Pro Landscaper September 2017

Concept to Delivery

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

September 2017

Let’s Hear it From HARRIS BUGG STUDIO

COMEBACK KID SWISS CHEESE PLANTS ARE BACK

Camden Highline HOW CROWDFUNDING IS CREATING A LANDMARK

NICK TEMPLE-HEALD:

LET’S MAKE PARKS

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WELCOME

Concept to Delivery DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

September 2017 | Volume 7, Issue 9

HARRIS BUGG STU DIO

Welcome to September 2017 Welcome to the September issue of Pro Landscaper. This month it was our pleasure to meet Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg, who announced their partnership earlier this year while Charlotte was celebrating huge success at RHS Chelsea – see page 33 for an insight into the business. Nick Temple-Heald from idverde asks us to think about finding sustainable ways to fund our public parks, perhaps by (maybe controversially) selling some of them to fund the others – thoughts on this please...

In our regular columns this month, you may be interested to read Andrew Wilson’s thoughtprovoking piece on RHS Hampton Court’s conceptual gardens, an area where opinion

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

is often divided – even among us on the Pro Landscaper team. Our regular machinery columnist, Angus Lindsay, takes a different tack this month and talks about succession planning, and David T Binks looks at the (sadly) more common issue of contracts from hell – and learning when the right time is to say ‘no’.

For inspiration, see our fabulous selection of portfolios, including large and small domestic gardens, the amazing Maggie’s Centre at the Royal Oldham Hospital, and a touching memorial to the passing of a five-year-old girl, commissioned by her parents – that one had us feeling all the emotions of such a sad event within the narrative of the project.

With show garden relocations

ADVERTISING Business Development Manager – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 588 Account Manager – Jessica McCabe jessica.mccabe@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 587

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

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

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

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

MARKETING AND CIRCULATION Tel: 01903 777 570

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September 2017

Let’s Hear it From

Subscription enquiries – Emily Maltby emily.maltby@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570

COMEBACK KID

Camden Highline

HOW CROWDFUN DING IS CREATING A LAND MARK

Raising Hope

SWISS CHEESE PLANTS ARE BACK NICK TEMPLE-HEALD :

LET’S MAKE PARKS

PROFITABLE

HULTONS LANDSCAPES COVER SEPTEMBER

FINAL.indd 2

24/08/2017 11:02

becoming ever more prevalent, we caught up on some of those that have been rebuilt in new locations after the shows are over, which is a great way to extend and expand the message they convey. See page 68 to find out which gardens we followed to their new homes.

Looking forward now, it’s only 10 weeks until the landscaping event of the year, FutureScape.

We’re finalising the programme, ordering marketing materials left, right and centre and beginning to dream in blue and green – can’t wait to see you all there, please put it in your diary because it will not be one to miss.

Have a great month,

@jimeljays

@lisaeljays

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

Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Gwent, UK Published by ©Eljays44 Ltd – Connecting Horticulture Pro Landscaper’s content is available for licensing overseas. Contact jamie.wilkinson@ eljays44.com Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2017 subscription price is £95.

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

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

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Professional Landscapers

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

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

Cover image © Alex de Rijke, Jasmin Sohi & Jon Cardwell

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Leader.indd 3

Pro Landscaper / September 2017

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CONTENTS

September 2017 33

INFORM

8

Agenda Should local authorities be responsible for ensuring parks are protected in the long term?

10

News Our monthly roundup of industry news

15

Pro Landscaper Business Awards The launch of our brand new awards

16

Nuture Landscapes

Concept to Delivery

Nuture Landscapes makes Frosts’ landscape maintenance division its latest acquisition

19

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

September 2017

Let’s Hear it From

xx

HARRIS BUGG STUDIO

RHS Tatton Park Reporting back from this year’s RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

COMEBACK KID

SWISS CHEESE PLANTS ARE BACK

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

29 30 Under 30 Previous winners share their experience

33 Let’s Hear It From

Camden Highline HOW CROWDFUNDING IS CREATING A LANDMARK

NICK TEMPLE-HEALD:

LET’S MAKE PARKS

PROFITABLE

Raising Hope HULTONS LANDSCAPES COVER SEPTEMBER FINAL.indd 2

Hugo Bugg and Charlotte Harris of Harris Bugg Studio

24/08/2017 11:02

42 View from the Top idverde’s Nick Temple-Heald on the problem of park funding

38 Company Profile Indoor Garden Design

40 Landscape Architect’s Journal Churchman Landscape Architects

44 Learning To Say No It’s important to maintain a healthy work-life balance, says David T Binks

45 Making a Statement Andrew Wilson asks whether politics should be kept out of garden design

47 Finite Resources You won’t be around forever, says Angus Lindsay – time to plan ahead

55 4

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49 Doing More With Less Despite drastic cuts, Liverpool’s parks offer is thriving

INSPIRE

55 Born Again Bringing elegance and smart design to the garden of a large Thameside home

58 Raising Hope A sensory garden is created beneath the Maggie’s Centre in Oldham

62 Divide and Conquer Clean lines and carefully designed spaces for a domestic back garden

65 Violet’s Garden Creating a quiet space for reflection, in memory of a family’s lost daughter

68 Relocating a Show Garden How three show gardens were transported and rebuilt elsewhere

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 15:04

CONTENTS

95

All For One Jamie Butterworth reflects on the importance of industry togetherness

96

Buzz Words It’s time to reconsider ‘bee friendly’ plants, says Noel Kingsbury

99

Nursery Interview Talking business with Craigmarloch Nurseries Ltd

100 TGA Update The Turf Growers Association fills us in

103 Topiary Sculptural hedging projects EDUCATE

107 Straight Talking Sean Butler’s new miniseries on the professional ethos

108 Helping You Make A Profit The price of using porcelain paving, with Sam Hassall

112 Design Excellence

72 NURTURE

70 Under Cover

85

A roundup of news from the UK’s growing sector

Anji Connell suggests some awning options

72 Camden Highline The crucial role of crowdfunding in the development of the new landmark

75 Love Horticulture Sue Biggs on the joy that horticulture brings her – and so many others

76 Family Tree Inside Primo Pots

86

81

Gabion Baskets Projects featuring gabion baskets

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Contents so far.indd 5

Nurture News Extra We report back on Hillier Trees’ day of seminars on tree planting

88

Designer Plants Camilla Hiley overcomes challenging conditions to deliver a gorgeous scheme

91

80 Slate Paving A selection of projects

Nurture News

92

Small Fortune

Rob Webber on great lighting design

115 Inside Natural

Paving Luxigraze The process behind creating a high-end artificial grass product

118 Artificial Grass Accessories Innovative products for keeping artificial grass at its best

121 Ride-On Mowers How they’re evolving, and our pick of the products

124 What I’m Reading Tamara Bridge on Four Hedges by Clare Leighton

125 What’s Your Role?

Lauren Paige, Glendale team leader

Small broadleaf evergreen shrubs, selected by Andy McIndoe

126 Trading With

Comeback Kid

130 Little Interviews

Ian Drummond salutes the return to popularity of the Swiss cheese plant

Kinley

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

Pro Landscaper / September 2017

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INFORM

SPOTLIGHT ON

CONTRIBUTORS

Nick Temple-Heald

Ian Drummond

Sean Butler

Jamie Butterworth

Chief executive officer, idverde UK

Creative director, Indoor Garden Design

Director, Cube 1994

Show plant manager, Hortus Loci

Returning from a recent conference to review the latest research and practice into parks, Nick TempleHeald considers alternative funding models to preserve and maintain our open spaces. Following on from this month’s Agenda question, Nick’s View From The Top tackles the tricky and often emotive topic of our green spaces, and how best to sustainably fund them to secure their future.

In this issue, Indoor Garden Design’s creative director Ian Drummond admires the Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa), and is cheered by its recent renaissance as the ‘must have’ interior accessory among cool creatives. Ian shares the history of this Seventies classic, as well as its many appealing traits, and inspires us to embrace the resurgence of this visually enriching evergreen.

This month sees Cube 1994 director Sean Butler kick-off a new mini-series looking at products that are commonly used in the design and build of landscape projects. In this opening instalment, Sean focuses on – and questions the use of – railway sleepers, and asks whether there should be a more professional ethos when it comes to the recommendation and use of materials in landscaping.

Jamie Butterworth reflects on the high standard of show gardens this season, despite sponsorship difficulties, and how they encapsulate and showcase what the industry is capable of when it comes together. Jamie looks at how the industry can harness this unity to inspire the next generation of budding landscapers and designers, and facilitate crossindustry development.

idverde.co.uk @idverdeUK

indoorgardendesign.com @IndoorGdnDesign

cube1994.com @cube1994

hortusloci.co.uk @Gardener_jamie

David T Binks Managing director, Big Hedge Co. and Landstruction Andrew Wilson Garden designer and lecturer Angus Lindsay Head of fleet, idverde

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Contributors.indd 7

INSPIRE

Other contributors Anji Connell Interior architect and landscape designer

Sam Hassall Managing director, LandPro Ltd

Andy McIndoe Leading horticulturist

Robert Webber Founder, Scenic Lighting

Noel Kingsbury Garden designer and writer

Pro Landscaper / September 2017

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23/08/2017 09:55

INFORM

AGENDA

SHOULD LOCAL AUTHORITIES BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING PARKS ARE PROTECTED IN THE LONG TERM?

The London Assembly’s environment committee is calling for ‘green champions’ to be appointed to take care of London’s parks, as well as the recruitment of volunteers, after some local authorities announced plans to withdraw all funding for parks by 2020. With pressure on authorities to explore new sources of income, are they are responsible for futureproofing our parks?

Graham Duxbury National CEO, Groundwork Local authorities need to stay front and centre in the battle to preserve our parks and green spaces, but their role must change. We know that if we’re going to avert a crisis we need to cut maintenance costs, increase private revenue and mobilise communities – all at once, and at scale.

This will require coordination, co-creation and creative commissioning. These are the skills and capabilities that councils will need in future as they redefine their approach to providing ‘neighbourhood services’. The wider sector can help. As we continue to campaign for greater funding and political priority, we need to 8

Agenda.indd 8

Pro Landscaper / September 2017

champion the role of local authorities as guardians of our green space assets, and work with them to shape a new approach to their long-term public stewardship.

Helen Griffiths Chief executive, Fields in Trust

Parks and green spaces are arguably the most universal of our public services. These publicly-owned assets have something for all, from preschool children through to retired adults. Alternative management models could create a vulnerable future for parks. Fields in Trust recommends that any move to non-traditionally managed parks should be underpinned by independent legal protection.

Austerity-hit parks are increasingly reliant on volunteers for maintenance and management. If a council needs the volunteer engagement of the local community to run a site, then it might be expected that the landowner rewards that investment of voluntary time and effort by safeguarding the site for future generations. It is vital that parks are protected with equity of provision.

A reliance on volunteers and the absence of a statutory duty to maintain parks risks further widening the gap in areas of deprivation, where they are most needed.

David Foster Chief executive, The Parks Trust Local authorities should be responsible for ensuring parks are protected long term, but this is proving challenging in these times of austerity.

Where we can contribute is in highlighting the success of our model, whereby we hold most of the strategic parks and landscapes in Milton Keynes on a 999-year lease from the local authority, and have full responsibility for raising funds and maintaining them to a good standard.

When we were established 25 years ago, we were given an endowment of a substantial property portfolio. The income from this helps to pay for our vital work of nurturing and enhancing the landscape. However, the income from this endowment is only part of our total income; last year we generated over £2m from other activities. We continue to take on new parks and open spaces as the city expands and developers provide an endowment for any new green spaces that pass over to us.

The Parks Trust model has a lot to commend it and yes, it is going to be difficult in many towns and cities to find the funds for an endowment to establish a trust like ours – but it can be done! We would encourage the government to support local authorities in fully exploring this way of doing things. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 11:46

INFORM

Chair, National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces

The UK’s 27,000 public parks are central to the life of their communities, and must be properly maintained, managed and protected for current and future generations. History has shown that the only effective, comprehensive, fair, democratically accountable, appropriate, secure and long-term mechanism for achieving this is, in almost all cases, through local authorities – backed by local communities and friends groups. Park management must be made a statutory service, adequately funded through local and national taxation, and supported by strong protective planning policies. Otherwise the deepening underfunding crisis will continue to wreak havoc with these vital public spaces.

Tony Leach Chief executive, Parks for London

Local authorities have a statutory responsibility for protecting parks and green spaces under planning law. I do not see that changing, and nor should it. It is the best – though not the perfect – way to protect parks. However, local www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Agenda.indd 9

authorities don’t have statutory responsibility for managing their parks. I don’t see that changing either, but it should. Parks are more at risk from managed decline than they are from being sold off. Enter the local communities that love their parks. Friends groups are a power to be reckoned with, and the National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces is actively working to both protect parks and their funding.

Sarah Hughes-Clarke Strategic development director, idverde

Since I joined the parks business in 1990, local authorities have done a great job of protecting, enhancing and developing parks. However, other management models are now taking shape.

The problem faced by local authorities is that they have a million and one things to do, and parks aren’t a priority. No matter how much cost we drive out, or how much income we generate from parks, if they are under local authority control, there can be no guarantee that either the savings or the income will be reinvested in parks.

And nor should there be – we elect our councillors to spend our money flexibly, according to greatest need.

So, if not local authorities, then who? Clearly, an organisation whose sole purpose is to protect and develop parks will have a strong focus on

generating and investing income for the benefit of parks. Large unitary authorities may have enough value in their estate to create a successful trust, but others would have to join forces on a county-wide scale. However, such organisations, whether trusts, CICs or Private-Public Joint Ventures, need both scale and business skills – so harnessing skills and investment from the private sector could make all the difference.

Finally, it may be necessary to ‘think the unthinkable’ – particularly where land is highly valuable. The enormous value that parks give back to society can only be realised if parks remain freely accessible – but sacrificing 2% of the parks and greenspace estate in a London borough for housing would create a fund that could care for the remaining 98% for 100 years or more. But that value could only be diverted to the future protection of parks within a trust/CIC/ JV model, outside local authority control.

NEXT MONTH Given the serious threat posed

by Xylella, what precautions and protocols should be implemented when procuring trees and shrubs, and who should be responsible for these?

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

Image ©andersphoto/Shutterstock.com

Dave Morris

9

24/08/2017 11:47

INFORM

NEWS Majestic Trees invites you to celebrate the grand opening of its new visitor advice centre – and 15 years in business Majestic Trees is holding an open day at its nursery near St Albans on Tuesday 12 September, to celebrate the development of a new visitor advice centre – as well as its 15 years in business.

The day, which will be held in association with Pro Landscaper, will be centred around a programme of events, incorporating panel discussions and seminars on some of the most important issues currently affecting the industry.

Speakers include the renowned garden journalist and broadcaster Peter Seabrook, as well as Professor Nicola Spence, who will be presenting the keynote address on biosecurity.

With lively, informative debates and outdoor demonstrations, this exciting event is not to be missed!

To view the full programme for the day, and for more details on speakers and timings, please see the supplement accompanying this month’s issue of Pro Landscaper.

To register to attend the event, please email amber. bernabe@eljays44.com or call 01903 777 581. www.majestictrees.co.uk

Chris Bowles to step down as director and shareholder of Bowles & Wyer

After nearly 25 years with Bowles & Wyer, co-founder Chris Bowles is stepping down as a director and shareholder. Chris set up Bowles & Wyer with John Wyer in 1993, and the partnership grew into the current Bowles & Wyer Group.

“After 24 years with Bowles & Wyer and 33 years working with John, I would like to thank all my colleagues both past and present for their hard work and loyalty,” said Chris.

“The contribution Chris has made to Bowles & Wyer has been immeasurable,” said John Wyer.

“He has been a steady hand at the tiller, well respected by all in the industry, and held in high esteem by colleagues for his wealth of experience in construction and the design and build sector. We will all miss his sense of fairness, his distinctive approach to problem solving and contribution to life onsite and in the office.

Chris will continue to work with Bowles & Wyer for a few months to ensure a smooth transition. Plans for the development of Bowles & Wyer are underway and will be announced in the coming months. www.bowleswyer.co.uk

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24/08/2017 14:19

INFORM

Adrian Meeker appointed to board of Frosts Landscape Construction as commercial director Following the sale of Frosts Landscape Construction’s grounds maintenance and interior plant divisions to Nurture Landscapes, Frosts has announced that Adrian Meeker has been appointed commercial director.

Adrian joined Frosts in 2001 as a placement student from Writtle College. Starting as assistant estimator, he worked his way through the company and was head of estimating prior to this

latest promotion. Years of working in estimating, combined with site experience and a horticultural degree gives Adrian an indepth knowledge and understanding of the industry, and what is required to drive the quality agenda within the company.

As a key member of the successful London Olympic bid team, his detailed project knowledge was reapplied as part of the site-based

NEWS IN BRIEF Garden Bridge project closed

construction team. Adrian undertook the same role in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Legacy Transformation contract. Worth £17m, this is one of the largest, predominantly soft landscaping projects ever to be undertaken in the UK. As commercial director Adrian will be responsible for protecting Frosts positions and maximising returns on secured projects. His knowledge of pricing makes him well ualified for this position and he is looking forward to the new role. www.frostslandscapes.co.uk

Green Flags for 110 parks and green spaces maintained by idverde A record-breaking 1,797 UK parks and green spaces received the Green Flag when this year’s awards were announced. The award is a sign that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained, and has excellent visitor facilities.

Among the 110 Green Flag accredited parks and green spaces idverde maintains for its local authority clients, 28 are in the London Borough of Southwark, which boasts the second highest number of Green Flag accredited

parks of any London authority – and the third highest of any local authority in England. “idverde is extremely pleased that the number of our clients’ parks receiving a Green Flag has increased again this year, with our teams having contributed to 13 new Green Flag wins and the retention of 97 others,” said Clive Ivil, managing director of idverde’s Community Open Spaces Division.

“This is testament to the maintenance teams who work so hard, our clients’ commitment

The Garden Bridge Trust has announced that it will be winding up the project. It has informed the Mayor of London, Transport for London (TfL) and the Department for Transport. www.gardenbridge.london

New national sales manager for Glendale

Glendale has appointed Martin Ford as national sales manager.

Martin will be responsible for identifying new opportunities within the private and public sectors, as well as maintaining and developing relationships with clients across the country. www.glendale-services.co.uk

30 Under 30: Last call

to presenting their parks at their best, and all the individuals and stakeholder groups that use and cherish their local green spaces.”

International Green Flag Award Scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme. The scheme’s success demonstrates just much parks matter to people.” www.idverde.co.uk

30 Under 30 is about celebrating the work of the industry’s young people.

Entering is a great opportunity to further your career and gain recognition. Entrants must have been 30 or under on 1 January 2017, and work within horticulture, garden design or the landscape sector. To apply, or to nominate somebody within your company, request an application form from joe.betts@eljays44.com. www.prolandscaper magazine.com

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12/05/2017 17:05 24/08/2017 14:19

INFORM

Mayor: Let’s help make London the world s rst ational ark Cit

andstruction strengthens design team with world-class a ointment Landstruction has appointed Tom annister as the company’s first ever design and construction manager. om, who ualified from the London College of Garden Design, has more than 15 years’ experience in nursery management and hard and soft landscaping, as well as building award-winning show gardens at the RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows.

“I am passionate about creating exceptional tailor-made projects, turning concepts into reality, and actively promoting sustainability within garden designs,” said Tom. “This business is full of fresh ideas

and I cannot wait to play a a role in shaping its development.”

Tom will work alongside the design team and be responsible for all aspects of garden design and build, sharing his planting and maintenance knowledge.

David Binks, Landstruction managing director, said: “Tom will provide a unique addition to our current client offering. he business is now positioned to provide an integrated service for both commercial and residential pro ects across the orth. www.landstruction.com

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched plans to make the capital the world’s first ational Park City. The Mayor will use planning regulations to protect the Green Belt and incorporate more green roofs and walls, rain gardens, and wildlife habitats into new developments. He will also fund the planting of thousands more trees and improvements to community green spaces, and help London’s boroughs to invest in parks.

The new £9m Greener City Fund for London has been created to improve outdoor spaces. Local groups can apply for £1m grants to plant neighbourhood trees and maintain green community areas.

The Mayor made the announcement as he launched his draft Environment Strategy

for consultation at Woodberry Wetlands in Hackney, alongside the London Wildlife Trust.

The strategy outlines Sadiq’s vision of making the city a greener, cleaner and healthier place by targeting London’s toxic air, and making it a zero-carbon city by with energy efficient buildings, clean energy and transport, and increased recycling.

“London is home to outstanding green spaces that I want to protect, invest in and improve. I’ve set out my plans to improve London’s environment by fighting pollution, tackling waste and promoting cleaner energy. I want to hear your views and ideas about how we can make London the greenest city in the world.” www.london.gov.uk

round Control strengthens winter maintenance ca abilities through strategic ac uisition of itter oss Ground Control has acquired winter and exterior maintenance specialist Litter Boss in a move that will add hundreds of customers to its portfolio and over staff to the business. This acquisition cements Ground Control as the largest specialist gritting and winter maintenance provider in the UK.

Litter Boss, which has its head uarters in ewcastle upon Tyne, was established over 30 years ago, and has a long history of growth thanks to its excellent service delivery. Primarily focused on winter and exterior maintenance, the company has synergies with Ground Control’s existing client

base, adding 3,500 sites and enhancing density across the UK. “Bringing Litter Boss into the Ground Control family is a strategic move to increase our winter maintenance capabilities across the UK,” explained Simon Morrish, CEO for Ground Control. “The combined infrastructure, people

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24/08/2017 13:00

INFORM

9 FEBRUARY 2018 EAST WINTERGARDEN, CANARY WHARF LONDON E14 5NX Pro Landscaper is launching a new crossindustry business awards, highlighting those who make outstanding contributions to our industry and bringing people together Supported by leading industry magazines Pro Landscaper and FutureArch, and the industry’s number one event, FutureScape, the inaugural Pro Landscaper Business Awards will be held in the heart of London’s business district at the stunning East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf, on Friday 9 February 2018.

The event will bring together businesses across all sectors, and aims to recognise and reward companies within the industry that consistently perform well and strive to raise the standard of UK landscaping.

Sharing his vision for the new cross-industry awards, managing director of Pro Landscaper Jim Wilkinson explains: “Pro Landscaper is committed to helping raise the overall professionalism of the landscaping sector. We are also committed to rewarding and sharing good industry practice, and the new Pro Landscaper Business Awards will highlight the fantastic companies that operate within the sector. It will recognise companies that are consistently performing well, building, maintaining and designing great gardens, parks and open spaces; companies that are developing the staff of the future and challenging the norm, while constantly

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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“New cross-industry awards, rewarding consistent excellence” delivering outstanding performance. We very much look forward to seeing all the winners in February and sharing their success stories with our readers.”

Bringing together over 300 professionals from the UK’s leading landscape businesses, the awards will feature a number of categories aimed at highlighting excellence across the industry.

To find out more about the Pro Landscaper Business Awards contact jamie.wilkinson@ eljays44.com or telephone 01903 777 570.

Categories Landscape Company <£1m turnover >£1m turnover Commercial Landscape Company Grounds Maintenance Company • Regional • National Garden Designer Garden Design Practice Landscape Architect Practice <less than 5 employees >more than 5 employees Industry Partnership Interior Landscape Company Apprenticeship Scheme Supplier – Adding greatest value to the landscape sector

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 15

24/08/2017 09:38

INFORM

NURTURE LANDSCAPES Growth & Acquisition

As Nurture Landscapes acquires Frosts’ landscape maintenance operations, we catch up with managing director Peter Fane to find out how the company has achieved a £35m turnover in less than 10 years of operation, through both organic growth and a number of acquisitions

N

urture Landscapes has secured its fifth acquisition in 12 months, purchasing the landscape maintenance operations of Bedfordshire-based Frosts Group. This increases the company’s turnover to £35m, and boosts its employee numbers to more than 500.

With the acquisition coming into effect on 1 August, the contracts and 70-plus staff of the Frosts division have been transferred to Nurture, along with Frosts’ divisional director Darrell Hedden. The division brings nearly £4m in annual 16

Pro Landscaper / September 2017

News Extra Nurture Landscapes.indd 16

sales, and includes the provision of office plant displays and Christmas trees.

The interior landscaping aspect of Nurture Landscapes was already showing strong signs of growth prior to the acquisition, says Nurture’s managing director Peter Fane. “We now have over £3m worth of interior plants, cut flowers and Christmas tree work, which we carry out for our existing landscape maintenance portfolio.”

“We are more than happy to expand this side through the acquisition of the Frosts division, but probably top of our list is to grow the landscape maintenance and winter gritting. Many projects now include both of these, whereas historically they were kept separate, so it has been of great benefit to us that we can bid for them together at the same time and genuinely offer a national service. The fact that other areas, such as interior plants, have grown is great – we are very happy that nearly 10% of our business is in that sector.”

Frosts’ landscape maintenance operation is Nurture’s 16th acquisition since Peter founded the company in 2008. From the start, Peter

wanted the company to grow both organically and through acquisitions. It now has a sales team of seven people, plus supporting staff in telesales, and wins about £4m worth of new work each year.

ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF ACQUIRING A COMPANY IS THAT TALENTED INDIVIDUALS ALWAYS COME WITH THEM “We always planned to make acquisitions, but probably not quite the number and scale that we have done. Initially, we chose acquisitions based on expanding our geographical footprint across the UK. We were very much a southern-centric business, but started to move across the UK with acquisitions such as Parkview Landscapes in Blackburn and JMK Groundcare in Scotland. We now have that national footprint, and are looking at what we call ‘bolt on’ acquisitions. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 11:52

INFORM

ACQUISITIONS January 2009 Andrew Chittenden Ltd February 2010 Mulberry Landscapes Ltd January 2011 Harmac Environmental June 2011 City Estate Services Ltd November 2011 Boxgreen Landscapes Ltd April 2012 White Lodge Groundcare June 2012 Parkview Landscapes Ltd August 2013 Landcare Ltd November 2013 Greenability Ltd October 2014 JMK Groundcare Ltd November 2015 Integritas Landscapes July 2016 Truegrit Ltd July 2016 Heritage Landscapes Ltd November 2016 Proground Ltd May 2017 Botanical Landscapes Ltd August 2017 Frosts Landscape Maintenance “About 90% of our acquisitions are a result of people contacting us saying that they are thinking of retiring or emigrating. They end up being personal transactions based on the fact that people know me within the industry, and know that Nurture is in the market to look at deals.”

Nurture Landscapes now operates out of six regions across the UK – Scotland, the North, the Midlands, the South, the South West and London, each managed by a regional director and a management team in the local area.

Most of the contracts taken on as a result of the latest acquisition will be managed out of a new office-depot near Frosts’ base at Woburn www.prolandscapermagazine.com

News Extra Nurture Landscapes.indd 17

Sands, under Nurture’s Midlands director Gordon Whyte; others will be serviced from one of Nurture’s local regional offices.

Frosts employees joining Nurture can benefit from the company’s investment in its staff, says Peter. “With most of the companies we acquire, the employees have been part of a small, local business – often with a good reputation, like Frosts or Botanical Landscapes, which we acquired in May. The business owners have reached a point where they are no longer looking to grow the business, and so opportunities for staff can be quite limited. We are fanatical about training and health and safety, and are very good in terms of capital investment, such as equipment, machinery and vehicles.

“One of the benefits of acquiring a company is that talented individuals always come with them. We like to nurture them as best we can, and make sure they are still with us in 10 years’ time. Hopefully, one of them will have my job.”

