Pro Landscaper March 2025

MEADOW The Secret

Explore the latest launches from some of the top brands MARCH

LET’S HEAR IT FROM Lucy Fisher, idverde

30 YEARS OF THE APL

Championing growth since 1995

BATTERY POWER KIT SPECIAL

BEYOND SUMMER

Shading for every season

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

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

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

PATIO AWNINGS

EXTERNAL BLINDS

LOUVERED PERGOLAS

CONTACT

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

Tel: 01903 777 570

EDITORIAL

Deputy editor – Bethany Vann bethany.vann@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 959 394

Senior subeditor – Katrina Roy katrina.roy@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570

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

ADVERTISING

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

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

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

MANAGEMENT

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

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

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

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

MARKETING & CIRCULATION

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

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

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

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

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

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

Welcome

Many of you may be surprised to see my face here instead of Nina’s, don’t worry – she’s still working behind the scenes overseeing the production of all things content, including our launch issue of Pro Landscaper USA. She has passed over the reins to my humble hands, and while I know there are big shoes to fill, if I’ve learned anything from my time in this industry, it’s that through collaboration and passion for what we do, anything is possible (almost).

And what better time to step up to the plate than our annual green issue, which champions both of these ideals, from the APL which is celebrating 30 years of bringing together a landscaping community (page 25), to Olly Gregson, managing director of Hardwood Landscapes partnering with the Campaign Against Living Miserably to raise awareness with a bright pink grab truck (page 16). And we’d be remiss not to highlight the teamwork behind bringing the new green design tool, elemental to life (page 12).

It wouldn’t be a green issue if we didn’t also revel in the passion the industry is exerting for sustainability within its ranks and projects. In this month’s Let’s Hear It From, idverde’s operations director Lucy Fisher (page 35) shares how she discovered her love for landscaping and sustainable practice, while voices across the industry come together to offer their top tips for integrating sustainable best practices into your business agenda (page 8).

Paving the way to a greener future for not just the industry, but for our nation’s biodiversity and infrastructure, is undoubtedly going to take a united approach and more than a couple of wheelbarrows full of passion.

BUSINESS

16

Grabbing Opportunities

Hardwood Landscapes’ Olly Gregson has announced a new business venture that will benefit others as well as the bottom line

19 The Next Chapter

Following the recent appointment of a new managing director, Blakedown Landscapes reflects on its humble beginnings to its ongoing success

35

Let’s Hear It From: Lucy Fisher idverde’s operations director is championing and integrating sustainability into the nationwide green service provider

41

41 The Secret Meadow

HollandGreen brought together childhood fantasies and a wildlife haven to design an award-winning garden in Oxfordshire

45 Down the Wilding Path

This luscious urban sanctuary won Nigel Philips Landscape and Garden Design a Pro Landscaper Projects Award

53 Awakening the Senses

A sensory garden in Hollingworth Lake Country Park opened last summer thanks to DK Garden Design

60

Paving the Way Forward

Samuel Moore highlights the three core paving materials and why sustainability is no longer an option

77 Battery Power Kit Special

The latest launches are more powerful than ever, and there are even more solutions available to ensure the best possible user experience

87

Greening the Way Home

Katerina Kantalis on how she balanced functionality, heritage and sustainability in her award-winning show garden

92

The Regenerates

A new series from Chris Churchman sets out to dispel myths and help the industry to spot opportunities

95

Under the Surface

As the transition away from peat continues, Lewis Normand wonders whether the right questions are being asked

97

A nativist ideology?

David Keegan offers a a contrarian view on native planting, rewilding, and ‘woke horticulture’ in the UK

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Scaling New Heights

Principal environmental consultant Steve McIntyre shares how Viritopia is creating the world’s largest living wall in London

25

Creating a Community

For the last three decades, the Association of Professional Landscapers has been supporting its members

30

How can a designer help to create a cement-free garden?

Jilayne Rickards explains how it’s possible to use little or no cement to create a domestic garden

NEW BIODIVERSITY NET

GAIN BOARD TO FOSTER CROSS-COLLABORATION

Future Homes Hub marks one-year of biodiversity net gain (BNG) with the launch of its BNG Implementation Board. Designed to support cross-sector collaboration, the Hub aims to facilitate the implementation of BNG at scale successfully. After launching last year, the nature-fronted legislation has put environmental awareness at the top of the agenda for developers. The Hub notes that the legislation is not without its challenges and recognises the need for further clarity and support, which it hopes the new Board will facilitate. The Board is co-chaired by Defra policy lead for BNG, Julian Harlow and Berkeley Group’s responsible business executive, Lorraine

ROUNDUP Industry Updates

NEW RHS GARDEN TO ENCOURAGE GREEN SKILLS

The Greener Skills Garden, designed by Dave Green of Dave Green Gardens, is a collaboration between RHS science and the charity’s New Shoots initiative. Visitors and budding horticulturists will have the opportunity to learn first-hand how the way in which they garden can impact the environment, while also providing examples of how they can do so in a way that not only reduces waste but actively mitigates the effects of climate change and boosts biodiversity. “By empowering the next generation of

horticulturists, we can inspire action and prove that even small changes in how we grow can have a big impact,” says designer Dave Green. The new sustainable garden, which is set to open to the public in summer 2025 will be located at RHS Garden Wisley, which recently saw Rob Brett appointed as its new curator. Brett will transition from his role at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, where he spent nine years overing the 365-acre garden’s development for the last nine years. rhs.org.uk

Fursland. Board members include representatives from across the sector, including stakeholders and government bodies.“The Future Homes Hub, through the BNG Implementation Board, is committed to working hand-in-hand with the industry and policymakers. We're confident that by working together, we can unlock the full potential of BNG, creating a legacy of thriving biodiversity for generations to come,” says Ed Lockhart, CEO of Future Homes Hub. This launch comes days after BNG digital tool provider, Joe’s Blooms released its findings for BNG a year on. Data reveals 64% of small site case studies analysed were exceeding the 10% uplift requirement. futurehomes.org.uk

GRANT ASSOCIATES CHOSEN TO TRANSFORM HISTORIC BATH PRESS SITE

Grant Associates has been appointed by heritage developer City & Country to collaborate on the redevelopment of the western end of historic Bath Press site that will provide high-quality housing in the city. The Bath-based landscape architecture firm will be working alongside architecture practice Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios to transform the 5.3-acre site. “This is a site layered in history, offering an important gateway into our home city and an amazing opportunity to bring it back to life,” says Grant Associates’ director Keith French. Family-owned City & Country will be partly delivering the consented scheme, having purchased the site in March last year with an existing consent. It has worked with both Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Grant Associates previously. The Bath Press site formerly housed the Pitman Press printing works, before becoming vacant in 2007 and undergoing demolition ten years later to allow for redevelopment.

grant-associates.uk.com

LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS RECOGNISED IN SGD REBRAND

The Society of Garden Designers launches rebrand to become the Society of Garden + Landscape Designers (SGLD). The Society says the

rebranding has been developed to better reflect the “diverse and evolving nature” of its members, as well as the size and scope of the projects being undertaken. “This momentous step forward for the Society reflects a collective vision by the SGLD and its members for inclusivity and modernity. The rebranding initiative represents more than just a change in name, it paves the way for a refreshed identity,” says Andrew Duff MSGLD chair of the now SGLD. The rebrand was revealed at what was the last SGD awards ceremony before transitioning to the SGLD Awards next year. During the ceremony the 2025 winners were announced, with Sarah Eberle winning the SGD’s Garden of the Year Award; while the SGD Lifetime Achievement Award went to Dan Pearson. sgld.org.uk

FUTURESCAPE GLOBAL LAUNCHES “LANDMARK” PROJECT AWARDS

Set to take place during FutureScape Global at Arena Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 28-29 April, this event will showcase groundbreaking projects that demonstrate excellence in sustainability, economic growth, and community enhancement. Nominees from across the globe including Martha Schwartz Partners and Cracknell will present their projects live at FutureScape Global to an international panel of expert judges. This includes the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA)’s Dr Bruno Marques. “These awards showcase the vital role our profession plays in creating sustainable, resilient, and beautiful spaces for all,” says Marques. The awards

In a move to expand its grounds maintenance operations, Blakedown Landscapes appoints new maintenance operations manager. Nigel Payne’s appointment will see him work to refine Blakedown’s maintenance services in an effort to secure long-term growth for the division. Payne will bring his over 30 year's worth of experience in the landscaping industry to the role. He notes

programme features

six distinct categories, each celebrating different aspects of landscape architecture and design: Residential Properties Under $500k, Residential Properties Over $500k, CityScape Project, Commercial Project, Ground Maintenance Delivery, and Conceptual Project. FutureScape Global is Saudi Arabia’s dedicated exhibition for the landscaping industry, focusing on innovative solutions for sustainable urban development. The event aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, promoting environmental sustainability and economic diversification through landscape architecture and design. futurescapeglobal.com

Online exclusives

CHARLOTTE HARRIS: THE BARBICAN IS “A DREAM PROJECT” Harris Bugg Studio has been appointed to work with the design team on transforming the indoor garden into an accessible space for plants and people.

30 UNDER 30 –A CATCH UP WITH ARRON GRANGE

Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30 alumni, Arron Grange on his career trajectory thus far.

TYLER GRANGE: TOP TIPS ON BECOMING MORE SUSTAINABLE THIS YEAR

Recommendations from the B Corp on instilling sustainability into your operations

that joining the company was an “easy decision” and that he’s “excited” to be part of its journey. Managing director of Blakedown Landscapes, Chris Wellbelove comments: “Nigel’s leadership will be instrumental in strengthening Blakedown’s presence in the grounds maintenance market, ensuring that the same level of quality

and expertise that defines our landscape construction work is reflected in our aftercare and long-term service contracts.” Payne’s appointment marks a step in Blakedown’s ambitions to evolve and expand its ground maintenance services. blakedown.co.uk

©ZoeNorfo l k

Sam

Sustainability should always deliver multiple benefits – for people, nature, and business. The key to unlocking sustainable outcomes is to align them with the goals of your stakeholders and business. We make this the foundation of all our choices. From experience, sustainability competence is key at all business levels. Toolbox talks are useful, but hands-on learning in high-demand areas, such as habitat creation and management, improves career prospects and strengthens business resilience. One of the most effective approaches is ‘Right Plant, Right Place’. Selecting resilient, climateappropriate, nature-friendly species reduces maintenance, limits replacement costs, and enhances biodiversity.

Founding director, The Green Partnership

Working with gardens and landscapes places us at a key connection point between people and nature. Given today’s global environmental challenges, it is of course important to make sustainable choices throughout the design process. This includes site considerations such as, retaining existing trees and planting, protecting soil health and managing drainage. Material selection also plays a role within a more sustainable approach, such as opting for natural, local materials to reduce the carbon footprint, ensuring surfaces are free-draining, and that hardscape areas are built for longevity. An emphasis on planting is always beneficial too, providing optimum nature benefit within the space and in turn bringing the benefit of nature to those who use and enjoy the garden.

MSGLD Garden and landscape designer, Rae Wilkinson Design

GOING FOR GREEN

Top tips from the professionals on how to bolster sustainability

Sustainability in landscaping often begins with a focus on resources, how they are sourced, used, and retained within the landscape A top suggestion for landscape businesses looking to incorporate sustainability into their agenda is to prioritise resource management, with a focus on reusing, recycling, and responsibly procuring materials. At Blakedown Landscapes, we've seen the positive impact of this approach in projects like Greenwich Park Revealed, where extensive earthworks allowed for the regrading and reuse of thousands of cubic metres of soil, avoiding unnecessary removal and reducing waste. Whilst at Bedfont Lakes, we integrated recycled materials, repurposing crushed concrete from demolition for stabilisation under the lake, in footpaths, and blended with soil to create low-fertility grasslands. Managing director, Blakedown Landscapes

What was once the hallmark of visionary developers has now become the norm. Today, designing sustainable spaces that seamlessly integrate with nature and allow it to thrive is a necessity. By capturing and reusing water, Land Studio aims to recharge the groundwater, reuse water within its buildings and landscapes, ensure water is captured for nature to reuse and provide wellbeing opportunities within traditionally hard engineered spaces. Another key tip is to retain and strengthen natural linear habitats; minimising light spill and incorporating natural screening helps wildlife thrive, while creating calm, peaceful spaces for people to enjoy. Director of ecology, Land Studio

Chris Wellbelove

Rae Wilkinson MSGLD

Lyn Pearce

Jones

Jon Berry

To inspire your team and promote a larger sense of purpose, make your workplace culture more eco-friendly, give employees access to eco-friendly schemes and initiatives. At Tyler Grange, we’ve recently switched to climate-focussed pensions provider Cushon, which invests in real projects and infrastructure for fast positive climate impact. The money we invest into our pension pot makes real climate change happen and we also get to vote on environmental and social governance issues on its interactive app.

Chris Beer

The old cliché, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day,’ rings true. Solid sustainability foundations and an evidence driven vision have been built. This, in part, has crafted our Seven Sustainability Standards and a five-year Sustainability Action Plan. Yet, none of this is worth its salt without clear communication and engagement at the core. John O’Conner’s Sustainability Hub encapsulates how sustainability can be embedded successfully in all layers of a business. Currently, with over 180 resources, it is openly accessible to the team, clients and suppliers. It is continuously evolving, driven by workforce feedback, client aspirations and regulatory demands.

Managing director, Tyler Grange

Don't specify tree planting without considering aftercare.

I know this seems simple, and as an industry, we've improved, but it still gets overlooked. The size of the tree shouldn't matter. Even small transplants in rural hedgerows, worth just 50p each, should be mulched. The impact is significant, preventing unnecessary replanting and avoiding spiral guards that end up as litter. Clients can be hesitant when the cost of watering rounds the initial planting, but what’s the point of planting a tree if it won’t survive? Both consultants and contractors share the responsibility of educating clients on the importance of maintaining our precious trees.

Tree planting & aftercare manager, Maydencroft

Sustainability officer, John O’Conner

Have a soil management plan in place before you break ground. With 95% of land based carbon stores locked in our soil, it is critical that, as an industry, we preserve this invaluable asset. As part of the design phase, designating haul roads, no dig areas, root protection areas and storage areas are crucial. It is simply a matter of sharing information and education, and having a simple soil management plan for the construction team to follow on every project. Landscapes contract manager, Nicholsons

Strategically source and use local low carbon materials, and plants which have a good supply chain custody and can be disposed of sustainably to protect the environment. Embrace a circular economy mindset – make smart choices to ensure landscaping is less resource intensive, whilst also recapturing “waste” as a resource for new materials or products, as well as harnessing the power of nature –find the right plant for the right place and the right purpose; and embrace environmentally clever solutions to control any problems.

Sue Payne

Managing director, Quality & Service

Peter Northcroft

Jack McKenna

HEIGHTSScaling new

A look into what will become the world’s largest living wall with Viritopia’s principal environmental consultant, Steve McIntyre

Despite their recent uptake in popularity, living wall structures - also known as vertical gardens - can be traced back to as early as 1938; they have long since been an efficient way of introducing greenery and its associated benefits to our urban environments.

Their ability to reduce air pollution and regulate temperatures in built-up areas means it is no surprise that the latest living wall to be granted planning permission will be established in London. Upon completion the project, which has been put forward by digital infrastructure organisation, Pure Data Centre (Pure DC), will be recognised as the world’s largest living wall. As outlined in the planning application, the vertical garden will be integrated into the second building on the organisation’s north London campus in Brent Cross.

Living wall specialist Viritopia will be overseeing the wall’s installation, covering a total area of 7,400sq m. This will make it the world's largest living wall, surpassing the current title holder, The Khalifa Avenue in Qatar, by 400sq m. The London-based wall will also exceed the current largest living wall on a building by 2,000sq m – the One Assembly in Singapore. On top of the project’s installation, Viritopia will also be handling the growth of the facade’s vegetation, of which there will be over 750k individual plants incorporated using a modular system.

Principal environmental consultant at Viritopia, Steve McIntyre notes that the wall’s planting list is “still being finalised,” but many of the species already selected have been chosen for their noise absorbance and air filtering

properties. McIntyre says that the team at Viritopia has been working closely throughout the project with several ecologists to ensure the wall’s planting “supports pollinators” and works to enhance the site’s overall biodiversity

Living wall BENEFITS

Alongside the axiomatic environmental benefits vertical gardens can also provide multiple social and economical benefits;

ENVIRONMENTAL

• Habitat creation

• Air pollutant filtration

• Urban temperature reduction

• Attenuate rain water

• Microclimate improvement

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC

• Health and well-being

• Stress reduction

• Improve productivity & creativity

• Contributes to Corporate Social

• Responsibility targets

• Noise pollution reduction

• Potential income and property value increase

through the creation of bird and insect habitats. Viritopia’s natural soil substrate, which includes green waste, will also offer more flexibility in plant selection.

Preparation and planning for the project at Viritopia have been ongoing for the last two and

a half years, from the external propagation to the “12-18 months of pre-growing” at the specialist’s nurseries in Hull. McIntyre notes that when the company came on board for the project, its scale was not yet finalised; “it didn’t start out as the world’s living wall,” but as the project evolved, the sheer scope of the project became apparent.

After the wall reaches completion, maintenance will be carried out using a suspended monorail system, allowing for easy access to the facade. Though a project of this size does beg the question, can it be maintained effectively? McIntyre is quick to clear this up, stating: “If maintained properly, there is no reason a living wall should fail.” He notes that as a result of correct maintenance, a green wall the company installed 16 years ago is still “thriving” today.

Construction of the wall, which will sit adjacent to Pure DC’s existing London data centre, will be overseen by the company’s climate-tech subsidiary, A Healthier Earth. Dame Dawn Childs, chief executive officer for Pure DC, says the subsidiary “plays a significant role” in helping Pure DC to deliver “naturepositive projects like this,” adding that the organisation is “committed” to researching and developing solutions that “support long-term biodiversity projects” to ensure its data centres “make a positive impact.”

Work on the project has already broken ground – upon completion it is hoped that the new centre will satisfy the increasing demand for cloud services and AI processing –with what is to be the world’s largest living wall to serve as a reminder that while technology continues to evolve, it does not have to be at the cost of nature.

WORDS: BETHANY VANN

If maintained properly, there is no reason a living wall should fail

Viritopia’s modular system provides adept design flexibility, whilst offering dense vegetation coverage with 96 plants per m². It is designed to allow for root migration, which supports longer plant lifespan

DATA CENTRE (PURE DC), WILL BE RECOGNISED AS THE WORLD’S LARGEST LIVING WALL

©Simon-Buckley

VIRITOPIA'S LIVING WALL INSTALLED ON THE EDEN BUILDING IN MANCHESTER

PURE

Introducing

ELEMENTAL

The new green design tool aims to have a positive impact on 10,000 projects within its first year

WORDS: NINA MASON

It’s taken months of collaboration between some of the leading associations in the industry, but a new tool to support “garden and landscape makers” to create climatepositive, nature-friendly spaces is set to be launched on 4 March.

Since a more condensed version was trialled on gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year, web-based app ‘elemental’ has been developed to give decision makers on a wide range of projects the information they need to better consider the environment, nature and people in their projects.

The concept was spearheaded by Liz Nicholson, managing director of Nicholsons which is funding the tool alongside the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers, the British Association of Landscape Industries, the Landscape Institute and the Royal Horticultural Society, and is supported by the Horticultural Trades Association and the Association of Professional Landscapers.

advisory groups to develop the app with Farm Carbon Toolkit, and we’ve also been creating learning resources so that people understand not just how to use the tool but also environmental design.”

Garden designers, landscape architects, horticulturists and professional gardeners – and eventually those building the landscapes as the tool develops – will all be able to use elemental for free for the next year.

We have a much greater voice and can have a much greater impact if we all come together

Rachel Bailey, Rachel Bailey Garden Design

“We have a much greater voice and can have a much greater impact if we all come together,” says garden designer Rachel Bailey, who sits on the SGLD committee.“We’ve been working collaboratively with the technical

“We are in an absolute crisis with the climate and biodiversity, so it’s more important that we get people using the tool and taking the lessons on board to create gardens that are going to have a positive effect on the environment than it making money,” says Bailey. A traffic light system will let users know the environmental impact of their project based on the responses to the questions, which are based around materials use, carbon accounting, biodiversity, water impacts, communities and society.

