Pro Landscaper November 2019

NOVEMBER 2O19

A MODERN ANGLE DAVID KEEGAN GARDEN DESIGN

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

CLIMATE CRISIS

WINTER IS COMING

small project BIG IMPACT Awards

Paul Bean, Nurture Landscapes

Nick Coslett explores the industry’s dilemmas

Staying safe in the colder months

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WELCOME

W E LCO M E W

change seriously. We should, in turn, be doing our bit to highlight the concerns to our clients.

This issue also sees us chat to John Wyer on page 55 about his company’s recent success with rebranding, as well as Paul Burnage on page 83, discussing the design behind Cannon Bridge Roof Gardens.

On 17 October, the first ever Future Landscape Conference in London took place. A packed room listened to a riveting succession of presentations, and delegates contributed to panel sessions and networked with the suppliers who supported the event. Keep an eye out for the next conference as details will be released in due time.

Finally, we’re feeling on top of the world after being recognised in the events industry at the EN Indy Awards in October. FutureScape’s show director Jamie Wilkinson picked up an award, while the event itself received a special commendation in the Best Brand Expansion category.

Have a great month, and we look forward to seeing lots of you at FutureScape. For those interested, it’s not too late to register – visit to find out more at: www.futurescapeevent.com.

JIM & LISA

THIS IS NO DOUBT THE BUSIEST AND MOST EXCITING MONTH OF THE YEAR FOR US. TUESDAY 19 NOVEMBER IS WHEN IT ALL COMES TOGETHER

©New Form Landscapes

elcome to November – in other words, FutureScape is almost here! This is no doubt the busiest and most exciting month of the year for us. Tuesday 19 November is when it all comes together and we celebrate the best of everything the landscape industry has to offer.

Importantly, we will be hailing the latest group of Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation at the event. Yet again, the judging process was extremely challenging with so many amazing achievements by younger professionals.

Pro Landscaper’s small project BIG IMPACT Awards ceremony will also take place at FutureScape. We were delighted to see the number and quality of entries received. The judges have deliberated and cogitated over the projects and arrived at the winning schemes – see page 14 for the fantastic shortlist.

In the Nurture section this month, Nick Coslett and Lewis Normand both focus on climate change in our industry, a topic which will also be discussed at FutureScape in several of the panel sessions.

This could be just the time for our industry to come to the forefront of the news, as 2019 has seen much media coverage, with movements like September’s global climate strikes encouraging the government to take the effects of climate

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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CONTENTS

INSPIRE

31

INFORM 08 10 14 16 19 24 26 28 31 4

Agenda How do we tackle OPM? News Our monthly roundup of industry news small project BIG IMPACT Revealing 2019’s shortlist Future Projects Heatherwick Studio

55 59 63 67

Let’s Hear It From Paul Bean Company Profile Mark Walker Grounds Maintenance View from the Top Marcus Watson Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?

Andrew Wilson Blast from the Past Weald & Downland

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37 40 44 48 52

44

97

A Green and Pleasant Slope David Keegan Garden Design Reviving Brutalism Refolo Landscape Architects Somewhere to Grow New Form Landscapes Landscape Architect’s Journal The terra firma Consultancy Adding Wellbeing to Your Design Brief Debs Winrow Focus on the Future John Wyer Reviving Berrington Hall Ana Vaughan and David Bailey Urban Fires A talk with the Love Island supplier 30 Under 30: The Next Generation Announcing this year’s winners

NURTURE 83 86 88 91 95 97 98 99

Feature Garden Cannon Bridge Roof Garden How Trees Add Value Trees and Design Action Group Climate Crisis Nick Coslett Futureproofing Plants Lewis Normand Nursery Focus Majestic Trees Topsoil: Natural vs Manufactured Substitute Boughton Loam Topsoil Three industry-leading projects Product DNA Bourne Amenity

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CONTENTS

N OV E M B E R 2 01 9 E D U C AT E 103 104 105 107 110 113 117

124

The North/South Divide Lee Bestall Illuminating Structures Neil Parslow A Weighty Issue Angus Lindsay Working in Winter Health and safety in the colder months Accounting Software Analysing the popular choices Go and See FutureScape Materials Focus Perfectly Green

104

19

PEOPLE 121 122 123 124 127 130

Out & About Future Landscape Conference NOVEMBER 2O19

What’s Your Role?

Darren Moorcroft

A MODERN ANGLE DAVID KEEGAN GARDEN DESIGN

30 Under 30 Update Inez Williams Life/Style David Stevens What I’m Reading Peter Donegan Little Interviews Quick-fire questions with the individuals who make up our industry

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

CLIMATE CRISIS

WINTER IS COMING

small project BIG IMPACT Awards

Paul Bean, Nurture Landscapes

Nick Coslett explores the industry’s dilemmas

Staying safe in the colder months

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CONTRIBUTORS

CO N T R I B U TO R S Marcus Watson As climate change continues to be a cause for concern, Marcus demonstrates a few simple ways in which businesses can change in the wake of declarations of a climate emergency in order to make a difference, and insists that the time to act is now.

P26

ANDREW WILSON P28

W W W.GROUND-CONTROL.CO.UK @GROUNDCONTROLGC

Debs Winrow

NICK COSLETT P88

Gardens are so often the places people go to relax and unwind, and our industry can provide incredibly comforting spaces. Debs talks us through how to add extra wellbeing elements to a space to create spaces which are healthy for both the body and the mind.

P52

LEWIS NORMAND P91

W W W.GARDENHOUSEDESIGN.CO.UK @GARDENHOUSEDSGN

Lee Bestall Lee discusses the differences which present themselves when designing gardens for clients in the north and for the south, including variance in budgets, design aesthetics and the allure of prestigious London projects.

P103

KENTON ROGERS P86

W W W.BESTALL.CO.UK @LEETHEGARDENER

Neil Parslow

ANGUS LINDSAY P105

This month Neil explores the lighting of exterior structures, a challenging aspect of a garden design that requires careful consideration. He explains how to ensure these structures remain a focal point, even at night.

CONTACT

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Eljays44 Ltd 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA Tel: 01903 777 570 EDITORIAL Editorial director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 579 Head of content – Nina Mason nina.mason@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570 Features writer – Rachael Forsyth rachael.forsyth@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 578 Features writer – Frankie Youd frankie.youd@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570 Equipment editor – Rachel Gordon proarbeditor@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570 Subeditor – Katrina Roy katrina.roy@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570 Subeditor – Sam Seaton sam.seaton@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570

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by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2019 subscription price is £95. Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA, UK. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

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MANAGEMENT Managing Director Jim Wilkinson Director Lisa Wilkinson Business Development Manager Jamie Wilkinson Cover image ©David Keegan Garden Design

Pro Landscaper / November 2019

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INFORM

AGENDA

WITH OAK PROCESSIONARY MOTH BECOMING A GROWING CONCERN, HOW SHOULD WE, AS AN INDUSTRY, RESPOND TO THE ISSUE? Caroline Ayre

Nick Coslett

Helen Elks-Smith

NATIONAL MANAGER FOR ENGLAND, CONFOR

HORTICULTURAL CONSULTANT, PALMSTE AD NURSERIES AND BALI

OWNER, ELKS-SMITH LANDSCAPE AND GARDEN DESIGN

Confor has worked closely with the UK Government and its agencies to introduce tighter controls. We had already produced a paper calling for an immediate ban of high risk trees. We hope that these restrictions are not ‘too little too late’

As usual, we seem to always close the door after the horse has bolted!

Our government agencies – Defra – are as usual just too slow in assessing the risk to the UK’s plant health, and they are under-resourced. Lessons which should have been learnt from ash dieback have not stopped an invasion, or rather an introduction, of infected oak trees.

The desire to trade seems to outweigh good biosecurity. There have been some 60 incidents within the UK’s Protected Zone for importing oaks, all

Back in 2014, OPM was limited to within the M25. In 2018, restrictions were introduced and strengthened this year.

Given that OPM was introduced some 10

THE TIME IS NOW TO STOP ALL OAK IMPORTS AS EU PLANT HEALTH CHECKS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT

years ago, reactions to this and similar threats have been slow. My understanding is that OPM was introduced by a tree imported directly to site. Importing oak trees and any other plants that may harbour pests and diseases needs to be controlled. Importing direct to site has to be a questionable practice.

Sourcing plants from reputable companies able to demonstrate they take biosecurity seriously is essential.

For some pests and diseases, a blanket ban on all imports is not necessarily needed, but for others it is. We have a duty to keep our knowledge up to date as things change from one year to another.

THE CONSTANT MESSAGE IS ‘INSPECT, INSPECT AND INSPECT AGAIN and ask that industry remains vigilant.

The constant message is: inspect, inspect and inspect again.

The new measures will only permit imports of certain oak trees, including those from OPM-free countries and those from designated pest-free areas, including Protected Zones (PZs), an area of the EU declared free of OPM. The restrictions will cover both imports from overseas and the movement of trees from areas of the country where OPM is already present. Woodland managers, landowners, the forest industry and tree nurseries have been reminded to remain vigilant and to check recently planted large oak trees as a priority.

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Pro Landscaper / November 2019

supposedly with adequate phytosanitary certificates. The time is now to stop all oak imports, as EU plant health checks are not sufficient. Perhaps if Brexit does happen, we can draw up far stricter rules. I also feel that UK tree growers need to grow more here.

SOURCING PLANTS FROM REPUTABLE COMPANIES ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THEY TAKE BIOSECURITY SERIOUSLY IS ESSENTIAL

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24/10/2019 09:18

INFORM

Marcus Watson

Nicola Spence

David Keegan

MANAGING DIRECTOR, GROUND CONTROL

CHIEF PLANT HEALTH OFFICER, DEFRA

OWNER, DAVID KEEGAN GARDEN DESIGNS

Part of our industry’s role in society is that we care for our environment and we must take the issue of biosecurity and imported pests extremely seriously, above commercial considerations.

The UK government has invested more than £4.5m into strengthening our border security, recruiting new plant inspectors and augmenting training.

Defra has recently introduced strengthened national legislation to protect oak trees against OPM through movement and import. The legislation prohibits the movement of certain oak trees into the OPM Protected Zone unless specific conditions are met.

In a recent meeting with Defra representatives, a group of Horticultural Trades Association traders and growers are urging importers to ensure oaks being brought into the UK comply with current legislation to combat OPM. The industry and public should be vigilant for OPM and report it to the government tree health portal, known as Tree Alert.

Like many pests and diseases affecting trees and shrubs in the UK, oak processionary moth is a non-native pest imported into the country. Most recent diseases to enter the UK on plant material are the result of poor biosecurity at point of entry.

I am concerned that not enough preventative action is in place to properly inspect, manage and ban the import of certain species of trees and shrubs.

However, trade nurseries are taking

WE CAN MAKE A LARGE POSITIVE IMPACT ON PREVENTING THE IMPORT AND SPREAD OF THIS INJURIOUS PEST, ABOVE AND BEYOND THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS FROM DEFRA Oak processionary moth, whilst largely contained within the M25, has recently seen outbreaks further afield, in part due to the planting of infected imported specimens. As an industry, we can make a large positive impact on preventing the import and spread of this injurious pest, above and beyond the current recommendations and obligations from Defra, specifically only sourcing specimens from the UK grown outside infection zones, or advising customers of the benefits of doing so as well as the risks to the environment and their reputation in the event of an outbreak.

Also, advise customers on alternative, less-susceptible species. Where OPM is found on any site, report it to the landowner. And if this is one of your competencies, help them eradicate the outbreak and manage their tree stock.

THE INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC SHOULD BE VIGILANT FOR OPM AND REPORT THEM TO THE GOVERNMENT TREE HEALTH PORTAL, KNOWN AS TREE ALERT OPM is one of a number of pressures facing our oak trees. Over the last five years, Defra has invested over £10m on oak health, including the management of the OPM outbreak in the London and Surrey area and research to develop novel control techniques.

NOT ENOUGH PREVENTATIVE ACTION IS IN PLACE TO PROPERLY INSPECT, MANAGE AND BAN THE IMPORT OF CERTAIN SPECIES OF TREES AND SHRUBS active measures by not importing affected species into the UK. I was recently told by a supplier that I could not have the 16 Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata Koster’. I was happy with the enforcement, as were my clients, and we chose a substitute instead.

I do, however, think that we need a more proactive approach with a preventative ban on the import of species that are proved to be susceptible to lethal pests and diseases. The reality is that there are many unscrupulous traders who will simply ignore the problem. In the end, our biosecurity is far too important to allow that to happen.

N E X T M O N T H : W I T H C L I M AT E C H A N G E B EC O M I N G A N I N C R E A S I N G LY H OT TO P I C , D O E S T H E N E W E N V I R O N M E N TA L B I L L G O FA R E N O U G H I N A D D R E S S I N G T H E P R O B L E M ? ?

H AV E YO U R S AY: C O N T E N T@ E L J AYS 4 4 .C O M

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INFORM

NEWS ECO L A N DSCAP ES J O IN S FO RCES W IT H N U RT U R E L AN DSCAP ES

E

co Landscapes has joined forces with the Nurture Landscapes Group in a collaboration that will continue to strengthen and enhance the service portfolio to clients across the south of England for both companies.

St Albans-based Eco Landscapes was founded in 2008 by managing director Alex Ufton, who will remain with Nurture, focusing on the company’s existing clients and new business development. The operational and management teams delivering the service on the ground will remain in situ and will continue to work out of Eco Landscapes’ head office in St Albans, ensuring continuity of service to its clients.

The deal concluded on 30 September 2019 and Eco will continue to trade under its own name until 30 November 2019. It will

move to the Nurture brand from 1 December 2019. This acquisition is the 22nd to date that Nurture Landscapes has completed over the past 11 years.

Alex said: “I am delighted that we’ve joined the Nurture family. This union works perfectly for Eco Landscapes and Nurture Landscapes, whom we share similar best practice with.

“Our client base is similar, so our customers can now benefit from the industry expertise and resources of two great businesses.” www.nurturelandscapes.co.uk

ENTRIES OPEN FOR PRO LANDSCAPER PODIUM AWARDS AWARDS For the UK’s domestic and commercial rooftop projects

E

ntries are now open for the Pro Landscaper Podium Awards 2020, sponsored by Bourne Amenity, following the hugely successful launch of the awards at the inaugural FutureScape Spring last year. Podiums are one of the fastest growing trends in the landscaping sector, Pro Landscaper wants to recognise those who have built, designed or supplied beautiful landscapes on these structures.

The 2019 ceremony was hailed as a great success by those who attended, giving the audience the perfect opportunity to network with new contacts over canapes and champagne. Held at the spring version of the prestigious FutureScape on 17 March 2020, attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the new Podium Landscapes Festival.

There are nine categories available to enter. For further information, visit: www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ podiumawards

SEE US AT STA ND 153

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24/10/2019 12:43

INFORM

PLANNING APPLICATION SUBMITTED FOR FIRST PHASE OF MAYFIELD

T

he £1.4bn transformation of Mayfield into a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood in the heart of Manchester has taken a significant step forward with the submission of a planning application for the first phase of development at the site.

The application includes the creation of Mayfield Park – the city centre’s first new park in more than 100 years. This will be created on the banks of the River Medlock running through the heart of the 30-acre regeneration scheme. The first phase of development also includes a high quality, nine-storey, 70,000ft2 office building overlooking the new park, and a

545-space multi-storey car park. Also, a separate application for a larger flagship 12-storey office building is expected to be made this autumn.

Richard Upton, chief development officer at property developer U+I, said: “We have been delighted by the overwhelming positivity response to our recent public consultation on Mayfield Park and look forward to starting work on this amazing new amenity for the people of Manchester.”

Subject to planning consent, work will commence on the Mayfield development early in 2020. www.mayfieldmanchester.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF NEW REMEMBRANCE GARDEN CREATED FOR LOROS HOSPICE Coles Nurseries, along with East Midlands Landscaping, helped to build a garden for LOROS Hospice’s ‘Always Remembered’ event in Jubilee Square, Leicester. The garden was opened on Monday 2 September and was open to the public for the remainder of the week. www.colesnurseries.co.uk

GROUND CONTROL LTD INVESTS IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES Ground Control has invested in a fleet of 32 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles, taking the total number to more than 40. This is part of a company-wide environmental strategy that will see Ground Control’s 100 company cars transition to electric vehicles over the next 12 months. www.ground-control.co.uk

SGD ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR THE SGD AWARDS 2020

A

shortlist of 23 projects has been announced across 13 award categories for the SGD Awards 2020. These spaces include a cliff garden in Bermuda, a roof garden and basement courtyard in an old factory building in London, a family garden on an cliff top overlooking the North Sea and a modern meadow.

Selected by a panel of leading figures in the garden design industry, the projects represent some of the very best in garden design from the UK and abroad. Spanning residential gardens, public and commercial spaces and community projects.

For the first time, the shortlist also includes contenders for the Beth Chatto Award, introduced this year to highlight the

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global impact ecological planting can have, by recognising a project where the design demonstrates the creative, ecological use of materials and planting to maximise sustainability, minimise maintenance and attract pollinators and wildlife.

Finalists in the three Residential Garden categories, the International, Public & Commercial Outdoor Space, Garden Jewel, Roof Garden and Beth Chatto Award categories have been entered into the People’s Choice Award. The same finalists will also be competing for the highly coveted Grand Award. The winners will be announced at the SGD Awards Ceremony on 31 January 2020. www.sgd.org.uk

ANN-MARIE POWELL NOMINATED AS A WOMAN OF THE YEAR Ann-Marie Powell has been nominated as a Woman of the Year at the annual Women of the Year Lunch and Awards. The annual event was held on 14 October and is the UK’s longest running celebration of extraordinary women. www.womenoftheyear.co.uk www.ann-mariepowell.com

Pro Landscaper / November 2019

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INFORM

Online Exclusives COMPANY PROFILE: LANGLEA We spoke to Francesca and Lea Sideris, directors of Langlea, to find out more about how the company was established and the work they carry out. www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ company-profile-langlea

THE BIG LITTLE INTERVIEW: KATE SAVILL The first in a series of new online exclusive features in which we ask a series of fun quick-fire questions.

This time we speak to Kate Savill. www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ the-big-little-interview-kate-savill

BRINGING BIOPHILIA TO YOUR OFFICE We look at the importance of biophilic design and the impact it can have on your mental wellbeing, as well as ways it can be implemented into your office space. www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ bring-biophilia-to-your-office

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I DVERDE ACQUIRES TCL GROUP

G

reen services provider idverde has confirmed the acquisition of TCL Group. Under the leadership of TCL’s executive chairman, Simon Cashmore, TCL has established itself as a niche national provider of landscaping, play products and grounds maintenance services to a diverse UK customer base.

With regional hubs in Derby, Northampton, Dorking and Melksham, TCL has annual sales of £65m and employs over 850 colleagues, delivering its products and services to a range of blue chip and public sector clients.

This acquisition expands idverde’s UK portfolio of services, providing a complementary offer to existing clients in both companies and further develops idverde’s extensive national coverage. The group’s turnover is in excess of €600m, with more than 6,000 employees across France, Holland and the UK. Simon Cashmore and the TCL executive management team will take up senior roles

within idverde. Doug Graham, CEO of idverde UK, commented: “We have been tracking TCL for some time and have been impressed with the way in which the business has developed and are really pleased to have secured the deal.

“In addition to its grounds maintenance services delivered through the Royal Warrant holding Burleys division, with TCL’s play area and housebuilder services, TCL brings new and enhanced service capability to idverde.

It strengthens our strategy to be the green services provider of choice, something which is underpinned by our 3,850 directly employed colleagues.

“I am delighted to welcome Simon and the TCL team to the business as they continue into the next chapter of the journey as part of the idverde team.” www.idverde.co.uk

GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES NEW ENVIRONMENT BILL

T

he government has introduced an Environment Bill to Parliament to tackle climate change. The Environment Bill is said to help ensure that we maintain and improve our environmental protections as we leave the EU. Measures will be introduced to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution and restore habitats so plants and wildlife can thrive.

Legislation will also create legally-binding environmental improvement targets. A new independent Office for Environmental Protection will be established to scrutinise environmental policy and law, investigate complaints and take enforcement action against public authorities, if necessary, to uphold environmental standards. The office’s

powers will cover all climate change legislation and hold the government to account on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

The bill has many points to it, but perhaps the most important for our industry is how it will restore and enhance nature – through biodiversity net gain. It aims to ensure that the new houses built are delivered in a way which protects and enhances nature, helping to deliver thriving natural spaces for local communities.

It will also improve protection for our natural habitats in supporting a Nature Recovery Network by establishing Local Nature Recovery Strategies and giving communities a greater say in the protection of local trees. www.parliament.uk

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24/10/2019 12:45

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H A R R I N G T O N P O R T E R LT D D I G H T O N R OA D

SAUTERELLE GARDEN & LANDSCAPE DESIGN W I N C H E S T E R T OW N G A R D E N

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Build <£25k

B OWO O D L A N D S C A P E S LT D JANE LEWIS GARDEN

small project

BIG IMPACT

ELMTREE GARDEN CONTRACTORS LTD P R AY E R G A R D E N AT S T T E R E S A' S C AT H O L I C P R I M A RY S C H O O L

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

KIRMAN DESIGN P R E S T O N C O U R T YA R D G A R D E N

NORDLAND LANDSCAPES S O U T H PA R A D E

SAM KEEP LANDSCAPES C E R C I S PA S S AG E

AZARA LANDSCAPES W E S T BY F L E E T PERGOLA

S P O N S O R E D BY

D E S I G N S BY K ATJ A LT D AT R I U M G L A B A I S

M C S L A N D S C A P I N G LT D F I R E P I T C OV E N T RY

Planting design <£20k

Special Feature <£20k

THIS YEAR WE RECEIVED SOME INCREDIBLE ENTRIES – THE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT FUTURESCAPE 2020

AMANDA BROUGHTON GARDEN DESIGN K I N G S WO O D H O U S E BUTTER WAKEFIELD GARDEN DESIGN LTD INTERIOR STELLA

C I T YS C A P E S WESTMINSTER KINGSWAY COLLEGE – EUSTON GREEN LINK POCKET PARK L E A F M A R K G A R D E N D E S I G N LT D RIVERFLOW

S L AT E G R E Y D E S I G N BEECHMONT HALL (LOWER TERRACE) TECTONIC – LANDSCAPE, ARCHITECTURE & GARDEN DESIGN

R OX A N A F R A S E R G A R D E N D E S I G N THE MOUNT

Temporary Installation <£25k

HADLEY WOOD OUTDOOR KITCHEN

LANDTECH LANDSCAPE 3D GARDEN DESIGN AND BUILD

S P O N S O R E D BY

TENDERCARE NURSERIES BAUHAUS INSPIRED

WA R D R O P D E S I G N S CHELSEA 2017 LUCY SMITH’S SHOW STAND

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S P O N S O R E D BY

HADLEY

OOD OUTDOOR

ITCHEN – TECTONIC

Pro Landscaper / November 2019 15

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INFORM

FUTURE PROJECTS F

ToranomonAzabudai TOKYO, JAPAN CONSTRUCTION HAS COMMENCED ON THE REGENERATION OF TOKYO’S TORANOMON-AZABUDAI DISTRICT, WITH RENOWNED UK FIRM HEATHERWICK STUDIO AT THE HELM OF THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN

amously flooded with the glow of neon tower, which boasts 64 floors as well as lights, Tokyo typically evokes images cutting-edge earthquake proof technology of a fast-paced city, with to cope with the seismic activity to world-leading technology which the area is prone. One of the and more than 13 million residents. It two other skyscrapers to be built rarely brings to mind pictures of a on the site, also designed HA green oasis, and rightly so – a meagre

by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, APPROXIMATELY 7.5% of the capital is green space, will become the second-tallest 2 according to the World Cities Culture building in Tokyo at 263m.

Forum. But the redevelopment of its Award-winning practice Toranomon-Azabudai district is set to Heatherwick Studio has been push up the percentage, with brought on board by Japanese 24,000m2 of green space being property management firm Mori included in the 8.1ha project.

Building Company to design the Construction is underway for the public realm and the lower-level impressive scheme, which has been podium architecture, landscaping 30 years in the making. It finally and retail for the site, including a received approval as a designated 6,000m2 central landscape square.

National Strategic Special Zone in This will be the first project in Japan DATE OF PL A NNED COMPLETION 2017 and is set to bring in around 30 to go into construction for the million visitors a year, with 213,900m2 London-based studio – which of office space, 1,400 residential units, is also working on the new Google as well as a school and a temple. headquarters in King’s Cross, and The 'modern urban village', whose founder, Thomas OF PLANNING situated in the Minato City of Tokyo, Heatherwick, created the London is set to cost a hefty ¥580bn and will 2012 Olympic Cauldron – and work feature the tallest skyscraper in the country, is expected to be completed by spring 2023. at a dizzying height of 330m. The US firm, Pelli To ensure a wealth of green space at Clarke Pelli Architects, has designed the main ground level and above, Heatherwick Studio

8.1

24,000M

GREEN SPACE

2023

©Heatherwick Studio / Darcstudio

YEARS

30

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©Heatherwick Studio / DBox

HIGH

43 METRE PERGOLA

HEATHERWICK STUDIO HAS DESIGNED A SPECTACULAR 43M-HIGH PLANTED PERGOLA, SHROUDING ONE OF THE SITE’S BUILDINGS IN GREENERY has designed a spectacular 43m-high planted pergola, shrouding one of the site’s buildings in greenery. “As many new developments around the world can be harsh and sterile, we wondered if we could provide a more human-centred alternative by integrating surprisingly intense

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24/10/2019 12:02

P R OJ ECT D E TA I L S Client Mori Building Company Landscape designers Heatherwick Studio Architects Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects Heatherwick Studio project team: Founder Thomas Heatherwick Group leader Neil Hubbard Project leader Michael Lewis Project manager Etienne de Vadder

©Heatherwick Studio / DBox

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“It’s been a remarkable period over the last four years to work with Mori Building Company, to create this new part of Tokyo – going beyond the norms of typical large mixed-use

THE PROJECT TEAM HOPES THIS WILL BE JAPAN’S FIRST ZERO-EMISSION NEIGHBOURHOOD developments to create something meaningfully embedded within the city,” says Neil Hubbard, group leader at Heatherwick Studio.

