, and mould. New designs brings a sense of the forest into any urban space typically feature lighter frames and modular – the pieces are almost nest-like. sections that can be reconfigured in many Another eye-catching new product was the different ways – all made comfy with cushions.

Palma sun umbrella, made by the Belgian “It is a place where one finds comfort and company Royal Botania. “Palma is a new peace,” designer Marc Ange says of his tropical concept in parasols, offering modern organic pink day bed Le Refuge. “It is the projection of aesthetics with simply functionality,” explains a childhood memory.

Simon Ray of Royal Botania stockists Its large leaves form a Encompass. “It has a unique automatic shelter from the sun, opening system operated away from reality, just through a gas spring located like those of the in the parasol’s mast. Simply imaginary jungle lift the parasol ribs, and the that grows in canopy will fully open the room of a automatically. The parasol is child who seeks supported without ribs or struts escape.” The with a tapered mast, making it a perforated palm trees of uniquely sculptural sun shade.” this fantastical The mast base has a quick creation cast release system, allowing the beautiful Chita by Kenneth Cobonpue 60

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parasol to be detached with ease; it also has a rubber tyre surround, which allows it to be easily wheeled about on its side. For areas with strong wind, ballast weight is available – invaluable in a commercial setting.

Innovation wasn’t limited to parasols: ChiaramonteMarin Studio’s Cool-là combines a comfortable hanging swing seat with an integrated metal shelter, a wonderful place to lull yourself to sleep on. Meanwhile, Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Shigeru Ban – famous for having used paper tubes in architecture for over 30 years – has brought his cutting-edge thinking to his Carta collection for wb form, which consists of thin carboard tubes gently curved around a birch plywood frame.

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INSPIRE

Geometric rug by Kettal Amalfi by Ralph Pucci

Ultrasofa by Fermob

Traveler by Roche Bobois Ultrasofa by Fermob Mogu by Sawaya & Moroni

Sunset 625 and 626 by Pedrali © Stylepark

Le Refuge by Marc Ange

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Striking influences from Africa and the Caribbean were noticeable around the fair, such as in Sala, Sebastian Herkner’s range for the Columbian company Ames. Sala is constructed in a handcrafted momposino weave that is typical of Columbia’s Caribbean coast region, using woven plastic over a tubular steel frame. In addition, the M’Afrique line from Moroso has been updated for 2017 with David Weeks’ Amaca loveseat and Martino Gamper’s Arco hanging daybed. Both are fun, colourful and surprisingly comfy.

Woven designs were abundant throughout the furniture fair, in particular wherever Stephen Burks designs were to be found. His collaboration with Roche Bobois, Traveler, has a woven finish and includes a rather funky armchair with a hood and a supersize cushion

for indulgent relaxation, as well as a stylish glass-topped table. His Ahnda range for Dedon, meanwhile, features an outdoor lounger that has all of the attention to detail that one would expect from an indoor piece; this line is constructed in the Philippine open weave style that is typical of Dedon products.

Patrick Norguet’s sleek new Nef chairs for EMU showcase slender high backs with interwoven strings stretched around an aluminium frame, with tables and chairs to follow shortly. On the more flaboyant side is the Chita armchair, a collaboration between the Brazilian designer Sérgio Matos and Filipino furniture designer and producer Kenneth Cobonpue; it’s rattan structure has been designed to resemble the unfurling of petals. Equally eye-catching is Kettal’s Cala chair, designed Pro Landscaper / June 2017 61

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INSPIRE

by Doshi Levien and inspired by the iconic wicker peacock chair in the Seventies French film Emanuelle. The range has been expanded for 2017 with matching tables and footstools.

Kettal has also added Terrain Laminate to its line of Terrain fabrics; it has a laminated finish and is used in the company’s new Geometric rugs. The rugs come in 2x3m and 3x4m options, and there are two designs available: Line, which has a solid base colour topped with lines for a layered effect, and Block, with bands of colour spaced apart and repeated to create a graphic mix.

Sleek modernity was also everywhere in Milan, from the splashy colour bursts of the modular polyethylene Sunset 625 and 626 seats, designed by Alessandro Busana for Pedrali, to the rather more severe lines of Patrick Naggar’s Amalfi chair. The Amalfi is a reimagining of the French architect’s iconic bronze Icarus chair, featuring its elegant lines and T-shaped back but made suitable for outdoor use. It was made in collaboration with Ralph Pucci, and is available in four hues.

Fermob continue to delight with their quality eco-friendly metal furniture; their angular new Ultrasofa range is designed by Frédéric Sofia and consists of two- and three-seater sofas, as well as an armchair and ottoman, all available in six colourways. Superbly stylish and 100% outdoor-proof. For a fun, less structured look, MAD founder Ma Yansong’s Mogu seats for Italian brand Sawaya & Moroni are designed to sit in mushroom-like clusters – supported by three trunk-like legs that appear to be sprouting from the ground.

Last of all is Vondom’s Vela range, a modern outdoor furniture line that is – literally – quite dazzling. In the daytime, it’s clean lines are impressive enough, but at night the pieces can be illuminated from within.

Carla by Kettal Saga by Roche Bobois

Palma by Royal Botania

Carla by Kettal

Sala by Ames

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

SAY HELLO TO

RHS Chatsworth F

With the first ever RHS Chatsworth Flower Show fast approaching, Pro Landscaper talks to Sue Biggs, director general of the RHS, to find out why the new show came about, how it will differ from the RHS’s other shows, and what to look out for at the event How did the idea for a show at Chatsworth come about?

As we were planning our £160m Strategic Investment Programme, it soon became clear that an event in the East Midlands would form a great partner to our garden in the North West – RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford – as well as RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Yorkshire and the Tatton Park show in Cheshire. As a regular visitor to Chatsworth from my family home in Sheffield, I knew that Chatsworth House and the RHS would make a perfect partnership, as we share so many historical connections and the spectacular landscape is the ideal setting.

Is the idea to create a ‘Chelsea of the north’, to go alongside RHS Tatton Park?

All our shows are excitingly different, and RHS Chatsworth Flower Show is no exception. It will have its own identity rooted in the Derbyshire landscape and the history of Chatsworth, but of course if you love RHS Chelsea Flower Show, you will love this one too, and we expect that many members and visitors will visit both the Tatton Park and Chatsworth show.

IT WILL HAVE ITS OWN IDENTITY ROOTED IN THE DERBYSHIRE LANDSCAPE AND THE HISTORY OF CHATSWORTH What new and exciting things will we see at the show?

There will be the RHS Climate Change Garden, which builds on a scientific RHS report published at the end of April and will include examples of a 2017 garden and a 2100 garden, 64

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to show the effect of climate change on gardens over the decades.

The spectacular centrepiece of the show, a 14m-high dome flanked by two Floral Marquee wings, will take inspiration from the Great Conservatory designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, which was demolished in 1920. It will contain an exhibition about Paxton’s achievements, including the story of the dwarf banana, which he first described and from which most commercially grown bananas derive.

The beautiful river Derwent will run through the centre of the show, linked by three bridges.

One, designed by museum and exhibition designer Matthew Saxon, will take the form of a historic Palladian bridge. As visitors enter the bridge to pass into the Great Conservatory, they will be taken on a floral journey by local celebrity florist Jonathan Moseley.

What size will the show gardens be?

The Show and Freeform Gardens will range in size from 80m² to 425m² – the FreeForm gardens are bigger. Paul Hervey-Brookes’ IQ Quarry Garden is the biggest, at 425m².

What is the thinking behind the ‘FreeForm’ show garden category, which is something we have not seen at an RHS Show before? Why will this category be exempt from judging?

This category encourages freedom of expression and celebrates the connection between plants, sculpture, art and people. It is exempt from judging because we want to encourage designers to be as free to experiment and innovate as they like, without the considerations that might come from being formally judged. They will, however, be part of the online People’s Choice award.

Is the show aimed as a stepping stone for designers who want to have a main avenue garden at Chelsea?

This isn’t the intention, although we welcome young designers at all our shows as part of our Horticulture Matters campaign to get more people into the horticulture industry. RHS Flower Show Tatton Park has traditionally been seen as a springboard for young horticultural talent, as the RHS Young Designer of the Year competition has seen a number of winners and finalists go on to do great things. Hugo Bugg (winner in 2010) and Sam Ovens (winner in 2014) both went on to design gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and Tamara Bridge (winner in 2015) and Kate Saville (finalist in 2015) are at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year designing one of the BBC Radio 2 www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Our picks

INSPIRE

The first RHS Chatsworth Flower Show will be held on 7-11 June at the Chatsworth Estate. Eight Show gardens will be exhibited, as well as eight unjudged Freeform gardens, and an RHS feature garden focusing on climate change. Pro Landscaper highlights the gardens to look out for…

h Flower Show

Show Garden

n rde a G ry

uar

IQ Q

Feel Good Gardens. Caitlin McLaughlin (who won last year) is working with Sarah Eberle on the Hilliers exhibit in the Great Pavilion this year.

WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO CREATE A FABULOUS SHOW AND WE ARE HOPING THAT THIS WILL BE REFLECTED IN OUR VISITOR NUMBERS How many visitors are you expecting?

We are aiming for over 85,000 visitors, and tickets are selling fast so we are well on track.

Freeform Garden

The Brewin Dolphin Garden

How will the show be judged a success?

We have worked hard to create a fabulous show and we are hoping that this will be reflected in our visitor numbers and, most importantly, in positive feedback from members, visitors, nurseries, garden designers, landscapers, trade stands and all those who are taking part.

What else will be happening at the show?

Too much to highlight here! There is a huge amount of community activity, including school competitions to build bug hotels and ‘Perfect for Pollinators’ containers, student competitions to design model ‘climate change’ gardens, outdoor classrooms, demonstrations of rural crafts and, my favourite, our Well Dressing displays, which showcase a vibrant local tradition. There will also be over 180 Trade and Lifestyle Stands, as well as the Artisan Kitchen Theatre where the School of Artisan Food is providing an exciting programme of demonstrations from food historians, local Michelin chefs, published cooks and food bloggers. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Garden Name IQ Quarry Garden Designer Paul Hervey-Brookes Contractor G K Wilson Landscaping Sponsor Institute of Quarrying About The largest garden at the show, at 425m², the IQ Quarry Garden celebrates the Institute of Quarrying’s centenary year and seeks to highlight the essential role played by the quarrying and extractives industries today. Visitors will be able to view the garden through horizontal fissures in a sculpted stone wall boundary called ‘Passing Light’.

Garden Name The Brewin Dolphin Garden Designer Jo Thompson Contractor Jody Lidgard Sponsor Brewin Dolphin About Jo’s horticultural installation, sited on the banks of the River Derwent, will celebrate the landscape of the Chatsworth estate and the beauty of Chatsworth House. It will combine modern industrial materials with naturalistic planting, and a sculpture crafted from reinforced steel bars will be central to the design.

The RHS Garden for a Changing Climate

The RHS Garden for a Changing Climate

Designer Andy Clayden, Dr Ross Cameron and Eleanor Webster Contractor NT Killingley About Based on information from the recently published RHS report ‘Gardening in a Changing Climate’, this 300m² design will feature a small suburban garden now and another one from the year 2100. It will highlight the impact of climate change on garden style and function, featuring plants that will be able to cope with the challenges of the future climate.

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24/05/2017 14:26

Living Walls

INSPIRE Pro Landscaper takes a look at a selection of inspiring and innovative living wall projects

Scotscape Lewins Place, Bristol Lewins Place in Bristol features this 20m² living wall in the reception area, which Scotscape installed in early 2016. Interior living walls bring significant biophilic benefits to residents and staff working in the environment: air quality is improved, stress is reduced, humidity and temperature are regulated, and acoustics are improved.

WWW.SCOTSCAPE.NET

Hedera Screens Bracknell Hedera Screens has just completed this project in Bracknell, with over 100 ivy green screens, 1,600m² of Wallplanter, and 200m² of LivePanel living wall. The LivePanel system, a fragrant floral wall, is an interior and exterior decoration that can accommodate an array of plant species, with bespoke design and build irrigation systems. Hedera Screens has a 12-month maintenance contract, which covers the green screens, Wallplanter and LivePanel.