Despite the size of the company, Nurture Landscapes works hard to maintain its personal approach. “We are just knocking on 500 employees, and so we have become very vigilant to make sure the company still feels small and personal. Each region is run by a charismatic director who leads from the front, and creates their own team spirit within their local area.”

The management team and administrators own 17% of the business, with each having shares or share options. This allows them to be part of the company’s success. “That is why we chose the name originally – it was about nurturing our clients, our employees and the environment in which we work,” explains Peter.

EACH REGION IS RUN BY A CHARISMATIC DIRECTOR WHO LEADS FROM THE FRONT, AND CREATES THEIR OWN TEAM SPIRIT WITHIN THEIR LOCAL AREA Over two thirds of Nurture Landscapes’ turnover is currently from landscape maintenance in the corporate and private sectors, including tree surgery; 20% is winter gritting and snow clearance. “We have 2,000 sites that we grit in the winter when it’s icy,” says Peter. “This part of our business has grown from very little five years ago to about £7m of our overall turnover – a good chunk of the business, which continues to grow.” The remaining 5% of the turnover is design and build construction.

“We are going to carry on doing what we are doing, sticking to our field and not going into other aspects of landscaping or horticulture. We believe that by making a couple of acquisitions a year and continuing our organic growth, we will be turning over £50m in three years.”

CONTACT Nurture Landscapes Ltd Nursery Court, London Road, Windlesham GU20 6LQ Tel: 01344 234000 info@nurturelandscapes.co.uk www.nurturelandscapes.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 17

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24/08/2017 15:19

RHS Flower Show

INFORM

WINNER People’s Choice Award

Pro Landscaper reports back from the 2017 edition of the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park – crammed, as ever, with inspirational and creative spaces

Facing Fear, Finding Hope: in support of Crohn’s and Colitis UK ©RHS/Neil Hepworth

Cactus Direct: 2101 ©Mark Waugh/RHS

Showcasing the very best of horticulture in the north, the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, sponsored by Bruntwood, took place from 19-23 July in Cheshire.

A total of 120 medals were awarded, with the United Utilities Slow the Flow Garden, designed

by John Everiss Design Ltd and Francesca

WINNER Best Show Garden

WINNER Best Construction Best Future Spaces Garden

Murrell, winning Best Show Garden; the Facing Fear, Finding Hope garden designed by Peter Hulland, Rory Tompsett and Denise Shields won the coveted People’s Choice Award.

The Best Construction Award went to Warnes McGarr & Co for building the Cactus Direct: 2101 garden, designed by Michael McGarr; this was also awarded Best Future Spaces Garden.

The Macmillan Legacy Garden, designed

by Lara Behr, received both Best Back to Back Garden and the People’s Choice Back to Back Garden award.

A highlight of the event was the Bus Stop Boulevard, supported by Transport for Greater anchester five teams from reater anchester greened up bus shelters, inspired by the RHS’s Greening Grey Britain campaign.

WINNER People’s Choice Back to Back Best Back to Back Garden

Macmillan Legacy Garden ©RHS/Lee Beel

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United Utilities Slow the Flow Garden ©Mark Waugh/RHS

Bus Stop Boulevard ©Mark Waugh/RHS

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 19

24/08/2017 09:11

INFORM

RHS

YOUNG DESIGNER of the Year One of the many high points of the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park is its promotion of young talent within the industry. Each year, it runs a competition to find the S oung esigner of the ear, with the three finalists asked to design their first S show garden. This year, they were asked to create a garden office, promoting the idea of the garden as a workspace. Both Ula Maria Bujauskaite, 24, and Jake Curley, 25, received a prestigious RHS Gold medal, while Anca Panait, 27, received an S Silver ilt medal. he overall title of S oung esigner of the ear was awarded to la for her garden Studio Unwired, a design inspired by her memories of Baltic landscapes; it boasted a shaded area for working and a sunlit area for relaxation.

1 Prospect and Refuge - Anca Panait 2 Business and Pleasure - Jake Curley 3 Studio Unwired - Ula Maria Bujauskaite

Five minutes with Ula Maria Bujauskaite How does it feel to have won RHS Young Designer of the Year?

It feels incredible, I really didn’t expect it – I just hoped I’d do well, and thought if something came out of the show then that would be great! It still doesn’t quite feel real.

How did your design respond to the brief? y idea was to try and create a hot desk office with a very naturalistic environment in an urban setting, inspired by a seaside landscape so that when the client is outside in the office they feel transported to the coast.

What plants did you use?

I used a lot of seaside grasses and shrubs, such as eymus arenarius. I also used certain owers, such as niphofia, to in ect a burst of colour, and quite a lot of Echinaceas to create the overall glaucous colour of the garden.

What have you learnt from having Paul Hervey-Brookes as a mentor?

He’s been amazing at giving tips directly related to the show garden – small details that you might not pay as much attention to on a larger scale project, such as how to deal with the plants, placing the pine cones, and looking up the grasses for small and large growth.

Images ©Mark Waugh/RHS

Has the experience inspired you to continue designing show gardens? es, I’d love to continue designing show gardens maybe Hampton Court or Chatsworth next, because Chelsea seems scary!

Are you hoping the award will raise the profile of your practice, Studio Unwired?

I’m hoping it will give the practice exposure to the public to attract more private garden schemes. esigning the show garden has really allowed me to showcase my style, so people can see my style before asking me to get on board with a project.

What are your plans for the upcoming months?

Firstly, I’m going on holiday! Then I’m hoping to see what will come out of the show, and to carry on creating gardens.

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RHS Tatton Park.indd 20

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 09:13

RHS

INFORM

YOUNG LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR & PLANTING DESIGNER

of the Year

RHS Young Landscape Contractor

Five minutes with Elliott Hood

The RHS Young Landscape Contractor 2017, supported by BALI, and the RHS Young lanting esigner 1 were also announced at atton ark. hree finalists were chosen from the planting and construction categories, then paired up to create a show garden, for which last year’s RHS Young Designer Caitlin McLaughlin had designed the layout. Winners Elliott Hood and Ben Poulter created the Chaos to Coastline garden, which had to deal with free-draining soil and sunny south-west facing conditions.

RHS Young Planting Designer 2017

How does it feel to have won RHS Young Planting Designer 2017, as well as your first RHS Gold medal?

It’s still sinking in this is my first ever show garden and I’ve won both a old medal and the award.

What style was the planting palette and how did this correspond to the brief?

We were set the theme of a coastal retreat, so I wanted to create something with a bit of a Mediterranean-style planting palette. The planting partly re ected the sand dunes of a beach.

Which plants did you use? avenders, gapanthus which is uite common for coastal projects – Eryngiums, and different types of grasses, such as Deschampsia and Stipa.

What have you learned from the mentors of the competition?

You learn how to do a show garden, but also how professionals work together – something that you don’t always experience when you go into practice. It was nice to see a small project go from design to build.

Are you looking to do more RHS shows? ossibly. I have looked at other shows as well, such as Chaumont estival in rance.

What’s next?

I’m training to become a chartered landscape architect, so I’d like to stay in landscape architecture, but I do enjoy the horticultural side as well because it brings me back to my roots I have an HND in horticulture.

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RHS Tatton Park.indd 21

How did you respond to the design brief?

Ben and I came up with the concept together.

He chose the planting and I chose the materials, making sure that everything looked right for a coastal setting. We used porcelain paving, rather than Portland stone, and corten steel – it was a modern take on a coastal area.

What challenges did you have to overcome?

I prefabricated everything before the show, so everything slotted together really well, and the breakdown only took a day.

What support was provided by BALI? BALI helped us get the materials for a good price, and pushed us in the right direction in terms of which companies to use but I’ve been a foreman for three years now, so I knew which direction to take with parts of the garden as well.

What are you looking to focus on next? o continue working on high profile pro ects with ardenlink.

Images© RHS/Lee Beel

Five minutes with Ben Poulter

How does it feel to have won RHS Young Landscape Contractor 2017, as well as your first RHS Gold medal?

It’s really good – it’s strange to get noticed for what I’ve achieved in the industry. I’ve worked on helsea gardens in the past with ardenlink, but it’s my first old medal with my name on it.

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 21

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24/08/2017 14:37

ASSOCIATION

INFORM

NEWS

BALI briefing BALI National AGM The annual AGM for eligible voting members will be held at Draycote Water Sailing Club on 7 September. It provides eligible members the opportunity to provide feedback on the service the association provides, and to help shape its future.

Following the AGM there will be an opportunity to attend a Weed Treatment: Exploring New Technologies demonstration

afternoon with some of the leading manufacturers, suppliers and regulatory bodies in the industry. You can book your place on the weed treatment event online at bali.org.uk/events BALI education officer We would like to welcome Stephen Ensell, who has

oined I as education officer with the remit of managing and leading BALI’s GoLandscape careers initiative. Having worked in horticulture for over 20 years, Stephen brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience; he has previously been a lecturer at South Staffordshire ollege, HMP Oakwood and HMP Hewell and company director of his own landscaping firm.

Stephen has already started reviewing the GoLandscape brand, website and events programme, and is looking

forward to meeting members and moving the initiative forward.

BALI returns to ScotHort BALI is exhibiting at ScotHort on September find us at stand 46. BALI is looking forward to meeting its Scottish members and to signing up new contractors, designers and affiliates. ur stand will promote a high level of professionalism and bring a splash of colour, with containers and planting courtesy of BALI-registered contractor member GP Plantscape. www.bali.org.uk

Parks Alliance matters

Weather woes It is such a British thing to talk about the weather, but hasn’t it been disappointing since the schools broke up for summer?

It is difficult to estimate the effect it has had on visits to parks, or their management and maintenance. That said, it is always a challenge to maintain parks through the summer, and especially to deal with the ever-

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Association News.indd 23

increasing amounts of litter and antisocial behaviour.

The Parks Alliance would like to thank the University of Leeds for organising the recent Future of Public Parks conference. In the wake of the Select Committee Parks Inquiry, the conference brought together researchers and practitioners and showed the huge changes that parks and their services are going through. It also pressed the need for researchers and practitioners to work together to develop our growing evidence base demonstrating

the value of parks. The conference highlighted the innovation taking place across the sector, but also the need to shift political and financial perceptions of parks and their role as ‘essential infrastructure’.

We are delighted to welcome Marcus Jones MP as the new Parks Minister. We look forward to working with him, both when

the DCLG response to the Parks Enquiry is published, and more generally to support parks and green spaces through such a difficult period.

Finally, as our thoughts move to the challenges that autumn and winter will bring, the Parks Alliance will be using the data from its recent survey to develop its own future plans. We hope to be able to secure funding and resources to allow us to more proactively support the sector — watch this space for more news on that! www.theparksalliance.org @ParksAllianceUK

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 23

24/08/2017 11:56

INFORM

RHS report winter planting, as well as a ender lant Show. www.rhs. org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr

Autumn Plant Festival, RHS Garden Harlow Carr

isitors at S arden arlow arr.

S ethany larke

ake the most of the season at S arden arlow arr’s utumn lant estival, on September. he event welcomes specialist nurseries to the garden and presents a wealth of advice, seasonal information and horticultural know how for autumn and

RHS Garden Wisley celebrates 25th Flower Show his year’s show 1 September promises to be the best yet. eaturing top uality nurseries and trade stands, there will be expert advice, shopping opportunities and beautiful oral displays. he ational ssociation of lower rrangement Societies will showcase dahlia cultivation, with more than 1 exhibitors taking part. isitors will see the garden in its late summer splendour and can explore the Surrey Sculpture Society rail as well as discovering the new

S Wisley lower Show S uke ac regor

xotic arden. lower Show breakfast preview will also be held on uesday September. or more information and to book tickets, please visit www. rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley Malvern Autumn Show alvern utumn Show returns for a weekend of family fun on September, at the hree ounties Showground. he show champions the best of autumn, with seasonal plants and artisan produce. he lant

illage will welcome more than specialist nurseries, and visitors can seek advice from horticultural experts and shop for the best plants and bulbs. ighlights include the ational iant egetables hampionship, plus the food hall, which will be bursting with delicious treats. eanwhile, familiar faces such as reat ritish enu host ndi liver will be cooking up a storm in the ookery heatre. www.malvernautumn.co.uk www.rhs.org.uk

alvern utumn Show alvern utumn Show

efig outline Plants at Work Week July saw the fifth ational lants at Work Week campaign, promoting the benefits of plants in the workplace. his year, we took over an iconic red telephone box to launch the week long campaign. We also distributed 1 lea ets to members, and produced a campaign infographic and ou ube video. he remainder of the week saw efig take to social media to promote biophilia in the

24

workplace in its various guises, using plantsatworkweek.

Improved results his year’s campaign reached , people via witter, acebook and inkedIn over nine days. efig’s website, where case studies of award winning installations were published throughout the week, received , site visits, with , uni ue visitors over the week.

Pro Landscaper / September 2017

Association News.indd 24

Members’ involvement ive companies, plus several rban lanters franchisees, organised plant giveaways at various locations throughout the country. op up stands and desks accompanied some of the giveaways, where ational lants at Work Week lea ets were handed out. rban lanters also printed shirts, canvas bags and more.

Some members concentrated on reaching out to clients, commending them for having biophilic offices. Some offered competitions to win planted arrangements, while others gave away desk plants and asked recipients to tweet a

picture of the plant on their desk, using plantsatworkweek. ne member gave a talk at their son’s school, which was greeted with enthusiasm the children also got to take a plant home with them. ll in all, it was a great week for raising the profile of biophilia.

We were grateful to receive campaign sponsorship from supplier ieuwkoop urope. www.efig.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 11:56

INFORM

APL update APL autumn seminar: Vertically Challenged, sponsored by London Stone After the success of its last seminar on paving, the APL is holding a one-day technical seminar looking at the challenges of vertical landscaping. Industry experts will be on hand to provide technical knowledge on all aspects and types of vertical construction and finishes.

The day will be packed and fast-paced, and will include topics such as: • Design • The role of a structural engineer

The Pro Gardens garden, BBC Gardeners’ World Live

• Types of walls • Dry stone walling • Compacted earth walls • Rendering systems • Gabion systems • Specialist mortars Wall drainage and finish • Industry debate.

This is open to all members and non-members; book now at www.hta.org.uk/aplseminar.

BBC Gardeners’ World Live For the third year running, APL members are invited

to participate in an exclusive competition to build a show garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2018. The organiser of BBC Gardeners’ World Live, River Street Events, is offering a generous 1 , contribution to each of the five landscapers selected to design and build gardens at the 2018 show.

In addition, there will be generous sponsorship of materials, and supporting benefits such as , hospitality opportunities and show tickets.

Winning a BBC Gardeners’ World Live medal provides accreditation to your company and fantastic PR opportunities.

For an application, contact phil.tremayne@hta.org.uk.

APL Awards 2018 Following a record-breaking number of entries – both the numbers of companies entered and the number of entries recieved are up – the judging for the APL Awards 2018 is underway. Judges are in the process of visiting the gardens submitted, and the standard so far is outstanding – it is going to be a difficult year to complete the shortlisting and awards!

Save the date for 16 March 2018 to join us at the awards. www.apl.com

SGD bulletin SGD announces new vice chair The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) has appointed Sarah Morgan MSGD as its new vice chair, working alongside SGD chair, Philippa O’Brien MSGD. Sarah has been a registered member of the society for 20 years and is a long-standing member of the SGD council. She joined the council in 2014 as the member for education and

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Association News.indd 25

has overseen many initiatives, including the introduction of Educator status for garden design courses and programmes in the UK. Sarah has been involved in education for many years.

She spent five years as head of faculty for landscape, horticulture and design, and programme leader for the BA (Hons) garden design, at Hadlow College. Sarah is now a visiting lecturer in horticulture and garden

design, and an external verifier at colleges around the UK. Away from the society, she runs her own practice, Sarah Morgan Gardens.

Sarah Morgan said: “I am privileged to support Philippa O’Brien, and continue to support the SGD in my role on council.

As a member of the SGD I have received training, inspiration and professional networks that have been invaluable to my working practice in garden design over 33 years. I would encourage all our members, particularly those who are at colleges

and embarking on a new career, to get involved in the society, and make the most of the opportunities that this organisation can offer.

Philippa O’Brien MSGD, who took on the role of chair in 2014, said: “I have worked alongside Sarah on the council for many years.

She has great talent, and a wonderful ability to take the long view when it comes to campaigns and society issues. I think she will be an excellent counterpoint to me as we work towards realising the many ambitions that the council has for the society. www.sgd.org.uk

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24/08/2017 11:57

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“I was absolutely delighted to be a nder finalist. he award was a great recognition of all of the hard work and dedication that I have put into both the industry and the ISS Landscaping business over the past years. eing rewarded and recognised on a national platform and in front of our industry leaders made me realise how exceptional the achievement in my career path has been for somebody my age. he whole process has been fantastic for both ISS Landscaping and for me personally.

Regional operations manager, ISS

o make the list of nder 30 made me feel that I had achieved something in the company that I work for, and that I was a valued asset. It also made me want to improve to the next level and keep trying to work my way up. Since November’s winners’ ceremony I have moved up to become a team leader at idverde. he whole experience itself was amazing, especially to be around all the top landscapers and see other people that have progressed and achieved so much. hat made me want to become better and achieve even more in my career.

Team leader, idverde

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30 Under 30: The Next Generation is all about celebrating the younger individuals within this industry. The competition is a great opportunity to gain recognition for your achievements, or to nominate someone else who you feel is deserving of the award.

We spoke to some of our previous winners to find out about their experience of winning the accolade...

Noemi Mercurelli

Rob Dwiar

“Winning the 30 Under 30 award has been an incredible reward for all the sacrifices I faced to study garden design, including starting a new life abroad. It brought me lots of contacts within the industry, and on a personal level, it was an incredible confidence boost.

I had just had a baby when I won – I really enjoyed being a working mum, but I began to worry about my career. Winning a People’s Choice award at RHS Hampton Court and the Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30 award in the same year made me feel very positive about the future.

Owner and garden designer, Mercurelli’s Garden Design

“It was a genuine pleasure to receive a nder award.

It was particularly pleasant and rewarding as it recognised my efforts in the landscape architecture world, as well as the success in garden design I experienced at S atton ark. It gave me confidence in my ability and has helped to spur me on since. t International Design Group, we work on large overseas projects in places such as Dubai and Pakistan, while also taking on exciting projects, some of which we aren’t even allowed to talk about yet Landscape architect, International Design Group

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All you need to know THINKING OF ENTERING OR NOMINATING A COWORKER FOR 30 UNDER 30: THE NEXT GENERATION 2017? HERE ARE THE DETAILS YOU NEED...

Who is the competition aimed at?

The competition runs across Pro Arb, Pro Landscaper and FutureArch magazines, all published by Eljays44. The 30 winners will come from the arboriculture, landscaping, and landscape architecture industries – so anyone working in those professions, no matter what role they play, is able to enter.

What must you have achieved to enter?

With so many different industries included, and so many different roles, it’s difficult to pinpoint one exact thing that we’re looking for. It could be that someone has gone the extra mile for their company, shown brilliant promise, or has simply been fantastic over a long period of time.

Why is the competition being run?

The idea of the competition is to celebrate the work that young people entering the industry are doing. Not only is it important to recognise their achievements, but we also hope that this will help inspire the next generation to get involved and see the industry as a genuine career option.

Can I nominate someone else?

Absolutely – applications can be submitted by the entrant themselves, or you can fill out a form for someone else. If there is someone in your team who you feel deserves some recognition, feel free to fill out the application form on their behalf.

Do you have to be under 30?

As long as you were 30 or under on 1 January 2017, you are eligible to enter the competition.

When will the winners be announced?

The winners will be announced across our publications before an awards ceremony that will take place on Tuesday 14 November, at FutureScape 2017.

How do I enter?

To receive an application form, email joe.betts@eljays44.com.

Simply fill out the application and return it to Joe by 1 September.

Good luck!

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Let’s Hear it From

HARRIS BUGG STUDIO

At this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg announced they were merging their individual studios to form a new joint practice, Harris Bugg Studio.

Propelled to dizzying heights after Charlotte won Gold with her debut show garden at Chelsea, flying the flag for women on Main Avenue, she and Hugo look set for a bright and successful future. We met up with the talented pair to track their journey into landscape design

I

t’s now a few months since the euphoria of Chelsea subsided, and Harris Bugg Studio is growing into its role as a national and international provider of top quality garden design.

“I studied garden design for three years at Falmouth University and also did the RHS Level 2 qualification, so I went straight in from school [graduating in 2008],” Hugo tells us, of his route into the industry. “I come from an artistic family and have always been a gardener, working with my dad in our own three-acre garden in Devon.

“After university, I got a job at the local council working on Heartlands, a lottery funded project, as a landscape designer.

In 2009, I set up a partnership with a friend, which unfortunately ended within a year, so I continued to work on my own. I built up my profile by designing show gardens and getting involved with lots of different projects.

During one project I worked on, the Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan, Charlotte was recommended to me – she was freelancing at the time. Working together over a three-year period in this way, it seemed natural to set up a business together.”

With Hugo’s experience in show gardens, why did he decide to pursue this route? “I started out by entering a brand new show in 2009 called Future Gardens, held at Butterfly World in St Albans. My colleague and I

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were surprised to be shortlisted, as we were in the company of people like Andy Sturgeon and Tony Heywood, and we had only just graduated – we were pretty excited! It was funded with a £25k budget, and we had 10 months, so we were designing it while working at the council.

We left our jobs to use the show as a platform to form our own partnership.”

THAT THESE TWO YOUNG DESIGNERS HAVE JOINED FORCES IS NO SURPRISE WHEN YOU CONSIDER THEIR AMBITION AND ABILITY TO WORK WELL COLLABORATIVELY Did Future Gardens provide Hugo with a way of finding clients, or was it purely for the experience and for learning how to manage a budget? “We got a few private gardens from it, but the main benefit was that I had the photography of these gardens to build up a portfolio to show clients,” Hugo tells us.

“Show gardens give you a real understanding of how things work logistically and constructively, and they teach you to make decisions quickly, too,” adds Charlotte.

The following year, Hugo won RHS Young Designer of the Year at Tatton Park, and was awarded Best in Show for his The Albert Dock Garden. “That was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Three of us built the garden and

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dismantled it, while camping on a football pitch with no money. It was hardcore!”

Career change Charlotte came to garden design in a completely different manner to Hugo; she previously worked in marketing in the charity sector, a career that culminated in a senior marketing role for JustGiving. She retrained as a garden designer at 30, cutting down the hours she was working to fit in with the training.

“As a young child I had always been outside with my mother and grandfather, and my earliest memories of my mother are of being in the garden with her,” she says. “I’d never put two and two together about what that might mean, and it was only after she’d died that I spent a lot of time thinking about what I wanted to do – it always came back to the garden and being outside. It’s a passion that Hugo and I share: being in wild places, walking, hiking and biking.”

Charlotte signed up for a course with Andrew Wilson and Mark Gregory that was the forerunner to the London College of Garden Design, and also went to Capel Manor College to learn about landscape construction, wanting to ensure she would be able to work confidently with the people who are constructing her projects. Both Charlotte and Hugo believe that understanding construction is key to being a good garden designer.

“As I was finishing the course in 2008, Tom Stuart-Smith contacted Andrew Wilson to see if he had any students that might come to work for him one day a week, and Andrew recommended that I go and meet him,” Charlotte tells us. “The meeting resulted in me working one day a week with Tom, but it quickly became full time, and I stayed there for almost four years – it was an amazing experience. It almost goes without saying that his practice is excellent! The quality of delivery, construction detailing, and planting knowledge gave me an incredibly rich training. I worked on a variety of different projects, and very much on the planting side as well, which was really good for me because at the time that wasn’t my strongest point.

“To challenge myself I decided to go freelance, and Tom was incredibly supportive.

The work I was doing at that time really was my bread and butter for the first couple of years, www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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particularly the work I did with Hugo on the Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan, and with Tom Hoblyn on the Greenwich Peninsula Park project. I gradually started to build up my own contacts and make my own gardens, and because I had helped out Hugo with the project in Jordan he asked me to assist with the planting of his Chelsea garden last year. I’ve helped with the planting of a number of Chelsea gardens, but this was my first as the lead planting person.

Following this, and with Hugo’s encouragement, I contacted The Royal Bank of Canada to ask to go on its roster for potential designers, and after quite a detailed selection process I was chosen to design this year’s garden.”

asked to complete a new masterplan for the 400-acre site.

The project is the brainchild of Princess Basma bint Ali: 80% of the native plants in Jordan are endangered, and she wanted to set up the botanic garden to help preserve them. The project now has its own director and board, and Hugo is employed by them. The garden has 1 London garden 2 RHS Chelsea 2016, Royal Bank of Canada garden 3 Future Gardens, the launchpad of phase one of the Butterfly World Project in St Albans in 2008 4 RHS Chelsea 2016, Royal Bank of Canada garden 5 Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan render

Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan Hugo and Charlotte’s work on the Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan came about through a recommendation.

“At the time, I was designing a Tanzanian rainforest in the new glasshouse at the Trento Museum of Science (MUSE),” says Hugo. “Dr David Aplin, the acting botanical consultant at the Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan, saw the work that I was doing and asked if I could go and review the designs they had. One thing led the another, and I was Pro Landscaper / September 2017 35

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been fully masterplanned, and is now moving into detail design for the first phase. The area has been fenced off for trial plantings and land management procedures for some years, enabling it to start to reinvigorate.

“It’s a really spectacular site but was massively overgrazed, so the first thing they did was to take a more active management approach by fencing off and working more closely with the local community,” Charlotte says. “It’s going to be a long-term project.”

THEY CHOOSE THE PROJECTS THEY WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON BASED ON THE INTEREST THEY PROVIDE, RATHER THAN PURELY ON COST OR LOCATION Coming together That these two young designers have joined forces is no surprise when you consider their ambition and ability to work well collaboratively.

During their previous collaborative work at Chelsea, they always felt they were getting the best out of each other. “Through the Chelsea period, Charlotte was obviously leading my planting, but I soon realised that I had been subconsciously asking her to review so many other design decisions on both Chelsea and other projects,” Hugo says. “It was only when I

realised this that we started to question why we weren’t doing it on every project.”

Both designers take responsibility for every project, visiting clients together to take a brief.

At the next stage, usually one of the two will take a greater degree of overview, and the other will come in at any given stage. That often falls geographically, with Charlotte dealing with the London gardens and Hugo the South West.

Currently their work comprises a 220-acre Highland estate, a listed property in Cumbria, various London gardens, a beautiful cliffside property overlooking Burgh Island in the South

West, and, touchingly, a project for the hospice that once cared for Charlotte’s mother.

They choose the projects they would like to work on based on the interest they provide, rather than purely on cost or location, and with their team of six (two landscape architects in Exeter, an admin/office manager and a graduate architect technician), they feel they can deliver top quality results and stay at the heart of what they love doing. In their limited leisure time, the duo share a passion for outdoor pursuits such as cycling and hiking, and Charlotte is also a part time DJ. She has agreed to be on the design panel at this year’s FutureScape event, so if you want to hear more from her, make sure you register for the show and sign up to Detail is in the Design.

1 RHS Chelsea 2014, RBC Waterscape Garden 2 Manzanian rainforest, Trento Museum of Science

CONTACT Harris Bugg Studio • Exeter: Hems Studio, 86 Longbrook Street, Exeter EX4 6AP +44 (0)1392 927 172 • London: Studio 2.2, 1-5 Vyner Street, London E2 9DG +44 (0)20 8191 7131 studio@harrisbugg.com www.harrisbugg.com

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COMPANY

PROFILE

Founded over 40 years ago, Indoor Garden Design has grown from a one-man interior landscaping company to a multi-million pound business offering a range of horticultural services. Pro Landscaper speaks to directors David Grace, Ian Drummond and Pippa Robinson about how the company has developed Can you tell us how IGD started?