Toranomon-Azabudai will bring a substantial touch of green to Tokyo and substantially

©Heatherwick Studio / Darcstudio

quantities of planting and greenery,” says Thomas. “As a way of combining an architectural construction system with significant amounts of nature, we developed the idea of a garden pergola scaled-up to district size. This concept has allowed us to bring an overarching logic to an 8ha piece of Tokyo, whilst also making space for facilities such as housing, shops, hotels, spas, a school and a temple within the sections framed by the grid.”

The studio is hoping to create a unique identity for the mixed-use development.

As well as being a cultural and economic hub, the “city within a city” will serve as a space for improving wellbeing and showcasing sustainability, with 100% of the electricity supplied to be from renewable sources. The project team hopes this will be Japan’s first zero-emission neighbourhood.

changing the concrete jungle’s skyline. It’s a development which will no doubt be popular with the city’s millions of residents as well as tourists across the globe.

Pro Landscaper / November 2019

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24/10/2019 12:10

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24/10/2019 14:59

INFORM

Let ’s Hear it From

PAUL BEAN NURTURE LANDSCAPES

PAUL BEAN, SALES DIRECTOR AT NURTURE LANDSCAPES, EXPLAINS HOW THE BUSINESS HAS HELD ON TO ITS FOUNDING ETHOS AND HOW HIS ROLE WITHIN THE COMPANY HAS GONE FULL CIRCLE

W

hen Nurture Landscapes was first established 11 years ago, it had not one client to its name.

What it had, though, was a fresh ethos and approach. Its founders set out to build a company that would nurture not only the environment but also its staff and its clients – arguably, Nurture Landscapes has gone above and beyond this initial goal.

The multi-award-winning company was recently named one of the ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2019’ in an annual list compiled by the London Stock Exchange. It has also been the recipient of numerous BALI National Landscape Awards, and last year it topped the Grounds Maintenance category at the inaugural Pro Landscaper Business Awards. This is, in part, due to 15% of the company being owned by

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employees, with all management and office staff being offered the opportunity to own shares.

This extends beyond its staff, too. Nurture recently became a Platinum partner of Perennial, a charity which helps those within the horticulture industry in times of need, whether that is with advice or financial support.

WE HAVE NO LIMIT TO OUR AMBITIONS “We spent quite a long time thinking about how the business was going to be formed, and Nurture, as the name of the brand, was massively important from the beginning. We wanted to do the right thing from day one and

start with a clean sheet,” says sales director Paul Bean. He was a founder of Nurture alongside managing director Peter Fane and Greg Basire, who leads the plant displays division.

Paul first met Peter and Greg whilst working for Waterers Landscape, a company Peter and his brother Mark founded in the eighties. Whilst studying for his Higher National Diploma in landscape contract management at Merrist Wood College, Paul undertook a placement year at Waterers. “I mainly worked on the restoration of the Privy Garden at Hampton Court Palace, but also worked on the landscape construction at Legoland in Windsor. When I finished at Merrist Wood, I was offered a job at Waterers as a contracts manager.”

When the business was acquired by facility services giant ISS in 2003, Paul continued to

Pro Landscaper / November 2019 19

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INFORM

work for the rebranded ISS Waterers Landscape alongside Peter and Greg for nearly three years.

However, the trio were looking to bring a different, distinct type of company into the industry. “We thought there was an opportunity for a business to enter the market that had fresh ideas, looked at the environment and was less corporately minded.”

WE THOUGHT THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A NEW BUSINESS TO ENTER THE MARKET THAT HAD FRESH IDEAS, LOOKED AT THE ENVIRONMENT, AND WAS LESS CORPORATELY MINDED

2

Hence, in April 2008, Nurture Landscapes was formed on the same site in Windlesham where Waterers Landscape first began.

“Everyone’s first role was to go out and find new business because we didn’t have any clients, we didn’t have anything,” says Paul. “All we had was the idea and the enthusiasm, which we had to turn into a business. So, we visited potential clients, found out what problems they were having and offered them a solution. The first two years or so were just focused on business development. “By the end of our first year we had sales of £1m and a team of 20, which gave us the platform to expand” From just three employees, the Nurture Group now boasts 1250 staff as well as nationwide coverage, offering everything from grounds maintenance and landscape construction to

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winter gritting and plant displays. It also now boasts a turnover of £83m, a number which continues to grow exponentially, both organically and through acquisitions, the most impactful of which was the purchase of Gavin Jones in 2018, which nearly singlehandedly doubled Nurture’s turnover and headcount.

As head of operations at the time, the acquisition also doubled Paul’s management scope in his role, so the company had to undergo a restructure. “We’ve created two head of operation roles, one in the north and one in the south, because the role became too big for one person. As the business has grown, we’ve been able to react and make sure we’ve got the right management structure in place to cope with such a rapid growth.

“Our sales director also took semiretirement and stepped down from the board at the end of 2018, so I moved into that role and am now responsible for business development going forward – I’ve sort of gone full circle.”

After more than a decade with Nurture, Paul says his high points throughout that time have revolved around this business development aspect, including winning the contract for Twickenham Stoop Stadium in 2013, the ground of the legendary Harlequins Rugby Club. “We weren’t expecting to pull it in, and it was a real highlight – we’re still looking after it now.”

Coincidentally, Paul is a fan of rugby, but his sporting interests lie more in triathlons – he has completed two Half Ironmans to date, the most recent of which took place in June at Kona, Hawaii, the home of the Ironman Triathlon.

Paul took over as sales director in April this year, focusing on the development of the grounds maintenance, plant displays and winter gritting services. Within this, he is building on Nurture’s sustainability initiatives, a key focus from the very beginning of the business.

1 Chiswick Park 2 Paul Ellis and Paul Bean receiving an award at the PLBA 3 Spring Restaurant, Somerset House 4 Snowhill development, Birmingham 5 Interior green wall installation 6 Royal Berkshire Hotel 7 The Stoop, Twickenham

3

NURTURE, AS THE NAME OF THE BRAND, WAS MASSIVELY IMPORTANT FROM THE BEGINNING “We didn’t want to just say the environment and sustainability was important to us. We saw the opportunity to try to make a difference and to offer sustainability as part of the services we were delivering. It’s a very sensible partnership, to offer sustainability initiatives and landscaping.”

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INFORM

As a result of this way of thinking, Nurture Landscapes was the national winner for the UK of the Social Responsibility and Environmental Awareness Award at the European Business Awards 2017/18. It also holds ISO 14001 accreditation, and Paul says Nurture is looking to partner with “local biodiversity and conservation groups around the country”.

“We have no limit to our ambitions,” says Paul.

“But we want to maintain the quality of Nurture as we grow the business. We often say we want to be large enough to cope, small enough to care, and that’s why we have the business split into regions. We give those regional teams local responsibility so that they can give a small company feel to their clients whilst delivering the Nurture standards and ethos.”

C O N TA C T

1

Nurture Landscapes Ltd, Nursery Court, London Road, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6LQ Tel 0800 755 5265 Twitter @nurture_ltd Email info@nurturelandscapes.co.uk

www.nurturelandscapes.co.uk

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24/10/2019 10:28

ADVERTORIAL

Visit The World’s #1 decking brand at FutureScape 2019

HAVE A DRINK ON US Complimentary mocktails

DISCOVER THE FUTURE OF TREX DECKING AT FUTURESCAPE FutureScape is the landscaping sector’s premier exhibition, and this year there are more reasons than ever for garden designers and decking installers to come along thanks to show sponsor Trex.

The World’s Number 1 composite decking brand is showcasing the best of Trex on the Sponsor 3 stand, complete with complimentary mocktails served by a qualified mixologist at the Trex Bar! The Trex stand is sure to inspire installers: constructed entirely from Trex Transcend and Trex Enhance showing off the ‘Good, Better, Best’ options the full range offers, the stand features curved decking boards, a bar area, and decking board swatches showcasing the full range.

What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to learn what’s next for Trex at a dedicated seminar. Hosted in the Brasserie from 12.30pm, enjoy canapes while networking with other installers, garden designers and the 2019 Arbordeck Awards judges, followed by a presentation by Trex expert Lee Heitzman where he’ll be giving some insights into what’s coming up for the composite decking brand in 2020 and beyond.

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SEE IT AT FUTURESCAPE: The new Trex lighting collection

Following the seminar, the winners of the 2019 Arbordeck Awards will be revealed: this year there are even more winners, with a softwood timber deck category winner to be crowned alongside the Best Small Trex Deck, Best Large Trex Deck, Best Commercial Trex Deck, and Best Trex Design Solution.

As well as the category winner, the judges will reveal winner of the prestigious ‘Deck of the Year’ award, who will win a four-day trip to Washington DC. Commenting on the event, Trex product marketing manager and Arbordeck Awards judge Sarah Francis said: “FutureScape is one of the most important events in the landscaping calendar, and we’re looking forward to giving decking installers a glimpse at what’s new for Trex. Our stand is bigger and better than ever before, so make sure you visit as early as possible to sample a free mocktail and view the full Trex collection.

“I’m also delighted to be unveiling the winners of this year’s Arbordeck Awards – we received a huge number of entries this year with outstanding quality across the board, so all of our finalists should be very proud of their achievements so far.”

For more information visit www.arbordeck.co.uk.

To be kept up to date on what’s happening at FutureScape, follow Arbordeck on Twitter @_arbordeck; and on Facebook

24/10/2019 10:38

ADVERTORIAL

SHORTLIST With more categories and dozens more entries, it’s been a fantastic year for The Arbordeck Awards.

We’re proud to reveal the 2019 shortlist - join us at Futurescape where we’ll reveal the winners!

Best Trex design solution

Best large Trex deck

Best small Trex deck

A Brighter Shade of Green

A Brighter Shade of Green

AMS Garden Services

CC Garden Design and Construction

Browns Landscape and Decking

JJH Construction

Everlast Decking Solutions

CC Garden Design and Construction

Manor Construction

Manor Construction

North Spas

SC Decking

SC Decking

Simon Thomas Carpentry

Simon Thomas Carpentry Whalley Construction

Best commercial Trex deck

Whalley Construction

Best Arbordeck softwood timber deck

AMS Garden Services

Shire Homes

Browns Landscape and Decking

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Living Landscape & Design Pebble Projects Shire Homes Simon Thomas Carpentry Whalley Construction

Wirral Decking Company

Everlast Decking Solutions

Whalley Construction

JP Construction

“The Arbordeck Awards shortlist features some of the best, most creative decking installers in the UK, and I’m looking forward to sharing their work with the public at FutureScape.”

Andy Tudbury, Halcyon Days Garden Design and Arbordeck Awards judge

24/10/2019 24/10/2019 10:39 08:52

INFORM

AFTER ITS RECENT MOVE, MARK WALKER OF MARK WALKER GROUNDS MAINTENANCE TALKS ABOUT THE COMPANYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GROWTH OVER THE YEARS, HOW IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST GROUNDS MAINTENANCE COMPANIES TO OFFER AN ELECTRONIC PROOF OF DELIVERY SYSTEM AND PREDICTIONS FOR FUTURE GROWTH How was Mark Walker Grounds Maintenance (GM) founded?

Following a short banking career, I founded the company in 1984 as a sole trader working for regional property developers and householders.

At the same time, competitive tendering was introduced to public sector procurement and we started to diversify to incorporate these new opportunities.

How has the company developed since?

Since then, the company has enjoyed many successful years trading, with turnover increasing annually. We became incorporated in 2003, and shortly after that we relocated from operating out of my home address to commercial premises in nearby St Albans. The company continued to grow and was successful in winning work for both public and private sector clients, expanding its area of operations beyond the counties which surround London.

The company was awarded an NHS contract in 2008 which included planned and reactive gritting and snow clearing, plus repairs to external features such as fences and potholes.

We invested in specialist winter maintenance equipment to serve this contract which was used to clear extensive snow and ice over the severe winters of 2008 and 2009. We used this contract as a platform to build on, winning other gritting and snow clearing contracts.

We outgrew our St Albans premises, and so in 2010 the company relocated to a purposebuilt office and depot in Welwyn Garden City.

Over the next seven years, the company rapidly grew and we expanded operations into many more counties which are served from our satellite depots. We now maintain approximately 800 sites in total from Lincolnshire to Dorset.

CYLINDER TRIPLE MOWER IN USE

COMPANY PROFILE

MARK WALKER GROUNDS MAINTENANCE PRESTIGIOUS RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

Where does your work come from?

Mark Walker (GM) receives daily tender alerts for public sector contracts and has success rates in excess of 35%. Other new business enquiries come via our website, marketing campaigns, as well as referrals from existing clients. The company also has excellent customer retention and re-tender success with several contracts spanning over 15 years.

24 Pro Landscaper / November 2019

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INFORM

USING BATTERY PO ERED PELLENC ACHINERY

ESTABLISHED 1984 EMPLOYEES 64 BREAKDOWN GROUNDS MAINTENANCE: 84% WINTER GRITTING/SNOW CLEARING: 10% ARBORICULTURE: 4% SOFT LANDSCAPING: 2% AWARDS BALI PRINCIPAL AWARD WINNER IN PUBLIC GROUNDS CATEGORY 2000 TURNOVER £2.5M SHRUB BORDER AINTENANCE

GRITTING IN PROGRESS

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Company Profile.indd 25

What type of maintenance do you provide?

We provide all types of planned and reactive grounds maintenance works. This extends to lawn and grass maintenance, including amenity, wildflower, and fine/sports turf.

We also carry out sports field maintenance including renovations and white line marking.

Alongside regular maintenance such as weed control and shrub border maintenance, we undertake hard surface maintenance including moss control, pressure washing, and graffiti removal. We also manage soft landscaping projects for existing clients and our skilled workforce is able to repair and maintain external features such as benches, signage, fences and potholes.

Although our core area of operation remains in providing grounds maintenance, we continue to expand our winter gritting services to a range of public and private clients to offer a full-service provision.

Can you tell us about your recent move to new premises?

Office space was becoming limited as the management team expanded. The premises in Welwyn Garden City were leased and we began to search for a suitable permanent property to purchase.

We were successful in sourcing a single storey building in the heart of Welwyn Garden City. The building was previously used as a stone cutting workshop and showroom, and benefits from a large secure yard, large workshop and high-speed broadband.

Renovations started in February 2019 and included remodelling the showroom to create a large open plan office with a meeting room, kitchenette and increased and improved washrooms. We also installed roller shutters for security along with insurance-rated burglar, fire and CCTV systems.

Could you tell us about your investment in electronic proof of delivery systems?

Prior to our proof of delivery (POD) system, each vehicle would have a handwritten job sheet. This was very time consuming and also made the task of benchmarking maintenance hours per site/client very laborious.

We investigated different systems and found a business that was able to develop their proof of delivery software, which was being used by couriers, to suit our grounds maintenance operations. The system required extensive investment but the long-term benefits, both internally and to our clients was realised by me, and in 2011 the system was deployed. We think that we were possibly one of the first grounds

maintenance companies to offer an electronic POD system to our clients. The software proved highly successful and was well received by clients as a method of getting detailed information about every site visit.

The software has been developed over time to suit client requests and to improve the level of detail being recorded. Clients have access to their site’s POD reports, which are available through a portal, or they can be auto-emailed upon completion. The system is beneficial to the company as we are able to quickly review the details of any job ever completed. It has a route management tool to optimise vehicle routes for efficiency, and a scheduler to ensure jobs are never missed.

Why did you join BALI and how has it benefitted you?

Being the main trade association in our industry, we feel it’s highly important to be registered with BALI to provide our clients with peace of mind that we operate to high industry standards. We receive regular trade news, updates, and innovations which help to plan for future investment and when we are audited, they offer suggestions for improvements.

How did it feel to win the National Principal Award in Grounds Maintenance?

When we won, it was very satisfying for everyone at the company to see that our work had been approved by peers in our industry.

The awarded site had a range of landscape features and it was an honour to be contracted to maintain the grounds and have the opportunity to showcase our skillset and high standards.

How do you see the company growing?

Company growth is important, but we balance this with financial stability and good business ethics. The company has grown steadily and we are selective about which clients and contracts we bid for, and what type of work we undertake.

We do not rely heavily on one contract or client which reduces financial risk and provides job security to staff.

C O N TA C T 5 Swallow End, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 1JA Tel 0333 220 5485 Twitter @MWGroundsltd Facebook @MWGroundsMaintenanceltd Email office@markwalkergm.co.uk

www.markwalkergm.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / November 2019 25

24/10/2019 09:01

INFORM

M A R C U S WATS O N VIEW FROM THE TOP

IN THE MIDST OF A CLIMATE EMERGENCY, MARCUS WATSON OF GROUND CONTROL IMPLORES BUSINESSES TO ACT NOW AND SUGGESTS A FEW SIMPLE CHANGES WHICH COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE

T

his June, the UK declared a climate emergency – a result of human activity. With climate change hitting the headlines and trending across social media, we know more than ever that if we do not act now the impact will be catastrophic.

Climate change is impacting businesses too, as they depend on customers and employees to be able to operate together efficiently.

A recent survey by Accenture this year analysed the behaviour of 6,000 consumers across the world. It found that 83% “believe it is important or extremely important for companies to design products that are meant to be reused or recycled”. 1 Therefore, applying eco-friendly strategies is not only part of companies Corporate Social Responsibility, but also offers a competitive advantage as it signifies keeping abreast with current trends in business and caring for customers’ needs.

INVESTING IN PERSONALISED MUGS FOR ALL STAFF, BANNING PAPER CUPS

Good for our planet, good for business making simple changes can improve the sustainability and profitability of your business.

It can also have a positive impact when recruiting the best talent, as 76% “consider a company’s social and environmental commitments before deciding where to work”.2 This puts pressure on companies to incorporate

26 Pro Landscaper / November 2019

VFTT kr.indd 26

low-carbon strategies across all operations.

One size does not fit all, and setting sustainability goals depends on many factors, such as company culture, budget and its progress towards sustainability. One thing is for sure – doing nothing is not an option!

THERE ARE SO MANY BENEFITS TO BEING MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY Leading brands are also competing to be champions in green innovation, with IKEA sourcing 50% of its wood from sustainable foresters and 100% of its cotton from farms that meet the ‘Better Cotton’ standards. Apple’s latest MacBook Air and Mac mini is made from 100% recycled aluminium and even Evian and Coca-Cola have promised packaging made from recycled materials.3 There are so many benefits to being more environmentally friendly, and the results can improve the efficiency and productivity of your business. But more importantly, it will help to protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.

Reduce, reuse and recycle! Changes we can all make: • Recycle as much as you can. You can give all unused electrical equipment to charity. Dell is also happy to recycle old laptops for you • Ban all use of paper cups and purchase reusable mugs for staff • Reduce paper waste, aim for 100% paper-free • Switch to LED light bulbs (can last 20 years)

INVESTING IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Reduce CO2 emissions (services like Liftshare) • Encourage staff to purchase hybrid or electric vehicles (please turn to page 11 to read about our purchase of electric vehicles) • Walk or cycle short distances. Take trains and buses instead of planes • Use video conferencing instead of travelling for business • Install water dispensing units to reduce the use of plastic bottles • Turn off lights and computers in vacant rooms (this will also help to reduce your energy bills).

• Use green cleaning products • Encourage staff to implement changes at home.

Source: newsroom.accenture.com Source: Cone Communications Millennial Employee Engagement Study 2016 3 Source: blog.globalwebindex.com/chart-of-the-week/ green-consumerism 1

2

A B O U T M A R C U S W AT S O N Joining Ground Control in 2011, Marcus Watson champions outstanding customer service, the power of people in business and innovation. In 2016, Ground Control was recognised with a Queen’s Award for Innovation, celebrating the company’s application of technology.

www.ground-control.co.uk

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24/10/2019 09:37

SHAPE THE UNRULY

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06/08/2019 11:23:50 24/10/2019 15:00

INFORM

ANDREW WILSON WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING?

ANDREW WILSON CONSIDERS THE WARNING SIGNS IN NEW CLIENTS THAT MIGHT POINT TO A SLIPPERY ROAD AHEAD

I

t has always been something of a cliché that creatives run scared of maths and finance. Thirty-five years of teaching garden design tells me there is some truth in this scenario, and that attention to our fees and earning capacity is an essential aspect of life as a professional garden designer.

The concept of charging fees to cover the time spent in developing a design solution for clients is not new, neither is it a difficult premise to grasp. Most designers and artists work in this way, as do many other consultants. It is important that we not only grasp this concept clearly but that we also value the intellectual delivery embodied in the design responses and ultimately the gardens we deliver.

The majority of clients do understand the process and grasp the quality of a scheme well delivered, but a significant proportion prove awkward often from the outset, sometimes exploiting the goodwill of the designer. Look out for the warning signs.

a short-term relationship in which the client simply runs to their nearest landscaper, or even builder, to gain a quote and deliver the scheme without the further involvement of the designer.

Include sufficient information to sell the ideas but hold back on too much detail. Forty per cent of the overall fee is in the development of an initial design solution. Sixty per cent is in the detail and delivery of the design with which the designer should be involved.

INCLUDE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO SELL THE IDEAS BUT HOLD BACK ON TOO MUCH DETAIL

Beware of the client who cannot grasp the generality of the outline design proposal.

Designers need to be clear about the process, but some clients may identify concerns about the lack of detail. This behaviour may represent a warning sign for the future, with some either refusing to pay or feeling short changed when invoiced for this stage.

A recent experience left us wondering if our client was being naïve or manipulative as they expressed a range of concerns and questions over the whole design process. It turned out to be the latter. Having received a positive verbal and written response to our work, the atmosphere changed considerably when our invoice came due for payment. It seemed

For some clients, the staging of the design process seems difficult to grasp. Non-creatives can have difficulty with a process that may seem abstract until the garden is complete, but some will want as much information as possible up front in the outline design proposal.

Compliance with this request can lead to

28 Pro Landscaper / November 2019

Andrew Wilson.indd 28

suddenly our work was wholly negative and completely missed the points of the brief.

BEWARE THE CLIENT WHO CANNOT GRASP THE GENERALITY OF THE OUTLINE DESIGN PROPOSAL After some discussion and seeking legal advice, we settled for a lower fee.

Clients like this know the difficulties of running a small business and hassle involved in chasing debts, and won’t hesitate to exploit the situation.

From our point of view, we have better fish to fry.

The stress and loss of income in chasing a smaller debt is sadly not worth it in some situations, and many clients know this.

As for the client, they obtained the design proposal at a lower cost – in other words they still wanted the proposal but on their terms.

Annoying, yes, but good to know before getting into detail. It put me in mind of my mother who once owned a dress shop. When customers ‘forgot’ to pay or fell seriously behind with repayments, she put their names in the shop window for all to see. I’m not sure of the legality of this now, but it certainly worked a treat for her!

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

www.lcgd.org.uk

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INFORM 1

BLAST FROM THE PAST T

echnology continues to make huge strides, improving the process of creating and maintaining our outdoor spaces, making it more efficient and less time consuming. But in stark contrast, Weald and Downland Living Museum is thriving using methods which have been around for hundreds of years.

Set in the rolling hills of the South Downs, Weald and Downland allows visitors to explore historic buildings, telling the story of the people who lived and worked in them. The 40-acre site

WITH THE WEALD AND DOWNLAND LIVING MUSEUM’S 50 TH ANNIVERSARY APPROACHING, WE SPEAK TO HEAD GARDENER CARLOTTA HOLT ABOUT ITS SIX HISTORIC GARDENS, AND HOW THE MAINTENANCE OF THESE AND THE REST OF THE MUSEUM IS STAYING FIRMLY IN THE PAST

THERE’S STILL A LOT TO BE LEARNT FROM THESE GARDENS

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houses 50 exhibit buildings which span more than 950 years. Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the museum.

It was created in 1968 by Roy Armstrong as a way to save historical buildings which were being destroyed, with each dwelling dismantled and carefully rebuilt on the museum site.

Bar the extensive stretches of grass which occasionally get mowed, the site is maintained using purely historic methods. Heavy horses are

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3 used for sowing, haymaking, harvesting and timber extraction, whilst both heavy horses and oxen will assist with ploughing the fields – all using 19th century implements.

The extensive meadows are scythed by hand and traditional crops are grown in the valley, some on a recreated medieval strip system.

Among the various historic buildings are six historic gardens which demonstrate the transition from 16th century through to the late 19th century. These gardens are managed by head gardener Carlotta Holt, with the help of her dedicated team of 19 volunteers who each bring their own interests and expertise to the museum.

Weeds Having been in the role for 12 years, Carlotta has vast amounts of knowledge about the historic gardens. When she first arrived, however, it was quite an adjustment. “The gardens are full of what people today would call weeds. They aren’t weeds in the context of the gardens here, though, and so I had to relearn what should be kept and what shouldn’t.”

Carlotta and the team undertake selective hand weeding, leaving things such as chickweed, sow thistle, groundsel and nettles, which a modern gardener would most likely look to remove.

Nettles would have been used mainly for culinary and medicinal use. Though they are thought of as a nuisance today, nettles are full of nutrients and minerals, and would have been used commonly against rheumatism and hay fever. Historically, they also would have been used to create nettle string, which can be woven and spun to create linen. Nettles are also great at bringing in useful insects to gardens, something Carlotta is keen to promote. She says, “it’s so important to bring in beneficial predators to keep pests away. We’re growing things organically, so we want to manage the

WITH THE CURRENT CLIMATE CRISIS, THE TRADITIONAL METHODS WE DEMONSTRATE COULD BE A SOLUTION gardens in a way which is sustainable and biodiverse.” Part of this is not removing all pests, as this will ensure predators are attracted to the gardens. By having a little bit of blackfly, the garden gets lots of lava, lady bugs and birds which improves its biodiversity.