WWW.HEDERASCREENS.CO.UK

Vistagreen Notting Hill courtyard

Mobilane Innovation and Training Centre at Village Bakery, Wrexham

Paul Alder of Vistagreen Ltd has created an ultra-realistic artificial system – these Signature panels are made from UV stable, weather-resistant materials that are manufactured and tested to ISO International Standards. The owners of this Notting Hill property wanted to bring colour to their terrace without losing space; a sweep of foliage gives the illusion of space while setting off the contemporary design of this small urban garden.

WWW.VISTAGREEN.COM

The LivePanel installation covers four storeys of the front of the building and 72m² of evergreen perennials and ferns to ensure beautiful depth and texture, resulting in a fantastic year-round living wall. The modular LivePanel system was installed in five days by Hedera Screens. Gutter profiles were installed first, followed by the automated irrigation system, and then the capillary water action cassette panels. Bespoke-sized panels were made for around the windows. LivePanel is low maintenance and requires only periodic service calls from Hedera Screens.

WWW.MOBILANE.CO.UK

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INSPIRE

Urban Planters The Body Shop, Croydon and Central Square, Leeds

Treebox Private residence, London Since it was founded in 2009, Treebox has developed indoor and outdoor living walls for a range of clientele, spanning both the residential and commercial sectors. One project that stands out for the team is a design for a London resident who was looking to add something unique to their garden. Treebox created a vibrant, leafy living wall of evergreen planting using its UKdeveloped Easiwall Pro.The Easiwall Pro consumes only 1L of water each day per m², making it one of the more efficient systems on the market – an efficiency that is furthered by the ability to tune the irrigation to various light levels and seasons. It is user-friendly, quick to assemble and easy to maintain.

WWW.TREEBOX.CO.UK

Urban Planters has been working with living walls since late 2011. Its two favourite installations to date would be The Body Shop in Croydon, which involved an internal wall for the company’s HQ reception area, followed by Central Square in Leeds, an internal/external wall for the building’s lobby areas.

Urban Planters used two systems – LivePanel for external walls and Versa for internal walls.

Both projects have automated irrigation; Central Square has a different irrigation system for the two different walls, automated by the same controller. All walls are maintained by local maintenance teams, amd both projects have a level of plant replacement built into the maintenance contract.

WWW.URBANPLANTERS.CO.UK

Woolly Pocket Barbara Bestor Edible Garden

Biotecture 20 Fenchurch Street At over 700m2, the 20 Fenchurch Street living wall has approximately 52,000 plants. Land Securities aimed to create a unique sense of place surrounding the retail café area of the Fenchurch Street building. The living wall has helped the building to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’. Biotecture’s aftercare regime includes plant care, irrigation monitoring and hardware maintenance. It has monthly horticultural inspections to preserve its visual aesthetic, and the irrigation system is monitored daily and can be accessed remotely for adjustments. Plant care is carried out three times a year when maintenance operatives prune back the plants.

WWW.BIOTECTURE.UK.COM

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Barbara Bestor is an award-winning architect based in Los Angeles. Woolly Pocket installed a huge edible garden next to her pool, with sliding windows in her kitchen ensuring the scents of rosemary, thyme and basil fill her home. She can easily pick them from the window when cooking with her family. Since Barbara favours creating a natural flow between inside and out, installing a living wall with herbs and vegetables seemed fitting. Woolly Pocket created the garden using 36 yellow Living Wall Planters and designed it to frame her window. The living wall is watered with a drip irrigation system. Plants include various greens, cherry tomatoes, spring onions, peppers, radishes, and herbs such as basil, thyme, oregano and mint.

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24/05/2017 14:01

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JAMES SCOTT The planting scheme for a Chilterns garden with a magnificent view

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NURTURE

NURTURE NEWS Johnsons of Whixley completes successful contract for major Transport Scotland project Johnsons of Whixley Wholesale Commercial has been commended

by Transport Scotland throughout its contract to supply plants for the Forth Replacement Crossing.

The Forth Replacement Crossing is the biggest transport infrastructure project in Scotland for a generation, comprising construction of a cable-stayed bridge called the Queensferry

Crossing across the Firth of Forth, and upgrading the connecting road network. The crossing will provide a link for the cross-Forth transport corridor in the east of Scotland.

Johnsons of Whixley were awarded a contract to prepare, supply and deliver plants for use in the landscape and ecological mitigation planting. Transport Scotland considers it a success,

Hillier shows support for The Silver Line charity Hillier is once again joining forces with The Silver Line charity, raising funds through the sale of two lavender varieties. Lavandula angustifolia ‘Silver Line’, introduced at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016, is once again available, along with a new variety, Lavandula angustifolia ‘Silver Line Blue’. For every plant sold, Hillier will donate £1 to the charity.

The Silver Line charity operates the only national, free and confidential helpline for lonely and isolated older people. Last year, the

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charity reached its millionth caller, showing the need for this service.

Lavandula ‘Silver Line’ produces masses of white, fragrant flowers throughout the summer and into autumn. It has soft, grey-green leaves, making it a suitable foil to other shrubs and perennials in a mixed border or patio pot.

Lavandula ‘Silver Line Blue’ is a similarly fragrant variety, with soft-blue flowers. Both are loved by bees and butterflies.

“We are delighted to support this charity,” comments Hillier’s chairman, Robert Hillier, OBE VMH. “Lavandula ‘Silver Line’ was well received last year and we are happy to offer a blue variety this year. They are two great plants that support a very worthwhile cause.”

The lavenders are available to buy from Hillier Wholesale Nurseries and come in a 2L pot size. www.hillier.co.uk

endorsed by the underlying ecological integrity and biodiversity benefits from the procurement of local and native species.

Further benefits have included the flexibility with which plants can be delivered, and the ease of procuring plants for additional areas

to be planted or to enhance existing planting.

Over the course of the six-year contract, which ends in spring 2018, Johnsons will have supplied half a million trees and hedges. www.johnsonscommercial. nurserymen.co.uk

SoilsCon 2017 announced for October Now firmly established in the landscape industry’s events calendar, the 2017 edition of SoilsCon will be held on Wednesday 18 October at Phyllis Court in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

This year’s event will be the third soils conference to be organised by soil scientist and landscape consultant Tim O’Hare.

It promises landscape architects, contractors, garden designers, developers, topsoil manufacturers and other industry professionals a day of invaluable professional development, discussion and debate, with presentations by some of the country’s leading experts in their respective fields.

A feature of this year’s conference will be a Soil Surgery, held during the day’s networking periods, where Tim O’Hare

Associates will be on hand to help delegates with specific soil issues.

The complete line-up of speakers, subject matter and conference details will be issued shortly, but to express your interest in attending, please email info@ toha.co.uk or call 01491 822653. www.timohare-associates.com

SEND US YOUR

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

01903 777 570

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NURTURE

Phygelius aequalis ‘Yellow Trumpet’

Designer PLANTS James Scott designs a garden in the Chilterns for a retired couple looking to enjoy their outdoor space

This design was for the garden of a private property in the Chilterns, a steeply-sloping site with excellent views of the surrounding countryside and – in the distance – the National Trust Estate at Ashridge. The clients were recently retired and looking forward to spending more time at home, enjoying and nurturing their garden. One was a keen plantsperson and he wanted deep borders that allowed expansive planting, along with some less common and less hardy plants that could be over-wintered in a new greenhouse.

The garden could be viewed from inside the house and these views were an important aspect of the planning. Framing and enhancing the impressive views over the Chilterns valley was another key design principle. The overall 74

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purpose of the design was to create a thriving garden that made the most of the sloping site and flowed cohesively from one area to another.

Specific plants were chosen to echo the surrounding countryside and its ephemeral nature. Light and airy deciduous shrubs

Echinops bannaticus ‘Taplow Blue’

and textural plants were chosen for their skeletal effect, adding volume and creating separate areas that were still closely connected, and diffused by the taller plants rather than separated. These included Stipa gigantea, Foeniculum vulgare ‘Giant Bronze’ and Miscanthus sinensis gracillimus.

Plants were also selected to soften the slope effect by forming soft curves and mounds rather than anything too rigid or formal, creating clumps of herbaceous plants, shrubs and grasses including Geranium ‘Brookside’, Cistus x purpureus and Sesleria heufleriana. Deep curving borders enabled intimate spaces to be formed throughout the garden.

Carefully selected accent plants provided visual impact and added interest. These included Aloe striatula, Kniphofia caulescens and Dierama pulcherrimum ‘Blackbird’. Another level of sensory enjoyment was created by using scented plants including Rosa ‘De Rescht’, Viola odorata ‘Red Charm’ and Oenothera odorata ‘Sulphurea’. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Roses, Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’, Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’

NURTURE

Plant list

Cistus x purpureus Stipa gigantea, Penstemon ‘Garnet’ and Geranium ‘Rozanne’

Osteospermum jucundum

plant list, such as Gentiana sino-ornata and Lampranthus spectabilis.

Kept from the original garden was a mature willow tree, which was pruned and crown-lifted. This added some character to the outdoor space while the new plants ‘settled in’.

Suppliers: Joseph Rochford Gardens Ltd, Orchard Dene Nurseries Acer palmatum ‘Garnet’

There were no particular planting restrictions owing to the light or soil conditions; the site was relatively open, with some shade on the southern boundary from neighbouring trees, and there was reasonable drainage, with shallow clay soil over chalk as is commonly found in the Chilterns. The main challenge arose from trying to source some of the lesser-known varieties of plants on the www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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ABOUT JAMES SCOTT MSGD James has won numerous awards as founder and principal designer at The Garden Company Ltd, based in Hertfordshire and established in 1991. He first developed his love of plants and their place in the greater landscape while growing up in the Cotswolds.

www.thegardenco.co.uk

• Acer palmatum ‘Garnet’ • Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ • Aesculus parviflora • Agapanthus Headbourne hybrids • Alchemilla erythropoda • Aloe striatula • Aster x frikartii ‘Mönch’ • Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ • Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ • Cistus x purpureus • Convallaria majalis • Cotinus ‘Grace’ • Cytisus battandieri ‘Yellow Tail’ • Dianthus carthusianorum • Dierama pulcherrimum ‘Blackbird’ • Dryopteris cycadina • Dryopteris wallichiana • Echinacea purpurea ‘Fatal Attraction’ • Echinops bannaticus ‘Taplow Blue’ • Eryngium alpinum • Euphorbia wallichii • Ficus carica ‘Brown Turkey’ • Foeniculum vulgare ‘Giant Bronze’ • Galium odoratum • Gentiana sino-ornata • Geranium ‘Brookside’ • Geranium nodosum • Geranium ‘Rozanne’ • Geranium wlassovianum • Gillenia trifoliata • Hakonechloa macra • Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Westerstede’ • Helleborus orientalis • Helleborus sternii • Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ • Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Veitchii’ • Kniphofia caulescens • Lampranthus spectabilis • Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’ • Lunaria rediviva • Oenothera odorata ‘Sulphurea’ • Origanum ‘Herrenhausen’ • • Osteospermum jucundum • Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ • Penstemon ‘Garnet’ • Phygelius aequalis ‘Yellow Trumpet’ • Polypodium cambricum • Pulsatilla vulgaris • Rosa ‘Constance Spry’ • Rosa ‘De Rescht’ • Rosa ‘Princess Alexandra of Kent’ • Rosa ‘A Shropshire Lad’ • Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ • Sesleria heufleriana • Stipa gigantea • Syringa vulgaris ‘Katherine Havemeyer’ • Thymus pseudolanuginosus • Tulbaghia violacea • Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’ • Viola odorata ‘Red Charm’ Pro Landscaper / June 2017 75

24/05/2017 10:58

NURTURE

Andy McIndoe discusses the oftoverlooked waterlily, and passes on some tips for growing them successfully

J

ust as water adds another dimension to any landscape, water plants can provide an extra layer of interest to a planting scheme. They are a wonderful way to reflect the planting of the rest of the garden, making the watery space more compelling and three-dimensional.