Those behind elemental are looking for sponsorship to continue to provide the tool for free, and as more research becomes available around each, well, element of the tool, the app and the information it provides will develop further.

“It’s not going to be perfect, but we want feedback from everybody who uses it so that we can feed that into the tool, whether that’s tightening up the wording of the questions or adding more links and support for users.

“This is not an audit; it’s very much a learning tool. So, it’ll meet people where they’re at on their sustainability journey and guide them so they can increase their knowledge.”

It aims to reach 1,000 users working on at least 10 projects each within 12 months of its launch, amounting to 10,000 projects within its first year. More than anything, though, it aims to raise awareness and empower industry-wide practitioners as well as supporting various initiatives, from Plant Healthy to transitioning to peat free.

Whilst not mandatory to use, elemental has the potential to make a big difference. It reduced carbon emissions by 28% across the two show garden categories at last year’s Chelsea; just think what it could do for 1,000 users – and that’s just the start.

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2025 categories

• Design under £50,000

• Design £50,000 - £100,000

• Design £100,000 - £250,000

• Build under £50,000

• Build £50,000 - £100,000

• Build £100,000 - £250,000

• Design and Build under £50,000

• Design and Build £50,000 - £100,000

• Design and Build £100,000 - £250,000

• Planting Design under £25,000

• Special Feature under £50,000

• Hard Landscaping under £50,000

• Hard Landscaping £50,000 - £100,000

• Sustainable Garden under £50,000

• Temporary Installation under £50,000

• Community Green Space under £100,000

• Community Green Space £100,00 - £250,000

2025 partners

Grabbing OPPORTUNITIES

Hardwood Landscapes ’ managing director

Olly Gregson has been disrupting the landscaping industry – he's now looking to do the same in a new market

WORDS: NINA MASON

Olly Gregson is not one to shy away from taking a risk. He took a gamble just over a year ago and hired two videographers to launch his own YouTube channel, in which he’s painfully honest about the highs and lows of running his own landscaping company, from vehicle breakdowns to cash flow hurdles. On top of that, he’s setting up his own property company, drawing in investors to get Gregson Homes off the ground.

But a bright pink grab truck? “The body shop checked the paint codes with me about four or five times,” laughs Gregson.“It’s a big paint job, and the colour was based off tiny samples and online pictures. Seeing it for the first time, I was like,‘Wow, it’s really pink’. But there’s so many grab trucks on the road, and it’s a very dated industry – it's ready to be disrupted.”

A staggering seven thousand construction workers have died by suicide in the UK over the last decade, according to a whitepaper by online construction community On The Tools.“So, we’re in a commercial partnership with CALM for which that lorry needs to donate at least £5k a year – 10% of the £50k operating profit that we’re hoping to achieve.”

Gregson is toying with the idea of future trucks partnering with different charities, with investors choosing one which is close to their hearts.

But CALM is proving to be the ideal partner in the first instance.

There are so many grab trucks on the road, and it’s a very dated industry – it's ready to be disrupted

There’s also a QR code on the side of the truck, which links to a JustGiving page for the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a suicide prevention charity that Gregson has partnered with.“That was a very conscious decision. The truck and what it does is well engrossed within construction, and there are some pretty awful statistics around suicide in that industry.”

“They’ve been great to work with – really fun and engaging, and they run some amazing events. We may well end up just supporting them for a while with everything that we do. Everybody who starts companies in the landscaping industry grows and progresses through opportunities, and we have the opportunity now to consider what we want to prioritise – charity partnerships were at the top of the list. It’s not something I would have considered when starting Hardwood Landscapes, so it’s great to be able to do it.”

It’s been made possible through building a relationship with Bury Hill Landscape Supplies, which has provided the lorry.

“John [Coles, the managing director] has been incredibly helpful and generous with his time and knowledge and resource,” says Gregson. The support of Bury Hill, for which it will help to run haulage, gives Gregson’s truck a leg up whilst it gets up and running – and there are some “pretty high entry barriers” for putting them on the road.

“You can’t just buy a truck and run it. Our biggest issue at the moment is our operating licenses, which are issued by the DVSA, that you need to operate a truck. It’s a lengthy process that starts with putting out adverts in the local newspapers to check for any objections to a new operator, which is pretty archaic. If you don’t get any objections, it moves to the next stage, to the Traffic Commissioners. We’ve had to send a full business plan on what we’re using the trucks for, our business history and who is supporting us and who we’re consulting with. The trucks need to have big service plans; the grabber that we’ve got basically gets an MOT every six weeks. So, it’s full on.”

This might put off most people from even considering applying for a license – but not Gregson. “Because it’s a high barrier to entry, not a lot of people are doing it. For me, the truck is going to be very useful. We can now cater for our own waste removal and management, servicing them as well as supporting others who require the services the truck can fulfill. And the profit that we were giving to another company, we’re now giving to one of mine. So, it’s just more control over the group.”

Its aggregate supply costs, for instance, are halving.“We’re certainly feeling the need to diversify our business at the moment, with landscaping being so tough.”

to be the first to do something like that – that was a big part in justifying the risk that we were taking on. Hardwood was always a faceless company; I wasn’t on social media at all. But putting a face to it has helped us connect with new designers and other landscaping contractors. But fundamentally, we’re being transparent about what it takes to run what we’re doing and how we’re doing it and who’s involved – everyone in the same position relates to it. We’re not telling anyone how you should run a business; we’re saying what we’re going through and how we’re making it work.”

We have the opportunity now to consider what we want to prioritise –charity partnerships were at the top of the list

That’s part of the reason Gregson started the YouTube videos –to stand out in a saturated market. “It’s so rare, especially with social media, to find an opportunity to be the first one to do something. Within our end of the landscaping industry, we had the opportunity

It’s proving to be a recruitment tool too, drawing in job applications as well as potential clients who have been watching the weekly videos. And Gregson doesn’t think he’d be on the committee for the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) without the vlogs – something he was keen to do as he felt there was a “lack of representation for younger companies” in what is a “great organisation”.

Even the grab truck wouldn’t have happened if not for his YouTube channel. “John from Bury Hill was one of the first people to watch my videos and, at the time, he thought it was a waste of money. The first time I was talking about cash flow issues, he jokingly said his first thought was, ‘How much money does he owe me?’ We didn’t owe him any money at the time, luckily. And look at how this has transformed over a year. They fulfilled all the upfront costs of the truck, probably to the tune of about £50k. We are now buying it from them, but they took all the initial risk.”

It’s risky putting an older truck on the road too, with the potential breakdown costs. But Gregson is looking to use the revenue generated over the next few months to finance newer, higher value trucks. It’s all gearing up for a new venture that Gregson says is still under wraps for now but for which the bright pink will be sticking around.

And there’s no doubt as to where we’ll be hearing about the launch when he can reveal all.

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variable heights up to 150cm Simplicity is its strength

For nearly six decades, Blakedown Landscapes has shaped public spaces across the UK, from historic parks to modern urban landscapes.

The company’s commitment to quality and collaboration has driven its success – but last year marked a pivotal shift. With Chris Wellbelove stepping up as managing director and Steve Buckingham transitioning into a more strategic position as CEO, Blakedown entered a new era of leadership, poised to build on its strong foundations while embracing future opportunities.

“Chris has the enthusiasm and commitment to carry forward the values of the business while driving its development to the next stage” says Buckingham who has played a pivotal role in shaping Blakedown’s journey so far.

However, it wasn’t just the leadership team that evolved; last year also marked significant project wins across the UK. These included the £1.5m refurbishment of Merstham Recreation Ground for Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Phase 2 of the multi-millionpound improvements at Barnard Park for Islington Council, and a £1.3m landscaping project at Birmingham Newman University.

CHAPTER The Next

Blakedown is continuing its longstanding history, with a new managing director and a year of prolific projects under its belt

soil handling, slope stabilisation and working within a site of archaeological significance – and finishing the new The Oudolf Landscape at the RHS flagship garden, Wisley.

We take pride in being trustworthy and collaborative, working closely with clients to deliver quality schemes

Chris Wellbelove, managing director

Blakedown also made headlines for its role as the principal contractor restoring the iconic 17th century landscape of Greenwich Park – overcoming challenges including design variations, complex

Additionally, Blakedown secured the contract with The Royal Parks to build a new two-acre garden in The Regent’s Park to honour the life of Queen Elizabeth II. Blakedown might be a £25m company today, but its roots are much more modest. It originated from Blakedown Nurseries in the tiny village of Blakedown, near Kidderminster, where customers buying trees and shrubs expressed interest in help to plant them in their gardens. This laid the foundation for a dedicated landscaping arm – a natural progression that steadily gained traction.

Chris Wellbelove

Steve Buckingham

In 1968, Blakedown Landscapes became a limited company, continuing to operate from the same premises. A decade later, a management buyout in 1979 enabled the business to expand. By 1985 the company had opened regional offices in Bradford, Hounslow and Wales, relocating its headquarters to central Kidderminster.

Blakedown soon expanded its focus from the domestic market to large-scale public and commercial projects, a transformation that underpins its success today.

“Despite our growth, Blakedown remains true to its founding values”, says Wellbelove.“We take pride in being trustworthy and collaborative, working closely with clients to deliver quality schemes. We aim to bridge the client trust divide, combining their expertise and ours to achieve the best project outcomes. Ultimately, we all have the same project goal – a high-quality scheme

delivered on time and in a fair manner. This is the ethos upheld across both our on-site and management teams. We always try to start from a fair and open position.”

This approach has proven successful.“Repeat business has always been key for us – maintaining positive relationships with clients and architects allows us to work with them again and again” says Buckingham.

Blakedown is broadening its client base too, strengthening its presence within the Southeast and key London boroughs which have always been “the backbone for the company.”

Despite our growth, Blakedown remains true to its founding values

While its client base rotates as different sectors receive funding at different times, the people tend to remain the same, says Wellbelove.“The quantity surveyors, architects, landscape architects and project managers we work with are quite consistent.”

BLAKEDOWN LANDSCAPES:

1968: Blakedown

Landscapes Ltd was born, growing from Blakedown Nurseries’ gardening team and setting up in Belbroughton Road

A timeline

1984: Steve Buckingham joined – his leadership would shape the company’s future

1979: A management buyout put Blakedown in the hands of three senior leaders, paving the way for expansion

1985: Blakedown moved to Kidderminster, launching its growth to a multiregional operation

1985: Blakedown opened a regional office in Hounslow to grow its presence in the Soth East Area.

Chris Wellbelove, managing director

Initially recognised for its soft landscaping expertise, Blakedown has evolved into a multidisciplinary contractor.

“As a principal contractor, we can deliver 95% of our schemes in-house, from civil engineering and drainage to high-quality hard and soft landscaping,” says Wellbelove. Blakedown’s ability to provide this “complete turnkey package” sets it apart from its competitors.

“By investing in our workforce, building up the right skillset, and investing in our own plant and

1991: Blakedown Landscapes (SE) Ltd was established operating in London and the home counties.

1985: Blakedown won the contract to landscape London’s brand-new Docklands Light Railway stations

1997: Blakedown delivered the Tamsin trail combined footpath and cycle route through and around Richmond Park.

1993: Paul Hook joined the company as a contracts manager, later being appointed contracts director

CROSSRAIL ROOF GARDEN

THE OUDOLF LANDSCAPE ©RHS GARDEN WISLEY

specialist equipment, we are able to keep direct control over the quality of the projects we deliver, without the need for outside subcontractors. “Some of our teams have worked with the company for over 20 years. Clients appreciate working with familiar faces, building up trust and rapport.”

Nowhere is this more evident than in Blakedown’s 30-year-plus relationship with The Royal Parks. “When we arrive on site, they invariably know some of our staff. This familiarity gives them confidence in our understanding of site-specific requirements, which our team have a good working knowledge of,” explains Buckingham, who himself has been at the company since 1984.

Buckingham has been instrumental in Blakedown’s development, particularly their expansion into the Southeast.“Winning major contracts with the London Dockland Development Corporation put us on the map”, he recalls.“Delivering complex schemes such as the planting of 250 plane trees in the Enterprise

Zone and landscaping the new Docklands Light Railway stations cemented our reputation.”

Under Buckingham’s guidance, Blakedown has grown through each major turnover milestone – from £1m to £5m to £10m and beyond. Today, the company employs 125 members of staff and anticipates a turnover of £25m.

With Blakedown Sport & Play established in 2002 to focus on sports construction solutions, the wider group is expected to reach £45m.

the way for Wellbelove’s leadership – who is set to steer the company towards future challenges and opportunities.

Wellbelove joined Blakedown as an estimator 16 years ago.“Under Steve’s mentorship and guidance, I progressed from a junior estimator.

Blakedown is an exciting place to work, both in terms of the projects we undertake and how we execute them. We’re involved in some iconic projects and few companies have such a diverse portfolio

Chris Wellbelove, managing director

Towards the end of last year, Buckingham stepped into a more overarching, supportive role to facilitate Blakedown’s continuing development and pave

Blakedown sponsored me, over four years, to complete a Master’s in Construction & Surveying at Reading University while I worked, eventually becoming a key member of the preconstruction team, winning the work.”

One of Wellbelove’s early milestones was playing a crucial role in the pricing and winning of the £3.5m Brockwell Park refurbishment project.“It was the first

Blakedown delivered the award-winning regeneration of the Venetian Waterways

2009:

&

established, cementing the company’s place in sports construction

2018: Blakedown wins a BALI Award for its project at the Natural History Museum

2024: Blakedown successfully completed the restoration of Greenwich Park Revealed

2024: Appointed principal landscape contractor for the new garden in The Regent’s Park, honouring the life of Queen Elizabeth II

2007: Blakedown moved to its current six-acre site in Chobham 2015: Blakedown

2024: Chris Wellbelove took the reins as managing director, with Steve Buckingham moving into the role of CEO.

Chris Wellbelove joined as an estimator, beginning his journey to managing director

BRUNEL UNIVERSITY

©PAUL UPWARD PHOTOGRAPHY

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

project of that size that I had won with the company. Seeing it through to completion and witnessing the positive impact it had on the area and the community was a highlight for me. We have continued this momentum, completing at least two or three similar types of park projects each year.”

Wellbelove then took a broader role overseeing project management and delivery teams, describing it as a ‘natural progression’ since then. His appointment as managing director follows a four-year period of transition, during which both his and Buckingham’s roles evolved before culminating in the official handover in September. “Blakedown is an exciting place to work, both in terms of the projects we undertake and how we execute them. We’re involved in some iconic projects and few companies have such a diverse portfolio.”

The senior management team supporting Wellbelove has been further strengthened with key appointments, including Andy Harris as operations manager and Jack Skinner as senior contracts manager. Most recently, Nigel Payne joined as maintenance operations manager, reinforcing the company’s commitment to expanding its grounds maintenance services. “Our focus is on sustainable, steady growth rather than chasing turnover. We aim to uphold our strong reputation by continuing to deliver high-quality projects, build lasting client relationships, and maintain our standing in the industry.”

The company has faced challenges, particularly with the planning phase of projects.“Traditionally, Blakedown would step in once a project had planning approval and was out to tender. But recent changes to pre-commencement planning conditions have

introduced new hurdles. While projects still secure permission, getting those conditions signed off can now take up to six months. So, even with a job confirmed, fluctuating start dates make it difficult to forecast work and manage resources effectively,” explains Wellbelove. He notes that this is a widespread issue affecting not just Blakedown but also consultants and competitors, as planning conditions have become more stringent.“As a result, we’re building greater contingency into our programmes.”

has become a huge focus in recent years. We’re on the carbon neutral journey, but we’re also looking at how we can deliver projects in a more sustainable way,” he explains.

A key focus for Blakedown moving forward is staying at the forefront of sustainable practices. “SuDS has become a major factor, and we’re keen to continue growing in this area. Last year our projects at Brunel University and Halliwick Recreation Ground incorporated intense SuDS schemes and that’s an area we will continue to develop.”

We’re on the carbon neutral journey, but we’re also looking at how we can deliver projects in a more sustainable way

Chris Wellbelove, managing director

Wellbelove also reflects on how the pandemic underscored the value of public parks, with a strong link between green spaces and mental wellbeing.“The understanding of how green spaces contributes to people’s lives and health has never been stronger. For us, the opportunity lies in developing and maintaining these spaces to ensure everybody has access to them – creating places for all to enjoy.”

Despite these planning challenges, Wellbelove remains optimistic for the year ahead, with sustainability and climate change mitigation identified as key opportunities.“The landscape industry is constantly evolving – both in what we do and how we do it. Sustainability

With a portfolio of exceptional projects –which have been recognised with nearly 100 industry awards – strong leadership, and a commitment to sustainability, Blakedown continues to build on its legacy of quality and collaboration. As the company looks to the future, its focus remains on delivering innovative, high-quality landscapes that meet the needs of both today’s communities and those of future generations.

Blakedown is positioned exactly where it has worked hard to be – at the top of its game, ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

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Creating a COMMUNITY

The Association of Professional Landscapers is celebrating 30 years of building a “family” in the industry

This month, around 600 people from across the landscaping industry will flock to The Brewery in London for the annual APL Awards. These celebrate the high standard of work carried out by landscape contractors around the UK – which is exactly why the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) was founded 30 years ago.

Domestic landscaping was becoming a fast-growing sector thanks to the likes of Ground Force hitting the small screen, so landscaper of the day Alan Sargent and others felt that it wasn’t being as well represented as it could be through the existing associations. So, Sargent approached the director general of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) at the time, David Gwyther, to ask if it would be interested in forming an association to represent and focus on domestic landscaping.

Fortunately, the HTA agreed, and the APL came to fruition in 1995, sparking interest

Phil Tremayne

from around 60 or so landscapers to begin with, who then met in a pub in the West Midlands. From there, word got out, and the members started to tally up.

When government-endorsed quality scheme TrustMark was launched a few years later, with a focus on work carried out in or around the home, the APL sought to become part of a network of providers which

WORDS: NINA MASON

“EVERYONE WANTS TO HELP – IT'S A VERY GIVING COMMUNITY”

Chris Stone

Managing director, Bushy Business

COMMITTEE MEMBER SINCE: 2022

For years, Chris Stone resisted being a member of an association. But having been invited by Phil Tremayne to attend a couple of cluster meetings with the APL, he started to see the benefit and he now sits on the committee. “When you see the work that Phil does, the time and effort that he puts in, you get swept away by it.

“It's the community as well –everything is centred around the cluster meetings which happen up and down the country on pretty much a monthly basis. It really is quite unique, and you feel part of something. You don’t mind giving up your time for it because it feels very worthwhile.”

The WhatsApp groups for members allow support to be offered in between clusters too, giving them the opportunity to ask anything from business advice to supplier suggestions. “Everyone wants to help – it's a very giving community.”

Stone wants to see this continue in what might be a “tough year ahead” for members. “There’s uncertainty at the moment; but it’s about giving that community that support so no-one feels that they’re on their own, they have a resource to fall back on.”

ensure their members uphold the standards of the scheme.

“They felt it was important to have a third-party accreditation because it was for the domestic landscape and would add a layer of security and confidence in the schemes,” says general manager Phil Tremayne.“So, not only does the APL inspect its members, but the APL is also inspected every year by TrustMark to make sure our assessment process is fit for purpose and that we’re doing our job properly.”

It tied in with the APL’s founding principles of serving the domestic market whilst raising standards in the industry. Membership was growing but had slowed down, says Tremayne. He had just joined the HTA as a field sales executive in 2010, looking after landscapers, garden centres, nurseries, manufacturers and suppliers along the south coast.

was for the association. The clear messaging was about raising and maintaining standards and the promotion of the landscape industry to the consumer, but it was also about building this community of landscapers, designers, manufacturers and suppliers who all felt that we were part of one family and, together, we could promote the industry to be far stronger.”

