Pro Landscaper July 2022 by Eljays44

JULY 2O22

CONNECT

TO OUTDOORS The Smart Home Garden by Oakmore Green COLLABORATION IS KEY Community engagement with Groundwork London TAKING A BREAK Considerations for sabbaticals from Oracle Solicitors GROWING PLANT PRICES Lewis Normand explains the rising costs LET’S HEAR IT FROM MARK DRAPER GRADUATE GARDENERS

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CLIMATE IS CHANGING , AND WE ALL NEED TO CONSIDER WHAT WE CAN BE DOING TO LOWER OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

But on seeing reports this week that we should consider naming these heatwaves as we do storms, it made me question whether we take heatwaves seriously enough and whether the opportunity to spend the day at the beach is blocking out the conversation around climate Temperatureschange.reached nearly 33°C in London recently, and whilst this wasn’t record-breaking, it’s a sign of things to come. And England is by no means the worst affected. Delhi experienced highs of 49°C in May, and climate scientist Roxy Mathew Koll told the BBC that the “root cause” of the heatwave is global warming.

More than ever, our current heatwave –and others expected in the UK this summer –should spark discussions around what we can do to mitigate rising temperatures, and in our industry, what we can do to prepare our landscapes for drier summers and wetter winters. The topic crops up at many of our events and in many articles in Pro Landscaper, but has somewhat dwindled since COP26, and we need to ramp up our efforts once again.

GardensHaddon©Matt

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 3 WELCOME

Our climate is changing, and we all need to consider what we can be doing to lower our environmental impact. Whilst hotter summers might not sound like a a penalty, we need to consider not just how temperatures will change in the UK but how other countries will be impacted too and how dangerous these soaring temperatures could be.

NINA

WELCOME

e’re in the midst of a heatwave – or at least, we are at the time of writing. And I’m willing to admit I’m one of the many Brits slapping on sunscreen and heading for the nearest green space to soak up the rays.

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prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 20226 CONTENTS 33302523201310 4137 676561575045 News Our monthly roundup of industry news Let’s Hear it From Mark GraduateDraper,Gardeners 30 Under 30 Update Ryan Thomas A Night to Remember Adam White Achieving Success: Lessons from the Saddle (Part 1) Marcus Watson Future Imperfect Andrew Wilson Walking is Transport Christopher Martin UK Landscape Barometer Industry feedback and statistics for April 2022 Mixed Messages Neil Edwards On the Right Track Maylim Connect To The Outdoors Oakmore Green Architect'sLandscape Journal Groundwork London Switched On Anji Connell Hardwood Decking Latest Products RHS FestivalCourtHamptonPalaceGardenSpecial61 INSPIRE INFORM IQ 13 50 57

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 7 CONTENTS JULY 2022 JULY 2O22 CONNECT TO OUTDOORS The Smart Home Garden by Oakmore Green COLLABORATION IS KEY Community engagement with Groundwork London TAKING A BREAK Considerations for sabbaticals from Oracle Solicitors GROWING PLANT PRICES Lewis Normand explains the rising costs LET’S HEAR IT FROM MARK DRAPER GRADUATE GARDENERS106103100999897 Feature Garden Levens Hall BiodiversityBenchmarkingin Gardens Matt Haddon "I Was Just Instructions..."Following Nick Coslett Breaking Down Barriers Noel Kingsbury Why Are My Plants More Expensive in 2022? Lewis Normand Why WinsCommunicationTheGame! Alison Warner Maintenance Is Key Gareth Wilson Taking A Break Oracle Solicitors Keeping An Eye On The Detail Angus Lindsay Fencing Latest products Little Interviews Questions with the individuals who make up our industry To receive a copy of Pro Landscaper, please contact Joe Wilkinson. Email joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com or call 01903 777 587. 45 103 81 EDUCATE NURTURE 9391888581

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Find out more about the Marshalls Register benefits and how to join online: HERE TO HELP YOU AS YOU GROW

Join our Register of accredited Landscape Driveway Installers you’ll enjoy of all the business benefits of a professionally endorsed scheme with an attractive rewards package. Then tap into our team of dedicated representatives, and we’ll support you with of a wide range of complementary services, from assesing your latest project to arranging free on-site training. a more rewarding relationship with Marshalls, join the Register today.

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Utilising a tactical, effective methodology, Matt Haddon shares his approach to designing for biodiversity gain in a way that is targeted, achievable, and site specific. He also delves into the importance of close collaboration with clients as well as long-term maintenance plans.

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Reflecting on his 1,370-mile cycle ride across Britain, the first part of this series from Marcus Watson explores what the trip taught him and considers how the lessons learned can be translated into tenets for running a successful business.

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In the wake of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Andrew Wilson questions its perceived intrinsic ties to perfectionism and asks whether judges should be taking a broader, more open-minded stance to encourage a more realistic and sustainable future.

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This month Nick Coslett takes a closer look at some local arboriculture drama and explores why site clearance and tree felling is not a task to be taken on without care – especially when that task potentially puts you in violation of a Tree Preservation Order.

“We worked closely with the site’s landowners, Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Stratford Town Trust, to make the park more accessible for all users, while at the same time providing a haven for a wide range of wildlife.”

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"With most of this year’s entries having been planned or built during or following the pandemic, this is a testament to the hard work and sensitivity of the whole profession.” sgd.org.uk

idlands-based landscape practice Design with Nature has produced a sustainable and biodiversity-focused landscape masterplan for Stratford-on-Avon’s new riverside park, which is currently under construction.

categories which often celebrate the work of new members and those who have recently joined the profession.

"Plants which are resilient to climate change and global pathogens, sustainable water management, minimising carbon footprint of materials supply, wildlife friendly gardens and health and well-being are all evident within many gardens.

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED IN SGD AWARDS 2022

Richard Sneesby, head of the Society of Garden Designers’ judging panel, says: "The judges were delighted with the range of entries which covered the stimulating work of SGD members both here in the UK and"Ininternationally.particularwe were pleased to see the wide range of entries in the smaller garden

The project aims to boost biodiversity through the creation of new habitat and restoration of existing ones, and to improve accessibility and increase opportunities for walking, cycling and passive recreation.

Nichols©CliveGARDEN BY HARRY HOLDING

ECOLOGICALLY FOCUSED LANDSCAPE DESIGN RIVERSIDESTRATFORD-ON-AVONFORPARK

he Society of Garden Designers have revealed the finalists for this year’s SGD Awards. Twenty-five projects have been shortlisted, including Ann-Marie Powell’s World Food Garden at RHS Garden Wisley and newcomer HarryProjectsHolding.inseven of the categories will now be entered into the People’s Choice Award which is open for votes via the SGD website on 1 July 2022 for one month. The same finalists will also be competing for the Grand Award, decided by the judging panel.

Mark Stefan, director at Design with Nature, says: “This has been a fantastic project to work on, and as ever, we ensure that sustainability and nature are absolutely at the core of our design ethos.

This work will create a strong foundation for the future designation of Lench Meadows as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) as well as providing opportunities for the sale of Biodiversity Net Gain credits which can be used to fund the ongoing management of the site. designwithnature.org.uk

NEWS

The £2m project, funded by the Coventry & Warwickshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, covers a 1km stretch alongside the River Avon that runs right through the middle of Stratford-on-Avon. The project includes both the more formal recreation ground as well as the extensive seminatural County Wildlife Site to the north, known locally as Lench Meadows.

"As always, the gardens showcase lots of new ideas, innovative materials and current planting trends, but this year especially the designers, clients and contractors have a strong focus on environmental issues.

HS2 announced the start of construction at the site of its first ‘green thedesignedtunnel’,toblendhigh-speedrailway into the landscape and reduce disruption for communities. Unlike a normal underground tunnel, the Chipping Warden green tunnel is being built on the surface using a pioneering off-site manufacturing approach. hs2.org.uk

WORLD GREEN ROOF DAY 2022 CELEBRATED GLOBALLY

The flagship 18-month scholarship will commence in September. In addition, a separate 10-month Growing Scholarship will begin next March, with an emphasis on nursery skills and kitchen gardening.

More than 60 ThenowRoofofficialcelebratedcountriestheWorldGreenDay,whichisinitsthirdyear.annualcelebration was founded in the UK in 2020, but this year was celebrated globally. Typically taking place on 6 June, some of the highlights this year include the YMCA Milton Keynes launching its new green rooftop and the launch of LEGO instructions for a green roof bus shelter. worldgreenroofday.com

A planning application for a net zero carbon and zero fossil fuel community Bedfordshire,in the largest of its kind in the UK, has been submitted by Smith Jenkins. It seeks to create a sustainable settlement, named Greenwoods, which will benefit from a solar PV park and more than 100ha of landscaped public open space. co.ukgreenwoodscentralbedfordshire-info.

managing director – commercial at Medite Smartply. “To be able to contribute back to the community and educate people from a young age about the importance of trees and how they contribute positively to the climate change emergency is an incredible opportunity. As a company, we are very proud to be taking a steer on this.”

Each scholarship is open to both UK and international applicants with

SerradeImages/ArnhelTrust©National

HS2 STARTS WORK ON FIRST ‘GREEN TUNNEL’

Head gardener Troy Scott Smith and his team will all work with the successful applicants to ensure scholars get the most from the experience. nationaltrustjobs.org.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF

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a minimum RHS Level 2 in Horticulture and offers a Grade 8 and Grade 10 salary, respectively. Heavily subsidised on-site accommodation is available.

he Gold-medal winning Building the Future Garden from Medite Smartply at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show is being donated to Andover Trees United, a volunteer-led environmental charity that works closely with schools and local authorities.

SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDEN LAUNCHES NEW HORTICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP

“We are extremely delighted to be donating this astonishing garden to benefit local school children and students,” commented Chris King,

The relocation forms part of Medite Smartply’s legacy campaign. Every part of the garden has been relocated for reuse in new projects, thereby reducing waste and continuing to store the carbon captured within the wood panels. This is a further demonstration of the company’s commitment to being fully sustainable and promoting circularity – an aspect that all partners involved in the garden embrace.

issinghurst Castle Garden in Kent is launching the National Trust’s first horticulture scholarship to help nurture and develop the gardeners and head gardeners of the future.

PLANS SUBMITTED FOR NET ZERO CARBON COMMUNITY

Hepworth©RHS/Neil

SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDEN, KENT

Parts of the garden, designed by Sarah Eberle and constructed by Landform Consultants, will be relocated to a local school in Andover. This includes the garden structure made from Medite Tricoya Extreme and Smartply Strongdeck, the buttresses and turf, and the self-binding gravel.

“The construction industry needs to do more to avert the climate crisis. We need to embrace the concept of a circular economy; to reuse, recycle and refurbish existing materials to reduce waste and be more sustainable. Our engineered wood panels are an example of just what can be achieved.” mdfosb.com/en

The Sissinghurst Scholarship, funded by donations and legacies, will give practical hands-on experience in horticulture, with a particular focus on the traditions and practices of the garden’s founders, Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson.

MEDITE SMARTPLY SHOW GARDEN DONATED

Contact Mark on 01903 777574 or mark.wellman@eljays44.com 2021 WINNERS E NTER NOW SUSTAINABLE GARDEN DESIGN BUILD DESIGN AND BUILD PLANTING DESIGN SPECIAL FEATURE WINNERS HARD LANDSCAPING Category sponsors

I WAS ALWAYS A HANDS-ON, PRACTICAL PERSON , SO I NATURALLY FLIPPED FROM AGRICULTURE TO HORTICULTURE , AND I’VE DONE IT EVER SINCE

CELEBRATING HIS 30 TH YEAR AT GRADUATE GARDENERS , GARDEN DESIGNER MARK DRAPER REFLECTS ON HOW THE INDUSTRY HAS CHANGED OVER THIS TIME AND WHAT HAS KEPT HIM AT THE STROUD-BASED COMPANY FOR THE LAST THREE DECADES

Mark first learned of Graduate Gardeners back when he was undertaking a three-year landscape design and construction course at Merrist Wood College in Guildford. For his ‘sandwich year’, he approached the Stroudbased company, which had also been recommended by the college, and he was offered a full-time position as a foreman towards the end of his final year.

“It was 1992 and so we were just coming out of a recession. There weren’t a lot of opportunities and I definitely wanted to learn more. I thought I’d work for Graduates for a couple of years, gain some experience and go from there. Before you know it, 30 years just drifts by,” says Mark. “And as much as I miss the coast in Cornwall, I do love the Cotswolds.”

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"He couldn’t see a future in the farm, but that was a complete change for me. At the time, my dad was building our family home on the farm, and we were doing a bit of so-called landscaping around it. I quite enjoyed doing the paving and the ponds and so on, so my dad said: ‘Why not this as a career?’

Let’s Hear it From GRADUATE GARDENERS

hen Mark Draper first started at Graduate Gardeners, it was to be a stepping stone before going back to Cornwall to start his own business. He wanted to gain some experience first, having just left college. But as opportunities were offered, his skillset started to grow and he met his wife, Mark found himself reluctant to leave, and 30 years later, he continues to work for the company which gave him a chance as a young graduate, though in a completely different role.

He still visits the coast from time to time, though it’s more Devon now, where his parents have moved to, than to his home county of Cornwall. Mark grew up on the family farm and was adamant from a young age that he would take over the business one day. But his dad had other ideas. “By the time I got to the age of 15, my dad said: ‘You’re not going to do farming, you have to think of something different.’

‘Learn how to do it right, then build your speed.’ Whether it’s brickwork, stonework, paving – we want to ensure that the guys know how to do it properly before we’re expecting them to hit day rates of what they should be doing each day. So, we really enforce that quality aspect, which I love.”

“You used to have to do at least a year of practical experience before going to college, so you were at least 18 years’ old,” explains Mark. “You’d do a three-year course, and one of those years would be spent out working, so you’d have quite a bit of experience by the time you left. Now, those courses don’t seem to be as available as they used to be and you can join college straight out of school, do a two-year course and miss out the sandwich year.”

"I thought I’d leave school and go into it straight away, but my dad insisted I go and get trained. I was always a hands-on, practical person, so I naturally flipped from agriculture to horticulture, and I’ve done it everFollowingsince.” his dad’s advice, Mark went to Cornwall College Camborne to complete a two-year horticultural course before heading to Merrist Wood. These five years of training gave Mark a “fantastic foundation”, and he admired how Graduate Gardeners supported the next generation of horticulturists.

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With Graduate Gardeners drawing in staff from the local area, the company is an exemplar of how a degree is not necessary for a job which pays well and has various career paths. Even Mark has ventured down a different route than the one on which he started. He first took on the role of foreman, and despite being a practical person, he enjoyed the creative aspect of design. So, a year to the day Mark had joined, Philip offered him the opportunity to visit new clients.

I’VE ALWAYS BEEN GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES I WAS GIVEN , AND NOW I’M TRYING TO DO THAT WITH THE NEXT GENERATION . WE TRY TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE GETS A CHANCE

have a couple who are doing Pershore courses, but the local lads are keen to have a go at it and some have turned out to be fantastic foremen who have been with us for a long time. I’ve always been grateful for the opportunities I was given, and now I’m trying to do that with the next generation. We try to make sure everyone gets a chance.”

There continues to be a skills shortage, though, across the trades. “We’ve got to be able to tackle the shortage, and that’s not just us as landscapers, but also plumbers, electricians, builders. There’s so much emphasis on young people to go to university, but sometimes that’s not needed; we need to value people with practical skills as much as those who have academic skills. That’s down to the government to put in policies that enrich and enforce those who are in that line of work. We need to big up our industry as much as possible and get the younger generation coming through the door.”

As a result, Graduate Gardeners finds there are fewer students to take on and instead finds itself hiring more staff from the local area who it can train in-house. “We do

This ethos has been in place since Graduate Gardeners was first founded by Merrist Wood graduates Philip Howard and Stuart Gibbs and continued from when managing director Charles Price and Mark took over the business in 2003. “The Graduates’ ethos of quality of work was engrained from day one,” says Mark. “We still have the same saying today:

From slopes in Stroud to a town garden in the middle of Oxford, Mark gets to design a variety of spaces across the Cotswolds. His signature style utilises Bold, strong shapes with visual lines which are then softened with textural planting. “Planting is key. You can have lovely hard landscaping, but if the planting is poor or lacking texture, colour and scent, then it’s not really an inviting space.”

outside taught me how to build gardens, so when I’m designing, I’m very practical, from that point of view, whilst being creative. It’s pointless coming up with an elaborate scheme if it’s twice what the client wants to spend, so I try to be mindful of that element, as well as the logistics.”

More clients are asking for wildlife friendly gardens too, says Mark, and are understanding the need for more sustainable

spaces. With the environment in mind, there is one material which Mark refuses to use in any of his designs. “My pet hate is artificial grass; I never use it. I’ve managed to avoid it all the way through, and if clients are dead keen on using it, I let them know they will have to get someone else to design their garden. But quite often, once I’ve spoken to them and explained why I don’t use it, they’ve gone with real grass.

1 BALI Award-winning garden (2021)

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2-4 Principal BALI Award-winning garden (Stroud project, 2014)

“Initially, I was still working on site, so I had to make the appointments for my spare time. I’d go on Saturday mornings, and they were tiny gardens, but they gave me the foundation to learn the people skills to deal with clients and design and price a small garden.”

garden. So, a good understanding of how the gardens get built makes the design process a lot easier.”

Having this more personal communication with clients is one of the reasons Mark prefers working on domestic gardens, which is what Graduate Gardeners focuses on. “We’re working for the end user, and by doing this you get a relationship

It's particularly useful in the Cotswolds, around the Stroud valleys, says Mark.

“As garden designers, we have a responsibility to the environment; after all, that’s what ‘gardening’ is all about. If we can make small changes, encourage wildlife, create habitats in every garden, then overall we will help the bigger picture. I can’t have these views and recommendations with one client in the morning, and then agree to laying fake grass with another client in the afternoon; that would just be hypocritical.”

As Mark’s experience grew and he became more adept at this side of the business, his workload also grew, and after five years or so, he became fully office-based, generating work for the company. He now leads the design side of Graduates but still refers to his time as a foreman. “Those years

“Every garden is on a slope, so you have to have a real vision of how a garden is going look in the 3D space and work out the constructional detail, such as the number of steps; all that has a play on how the design works. If physicallyallnumberunderestimatedyou’vetheofsteps,thenofasuddenthatimpactsthe

“Clients are lifting their expectations of what they want from you as a service as well, so a lot more detail is needed on some of the bigger projects. Gone are the days of a quick sketch and quick quote to do a simple bit of paving. So, it’s definitely moved on from where it was when I first started.”

6-7 Malvern show garden which scored Mark the hat-trick of Golds and Best in Shows

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to be “through the roof”. “I’ve got such a backlog to work my way through now. Who knows, with costs rising, whether we’ll be in this position in a year’s time, but I think people understand the merit of getting someone in professionally rather than just getting a landscaper in and telling them what they want. Some TV programmes don’t help with the budgets, but others are making more of an effort to be more realistic, so I think it’s heading in the right direction.”

Mark’s no stranger to awards, scoring a hat trick of achievements at RHS Malvern. His third show garden to win both a Gold medal and Best in Show stands out as a highlight

The industry has come on “leaps and bounds” throughout Mark’s 30-year-career, with the availability of materials always increasing – and clients’ expectations along with it. “I know it’s cliched to say, but rather than just a house and a garden, people are really understanding the value of having that outdoor space, not just for the financial merits of upping the value of the house, but for the value of having a nice space to be out in, particularly throughout lockdown.