FLOATING JEWELS Andy McIndoe

Nymphaea caerulea - tropical

Some recommend tying the rhizomes into hessian bags containing some compost and just dropping them into the water. This can work with vigorous varieties and in deeper water with a mud bottom, but it is not recommended for shallow water and newly installed liners. Best results will always be achieved with fewer plants, grown well from the outset.

Formal pool with lilies

Still water provides a growing environment where interesting plants thrive, none more captivating than the waterlily. A herbaceous perennial, in temperate regions it lies dormant beneath the water in winter, growing prolifically as temperatures rise and days lengthen. In tropical regions, the more colourful exotic lilies such as Nymphaea caerulea stay evergreen.

Up until the late 19th century it was just the hardy white Nymphaea alba that graced our ornamental water gardens, as well as natural pools and lakes. The French breeder LatourMarliac experimented with crosspollination of the colourful tropical species with the hardy white, and produced over 70 hybrids that still comprise the majority of waterlilies offered today. The inclusion of ‘Marliacea’ in the name signifies a variety produced as a result of this work.

His nursery in southwest France was undoubtedly patronised by Monet when he was stocking his Japanese water garden. With the widespread interest in Impressionist art, it is perhaps disappointing that we do not make more of waterlilies.

Waterlilies are easy to grow, preferring still water and full sun. Vigour varies greatly between

Nymphaea ‘Marliacea Rosea’

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Pro Landscaper / June 2017

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varieties, and it is important to choose one that suits the pool’s depth and size. Vigorous varieties are cheaper, but can be disastrous in shallow water and smaller ponds.

Traditionally, plants are grown in the mud at the bottom of the pond, or in hessian-lined planting crates. Soft fabric planting bags are preferable as they are less conspicuous in the

Waterlilies and water soldiers

pool and do not require lining. They should be planted firmly in aquatic soil, which is lime free and will not pollute the water, and then covered with clean washed shingle. Fertiliser sachets formulated for lilies and other aquatic plants are worthwhile, aiding flower production.

The most important thing is to make sure that the growing point at the base of the leaves is not covered with soil. Planting the crown too deep in the soil can affect flowering. Young plants of varieties that will eventually grow in deep water need gradual introduction to the required depth – if this is not possible, choose fewer, more mature plants.

Nymphaea ‘Marliacea Chromatella’

The only maintenance that established waterlilies need is the removal of faded flowers and old leaves in the autumn. They require lifting, dividing and repotting every three years or so – the need for division is visible as overcrowded foliage rising above the water, obscuring flowers.

From a practical point of view, getting the planting balance of a pool right is the way to clear water. Waterlily leaves may be a refuge for wildlife, but they also help to reduce the amount of light entering the water and so reduce the growth of algae.

Varieties are numerous; ‘Marliacea Rosea’ is a good compact growing pink, and ‘Marliacea Chromatella’ is a long-blooming yellow that flourishes in smaller ponds. Many of the whites are vigorous, and ‘Escarboucle’ is regarded as the easiest red.

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

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

Twitter: @AndyMcIndoe

www.andymcindoe.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/05/2017 10:01

NURTURE

J

une lies at the halfway point in the year like a spectacular punctuation mark – it’s the perfect place in which to pause. RHS Chelsea has just rampaged through our lives and now we absorb everything that midsummer has to offer, and enjoy the longest of days. There is a feeling of generosity – there’s so much more time, at the end of the working day we get another half a day for free, giving our daily lives a different sort of energy.

Gardens everywhere are frankly glorious; there’s always something dramatic going on. For gardeners, all those hours of dreaming, planning, digging and planting pay off, and suddenly the wait is over – this is summer, we are here.

I write this as an indoor gardener, and while much of my time is occupied in the creation of interior planting, I honestly don’t feel like I miss out. Transporting the magnificent outdoors inside has a drama and rhythm all of its own – it’s just a different kind.

But then, around this time of year, I’ll be walking along a London street or through a park, enjoying the sunshine or a gentle summer shower, and suddenly it will hit me: the unmistakable scent of English roses. It’s immediately followed by that fleeting rush of

MINIATURE ROSES ARE THE EPITOME OF TINY CHIC

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Ian Drummond.indd 77

MINIATURE HEROES Ian Drummond

THESE ROSES CAN LOOK ELEGANT AND SMART IF THEY ARE POSITIONED IN THE RIGHT CONTAINER AND PLANTED WITH CARE memory and nostalgia, and the sense of something just out of reach that makes you stop exactly where you stand.

That experience cannot be replicated inside, it just can’t. Growing roses indoors is problematic and impractical, and anyway, those roses – the climbers, ramblers, shrubs and standards, all of them heavy with flowers – belong outside. They need a gentle breeze to carry their scent, with birdsong and the rumble of a drunken bumblebee staggering from bloom to bloom.

All is not lost, however: if indoor roses are what is desired, there is still a way.

They won’t be the big blousy numbers; they will be smaller, neater, smarter – less country, more city. Miniature roses are the epitome of tiny chic.

Dispel for a moment the uninspiring specimens so often found dying by the till at the supermarket; these roses can look elegant and smart if they are positioned in the right container and planted with care. They need to be superbly healthy to be beautiful (they are not subtle in their suffering if all is not well) – not exactly low maintenance, I know, but they are roses after all.

Caring for

MINIATURE ROSES • Direct sunlight is non-negotiable; they will need several hours each day • Flowering roses are thirsty, particularly when planted in containers – keep a careful eye on moisture levels and don’t let them dry out completely • Humidity is good • Feed every two weeks throughout the flowering season • Deadheading regularly will not only keep them looking beautiful but will also extend the flowering season. Don’t be tempted to do this by hand, which could cause tears or bruising to the stems – use sharp secateurs.

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

Images ©www.thejoyofplants.co.uk

With sunny days approaching, Ian Drummond suggests a way to bring the summery scent of roses indoors

Pro Landscaper / June 2017 77

24/05/2017 10:12

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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.

24/05/2017 14:37

NURTURE

GLYPHOSATE

Does glyphosate destroy or enhance the natural environment?

The recent publicity around the use of glyphosate has led to considerable press coverage and debate over the use of chemicals in our towns and countryside. James Hewetson-Brown looks at glyphosate with wildflowers, biodiversity and wildlife in mind Glyphosate has been in the spotlight for the last few years and is soon due for ‘reauthorisation’. The reauthorisation process involves a reassessment of the safety issues surrounding the use of the chemical by the European Chemicals Agency, whose recommendation is taken into account by the European Commission.

In advance of the vote, one recent study by The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans”, and this alarming report has led to a great deal of press coverage about the pros and cons of glyphosate, together with the wider use of chemicals in the UK. Other reports, such as those from the World Health Organisation and the European Food Safety Authority, say that glyphosate is safe to use.

ONCE ESTABLISHED, NATIVE WILDFLOWERS WILL PROVIDE LONG TERM FLORA AND FAUNA WITHOUT THE NEED FOR ANY CHEMICALS Getting the balance right for nature With a background in farming and a profound love for wildflower environments, I do see the benefits of glyphosate, and yet I can understand the concerns of those who worry about the potential long-term harmful effects that it may bring. At Wildflower Turf Ltd we www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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advocate the use of glyphosate for the preparation of areas using our Wildflower Earth product, as long as it is applied strictly to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

The use of glyphosate creates an initial weedfree environment where wild flowers can thrive.

Careful use of glyphosate, applied according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, provides a means to an end for wildflower establishment.

My experience in cultivating wild flowers has taught me that they are not easy to establish, for many different reasons. Some conditions will suit them and they will establish with little or no effort, but these conditions are rare. In order to maintain and improve our rich, biodiverse habitat – and ensure the resulting benefits to wildlife – wildflowers need our help.

Using establishment methods that are tried and tested will ensure wildflowers’ success. There is currently a great deal of interest in maintaining and developing wildflowers, and the demand for both wildflower seed and wildflower turf has never been higher – but if it becomes difficult to develop these biodiverse areas and the results are disappointing, then there is a risk that interest will wane. We have concluded that the potential negative effects of an application of glyphosate are far outweighed by the many years of biodiversity that a well-established wildflower area will produce.

As with the many other sustainability issues we face, people are confronted with identifying the correct level of ‘intervention’ in natural systems to create a long-term, healthy environment for us all to enjoy.

Glyphosate efficiency There is no doubt that if you are a green plant then glyphosate is a very efficient killer – however carefully it is applied. If you walk on it and forget to choose your route back, you can find neat footprints of dead grass across the lawn where the residue on your feet has done its job.

Similarly, spraying it on a breezy day means any spray drift that lands on green plants will lead to their swift demise.

It has been suggested that the harmful effects of glyphosate go beyond green plants.

Glyphosate has been accused of killing butterflies and bees, though there is very little scientific evidence to support this. Glyphosate will without a doubt kill the habitat that supports the butterflies and bees, and without a suitable habitat they will perish. But is this an issue to do with the user’s application of the chemical, or a fundamental problem with glyphosate itself?

Removing the top layer of plant material is a chemical-free way to leave a surface that is ready to establish wildflowers

Pro Landscaper / June 2017 79

24/05/2017 11:27

NURTURE

Take care to apply glyphosate accurately – spot the mistake here!

Alternative chemical weed control There are a number of chemicals that will do a similar job to glyphosate – too many to list here. However, few have been used for as long as glyphosate, which was first brought to market in 1974. Not many alternatives have this track record, and ignoring this history shouldn’t be a hasty decision, given the findings of most regulatory bodies.

Alternative non-chemical weed control Due to the worry that glyphosate is unsafe, a number of alternative weed control methods that don’t involve chemicals have emerged.

These are widely promoted online, from electric lances and steam treatments to burners and weed suppression mats.

From a wildflower establishment position, one of the best chemical-free options is the use of a turf cutting machine. Existing plant material is completely removed to make way for the wildflowers. These machines can be hired and are easy to operate, especially on stone-free soil and on an existing lawn or grass sward. Once the plant material is removed, a more standard approach to seeding or turfing can be used. The downside is that the user is left with a lot of residual turf to dispose of, which will add to the cost – as well as the carbon and health impacts of fuel used to power the machine.

With the exception of turf removal, we do not recommend any of these alternative methods as most require repeated treatments 80

Pro Landscaper / June 2017

James Hewetson Brown.indd 80

and take a long time to either apply (electric lances and burners), or to work (weed suppression mats). In a commercial production system glyphosate is still the most successful alternative in delivering a balance between chemical use and long term biodiversity gains.

One alternative available to farmers will be a widespread return to ploughing. Large areas of ploughing are relatively rare nowadays as it is time consuming, uses a great deal of diesel and generates emissions. Glyphosate and the use of less power-hungry machines has superseded this crop establishment technique. ‘Minimum tillage’ and ‘no-till’ systems rely on glyphosate to clear the soil of plants to give a competitive start for the new crop. These systems are less aggressive to soil and soil structure – studies have shown there are 53% more earthworms in no-plough agricultural systems. However, as a way of removing green cover, landscapers can

FOR NOW, IT REMAINS THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT OPTION, AND A VALUABLE TOOL FOR LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS

result has been a biodiverse habitat that supports all sorts of flora and fauna.

Remember, for a wildflower space to really work, it has to establish well. If it doesn’t establish well, the chances are it will get taken over by weeds and grasses. When this happens, the likelihood is that those responsible for the area will give up on it and find an alternative. This alternative will most probably be a regularly mown grass area, and biodiversity and wildlife will be the worse for it.

Get wildflowers right, and they offer a long-term option that greatly improve biodiversity, add colour, create habitats for wildlife, help with drought tolerance, and provide a number of other solutions for urban greening and green infrastructure.

If, in the future, glyphosate is proved to be dangerous and it is not reauthorised for use, there are alternative ways of establishing wildflowers. But for now, it remains the most cost effective and efficient option, and a valuable tool for landscape professionals.

follow the principle of ploughing using heavy cultivation tools – although it is not enough to only rotovate the surface, as this will simply chop up the green cover and does not invert it.