That community has gone from strength to strength over the years, says Tremayne – and its remit has grown too. A few years ago, it opened its membership to garden designers, who were requesting to join. To begin with, this was a simple process that allowed them to become more like affiliate members, with no assessment required. But as the membership grew to around a dozen designers, Tremayne started to consider whether this was fair.

Not only does the APL inspect its members, but the APL is also inspected every year by TrustMark to make sure our assessment process is fit for purpose

Phil Tremayne, general manager

“I quickly saw that the landscapers were getting visits from HTA consultants to do their assessments, but they weren’t getting a lot of contact otherwise. It was quite well structured, but it didn’t have as much focus within the HTA as some of the other sectors. So, I put forward a proposal to our then APL manager Donna Hanlon that I would work solely for the APL.” Tremayne worked alongside Hanlon for a couple of years until he was eventually promoted.

Tremayne has been general manager ever since.“At that point, Mark Gregory was chair. I went to see him and asked what his vision

“We heavily assess our landscaping members but were not assessing the designers at all. So, we thought we should set up a process with the help of the existing design members. We now have a section of the committee that assesses designers, and that part of the membership has grown to just under 70 now.”

As of this year, APL design members will also be members of the HTA too, so they’ll “reap the full benefits of the whole association, bringing them in line with everyone else.”

A collaboration category was introduced to the annual APL Awards to celebrate the partnerships between contractor and garden design members as well, for which Tremayne says the number of entries grows each year.

APL SUPREME WINNER 2024: ELLICAR - WILDLIFE AND WATER GARDEN IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

The first ceremony took place in – again –a pub in the Midlands. There were around 20 entries and about 30 people turned up for what was a “very low key” event. It later moved to the Kensington Roof Gardens, which had a capacity for around 180 people. Around 60 projects were entered, and members would bring their entries with them in portfolio cases on the day and line them out on the table for all the guests to look through.

Then seven years ago, the APL Awards moved to its current venue, around the corner from the iconic Barbican Centre.“Last year, we had 600 attendees and over 100 entries, from landscapers all the way through the categories but also from designers as well. It’s become one of the award ceremonies the industry looks forward to the most, and that goes back to the sense of community that Mark Gregory wanted. We encourage it to be like a family environment where people just enjoy it and celebrate with each other.”

Along with the growing success of its awards, the APL’s committee has also become far more robust over the years, with a stronger voice within the HTA. “The HTA has always been interested, but there was a lack of connection between the two for many years; they were both going down their own pathways. Now, they’re much more joined and focused on the actions that they want to take. And the APL is a much stronger association than it was and is more recognised within the industry now than it ever was in those early days.”

The APL is also represented via the HTA in groups such as the Environmental Horticulture Group. “We’re at the table for all these things that people don’t always realise.” There are a few areas that the APL has been working on in the

background, such as the new British Standard – BS7533-102 – that provides installation guidance for all types of paving, compared to the existing BS7533-101 which focuses largely on traffic categories four and above.

“That’s probably the biggest,” says Tremayne. “David Strows joined the APL five years ago, and when I asked him what he wanted to get from his membership, it was very clear he was about raising standards and was very interested in the British Standards. We already had a relationship with David Burton from APL Associates Steintec who chaired the British Standards panel. So, having the two Davids together was a perfect match. David Strows represented the APL on that panel, and we were very fortunate that he was able to do that. It’s given us a real steer into clause four which is for domestic landscaping. We had the right person at the right time.”

The next big project is a consumer outreach programme.“The team at the HTA are working on pen portraits of what our landscaping and

“I ALWAYS FELT THAT I COULD LEAN ON THEM FOR SUPPORT AND ADVICE”

Rupert

Keys Founder and managing director, TASK Academy

COMMITTEE MEMBER SINCE: 2022

When Rupert Keys was asked to join the APL committee, he saw it as an opportunity to highlight the need for training amongst members. He’d set up TASK Academy in 2022 to give people the opportunity to advance their skills and introduce new people to the industry as well. Becoming a committee member gave him the chance to add another voice, “to try to bolster that side of it because there's not many people on the committee that are just training providers, just myself and Mark Youde,” he says.

Keys has been a member of the APL for nearly 30 years. “I felt that I would get a lot more from the industry, in the way of support, by joining an association that would support landscapers. They

were a small association at the time, and I felt that I got a lot of interaction with them, especially with Alan Sargent. Over the years, I always felt that I could lean on them for support and advice.

“I’m so loyal to the APL; it has a different vibe to other associations because of that family atmosphere and the lack of judgement, and I’m sure I’m speaking for many other members in that respect.”

The additional resources and support from the HTA have also proven beneficial for Keys, and going forward he’d like to see this enhanced even further with more interaction between the two, as well as more lobbying to government for the landscaping industry and to introduce horticulture into the curriculum.

design customer will look like. What’s their motivation for buying? What’s their purchase journey? We can then create the perfect marketing, getting the SEO right on the website so that people looking for a landscaper or a designer or a gardener can come to the APL straight away. That way, we’re delivering the best possible service for our members.” It also supports those getting started in the industry through its partnership with the WorldSkills, for which it has been the organising partner for more than seven years. The APL was approached by WorldSkills after the competition’s partnership ended with the British Association of Landscape Industries.

“It’s a great opportunity and I saw it benefitting the association, not so much by

providing endless amounts of new entrants into the industry – because those who enter it are already in it – but by raising domestic landscaping’s profile on a national, European and global stage.

“So, we took that on, tweaking it and changing it a bit to make it an individual competition rather than a team event. We took it away from Saltex to bring down the costs and we developed it to become more of a college-based environment, with the finals originally still taking place at the NEC.”

landscaping perhaps wasn’t right, as there are some tools within landscaping that we can’t adapt for certain disabilities; but we launched a Foundation Skills: Horticulture competition, which takes them across nursery production, garden maintenance and garden centre retail.”

APL also holds its own Landscape Skills: The Professionals competition at Audley End, as part of BBC Gardeners’ World Live Autumn Fair, each year. This is based around WorldSkills and allows APL members to compete to similar specifications. Whilst these competitions give opportunities to those in the industry, the APL apprenticeship looks to attract the next generation.“It’s something we developed around the same time as WorldSkills with Myerscough College. Nearly 10 years ago, I set up a range of meetings around the country, inviting college lecturers and the industry to come together. The industry was saying that the colleges weren’t providing what they wanted, and the colleges were saying that the industry wasn’t telling them what they needed – in both cases, they were wrong; they just weren’t joined up.”

The APL is a much stronger association than it was and is more recognised within the industry now than it ever was in those early days

Phil Tremayne, general manager

It’s since seen the likes of Will Gadd from Gadd Brothers and Radial Landscapes’ Will Burberry take home medals after competing on an international stage.

“We’re really proactive with WorldSkills and are still pushing it forward. Then three years ago, we were approached by WSUK SEND who were looking for a foundation skills landscaping competition. We had a discussion about it and decided that

It became clear that the day release each week perhaps wasn’t best model, disrupting the routine of the business and at times not being taken seriously by the student.

“So, we set up a block release – a sort of boot camp style apprenticeship model where the apprentice goes to Myerscough for five days. They’d be trained by the industry, by the likes of Rupert Keys, Karl Harrison, Mark Gregory and Mark Youde – all highly skilled and up to date with the current methods. Before, they’d come to paving in a college day release and lay six slabs of concrete paving and be told they could lay paying; now, they’ll lay all manner of paving and learn about the different methods and techniques and grout and sealant. We’d do the same with decking, lighting, ponds, pools and water features. That was a

BBC GARDENERS' WORLD LIVE 2021

really exciting time for the APL.” One of Tremayne’s proudest achievements, though, is the regular cluster meetings that he says are a catalyst for the APL taking action.

“The cluster meetings have been built up by the APL exponentially over the years and they’re well attended. They promote the APL extremely well, bringing together landscapers, designers, and suppliers in a low-key environment where people are open and able to talk about their businesses.”

The latest regional clusters in January and February, for instance, were focused on members’ 2025 strategic ambitions.“Everyone that came to the meeting said what they want to achieve this year. We’ve recorded that, and then in July and August, we’ll revisit them and see how they’re getting on. At the end of the year, we’ll find out whether or not they did it. If not, what happened? We’ll have discussions along the way to help them. Some people might have shared goals, like employing another two people and creating a team, so we can have conversations around that and share knowledge. There’s no competition within our meetings.”

enormous sense of pride about the APL. The way it has developed over the years has been incredible. The key is that it’s been very much driven by the committee; they’ve helped to steer the direction, which is fantastic.

“I’m just thrilled that people accept that I can still manage the APL and take it forward – and that’s what I’ll do, for as long as they’ll have me.”

I have an enormous sense of pride about the APL. The way it has developed over the years has been incredible

Phil Tremayne, general manager

The APL will be celebrating its 30th anniversary at its awards in March, but also at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (BBCGWL) in June. Gardener designer Rachel Bailey and Design It Landscapes’

Dan Ryan will be creating the ‘Where There’s Water, There’s Life’ garden with the help of APL members. Its popular APL Avenue will also be returning to the show.

“I REALLY VALUE THE APL PROMOTING COLLABORATION; IT’S ALL ABOUT BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS”

Laura Anstiss

The clusters were developed off the back of the HTA’s Landscape Business Improvement Scheme (LBIS) group which were basically more structured cluster groups run by a consultant.“It was a really good scheme, and several of the big landscaping companies were involved – that's why it eventually disappeared, because those big names didn’t need it anymore. The clusters felt like a way to bridge that gap but in a less structured way. And the business development programme that we’re launching this year bridges the consultancy gap, so we’ll run them separately.” There are up to 20 APL cluster meetings nationwide each time, with a regional chair for each group. Tremayne tries to attend as many as possible.

His passion for the APL remains just as strong as when he first took over the helm.“I have an

"The APL Avenue was a particular dream of mine. I wanted show gardens to represent gardens that were not only inspirational, but also attainable, realistic. Bob Sweet and Rachel Poletti Gadd of BBCGWL thought the idea had legs and backed it not only with space, but also financial contribution for its entrants. Now in its eighth year, it is still providing opportunities for members.”

The BBC team also backed Tremayne’s idea of ‘What Lies Beneath’, a garden that showed the public exactly what goes on beneath the veneer of the landscaping, why it was important and why the cost of a landscaped garden can be as much as 60% of the total unseen. The idea and simple sketch was taken by David Stevens and created into the award-winning spectacle at the show.

The association will also continue its anniversary celebrations at Pro Landscaper’s Summer Showcase and Summer Party in July as well, giving the APL the recognition it deserves after 30 years of bringing together the landscaping community.

Director and landscape designer, Oakmore Green

COMMITTEE MEMBER SINCE: 2022

Laura Anstiss was the first designer member of the APL when it introduced this membership category. For her, it emphasised the collaboration that the APL encourages and for which it has become known. “I work really closely with my landscapers, so I really value the APL promoting collaboration; it’s all about building relationships.”

She joined the committee to help continue this and to represent designers. “I’ve been a designer for 30 years next year, so I felt that I could offer some experience and guidance.”

Anstiss was also the first female garden designer to become an APL Awards judge, something she says was a “real honour”.

Over the next few months, Anstiss sees the APL as being an essential tool for its members to better understand new policies and regulations, such as the updated British Standards for paving that’s soon to be published. “We can break these down and relay them so that they’re understood correctly and not misinterpreted. The APL already does a great job of this, but it’s an area we can expand on, and keep encouraging people to work closely together.”

AS K THE EXPERTS

How can a designer help

It’s possible to build domestic gardens with no or little cement, explains Jilayne Rickards to create a cement-free garden?

Personally, this is in my thoughts from as early as the initial conversation with the client –how can I create this garden with minimum impact? High up on the agenda is avoiding the use of cement where possible. My design process usually starts with materials and how they can be installed without concrete.

Loose materials such as gravel of course spring to mind, but not everyone is comfortable with this for a seating area where the chair may sink disconcertingly when someone sits on it. An alternative of gorgeous stone paving with a base of hardcore and sand instead of concrete gives a stable base for table and chairs. As long as the edging is installed correctly, and tough metal edging is

great for this, then nothing moves about. Pathways can have the same treatment; how about mixing clay setts with gravel? And simplest of all is bark, with the big added benefit of being SuDS compliant.

Not using concrete stretches us as designers to come up with better and more sustainable solutions

Decking is also up there on my list of great materials, especially if using reclaimed wood. This can be installed with ground screws rather than the supporting posts being sunk into concrete cubes. Bases for sheds and outdoor offices can also be laid on ground screws; or if the shed is smaller, it can be laid on timber bearers on a hardcore base.

Steps and retaining walls, whilst more tricky subjects, are not insurmountable. On the Fauna & Flora Garden at Chelsea in 2023, we installed a two-metre-high retaining wall using the Rootlok vegetated wall system. This can also be used for stream and pond banks and can be planted into. Large, heavy, leaky things are good for retaining structures (such as drystone walling) and only need a level stable base of compacted hardcore. I am working on a project at the moment where we are considering large cubes of reclaimed granite from Caradon Stone (a local supplier to me) as an interesting retaining wall.

For the installation of steps, I’ve been using heavy slabs of stone sunk into compacted earth. With a bit of skill from the landscaper, this can still give a uniform riser if needed and with the sides planted the result is a beautiful naturalistic easy going set of steps.

Not using concrete stretches us as designers to come up with better and more sustainable solutions, but by using a less aggressive approach and with the help of a skilled landscaper, the scheme is always highly satisfying.

The panel

HOLLY YOUDE

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

JAKE CATLING

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

KEN WHITE

Ken White is former chairman of the APL and former managing director of multi-award-winning commercial landscaping company Frosts Landscapes, which is now employee owned.

ROSEMARY COLDSTREAM

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

JILAYNE RICKARDS

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

Reclaimed paving materials are proving popular – Gareth Wilson shares his top choices

While we plan and review designs for Chelsea and other RHS shows, I am noticing an increasing use of reclaimed materials. This is primarily due to sustainability, but I feel the trend towards designers and contractors specifying reclaimed materials is growing steadily, not only at the RHS shows but also on social media platforms, particularly Instagram. I thought I’d share a few of my favourite reclaimed pavers. Firstly, I'm a massive fan of reclaimed setts, mainly granite cubes. The man who laid more setts than the whole country combined is Ieun Cook, the master of laying setts both old and new (see Figure 1). While researching setts for the Paving Site, I traced their history back to the 1700s when they were shipped to London from Aberdeen. Later, Cornwall, Staffordshire, and cheaper materials soon took over from Norway.

Clay pavers, both old and new, are timeless in my eyes, with most these days coming from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark, and they have many surface designs. In Staffordshire, there were manufacturers of English-style clay pavers, most commonly with diamond and Maltese cross patterns similar to those in the figures. English-style clay pavers are still manufactured in the UK, and I’ll be visiting a factory in Staffordshire that still manufactures them today. Here is a picture of the new modern version at Mayfield Park Manchester (see Figure 2).

Probably most people’s favourite reclaimed products are natural stone paving slabs. Living up north and born and bred in

a Mill town, there are reclamation yards with regular deliveries of reclaimed slabs; although, as a general rule, they tend to sell quickly as they are in high demand (see Figure 3).

A few interesting reclaimed paving units are still visible on the streets today. My absolute favourite, by a country mile, is Scoria blocks made from steel slag, a waste product of the steel industry. They have a bluey, grey hue and are virtually nonwater-absorbent, so they are frostproof. Scoria blocks come in many different

shapes, sizes, and occasionally patterns (see Figure 4), and they are most definitely sustainable products.

I remember my dad and I building a dry-stone wall in Marsden, Yorkshire, and the stone that was dropped off had Scoria

bricks mixed in the pile. If you split a scoria block or brick, there’s an overwhelming stench of rotting eggs from the steel slag sulphur content. It took me 35 years to find out what these strange bricks were and, thankfully, I got to tell my dad I’d solved the mystery just before he passed away last year. I was told recently that scoria blocks can still be found in reclamation yards but are a rarity. Lastly, although I doubt you will see them very often in reclamation yards, timber setts – which were predominantly made from oak and occasionally the Australian hardwood Jarrah – are still visible on the streets of Ipswich, Chichester, and Newcastle (see Figure 5).

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

GARETH WILSON

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 3

FIGURE 5

FIGURE 4

FIGURE 2

KITCHEN FACILITIES? Do employers need to provide

Oracle Solicitors' Kai Sammer outlines what the HSE recommends for staff welfare

When working in the landscaping industry, employees often spend long hours outdoors, sometimes in remote locations, making access to basic welfare facilities crucial. Are employers legally required to provide kitchen facilities such as kettles, microwaves, fridges, and seating areas? Although the law itself does not go into specifics, it does impose a duty on employers to provide suitable welfare facilities for their employees.

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers are under a general duty to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees whilst at work. This includes providing an adequate water supply and refreshment facilities, but it does not specifically state what these should be. However, more detailed requirements are found in the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which outline the standards employers must meet.

The 1992 regulations state that employers must provide "suitable and sufficient facilities” where employees can rest and eat meals, if meals are regularly eaten in the workplace. Again, no specifics are mentioned, leaving it mostly to the employer to decide what is suitable and sufficient for their particular line of work and the location of the employees, stipulating only that the rest areas should be readily accessible and hygienic.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety, has provided valuable guidance in 2021 to supplement the 1992 regulations. HSE recommends that employers ensure workers have access to clean drinking water in sufficient quantities and to facilities to heat food and store perishable items. For outdoor workers, this could mean providing access to a central welfare area with a microwave, kettle, and refrigerator, or arranging mobile welfare units equipped with similar facilities. In situations where permanent facilities are not feasible, employers should explore alternative solutions, such as allowing workers to take breaks at a nearby base with suitable amenities.

Whether there is a permanent base or a mobile welfare unit, employers should consider providing the following facilities to comply with legal obligations and promote employee welfare:

Not providing adequate facilities can lead to employee dissatisfaction and can result in enforcement action by the HSE

• A designated area where employees can sit and consume meals in a clean and comfortable environment.

• Access to clean drinking water, which is a specific legal requirement under the 1992 regulations.

• Equipment to store and prepare food, such as fridges for perishable items and microwaves for heating meals.

• A kettle or other means of providing hot drinks, especially in colder weather.

Not providing adequate facilities can lead to employee dissatisfaction and can result in enforcement action by the HSE. In 2023 an East Sussex construction firm (and one of its directors) was named and fined for failing to provide adequate sanitary and welfare facilities. The obligations remain ongoing, meaning that regular inspections and risk assessments should be conducted to ensure that welfare provisions remain adequate and in line with employee needs.

While there is no explicit legal requirement to provide specific amenities, employers must nevertheless ensure that what is available is "suitable and sufficient" for employees to store, prepare, and consume food and drinks in a safe and comfortable manner. Adhering to the guidance published by HSE will help businesses stay compliant and support the wellbeing of their workforce.

ORACLE SOLICITORS

Oracle Solicitors is an award-winning law firm with a deep understanding of the landscape industry and expertise in employment, commercial, litigation, property and contract law. Oracle Solicitors, founded in 2002, has since grown to include offices in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and Africa, please visit: oraclelawglobal.com

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“I SEE MYSELF AS AN ADVOCATE FOR INTEGRATING SUSTAINABILITY INTO IDVERDE’S DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS, STARTING AT A LOCAL LEVEL WITH THE AIM OF DEMONSTRATING MORE BROADLY

WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED

Lucy Fisher, idverde’s operations director on the importance of nurturing emerging talent and championing sustainability within our ranks

WORDS: BETHANY VANN

”

What might have been a routine back garden renovation at her family home in her formative years, became a pivotal moment for Lucy Fisher, sparking a deep and enduring passion for horticulture, and while she jests that she was likely “more of a hidernance, than a help” to the head-landscaper on the job, his tutelage sowed the seed of intrigued for Fisher – the two packets of Skittles as payment may have helped too.

