Pushing hard for a lighter impact
Delegate entry is via the Exhibition Road entrance, shown above, where you will find the SGD team waiting to welcome you
When you arrive please be sure to check in to collect your badge and prize draw card
Click here to visit the RGS website and learn more about their facilities.
We are delighted to return to the prestigious Royal Geographical Society in the heart of London for the April 2024 conference
The venue is within easy reach of multiple Underground stations, including South Kensington, Gloucester Road and Knightsbridge
Both Paddington and Victoria railway stations are connected via the Circle lines or are a 40-minute walk away for those coming from further afield
There are a number of public bicycle racks in the area, including one (capacity: 14) on the north side of the Royal Geographical Society's building.
We highly recommend pre-booking parking if you are travelling by car. There are several options nearby that can be found using parking services such as JustPark or Parkopedia
Can’t make it to London on the day? An on-demand ticket lets you view our fantastic speakers at your leisure, for 12 months after purchase.
On-demand tickets are £142.00 for non members, with discounts for our members and Friends.
27.04.2024 | 9:45AM-5:30PM
AGENDA REGISTRATION OPENS AT 8:45AM
With thanks to our he
09:45am Welcome from the SGD Chair Andrew Duff MSGD
09:50am Presentation by headline sponsor Landscapeplus
10:00am Introduction from conference host Wambui Ippolito
10:05am Presentation by Mark Gregory
10:45am Tea Break - have some refreshments and visit our exhibitors
11:10am Presentation by Liz Nicholson & Robin Truslove
11:50am Presentation by Helen Basson
12:30am Panel discussion with the morning speakers
Hosted by With presentations from
LUNCH BREAK FROM 1:10PM - 2:15PM
1:00pm Presentation by headline sponsor Landscapeplus
2:15pm Presentation by Juliet Sargeant FSGD
2:55pm Presentation by Darren Hawkes
3:35pm Panel discussion with the afternoon speakers
4:05pm Tea Break - have some refreshments and visit our exhibitors
4:30pm Presentation by Julie Bargmann (pre-recorded)
5:10pm Conclusion, thanks & announcements by the SGD vice chair
5:15pm Event closes
HELEN BASSON JULIE BARGMANN JULIET SARGEANT FSGD
This conference delves into the fascinating world of the interface between mineral, vegetal and animal, with some emphasis on how and why inorganic materials impact on what plants grow and wildlife can thrive.
Hard and soft landscaping are often approached as different facets and phases of transforming a site; but shouldn’t we start connecting the two and thinking creatively from a more informed, holistic perspective?
In so doing, Between a Rock and a Soft Place aims to inspire new ways to design, cost and realise gardens and landscape by using a range of scales, skills and budgets.
In conceiving a sustainable garden we strive to achieve the optimum balance of hardscape and planting. The proportion of each is invariably driven by aesthetics, the terrain and a client’s brief for practical routes to and through their outdoor space, aspirational plans for sunny terraces, and environmental and ethical reasons for a softer space to encompass greater biodiversity, among other factors.
If we were to leave the stones unturned, which organisms would carry on regardless? If we crush them or roll them over, how might that impact on the life hidden beneath? And what beautiful effects might emerge on the surface?
Whichever materials we choose – a particular rock, the gauge of gravel, a bespoke mix of brick rubble or crushed concrete – all affect the pH and nutrients of the growing medium, embodied carbon and temperature, degree of drainage, and determine which plants may be suitable.
This theme has been a strong thread running through recent RHS show gardens.
Our conference speakers represent different specialisms in the landscape industry: ecology, construction, landscape design, conservation and horticulture.
Applying first principles of best practice, they will focus on how their concepts can be applied to everyday garden projects that aim to minimise both the carbon footprint and any disruption to the natural ecology of a site.
Kenyan-born Wambui Ippolito grew up travelling the world, before settling in the United States where she graduated from the New York Botanical Garden's prestigious School of Professional Horticulture.