Without glyphosate or some form of weed control, these plants will need to be properly inverted in order to stop them regrowing and competing with the establishment of the desired new seed.

In summary Glyphosate is a means to an end. Use it correctly (according to the manufacturer’s advice, in optimum weather conditions and applied accurately to cover the target area only) and it will significantly help with the establishment of wildflowers. If it is used correctly, you should end up with a healthy and well-established meadow, and there will be no need to use glyphosate on the area again. For example, we have a meadow that is now in its 14th year, and we used glyphosate at the start but have not used it in this area since. The end

Get establishment right, and a wildflower space is assured for many years, without the need for another chemical application

ABOUT JAMES HEWETSON-BROWN James Hewetson-Brown is managing director at Wildflower Turf Ltd, the leading supplier of wildflower turf within the UK. The award-winning company offers CPD and open days for landscape architects to explain the options available for wildflower meadows and the benefits of using them.

www.wildflowerturf.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/05/2017 11:27

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24/05/2017 14:27

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23/05/2017 13:39

NURTURE

NURSERY INTERVIEW

SHALLOWMEAD NURSERIES Pro Landscaper spoke to Nigel Noyce, site manager at Shallowmead Nurseries about the continuous development of the site and plans for future growth in its 70th year anniversary Shallowmead Nurseries is a wholesale and retail plant nursery based in Lymington. It was established in September 1947, when Dennis and Marcia Phillips purchased the then 4.16-acre site. The couple attempted several different ventures, from growing strawberries, tomatoes and cabbages to pig fattening, and the business eventually grew to the 14.5 acres it is today. The Phillips’ daughter and son-in-law joined as directors and took the business in a new direction, growing conifers and shrubs; they passed the baton on to the current management team four years ago.

Since then, the business has split into two divisions. After clearing 1.5 acres of woodland on the site and erecting two large greenhouses, Shallowmead created a space dedicated to retail. Site manager Nigel Noyce explains: “At the moment we’re developing the greenhouses to be more retail friendly. We’re building on the back, which is going to be a teaching facility for flower arranging classes and a cafeteria.” The other division is focused on sales to garden centres and nurseries.

More than 90% of all the plants sold from Shallowmead Nurseries are propagated on site.

At the end of last year, its new high tech propagation unit was completed, replacing the previous 40-year-old system, but plans for improvement are far from over. “It’s fantastic compared to the old system,” says Nigel. “We are looking at extending the propagation unit by another two-thirds to a different location.” www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Nursery interview Shallowmead.indd 83

The propagation glasshouse is where the shrubs, conifers, grasses and climbers begin their journey, produced from cuttings, splits, seeds and layering. Producing as much of its own stock as possible has also meant that the company has been registered with the New Forest Marque, an accreditation awarded to quality produce which has been grown within the New Forest. This glasshouse, devoted to the propagation stage, is heated by a biomass boiler which also provides heat for several offices. This is just one part of the site’s eco-friendly focus: there are future plans to generate energy via solar panels on a number of buildings across the site.

The company is currently working with a hard landscaping company to map out plans for the site’s future development. “We’re trying to turn it into a one-stop shop, so that you come in for your cup of tea or coffee, and see the garden designers, propagators and growers,” says Nigel. “We’re definitely looking to develop – a lot of the original glasshouses are showing signs of age, as it’s an old site.” One old workshop has the potential to become a teaching and training facility, providing classes in a variety of subjects including wildflowers, sensory gardens, and vegetative propagation, with access to the greenhouses for hands-on experience. The plans for the new teaching facilities should be completed

by September this year, to align with the nursery’s 70th anniversary.

Despite this business no longer being in the hands of its original owners, the close-knit atmosphere under the current management team is clear. One example of this is in ‘Mabel’s’, the name of the vintage food and drinks van that greets customers at the nursery’s entrance; it is named after the company director’s 92-year-old mother, who still dedicates one day a week to working in the greenhouses.

CONTACT Shallowmead Nurseries Boldre Lane, Boldre Lymington SO41 8PA Tel: 01590 672550 Email: mail@shallowmead.co.uk

www.shallowmead.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / June 2017 83

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NURTURE

Euroflor

Flora Britannica

Wildflower Pro Landscaper rounds up the best seed mixes for adding a touch of bucolic bliss to any spot

A mix of native and naturalised British species that creates natural urban meadows that flower for up to six months. Recommended to be sown along riversides and roadsides, in nature reserves, and in natural areas within parks. Ideally, it should be sown in May and June, though it can be sown in autumn to flower the following year.

Flora Britannica is an RHS ‘Perfect for Pollinators’ mix, with seed supplied in 1kg foil sachets – enough to cover up to 350m².

WWW.RIGBYTAYLOR.COM

Universal (annual and perennial)

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Ideal for when a simple mixture is needed to add colour, Universal works well in almost any situation. It comprises a blend of perennial and WWW.PICTORIALMEADOWS.CO.UK annual species which give instant colour by flowering in the first year.

This reliable mix contains 20 wildflower species, including cornflower, poppy, oxeye daisy, and meadow buttercup. It is available as 100% wildflowers or as an 80:20 split with grass, formulated to compliment the flowers.

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LONDON STONE The process behind high-quality porcelain paving

GLOW FOR GOLD ROBERT WEBBER

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Pearls of wisdom for the perfect lighting scheme

KNOWING THE LAW SEAN BUTLER

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A closer look at the laws around hedging, fencing and walls

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EDUCATE

TARGET

AUDIENCE Ben Shaw, national account director at Adtrak, dispenses tips on how to make sure your website can be found amidst all the competition online Every day, millions of people go online to search for the products and services they need. As a result, it’s really important that your website shows up when your target audience requires it.

After all, having a good-looking website means nothing if it can’t be found by potential customers. By using digital marketing techniques, such as Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Pay Per Click, your business will stand out online and increase its presence.

PPC

Google My Business

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Simply put, SEO is the process of ensuring your website appears high up in search engine results. These results are called organic search results, as they are not adverts you pay for; instead, they are the result of SEO methods and techniques.

There are a number of ways to make sure your website is displayed in a prime position within Google’s search results. These include making sure that the main services you offer are mentioned and explained on your site – preferably with a separate page for each major service you provide. If you work in specific locations, these should be mentioned too.

Another important factor is your website being user friendly. This means it should be easy to navigate, quick to load and fully functional across all devices, including mobile phones and tablets.

Google’s latest algorithms discriminate against websites that aren’t mobile-friendly, potentially lowering their search engine ranking as a result.

In addition, well-written text and a range of professional imagery, videos and other media can benefit the user experience. This, in turn, can have a positive impact on your website’s SEO. A number of other techniques can also influence your site’s ranking. A verified Google My Business page, complete with contact information, business description, imagery and customer reviews can help substantially.

Similarly, setting up profiles on reputable business directories such as Yell, Hotfrog and Free Index is a great way to increase your ranking.

IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOUR WEBSITE SHOWS UP WHEN YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE REQUIRES IT search for that term. You will then pay when they click to visit your website. The cost per click varies depending on a number of factors, including the amount of competition, the relevance of your advert and the quality of your website.

PPC campaigns can be tailored to your business’s objectives. For example, if you want to target specific customers or push certain products, tightly related keywords will make sure your adverts are being seen by the right people.

Similarly, you can eliminate inefficient traffic (people who visit your website but don’t get in touch or purchase anything) by blocking certain keywords. This is called a negative keyword list and will ensure you don’t pay for clicks that aren’t relevant to your business.

PPC campaigns are great for maximising your exposure. They are targeted, specific and results driven. For example, you can define location settings to target precise areas that your business operates in. In addition, you can mirror your campaign’s ad schedule in accordance with your company’s operating hours.

ABOUT ADTRAK

Organic (SEO)

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Pay Per Click Google’s Pay Per Click (PPC) platform, also known as Google AdWords, allows companies to advertise at the top of the search results via paid ads. This is done by bidding on particular keywords or phrases related to your business (for example, ‘landscaping services’), and means your customers will see you as soon as they

Adtrak are a web design and internet marketing company based in Nottingham. They offer all BALI 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

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nyone involved in landscaping and garden design cannot have missed the increasing desire among clients for a perfect, uniform finish to outdoor spaces.

When clients choose natural stone, it’s always at least in part for its natural variation, both in colour and texture. Clients choose porcelain for completely different reasons – they want consistent texture and colour and perfectly rectified sizes. If you choose the right supplier, that perfection is a realistic possibility.

Not all porcelain is the same, though.

Designers and landscapers often want to know how it’s made. Well, we know how our Italian suppliers do it; they’ve been making high-quality porcelain for a long time, and they’ve got it down to a fine art.

Porcelain is made from natural materials: feldspar, kaolin, quartz and clay. In a process lasting six to eight hours, these materials are mixed together in huge drums with water, colour pigment and an abrasive grinding media about the size of a hockey ball. The balls give the particles in the raw materials a uniform spherical size, which is important later, when the material is vitrified. Once the mixing process is complete, the water and grinding media is extracted and the remaining semi-wet material is pressed to the correct thickness. Different presses are used to create the required surface textures.

It’s amazing how quickly the technology is improving. Our Italian suppliers are continually

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T H E S EC R

ET O F

PERFECT PORCELAI N When it co mes to porc elain, as with London Sto anything, yo ne talks us u get what through th porcelain, you pay fo e painstakin and explain r. g process b s why chea ehind their per alternat ives just ca n’t compet e

adding new finishes and size formats, and the stone- and wood-effect tiles are extremely realistic. There are up to twenty different surface patterns available within a given product, and it’s this wide range of patterns that ensure the finished installation looks unique.

When we looked at other manufacturing methods it was immediately obvious that one of the big differences between Italian and cheaper oriental porcelains is the quality. The Italian product is full bodied – the colour penetrates the whole way through, thanks to the addition of pigment in the mixing process. On lower quality products the colour is printed onto the surface only, so the body of the paver is a completely different colour – causing problems when you attempt to profile the stone, and the two-tone manufacture is laid bare.

The pressed porcelain is then baked in a kiln, initially at a temperature of 300°C, which then rises to 1240°C before coming back down to 300°C. Firing takes

about four hours, and this is where the even, spherical size and shape of particles and the consistent mix is so important. When fired correctly, these materials fuse uniformly and create an incredibly dense structure, giving porosity values of 0.05%. While other porcelains may be vitrified, if natural materials are not prepared to the same level the quality won’t be

CLIENTS WANT CONSISTENT TEXTURE AND COLOUR, AND PERFECTLY RECTIFIED SIZES the same, and where manufacturers can’t or don’t meet these standards you’re often left with a higher porosity of up to 0.5% – meeting the ISO standard, but not giving clients the required high stain-resistance and low maintenance.

After firing, the material is stored on huge five-metre-high racks to cure. The racks are loaded automatically by a conveyor belt and when full, are taken away and replaced swiftly by www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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robots. Then comes the most interesting part of the whole process: rectification. One of the most attractive features of porcelain is the fact that the dimensions are fully rectified and, unlike natural stone, offer no tolerance. Once the product is cured, finished dimensions can be anything from six to eight millimetres oversize. The pressed, fired porcelain is now moved along another conveyor belt and through milling heads that remove a fraction of material from each edge. By the time the product reaches the end of the line, it’s perfectly rectified.

Sounds like a normal conveyor belt, right? Well it is, apart from one small difference – the whole thing is done under water! When working with a material as hard as porcelain, a submerged milling process ensures the optimum performance of the milling tools – not to mention offering the ultimate form of dust suppression.

High-tech production solutions continue as we roll into quality control. Every single piece of porcelain goes through a scanner and is, effectively, X-rayed. The X-ray picks up cracks, fissures and any production defects, while also carefully monitoring surface texture and colour. Anything less than perfect simply doesn’t make the grade.

So, you can see the massive investment that goes into a high-end porcelain factory. This efficient, consistent automation is a huge entry barrier for most companies and explains why some products fall short of the quality mark. The manufacturing environment needs to be perfect, for how can we create a perfect product in a less than perfect environment? When it comes to porcelain, you’re telling us your clients demand perfection. Buying from established Italian suppliers is akin to a cast-iron guarantee.