1 Aerial view over Hyde Park

When work experience came around for Fisher in the late 90s, she remembers not wanting a “traditional office role”, instead opting for “something outdoors, something in nature,” – leading her to Black Park, Country Park in Buckinghamshire, where she continued to return year-after-year. But after returning for her third year, Fisher found the team had been scaled back to 10% of its original capacity as a result of funding; “that was the first moment where I came across the need for managing the environment being pitted against the financial elements, and ultimately the financial elements winning over the environment.” Today, costs continue to rise, but even more so does the need to protect our landscapes –since her time at the Black Park work placement, Fisher has gone on to champion for our nation’s great landscapes; her time at the Buckinghamshire based park

This has allowed me to really show what can be achieved by incorporating sustainability objectives in to the management of fairly basic tasks

ignited her passion to do so sustainably, to ensure that the financial element didn’t continue to outweigh the environmental one – “I then got some advice during one of those work experience placements, to go do an apprenticeship, a Royal Parks apprenticeship, and that's then what I ended up doing.”

Fisher has since gone on to manage Hyde Park in the heart of London before transferring to Regent’s Park as contract manager for grounds maintenance company

idverde, where she now continues to pursue that same passion for sustainability as operations director. “I suppose I see myself as an advocate for integrating sustainability into ideverde’s day-to-day operations, starting at a local level with the aim of demonstrating more broadly what can be achieved; a good deal of this has involved pushing training and engagement with the operational teams,” including the delivery of idverde’s Sustainability Workshop, which has been introduced across all operational teams to “build sustainability literacy and drive cultural change from within.” Sustainability has become a hot-button topic in recent years, more so as the need for preserving our natural environments becomes ever more prominent; facilitating this push for more sustainable practices will undoubtedly come from collaboration and the continued push for not just innovation and communication, but from clear guidelines and appropriate funding. “It feels like, as an industry, we're a little slow on the uptake for innovation, and that's because the profit pool isn't big enough to warrant investment in that R and D – all we need is some changes in regulation.”

As part of her role, Fisher has had the opportunity to manage some quite large, high profile events – “this has

allowed me to really show what can be achieved by incorporating sustainability objectives in to the management of fairly basic tasks; waste reduction strategies, such as eliminating single-use plastic sacks and replacing them with reusable bags made from recovered ocean plastic; introducing a higher grade of recycling for events, reducing the reliance on plastic bin bags; reduced idling from vehicles.” All fairly ‘basic’ tasks as Fisher says, but each of them go toward maintaining our green spaces sustainably to ensure they can be enjoyed by the communities, and benefited from by the local wildlife.

I'm a member of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, and they have events and talks throughout the year – I have a great network there

“We have also implemented separation of recycling and general waste during litter picking, ensuring proper waste management while still meeting contract time constraints – something I’m particularly proud of.” Fisher adds that at present idverde is working with its partners to establish ways in which to enhance the long-term ecological benefits of its green roofs, “ensuring they contribute meaningfully to biodiversity.”

Over the years, Fisher remarks on how her role has evolved: “Obviously it's a commercial role, there's operational quality and efficiency

that we need to ensure, but in more recent years, there's like this extra curricular bit of my role which is about change and influence.” She, of course is referring to “the integration of sustainability in idverde’s operational day-to-day, and the collaboration that's needed to be able to do that; as my career progresses there's more emphasis on that collaboration.”

But with such high stakes and an ever-evolving benchmark, how does one stay on-top of the latest movements? “I'm a member of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, and they have events and talks throughout the year – I have a great network there.” Another source of collaboration comes from Cranfield University in Bedfordshire where Fisher is finishing up her MSc in Sustainability – “it’s a really accessible university where

people will give me their time, and it's great to have that network of academics.”

This is the second qualification under Fisher’s belt in the last two years, she completed her MBA (Masters of Business Administration) at Henley Business School last year. When discussing her move from operations manager to operations director, Fisher recalls recognising a need to “upskill” herself, prompting her to undertake the MBA – “that was a real step change in learning for me. The MBA was really important to me

2 Bird's eye view of Sky Garden

3 Lucy Fisher, last year’s Apprenticeship Week

4 Common red soldier beetle

5 Ross Bray, idverde/RSPB community & nature biodiversity adviser, giving talk by bee hotel

6 Red champion and creeping buttercup in wildflower grassland

because when you've just done an RHS Diploma, and then you do a MBA, there is a really big gap.” She adds that “with any kind of academic qualification, it's not just the technical skills that you learn, it's the personal development, and when you put the two together, that's when there's a real step change in not just your ability, but your confidence and I think that's really what I worked on.”

When talking, she emphasised the support from idverde in facilitating her training, “they have given me this opportunity, my line manager Richard Burton is nothing but supportive of me.” Now, Fisher is able to utilise all that she’s learnt to bolster sustainability within the grounds maintenance company’s operations – “idverde’s ESG strategy focuses heavily on creating positive impacts through ecological engineering, sustainable urban drainage systems, and the restoration of natural habitats. This sits alongside its commitments to climate change mitigation, biodiversity preservation, responsible water management, and the reduction of carbon emissions through innovative practices and technologies.”

When discussing her ultimate career goal, Fisher struggled to pin just any one thing down; “It’s going and talking to various groups, delving into my experience of sustainability; what I used to think, what I think now and what I'm doing about it, I’m helping to enable people to make their sustainability choices and practices credible.”

into the industry and how mentorship guided the way, noting that she wants to raise some questions about how as an industry, “what are we doing with mentorship? What does it mean, and where are our responsibilities?”

idverde’s ESG strategy focuses heavily on creating positive impacts through ecological engineering, sustainable urban drainage systems, and the restoration of natural habitats

Recently, Fisher spoke at the National BALI AGM, presenting on the topic ‘Beyond Tick-Box Suitability: Integrating Sustainability into Operations’, which she notes was a “fantastic opportunity” to discuss how the sector can move beyond “surface-level sustainability efforts and embed genuine, impactful practices into everyday operations.” The operations director will be returning to the stage this month for the Regional BALI AGM, where she will be giving a talk on the journey into mentoring and the opportunities within that. Giving me the sneak peak of her speech, she shares that she’ll be discussing her journey

This comes as no surprise when recalling Fisher’s initial entry into the world of horticulture. She again reflects fondly on Cranfield, noting how the university asked her to take part in filming to discuss how the course went and how the work she’s done there will bolster her offering as operations director. She calls back to Burton, saying; “he gave up his time to get involved with that and I'm really grateful for him going that extra step.” Throughout our conversation, Fisher championed the importance of mentorship and how having that line of communication and guidance “helps boost someone's confidence.”

To think, Fisher’s continued movement through the industry stems from that initial

chance encounter. Her passion for supporting emerging talent and the need to incorporate sustainability into everyday operations is evident, she recalls the challenges she faced; “we're talking late 90s, there weren't that many visible vocational roles that you could go and do if you were a girl.” Fortunately for Fisher her commencement into the sector was a positive one, “what I found when I got to these work placements was a very male dominated environment, but the men were very supportive and viewed me as an equal – it was a really positive experience for me.” But she emphasises how the avenues in are not always visible, even today, and this is something we as an industry are actively looking to reverse.

With all the events and progress already under Fisher’s belt, she holds stedfast in noting how “the most rewarding aspect of working in sustainable landscaping and grounds maintenance is the optimism around people getting involved and trying to build something particularly with sustainability, so then it’s a case of, how can we put that good intention into action consistently?”

7

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Echium (Viper's bugloss) at Sky Garden

Nicola Clarke conducting a grassland survey

Ross Bray, Nicholas Cooper, and Nicola Clarke

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MEADOW The Secret

HOLLANDGREEN

MEADOW VIEW WILDLIFE GARDEN, OXFORDSHIRE

Imagine stepping out of your back door and into a wildlife meadow straight off the pages of your favourite childhood novel – for this family, it is now a reality, owing to the work of the landscape design team at HollandGreen, which brought the client’s whimsical vision to life, while also fostering a safe haven for the local wildlife.

1 The wildlife pond was created from an old clay pit

PROJECT DETAILS

Project value

£200k

Build time 4 months

Size of project 5,700m2 Awards

Pro Landscaper Sustainability & Biodiversity Awards

2023 Domestic Design

Project winner

Tasked with designing a meadow, creating meandering paths through the existing woodland, and transforming an uncovered old clay pit into a natural wildlife pond, HollandGreen adopted a sustainability led-approach from the get go; collaborating with environmental body, Natural England and a team of ecologists to ensure the end result would not only safeguard the existing habitats, but also enhance them for the local wildlife – which included Great Crested Newts, a protected species in the UK. “Our goal was to work with and enhance the existing site and its ecosystem, conducting extensive research both in-house and with external consultants to understand the site's seasonal cycles. This guided our decision-making, ensuring the garden's design and construction enhanced environmental performance,” says Mark Latchford, director of landscape design at HollandGreen. An in-depth analysis was conducted of the site’s biodiversity, and from there the firm evaluated what systems and materials would be the most sustainable, on top of how to manage the build and planting, while remaining conscious of the established ecosystem. The discovery of the Great Crested Newts on site posed an initial challenge, due to their protected status they required careful handling. To mitigate disturbance and harm, areas of the garden were hand-dug under the supervision of an ecologist, allowing the project to proceed while safeguarding the species.

What was once an overgrown wood is now a beautiful wildlife garden that enriches and contributes to the local ecosystem

PLANTING

• Pinus sylvestris

2 Remnants of an old cottage were incorporated

3 Natural wildlife pond was created from an old clay pit

4 Meandering paths through the woodland

5 Meadow View is a reimagining of a neglected woodland & field

6 The garden is a haven for nature and a tranquil space

7 Wildlife garden that enriches local ecosystem

The site’s greenbelt location also meant all designs and installations were required to be sympathetic to the local landscape. Approval for the work was granted from Natural England, and The Wildlife Trust certified HollandGreen’s ecological processes, with minor adjustments made to the woodland path routes to align with the site's natural setting. Environmental disruption was kept to a minimum when transporting equipment and materials through the aid of a neighbouring farmer, who granted access to the team through his field, as well as protective tracks to prevent damaging the earth beneath.

• Ilex aquifolium

• Fagus sylvatica

Orchard Trees

• Malus domestica 'Elstar'

• Prunus domestica (D/C)

• Pyrus communis (F)

Native hedging

• Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'

• Viburnum opulus

• Rubus fruticosus agg.

During the project, the team discovered the remnants of an old cottage, which would have been a missed opportunity to exclude from the design: “The ruins were reimagined with a gothic folly, adding a whimsical and magical element to the garden”, says Latchford. Bringing together the meadow’s rewilding and fairytale aesthetic, the ruins are undoubtedly one of the stand-out features of the garden.

To further enhance the site’s biodiversity, excavated material from the pond construction was reused to create hibernacula for reptiles and amphibians, while fallen trees were repurposed into decorative log piles, stumperies, and woodland path edging, enhancing wildlife habitats. The design firm also preserved large areas of cow parsley and nettles to celebrate the garden's natural beauty and biodiversity, using turf cut-offs to create small environments favoured by ants and woodlice.

An array of native, evergreen, and deciduous trees were chosen to not only enhance the woodland setting, but also for their wildlife-friendly attributes and suitability to the site’s conditions, in an effort to enhance the woodland setting – adding aesthetic and functional value to the landscape. Multiple seating areas were established on the site to allow for the clients to bask in the tranquility of the space HollandGreen created – one of which has been situated atop decking, suspended over the pond, bringing the client’s closer to the waterways naturalistic benefits and beautiful views. The more contemporary elements of the design have either been crafted using wood elements or naturalistic colourings to ensure they blend seamlessly into the established woodland, not only minimising

disturbance to the wildlife, but also ensuring the residents of this whimsical plot are not forced to compromise on the landscape’s established wonder.

“The results are truly a joy. What was once an overgrown wood is now a beautiful wildlife garden

that enriches and contributes to the local ecosystem. The garden has become a haven for nature and a tranquil space for people, with bees, newts, grass snakes, birds, moles, field mice,

butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, bats, and deer all taking residence”, explains Latchford. The clients reached out to HollandGreen to express their gratitude for the project, noting how time seems to slow down in the space, with peacefulness and calm overcoming them. “It’s a garden close to their hearts and to ours”, he adds. From the uncovered ruins and old stone well, to the biodiverse planting and habitat creation, this garden is a fantastical reminder of how people and wildlife can not only co-exist, but also thrive together.

8 Ruins were reimagined into a magical gothic folly

9 Working with the existing site and its ecosystem

10 Planting scheme considered local wildlife habitats Photographs ©Eleanor Walpole

ABOUT

HollandGreen is a multidisciplinary design practice comprising architects, interior designers, landscape designers, and project managers. It is renowned for creating beautifully crafted buildings and landscapes, offering a unique, integrated end-to-end service. The practice’s personalised approach ensures each project reflects its clients' distinct needs and tastes, delivering exceptional quality and detail. hollandgreen.co.uk

REFERENCES

Trees and planting Nederhoff Plants nederhoffplants.nl/en

Pond plants Beaver Plants beaverplants.co.uk

Down the WILDING PATH

NIGEL PHILIPS LANDSCAPE AND GARDEN DESIGN

URBAN SANCTUARY

After downsizing to a smaller garden, the clients of this project realised that to get as much of their old garden into the new one they would need to maximise the limited space they had, without hampering its functionality or environmental benefits. The result, a pocket of luscious greenery that not only supports biodiversity, but also the couple’s social calendar.

Keen to put their gardening skills to use, the clients worked closely with Nigel Philips, owner of Sussex-based company Nigel Philips Landscape and Garden Design, to design the space – the brief; to incorporate a growing area, space for entertaining up to six people, and a tranquil water feature. Due to the garden’s size and urban location, “texture rather than colour was important”, says Philips, as well as the client’s wish for the space to be adorned with ornaments, including multiple growing pots in varying sizes and materials –from stone to ceramic – that would not only be a focal point of the space but would allow for more greenery to be established throughout.

A gradient of 600mm (about two feet) across the garden was addressed using the cut-and-fill method, allowing the space to be leveled while keeping as much of the soil on site as possible and sustainably redistributing it. However, due to the property’s boundary sitting atop a profile of chalk, which is known for its efficient drainage, the existing soil had a pH of 7.8, putting it in the “slightly alkaline" category, and while various plant species can tolerate slightly alkaline soil, many perform better in a more acidic to neutral pH range, which allows for a more optimal nutrient uptake. Additionally, all borders were mulched heavily with Strultch - a straw-based mulch – to aid in water retention during the growing season. Philips ensured each of the growing beds had easy access from the brick path, which not only optimises the space

The access paths within the garden take many twists and turns to help in disorienting the user and thus helping to disguise the actual size of the garden

The cut-and-fill method refers to the extraction of soil from higher areas of a site. The soil is then redistributed to the lower areas, leveling out the land while minimising the amount of new soil needed, as well as mitigating soil loss.

while keeping soil compaction to a minimum but also allowed for the high volume of planting to be contained without losing its naturalistic style – creating an organised rendition of the rewilding style. Philips adds: “The access paths within the garden take many twists and turns to help in disorienting the user and thus helping to disguise the actual size of the garden.”

Brick paving was chosen to ensure the rear garden was cohesive with the front, which eventually became “an integral

PLANTING

Trees

• Acer campestre 'Elsrijk'

• Sorbus pseudohupehensis

• Acer negundo

• Olea europaea (F)

• Musa basjoo

• Magnolia grandiflora

• Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'

Shrubs

• Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'

• Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'

• Euphorbia mellifera

• Skimmia japonica

• Pittosporum tobira

• Elaeagnus pungens 'Maculata' (v)

• Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo'

• Salvia rosmarinus (Ro)

Herbaceous perennials

• Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii

• Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae

• Dryopteris filix-mas

• Matteuccia struthiopteris

• Hosta 'Frances Williams' (_sieboldiana_) (v)

• L eucanthemum 'Sante'

• Verbena bonariensis

• Echinops ritro L.

• Gunnera manicata Linden ex André

part of the formation of the design structure,” notes Philips.

Much of the main garden, which resides on a lower level to the rest of the space, is primarily shaded by the house and surrounding trees - including an established Tilia × europaea, more commonly known as a lime tree –to work with this Philip’s utilised strong structured leaf shapes through the use of fern and evergreen species. Much of the garden’s planting is also made up of several species classified by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) as ‘RHS Plants for Pollinators,’ including; Skimmia japonica, Elaeagnus pungens 'Maculata' (v),

Salvia rosmarinus (Ro), and several herbaceous perennials; Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii, Echinops ritro L., and Verbena bonariensis. To soften the garden’s varying level heights, a hedge of Griselinia littoralis – defined by its potential to reach between four to eight metres in height and ability to grow in chalk-based soil – was planted along the boundary wall.

Chosen by RHS scientists, the list of RHS Plants for Pollinators is made up of various year-round flowering plants that provide nectar and pollen for pollinators. The list was established to tackle the decline in pollinator numbers and to aid gardeners and designers in choosing species that support pollinating insects.

Several cold frames and oak timber raised beds were also installed, with the latter lining the boundary wall, giving the clients optimal space to grow their own produce.

Several seating areas have been established throughout the garden, from two-seaters to fourseaters, allowing the clients to entertain guests in various areas throughout the space, as well as allowing themselves to enjoy the garden at varying times of the day. The timber pergola helped to define the shape of the sitting area.

Now the pair have their own personal pocket of biodiversity, whereby they can continue to hone their gardening skills in a space that remains true to their styles, whilst soaking up the benefits of nature in the company of friends.

ABOUT

Nigel Philips Landscape and Garden design has been trading for over 40 years. The new one-toone service provides clients with a design choice tailored to their garden at a fixed price. Options one and two are for the smaller garden, with option three for the larger garden. All designs are a collaboration with the client and completed within a day.

nigelphilips.co.uk

REFERENCES

Landscaper

Frogheath

Landscapes

Frogheath.co.uk

Plants

English Woodlands ewburrownursery.co.uk

Bricks Ashdown paver Ibstock.co.uk

Photographs ©Catherin Benson

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Director of Paving Superstore on what sets its trade offerings apart

What makes Paving Superstore the go-to for trade professionals?

One thing that sets Paving Superstore apart is although we have our own in-house range, we also sell all the main brands as well, such as Marshalls, Talasey, Strata, Wienerberger, Ketley Brick, Brett and Bowland Stone. You do get trade professionals that will only want to use certain brands and we can facilitate that. If they log on to our trade portal or give us a call, we've got discounts across the board on all those products, and all trades people are entitled to free samples of those products as well.

Once our customers sign up for a trade account, they have access to a separate telephone number that will give them a direct connection to us, eliminating wait times. They can just send us

a message through Whatsapp and we can sort it out for them through there for easier order requests or enquiries. We also offer a loyalty scheme, where traders can build up reward points to ultimately save on an order down the line.

One thing that sets Paving Superstore apart is although we have our own in-house range, we also sell all the main brands as well

How has Paving Superstore evolved to meet the needs of trade customers?

We’ve been around for about 20 years now. We have built up a strong retail following through that time, and we have worked with the main suppliers for that length of time as well, but a few years ago we thought; there's no reason why we can't do this for trade.

STONEMARKET AVANT-GARDE CARAMEL COLOSSUS

We've got the trade portal and we’ve got the prices. We've spent the last few years developing our website to ensure that when trade customers log in, they have access to exclusive trade prices and can use the site as their own personalised brochure. I would say, if anybody signed up for a trade account with us a few years ago, it would be worth having another look, because those discounts have improved quite significantly over the last couple of years.

Which paving products are in highest demand, and why?

Everybody knows that porcelain has been favourable over the last few years, but now we're seeing a big demand for more natural stone once again. For products like Egyptian limestone, we've never had so many inquiries. Clay pavers are also very popular for driveways, with their rich natural and fade resistant shades.

The tides are moving towards those warmer, cream colours to create more nature-inspired outdoor spaces, where it’s not all about function, but rather it’s a soft, inviting atmosphere.

What delivery options do you offer for trade customers?