He’s still cramming in as many miles as possible, but with a backlog to clear, his work and spending time with his family are taking precedence. As Mark says, it’s tough to know whether the landscaping boom will continue, so he’s making the most of it this year, whilst training the next generation to ensure he’ll have the spare time for the next ultramarathon in the future.

GraduateCONTACTGardeners

AS GARDEN DESIGNERS, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE ENVIRONMENT ; AFTER ALL, THAT’S WHAT ‘ GARDENING’ IS ALL ABOUT

Email hello@graduategardeners.co.uk graduategardeners.co.uk

AnneMark.reasons,sentimentalforsays“Princesswasthere on the day, and she gave me the Best in Show award, so that garden always has a nice vibe about it, lookingAnotherback.”garden which stands out for Mark is one he designed which not only won a BALI Principal Award

with the client. We’re good at what we do – design and build in the domestic market – and that’s where we want to it sit and what we’ve got our name for.”

With such a hefty workload at the moment, show gardens are having to go on the back burner for now, as is Mark’s ultramarathon training. He was due to undertake his second ultramarathon –a race more than the traditional marathon distance of 26.2 miles – last year, but COVID-19 caused for it to be cancelled.

Like most companies in the industry, Graduate Gardeners has seen a surge in demand over the last two years, which Mark thought might fade as people returned to their normal lives, but the enquiry level this year continues

Tel 01452 770 273

5 BALI Award-winning garden (Stow Project, 2014)

in 2014 but was also shortlisted for the Trend Award from the European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA).

created some very imaginative details within the overall design with lovely paving and planting. It was a classic 'before and after' garden; it was completely transformed. We are very proud of it.”

This is certainly the case at the recent BALI National Landscape Awards, where Graduate Gardeners scooped the top prize – the Grand Award – for its design and build of a private garden in Cheltenham. Mark’s colleague Ian Morrison designed the space, and the majority of the landscapers at Graduates helped to build it. It was a tricky site, though, says Mark. “A lot of it was on a slope with a lot of unstable ground, so we had to come up with a way of retaining the bank which meant the main feature was a drystone wall. About 300t of walling stone went into it and hours of work – it’s a beautiful bit of stonework, and Ian came up with making the most of the views and

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RYAN THOMAS IS ON A JOURNEY OF EXPLORATION, DISCOVERING HOW GARDENS CAN BE FUTUREPROOFED AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

RYAN THOMAS

MELBOURNE

But Ryan has a flair for both build and design, and he has big ambitions for a greater, long-term impact on the industry. He studied Graphic Design at Nottingham Trent University and says this went hand in hand with his work in the garden with Barry, giving him a passion for garden design. When he went to Australia aged 26, he worked as a landscaper in Melbourne for a year before finding a design role at Phillip Withers Landscape Design.

months but found himself wanting to return to work for Urban Meadows, where he now works as a landscape designer, running the design department while also being involved in the building and planting of the practice's projects

“I went to Australia to learn a little bit more about gardens and other types of plants, because they’re so different there. I was keen to learn gardens in a thanenvironmentdifferentLondon, and I’m still keen to go to Los Angeles and do the same there because, again, the landscape is so different. I don’t want to pigeonhole myself in only knowing one type of garden; I want to know all types of environments that we can live in. Originally,

When Ryan talks about the company’s growth and potential, he’s not necessarily talking about the size of the team, which currently sits at 8. As Urban Meadows becomes more established, he wants the company to expand “in terms of educating the industry in what we believe is the right thing for gardens,” such as using more natural and local materials and those which are going to last longer. He wants Urban Meadows to become known for creating gardens which are sustainable, and which benefit nature and the city.

I was just going to stay in Australia for a year, but I ended up staying for three.”

So, Ryan is eager to educate himself and affiliate this with Urban Meadows, passing down the knowledge to others. He’s even considering the possibility of a training academy but says this is a long way off. For now, Ryan is concentrating on creating more sustainable gardens which will stand the test of time.

Ryan returned to the UK and joined Harris Bugg Studio as a planneddesigner,landscapebuttogoback

to Australia, where his partner is from, at the start of 2020 – then COVID-19 happened. He still managed to go to the country for six

I DON’T WANT TO PIGEONHOLE MYSELF IN ONLY KNOWING ONE TYPE OF GARDEN ; I WANT TO KNOW ALL TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTS THAT WE CAN LIVE IN

“Urbantoo.Meadows is a small company, but it’s growing fast. My brother was keen for me to jump back in, and I could see the potential of the company. Its ethos is really great and sustainable too. So, I think I would always find myself back at Urban Meadows at some stage, whether I was in Australia or not.”

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prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202220

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He always looks to use British native plants in designs, but Ryan is also trying to think more about the future and how gardens should be to be more drought tolerant. "Tom Stuart-Smith's Hampton Court garden last year featured lots of Mediterranean and drought-tolerant plants – that’s a sustainable way of creating a landscape, and we have to start thinking about that for the future.”

t almost seems like Ryan Thomas was destined to end up in the landscape industry. His brother, who’s 15 years older, founded his own London-based landscaping company nearly 20 years and Ryan, as a teenager, was eager to work for him, travelling from his home in Wales to work for Urban Meadows during the summer holidays. Ryan’s dad is also an avid gardener, growing his own produce, so it’s easy to see his horticultural roots.

MELBOURNE

RICHMONDLONDONHILL,

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‘Sustainable Garden’ provides the guidance we all need to make informed and intelligent decisions to make a difference. Marian was joined by the ever effervescent Arit Anderson for a Q&A session about her career and what inspired her to write the book – with profits being donated to a new sustainable landscape charity.

ABOUT ADAM WHITE PPLI

by Beatrice, Sam has been hosting celebrations of this endangered bird each spring since 2015 – known as an evening ‘Singing with Nightingales’.

The highlight of the evening was the after-dark silent walk, tip toeing into the woods to meet the nightingale birds singing in a huge oak tree. Once nestled under the tree within ear-tinglingly close range to the bird, we experienced a concert like no other; it wasn’t long before Sam gently joined in with an improvised duet with their virtuosic night-song. One guest summed it up perfectly: “Sam showed us a new way of hearing and being. Or perhaps not a new way at all, but a very old way.”

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With an extra date added, I managed to pick up one of the last tickets. l arrived at the secret woodland in Sussex and after

have decreased by 90% sinceEach1970).year,

ADAM WHITE REMINISCES ON TWO EVENINGS WHICH HAD NATURE AT THEIR HEART

ack in March I attended the book launch of ‘Sustainable Garden’ by landscape architect Marian Boswell. ‘Sustainable Garden’ is an inspirational and practical guidebook to maintaining a more environmentally friendly outdoor space. It guides you through the process of creating and maintaining a sustainable outdoor space, offering advice, guidance and step-bystep projects designed to help inspire a more low-impact lifestyle.

Adam White is a chartered landscape architect and director at Davies White Ltd. He is a past president of the Landscape Institute and now the chair of the Landscape Institute’s College of Fellows.

SINGING WITH NIGHTINGALES

THERE WAS NO WI-FI , BUT I HAVE NEVER BEFORE FELT MORE CONNECTED

for a short period during mid-April, a few thousand nightingales fly to southern UK from Africa. They can be heard in just a small number of locations, taking up songful residence after dusk.

a short walk I found Sam and a small group of people sat around a fire in the middle of the woods. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. We enjoyed fireside vegan food, local drinks, songs and stories followed by what I can only describe as the most magical evening I’ve ever experienced in my life. There was no Wi-Fi, but I have never before felt more connected.

Whether it's by harnessing natural energy, converting to peat-free compost, reducing your consumption of plastic, saving seeds or creating garden areas from reclaimed materials, there are numerous ways – big and small – to make a difference.

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The nightingale came into British awareness, quite sensationally, in 1924 when Beatrice Harrison played her cello with nightingales as singwouldgarden,performedWheneveraccompaniment.sheinhernightingalesflydownandtoher.Inspired

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 23 INFORM

The evening was enhanced by two interludes from acclaimed folk singer and actor Sam Lee. Peaky Blinders fans might recognise Sam from the popular BBC series. I was lucky enough to sit next to Sam; we both shared our own stories of how nature has helped to make us happier, healthier and more creative. Sam kindly gave me a copy of his book, ‘The Nightingale’. In this, Sam reveals in beautiful detail the nightingale

ADAM WHITE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

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Planning

My first lesson learned is to set your goal or mission clearly and to pin your colours to the mast. You are more likely to achieve your goals if you can clearly communicate them and it is harder to row back from a commitment if it is made public! Mine was simple: to cycle solo and unsupported to the four cardinal points of mainland Britain to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Society. Why was I doing this? In memory of four relatives affected by dementia. This combination is both super easy to measure and buy into.

MARCUS WATSON ACHIEVING SUCCESS: LESSONS FROM THE SADDLE (PART 1)

ne of my late father’s favourite quotes was: “If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.” I took it to mean ‘aim high and own it’. To anyone who has seen a video clip of a grizzly bear being driven away by a moose, this quote does not imply being number one or the best at everything, just at what you set out to be or do.

HOPE FOR THE BEST... “IF YOU’RE GOING TO BE A BEAR, BE A GRIZZLY”

Vision and ambitions

Now that your goals are set, what’s the plan? People often ask me if I planned the detail of each day of my 1,370-mile journey – the route, the stop-off points, the daily mileage, my meals. I didn’t and I was very comfortable

In business, defining a desired end state and success criteria can be tricky and many fall back on aiming for a particular size or turnover which can be both limiting and disengaging. Tesla’s mission statement is

A simple goal also allows you to decide what not to do. I was tempted to cycle fast

Importantly, don’t define your success by other people’s standards: you are not a failure if your business is not as large as Amazon. Equally, can you really consider yourself a success if your products or services damage human health or the environment? Think fossil fuel companies, unregulated social media, tobacco companies – ever-growing consumption, as measured by turnover and GDP growth, is a very narrow measure of success which has pushed the world towards environmental and humanitarian disaster and so other success criteria must also be considered.