1 Large format porcelain stored ready for packing 2 Bespoke ‘inkjet printer’ for applying the finishes 3P roduction line schematic of whole manufacture process 4 Vast warehouse storage 5 Entrance to the kiln for baking the porcelain 6 The press used to compact the raw materials 7 Baked porcelain exiting the kiln 8 A small sample of available porcelain finishes

CONTACT London Stone 08442 251 915 info@londonstone.co.uk www.londonstone.co.uk

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GLOW

FOR GOLD

Don’t forget that clients have got to live with your garden lighting, says Robert Webber – success is all down to planning and communication Getting lighting right isn’t a matter of life or death – it’s far more important than that.

We have all been there – you finish a job that you have put your heart and soul into, and the client turns around and says: “I like it, but it’s not quite what I was expecting.” Your heart sinks to your boots and you feel a failure. Questions roll around in your mind: ‘What went wrong?’, ‘How am I going to get out of this mess?’ – or perhaps, like me, you use stronger words.

More often than not, it’s all down to communication, expectation and clarification.

It’s often true that if the lines of communication are fully open, the expectation and execution of a design will join seamlessly. This often starts during the ‘courtship’ of specification.

What specifically does the client require?

They have a picture, or a feeling, or a lifestyle they wish to create; we, however, need to set the specification.

Designers, landscapers and clients often have something of an ‘all or nothing’ approach.

“I don’t want any lighting” crescendos into “I want everything – bells, whistles and fireworks!”

In these cases, the temptation is to throw www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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everything at the garden, which is the most common mistake we come across. You can end up with a cross between Times Square and a Jean-Michel Jarre concert.

There is nothing quite as bad as an overlit garden. It’s such a crime when thousands of pounds are spent, all in the wrong places.

It’s no different to most things in life – simply throwing money at something won’t

THERE IS NOTHING QUITE AS BAD AS AN OVERLIT GARDEN necessarily make it good. It’s a scientific and holistic approach that creates lighting success, which is something I’ve sought to teach my ‘fan base’ here! (Apparently David Dodd has his own fan club, the Snoop Doddy Dodd Club, with three members; I’m seeking to push mine to at least five if I can.

You get a badge and a pen.)

After overlighting a garden, the next most common mistake is underlighting. This is where, no matter the size of the garden, the wrong features, areas and planting have been spotlit, and the right features underlit or ignored altogether. A floodlight on the barbecue, for example, while a feature acer in the centre of the lawn is left unlit. Lighting at the gate, but nothing on the steps leading

to the front door. Lighting the bins but ignoring the place where the car is parked – you get the picture. No wonder I’m often met with: “I had garden lighting in my last house, and I don’t want it now.”

I get told off for continually espousing my FAF theory – Function, Aesthetic and Feature. It’s a theory that has earned us at Scenic Lighting a myriad of awards and recognition around the world – as a ‘leading light’, you could say. My students at The London College of Garden Design can recite it verbatim. They are without doubt the three stepping stones to lighting success.

Learn from my years of mistakes, so that you never make any. I seek to teach because I can; when you can, please teach others. Consider it ‘landscape parenting’ – it’s vital in order to make sure this industry gets better and better.

There are no ‘happy mediums’ or ‘mediocre commissions’. Every single project is a garden for somebody to live with. If you’ve run out of dreams, then run into the garden – you might find one out there.

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

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KNOWING THE LAW Instant hedging, new fencing and walling are often key design features, but without doing your research you could potentially be breaking the law. In part 2 of this series on Knowing the Law, we will look at how to avoid disputes and complaints over high structures.

The 2003 law change regarding hedge heights What are high hedges?

The term ‘high hedges’ was subjective until it was defined by the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003: Part 8 in 2005. This is a summary of what constitutes a high hedge under the law: • The hedge is more than 2m (approx. 6.5ft) tall (there is extra guidance for hedges on slopes) • A hedge is defined as a line of two or more trees or shrubs • The hedge is formed wholly or predominantly of evergreens or semi-evergreens • Bamboo and ivy are not included • Where a hedge is predominantly evergreen,

the deciduous trees and shrubs within the hedge may be included in the work specified.

However, a council can exclude specific trees or require different work.

Complaints The high hedges legislation has been designed so that the public is able to use it without the need to involve lawyers.

• When a neighbour complains that your hedge height affects the ‘reasonable’ enjoyment of their house or garden, the first step is to negotiate with your neighbours. Keep a copy of any letters to show you have tried.

• If this is unsuccessful, neighbours can contact the local council to enquire about using the high hedges legislation. There is a fee for making a complaint (typically £400) to deter frivolous applications • The local council will consider both sides’ cases and make a decision • The council will reject the complaint, or issue a notice for the work – including the period in which to cut the hedge back and by how much • There is a chance to appeal • It is advisable for the hedge to be cut below the requested height, so that it can grow in between trimmings, while remaining below the stipulated height To avoid complaints altogether, make sure any new hedging is under 2m tall and make your clients aware of the maximum height so that they can maintain them.

Maximum heights of walls, fences, and gates You will need to apply for planning permission if you wish to erect, or add to, a fence, wall or gate if: • it is over 1m high and next to a highway used by vehicles (or the footpath of such a highway); or over 2m high elsewhere • your right to put up or alter fences, walls and gates is removed by an article 4 direction or a planning condition

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• your house is a listed building, or in the curtilage of a listed building • the fence, wall or gate, or any other boundary involved, forms a boundary with a neighbouring listed building or its curtilage.

You will not need to apply for planning permission to take down a fence, wall or gate, or to alter, maintain or improve an existing fence, wall or gate if you don’t increase its height.

However, in a conservation area you might need planning permission for the relevant demolition to take down a fence, wall or gate.

These legislations need to be kept in mind when designing and building your landscape.

Clarifying any planning restrictions on the property before work is carried out will ensure you are not breaking the law.

Make sure to look out for part three of this series next month.

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

Design and Build by Cube 1994 / Photography ©Gap Photos

In the second part of his series on laws that affect landscapers, Sean Butler focuses his attention on hedges, fences and walls

PART TWO

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24/05/2017 15:10

EDUCATE

Communicating

THE PROBLEM In his final article on ethical sourcing, Steven Walley, managing director of London Stone, looks at the role landscapers and designers can play in bringing about change It might not seem, as a landscaper or garden designer, that you have much influence on the ethical sourcing of materials from distant quarries. By my reckoning, however, you’re the most vital component.

Of course you rely on suppliers like London Stone to look at our Tier 1 suppliers, and examine the journey your choice of stone makes from the quarries to those Tier 1 factories. That’s as it should be – I’m not suggesting that you should follow the trail to India yourself. However, landscapers and garden designers are in a unique position; not only do you select the stone to be laid, you also interface intimately with the public. This gives you a role to play in helping improve conditions for workers at the beginning of the supply chain.

If suppliers understand that customers will be asking questions about working conditions, child labour and ethical sourcing, and that the answers will influence your purchasing decisions, then it keeps the ball rolling for ongoing improvements. That gives you enormous power for change.

To the majority of the general public, hard landscaping just isn’t that sexy. You may

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remember the 2008 furore caused by the revelation that Primark’s suppliers used child labour, swiftly followed by Primark’s sacking of those suppliers before its reputation was irrevocably tarnished. Sadly, landscaping materials are unlikely to capture the public imagination in the same way. Where does this put landscapers and garden designers? On the front line of raising awareness.

THE ANSWER IS TO KNOW WHAT CONDITIONS ARE, AND TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITIES TO BRING ABOUT THE CHANGES THAT THEY THEMSELVES INCREASINGLY WELCOME Communication is key. Clients want to know why they shouldn’t buy stone on eBay for a fraction of the cost. They need to understand the difference in quality, and the false economy of laying cheap paving created by cheap, unskilled labour. It can only enhance a contractor’s image if it’s clear that you ask your suppliers the hard questions: what are they doing to improve conditions for workers? Do they understand the supply chains? Have they looked beyond Tier 1, to Tiers 2 and 3 (stockyards and quarries)?

There is no substitute for curiosity, as I discovered on my latest visit to Budhpura, the village in Rajasthan where we support a community project to create Child Free Labour Zones, taking children out of work and giving them an education. After an inspiring progress meeting with our project partners, I realised I still had unanswered questions about the child labour issue and decided to walk my supply chain. Within Tier 2 alone I discovered a huge range of standards, from well-run

cobbleyards to large common areas where work was a free-for-all. It wasn’t all pretty, but I feel that I now have an in-depth understanding of the issues, and of how we can support the people of Budhpura in eradicating child labour. If we’re not afraid to ask questions and face the answers, we can make huge progress.

The fact that there’s such a long way to go shouldn’t defeat us. A landscaper asked me at an APL seminar earlier this year why we shouldn’t just stop buying riven setts – the stone with the most serious labour problems – from countries like India. This would remove a source of income from poor communities, making their lives worse. The answer is to know what conditions are, and to work with the communities to bring about the changes that they themselves increasingly welcome.

As landscapers and designers, your support adds weight to our negotiations with suppliers to improve standards. The more exposure you can give to the subject – the more questions you ask of your suppliers, the more you explain ethical supply chains to your clients – then the more leverage we can build up to continue improving conditions, ensuring that children gain the education, and workers the safe conditions, that will improve their lives well into the future.

ABOUT STEVEN WALLEY Steven Walley is the managing director of London Stone. Through his involvement with the ETI, TFT and support of the No Child Left Behind Project in Budhpura, Steven has been actively involved in improving conditions for workers within stone supply chains.

www.londonstone.co.uk

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24/05/2017 15:06

EDUCATE Pro Landscaper looks at how receiving SMAS Worksafe Accreditation is beneficial to landscape contractors, and what the process involves.

SMAS (Safety Management Advisory Services) has become increasingly popular in the landscaping sector as a way of gaining health and safety accreditation, saving time when tendering, and improving the prospect of being awarded significant contracts as a result.

Danny Marinou, commercial director for SMAS, explains: “We are a health and safety assessment company that any trade can approach if they want to demonstrate to clients that they have safe systems in place, understand the risks involved in delivering their work, and manage these risks appropriately.

They provide us with evidence to support this, which we assess, and if they are successful they receive our accreditation.”

The company assesses according to SSiP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) criteria, a set of standards which has been inherited from previous health and safety regulations and is supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Acquiring the SMAS Worksafe Accreditation enables contractors to meet the health and safety requirements when tendering, usually to a particular client, therefore improving the chances of a successful tender.

“We have two sets of services that we offer – members and clients. Members are the tradespeople seeking accreditation, and clients are the main contractors, mostly housebuilders,

SMAS Accreditation looking for members with stage 1 paper-based health and safety assessments in place. They outsource this process to us.”

Having this service gives members of SMAS increased tendering opportunities, as they are listed on a database of accredited suppliers and on the SMAS contractor portal, making them visible to all of the company’s clients. Inclusion on this database comes as part of a £180 fee, which also includes a standard assessment and a 12-month certificate.

HAVING THIS SERVICE GIVES MEMBERS OF SMAS INCREASED TENDERING OPPORTUNITIES, AS THEY ARE LISTED ON A DATABASE OF ACCREDITED SUPPLIERS There are currently 250 SMAS-accredited tradespeople in the gardening sector. The company’s marketing has traditionally been aimed at the construction industry, but the assessment process is relevant to most industries, with the questions remaining the same but the associated risks differing according to trade.

Landscapers looking to gain SMAS accreditation would need to complete a questionnaire which incorporates risk assessments and method statements relating to

a specific project which has been undertaken.

The risk assessments show the company has identified the main hazards involved in the project, and the method statement states how the task will be conducted in a safe and controlled manner.

The questionnaire goes on to ask about training, qualifications and certificates, ensuring that staff are trained appropriately and hold the correct accreditation. SMAS also asks for documents which demonstrate that new skills and risks are communicated to other members of staff and subcontractors.