The Pendean farmhouse garden is set in the early 17th century, and is home to burdock,

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which many would strip from their gardens today. Burdock was commonly used medicinally, together with dandelions, as it was useful for healing infections by helping to help to draw out the toxins from the blood, and dandelion is a diuretic. This is also the reason these ingredients are linked in the modern drink of dandelion and burdock.

The garden also contains elderberry which have anti-viral properties, and there has been a lot of research into their effectiveness against swine flu. Carlotta even makes a traditional elderberry syrup, which is made up of elderberries, cinnamon, cloves and ginger, and is also a great source of vitamin C, fibre and antioxidants. “Modern medicine is derived from plants, and even now, there is a lot of research still being done into plants and their uses – Yew needles as a treatment for cancer, for example. There’s still a lot to be learnt from these gardens,” Carlotta says.

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Utilitarian gardens The gardens at Weald and Downland are utilitarian gardens – though as they move on through history, a few plants are grown for aesthetic purposes. Most of the gardens are utilised for purely practical reasons.

Bayleaf garden is the museum’s interpretation of a medieval garden owned by a yeoman farmer, and is a particularly good example of a garden where everything grown gets used. The space is laid out in a three-fold rotation, which helps to stop the build up of pests and diseases, and was a technique widely used by yeoman farmers at this time.

Woad and weld are grown in this garden and utilised as natural dyes. The museum still uses these plants to dye its historical clothing, which is handmade by volunteers using traditional methods and worn by the historical interpreters. When rubbed between hands with water, soapwort lathers up and becomes a natural soap – hence its name.

This would have been used to wash hands, clothing and wool, and gives off a refreshing scent. Carlotta often uses the soapwort grown in the garden to engage the children and teach them about the uses of plants which have been lost over the years.

Fat hen, chickweed, sow thistle and cresses were used as part of the daily pottage, grown between the sown crops. These not only provide food, but also a living mulch, keeping the soil moist and reducing the need for watering, whilst also preventing the leaching of nutrients during rainfall.

Bayleaf Garden also houses Warden pear trees – known today as the Black Worcester pear – which would have played an important role in the garden

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EDUCATING OUR VISITORS IS MORE THAN ABOUT KEEPING HISTORY ALIVE, THESE ARE SKILLS WHICH THEY CAN TAKE AWAY WITH THEM AND USE IN THEIR GARDENS TODAY

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9 at the time. “The pears store really well.

Famine was constantly a threat during this period, so the pears would have been important in surviving the winter,” Carlotta explains.

Anything which wasn’t used for clothing, food or medicine would have been left to go to seed both for collection and also to allow self-seeding. “Quite often, plants will self-seed where it’s best for them to grow,” Carlotta

explains. It’s also really important for Weald and Downland to keep a collection of seeds from these historical plants, both for its own uses and to preserve the historic varieties.

The museum shop even sells the heritage seed for visitors to buy. “We can see the relevance for today – for collecting your seeds and exchanging them with your neighbours and friends rather than buying fresh produce.”

Education The museum holds ‘Historic Life Weekends’, with themes connecting to the time of year, aiming to educate and engage visitors even more, showcasing the museums expertise and passion. A recent Historic Life Weekend centred around harvest time, with scything demonstrations, wildflower meadow talks and education on the importance of bees – historically and currently. The museum has an exhibition space which runs in conjunction with these weekends, and enables visitors and staff the opportunity to educate more visitors about the history they are preserving.

Carlotta explains that the skills and traditions demonstrated at the museum don’t have to remain in the past. “Educating our visitors is more than about keeping history alive, these are skills which they can take away with them and use in their gardens today.”

The methods, expertly demonstrated by the museum’s employees and volunteers, may become more relevant than ever, as Carlotta explains. “With the current climate crisis, the traditional methods we demonstrate could be a solution. The biggest thing that I think we should move back towards is seasonal planting.

We’ve become used to being able to have whatever produce we want, whenever we want it. It’s important to us to remind people that there is actually a seasonality in gardens. If we could revert to producing local and seasonal produce, it would be much more sustainable.”

The Weald and Downland Living Museum is built around knowledgeable and passionate people who want to share their expertise with others. As Carlotta summarises: “That’s the ethos of the museum, and it’s the motivation behind everything we do.”

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Poppies outside Bayleaf Baskets outside Walderton House Betony Downland Gridshell Building Carlotta (in hat) with colleague Karen View to the South Downs and historic buildings Poppies and bees Hop picking Oxen by Cowfold Barn

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PROJECT D E TA I L S Build time One year Size of project 330m2

A GREEN AND

PLE ASANT SLOPE G OY T H O US E , MARPLE BRIDGE, CHESHIRE DAVID KEEGAN GARDEN DESIGN THIS CONTEMPORARY FRONT SLOPED G A R D E N , L O C AT E D I N R U R A L C H E S H I R E , B O A S T S A N I N T R I C AT E , C O N T E M P O R A R Y A E S T H E T I C W H I C H W O R K S H A R M O N I O U S LY W I T H T H E MODERN SURROUNDINGS

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Portfolio 1 David Keegan.indd 37

D

avid Keegan has designed a number of sloped gardens over the years in a variety of shapes and sizes. Sloped gardens, generally, are more challenging and complex than a flat space garden. Slopes are usually terraced, with planting beds to each level, but that takes up a lot of usable space and creates a dynamic in the design that is not immediately contemporary.

David Keeganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brief was to create a contemporary design that would work in harmony with the contemporary style of the house. In setting out to design the gardens, David wanted to create a connected sense of journey from the top platform to the end of the sloped garden areas. Planting the entire slope would have disconnected the area from the rest of the house.

Initially, David had plans in mind to use metal grid stairs with under-planting of ferns. However, this worked out to be too costly as David and his team had already designed the side and top raised beds in gabion baskets,

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it was decided that the best approach in creating a contemporary transition was to use gabions for the steps too. As timber was used for the stairs and upper platforms, tonally this works well, whilst keeping a modern and contemporary aesthetic. Using Johnsons Wellfield traditional Yorkstone facing in the basket also helps to connect and tie the hard landscaping colour tones. This is in keeping with the house, but without being too hard-edged.

It was always intended that the real star features of this garden would be the planting, and David’s aim was to create waves and drifts across the entire space. In conversation with the client, David’s team added tree ferns to frame the stairs down to the lower levels and planted a Yew hedge as a defined boundary of the controlled garden space – sitting as it does in a small area of forest. Although the planting is dense and impactful, it creates a unique look within its setting without jarring with the more traditional woodland feel surrounding it.

Viewing the ‘before’ and ‘mid build’ pictures, you can begin to appreciate the transformation this style of planting brings to the project. This is, after all, a project that’s all about the plants.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Silberspinne’, Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Head’ and Pennisetum alopecuroides f. viridescens.

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Head’ also provide a wonderful textural wave planted inbetween Buxus microphylla ‘Faulkner’, with ‘Faulkner’ chosen due to its greater blight resistance than the standard Buxus sempervirens. Over time, the box will be allowed to co-join to form rolling mounded waves between the grasses.

The tree ferns were added to the scheme as the result of a conversation between David and Warren, as means of creating a greater sense of journey down through the gabion steps to the lower levels of the garden, masking off areas when viewed from the top and sides of the plot.

It also has the effect of bringing the planting

closer to the eye when viewed from the top decked areas of the garden.

Challenges Steep slopes by nature of the terrain present difficulties, but this project had the added challenge of location. Whilst the setting of the rolling hills of Marple is unique and stunning, the garden being down a narrow, potholed gravel track meant access was restricted.

Deliveries had to be made in small loads rather than bulk. Plants had to be delivered to a haulage yard and then transferred in several runs using Luton vans. Soil conditions were of low quality as it was full of builder’s rubble that had been used to form the existing bank.

Client, Warren and his son Jacob, spent a couple of days hauling out bags of rubble and

1 View through dense planting and tree ferns to decks 2 Bee feeding on nectar rich helenium 3 Grasses achillea, helenium, lavenders and salvias frames the gabion stairs down to lower garden areas 4 Hidden barbecue area 5 Views across garden with the house in background

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Plants and planting design considerations The plant design for this scheme is one David and his team would most likely only consider for a client who is a passionate gardener, or for someone who has a good local garden maintenance team, as this style will require regular maintenance and intervention to keep it in good order and achieve the long-term vision.

In this particular instance, the client, Warren Dickson, is a very passionate gardener.

David’s initial scheme focused on rolling waves of planting, using vibrant colours to the perimeter sides of the scheme with Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Beauty’ and Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’ which also add deep fiery reds in the winter months.

This is further enhanced and highlighted when viewed through the golden reddish straw

A B O U T D AV I D K E E G A N David Keegan is an international, national and regional award-winning garden and landscape designer. His design philosophy centres on a naturalistic planting style.

David’s garden design projects are located around the UK, in Manchester, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and the north-west of England.

www.dkgardendesign.co.uk

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bricks to improve conditions prior to the addition of soil and compost. Compost enrichment had to be supplied in bags, along with 110 bags of compost, 50 bags of farmyard manure as well as blood fish and bone meal.

On completion of planting, 100 bags of bark chip were added as a top dressing, acting as a weed suppressant until plants fully-established.

The weather during planting presented a challenge. Days of heavy rains made conditions tricky for working on a slippery slope. Planting also had to be carried out in phases in coordination with landscapers, as once the digger finished in a particular area, it was not possible for it to re-enter.

Planting was completed in November 2018.

Looking back, David says he can see just how monumental the creation of this garden was.

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REFERENCES

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Design and planting David Keegan Garden Design & Landscape Consultancy www.dkgardendesign.co.uk Principle landscape contractor Paul Gough www.pdgstonecraft.co.uk Balustrades, deck and stairs DeckDirect www.deckdirect.co.uk

BEFORE WORKS

Electrics and lights S W B Electrical www.swb-electrical.business.site Gabion baskets Fine Mesh Metals www.gabionbaskets.co.uk Gabion basket stone fill & hardcore.

Marshalls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Scout Moor Quarry www.marshalls.co.uk

DURING WORKS

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Portfolio 1 David Keegan.indd 39

Dry stone walling for gabion baskets front face Johnsons Wellfield www.johnsons-wellfield.co.uk

Timber Manchester Deck Co Ltd www.manchesterdeck.co.uk Soil and compost Leeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Growers Supply www.leesgrowerssupply.co.uk Compost and bark chip Brentwood Moss Nurseries www.laneslandscapes.co.uk Plants Boot & Dart www.bootendart.co.uk Tree ferns Brentwood Moss Nurseries www.laneslandscapes.co.uk Planting team David Keegan Warren Dickson Rob Hall Martin Slater Nick Braddock

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PODIUM GARDEN REFOLO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS A N E W S PA C E F O R R E F L E C T I O N : T H E W AT E R G A R D E N S R E N O VAT I O N , H Y D E PA R K E S TAT E , L O N D O N

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he Water Gardens is an iconic Brutalist suspended podium deck garden over a car park void, two-thirds of which is occupied by a series of interlocking ponds.

It is located in the Hyde Park Estate in central London, and was originally constructed in 1966 to Philip Hicksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; design.

Refolo Landscape Architects (R-LA) was engaged in 2016 by the Church Commissioners for England (CC) to enhance and revitalise the gardens, taking the existing futuristic jetting terraces and flying stairs and introducing contemporary landscaping in keeping with the original Brutalist concept.

Refolo introduced a new intricate paving design that enhanced and complemented the Brutalist features. Parallel water jets were installed, inspired by the existing rhythmic black metal balustrades and a striking new lighting design which highlighted the textures of the original concrete. Biodiverse planting gives seasonal interest and provides food and habitat for wildlife throughout the year. Custom-designed benches echo the linear concrete nibs of the brutalist planters and the timber formwork imprint. All design interventions reinforce the original concept through colour and rhythm, maintaining the essential dialogue with the surrounding tall buildings and rectilinear ponds.

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Background The 50-year-old gardens were in urgent need of restoration.

Water was leaking into the under-croft car park and meandering plant roots had compromised structural integrity, lifting the

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PROJECT D E TA I L S

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Build time 18 months Size of project 5,326m2 Awards UK Roofing Awards 2019 (submitted

by Makers Construction Ltd)

paving surface. Repairing the leaks required complete waterproofing of the whole slab across the garden and part of the under-croft car park was to be converted to self-storage units, so the CC used this opportunity to completely restore and enhance the gardens for the benefit of the residents. The high sustainability credentials of the CC, already expressed in the wider Hyde Park Estate, were reinforced in this new context, resulting in a revitalised, sustainable and more accessible garden for the users, including the introduction of two pedestrian access ramps and more effective night lighting.

In response to a very challenging scheme, Makers Construction and Bartholomew Landscaping removed every garden item above slab level and drained the ponds after aquajoy removed the fish to an external site to be reintroduced later. The exposed slab was cleaned and a triple layer of waterproofing applied. The enormous deconstruction of the garden required the removal of mature vegetation, including many 18m-tall trees, as well as several tonnes of soil, gravel, subbase, paving slabs and water.

Design and build This 1966 scheme is one of the few surviving Brutalist gardens in England. Brutalism takes the

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Central stairwell with new surrounding swirl paving The heron reclaiming its hunting ground Linear water jets open up a path in the water Managed wilderness â&#x20AC;&#x201C; woodland themed area Shallow aquatic planters for wildlife habitat Formal garden with regular wave paving pattern

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MASTERPLAN

malleability of concrete and extends it into gravity-defying architectural dynamic forms.

Refolo took the existing juxtaposition of water and concrete as an inspiration for a journey from chaos to order across the garden. This is expressed through paving, planting, lighting design, seating and water features that complement and enhance the original design intent. The paving uses increasingly regular wave patterns, highlighting the existing Brutalist masterpieceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intrinsic geometric patterns and beauty. The centre of the space features an existing round black metal stairwell, where paving patterns form a swirl before aligning to a regular wave continuing through the planters, providing creative energy for the vegetation.

The patterns in the paving inform and influence the observerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s movement through the garden. The black-railed central stairwell represents a moment of stillness, the eye of the hurricane, as energy realigns into a creative ordered geometric form.

The detailed and complex paving pattern uses gradients of grey blending in from dark to light in banding encroaching across the white slabs outwards from the ponds, providing a gradual transition to the centre of the space.

This banding oscillates vertically, echoing the powerful static energy of the Brutalist concrete transformed by the kinetic energy of water.

These patterns are in complete harmony with the horizontal nibs of the Brutalist concrete formwork and the sharp black railings of the cantilevered terraces that jet across the space, making the solid concrete feel weightless.

The completely new planting design reinforces the transition from chaos to order, with the waves of the paving patterns flowing through the planters, forming a connection between nature and concrete. In response to a strong call from existing residents to restore mature trees to the garden, the CC asked for the installation of 25 new tall mature trees (in

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Portfolio 2 Refolo Landscape Architects.indd 42

addition to 520 shrubs, 1,790 perennials, 1,343 grasses, 1,109 aquatic plants and 5,320 bulbs).

Lifting the 8m tall mature trees, each weighing in excess of 3t, into planters nearly 2m high, posed a considerable challenge.

The planting specification considered colour and structure at every season, ensuring year-round interest to the garden. Early spring bulbs wake up the gardens from winter, providing a new source of food for wildlife.

As spring turns to summer, further bulbs and perennials appear and continue to provide sustenance and habitat. Late summer nectar and winter berries ensure a continuous source of nutrition for wildlife. Carefully considered garden maintenance makes for a well-managed but wild naturalistic feel. In Autumn, the flowering plumes of the ornamental grasses and the dried seed heads of quaking grass quiver in even slight breezes with blends of gold and bronze, reflecting and emphasizing the colours of the Brutalist concrete and river pebble encrusted pillars.

During refurbishment works, Refolo rediscovered the ingenuity of the long-forgotten original design, uncovering the interconnectivity of the ponds and the large Brutalist concrete planters. These planters sit adjacent to the water and are connected with the ponds

through underwater openings at the base.

The 500mm water level of the pond is matched at the base of the planters, ensuring a selfsufficient water table supply for mature trees.

Refolo engaged Tim Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hare Associates to provide a bespoke soil specification, with meticulous gravel and substrate layering for optimum capillary action and drainage.

Waterproofing works required the whole podium deck to be completely laid bare to concrete slab level. When the old paving was lifted, it revealed a depth of up to 0.8m to the slab level. This provided the opportunity for a sustainable urban drainage system beneath the paving. Rainwater falling on the paving slabs is now directed to 450sqm of a geocellular interlocking system located beneath the new paving slabs. This provides attenuation, as well as rainwater harvesting, for irrigation of the planters during the establishment period and thereafter as required.

Six large existing ventilation voids, with unsightly views into the car park and a dangerous source of pollution for the garden, were covered with new semi-intensive green roofs following the transformation from under croft car park to self-storage unit. The new 200sqm green roofs increase stormwater infiltration within the site and provide a yearly attenuation of 14,000L of water, in addition to providing food and habitat for a wide range of species.

The 1,528sqm ponds were first drained and then refilled with the addition of over 1,000 aquatic plants. Retaining walls for marginal vegetation created a shallow habitat for a variety of invertebrates. The existing stone boulders, which together with the shallow retaining walls

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REFERENCES Client The Church Commissioners for England www.churchofengland.org Project manager Colliers International www.colliers.com

8 are a useful platform for birds, were kept and cleaned to be reintroduced and arranged in a pattern echoing the paving and the linear Brutalist style of the garden. Three hundred fish (mainly carp and goldfish) were removed and kept in a farm for the whole of the construction period, to be then reintroduced to the renewed habitat.

The ecological equilibrium is re-establishing itself in the first year after construction. Within the first few months, a variety of invertebrates and birds have already started to call the gardens their home. An old heron has also returned to the garden to reclaim its hunting ground and ducks can be seen enjoying their revitalised home.

Refolo adapted an existing bench design introducing variations in backrests, timber slats and incorporating bare concrete featuring timber formwork imprints. The strong and slightly oblique design of the benches blends in perfectly with the existing Brutalist architecture.

As part of this wider commission, Refolo was instructed to provide a lighting design. The gardens were very much lacking in night lights.

The new lighting design aims to highlight the Brutalist texture and linear rhythm of the garden.

The alternating shiny and matt banding of the new paving design gives the illusion of water channels, particularly when illuminated at night.

But this is no illusion, as the SuDS cell system does harvest water through the paving as part of the planting irrigation system.

At night, wall grazing lighting accentuates the textured vertical surfaces emphasising their shadows. The play between light and shadow dramatizes the space, revealing the beauty of the Brutalist design and energising the garden in an entirely new way.

New illuminated linear water jets spring like wings from the bridge, echoing the parallel features of the concrete and paving, and intermittent fountains throughout the pond complete the scene, lifting the visual and acoustic rhythm to a new sensory level.

7 The Water Gardens â&#x20AC;&#x201C; view of the paving pattern toward the formal planter 8 New Brutalist bench

ABOUT REFOLO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS Refolo Landscape Architects is an established chartered landscape architecture studio, with experience in a wide-range of sectors including residential, townscape regeneration, master planning, public realm, leisure, education and surface water management systems. Nature provides it with the fundamental geometric patterns which it applies in its designs. www.r-la.com

DURING WORKS

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Landscape contractor Bartholomew Landscaping www.bartholomewlandscaping.com Main contractor Makers Construction Ltd www.makers.biz Irrigation contractor Watermatic Ltd www.watermaticltd.co.uk Aquatic planting contractor Aquajoy www.aquajoy.co.uk Aquatic planting Beaver Plants Ltd www.beaverplantsgrowers.co.uk Soil specification Tim Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hare Associates www.timohare-associates.com Paving Hardscape www.hardscape.co.uk Trees Lorenz Von Ehren www.lve-baumschule.de Lighting MP Illumination www.mpillumination.com Selux www.selux.com Atmospheric Zone www.atmosphericzone.com Architainment Lighting www.architainment.co.uk Light Projects www.lightprojects.co.uk Waterproofing Triflex www.triflex.co.uk

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SOMEWHERE

TO G R OW

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PROJECT D E TA I L S Project value £41k Build time 8 weeks Size of project 75m2

TOW N H OUS E GA R D E N NEW FORM LANDSCAPES S E T I N T H E M E D I E VA L T O W N O F S T A L B A N S , T H I S T O W N H O U S E N E E D E D T O A C C O M M O D AT E T H E W H O L E FA M I LY, W I T H F U N E L E M E N T S F O R T H E Y O U N G E R C H I L D R E N A S W E L L A S A R E A S F O R E N T E R TA I N I N G

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he clients for this project wanted the landscape of their modest size new-build back garden to be redesigned into an entertaining space for the whole family. The design brief was fairly open, with New Form Landscapes given the freedom to come up with its own ideas.

The client had both teenage children and a newborn baby, so it ideally had to cater for all ages. New Form Landscapes also had to bear in mind the garden needed to cater for the newborn baby as it grew up, to ensure there was interest for all ages. The clients also wanted the space to feel grown up and sophisticated with room to entertain, as well as being a low maintenance space. It was quite a challenge for New Form Landscapes as there were a lot of

44 Pro Landscaper / November 2019

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elements to fit into a relatively small townhouse garden.

Design and build The garden was designed with three defined areas which flow from the back door to the far end fence. The areas were connected using grey granite slabs which helped achieve a seamless flow.

A curved gold mosaic tiled seat was designed and a Corten steel fire-pit and log-store helps create a cosy, intimate seating area which the family could relax round as the evening got chillier. A stylish, hard-wearing and functional WWOO© concrete outdoor kitchen was built to accommodate and work alongside the clients’ gas BBQ. This provided a large

worktop space with room for storage underneath. A sink was also fitted, which is handy for food preparation and furthers the premise of blurring the line between the inside and outdoors. The inviting living and eating area was finished with a large stone dining table with room for all the family.

Finally, a children’s play area with feature frame, blackboard, monkey-bars and playhouse was built. This fulfilled the brief of entertainment for all ages and will provide this interest as the clients’ newborn baby grows up.

A calming planting palette of mostly green foliage was chosen, complementing the grey granite slabs and play-bark used in the play area. The planting was chosen to soften the edges of the hard-landscaping and to blend

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View of the garden from the house Light grey WWOO outdoor concrete kitchen View of childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s area seating and blackboard Mosaic and Corten steel seating with firepit Log storage and low maintenance planting

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each area together. The evergreen Eriobotrya japonica will provide year-round colour interest growing delicate white flowers and then succulent fruits as the season goes on.

Fargesia murielae adds soft texture to the scheme with its dense leaves and slender canes, while Kniphofia ‘Pineapple Popsicle’ displays a soft pop of colour, standing out amongst the green. Catalpa bignonioides ‘Aurea’ (golden Indian bean tree) was planted to help define the garden’s different spaces, with large colourful leaves and bell-shaped flowers adding a wash of colour.

Challenges A big challenge for New Form Landscapes was making sure it included each individual element that the client wanted, whilst remaining on budget. The team managed to balance the clients’ wishes whilst choosing affordable quality materials, something they acheived by testing various combinations of materials and different scopes of work.

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REFERENCES Outdoor kitchen WWOO UK www.wwoo.co.uk Planting Palmstead www.palmstead.co.uk Paving London Stone www.londonstone.co.uk BEFORE

ABOUT NEW FORM LANDSCAPES New Form Landscapes was established by two brothers, Simon and Ben Hawkins, bringing together a passion for cutting-edge design and a wide knowledge of construction. It strives for perfection, delivering projects with the highest level of care and attention. Its designers create beautiful and functional outdoor spaces working closely with its clients to design BEFORE

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bespoke and atmospheric spaces.

www.newformlandscapes.co.uk

Mosaic tiles Walls and Floors www.wallsandfloors.co.uk Play bark Butterfields www.hbutterfield.co.uk Monkey bars and play house Shedstore www.shedstore.co.uk Corten steel firepit and log store Adezz www.adezz.com

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LANDSCAPE A R C H I T EC T ’S L

AS ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS ALISON GALBRAITH AND ROBYN BUTCHER MAKE PLANS TO STEP INTO DIRECTOR ROLES AT TERRA FIRMA, THEY TALK TO US ABOUT WHY DIVERSITY IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE COMPANY, AND HOW ITS ETHOS PLAYS INTO THE PROJECTS IT CREATES

andscape architecture is arguably one of the more diverse sectors of the industry when it comes to gender equality. However, in The Future State of Landscape practice survey carried out by the Landscape Institute in 2017, it was revealed that, although within the £35 to £50k income range there is a balance, as you reach the higher pay bracket it drops significantly, with more than twice as many men as women falling into this category. terra firma is breaking this trend though, as associate directors Alison Galbraith and Robyn Butcher are set to move into director roles alongside current director, Lionel Fanshawe.

Improving diversity within landscape architecture across the board is a high priority for terra firma.

JOURNAL T h e te r ra f i r m a C o n s u l t a n c y

WE WANT TO HAVE A SPREAD OF PEOPLE, ABILITIES AND TALENTS WITHIN THE OFFICE

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“We want to have a spread of people, abilities and talents within the office,” Robyn tells us. With a team of 15, the staff range from those who are fully qualified landscape architects with years of experience, to those starting the pathway, to year out students. One of terra firma’s staff members is also on the Landscape Institute’s Diversity and Inclusion working group, which concentrates on how the industry can attract and retain more minority groups within the profession.

“We’re a ‘people-focused’ company. We have a very low staff turnover and like to include the team in any decisions we can,” Alison adds. This

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stretches to projects where we believe in creating community-focused schemes.