Early in her career Wambui worked as a horticulturist at various high-end estates, including at Martha Stewart’s home
One of the most sought-after garden designers in the USA, Wambui won the coveted PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Cup – Best in Show award in 2021
Wambui lives in New York with her American husband and their daughter
She remains connected to her childhood roots in Nairobi where her family's garden, is filled with native plant species that include Kniphofia
When not designing, Wambui has taught at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and Grounds for Sculpture, and lectures across the USA She is currently writing a book on immigrant gardens and their influence on the evolution of American landscape
Mark Gregory was born and bred in the Yorkshire village of West Cowick, East Yorkshire A proud Yorkshireman he returns there regularly to visit family and the stunning landscape he refers to as ‘God’s Country’ Mark has been at the forefront of the horticultural and landscaping industry for the past thirty-five years. Trained in horticulture at RHS Wisley and studying at Askham Bryan College to HND level, he has gained a reputation for technical knowledge and logistical understanding. He has a ‘hands on ’ approach and leads from the front Mark has a practical understanding of semi-mature tree planting, a good knowledge of plants generally and is a passionate gardener with a genuine love of plants.
Mark is the Managing Director and owner of Landform Consultants Ltd, an award-winning landscape design, build and maintenance company working on high-end residential and commercial projects.
One of Landform’s most recent celebrated projects was the installation of three new gardens at RHS Wisley Hilltop which opened to the public in 2021
Following on from this success, Mark and his team transformed the grass moat at the Tower of London into a new natural landscape which became a dramatic, engaging flower display and which remain as a permanent legacy of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Mark has built more RHS show gardens and received more medals than any other constructor. He hasn’t missed a Chelsea Flower Show since he started in 1989 Gardens include the Welcome To Yorkshire Garden (2018), The Lock Keeper’s Lodge (2019), and last year ’ s Savills Garden which invited us into an intimate walled sanctuary with an abundance of beautiful ornamental and edible planting Formerly co-director of the London College of Garden Design, Mark continues to lecture widely at both the national and international level on a vast range of topics including horticulture, design and construction within the landscape industry.
The latest accolade in a long line of awards was the RHS Associate Of Honour, which he received in 2023 and which is an award held for life, recognising his distinguished service to the practice of horticulture during his career.
Julie Bargmann’s presentation will answer her own question and ultimately that of delegates after seeing the SGD Spring Conference:
‘Why wouldn’t one always use a light touch?’
Julie says:
‘
It is impossible to design without first undertaking a rigorous process of site forensics. This design methodology depends on “digging” for traces, the more the better, to fuel a design exercise that leads to a response that is not only site specific but entirely site-dependent. ’
She will share her work and her studio process, from private gardens on industrial sites to large parks on degraded land, to explain that design decisions emerge; they don’t descend. Working with the existing involves an iterative process of subtracting, adding, and leaving well enough alone.
Julie Bargmann is internationally recognised as a leader in the design and building of regenerative landscapes. She is founder and principal of D.I.R.T studio in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
Bergmann’s work hews to themes of sustainability, economy and respect for site histories coupled with the love of the landscape Her designs reply on the re-use of found materials and she insists on deploying regenerative systems to rebuild natural resources: for which she is the recipient of multiple honour awards from the American Society of Landscape Architects; the American Academy in Rome Prize, and the National Design Award from the Smithsonian Design Museum.
Liz Nicholson is Managing Director of Nicholsons, an environmental and ecological consultancy company including Garden Design, Landscape Architecture, Forestry and Ecology services. Nicholsons has offices in Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire as well as a Plant Healthy certified nursery
With a background in soil science and many years practising garden design, Liz is passionate about soils and she places this valuable resource at the heart of every project.
A chartered environmentalist, Liz has enjoyed collaborating with the Royal Horticultural Society on their sustainability goals as well as being a senior show garden judge for many years. Through this work, she has created the Green Design Audit, a metric featuring 100 questions to guide designers when designing for climate and biodiversity
Robin Truslove is a Professional Soil Scientist and Chartered Forester based in the Midlands. He has 22 years of experience in Environmental Consultancy, working with private estate owners and developers to design, restore and manage woodland, habitat and green space.
His career started in lowland forestry, including large-scale woodland creation in the National Forest and management of sensitive woodland habitats including ancient woodland and SSSI His skills also extend to long-term budgeting of planting and restoration projects, working to cost engineer the design for economic implementation…and often sourcing grant support
Robin works closely with the in-house Nicholsons team of foresters and ecologists to advise on species choice to suit the geology, soil and climate conditions present.