“It takes into account the type and size of the business and what would be applicable – the expectations for a one-man band are different to those for a large organisation.”

The initial assessment is usually completed within five working days once the questionnaire has been received. Land Design Partnership Ltd has been through this process, and director Pete Jones says that it has been beneficial for the company: “Working for some commercial clients requires a SMAS accreditation. It not only provides the ability to work in the commercial market, but also reduces the need for lengthy PQQ processes at tender stage.”

CONTACT Email info@smasltd.com Tel 01752 697370

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24/05/2017 10:50

EDUCATE

SITE VISIT

STONEWORLD Pro Landscaper visits Oxfordshire’s Stoneworld to find out about the company’s expansion and investment over the years, its commitment to high quality products, and plans for the future

Stoneworld offers an extensive range of high quality natural stone, personally sourced from around the world by its founder and owner, Rob Parker. Established in 2001, the company, based at Great Milton and Thame in Oxfordshire, provides natural stone materials for every kind of project, from swimming pools and patios to paving for Bicester Village.

Opening in 2001, Rob and his co-founder Steve Newbury – now the company’s digital mason – started out working from a modest portable cabin, and through contacts in India the company started to expand within the Indian sandstone market.

As their contacts grew and the business developed, it became clear that other companies were looking to make their products cheaper by compromising on quality.

In contrast, Stoneworld has always abided by its own high standards of quality and is still selling the same stone it started with nearly 17 years ago, while constantly adding new products to its range.

In 2006, when Rob decided he needed new kitchen worktops in his own home, the company invested in a new machine to build kitchen sinks. From there, they expanded into providing granite worktops, and Rob saw the potential of Stoneworld having its own showroom. This internal showroom, for their kitchen and flooring products, is based in Thame, a short distance from the company’s main premises at Great Milton.

Stoneworld’s commitment to quality extends to the investments it has made in new equipment, totalling over £1.5m; these include 100 Pro Landscaper / June 2017

Site Visit.indd 100

a water-jet cutter that is capable of cutting through 300mm of stone. An investment in developing product aftercare has also played a significant role within the company — Rob has collaborated with a chemist to create, among other products, a black-spot remover, cleaners and sealers, and an anti-algae product.

This hands-on approach from the company’s founder spreads across the board; if new materials need to be sourced, Rob travels to that source personally. He has recently visited China as part of his plan to begin importing quartz from the country, which he hopes will lead to Stoneworld having its own brand of quartz in the future.

Stoneworld now employs 15 people, with plenty of business in the pipeline. Its expansion plans mean that it will soon be employing new people, with a particular focus on expanding Stoneworld nationally. The size of the factory space, currently at 5000ft², is being doubled with the incorpoation of another factory, and the company is currently busy supplying the Bicester Village retail area extension with about 25 containers of stone.

For customers looking to buy from Stoneworld, the process is as simple as contacting the team and then discussing and providing sample drawings, before visiting the site to finalise plans. Stoneworld’s refusal to compromise on quality means customers get what they pay for, leading to repeat business and continual success.

CONTACT Stoneworld Ltd Views Farm Great Milton Oxfordshire OX44 7NW Tel: 01844 279274

www.stoneworld.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/05/2017 10:04

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24/05/2017 14:58

EDUCATE

Debs Winrow

Creative director, Garden House Design Great garden buildings start with design and specification. Really get to know your client’s requirements for this covered area. There are many great products on the market, all with different degrees of pricing and ‘wow’ factors, and all doing slightly different jobs. Once you’re totally on top of the brief, take the time to carry out a detailed site survey. Specify all the necessary foundations, electrics and extras that might be done by another contractor before you get to the site. Finally, don’t forget to consider the logistics for delivery in advance of a huge bespoke building making its way to your site.

Steve Moody

Director and senior landscape consultant, Frogheath Landscapes It’s always vital to probe deeply and try to establish what the client has in the back of their mind – as opposed to what they are telling you when you are being briefed. We’ve found it’s very difficult to install a sewage system after the building is complete!

Top tips for installing

GARDEN BUILDINGS Five garden designers offer their best advice for designing and installing the perfect outdoor building

Tecwyn Evans

Managing director, Living Landscapes When garden buildings have been included in a garden design, the aesthetic needs to complement other aspects of construction within the landscaped area, so that the building doesn’t look like it’s an add on. We are very conscious of looking at construction detail within other structures, capturing that, and transferring it onto the building construction itself. Green roofs, planting or screening all help to create a more discreet installation and enhance the building within the overall design. Nearly all will require power, and some may require utilities to be installed. Check with the local planning authority as to whether building regulations apply and an inspection needs to be carried out of supplies or drainage systems.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Garden Buildings tips.indd 103

Brian Herbert

Director, Outdoor Options Ltd Position is key, especially height, as too often they are over dominant.

When kept low, or in a retained corner, and fronted with connecting features such as a veranda, arbour or seating deck, they can be subtle, inviting and highly useable structures. Personally, I prefer deep soffits that give the building a more balanced look, and not the cube approach; this also weathers far better. Vaulted ceilings and cedar shingle roofs blend well, and adding Velux or similar windows can let light through the roof. Above all, make sure the buildings can breathe with correct vapour barriers and soffit vents, and are insulated and kept slightly warm all winter to avoid other issues.

Peter Lister Cunliffe

Director, Northumbrian Landscapes Ltd Garden buildings offer a great focal point in a design. We usually try to place them as far from the client’s house as possible to maximise sightlines and the feeling of space. Designing your own garden building can hugely reduce the price compared to buying one of the ‘off-the-shelf’ buildings that are available; we have a local shed builder who builds to the required measurements and then customises them. Customisations could include a green roof, attractive cladding, wide glass windows in an interesting format to maximise light or views, or pergolas and terraces to the front area, giving the building a more practical nature.

Pro Landscaper / June 2017 103

24/05/2017 10:32

HI-TECH TURF

EDUCATE

New Pines Holiday Park

ETERNAL LAWNS Leeds Town Hall After the success of last year’s Cookridge Street Pop-Up Park in Leeds, Eternal Lawns worked with Leeds City Council again on a pop-up park in front of Leeds Town Hall. 30mm Superior Grass gave instant impact, softening the surrounding paving and providing a surface that could be used whatever the weather. The council chose artificial grass due to its minimal maintenance and durability – as well as it being simple to lay, and easy to lift at the end of the project. WWW.ETERNALLAWNS.COM

This project involved the creation of a new play area at New Pines Holiday Park. Prior to commencement of works the area was a very wet open field. To improve drainage, Hi-Tech Turf installed a stone carpet and then covered it with its 25mm Shock Pad to provide critical fall height underneath all the play equipment. HT Ibiza turf was used as it has a lower pile height and high durability, making it suitable for high use areas. Hi-Tech Turf also installed a hop scotch and logo into the grass. The playground equipment was provided by Playforce.

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ARTIFICIAL GRASS

TIGER TURF Private residence, Coulby Newham

In December 2016, Lion Lawns installed TigerTurf Vision for an active family in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough. The family was looking for a low maintenance surface to complete its 53m² lawn that would look great and allow the children to play outside throughout the year. The family chose 24mm TigerTurf Vision, which has three shades of green yarn to give it a plush, just-mown appearance. Vision is a popular product for domestic gardens as the variations of green create a neat, well-manicured look, while the short pile height provides a soft-to-touch surface that will continue to stand up over time.

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NOMOW Swavesey Primary School Nomow Artificial Grass Ltd completed this recent installation at a primary school, after its current playground needed a refresh. Nomow used its Luxury Plus grass with a 40mm four-coloured pile to provide a soft, spongy green area. This was laid on top of 60mm Shock Pad, to ensure its safety.

Nomow also used a variety of colours from their Rainbow range, which allowed them to add in graphics around the play area. This makes the space a fun, enjoyable environment for the children to play in.

WWW.NOMOW.CO.UK

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projects NAMGRASS Alton Towers, CBeebies Land

CBeebies Land at Alton Towers had to look perfect for both children and the BBC, while being able to survive a daily trampling of little feet. Namgrass Vision was chosen because of its light tones and soft, hardwearing qualities. Namgrass also created bespoke groundworks and gradients to the park’s specifications. The 2000m² project was completed within the four-week deadline. Since then, Namgrass has completed other works for Alton Towers and Legoland. NAMGRASS.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/05/2017 11:36

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24/05/2017 15:02

EDUCATE

THE CONTAINER GARDENER Frances Tophill

AT HOME WITH PLANTS Ian Drummond and Kara O’Reilly

ritten by Frances Tophill from ITV’s Love Your Garden and the BBC’s Gardeners’ World, The Container Gardener provides inspiration for bringing greenery to the smallest and most inhospitable spaces.

Broken down into four easy-to-follow chapters, the reader is directed through the process of choosing the right container and planting material, and given tips on what’s best to grow. It contains a variety of unusual and inspirational projects, covering the sustainable, crafty and culinary aspects of container gardening. Tophill’s resourceful suggestions for often forgotten and neglected containers – from teapots to railway sleepers – mean readers will be fully equipped to transform their gardens. With these creative ideas and the book’s bright and informative photography, Container Gardener is a must for those wishing to unleash their garden’s full potential, whatever its size.

rom interior landscape designer and RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold-medal winner Ian Drummond and interiors writer Kara O’Reilly, At Home with Plants brims with knowledge and advice on how to make the most of houseplants. With the return of a more natural approach to interior design, it was inevitable that the houseplant would soon make a comeback; At Home With Plants explores interior trends, the aesthetics of houseplants, and how to utilise this knowledge in the design of your home. The advantages of houseplants are highlighted in the ‘Practicalities’ chapter, which discusses the varying uses of houseplants, as well as the health benefits they bring to the owner.

Elsewhere, every aspect of a houseplant’s life is catered for, including containers, light and temperature conditions, how to create displays, and how to choose the right plant for the right place.

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106 Pro Landscaper / June 2017

Book Review.indd 106

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n The Thoughtful Gardener, Jinny Blom shares her insight into the creative process of garden design, using the experience she has gathered from designing more than 250 gardens around the world. Blom’s personality and passion shines through, encouraging the reader to embrace their own style of garden design

by Seeing, Understanding, Structuring, Harmonising, Rooting and Liberating any shape or size of plot. The ideas and inspiration in this book all have one thing in common – these gardens are designed to last. Stunning photography of Blom’s work emphasises the artistry involved, providing the perfect accompaniment to thoughtful, witty and informative writing, which any garden lover will enjoy. Remaining sympathetic to the history and natural state of any space she encounters, Blom ensures her designs are instinctive and natural, revealing an intelligent approach to garden design. www.jacquismallpub.com

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ritten by award-winning garden photographer Steven Wooster and garden writer Susan Berry, The Upcycled Garden explores the potential of reclaimed materials through 25 step-by-step projects. The book provides tips on sourcing materials and suggests possible uses for them, as well as outlining the basic crafting skills needed to complete the projects. Focusing on four main garden features, the reader is shown how to create a range of useful structures and furnishings at relatively low expense by using mostly recycled materials. A difficulty grading system signals the level of skill required for each project, and the majority can be completed over the course of a couple of days. Each project is set out with clearly written step-by-step instructions and accompanied by colour photographs.

Overally, the eco-friendly approach of these projects is what stands out most throughout this creative and practical project guide. www.berrypublishing.co.uk

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/05/2017 10:53

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24/05/2017 15:22

EDUCATE

LOOK OUT FOR...

JAKE CURLEY

Jake Curley, 25, is a finalist for RHS Young Designer of the Year 2017.

He describes his competing show garden, his role as plant operative at Clifton Nurseries, and his ambitions to join the nursery’s garden design team

What does your role involve?

When I first joined, it was a summer job watering the plants – a stress-free job learning the plant names along the way. A year later, my duties include everyday nursery tasks, working the tills, giving plant advice and occasionally putting stock onto our computer system. I’m also working on design plans – Clifton wants mini gardens within the nursery, and has asked me to design these.

What was your route into horticulture?