One project terra firma has been working on, is the Le Court Memorial Garden, which was created in the grounds of the charity’s first-ever care home, that was closed in 2007. The garden pays homage to Leonard Cheshire, the charity’s founder, and the residents who stayed in the home. Whilst the charity’s original plans to redevelop the run-down site fell through – meaning they had to move off the site as it was no longer fit for purpose – it still wanted to create a memorial garden to honour the building’s original purpose. terra firma divided the space into three sections. A pool defines one area, creating a cool, calm and peaceful place. A stone sitting at the top of the pool is engraved in memorial to all who lived and worked at Le Court, as well as Leonard Cheshire himself. In another space, terra firma created more seating areas surrounding a sculpture designed as a homage to Leonard Cheshire’s days in the RAF, mimicking propellers.

Benches were built for all four corners, with each flanked by climbing roses and high hedges, creating secluded areas.

In the last section, a stone structure with a thatched roof has been renovated by terra firma.

Inside, plaques, urns, crosses and other monuments to past residents are carefully arranged, providing visitors with a place to remember and honour their loved ones.

At Greater Brighton Metropolitan College’s Pelham Street campus, it was also essential that terra firma kept the wider community in mind when designing the open space for its inner city campus. “During the day, anyone can walk through the space, and in the past there has been notable antisocial behaviour in Brighton.

3 We had to create a robust public realm in response to that,” Robyn explains.

With no external space previously available for its students, the college wanted the space to contain a lot of greenery, using woodland planting under trees. A diseaseresistant elm tree will become the focus of the garden as a nod to the protected elms in Brighton.

4 The open space will be a well-used external social space for students, with granite steps and retaining walls providing informal seating throughout the scheme. terra firma has been involved from the very beginning through several failed iterations where funding wasn’t secured. This time round, the college has self-funded the project through the sale of its adjacent site – a converted Victorian school, no longer fit for purpose for redevelopment as residential units, and the

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IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO EXPLAIN THE STORY BEHIND YOUR DESIGN construction work for the college is currently underway. Working with a scheme from the very start, for terra firma, is crucial for success.

Alison says: “We’ve been brought in on so many projects to solve problems which could have been avoided if we’d been there from the start.” It’s Robyn and Alison’s belief that the old school process where a landscape architect’s job is to come in at the end of a project to add the fluff around the edges is dying out.

At the air traffic control centre in Prestwick, terra firma was involved from the start and continues to assist with its maintenance. The scheme is fairly complex, but National Air Traffic Services (NATS) see the landscape as an asset and values its management accordingly. The huge landscape surrounding the building, which was also being renovated, was old colliery spoil.

Instead of bringing in new soil, terra firma worked closely with Tim O’Hare Associates to develop and try to reuse the soil which was already on site. Though the beds around the building needed soil imported, the woodland area was created with the soil which was reused.

1 Lion Square, University of Portsmouth 2 Hoe Valley School and Leisure, Woking 3 Le Court Memorial Garden, Liss 4 Greater Brighton Metropolitan College 5 The terra firma Consultancy team

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6 The landscape has been developed with an extensive network of swales, with terra firma creating a successful sustainable drainage scheme (SuDS). Robyn still visits the site twice a year to discuss how it can continue to be developed, and it’s opened up a line of work for terra firma with NATS on management of several of its other sites.

WE’VE BEEN BROUGHT IN ON SO MANY PROJECTS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF WE’D BEEN THERE FROM THE START Able to work on the project from its conception, terra firma to this day, consults with the site on its further development, though the landscaping was done was so successfully that it remains mostly unchanged.

“It makes you realise how important it is to get the design right in the first place,” Alison explains. “Being involved in the continual maintenance of a site is unusual, but when you can keep that original ethos going, a site really benefits.”

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It seems that landscape is becoming more of an asset to many schemes, and at a site in Petworth, an exciting project will demonstrate exactly how. While the old barns on the isolated site will be renovated into offices, the landscape will become an ecology showcase. terra firma is helping the client to design the space which will contain various different habitats including a wetland area. The purpose of the site will not only be as place to demonstrate to clients the benefits of different ecology schemes and what they will look like, but also as a place to undertake research. terra firma’s expertise is crucial to the scheme as it sits in the South Downs National Park, and thus must be sympathetic to the landscape. Both Alison and Robyn sit on the South Downs National Park Design Review Panel which is committed to encouraging contextually sensitive and sustainable landscape-led design. “It’s so important to explain the story behind your design and we often don’t see that,” Alison tells us. Robyn adds: “We don’t just want to see cost-driven layouts, we want it to have grounding in the context of the site.”

By making the motivation behind specific design elements clear, Alison and Robyn believe other teams working on the project will begin to see the importance and benefit landscape architects can bring to the scheme at feasibility

8 and concept stages. By pushing the importance of landscape architecture in this way, they hope this career will appeal to more people, which will no doubt attract a much wider range of candidates to the industry, and in turn, help solve the current diversity issue we are facing.

6 Hampshire Corporate Park, Chandlers Ford 7 Greater Brighton Metropolitan College CGI 8 The Forbury Hotel, Reading 9 NATS Air Traffic Control Centre, Prestwick

C O N TA C T The terra firma Consultancy Ltd Suite B, Ideal House, Bedford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3QA Tel +44 (0)1730 262040 Email Robyn@terrafirmaconsultancy.com and Alison@terrafirmaconsultancy.com

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Debs Winrow is speaking on the panel ‘A Finishing Flourish: The Devil is in the Detail’ (3pm in Room Two)

ADDING WELLBEING TO YO U R D E S I G N B R I E F

D E B S W I N R O W G I V E S H E R T I P S O N M A K I N G Y O U R O U T D O O R S PA C E N O T O N LY A C O S Y E X T E N S I O N O F Y O U R H O M E B U T A L S O A P O S I T I V E E X T E R I O R AT M O S P H E R E F O R T H E M I N D A N D S O U L

L

ike our homes, our gardens are becoming our sanctuaries – places of peace and serenity. We’ve started making our outdoor spaces the focus for family life, eating and relaxing in them whenever we can, satisfying the deep-longing of our souls to dwell in a place which is healthy for the body, mind and spirit.

As we all know, there is extensive research showing the benefits of gardening and being outside. The HTA states that “86% of adults agree that gardens and public green spaces benefit their state of mind, and 81% believe there’s benefit to their physical health”. Our industry plays a huge part in helping our clients achieve this. We go a step further by designing and encouraging our clients to include wellbeing, spa-like elements to those spaces.

DEFINING A SPACE FOR TWO

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Including hot tubs Placing a hot tub or swim spa into a design can really add another dimension to an outdoor space. Whilst on a cold and wet night you’d

hardly do more than peer through the windows, the lure of hot water might just entice you to step outside. Watching a storm pass over or stargazing has never been more pleasant than when sitting in warm temperatures. There are many ways water can be of benefit to us – it can stimulate and relax and help to relieve and heal a host of ailments.

With lots of designs, functionality and budgets, the customer can really choose a model to suit their needs. If designed in early, they can be half or fully sunk into decked areas to ensure they blend into the design. For all round use, canopies are a great way of ensuring the customer can benefit from this investment all year. They can be designed to simply cover the hot tub or lengthened to include a seating area to relax and unwind.

Luxury of outdoor saunas Used for centuries, the practice of saunas combines physical revival with mental relaxation. With many modular and freestanding saunas now on the market, adding one to an outdoor space quickly defines a feel-good area no matter what the season, allowing a daily escape from life’s hectic pace. Scent can

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DESIGNATING A SOLO SPACE

WATER FEATURE

ADD A FIRE PIT

also be easily added with blended oils to encourage further relaxation.

We love sauna designs that include a side room to be used as a changing room or relaxation area, and better still those that have full glass facades allowing unique views of the garden. If the exterior of the building is as pleasing as you’d want in the overall design, choose a modern cladding product or perhaps consider a living wall to make the building on the outside as attractive as the function of the inside.

Defining spaces Though it might seem silly to mention, customers are often left with a very large and beautiful blank canvas which can be a bit daunting to fill. Within the brief it’s great to define what we refer to as resting points.

These are spaces the customer is encouraged to stop at within the garden to enjoy it –and to be honest, who doesn’t love a G&T spot designed in from the beginning?

All too often we focus on the obvious – a large dining area for the whole family or a huge outdoor sofa planned for the deck – but sometimes it’s nice to focus on smaller areas

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CAMARGUE WITH HOT TUB

where just a single chair will be more than perfect. Perhaps consider furniture made from metal or wicker that doesn’t necessarily need to have cushions added. The last thing a client will want to encounter is the hassle of having to find cushions in the shed when all they wanted to do was relax.

Finding these resting points is also valuable when you’re looking at the light in the garden.

See which spots in the garden get a little ray of unexpected sunshine, especially in winter months. This pause for breath, hugging a cup of coffee whilst feeling a little warmth on your face does wonders for the soul.

Using sound to relax Introducing soothing sounds can really affect wellbeing. Being able to block out traffic, neighbours or busy surround is beneficial and can be achieved with simple props: • Add a soothing water feature, large or small, to become a focal point.

• Introduce wind chimes to give sound, rhythm, variety and balance. Wood or bamboo create a soft woody sound, while shells or ceramics give a stronger, higher sound.

• Suggest outdoor high-quality Bluetooth

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speakers, allowing for music, podcasts and audiobooks to be at hand for all users.

• Encourage birds to sing with enticing planting plans and birdfeeders for colder months.

Adding warmth Alongside natural light, you also need warmth to feel relaxed. By adding a log fire pit to any patio, you’ve instantly got a focal point. Just remember to create a lovely slabbed area for your fire pits if decking is being used for the main patio area.

Perhaps design in low-level benches from oak sleepers to recreate a camp fire set-up. Who doesn’t feel better being a big kid and playing out till after dark? You had us at ‘marshmallows’.

ABOUT DEBS WINROW Debs Winrow, creative director of award-winning landscape company Garden House Design, is an avid trend spotter, responsible for seeking out the latest and best outdoor living products, and developing an expansive portfolio to offer to both consumers and fellow landscapers and designers.

www.gardenhousedesign.co.uk

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FO C U S O N T H E FUTURE T his year has been an exciting one for the team at Bowles & Wyer.

The multi-award-winning design and build company revealed a new look back in the summer, overhauling its branding and website. As if that wasn’t enough, Bowles & Wyer is also launching its own academy at the end of October, offering a host of training opportunities to its staff.

OUR PURPOSE AS A BUSINESS IS TO ENHANCE LIVES AND LANDSCAPES This is all part of an ongoing strategy to develop and grow the business – chief executive John Wyer says the rebrand has been on the cards for the past three years.“We started off going through our purpose and our values,

AFTER REVEALING A NEW BRAND IDENTITY EARLIER IN THE YEAR, B OW L E S & W Y E R ’ S C H I E F E X EC U T I V E J O H N W Y E R O P E N S U P A B O U T T H E C O M PA N Y ’ S G R O W T H A N D T H E U P C O M I N G L A U N C H O F I TS V E RY O W N AC A D E M Y

which was an 18-month internal project, followed by a year of implementation and looking at our processes. We then looked at our position in the market, asking clients from every division of the business where they thought we stood in comparison to other brands as well as what they liked about us and what they valued in what we offered. We changed our market position based on that.”

The research reinforced that clients were looking for high quality, but it also revealed the aspect which clients value the most at Bowles & Wyer – the company’s ability to

listen. “We are relationship driven rather than transaction driven, so we don’t really compete on price. Our main field of competition is on service and quality. What clients really value about us is that we enter into conversations with them about who they are and what they want. The extent to which clients valued this surprised us.”

Less surprising, perhaps, is that the company has been experiencing growth for the past few years, with clients appreciating the quality, service, and the vast offering of Bowles & Wyer (which includes construction, garden design and aftercare). From May 2018 to May 2019,

SOME OF THE BOWLES & WYER TEAM

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turnover was up 62% on the previous year.

John says this has since slowed, and this year the spike would be closer to 10%, which he describes as “more manageable”. However, the growth has had a considerable impact on the business. For example, Bowles & Wyer has taken on around 10 more members of staff since May this year – and that’s just the start.

“We have planned how many people we need each year going forward for the next three years to meet our targets,” says John. “We are looking for people in particular across aftercare as this is a really important plank in our growth strategy. Our aftercare turnover in 2017 was about £450k, this year it will be about £700k, next year it will be about £900k, and by the end of our three-year process it will be about £2.5m.”

Those looking to work for Bowles & Wyer will need to embody the company’s core values, as, John believes there should be a work-life ‘alignment’, where people love what they do, rather than a work-life ‘balance’: “Our purpose as a business is to enhance lives and landscapes.

We believe the landscapes we build make a difference to our clients’ lives, and to our own lives in the process of undertaking the projects.

It should be an enjoyable, fulfilling process.

“We want to leave a lighter footprint, too.

In the past year we have reduced our electricity consumption in the office by 60% by updating all of our computer equipment, changing our server, and being more careful about heating, lighting and air conditioning.”

It’s this point of view which means it’s more than competitive pay attracting people to the business. One senior employee who recently joined Bowles & Wyer mentioned to John he was eager because he wanted to work for a company where people are thinking about what is going to happen in the future, rather than what is going to happen today.

“We also keep people updated with what is going on in different parts of the business and try to involve people in the decision making.

SEE US AT There’s very much a family feel, despite there being more than 50 people now. We have what we call an ‘information exchange day’ twice a year, where everybody in the business gets together and we go through everything from what everyone has been working on to the growth plans for the business.”

WE’VE DOUBLED OUR COMMITMENT IN TERMS OF TRAINING AND HAVE INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE’RE PUTTING IN There’ll be plenty of opportunities for progression going forward, too, with the addition of the Hort Academy from Bowles & Wyer.

Launching officially on 30 October, the in-house horticulture academy will allow those working for the company to be continually learning.

“There are three strands,” explains John.

“The first is a combination of classroom

learning and CPD. Here, external lecturers come in or we’ll send staff to the SGD conference, for example, or organise visits to our bedding nursery. The second strand is learning on the tools, which is similar to apprenticeships with structured lessons on site, and the third strand is self-learning, where you’ll be given a project to complete.”

Staff will be encouraged to take on a number of sessions throughout the year. John says they are also looking to include courses to help people become registered members of a society or to gain chartership: “We’ve doubled our commitment in terms of training and have increased the amount of money we’re putting in.

“Jeff [Stephenson, head of horticulture and aftercare] will be running the academy full time, though he will still be involved in the quality of plants and horticulture. The intention is to roll out the academy more broadly in the future, but that’s at least three years down the line.”

With plans in place to continue its growth over the next few years, 2019 is likely to be the start of many exciting years to come, and we’re eager to follow its journey. Bowles & Wyer will be exhibiting at this year’s FutureScape to highlight the opportunities it has available.

STAND 31

C O N TA C T Unit 5, Williams Court, Tunnel Way, Pitstone, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9GJ Tel 01296 662439 Email hello@bowleswyer.co.uk Twitter @BowlesWyer Instagram @bowleswyer

www.bowleswyer.co.uk

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STAND B

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REVIVING B E R R I N GTO N H A L L B E R R I N G T O N H A L L I S H O M E T O O N E O F O N LY T W O C U R V E D W A L L E D G A R D E N S B Y C A PA B I L I T Y B R O W N . T H E T E A M A R E N O W R E - E S TA B L I S H I N G T H E G A R D E N A N D H AV E O P E N E D I T T O T H E P U B L I C . W E H E A R F R O M P R O P E R T Y O P E R AT I O N S M A N A G E R F O R B E R R I N G T O N H A L L , A N A VA U G H A N , A N D G E N E R A L M A N A G E R F O R T H E N AT I O N A L T R U S T I N H E R E F O R D S H I R E , D AV I D B A I L E Y

T

he creation of Berrington Hall was a collaboration between Capability Brown and his son-in-law Henry Holland. The estate was built for Thomas Harley as a retirement home in 1778, with views stretching towards the Black Mountains. Berrington Hall recently opened its rare curved walled garden to the public, one of only two curved walled gardens in the UK to be designed by Capability Brown. It is the only one open to the public and is one of Capability Brown’s final designs – but there is still work to be done.

The Georgian garden restoration project will see

this rare curved walled garden, as well as the pleasure grounds, conserved and restored to enhance the interest and beauty Berrington Hall already holds. Although the project could restore the curved walled garden back to how it would have originally been, this isn’t feasible for Berrington Hall. This is partly due to its small gardening team who wouldn’t be able to keep up with the maintenance of such a space, partly due to budget. But mostly because the team want to do something more creative. The curved walled garden area has, until now, been used by the adjoining farm, so the space is currently filled with barns and the original floor has been concreted over.

David Bailey, general manager at Berrington Hall, explains the vision: “We want it to look like nature is taking back the space.” Tomato plants, bananas, Gunnera manicata, sunflowers, Canna and a variety of architecturally interesting plants are spread around the space, growing out of hay bales which are used because of their

WE WANT THIS CURVED WALLED GARDEN TO BECOME CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT impressive ability to hold a large quantity of water. Cargo netting has been draped over the barns and Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’ is beginning to grow up it.

Underneath the barns, a tree stands with hundreds of labels hanging from it, full of suggestions from visitors for how the space could be used. It is this involvement from visitors which lives at the heart of the restoration project.

“We want this curved walled garden to become culturally significant for the county of Herefordshire. We want it to be a flexible space, so that the community can actually use it for a number of different things,” Ana Vaughan,

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INSPIRE

property operations manager for the National Trust, explains. Some suggest it could be for animals, whereas others want to keep the barns or see it as a space for music and poetry. But mostly, visitors see it as an amphitheatre.

WE WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE NATURE IS TAKING BACK THE SPACE The restoration project will be in three stages, and the team has now raised enough to start with the first phase. This involves removal of concrete floors and buildings, reinstatement of a network of paths, and installation of power and water to the garden. The details for phase two and three have yet to be finalised. “There will be fruit and vegetables growing, and the planting will be of a playful nature. It’s going to be different to the rest of the walled garden.”

Although the Georgian garden restoration project primarily aims to restore the rare curved walled garden, the rest of Berrington Hall will also see changes. “Although Berrington Hall is a nice place to visit, it isn’t currently telling the stories it should be telling,” David tells us.

Berrington Hall is a quintessential Georgian mansion, but currently the landscape is not

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reflecting this as it could.

The first part of the pleasure grounds, which the team want to transform, is perhaps the most important – the entrance.

“It should be very prominent, but as it stands, it’s very shrouded,” Ana notes. “The path is also quite confusing, so we’d like to redo that to bring it back to how it would have been originally”.

Large conifer trees block the view to the house and lake as visitors walk onto the grounds under Triumphal Arch. The revival of the grand entrance will involve thinning out some trees, and the team has ambitions of reinstating a laurel walk.

The orchard will also see some changes, as a selection of trees will be removed to allow the others more room for growth. Ana has ideas to not just fill the holes left behind with soil, but to create nature bowls where exotic plants and bulbs might grow. The orchard currently hosts a beautiful origami-like pavilion, which although is only temporary, has encouraged visitors to linger in the space for longer and inspired the team to create a permanent place where visitors can sit and relax. “We want to restore that 18th century tradition of popping up a tent and having a party, of being outdoors, playing music and enjoying each other’s company,” says Ana. The future certainly looks bright for Berrington Hall to become a glowing example of some of Capability Brown’s finest and final work.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/10/2019 16:12

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L A N D S CA P E R S

PLE ASE GATHER AROUND THE FIREPIT...

W E S P E A K T O T O N Y Y O U N G , C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R AT U R B A N F I R E S , A B O U T T H E C O M PA N Y ’ S E X P E R I E N C E S U P P LY I N G ITS RENOWNED FIREBOWL TO ITV FOR THE LOVE ISLAND SERIES, AS WELL AS EMERGING TRENDS

A

nyone who has watched ITV’s Love Island will recognise the infamous words “islanders, please gather around the firepit”. The atmospheric firebowl, which has become an iconic part of the show, hosted re-couplings, arguments and evictions.

Urban Fires creates unique fireplace products for architects, landscapers, designers, developers and occasionally consumers. It was its Astra Firebowl which lit up the evenings and warmed up the islanders during ITV2’s Love Island, filmed in Mallorca. Creative director Tony Young was approached by producers to take on the challenge when the show first launched.

IT WAS QUITE A CHALLENGE AS WE WERE GIVEN JUST FOUR WEEKS TO MAKE THE FIREBOWL “It was quite a challenge as we were given just four weeks to make the firebowl, ship it to Mallorca, deal with the customs formalities, and install it,” says Tony. Thankfully, Urban Fires had experience installing internationally, with its own Spanish website and existing customers in the Balearic Islands and the Marbella area.

The Astra Firebowl is made from polished concrete, and is available in six colour finishes.

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It is 914mm in diameter and there are various pebble and fuel bed options. Installation is usually simple, with connection to a gas supply from the house or from cylinders. Connection and certification should only be undertaken by a registered gas installer.

Urban Fires undertook the installation for the first season, but was able to utilise a certified Mallorcan installer for the following seasons. ITV2 has now used the Astra Firebowl for three seasons, and called upon Urban Fires to create another firepit for the second villa which appears on the show, Casa Amor.

There was no gas supply at this location, so a bioethanol firebowl was supplied instead.

Firebowls were particularly popular when Urban Fires supplied to ITV2, but Tony believes a trend emerging is for fire tables. “I think it’s due to people watching American TV programmes. Tables are more practical than the bowls, as you can rest drinks on them and sit around with friends and family.”

Pro Landscaper / November 2019 63

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23/10/2019 16:39

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30 UNDER 30

W E LC O M E T

hey say time flies as you get older – well, I certainly feel my age. It was over five years ago that we launched Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation.

Throughout the last five years, these awards have recognised, rewarded and promoted some of the brightest individuals that the landscaping and horticulture sector has to offer.

This year is no exception. The class of 2019 winners have come from all aspects of our industry and all parts of the UK. So, we offer massive congratulations to all 30 winners – well done!

Welcome to the very selective and impressive 30 Under 30 club.

You should all feel really proud of your achievement. We very much look forward to watching your careers develop over the coming years.

Finally, we would like to thank our headline sponsor, Green-tech, which is unrivalled in its support for Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation, and the industry as a whole. We would also like to thank BALI, the SGD, the LI and APL for their support and promotion, and for getting onboard to highlight the awards.

Well done.

JIM & LISA WILKINSON

FROM THE SPONSOR ...

"We are delighted to sponsor Pro Landscaper ‘s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation 2019. We are firm believers in inspiring the younger generation into the industry.

This initiative, which seeks to recognise and reward the achievements of 30 inspiring young people who have demonstrated ambition and progression, is a perfect fit. This competition recognises and highlights the future faces in our industry.”

RICHARD KAY CHAIRMAN, GREEN-TECH

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30 UNDER 30

JAMES AG E SMITH 23 A S S I STA N T D E S I G N E R , B OW L E S & W Y E R

THE

C LO F A2 0S1 9 S P R O L A N D S C A P E R I S P R O U D TO A N N O U N C E I TS 3 0 U N D E R 3 0 : T H E N E X T G E N E R AT I O N AWA R D S C L A S S O F 2 0 1 9 W I N N E R S

KENNY RAYBOULD H O RT I C U LT U R A L M A N AG E R / H E A D G A R D E N E R , I N C E N T I V E F M , C OV E N T G A R D E N

I

n 2012, James had the honour of being asked to design a garden for Ffestiniog Railway, the oldest independent railway in the world. James is pleased that among those who took on the management and building of this garden, he was able to offer work to those who were struggling to find jobs or were just starting out as apprentices.

James himself went on to work for JPS Landscape Design as a landscape designer, and then to Bowles & Wyer where he currently works as an assistant designer. James hopes that through his work he can continue to â&#x20AC;&#x153;encourage people to love their gardens or outdoor spaces" as much as he does.

AG E

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H

aving a passion and love for the world of horticulture since a young age, Kenny has developed his career and experiences over the years to maintain the ever-growing diversity of plant species.

His background has seen him working at Leeds Castle, Regents Place, and as horticultural manager/head gardener at Covent Garden since 2018. He currently leads a team of gardeners and subcontractors to produce quality designs and horticultural services across the Covent Garden site.

Kenny has also been involved with charity work on numerous occasions, including skydiving, taking part in a mud run and posing for the Naked Gardeners calendar for horticulture charity Perennial.

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30 UNDER 30

ASHLEY ZYMANCZYK

AG E

J U N I O R L A N D S C A P E R , D I XO N S L A N D S C A P E

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t the age of 15, Ashley began working part time at Tendercare Nurseries. He went on to work for Guildford Landscapes as plant manager, where he was responsible for ordering in plants and making sure they were set out correctly. Ashley now assists the landscapers at Dixons Landscapes, where he has gained valuable experience on how to construct water features and ponds.

In 2018, he won the BALI Chalk Fund’s Top Student of the Year award and is currently completing his first solo landscaping job. His future aspiration is to run his own landscaping company and create gardens for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

IZABELL A CZEL

AG E

A S S I STA N T L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T EC T, H A R R I S B U G G ST U D I O

25

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zabella originally became involved with Harris Bugg Studios via a six month placement which, in the end, resulted in a permanent role becoming available to her this September. As assistant landscape architect, Izabella carries out in-depth research, producing technical drawings and creating concept ideas. Izabella says: “From the very first day at university when I started my degree, it was exactly the right thing for me", and notes that she has found the perfect career. She has participated in several competitions, such as Concorso giardino storico dell’Acquasola di Genova in Italy and a competition to plan bicycle rest areas in Hungary.

STEVENS 29 SAM A R E A M A N AG E R , T I VO L I G R O U P LT D AG E

S

am initially started his career as a grounds operative with English Landscapes (now idverde) in 2007. He boasts an NVQ Level 2 in both horticulture and business, as well as the completion of an IOSH Managing Safely course.