MARCUS WATSON DRAWS PARALLELS FOR BUSINESS AND PERSONAL SUCCESS AS HE REFLECTS ON HIS 1,370-MILE CYCLE RIDE TO THE FOUR POINTS OF MAINLAND BRITAIN IN SUPPORT OF ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY

DON’T DEFINE YOUR SUCCESS BY OTHER PEOPLE’S STANDARDS : YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE IF YOUR BUSINESS IS NOT AS LARGE AS AMAZON

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 25 INFORM

to indulge my competitive spirit, but the added risk of injury could have jeopardised my plan. Speed was not important to my success and so I remained focused and

particularly good: “To accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.” It has a purpose beyond profit and invites a broad audience to join them whether they be customers, colleagues or competitors.

cycled steadily until the task was complete. The parallel in business is that we can so easily become distracted – acquisitions too good to ignore, prestigious contracts that must be won, vanity projects or turnover. We’ve all done it, right?

These skills combine to create resilience, an invaluable commodity when faced with adversity which will raise its ugly head given enough time. And resilient people are much better equipped to prevail, whatever misfortune they may encounter.

Perversely, a plan that is too detailed or prescriptive may actually impede progress as people become stuck, panicked or feel they don’t have the authority to act as reality departs from the perfect plan. A plan that is too detailed will also likely disengage as people are denied the opportunity to make decisions within their capabilities and sphere of competence. On the other hand, a flexible plan encourages people to become comfortable with some ambiguity, nourishing resourcefulness, autonomy and decision-making whilst always being guided by an unambiguous and unchanging goal.

The parallel in business is clear: define your marketplace so that you are competitive, create unique selling points, increase barriers to entry, but beware of defining your target market so narrowly that it stifles your growth ambitions: e.g. “We’re the number one life insurance company for 0-to-5-year-olds in Slough.”

ABOUT MARCUS WATSON

Conversely, I also learned to keep overheads to the minimum required to complete the task. No nice to haves, no passengers. The more I carried, the harder the journey and the less likely I was to achieve my goal. And as I got closer to my goal, I ate through food and water reserves I no longer needed to save weight. Same in business, keep your overheads regularly under review; you may need to invest more to achieve your goals and you may need to shed costs to stay lean, fit and competitive.

...PLAN FOR THE WORST

I hardly used any of these items, but the investment was worthwhile. In business, this means investing in things you hope you will never need to use such as resilient IT infrastructure, insurance policies, tested disaster recovery processes, additional training, spare equipment, call off contracts with leasing companies etc.

tactically. I set off in April so the weather would warm up as I travel north, and I would miss the debilitating midge season. I suffer on poor road surfaces, so I select better roads even if they’re hillier. In selecting my terrain both strategically and tactically in this way, I became pretty competitive and not many people have done what I achieved.

with that because, within the constraints of achieving my goal and reaching each key milestone – the four cardinal points of mainland Britain – I knew that I needed to maintain flexibility to cater for unknowns such as the weather, injury, illness, road closures, technical failures, seizing a photo opportunity too good to miss.

the office!), emergency cash, a bike lock, a battery pack, tools – these resulted in more weight, more cost and less efficiency.

Related to this is to plan for the worst and hope for the best. Ask yourself the question: “What could really mess me up and prevent me from achieving my goal altogether?” Then put things in place that will help you avoid or survive the worst scenarios. On my ride, this meant packing a first aid kit, a tent, bike spares, antibiotics, a tourniquet (for that really bad day in

YOU MAY NEED TO INVEST MORE TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS AND YOU MAY NEED TO SHED COSTS TO STAY LEAN, FIT AND COMPETITIVE

And my learning for business here is to get the balance right in setting the overall goals and planning constraints whilst allowing sufficient flexibility to enable responsiveness, ingenuity, adaptation, innovation, reflection and even enjoyment.

Join me for Part 2 of "Achieving Success: Lessons from the Saddle" next month when I will cover things such as, mindset, morale, the value of experience and not ignoring theInniggles.themeantime, feel free to visit the fundraising site at: fundraising/drmarcuswatsonjustgiving.com/

In other words, define the conditions that will allow you to be competitive and succeed whilst ensuring the same do not restrict your ambitions.

Stack the odds in your favour I am 49 years old, unfit and I have a BMI of 29 (same as Tyson Fury, just sayin’). Choosing my discipline based on my capabilities was critical. I have time, I am determined, I can suffer pain and I am happy in my own company, hence endurance cycling. To be more competitive in this space, I defined my discipline further as being solo and myIdefinedHavingunsupported.strategicallymydiscipline,nudgedtheoddsinfavourfurther

It is therefore important to strike the right balance between perfect efficiency and productivity on the one hand and flexibility and resilience on the other.

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202226 INFORM

Marcus Watson joined Ground Control in 2011 and led the company for close to a decade, handing over the reins to Jason Knights in January 2021. Marcus remains with Ground Control as non-executive director and a shareholder. Marcus believes that business is a force for good and that business leaders have the opportunity and indeed duty to build a vibrant and more sustainable economy that cares for our environment and the communities we live in, allowing us to lead prosperous, ful lling lives without mortgaging our children’s futures. ground-control.co.uk

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Where long playing records were produced for our enjoyment, now long living trees are establishing in a place of life and employment.

The best was yet to come; in 1932 the Gramophone Company merged with its competitor Columbia – creating EMI. With in-house Research & Development – The Central Research Laboratory - the breakthrough was made into high-deﬁnition TV and stereo sound securing the world’s ﬁrst stereo recording.

With over 100 years of history in the making, The Old Vinyl Factory - as it’s now known - located in Hayes, West London has a wonderful story to tell. Originally built in 1907 the then Gramophone Company started to make its name, not only from producing gramophones, to which Captain Scott used during his Antarctic voyage but also manufacturing 78 rpm records for the record label His Master’s Voice (HMV). The iconic logo of a Jack Russell called Nipper listening to a gramophone is still renowned to this day.

The Old Vinyl Factory, Hayes

Along with pioneering the airborne radar for the second world war, technology had certainly triumphed.

Swinging into the sixties many great music artists (including an unknown Liverpool band!) signed for the label, with every chart success produced and digitally mastered in Hayes. Further well-known UK artists were to follow over the next two decades, keeping EMI at the forefront of British music; at its peak, the plant had 22,000 employees!

Sad to say, this didn’t last; the record was no longer the preferred choice for music: the cassette was born, and the Walkman was the must-have new gadget. With operations moving away from Hayes many of the factory buildings were left empty, having a devasting effect to the local community. Thankfully the site was purchased by property developer U+I who are visionaries in regeneration, seeing the huge potential with the expansive site.

were secured. This company were later acclaimed for their work on Victoria Coach Station and the Hoover Building, both in London. Their designs were innovative for the time; all the three monumental buildings being open plan inside, with reinforced concrete ﬂoors, plenty of natural light and an art deco ﬂair.

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The landscaping of the once again iconic site plays testament to the vision of U+I who aptly use the Re-imagined & Remastered slogan for this unique development.

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a vast site to soften, in 2018 GreenBlue Urban was honoured to supply tree planting products to contractor Landscape 2000 for phase 2 development. Products included RootSpace 600, Geonet, Root Management, RootRain Urban’s and ArborVent’s. All will assist the carefully selected trees in the hard and soft landscape to thrive by permitting uncompacted healthy aerated soil, carefully directing roots from paved surfaces and utilities, as well as ensuring regular irrigation in the crucial early planting stages.

Renamed The Old Vinyl Factory, Architects Studio Egret West were instructed to re-imagine the entire site for the digital age: providing sustainable development for the future whilst preserving its famous historical value.

In 2011 a £250 million masterplan was submitted to Hillingdon Council to cover the 17 Acres of regeneration, with emphasis on place-making. Plans included 642 new homes, 550,000 sq ft of ofﬁce space, 70,000sq ft of retail and leisure space including a cinema, cafes, restaurants and a climbing centre. Central to this and in keeping with past innovation the Central Research Laboratory building was restored in partnership with Brunel University; the hub will be a spearhead for manufacturing magnates using the latest technology supporting entrepreneurs and

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“The scheme has completely rejuvenated a previously underutilised yet culturally signiﬁcant site while delivering hundreds of much needed new homes and jobs for the Hayes community”. – Richard Upton Chief Development ofﬁcer U+I

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Congratulations to all involved in a fantastic example of collaboration with a clear vision from the outset. The site will continue to ﬂourish and once again be the hub of Hayes as it was some 100 years ago.

Bob Sweet wandered past and commented that there wasn’t much evidence of flower that year and we chatted about what that meant for judging. The truth was that planting at Chelsea should be true to the season, according to the judging criteria. Why, then, was everyone so obsessed with flower and the idea of perfection? I think perhaps they still are.

I get annoyed with the press which every year describes the preening and cleaning that makes a Chelsea garden so perfect. The gardens at Chelsea are indeed amazing with plants that impress but it is possible that the tide might be changing in favour of a different message. Rather than maintaining the traditional line perhaps our journalists might start to ask about alternative expressions of garden paradigms.

Judges need to show a sense of proportion here, taking in a wider view of the good things in the gardens they assess, rather than nit picking. I think this might also show a slightly more human side to all those keen gardeners who might admire the standards of RHS Chelsea on the one hand but who might also be left on the other hand with feelings of deepDebateinadequacy.andchange should be central to Chelsea as without these considerations there is little point in attending – we would be viewing the same old ideas every year. So, bring on the art of near perfection, which is really, after all, as good as we can all achieve.

THE GARDENS AT CHELSEA ARE INDEED AMAZING WITH PLANTS THAT IMPRESS BUT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE TIDE MIGHT BE CHANGING IN FAVOUR OF A DIFFERENT MESSAGE

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ABOUT ANDREW WILSON

n 2013, when I last judged for the RHS at Chelsea, Gavin and I were also delivering a show garden. We had struggled through a cold winter which was followed by a cold spring. Everyone was struggling to find anything that was in or coming into flower.