We've always been known for undertaking retail deliveries using pallet carriers and kerbside deliveries, that doesn't always work for trades people, so while we still offer those deliveries where it’s economically appropriate, we also cater to the bulk orders typically placed by trade professionals. We have established a national delivery service, where we utilise crane and moffett deliveries so there’s literally nowhere within the UK that we can't deliver to.

everything that's related to that, as well as steps, cladding and edging. What really sets us apart from some others is that we offer pretty much everything else as well; from corten steel features, fire pits, barbecues, turf, and summer houses to greenhouses, water features, and outdoor furniture – pretty much anything that goes outside, and if we don’t do it, tell us, because I’m sure we could. Paving Superstore has evolved over the years to facilitate the needs of our retail customers, this feeds into our trade offering as well.

We're going to be showcasing at FutureScape this October, which is something we’ve never done before, but we felt this year was the right time to do it, to really get out there and show people what we’re all about

We’ve got first-hand experience in the industry; I used to be a landscaper, and my partner was a garden designer – we’ve been in this industry for years – so we always welcome enquiry calls from traders looking for some insight or advice.

What are Paving Superstore’s key goals for the next year?

Sustainability is becoming quite a focus for a lot of people nowadays, we’re now in the process of introducing a lot more eco-friendly paving options, enabling us to offer a more sustainable range to our trade customers.

Why is Paving Superstore known as the one-stop shop for outdoor projects?

We offer natural stone, porcelain, and

We are also going to be out in the market shouting about our trade offering; we’re taking steps to really put ourselves front and centre in the mind of professionals. We're going to be showcasing at FutureScape this October, which is something we’ve never done before, but we felt this year was the right time to do it, to really get out there and show people what we’re all about.

WIENERBERGER ALDER TUMBLED ALFRATON CLAY PAVERS

CORTEN STEEL WALLING

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PROJECT DETAILS

Build time 3 months

Size of project

691m2

Project value

£65k

DAwakeningTHE SENSES

DK GARDEN DESIGN

HOLLINGWORTH LAKE COUNTRY PARK SENSORY GARDEN

avid Keegan doesn’t typically take on commercial work.

When the Manchester-based garden designer does, though, it’s where there’s a community-based aspect to it, “where the wider public is going to get to interact with the space” – and the sensory garden at Hollingworth Lake Country Park had this in spades. Rochdale Borough Council had offered its rangers’ previous site to the RSPCA for the charity to open offices and a cafe. So, the rangers were relocated to the adjacent plot of land, where the council also wanted to create a sensory garden for the public.

It approached Keegan to design the new space. He worked with park ranger Adam Clayton throughout the entire process – and s now working on another project with him, to restore a Victorian park in the city centre over the next few years.

Clayton co-ordinates and works with the Green Volunteers, a scheme started by the Rochdale Borough Council in 2007 that enables the community to help care for the park. The volunteers visit Hollingworth Lake Country Park twice a week – which is another reason Keegan was keen to take on the project.

“A lot of the time, with public realm projects, there’s either no budget for maintenance or no forethought for how it’s going to be maintained. But with this one, there’s a team of volunteers who can take the garden forward – to develop it and maintain it so that it can only get better as the years go on.”

When Keegan visited the site for the first time, the prefabricated office had been set up for the rangers and there were a few trees

surrounding the plot, but it was otherwise a blank canvas.

Whilst not a huge plot of land at fewer than 700 m2, Keegan wanted to make it seem bigger by creating a sinuous journey through the garden whilst creating various opportunities for the community to engage in the space and connect to nature through different senses. The rangers’ cabin allowed Keegan the opportunity to create a journey between this and the planting.

As visitors enter the garden, there are separate zones to explore, starting with two areas of wildflowers split by a winding path. This needed to be wide enough and use non-slip materials for wheelchairs to be able to access the garden.

The path leads to Corten steel woven planters where seating has been incorporated to encourage people to sit and enjoy the garden and where flag poles with long flowing ribbons provide the soundtrack.

A metal dome forms the focal point of the garden. The council wanted a structure under which it could run workshops for the local community, and Keegan’s first thought was

to use living willow (Salix) to create this. But the sheer size of the structure would have made this difficult, and so he reached out to an artisan blacksmith sculptor he’d worked with previously, David Freedman, to create one out of metal.

Yorkstone recovered from the site during the groundworks, which had been put to one side, was then used to create the flooring beneath it. The dome is also covered in climbing plants such as honeysuckle, roses and winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) which, over time, will screen the structure, blending it into the landscape.

There are still willow arches that lead out of the dome which were weaved by Cherry Chong, who now runs her own workshops under the dome. These have been placed over a bark chip path, with a woodland area on one side and an allotment on the other where there are raised beds for growing edible plants that have also been designed with wheelchair users in mind.

This allotment area was meant to be on one flat level; however, as the team started looking into the site, they discovered a large

concrete cover over a manhole. This couldn’t be removed as it was too large, and the inspection chamber lid couldn’t be built on. So, Keegan had to alter the design for this area to make it across two levels.

The entire site had also been used as a dumping ground whilst transforming the RSPCA plot, meaning a lot of rubble and debris had to be cleared and freshly screened soil had to be imported.

Close to the allotment, on the wall of the rangers’ office, is a copper tree

on which people or companies can sponsor a leaf and have it engraved. This is a way of raising money to fund the ongoing planting and maintenance of the garden.

1 Snaking pathways provide interest

2 Woven steel raised beds and inset oak seats

3 Willow arches and steel activity dome

4 Bespoke oak seats inset into raised beds

5 A space friendly to both humans and dogs

6 Bespoke bird bath

The existing planting was carried out by Garden360 UK with the help of the rangers. Fragrant plants such as lavender and rosemary, as well as herbs including mint and thyme, were used. Touch was also considered in the planting scheme, with soft grasses, for instance and Stachys byzantina for its leaves’ fur-like coating.

“One of the things that really gave me a lift when I was up there taking photos one day was overhearing a mother take a piece off one of the herbs, rub it, and tell her son what it was and get him to smell the plants. I thought, ‘that’s exactly what it’s meant to do’. It was seeing the garden in action,” says Keegan.

Native hedging including Crataegus monogyna, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Viburnum opulus, Ligustrum vulgare, Rosa canina and Lonicera periclymenum lines the perimeter, benefitting the local wildlife.

There are also bird feeders, bird boxes, bat boxes, insect hotels and other habitats such as wildlife rock piles to encourage biodiversity. “As well as it being a sensory garden for humans, it had to have wildlife front and centre as well.”

Once further funding has been raised, there are plans to add seed dispersal units too. Seeds can be harvested from the surrounding fields, wildflowers and trees for visitors to take and propagate at home and plant in their own gardens.

The garden opened to the public last June but will continue to be adapted and evolved, with something for all the senses to enjoy.

7 Raised planters with herbs and ornamental grasses 8 Planting team and members of Green Volunteers Photographs ©David Keegan

ABOUT

David Keegan is an international, national and regional award-winning garden and landscape designer. His design philosophy centres on a naturalistic planting style. Keegan's garden design projects are located around the UK, in Manchester, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and the north-west of England. dkgardendesign.co.uk

REFERENCES

General works Green Volunteers rochdale.gov.uk

Soft landscaper Garden360 UK mygarden360.com

Topsoil Drapers rdraperltd.co.uk

Dome sculpture and bird feeders David Freedman davidfreedman sculpture.com

Living willow arches Cherry Chung cherrychung.com

Oak seating and raised beds Woodblocx woodblocx.co.uk

Metal edging, Corten steel planters Steel Landscaping Co steellandscapingco.co.uk

Wildflowers

Pictorial Meadows pictorialmeadows.co.uk

Plants

Bespoke Garden Elements Ltd

Mulch

Grant Hartley Soil

Bark chippings, stone pathways, Breedon Aggregates Golden Gravel (supply and install)

J A Cryer Excavation & Groundwork Contractors Ltd

Annual mixes expertly designed to deliver beauty and biodiversity

Explore Our Seed Brochure

For detailed information about each seed mix, including:

— Plant lists

— Flowering details

— Recommended usage

— Shade/sun tolerance

— Installation and maintenance tips

COLLABORATIVE success

When Stuart Dantzic spoke at the Pro Landscaper Business Awards last year, he emphasised the need for collaboration in the industry – something that Caribbean Blinds has truly embodied in recent months.

The Sudbury-based business, which supplies luxury external shading solutions, has always maintained strong relationships with the landscaping industry, but it’s now looking to build “partnerships” with those in it, says its managing director.

We no longer see ourselves as a trade supplier; instead, we like to partner with companies instead so that we can grow together and add value

Up until last year, landscapers buying pergolas, awnings or external shades from Caribbean Blinds could do so on a supply-only basis and so would always need to carry out the initial

survey and install. Now, though, the company is utilising its three project installation teams – which typically carry out large-scale commercial installations on rooftop terraces for hotels and restaurants, for instance – to carry out installations for trade as well. It’s an area of the business he’s looking to grow too, with plans for this service to extend nationwide, stretching it to cover Wales, Cornwall and north of Leeds.

“The benefit for landscapers is, rather than subcontractors, our installers are salaried; they’re not paid by the project. So, they’ll be there as long as they need to do the job properly. But we also enhance the guarantee for our dealer, upgrading it from a traditional 10-year trade guarantee to one

Caribbean Blinds is opening up new opportunities for its partners

that’s parts and labour inclusive, so we’ll resolve any issues after the installation, should there be any. It’s ultimately a better experience for the end customer and for our brand.”

There is a premium for the installation, so for landscapers looking to make the most margin by installing the product themselves, Caribbean Blinds still offers its traditional trade supply-only route. It provides a free one-day training programme for its pergolas, during which a landscaper will build two of the products from scratch, and it recommends booking this as close to the installation as possible.

But Dantzic says landscapers are increasingly seeing its pergolas as a specialist product and so would rather hand over the installation to a specialist. There’s a hybrid option as well, where a landscaper can carry out the survey and Caribbean Blinds installs the pergola, or vice versa. It’s about offering flexibility and working with the trade.

“We no longer see ourselves as a trade supplier; instead, we like to partner with companies instead so that we can grow together and add value. We want to understand what their pinch points are and to help them identify new opportunities in the marketplace.”

This includes introducing landscapers to the other products in its range.“If they’re designing a garden right up to the house and the client doesn’t have the budget for a pergola, then perhaps an awning is an option as it has a lower price point.

“Ultimately, if we can add value to their scheme or help them to win more work, then it increases their bottom line and means that we’re selling more products, so it’s a win-win.”

More and more landscaping companies seem to be drawn to the idea of setting up physical showrooms to sell products only alongside the full landscape design and build offering, and that’s good for the industry, reckons Dantzic. “It means they’re committed to the industry long term, and it will help them grow quicker whilst remaining profitable. There’s always an associated cost with taking your business to the next level and your profitability tends to drop, but if you can offer landscaping and sell products then that helps to close that gap.”

For those companies who want to get involved in selling products within their scheme, Caribbean Blinds provides free social media assets to make posting on their platforms easier, and it can provide CAD drawings so that the client can better visualise the product in their garden.“We’re trying to take away barriers.”

It sells sample kits to help showcase the quality of the product to clients, of which the

pergolas one is £150. But to encourage cross-selling, it offers all three of its sample kits – for pergolas, awnings, and external blinds – at a special price and automatically puts those purchasing these into its gold-tier discount scheme rather than the landscaper having to work their way up towards this level.

Consilium Hortus is one company to take advantage of this, but the Essex-based design and build company also brings clients to view the show gardens which opened last year at Caribbean Blinds’ headquarters.“The average order value will go up as a result of the client seeing the products in person,” says Dantzic. There’s more certainty in the market

Collaboration is key – but there has to be an incentive as well

now, so Caribbean Blinds is starting to see the market go back to being buoyant after the post-pandemic dip – making it the ideal time to be offering a range of outdoor living options. As well as partnering with landscapers, the company is also working with other suppliers such as Bridgman furniture to offer their clients exclusive discounts through recommendation as well as an agreed kickback. “Collaboration is key – but there has to be an incentive as well.”

It’s not all about profit, though. Whilst being the headline partner of the Pro Landscaper Business Awards for another year offers Caribbean Blinds an indirect way of promoting its products, it’s also the supplier’s way of giving back to the landscaping industry which Dantzic says is an important market for the brand.

“We talk about collaborating, but it’s not a one-way street. So, this is us working with our partners to give back to the industry that helps to make us profitable; it’s us feeding some of those profits back in. The Business Awards is an ideal opportunity to do that; it gets people together for a whole day to celebrate the best of the best, and we see the value of entering awards as a business.”

It all ultimately showcases the benefits that working together can bring, so that both Caribbean Blinds and its partners can prosper.

cbsolarshading.co.uk

Sam Moore covers this year’s popular paving materials and how sustainability should be at the heart of selection

All successful gardens and landscape schemes are built on solid foundations. From my experience, the key to creating a truly memorable outdoor space lies in designing hard landscaping areas that effortlessly blend function and beauty. These spaces should provide ample room for socialising, dining, cooking, and everything in between. While design principles are crucial, I want to dive deeper into an area close to my heart: the emerging trends and innovations in paving.

The sheer variety of paving products on the market is staggering, but three core materials form the backbone of any hard landscape palette: porcelain paving, natural stone paving, and clay or limestone pavers. Each has its own unique qualities, and understanding these can help designers and homeowners make informed choices.

Porcelain paving is, without doubt, a favourite for its unparalleled ease of maintenance. Over the years, advancements in manufacturing have brought about an incredible range of colours, finishes, and textures, making it a versatile choice for modern gardens.

On the other hand, natural stone paving is the dream material for purists. its warm tones, unique patterns and authentic feel all evoke a timeless connection to the earth, lending depth and character to any space.

Finally, clay and limestone pavers are gaining traction for their ability to add detail

wa y Pavingforward the

and interest to large, paved areas. These smaller units can be used to break up expanses of paving, create intricate patterns, or even serve as borders to define spaces.

Gone are the days of monotone greys dominating our outdoor spaces. Today’s trends lean towards warm, neutral tones such as beiges and soft whites. These colours exude a sense of timeless elegance and provide a versatile canvas for other design elements.

The range of textures and finishes available in paving today is nothing short of remarkable. From sleek, smooth honed surfaces to riven and textured finishes that mimic natural stone, the options are nearly endless. Looking ahead, I predict a continued shift toward natural textures and finishes, which lend a grounded, earthy feel to

outdoor spaces. Flat, uniform colours may soon become relics of the past as homeowners increasingly seek materials that echo the organic beauty of nature. Creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection will also remain a key trend. By choosing materials that harmonise with a home’s interior design, we can create outdoor spaces that feel like a natural extension of the indoors. This collaboration between interior and garden designers is an exciting evolution that’s reshaping how we think about our homes.

Gardens no longer need to be vast, uniform expanses of single paving types. Instead, mixing materials and formats is becoming increasingly popular. Larger slabs combined with smaller units like limestone

©Consilium Hortus

©Consilium Hortus

setts can add texture, interest, and even optical illusions of space.

At Consilium Hortus, we’ve embraced this trend by incorporating innovative patterns like herringbone and geometric designs into our projects. For example, we’ve used limestone setts to create outdoor ‘rugs’ for seating areas and intricate pathways that guide the eye through the garden. With precision cutting technology now widely available, the possibilities for bespoke designs are virtually limitless.

Sustainability is no longer optional; it’s an essential consideration for anyone working in landscaping –designers, contractors, and suppliers alike. Water management is one area where paving can make a huge difference. Incorporating features like permeable paving and water harvesting systems ensures that runoff is captured and reused efficiently.

integrated features to the forefront. Imagine LED lighting strips subtly embedded in pathways or around entertaining areas, creating ambience and guiding guests through the garden at night.

Another exciting concept is thermal paving, which offers the possibility of walking barefoot outdoors in comfort, even on chilly mornings. Such innovations could redefine how we experience our gardens, turning them into year-round sanctuaries.

Paving is so much more than a functional element; it’s the canvas upon which the rest of the garden is built. By staying attuned to emerging trends and embracing innovation, we can create outdoor spaces that are as beautiful as they are practical.

Gardens no longer need to be vast, uniform expanses of single paving types. Instead, mixing materials and formats is becoming increasingly popular

When selecting materials, we must prioritise ethical and sustainable sourcing. Local materials are always a plus, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Where this isn’t feasible, opting for lowcarbon alternatives and ensuring suppliers adhere to fair labour practices is critical.

While aesthetics often take centre stage, practical considerations are just as important. Homeowners increasingly seek paving options that are slip-resistant, easy to maintain, and capable of ageing gracefully. Ensuring durability and timeless appeal is key to delivering spaces that will be cherished for years to come.

So, what lies ahead for paving? I believe the next wave of innovation will bring

SURFACES Smooth

Available in sandstone or limestone, in a number of finishes, Natural Stone Pavers combine timeless elegance and exceptional durability, ideal for creating stunning designs. Price: From £38.88m² (excl. VAT) (trade) londonstone.co.uk

At Consilium Hortus, we’re committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, delivering designs that not only reflect our clients’ unique styles but also stand the test of time.

As we pave the way forward, let’s continue to combine artistry, technology, and sustainability to create gardens that inspire, delight, and endure.

Samuel Moore runs Consilium Hortus, an Essex-based company that creates bespoke garden design solutions for private and commercial clients. One of Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation winners, Moore has previously worked for various award-winning design and build companies and has a degree in Landscape and Garden Design from Writtle University College. consiliumhortus.co.uk

Marshalls

Infinia® is a beautiful range of warm, natural designs. Its advanced printed concrete, slip resistance, and durability ensure all-season practicality. Price (incl. VAT): £92.23 per m2 marshalls.co.uk

Dinamika – Travertino Travertino brings refined beauty and luxury to any space, making it ideal for outdoor paving projects that demand aesthetic appeal. Price (incl. VAT): POA globalstonepaving.co.uk

Infinia®

London Stone

Global Stone

Natural Stone Pavers

SAMUEL MOORE

©Nadine Mansfield

LAYINGthe groundwork

MARSHALLS

Product: Modal

X Priora® Textured

Price: Dependent

• Offers durability, safety, and style

• No complex planning permission needed for installation

• Patented permeable tech eliminates extra drainage needs

• British-made and available in four colours to suit project

• Manufactured with Marshalls' state-of-the-art UK dual block plant marshalls.co.uk

Sustainable quality: Britishmade patented design helps reduce flood risk and protects the home

TALASEY

Bellezza Lite from Talasey’s Vitripiazza Collection

Price: Approx. £20m2

(subject to merchant stockists)

• High- quality, hard-wearing vitrified 16mm porcelain paving

• Lightly textured, natural stone-effect porcelain paver (available in three colours)

• Lighter in weight than 20mm pavers (therefore better for handling and cutting)

• The technical data stands up to the most rigorous scrutiny

• Available in three sizes: 600x600mm, 900x600mm and 800x800mm (which offers a more luxurious large format without a hefty price tag) talasey.co.uk

Be it practicality or a statement piece, these paving options can offer low maintenance texture and cohesion to your outdoor space

PAVING SUPERSTORE

Natural Sinai Pearl beige limestone from Egypt

Price: From £27.44 per m2 incl VAT & delivery

• Natural veining

• Pre-treated with waterproof matte sealer

• Available in three finishes; acid washed, tumbled, and honed

• Fossil and quartz characteristics

• Available as bullnose steps pavingsuperstore.co.uk

LONDON STONE

Chelmer Valley Clay Paving

Price: From £67.20 m2 for trade when bought online

• Slip Resistance: ≥ 55PTV / R12

• Suitable for use on patios, pathways, driveways

• Does not fade in colour, unlike concrete block paving

• Frost resistant and walling options available

• Flexural Strength: T4 / T2 when laid on side londonstone.co.uk

Sustainable quality: Lifespan exceeds 125 years and can be lifted and relaid

THINKING BEYOND the ‘Green Stuff’

The Millboard story is well known – how its commitment to innovation led to beautifully designed decking and cladding where form and function are married perfectly. But what might not be so well known – yet – is its commitment to sustainability.

David Thomas, chief revenue and operations officer, explains: "We have a clear vision and set of values that drive our business. Underpinning both is our core belief that successful business shouldn’t come at the expense of the environment or doing the right thing."

supply chain – and then asked customers, suppliers and employees what they thought was important. From this, a new eight-point strategy has been created which the cross-business sustainability committee leads.