Sam recently joined Tivoli Group Ltd as an area manager, having previously worked for ISS Facility Services Landscaping before it was acquired by Tivoli. Prior to joining the company the second time, he worked as a contract manager for Nurture Landscapes, managing a team and ensuring a high standard of work.

Sam aspires to be the director of a large landscaping company, helping to develop apprentices and newcomers to the industry.

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O LI V ER RU T M AN GARDEN DESIGNER, OLIVER RUTMAN GARDEN DESIGN

AG E

20 W

hilst spending a year working at Great Dixter House and Gardens in East Sussex, Oliver says he was introduced to “the possibilities that a career in horticulture might offer”. He went on to enrol at the London College of Garden Design, continuing to work at Great Dixter once a week. He now runs his own design business and has just finished the planting scheme for his first garden, located in central London. This year, Oliver won the People’s Choice Award at the Belvoir Flower and Garden Festival. He is particularly interested in the impact climate change could have on gardens in the future and is keen to encourage young people to join the industry.

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30 UNDER 30

AIDAN CIFELLI D E S I G N E R , A I DA N C I F E L L I L A N D S C A P E S

AG E

25

A

fter obtaining a Master's degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Edinburgh, Aidan worked for a number of prestigious companies, including GROSS.MAX and Grant Associates. He now runs his own design practice based in Edinburgh and was a finalist for this year’s RHS Young Designer of the Year at Tatton Park, where his Caledonian Coastal Garden was awarded a Silver medal. He also achieved an honourable mention in arch out loud’s international competition to design a market for buried nuclear waste that would last 10,000 years, for which there were hundreds of entries. He says his main aim is “to focus my knowledge on creating spaces that can benefit people with various illnesses, forming meditative and ultimately therapeutic environments.”

DANIELLE MAKEPE ACE 26 W AG E

S E N I O R K E Y AC C O U N T M A N AG E R , G R O U N D C O N T R O L

hen Danielle joined Ground Control five years ago as a key account manager, she was keen to progress and develop her skills. She now manages a small team, working with SME clients, and is continually looking to expand her skillset to take on more responsibility and manage a larger team in the future. She created a ‘buddy role’ within the business so that new starters would have someone to provide support and help with their induction, and achieved distinction for a CMI Level 3 diploma in principles of leadership and management. She has also recently joined the senior leadership team, with the aim of applying to shadow the executive team in the future.

CHARLIE HARTIGAN

H

aving joined The Relentless Gardeners in 2016 when it was still very new, Jamie is now a project manager/designer for the company, which has since changed its name to HOS Landscapes. Jamie ensures the smooth running of various residential and commercial projects, training and supporting team members.

He previously worked as a soft landscaping operative at Willerby Landscapes, where he undertook the maintenance of several high-end commercial properties including One Hyde Park.

Jamie hopes to continue to support the integration of design and build by one day running his own courses and creating a podcast.

JAMIE HUGHES

D I R EC TO R / L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T EC T, E N V I S AG E G A R D E N S

I

AG E

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PROJECT MANAGER /DESIGNER, HOS L ANDSCAPES

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nitially joining Envisage in 2011 as an intern while at university, Charlie now works full time at the company as a director/landscape architect. Her role involves handling software elements, producing marketing material and designing individual projects. This year saw Charlie being named a finalist for RHS Young Designer of the year, scooping a Silver-gilt medal and being awarded People’s Choice Award. She is also subcontracted to Hardy Eucalyptus at Grafton Nurseries, for which she has helped to design and build RHS floral marquee exhibitions, winning 23 medals in total.

AG E

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30 UNDER 30

G I O R G O DA N I E L O

n his first entry into the BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2018 Beautiful Borders competition, Giorgo scooped a Silver Award for his Therapeutic Herb Concert garden, which incorporated herbs around a grand piano frame to form a therapeutic concert.

He is currently the head of soft landscaping at 4th Corner Landscaping, having worked his way up from an apprentice role. He hopes to continue to expand the company’s soft landscaping department and work on more diverse landscaping schemes, building relationships with clients and people in the construction industry.

After his success at BBC Gardeners’ World Live, he also aims to design further show gardens.

HEAD OF SOFT LANDSCAPING AND SENIOR TEAM LEADER, 4TH CORNER LANDSCAPING

DAV ID AG E M AG OR 29 GARDEN DESIGNER AND LANDSCAPE GARDENER, DAV I D M AG O R G A R D E N S

AG E

23

AG E

30

BEN FERGUSON

C H A RT E R E D L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T EC T, AT K I N S

C

urrently working as a chartered landscape architect at Atkins, Ben has been involved with multiple, high profile projects throughout his career. His desire to become a landscape architect was sparked by his passion and “particular interests in the complex relations and connections shared between human beings and the environment”.

In 2017, he won the Smart Green Spaces competition with the ‘Key to the City’ app, which encourages people to explore their local green spaces. Ben has also worked on the Thames Tideway and Cairngorms National Park, as well as a project in Morocco, and gives talks at secondary schools to promote landscape architecture.

RICHARD MOORE B OTA N I C A L H O RT I C U LT U R A L I ST, R OYA L B OTA N I C G A R D E N S , K E W

S

tarting out as a horticultural assistant at a garden centre, David now manages his own garden design and maintenance company, with plans to own a plant nursery in the future. He was inspired after visiting a plethora of public gardens across the UK, enrolling on a garden design course at Writtle College so that he could add this service to his existing maintenance business, which he set up in 2009.

He’s currently studying for a diploma with the British Academy of Garden Design at University of Westminster whilst maintaining the gardens at The French Embassy Residence. This year, David also had the opportunity to build a show garden at the Royal Norfolk Show, receiving a gold medal.

AG E

25

R

ichard’s career began at Pershore College where he studied horticulture, primarily focusing on plant production and garden design. After completing his degree, Richard relocated to London and started working for a small landscaping company. He joined the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in 2017, and now maintains the Queen’s Garden and Director’s Garden; this year he was awarded Young Horticulturist of the Year. During his career so far, Richard has also carried out restoration at the pleasure gardens at Highbury Park, Birmingham and studied at the Japanese Gardens in Portland, Oregon.

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30 UNDER 30

TO M JOHNSON

C H A RT E R E D L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T EC T, W Y N N EW I L L I A M S A S S O C I AT E S

T

om has been gardening since he was young, and had the opportunity to work in the floral ornamental department at RHS Wisley as part of work experience during secondary school.

He’s gone on to mentor school children himself as part of Class of Your Own and Form the Future. Tom is currently a landscape architect at Wynne-Williams Associates, working on projects from the bidding stage up to practical completion.

Having gained experience on a number of different sites, he hopes to act as a contract administrator on future landscape construction projects.

AG E

25

J O RDAN W ESTO N

AG E

24

F R E E L A N C E H O RT I C U LT U R A L C O N S U LTA N T, T H E B E A R D E D B OTA N I ST

W

hen Jordan was a child, he was given his own part of his grandparent’s allotment garden, which he used to grow dahlias, sweet peas and spring bulbs. It’s no surprise, then, that Jordan went on to work in the horticulture industry.

He started working in a garden centre, later becoming manager. From here, he worked his way through to a Level 3 horticulture qualification. He has since worked as a sales executive at a commercial nursery and as deputy manager at Singletons Nursery, where he's now a self-employed horticultural consultant.

He would eventually like to open up his own garden centre and offer horticultural talks and masterclasses.

TANYA W I LS HE R 29 T AG E

R EG I O N A L R E L AT I O N S H I P M A N AG E R , TC L G R O U P anya first became interested in the landscaping sector whilst working for a large housing developer and now works with specialist play area designers at TC Landscapes. Since joining the company nearly two years ago, Tanya has contributed to more than 100 play areas and open spaces across the UK, from planning to installation, and her team was recently awarded a £1.8 million contract.

She also arranged for TC Landscapes to work with charity Variety on its Big Build Project at Springwater Special Educational Needs School in Harrogate. To date, the company has donated £10,000 worth of equipment to the scheme, as well as its design skills to create an educational outdoor area to encourage inclusive play for families and pupils.

C H R I STO P H E R W R I G H T 27 AG E

SENIOR ARBORICULTURAL CONSULTANT, TIM MOYA ASSOCIATES

W

orking in the arboriculture industry since 2014, Christopher’s career started at a local authority as a tree officer. Since then he has progressed to work at Tim Moya Associates as a senior consultant.

Christopher’s current role sees him not only working in the planning and development sector providing consultancy advice but also mentoring colleagues. In his spare time, Christopher also runs his own online blog focused around the arboriculture community which has amassed over 40,000 views. He has also helped developed a fungi identification mobile app at TMA which has been downloaded by over 5,000 people.

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30 UNDER 30

M A R I U S C AT R I N O I - C O R N E A O P E R AT I O N S D I R EC TO R , LO N D O N STO N E

A

AG E

s London Stone’s operations director, Marius makes strategic decisions for the company's transport and operations departments, and health and safety policies. He enjoys that he is able to positively impact the working life of landscapers and his peers, and continually strives to improve supplier-client relations. Having begun his career at London Stone in 2013 as a temporary yard operative, he is dedicated to the company and hopes to further himself by gaining a Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport accreditation. Marius’ aim is to “continue to positively impact the landscaping industry by every single decision that is in my power to make.”

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26 M AT T H E W H E I N S U AG E

S O I L S C I E N T I ST, T I M O’ H A R E A S S O C I AT E S L L P ntil 2017, Matthew lived in South Africa, where he worked within different environmental and sustainable energy disciplines. When he moved the UK, he joined Tim O’Hare Associates after taking an interest in the work the company carries out, saying his “eyes were opened to the broad inputs and benefits that soil science has on the landscape industry”. He has now progressed to managing his own projects, which range from small surveys to surveying large greenfield and brownfield developments. Matthew is also actively involved in the company’s business development and marketing, and is an Early Career Member of the British Society of Soil Science.

ANGUS TAYLOR C O N T R AC T M A N AG E R , E S L L A N D S C A P E C O N T R AC TO R S

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ngus joined ESL at the beginning of 2018, having previously worked as a carpenter, designing and installing oak framed buildings. Now a contract manager, Angus says his biggest commitment lies in the development of his teams. He currently manages five, leading between 7 to 12 contracts each month on average, ranging from residential and commercial projects to large public spaces. His role includes identifying the right people for the right roles, offering mentoring and additional training if required. Angus’ strengths lie in his people skills, which not help to manage teams and build strong relationships with clients. His career goal is to become managing director of a landscaping company.

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LU CY AG E 25 GEALL SENIOR LANDSCAPE A R C H I T EC T, A R A L I A

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fter achieving a degree and Master's in Landscape Architecture at Writtle College, Lucy went on to become a qualified member of the Landscape Institute and is currently working towards achieving a Chartership. As a senior landscape architect at Aralia, Lucy works both independently as well as in teams to create landscape designs, work with clients to produce design briefs, and manage her own client list.

Her background includes working on mountain-based projects residing in Pakistan, university gardens and RHS Chelsea Flower Show stands for King & Co The Tree Nursery, which have been awarded Gold and Silver medals.

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30 UNDER 30

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G A R D E N D E S I G N E R A N D O F F I C E C O O R D I N ATO R , A DA M F R O ST D E S I G N , A N D F R E E L A N C E W R I T E R A N D G A R D E N E R

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icola has had a passion for horticulture for as long as she can remember, and has held a variety of roles within the industry including volunteering at the National Trust, writing and editing show catalogues for the RHS shows and being a trainee horticultural editor for the RHS. She has worked for Adam Frost Design since September 2016 and is the main point of contact for clients, plant sourcing and working up designs for public and private spaces. Her career has seen her scooping a Gold medal at BBC Gardeners’ World Live as well as being awarded a Silver-gilt medal when she was a finalist for RHS Young Designer of the Year.

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K R I ST I A N R E AY

his year saw Kristian being awarded RHS Young Designer of the Year for his Xylella garden at Tatton Park which focused on raising the awareness of biosecurity and plant diseases.

The garden was supported by Defra, APHA and The BRIGIT Project. His background includes a degree and a Master's in Landscape Architecture, and has seen him working on a variety of projects such as a water sensitive ‘Sponge City’ in Shanghai and an urban public realm scheme. His current role at Macgregor Smith allows Kristian to follow his passion of working in the natural environment and engage with the landscape around him.

L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T EC T, M AC G R EG O R S M I T H

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D I R EC TO R , J A M E S E W E N P OW E L L LT D

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or the past seven years, James has been the director of his own design and build company, James Ewen Powell Ltd. He is currently working on creating a Matt Keightley design, and this year alone has built challenges from a sunken outdoor television room to bioclimatic pergolas and an outdoor kitchen. He holds a diploma in garden design from KLC School of Design, as well as qualifications in bricklaying and paving.

He hopes to develop the company to build high-end gardens throughout south-west London, both for in-house and external designers, and aspires to build a show garden at Chelsea. He says his passion is “creating amazing spaces for people to enjoy and feel inspired by”.

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fter leaving Writtle College at 22 with a degree in horticulture, Meg saw herself working at LANTRA as a professional tree inspector, achieving a tree climbing and aerial rescue qualification. She is currently working as a senior arboricultural consultant at Place Services where she carries out health and safety surveys and provides advice on tree retention. Meg also assisted with writing the London Borough of Barnet’s Tree Strategy back in October 2017 which won the award for London Borough of the Year at the Greater London Authority and Forestry Commission awards earlier this year. She is also a member of the committee for the East Anglian Branch of the Forestry Commission.

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30 UNDER 30

TO M H A N S O N S E N I O R L A N D S C A P E S U P E RV I S O R , E L M T R E E G A R D E N C O N T R AC TO R S

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ne of Tom’s greatest achievements is understanding and safely removing oak processionary moth from several infected sites. In his present role as senior landscape supervisor at Elmtree Garden Contractors, Tom is responsible for two landscape operatives. He also worked on Bear Walk Project at the Wild Place Project in Bristol, one of Elmtree’s biggest projects to date. His aim is to achieve a senior management role within a large landscaping company. He would also like to focus on training, developing and mentoring newcomers to the industry in the future, and hopes that with formal training he can one day oversee apprentices and become a formal assessor.

OW E N TO M A S BY R O M

L ANDSCAPE CONSULTANT, XQL A, AND FOUNDER, HE ADPL ACE

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ushing the importance of green spaces for mental health is high on Owen’s agenda. One of the many ways he hopes to do so is through his research project Headplace which aims to gather information on how our public spaces can be utilised to help alleviate mental health disorders. Owen has also contributed to the Place North West article: 'Cities "don’t fulfil potential" for mental wellbeing'. Over the years he has won several awards and recently joined XQLA as a landscape consultant, and hopes to continue to highlight the potential and positive impact of the landscapes we design.

LAURENCE VINCENT S E N I O R O P E R AT I O N S M A N AG E R , TC L G R O U P ( TC L S O U T H E A ST )

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fter leaving school at 18, Laurence went to work for a small landscaping company. This inspired him to enrol at Hadlow College, where he “discovered aspects of the industry I had never encountered” and gained a national diploma in horticulture.

He joined TLC in 2017 as operations manager, and was promoted to senior operations manager less than a year later. He now runs the department for the south-east region. He is now working towards a regional director role, to help develop and grow the business by recently enrolling on a degree in chartered management.

He would eventually like to train the next generation.

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D

uring his time working for The Landscaping Consultants, Jordan has worked on seven RHS show gardens, including the RHS Back to Nature Garden at Hampton Court where he was a junior foreman. He has also worked on the Rosebank Garden which received a Principle BALI Award in 2018. Jordan began his career with The Landscaping Company as a part-time labourer during his GCSEs and college.

Now a junior foreman, he has aspirations of becoming a managing director. He is also determined to “provide the next generation with the key skills they need to achieve their full potential in the same way I was mentored”.

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J O RDAN W I L L IAMS

JUNIOR FOREMAN, THE LANDSCAPING CONSULTANTS

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R EC E N T LY O P E N E D TO T H E P U B L I C A S PA R T O F O P E N G A R D E N S W E E K E N D, W E S P E A K TO PA U L B U R N AG E , M A N AG I N G D I R EC TO R O F G R A S S H O P P E R D I S P L AYS . H E D I S C U S S E S C A N N O N B R I D G E R O O F G A R D E N S A N D T H E U N I Q U E P O C K E TS O F P L A N T I N G H E H A S C R E AT E D, TA K I N G I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M A R O U N D T H E G LO B E

©Anna Barclay/London Parks and Gardens Trust

F E AT U R E GARDEN

CANNON BRIDGE ROOF GARDENS

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igh up on a London roof terrace overlooking the Thames sits Cannon Roof Bridge Garden. Residing above Cannon Street station, the garden is framed by two Victorian water towers, remnants of the steam engines which used to pass underneath. With stretches of London and St Paul’s Cathedral as a backdrop, the setting was always breath-taking. But before Paul Burnage, designer of the garden, and his team transformed the garden, it featured minimal planting and didn’t make the most of the incredible environment.

Paul explains: “The space had a lot of potential to flourish. Before we started, there was lots of shrubbery and not many flowers.

I never get tired of the view, it’s very special. We wanted to create a garden that was worthy of it.”

Paul and his team of two visit the garden once a week to maintain it, and are continually looking for ways to develop the space, as well as following a five-year plan that was assembled in partnership with the building's management team. The garden is used lovingly by the occupants of the adjoining buildings as well as hosting various events throughout the year – the garden was

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©Anna Barclay/London Parks and Gardens Trust

NURTURE

a bustling spot during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and Paul has even had the honour of giving Prince Edward a tour. With all of these guests, Paul has learnt to not be too precious of the garden: “You have to remind yourself why you’re here. With so many visitors, plants are never going to stay in perfect condition. As the garden has progressed, everyone has become prouder of the space and can see the value that it has.”

Garden pockets “Our biggest aim was to create several small pocket gardens within the space. We wanted users to always be wondering what was around the corner,” Paul explains. Year-round interest was important as it is overlooked by several buildings and is heavily used, even in the colder months.

When you first enter the space, you are met by a Mediterranean-style planting bed. Olive

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OUR BIGGEST AIM WAS TO CREATE SEVERAL SMALL POCKET GARDENS WITHIN THE SPACE trees are joined by a number of succulents, such as Opuntia polyacantha, Senecio vitalis and Graptopetalum amethystinum. Further round is what Paul refers to as the wildlife bed, comprising a more traditional cottage-style planting. The bed also includes a bird feeding station and is home to various nesting birds.

In the subtropical bed, Paul has planted an array of eye-catching and playful plants.

Colourful Abutilon 'Red Tiger' hangs delicately like lanterns, its orange and red stripes standing out against the green foliage. Impatiens

niamniamensis adds to this bright palette, while Colocasia esculenta and Dratura inoxia ensure the greenery is interesting to look at.

Elsewhere in the garden, the beds continue to take inspiration from around the globe.

Australian plants in particular are a favourite of Pauls, tying in with his work at the Australian High Commission. These plants also have a later flowering period, which aids Paul in his mission to keep the garden colourful and interesting year-round. Australian Podalyria calyptrata produces small pink flowers all year while Callistemon citrinus 'Splendens' provides crimson aromatic bottlebrush flowers. Mirabilis jalapa from Peru, Acca sellowiana from Brazil and Anigozanthos manglesii from Australia also feature in the garden.

In a two-sided bed, Paul has planted pineapples alongside a citrus tree, fig trees, oleander and a Ceropegia sandersonii from Eswatini. Paul has also introduced a unique sunflower – SunBelievable’s ‘Brown Eyed Girl’.

Though it grows only from cuttings and produces no seeds, it flowers non-stop for months and each flower is the same. The stunning sunflower secured third place at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show’s Plant of the Year competition in 2018.

A spiral staircase to the side of the garden leads down to a wellbeing area – a place of tranquillity and reflection. Tillandsia, Bromeliads and carnivorous plants make up some of the plants in the geometric beds, while leafy tree ferns are showcased around wind catchers and a calming water feature.

Biodiversity Over a five-year period, Paul has developed the space into a haven for the occupants as

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NURTURE

©Anna Barclay/London Parks and Gardens Trust

well as the local wildlife. “We wanted to create the feeling of a garden in a commercial space, whilst making an environmental impact,” Paul explains. The space is dotted with ‘bug hotels’ which attract a number of spiders and bees.

ways to create hugely biodiverse spaces which are also manicured: “If you’ve got the right type of plants, it can be just as beneficial as a meadow. There are other ways you can meet both the commercial needs as well as the environmental.”

A challenging location The biggest challenge Paul faced whilst creating the garden was the depth of the soil, which is a common issue when developing roof gardens. At Cannon Bridge Roof Garden, the average soil depth is 20cm – Paul says: “In many places we had to raise up the beds, or start with very small rooted plants, allowing them to spread.”

Another challenge Paul has to contend with is the location. Although adding to the beauty of the garden, the space being exposed on all sides means the wind blows off the river and

Ladybirds are an essential predator for the garden, and part of the reason it has established with no serious pest infestations.

Paul elaborates: “We don’t spray anything on the garden. By spraying, you kill everything – pests, but also friendly predators – and that’s a problem. We move the larvae and the adult ladybirds around the garden to areas they are needed. They’re hungry and ferocious and they have cleaned up blackfly and greenfly on a number of occasions.”

It is Paul’s belief that although wildflower meadows are productive, there are other

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East’ hit in early 2018, the garden suffered as it was covered in four inches of snow. Luckily, most of the plants have managed to recover and the garden has been thriving since – earlier this year, the garden received the top prize in London in Bloom's Business Landscape category. Paul and his team plan to continue to develop the garden and look out for interesting and unusual plants to fill the space.

IF YOU’VE GOT THE RIGHT TYPE OF PLANTS, IT CAN BE JUST AS BENEFICIAL AS A MEADOW right through the garden, providing little to no protection for the planting.

Cannon Bridge is also three degrees cooler than the rest of the city because of this lack of protection. When the ‘Beast from the

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T

rees are important. They contribute directly and indirectly to creating liveable places and healthy communities. The benefits of trees have, in the main, long been known, even if they have not been fully understood.

Trees are fundamental to making better places to live in a whole variety of ways – from the large woodland on the edge of town to the small ornamental cherry in a front garden.

All of these are silently contributing to making our lives more comfortable.

TREES ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO MAKING BETTER PLACES TO LIVE IN A WHOLE VARIETY OF WAYS The Victorians, for example, recognised that the plane tree filtered sooty particles from the air, trapping them on its leaves and bark, while also tolerating the dense pollution of London at that time. It is through these extensive Victorian 3975 Treeconomics The Benefits of Trees Infographic A3.pdf

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HOW T R EES A D D VA LU E

KENTON ROGERS, CO-FOUNDER OF TREECONOMICS, E XPL AINS THE BENEFITS OF TREES AND THE CONTRIBUTION THEY MAKE TO SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT

plantings and propagation that the tree became known as the London plane, the most dominant street tree in both London and New York. Many cities across the globe enjoy a legacy of trees of a similar stature, planted over 100 years ago in the Victorian era.

The illustration below highlights just some of the 20 or so benefits of trees identified and listed using the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES).

Ecosystem services are essentially the services with which the natural world provides us and from which we derive benefit.

Perhaps one of the most widely understood benefits of trees is simply that they look nice.

They are aesthetically pleasing, breaking up the straight edges of buildings, while contrasting textures and colours provide visual interest and stimulation. Trees are one of the most useful items in the landscape designer’s ‘toolkit’ for

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ONE OF THE MAIN CHALLENGES SOCIETY NOW FACES WILL BE IN MAKING VIBRANT, HEALTHY AND ATTRACTIVE PLACES TO LIVE these aesthetic and screening qualities.

On many highway networks, tree planting is often planned with the aim of improving ‘journey quality’, reducing the visual impact of the highway and softening road noise.

Trees also provide a cultural link to the wider environment and the past, with many trees having been present in the landscape for hundreds of years, through many cycles of human generations. Trees also act as a focal point for shared spaces and provide a backdrop and navigational aid, framing scenes and viewpoints in our towns, cities, villages and countryside.

Not only do trees contribute to attractive streetscapes and landscapes, they are also an asset that increases in value, delivering greater benefits as they grow. Across towns and cities, trees also encourage physical activity by providing a pleasant environment in which to exercise, with greater uptake of walking and cycling through woodland, tree-lined paths, cycleways and trails.

This is an important benefit, as across Europe around one in 15 deaths is associated with a lack of physical activity. In the UK, for example, only one-third of the population actually achieves the recommended level of exercise.

Trees make a buffer against climate change at international, national and local scales, locking up carbon and providing shade,

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summer cooling and winter warming. The fact that trees hold up floodwater and storm water means this water does not cause damage to property or enter combined sewerage systems, saving the water companies the expense of treating this water.

Similarly with air pollution, trees have been shown to remove significant amounts of pollution from the air that would otherwise damage people’s health and the very fabric of buildings.

A global US study carried out by The Nature Conservancy found that the cost of tree planting is less than every other pollution removal strategy considered (except for ‘cool-roof’ technologies).

Furthermore, trees near road networks will reduce noise, lower traffic speeds and can prolong the life of the asphalt itself, compared to roads without tree cover. Trees also provide products such as apples, pears, walnuts, chestnuts and foliage for floristry. Finally, at the end of their lives, the trees’ timber can also be utilised for a whole variety of purposes, from fuel wood and wood chips to the manufacture of products like wooden pallets and fine furniture. Obviously, the better the product or furniture, the longer that carbon is locked up.

TREES MAKE A BUFFER AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE AT INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL AND VERY LOCAL SCALES We are at the beginning of what some describe as the Anthropocene age. This new geological epoch represents humanity’s impact on the earth. The current epoch, the Holocene, is 12,000 years old. Carbon dioxide emissions, sea level rise, the global mass extinction of species, and the transformation of land by deforestation and development mark this ‘new human’ geological time.