ANDREW WILSON FUTURE IMPERFECT

judging panel on their understanding of this concept. But what does this mean for other show garden designs and designers?

If flowers are going over in such a venture, then surely that is to be replicated – it is the way nature would have it and, for RHS judges, true to the season. I congratulate the

but probably seemed like the antithesis of the traditional Chelsea garden. Gardens such as this are not full of perfect blooms, carefully shaped forms, decorative planting associations. They are instead a carefully observed construction of habitats that focus sometimes on threatened landscapes or in this case an alternative future in landscape management and conservation.

ANDREW WILSON CONSIDERS THE ART OF PERFECTION AND ASKS WHETHER WE NEED TO RELAX MORE

Hepworth©RHS/NeilPhotographs

Pictured: A Rewilding Britain Landscape garden, designed by Lulu Urquhart and Adam Hunt

raised eyebrows. My view was that it was “true to the season” and that it would be difficult to find a beech hedge anywhere doing anything different. It certainly wasn’t enough to deny a Gold medal which is what the garden achieved.

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202230 INFORM

Well, the idea of the brief against which gardens are judged remains an essential line of communication and should indicate what the overall design intention is. However, within this process, surely there is room for a little less than absolute perfection. I remember judging one of Cleve West’s gardens in which he had a tapestry hedge. The beech was not fully in leaf at the time of judging which caused comment and a few

This year, Lulu Urquhart and Adam Hunt surprised many with their rewilding landscape which touched on the zeitgeist within the garden and landscape fraternity

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

For a fancy foliage option that is particularly hardy, Laurus nobilis ‘Angustifolia’ with the small spear-shaped, wavey edged leaves are proving very popular.

Myrtus communis ‘Microphylla’, the plant of a thousand names! This particular Myrtus has a rounded habit with extremely dense foliage growth. The tiny ovate dark green leaves held tightly packed together. In summer the tiny pink buds open to reveal small, white, highly scented flowers.

Ilex x meserveae ‘Little Rascal’ is another ideal alternative as it forms a compact rounded shrub. The spiny foliage is small in size, with warm copper edges to the leaf that take on a purple tinge in the colder months. ‘Little Rascal’ reaches a max width of 1m and is slow in growth.

There can be no doubt that Buxus blight and Box tree moth caterpillar are having an effect on sales numbers and with both now firmly entrenched in gardens, our plant buying team are constantly on the lookout for alternative options.

ox Balls. The mere mention of a Box ball is enough to make any designer draw in breath with fear. Will there ever be a convincing alternative to a Box ball?

WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE? BOX BALLS

OSMANTHUS

Some of the larger Box ball alternatives will not be unfamiliar to many, with Taxus baccata as an obvious alternative which has long been used in the art of topiary. The fresh green foliage of Taxus is dense and tight knit, forming a great green visual treat. As the foliage matures to deeper green, Taxus takes on a more formal look.

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PITTOSPORUM ‘BANNOW BAY’

There are a variety of options to choose from, all with a number of attractive characteristics and now widely available. If we look at these ‘attractive characteristics’ as optional extras, you will find an abundance of alternatives to choose from. Foliage colour, foliage form, scented flowers, all offer alternatives worth looking out Osmanthusfor.delavayi is rapidly rising to the forefront with dense, evergreen foliage cover, consisting of small dark green ovate leaves alongside the highly fragrant flowers in spring that are much loved by bees. Osmanthus delavayi ‘Heaven Scent’ is a more compact form that produces masses of extremely scented flowers and will reach a maximum width of 1m if left unpruned.

ILEX X MAGICALMESERVEAE‘LITTLERASCAL’

denser in growth than other x ebbingei types. The leaves have an attractive silvery sheen to them that holds attention year-round. Highly scented flowers appear in the autumn and winter. As with all Elaeagnus, ‘Compacta’ is drought tolerant once established making it an excellent choice for commercial schemes.

Pittosporum offers a huge range of alternative possibilities besides the well-known Golf Ball and Tom Thumb. Beach Ball, Glo Ball, Golden Ball, Silver Ball and Bannow Bay are all worth a look. As well as producing attractive foliage, Pittosporum do not require clipping into shape reducing any time required for maintenance.

With all alternatives, the best suggestion to source and check out is to visit and see the plants as they are rather than from an image if possible. We hold a huge, diverse range of alternatives in stock at Provender Nurseries. Come along and see over 80 alternatives on site.

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Finally, bringing the city and walkers together, the biggest barrier to the modern

MARTIN WALKING IS TRANSPORT

So, what I mean by The Walking City is a city that defends urban walkability; a city that understands streets are the building blocks of cities, of society, and the opportunities they afford, and the diverse characters that make up society.

So, what can we do to defend walking? Pedestrian crossings with lights and painted stripes, dots and dashes, are a symbol of road safety and a point of pride in the pedestrian priority debate, but they can be inflexible and when badly done sometimes an inconvenient device for crossing the street.

The street is the most significant public space in the entire city because it is right outside your door. So, the most impactful improvement to public life and society we can make is to encourage more people to spend more time on streets increasing opportunity for social interaction, for spontaneity, and for city life. This is what The Walking City achieves.

CHRISTOPHERSTREET

If we are to create streets that meet the needs of a diverse people, we need to enable people to cross the street with more spontaneity and convenience than formal crossings sometimes afford. To that end, adding a central median as well as formal

All these elements affect the way people move, use available walking space, and if they can enjoy walking. The Walking City accommodates this, making sure there is enough space to allow for flexibility.

How we position a crossing, what type of crossing we use, who has priority, how enjoyable the experience of crossing is, and how tantalising it is to reach the other side can damage the walkability of a city.

walkable city is getting across the street. This point where the people walking are made to meet their neighbours in vehicles is the point when the diversity of transport we normally and theoretically enjoy poses a threat.

Christopher is an in uential urban designer and planner working all over the globe to help communities improve their public spaces; as well as supporting cities and governments to develop strategy, change policies, and make great places possible. He is co-founder and director of Urban Strategy at Urban Movement; a trustee of the UK charity for everyday walking – Living Streets; vice chair of the UK Urban Design Group; and is a member of the United Nations Planning and Climate Action Group. urbanmovement.co.uk

crossings to a street can really change how pedestrians engage with the place –and especially how people can coexist withSecondly,vehicles.in a ‘Movement + Place’ hierarchy it kind of makes sense to let the vehicles move without frequent disruption along high movement function streets, but by extension in high place value streets the same should be said for pedestrian traffic alongSo,footways.introducing continuous footways and stronger priority like side road zebras soon hopefully prioritise people and alter the balance of the street in favour of pedestrians.

THE BIGGEST BARRIER TO THE MODERN WALKABLE CITY IS GETTING ACROSS THE

uman history is defined by paths. Networks of paths are evident before buildings, and they mark the patterns of movement and reflect our past society and economy; they mark our collective human endeavour. The prominence of paths in our history reflects the importance of walking historically, and today defining commercial and social networks.

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 33 INFORM

We need to establish how we can learn from the past and move forwards to create better walking cities that protect our physiology, sociability, economy and history. Starting with the most important element for The Walking City: if the city and its streets are one part, then the walker, the user of the

CHRISTOPHER MARTIN EXPLORES HOW CREATING PEDESTRIANISED URBAN ENVIRONMENTS ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO WALK

ABOUT CHRISTOPHER MARTIN

street is the other. And with this The Walking City understands that different people walk in different ways, and importantly with different kit. The Walking City takes into account the breadth of people walking and their needs, their speed and the stuff they might be lugging around, pushing or wheeling on.

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INSIDE IQ THIS MONTH PAGE 37 UK LANDSCAPE BAROMETER – APRIL 2022, PAGE 41 NEIL EDWARDS – MIXED MESSAGES UK LANDSCAPEAPRILBAROMETER2022 P 37

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n this issue of the UK Landscaper Barometer, we are focused on the trading month of April 2022. There has been a significant decrease in turnover and projects from April 2021 to April 2022; one can only assume that the current cost-of-living crisis has influenced both clients and businesses. In addition to this, one participant mentioned the impact Brexit has had on importing items necessary to complete jobs. Despite the economical uncertainty caused by the cost-of-living crisis and businesses still learning how to adapt in a post-Brexit industry, 54% of participants recorded enquiries higher in April 2022 than April 2021, ultimately showing that clients are still very interested in continuing work.

This month, 54% saw an increase in enquiries. Despite this, some participants commented on a “definite slowdown in enquires”. It was noted that the “cost of living is now affecting more clients”, they are “taking longer to pay invoices” and there are “significant delays with stock making it difficult to complete jobs and extra travelling back and forth is adding to costs”. Turnover has remained consistent, with 21% stating it has remained the same and 43% reporting an increase. For the majority (55%) projects have remained static, however, 27% have reported a decrease in projects – most likely also a result of the cost-of-living crisis.

CONFIDENT

NATIONAL 100%40%30%20%10%0%50%60%70%80%90% Nov DecJan Feb MarApr May JunJul AugSepOct

PERCENTAGE OF MORE COMPARED

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 37 IQ

If you would like the full report or would like to contribute to the UK Landscape Barometer moving forward, please send an email to Jessica Dean-Hill at jessica.dean-hill@eljays44.com or call on 01903 777 594 Please note that all statistics are based on those surveyed and compare June 2021 and June 2022.

TO LAST MONTH 202020222021 LowerEqualHigherTURNOVERENQUIRIES LowerLowerEqualHigherPROJECTS EqualHigher STAFF LowerEqualHigher CONVERSION HigherLowerEqual 36% 43% 19%21% 54% 27% 55%18%27% 11%33%56% 45%33%22%

RESPONDENTS

Many companies in the Midlands are feeling less confident with 67% experiencing a decrease in turnover. However, 50% of Midland respondents reported their projects remained equal to April 2021. Much like the Midlands, 100% of domestic landscaping respondents reported that their projects also remained Commercialstatic.landscapers and garden designers both reported a positive turnover compared to last April at 80% and 50% respectively. Similarly, most of the South (80%) reported an increase in enquires.