Successful business shouldn’t come at the expense of the environment

Pro Landscaper reported back in 2021 that Millboard had been accepted as a participant in the United Nations Global Compact. Launched in 2000, the Compact is a global initiative where businesses commit to aligning their strategy and operations to 10 principles around human and

employee rights, the environment and anti-corruption. This commitment helped Millboard embrace the broader definition of sustainability but taking a more holistic approach can have its downsides. "We were doing a lot of great work," explains Thomas, "but it wasn’t until we started to work with Sustainability West Midlands (SWM) in 2023 that we realised some initiatives weren’t necessarily joined up." Millboard carried out a materiality exercise to understand what its impact on a wide range of topics might be – from health and safety to the environment, data protection to

Millboard published its first Sustainability Roadmap at the end of 2023, since then it has:

• Calculated its carbon footprint for Scopes 1, 2 & 3

• Reduced Scope 2 carbon by 80%

• Obtained its first Environmental Product Declarations

• Deepened its relationship with Men’s Sheds

• Supported over 30 charities and community organisations.

People can be quick to suggest operating a more sustainable business costs more, so in case you’re not convinced by the ethical reasons to run a more sustainable company, Thomas is quick to point out the commercial benefits it brings too: “Acting in a sustainable way is about running a good business well, as it can deliver cost savings,

Identify what to focus on by looking at what’s important to you, your customers and staff and see where there are common themes.

Think wider than the ‘green stuff’

Start small with clear targets and make sure you measure the results

Recruit ‘sustainability champions’ to come up with ideas and implement them

Look for free or grant supported expertise. Lots of local authorities and universities offer free or discounted programmes as well as the opportunity to work with university students

Communicate – and make sure you don’t succumb to 'greenwashing' by following the Green Claims Code.

efficiency, innovation, competitive advantage, help reduce risk, and build your brand. There’s also plenty of research showing that strong sustainability credentials can be a key factor in attracting young talent – an important consideration for the landscaping and horticultural sector.” millboard.com

How Millboard embraces a holistic approach to sustainability

MILLBOARD’S TOP TIPS

Flourishing Minds

Popular for its ability to brighten a space, these wildflower turf options can also be a source of health and wellbeing benefits

LONDON LAWN TURF

Wildflower Native Enriched

Price: From £24.30 Inc Vat

Wildflower Native Enriched Turf has been developed to provide a more colourful, low maintenance and costeffective product that delivers a ‘cottage garden’ look which will naturalise over time.

• A mix of native and naturalised wildflower species. Approx 85% flora /15% grass

• An enhanced wildflower species that has more colour and interest

• Shade and drought tolerant

• Low maintenance – one to two cuts a year

• Great for encouraging wildlife

How can wildflower turf support personal wellbeing?

Exposure to natural environments, including wildflower areas, has been linked to reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. Nature therapy or ecotherapy, can benefit mental health by providing a space for relaxation and reflection. It can also help to improve attention span, creativity and cognitive function.

Aaron Browne, Sales leader at London Lawn Turf londonlawnturf.co.uk

WILD FLOWER LAWNS AND MEADOWS

Extra floristic low flowering lawn turf with wild orchid seed

Price: £23.40/sqm

Extra floristic low flowering lawn turf is based on Wild Flower Lawns and Meadow’s popular ‘low flowering lawn’ seed mix, with some additions to create an extra special flowering lawn turf. It is a native wildflower lawn that remains green throughout the winter; grown on a fully biodegradable plant fibre backing, not a plastic mesh.

• Can be used as a practical lawn

• Aesthetic appeal

• Remains green throughout the winter

• Returns to flowering quicker after mowing

What sensory or physical benefits can wildflower turf provide?

The presence of the changing colours and forms of flowers coming and going throughout the year bringing in associated wildlife provides ongoing interest, stimulating the senses of sight, smell, touch and sound.

Colin Reader, Owner of Wild Flower Lawns and Meadows Ltd wildflowerlawnsandmeadows.com

WILDFLOWER TURF

Wildflower Turf® Landscape 34

Price: From £12.25 per m2

Designed to replicate a traditional

British wildflower meadow, our signature Landscape 34 Wildflower Turf® mix contains 41 species of native wildflowers and grasses, providing a long-lasting progression of vibrant colour, balanced architectural forms and year-round interest.

• Ideal for a variety of projects from gardens, urban and country settings

• BNG: Creates a Lowland Meadow, Lowland Calcareous & Other Neutral Grassland habitats.

• Contains 41 species

• UK native perennials

How does wildflower turf promote a healthier environment?

Wildflower turf offers many opportunities to add biodiversity back into our green spaces, and this not only helps reverse the biodiversity loss crisis but through improving soil health it also boosts ecosystem services that keep our environment healthy, such as water management and carbon sequestration. Wildflower planting alongside road verges has also been shown to reduce the number of pollutants in the air from exhaust fumes.

Helen Simmen, scientist & head of R&D at Wildflower Turf wildflowerturf.co.uk

THRIVINGGrowing AND

Wyevale Nurseries is making choices that are sustainable for both the environment and the business’ bottom line

Reducing its use of peat, shrinking its water footprint, cutting carbon and increasing biodiversity – these are the four ambitious goals for Wyevale Nurseries over the coming months, and have been for the last few years. The Hereford-based nursery is determined to improve its environmental footprint – but that’s not without its challenges and tradeoffs.

Take peat, for instance. Wyevale has been working towards entirely peat-free production and has made significant strides in this area. It started with large crops – such as lavender, prunus and viburnum – and is now trialling all genera, with a few exceptions. It’s managed to reduce its use of peat by a whopping 80% overall.

All its container-grown trees have been peat free for a a decade, and it’s now gone onto large shrubs, whilst all its propagation will be going peat free this year.“We’re very keen on producing our own young plants, and pushing quickly on this about three years ago, got 90% of our propagation to be peat free,” says managing director Andy Johnson.

Other crops have been more temperamental, though, he adds. “We’ve retained up to 25% peat in the mix because they have been more unpredictable,” says managing director Andy Johnson. It’s a careful balance of becoming peat free whilst maintaining the plant quality and consistency for which the nursery has become known.

“There are plants that just do not thrive, and cost of production will be higher than the value of the product. You have to take your time, you have to learn –and there will be some things that you just conclude aren't viable to produce peat free, but we’ll find alternatives to use in a scheme.”

seedlings, soil probe sensors and pulse drip irrigation for specimen trees, and two reservoirs not only harvest rainwater but also help to alleviate flooding.

Wyevale is also refining its growing media to better retain moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.“Water is a finite resource and, locally, we are in a bit of a rain shadow which can also act as a sump and be quite wet. So, we have the twin threat of high demand if we get drought periods and low rainfall but, equally, we have flooding. We’ve been trying to address this, making the most of the water, to stretch it further so that we can continue to expand our production.”

It has invested in improved irrigation technology such as precision booms for tree

Wyevale is looking at water quality and application methods too. But again, there are tradeoffs.“Recycling and treating water pushes up carbon usage; we’re spending more on electricity for pumping and for the various treatments to clean water. So, there’s always a play off, and you have to decide what the biggest impacts on your environment are and look at the next step.”

"Sustainability has to make financial sense, or it won’t be sustainable in the long run,” adds sales director, Kersten Catella.“We’re in the business of growing, so our approach is about making improvements that are both

ANDY JOHNSON

environmentally sound and commercially viable. When we find efficiencies – whether it’s in water use, transport, or waste reduction – it benefits both the planet and the bottom line.”

It’s looking to reduce its operations, for instance – making small but effective changes, such as having both a front and rear tool bar for cultivating fields so that it takes on pass of a tractor instead of two over 700 acres. This is all in an effort to cut its carbon footprint, and it is now in its second year of working with Planet Mark to understand how best to do this. While Planet Mark helps assess key impacts annually, the long-term approach to reviewing priorities and environmental impacts has been guided by ISO 14001 over the past 12 years.

“It causes us to look at our key impacts every year and look at the most important things that we can address – it holds us accountable. We keep looking at what the priorities are and what we can be targeting next, so that's been really useful,” says Johnson.

The plastic tax is looming, for example, which sales director Kersten Catella explains is going to put pressure on any of the horticultural business that already use recycled plastic.

“The containers that we grow in are 95% recycled plastic and are recyclable – yet we’ll pay more tax. We’ve reduced where we can, certainly in transport; but we have to grow in plastic, and we can’t de-pot products to send to customers and impact the integrity of those products.”

So, Wyevale is “horizon scanning,” says Johnson. It carries out a lot of open ground production which requires neither compost nor a plastic container – but pots

PROMOTION

are more challenging, and it’s exploring alternative materials.

And then there’s Wyevale’s fourth pillar, to enhance biodiversity.“Everything we grow has a role to play in biodiversity – whether it’s hedging that supports wildlife corridors, trees that sequester carbon, or perennials that provide essential food sources for pollinators,” says Catella.“Our wildlife friendly range is specifically selected to encourage bees, butterflies, and birds, and we work closely with landscapers to help them integrate biodiversity into their projects.”

Beyond that, it provides guidance on planting schemes that actively restore ecosystems rather than just decorating spaces, though Catella says these still have their place.“We work to ensure what we grow doesn’t just look good but actively contributes to biodiversity.”

where we use integrated pest management,” says Johnson.

Plant Healthy-accredited Wyevale is steadily expanding its facilities, increasing its tree production areas – especially for its container grown trees – and using its existing space better, improving crop turns and investing in new facilities. It’s just built the largest commercial Keder tunnel, with a series of environmental benefits such as being well insulated, diffusing light to avoid the need for shades, and minimising heating.

We’re in the business of growing, so our approach is about making improvements that are both environmentally sound and commercially viable

It’s also looking to reduce its imports.

“The biggest threat to biodiversity is a breach of biosecurity. So, we want to be providing plants that we’ve grown and

“Sustainability isn’t an option anymore – it’s the baseline,” says Catella.“The industry has a responsibility to think beyond aesthetics and start prioritising biodiversity, carbon reduction, and long-term resilience. There’s no ‘perfect’ way to do it but doing something is better than doing nothing. It’s about making small, smart changes that add up.

“Of course, there are no single solutions – it depends on specifics of sites, client’s vision and maintenance input planned long term – landscapes are dynamic and need ongoing management to really perform.”

Catella’s advice is simple – for the industry to work in partnership with the growers.“They know what legislation is doing and what is achievable and successful, so include the growers around the table. Without the growers, there is no industry or future landscape.”

wyevalenurseries.co.uk

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RAINBOW PROFESSIONAL Oceanos Tree Shelter

Price: Dependant Oceanos was crafted by Rainbow with a purpose: safeguarding young trees whilst preserving oceans. It is designed to last a minimum of five years to boost plant growth during early stages of development; shielding young trees from browsing animals and herbicide spray, increasing their survival rates.

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OPROTECTING YOUNG TREES and preserving oceans

How Rainbow Professional is supporting the nation’s land and seas with its latest product launch

ceanos was crafted by Rainbow Professional with a purpose: safeguarding young trees whilst preserving oceans. Made from Oceanomer, our innovative

recycled plastic material offers all the benefits of a conventional tree shelter whilst contributing to cleaner oceans and waterways. It is made from a minimum of 50% ocean-bound and postconsumer waste.

Designed to last a minimum of five years, Oceanos creates a favourable microclimate to boost plant growth during the crucial early stages of development. It shields young trees from browsing animals and herbicide spray, significantly increasing their survival rates.

Protecting Trees. Preserving Oceans. Join the wave of change. We've focused our research on conquering the challenge of difficult-to-recycle plastics, creating each Oceanos Tree Shelter with at least 50% Ocean-Bound and Post Consumer waste. Our unique reporting system empowers you

PRODUCT BENEFITS

• Protects from browsing animals

• Protects from herbicides

• Creates a microclimate to promote healthy plant growth

FEATURES

• Light transmission

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• Twin walled

• Laser-line

• Recyclable

• Pre-fitted cable ties

• Nested

to share your project's positive carbon footprint and coastal litter impact reduction, inspiring others to join the movement.

Instructions for installation

Oceanos Tree Shelters are easy to install and contribute to

preserving our oceans and waterways. Nested in sets of five for compact storage and transport, the tree shelters also come with pre-fitted cable ties for quick installation. After planting and hammering the stake in, tree shelters can be easily slid over of top of the plant, ensuring the cable ties go over the stake at the same time. The shelter should also be pushed 1-2cm into the ground to deter vermin from burrowing under the shelter. A comprehensive installation guide is available on our website at rainbow.eu.com

We operate a recycling scheme for our Oceanos Tree Shelters –contact us to find out more Telephone +44 (0) 1482 616861 Email info@rainbow.eu.com

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BLEND? Bloom or

Weighing up the benefits found in green and brown roofs to see where each can reach its full potential

GREEN ROOFS BROWN ROOFS

Ibelieve green roofs are beneficial in our towns and cities, especially for cooling the air temperature, capturing carbon, reducing flooding and slowing the flow of rainwater. Green roof benefits also include the insulation of buildings, reducing exposure to the sun and rain, and thus prolonging the waterproof roof layer by up to three times, sound proofing and external noise reduction.

The most notable benefits are to people and nature. Green/ living roofs can offer areas for wildlife to create habitats and for people to grow food, relax, socialise and they help with mental health and wellbeing. Multiuse roofs are becoming increasingly popular with more habitat mosaic design, which sees a shift from common, shallow build-up sedum roofs.

It is great to see that most new urban and inner-city development plans nearly all include green roofs and roof gardens as standard, which is a huge change from 5-10 years ago, when green roofs were often associated with grand designs and eco homes. I feel that the real focus now needs to be on retrofitting existing flat roofs and buildings that are being refurbished, which can be a practical solution to bringing green spaces into urban areas at pace.

There are some challenges associated with this, notably adding additional weight to roofs that weren’t originally designed for green roofs, and misconceptions like green roofs cause leaks and logistical challenges. However, these are not impossible to overcome and with more training and education around this, we can see a greener future for our rooftops.

Chris Bridgman specialises in the design, installation, maintenance and training of living/ green roofs on new and existing structures. Managing partner of Bridgman & Bridgman LLP, vice-chair of GRO (Green Roof Organisation), member of the European Federation of Green Roof & Wall Associations, and founder of World Green Roof Day. gardensinthesky.co.uk

Abrown roof, also known as a biodiverse roof, is designed with a natural substrate to promote local vegetation growth and support local wildlife. Unlike green roofs, which often use pre-selected planting, brown roofs use local spoil – or better still, foundation spoil –which not only lowers the project's carbon footprint but also reduces landfill and associated costs.

Local spoil contains ‘seed memory’, which is native to the area and relevant to the local wildlife. You could also consider adding logs, broken tiles, or slabs, to create additional habitat and shelter. It’s worth noting that foundation spoil may be unsuitable in some circumstances. For example, the soil may be heavy clay (and therefore hold lots of water), or it may be contaminated – in such circumstances, perhaps undertake a soil test, or engineer the spoil to loosen it up and change its composition.

Other brown roof benefits include stormwater management, improved air quality, urban cooling and carbon sequestration. Their effects can be most beneficial in urban areas with limited green space, or close to conservation areas.

But be warned: a brown roof is exactly that – it may not have a fully flowering landscape surface – and although it may be thistles and weeds, it may be exactly what Mother Nature intended to support the wildlife at that time in the locality.

SMITH

Mick Smith has been a regional technical manager for the ICB Group for the past 19 years. He delivers presentations on fire safety, amongst other topics, and his expertise includes providing technical support and guidance for all aspects of flat roofing systems, including waterproofing, solar, green and brown roofs, safety and bespoke fabrications. icbgroup.co.uk

MICK

CHRIS BRIDGMAN

BROWN ROOF, WEMBLEY

BROWN ROOF, WEMBLEY

YMCA, MILTON KEYNES

NOAH'S ARK CHILDREN'S HOSPICE

BUZZ STOP, WOLVERTON

At Hillier Trees, we have been containerising trees for decades, continuously innovating to grow stronger, healthier trees that will thrive in any environment, whether in urban landscapes, parks, or large-scale developments. In this Q&A, we dive into what makes Hillier container trees a great choice – covering everything from eco-friendly practices and advanced growing techniques to the benefits of using container trees in your next project.

What makes Hillier Trees' container trees environmentally friendly?

Sustainability is at the heart of Hillier. Our bespoke soil mix, enriched with green waste and

Sylvamix, continues to evolve, ensuring both high tree quality and environmental responsibility. We steer clear of rigid pots, instead using tree bags made from recycled materials, which can be recycled again after use.

How are Hillier container trees maintained?

At Hillier, we take a meticulous, sustainable approach to tree care, ensuring each tree grows strong, healthy, and ready to thrive in its new environment.

• Sustainable watering: Our trees are nurtured using 100% rain-harvested water, stored in a 10-million-gallon reservoir and filtered before being delivered through a precision drip irrigation system. This method ensures each tree receives the exact amount of water it needs – no waste, just efficiency.

THRIVE Grown to

Hillier Trees director, Adam Dunnett shares how Hillier Trees pioneers container-tree growth, combining sustainability and expert care

• Expert pruning and shaping: From an early stage, all our trees undergo years of formative pruning while growing in our fields. This essential practice promotes strong structure and long-term health. Once containerised, our skilled tree growers continue this care with seasonal spring and autumn pruning, ensuring each tree maintains the best shape, strength and vitality.

What are the key benefits of using container trees in commercial projects?

• Year-round planting: Unlike rootball trees which have seasonal limitations, container trees can be planted at any time of the year.

• Ease of transportation and handling: Containers make

lifting and transporting trees much easier.

• Design flexibility: Available in various sizes, container trees cater to projects of all scales.

• Stronger, healthier root systems: Our expert growers’ hand-prune trees before containerisation, preserving fibrous roots and stimulating further growth. This ensures better nutrient and water uptake and rapid establishment after planting.

What sizes are container trees available in?

We offer container trees in a wide range of sizes, from 45L tree bags to large specimens in 2500L containers – perfect for both small-scale projects and those requiring immediate impact.

How do I care for container trees after planting?

Proper aftercare is essential for strong establishment:

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• Mulching: A layer of mulch helps to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

• Staking: Supporting newly planted trees protects against wind damage.

• Pruning: Removing damaged or crossing branches encourages healthy growth.

Why choose Hillier container trees?

When you choose Hillier, you’re not just getting a tree – you’re investing in decades of expertise, sustainable growing practices, and a team dedicated to producing top-quality trees.

Hillier Trees is committed to providing you with the best trees for your landscape project. Get in touch to discover more.

Contact

Email treesales@hillier.co.uk

Phone 01794 368 733

Website hillier.co.uk/trees

ROOT Taking

Ayear on from its maiden pedestrianisation project in Athlone, Ireland, Green-tech’s TreeParker System has since been used in schemes up and down the country. The growth in popularity of this style of project is parallel by the need for more sustainable and urban centric solutions. Green-tech’s product development director Mark Wood, believes the supplier’s TreeParker System is one such solution.

The urban tree planting system, Wood remarks, is “modelled with versatility and simplicity in mind,” noting that “its open structure design makes it easier for contractors to navigate around those unexpected underground utilities.” Its four legs come in a number of sizes, from 400 to 1500mm, with adjustable heights depending on site requirements - “the legs of TreeParker can be cut down with zero loss to its structural integrity.” Built up areas require more underground utilities, posing limited space in the way of tree pit digging, but Wood believes that is where this product excels.

DESIGN FEATURES

• Water runoff capture

• Adjustable legs

• Manufactured in Europe

• Compatible with bio retention soil

• Offers uninterrupted root establishment

• Supports heavy traffic loads

• Made from recycled materials

TreeParker’s SuDS capabilities mark Green-tech’s “start into the wider blue green infrastructure market,” says Wood. He delves into how when backfilling soil, naturally an air gap is created to prevent tree roots coming

up,“the TreeParker system allows contractors to tailor the depth of that air gap and use it as an area for storing water.” Its open base design allows captured water to “naturally drain through” into the gravel layer beneath and through to the natural water aquifer – the hollowed out legs are also capable of capturing water, should the gap overflow, adds Wood.