Ian: It was founded in 1975 by Ed Wolf and his wife Brita. Ed was a pioneer in bringing interior landscaping to London – it was very lowkey here until the office environment and technology started to change in the Seventies.

Ed was at the forefront of this, knocking on the doors of architects and interior designers, telling them what would work with their designs. That’s how the company started – Ed on his moped with a watering can.

How has the company developed since?

Ian: Back then, it was just plants and pots – you’d look at a floor plan and dot around however many plants would fit. Things have moved on in a huge way: the planting for the last couple of projects we’ve worked on – UBS and Sky Central – was planned years ahead.

INDOOR GARDEN DESIGN

in numbers

Established 1975 Employees 54 Awards in 2017: RHS Silver medal Four efig Gold medals It’s become an important part of an office environment. Our company has certainly grown because of this, but we also went in a different direction when the recession hit. We needed to

Ian, David and Pippa

be more open-minded about where we worked,, as plants tend to be one of the first things to go in a project when funding runs short. We started working on events and hotels, and expanded the Christmas side of our business.

What services does the company now offer?

Ian: Exterior and interior landscaping, Christmas installations, event work, hotels, green walls, even consultancy. We also do an ‘in bloom’ service, an alternative to cut flowers.

Does the name of the company ever deter exterior projects?

Pippa: Strangely, our name doesn’t put people off enquiring about exterior work.

Ian: We thought about changing it a few years back, because although 60% of our work is planting offices, there’s still a lot of exterior work that comes in – but the name and brand was already well established.

How did you each become involved in the company?

David: I started part-time in 1982, when I was at university. I worked here for three summers before going into teaching. I was enticed back in 1989, when Ed asked if I would come back for a year, and I stayed.

Pippa: I started as a plant maintenance technician in 1984, after seeing an advert in the paper. I was working as an ecologist, but started doing more work for Ed as the company grew.

Ian: I started 25 years ago. I’d completed an apprenticeship in floristry and interior landscaping, and then studied garden design and went to a garden centre on Primrose Hill, doing interior planting, floristry and people’s gardens. I kept seeing Indoor Garden Design

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vans and loved the logo, which is based on a Matisse cut-out.

Has the logo changed at all since?

Ian: We’ve made slight tweaks to make it more contemporary.

Pippa: The logo features a plant with water underneath because we started as a hydro company; as time went on we realised that, environmentally, the chemicals in the hydroponic system weren’t good, and that we were better off using soil. We do some hydroculture now, but it’s generally when a client insists, or wants very shallow containers.

Are most of your projects within London?

Ian: We’re London-based, but we cover the whole of the UK. Many of our installations are maintained by our own team, depending on where they are; otherwise, we subcontract the maintenance but still manage it.

How is the company structured?

David: Pippa, Ian and I have equal shares in the business, having bought it four and a half years ago. I am responsible for all of our large projects, exterior work, and finance.

Ian: We have over 50 members of staff now, so it’s a big team. My side of the business is PR and marketing, plus the creative aspects – events, Christmas installations and hospitality, which involves hotels and restaurants.

Pippa: All three of us take enquiries as they come in. I pick up the operational aspects, such as HR and health and safety, and do a lot of the quotes for large clients as well. We all like doing meet and greets with customers, getting ideas out there, and planting up.

How are each of the teams managed?

David: Each team within the business has a manager, who reports to us. For example, the hotel and events team would report to Ian, the interior maintenance team would report to Pippa, and the exterior manager and installations manager would report to me.

How do you market the business?

Ian: Shows have become quite important to us.

We’ve been at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the past eight years, and have won a medal www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Company Profile IGD.indd 39

I THINK WE’RE GETTING THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERIOR LANDSCAPING ACROSS TO DESIGNERS AND ARCHITECTS each time – it’s a great way to position us within the market. Social media is becoming more important, too, and word of mouth – if someone recommends you, it’s the perfect way to be introduced. We also get a lot of press coverage.

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

Pippa: It’s grown hugely in the last year because of two large clients, and the idea is to continue to grow and encourage those who work for us to see that there are opportunities within the company.

David: We’ve not forced growth, it’s always been very organic.

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

Ian: On the interior side, the industry has moved on in leaps and bounds over the years, but I think it lacks creativity, and we could push ourselves a little further.

Pippa: For me, the industry should look long and hard at the ecological and environmental

aspects of the way plants are grown and transported. I would prefer there to be more initiative, certainly from European growers, because they’re the largest.

The end user is interested in the journey the plants make, and they want to know that the carbon footprint has been considered at every level.

David: We need to get our message across to the end user far better. I think we’re getting the importance of interior landscaping across to designers and architects, but not to end users – they see it as a luxury. We need to change this, so that they see it as essential. It’s starting to change, but we’ve got a long way to go.

1-2 Interior planting, Sky offices

CONTACT Indoor Garden Design Woodside Works, Summersby Road, London N6 5UH Tel: 020 8444 1414 Twitter: @IndoorGdnDesign Email: office@igd.uk.com Web: www.indoorgardendesign.com

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Three Mills Green

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LANDSCAPE

Nottingham Castle

ARCHITECT’S JOURNAL

Pro Landscaper speaks to Churchman Landscape Architects to find out about its sustainable vision and commitment to creating green spaces

W

ith 20 employees and two offices, Churchman Landscape Architects is one of the smaller practices we have featured – but it’s by no means less influential, currently working on the prestigious Nine Elms development in London.

Redesigning a new 2km stretch along the Thames River Path between Battersea and Lambeth Bridge, Churchman wants visitors to engage with the waterfront. It will boast three new pocket parks, as well as an enhanced route for pedestrians and cyclists.

The development is on the doorstep of the practice’s London office, which co-director Andrew Thornhill believes helped Churchman to win the project. Churchman has had success with similar projects in the past, such as its work on Three Mills Green, which sits within the Lea Valley Regional Park.

“Design for London set up a number of fringe projects in the neighbourhoods near the Olympic Park,” Andrew explains. “We won a competition to design one, Three Mills Green, which is part of the Lower Lea River Park strategy devised by 5th Studio that saw the start of The Fat Walk.”

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The project was completed in 2011, with the landscape implemented ahead of the housing.

“We transformed 2.5ha into a parkland with multifunctional event space that includes a Wild Kingdom play area and a series of canalside activities. It was about creating a new public recreation site in anticipation of an increasing residential population around the area. It was also about extending the influence of the Olympic Park, ensuring that the investment could be felt within the local neighbourhoods.”

Since it was founded by Chris Churchman in 1993, the practice has gone from strength to strength. Andrew became a director in 2007,

National Martime Museum Sammy Ofer Wing

and a second office was opened in Bristol two years ago, headed by associate David Finch.

This allows the practice to focus on projects outside of London and the South East. The practice’s three main sectors are education, culture, and regeneration.

“Education has always been part of the practice, though recently it has shifted towards tertiary education, which is partly down to the way this sector has become more competitive.

Universities are thinking about campuses differently, as quality of life features highly on people’s agenda when choosing a university.

These projects have therefore increased significantly in value and ambition.”

One such project is at the University of Birmingham, which has commissioned Churchman to design a public realm called the ‘Green Heart’ on its Edgbaston campus – adding 5.5ha of open space.

“When the university was having a new library built, it wanted to leave the footprint of the former library empty to create a park in the centre of the campus, rather than replacing one building with another. The car park, library building and courtyard are now being coalesced into one green space.”

Churchman has also been working as the University of Warwick’s retained consultant since 2003, curating the landscape and creating a 15-year development plan in association with architects MJP. Most recently, it worked on the public realm around the campus, connecting the spaces in a more cohesive manner. The practice also worked on the Enterprise Centre for the University of East Anglia, completed last year, www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Hammersmith Park Vermilion, Canning Town, Rathbone Market ©Ben Luxmoore

University of Birmingham

St Michael’s Hospice ©Dennis Gilbert

which has recently been recognised with a series of awards including Civic Trust and National RIBA awards.

Within the cultural sector, Churchman is redesigning the landscape of Nottingham Castle – part of a £29.4m restoration project, partly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

“Visitors turn up expecting to see a medieval castle, but it was rebuilt into a Palladian palace in the 18th century, and the main keep and castle elements were destroyed. Our brief was to help this understanding. Unusually, our task was to remove quite a lot of the tree cover, which is not something we would normally promote, but in this instance it was about restoring a more defensive landscape appearance, as well as

Warwick University

taking away the bedding schemes and the other more municipal planting features.”

The project aims to be on site by the end of the year, and will include a large playscape that www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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will reveal itself as visitors move around the site, encouraging families to visit. The playspace will be built from predominantly wooden structural

WITH ITS STRONG APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY, CHURCHMAN’S INFLUENCE WILL ONLY STRENGTHEN elements and large spans of suspended nets.

One of Churchman’s most successful cultural projects is the award-winning National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, completed in 2013. “Our role was to help unlock the potential of the new entrance to the museum. We helped to devise a landscape-led approach to the building as well, so that it ended up being a subterranean structure, fronting onto Greenwich Park. The landscape now appears as though it has always been that way.”

Another successful project was Rathbone Market, a large regeneration scheme highly commended at the Landscape Institute Awards 2014. The first three phases have been delivered, with the practice starting work on the next four phases of Canning Town’s regeneration with the English Cities Fund and Newham Council.

An acoustic walling system has been installed next to the A13 to manage particulate

pollution and noise, and has been transformed into a hydroponic green wall. Churchman also used flood attenuation methods throughout each phase, including adding an ornamental pond to harvest rainwater, and eradicating all belowground attenuation in favour of rain gardens and blue roofs.

This water-sensitive urban design has become part of the practice’s ethos. “It’s increasingly important as the population increases, and because of water scarcity and climate change. If the landscape doesn’t create an added demand on water resources, then we see that as a way of building in a resilience. Rathbone Market was quite innovative and has enabled other projects to use these ideas.”

As Churchman looks to celebrate its 25th anniversary next year, it’s safe to say the practice has had an impact within that time. With its strong approach to design-led sustainability, its influence will only strengthen.

CONTACT Churchman Landscape Architects 3.04 Chester House, Kennington Park, 1-3 Brixton Road, London SW9 6DE Tel: 020 3727 6780 Email: mail@churchmanla.co.uk Twitter: @ChurchmanLA www.churchmanlandscapearchitects.co.uk

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VIEW FROM THE TOP NICK TEMPLE-HEALD

With council budgets tight, Nick TempleHeald asks whether expecting parks to pay their own way is really that bad an idea I recently attended a conference in London.

Many of the participants were of an academic persuasion and the conference’s purpose was to review the latest research and practice into parks and open spaces, and translate this into policy.

We heard from individuals who were doing research into a wide range of subjects – the adverse impact of park events on biodiversity, putting a value on non-financial benefits, the role of parks in helping to combat health issues. It was demonstrated from park usage figures that visits to parks were increasing, although the link between that and the increase in events was not made. This was all good, but the message was the same: “Through our research, we have made an outstanding case supporting the view that parks are a good thing”. Well, I never!

The case for parks is already made and we need not expend any further effort to demonstrate this. Every politician, when asked, would say the same thing. It is only when hard decisions about funding are required that parks and open spaces ‘come last in the sack race’.

This month’s Agenda asks, ‘should local authorities be responsible for ensuring parks are protected?’. Maybe parks provision should be a statutory service, but only on the basis that it can’t do any harm; it would be unlikely to make any difference. Nor would it be the first time councils have failed to meet increasing statutory duties in the face of a decreasing budget.

We all chuckled wryly when the Parks Alliance’s survey showed that 95% of participants said parks aren’t as good as they used to be because of ‘lack of funding’. Entirely predictable! So, we know that parks are a good thing, and we know that they aren’t being funded properly. What was interesting was the definition of ‘funding’, which many still think means 42

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THE DAYS WHEN WE COULD AFFORD TO BE PRECIOUS ABOUT OUR PARKS ARE LONG GONE ‘funding from the taxpayer’. This debate is not new; the opinion at that meeting was no different to many others I have attended. Apart from some innovative work at Leeds, the thought that parks and open spaces should have to pay their own way was barely considered. The prevailing view is that ‘our parks are precious, they need to be protected and every square metre is sacrosanct’.

The days when we could afford to be precious about our parks are long gone. The battle to justify the survival of parks is won, but the battle for taxpayer funding was lost 10 years ago. Of course, those of us who are employed in this industry need sustainably funded parks to pay the bills. But we have to stop making the case for more taxpayer funds and start coming up with new forms of sustainable funding.

This does not necessarily mean taking parks outside of local authority control, but it does mean finding ways for income generated

FROM parks to stay IN parks, and not get lost in the general mish-mash of local authority funding.

If you look at parkland as income-generating, then the one thing we have got going for us in this country is that we’ve got quite a lot of it.

Being precious is not the way to win this war.

Using a small amount of parkland to generate income from events, attractions or even development would be a good thing, provided that mechanisms are in place to keep the profits to fund the maintenance of the rest.

This is particularly relevant in our cities, where real estate values have taken on astronomical proportions. I estimate, with the use of one of my fag packet spreadsheets, that releasing just 5% of London’s parklands for development could generate sufficient funds to maintain the rest in perpetuity. Once everyone has stopped crying ‘witch’, perhaps this is worth thinking about.

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

www.idverde.co.uk

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INFORM

LEARNING TO SAY NO DAVID T BINKS

While it’s important to keep customers happy, says David T Binks, you also have to find a healthy work-life balance – and that means not pandering to their every whim A couple of years ago, I carried out a site survey in typically inclement British weather – trudging around in the pouring rain with a level in one hand and a tape measure in the other – to ensure that the client I was hoping to work for received an in-depth and thorough quotation.

Once complete, the client was informed that I was done surveying their garden, to which they bluntly replied: “So when will I get your quote?”.

A tad beleaguered, I told them that it would take seven to 10 days, as it was a detailed build on a sloping site; given the customer’s response, I worried for a moment that I’d inadvertently asked to sleep with his wife. With a look of disbelief, he replied: “If you can’t start next week, we’ll use the contractor who looked at the job this morning.” We politely parted company.

Once I’d dried out in the car on the way back to the office, I started to question that old adage, ‘the customer’s always right’. The problem that we now face is the Amazon culture – not the athletic female warrior tribe, but the modern

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reality dictating that, at the touch of a button, people can get their hands on pretty much anything they want within 24 hours. This mindset has now permeated every facet of modern life, and landscaping is no exception.

Couple this with customers who increasingly know the cost of everything and the value of nothing, and you have the perfect conditions for the contract from hell.

WHILE VALUE FOR MONEY IS ONE THING, USING AN ESTABLISHED, REPUTABLE COMPANY MEANS THEY ARE GETTING ADDED VALUE ON THEIR PROJECT As an industry we need to start reeducating clients so they realise that, while value for money is one thing, using an established, reputable company means they are getting added value on their project. They are employing the services of an expert in their field, with an in-depth knowledge of landscaping and construction.

I’m not saying we should go about our business in a belligerent manner, but part of undertaking a large external works project is about managing a client’s expectations. A project is now as much about the client’s experience during the build as it is about the end product. This all goes back to the ‘added value’ notion. When employing the services of a BALI- or APLregistered landscaper, a

customer will be paying a bit more than if they were using the services of a man and van – but they get so much more bang for their buck. They get a company that has been vetted by an external organisation to ensure that it is capable of carrying out work to extremely high standards, that there are quality management procedures in place, and that the company’s management systems and structures are sustainable.

Customers have the reassurance that you will deliver a project in a timely fashion and not just disappear when the going gets tough, that your staff will be polite and courteous, that the site will be left clean and tidy at the end of each day, and that you will attend regular site meetings to discuss progress. So, how do we redress the balance and stop being so beholden to our clients, without disrupting the status quo?

We need to learn to say no sometimes – it’s not a swear-word. Being a ‘yes’ person gets you so far, but generally involves keeping everybody happy except for yourself. Stop answering calls late into the evening and stop replying to emails at 11pm – this sort of thing reinforces an unhealthy client-contractor relationship and sets a precedent for the entirety of your project. In that sort of a relationship, all it takes is for you not to respond to one late-night email, and the client thinks you’ve lost interest. As a contractor, you need to set the parameters and the rules of engagement in a bid to ‘de-Amazon’ the way you operate. These small changes will pay dividends across the board, and go a long way towards creating a healthier work-life balance.

ABOUT DAVID T BINKS David T Binks is managing director of Cheshire-based Landstruction, which was set up in 2010 and now has 30 employees. It has won Gold medals at RHS Chelsea and RHS Tatton Park. David also launched the Big Hedge Co., which supplies and installs mature hedging and topiary nationwide.

landstruction.com, bighedgeco.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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MAKING A STATEMENT

INFORM

ANDREW WILSON Andrew Wilson explores politics and gardens – are they mutually exclusive?

I found myself on Radio 4’s Today programme in the week of the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show this year. If you blinked you might have missed it, but such is the way with news programmes these days.

There had been an article in The Telegraph written by Henry Bodkin and featuring comment from Bunny Guinness, bemoaning the growth of ‘statement’ or ‘soapbox’ gardens at RHS flower shows. The discussion had been sparked, it seems, by this year’s Conceptual Gardens, and a particularly powerful message from the Not For Sale garden, which highlighted the plight of elephants being killed every day for their ivory.

I knew we were on dodgy ground when the article suggested visitors to the show would be expecting dazzling displays of tulips – obviously, Henry is not a gardener. His point was that gardens seemed to suddenly be about politics, as he opined for gardens as escapism. Bunny

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wanted nice gardens and claimed show visitors didn’t want to know about messages or design concepts. In the Radio 4 interview, she pleaded for a return to the show gardens of the past, supplied for example by colleges and prisons.

Now I’m not sure what planet Bunny has been living on, but Conceptual Gardens made

GARDENS ARE NOT SOME SEPARATE DREAM WORLD, NOR HAVE THEY EVER BEEN – THEY ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR DAY-TO-DAY EXPERIENCE their debut at Hampton Court in 2006. Many of these gardens have been pure ideas explored in garden form and some have had messages embodied in their composition. The Not For Sale garden is not the first to make use of the garden as a vehicle for raising awareness and creating public debate. Tom Massey and John Ward did the same with their UNHCR garden at Hampton Court 2016.

All design is concept driven.

Some results are subtle and some much more pointed and obvious, but there is room for all forms of garden at the RHS shows. Show gardens are by their very nature theatrical and often larger than life, but more importantly the RHS provides seed sponsorship for the Conceptual Gardens at Hampton, which have seen new designers such as Sarah Price, Hugo Bugg, Daniel Lobb and Tom Massey launch their careers.

Bunny it seems wants gardens for pure enjoyment, but who is going to pay for these lovely, jolly gardens that we’re all

going to rush to enjoy? I’m sure that landscape architect, journalist and Chelsea Flower Show garden designer Bunny Guinness has heard of sponsors. Organisations such as Laurent Perrier, M&G, Homebase or perhaps even The Telegraph have each sponsored show gardens, along with many charities. Why? Because the RHS shows offer a platform, a substantial audience and media interest that few other events can even come close to. Gardens sponsored in this way have to achieve some sort of delivery for their sponsors, show visitors, the media and television in particular.

Why are there no show gardens from colleges and prisons? Well, because they have no money (that could be a political statement).

Show gardens do not simply appear because someone thinks they are a lovely thing to do.

They are linked to finance, the economic climate, trade, media, promotion, marketing, education, technology, business and – surprise, surprise – politics. Gardens are not some separate dream world, nor have they ever been – they are an essential part of our lives and our day-to-day experience.

The Not For Sale garden generated a huge amount of debate at the show and beyond, which is fantastic in my book. Guardian journalist Patrick Barkham got it right when he said: “Everything in the garden is political – even at Hampton Court Palace!”

Pictured: The Not for Sale garden was designed by Ferguson & Whyte Garden Design – 80 pairs of tusks symbolise the approximate number of elephants killed every day for their ivory by poachers

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

www.wmstudio.co.uk

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FINITE RESOURCES

INFORM

ANGUS LINDSAY We all must sufficiently prepare for passing on our businesses to the next generation or new owners, says Angus Lindsay None of us are getting any younger, so what are we doing to ensure continuity of the effort, enthusiasm and experience that has built our businesses? It’s all too easy to forge ahead and devote our collective energy to build a successful company, but what happens when the inevitable arrives and the business is handed over to the next generation or new owners? Has all that hard work left a legacy strong enough for it to survive and prosper under new management?

There are some comparisons between the above scenario and my world of vehicles and machinery. When equipment reaches a certain age and becomes expensive to maintain or obsolete, we look to replace it with something

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF THE EFFORT, ENTHUSIASM AND EXPERIENCE THAT HAS BUILT OUR BUSINESSES? more reliable. We also keep an eye on new technology to make our lives easier and stay ahead of the game. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating that when we get a bit long in the tooth we replace people with younger models. What I am saying is to look behind you – where’s the next generation of landscapers, supervisors, managers and mechanics coming from? What are you doing to future-proof your business?

People working in our industry are passionate about what they do. We’re not just driven by financial gain, but by our desire to www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Machinery is easy to change and update — but what about people?

make a difference to the areas where we work, and use our influence and experience to make the landscape better than it was before. This can cover everything from turning an old industrial site into a beautifully landscaped park, to supporting community groups in carrying out work that their local authority can no longer afford. But sometimes the drive and enthusiasm that got your business to where it is begins to falter. Key people run out of steam, and resource becomes depleted. Before you know where you are, the business has stalled or starts pulling in different directions, or, worse still, loses its focus and falls into administration – a sad day for all involved.

Coming from an agricultural background, farming was always a business where the next generation would take over the running of the farm.

Things have changed now, with sons and daughters looking at alternative careers and larger farming companies taking over operations, so the traditional family farm is slowly disappearing from our countryside. Similar observations can be made in amenity horticulture and landscaping. There are still many family-run businesses out there — whether suppliers, landscapers or contractors

— and some of them do, fortunately, have a succession plan in place. But other businesses are acquired by larger firms, or go out of business completely.

My point is, it doesn’t matter whether you work for a family firm, an SME or a global corporation – it’s no secret that I work for a large European organisation. None of us are immortal or irreplaceable, and my question is – what are we doing about it? Who will take over the business when the person who has driven it forward reaches retirement age, or decides that enough is enough?

Succession planning should be easy enough to instigate – but you can’t plan for unforeseen events. What if a key player wins the lottery or even wakes up one morning and thinks, “I’ve had enough of this, I’m off to be a bee keeper”.

Is your business robust enough to absorb this kind of upheaval?

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

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

Contact: angus.lindsay@idverde.co.uk

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INFORM

DOING MORE with less

Pro Landscaper examines the strategies Liverpool City Council is using to maintain its parks and green spaces, amid massive cuts to its budget

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he topic of cuts to local authority budgets has reared its head in a lot of conversations we’ve had with local councils. Of all the councils Pro Landscaper has featured, though, few have been hit as hard as Liverpool City Council, which has seen an overall reduction in its budget that amounts to something in the neighbourhood of £330m. Needless to say, this has impacted on all aspects of service provision, with around 2,400 members of its overall workforce taking voluntary redundancy in the last seven years.

The council’s parks and green spaces themselves have not escaped the effect of cuts either, leading the local authority to not only re-examine its planting and crewing, but the broader management strategy of the parks themselves. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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City of culture Situated on the Mersey Estuary, Liverpool is one of the largest cities in the North West of England, and the fifth largest metropolitan area in the UK. As of 2015, its population was estimated at just under 500,000. Culturally, the city is world famous for two things in particular – its football teams, Liverpool and Everton, and of course The Beatles. What is often overlooked, though, is that Liverpool also has some fantastic parks.

Councillor Steve Munby is Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, with his remit including green spaces. Speaking to Pro Landscaper, he discussed the city’s main destinations, beginning with Sefton, which is arguably its most popular park.

“Sefton – which is close to the River Mersey – is very important to the people of Liverpool,”

says Steve. “It’s got a beautiful lake, and is also the location for a lot of the city’s concerts. It’s 235 acres, and listed as a Grade I historic park.

“The largest green space in Liverpool is Croxteth Country Park, which is a former estate that was gifted to the council in 1972, following the death of the last Earl of Sefton. The land was the hunting chase of the Molyneux family, and is also the site of a beautiful country house, Croxteth Hall.” Located on the edge of the Croxteth estate, the country park is part of a 500-acre nature reserve that is made up of a variety of landscapes, including woodland, pastures, ponds and streams. Other features include a traditional working Victorian farm and a walled garden.

“The other Green Flag location in the city, alongside Sefton, is Stanley Park,” Steve Pro Landscaper / September 2017 49

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1 Stanley Park Conservatory 2 Sefton Park from above 3 Councillor Steve Munby cabinet member for neighbourhoods for Liverpool City Counci 4 Sefton Park 5 Croxteth Country Park

WE’RE LOOKING FOR IDEAS THAT COULD RESULT IN INCOMEGENERATING ACTIVITIES

6 Sefton Park

continues. “Another jewel is Princes Park, which was designed in the 19th century by Joseph Paxton and James Pennethorne.”

Spreading risk Liverpool City Council has suffered from shrinking government subsidies since 2010, losing the equivalent of 58% of its funding. (The city raises a relatively small £147m a year through council tax – barely enough to pay for its adult social care bill, according to the Liverpool Echo.) As might be imagined, this has resulted in the council having to drastically rethink its strategy when it comes to delivering services across the board. With regard to parks and green spaces, this began with the conscious decision not to pursue further Green Flag accreditation, over and above the aforementioned Sefton and Stanley Park sites.

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The council continues to search for ways to monetise the parks, or even to shift the running costs to external agencies. At this point, says Steve, the council is open to a variety of different ideas. “The context is that we haven’t got any money,” he tells us. “We stabilised spending on parks about 24 months ago, deciding on a basic spending structure of about £3m for the next three years, which is not brilliant. Part of that was reducing expenditure on big ticket items such as Croxteth Park, which has dropped from £1.5m a year to £1m.

“At this point in time, we’re looking at finding an independent operator who could manage spaces like Croxteth for us, which could – ideally – help to reduce the budget down to zero. That’s something we’ve already done with the farm there, which was costing us something like £250k a year. The community trust, which is a

local social enterprise, took over the running of it about two years ago, and it now breaks even at the least. They may even make a small profit.

“One of the things we’re looking at is how to help parks become a source of revenue. A few years ago, we set up a community match day near Liverpool Football Club, through which we funded a community interest company, helping business start-ups in the northern part of the city. We’ve started some lovely companies. We want to do a similar thing with our green spaces, and we’re looking for ideas that could result in income-generating activities. One idea could be the food offering, which is often quite bad in parks. We’re hoping for new business start-ups, which we could later charge as franchises if they’re successful.”

With that in mind, you can’t help but wonder if Liverpool City Council is looking to take the www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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INFORM

drastic step of divesting its parks altogether. It would, after all, free up resources to invest in more high profile areas, such as social care.

For Steve, the answer is unequivocal.

“Absolutely not,” he says. “Some of the parks are, not to put too fine a point on it, cash cows, so there’s no reason to get rid of them. They’re also integral to the history and life of the city.