Despite most subsections reporting that projects have stayed the same or decreased, it is important to note we are comparing figures to a time when business boomed across the entire industry due to a change in lockdown restrictions and people’s newly discovered love for the outdoors, as well as competing with a difficult economical crisis.

YEAR ON YEAR 0%0% 20%20% 40%40% 60%60% 80%80% 100%100%HigherHigher APRIL 2022 PROJECTSTURNOVER2022APRILAPRIL2021APRIL2021 ENQUIRIES THE SOUTH THE SCOTLANDMIDLANDSAND THE NORTH GARDEN DESIGN DESIGN AND DOMESTICCOMMERCIALBUILDLANDSCAPINGLANDSCAPING Higher 0% 20% 40%60%80%100%EqualLower PROJECTS THE SOUTH THE SCOTLANDMIDLANDSAND THE NORTH DESIGN AND DOMESTICCOMMERCIALBUILDLANDSCAPINGLANDSCAPING HigherEqual Lower 0% 20% 40%60%80%100% CONVERSION THE SOUTH THE SCOTLANDMIDLANDSAND THE NORTH GARDEN DESIGN GARDEN DESIGN DESIGN AND DOMESTICCOMMERCIALBUILDLANDSCAPINGLANDSCAPING Higher 0% 20% 40%60%80%100%EqualLower TURNOVER THE SOUTH THE SCOTLANDMIDLANDSAND THE NORTH GARDEN DESIGN DESIGN AND DOMESTICCOMMERCIALBUILDLANDSCAPINGLANDSCAPING 0% 20% HigherEqual40%60%80%100%Lower

Interested to find out more or see what the confidence and staff statistics look like? Please email jessica.dean-hill@ eljays44.com or visit our website to download the full report.

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202238 IQ

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 39 IQ

Confidence has taken a dramatic drop within the nursery industry with 100% of respondents feeling less confident than they did last month. Despite this, 33% of respondents have recorded more quotes April 2022 than March 2022 with one stating they are producing the "same amount of work". However, when compared to April 2021, 67% have reported a decrease in quotes. This conflicting data could be a result of the cost-ofliving crisis.

BY THE NUMBERS ConversionsawincreasedTurnoverforanincreaseinenquiriesratesrosefor 50% OF GARDEN DESIGNERS saw an increase in turnover Turnover landscapersdomesticfor REMAINEDTHESAME Conversion rates for landscapersdomestic REMAINEDTHESAME timeofincreasedEnquiriesforcommerciallandscapersAverageleadfordomesticlandscaperswas 4 MONTHS43%54% buildincreasedTurnoverforofdesignandcompanies 33% Quotes remained the same for of nurseries 33% decreasedEnquiriesforofgardendesigners 100% 80% of nurseries saw an increase in turnover 0% ofincreasedProjectsforcommerciallandscapers 40% 45% of designersgarden saw an increase in projects saw projects stay equal to 2021 Projects for design and build decreasedcompaniesby 50%66%55% TURNOVER LessCONFIDENCE100%100% SameLessQUOTES Less 33% 67% increasedTurnoverfor 80% oflandscaperscommercial

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£10M HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FOR THE RE-LANDSCAPING OF GROUNDS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Beyond that, however, the over-arching feeling in May 2022 is one that would be familiar only to the Grand Old Duke of York’s 10,000 men when they were halfway up a hill: Neither up nor down.

Neil Edwards is CEO of Builder’s Conference, the construction industry’s leading trade body. It provides its members to sales leads and market intelligence, as well as statistical data and networking opportunities. BCLive is a real-time league table of construction contract award activity. Operated by the Builders’ Conference, the BCLive league table monitors more than 6,000 new contract awards each year with a combined value of more than £80bn. buildersconference.co.uk

Landscaping professionals will also be eyeing a £136m mixed-use development recently won by Watkin Jones Group in Birmingham with considerable interest.

Bussey/Shutterstock.com©Neil

T he contractthevaluecombinedofall432new

With its haul of 53 new contract awards, Morgan Sindall stole into second place on the BCLive league table with a cumulative £328m total. The largest of these is an £80m project of a community hub at Western Way in Bury St Edmunds.

As if all that were not sufficient to leave industry-watchers scratching their collective heads, only eight companies reported contract awards valued at more than £100m during the month. Morgan Sindall reported an astonishing 53 new contract awards worth a combined £328m to claim the crown for the highest number of individual projects. Kier Group (which typically secures roughly a contract award for each working

IN THE WAKE OF SOME HEADSCRATCHING STATISTICS, MAY 2022 PROVED TO BE A MONTH OF MIXED MESSAGES FOR THE UK CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, BUT NEIL EDWARDS ATTEMPTS TO MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL

Housebuilders secured 131 new contract awards during May 2022 worth a combined £1.24bn, while the entertainment sector delivered a further £544.29m. Offices accounted for a further £497.85m while roads contributed £413.78m. Yet, in the middle of ongoing political scandals, traditional vote-winning sectors such as education and health could muster only £552.09 million.

London was not the top regional source of UK construction activity as it has been for the past four years or more; it failed to hit the now familiar £1bn mark, delivering a regional total of £804.5m. It was narrowly pipped by the combined and resurgent East and West Midlands, which reported £813.59m total. Also enjoying a significant uptick were Surrey (£535.70m), the North West (£518.15m), and Hertfordshire (£410.50m). Does that mean an unexpected slump in demand in London? Or do those monthly figures point towards the regional “levelling up” that politicians have been calling for? It is too early to tell – and the mixed messages do not end there.

IQ prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 41

day) managed just 14 valued at a combined £70.5m to limp home in a comparatively lowly 16th position on the BCLive league table. Laing O’Rourke soared to the number one position, courtesy of a single £400m project, an extension of the Shepperton Studios in Surrey for client Pinewood Group.

For landscaping companies looking to the future while keeping an eye on the past, £10m has been set aside for the re-landscaping of grounds of the Natural History Museum. Walter Lilly & Co is responsible for the overall project.

Known as Makers Yard, the development involves the creation of 551 residential apartments across a number of blocks.

MIXED MESSAGES

Looking at the positives, the housebuilding sector continues to be the crutch upon which the entire industry leans; there are signs that regions outside London might be enjoying some long overdue positivity, and the uptick in office construction points to an ongoing confidence among the community.

But beyond those two bell-weathers, the BCLive league table for May 2022 pointed to an industry experiencing a period of uncertainty. And the mixed messages beyond the statistics are a double-edged sword.

awards recorded on the BCLive league table during the month of May 2022 was £4.75bn. Although that is slightly down on the previous month, it did mean that the £4bn baseline that has held firm each month for more than three years did so once again. Housebuilding contributed £1.24bn to that total, retaining its position – yet again –as the construction industry’s most prolific and stable sector.

ABOUT NEIL EDWARDS

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INSIDE INSPIRE THIS MONTH PAGE 45 PORTFOLIO 1: MAYLIM, PAGE 50 PORTFOLIO 2: OAKMORE GREEN, PAGE 57 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL: GROUNDWORK LONDON, PAGE 61 ANJI CONNELL, PAGE 65 LATEST PRODUCTS: HARDWOOD DECKING INSPIRE SWITCHED ON: GARDEN LIGHTING ANJI CONNELL P 61

Property developer British Land brought prolific commercial landscaping company Maylim on board as principal contractor for the 1.5-acre project. Maylim took on full design responsibility and production of RIBA Stage 4, 5 and 6 information, appointing architects DSDHA and multi-disciplinary practice Arup as consultants.

EXCHANGE

INSPIRE

ondon’s largest pedestrianised neighbourhood is undergoing a transformation. Broadgate – all 32 acres of it – is becoming a hub for city workers, residents and tourists alike, and its green space has just quadrupled with the addition of a major new public park.

Unique undertakings

MAYLIM SQUARE CITY OF LONDON ON THE RIGHT TRACK

“The aim of the project was to transform the ageing, corporate and rectilinear former square into an accessible, naturalistic city park with sweeping curves and a four-fold increase in green space,” says Maylim’s operations director, Liam Hawkins. “The ambition was for a bespoke and unique pallet of materials to be used across the scheme – quite different to any other public realm in the UK.”

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 45

Suspended across the bustling platforms of Liverpool Street Station, Exchange Square sits at the heart of Broadgate. It opened to the public at the start of this year, becoming one of the largest green public squares in the City of London.

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202246 INSPIRE

Prior to construction, Maylim implemented a “dismantle not demolish strategy”. The original landscape, constructed in 1990, was to be cleared with sustainability at the forefront. “The basic premise was to take

“The topography was sympathetically designed to tie in with numerous constraints of existing buildings, doors, the train shed of Liverpool Street Station and the 12 platforms directly below the square itself granting much greater accessibility for all throughout the space,” says Liam.

the square apart in the reverse of the way it was built, rather than by extensive breaking out. This methodology allowed us to reclaim more than 14 lorry loads of natural stone steps, bleachers, cladding and paving for re-use in public realm schemes throughout the UK. Dismantling the scheme in this way also rapidly reduced the noise, dust, re-processed energy and cost that a demolition strategy would haveWorkingproduced.”closely with British Land, Stace LLP and Greengage Environmental, the predicted and actual carbon was

To do this, Maylim used more than 3,000 unique pieces of CNC-cut terrazzo to form the sweeping amphitheatre, the cascading water feature and the raised planters – all standout features of the landscape, which unfolds across several levels. To complement this, Comblanchien limestone paving is used extensively and is tied together with a blackened steel ribbon. This runs through the park, framing the amphitheatre and then raising on top of the new retail unit, following the bespoke curved glazing –which makes up the retail unit alongside an experimental blackened steel mullion and cladding system and a green roof – and highlighting the considerable level changes across the site.