He is now a member of the Professional Practice Committee of the British Society of Soil Science, which is feeding into government consultation on sustainability and health in soil management
Juliet Sargeant designs private and small public gardens from her studio in West Sussex. Having previously practiced as a medical doctor, she relishes multi-disciplinary, garden-making. Juliet believes that it is at the junctions between worlds and disciplines that the most interesting work takes place. So, in her gardens, Juliet seeks to engage people’s minds, as well as senses in thought-provoking immersive spaces.
Juliet is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians, and Fellow of both the Society of Garden Designers and The Landscape Institute She is also a regular panellist on Radio 4’s Gardeners Question Time
Making a new garden is a process that takes time During that time, as garden designers, we have a fantastic opportunity to engage our clients in thinking about the landscape and the natural world.
Many clients and their children may have never thought much about space outside their door, let alone the landscape beyond They may even be among the increasing numbers of people with plant ‘blindness’ or inattention.
In 2022, Juliet was invited to create a Chelsea show garden for Project Giving Back and she seized upon the opportunity to create a garden to engage children and adults in the subject of soil.
By inviting different creative people to use the garden space, Juliet created a garden poised at the junction between art and science. A space for creative imagination and engagement with a little explored, but increasingly important environmental issue – Soil
There are very few places on earth that remain untouched by the human hand, this anthropological intervention changes the landscape that we live and work in over timeoften in ways we would never have imagined
Helen will be looking at two distinct landscapes; one that was heavily influenced by the Romans, whose actions have dictated the subsequent soil formation and which plants will survive in what is now a hostile environment from a climatic viewpoint in the hottest, driest part of Southern France The case study is a large-scale project (110 hectares) with no watering, consisting of gravel gardens integrated into the natural landscape using plants grown from seed by Olivier Filippi
The second landscape looks at the effect of conflict on hydrology, topography, and pedology in the WW1 battlefields of northern France, and how this has changed the relationship of vegetation, the need to heal the landscape and the people who live, work or visit the area
This case study is a small, low-budget, intimate space designed for the peace gardens of the centenary of the First World War that was created specifically with the idea that it would evolve over time This talk aims to make designers reflect on the changes that have occurred in the landscape before implementing a garden and how to consider this when designing, whilst also reflecting on the longer-term effects of changes we make as designers, and what that may do to the wider landscape perspective
Helen is a founding partner of Scape Design, a garden design practice based in Southern France for over 25 years The practice specialised in creating sustainable, low-maintenance gardens in tough Mediterranean climates
Helen co-designed show gardens worldwide that won numerous medals including golds at Singapore, Philadelphia, Moscow, Japan, China and Chelsea
In 2018 Helen decided to branch out from private clients and show gardens to concentrate on Landscape Archaeology, gaining an MA from the University of Sheffield in this subject and is currently being sponsored to do a PhD at the University of Sheffield in traumatic landscape recovery using the case study of the First World War battlefields.
Her goal is to use the lessons from the past to create a framework for current traumatic landscape regeneration.
Her goal is to use the lessons from the past to create a framework for current traumatic landscape regeneration
She has been a key member of archaeological projects in Normandy and the Somme looking at landscape changes due to conflict from both world wars
Helen regularly sits on the jury panel for the ‘Peace Gardens’ Initiative in Europe, whereby designers from different countries compete to create a peace garden at a location that is of particular historical relevance to their native country from the First World War. She also consults on historical landscape and archaeological considerations for design projects worldwide
Is it the materials we use or the way in which we use them? How can we endow our gardens with a precious quality that touches people to their core?
At this Conference Darren will be exploring these questions, taking examples from his 2023 Chelsea garden for Samaritans as well as other work and looking at how we can focus more on the narrative around materials to increase the appeal of sustainable methods
When plants and materials all lead towards a single narrative - the desire to communicate a thought, feeling or sensation, gardens become transformative. Isn’t this where we should all be heading?
Darren Hawkes is a Chelsea Gold medalist working throughout the country His projects include small and large scale residential projects, business and community spaces, and his portfolio includes an exciting array of work encompassing many different styles
Darren works on an individual level with each client to decide exactly what they would like from the process before creating a plan which sits beautifully within the surroundings.