One of the main challenges society now faces will be creating vibrant, healthy and attractive places to live. This article has focused on just one small part of this task – the contribution that trees can make.

For a list of the research see the Green Cities Good Health Website at: http://depts.washington.edu/hhwb/ Contact the author if you wish to have a high resolution copy of the tree benefits image used in this article.

ABOUT KENTON ROGERS Kenton Rogers is a chartered urban forester and cofounder of Treeconomics, an employeeowned social enterprise with a mission to highlight the benefits of trees in order to better manage urban forests using a benefits approach. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and author of the Haynes Tree Workshop Manual. Current projects include working on urban forest masterplans and tree strategies for local authorities dealing with climate emergencies.

kenton@treeconomics.co.uk

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C L I M AT E CRISIS

THIS MONTH, NICK COSLETT EXPLORES THE DILEMMAS BRITAIN AND THE LANDSCAPING INDUSTRY WILL FACE IN THE WAKE OF CLIMATE CHANGE

O

ur future is getting more complicated and we will only be faced with even greater moral dilemmas. For years, governments have been listening to the big businesses and not hearing the scientists. Climate breakdown is on its way, and we’ve seen some strong indicators – since 2000, the UK has experienced nine out of the 10 hottest years on record. We have the highest levels of CO2 ever registered in our atmosphere, raising the global temperature by 1°C. The Paris Agreement is attempting to limit further rises to below 2°C and 1.5°C, ideally.

However, we won’t get anywhere near this if there’s not a rapid change in direction regarding how we use resources, carbon and energy. So, business as usual won’t help and will fry your grandchildren. Brexit is a short-term issue, the climate is the big one.

WE KNOW WHAT WE DO AS AN INDUSTRY MAKES PLACES AND LIVES BETTER FOR PEOPLE. CAN WE DO IT WITH A SOFTER FOOTPRINT AND MUCH LESS CARBON? Greta Thunberg, speaking in the US recently, said: “Become better informed and this will increase pressure on your politicians to make the big changes necessary.” She also said the carbon emissions budget (set at Paris to meet the 1.5°C target) was running out fast and had between eight and nine years remaining at current outputs. The predictions are that the global temperatures will go past 2°C, and that this year’s heatwave will become the norm.

What happens now will hit future generations.

“But, I need to continue my business to feed my family,” I hear you say. How can the UK’s horticultural and landscape industry do its part?

We know what we do as an industry makes

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places and lives better for people. Can we do it with a softer footprint and much less carbon?

The Soft Landscape Workshop I’m curating for Palmstead for 22 January 2020, will aim to inform and provoke discussion on this, as well as the actions we can take (delegate bookings are now open at www.palmstead.co.uk). As Greta Thunberg puts it: “We are not powerless. If we all do some, even, small things, they add up to something significant.”

The plants most affected by these rising temperatures are our trees, especially oaks and beech. Replanting these long-lived trees in southern England would place them in an increasingly stressful environment which would curtail their life expectancy. The landscape industry needs to look towards other trees or genomes which tolerate higher temperatures and are hardy, as further weather extremes are predicted. For example, the HS2 project required: a third of trees to be sourced from a central UK provenance, a third of trees from two degrees further south (so, southern UK), and a further third from two to five degrees further south again, – so, in France (the Loire or Bordeaux regions).

Researchers are looking for plant ranges like Quercus robur (English oak), in areas where the climate (heat and frosts) are comparable to what is predicted for the UK by 2050 and beyond.

Then, their seeds will have to be collected and grown on for the best part of 10 years in the UK to provide our trees for the future. Sadly, I don’t see the UK tree growers reacting yet. I’m not sure how long we can wait!

ABOUT NICK COSLETT Nick has spent his working life in landscape and horticulture. He initially trained as a landscape architect, then parks manager, and for the last 20 years, he has worked with Coblands and Palmstead nurseries, running the Soft Landscape Workshops which have become popular industry events. He’s been involved with BALI as national and regional chairs. Now retired, he is a BALI National Landscape Awards judge and Chalk Fund trustee, and has more time to follow his lifelong interest in the industry.

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Lewis Normand is speaking on the panel ‘The Softer Side of Landscaping: Planning and Perfecting Your Planting Palette’ (11am in Room Two)

FUTUREPROOFING

PL ANTS

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e are often told about our changing climate and the very generic term of ‘global warming’, but what will it actually mean in terms of plant success in the UK in our near future? The short answer, as always when we look to the future, is that we don’t really know.

But there are some likely possibilities, if not probabilities, of how change will manifest.

The first is that, while temperatures globally are already rising and the decline of polar ice caps is resulting in higher sea levels, locally (within continents and even countries) changes may be more variable than just ‘hotter’.

The UK Met Office 2018 Climate Change report (UKCP18) outlines predicted ranges of temperature and precipitation change over the next 80 years or so, with variables considered (based on the Representative Concentration Pathways – RCPs) like when we reach peak carbon emissions and reduce them to more favourable levels during this period. Essentially, it allows climatologists to model pathways of likely weather patterns based on the four RCPs selected, assuming differing dates for when we

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get our act together internationally in reducing carbon output. Interestingly and depressingly, all four models predict continuous negative climate change. Improving the situation or significantly worsening it all depends on our future efforts.

IT LOOKS INCREASINGLY LIKELY THAT WE WILL HAVE TO CHANGE THE WAY WE LOOK AT PLANTS. MANY WILL BECOME MORE SEASONAL IN THEIR USE What the data suggests for the UK is that we will likely experience greater turbulence in our land and marine weather patterns. Summers are likely to be warmer but will tend towards heatwaves and droughts. This is consistent with recent changes (since 2002) where we have experienced the 10 ‘warmest years’ since records began in 1884.

Average temperature rises in summer (of potentially up to 5.9°C) may not sound vast, but these changes would be hugely significant to our native flora.

Precipitation is likely to change considerably too. Warmer and drier summers may be met with wetter and milder winters, with increased flooding and average rainfall potentially increasing as much as 33% in parts of central England. Three of the top 10 ‘wettest years on record’ across the UK, fall within the same range (since 2002) and seven of the top 10 since 1990, suggesting a normalising increase.

It is worth stressing that this article can only ever be a superficial account of change, and that these are the worst case predictions. You are advised to read the report available online on the Met office website for greater insight into regional predictions and potential temperature and rainfall fluctuation ranges, as well as factors impacting on them.

So, where does this leave our plant selections for the future? I’m struggling to find plants looking for hotter, drier summers followed by mild, wet winters. It looks increasingly likely that

©Met Office

CLIMATE CHANGE CONTINUES TO BE A CAUSE FOR CONCERN. LEWIS NORMAND SAYS THAT WE NEED TO START PLANNING OUR PLANT SELECTION NOW IN ORDER TO PREPARE FOR THE WORST

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NURTURE

we will have to change the way we look at plants. Many will become more seasonal in their use. Those on the edge of hardiness may do better in the summer than previously, but may need to be lifted and stored over the winter months to keep them drier.

Perhaps we will become more focused on container gardening where we can control moisture more effectively than in the ground.

It is conceivable that we will undertake more in the way of short term ‘bedding’ style plantings, using previously hardy plants as you find in countries like Canada or most of Scandinavia, that have cold winters and hot summers.

There, many evergreen shrubs that we take for granted won’t survive the cold, and are either brought under cover, not planted at all, or used in temporary summer displays along with quick growing herbaceous perennials utilising the smaller, but hotter growing period.

While I don’t doubt that we will come up with workable solutions to survive and even excel in the heat of summer and mitigate the wet of winter, two things worry me about our horticultural future. The first, is that milder winters and hotter summers will inevitably help many pests to establish, and the lack of cold

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snaps will prevent them from being killed off.

The second, is that while we may be able to make changes to suit our gardens, our landscapes – especially native landscape – may have a far worse time acclimatising to change.

CHANGES TO OUR NATIVE FLORA, AND SUBSEQUENTLY FAUNA, SEEM INEVITABLE, POTENTIALLY DEVASTATING AND UTTERLY TRAGIC IF THEY COME TO PASS Much of our native flora lives on a knife-edge in terms of climate. Marginal changes in terms of temperature and moisture can be catastrophic in terms of their ability to succeed, and it seems inconceivable to me that all will make it through these changes.

Our temperate island enables us to grow one of the widest ranges of plants in the world. This is

great for the horticultural professional and great for our culture as a nation of gardeners, but changes to our native flora, and subsequently fauna, seem inevitable, potentially devastating and utterly tragic if they come to pass.

I hope, as we all do, that our climate doesn’t change radically. I hope that there are solutions to be found to mitigate change. I hope that we can ensure the success of our natives during any changes ahead. We must all become their bastions of preservation, planting them now, more than ever, to help them find resilient clones, better able to handle change.

ABOUT LEWIS NORMAND Lewis has worked in a wide variety of roles within horticulture over a 20-year career. He lectured in 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 over 100 gardens at major shows.

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N U R S E RY

NURTURE

FO C U S H E R T FO R D S H I R E B A S E D N U R S E R Y MA JESTIC TREES DISCUSSES THE I M P O R TA N C E O F N U R S E RY Q U A R A N T I N E A N D R E F L EC TS O N T H E S U C C E S S O F THIS YEAR’S RHS SHOW SEASON

F

ounded in 2002 by Steve and Janet McCurdy, Majestic Trees Nursery is located in Hertfordshire and spans an impressive 27.5 acres. The nursery currently employs 32 members of staff who offer onsite assistance to visiting customers.

When it comes to tree installation and establishment, Majestic Trees offers a comprehensive tree planting service for every tree sold using its experienced tree planting team. The nursery also provides a ‘delivery to tree pit’ service, which is popular with many companies. With over 10,000 trees available, Steve says there’s a clear favourite amongst customers. “Our most popular tree? Birch of course. If it is a multi-stem, then even more so!”

With a vast range of stock available, a large majority of Majestic’s new stock for production is sourced from outside the UK, which has resulted in the nursery utilising a strict quarantine procedure for its 450 plant varieties. A unique tree-tagging system is in place, as well as a strict protocol, whereby all

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WE ONLY DEAL WITH VERY CAREFULLY VETTED GROWERS WITH WHOM WE HAVE LONGSTANDING RAPPORT new field-grown stock for production is potted into Air-Pots and remains on the nursery until fully-rooted and leafed out. During this time, the trees are subjected to three layers of observation: continual inspection by the nursery team, six-weekly inspections by a contracted consultant, and rolling inspections by Defra (approximately every four to six weeks).

Having a precise quarantine procedure is something Majestic Trees feels is a key responsibility due to the increasing spread of pests and diseases. “With the severity of the biosecurity threats facing Britain, the fact that trees can still be imported by any individual and delivered directly to a planting site is a matter of grave concern. The risk of a ‘security breach’ is significant, as evidenced by the alarming amount of oak processionary moth in the UK this year.”

The nursery has a long, impressive history of being involved with various RHS shows. During

the most recent show season, the nursery supplied trees to approximately 20 show gardens. These included Matthew Childs’ Smart Meter Garden, which not only came away with a Gold medal, but also Best in Show at Hampton Court.

Other gardens, which were also supplied

by Majestic at Hampton Court, included Dave Green’s Stop and Pause Garden – which received a Gold medal and Best Global Impact Garden, as well as Tom Simpson’s Cancer Research Garden, which received a Gold medal.

The nursery also supplies stock for various feature gardens and exhibitions around the RHS events. “As a preferred supplier for the RHS, we supply the specimen trees for many of its feature gardens and exhibits. The most dramatic of these this year was the Power of Trees feature at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, which featured over 120 mature and character specimen trees.”

Majestic Trees is currently consulting with designers regarding next year’s RHS shows, as well as working with private clients on various projects. Along with show garden involvement, Majestic Trees has recently been involved with a new build project which was named as the winner of the Chilterns Buildings Design Awards.

“We were very proud of the outcome for the new build project Incurvo, which we supplied a large number of mature trees for – it was awarded the Overall Winner!”

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L I O S P O T

NURTURE

N AT U RAL VS MA N UFACT UR ED SUBST I T U T E

I

SIMON HEDLEY OF BOUGHTON EXPLAINS THE NEED FOR USING GOOD QUALITY TOPSOIL AND WHY THERE’S MORE TO QUALITY THAN MEETING THE BRITISH STANDARD

s all topsoil created equally? If it passes the soil specification BS3882 that’s all that matters, right? Well I’m here to convince you otherwise. Not for my sake, but for the prosperity of all plants and the environment.

Topsoil refers to the top layer of soil that is high in organic matter and nutrients, formed by the slow weathering of rocks and decaying organic matter over thousands of years.

Can something that is artificially blended together hope to replicate this?

Manufactured topsoil has the same basic physical components as that of a natural topsoil, though it may lack structure and the long-term microbiological requirements of the plant. Moisture retention and carbon sequestration are also limited in comparison.

All good quality topsoil should meet British Standards BS3882:2007, but this often fails to consider overall plant health, workability or water and nutrient retentive properties.

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Considerations when specifying topsoil When specifying a topsoil, it is always important to identify the specific cultural, growing and support requirements of different plant varieties in virtually all classifications.

Many will be suited to limited soil types along with their associated nutrient and drainage properties to efficiently support their growing potential and longevity.

As the foundation to any greening project, landscapers should invest in quality topsoil to ensure a reliable and consistent result to any project. Poor quality topsoil, usually sourced from recycled topsoil, is often contaminated

LANDSCAPERS SHOULD INVEST IN QUALITY TOPSOIL TO ENSURE A RELIABLE AND CONSISTENT RESULT with brick dust, glass and other building materials from its source point. This contamination can damage the growth of any plants, trees or grass that is planted within it, a risk that can be easily avoided by using quality topsoil.

As BS3882 soil specifications provide a standard minimum, qualifying soils that are high in sand content and low in nutrients are often supplied to tender. It is vitally important to identify the correct soil requirements for your specific planting before using on a project.

To help identify unique growing requirements, it is advisable to speak to a specialist soil manufacturer to discuss desired results and job

circumstances. Suggested growing media and supportive specifications will then be provided.

Where to source quality natural topsoil?

Speak to your supplier and identify whether their topsoil is naturally occurring, manufactured or “skip” soil. BS3882 does not differentiate between the various sources and is therefore only a starting point.

Boughton is one of the few topsoil producers that uses natural ‘as dug’ topsoil for most of its products. Its experience of landscaping and horticultural applications sets it apart from competition. As a bonus, all of Boughton’s products are 100% peat-free.

Boughton topsoils are available typically in: • ‘As dug’ topsoil - typically used in large landscaping projects.

• 3mm to 10mm screened topsoil – used across a variety of landscaping projects.

All topsoil and soil blends can be supplied with an independent soil analysis, backed up with certification confirming conformity with all current environmental legislation.

To discuss growing requirements, Boughton can be contacted via sales@boughton.co.uk or call 01536 510515.

ABOUT SIMON HEDLEY Simon Hedley is the managing director at Boughton with over 30 years’ experience in the landscape, horticulture and sports turf markets.

He is passionate about promoting the utilisation of naturally occurring topsoil as the best foundation to landscape projects, to ensure a sustainable and healthy growing future across the UK.

www.boughton.co.uk

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NURTURE

BRITISH SUGAR TOPSOIL

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P R OJ E C T N A M E I S L A M I C G A R D E N AT M I L L R OA D M O S Q U E , C A M B R I D G E CLIENT URQUHART & HUNT DESIGNER EMMA CLARK C O N T R AC T O R L A N D S H A P E D LT D

P R OJ E C T N A M E CHELSEA BARRACKS C L I E N T M AC E D E S I G N E R G U STA F S O N P O R T E R + B OW M A N C O N T R AC T O R FROSTS LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION LTD

Michael Fellas, director of Landshaped, took delivery of 230 bulk bags of British Sugar TOPSOIL’s HortLoam in February and March 2019 in preparation for carrying out the soft planting for the beautiful Islamic garden at the new Mill Road mosque in Cambridge. HortLoam is a blend of BS 3882:2015-compliant topsoil, medium to coarse sand and PAS100-compliant ‘green’ compost.

The organic matter increases nutrient availability and helps retain moisture in drought conditions, whilst the sand improves drainage during wet periods. The garden is open to the public at all times, helping break down barriers in the local community.

The designer for the project was Urquhart & Hunt in partnership with Emma Clark Islamic Garden Design. www.bstopsoil.co.uk

Image ©Morley von Sternberg

TO P S O I L

P R O L A N D S C A P E R LO O K S AT T H R E E L E A D I N G T O P S O I L S U P P L I E R S A N D H OW T H E I R P R O D U C TS M A K E I M P O R TA N T I M PAC TS O N P R OJ EC TS

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P R OJ E C T N A M E S U D S S C H E M E , WHITE CITY C L I E N T W E B B STO N E L I M I T E D D E S I G N E R N /A C O N T R AC T O R WA R W I C K L A N D S C A P E S

Improving drainage and reducing flooding potential in this White City residential area, soils and aggregates specialists, MCM, supplied bioretention soil after clearing the site. One of MCM's specialist high performance landscaping soils, its bioretention option, creates a SuDS layer for these swales. The specialist soil provides filtration and helps the rate of rainwater run-off, draining well.

With the soil removing urban pollutants and creating a flexible landscape layout, MCM's client now has a healthy, sustainable soil layer.

MCM has also supplied shingle, Type 3 primary and Type 1 recycled aggregates as well as sharp sand where required. www.mcm-se.com

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Bourne Amenity worked closely with Frosts Landscapes to complete this take on a traditional kitchen garden. Bourne Walk is an avenue boasting mature London plane trees and native flowers.

The project specifications went beyond the British Standards, and Bourne Amenity provided bespoke topsoil and subsoil blends to ensure the raised planters and avenue-lined trees had access to the correct levels of nutrients and water retention to ensure the long-term establishment of the scheme.

As with many of the urban sites, space was limited and the team had to make timed deliveries of close to 2,000t of material, all on FORS Gold grab and hiab vehicles. www.bourneamenity.co.uk

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NURTURE

PRODUCT

DNA BOURNE AMENITY EXTENSIVE ROOF G A R D E N S U B ST R AT E TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS • Fully FLL/BS 8616:2019 compliant • 100% recycled/sustainable materials • Bulk density under 1,000kg per m3 • Available in larger bulk bags units for optimum delivery

C O N TAC T B O U R N E A M E N I T Y The Wharf, Rye Road, Newenden, Kent, TN18 5QG

In keeping with the launch of the new BS 8616:2019 standard for extensive roof garden substrates, Bourne Amenity’s Extensive Roof Garden Substrate is a market leader and the substrate of choice across hundreds of roof top schemes.

1 Sustainability Bourne Amenity utilises 100% recycled materials across its range of extensive substrates to enhance the green credentials and reduce its clients’ carbon footprint.

4 Bagging

Bourne Amenity has specially designed bulk bags that can carry a larger payload, and hence reduce the number of crane lifts per project.

The bags are tested to the highest durability standards and can be used multiple times to reduce wastage.

2 Water management It’s key that a good substrate is water holding and slow releasing so that rainwater can be managed and distributed effectively. Primary crushed brick is a perfect media for holding onto and then slowly dispersing rainwater so that the substrate never reaches full saturation, and therefore maintains its lightweight characteristics.

3 Low maintenance Extensive green roofs are predominantly populated by sedums, planted into a 80mm layer of substrate. The organic matter in the substrate will get the sedums started, and they will then selfsustain, providing a very low maintenance green roof.

5 Delivery Bourne Amenity’s fleet of FORS Gold vehicles means the company has complete control from its facility to clients. Most urban drops that include roof garden substrates are timed and highly regulated, which suits Bourne Amenity’s attention to detail and its unrivalled customer service.

6 Testing Bourne Amenity’s extensive roof substrate is tested in Germany against the 2018 FFL Guidelines, and more recently, against the new BS 8616:2019. Bourne Amenity tests all its material several times annually to ensure consistency and quality across the board.

Tel 01797 252299 Email info@bourneamenity.co.uk Web www.bourneamenity.co.uk Twitter @Bourne_Amenity Instagram bourne_amenity

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EDUCATE

THE

N O RT H /S O U T H

THIS MONTH LEE BESTALL DISCUSSES THE NORTH/SOUTH UK DIVIDE AND THE DIFFERENCES WHICH PRESENT THEMSELVES WHEN IT COMES TO DESIGNING A SPACE FOR CLIENTS

W

hen I returned to Yorkshire from RHS Wisley in 2005, it was my mission to ‘bring a little bit of the south to the north.’

I believed it’s what some people up here wanted, and after nearly fifteen years I’ve discovered that there definitely is a market that do, albeit quite small.

One of my first ever clients wrote a great review and some of their words stayed with me: “I never thought such a company existed up north.” This was intended as a compliment and was justified given that their second home was in London, but when I put this review on my website, it didn’t half cause people to get vocal.

Many of our clients have strong connections with the south. They have either relocated north to be closer to family, commute to work in London and surrounding regions, or have a second home there. Many clients are looking for the London and home counties vibe, blended with the Cotswolds and American New England style in Yorkshire.

It’s a fusion I enjoy and I think it adapts well in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, where most of our work is concentrated.

The most significant difference between the divide is, unsurprisingly, budget. Budgets must

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DIVIDE

stretch a lot further. We base the cost of a new garden design, when fully installed, at about 12% of the value of the house, meaning the average detached new-build costing £300k will spend around £35k on their outside space.

Having spoken recently to John Wyer of Bedfordshire-based Bowles & Wyer, he found it was harder to generalise due the variance in house prices, but suggested that 10% was a

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DIVIDE IS, UNSURPRISINGLY BUDGET. BUDGETS MUST STRETCH A LOT FURTHER good starting place. He also pointed out that this starts to become an unreliable estimate when house prices reach the £2 to £3 million range, and can drop as low as 1% in places, such as Belgravia, where a £300k garden is constructed at a £30 million house.

In the north, we find that people tend to spend an average of £350/m2 on their outside space. This varies between £150/m2 where there are large areas of lawn and £450/m2 for smaller gardens with more decorative boundaries. Compare this to areas in the south where £500/m2 is the average, and the range is

from £100/m2 to £1,500/m2 in central London.

Knowing this, are these figures enough to lure northern garden designers to work in the south? For me at least, the answer is no, although I can’t speak for the rest of my team. Although, I have to admit that the prestige of a London project does certainly satisfy my ego requirements.

There are many complications when working far from home, and with so many amazing garden designers based locally to the southern clients, I can see why a client wouldn’t want to employ someone so far away from the site. Unless it’s a client we’ve worked with before in the north, and in these rare occasions when we do work at their London home, the logistics are never easy. So, I’m always glad to head back home for a proper cup of Yorkshire tea.

A B O U T L E E B E S TA L L Lee Bestall has been designing and managing the construction of gardens in his signature style for more than 10 years – and his honest, genuine passion is infectious. He regularly writes gardening and outdoor-style articles for magazines, is brand ambassador for Spear & Jackson and a stand-in presenter for BBC Radio Sheffield’s Gardeners’ Question Hour. www.bestall.co.uk

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EDUCATE

EXTERIOR STRUCTURES MAKE A GREAT GARDEN FOCAL POINT – NEIL PARSLOW EXPLAINS HOW TO ENSURE THEY REMAIN SO WITH THE RIGHT LIGHTING, EVEN AT NIGHT

ILLUMINATING STRUCTURES L ighting exterior structures can sometimes produce a challenging aspect to the overall design. This often makes itself apparent when taking into consideration the cohesion between functional, accent and safety lighting commonly associated with structures and aesthetically pleasing designs.

Structures such as arbours, gazebos, summer houses and even treehouses can play a part in a lighting design. Certain structures require more attention to detail, depending on their intended use within the landscape. This also applies to the materials from which they are constructed, which is due to the safety aspect and how well light is reflected from the surface of the structure.

Traditional treehouses constructed from warmly coloured hardwoods, for example, easily absorb the light emitted from light fittings and can require a higher lumen output or fitting placed in a different orientation compared to a white rendered wall of a block built outbuilding.

One thing to be cautious of is the high reflectance of white or lightly coloured walls

and surfaces, as these can be quite difficult to merge with the overall scheme, as the reflected light can become too harsh and create uncomfortable hot spots of light.

When illuminating structures like outbuildings and summerhouses, ensure

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the aesthetic exterior lighting is controlled separately to the interior functional lighting, as this will not usually be required as part of the overall design. The main reason for this is that the internal lighting would tend to be brighter than the exterior, forming a distraction as the viewer’s attention will be drawn to the brighter areas inside the structure.

STRUCTURES SUCH AS ARBOURS, GAZEBOS, SUMMER HOUSES AND EVEN TREEHOUSES CAN PLAY A PART IN A LIGHTING DESIGN If a viewpoint of an illuminated structure exterior is intended whilst the navigator is within the surrounding illuminated landscape, ensure the light transition between these two areas or features is cohesive. Take into account the brightness contrast between these points as this could become a problem, unless the features which are lit are main focal points.

The eye will struggle with pockets of intensely lit areas compared to a seamless contrast between these locations.

In recent years, the advancement of compact LED light fittings has provided designers and electricians alike with an almost limitless choice in quality and price when selecting lighting products for architectural use on landscape structures.

Pre-LED light fittings which used the MR16 ELV (Extra Low Voltage) or GU10 (230v) halogen lamps were designed around the 50mm diameter of these lamps, and some manufacturers have found it easier to retrofit their products to LED, based on this size. Other fixture manufacturers have taken the radical approach of designing their products from the ground up and then developing the LED to fit in much smaller products. It’s this approach which has led to the production of extremely compact LED light fittings which are well suited to structure lighting.

Specifying constant current, series-wired (ELV) LED fittings has also permitted the reduction in cable size of wiring as they are better suited to managing voltage drop which is encountered in constant voltage LED parallel wiring, and traditional 12v (MR16) systems.