One of the “big drivers” with the TreeParker system is that it's made from recycled plastic derived from waste nappies from the manufacturing process.”

To match growing urban design demands, Green-tech is working on an evolution of the TreeParker system to make it more versatile from a design perspective, as opposed to installation, reveals Wood.“With any plastic cell system, whether TreeParker or others on the market, they’re very linear and boxy,” the systems proposed clip connections in development will facilitate curvature in a tree pit,“rather than just a straight row of trees, it gives designers more freedom to work with their urban designs for tree planting.”

Green-tech’s Mark Wood on how the supplier is establishing itself in the green blue market

Now a year on, Green-tech is launching its latest blue green infrastructure solution, which Wood says is “natural evolution of the Mona subterranean irrigation system, called Mona Pluvia.” Designed as a closed loop irrigation system, this new product uses “as much water

as the planting needs, in a way that reduces overwatering and controls the amount of water needed by the system,” reducing the amount of water lost through transpiration. Wood adds “you can also install moisture probes in the soil that feedback to a telematic system that can then tell you how much rain water has been harvested and how much the system has used.” After sharing a sneak peak with us, Wood teases us with a final prompt to “watch this space.” green-tech.co.uk

HOW THE TREEPARKER SYSTEM WORKS

MARK WOOD AND THE TEAM

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CHARGING

Last year’s Living City marked 10 years of the event from Swedish kit manufacturer Husqvarna. First held in 2014, when it was called ‘Silent City’, it puts forward a vision of how green space management could change in the coming years. The inaugural one, for instance, predicted how battery powered chainsaws could be used for tree care in urban environments.

“The original lineup of battery chainsaws that we launched had a lower power than what we work with now and didn’t have as many features – but now we see that the product segment has really evolved,” says Jonathan Snowball, Husqvarna's head of business unit professional UK.

This is where we’ve been able to develop the technology further – to develop new motors which are more powerful but also more efficient on energy consumption

“You’d have to really justify not using battery chainsaws in trees now because of all the low noise benefits and zero direct emissions. We were saying that this is the future of how we work, and now it’s widely accepted as the standard to be working with smaller battery powered chainsaws in the tree canopy, which is great.”

A big focus at this year’s Living City event was the launch of its latest robotic mowers with a completely new, AI-ready platform. Available from March, the Automower® 580L EPOS™ and Automower® 560 EPOS™ offer wire-free mowing and selectable cutting patterns, with the capability to add new features as they become available, such as a camera application that will be available next year.

Husqvarna’s Jonathan Snowball on how battery power is continually evolving for the benefit of the end user

Ahead

These launches follow the unveiling of Strix the previous year –a smart robotic shuttle that could carry an autonomous workforce of robots that use artificial intelligence to determine their tasks for the day, collecting data along the way and creating a digital twin of the city in which it’s operating.

“Already, some of the features that we saw on that are in the new robotic mowers – how we use applications to manage the machines and create different zones within a site installation. So, we’re starting to see some of that technology now.”

It also bolstered its battery powered hand tools range last year. “Sometimes we’re replacing existing models, by modifying them or adding features; but at the last one, we launched completely new models with completely new features.”

This year, it’s releasing the 530iB battery powered blower, which will be available from Husqvarna dealers in March. “This is where we’ve been able to develop the technology further – to develop new motors which are more powerful but also more efficient on energy consumption. It’s the same performance as a petrol-powered handheld blower but with all the benefits of battery, so low noise for working in noise sensitive environments, no direct emissions, no having to carry and mix fuel.”

It’s more ergonomic too. “It’s well balanced with minimal gyroscopic forces inside, which means minimal arm strain for the operators. When you've got a petrol machine, there are a lot of moving and rotating parts which create gyroscopic forces; and

because it's a larger engine in the machine, you're quite limited with the layout and how you can do it. But with a battery powered machine, you've basically got one motor turning whatever it is that you need to turn, whether that’s a fan on a blower or a motor drive shaft on a brush cutter or a gearbox on a hedge trimmer – you've got a bit more flexibility to position that motor exactly where it needs to be, because it's much smaller. So, you can define the centre point of gravity. You can have it in a position where gyroscopic forces aren't causing the machine to turn against you. So, it's an easier way of designing the machine, and it's easier to give a better operator experience.”

Moving forward, Husqvarna will be trying to achieve higher power levels, releasing products in power segments that it hasn’t yet been able to achieve.

“The challenge there is keeping the weight down if we make the motors more powerful – so how big that motor is, how many batteries would be needed and then also achieving an acceptable run time for the operator. We could make a really powerful chainsaw, for example, but it might only run for 10 minutes –that’s not going to be acceptable. So, we don’t want to go down that route.

“Fortunately, battery cell technology is advancing, which allows Husqvarna to move forward. So, in the future, you’ll definitely see us expand into higher power segments that we haven’t been able to achieve until now.”

In the future, you’ll definitely see us expand into higher power segments that we haven’t been able to achieve until now

Battery can still hold its own against most petrol products, though. A battery powered hedge trimmer, for instance, is an efficient way of using energy and provides a long run time, says Snowball. “The performance is equal, if not better, than a petrol machine with a very good runtime.”

It’s products like backpack blowers for clearing large areas of parkland in autumn that are more difficult to convert to battery and maintain the same power.“There isn’t a battery machine that will do the kind of job the way we need – a 70 or 80cc petrol performance and out there all day. The power isn’t there and you’d need a lot of batteries. So, it’s about being realistic with our customers. The battery powered leaf blowers might not achieve the large-scale autumn leaf clearing, but they’re perfect for working in noise sensitive areas or clearing up after jobs like cutting the grass. That’s where they should be utilised.”

That’s why Husqvarna hasn’t moved away from petrol products. “We continue to develop petrol solutions, but now, it’s about developing environmentally friendly two-stroke engines that are more efficient, lower emissions and lower

vibration levels. We still see a place for petrol products, and we continue to develop that.”

Aside from the tools themselves, Husqvarna has been turning its attention to its charging and battery infrastructure too.“We know not everyone can just plug into a charger overnight to have fully charged batteries in the morning, so we’re looking at different ways for them to do that.”

The C1000X4 multi-rack charger hit the market last year. This allows users to charge four Husqvarna Bli-X 36V batteries simultaneously, directing power to the batteries that need it the most. It can be plugged in anywhere – the depot, at home, from an inverter in a van.“But the beauty of this is it can be unplugged and carried anywhere to then be plugged in to charge on site. It’s weatherproof and all runs off one plug socket,” says Snowball.

As well as hitting the higher power segments and creating a greener petrol range, Husqvarna sees robotic mowers as key.“We invented the robotic mower in 1995, which means we celebrate 30 years of the Husqvarna robotic mower this year, and you can really see how much they’ve developed in the new product launches for this year.”

There’s a shift towards robotics in the UK, says Snowball.“We’re looking at how we can work more with facility management and landscaping companies to utilise robotics on their contracts and to maintain the grassed areas so they can free up skilled labour to concentrate on other areas of their contract. That’s a result of the technology really developing in the robotics space to where we now have a solid solution.”

The new machines – the 560 and 580 epos – are perfect for large, open green spaces, says Snowball. And with the new technology, the user can set different areas with different cutting heights on different schedules, without needing a boundary wire in the ground; it uses GPS technology.“The possibilities with the new technology on the new automowers are much more advanced compared to what we were previously working with.”

Husqvarna is not only predicting the way green space management could look in the future; it’s a driving force behind it, working on products now that could be gamechangers for the industry – with battery power integral to its approach.

husqvarna.com/uk

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AHEAD Charge

The adoption of battery-powered equipment is being well embraced by our teams at Tivoli and across the wider Nurture Group. Over the past year, we’ve conducted extensive trials with leading manufacturers and suppliers, focusing particularly on Husqvarna’s battery-powered and professional robotic kit. These trials have highlighted the impressive capabilities of modern battery-powered tools, which now rival – and often outperform –their petrol-powered counterparts.

Arb equipment trials have also been a success, with top-handle saws in particular receiving excellent feedback. Teams have noted the benefits of having instant power, a lighter weight for climbing, and reduced noise allowing better team communication, and the complete absence of fumes, making for a safer and more pleasant working environment. Handheld grounds maintenance tools, including strimmers, hedge cutters, and blowers, have seen similar advancements, with improved performance and usability. Beyond performance, the environmental and welfare benefits are undeniable. Switching to battery-powered equipment

helps reduce carbon emissions, aligns with sustainability goals, and cuts noise pollution –something our clients, particularly on local authority contracts, deeply value.

Employees are also benefitting from quieter, lighter tools that reduce fatigue and minimise hard-arm vibration.

As technology continues to evolve, we are committed to accelerating this transition wherever possible.

Switching to battery-powered and pro robotic equipment is easier on static sites where charging infrastructure is readily available or possible. These sites allow teams to work efficiently while having the ability to charge batteries on-site and access spare units when needed. However, this relies on having compliant charging setups, such as charging cabinets, which can sometimes be a barrier for clients to implement.

Battery power has come a long way, says James Abbott – but there are still obstacles to overcome

For mobile teams, the transition poses greater challenges. High kit usage combined with the limited range of batteries can hinder productivity when charging opportunities are scarce. Even mobile teams with charging vans would face obstacles, as short trips between sites don’t always provide enough time to sufficiently recharge batteries. This applies to handheld tools and ride-on equipment, which have seen improvements in battery range but can still fall short for high usage across multiple locations. Another challenge is cost. Battery-powered equipment often has a higher upfront price, and implementing the necessary charging infrastructure adds to the expense. Client buy-in is essential to overcoming these barriers, as the long-term sustainability and operational benefits need to align with the clients expectations and budgets.

The transition to battery-powered equipment is progressing, but there’s still room for innovation

While the shift to battery power is progressing, these challenges highlight the need for thoughtful implementation and collaboration between operators, suppliers and clients. The transition to battery-powered equipment is progressing, but there’s still room for innovation. For example, electric utility vehicles with towing capabilities would be a welcome addition to our fleet, particularly for static sites. While we already use fully electric buggies in some areas, a more robust option would be invaluable. For handheld equipment, compact batteries with increased runtime are essential. Professional-grade tools require far more power and durability than domestic-use equipment, and better battery technology would allow us to expand usage on mobile sites. Similarly, while there are some ride-on options, choices are limited, and many models lack the build quality needed for professional use. Another area ripe for innovation is battery-powered arb chippers. With enough power to handle demanding operations, these would be a game changer for arboriculture teams looking to reduce emissions without sacrificing performance.

James Abbott is the asset and equipment manager at Tivoli, a green service provider which is now part of the Nurture Group. tivoliservices.com

JAMES ABBOTT

HUSQVARNA

New range of 36V batteries (including B140X, B220X, and B330X)

Husqvarna's new additions to its 36V system are powerful 4Ah, 6Ah and 9Ah batteries respectively. All are designed for demanding professional battery applications. Like all Husqvarna BLi-X batteries, they are built with state-ofthe-art cell technology offering an excellent weight-to-capacity ratio. The robust design fulfils IPX4 for all-weather use with all professional Husqvarna 36V equipment. The ActiveCool system cools down the battery during both operation and charging. Ready to connect with Husqvarna Fleet Services.

• ActiveCool for efficient cooling of the battery during charging and discharging

• Integrated connectivity meaning they can easily be connected to Husqvarna Fleet Services™

• IPX4 weatherproof rating

• Temperature indicator

• 36V 4Ah, 6Ah and 9Ah. husqvarna.com/uk

ECHO

DHCAS-2600HD

Launching: Spring 2025

• Up to 103mins run time (with 5.0Ah battery). echo-tools.co.uk

KIT SPECIAL BATTERY POWER

POWERING UP

MAKITA

DBN900 18V LXT

Framing Nailer

Designed specifically for first fix framing applications without the need for gas cartridges, it can be used in the same way as a pneumatic nailer but without the additional setup time, complication, and restriction of a compressor and air lines. atible with clipped head nails between 50mm and 90mm

• Capable of driving up to 1000 nails on a full battery charge at a rate of up to two nails per second (when used with Makita BL1860B 6.0Ah LXT battery)

• Two operation modes: sequential actuation for single shot and contact actuation for continuous nailing

• The anti-dry fire mechanism is activated before the number of remaining nails reaches zero, avoiding missed shots

• Variable drive depth for precise control when working. makitauk.com

STIHL

BGA 160

Launch date: April 2025

A new AP System handheld blower. The blowing force of the BGA 160 sits in between the BGA 86 and BGA 250, making it suitable for professional landscaping tasks.

• Improved power to weight ratio compared to the BGA 86, meaning leaves can be cleared faster and in greater comfort

• Ergonomic controls, featuring cruise control and a boost mode for temporarily clearing stubborn patches of leaves

• Like all AP System batteries and most AP System tools, the BGA 160 is IPX4 certified, meaning it can be used confidently in the rain

• Improved location of the battery slot, positioned under the motor for optimum balance and reduced wrist strain

• An angled blowing tube, where the shallow bend directs the push back force through the handle for more effortless control.

stihl.co.uk

EGO POWER PLUS

LBPX1100 Backpack Blower

As one of the most powerful backpack blowers on the market, the LBPX1100 is built for any challenge, with an impressive 36N of blowing force and Peak PowerTM technology.

• Premium backpack harness for superior comfort

• An LCD display for real-time status updates

• IPX5 rating for all-weather durability

ECHO

DLM-5100SP

The new DLM-5100SP self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower is a 21" machine packed with commercial features, including two auto-switching battery ports, a 3-in-1 steel cutting deck, variable speed control, and adjustable, fully folding handlebars. Featuring a powerful brushless motor, it provides petrol-like performance.

• 29.9kg (without battery) dry weight

• 530mm deck size

• 56V rated voltage

• Height adjustment: 25-80mm height adjustment

• 500-800m2 run time (with 5.0Ah battery). echo-tools.co.uk

STIHL HSA 150

Launch date: April 2025

The HSA 150 is the first battery-powered single-sided hedge trimmer available in the AP System, comparable in performance to the HS 87 petrol models. Available in rough cut (R) or trim (T) versions, with cutter bar lengths of 30” or 40”.

• A single-sided design which reduces the likelihood of the operator coming into contact with the cutter bar. Catcher plate included for faster top cuts

• Ergonomic handle position makes pivoting the HSA 150 easy with reduced strain on wrists, simple manoeuvrability and excellent balance

• Easy-to-use controls with infinitely variable speed control and three-speed settings

• Recommended with the lightweight AP 200 S, the battery is located within the tool instead of via a power cable, for more convenient working

• A new gear design, featuring a two-step planetary gear with an integrated slip clutch to protect the gearbox, with improved cold start-up and higher cutting force. stihl.co.uk

DUA200 18V LXT Pole Saw

A powerful yet lightweight telescopic pole saw, delivering a chain speed of 6.7m/s for smooth cutting. When used with a 6.0Ah BL1860B battery, the pole saw offers up to 600 cuts in 50mm cedar square timber.

• Slim, lightweight design of tool head section for easy pruning of high branches

• Adjustable head angle for precise positioning in nine stages between 60° upwards and 60° downwards

• Telescopic pole extends reach from 1,600mm to 2,500mm

• Tool-less chain adjustment for quick and easy change of chain tension

• Convenient branch hook to easily remove cut branches. makitauk.com

ECHO

DPPT-2600LW

Launching: Spring 2025

The DPPT-2600LW is Echo’s first 56V professional cordless telescopic pole pruner. Its low overall weight and ultra-light cutting head enable both high maneuverability and longer use.

• 4 .5kg (without battery) dry weight

• 2810mm – 3990mm length

• 56V rated voltage

• 21.2m/s vs 2620 14.2m/s chain speed. echo-tools.co.uk

STIHL

BRA 500 & 600

Launch date: Summer 2025

The first handheld tools available in the new Double AP Platform, the BRA 500 and BRA 600 battery-powered backpack blowers are the new most powerful blowers in the AP System. Both models have identical features, with the BRA 600 having a higher maximum blowing force.

• Blowing force of 35N, equivalent to the popular petrol BR 600 model

• Thanks to the Double AP Platform, the BRA 500 & BRA 600 use two AP batteries to power a 72V motor for increased performance

• Like all Stihl AP System tools, they maintain constant power output throughout their entire charge

• Both models benefit from excellent weight distribution and balance, with the batteries and motor positioned snuggly against the operator’s back

• An innovative noise reduction system makes it more comfortable for the operator to use and is ideal for use in public spaces.

Launch date: February 2025

Husqvarna Charging Hubs are vehicle-integrated solutions for charging, transporting, and storing your batteries. With this hub on your flatbed or work vehicle, you can charge up to 16 Husqvarna BLi-X 36V batteries, as well as store and transport them in an organised way when not in use. When it's time to charge, the hub is easily plugged into a standard wall socket, eliminating time-consuming battery handling at the beginning and end of the workday.

• Active cooling for efficient cooling of the battery during charging and discharging

• Available in small, large and flatbed configurations

• External sockets for mounting additional chargers

• External mounting points for storage and battery boxes

• Charge up to 8 batteries in the small version, or 16 in the large and flatbed versions. husqvarna.com/uk

PROJECT DETAILS

Design

Katerina Kantalis

Build Phil Sutton Landscapes

Awards RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival Awards: Gold medal winner, Best Get Started Garden, Best Construction Award

THE WAY HOMEGreening

In 2020, like many, garden designer Katerina Kantalis found herself spending more time in the garden, it was there she discovered how deep her passion for gardening went. Soon after enrolling in a garden design course at the British Academy of Garden Design to retrain, she began volunteering at Downe House with English Heritage – before eventually founding her own garden design business. Over time Kantalis has established her design style of creating functional and tailored spaces grounded in ecological sustainability.

Over the last several years the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has been working to make its portfolio of shows more ecological and sustainable, from reducing waste, using renewable energy, and promoting sustainable gardening. It was at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in 2024 that Kantalis made her debut, drawing on her heritage and sustainable signature to snag a hat-trick of awards for her Get Started Garden, The Mediterraneo Garden. Join Kantalis as she takes us through how she brought her inaugural show garden to life.

Katerina Kantalis on how she balanced functionality, heritage and sustainability in her award-winning show garden

KATERINA WITH RHS DIRECTOR GENERAL CLARE MATTERSON AFTER WINNING A GOLD MEDAL AND THE AWARDS FOR BEST GET STARTED GARDEN AND BEST CONSTRUCTION AWARD

The inspiration behind the garden

Originally from Adelaide, Australia, I’ve spent half my life in the UK, drawing inspiration from my Greek heritage and my parents’ journey as first-generation immigrants. Growing up, our suburban Adelaide garden was a slice of Greece – filled with vegetable beds, fruit trees, chickens, beehives for fresh honey, and endless space for childhood games. Plus, spending time in Greece during all seasons, helped cement my passion for the Mediterranean way of life.

For the garden itself, I drew inspiration from the warmth and vibrancy of Greek landscapes, seeking to transplant the iconic features into British gardens – from the rustic allure of terracotta pots, natural limestone features, to the practicality of permeable landscaping and gravel pathways. I wanted to demonstrate that beautiful gardens are possible with creative permeable hardscaping and drought tolerant planting. By imparting aspects of Greek and Australian gardening traditions I wanted to show how these principles can enrich British gardens, creating spaces with ecological value, aesthetic impact and resilience, especially with our evolving UK climate.

Functionality meets sustainability

Balancing functionality and aesthetics required thoughtful consideration of both practical needs and visual impact. Every design element served a dual purpose. The arch provided structure, symmetry, and a visual focal point. The stepped wall enhanced views, incorporated functional zones, and added to the Greek-inspired aesthetic. The paths and seating areas ensured usability while blending seamlessly with the planting design. Ultimately, the garden demonstrated how careful planning can transform even a compact space into a functional, harmonious, and visually stunning retreat.

A deeper look into the design

• Arch: To streamline the process, we prefabricated the arch off-site. This allowed for quick installation on-site, with just minor adjustments needed to perfect it. For the left wall, we took an extra step to speed up the cladding process: each piece of limestone was pre-numbered, ensuring it could be matched precisely to its place on the wall, saving time and reducing errors.