Yes, we’re looking to move the management arrangement for some of them, but we’d hang onto the freehold. It’s a mixed economy model, which at this point is all about spreading risk.”

review in response to that, in order to develop a consensus view on how to manage the space going forward. It outlined a range of things, not least gaps in play provision and the need to create more green corridors across the city.

Prompted by the report, we’ve secured funding for 20 new playgrounds in parks across the city, mainly using Section 106 money. We’re also developing a new tree strategy, in relation to both parks and highways. We’re trying to promote a debate about what kind of species belong where.

Building a consensus Liverpool City Council is clearly in the midst of a major rethink when it comes to its green spaces, which has already impacted on the planting and crewing strategies of its parks. Having said that, it is still managing to find ways to improve its offer – something that is, quite reasonably, being demanded by the people of Liverpool.

This was brought into sharp focus in 2015, when a review looking at green spaces was set up under the guidance of actor and environmentalist Simon O’Brien. This was prompted by what Steve says were inaccurate accusations made by the press, which suggested that the council was looking to sell off some of its parkland to property developers.

“There’s been a lot of controversy over green spaces in recent times,” he says. “We set up the

FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS WE’VE HAD A STRATEGY THAT IS ALL ABOUT PUTTING THE LAND WE HAVE TO GOOD USE

Images ©Liverpool City Council

“We’ve noticed that some areas contain trees that are completely inappropriate for them – to my mind, for instance, plane trees shouldn’t be on residential streets, because they’re so awkward to maintain. I want a document outlining different options, as well as a protocol for planting new trees or – God forbid – removing some. Again, you have to build a consensus for that, or there’s the potential for a situation similar to the one that arose recently in Sheffield.”

Talking to Liverpool City Council about its parks and green spaces is very much a

bittersweet experience. On the one hand, you can’t help but wish that it wasn’t necessary for the parks team (and indeed the city as a whole) to tighten its belt quite so drastically. On the other, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the level of invention and the desire to succeed that is displayed by those who care about open, green spaces.

For Pro Landscaper, this is primarily illustrated by the effort that is being expended by Liverpool City Council not just in terms of managing its existing green spaces, but in actually creating more. “For about five years we’ve had a strategy that is all about putting the land we have to good use,” Steve tells us.

“There are a lot of derelict sites in Liverpool, many of which we’ve turned into community gardens, working with residents’ groups.

“For instance, there was one stretch of former housing land that for a long time was essentially a site for dog mess and drug dealing.

Two years ago, we created large new allotments, and now there’s a queue for them a mile long. It cost about £150k to create, but it’s ultimately saved us money because we don’t have to maintain the land. All sorts of informal reciprocal relationships have formed around the allotments as well, which has added an even greater sense of cohesion.”

If that’s not a cause for celebration, we don’t know what is.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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VARA GARDEN DESIGN Creating a sleek series of spaces within a domestic garden

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PORTFOLIO

PROJECT DETAILS Project value Circa £250k Build time Six months Size of project 1,140m²

©Simon Nobes PanoScope Ltd

BORN AGAIN CGD LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Symmetrical planting and swept gravel bring a sense of stateliness to the neglected garden of a large family home on the Thames

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his large family home has a 1.5-acre L-shaped garden with a frontage on the River Thames. The garden had not been touched for 30 years – it was overgrown, and had challenging levels. The clients are keen gardeners and were looking for a design that would allow them to enjoy working in the garden, though maintenance teams would come in to do some of the heavy work such as tying in and training the pleached hedges, pruning the yew sentinels and rejuvenating the box hedges that flank the path along the pool.

Design There were lots of challenges that the client wanted the garden design to resolve. The house is accessed by a long drive and the parking area is overlooked from the main sitting room; cgd landscape design enlarged this space so that the cars would be out of sight when parked. It also incorporated a pleached hedge to screen the parking area from the double borders in the main garden.

From the car park down to the beginning of the ‘L’, the levels were uneven, and sloped in two directions. cgd moved earth around and used a sleeper retaining wall in front of the existing boundary hornbeam hedge, to create two mixed borders with a generous lawn down the middle.

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PORTFOLIO

The terraced area outside the house’s main door was rather small and had been raised, which meant it caught the wind and weather from the river. cgd’s design ensured that the new terrace reflected the scale of the house and was protected from prevailing winds. The area was punctuated with three brick raised beds, each with a central wisteria trained into a parasol shape. Most of the planting was completed in January 2017, and for the first spring they managed to plant tulips so that the planters looked very floriferous before the rose beds came to life in their first summer.

The original grounds included a tired rose garden, which was difficult to maintain, along with an old herbaceous border in front of a high brick boundary wall. The new design recreated the rose garden with nine interlocking square beds, each with an Egyptian yew pyramid or obelisk in the centre to echo the two sentinel yews that flank the views down to the pool and orchard. The beds were defined with Corten steel edging and surrounded by Breedon gravel paths – much easier to maintain than the original grass. The area was also enlarged to be more in proportion with the 56

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house façade, and created vistas down to the rest of the garden.

A low retaining wall with steps down from the terrace and rose garden under the pleached hedge lead one through to mixed borders, planted with trees, shrubs and perennials for all year round interest. The hornbeam trees were pleached on site, and the frames will be removed in their second or third year, once the branches are self-supporting.

Build cgd worked with Landscape Associates throughout the construction. The quality and

attention to detail shown by the contractors was exemplary, and much appreciated by both designers and clients alike. cgd specified all the materials used in the hard landscaping, and Landscape Associates always made samples available for approval in good time.

The car park, laid with Breedon gravel, was the last area to be finished. Extra design details were added in along the way, including redesigning the front entrance with new paving steps and planters. The contractors were very flexible in adding this to the original schedule Special requirements The garden had flooded many times, so this informed the design — although it will mainly affect phase two of the project. The client www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PORTFOLIO

REFERENCES Design cgd landscape design

www.cgd-landscape-design.com Contractors Landscape Associates

www.landscapeassociates.co.uk Arboricultural services Peter Holloway of Rootcause

Plants — including wisteria Nederhoff Nurseries

www.nederhoffplant.nl/en Plants — including some of the yew North Hill Nurseries

www.northhillnurseries.co.uk Pleached hornbeam Ruskins

www.ruskins.co.uk Stone Bingley Stone

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ABOUT CGD LANDSCAPE DESIGN cgd landscape design brings together two of the UK’s top garden designers, Helen Billetop and Sally Court; its gardens range from the cutting edge to the more traditional.

Continuously seeking innovative concepts, materials and solutions, cgd always surprises and delights. Its portfolio includes work in the UK and abroad, including the prestigious SGD 2013 International Award for a garden in Moscow. www.cgd-landscape-design.com

Challenges Before any landscaping works were started, Landscape Associates worked very closely with the designers and the clients to chip away at the costs and come up with creative design solutions that were feasible within the budget.

Lighting was included at the start, then deleted, before being squeezed in eventually as the clients saw the garden works progress. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Room in the Garden

www.roominthegarden.com Corten steel edging PSL Paneltech Systems Ltd

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Fencing (post and wire/boundary) RB Fencing Ltd

www.rbfencingltd.co.uk Planters (front entrance) Atelier Vierkant

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1 View to house from corner of rose garden 2 View back to the house from box lined path 3 Rose garden with interlocking beds edged with corten steel echoed by rusted iron obelisk frames 4 Pleached hedge between rose garden and herbaceous borders 5 Double herbaceous borders with structure from Amalanchier trees

BEFORE/DURING

6 Contemporary hand crafted clay planters from Belgium with Buxus cushions

Images ©cgd

needed two new sheds and compost bins, which were located in the other parts of the garden. The garden had also been accessed by people thinking it was part of the towpath, so the design required a boundary fence along the bottom of the garden and new post and wire fencing across the frontage with the river.

Iron obelisks

7 View from rose garden to parking area ©Simon Nobes PanoScope Ltd 8 Box lined path to house Pro Landscaper / September 2017 57

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©Jason Ingram FPP

PORTFOLIO

WINNER • Manchester Sub-Regional Project of the Year • Project of the Year– Building

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RAISING HOPE HULTONS LANDSCAPES Beneath the raised structure of the Maggie’s Centre at the Royal Oldham Hospital, a unique sensory space for those affected by cancer

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aggie’s cancer charity was founded by the late Maggie Keswick Jencks and her husband Charles Jencks, to support both people living with cancer and their family and friends. So far, 19 centres have been built across the UK; anyone living with cancer can stop by for advice or support. The centre at the Royal Oldham Hospital, designed by dRMM was opened on 9 June this year.

PROJECT DETAILS Project value £120k Build time Six weeks Size of project 450m²

1 Light filters through the building’s central aperture ©Alex de Rijke 2 A Betula pendula szechuanica grows up through the central aperture ©Alex de Rijke 3 Supported by six columns, the building is accessed via stairs ©Alex de Rijke 4 The project had to be carried out with extreme care, as there were only seven metres from the ground to the underside of the building ©Jasmin Sohi

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Design Supported by six columns, the building floats above a garden filled with trees, and is accessed via a bridge and staircase. A tree grows up through the building from a central oasis to bring nature inside, and a balcony stretches across the south side of the centre, providing an outdoor seating area. To the north, a horizontal window wraps around the façade.

New trees frame the building, forming a wood that provides privacy and a strong connection to the seasons, with leaves turning from green to gold and then revealing a filigree of twigs and white trunks in winter.

The building takes in views that reach over the rooftops of Oldham, towards the Pennines.

Visitors can stand and watch the weather move across the wider landscape, observing how the city turns to farmland, then to mixed forest, rising up the flanks of the great ridge.

The garden is framed by enclosing walls, with the building floating above acting like a drop curtain to create a ‘picture window’ effect.

Structural trees fill the volume of the space and are accompanied by woodland plants that weave between white birch trees and the crispy bark of pine trunks. Layered drifts of woodland

planting add depth and create the impression of having colonised the space naturally. Many native plants have been used, but with a cultivated twist, such as the copper variety of common hazelnut, Corylus ‘Purpurea’, and the dogwood Cornus ‘China Girl’, which has beautiful white flowers.

The woodland has been created with the future in mind, so it has longevity and a purpose.

The birch trees have been planted at various maturities, and this successional approach will mean that they evolve over many years and always have a presence at the centre.

Beneath the footprint of the building, different grades of raked gravel indicate paths without dictating them. Embedded rocks emerge from the planting, with Pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’ mounding over them; meanwhile, a carpet of Soleirolia soleirolii has been encouraged to grow into the marginal spaces under the building.

A striking quality of light is created by the building raised above. Indirect light filters down the outline of its edges, and swathes of shuttlecock ferns capture the glow in their fronds – which are in turn highlighted against a backdrop of evergreen Nandina, Sarcococca and creeping Hydrangea seemannii. Light falls through the building’s central aperture, illuminating a single multi-stemmed Betula pendula szechuanica.

Nestled within the grassy mound, a water bowl creates a point of light that further draws people into the space, while a second spills over with rainwater from the roof.

The terrace forms a raised suntrap, and here a communal table is surrounded by huge clay pots, packed with herbs to be picked for tea infusions or used in the kitchen. Potted fruit trees are underplanted with lavender for scent, and a fig tree thrives in the sun. The greenhouse offers the Pro Landscaper / September 2017 59

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chance to get involved, perhaps helping to make fresh organic tomato soup for lunch.

Sourcing materials Heavy-duty trees were handpicked at Hilliers Nursery by the architect, dRMM’s Alex de Rijke.

All small root ball trees, container shrubs and specimen plants were chosen during a visit to Johnsons of Whixley by landscape construction manager Jon Jarvis of Hultons Landscapes, garden designer Rupert Muldoon, and dRMM project architect Jasmin Sohi. Aggregate was specially sourced Welsh stone, while cobbles came from a quarry in North Wales.

Special requirements The centre was built on the site of the hospital’s old mortuary, with many of the surrounding walls forming part of the original landscape, so care and thoughtful planning had to be taken. The new herb terrace was part of the original mortuary building; it not only provides a

panoramic view and a tranquil suntrap, but is also an integral part of the hospital, as it retains the road above. The wall constructed for the new greenhouse was built from original stone found on-site – it had previously formed part of the hospital wall, built around 1870.

The planting scheme, designed by Rupert Muldoon, was continually adapted during its six-week journey. It included input from the Hultons management and site staff, giving everyone involved in the build a personal feeling of being part of the design. dRMM’s project brief was ‘ruin’. The stones and boulders that emerge from the ground had to feel as though they had naturally exposed their colour and shape over time, along with the Soleirolia soleirolii and Thymus serpyllum that gradually wrap around them.

Challenges One of the biggest challenges was space: working underneath the canopy of the building, with only seven metres from the subbase to the underside of the polished ceiling, and using only small plant and equipment. Any mistake that damaged the outer cladding of the building would have a devastating impact in terms of completing the project on time.

The Betula pendula ‘Zwisters Glory’ that line the outside of the building soar 12m tall, while the Betula szechuanica expands through the space in the middle of the building, reaching 15m. With a span of five metres, the latter was the biggest challenge of all, and had to be

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ABOUT HULTONS LANDSCAPES Established in 1968, Hultons provides fully integrated landscaping solutions – from design concepts, to landscape construction and grounds maintenance projects. Based in Cheshire, it serves the North West, Midlands and South Yorkshire, and is in easy reach of a number of major cities. www.hultonslandscapes.com

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positioned fully open as, once in place, there was no access to the ties. The installation utilised eight operatives and took three hours to complete.

The water bowl, included to utilise the rainwater pipe running from the building’s roof onto the garden, overflowed with such force that the planted embankment began to wash away within minutes – not the gentle overflow that was expected. After some careful planning and on-site design, construction manager Jon Jarvis and site engineer Joe Eckersley designed an additional water bowl to sit buried under the decorative one.

The revised model carried excess water away into the main drain on the other side of the site, without compromising the visual effect and soft water overflow that was originally designed.

Planting Species such as Dryopteris filix-mas provide an earthy greenery, while Pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’ emerges from behind boulders, its waxy leaves in the shadow of unusual Nandina domestica, Amelanchier lamarckii and feathered Betula pendula. Creeping through the planting are Euphorbia mellifera, Pachysandra terminalis, Sarcococca hookeriana, and Heuchera ‘Caramel’, with white colourbursts from Cornus ‘China Girl’, Trachelospermum jasminoides and Iris ‘White Swan’ providing a contrast to the planting.

The sun terrace is enveloped by large handmade pots that are filled with herbs and fruits, from Malus ‘John Downie’ and Prunus persica to the fragrant Lavandula ‘Munstead’, Rosmarinus officinalis, Mentha longifolia and oregano. On a sunny day, the centre’s staff and visitors often indulge in homemade verbena and mint tea, picked from the terrace.

The Welsh cobbles form an enticing path, leading staff and visitors from the sun terrace, down through the greenery and old walls and under the garden’s canopy. It is here that the garden opens up, guiding people down the path, around the raised Betula szechuanica and past the reflection of another water bowl that catches light from the void through the middle of the building. Here, the greenhouse is partially covered by two Pinus nigra that form a cover for the petite Liriodendron tulipifera, hiding the backdrop of the hospital. The greenhouse is planted with tomatoes, runner beans, iceberg lettuce and peas, all donated by the centre’s visitors and staff. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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DURING

1 Raked gravel indicates different paths beneath the building ©Jasmin Sohi

REFERENCES Garden landscape construction

Tulip tree

Jon Jarvis, Hultons Landscapes

Specimen Trees

Landscape design

Greenhouse plants

dRMM & Rupert Muldoon

www.pottedandplanted.com

Donated by the staff and visitors of the Maggie’s Centre

Main contractor

Large handmade pots

F Parkinson Ltd

Pots to Inspire, Woodside Garden Centre

www.hultonslandscapes.com

www.fparkinson.co.uk Architecture Alex de Rijke, dRMM

www.drmm.co.uk Plants Large trees Hilliers Nursey

www.hillier.co.uk

www.woodsidegardencentre.co.uk

3 A water bowl creates a point of light, drawing people into the space 4 A balcony along the south side of the building provides a tranquil place to sit outside ©Alex de Rijke

Plant and machinery A Plant Hire

www.aplant.com MOT and base materials AGS (Advanced Ground Supplies)

www.advancedgroundwork.com

Small root ball trees, container shrubs and specimen plants

Welsh cobbles, compost and bark mulch

Johnsons of Whixley

www.green-tech.co.uk

www.nurserymen.co.uk

2 Maggie’s is named in honour of the late Maggie Keswick Jencks

www.specimentrees.net

Green–tech

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DIVIDE AND CONQUER VARA GARDEN DESIGN A domestic garden is dramatically transformed into a selection of entertaining spaces

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he client approached VaRa Garden Design after they had been impressed with its show garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2015. Having finished decorating the interior of the house, they wanted a fresh contemporary feel for their garden. The brief was to design a relatively low maintenance garden that would allow easy access from the house, increasing the amount of hard landscaping throughout. The client also wanted the design to include changes of level that incorporated a water feature.

Design and build The existing west-facing garden was on a wide plot, with good privacy on all sides but little usable space for entertaining on its narrow patio.

Prior to the build, the site sloped down away from house, and also from left to right.

Fortunately, there was easy access to the side of the property for the build. The brick-built garage 62

and garden shed were to remain on the left, and the fence was in good order, so was painted to provide a better backdrop for the new planting and pots.

The design needed to lift and increase the patio area while reducing the size of the lawn area, incorporating raised beds and changes of level with access steps. The planting was key; the garden could be viewed from most of the downstairs living space at all times, so it needed to provide year-round structure, colour and interest for wildlife, and link the different areas of the new design.

The challenge for VaRa Garden Design was to keep the look of the garden contemporary, while making it a welcoming and inviting space.

Materials were suggested and samples ordered so that everything could be viewed together with the owners, to see how it would work in the scheme. A blue-grey granite was the clients’ favourite option for the patio and steps, softened by the use of wooden sleepers for the

raised beds, floating bench and step risers.

A 20mm pea shingle with larger complementary pebbles was used not only for the gravel area at the bottom of the garden, but also as a border to the lawn, helping to link the different parts of the garden together. The chosen colour of the render for the water feature provided a lovely foil for the plants, and was a lighter shade of the colour used for the fences.

In terms of the ground design, the garden was divided and levelled into three sections that were connected by wide generous steps, angled on opposite sides of the middle terrace.

The patio level was extended in depth, and the first wraparound planting bed was kept at this height, too. Grasses, structural green cubes and evergreen planting for constant interest were echoed in planting beds throughout the garden.

Pots added greenery to the patio, connecting the house and terrace to the rest of the space, and defined where the first of the water feature pools started, level with the patio. Here, a deep

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PROJECT DETAILS Project value £35k Build time Three months

square pool was created, feeding into a lower L-shaped pool via a wide copper spout that was designed by the clients themselves.

The second level was laid up to a small lawn with paved stepping stones leading off from the main steps, hugged on opposite sides by a retaining sleeper wall and a rendered water feature wall. Both walls offer seating opportunities for enjoying this area of the garden, with further interest at this level coming from a beautifully lit corten steel sculpture.

Stepping stones laid into the gravel lead to a smaller courtyard, providing an alternative sunny or shady spot to the main patio seating

Images ©Keith Truman / VaRa Garden Design

Size of project 196m²

1 View through summer Verbena and bronze lantern 2 Lower patio set amongst gravel and planting 3 Bespoke water feature lit at night 4 Copper lights draw the eye to key features 5 Layers of planting are revealed at each garden level 6 Delicate water lilies established in two months 7 Sleek stone softened by timber, gravel and water Pro Landscaper / September 2017 63

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area, depending on the ABOUT VARA GARDEN DESIGN time of day. Trees, large VaRa Garden Design is a pots and planting in the collaboration between gravel together add anessa Hoch and Rachel Pocock, whose rst garden height, interest and together won a Silver-Gilt medal at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2015. They enjoy working scale to this lower area. closely with the client to ensure the brief is Planting throughout implemented, offering creative solutions while mixes structural maintaining good design principles. elements with seasonal www.varagardendesign.co.uk ‘pops’ of colour. There are warm pinks and burgundies, with lime greens providing contrast. Sunny and shady areas of the garden are linked by similar styles, colours and textures, while predominantly evergreen climbers soften all the vertical boundaries around the garden.

At the end of the whole process, the clients commented: “We have been very impressed throughout the design process with your attention to detail and enthusiastic, imaginative ideas, while always bearing in mind our opinions and the available budget. We are thrilled with the new garden you have designed for us, and have thoroughly enjoyed our collaboration over these months.”

BEFORE

DURING REFERENCES Design and planting

Copper spout

VaRa Garden Design

Designed by client

Build Rococo Landscaping & Building

www.rococo-uk.com

Patio and stepping stones (Blue-Grey Granite) London Stone

Pots The Pot Company

www.thepotco.com Sculpture John Lewis

www.johnlewis.com

www.londonstone.co.uk

Fence paint (exterior paint for wood in ‘Anthracite’)

Gravel and pebbles

Dulux

Ridgeons

www.ridgeons.co.uk Softwood sleepers, render, plastering sand, cement, lime, SBR and beads H Butterfield Ltd

www.hbutterfield.co.uk Plants Provender Nurseries

www.dulux.co.uk Trellis Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchant

www.ridgeons.co.uk Turf George Davis Turf

www.georgedaviesturf.co.uk

www.provendernurseries.co.uk

Lighting

Rochfords

Chris Wells, UCS Electrical

www.rochfords.net

sparkychris@live.com

Trees (multi-stemmed Amelanchier and Sorbus aucuparia standard)

Irrigation

Barchams

www.barcham.co.uk

Images ©Keith Truman

www.varagardendesign.co.uk

Client installed

Tables and seating Client’s own

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PROJECT DETAILS Project value Under £80k

VIOLET’S GARDEN

Build time Three weeks Size of project 550m2

WARWICK TAYLOR LANDCAPES A memorial to lost children, Warwick Taylor Landscapes designed and built this Staffordshire garden in remembrance of five-year-old Violet Mornington

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here are times when a landscaping project touches the hearts and souls of everyone involved so deeply that the story just has to be shared. This is one such project.

Violet Mornington passed away after a short illness aged just five years and two months. She began feeling poorly on her fifth birthday and, after enduring a plethora of medical procedures, was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. Bereft and unable to find a fitting memorial in the area, Violet’s parents, Ivan and Kerry, obtained permission to build a garden of www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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remembrance in their local cemetery, Lichfield and District Crematorium in Fradley. With the support of family, friends and the community they created the charity Violets in Bloom, and spent the next two and a half years organising activities and events to raise over £80k.

Work on the garden began in May 2016, but it soon became clear that the brief was not being met. To the family’s distress, the project was abandoned and the money seemed lost.

However, in late 2016, Dignity plc took over the management of the cemetery and the Morningtons’ financial losses were recouped.

Time to begin again.

Design and build In March 2017, Warwick Taylor Landscapes was commissioned to design and build a memorial garden for Violet and others who had been taken too soon. It was to be a place where quiet contemplation merged with carefree playfulness, and somewhere adults and children alike would feel comfortable and could remember and pay tribute to their loved ones.

As father to two young daughters, director Chris Taylor and his team at Warwick Taylor worked closely with the family to bring to life a garden that reflected Violet’s personality, and celebrated her short but joyful life. Ivan, Violet’s dad, had some ideas of his own, and Chris ensured these were incorporated into the design.

Work began on the garden in May, once designs had been approved by Violets in Bloom and Dignity plc, and a completion date was set for 3 June – what would have been Violet’s ninth birthday. In just three weeks, Warwick Taylor undertook all groundworks, hard and soft landscaping, and installation of play equipment, bespoke art installations and memorials.

The design features a tunnelled walkway that leads visitors into the garden, where a specially commissioned granite statue of Violet, depicted as a superhero, is located. Mature yew hedges divide the garden into smaller ‘rooms’, with living green walls to create a feeling of security and safety. Archways lead from one zone to another, enticing visitors to explore the garden without creating a feeling of sensory overload.

Carefully planted zones offer seating and private areas for contemplation, while other parts of the garden feature lawns for picnicking and play.

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Naturally, the planting is predominantly violet in colour; restful and soothing, it is also attractive to butterflies. Varied textures, scents, flowers and foliage offer seasonal interest, while taller trees provide shade and lend a feeling of strength, longevity and permanence.

The art installations were commissioned by the family, and are reminiscent of Violet and all children who will remain forever young. The whole garden is child friendly, easy to access with wheelchairs or buggies, and designed to be used all year round. It is the perfect blend of grief and celebration, just as the family had pictured it.

The family are delighted with the results, and an unofficial opening on Violet’s ninth birthday proved to be a poignant but joyful event.

1 Superhero statue located at garden entrance 2 Majestic planting 3 Children Building Block memorial 4 Memorial book and scatter lawn 5 Bug springer and timber frog play equipment 6 ‘V’ path in memory of Violet 7 Wildflower meadow and children’s play seating www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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REFERENCES Design and build Warwick Taylor Landscapes

www.warwick-group.co.uk/warwick-taylor-landscapes Plants Tamar Nurseries Ltd

www.tamarnurseries.com Trees and hedges

Deepdale Trees Ltd

www.deepdale-trees.co.uk Turf and wild flower matting (Meadowmat Wild Flower Matting) Harrowden Turf Ltd

www.harrowdenturf.co.uk Planting accessories Green-tech Ltd

www.green-tech.co.uk Aggregates Breedon Special Aggregates Ltd

www.breedon-special-aggregates.co.uk Decorative stone

CED Ltd

www.ced.ltd.uk Resin bound pathways StyleSeal

www.styleseal.co.uk Timber archways Buildbase

www.buildbase.co.uk

BEFORE/DURING ABOUT WARWICK TAYLOR LANDSCAPES Warwick Taylor Landscapes is a diverse business operating across a wide range of sectors, including, commercial, residential, public sector, retail and leisure. Its strength lies in talented and motivated people, and consistently outstanding service, quality and workmanship. www.warwick-group.co.uk/ warwick-taylor-landscapes

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Relocating

A SHOW GARDEN Moving a show garden from showground to final resting place brings plenty of new challenges, from adapting the design to transporting the components. Pro Landscaper profiles three successful show garden relocations to find out what they involved and how they were carried out

LIVING LEGACY GARDEN

Show: RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015 Relocated to: Wellington College

Origins To commemorate the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo, Andrew Wilson and Gavin McWilliam were commissioned to design a show garden as a memorial to the Duke of Wellington, as well as to showcase his legacy at Wellington College. The show garden was constructed by Outdoor Options.

Planting Alongside the original planting, Andrew and Gavin have added in screening planting, and the garden can now be entered through a screen of mature sweet chestnut, pine, oak and cherry, with plants also used to screen the staff house and student dormitory.

Students and staff were among those who helped to plant the garden, and a sculpture designed by pupil Scarlet Irons was also incorporated. The garden is now a peaceful space for all to enjoy.

New surroundings The Living Legacy Garden was given a permanent home at Wellington College, and is now nearly four times its original size. The expanded garden, which opened in June last year and was built by Karl Watson Contracting, has been redesigned as a place for students and staff to reflect, with space for assemblies and larger scale events to be held.

A disused area was chosen for the garden, which required levelling; this was achieved through retaining walls that are hidden by planting, and new drainage. As deer are prevalent in the area, fencing was used around the garden, and although the garden has been expanded and now blends seamlessly into its surroundings, the core of the garden from Chelsea remains largely the same.

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Sponsorship Anthony Esse, CEO of Darwin Property Investment Management, commented: “The Living Legacy Garden looks stunning in its new home – the additional space around the core means you can explore it from every angle, and it fully blends into its surroundings.