Reduced cable sizes make it much easier to hide cables either in the framework or even to the exterior of the structures.

A B O U T N E I L PA R S L O W Neil is the founder and lead designer at Light Visuals, a London-based landscape and architectural lighting manufacturer.

Neil trained as an electrical designer before his passion for lighting and landscapes transferred to the design and installation of landscape lighting. This passion also extends to the design engineering and manufacturing of high-quality Britishmade lighting products. www.lightvisuals.co.uk

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24/10/2019 11:57

EDUCATE

A WEIGHTY ISSUE KNOWING THE WEIGHT LIMITS FOR YOUR VEHICLE IS KEY WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPORTING MATERIALS. ANGUS LINDSAY EXPLAINS THE STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE TO ENSURE PERFECT, BALANCED WEIGHT

K

eeping fit and healthy is, I’m sure, on everyone’s agenda in some form or another, with managing weight being a constant consideration. This is also an issue with the vehicles we utilise in our day-to-day operations. I have previously referenced the increasing weight of light commercial vehicles and the need for us to be aware of ever-decreasing payloads, but cleaner engines are further exasperating this issue.

We have to consider the layout of the manufacturers’ chassis – the difference between a front wheel drive and rear wheel drive configuration can reduce the available payload by up to 150kg, and if you opt for the heavy duty twin-wheel version, it can reduce by almost 250kg. You need to consider the bodywork to be fitted in relation to the work the vehicle will do. It used to be that a standard 3,500kg single cab transit tipper had a minimum usable payload of just over a tonne – a figure which included a couple of people in the cab. Unless you are employing jockeys, those days are long gone.

Vehicle manufacturers can supply off-the-shelf tippers, which may well suit your needs, quoting a payload of 1,100kg, enough

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for a one-tonne pallet of material and the driver. However, you need to consider what else the vehicle will carry for its day-to-day operations. One, two, three individuals each weighing an average of 85kg, fuel, secure toolbox, cage sides, and tow-bar all add to the operational weight, so your 1,100kg turns into 750kg very quickly. You will also need to consider any ancillary equipment, such as tail-lifts and hydraulic cranes.

BODYWORK NEEDS TO BE A STRONG, LIGHT MATERIAL SUCH AS ALUMINIUM OR COMPOSITES SO WE CAN MAXIMISE THE PAYLOAD Once you’ve surmounted all these obstacles, you then need to consider what you are carrying, as well as how to stay legal and within weight limits. For objects with a known weight, this is a relatively simple task once you’re aware of the available payload.

A one-tonne bag of sand weighs one tonne, but what about the same material loaded loose?

With the latest generation of Euro 6.2 vehicles, the job doesn’t get any easier. All manner of filtration equipment, Adblue® tank and safety equipment add to the base weight of the vehicle. Bodywork needs to be a strong, light material, such as aluminium or composites, so we can maximise the payload.

You should also consider the number of people you send out in the vehicle, as this may

dictate that a three-person team now reduces to two. But, can you get the job done?

The only other options are to increase the base vehicle weight – but this takes you into the world of operator licencing, tachographs,

FIVE TONNES OVER EIGHT – HO D HAVE THOUGHT

and driver CPCs, which is probably where we will end up in the next few years unless the 3,500kg limit is raised. The other alternative is to make more use of trailers and carry all heavy materials behind the vehicle, ensuring your driver has the correct licence for this.

Whichever way you choose, weight and our ideas towards minimising it must always be a major consideration.

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

angus.lindsay@idverde.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / November 2019 105

24/10/2019 11:06

UV Stable Resin Bound System

TRANSFORM • RENOVATE • RENEW

• Permeable and UV stable • Perfect for driveways, paths, patios and more!

SEE US AT

STAND 100

• Over 50 years experience in the resin industry

• Affordable contractor training nationwide

For more information call us on:

0800 772 3030 info@resinbonded.co.uk www.resinbonded.co.uk

facebook.com/resinbonded @ResinBondedLtd

@resinbondedltd

TRAINED CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE

BoundWorx® is a registered trademark of Resin Bonded Ltd

RW_198x128_Grp_11_9_19.qxp_Layout 1 11/09/2019 13:54 Page 1

SEE US AT SPO NS OR 2

OAK FRAMED BUILDINGS | QUALITY DECKING & CLADDING OAK & WALNUT FLOORING | HOME & GARDEN FEATURES | ÖÖD HOUSES

www.roundwood.com Tel: 01435 867 072

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WINTER IS COMING W I T H W I N T E R A R O U N D T H E C O R N E R , W E LO O K I N TO W H AT H E A LT H A N D S A F E T Y P R O C E D U R E S C O M PA N I E S S H O U L D H AV E I N P L AC E A S W E L L A S T H E T H I N G S T H E Y S H O U L D P L A N A H E A D FO R

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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A

ccording to research undertaken at University College London (UCL), we could be set to experience the coldest winter since 2013. Mark Saunders, professor of climate prediction at UCL, wrote in this research paper that “it would also rank January to February 2020 as the seventh coldest winter in the past 30 years”. With this potentially ahead of us, and as an industry that spends most of its time outdoors, what procedures should companies have in place?

It is stated in The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 that, where necessary, a site that is outdoors must provide protection from adverse weather for the persons at work. This is in respect to the purpose for which the site is used and selecting personal protective equipment (PPE). It is essential that employers take these measures in order to protect their employees from cold stress and prevent cold-related illnesses and injuries.

Nurture Landscapes provides its employees with fleeces, sweatshirts, beanie hats and high visibility jackets for the winter months. Any high-vis uniform which Nurture issues is checked to ensure maximum visibility is achieved on site, and any which don’t meet the standard are replaced. Similarly, Burnham Landscaping and Belderbos Landscapes provide both warmer clothing, as well as waterproof items like

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wellingtons, jackets and trousers to their staff.

Providing suitable clothing and educating staff about cold stress is one way in which employers can ensure the safety of their staff, but there are other things which employers need to make employees aware of.

One of the biggest hazards Burnham Landscaping experiences on site is water.

During the warmer months, this isn’t as much

WE HAVE TO PLAN OUR WORK TO AVOID CERTAIN TASKS DURING CERTAIN WEATHER CONDITIONS – QUITE OFTEN WE CAN COMPLETE SOFT LANDSCAPING IF HARD LANDSCAPING IS HALTED ED BURNHAM, DIRECTOR OF BURNHAM LANDSCAPING

of an issue, but as soon as the temperature drops, using wet saws and mixing wet concrete suddenly becomes hazardous. Ed Burnham, director of Burnham Landscaping, explains: “It can create hazardous areas as the water freezes. When on site, almost all our work uses our hands. If you have cold, wet hands, it can also be incredibly dangerous.”

Nurture Landscapes covers winter working in its risk assessments and safe systems of work procedures. Each month, this information is refreshed and presented to staff by their managers as part of Nurture Landscapes’ Tool Box Talks. As the winter months close in, these talks will include advice and tips for working in cold weather, gritting procedures and winter driving techniques. Nurture

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NURTURE LANDSCAPES GRITTING VEHICLE

Landscapes also offers a winter service training package delivered to one of its three technical in-house trainers who can then convey the information to the gritting teams.

This two-hour training session covers all things gritting, including techniques and dealing with inclement weather.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also suggest providing mobile facilities for warming up, introducing more frequent rest breaks, educating workers about recognising the early symptoms of cold stress, and considering delaying work until warmer months. Ensuring staff are aware of the health and safety procedures and that they have the correct PPE is crucial. However, it’s not the only thing employers need to prepare for as severe weather could mean work halts altogether.

Nurture Landscapes looks to the Met Office for guidance on when it’s not suitable to work.

If a severe weather warning is issued, then staff will be told to return home – though this has only happened on one occasion. Nurture

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT EMPLOYERS TAKE THESE MEASURES IN ORDER TO PROTECT THEIR EMPLOYEES FROM COLD STRESS AND PREVENT SERIOUS COLD-RELATED ILLNESSES AND INJURIES Landscapes is quite unique however, as it has a large network of 200 gritters on its side and the team can be called quickly to site to deliver winter clearance works. Nik Tozer, Nurture’s national gritting manager, states that the team visited around 3,300 sites last winter, estimating this will rise to 4,100 this season.

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Nurture Landscapes not only has a fleet comprising of 18 tonne and 7.5 tonne gritting lorries, flat-bed trucks, adapted transit vans and tractors which are on standby every day – it also has a bespoke Ice Master system.

As a partner with the Met Office, Nurture Landscapes is provided with forecast from over 3,500 points, meaning it is given advance warnings of any future snow events. This includes information on the level of snow and the length of time weather is expected to last.

Through this, the Ice Master system allocates its database of sites individual job numbers. When an operator arrives on site, they can access all the site’s necessary information.

To complete the job, the operator must also fill in information about site conditions, issues and even the amount of salt used. Nik explains how this has made work more efficient: “Every part of the process is captured by the system which makes everything from quoting to billing much slicker.”

But what about smaller companies that don’t have the budget for snow clearing machinery? With no winter gritting department and a team which is mostly self-employed, Ed explains that forward thinking and planning is how he prevents days off which could severely affect his team. He says: “We don’t have as many projects or any maintenance jobs to fall back on. We have to plan our work to avoid certain tasks during certain weather conditions.

Quite often, we can complete soft landscaping if hard landscaping is halted, for example.”

This is a problem Ed believes many smaller companies face as they won’t have the equipment to deal with snow or ice, and they won’t have a variety of jobs to resort to if others are impossible to undertake.

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) provides impartial advice to employers and employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law.

It states, that in circumstances where an employee is ready, available and willing to work,

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Feature Working in Winter.indd 109

they are entitled to their normal pay. Acas asserts that although there is no legal right for a worker to be paid for working time they have missed because of travel disruption or bad

AS A PARTNER WITH THE MET OFFICE, NURTURE LANDSCAPES IS PROVIDED WITH FORECAST FROM OVER 3,500 POINTS MEANING IT IS GIVEN ADVANCE WARNINGS OF ANY FUTURE SNOW EVENTS weather, if the employer makes the choice to call off work or employer-provided transport is cancelled, they are entitled to pay. This could prove to be another difficulty when running a smaller business with tighter profit margins.

Acas recommends that employers are flexible, suggesting that they allow workers to make up any lost time, switch duties or agree for workers to take time off as paid annual leave.

Although it may seem contradictory, Belderbos Landscapes is one company that plans for this this flexibility. Knowing that adverse weather conditions will affect its work, it schedules in jobs that can be carried out in adverse weather conditions and assesses each situation on a case-by-case basis. Belderbos Landscapes also reduces the hours which its maintenance team works during the darker months from 8am to 5pm, instead opting for the distinctly less intensive 8am to 4pm.

We are set to face one of the coldest winters in recent history, but with a bit of forward planning and with the correct health and safety procedures in place, we should be able to weather the storm.

BELDERBOS LANDSCAPES STAFF WINTER CLOTHING

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U

nlike your monthly phone bill or credit card statement, the option to choose paper receipts is no longer available for tax returns. That’s because it is now compulsory for VAT-registered businesses with a taxable turnover above the VAT threshold to scrap the paperwork and go digital instead.

The government’s first phase of its Making Tax Digital initiative came into force in 1 April 2019, so businesses turning over more than the VAT threshold of £85k will need to submit VAT returns online.

It plans to extend this further to include all VAT-registered businesses over the coming months, with an end goal of improving efficiency. The government also predicts that Making Tax Digital will significantly reduce errors in tax returns, generating £610m in extra revenue for the next financial year.

To submit VAT returns digitally, businesses will need to invest in compatible software. Fortunately, there is a plethora of options available. Here, we highlight some leaders on the market.

ACCOUNTING S O F T WA R E

WITH THE NEED TO NOW GO DIGITAL, IT’S INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT TO ANALYSE THE MOST-SUITABLE TAX RETURN PROGRAMMES FOR YOUR BUSINESS

QUICKBOOKS

XERO

Go to www.gov.uk for information on Making Tax Digital. You can also read more about these options at: www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Powerful and easy accounting software with unlimited invoicing and free expense tracking.

• Is there a free trial?

Yes – a one-month free trial. You can also choose to get six months at half price.

• How much is the subscription?

Range of competitive pricing to suit different sizes of business. QuickBooks Online starts at £12 per month. www.quickbooks.intuit.com

Xero is an easy-to-use platform for small businesses and their advisors.

• Is there a free trial?

Yes. You can sign up for a 30-day free trial.

• How much is the subscription?

Standard prices range from £10 to 30 per month, with the packages regularly on offer. www.xero.com/uk

ZOHO BOOKS

BOKIO

FREEAGENT

Zoho Books is an HMRC recognised, MTD-ready accounting software for SMBs. • Is there a free trial?

Yes. Those interested can start a free trial for 14 days which gives access to the full featured professional plan.

• How much is the subscription?

Per organisation, per month: Basic £6, Standard £12, and Professional £18.

Those interested can also sign up to an annual plan, which provides two months free of charge, making the costs per year: Basic £60, Standard £120, Professional £180. www.zoho.com

Bokio is a smart solution that helps small businesses and sole traders grow their company and profits.

• Is there a free trial?

Bokio is completely free with no limitations. There is a paid add-on – Accounting Partner – if you would like an accountant to do the work for you.

• How much is the subscription?

Free. The Accounting Partner add-on starts at £25/month for a sole trader and from £50/month for a limited company, depending on your annual turnover. www.bokio.co.uk

FreeAgent is an award-winning online accounting software that’s designed specifically for the way small businesses work.

• Is there a free trial?

There is a 30-day, no-obligation free trial period.

• How much is the subscription?

For sole traders: £9.50/month (inc. VAT) for six months, £19/month afterwards.

For partnerships: £12/month (inc. VAT) for six months, £24/month afterwards.

For limited companies: £14.50/month (inc.

VAT) for six months, £29/month afterwards.

FreeAgent is also available for free, with the Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest. www.freeagent.com

110 Pro Landscaper / November 2019

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/10/2019 09:33

SureSet Permeable Paving Introducing the SureSet Eco Batching Machine • • • •

...making scenes like this a thing of the past

sureset.co.uk

mail@sureset.co.uk

2019/20 Field Collection available.

Call now for your free copy

We don’t just grow trees, we raise them

Removes single use plastic buckets from the installation process Takes resin directly from main IBC source Reduces costs of packaging and delivery Accurately batches, mixes and catylises each resin batch to ensure maximum consistancy

Long and short term hire packages available!

Please contact us for prices and information

0800 612 2083

Bound with excellence since 1997

Quality hard landscaping supplies

SEE US AT

STAND 60

natural stone & porcelain paving, accessories, aggregates, fencing, decking & more

EXC LU SIVE T R AD E D ISC OU N T S

N E X T D AY D E L I V E RY

C A SH & C R ED IT A C C OU N T S

BESPOKE S O U R C I N G S E RV I C E

OPEN 7 D AYS A W EEK

L O YA LTY R E B ATE & MO R E

www.kebur.co.uk Farnborough, M3 J4 | 01252 517571 | National deliveries

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Get the best out of your artificial surfaces The extensive SCH range is suitable for sport venues of al sizes and budgets. The robust British-made machinery wil keep your pitch in award-winning condition, year after year.

Contact us today for a FREEbrochure featuring over 200 British products, or visit our website to find out more.

Pro Pro Landscaper Landscaper Artificial Artificial Surface_Layout Surface_Layout 1 1 09/09/2019 09/09/2019 11:44 11:44 Page Page 1 1

SEE US

Proud Sponsors Sponsors of of the the IOG IOG Industry Industry Award Award for for the the Best Best Managed Managed Artificial Artificial Surface Surface Proud

AT STA ND 62

MADE IN IN MADE BRITAIN BRITAIN

For a fine range of quality trees with first class service and expert advice

Towed & & Mounted Mounted Brushes Brushes Towed

Rakes Rakes & & Brushes Brushes

Powered Powered brush brush

Chemical Chemical Applicators Applicators

Triangular Triangular Brush Brush

Drag Drag Mats Mats

Get the best out of your artificial surfaces The extensive SCH range is suitable for sport venues of all sizes Burrow Nursery, Cross in Hand, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 0UG Tel: 01435 862992

www.englishwoodlands.com

Advert Template PL.indd 35

The extensive SCH range is suitable for sport venues of all sizes and budgets. budgets. The The robust robust British-made British-made machinery machinery will will keep keep and your your pitch pitch in in award-winning award-winning condition, condition, year year after after year. year.

Contact Contact us us today today for for a a FREE FREE brochure brochure featuring featuring over over 200 200 British British products, products, or or visit visit our our website to find out more. website to find out more.

01473 328272 • sales@schsup lies.co.uk • www.schsup lies.co.uk 01473 01473 328272 328272 •• sales@schsupplies.co.uk sales@schsupplies.co.uk •• www.schsupplies.co.uk www.schsupplies.co.uk

24/10/2019 11:09

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F U T U R E S CA P E GO AND SEE

Azpects Ltd

STAND 7

Bury Hill Landscape Supplies

STAND 87

Azpects began 10 years ago with just one aim in mind: making hard landscaping easy. Azpects' goal was to deliver a range of trade-strength products which made life easy for professional landscapers, gardeners and builders. Less time, less hassle and better results. Today, Azpects provides over 30 products for establishing, cleaning and protecting hard landscaping.

EASYJoint, Azpects' top selling product, is a leading all-weather sweep-in jointing compound for patios and paths.

Building on its success, this year Azpects has launched exciting new ranges, including EASYGarden, EASYPorcelain and EASYClickBase. www.azpects.co.uk

Bury Hill Landscape Supplies produces high quality landscape materials, including an expanding range of premium quality topsoils and subsoils for all landscaping applications, as well as specialist soils, such as natural ericaceous, low fertility and horticultural mixes. As specialists in blending bespoke soils and compost mixes, such as a new range of lightweight soils, the company sells a wide selection of sports loams, rootzones and dressings, specialist tree sands, barks, compost blends, soil conditioners and horticultural grits, as well as British Standard play materials. All Bury Hill products are fully tested to British Standard where required, and delivered nationwide using the companies own FORS Silver registered fleet of trucks and specialist crane vehicles. www.buryhilltopsoilandlogs.co.uk

Garden and Landscape Lighting

Global Stone/Trovia

STAND 153

Garden and Landscape Lighting specialises in high quality, modern outdoor lighting. The range covers all outdoor lighting needs, from wall, path and uplighting. At the FutureScape exhibition, a selection of these lights, such as the Platinum range of small, powerful recessed lights, will be on show. They are available in copper, stainless steel and aluminium, and come in different styles – standard, step and slotted. These recessed lights have inbuilt 450 lumen LED lamps and a choice of colours ranging from cool, neutral and warm white.

Moreover, they can be customised to your specification – with narrow, medium and wide optics available as well as a choice of clear or frosted glass. www.gardenandlandscapelighting.co.uk

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futurescape go and see.indd 113

STAND 36

Global Stone is an industry leading supplier of premium natural stone and porcelain paving tiles. It's pleased to add a new addition to its evolving porcelain collection – the Small Size Series. This comes in sizes of 200x200mm and 200x300mm and provides a modern and functional look, enabling the creation of driveways, pathways, courtyards or decorative edgings and features. The combination of the innate strength of porcelain with the smaller size makes it ideal for driveways as well as in the garden. www.globalstonepaving.co.uk

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Instant Hedges Ltd

STAND 145

Isuzu Truck UK

STAND 1

Instant Hedges Ltd is a British nursery specialising in the growth and supply of mature trees and instant hedging.

From its Buckinghamshire nursery, it is conveniently located to service the whole of the UK with its very own fleet of fully equipped vehicles. It offers a complete planting service too. With miles of instant hedging troughs and more than 3,000 pleached and shaped trees, from box heads to multi-stem umbrellas, it has the finest stock for garden designers, landscapers and developers, and is perfect for adding instant screening for privacy, structure and focal points. www.instanthedges.co.uk

Isuzu Truck UK sells commercial vehicles built for the landscaping and arb industries. Isuzu’s product range includes several chassis cab vehicles, from the 3.5t Grafter to the 13.5t Forward truck, and 'driveaway' trucks available at 3.5t and 7.5t, designed to utilise the most popular commercial vehicle bodies. A new and improved 3.5t model, the Grafter Green, is available, offering greater efficiency and over 100kg more payload capacity than the previous model. Grafter Green has been a popular choice for large landscaping companies, arborists and construction companies. Isuzu will have a 3.5t Tipper on display at FutureScape. www.isuzutruck.co.uk

Lindum Turf Ltd

Palmstead Nurseries Ltd

STAND 18

STAND 143

Lindum produces consistently high quality turf and innovative grass products for the landscaping, sporting and civil engineering industries. Its specialist landscaping products include Lindum Wildflower Turf, for creating a ready established wildflower area, Lindum Sedum Mat for ground cover, and Grassfelt for slope stabilisation. It also produces a range of vegetation mats for green roofs, including Lindum Sedum Mat and Lindum Wildflower Mat for colour and biodiversity. Lindum’s green innovation is helping to combat climate change, enhance biodiversity and improve sustainability by greening urban spaces. www.turf.co.uk

For over 50 years, Palmstead has been propagating and growing perennials, shrubs, trees and more from its 53ha site in Kent.

It offers an expert range of services that will suit garden designers and landscapers alike. Palmstead’s website features a live availability list with videos and accurate photos of many specimens on offer, a 10% online discount and details of current events. Nursery visits by appointment are welcome. www.palmstead.co.uk

Resin Bonded Ltd

Rolawn Limited

STAND 100

Resin Bonded Ltd supplies nationwide to a variety of trade professionals for domestic and commercial projects. With 60-plus unique, natural aggregate finishes, Resin Bonded Ltd is among the UK’s leading manufacturers of high quality resin bound, resin bonded and tree pit materials. Representatives will be at Stand 100 to discuss all about its products. Find out how to get trained in the installation of its BoundWorx® Resin Bound system, and delight customers with a UV stable and permeable structured surface. With over 50 years of industry experience, Resin Bonded Ltd has unrivalled technical knowledge. www.resinbonded.co.uk

114 Pro Landscaper / November 2019

futurescape go and see.indd 114

STAND 59

Rolawn is returning to FutureScape 2019, where it hopes visitors will take the opportunity to come and discuss its turf and topsoil needs for 2020 and beyond. The company is ready to share news of all its latest developments and investments, designed to keep you at the forefront of the landscape industry.

So far, 2019 has proved an excellent year for turf and topsoil, with customer satisfaction levels higher than ever and feedback highlighting the professional and consistently reliable performance Rolawn always aims to deliver. www.rolawn.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/10/2019 14:28

SEE

U SEE

US AT

T SA STA

18

145

ND

ND

STA

SUPPLIERS AND GROWERS OF SEMI-MATURE & MATURE, ROOTBALL & CONTAINERISED TREES, SHRUBS AND INSTANT HEDGING

From our Buckinghamshire nursery we are conveniently located to service the whole of the UK, which we do with our own fleet of fully equipped vehicles.

With over 15 miles of Instant Hedging Troughs and more than 3,000 Pleached and shaped trees from Box Heads to Multistem umbrellas.

Supplier of choice to medal winners at RHS Flower Shows

Pleasing to people and pollinators

Wildflowers for colour and biodiversity

Contains a vibrant mixture of wildflowers, herbs and perennials

Only one or two cuts per year!

Sedum & Wildflower Mats for landscaping and green roofs

Biodegradable

100% PLASTIC FREE

@lindumturf www.turf.co.uk

Tel: 01904 448675 Email: lindum@turf.co.uk

Contact Us: 01296 399585 sales@instanthedges.co.uk

www.instanthedges.co.uk

Come and see us: Stand 124 Rebate offer: 2%

SEE US AT STA ND 36

DISCOVER THE FULL RANGE AT OUR OPEN DAY CPL welcome you to the second Open Day at our Head office in Kettering, Northamptonshire.

Join us on Friday 15th November for a day of demonstrations and a tour of our manufacturing facilities.

We will have a full range of access equipment set up specifically for the Arborist market. You can try out the CPL ATAT, our fully type approved, uprated chipper tipper. We will also have demonstrations of a 30m tracked spider and the market leading P130 Access Platform mounted on a pick up.

All rights rreserved rved © KLUBB Group 2019. Non-contractual photos.

For your place at our Open Day. Contact us via email: info@cpl-ltd.com.

Advert Template PL.indd 36

For more information contact us www.cpl-ltd.com Tel: +44 (0)1536 529876 Email: info@cpl-ltd.com

Porcelain Small Size Series - Aran Black & Aran Grey

Global Stone is an industry leading, innovative supplier of premium porcelain and natural stone paving, setts, accessories and features For more information or to see our full range: www.globalstonepaving.co.uk

DISCOVER THE FULL RANGE OF INNOVATIONS AT: www.cpl-ltd.com

24/10/2019 11:10

sales@porcelainprimer.co.uk

TREE STAKES

New for 2019

www.porcelainprimer.co.uk

0116 216 1851

PORCELAIN PAVING PRIMER & GROUT Prime X is a high performance product. This product has been developed to be both highly polymer modified and fibre modified in order to achieve excellent flexibility and waterproofing properties. With excellent workability, this can be applied in one coat which works to promote adhesion and control suction on difficult substrates such as porcelain paving.

SQUARE SAWN SHELTER STAKES NATIONWIDE DELIVERY 1 PACK â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FULL ARTIC LOAD 0.75M/0.9M X 25MM X 25MM 0.9M/1.2M/1.35M/1.5M X 32MM X 32MM

MACHINE ROUND STAKES 1.2M/1.5M/1.65M/1.8M/ 2.1M/2.4M X 50MM

1.65M/1.8M/ 2.4M X 60MM 1.65M/1.8M/2.4M X 75MM LANDSCAPING SLEEPERS ALSO AVAILABLE

Grout X is a high performance paving grout that has been specifically formulated for porcelain paving.