He has won various awards including a Gold medal at Chelsea 2015 for his Brewin Dolphin Show Garden and a Silver Gilt for Chelsea 2013 for his SeeAbility garden in partnership with Coutts.
Viridis Plants specialises in growing, sourcing, and supplying high-quality plants to the domestic landscape market, working with garden designers, domestic landscapers, and architects.
With access to over 400 UK and European nurseries and extensive horticulture knowledge, we pride ourselves on being able to meet the expectations of our clients.
enquiries@viridisplants.co.uk
With thousands of plant, tree and shrub varieties, we are the leading nursery in the region sales@creepersnursery.co.uk 01932 821
Brickworks Vande Moortel has grown to become the UK’s leading supplier of continental clay paving, offering unique sizes, colours and finishes such as the popular low oxygen fired grey pavers
Their moulded pavers have been used in various award-winning projects and are used worldwide by top landscape architects and garden designers.
It remains at the forefront of researching and developing new approaches and products for naturalistic landscape management which are focused on bringing benefits both to the environment and to people
Allgreen is a unique, family-owned company offering an inspirational collection of the finest exterior stones available.
Countless years of combined masonry heritage drawn from generations of quarrymen and the traditional skill of expert masons is captured in one of the most extraordinary collections of stones today
Deepdale Trees Ltd is a grower of semi-mature trees and shrubs for the professional trade market The company was established in 1995 and specialises in the production of both Air-Pot® container and field grown semi-mature trees, shrubs, and hedging.
Our clientele includes landscapers, landscape architects and garden designers, as well as major construction firms
Established in 1968, Palmstead Nurseries have been a growing business in the heart of Kent for more than 55 years, producing plants to meet the needs of a constantly evolving horticultural industry.
Winners of the inaugural HTA award for ‘Best Inspirational Business’ we’ve been honing our sustainable production techniques at our sole 53-hectare nursery in Wye, near Ashford in Kent for decades sales@palmstead.co.uk 01233 813340 www.palmstead.co.uk
The Professional Trade Services Team at David Austin Roses is dedicated to helping a wide group of professional customers including garden designers, landscapers, gardeners and various other public-facing spaces
Benefit from:
Experienced consultancy service
Over 120 roses to choose from
Year-round product availability
Trade pricing with a low minimum order quantity
Discover the unmatched quality of handcrafted lighting at Hudson Lighting. Proudly revitalizing British manufacturing, we meticulously craft each piece in Surrey, UK, controlling every step from CNC machining to the final assembly, ensuring superior quality and craftsmanship. info@hudsonlighting.co.uk 020
Kebur Garden Materials offers a huge range of quality landscaping materials to garden designers, landscapers and their clients. Alongside fencing, decking and aggregates, Kebur’s own carefully curated paving collection features traditional and contemporary natural stone and porcelain, including large format porcelain for inside and out, cladding, edging, setts, bullnose steps and coping stones, bespoke profiling and sourcing and pre-sealing for hasslefree installation
Kebur has indoor and outdoor displays open 6 days a week and provides dedicated support to garden designers For more information or an informal chat about how we can help with your project, call or email Carl Baker carl@kebur.co.uk 01252 517571
www.kebur.co.uk
On our 37-acre nursery, established in 1989 we grow an extensive range of the finest quality hardy nursery stock both in container and open ground
Pleaching, multistems and topiary are our speciality
www.griffinnurseries.co.uk
01428
741655
Ketley Brick are launching their new range of Tenger clay pavers, a contemporary slim format which complements their existing classic plain and patterned paver range
Ketley landscaping products are all designed for durability and sustainability, and made in our factory in the West Midlands which has been operating since 1805. Please come and chat with us and see how our hard landscaping could help you with your next project! sales@ketley-brick.co.uk 01384 78361 www.ketley-brick.co.uk
Stoneworld, a family-owned business based in Great Milton, Oxfordshire with a state-of-the-art masonry workshop. Our skilled team utilizes the latest technology to bring your dream design to life, whether its bespoke stone cutting or intricate designs using natural stone and porcelain, sourced both internally and externally. Our commitment to technological advancement ensures precision, meeting architectural, sculptural, and landscaping needs.