I am delighted that the garden has become an integral part of the college community, utilised by pupils and staff as a tranquil space, as well as by groups for more formal events”.

NEWE HOM

ite ©RHS/ Adrian Wh

INSPIRE

Origins The RHS Greening Grey Britain Garden is an annual occurrence at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, designed this year by Professor Nigel Dunnett and constructed by Landform Consultants. Described by Nigel as “a new vision for the places where we live and work”, the unjudged garden reflected an urban environment with elements of biodiversity and “high impact, low input” planting, with features including a 2.5m communal meeting table, bike storage, recycling and composting facilities.

W SHO

NEW HOME www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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INSPIRE RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017 RHS GREENING GREY BRITAIN GARDEN Show: Relocated to: Burlais Primary School, Swansea

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA GARDEN 2016 Origins Hugo Bugg partnered with the Royal Bank of Canada to create a show garden with contractor Landscape Associates. It reflected the endangered pine habitat of Dibeen, Jordan, where Hugo drew inspiration for the design.

SHOW

NEW HOME

Challenges Each element had to be dismantled immaculately in order for the garden to be rebuilt, but Hugo’s original design had taken this into account. The stone pyramids were built in such in a way that they could be lifted and moved, and the water feature is now up and

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n White

NEW HOME

Show: RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 Relocated to: Les Cotils, Guernsey

New surroundings The show garden was transported to Guernsey in five lorries via Ferryspeed, and reassembled by Floral Guernsey. Guernsey was chosen partly due to its climate, which would allow the Mediterranean plants to thrive.

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SHOW

©RHS/ Adria

Challenges When the school was built, landscaping was dropped due to funding, so the central courtyard was tarmacked. This meant there had to be a different approach to planting. “The new

surroundings had no soil, so we used raised planters, along with as many of the features from the garden as possible.”

The courtyard, and therefore the raised planters, are smaller than the area used at Chelsea, and so not all of the plants could be used within these; Bespoke Outdoor Spaces used the rest of the plants, supplied by Hortus Loci, within the grounds.

The new garden was revealed on The One Show on 15 August. The RHS is keen to promote the community’s involvement, as pupils, staff, and friends of the school helped to plant the garden, and will help to look after it in its new surroundings.

ite ©RHS/ Adrian Wh

New surroundings The RHS Greening Grey Britain project aims to transform 6,000 grey spaces into planted places by the end of the year. The BBC’s The One Show launched a competition to relocate the RHS garden to do exactly this to a space in the UK. The winner was Burlais Primary School in Swansea. Guy Barter, RHS chief horticulturist, said: “We had applications from various community spaces, but Burlais was particularly attractive because it involves children who are at an impressionable age.”

The only part not relocated was the rendered blockwork walls, which were replaced with timber versions for a more fitting backdrop in Guernsey. Local contractors and suppliers helped with installation, including Guernsey Gardens, Granite Le Pelley, Queux Plant Centre, Ronez and AFM.

Open to the public The garden was opened in July, despite having been completed months earlier, to give the plants time

running. Rebuilding the garden took longer than the two and a half weeks before Chelsea, as it was already a challenging build, but more time spent installing the concrete steps allowed them to look even better than at the showground.

to establish. Nicola Carroll, senior manager of Corporate Citizenship, RBC Wealth Management, said: “This garden, which showcases water as a precious natural resource, draws its inspiration from the Mediterranean region. We are delighted to have partnered with Les Cotils and Floral Guernsey to bring this award-winning Chelsea garden to Guernsey, benefiting the island for years to come.”

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With September’s potential to bring both early autumn rain and Indian summer sun, now is a great time to consider an awning – Anji Connell has some suggestions The British weather is usually too cold, too wet, too windy or – occasionally – too hot to venture outside. By adding an awning or a retractable roof system, you no longer have to admire the view from inside.

Awnings and retractable roofs protect your outdoor furniture from the sun and shield you from the elements, while providing an extra space for entertaining. They also offer shade to the rooms that they are attached to.

Stationary or fixed canvas awnings, pergolas and umbrellas have been our shade stalwarts to date. However, today’s sophisticated outside spaces demand something altogether more high-tech, such as a remote-controlled retractable roof system.

This trend has trickled down to residential spaces from restaurants and bars, making outdoor spaces usable year-round.

A retractable roof system can provide more than just a shady spot to – it creates a whole outdoor room.

Retractable awnings can be either manually or automatically

Melbourne awnings

UNDER COVER operated, and are available off-the-shelf or fully customised, with options such as wind and rain sensors. You can choose built-in heaters for warmth in cooler conditions, while built-in lighting can cast a cosy glow across your space.

Fixed awnings are cheaper to install, but are more easily damaged in adverse weather – they are more likely to suffer tears and sun bleaching.

A retractable awning can be quickly closed when not in use, away from any bad weather conditions that could damage it.

Motorised retractable versions are great when the weather changes, allowing for a quick retraction without the necessity of going out into

Ham Yard Hotel Rooftop

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The Charlotte Street Hotel, London

the bad weather. The electronic sensors may need replacing periodically, but you can generally still operate the awning manually if your electronic sensor isn’t functioning.

There are a variety of canopies available, and they work in different ways. Aluminium retractable awnings roll up into a cassette that protects them when not in use, while canvas awnings work in a similar way to roller blinds, with a spring tension.

Over time, awning fabrics will collect dirt and dust and will need to be washed down; while the motors are not exposed, do make sure they are kept free of debris.

The fabric and rollers of classic awnings remain exposed when retracted, whereas with semi-cassette models, the fabric roller and mechanism are protected from above and below.

On full cassette models, the moving arm closes and seals the cartridge when retracted, keeping out wind, dirt and salt. It is important to remember that awnings are designed for sun protection and light rain – significant rainfall can cause pooling, the weight of which can split the fabric.

When it comes to retracting arms, you can choose from either telescopic or articulated www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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INSPIRE

Dirello Helioscreen

The Ivy Chelsea garden Malibu Shade

The Boundary Hotel

Glazing Vision

options. Telescopic arms are best used on smaller patio awnings, as the gas can leak over time and need topping up; articulated arms open in stages, either automatically or manually. In general, projections range from 1m to 4.5m, and if you have a larger area to cover you can join units together, or use a frame-based fabric roof system that can project up to 7m.

Motorised retractable roofs are awnings that are fitted over a fixed framework and roll back on tracks; these are a more stable option for a larger area, such as over a pool or dining area.

They can be placed adjacent to a wall, or built as a free-standing structure. The All Seasons Helioscreen retractable roof has been a market leader in Australia for over 25 years; it is constructed out of an easy-to-clean waterproof fabric that offers 100% rain protection and reduces heat radiation by 90%, as well as architectural grade aluminium and stainless steel fixtures. It has integrated water seals, a wind sensor retractor and optional dimmable 360º downlighting, and comes with a five-year warranty. A high torque motor drive system

Dirello Helioscreen

keeps the fabric under perfect tension, and optional weather sensors provide automatic control, even when the user is away.

The Malibu Awning, available at Urban Shade, is engineered to withstand wind speeds of up to 117km per hour and can cover more than 100m²; gutters can be installed to collect and channel rainwater. Taking it a step further, Glazing Vision has a range of retractable rooflights and skylights that can transform an indoor space into an outdoor space and vice-versa, with minimal frameworks to maximise daylight.

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

The Roof Deck, Selfridges, London

www.anjiconnellinteriordesign.com

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 71

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24/08/2017 11:15

INSPIRE

CAMDEN highline

The community in Camden has shown overwhelming support for London’s answer to the New York High Line, with over 300 backers donating to the crowdfunding campaign to kickstart the project. We spoke to Simon Pitkeathley, chief executive of Camden Town Unlimited, about why it chose to use crowdfunding and how the Camden Highline will benefit the area

Breakdown OF COSTS

• £16k – site appraisal and surveys • £7k – visuals and scale model • £3.5k – contingency • £2.25k – marketing and communication materials • £2k – events and workshops • £1.8k – legal fees • £1.25k – Network Rail costs • £1.2k – administration costs (including website, domains, sundries) • £1.95k – other (Spacehive fees, VAT and transaction fees) = £37,236

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INSPIRE

T

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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to create a detailed design and start construction, the Highline needed around £40k for elements such as site appraisals and surveys. To raise this, CTU chose crowdfunding.

“We recognised – partly through the experience of the Garden Bridge and through feedback on the New York High Line – that community engagement is really important, in terms of the project being of use and of interest to the community – not just to the suits. A crowdfunding campaign is a great way to do this.”

Using funding platform Spacehive, the Camden Highline has already far exceeded its target, with donations from over 300 backers – including Camden Market and the Mayor of London, who has pledged his support as well as £2.5k – and donations from local residents that range from £2-£500. The project has raised over £60k, and CTU is now looking to negotiate an agreement with Network Rail, which owns the section of railway that is to be used.

“I expected Network Rail to say no the first time we talked to them, but we have met them five times now, and not once have they said no.

They’re anxious that they might need it one day, so we have to create something with a temporary feel, so that if they need to put trains back on that route then they can. As long as we accommodate that, they’ve been really helpful.

“There are signal boxes and cables linked to the existing functioning railway line, so we need to gain a better understanding on where these are, what they do, and what we can do with them – whether

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS REALLY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF THE PROJECT BEING OF USE AND OF INTEREST TO THE COMMUNITY they can be moved or built over or around, and what access Network Rail will need. It’s a very detailed survey, but once it’s complete, we can start to work out how much the Highline will cost and what the timescale of the project will be.”

Once a plan has been put in place for construction, CTU can look at how to maintain the green space, including using community involvement that will be similar to that of the New York High Line, but on a smaller scale. Using part of the funds it has raised so far, CTU will set up a community organisation to deliver the project, which can carry out a publicity campaign as well as run events and workshops. There is also a plan to carry out a week-long exhibition of the project.

Despite the project being considered temporary, Simon is confident that the Highline is deserving of the time, effort and money being spent on it – partly because that ‘temporary’ could mean ‘decades’, but also because it is an example of what other towns and cities could do.

Air quality is high on the government’s agenda at the moment, and adding and developing green spaces where possible could help to improve it.

Could crowdfunding be a leading method of creating this space? Camden certainly thinks so, and we’re inclined to agree.

Images ©Studio Weave and Architecture 00

he New York High Line is possibly the most famous example of greening a neglected area. The elevated linear park, which stretches 2.33km through Manhattan upon a disused railway line, has become an inspiration for other cities that are looking to achieve the same success with the support of the local community.

Business improvement district Camden Town Unlimited (CTU) has just announced the success of its crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the initial stages of the Camden Highline, a 0.8km garden walk between two iconic parts of London – Camden and King’s Cross. The 8m-high green space, which would be built upon a disused section of the London Overground network, is the creation of urbanist University College London urbanist Oliver O’Brien, who posted a series of blogs suggesting locations in London where a high line could be built. The one that attracted the most attention was the Camden Highline.

“We took it to the board of CTU, who loved the concept and asked us to see how far we could take it,” says Simon. “It’s a good piece of disused railway in that it’s separated, with a reasonable amount of space in certain sections. It also connects two interesting parts of London, enabling people to walk from Camden Market to the back of the new development by Argent at King’s Cross, a route people would use on a regular basis.”

Hackney-based architects Studio Weave and Architecture 00 collaborated on the initial design, after CTU put forward a reasonable amount of money to support the project. However, in order

CONTACT Camden Highline Email highline@camdentownunlimited.com Twitter @CamdenHighline

www.camdenhighline.com

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 73

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24/08/2017 14:35

INSPIRE

Why I...

#lovehorticulture SUE BIGGS

Q

RHS DIRECTOR GENERAL

uite simply, I love horticulture because it makes me happy. I’ve always loved gardening; it’s been my biggest passion since I was seven years old, when my mum gave me my first packet of seeds.

So, it’s both a thrill and honour to be at the RHS, where our main aim is to help and encourage millions more people to enjoy gardens and grow plants.

Horticulture is amazing and the most incredible industry, mainly because of the wonderful people who work within it. They are all so passionate about what they do, whatever their HORTICULTURE MAKES specialism. All of us know how vital gardening, gardens and green spaces are SUCH A POSITIVE for the nation’s health and wellbeing and DIFFERENCE TO OUR LIVES for the environment, not to mention our AND SURROUNDINGS own happiness.

THROUGH THE SIMPLE Whatever anyone’s level of knowledge, BEAUTY AND SCENT horticulture makes such a positive OF PLANTS difference to our lives and surroundings through the simple beauty and scent of plants.

I love the diversity of horticulture, too – at the RHS we’re involved with gardening in schools, adult learning, science and research, art collections, shows, design, floristry, plant trials, gardens, events, wildlife, retail and so much more.

At our shows, it’s such a joy and privilege to bring together the whole horticultural industry. I have dozens of gardening books at home collected over decades, and at Chelsea I get such a buzz as my bookshelf comes to life as all these incredible gardeners, growers, designers and scientists are there in the flesh!

But all of us have a responsibility to attract more people into our fabulous industry to try and turn around the growing green skills crisis – if we are to remain a nation of gardeners we need to support Grow Careers and Horticulture Matters, because it matters so much that future generations can also love horticulture.

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

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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INSPIRE

Alison Elliot, co-founder and director of Primo Pots, spoke to Pro Landscaper about how she and her husband, Simon, have turned their love for Italy into a successful family-run business Primo Pots, located in the Scottish Borders, has been importing garden planters from Italy since 2003. The company also boasts a small nursery that stocks specimen trees and shrubs sourced from Tuscany and Scotland, and provides a landscape and design service.

Simon Elliot had worked on a Tuscan estate after graduating, landscaping the grounds and renovating old properties, and had always wanted to find a way to return. When a friend attempted to start a business importing large pieces of terracotta, the couple were keen to join the venture. It fell through at the last minute, but the couple were determined to pursue the business. “We had stock, premises and contacts, so we just went with it,” says Alison.

“Primo Pots opened its doors in 2003.”

FAMILY TREE The nursery has been taking shape since 2008. “We were out in Italy buying pots, visiting nurseries, and buying small amounts of stock,” Alison tells us. “Simon dreamed of having the space for a small nursery of his own, and this became possible when we started building our house. We store the big specimen trees that we import from Italy here, and grow on lots of other plants – mainly hedging and small Buxus. We will always bring stock in from Italy, though – the choice is fantastic, and it’s lovely to have the excuse to visit regularly.”

SIMON AND THE TEAM LIKE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE CUSTOMERS THE WHOLE WAY THROUGH THE JOB

Most of Primo Pots’ range is still made in Italy, but the stock has evolved, combining traditional shapes with a resin material. This gives huge scope for design, creating shapes, sizes and colours that aren’t possible with terracotta. The last few years has also seen Primo Pots manufacturing its own range of pots in the UK, with a new product added each year.

The process of sourcing stock for the nursery has changed over the years. Simon and Alison initially travelled to Italy four times a year, but are now too busy, and so put their trust in a nursery near Pistoia and its owner Alessandro.

The third and final part of Primo Pots, Primo Landscaping, offers a landscaping and design service. New enquiries are dealt with by Simon or his father, Cameron, who then visit the clients and provide hand-drawn plans for their garden,

detailing costs and materials. “This is a very fluid process and ideas usually evolve as things begin to take shape,” says Alison. “Simon and the team

like to work closely with the customers the whole way through the job, and will make sure the client is happy with each stage.”

Primo Pots is very much a family business.

Alison is largely involved in the pots and the admin side, while Simon and his father Cameron’s role is predominantly landscaping, sales, plans and drawings. The business has an additional four employees with experience in design, soft and hard landscaping, carpentry and horticulture.

The future for Primo Pots looks exciting and will certainly keep the family busy. “Each part of the business compliments the other,” Alison tells us. “We constantly need more storage for the plants, and new machinery is always on the shopping list. This year, we are building a shed that will incorporate a large potting area and storage – our present storage area is bursting at the seams.” With the nursery located in the seven-acre grounds of Simon and Alison’s home, there is plenty of scope for all future requirements.

CONTACT 01450 375464 primopots@btconnect.com

www.primopots.com

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24/08/2017 12:11

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aunching in September 2017, DesignBoard is the perfect combination between nature and technology; a brand new range of exterior decking that combines the attractive, timeless qualities of timber decking with the reliability and low-maintenance features of composite solutions. It is easy to clean, highly scratch-andfade-resistant, and algae-proof.

Supplied in eight stylish off-theshelf colours, chosen to complement traditional and contemporary settings, boards are supplied in a variety of wood-grain patterns, giving them a natural look, enhanced by slight variations in colour and finish.

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standard 3.6m length, at a width of 150mm, whilst bespoke lengths (up to 10m) are available for designs to suit any space.

A key feature of DesignBoard is that it is 100% recyclable and also an ecological alternative to tropical wood, helping to improve the environment.

Plasticwood®, the material used to make DesignBoard, is 50% plant fibre (rice husk), which is not produced from cutting down trees, but from the reutilisation of sub products of grain growing.

With a 10-year Guarantee, DesignBoard is installed using an invisible clipping system ensuring

consistent gapping along its long edges, saving time and easing installation. This composite material may be easily cut with conventional tools, and incorporates PVC which has a higher density and weather resistance than composite decking which uses polyethylene or polypropylene, thus making DesignBoard an extremely hardwearing material. DesignBoard only requires a brush and water to clean it. Jet washing is also suitable, and oil and grease are easily removed with the use of household bleach, making it ideal material for barbecue areas, north-facing spaces, or gardens with children or pets present.

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24/08/2017 16:55

PORTFOLIO INSPIRE

KEBUR

LONDON STONE

Product name: Blue Black Slate Paving Location: Langton Green, Kent Langdale Landscapes used Blue Black Slate Paving on this farm, as the client sought to mirror the slate roof tiles that were already installed on the property’s barn.

The other major factor in choosing this slate was the material’s hard-wearing and even-coloured nature. The client was thrilled with the timeless appearance of the paving, and could see it looking great for years to come.

Product Name: Chinese Blue/ Black Slate Location: Ash Vale, Hampshire A retired couple wanted a dark paving slab with natural character that was both low maintenance and durable. The paving was laid on a full mortar bed and edged with matching 200 x 100 Black Limestone setts. The finished product is a patio that will stand the test of time, while requiring very little cleaning or maintenance.

WWW.KEBUR.CO.UK

WWW.LONDONSTONE.CO.UK

CED NATURAL STONE Product Name: Black Slate Paving, Slate Shale Location: Essex This scheme combines a multitude of materials from CED Stone Group. A Black Slate patio takes centre stage, alongside Grey Quartz Paddlestone walling, a Purple Wave Feature Stone water fountain, and a stream lined with Beach Pebbles and Beach Cobbles.

The clients were drawn to the slate’s ash and charcoal colouring and riven surface. The contractor was Neil O’Brien from LES Beaux Jardins LLP. WWW.CED.LTD.UK

SLATE PAVING STONE PAVING SUPPLIES

Product name: Grey Slate ocation: En eld, orth ondon This natural slate paving has clean, sawn edges and a natural, slightly riven finish. he client chose it as it met their requirements for a light, neutral colour with little variegation and a smooth surface. It was supplied in single sizes of 900 x 600mm, but also comes in a mixed-size patio pack format, and in Black or Rustic colourways.

WWW.STONEPAVINGSUPPLIES.CO.UK

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MARSHALLS

Product Name: Fairstone Natural Slate Paving Location: Cambridgeshire Genesis Construction and Landscapes transformed approximately two acres of grass and gravel hardstanding into a garden using Marshalls ethically sourced Fairstone Natural Slate Paving. The patio is bordered with Drivesett Argent Paving and has many bespoke features, such as a curved water feature faced with Stoneface rystack Walling, hand finished bullnose edges, step risers and copings.

WWW.MARSHALLS.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 12:12

JB LANDSCAPES The client’s house in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, had just been built using local sandstone, and they were keen for the landscaping to be sympathetic. Some walls were freestanding and others retaining, and to build them from traditional masonry would have been prohibitively expensive. It was decided to use gabions filled with local stone instead. More than 100 baskets and 300t of stone were used to complete the project.

WWW.JBLANDSCAPESLTD.COM

PAUL NEWMAN Paul Newman Landscapes built this gabion cage water feature by stacking two cages on top of each other. A stainless steel water blade was fitted to protrude slightly through the cage so that water could flow into the catchment sump below, which was disguised with cobbles. The gabion infill is small pieces of Yorkstone that were chosen for their uniform size and colour, blending in with the scheme well.

WWW.PAULNEWMANLANDSCAPES.CO.UK

INSPIRE

HABITAT LANDSCAPES More and more clients are looking for a modern, low maintenance and industrial appearance, and gabion baskets fit these requirements perfectly. In this case, the client wanted to create an environment for wildlife on a budget and add interest around the patio. The gabions were filled with cut tree stumps, tiles, bamboo canes, soil for alpines and old bricks. The effect was just what the client wanted.

WWW.HABITATLANDSCAPES.CO.UK

GABION BASKETS

GRADUATE GARDENERS Graduate Gardeners was asked to come up with a solution to this bank at the front of a contemporary new build. The bank had tree stumps, perennial weeds and springs to contend with. Cotswold stone-faced gabion baskets were used around the spring and galvanised pool, forming a modern version of the stone springs found in surrounding villages.

The remainder of the wall had standard gabion stone fill. Wildflower turf was laid above the wall, contrasting nicely.

WWW.GRADUATEGARDENERS.CO.UK

FRESHSCAPED LTD Part of the brief for this project was to remove a mound of earth and deep-rooted laurel shrubs from the back fence, in order to bring that section of garden level with what was in front of it.

This left the garden behind higher and introduced a risk of land slippage. It was suggested that gabion baskets would work to prevent this. The back fence was hidden behind a South African Kraal-inspired structure, and sits on the gabions for part of its length. WWW.FRESHSCAPED.CO.UK

URBAN LANDSCAPE DESIGN LTD

Urban Landscape Design Ltd was appointed to construct a tiered garden on a steeply sloping site. The design incorporates 100 gabion baskets to act as industrial-style retaining walls and create a tiered effect. The gabion baskets were filled with York dry stone walling for a contemporary feel that remains sympathetic to the surrounding Welsh hills.

WWW.URBANLANDSCAPEDESIGN.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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24/08/2017 12:13

To celebrate the grand opening of our new Visitor Advice Centre and 15 years in business

You are warmly invited to a Landscape Industry Symposium on Tuesday 12th September Bio-Security and how Xylella could put you out of business. Profitability and then

debate why so many don’t make any money.

Semi-mature trees: Purchasing, handling and planting.

“Xylella is not a disease like Dutch Elm Disease or Chalara that affects one species of tree, but a disease that over 300 species of plant are susceptible to that could totally change our landscapes. Come to this special day to learn more; so that we can decide what we should do before it is too late.”

Steve McCurdy, MD Majestic Trees

About the speakers...

Professor Nicola Spence

UK Chief Plant Health Officer

Peter Seabrook

Keynote Address. Bio-Security: Risk and responsibility sharing; future threats and opportunities. Come and hear Nicola as she challenges all of us to take biosecurity seriously, especially in response to Xylella.

Then debate what strategies would most effectively protect our industry in light of proposed legislation, which will impact how we design and landscape our projects in the future.

MBE., VMH., AH (RHS), MoH (RHS) Come and be inspired about what you can achieve if you have the passion, drive, enthusiasm and willingness to work hard in the industry he still loves after 60 years!

Mark Gregory Dip Hort., Landform How to plan for, handle and plant big trees Who better to talk about the practicalities of moving specimen trees than Mark Gregory?

In this in-depth presentation will outline the planning needed, pitfalls to avoid, and on-site ‘how-to’ of the job. We’ll then move outside to see a live demonstration of best practice.

John Wyer CMLI, FSGD., Chairman of Bowles & Wyer Successful, but are you profitable?

John is passionate about his belief that too many garden designers, landscape architects and contractors get caught up in chasing recognition at the expense of financial viability. Hear his presentation, then join the debate as to why to many provide a valued service to an affluent client base, yet don’t make any money.

...and don’t miss the debates with a few of the industry leaders!

Complimentary Lunch

Wayne Grills Chief Executive, BALI

Jody Lidgard Bespoke Landscapes

Ann-Marie Powell MSGD

Andy Sturgeon Dip (Landscape) FSGD

Jon Wheatley AH(RHS)

Please RSVP to reserve your seat at this important event and to enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch.

No fee for conference or complimentary lunch.

Please see the enclosed supplement for more information. To register for your free ticket to attend, please contact Amber Bernabe on 01903 777581 or email amber.bernabe@eljays44.com.

Chequers Hill, Flamstead, Nr St.Albans, Herts, AL3 8ET T: 01582 843881 | F: 01582 843882 | W: www.majestictrees.co.uk | E: info@majestictrees.co.uk

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24/08/2017 14:29

CAMILLA HILEY

88

Drifts of planting triumph over challenging planting conditions

SMALL FORTUNE ANDY MCINDOE

91

Broadleaf evergreen trees for smaller spaces

ALL FOR ONE JAMIE BUTTERWORTH

95

Coming together to develop the industry

NURSERY INTERVIEW

99 100

NURTURE cover.indd 83

CRAIGMARLOCH NURSERIES LTD How the Scottish nursery built its business

NURTURE

DESIGNER PLANTS

PLUS...

NURTURE NEWS (P85) IAN DRUMMOND (P92) NOEL KINGSBURY (P96) TGA UPDATE (P100) TOPIARY (103)

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RH 'Native' half-page Pro Landscaper:Layout 1

1/12/16

17:42

Page 1

Readyhedge.

The home of mixed native hedging.

Mixed native hedging from Readyhedge makes the distinctive character of the British hedgerow available to landscape and garden designers on demand. Delivered to order in our unique Readybags, plants are grown up to two metres in height, ready-spaced and ready to plant.

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PLSept_Mandy.indd 18

WHOLESALE CATALOGUE 2016/2017

Call for our 2016/2017 Wholesale Catalogue or to visit the nursery

24/08/2017 10:11

NURTURE

NURTURE NEWS Bourne Amenity produces own range of compost Hard and soft landscaping material specialist Bourne Amenity has started blending and bagging its own range of John Innes Composts through its sister company Gardenscape Direct.

Rather than importing already bagged compost from the larger producers, Bourne Amenity has utilised its horticultural experience to blend No. 1, 2 and 3 at its facility in Kent.

The blends were put to the test at the NIAB EMR Research Station in East Malling, under the supervision of growing media consultant Susie Holmes, and showed extremely positive results.

The John Innes composts add to Bourne Amenity’s existing range of own brand materials now. It is now looking to offer more of its specialist soil blends in small bagged units, in response to the growth of roof and podium gardens in major city developments. www.bourneamenity.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Nurture News.indd 85

Green-tech supplies tree shelters for 279ha woodland creation Landscape supplier Green-tech has supplied 9,000 Tubex tree shelters and 80,000 tree spirals for the first phase of a new 279ha woodland in the Kilpatrick Hills.

The woodland has been commissioned by Forest Enterprise Scotland, and will be managed Perth-based Highfield Forestry, which manages around 10,000ha of woodland throughout the UK. Phase one commenced in summer 2016, with trees planted on the Kilpatrick Braes, and deer fences installed. The main tree planting work is scheduled to take place in three phases, over three years, with foundation works being completed in spring 2019.

The project will see 763,159 new trees planted, following

detailed Forest Design Plans that have been through a public consultation process.

The design includes productive broadleaf and conifer species, along with areas of native woodland and open ground. The new forests will benefit the biodiversity and landscape of the surrounding areas and will, in time, provide great opportunities for recreation. www.green-tech.co.uk

Glendale Horticulture appoints new production manager Munya Verenga is to join the Glendale Horticulture team as production manager for its Midlands nurseries, effective from July 2017.