Developed for joint widths of 2-20mm.

Ickburgh, Thetford, Norfolk, IP26 5JY

Buff

sales@trojan-timber.co.uk

Light Grey

www.trojan-timber.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1842 878596 Fax: +44 (0) 1842 878887

Dark Grey

STOP THINK! BEFORE YOU DIG!

Clean up the easy way Innovating and developing quality Sweepers and Suction machines since 1982 Second to none Customer Service and Aftersales care Terra-Vac machines are easy to use and designed to last

CS Suction Range Multi-Purpose Suction Cleaner for all Year Round use Strong Suction System for effective collection Powerful Fan Blades mulch and compact material for easy re-cycling or disposal Ground Scoop options for hands free collection Non-contact collection of hazardous waste Wander hose to reach awkward areas Capacities to suit your requirements saving emptying time Choice of Engine or PTO powered models 2 Year Warranty & Reliable Spares/Repair Service

Contact with underground electricity cables can cause DEATH For FREE safety information visit  www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/ internet/en/safety/

Twin Fan Suction Machines 2.4 mtr Scoop Width 2 Wander Hose attachments High Capacity Powerful Performance Hi-Tip versions available Group AllWetherby Purpose Sweeper Range Dalton Industrial Estate 1.1, 1.4 & 1.8 Brush width for fast coverage Wetherby Group Dalton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 3HE Powerful PTO Dalton mechanism for effective Industrial Estate collection & scarifying t.

01845 578555 f.capacity 01845 578777 2.0, 3.5, 4.5 & 7.0 cu.m versions with Dalton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 3HE topwww.stonefix.co.uk up baffle reducing emptying time www.wetherbygroup.com t.

01845 578555 f.

01845 578777 Floating Brush design for effective & consistent collection www.stonefix.co.uk www.wetherbygroup.com 2 Year Warranty & reliable spares/repair service Brushes fully adjustable to required height for collection or scarifying Designed to give years of good service with minimal maintenance Lifting gear on Sweeper head for easy transportation

CS Suction Units Designed to fit most vehicles Simple to install & remove Multi-Purpose Applications

Wetherby Group Dalton Industrial Estate Dalton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 3HE

t. 01845 578555 f. 01845 578777 For more details on our unique product www.stonefix.co.uk www.wetherbygroup.com call us on 01440 712171 or email info@terra-vac.com

www.terra-vac.com

Advert Template PL.indd 37

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PERFECTLY GREEN OFFERS LOW MAINTENANCE AND HIGHLY DURABLE GRASS THAT IS CLEAN AND SAFE FOR ALL THE FAMILY

E

nvirofill® artificial grass has been around since 2005 and is a proven infill in a wide array of turf applications. Whether it be a back garden, a playground, a dog run, a rooftop, or even a large sports field, Envirofill provides many benefits that other infills cannot. Envirofill is a round, acrylic-coated sand, coloured to best match an installation, and infused with technology from Microban to help fight against the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi, and algae.

Envirofill is composed of naturally occurring sand found only in the hickory formation of central Texas.

Its highly rounded quartz core resists compression so it doesn’t continue to compact over the life of a lawn, promoting better drainage. It’s also cleaner.

Microban® antimicrobial protection is infused into Envirofill

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M AT E R I A LS F O CU S

ENVIROFILL® BY PERFECTLY GREEN

during the manufacturing process to help prevent the growth of bacteria, mould, and mildew that can cause stains, odours, and product deterioration.

It’s reusable. Because of its superior durability, Envirofill’s coating and colour are warrantied for 16 years. Each 22kg bag will cover around 3m2 but more may be used if the artificial grass has a long pile height.

Microban was used in Perfectly Green’s latest case study for a homeowner in Devon (pictured above).

They chose its Mulsanne artificial grass.

Mulsanne is a fantastic 40mm pile height grass with two brown shades of lower root zone for cushioning, blade support and authenticity.

The main blades are an ‘S’ shape for rapid ‘spring back’. Mulsanne has a polyurethane backing which is ideal for dog owners because of the non-absorbent qualities. The clients then used Envirofill as the Microban® technology reduces ammonia odour from urine by up to 99%. Microban® has been scientifically proven to disrupt the bacteria process that changes pet urine into ammonia odour.

C O N TA C T Perfectly Green, Ridgewood Industrial Estate, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 5QE Tel 01825 729259 Homeowners homeenquiries@perfectlygreen.co.uk Trade tradeenquiries@perfectlygreen.co.uk www.perfectlygreen.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / November 2019 117

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24/10/2019 15:44

PEOPLE

OUT & ABOUT

FUTURE LANDSCAPE CONFERENCE 2019 T

hursday 17 October saw the doors to the Future Landscape Conference open with a large turnout of guests attending the educational and lively debates. This new future-focused industry event was a great success, bringing in an audience of landscape architects, planners, specifiers and many more to the Museum of London Docklands.

Sessions saw topics including urban design and planning, revolutionising soils and designing communal spaces, being discussed by leading industry experts.

The FLC team would like to thank everyone who attended the event.

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PEOPLE

YOUR

©Jill Jennings/Woodland Trust

ROLE?

DARREN MOORCROFT WOODLAND TRUST

What was your route into the industry?

I joined the Woodland Trust just over two years ago as director. That role was an opportunity for me to look after the nearly 29,000ha of woodland that the Trust has, as well as to also buy new land.

Before this, I was with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). I had a career which spanned working in a regional office on agriculture. I was also running the UK conservation programmes.

AFTER TAKING ON A NEW ROLE AS CHIEF E XECUTIVE OF THE WOODL AND TRUST, DARREN MO ORCROFT DISCUSSES HIS PL ANS FOR THE TRUST, AND THE E XCITING INITIATIVES HE IS CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN

©Phil Formby/Woodland Trust

I THINK THE SCALE OF WHAT THE TRUST DOES MEANS THAT WE ARE OPERATING AND DOING THINGS BIGGER AND BETTER THAN MANY

122 Pro Landscaper / November 2019

Whats your role.indd 122

What’s your favourite part about working in this industry?

Throughout my career, my own excitement and motivation comes from seeing things happen. I think the scale of what the trust does means that we are operating and doing things bigger and better than many – that’s what gets me out of bed in the morning.

Knowing that staff, volunteers and supporters are making the earth a better place to live by planting more trees into the ground, helping to protect the trees and plants, as well as helping to restore habitats, is a great feeling.

What does the Northern Forest Programme involve?

It’s an incredibly ambitious programme – 50 million trees, a £500m price tag – but by investing that amount of money, you get £2.5bn worth of benefits back. It’s economic, social and environmental, I’m really proud to be leading the project. We need an estimated 1.5 billion trees in order for us to combat climate change, the Northern Forest can show how you can do that at scale and how to replicate it wider.

What does the Young People’s Forest involve?

It’s a fantastic opportunity for young people.

One of the biggest buzzes from the job is seeing young people plant their first tree.

That connection, that physical connection of it and the act of doing so is powerful.

We acquired an old open cast mine which will have a quarter of a million trees planted by young people. Hopefully, they will bring their kids one day – there’s a generational link. It will give them a real sense of hope for tackling climate change, tackling the loss of biodiversity and nature. If we don’t do that, we will leave them with the anxiety that things can only get worse.

I firmly believe that we can make a difference.

©Phil Formby/Woodland Trust

WHAT’S

What does the new role involve?

Having taken on the role of chief executive, I’m responsible for the work the trust does.

It is a big job – we are the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, and there are over 500 workers out there!

The staff are motivating people to help the woods and trees. There are over 500,000 members and supporters who are looking to us for leadership, and my role is to provide that.

What would you like to see for the future of The Woodland Trust?

In essence bigger, better and more hope. We’ve got some innovative and inspiring programmes which are the first of their kind. I think we need to build scale.

Fifty million trees sounds like a lot of trees, but we’ve got a target of 1.5 billion. I think we are capable and have to step up to do that. We have to increase the amount of woodland cover that we’ve got and protect what we already have.

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24/10/2019 11:55

PEOPLE

LONGBOROUGH NEW GARDENS AT GREAT TEW

CIRENCESTER MARKETPLACE

PAINSWICK

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INEZ WILLIAMS HAVING RECENTLY STARTED A NEW ROLE AT PORTUS + WHIT TON L ANDSCAPES, INE Z WILLIAMS DISCUSSES WHAT HER WORK ENTAILS, FUTURE ASPIRATIONS AND HOW WINNING A PRO L ANDSCAPER 30 UNDER 30 AWARD HAS BEEN BENEFICIAL FOR HER CAREER

D

espite only recently starting a new role as landscape manager at Portus + Whitton Landscapes, Inez Williams is already getting involved with a variety of projects.

Inez is currently working on schemes which involve the assessment of impacts upon historic landscapes, as well as neighbourhood plans and low carbon house design. She's settling into the role well though, as she explains: “I've been in the role for about four weeks, everything is still very fresh. I'm concentrating on becoming familiar with the styles of work, learning new software and getting involved with a few project startups.”

Similarly to her previous role at LUC as a consultant landscape manager, Inez continues to develop her skills and knowledge of the industry, and is now putting it into practice constantly. “All of the skills I’ve built up over the last few years are really helping to design, influence and conserve landscapes in a hands-on way, which is exciting.”

Inez also explains that one of her key passions lies with researching historic landscapes, as well as utilising her skills and

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knowledge to address top issues they face, such as climate change, and pests and diseases.

Portus + Whitton Landscapes works with a range of clients, including the National Trust; Inez will help to deliver a breadth of landscape

EACH DAY IS VERY DIFFERENT, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING I LOVE ABOUT THE INDUSTRY – IT KEEPS YOU ON YOUR TOES! projects including historic landscape research.

The diversity of her role is presenting an interesting new set of challenges and opportunities: “Each day is very different, but that's something I love about the industry – it keeps you on your toes!”

As well as prioritising and working on ways to protect these important historic landscapes, Inez will continue to raise awareness about their

conservation, something she considers to be key. Her introduction to low carbon housing projects has led her to work closely with a number of landscape architects and architects who, like her, value the importance of the landscape and how it integrates with man-made features. “It's really motivating to be working with architects who see that the landscape is just as important as the architecture itself.”

Last year, Inez was named one of the 30 Under 30: The Next Generation winners.

Reflecting on the win, she noted that it gave her recognition within the industry as well as boosted confidence in her abilities. “It's hard sometimes as a young person in the industry to get your thoughts out there. I think 30 Under 30 helped me build confidence and get early recognition in the industry, which I think sometimes people struggle with.”

When considering future goals, Inez explained that she wishes to continue gaining experience in the industry and to build on her knowledge. She says: “I would like to look at doing my chartership in the next couple of years, which I know the company will support – I think that would be a great way to improve and move forwards.”

Pro Landscaper / November 2019 123

23/10/2019 16:24

WORK

PEOPLE

Best project This is difficult. At the start of my career I designed Bobby Moore’s garden just after England won the World Cup – an absolutely charming and down to earth man. One of my real favourites is the Gardens at Abbeywood in Cheshire, followed by the Rose Gardens at Belvoir Castle. Perhaps the grandest of all was

never built – the proposed Commemorative Gardens for Princess Diana. This was to be at the Royal National Rose Society in Chiswell Green but, owing to unfortunate factors surrounding funding, it was not to be.

Colleagues Quite a number of talented friends have worked in my office over the years, Andy Sturgeon is simply one of the most gifted designers around. Jill Billington is a terrific plantswoman, as is Julie Toll. Adam Frost is a great friend and was my main contractor.

Mentors I started out with John Brookes whilst studying and spent three years with him.

I’m driven by space, line and form, and good architects provide the inspiration: Frank Lloyd Wright, Edwin Lutyens, Christopher Tunnard and many more.

High and low points of your career Such a tough one, but judging gardens in Seattle with Garrett Eckbo. He was one of the first and finest American garden designers and landscape architects, helping to change the face of garden design throughout the world.

I’ve had so much fun that I really can’t think of many lows.

What you hope to achieve over the next 12 months I simply want to continue designing, developing new ideas, serving new clients and pushing creativity to the limit. The desire to find different avenues of work and extend boundaries is what design is all about – lose that and you lose everything.

LIFE/STYLE

DAVID STEVENS OW N E R O F DAV I D S T E V E N S I N T E R N AT I O N A L , DAV I D S T E V E N S H A S W O N AWA R D S I N T E R N AT I O N A L LY, I N C LU D I N G 1 1 R H S C H E L S E A F LO W E R S H O W G O L D M E DA L S . H E H A S H A D A N I L LU ST R I O U S T V C A R E E R , A N D I S N OW A L S O T H E B B C G A R D E N E R S ’ WO R L D L I V E YO U N G L A N D S C A P E R S AWA R D D E S I G N E R A N D M E N TO R . H E R E , H E S P E A K S A B O U T S O M E FAVO U R I T E P R OJ EC TS , H O B B I E S A N D I N S P I R AT I O N S .

INSPIRATION People Too many to mention – my dad, children, grandchildren, so many other inspirational designers in every field.

Perhaps most of all is my wife Pauline, who has put up with supporting and living with a workaholic for so many years.

124 Pro Landscaper / November 2019

Lifestyle.indd 124

Gardens Tough one. It ranges from Lutyens’ masterpiece Hestercombe, through to Barnsdale (which is a wonderfully eclectic and comfortable collection of vignettes created by my old friend Geoff Hamilton) to Barnsley House, which was the home of Rosemary Very.

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24/10/2019 09:25

PEOPLE

PERSONAL Hobbies I collect and cannot resist good artwork – preferably from the early to mid-twentieth century, which is so undervalued. We have pretty much run out of wall space at home! Otherwise, I’m a country man and I love lurchers – my old dog Shadow died a couple of years ago, but we have a new Longdog coming soon and I can’t wait.

Design tastes No boundaries here – art, architecture, landscape, glass, ceramics, sculpture and so on. Good design is essentially simple, great design adds subtlety to the mix.

Most treasured possession Most people would call this materialistic, but I don’t care! My Honda S2000 which I have had for over 10 years. Unlike the clumpy and poorly designed cars of today, it is a perfect example of superb understatement and engineering. It’s a masterpiece.

Favoured dress style My poor wife despairs at my dress style – I like to dress casually.

If you’re lucky, smart-casual.

Food Not fussy at all – I will eat anything and enjoy it.

Drink Real ale, thank goodness it’s being brewed in ever increasing diversity.

TRAVEL Places you’ve been/places you’d like to go We are unbelievably lucky and have been able to visit so many countries and people. Still some to tick off – I’d go for Italy, which we need to explore in far more detail. It’s just a stunning country.

How you like to travel Trains followed by buses come top of the list as you can actually look out of the window and take it all in. You get to meet people too.

Favourite continent Africa, Southern Africa in particular.

South Africa is a melting pot of creativity in every field of design.

How you like to stay when you’re on holiday Not going to mess around: good hotels and good B&Bs. Holidays are to be enjoyed, so don’t skimp on the accommodation!

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Lifestyle.indd 125

Pro Landscaper / November 2019 125

24/10/2019 13:34

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24/10/2019 15:17 15:13

PEOPLE

W H AT I ’ M READING Peter Donegan PETER DONEGAN L A N DSCA P I N G LT D

TITLE An Easy Guide to Gardening AUTHOR H.H. Thomas

I

have always found it hard to sit still.

Though Freud’s words on Da Vinci, “like most man of genius, he need constantly to occupy his mind”, are ones that I wish referred to myself. My mum’s musings and frequent asks of “could you not be more like your older brother?” seem to ring far truer. In an era of children being meant to be neither seen nor heard (and also of Cliff Richard vinyls), my brother was always far better behaved.

It is worth considering that, back then, libraries were more reminiscent of museum odours and preserves consisting solely of formaldehyde. They also came with a lack of anything, or anyone, that could ever have heard of Google. Trying to figure out what I now know to be phototropism, after spotting the plants growing on the top shelf of my dad’s garage leaning towards the light, was a great challenge for a curious six-year-old.

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What I'm reading.indd 127

I first came across An Easy Guide to Gardening by H.H. Thomas, first published in 1927, at an old book sale and bought it for 50p (two weeks’ pocket money). It didn’t remotely tell me what phototropism was, but I liked the opening paragraph.

The guide reads: “Let each of us plan and plant as seems best to himself, then we shall

I WONDER HOW HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF. HOW WE MISS THE THING WE MADE SO MUCH BETTER, THAT WE AT TIMES, FORGOT WHAT IT WAS, AND THEN FOUND IT AGAIN gain from our gardens all the pleasure they can provide. There are, however, some stepping stones which all must tread if they would reach their respective ideals with the minimum of disappointment and disillusion.

“The first stepping stone may be said to be deep cultivation of the ground, for that is the foundation of successful gardening… commence by digging two foot deep.”

Since studying horticulture for four years, I can take a few things from this.

Of the latter, it is better put to rest with a quote from Taking the Ache Out of Gardening, a book by Stuart Dudley.

Dudley says: “Every book and every gardener is insistent on the advantages, if not the sheer necessity of doing it as often

as possible. After much thought, I have come to the conclusion that there is something in deep digging which suits the British character.”

When speaking about gardening, garden design, or work on gardens of historic relevance, it’s the illustrations in this book to which I invariably refer. This was useful when working on the realisation of the first ever 13th century Château de Péronne gardens (which I designed), home of the Historial de la Grande Guerre, northern France. I explained to the contractor how I wanted the curved sandstone seating to meet the planting and consider its backdrop – a structure that had fallen into the dried up moat. Stonework doesn’t seem to be completed by ‘collar and tie-wearing’ gentlemen anymore, and our books certainly don’t allow one to demonstrate what hasn’t been done for decades.

With garden design, I wonder how history repeats itself. How we miss the thing we made so much better, that we at times forgot what it was, and then found it again. Sometimes, that questioning and understanding of the basic principles of what has been written, drawn and defined, can prove so inspirational when we very simply wish for someone to sit and stay a little longer amongst the not-so-complex space we have imagined.

Pro Landscaper / November 2019 127

23/10/2019 15:56

JOBS

For full details on all jobs, please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk Call 01903 446 076 or email liam.colclough@eljays44.com with your vacancy

SOFT LANDSCAPING AND MAINTENANCE TEAM LEADERS AND ASSISTANTS LOCATION LANDSCAPES Location: Hampshire

EXPERIENCED HARD LANDSCAPER THE BOTANICAL GARDENER Location: London

Location Landscapes is a soft landscaping and maintenance specialist company based in Petersfield, Hampshire. It is currently seeking soft landscaping and maintenance team leaders and assistants. Successful candidates should be well presented, motivated, reliable and able to work as part of a team.

Experience isn’t necessary for an assistant position as in-house training will be provided. Horticulture qualifications and experience are required for the team leader positions.

The Botanical Gardener is a design, build, maintenance and irrigation company in south-west London, and is looking for an experienced hard landscaper. The role will involve managing builds on mainly domestic projects, delivering projects on time and budget, and communicating with the office and client.

Whilst this is a hands-on role, it encompasses responsibility for supervising team members, agency staff and subcontractors. The landscaper will need to have a wide range of landscaping skills and the ability to finish all works to a high standard.

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

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

GARDENER

SKILLED LANDSCAPER GARDENER

The Botanical Gardener is a growing and well-respected design and build, garden maintenance and irrigation company working across London. It is looking for someone with a positive personality, a passion for horticulture and great communication skills.

The position of gardener requires the ability to work both alone and as part of a team, with initiative to deal with the seasonal pressures of the job. They will assist the experienced gardener in maintaining up to three gardens a day and implement soft landscaping schemes for residential and commercial clients.

Andres Garcia Landscapes is looking for an experienced landscape gardener to join its busy and expanding landscaping team working in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas. You will need to be well-presented and self-motivated. You will be working as part of a team but there will also be occasions when you will be working on your own initiative. A full driving licence is essential.

The right candidate should have experience as a landscaper and be proficient in paving and slab laying, timber framework and decking, block paving, groundwork, fencing and soft landscaping garden maintenance.

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

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

OPERATIONS MANAGER

HORTICULTURE OPERATIVE APPRENTICESHIP

THE BOTANICAL GARDENER Location: London

COLE & YATES RECRUITMENT Location: Lancashire

Cole & Yates Recruitment’s client is key provider of landscaping services within the residential and commercial new-build sector, and is looking to recruit an experienced landscaping operations manager in the north-west.

The successful candidate will take on the responsibility for landscaping projects in the residential and commercial new-build sector. They will need to have a good understanding of landscaping installation projects, as well as strong administration, project managing, project planning, team development and motivation skills. They’ll also need good communication skills to work with clients.

ANDRES GARCIA LANDSCAPING Location: Buckinghamshire

CAPEL MANOR COLLEGE Location: Hertfordshire

Capel Manor College has an apprenticeship position available for gardening and grounds maintenance duties. The work is varied, and consists of lawn care, shrub and small tree care, garden clearance, weeding, planting, digging, and using gardening machinery, including ride-on mowers and strimmers (after training).

The successful candidate will be involved with cutting and mowing to all forms of grass and lawn areas, flower beds and shrubberies, tree care, hedge cutting, grounds maintenance, weed control, gritting, snow clearance and more.

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

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

CONTRACTS MANAGER

HL SERVICES

Ashlea Limited, one of the UK’s leading privately-owned landscaping contractors, is recruiting for a contracts manager for a Haydock, Lancashire office. The successful candidate’s role will involve ensuring all projects are managed in a consistent and professional manner, from procurement to delivery, completion and settlement of all relevant project material, in accordance with Ashlea Limited’s quality, environmental and H&S management systems.

The successful candidate will report to operations and commercial directors, liaising with clients and landscape architects.

HL Services specialises in permanent and temporary recruitment solutions across the UK for the grounds maintenance and facilities management sectors.

Explore a wide range of vacancies in London and across the UK by searching ‘HL Services’ on the Horticulture Careers homepage. The company is recruiting landscaping and grounds maintenance staff at all levels.

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

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

ASHLEA LIMITED Location: Lancashire

128 Pro Landscaper / November 2019

Hort Careers Jobs.indd 128

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PEOPLE

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

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130 Pro Landscaper / November 2019

Little Interviews KR.indd 130

ANI MOKASHI

ROBERT CROWDER

Co-founder and director, D4P

Chief executive, W Crowder & Sons Ltd

www.d4p-uk.com

www.crowdersnurseries.co.uk

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

When I am not designing landscapes, I love designing buildings.

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

Skiing.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

The west coast of India, which is where I grew up.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

The Canadian Rockies.

What would you blow your budget on?

Water features. Water calms everything down – it is natural and soothing.

What would you blow your budget on?

Heli-skiing.

The one person in the industry you’d love to meet?

Luis Barragan, if he were still alive.

The one person in the industry you’d love to meet?

I don’t really know – I’m fortunate enough to have met my idols.

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

More transparency on fees and shared resources.

Best piece of trivia you know?

The word landscape is originally Dutch.

It came from the word “landschap.”

The word can be broken up even further.

“Land” means region and “schap” means ship or condition.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Omar Sharif, but I’m not sure he is good looking enough.

What three things would you take to a desert island?

Pen, unlimited paper, oh and of course, my wife!

Karaoke song of choice?

Tequila by The Champs.

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

Protecting budgets in the commercial landscape sector.

Best piece of trivia you know?

There are four rods in a chain.

What three things would you take to a desert island?

Suncream, Lincolnshire sausages and a bottle of Balblair.

Your favourite joke?

The £20 joke as told by Sir Clement Freud – get on the internet, have a search and listen to it on YouTube.

Karaoke song of choice?

You probably wouldn’t want to hear it – I’m tone deaf.

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23/10/2019 16:44

PEOPLE

LUCY WILLCOX

DARREN HAWKES

RUTH WILLMOTT

Owner, Lucy Willcox Garden Design

Owner, Darren Hawkes Landscapes

Managing director, Ruth Willmott Design Associates

www.lucywillcoxgardendesign.com

www.darrenhawkeslandscapes.co.uk

www.ruthwillmott.com

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

Lead singer of a rock band or photographer – can’t decide! Both!

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

I’d love to study sculpture, that or join the circus.

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

Economist/management consultant.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

Australia.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

I was in the Cretan mountains this spring, and the mix of Euphobia, Camassia and Phlomis covering vast spaces will stay with me for a long time.

What would you blow your budget on?

Trees!

The one person in the industry you’d love to meet?

Piet Oudolf.

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

More social networking events.

Best piece of trivia you know?

Only female reindeer have their antlers at Christmas.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Jennifer Lawrence.

What three things would you take to a desert island?

Music, camera and Swiss Army knife.

Your favourite joke?

As I suspected, someone has been adding soil to my garden.

The plot thickens.

Karaoke song of choice?

Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Little Interviews KR.indd 131

The one person in the industry you’d love to meet?

Would have absolutely loved to have spent time with Christopher Lloyd, and would have given anything to work with Cesar Manrique.

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

Clients who leave you to get on with it.

Best piece of trivia you know?

An octopus has three hearts.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

I’m not foolish enough to assume my life is remotely interesting to anyone but my family.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

Italy.

What would you blow your budget on?

A lake (a big one) and a rill (...think Rousham).

The one person in the industry you’d love to meet?

William Kent, if he were still alive.

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

A carbon and water footprint on all hard and soft landscape supplies, so we can better decide what to buy with the environment in mind.

Best piece of trivia you know?

Oak trees are struck by lightning more than any other tree.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Kate Winslet.

What three things would you take to a desert island?

A tool kit, a book on boatbuilding, sails!

What three things would you take to a desert island?

My pruning tool belt, a seed bank, a desalination kit.

Your favourite joke?

That’s my wife’s department – I just can’t tell them.

Your favourite joke?

What do trees drink?

Root beer.

Karaoke song of choice?

Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers.

Karaoke song of choice?

Purple Rain by Prince.

Pro Landscaper / November 2019 131

23/10/2019 16:45

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