• Rear Wall: The 2m rear wall added structure and provided an opportunity to create a focal point. I designed an arch – a key element of Greek architecture – that served as the centerpiece of the garden. The arch directed the eye upward and created symmetry, with the central path leading through the garden and framing the space beautifully. The limestone cladding on the arch was echoed on the shorter left wall, tying the design together.

• All Green

• Mandarin Stone

• Rivars Sand and Gravel

• The Otter Nursery

• Maze Living

• The Terracotta Pot Company

• Kinley SUPPLIERS

Visitor takeaways

The garden demonstrated how careful planning can transform even a compact space into a functional, harmonious, and visually stunning retreat

My goal is to transform people's attitudes toward their gardens, from disinterest to pride and engagement. If I can guide someone from requesting a 'low maintenance' garden to actively participating in its care – clearing weeds, pruning, growing vegetables, and involving their children while observing wildlife – I consider that a significant achievement. Moreover, I wanted to impart aspects of Greek and Australian lifestyle and demonstrate how these principles can enrich British gardens as we start to use our gardens differently.

The importance of sustainability

With the changing climate, I wanted to show how we need to reconsider how we design our gardens. Whilst not everyone may opt for a gravel garden, we can still learn valuable lessons from this style and from Mediterranean practices. Natural stone products offer an eco-friendly solution for garden design due to their durability, minimal maintenance requirements, and versatility.

PLANTING

Trees

• Feijoia sellowiana

• Punica granatum: Known for its drought resistant qualities and ability to reach up to 2.5m in height, this non-native species bears fruit in the autumn.

Herbs

• Origanum vulgare

• Salvia rosmarinus ‘Sissinghurst Blue’: A bushy upright shrub that blooms in mid-spring and summer, also known as rosemary ‘Sissinghurst Blue’ performs better in moist but welldrained soil.

• Thymus Coccineus Group

Herbaceous perennials

• Left Wall: Instead of a uniform height, the left wall stepped down in tiers. This allowed us to add the terracotta pots, which were integral to the garden’s Greek aesthetic, encouraging visitors to engage with the garden by peering over the wall, as well as zoning the space effectively, creating distinct areas for planting beds and paths.

Maximising a small space

Precise measurements ensured every feature fit seamlessly, proving that even small gardens can be multifunctional and stylish. The garden was divided into key zones: paths, a seating area, a pottering area, and planting beds. While the design was symmetrical, circular movement was introduced with two entrance/exit points, promoting flow and inviting visitors on a journey through the space. The paths and seating area were connected for ease of movement, while the planting beds were generously sized to showcase the trees as focal points and allow for layered underplanting.

• Achillea ‘Moonshine’: With bright yellow flowers which bloom from May through to September, thrives in sunny and exposed conditions.

• Achillea ‘Terracotta’

• Helianthemum ‘Ben More’: Flowering in spring and summer, this low spreading evergreen shrub offers foliage all-year round in sunny conditions.

• Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’

Grass

• Carex Testacea ‘Prairie Fire’: Also known as New Zealand sedge ‘Prairie Fire’, this evergreen perennial grass is part of the Cyperaceae family and can grow in both sunny and partially shaded conditions.

• Stipa tenuissima

Sourced from responsibly managed quarries, natural stone minimizes environmental impact. Its diverse range of colors, textures, and shapes allows for creative freedom while maintaining an eco-friendly approach. Additionally, natural stone's thermal properties contribute to energy efficiency by regulating temperature in garden environments, reducing the need for artificial heating or cooling.

As temperatures rise, our plant choices will need to adapt. It's important to rethink the materials and growing mediums we use

The RHS’s portfolio of shows provide a platform for designers to not only raise awareness but also capture the current ecological climate, putting it front and centre for visitors to explore – but this creates a balancing act of functionality, sustainability and aesthetic, which Kantalis has shown is no small feat, but it is one that she is sure many designers, contractors and other land-based professionals agree is worth it.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

Working with the contractors

There was a real sense of camaraderie. We were in it together, laughing, stressing, and collaborating, all knowing exactly what had to be done.

The results

I never in a million years thought I’d win gold at my first RHS show, but that moment when they walked up to me and gave me the medal was a huge shock.

The Feijoa sellowiana

They were beautifully in flower, creating a huge talking point for visitors. The kiwi (a common turn of phrase referring to New Zelanders) visitors loved it. There was one woman who hadn’t been back home to New Zealand for years, we were talking when she looked up to see the flowering Feijoa sellowiana and burst into tears, it evoked many childhood memories for her. For me gardens, plants, flowers evoke not only beauty and purpose but also a sense of place and belonging to a location, a home or a time in your life.

Permeable paving presents another environmentally sustainable option for garden design. By allowing rainwater to infiltrate through the surface and replenish groundwater, permeable paving reduces runoff, mitigates stormwater pollution, and prevents flooding and erosion. This paving system also promotes healthy plant growth by providing direct access to water and helps to reduce the urban heat island effect by allowing water evaporation, resulting in lower ambient temperatures and improved air quality.

As temperatures rise, our plant choices will need to adapt. It's important to rethink the materials and growing mediums we use. Additionally, we should aim to create spaces that promote calm and well-being, using warm natural tones and incorporating scented, herbal, and colorful plants. Mediterranean trees, increasingly seen in the UK, can also enhance our gardens.

Biodiversity Benchmark accreditation recognises outstanding land management and showcases land-owning businesses’ commitment to nature.

• Strengthen your organisation’s environmental strategy.

• Work to a nationally recognised land management standard, compatible with ISO 14,001.

• Receive recognition for your biodiverse spaces and be a positive force for nature.

REGENERATES THE

Chris Churchman is using his quarterly article this year to address what he sees as a once in a generational opportunity for the industry and to try and offset some of the overly pessimistic views coming from the general media

Irecall a few years ago attending FutureScape and by chance walking into a packed auditorium listening to a panel of industry experts addressing the state of the industry, and it turned out they were all there for the after-event dinner. The panel members were asked what the pressures and opportunities prevailing at that time were, and how they saw things panning out the next year. They all replied pessimistically, gloomily predicting tight margins, difficult headwinds and so on. I could not contain myself pointing out that anyone in the green industry who couldn’t see a way to make money must have the wrong business plan.

Last year ended in gloom and despair across the entire economy and no doubt the landscape industry was not spared the fallout of the ‘Budget of Doom’. However, I still can’t help thinking again we have never had it so good. Don’t get me wrong, I do understand the very real concerns of business employers – staff and taxes are up and asset disposals on business sales are falling. And yet I still see Labour’s radical agenda having major benefits for the industry, perhaps not in 2025 but certainly 2026 and beyond.

If Labour gets anywhere close to building its predicted 1.5 million new homes over five years during this parliament then that alone will turbocharge the industry – perhaps not at the front end, but anyone supplying stock, installing or maintaining it is going to see a massive demand for their services and so ought to be able to generate very healthy profits.

I don’t personally understand all of the furore around inheritance tax or business asset disposal relief either. Let’s face it: we all already enjoy a £500k allowance to hand onto our children tax free, and for a couple it’s

£1m. Why does anyone need to hold more than £1M worth of assets to hand down to their children so they can perhaps spend it in 20 years' time? Surely if you have more than that amount you should be using it on cruises, flash cars or other luxuries, so putting money back into the economy.

I still see Labour’s radical agenda having major benefits for the industry, perhaps not in 2025 but certainly 2026 and beyond

For those affiliated to the farming sector and so affected by the removal of the breaks on inheritance tax when the family farm is passed on, again I am afraid I am not entirely behind their complaints, although I have huge sympathy with famers for other reasons. The fact is the farming workforce is too old, and has been for decades, in part encouraged by tax rules which insist that farmers retain an active involvement in their farms effectively until the day of their death. Surely farmers ought to be encouraged for reasons of finance and personal wellbeing to sort out the future of the farm long before they reach 70, handing down the estate to the next generation at an earlier date has to be good for everyone. And if the next generation don’t want to go into farming, then it can be sold to those who do at a more sensible price rather than the grossly inflated price currently prevailing.

Sometimes you have to think radically, and sometimes simply perpetuating the status quo is the road to ruin. Circumstances change, and policies and strategies have to change too. The challenge we face through climate change is akin to nothing we have seen before and so you cannot rely on old norms to keep the ship afloat. So, I am optimistic; in a year's time you can tell me I am wrong, but until then I am going to argue for change.

CHRIS CHURCHMAN

Chris Churchman is the founder of cquester, a not-forprofit venture seeking to raise awareness of the value of nature in addressing climate change. cquester.co.uk

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For all your planting projects and beyond why not give Spring Reach Nursery a try. Based in Surrey with over 25 years growing experience supplying leading garden designers and domestic landscapers you can expect a top quality service from initial enquiry through to delivery to site or collection. We have a superb choice of hardy nursery stock including some varieties that are not freely available.

•Always holding good stocks of those ever popular lines for immediate impact from large evergreen screening trees pleached panelled trees and multi-stems and specimen shrubs for immediate impact

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Iwas recently involved in events held at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on the transition to peat free in Scotland. Everyone in the discussion had points of merit and personal preferences that may or may not have been based on a desire for status quo over change. The Botanics and Scotland’s Rural College ably facilitated the discussion on behalf of ClimateXChange a Scottish Government initiative and are working on action points for government to establish and refine policy and timetables.

I do have an issue with the situation, however. This is the industry being able to respond to a move from government across the UK long after policy has been set and modified and implementation dates changed again and again. I find myself asking why government doesn’t or at least hasn’t been able to consult properly in advance of determining policy.

The good work being undertaken for the last few years on the peat transition is largely to compensate for a lack of discussion and planning by the previous government since around 2013 when we were told that peat’s days were numbered. Why is there a disconnect with government?

Under the

SURFACE

The discussion around transitioning away from peat continues –but are the right questions being asked, wonders Lewis Normand

horticulture has influence on sustainability, air quality, food production, mental health and wellbeing, urban cooling and so much more.

these plants should be allowed special dispensation to use a compost containing some peat while alternatives are developed.

We still have too much disconnect with our elected officials who are focused heavily on agriculture and fisheries, neglecting horticulture in their planning

I am a member of the Cross Party Gardening and Horticulture Group in Holyrood and have worked previously with the UK government Cross Party Group lobbying a new horticulture policy. We still have too much disconnect with our elected officials who are focused heavily on agriculture and fisheries, neglecting horticulture in their planning. This was demonstrated to me recently when an elected official with a responsibility for horticulture didn’t know the value of it to the economy, or the myriad touch points where

I have learned by engagement with government that we must remind politicians of what we do, our contributions to the economy, and why they matter –otherwise, these points get lost in the maelstrom of politics. For many, the peat-free transition is a discussion point that was had over a decade ago, and anyone who ignored the winds of change and stuck steadfastly to peat-based composts or burning peat were burying their heads in the sand. I am amazed at how many people this turns out to be in the UK.

The general consumer of plants for their gardens is much more responsive to this change than a lot of growers have been. This led the big sellers to make changes to their compost ranges several years ago and it concerns me that many growers didn’t see this as a certainty that changes would become law.

I am sympathetic for growers of plant groups like members of the Ericaceae, which do better in a compost containing at least some peat. The same is true for Sarracenia and other carnivorous plants. I believe that growers of

One area where I have limited knowledge, but a desire to learn, is in production of sphagnum moss peat, which when grown correctly is a sustainable medium that doesn’t encourage us to destroy the unique habitats of peat bogs, or to release endless carbon into the atmosphere. Beadamoss is a company that produces micropropagated sphagnum moss grown on soil, particularly in damp soils. In four years, this is harvestable and can be dried, processed and mixed with bark and composted bark to make a compost similar to peat. Working with Melcourt, a well-known peat free compost producer, it is developing something that is a workable solution for the future, at least in part.

Governments should be spending on trialling techniques like this now, not learning about what questions they didn’t ask us, way back when.

LEWIS NORMAND

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

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David Keegan offers a contrarian view on native planting, rewilding, and ‘woke horticulture’ in the UK

In recent years, the concepts of native planting, rewilding, and what some might term "woke horticulture" have gained prominence in the UK. Advocates argue these approaches are vital to restoring ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and addressing climate change. However, a contrarian perspective raises important questions: Is there a nativist ideology underlying these movements? How do we define "native" plants, and might the focus on nativity become less relevant – or even counterproductive – in the face of rapid environmental change?

The nativist ideology in "woke horticulture"

The term “woke horticulture” has emerged as a critique of an approach that intertwines ecological responsibility with social and political ideals. While the intentions are often admirable, the prioritisation of native plants may reflect a form of ecological nativism. This perspective risks excluding or vilifying non-native species without sufficient consideration of their ecological benefits or adaptability.

Historically, the idea of nativity is tied to a specific time and place. In the UK, native plants are generally defined as those that have existed in the region since the end of the last Ice Age, around 10,000 years ago. But does this definition remain meaningful in a world where human activity has profoundly altered ecosystems and climates?

Rigid emphasis on native species creates an exclusionary framework that does not reflect the complex, global nature of ecological systems. Non-native species can sometimes provide critical ecosystem services, such as food and shelter for pollinators, or greater resilience to changing climatic conditions.

Is

there a AT WORK IN

NATIVIST IDEOLOGY ‘WOKE’ HORTICULTURE?

What is a native plant?

Some native plants might struggle to thrive without significant human intervention, raising doubts about their sustainability in a changing climate

The definition of a "native" plant is surprisingly fluid and varies by context. In the UK, species such as oak trees (Quercus robur) and bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) are celebrated as iconic natives. Yet many species considered native arrived through natural processes of migration –sometimes aided by humans – over millennia. This raises questions about the value placed on nativity: Should a plant’s worth be determined by how long it has been in a particular region, or by the ecological services it provides? Plants such as the sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) are technically non-native, yet they have become an integral part of many UK ecosystems. Conversely, some native plants might struggle to thrive without significant human intervention, raising doubts about their sustainability in a changing climate.

QUERCUS ROBUR

Native plants and climate

change

Climate change is reshaping the very landscapes we seek to conserve. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events challenge the suitability of many native species. For example, trees like the English oak, emblematic of the UK countryside, may struggle to survive in southern England’s warming climate, whilst some non-native species better adapted to these conditions could fill ecological niches and maintain biodiversity.

What matters is not where a plant originates but how it contributes to ecological health and sustainability

The insistence on planting only native species may inadvertently undermine resilience. A diverse palette of plants – native and non-native – might offer a more pragmatic approach to building ecosystems capable of withstanding future uncertainties. However, this approach often faces resistance from proponents of strict nativity, who fear that embracing non-native species could lead to ecological homogenisation or the spread of invasive plants. There is also the added likelihood of a new range of harmful plant pests and diseases thriving under changed climatic conditions. This does not necessarily mean we should discount non-native species, but rather that we should enforce more stringent and thorough biosecurity measures.

In this context, Dr. Mark Gush, RHS head of environmental horticulture, emphasises that the RHS is encouraging the UK Government and Defra to broaden their perspective on the biodiversity net gain (BNG) initiative. According to Gush, "Under the realities of climate change and biodiversity loss in the UK, the RHS is encouraging greater recognition of the benefits of appropriate non-native plant species and cultivars towards enhancing and supporting biodiversity, while also acknowledging the important contribution of this wider palette of plants towards delivery of a range of additional beneficial ecosystem services – such as flood mitigation, thermal insulation, pollution capture, and human health and wellbeing – thereby enhancing the resilience and health of future landscapes."

A balanced approach

This critique does not seek to dismiss the value of native planting or rewilding but instead calls for a more nuanced approach. Native species are often well-suited to local wildlife and soil conditions,

but this is not universally true. The future of horticulture and conservation should prioritise functionality over rigid adherence to nativity. What matters is not where a plant originates but how it contributes to ecological health and sustainability.

The social and political dimensions of horticulture deserve scrutiny. The language of "purity" and "authenticity" in native planting initiatives can unintentionally echo exclusionary ideologies. By broadening the conversation to include non-native species, we can foster inclusivity –both ecologically and socially.

The bigger picture

As the UK grapples with biodiversity loss and climate change, the emphasis on native planting and rewilding provides valuable tools. However, these movements should not become dogmatic. A truly sustainable approach to horticulture and conservation must embrace adaptability, inclusivity, and ecological pragmatism. By moving beyond a narrow focus on nativity, we create landscapes that are not only biodiverse but also resilient to the challenges of a changing world.

The UK’s gardens and landscapes are filled with plants whose origins tell stories of global exchange and adaptation. The ubiquitous lavender (Lavandula spp.), cherished for its fragrance and drought tolerance, hails from the Mediterranean. Roses, a staple of English gardens, trace their origins to Asia, where species such as Rosa chinensis were hybridised into the varieties we know today. Even daffodils (Narcissus spp.), though native to parts of Europe, owe their widespread cultivation to human intervention and trade. Similarly, the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), beloved for its conkers, originates from the Balkans but is now deeply embedded in the UK’s cultural and ecological identity.

By focusing on the ecological role and adaptability of plants rather than geographic origins, we can create thriving, diverse, and sustainable landscapes that help us adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.

DAVID KEEGAN

David Keegan is a multi-award-winning garden designer and writer. His work has, over the years, achieved international recognition, winning awards at the International Landscape Design Awards in the USA. He also writes extensively on garden and landscape design for magazines and book publishers in the UK and overseas. He describes his approach to garden design as tailored to each client rather than having a particular house style, with emphasis on the connection between plants, hard surfaces, and the garden users’ interaction with both. His motto would be ‘It’s All About the Plants’. dkgardendesign.co.uk

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AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM

Five minutes with RACHEL BAILEY

Rachel Bailey MSGLD MAPL – director of Rachel Bailey Studio –shares how she champions sustainability throughout the company and its projects

How do you ensure Rachel Bailey Garden Design stays up to date on sustainable techniques and environmental innovations?

The team and I regularly attend conferences and symposiums, attend CPD both given within the industry and outside of it in related industries such as architecture and ecology and network with like-minded people who regularly share ideas. I am also the lead for sustainability for the Society of Garden & Landscape Designers, and together with a working group have organised bitesize webinars on environmental design, ecology and sustainability, and have been working with colleagues across industry to further develop Elemental (page 12), an environmental design tool to help us all create design solutions that are beneficial for the environment.

Where do you feel the garden design sector stands in the current sustainability climate?

There has been a lot of movement in the last couple of years and I think there is a definite appetite to actively address the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis in the gardens being designed. However, I feel there is a long way to go. Environmental design is nuanced – there are very few black and white answers, or dos and don'ts, which can make it hard to navigate, that and the lack of information or misleading information does not help.

There is the need for the industry to come together and address the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis as a united front

Could more be done to advance sustainability in the sector? And if so, what?

How is the practice embracing sustainability within its projects?

We embrace sustainability positively by considering it a creative opportunity rather than a constraint. I am a permaculture design practitioner, which I was before I continued my training in garden design, and I share this holistic environmental approach to design with my colleagues.

Pro Landscaper Sustainability & Biodiversity Awards 2024 Garden Design Company and Domestic Design Project winner

Any major projects we can look forward to in 2025?

In short, yes. What could be done is an article in its own right and runs from what we can do as individuals, to what we can do collectively as an industry to the local and national government level. Fundamentally, there is the need for the industry to come together and address the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis as a united front. We need to recognise that there are some methods, products and trends that just cannot continue any longer, and these cannot be supported. However, rather than pointing fingers, it would be better to work with people to help them make changes for the better.

We have some wonderfully exciting projects from large landscapes to small gardens, as well as a community garden we are working on this year. We are also creating a show garden at BBC Gardeners' World Live in June with the Association of Professional Landscapers for its 30th anniversary (page 25). The APLs ‘Where There’s Water, There’s Life’ garden will highlight the vital connection between water, plants, people, and nature. It will also be our 10th anniversary in practice, so a double celebration!

CONTACT

Rachel Bailey Studio

Email: hello@rachelbaileydesign.co.uk Phone: 07870 208 977 rachelbaileystudio.co.uk

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