Munya graduated from the Royal Agricultural University with a BSc degree in horticulture production. He has almost 15 years’ experience in ornamental horticulture production, working as a grower for Roundstone Nurseries and Winchester

Growers among others. His most recent role was at Flamingo Horticulture in Kenya, where he was a farm manager for almost three years.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with this experienced and dedicated team of growers,” said Munya. “We are currently working on some new and exciting ranges for our additions catalogue, which will be available later in the year.” www.glendalehorticulture.co.uk

Lewis Normand becomes southern sales manager for Bernhard’s Nurseries Lewis Normand has moved from Glendale Horticulture/Coblands to Bernhard’s Nurseries, to take up the newly created role of Southern sales manager, responsible for sales to professional horticulturists and designers.

“I’ve had a really enjoyable six years with Glendale Horticulture and have been a part of many interesting projects, but I’m looking forward to the new challenge of developing sales in the South of England for Bernhard’s Nurseries,” said Lewis.

“In 2017, I have supplied five Gold Medal and five Silver Gilt-winning gardens, as well as two Best in Shows, including Paul HerveyBrookes’ garden at the inaugural RHS Chatsworth Flower Show – so I feel I’m leaving after a really positive and successful year.” www.bernhards-nurseries.co.uk

SEND US YOUR

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

01903 777 570

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 85

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NURTURE

HILLIER TREES Pro Landscaper was recently fortunate enough to attend a tree planting workshop hosted by Hillier Trees at its field-grown nursery in Hampshire, where we were given a number of fascinating seminars

A

ttended by industry leaders from across the country, the event began with an introduction from Jim Hillier, account manager at Hillier Trees, and Phil Hall, nursery manager at Hillier’s Andlers Ash field tree nursery site in Hampshire.

Providing exclusive insight into the 700 acres that Hillier Trees has in production – including some 750k field-grown trees and 30k container trees – Jim explained how the nursery supplies a large variety of professionals, from contractors to local authorities and landscape architects to garden designers and developers.

Phil covered the key stages in the production and establishment of newly planted trees, including budding, formative pruning, rootballing and transplanting, revealing the skill that goes into supplying the highest quality British-grown trees. We then moved onto a tour of Hillier’s field-grown tree nursery. A variety of trees were showcased, including limes such as the Tilia tomentosa ‘Brabant’, elm trees such as Ulmus ‘New Horizon’, and 16-year-old hornbeam hedges shaped into archways.

Several presentations from industry specialists were spread throughout the day. First to demonstrate was Sorbus International, known for its expertise in providing the very best equipment for the evaluation and assessment of 86

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decay in trees. Using an established tree, Sorbus demonstrated two of its bestselling products: the Picus 3 Sonic Tomograph, a non-invasive detection device used for measuring decay in trees, and the IML Resi-PD microdrill, which digitally assesses the wood’s quality by measuring the drill’s needle resistance.

Next, GreenBlue Urban showed us the latest in urban tree planting methodology, demonstrating its RootSpace and Arborflow products, with participation encouraged.

Following this, tree anchor and guying system manufacturer Gripple provided a field demonstration on the correct installation of its systems, which ensure planted trees and rootballed trees are safe from the elements.

Finally, and for the first time in the UK, there was a Treepan demonstration, with Russell Horsey revealing the benefits of the environmentally friendly and efficient solution for protecting and watering newly planted trees. As the tour of the nursery concluded, Ian

McDermott, a specialist consultant with extensive experience in tree planting and establishment, gave a seminar on 21st century tree planting, including information from the Municipal Tree Officers’ Association (MTOA). The event concluded with Hillier amenity director Hossein Arshardi highlighting the importance of biosecurity, using the threat of Xylella fastidiosa as an example.

As a result of the success of this workshop, organised by Hillier account manager Jamie Gormley, Hiller intends to host more open days and events in the future. Visit www.hillier.co.uk/ trees for more information.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 12:15

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NURTURE

Bupleurum longifolium ‘Bronze Beauty’

Dianthus carthusinorum and Salvia ‘Caradonna’

Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ and Vernonia crinita

Designer PLANTS Camilla Hiley talks through how she worked around difficult conditions to design this private garden scheme

Some gardens throw up challenges when planning a planting scheme. This garden was one of them. The garden sits high on a hill facing south-west, so is prone to strong winds blowing through the site, as well as being inhabited with local wildlife such as deer, hares and rabbits. To add to this, the soil is mainly chalk over limestone, with seams of clay running through it in places and large quantities of flint. On the plus side, however, it has the most wonderful views across the River Avon to the countryside beyond. This was to be the inspiration for the planting scheme.

Taking these factors into account, this was a relatively low maintenance garden so plants that needed staking were ruled out. Roses were out of the question, unless incredibly thorny like 88

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Rosa omeiensis pteracantha, and tall brittle plants such as delphiniums and lupins would not stand up to the winds – nor to rabbits grazing on their new growth in spring. This led me to look at the wider landscape and surrounding flora for inspiration.

Plants such as Valeriana officinalis, Origanum, Scabiosa, Geranium, Euphorbia and Verbascum grow in the surrounding landscape and acted as a starting point. These, combined with ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus, Calamagrostis, Molinia and Sesleria autumnalis, as well as plants with aromatic foliage such as

Nepeta, Lavandula and Salvias which deer will not generally eat, all helped to create a natural feel of planting which blends with the surrounding views. Trees and hedges in the distant landscape inspired my choice – Amelanchier, Euonymus, Fagus and Crataegus.

The beds were created in the central part of the lawn below an existing low stone wall, and were designed to lead the viewer through the garden once the planting matures. An existing stone circle seating area, with shrubs behind, was also incorporated into the scheme. The planting provides interest throughout the year, from bulbs in the spring to grasses in late autumn/early winter.

Seed heads are retained for structure, and left for the birds and wildlife until they finally disintegrate in late winter.

The west-facing bank under the yew is incredibly dry due to the hedge taking away a lot of the moisture, as well as it being very free draining and in full sun for most of the day. This was filled with a mixture of plants such as Epilobium angustifolium www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 12:16

Looking south

NURTURE

Plant list

Salvia ‘Caradonna’ and Molinia ‘ Transparent’

View through central bed

alba and Euphorbia cyparissias ‘Fens Ruby’, which would normally be quite invasive if given the ideal planting conditions of moisture and a rich soil, but because of the relative lack of moisture are kept in check. Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’, Dianthus carthusianorum, Sedum ‘Matrona’ and Origanum ‘Herrenhausen’ are grown for their love of sun and well-drained soil, with Miscanthus sinensis ‘Yakushima Dwarf’ for late summer interest.

The main beds were enriched with a lot of organic matter and retain more moisture, www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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although they too are in full sun for most of the day. Helenium ‘Rubinzwerg’, Salvia x jamensis ‘Nachtvlinder’ and Salvia ‘Phyllis’ Fancy’ which is not hardy in many areas, provide late colour right through to the first frosts. Miscanthus nepalensis, Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Fascination’ and ‘Lavendelturm’ provide height as well as Cenolophium denudatum, Aster umbellatus and Cephalaria gigantea. Earlier interest is provided by Amsonia tabernaemontana, Libertia grandiflora and Nepeta subsessilis.

ABOUT CAMILLA HILEY Camilla Hiley is a Salisbury-based garden designer offering a design and consultancy service. She aims to work closely with clients to create spaces both aesthetically pleasing as well as t for purpose.

www.camillahileygardens.co.uk

• Amelanchier lamarckii • Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Robin Hill’ • Amsonia tabernaemontana • Aster umbellatus • Bupleurum longifolium ‘Bronze Beauty’ • Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ • Calamintha ‘Blue Cloud’ • Cenolophium denudatum • Cephalaria gigantea • Crambe cordifolia • Crataegus x lavallei ‘Carrierei’ • Dianthus carthusianorum • Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’ • Epilobium angustifolium alba • Euonymus europaeus • Euonymus oxyphyllus • Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii • Euphorbia cyparissias ‘Fens Ruby’ • Geranium nodosum • Geranium pyrenaicum ‘Bill Wallis’ • Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ • Helenium ‘Rubinzwerg’ • Heptacodium miconioides • Lavandula • Libertia grandiflora • Malus transitoria • Miscanthus nepalensis • Miscanthus sinensis ‘Yakushima Dwarf ’ • Molinia caerulea subsq. arundinacea ‘Transparent’ • Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ • Nepeta racemosa ‘Grog’ • Nepeta racemosa ‘Little Titch’ • Nepeta subsessilis • Nicandra physalodes • Origanum ‘Herrenhausen’ • Phlomis russeliana • Pyrus salicifolia ‘Pendula’ • Salvia ‘Phyllis’ Fancy’ • Salvia nemorosa ‘Amethyst’ • Salvia nemorosa ‘Tanzerin’ • Salvia nemorosa ’Caradonna’ • Salvia x jamensis ‘Nachtvlinder’ • Sedum ‘Abbeydore’ • Sedum ‘Matrona’ • Sesleria autumnalis • Succisella inflexa ‘Frosted Pearls’ • Valeriana officinalis • Verbascum olympicum • Verbena bonariensis • Vernonia crinita ‘Mammuth’ • Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Fascination’ • Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Lavendelturm’

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 89

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NURTURE

Andy McIndoe suggests a selection of broadleaf evergreen trees that won’t dwarf the rest of a planting scheme

S

mall, broadleaf evergreen trees are popular for their screening ability, their year-round interest and the structure they deliver in a planting scheme. They are ideal for private gardens, in courtyards, around buildings and often in containers.

SMALL

FORTUNE Andy McIndoe

Arbutus unedo f. rubra

Arbutus unedo, the Killarney strawberry tree, has dark, leathery evergreen leaves and a bushy habit; it’s a lovely small, multi-stemmed tree with deep brown shredding bark. Small, creamy bell-shaped flowers appear in autumn and early winter, as the scarlet fruits are ripening. Excellent for coastal situations, it also works well in large containers, given a good loam-based growing medium. The ‘Atlantic’ variety is particularly good, producing an abundance of flowers and fruit, while Arbutus unedo f. rubra has pink flowers and abundant, deep red fruits.

Eucryphia nymansensis ‘Nymansay’

I find it surprising that eucryphias are not more widely grown where soil is neutral-to-acid.

The easiest and most reliable, Eucryphia nymansensis ‘Nymansay’, grows quickly to form a bushy column of dark, glossy foliage; after midsummer it is studded with silky white blooms. In full bloom it is an arresting sight, and the dark green pillar of foliage makes a strong statement for the rest of the year.

rough treatment. It responds brilliantly to pruning, but left unpruned for a season it will produce loose clusters of small pinkish blooms.

Although it may be overplanted, it is worth considering for a variety of schemes, especially where a colourful ‘lollipop’ effect is required.

The olive, Olea europaea, has become a garden essential in recent years; you will see it gracing doorsteps and courtyards in most Mediterranean cities, though with climate change it can now frequently be grown in traditionally cooler areas. It is a light, airy evergreen tree, with silver stems and narrow deep green leaves. Olives need hard pruning in late winter, otherwise they become straggly and lose vigour. They are perfect for urban gardens and growing in containers, but hate wet soil and will defoliate in very cold conditions.

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is the most popular small tree that is sold for private gardens through garden centres and nurseries. It grows quickly, has vivid new shoots, and copes with www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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However, it is a great small screening tree, and can be pruned regularly after flowering. Look for the cultivar ‘Gaulois Astier’, which flowers well from an early age.

Hollies make some of the best small evergreen trees, whether you choose a plain green variety, such as Ilex aquifolium ‘Pyramidalis’ or a variegated variety such as Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Golden King’. To get berries, you need a female plant and a male pollinator, or a self-fertile variety.

Hollies can be pruned to control size and shape; left to grow naturally, most are conical and tidy, although they can be gangly as adolescents.

Ilea altaclarensis ‘Golden King’

The southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora, is a stately specimen, frequently used to grace town squares and public spaces in southern Europe. It has large, glossy evergreen leaves and creamy, lemon-scented summer flowers. It can be pruned selectively to shape it, so can be used in more restricted situations and in containers. It is not for cold sites or wet soil, but is great in urban situations where its weight is good at balancing surrounding buildings. Stock offered is often Italian in origin and formally pruned when supplied. This can be maintained, or the plants can left to grow to a more natural shape.

Magnolia grandiflora

Olea europaea Photinia ‘Red Robin’

Acacia ‘Gaulois Astier’

The mimosa, Acacia dealbata, is known for its fabulous fluffy, fragrant golden-yellow flowers in late winter. It grows to form a feathery evergreen with fern-like foliage. It is brittle, so is not great on exposed sites, and is easily scorched by cold winds and severe frost.

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

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

Twitter: @AndyMcIndoe

www.andymcindoe.com

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 91

24/08/2017 12:19

NURTURE

I

f I were to conduct a poll asking the general public to name a classic Seventies interior plant, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) was named more frequently than any other – with perhaps the exception of the spider plant.

While much has changed since interior planting was popular during this period, the Swiss cheese plant was well-liked for a reason, so it’s good to see it enjoying a resurgence in popularity today. It’s all over Instagram and Pinterest, and if you’re cool and you work in fashion, design or interiors, it’s currently more or less a compulsory inclusion.

The popularity of the Swiss cheese plant actually predates the Seventies; it was back in the modernist Fifties, when Ray and Charles Eames incorporated it into the interior design of Case Study House 8, that its visual impact and use as part of a stylish design scheme was first demonstrated.

The house, located in the illustrious Pacific Palisades region of LA, was made a National Historic Landmark in 2006, and remains a striking and exciting example of mid-20th century modern architecture and domestic design.

THE BEAUTY OF THESE PLANTS LIES IN THEIR GLOSSY, HEART-SHAPED LEAVES

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COMEBACK KID Ian Drummond

Interestingly, the interior was designed to seamlessly incorporate the often separate spheres of work and domestic life, and it struck me how modern this approach was – today, one of the most common elements of a design brief is to find ways to create a multipurpose space, whether it be corporate, leisure or domestic. The specimens used in Case Study House 8 were large scale and grouped together on a raised platform to form a tropical copse that is inspiring nearly 70 years later.

The beauty of these evergreen plants lies in their glossy, heart-shaped leaves, which can span a metre across.

Depending on the light they receive, they can become deeply perforated (hence ‘Swiss cheese’), which only adds to their appeal. The perforations also help to disperse light throughout the plant, keeping it healthy and nourished, while creating wonderfully diffused and dappled light around it – a very useful bonus for landscape designers.

Swiss cheese plants are thick-stemmed vines that, in their natural habitat, will support themselves on other vegetation, and produce long roots from the stem. Because it’s a climber,

it will need very good support – leaves of this scale and quantity are heavy. But what an exciting climber to have – it is capable of being a focal point in its own right, but also has a scale that lends itself perfectly to softening the effect of an existing structural eyesore.

The Swiss cheese plant is happy in most interiors, needing a temperature of 18°C or warmer, plus moderately moist soil and high humidity. It’s a tropical jungle plant and as such requires rich, nutrient-dense soil that holds moisture but doesn’t remain soggy, as well as enough space to accommodate what can be an impressive growth rate. Freshen the topsoil once a year, wipe the leaves clean and watch for spider mite infestations, and this plant will visually enrich any environment for many years.

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

www.indoorgardendesign.com

© www.thejoyofplants.co.uk

A popular interior plant in the Seventies, the Swiss cheese plant is enjoying social media fame today – and Ian Drummond is thrilled

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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NURTURE

After a hectic show season, Jamie Butterworth reflects on the importance of sticking together as an industry

W

ow, what a season. The past five months have been an absolute whirlwind, the busiest and most successful show season we have ever had. Now is the time to look back and give ourselves a pat on the back, before moving swiftly onto planning for the 2018 shows.

The one thing that stands out most to me from the last few months is the fact that, despite the lack of sponsorship at many of the big shows this year, we have seen some of the most beautiful gardens built in recent years.

Despite the difficulties, the industry has rallied, coming together to help create some truly incredible examples. From the BBC Radio 2 gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, to the GoLandscape garden at RHS Hampton Court, each has been a showcase of what our industry is capable of when we join forces. No garden is made of plants alone, nor is it just

GARDENS ARE AN INCREDIBLE THING: THEY CAN INSPIRE, HEAL, TEACH, MOTIVATE AND CAPTIVATE made of stone and rocks. It is a symphony of all the aspects of our industry, a celebration of materials, and talents, and people.

This year has reaffirmed what we all already know: we are a brilliant, exciting, forwardthinking and (most importantly) fun industry to

ALL FOR ONE

Jamie Butterworth

work in. The combination of everyone from designers, landscapers and suppliers to gardeners, florists, entomologists and botanists is just a small sample of the cocktail that makes horticulture the colourful industry that it is; we are one of the most diverse trades I can think of. But we all have the same goals: to create or maintain beautiful gardens, to teach and to heal people, and above all to make people happy.

Despite this, we are still seen by many as an industry of outdoor cleaners. It’s a sad stigma that continues to haunt our efforts to inspire future generations of budding landscapers and designers. It is only by coming together, as we have done this year, that we can truly hope to

inspire more people to join our great industry.

We need to stand together and be united in our efforts; skills need to be shared, passed on and nurtured. We should cultivate development in all areas of the trade, just as we cultivate our seedlings. Moving forward, the truly good landscaper should understand every aspect of

Eschscholzia californica ‘Ivory Castle’ and Cirsium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’

a garden, from the plants to the stone, and how it all works together. As Ann-Marie Powell said at FutureScape 2016, cross-industry development should be not only be allowed, but actively encouraged.

Gardens are an incredible thing: they can inspire, heal, teach, motivate and captivate. But most importantly, they make people smile, and only by all of us working together can we truly achieve this.

Helenium ‘Red Jewel’ and Helenium ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Images ©Lynn Keddie

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

jamie.butterworth@hortusloci.co.uk www.hortusloci.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 95

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Images ©Lorenz von ehren

ABOUT JAMIE BUTTERWORTH

NURTURE

Noel Kingsbury has a bee in his bonnet over the information overload surrounding planting for pollinators

B

ees and pollinators are very much at the top of the environmentalist agenda right now. Any discussion of sustainability or biodiversity in the landscape, and indeed in farming and private gardens, inevitably involves somebody asking something along the lines of “what’s in it for pollinators?”. There seem to be lots of grants available for research into the impact of this or that practice on pollinators – a sure sign that an issue is trendy.

BUZZ WORDS

Noel Kingsbury

BEES AND OTHER POLLINATORS ARE UNDER THREAT, BUT SO IS THE REST OF NATURE I don’t want to sound cynical, but one does get to an age when you have seen a lot of these cause célèbre-driven campaigns. Yes, bees and other pollinators are under threat, but so is the rest of nature. And, I would add, the situation for British nature is actually getting better in many ways. For a start, we now have a much better understanding of what benefits biodiversity. Private gardeners and many public space managers now actively manage their plots, parks and other green areas with wildlife in mind.

The bee campaign urges us to plant for pollinators. Many in the landscape industry

could be forgiven for breathing a deep sigh, wondering how they are meant to be planting for pollinators on top of making a living and keeping clients happy. The way some environmental activists go on almost makes you wonder how the bees managed before we knew what to plant for them. I have always been a bit mystified about the promotion of certain plants as ‘bee friendly’. What are flowers for if not to attract pollinators? The only no-no for pollinators are double flowers – and since the landscape industry does not go in for planting a lot of these, this is not such a big deal.

I’d like to cut through the complexity here and try to simplify things a bit. Everyone involved in planting can do a huge amount for biodiversity by observing just a few rules. Some bees like some shapes of flower and other bees like others. I’m not even going to bother saying which ones: the point is that if a wide variety of flowering plants are included in a design – shrubs, perennials or whatever – then the chances are there’ll be something for every bee. Also, a plant being smothered in bees does not necessarily mean that the plant is ‘good for bees’ – it may just be producing a lot of low-quality nectar. Bees buzzing around goldenrod are the equivalent of humans queuing up for burgers and chips. The high-quality nectar (vitamin-, protein- and mineral-rich) will be somewhere else, and is often less obviously popular.

By diversity, I mean including non-native species, too. It is very unfortunate that some environmentalist agendas link biodiversity with a narrow ‘natives only’ approach. Native plant box-ticking exercises can seriously limit the range of nectar sources for pollinators, particularly at the ‘ends’ of the growing season. Bees out early on a mild January day? Jolly good, Viburnum tinus is just coming into flower. “No, we can’t have that – it’s Spanish”, say the more dogmatic ecologists.

One way of thinking about the bee business is that if we get it right for bees then everything else will fall into place. Developing plenty of diversity, and allowing some wilder and rougher areas, are ideal measures to encourage wild bee populations; these are precisely the things we should be doing to support biodiversity across the board. Ecology can be a complicated business, but the basic rules are actually pretty simple.

Pictured: Late summer perennials in so-called prairie plantings offer plenty of nectar to honeybees and butterflies, which few native wildflowers or landscape shrubs do

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

www.noelkingsbury.com

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 12:21

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NURTURE

NURSERY INTERVIEW

CRAIGMARLOCH NURSERIES LTD Pro Landscaper talks history and expansion with Kenny Wilson BA (Hons) CA, director at Craigmarloch Nurseries Ltd in Kilsyth Craigmarloch Nurseries Ltd is a horticultural wholesaler based in Kilsyth, on the outskirts of Glasgow. Established from founder Drew McFarlane’s back garden in the Seventies, the business quickly grew into a larger two-acre site. The early objective was to grow heathers and conifers for local authority orders, but the business soon began sourcing and supplying a large range of top quality plants for its customers. By 2003, the nursery had relocated to the 15-acre site it now occupies. Today, Craigmarloch specialises in sourcing and stocking an extensive range of products at competitive prices, from more than 150 suppliers throughout the UK and Europe.

The company is currently under the management of brothers Grant and Kenny Wilson, who have plans to further expand throughout the UK.

The sites under the Craigmarloch name have been utilised to their full extent, particularly as production of plants and growing activity has changed. “During 2013 we made the decision to go back into large-scale www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Nursery interview Craigmarloch.indd 99

commercial growing,” explains director Kenny.

“Up until that point we had always grown small batches of plants, making use of the existing facilities on site. However, with demand increasing for some of our key lines, the decision was made to increase production and clear a four acre plot to allow for growing activity.”

Craigmarloch’s customer group has also diversified over the years. Originally supplying local authorities exclusively, it now also sells to chain and independent garden centres, landscapers and landscape architects, as well as contract growing for multinationals and distributing branded landscape products.

Other transformations to the family-run business include a recently constructed 25,000ft² Landscape Supplies Centre, which provides landscapers with a ‘one stop shop’ for landscape projects. “This gives us a competitive advantage, because in addition to supplying top quality plants we can also provide all the tools, fertilisers, chemicals and more in one delivery.

The commercial growing and landscape supplies are the fastest growing areas of the business.”

Craigmarloch only stocks from reliable and tested suppliers from throughout the UK, Europe, America and the Far East. “We visit all our suppliers to assess the quality, prior to taking and sourcing any product. We stock a vast range of products, from a full A-Z range of plants to artificial grass, turf, tools, chemicals, fertilisers,

paving and aggregates. We can also help coordinate our customers’ projects so that these run smoothly.”

Craigmarloch regularly supplies large-scale local authority contracts and has provided plants for The Open for the past three years. It also supplied all the local authority bedding and hanging baskets for the surrounding area at the 2016 Open.

As for future plans, Kenny reveals that Craigmarloch is significantly investing in its growing facilities, as well as developing its garden and landscaping supplies sector. “Investment includes warehouses, polytunnels and glasshouses to

enable us to grow our own heathers, strawberries, basket plants, pot bedding and added value lines on a much larger scale,” Kenny tells us. “There are plans to open another one or two centres in Scotland and then look to key locations in the rest of Britain.” This expansion will undoubtedly allow Craigmarloch to support a larger customer base and continue to develop the range and volume of plants that the company can produce.

CONTACT Craigmarloch Nurseries Ltd, Glasgow Road, Kilsyth, Glasgow G65 9BX Tel: 01236 821355 E-mail: sales@craigmarloch.co.uk

www.craigmarloch.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 99

24/08/2017 12:21

NURTURE

As it reaches its 21st year of operation, the Turfgrass Growers Association updates us on the issues and causes it is currently working on

T

he TGA recently celebrated its 21st anniversary, providing an opportunity to reflect on its accomplishments – from working alongside Cranfield University on research into the impact of turf production on soil erosion and depletion, to ensuring TGA standards were in place for grassed areas of the Olympic Park.

The anniversary has also prompted the association to evaluate its current focus, and it has begun an in-depth look at its strategy, in order to ensure that its’ members cultivated turf production is promoted and supported.

The TGA continues to promote water management, and works with water companies to make sure correct guidelines are given to customers for management of turf in drought conditions. In partnership with the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), promotion of the Certificate in Water Conservation has been a priority for the TGA. This scheme enables participants to encourage water-efficient

100 Pro Landscaper / September 2017

Turf.indd 100

UPDATE

FROM THE TURFGRASS GROWERS ASSOCIATION (TGA)

practices, an increasingly necessary cause as rainfall continues to be unpredictable.

Another issue of high importance is the fight for legal ruling to ensure that turf is an agricultural crop – predicted to be an issue that continues throughout the coming years.

Post-Brexit referendum, the industry is in the process of extracting itself from EU regulations.

Working with the British Growers Association, the TGA is aiding negotiations with the government, specifically on matters relating to the loss of actives. For TGA members this is the largest threat facing their businesses, so the TGA is striving to ensure that there are available actives after the divorce.

This year will also see the withdrawal or discontinuation of multiple pesticides, which significantly narrows the association’s armoury. Key products such as carbendazim worm cast suppressant, iprodione contact fungicide and more look to have a limited future. The loss that the TGA believes is of most concern to the turf sector is that of carbendazim. Carbendazim has been around since the Seventies, and was widely used as a fungicide on various crops across the world. In the UK, it was withdrawn from sale as a fungicide

in 2014, bringing the country in line with Europe and the US. This must have been disposed of by 31 August 2017.

Concerned with the lack of pest control in turf production, the TGA is holding its own trials in spring 2018, predominantly looking at biopesticides. More details of the event will be publicised early next year.

The TGA’s biannual members meeting will take place at BALI’s Landscape House on 23 November, and will feature talks from John Moverly of Amenity Forum, and Darren Taylor from BALI, with further speakers to be announced.

CONTACT Turfgrass Growers Association +44 (0)1507 607722 @TGATurfandWater info@turfgrass.co.uk

www.turfgrass.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 12:22

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Peter Reader Landscapes All plants supplied by North Hill Nurseries, Chobham

NURTURE

Hedging: topiary A selection of inspiring topiary projects, from the elegant to the quirky

The clients wanted clean lines, but enjoyed the ‘looseness’ of their old garden and wanted to emulate this in the wider space. Buxus sempervirens was the perfect choice to carry this through to the planting, being a great foil for softer planting in summer while providing evergreen structure and interest in the winter.

Garden Builders Topiary supplied by Premier Plants UK

WWW.READERLANDSCAPES.COM WWW.NORTHHILLNURSERIES.CO.UK

Buxus cubes have been used either side of a new entrance to the Arun Veterinary Group practice in Aldingbourne, along with 80cm Buxus balls.

Supplied by Greenwood Plants to Estate Gardeners Sussex in June this year, the Buxus have has used to soften the effect of a new brick wall, and to accentuate individual plants by creating boxes of green around them. The Buxus balls were used to punctuate the end of the ‘green walls’ that are either side of the doorway.