I studied garden and landscape design at Writtle College, which was quite a surprising choice considering I’d never done any gardening before that. It was a nice escape from London life and I graduated in 2015. I worked at a garden centre for six months before moving on to Clifton Nurseries in Little Venice, where they have a garden design department, which was headed-up by Matthew Wilson at the time.

I thought I’d end up working in design there, and still hope to one day. You have to start at the bottom and work hard until your talents are noticed. The horticulture sector can be demanding, but there’s great camaraderie.

What led you to apply for RHS Young Designer of the Year?

A year ago, I told my dad I would be designing at RHS Chelsea one day. He asked what my plan was, and I said I was going to win RHS Young Designer of the Year. Past winners such as Hugo Bugg and Caitlin McLaughlin are now designing at RHS Chelsea, which shows that it can open doors. Having said that, the quality of the other two finalists is exceptional and I’m just trying to learn as much as possible with the opportunity I’ve been given.

I’M HOPING TO START MY OWN BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE, AND TO BE DESIGNING MORE SHOW GARDENS Can you tell us about your design, ‘Business & Pleasure’?

The brief was for an office garden where people could work outside. ‘Business & Pleasure’ has prairie planting in a modern layout, an individual workspace with views across the garden, and a

Jake’s garden at RHS Tatton 2017

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Look Out For.indd 109

long table for office meetings or work space. The planting is full of grasses such as Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ and Pennisetum ‘Fairy Tails’ setting the backdrop, with bursts of colour from Echinacea and Heleniums. I wanted A bath tub Jake planted up outside Warwick Avenue underground station the design to include prairie favourites, but on a smaller scale than is usually seen within large gardens. My course at Writtle made heavy use of AutoCAD, followed by Photoshop, but I found using SketchUp for the modelling and Lumion for the graphics much quicker.

What has the experience taught you so far?

Having to be smart about your brief – if you say it’s a roof garden, then the judges will expect to see the planting in raised beds and other such constraints. Hence why I’ve moved away from that idea! My garden is 8m x 10m and the grant of £12,000 goes quickly – half is spent on plants and a good chunk on contractors, meaning there’s little for the rest. You have to be creative.

What are your future career ambitions?

I aim to become a full-time designer, working on exciting projects and exhibiting at RHS shows.

I’m interested in designing public landscapes, but that would involve going back to university to study landscape architecture. I’m hoping to start my own business in the future, and to be designing more show gardens – what I do next depends on how well the RHS Flower Show Tatton goes.

Pro Landscaper / June 2017 109

24/05/2017 10:43

EDUCATE

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110 Pro Landscaper / June 2017

Brushcutters LK.indd 110

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/05/2017 11:35

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JOBS

For full details on all jobs, please go to For full details on all jobs, please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk. www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

Call 01903 777 587 or email ellie.downes@eljays44.com with your vacancy.

Call 01903 777 574 or email liam.colclough@eljays44.com with your vacancy

SOFT LANDSCAPE SITE MANAGER/FOREMAN KILLINGLEY Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire

A site-based role to complete projects to the contract manager’s plan. Your duties will be: ensuring Health and Safety, profit, productivity and quality targets are achieved; managing behaviour and timekeeping of employees; maintaining good relationships with clients; and maximising efficiency of resources. You must be self-motivated and show initiative, have experience in a related discipline, and have experience at site level of large or complex projects. Desirable – SMSTS, CSCS, full UK driving license, excellent communication, commercial management and admin skills.

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

LANDSCAPE ESTIMATOR/SURVEYOR (JUNIOR CONSIDERED) SKIDMORES OF HERTFORD Location: Hertfordshire

We are currently seeking a landscape estimator/surveyor. A junior position will also be considered for the right candidate. The successful candidate will be somebody who can visit sites and converse with site teams and our clients’ opposite numbers; confidently estimate hard and soft landscape packages with values up to £1m; assist and deal with the surveying/commercial side of the business; has good people skills; is reliable and well presented; is computer literate and able to use Microsoft tools such as Excel.

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

ASSISTANT CONTRACTS MANAGER

CONTRACTS MANAGER

We are currently looking for an ambitious individual to support the company’s further expansion. This role will utilise your industry experience and knowledge to provide detailed estimates for clients across private and commercial projects. Alongside the provision of cost and work time estimates, you will be responsible for maintaining existing client contracts and continuously seeking out new clients and estimating opportunities. Current contract values range from £5,000 to in excess of £1m, and experience of both hard and soft landscaping is essential.

We are seeking an experienced contracts manager to support the managing director in the management and implementation of landscape construction projects ranging in value from £20,000 to £500,000. This varied role will involve ensuring the final stages of landscape design meet CDM, budget and timeframe requirements. You will have experience in producing clear QS information and labour requirements while taking into account site limitations, and work with the operations manager to ensure the efficient, safe and profitable running of sites.

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

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

HEAD OF DESIGN AND BUILD

HARD LANDSCAPING TEAM LEADER

You will be responsible for managing the department’s construction function to ensure best practices are followed, costs are controlled and client satisfaction is maximised. You will ensure that the department increases revenue generation and contribution to the company’s operating profit as well as growing the value added to the company. The post also entails broader responsibilities across all business areas, which require you to actively promote best practice throughout the company, work effectively as part of the senior management team and bring a ‘whole company’ perspective to managing issues.

We require an experienced hard landscaper to work as team leader. Good references/ portfolio an advantage. You must have a very good eye for detail, have a minimum of five years’ relevant experience and be able to work to deadlines. You must be able to read from scaled plans and work from sketches, lay out and set levels, lay a wide range of paving materials, build walls, retaining walls and steps, build pergolas and arches from kits and from scratch, prep turf areas and lay turf. You must also have knowledge and experience of delivering different planting styles.

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

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

LANDSTRUCTION LTD Location: Chester

BOWLES & WYER Location: Leighton Buzzard

Jobs.indd 112

GARDEN CLUB LONDON Location: London

WILDROOF LANDSCAPES Location: Penrith

24/05/2017 11:25

129 3773

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TA9Other 4HAProviders of English Handcrafted and Furniture include a bespoke joinery Planters serviceof for allOutdoor interior & exterior design.

Go to the app store Wholesale 1 services insuppliers Oak, or Accoya.all types of Enquiries to Tamlyns, 56 HighIroko Street, For email info@oxfordplanters.co.uk or call 01608 683022 flinformation ower andservice hedging plants 2 more search ‘PROabulbs LANDSCAPER’ Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3BN Other services include bespoke joinery for all interior & exterior design. www.drsimmons.co.uk For all horticultural and Garden design enquiries please contact Martin 3 download the free app T 01278 For more458241 information info@oxfordplanters.co.uk or call 01608 683022 CLASSIFIED on 07765 email 188725 or email 01775 info@martincadams.co.uk Market Way, Tel: 723320 / 766028 E 45 ross.whitcombe@tamlyns.co.uk All products manufactured in the Cotswolds using sustainable timber.

4Forchoose and download your issue all horticultural and Garden enquiries please contact Martin Pinchbeck, Spalding, Fax: design 01775 760451 / 714970 PROFESSIONAL WLincolnshire www.tamlynsprofessional.co.uk onPE11 077653PE 188725 e-mail: or email info@martincadams.co.uk sales@drsimmons.co.uk All products manufactured in the Cotswolds using sustainable timber.

nursery of distinction

nursery of distinction www.oxfordplanters.co.uk

Ride-On Mowers Compact,Tractor lightweight mobileSince shredder 1936 John GT235, SD deck, 18hp petrol, 2WD, HST – 355 hrs goesDeere wherever it’s48” needed IN NProviders O VX320, A of T English O I N22hpL petrol, APlanters ND Sand C A–P195E hrs PLANTS John Deere 48”R SDSdeck, 2WD, HST Handcrafted Outdoor Furniture Makes easy work of branches, • Suppliers top quality container grown John Deere GX355D, 48” SD deck, 16hp or diesel, 2WD, HSTshrubs, – choice of 2 inofOak, Iroko Accoya. grasses, herbaceous, climbers & specimens wet green-waste and mixed leafage Piranha® fit diesel, Stihlnursery MS201T JUST • John Complete ofto24hp hardy Deere X495,range 48”Chain SD deck, 2WD, HST – stock 1922 hrs £5.50* Other services include a bespoke joinery forlitre interior • Suppliers of top quality grown shrubs, •year Good range in service 3container and 10 pots 4 Season shredder for Deere X740, 54” SD deck, Low-Tip Collector –allchoice of & 2 exterior • John 130 hectares of own production Great performance for a fraction of the price design. herbaceous, climbers & specimens John Deere X748, grasses, 48” RD deck, 24hp diesel, 4WD, HST – 1380 hrs round effectiveness •For Quick response to enquiries • Cash and carry service more information email info@oxfordplanters.co.uk or call 01608 683022 upRDtodeck on the top10brand Etesia Save Bahia, 32” & collector, •66% Good range in 2WD 3 and litre potschains Produces easilycompostable • Etesia Quote + invoice inHi-Tip pounds H124DS, 48” RD deck, Collector, 25hp diesel – 828 hrs operation cost cut dramatically For Monthly all horticultural and Garden design enquiries please contact Martin and carry service BioTech™ chips • Etesia Highly organised logistics Attilaon Bank Mower (Ex• Cash Demo) low hours 07765 188725 or email– info@martincadams.co.uk

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TA6 7RS wet green-waste and mixed leafage Ride-On Cylinder Mowers 25th April:forThe Oak Tree Saturday 4 Season year JD 2653A, 26” shredder 8 blade units, spiral rollers, scrapers choice of 2 from Arena, Edithmead, M5 J22, Somerset, JD 2500 (A)effectiveness (E), 22” 11 blade, groomers, brushes, boxe choice 3 from round TA9 4HA Hayter LT324, 6 blade units with 10” fixed heads choice of 8 from Produces easily- compostable Hayter T424,to 5 gang, 6 blade –56 30”High units. Deluxe Cab – 2659 hrs Enquiries Tamlyns, Street, BioTech™ chips Ransome Highway 3 – 1308 hrs Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3BN Ride-On Front Rotary Mowers Call: 08450 773 773 T John 01278 458241 Deere F1145, 62” RD deck, 28hp, 4WD, HST, turf tyres – 2887 hrs Classifi ed www.psdgroundscare.co.uk EJohn ross.whitcombe@tamlyns.co.uk Deere 1445, various deck 0 sizes 1 2 and 5 7hours 4 4 2 9 6 0 choice of 7 from John Deere 1445 with Cab, 60” SD1deck, hrs Page 1 www.tamlynsprofessional.co.uk WPlantoil 59x91mm_Layout w w w . h e d g16/09/2011 e Serviced s d i –r 2126 e15:56 cPROFESSIONAL t.co.uk

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Kioti DK551C with Cab, 54hp, 4WD, Box – 612 hrs due to Since 1936 Established 1948 andGear still going strong New Holland TC27D, 27hp, 4WD, HST, turf tyres, roll bar – 2312 hrs quality being our main concern.

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£13’750 Kioti DK551C with Cab, 54hp, 4WD, Gear Box – 612 hrs £8’000 Kubota B2530, 25hp diesel, 4WD, HST, roll bar – 809 hrs www.psdgroundscare.co.uk £8’750 PL App Ad.indd 1 21/01/2015 12:17 Kubota B2230 & front loader, 22hp diesel, 4WD, HST, turf tyres 1117hrs Unwanted grounds maintenance equipment? £7’500 Holland TC27D, 27hp, 4WD,58x90.indd HST, turf tyres, PSD2700 New - ELIET ProLandscaper Adverts 2 roll bar – 2312 hrs 13/03/2013 12:38 Don’t scrap it SELL it at Tamlyns Outdoor Auctions £7’500 Yanmar FE280H, 28hp diesel, 4WD, turf tyres, roll bar – 262 hrs 18/07/2013 21/01/201515:43 12:17

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FREEPHONE 0800 013Pro 7363 www.plantoil.co.uk www.landmarktimber.co.uk 0808 129 3773 123 Landscaper / September 2015 w w w. r o c h www.prolandscapermagazine.com fo rds.net Timber Products 50 December 2012

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John Deere 1445, various deck sizes and hours – choice of 8 from: £6’500 John Deere 1445 with Cab, 60” SD deck, Serviced – 2126 hrs £8’500 John Deere 1545, 62” RD deck, 31hp, 4WD, HST – choice of 2 from: £9’750 CLASSIFIED class.indd 98 TEMPLATE.indd 123 For John all your golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs.