Project (inclusiveValueofVAT): £16.1m Size of project 5,000m2 Build time August 2020 – December 2021 (includes pre-construction)the Awards JCT Major ContractConstructionProject2016PROJECT DETAILS

Sustainable solutions

Reducing the project’s carbon footprint was just one of the challenges Maylim had to

INSPIRE

access to the site. “The nearest road was 70m away through the under croft of Exchange House. Maylim built a logistics tunnel with a public access stair across it and a large loading gantry which allowed for all materials to be raised and transported by crane ready to be moved towards the site,” explains Liam.

tracked throughout the delivery of the project and was a key consideration at all points of the design and procurement process. It resulted in a 61% reduction in embodied carbon between Stage 2 and pre-construction. The hard landscaping, which formed the majority of the design carbon impact, also reduced it by 26% from Stage 4. The circular economy initiatives are equivalent to a 220t CO2e saving.

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overcome. One of the biggest hurdles, perhaps unsurprisingly, was the location of the park, which is suspended above the train tracks of Liverpool Street Station and is named after Exchange House, a 10-storey building designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill which neighbours theThescheme.concrete bridge deck structure which forms the base of Exchange Square is an asset of Network Rail, and extensive approvals were needed from the railway company to allow the work to proceed. This included extensive live structural monitoring, which Maylim worked closed with Arup and Network Rail to achieve. There was also no direct

Overcoming obstacles

On top of all this, Exchange Square was built throughout the pandemic, so measures had to be introduced to monitor the workforce to ensure their safety. “This, alongside supplier delays, haulage difficulties and travel restrictions for visits to the continent to visit suppliers, created multiple challenges. In spite of these constants, the programme and budget never slipped, and the project was completed a week ahead of schedule.”

From the start, placemaking was to be at the heart of the project, which led Maylim to interact with the communities and businesses surrounding Exchange Square throughout the construction.

Kent

FFLO

metalworkarchitecturaland Stainless kentstainless.com

Waterproofingwillerby-landscapes.co.uk

Bellapart

Tilbury Contracts

Capital Concrete

For the Exchange Square scheme, the hope is to encourage a more diverse group of people to use the public spaces, with more opportunities offered for temporary uses and Exchangeevents.Square is more than just another green space to add to the National Park City of London. It is the culmination of the Broadgate Public Realm Framework plan for British Land and demonstrates the crucial role in which public realm plays in establishing a new identity for a site – from an office-led campus to a truly mixed-use, creative environment.

architectLandscapedsdha.co.uk

Tom Boswell

DSDHA

Electricalbellapart.com

Steintec Voidsteintec.co.ukformer

REFERENCES

Soft landscaping

MDN mdnuk.co.uk

Working closely with Spitalfields City Farm, Thomas Buxton Primary School ensures that children have the opportunity to learn more about nature, and it is hoped that this new space will be beneficial in expanding their learning and connection with the great outdoors.

LG Kimber andBeddinghlgkimber.co.ukjointing

DURING WORKS

Glazinginoperagroup.com

Clientmaylim.co.uk

Tree removal

Fountains Direct

Tree Services

Jablite jablite.co.uk

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Willerby Landscapes

Broadgate/British Land

Architectbritishland.combroadgate.co.uk

Decorativefflo.co.uk

Terrazzofountains-direct.co.uk

Community engagement

Principal contractor Maylim

ABOUT MAYLIM

Maylim also created a ‘forest school’ at a local primary school in Tower Hamlets as part of its social value proposition. The team turned a 150m2 overgrown, overlooked and poorly accessible space at Thomas Buxton Primary School into a functional, safe and exciting new space. It worked with the school to agree on a design, going on to install hazel hurdle to shield the garden from public view and surfaced pathways to improve accessibility. Raised planters were built using recycled materials, providing space for pupils to grow their own produce, and leftover materials allowed children to construct bug hotels and dens.

concreteLightweighttomboswelltrees.com

In Opera Group

Steelcapitalconcrete.co.ukframe

Maylim is a specialist in commercial external works, hard and soft landscaping, civil engineering and highways projects. Working across both public and private sectors, it works to improve outdoor space; helping to build new neighbourhoods as well as bringing together existing communities. Maylim’s integrated approach enables the team to adapt and deliver anything from small-scale developments to multi-million-pound projects. maylim.co.uk

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CONNECT TO THE OUTDOORS

INSPIRE

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OAKMORE GREEN

THE SMART HOME GARDEN

Project (inclusivevalueofVAT): £500k Size of project 300m2 Build time 2 years (extended due to PROJECTCOVID-19) DETAILS

brought everythingtogether into one system sothat

To highlight the variety of outdoor automation, The Smart Home Garden is divided into different 'rooms'. “The garden is a space that has many rooms which Laura has designed,” says Alex Jones, director of Potters Home Digital. “These different areas can be used in different ways and therefore the technology that we’ve put within the spaces is in keeping with those different areas.”

easy

With an entertainment space, home cinema and outdoor kitchen, this half-a-million-pound garden is currently for high-end clients looking for a hi-tech, low maintenance space. But there are products which can be purchased individually, and whilst the cost might seem a little steep for now, it’s hoped that higher demand for these products will bring down the price and make the entire garden more achievable.

The garden has become a permanent fixture at Potters Home Digital’s showroom in Kent. The smart home expert has collaborated with award-winning garden designer Laura Anstiss, along with a wealth of other partners, to bring the smart home outdoors with the first show garden of its kind in the UK.

LAURA OAKMOREANSTISS,GREEN

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 51

the

"We’ve it’s for client– the end user"

1 London Stone's DesignClad in cinema area Bespoke seating area by Creative Ironworks

witching on the heating before you get home, asking Google for the weather forecast, and turning on the TV via an app on your phone have all become commonplace in the home – but what about in the garden? Smart technology for outdoor spaces is perhaps lesser known, but not non-existent, and The Smart Home Garden has set out to prove just how much is possible.

The first room is the main entertainment space, which transforms from a spot for al fresco dining to an outdoor cinema with the touch of a button. An app allows users to open the panels to reveal a waterproof TV behind them, with belowground subwoofers offering surround sound. Speakers are also hidden amongst the planting, blending into the landscape. Better yet, whilst watching the latest series of whatever takes your fancy, users can also charge their phone and control the lighting.

On the button

INSPIRE

The power of plants

stone and inset two speakers into the bench. We took a photo of the front of the rock before cutting a hole in it and hydrodipped the grill to match the rock. We then floated the bench and put an LED strip underneath. This Smart Bench could be a standalone item, but we also have audio, lighting and the water feature – which is the same type of stone – that can all be tied into the one app.

“The different areas and different zones are all designed to be in keeping with the landscape, but also to provide technology which is being asked for these days.”

INSPIRE PLANTEDOMNIDIRECTIONALSPEAKER

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202252

Moving away from the entertainment room, there is also an office which is “completely smart”, with different tones of lighting suited to whether the user is beavering away during the day or burning the midnight oil. Automated blinds, heating and lighting allow the user to set up their office before they return home. The same goes for the irrigation, which has rain sensors to stop it coming on when there has been heavy rainfall.

To help the technology further blend into the landscape, plants were carefully selected

"The planting scheme is based on disguisingthe technology, softening the areas andcomplementing the hardscape"

In fact, the entire garden is controlled by one app, rather than a series of A/B systems, creating interoperability. From the start, it was important to have each element integrated into one app, so that the technology could be controlled easily on

ROCK SPEAKERS

FOCUS SPIKE LIGHTS

WALL LIGHTING

LAURA ANSTISS, OAKMORE GREEN

a smartphone, via the touch of a button or through voice activation. “We’ve brought everything together into one system so that it’s easy for the client – the end user,” explainsBringingLaura.technology together has been a key focus for the garden, as has bringing together companies and suppliers to make the garden a reality. For instance, at the end of the garden is a more tranquil area with a water feature, rock speakers and what has been named ‘the Smart Bench’.

“We worked with Allgreen Group and American speaker manufacturer James Loudspeaker to create this Smart Bench,” explains Alex. “The top has been hand polished, but we’ve cut out the front of the

LANDSCAPE SATELLITE SPEAKERS

“The game changer was when Samsung, the global number one TV brand, released its own outdoor waterproof TV. That happened during the build process, and when it did, we knew we were onto something; the fact that a company as big as Samsung opened itself up to outdoor living and brought out an outdoor TV signed, sealed and delivered the fact that what we were doing was going to be huge in the years to come.”

INSPIRE 3 Smart controlled lighting and hidden audio 4 Tranquil area with Smart Bench 5 Art from expert sculptor Louise Giblin

“It needed to follow the colour scheme of the rest of the garden, working with the mocha and the DesignClad, for example, and the greys and oranges that we have in the garden. The planting blends through, so there’s lots of dark red leaves in the lower area as you come up the ramp and then, going into the kitchen area at the top, there is a lot of colour because that’s where people will be sitting; it needed to be vibrant and cheerful, with things like herbs.”

BESPOKE

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 53

They were also witnessing the growth of outdoor technology in the US, where more and more products were coming onto the market for outdoor living. So, they worked with manufacturers to showcase these products in the UK, the main company being Sonance, which Alex says invented the category of in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. The award-winning audio company launched Sonance Outdoor Series, a scalable outdoor speaker system which

Before the space was transformed, it was an overgrown, disused plot of land outside the showroom. Together with his business partner Lance Hopley, Alex decided that they needed to do more with the space whilst linking it with what Potters Home Digital has become best known – home automation. They spotted an opportunity to create synergy between the home and garden.

Contending with the typical challenges of working with cladding on walls and intricate cuts and incorporating these into the wall with the television and moving motors for the Corten screening, whilst making all the elements marine grade and IP grade, was the hardest part of the whole

ORLUNA LIGHTS

from sponsor Howe Green. “The planting scheme is based on disguising the technology, softening the areas and complementing the hardscape, which is what I would do anyway as a designer,” says Laura.