Greenwood Plants

WWW.GREENWOODPLANTS.CO.UK

Topiary provided an elegant balance of lines and curves in this large garden, designed by Lynne Marcus and constructed by The Garden Builders. Topiary trees including Laurus nobilis, Taxus baccata domes, box hedge and box balls, all by Premier Plants UK, complemented the oak trees (Premier Plants UK), tall hedging (Hedging Direct) and herbaceous planting (Hardy Plants), delineating the strong, classic look of the formal garden.

WWW.GARDENBUILDERS.CO.UK WWW.PREMIERPLANTSUK.COM

Agrumi

Craigmarloch Nurseries

A significant part of Craigmarloch’s work involves providing topiary and plants for new sites and show home developments. Pictured is a recent development in central Scotland; working with Landscape Design Contracts, Craigmarloch provided the topiary required to showcase how high quality planting and design can enhance show homes and sites.

WWW.CRAIGMARLOCH.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Hedging topiary.indd 103

Collaboration between Gavin Jones Ltd, Clifton Nurseries and Chiswick House Gardens resulted in a display celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, with Agrumi supplying the band in topiary form. The Professional 16 Mix figures had to be robust andBasic long-lived; the answer was found in texturally attractive and easily dyed sphagnum moss cladding.

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Pro Landscaper / September 2017 103

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112

When lighting design is done properly

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Inside information on the new range of artificial grass

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EDUCATE

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EDUCATE

In a new mini-series, Sean Butler questions the ethos behind the use of various products that are commonly used in the design and build of landscape projects I was recently asked to take a look at a garden project I had priced for an SGD garden designer about six years ago. The client was very polite and wrote: “Dear Sean, you may not remember us — you didn’t actually do our garden, as you were too expensive. The designer has passed your details onto us, as we cannot get hold of the landscape company that did our garden since they have gone out of business. We have a problem with the railway sleepers that retain the flower beds and steps, as you can see from the photos attached.

I seem to remember you advising us to use something else, but why has this happened?”

IT IS UP TO LANDSCAPERS, GARDEN DESIGNERS AND SPECIFIERS TO KNOW THE DURABILITY OF ANY PRODUCT, AS WELL AS ITS SUITABILITY The reason that we were more expensive is because I had advised the client that the timber being specified would only last a maximum of four years; I asked the designer for permission to specify block and brickwork instead. The other landscape company had informed the client that the timber would last as per the www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Sean Butler.indd 107

STRAIGHT TALKING manufacturers’ quote of 10-15 years, which then cast doubt over my more expensive option and my opinion on the durability.

Personally, I don’t like using any of these so-called ‘railway sleepers’ in gardens. In addition, I call them 250mm x 100mm sectional timbers – it’s misleading to call them railway sleepers when they don’t actually come from a railway line and aren’t intended for the construction of one. They are Tanalised, pressure impregnated to 4atm, and the manufacturers claim – as they do with softwood decking and other external-grade woods that are generally used in our industry – that they will last 10-15 years. What the manufacturers fail to say, however, is that this life expectancy only applies if they are suspended in mid-air, with no soil or ground contact, and preferably kept out of the rain.

WHEN WILL OUR INDUSTRY UNITE AND START OPERATING ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD? It is up to landscapers, garden designers and specifiers to know the durability of any product, as well as its suitability for its intended use.

Lateral strength is generally what ‘railway sleepers’ are used for, often to the detriment of the project. If you were to involve a structural engineer, they would tell you not to use them – so why are so many designers and landscapers happy to?

What should our ethos be? Surely we should all be advising the same thing? Why is there such a divide in opinion? Is it because designers are prepared to use landscapers who don’t belong to one of our professional associations?

Or does it come down to knowledge and experience? I believe that it is a combination of wanting to keep a project within-budget (often to its detriment), and a lack of knowledge.

When will our industry unite and start operating on a level playing field?

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

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 107

24/08/2017 09:01

HELPING YOU MAKE A

EDUCATE

Sam Hassall breaks down the costs of laying porcelain paving in his series on helping landscapers handle the maths and make a profit

PROFIT

The costs of porcelain paving

Porcelain paving has certainly taken off, with landscape professionals installing it regularly. It seems to be used more in domestic environments, but may also have some commercial applications. I have heard landscape contractors and designers asking what the ‘going rate’ is.

Wrong question! What you should be asking is:

What does it cost me to lay porcelain paving?

Acknowledgements With thanks to London Stone and Kebur Garden Materials for pricing and advice.

Excavation The cost of excavation was covered in Part 3 of Helping You Make a Profit – please refer to the July issue of Pro Landscaper for details.

Bases The discussion is ongoing as to whether you should lay onto a granular bed or a solid concrete bed – the costs for both are provided.

Material costs /m² – 150mm thick Type 1 small loads

£9.90

Type 1 average: 20t

£7.59

Type 1: bulk bags

£14.36

Crushed concrete

£2.97

Scalpings 20t

£8.25

All pricing in this series is shown at cost. Readers should add on their margins to this, dependent on the market sector geo-location etc.

Moving costs /m² – 150mm thick

Pricing notes • Readers should take one rate from each table set to build their cost, and then add profit and moving of material costs on site.

• All pricing includes labour and spreading.

• Labour is priced at £25/hour per person.

• We have not allowed for excavations or any membrane – add these if required.

• Profit is not included in any of the figures • VAT is not included in any of the figures.

Wheel barrow / Hand loaded

4.95

3t dumper / 3t excavator

0.89

5t dumper / 3t excavator

0.84

5t dumper / 5t excavator

0.33

Spread granular material – 150mm thick m3/hr

Men

Labour (£)

1

2

50.00

12

2

50.00

Machine (including lab)

47.28

m²/hr

£/m²

6.67

0.13

80.00

0.82

Spreading and compacting costs per m² – 150mm thick Machine/hr

Labour

m²/hr

Cost /m²

m²/hr

Cost/m²

Whacker plate

£6.25

£25.00

60.0

£0.52

100

£0.31

Bomag 560mm

£15.00

£25.00

120.0

£0.33

200

£0.20

Concrete bases 150 thick – mesh reinforced £/m²

108 Pro Landscaper / September 2017

Sam Hassall.indd 108

Site mixed concrete – loose loads

£33.76

Site mixed concrete – bulk bags

£36.91

Mixamate concrete

£28.64

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 12:25

EDUCATE

©London Stone

Bedding mixtures These were addressed in our May issue and are also available on the LandPRO website. Bedding mortars are traditionally laid at thicknesses from 10-15mm for tiles, up to 50mm for stone pavings. The standard is 1:3 or 1:6 mortar mortars with plasticiser.

Bedding materials Traditional bedding mortars

Specialised mortar beds

Thickness – mm

25

35

Primers /m²

£/m²

Bulk bags

7.68

10.75

UltraScape (Kebur)

1.69

9.5t loads

6.09

8.53

uffbond Steintec

1.71

Adhesives £/m² UtraTile ProFlex (Kebur)

6mm

6mm

15mm

8.24

13.65

23.50

Now for the part you’ve been waiting for – the paving surface itself...

Supply and lay only of porcelain paving: London Stone – 2 man team

Paving supply only /m² £42.50

£47.50

£52.50

Supply and lay rates £/m²

Team output m²/hr

m²/day

£/m²

Economy

Midgrade

Premium

1.3

8.8

40.00

82.50

87.50

92.50

2.0

14.0

25.00

67.50

72.50

77.50

2.5

17.5

20.00

62.50

67.50

72.50

3.0

21.0

16.67

59.17

64.17

69.17

4.0

28.0

12.50

55.00

60.00

65.00

Grouting and jointing – 5mm joints /m² Labour + materials 400x400

400x600

600x900

RR

Traditional Sand:Cement

8.15

7.24

6.49

10.81

Steintec ufftop

2.66

2.39

2.00

2.33

EASYJoint

3.59

2.95

2.65

3.05

GftK vdw 800

4.44

4.20

3.27

3.97

©London Stone

Paving size

*RR= random rectangular Other costs Moving materials on site Always consider the costs of distance from the offload point for bulky materials. Add these costs to your pricings as required.

Example Following excavation, supply and lay porcelain paving on a 150mm base (output 17.5m²/day) Type 1 (£9.90) + Moving costs (0.84p) + Spreading costs by machine (£0.82) + Mortar 25mm thick (£6.09) + Primer (£1.69) + Mid range porcelain paving from London stone (£67.50) = £86.87. Allow profit of 30% = £112.93/m².

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Sam Hassall.indd 109

ABOUT SAM HASSALL Sam Hassall is the UK’s only dedicated specialist landscape cost consultant.

As managing director of LandPRO Ltd, his range of services include providing cost and implementation information to landscape design professionals and contractors. Sam’s expertise are gained from his formal training, and many years of experience in the landscape industry. Sam also compiles the Spon’s External works and Landscape price book, and developed the market leading LiberRATE Estimating system.

www.landpro.co.uk Tel: 01252 795030

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 109

24/08/2017 12:26

REGISTRATION N Pro Landsc Media Part aper ner

y a r r a e g r La bitors fo exhi

SCOTH

THE FUTURE OF L

28 SEPTEMBER 2017 • ROYAL HIGHLAND CE

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20/07/2017 14:30

EDUCATE

Robert Webber takes a moment to praise one particular garden designer who he feels exemplifies the art of subtle, inviting lighting design

DESIGN EXCELLENCE excites me about her lighting designs, and how simplicity can have wonderful results. I’m a massive fan of contemporary courtyard gardens – Charlotte worked with Light IQ for the one featured here – and I love the way she employs the right amount of light in the right place. It’s the first step to mastering the ‘dark art’ – the art of lighting to enhance a garden, making it inviting for the client. It’s all about simplicity, and marrying internal and external lighting to create a seamless shift from inside to outside.

Symmetry I adore the way Charlotte uses the same colour temperature lighting as the internal design, so that there is no visible change from inside to outside. ‘White’ LED lights vary dramatically in colour, from the warmer colour temperature of 2,700K to the colder whites at 5,000K or more. It’s imperative to know the colour temperature used inside the room that leads onto the garden so that you can use the same outside, producing a seamless transition.

Placement Increasingly we are being asked to design lighting for Dark Sky sites – areas with reduced light pollution. It makes us think outside the box. To highlight planting without causing light pollution we have to use downlighting. Charlotte has achieved this with her use of high level downlight on the cedar screens; it’s an effective and

112 Pro Landscaper / September 2017

Robert Webber.indd 112

clever way to keep your eye within the garden, while allowing you to see the stars above.

Images © Charlotte Rowe Garden Design and Light IQ

I’ve been lighting gardens now for 20 years, working across the globe on many once in a lifetime commissions, with the best landscapers and designers that the world has to offer – and some of the worst. It’s no wonder our clients don’t know where to start when they choose professionals – there’s such a difference in morality and approach across the industry.

At Scenic Lighting we have set our stall out fairly clearly. We do what we say, when we say it, for the price we cost. In fact, we will always try to exceed expectations, spending hours testing and researching, thinking and dreaming, reading and talking, so that when we propose a solution, it’s with full confidence that we can deliver.

Unfortunately, over the years I’ve had to deal with many in the industry who do not share this same love and passion. People who drag out paying your invoices despite numerous emails and chats on the phone; people who go behind your back and use another lighting installer after you’ve introduced them to the designer. Things like this are a very poor show in a small industry.

You reap what you sow, and this is the only silent solace I have when dealing with sharks and cowboys within the industry.

Some designers and landscapers, on the other hand, just ‘get it’. I particularly enjoy looking at projects by Charlotte Rowe, a London-based designer I admire. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks browsing through Charlotte’s portfolio, and wanted to share what

Subtlety Avoid the temptation to light everything. In the average garden, you only need to light one feature well, and that becomes the centrepiece for the whole space. If there are two or three terraces or deck areas, then make one of them the star of the show. Charlotte’s lighting magnetises the space, rather than repels, and keeps you there, for longer enjoyment of the garden.

There are simple ways to light every space.

I’m a firm believer in celebrating excellence, so well done, Charlotte.

ABOUT ROBERT WEBBER Robert Webber is the founder of Scenic Lighting, a specialist exterior lighting company based in Berkshire.

He designs and installs garden lighting throughout the UK and internationally. Robert can be contacted on rob@ sceniclighting.com or via his mobile on 07766 051 000.

www.sceniclighting.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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EDUCATE

INSIDE

NATURAL PAVING LUXIGRAZE

Pro Landscaper spoke to Beth Fisher, business development manager and Luxigraze expert at Natural Paving, about the new luxury range of artificial grass and accessories

L

aunched in 2004, Natural Paving Products Ltd has established itself as the UK’s leading independent supplier of ethically sourced natural stone, and can now also boast an extensive range of complementary landscaping products. Among these is the recently unveiled range of luxury artificial grass, Luxigraze, which has been in development for over 18 months and comes with its own comprehensive series of accessories that are designed to aid simple installation and maintenance.

A key contributor throughout the new brand’s expansion has been Beth Fisher, Natural Paving’s business development manager, who has 15 years of industry experience. Having left university with a sports degree, Beth’s first position was working for an artificial grass company whose direct target audience was the domestic lawn market.

Here, Beth’s aptitude for the development of

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Luxigraze.indd 115

artificial grass products became clear: she designed an artificial grass product with the manufacturer that quickly became the range’s bestselling product.

NATURAL PAVING ONLY SELLS VIA MERCHANTS, SO THIS HAS ENABLED ME TO FOCUS ON A B2B STRATEGY Now at Natural Paving, she is responsible for its new Luxigraze brand, along with the development of a number of other landscape solutions. “Since I joined Natural Paving, we have started selling five quality artificial grass products – 20 Premium, 30 Premium, 30 Luxury, 32 Luxury and 27 Super Luxury,” she tells us. “I have been involved in all the aspects of the launch of Luxigraze, from recruitment through to marketing. The team is extremely

proud today to boast several hundred stockists around the UK.” The process of creating a new range of artificial grass, as Beth explains, must be focused around creating the best product for the best price, while providing service from a committed and hardworking team. “This is not an easy process, but Natural Paving has all those boxes ticked, as Pro Landscaper / September 2017 115

24/08/2017 12:28

EDUCATE

well as the reputation and reliability to support this,” says Beth. “Natural Paving only sells via the merchant route, so this has enabled me to focus completely on a B2B strategy.” This, combined with Beth’s experience and knowledge, means the company will be hoping to take Luxigraze into a market-leading position in the near future.

IF YOU ARE AT THE HIGH END OF THE ARTIFICIAL GRASS MARKET, YOU DON’T WANT TO CUT CORNERS Luxigraze products come in a variety of depths and thicknesses, each providing their owners with a durable, child and pet friendly lawn and creating a safe outdoor environment for the whole family. Composed of 100% PE and PP yarn, it is available in four shades of green, and also has a water permeability of 40L/min and a high quality backing. As for the accessory products, Beth explains that they go hand in hand. “Our adhesives are coloured green and are polyurethane, and our tapes, pins and cleaners are manufactured to the highest standards,” she says. “If you are at the high end of the artificial grass market, you don’t want to cut corners.”

Luxigraze is being used all over the UK, generally in domestic garden settings, with some merchants ordering cut-to-size rolls from swatch booklets or points of sale. “A lot of our merchants stock large full rolls and cut directly from them to service their local markets,” Beth says. “When I go out on-site, it’s also really great to see that not only is Luxigraze being used, but customers are also opting for our Vitripiazza porcelain paving and Natural Paving stone products to complement their project.”

An example of one of Luxigraze’s first installations can be seen with this homeowner’s garden in Halifax (right). They were provided, through a merchant, with an area of putting green grass, which Natural Paving currently offers as a special product. The homeowner can now enjoy their luxurious lawn and improve their golf skills from the comfort of their own garden.

The popularity of this new range is clear from its high demand, which started at its initial 116 Pro Landscaper / September 2017

Luxigraze.indd 116

BETH’S VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF LUXIGRAZE IS POSITIVE, WITH ASPIRATIONS TO EXPAND THE BRAND launch – at one point even exceeding the team’s forecasts. As a result, the manufacturers have had to put on additional lines to support their operation. Currently, Beth and the rest of the Luxigraze team are developing the Luxigraze Installer Scheme, where homeowners can be directed to a local installer who can supply and fit Luxigraze Artificial Grass from their local

stockist. Beth’s vision for the future of Luxigraze is positive, with aspirations to expand the already popular brand. “We continually keep an eye on the market and on customer demands, and are looking at new developments moving forwards,” she tells us.

“We may add more products to the range in the future. Watch this space!”

CONTACT Natural Paving 0330 333 8030 sales@naturalpaving.co.uk www.naturalpaving.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 12:28

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Cedar Nursery - Biossun Agent & Installer landscaping.co.uk/biossun | 01932 862473

June Edition Artwork AGD.pdf 1 15/05/2017 09:10:56

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Contact us to request a free Landscaper sample pack: t: 0845 322 5320 e: sales@artificialgrass-direct.com w: www.artificialgrass-direct.com

24/08/2017 09:16

EDUCATE

NATURAL PAVING

NOMOW

Natural Paving – Luxigraze 5L Cleanser

Nomow Artificial Grass Cleaner

The Luxigraze 5L Cleanser is a powerful concentrated artificial grass cleanser, which is safe and easy to use. With a freshly cut grass fragrance, it is designed to remove dirt, grease, animal droppings, algae and moss from synthetic grass, rejuvenating and restoring the artificial grass back to its natural appearance.

Price: POA WWW.LUXIGRAZE.CO.UK

Nomow Artificial Grass Cleaner acts as a cleaner and deodoriser for artificial lawns. It has been specifically designed to be used on synthetic grass, and is a safe, easy-to-use cleaner that gives off a scent of a freshly mown lawn. The cleaner can remove a range of things, such as dirt, animal droppings and moss.

Perfect for pet owners.

Price: £9.99 WWW.NOMOW.CO.UK

ARTIFICIAL GRASS accessories

HI-TECH TURF

iGRASS

Hi-Tech Turf – 18mm Shock Pad

iGRASS – PoopClenz

One of Hi-Tech Turf’s bestselling artificial grass accessories is its 18mm Shock Pad, supplied in the form of interlocking panels that are equipped with expansion slots. The pads consist of thermal bonded polyethylene foam, which originates from production residues and contains no contaminants.

Installation of the 18mm Shock Pad underneath the grass raises the shock absorption above 50%, providing a cost effective solution and comfort under foot.

Price: £9.48 per m2 WWW.HITECHTURF.CO.UK

Protect your family and pets with PoopClenz, a powerful non-toxic disinfectant that is designed specifically for use on synthetic turf. PoopClenz has an active oxygen formulation that kills all pet-borne pathogens found in dog and cat faeces, while sanitising your artificial lawn. It comes in an easy-to-spray 750ml bottle.

Price: £10.29 WWW.IGRASS.CO.UK

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Artificial Grass - London Pro Landscaper Sept.pdf 1 11/08/2017 12:24:38

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E: sales@artificialgrass-london.com

W: www.artificialgrass-london.com

24/08/2017 09:11

JENSEN – German engineering at its best 1880

825

1520

TECHNICAL DATA: MAS RC - 02

3 YEAR

warranty

REMOTE CONTROL SLOPE MOWERS FOR THE TURF OR LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL

VEHICLE MATERIALS

MACHINES & PARTS NOW ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS STOCKED IN THE UK ALTERNATOR When you’re serious about trees or woodland management youBATTERY need a chipper that’s tough and superbly engineered.

YouTRACTION need a chipper that can be transported easily but can go anywhere, even on rough terrain. You need a machine that will rise to any wood chipping challenge. You need a Jensen.

BLADE CONTROL

AndSAFETY now, Jensen chippers, parts and all the back-up service you will ever need, are right here in the UK with REMOTE CONTROL - HANDSET CONTROLS an enhanced and expanding dealer network.

What’s more, all models are covered RANGE by aPOWER three-year warranty.

Bill Johnston, Business Manager Jensen UK Sales • Service • Parts Windyridge, Houghton Down Stockbridge SO20 6JR T 01264 811260 M 07850 384530

FREQUENCY

Jensen UK, (Sole Importer and Distributer for Jensen wood chippers) is a trading name of T H WHITE Machinery Imports

TURFCUTTER with

McMurtry Ltd, Park Farm, Stancombe, Dursley, Glos, GL11 6AT www.mcmurtryltd.co.uk www.mcmurtryltd.co.uk 01453 544135

CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON!

4 wheel drive

Removing old lawn with the powerfull 4x4 turfcutter is so easy! See more under:

turfcutter4x4.com

The SCH 48" Grass Care System A versatile kit - purchase the 48" towed carrier frame, then add as many or as few attachments as you need. Choose from; Slitter; Aerator; De-thatcher; Hollow Tine Corer; Roller; Sorrel roller; Brush; Levelling Lute & Sprayer.

Just one of the useful systems you'll find in our 80 page brochure.

Image shows aerator attachment (Ref A48)

Call 01473 328272 email sales@schsupplies.co.uk www.schsupplies.co.uk

PLSept_Mandy.indd 3

24/08/2017 15:57

EDUCATE

We speak to Richard Comely, director of international product development at Ransomes Jacobsen, to find out about the future of the ride-on mower The ride-on mower is an essential piece of equipment for many sectors, reducing human effort and increasing productivity.

These machines were initially developed for use in agriculture, mowing hay, but have more recently been designed for professional, consumer, ‘prosumer’, lawn care and amenity grass maintenance.

Richard Comely, director of international product development at Ransomes Jacobsen – a manufacturer of commercial mowing equipment – explains the company’s role in the evolution of the ride-on mower, and what the future holds. “It is perhaps debateable as to when the first ride-on mower was produced, and who produced it, but certainly Ransomes was among the first,” he tells us.

“It acquired the patent for a petrol lawnmower in 1902.”

This year has seen a major milestone for Ransomes Jacobsen, which is celebrating its 185th anniversary of mower production. The company supplies equipment to golf courses, local authorities, landscape contractors, sports clubs and major sports stadia around the globe.

The evolution of the

RIDE-ON MOWER “Most ride-on machines have either cylinder, rotary or flail mowing mechanisms,” Richard explains. “In the professional and semiprofessional sector, the ever-increasing volume of zero-turn mower sales, especially in the USA, is testament to how successful optimisation can be.” In the larger mower sector, multiple deck rotaries and cylinder mowers have developed to follow the contours of golf courses while still offering huge productivity, and the ubiquitous out-front ride-on rotary is still the staple design for many professional users.

In terms of the future of ride-on mowers, the customer’s greatest need has always been improved productivity. “Labour costs are forever increasing,” says Richard. “Bigger machines are

IN TERMS OF THE FUTURE FOR RIDE-ON MOWERS, THE GREATEST CUSTOMER NEED HAS ALWAYS BEEN IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY one answer, but manoeuvrability has to be maintained. The batwing or wide area rotary adds significant productivity, but retains relatively compact dimensions when the wings are folded.” These are all issues to be considered for ride-on mower manufacturers and end users alike.

Another alternative that is beginning to emerge is the robotic mower. For some, this is a bridge too far, but looking at other industries it is easy to see how this new technology could be embraced. Robotic commercial mowers are already used on golf courses in some countries, and manufacturers are gathering information from early municipal studies and trials to help forge a way forward. What is certain is that ‘ride-on’ is assured a role in the future, with ongoing development still required to answer the needs of the end user.

CONTACT Ransomes Jacobsen Tel: 01473 270000

www.jacobsen.com

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24/08/2017 12:33

EDUCATE

TimeCutter HD with MYRIDE MYRIDE suspension system • Heavy-duty construction • Heavy-duty cutting deck • Smart Speed with tow mode including three ground speed ranges • 3-blade deck, recycler • 122cm or 137cm cutting width Price: 122cm – £5,999 (image shown), 137cm – £6,399

HUSQVARNA

TORO

RIDE-ON MOWERS

WWW.HUSQVARNA.COM/UK

WWW.KUBOTA.CO.UK

RANSOMES JACOBSEN

KUBOTA

WWW.TORO.COM/EN-GB

G26-II (available in standard and high dump models) 25.5hp, 3-cylinder ETVCS engine • 48mm gear-driven twin-blade mower deck • Hydrostatic power steering • 20.5L fuel capacity, with 560L/640L grass collectors Price: From £15,400

Husqvarna P 525D Front-mounted cutting deck • 1,123cc Kubota 3-cylinder diesel engine • All wheel drive • Articulated steering • Commercial-grade components • Heavy-duty square tube ladder frame • Uncut turning circle of 58cm Price: £17,710 (excluding cutting deck)

Ransomes MP653 XC 4.27m width of cut ride-on rotary mower • 65.2hp Kubota turbo diesel engine • Weight 1,825kg • 1.65m transport width • Cutting capacity 11.4 acres/hr Price: £67,170

WWW.RANSOMESJACOBSEN.COM

EXPERT VIEW: HOW DO YOU ENSURE RIDE-ON MOWERS CONTINUE TO PERFORM IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND EVERY SEASON? There are a few things that are critical when

EDDY GRIFFITHS HEAD OF OPERATIONS AT COUNTRY GROUNDS MAINTENANCE LTD (CGM)

wet conditions, such as raising the mowing height to

the cutting season. Firstly, the user must select the right

reduce load on the lawn mower, and keeping speed

machine for the task in hand. The machine should also

down to reduce load on the mower blade. For dry

reflect the frequency of cuts and the growth – i.e. how

conditions, operators should keep the radiator grills clear

hard the machine is being worked. Secondly, the

from debris build-up, brush clear or blow out frequently,

machine operator must be trained to work the machine

and allow the machines to cool down where possible.

in all weathers and understand the implications of these

The rest is down to maintenance. All ride-on mowers

different conditions. Environmental factors such as rain

come with an operator’s manual and specify a schedule

can restrict the areas that can be cut, especially slopes

of maintenance. Good maintenance equals

and those with poor drainage.

more productivity and a successful business.

122 Pro Landscaper / September 2017

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A good operator will be aware of tips for cutting in

getting the best out of a ride-on machine during

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 12:31

FERRIS IS® 600Z

ZERO TURN, PATENTED SUSPENSION, HYDRO DRIVE. OH YES, AND THE PRICE:

£5,833*+ VAT RRP: £7,785

The Ferris IS® 600Z is the most compact member of the Ferris zero turn line-up. Featuring patented suspension technology, heavy-duty Hydro-Gear® drive system, and a Briggs & Stratton engine with mowing speeds up to 14.5 km/h, this mower is full of features to provide maximum productivity.

Testers’ Favourite

‘Best ride-on lawnmowers’ – Daily Telegraph 15 April 2017

We have only a limited quantity available at this very special price. Reserve yours NOW online at www.thwhite.co.uk/ferris/reserve, or call 01264 811260.

“Well designed • Built to last • Very comfortable • Powerful engine • Greater safety • Four wheel independent suspension”

MACHINERY IMPORTS

+VAT

Windyridge, Salisbury Rd, Houghton Down, Stockbridge, Hants SO20 6JR T: 01264 811260 E: ferris@thwhite.co.uk www.ferrismowers.co.uk

* While stocks last

Unrivalled ‘Cut & Collect’ reliability – in all weathers “ ”

We use Etesia because it’s the best machine on the market for the job we need it for.

Derrick Robertson, Barton Grange Landscape's Yard and Machinery Manager

Etesia ride-on mowers are trusted for their quality, efficiency and excellent cutting capability in all weather.