Recently certified with ISO 9001 and 45001 for Quality Management and Health and Safety, we prioritize customer satisfaction, guaranteeing excellence and reliability in every service. Choose Stoneworld not just as a supplier, but as partners sharing values of quality, safety, and sustainability. sales@stoneworld.co.uk 01844
Plant healthy-certificated trade nursery Provender Nurseries supply designers with a broad range of quality plants, soils and sundries Our knowledgeable team are able to advise and source on your planting plans.
The nursery is stocked all year round with a diverse, interesting range of plants that every discerning designer needs.
Wildhut design, build and install a range of luxury and bespoke outdoor saunas for private or commercial use Each of our luxury sauna cabins have been conceived from a carefully chosen palette of natural materials and are designed to optimise performance, functionality, comfort, and seamlessly harmonise with the surrounding environment. Combining old-world craftsmanship and new-world sustainable design, our Wildhut outdoor saunas create experiences that stimulate, energise and restore a connection with oneself and the natural world.
www.wildhut.com
01273
673378
thaisa@wildhut.com
Green-tech is the leading supplier of professional landscaping materials in the UK for landscape contractors, architects, designers, and landowners We are a distributor of RainBird landscape irrigation systems, a leading global provider of irrigation products. We are proud to showcase a range of bestselling RainBird products that are revolutionising water management in landscaping, ensuring optimal water usage while nurturing landscapes. Our technical advisors will be available to discuss how your forthcoming projects can benefit from the latest water management technology, saving money through sustainable and efficient water usage.
www.green-tech.co.uk
01423 332100
sales@green-tech.uk
Supplying the commercial and domestic markets. We have many years experience nationally and internationally, contributing to projects with outstanding longevity and visual appeal.
We recognise that paving projects represent a major investment to all involved so we’re committed to helping ensure the outcome for every project is a success.
With over 30 years’ experience working with and supplying garden designers and other horticultural trades our team of specialists can help you deliver the exceptional projects your clients require
Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm trade@architecturalplants.com
www.architecturalplants.com
01798
879213
Niwaki sources and produces fine gardening tools, knives and other practical accessories from Japan Our products are highly valued by gardeners, craftspeople, chefs, artists, homemakers and everyone else who appreciates thoughtfully designed, extremely useful and – dare we say it – beautiful items. Niwaki began over 15 years ago with the introduction of Niwaki Original Tripod Ladders: revered for their stability, strength and lightness. Over time we have unearthed many more uniquely Japanese products, such as Hori Hori gardening trowels, Niwaki Kenzan and, of course, Japanese carbon steel shears and secateurs, including our highly-regarded Niwaki GR Pro range.
www.niwaki.com
01747 445059
info@niwaki.com
B Corp certified, Gaze Burvill designs and makes fine oak furniture and kitchens designed to live outside, with an honest commitment to design integrity, comfort and craftsmanship.
www.gazeburvill.com
The finest oak is sourced from sustainably managed forests and every piece of Gaze Burvill’s furniture is made in their Hampshire workshop, using traditional techniques such as steam-bending alongside state-of-the-art technology info@gazeburvill.com
(0)1420
588444
Perennial is the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping everyone who works in horticulture, and their families, when times get tough. Find out more about us and our history by visiting our website
Perennial provides free and confidential advice, information and support to people working in, or retired from horticulture and their families
Building long-term, trust-based relationships is a core value of Landscapeplus which is why we are excited to be partnering with in-lite® Like us, they are more than a brand and we are confident that their systems and products will play an important role in supporting us with our aim to help industry professionals create beautiful gardens with as little hassle as possible.
Their range of light fittings are truly unique and innovative and will inspire you to create magic in every outdoor space. The possibilities with the in-lite® system are endless and we’re here to guide you through every step help@landscapeplus.com
Our product range has grown from a simple collection of natural stone paving options to include paving, cobbles, setts and circles through to the latest in contemporary porcelain paving solutions in a spectrum of colours and textures to meet the changing needs of the market.
We believe in providing our customers with a beautiful variety of products that look good today, tomorrow and for years to come. sales@globalstonepaving.co.uk 0845