Deere 1565 with cab, 62” RD, 38hp, HST – 1044 hrs For all your golf, sportsturf and 4WD, landscape irrigation needs.£9’750 John Deere 1600TMowers Wide Area Mower with canopy – choice of 2 from: £8’500 n needs.

Ride-On Tractor www.oxfordplanters.co.uk class.indd 98 Buy online at www.lws.uk.com John Deere 997 Zero Turn Mower, 60” deck, 30hp – 291 hrs BuyJohn online at www.lws.uk.com For all your golf, sportsturf £1’500£9’000 Deere GT235, 48” SD deck, 18hp petrol, 2WD, HST – 355 hrs Jacobsen HR6010 Wide Area Mower – 1615 hrs furnishings £2’500£ POA John Deere X320, 48” SD deck, 22hp petrol, 2WD, HST – 195 hrs Buy online at www.lws.uk.com Ransome HR6010 Wide Area Mower – choice of 2 from: £12’000 Ride-On Providers of English Handcrafted Planters Furniture £3’000 John Deere GX355D, 48” SD deck, 16hp diesel, 2WD, and HSTOutdoor – choice of 2 Ransome HR300, 60” RD deck, 4WD, HST – choice of 4 £ POA All products in 24hp Oak,diesel, Iroko 2WD, or Accoya.

John Deer £5’500 John Deere X495, 48” SD deck, HST – 1922 hrs manufactured in JD 2653A £6’250 John Deere X740, 54” SD deck, Low-Tip Collector choice of 2 Other services include a bespoke joinery service– for all interior & exterior design.

Commercial Pedestrian Mowers the Cotswolds JD 2500 ( £6’750 John Deere X748, 48” RD deck, 24hp diesel, 4WD, HST – 1380 hrs using sustainable Huge choice of RD Ferris Scag mowers mowers.

-choice of For more information email info@oxfordplanters.co.uk or Turn call 01608 683022 £2’250 Etesia Bahia, 32” deckand & collector, 2WD – 36”, 48” 52” Zero timber JD 3235B £4’750 Etesia H124DS, 48” RD deck, Hi-Tip Collector, 25hp diesel – 828 hrs d Golf ForSAW all horticultural and Garden design please contact Martin £ POA CHAIN SAW OIL 2-STROKE OIL SAW BLADE OIL JD 3235B CHAINAttila OIL Mower 2-STROKE OIL BLADE OIL Etesia Bank (Ex Demo) –SAW low hoursenquiries Joseph Rochford Gardens Ltd, on 07765 188725 or email info@martincadams.co.uk JD 3225C 714986 All products manufactured in the Cotswolds using sustainable timber.

Pipers End, Letty Green, Hertford, SG14 2PB Tractors Tel 0345 230 9697 www.lws.uk.com Jacobsen Tel 0345 230 9697EMAIL •Fax: www.lws.uk.com TelCompact 0345 230 9697 •• www.lws.uk.com kitcheninthegarden.co.uk | 01932 862473 Tel: 01707 261370 01707 262847 FOR MORE INFORMATION: INFO@OXFORDPLANTERS.CO.UK OR CALL 01608 683022 FREEPHONE 0800 013 7363 www.plantoil.co.uk FREEPHONE 013 John Deere X748, 54” 0800 Snow Blade, 24hp 7363 diesel, 4WD,www.plantoil.co.uk HST – choice0808 of 2 Hayter LT www.landmarktimber.co.uk 0808 129 3773 www.landmarktimber.co.uk 129£6’750 3773 Email: sales@rochfords.net JD 4600 & Front Loader, 43hp, 4WD, G.Box,www.prolandscapermagazine.com Power Reverser – 4331hrs Hayter T4 £7’750 John Deere 3320, 33hp, 4WD, HST, turf tyres, roll bar – 1230 hrs Ransome £9’000 www.prolandscapermagazine.com Diesel Bowser / March 2015 98 Pro SNOW CLEARANCE NEEDED ONwww.prolandscapermagazine.com A NATIONAL www.prolandscapermagazine.com JDLandscaper 4410 & Front Loader, 34hp, 4WD, G.Box, www.prolandscapermagazine.com Power Reverser – 2279 hrs BASIS Ransome £9’750 www.prolandscapermagazine.com magazine.com GM Manchester QP advert templates.indd 24Balmers 18/07/2013 15:43 Kubota B2410, 24hp, 4WD, HST,Ltd, turf tyres, roll bar – 1720Rd, hrs Dunnockshaw, £6’900 Oxford Planters.indd 1 04/06/2015 14:33 Do you have a tractor / teleporter?

We you to clear BB11 5PF Ride-On Kubota B2410 & Front Loader,Burnley, 24hp, 4WD, Lancs, HST – 1076 hrs need £7’900 18/06/2015 09:02 snow as part of our winter maintenance programme. Ideally Kioti DK551C with Cab, 54hp, 4WD, Gear Box – 612 hrs £13’750 John Deer we would like you to work locally to your base and clear class.indd 99 New Holland TC27D, 27hp, 4WD, HST, turf tyres, roll bar – 2312 rates hrs £7’500 18/02/2015 14:42 class.indd 98 18/02/2015 14:42 John Deer snow from our clients’ sites.

Competitive offered New Holland TN55Ddependant with cab, 55hp, on 4WD,machinary Gear Box – 1751 hrs £12’500 For all Johnyou Deer alvanised •type.

Manufactured in the UK Yanmar FE280H, 28hp diesel, 4WD, turf tyres, roll bar – 262 hrs £7’500 John Deer • 12 month warranty mbled in Buy online Contact us at gritting@ground-control.co.uk ForJohn all Deer yo • 12v 40L/min pump Ride-On Cylinder Mowers John Deer • 440l & 220L options BuyJacobsen onlin John Deere 900 Commercial Triple, 30” fixed units – choice of 2 £5’500 • AdBlue option available JD 2653A, 26” 8 blade units, spiral rollers, scrapers – choice of 4 from: £5’500 Ransome JD 2500 (A) (E), 22” 11 blade units, groomers, brushes, grass boxes Ransome -choice of 3 from: £5’750 g Sundries JD 3235B with Cab, 22” 8 blade units, grooved front rollers – 2708 hrs £6’500 Commer JD 3235B, 22” 8 blade ESP units – 2691 hrs £7’500 Huge cho JD 3225C, 7 blade light-weight units c/w rear roller brushes – 2217 hrs £8’000 01473 328272 www.schsupplies.co.uk www.ground-control.co.uk Jacobsen G Plex, recently serviced & extra set scarifying units available £5’500 The Stables, London Road, Billericay,Essex CM12 9HS Tel 0345 23 Hayter LT324, 6 blade units with 10” fixed heads – choice of 10 from: £6’500 British built, robust equipment Hayter T424, 5 gang, 6 blade – 30” units – choice of 2 from: £9’000 Bespoke orders taken – we Pro can build to your specifications 99 67 www.prolandscapermagazine.com Landscaper / November 2015 93 December www.prolandscapermagazine.com Pro Landscaper / October 2015 Tel 0345 2 Ransome Highway 3 – choice of 2 £ POA Pro Landscaper / March 2015 99 www.prolandscapermagazine.com Pro Landscaper / June 2017 113 Ransome Parkway 3, 30” 6 blade units – 1970 hrs £ POA 50 December 2012 PL App Ad.indd 1 21/01/2015 12:17 Ride-On Front Rotary Mowers 50 December 2012 CLASSIFIED 22/10/2015 11:01 LifeStyle.inddTEMPLATE.indd 67 19/11/2015 15:01 11:50 John from: £6’500 Classifieds.indd 93 Deere 1445,99various deck sizes and hours – choice of 8 22/09/2015 Classified.indd John 113 Deere 1445 with Cab, 60” SD deck, Serviced – 2126 hrs 24/05/2017 15:21 £8’500 18/02/2015 14:44

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ALL MATERIALS The Major 4S Mobile Shredder

PEOPLE

CHRIS HULL CAD technician, Janine Pattison Studios www.janinepattison.com What’s your go to reference book?

Dream Plants for the Natural Garden by Piet Oudolf and Henk Gerritsen.

Favourite sandwich filling?

Anything with cheese and chutney.

Karaoke song of choice?

Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice (embarrassing but true).

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

ANDY HORN Nursery manager, Hagthorne Nurseries

Favourite seasonal plant?

Podophyllum ‘Spotty Dotty’ for its umbrella-like new growth in spring.

Your ideal project in five words?

Natural, planting-focused, environmentally considerate.

Best moment in your career thus far?

Graduating and becoming part of the team at JPS – and winning a competition organised by Sparsholt College, designing a memorial garden for Hampshire Constabulary.

One piece of technology you couldn’t live without?

My car – that counts as technology, right?

114 Pro Landscaper / June 2017

Little Interview.indd 114

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Dave Franco.

Favourite sporting memory?

Climbing the Three Peaks.

www.hagthorne.com What’s your go to reference book?

RHS A-Z of Garden Plants.

Favourite seasonal plant?

Nandina domestica – a good all round performer.

What’s top of your bucket list?

Travel around South America.

Your ideal project in five words?

Supplying plants to top professionals.

Best moment in your career thus far?

Being appointed nursery manager at Hagthorne Nurseries.

One piece of technology you couldn’t live without?

My computer.

Favourite sandwich filling?

Ham and cheese.

Karaoke song of choice?

Back for Good by Take That.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Tom Hanks.

Favourite sporting memory?

Watching South Africa vs Wales at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. What’s top of your bucket list?

To go to the Monaco Grand Prix and live like a millionaire for one day.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/05/2017 11:19

PEOPLE

DANIEL BINNS Business development director, Mitie Landscapes www.mitie.com

What’s your go to reference book?

The Oxford English Dictionary (spelling was never my strong point).

Favourite seasonal plant?

Lavender.

Unique, challenging and rewarding.

Best moment in your career thus far?

I scored a goal at Wembley!

(While working on the pitch.)

One piece of technology you couldn’t live without?

My iPhone.

Favourite sandwich filling?

Chicken and avocado.

Karaoke song of choice?

Daydream Believer by The Monkees.

Your ideal project in five words?

Who would play you

GINA HINDE

CHRIS SWAN

Marketing & communications manager, Hartman

Technical and export manager, Green-tech

www.hartmanuk.com What’s your go to reference book?

The Adobe Photoshop and InDesign manuals.

Favourite seasonal plant?

Rose.

Your ideal project in five words?

Managing the England team.

Best moment in your career thus far?

Taking over the family business when I was 24 – a huge responsibility.

One piece of technology you couldn’t live without?

Kettle.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Little Interview.indd 115

in a film of your life?

James Corden.

Favourite sporting memory?

Euro 96 – I’d just finished my finals at university and had a memorable summer!

What’s top of your bucket list?

To travel the world.

www.green-tech.co.uk Favourite sandwich filling?

Ham and tomato.

Karaoke song of choice?

Need You Now by Lady Antebellum.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Julie Walters.

What’s your go to reference book?

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Favourite seasonal plant?

My Christmas tree.

Your ideal project in five words?

Anything in the Florida Keys.

Favourite sandwich filling?

Bacon, egg, sausage, tomato.

Karaoke song of choice?

Kung Fu Fighting.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Jeremy Clarkson.

Favourite sporting memory?

Aston Villa winning the league in 1981.

What’s top of your bucket list?

A journey on the Venice Simplon Orient Express.

One piece of technology you couldn’t live without?

Lightsaber.

Best moment in your career thus far?

Reaching the point where people actually want to interview me!

Favourite sporting memory?

Newcastle Utd 5-0 Man Utd. What’s top of your bucket list?

Visit Uluru.

Pro Landscaper / June 2017 115

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