Seeing is believing Greenway House • Sugarswell Business Park • Shenington • Oxon OX15 6HW Tel: 01295 680120 • email: sales@etesia.co.uk

www.etesia.co.uk Etesia UK

PLSept_Mandy.indd 2

@EtesiaUK

EtesiaUK

24/08/2017 09:01

EDUCATE

WHAT I’M READING Tamara Bridge, Tamara Bridge Garden Designs

TAMARA B

RIDGE

a talented artist as well as a writer, and her engravings that illustrate this book add another reason, if you needed it, to turn the pages.

HEAR THE LARKS Title Four Hedges Author Clare Leighton Publisher Little Toller Book This book was given to me a few years ago by a friend of mine – it’s a favourite of hers, and she thought I may like it too. It’s a book about gardening, and the note she attached to it read, ‘You will learn little from it, but dip into it during the appropriate month and it will hopefully remind you why you like to be outside and gardening’ – and how right she

WITH EACH PARAGRAPH YOU ARE REMINDED HOW TO SEE THE BEAUTY IN BOTH THE REMARKABLE AND UNREMARKABLE was, apart from on one point. I did learn something of huge value, to me at least, and that was to remember to look.

I find these days that everyone, myself included, is too busy with the hustle and bustle of life, and we are rather inclined to forget to enjoy the simple things that make life enjoyable.

COMFORT READING After reading only the first few pages, I felt like I was sat around an old oak kitchen table, with a warm Aga and a fresh pot of tea. So comforting are the pages of this book that with each paragraph you are reminded how to see the beauty in both the remarkable and unremarkable. The author, Clare Leighton, was 124 Pro Landscaper / September 2017

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An extract, which features on the back cover, reads: ‘In the sky, above our meadow, larks sing. I feel a sudden rush of pride in the ownership of this untilled land; it is not that I value possession, but I am proud to be landlord to the lark who pays for his home with such boundless song’. I find that I want to rush outside and see if I can hear the lark (I still have never heard one), to make sure that I’ve always got a few small trees for the fledglings to learn to fly from, food out for the hedgehogs and to remember to walk round the garden at dusk.

For me, Four Hedges is a book written about the everyday things, but with such detail and artistry that it makes you fall in love with gardening all over again, and awakens you to things you never noticed before. So, although not a design-based bible, for me with its heart and soul in gardening, it is a little treasure on my bookshelf that I constantly dip in and out of, to remind me of the lovely things.

ABOUT THE BOOK

FOUR HEDGES IS A BOOK WRITTEN ABOUT THE EVERYDAY THINGS, BUT WITH SUCH DETAIL AND ARTISTRY THAT IT MAKES YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH GARDENING ALL OVER AGAIN

Twentieth-century engraver Clare Leighton recorded the growth of her garden in ‘Four Hedges’, after she moved to the countryside with her partner in the Thirties. The book tells the story of this Chiltern-based garden, describing the changes to the plants and other elements over a year with a clear passion for gardening from Clare and illustrations of 88 beautiful wood engravings by the author.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 12:33

PEOPLE

WHAT’S YOUR ROLE? LAUREN PAIGE Glendale team leader Lauren Paige spoke to Pro Landscaper about her experiences of working on contracts at Gatwick Airport over the past few years, and the diversity of the role

Can you tell me about your role? What does a normal day look like for you?

I have been involved in overseeing most of the horticultural activity taking place in the landside areas at Gatwick Airport for several years.

A normal day starts with planning the daily activities, and then working with a small team to carry out routine services, such as shrub bed management, hedge pruning and the general maintenance of the airport’s horticultural areas.

I’m also heavily involved in the selection, creation, planting and maintenance of the summer and winter bedding displays around the site. This work is often weather-dependent and at times reactionary, with the team in a position to respond to any landscape-related issues that may occur.

You have recently become involved in Glendale’s four-year contract at Gatwick

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Airport – can you tell us about your role within this?

I’ve worked at Gatwick Airport for several years, and this is my second time working for Glendale on this contract. This time around, I’ve been promoted to the position of team leader for all landside grounds maintenance activities, and I’ve enjoyed becoming a part of the management team.

As a team leader, my horticultural knowledge and passion has allowed me to assist in advising the management teams from both Glendale and Gatwick on the appearance of the airport’s landside areas, the selection of alternative planting displays, and the creation of new landscaping areas.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy working outdoors and utilising my passion for gardening, plants and wildlife – I couldn’t see myself working in an office. I take a great deal of pride in the site’s appearance, which can sometimes be overlooked with the hustle and bustle that comes with being the world’s busiest single-use runway airport.

I enjoy working as a part of the small team at Gatwick, particularly due to my recent promotion, as well as the influence I have in the decision-making process for the landside areas.

Gatwick’s uniquely diverse environment means I can be working in conservation areas one minute, and trimming vegetation in car parks the next.

What do you find most challenging?

Working outdoors means the weather can inevitably be a challenge – a factor you soon get used to in this industry – but the airport is also very busy, which can sometimes result in problems with access. Also, the nature of the job means you can only undertake certain jobs at certain times of the year. While I find these aspects of the role challenging, my passion for the job means I always aim to turn these challenges into positive outcomes.

What are your future aspirations?

I’m very happy in my current role, and in the short term I hope that my passion and knowledge can continue to make a real difference to the appearance of the airport. I’m always looking to increase my knowledge of plants and the environment, so I also hope that I can develop further with Glendale, and gain more qualifications. I can’t imagine being involved in anything other than horticulture, gardening and landscaping in the future.

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 125

24/08/2017 12:34

PEOPLE

TRADING WITH KINLEY

Sales director Lloyd Bowie discusses what Kinley can offer landscapers, and why the business is committed to the development of ‘wellness’ in the workplace

Can you tell us a little more about Kinley?

Kinley was established in 2008. Starting the business in the gloom of the global financial crisis actually made things easier for us, as we had Lloyd Bowie nothing to lose and had to ensure our products were efficient and economical in order to be successful. Our vision is to ‘Make it possible for you to create amazing outdoor spaces’, giving us a lot of scope in which to develop the business.

What are the main products you supply?

Initially the company supplied aluminium and steel landscape edgings, and established a reputation for quality products and excellent customer service. Detecting that terraces and other outdoor construction was being held back by the shortcomings of traditional timber deckings, the company researched replacement materials that were durable, sustainable and safe. Planters, especially bespoke products, are a natural extension of our range to enhance outdoor living spaces.

What are the key selling points of your products?

We have become known for innovative and consistently high quality products. We can’t afford to stay still, so our research and development department has full time staff working on the next generation of product, whether it be wholly new or an improvement on the existing.

How do you market the business?

Primarily by listening. Every networking opportunity, whether conferences, seminars, CPDs or exhibitions yields market intelligence, especially on challenges facing professionals in specific projects.

What are your lead times?

Our lead times vary per product. Most of the ExcelEdge landscape edging types are stock products and can be delivered to site within a day or two, whereas the bespoke planters are made to order and will usually take a matter of weeks, depending on the complexity and size.

CONTACT

Company name Kinley Address Northpoint,

Compass Park, Staplecross, East Sussex TN32 5BS Tel 01580 830 688 Twitter @Kinley_Systems Web www.kinley.co.uk

Have you anything new for the upcoming months?

We’re continuing to develop products, working towards the complete Kinley terrace system. This is centred on Kinley’s innovative, durable and sustainable terrace support system, featuring aluminium joists, fully tested by an independent testing house. With outstanding versatility, this system is set to raise the bar in the quality of construction of outdoor living and working spaces, even to hitherto impracticable locations.

What is the next step for the brand?

It is the elevation of ‘wellness’ and its prominence in design that we see as the next major opportunity for Kinley; in the construction of attractive exterior working and living spaces.

‘Wellness’ factors, designed-in and integrated, positively enhance productivity and team collaboration. Our holistic approach and commitment to innovative and high quality solutions will continue to demand our full attention for a long time to come.

Do you offer trade discounts?

We only sell to the trade and offer quantity discounts on bulk orders.

How do you ensure the quality of the product?

All Kinley products run through production quality checks at manufacturing stage and are inspected again at order packing.

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 12:35

JOBS

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

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

Call 01903 777 580 or email laura.harris@eljays44.com with your vacancy

GENERAL MANAGER, CIVIC TREES

HARD LANDSCAPING FOREMAN

Civic Trees is looking for a general manager to be responsible for the leadership of current and proposed operations, working closely with the operational management at the contract. Activities will involve liaising with clients and sales team, ensuring resources are used effectively and maintaining high productivity levels. The role requires management of Customer Relationship Management software, reporting Sales Qualified Leads, and a fully planned annual marketing strategy. You will be articulate, an entrepreneurial but logical thinker and a proven leader.

You will be highly organised with excellent communication skills, self motivated and hardworking. A minimum of three years experience in an equivalent position is essential.

Duties will include ordering materials and/or machinery, being the first on-site port of call for clients, dealing with contractors, coordinating with design and project managers to ensure projects are running smoothly, maintaining high standards of health and safety on-site, maintaining the inventory and placing orders for required materials and equipment, and performing additional duties as assigned by the project manager.

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

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

SENIOR GARDENER

SALES SUPPORT EXECUTIVE/ADMINISTRATOR

Role is initially to aid site team with installation, followed by commencement and supervision of the maintenance team thereafter. Requirements include extensive horticultural knowledge, previous experience in supervisory role, minimum Level 3 Horticulture qualification or equivalent, excellent practical skills in all areas of garden maintenance, including the use of petrol powered garden machinery, and a PA1/PA6 spraying licence.

We are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic individual who can provide added value support and contribute to the growth of the business. As a full-time sales support executive, working within a small team of three and reporting to the national business manager, your role will encompass a range of interesting and varied duties and responsibilities, from handling incoming calls, to maintaining order processing systems whilst liaising with architects, landscapers, building contractors and designers. Your job is to help support the sales team, achieving the shared goal and targets.

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

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

LAWN CARE OPERATIVE

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

A vacancy has arisen in the South Lakeland area for a lawn operative to work closely with the franchise owners, covering the postcode areas LA8-LA23 inclusive.

This person will be responsible for the delivery of our award-winning lawn care service, dealing face to face with customers and providing them with seasonal lawn treatments throughout the year. You will be undertaking lawn assessments, analysis of lawn health and quotes for new customers.

This is a supporting role to the sales and despatch departments. The position would suit somebody with strong plant knowledge and business experience gained in a garden centre or wholesale nursery background, along with the necessary drive to ensure orders are completed to meet customer requirements. As turnover grows and the customer base develops, the opportunity for the successful candidate is to further develop the post into a sales position.

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

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

CLIENT RELATIONSHIP EXECUTIVE

EXPERIENCED GARDENER

We have an exciting opportunity for a driven self-starter to join our landscape construction team in the role of client relationship executive.Through the development of client relationships, this role will maximise all tender opportunities, win new business and generate leads and cross selling opportunities across all operating divisions.You will be a natural extrovert with the ability to forge long term meaningful relationships.You will be goal oriented with a passion for ‘winning’, motivated by exceeding the targets against which the success of this role is measured. We in turn are offering fantastic career prospects and an attractive remuneration package.

We are looking for an experienced gardener with meticulous attention to detail, with experience working on prestigious private domestic estates. Must have a good general knowledge of landscape maintenance work, including mowing, lawn edge clipping, strimming and weeding with a high attention to detail. You will need to be hard working and committed, with a can-do attitude and the ability to move around the site efficiently as part of a team. A full, clean driving licence is essential, as well as your own transport.

GLENDALE Location: Waltham Abbey

WILLERBY LANDSCAPES LTD Location: Vauxhall, London

GREENTHUMB - KENDAL Location: Kendal/Windermere/Barrow

GROUND CONTROL Location: Warrington

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

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KATE GOULD GARDENS Location: Hertfordshire

MOBILANE UK Location: Bristol Temple Meads

VIRIDIS Location: Worfield, Shropshire

BLUEFISH LANDSCAPING & EQUESTRIAN DEVELOPMENT LTD Location: Farnham, Surrey

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

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 127

24/08/2017 14:51

JOBS

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

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

Call 01903 777 580 or email laura.harris@eljays44.com with your vacancy

EXPERIENCED MAINTENANCE GARDENER FOREMAN

NURSERY TECHNICAL MANAGER HORTICRUITMENT Location: West Sussex

Do you have experience with managing crop protection operations Reporting to the managing director, you will be managing up to six crop protection staff, with accountability for all crop protection operations. You must have technical knowledge of growing principles, a Level 3 Horticultural qualification and relevant experience, good T skills and a good understanding of relevant nursery software programmes. BA A T certificates are desirable or willingness to achieve . or more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

CLAPHAMS LANDSCAPE SERVICES Location: Stockport, Cheshire

The right candidate will be fulfilling a key role within laphams as a team leader, with the prospect of further promotion within the company. deally you will have a minimum five years previous experience, preferably with two years as a foreman N Q Level 2 or National Diploma in Horticulture or similar irst Aid at Work training a towing licence excellent organisational and record-keeping skills a friendly and polite attitude, with good client skills, and a willingness to take responsibility for additional duties. or more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

GARDEN DESIGNER

SKILLED LANDSCAPE GARDENER

We need a bright and keen young individual who wants to follow a career within the garden design and landscape industry. The post will include site visits, 3D AD design, company administration, topographic surveys including drone surveys , estimation and invoicing, planning production and design works, and social media and communications.

You will be guided through what we do and how we do it, with the option of sponsored higher education and further vocational qualifications as necessary. You must be able to organise an efficient office environment, and have a current driving licence.

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 under your own initiative. A full driving licence is essential, along with your own transport to get to site.

The right candidate should have at least four to five years experience as a landscaper and be proficient in the following paving and slab laying, timber framework and decking, block paving, groundwork, fencing, soft landscaping and garden maintenance.

N RTHUMBR AN LAND A NG Location: Stockton-on-Tees

ANDRES GARCIA LANDSCAPING Location: Milton Keynes

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

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

EXPERIENCED LANDSCAPER

GARDEN ESTATES SUPERVISOR

Responsibilities would include but not be limited to producing gardens as laid out in the plans and instructions given ensuring sites and vehicles are kept clean and tidy and carrying out the physical implementation of the gardens, including slab laying, moving materials, bricklaying, planting, turf laying, putting up fencing etc. The successful candidate will have relevant experience, be able to work as part of a team and use their own initiative. You will need to have a positive hands-on attitude, with strong communication skills. Attention to detail is essential, along with a sense of pride in your work.

Do you have a passion for horticulture and a discerning eye for detail Working for this family-run company, you will be responsible for maintaining beautiful domestic estates throughout the home counties, managing a team of skilled operatives. You must have good plant knowledge and technical abilities, a horticultural qualification and spraying certificates, a full driving licence and a can-do attitude.

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

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

HORTICRUITMENT Location: Heathrow

LONGACRES LANDSCAPES Location: Bagshot, Surrey

W. Godfrey & Sons Ltd Wholesale Herbaceous Growers We have grown and supplied herbaceous plants to the landscape trade for the past 93 years!

Tel: 01777 702422

enquiries@greenmiletrees.co.uk

CALL (01276) 47 17 57 Sales@wgodfrey.co.uk www.wgodfrey.co.uk

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Deere 1565 withsportsturf cab, 62” RD, 38hp, HST – 1044irrigation hrs £9’750 John Deere 1600TMowers Wide Area Mower with canopy – choice of 2 from: £8’500 Ride-On Tractor Buy online at www.lws.uk.com For allDeere your997golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs.

John Zero Turn Mower, 60” deck, 30hp – 291 hrs £1’500£9’000 John Deere GT235, 48” SD deck, 18hp petrol, 2WD, HST – 355 hrs Jacobsen HR6010 Wide Area Mower –online 1615 hrsat www.lws.uk.com £ POA Buy £2’500 John Deere X320, 48” SD deck, 22hp petrol, 2WD, HST – 195 hrs Ransome HR6010 Wide Area Mower – choice of 2 from: £12’000 £3’000 John Deere GX355D, 48” SD deck, 16hp diesel, 2WD, HST – choice of 2 Ransome HR300, 60” RD deck, 4WD, HST – choice of 4 £ POA £5’500 John Deere X495, 48” SD deck, 24hp diesel, 2WD, HST – 1922 hrs £6’250 John Deere X740, 54” SD deck, Low-Tip Collector – choice of 2 Commercial Pedestrian Mowers £6’750 John Deere X748, 48” RD deck, 24hp diesel, 4WD, HST – 1380 hrs HugeBahia, choice32” of RD Ferris Scag mowers Etesia deckand & collector, 2WD – 36”, 48” 52” Zero Turn mowers. £2’250 £4’750 Etesia H124DS, 48” RD deck, Hi-Tip Collector, 25hp diesel – 828 hrs £ POA Etesia Attila Bank Mower (Ex Demo) – low hours

John Deere X748, 54” Snow Blade, 24hp diesel, 4WD, HST – choice of 2 £6’750 JD 4600 & Front Loader, 43hp, 4WD, G.Box, Power Reverser – 4331hrs £7’750 www.prolandscapermagazine.com Diesel Bowser John Deere 3320, 33hp, 4WD, HST, turf tyres, roll bar – 1230 hrs £9’000 w w w. r o c h fo r d s . n e t Timber Products JD 4410 & Front Loader, 34hp, 4WD, G.Box, Powerwww.prolandscapermagazine.com Reverser – 2279 hrs £9’750 Balmers GM Ltd, Manchester Rd, Dunnockshaw, www.prolandscapermagazine.com Kubota B2410, 24hp, 4WD, HST, turf tyres, roll bar – 1720 hrs £6’900 5PF Kubota B2410 & Front Loader,Burnley, 24hp, 4WD, Lancs, HST – 1076BB11 hrs £7’900 £13’750 Designers and 20/08/2015 18/02/201510:11 14:42 Kioti DK551C with Cab, 54hp, 4WD, Gear Box – 612 hrs New Holland TC27D, 27hp, 4WD, HST, turf tyres, roll bar – 2312 hrs £7’500 manufacturers of New Holland TN55D with cab, 55hp, 4WD, Gear Box – 1751 hrs • Manufactured the UK18/02/2015 14:42 £12’500 hardwoodinplanters Yanmar FE280H, 28hp diesel, 4WD, turf tyres, roll bar – 262 hrs • 12 month warranty and garden £7’500

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Garden By Anthony Paul

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Compact Tractors John Deere X748, 54” Snow Blade, 24hp diesel, 4WD, HST – choice of 2 JD 4600 & Front Loader, 43hp, 4WD, G.Box, Power Reverser – 4331hrs John Deere 3320, 33hp, 4WD, HST, turf tyres, roll bar – 1230 hrs JD 4410 & Front Loader, 34hp, 4WD, G.Box, Power Reverser – 2279 hrs Kubota B2410, 24hp, 4WD, HST, turf tyres, roll bar – 1720 hrs Supply | Advice | Design Kubota B2410 & Front Loader, 24hp, 4WD, HST – 1076 hrs Kioti DK551C with Cab, 54hp, 4WD, Gear Box – 612 hrs New Holland TC27D, 27hp, 4WD, HST, turf tyres, roll bar – 2312 hrs New Holland TN55D with cab, 55hp, 4WD, Gear Box – 1751 hrs Yanmar FE280H, 28hp diesel, 4WD, turf tyres, roll bar – 262 hrs

Ride-On Cylinder Mowers John Deere 900 Commercial Triple, 30” fixed units – choice of 2 £5’500 JD 2653A, 26” 8 blade units, spiral rollers, scrapers – choice of 4 from: £5’500 JD 2500 (A) (E), 22” 11 blade units, groomers, brushes, grass boxes -choice of 3 from: £5’750 JD 3235B with Cab, 22” 8 blade units, grooved front rollers – 2708 hrs £6’500 JD 3235B, 22” 8 blade ESP units – 2691 hrs £7’500 JD 3225C, 7 blade light-weight units c/w rear roller brushes – 2217 hrs £8’000 Jacobsen G Plex, recently serviced & extra set scarifying units available £5’500 Hayter LT324, 6 blade units with 10” fixed heads – choice of 10 from: £6’500 kitcheninthegarden.co.uk | 01932 862473 Hayter T424, 5 gang, 6 blade – 30” units – choice of 2 from: £9’000 Ransome Highway 3 – choice of 2 £ POA Ransome Parkway 3, 30” 6 blade units – 1970 hrs £ POA

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13/03/2013 12:38

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John Deere 1545 c/w Ryetec 60” flail, 34hp, 4WD, HST – 900 hrs £9’000 Plantoil 59x91mm_Layout 1 16/09/2011 15:56 Page 1 rs £9’750 PSD2700 - ELIET ProLandscaper Adverts 58x90.indd 2 13/03/2013 12:38 £6’90015:43 18/07/2013 Timber Products 13/03/2013 12:38 £7’900 £13’750 Timber Products £7’500 £12’500 n needs.£7’500 Balmers GM Ltd, Manchester Rd, Dunnockshaw,

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Ride-On Cylinder Mowers John Deere 900 Commercial Triple, 30” fixed units – choice of 2 £5’500 JD 2653A, 26” 8 blade units, spiral rollers, scrapers – choice of 4 from: £5’500 JD 2500 (A) (E), 22” 11 blade units, groomers, brushes, grass boxes -choice of 3 from: £5’750 JD 3235B with Cab, 22” 8 blade units, grooved front rollers – 2708 hrs £6’500 JD 3235B, 22” 8 blade ESP units – 2691 hrs £7’500 JD 3225C, 7 blade light-weight units c/w rear roller brushes – 2217 hrs £8’000 Jacobsen G Plex, recently serviced & extra set scarifying units available £5’500 Hayter LT324, 6 blade units with 10” fixed heads – choice of 10 from: £6’500 Hayter T424, 5 gang, 6 blade – 30” units – choice of 2 from: £9’000 129 Pro Landscaper / September 2017 Ransome Highway 3 – choice of 2 £ POA Pro Landscaper / March 2015 99 Ransome Parkway 3, 30” 6 blade units – 1970 hrs £ POA

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24/08/2017 15:42 from: £6’500

PEOPLE

ANDREW JOHNSTONE Director , Johnstone Landscapes Ltd www.johnstonelandscapes.co.uk What’s your go to reference book?

Still top of my list is Russell Page’s The Education of a Gardener, from 1962.

He had the innate ability to see the garden as a whole. It continues to be an inspiration.

Favourite seasonal plant?

Thalictrum delavayi ‘Hewitt’s Double’ – gravity-defying and can ‘lift’ a border in a wind-protected bed. It works well with so many plants, particularly grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’.

In no more than five words, what would be your ideal project?

Garden on a Greek island.

you couldn’t live without? iPhone – picture messaging is invaluable to me when talking to team members on a number of different sites.

Favourite sandwich filling?

Beef and horseradish.

Karaoke song of choice?

Wildflowers by Tom Petty.

i

ROMY RAWLINGS UK business development manager, Vestre www.vestre.com

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Bill Nighy.

Favourite sporting memory?

Scoring a half century in my last game of (vet) cricket.

What’s top of your bucket list?

Going to the USA to witness a rocket launch and visit the NASA space centre.

Best moment in your career thus far?

Watching my team flourish – I am incredibly proud of them.

One piece of technology

130 Pro Landscaper / September 2017

Little Interview need to add pics.indd 130

Pro Landscaper asks quick-fire questions to gain a small insight into the people who make up our industry. To take part email claire.maher@eljays44.com

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Definitely, for the most part.

I’m still convinced there’s a Chelsea garden in me somewhere.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

Norway or Sweden – I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many times. They’re unspoilt, natural and rugged.

What would you blow your budget on?

Plants! My horticultural background keeps breaking through.

One person in the industry you’d love to meet?

Is Kim Wilde still doing gardens? We could have a ball...

One thing that would make the industry better?

Proper recognition of the value we bring at an individual and global level. It appalls me that horticulture is so underappreciated.

Best piece of trivia you know?

The ‘black box’ on an airplane is in fact orange.

Couldn’t get through the week without…

A good laugh.

Best recent invention?

I’d love to say driverless cars, but the idea terrifies me!

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

24/08/2017 10:52

PEOPLE

ANDREA QUESTARI Sales manager, Green-tech www.green-tech.co.uk

What would you blow your budget on?

A wood-fired pizza oven.

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational or not?

Inspirational – it’s always great to see what new ideas people in the industry think up.

One person in the industry you’d love to meet?

Theophrastus.

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

Iceland.

One thing that would make the industry better?

VANESSA HOCH & RACHEL POCOCK

More support to bring young people into landscaping.

Couldn’t get through the week without…

Crisps.

Best piece of trivia you know?

Sea otters hold hands when they sleep.

Favourite joke?

How do you find Will Smith in the snow? Look for the fresh prints.

Role model as a child?

Roberto Baggio... incredible!

Best recent invention?

Virtual reality headsets.

JON JARVIS

VaRa Garden Design

Contract manager, Hultons Landscapes

www.varagardendesign.co.uk

www.hultonslandscapes.com

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational?

There’s always something for us to take away, so yes!

Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

We love the Portuguese landscape.

students could be given experience on real projects.

Best piece of trivia you know?

A group of hedgehogs is called a prickle.

hard to better itself. The colleges and universities are making a difference.

Garden shows/show gardens – inspirational?

Sometimes. New designers are being encouraged to break the mould.

Best piece of trivia you know?

Johnny Cash’s song ‘A Boy Named Sue’ was written by author Shel Silverstein.

Role model as a child?

Wonder Woman.

Which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

I love Japanese gardens.

What would you blow your budget on?

Seating to last a lifetime.

Couldn’t get through the week without...

A coffee and a catch-up.

What would you blow your budget on?

An outdoor library.

One person in the industry you’d love to meet?

An enthusiastic sponsor!

Favourite joke?

The Secret Service can’t say “Get down!” anymore – now it’s “Donald! Duck!”

One person in the industry you’d love to meet?

Marie-Louise Agius.

One thing that would make the industry better?

If design and landscape

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Little Interview need to add pics.indd 131

Best recent invention?

Pinterest.

Role model as a child?

Dixie Dean.

Couldn’t get through the week without...

My family.

One thing that would make the industry better?

I think the industry is working

Favourite joke?

What is a pirate’s favourite shop? Arrrgos.

Best recent invention?

The ‘out of office’ reply.

Pro Landscaper / September 2017 131

24/08/2017 10:53

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FORD TRANSIT COURIER SPORT VAN 1.5 TDCi 95PS. FROM £199 PER MONTH OVER 4 YEARS ON FORD CONTRACT HIRE FROM FORD LEASE. ADVANCE OF 6 MONTHLY RENTALS. BUSINESS USERS ONLY. TO FIND OUT MORE, VISIT FORD.CO.UK Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Ford Transit Courier Sport Van 1.5 TDCi 95PS: urban 60.1 (4.7), extra urban 78.5 (3.6), combined 70.6 (4.0). Official CO2 emissions 104g/km.

The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results (EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

Finance subject to status. Guarantees/indemnities may be required. You will not own the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Examples exclude VAT and are based on 48 month non-maintained agreements, profile 6+47 payment in advance of 6 monthly rentals, followed by 47 monthly rentals, with a mileage of 10,000 miles per annum. Vehicles must be returned in good condition and within agreed mileage, otherwise further charges will be incurred. Prices correct at time of going to print and are subject to change without notice. Subject to availability at a Ford Authorised UK Dealer for vehicles with finance accepted and vehicle contracted between 1st July and 30th September 2017. Not available with any other promotion. Ford Lease is provided by ALD Automotive Ltd, trading as Ford Lease, BS16 7LB.

PLSept_Mandy.indd 1

24/08/2017 12:17