SEATING SMART GARDEN ROOM

“It was a collaboration of the initial idea of technology, and then Laura built upon that and blew up our small idea to a whole new level,” says Alex. They approached industry suppliers to become sponsors of the garden, and the likes of London Stone, Allgreen Group, How Green and Stark & Greensmith were keen to be involved.

delivers even coverage and exceptional sound quality, making it the perfect fit.

Each product was chosen to be completely resilient and enduring of the external elements, including the unpredictable British weather, says Alex. But there were other challenges to the project, the biggest of which was the cinema wall.

STEP

Tough tasks

Collaboration is key

In collaboration with Potters Home Digital

Sculpturevandemoortel.co.uk/en

Waterproofsonance.comTV

Samsung Lightingsamsung.com/uk

Sonance

Oakmore Green

Allgreen Group

Stark & Greensmith

ABOUT OAKMORE GREEN

Laura Anstiss, lead designer and director of Oakmore Green Ltd, started her career as a garden designer in 1996. The many years of experience she has means that she has an eye for hidden potential in any garden. Laura believes it is important to be able to view a garden from a designer’s perspective. It is imperative to understand the relationship between hard and soft landscape; there are many ingredients combined to meet the level of success and consider all aspects from beginning to end. Oakmore Green Design Studio o ers a full landscape design service from concept to completion. oakmoregreen.co.uk

Louise Giblin

Waterstarkandgreensmith.comfeature

Speakerslutron.com/europe

Displayorluna.commount

Constructionhowgreennursery.co.ukmaterials

hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk

IronworksCreative

ABOUT POTTERS HOME DIGITAL

GrovesHopes Nursery

Now that it is open to the public via private appointment, the Smart Home Garden will act as a one-stop-shop for outdoor smart technology, inspiring people and showing what they can achieve in their garden. It will also show how sustainable a smart garden can be, with automation allowing less energy to be wasted and less water. The technology itself is durable and long lasting, with most having a lifetime guarantee. Bookings for an immersive experience can be made via thesmarthomegarden.com.Astechnologyevolvesand develops, so will the garden, as it continues to highlight the best in outdoor smart technology and show that the garden of the future may well be achievable now.

London Stone

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URC

Potters Home Digital provides full integrated entertainment solutions and creates bespoke systems which both enhance lifestyles and are ready for the future. home-digital.com

There were also, of course, the challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea for the Smart Home Garden was conceived in 2018 and the build started the following year, but there were then numerous delays as a result of lockdowns.

INSPIRE

Garden Getaways garden-getaways.co.uk

6 Stark & Greensmith screens with lighting garden, says Alex; it was the part which the team started first and finished last.

REFERENCES

Watermatic

Orluna

Future Automation

Pavingallgreen.uk

controllersEntertainmentcreative-ironworks.co.uktechnology

What’s next?

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This scheme is just one example of how Groundwork is more than a design practice – it is an environmental and

ollaboration is key to Groundwork London. Each project the practice undertakes embraces a number of different partners, which each contribute to its success. Take Tolmer’s Square. It’s one of 17 areas

DAVID IFOULD OF GROUNDWORK LONDON SHARES THE ORGANISATION’S PASSION FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CREATING CLIMATE-RESILIENT SPACES

GREENTEAM TRAINEES LIFE+ GRAVEL GARDEN INSPIRE

Groundwork is focusing on with the London Borough of Camden to mitigate the impacts of HS2. In various phases, it is looking to create pockets of public realm which are being funded to offset the construction of the high-speed railway.

GROUNDWORK LONDON

“The process we go through at Groundwork is a very strong community-focused design approach. It’s this idea of co-creation. We have embedded expertise within our design teams, but also through our community team, where we treat the community as an asset which is integral to our design process.”

It comes with challenges, admits David, one of which is funding. “You’re balancing managing expectations of trying to ensure people understand what is and isn’t achievable, whilst also wanting people to feel inspired and quite enfranchised through that process. You want them to go out and talk to you and to have an opinion andForparticipate.”Tolmer’sSquare, David says the design is responsive to the space which was previously quite featureless and uninspiring. A London plane tree dominates the area, so Groundwork has created a walkway which splits run around the tree, with a sunken garden and eye-catching planting. To help irrigate the plants, there are weep holes in the walls to utilise surface water.

“It’s a really interesting sequence of spaces through residential areas which quite often cars can’t get into. You get the opportunity to make these series of improvements, which are really important for people’s health and wellbeing. And the idea is to work with residents, as it is their spaces which are of real value to them,” explains principal landscape architect David Ifould.

David believes there is still a significant lack of funding for the management of green spaces but is encouraged by the work that is being done through the London Green Space Skills Hub and through other partnerships, organisations and initiatives.

GroundworkCONTACTLondon

LIFE+ BEEBASIN

Groundwork undertakes various projects where climate resilient design is at the fore, such as its work in Hammersmith and Fulham. One project here is Climate Proofing Housing Landscapes – which is being funded by Life+ – and another is called NOURISH, which was recently funded through the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Thames Water. “They are both really thisthethatexplainsresilient,”moreretrofittedestateshowexamplesinterestingofhousingcanbetobeclimateDavid.“It’sgreatwe’reseeingGLApushingthroughits

"So,improvements.it'saspacewith a particular focus on sharing skills and sharing knowledge to help meet landscape challenges in the future, especially of climate change adaptation and mitigation. But it's also looking at how the industry is attracting and

funding streams, and it’s been wonderful to work with them and Thames Water, who are investing in surface water management programmes and have been for some years.”

Retrofitting is an important part of tackling the problems associated with climate change as we don’t build enough housing stock, or build it fast enough, to solve the problem, says David. Groundwork London’s projects in Hammersmith and Fulham are shining examples of how to integrate SuDS measures and increase biodiversity and tree planting into existing housing stock.

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202258 INSPIRE

LIFE+ GREEN ROOF

TOLMER'S SQUARE

studied landscape architecture at the University of Sheffield, combining the subject with landscape management and learning from leading industry figures.

The hub focuses on the whole public realm sphere, rather than the discussions being siloed into different departments or ideas of what green space includes, says David. There are various organisations involved, such as Parks For London as the Centre for Excellence, the Landscape Institute, BALI, Capel Manor College, Glendale, idverde, Peabody, Future of London and SRI at the University of London.

“We partnered with the University of East London, who were monitoring biodiversity, thermal and flood risk impacts for Life+. They found significant improvements on that site after the project. This is important because it shows that there is this thread in how we’re working as an organisation, how we’re trying to change and be more adaptive and work with our partners. Collaboration and collective working and partnership working is such an important part of what we do.”

With Groundwork London striving for a better present and future, is it any wonder the practice won this year’s Pro Landscaper Business Award for Landscape Architecture Studio over 10 employees? The judges summed it up nicely: “A great charity which does so much for social value, training and supporting their clients."

Since leaving university, David has followed a diverse career path to eventually join Groundwork. He has worked in private practice, in the public sector and now in the third sector, all of which has moulded his approach and outlook on the industry, which he thinks is heading in the right direction.

COLLECTIVECOLLABORATION,WORKING AND PARTNERSHIP WORKING IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE DO

“In general, people are more aware of climate change than they used to be. It’s a privilege to be part of that discussion and thinking about how green space can have a positive impact.”

Email london@groundwork.org.uk groundworklandscapearchitects.org.ukgroundwork.org.uk/hubs/london

social charity, where any surplus is used to help communities improve their local areas. It also aims to help address the skills shortage in the industry by encouraging people to embrace horticulture.“Design quality is undoubtedly there and is a really important part of what we do, but we're also adapting to the challenges we all face.”

“It’s shifting. One interesting example of what Groundwork are doing in this space is what’s called the London Green Space Skills Hub, which has been developed after the London Green Space Commission. It’s not just us; there are a lot of people involved. It aims to bring together all of the parties involved in London green space

David’s passion for climate resilience partly comes from his time at Groundwork, but also from his university course. He

supporting new entrants into what is a changing landscape in terms of workforce.”

15 & 16 November 2022, ExCeL London Eventwww.futurescapeevent.compartnersJessMcCabeDirectorofDevelopment E: jessica.mccabe@eljays44.com T: 01903 777588 SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING FOR YOU! To book your stand, get in contact with the team: The Machinery Mile is coming to FutureScape this November. We will be speaking to industry experts about the latest innovations, health and safety training, picking the right tool for the job and LIVE product demos. Tom CommercialDennisonManager E: tom.dennison@eljays44.com T: 01903 777581

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ANJI CONNELL EXPLORES HOW TO BRING YOUR GARDEN TO LIFE AFTER DARK

INSPIRE

In comparison, ambient lighting adds atmosphere, introducing pools of soft, warm light into the blackness to evoke an emotional response and bring the garden to life.

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 61

Today's landscape lighting options are more creative and inspirational than ever before, with many tempting new products. From directional spotlights, wall washers, outdoor floor lamps, and contour LED lighting strips to create many di erent e ects, allowing us to quickly transform gardens with mood settings and beautiful backdrops controllable by smartphone. It's essential, therefore, to work out precisely what outcome we want to achieve at the onset of each project.

As garden professionals, when we plan a garden, we check how the sun tracks around the space and how this will create light and shadow throughout the day. This interplay of light and shadow is critical in any lighting scheme as it a ects our perception of the space, creates depth and enhances structure, colour, and texture.

ighting is an essential element in bringing outdoor spaces to life.

BOVER GAROTA S/O1

PHILLIPS HUE OUTDOOR LUMINAIRES

after dark, to help us navigate pathways and potential hazards, and to highlight a change of level or surface such as steps and rills.

Like most things in life, less is more in lighting than too many competing lights and intense beams

A well-designed lighting scheme can make a massive di erence in the look and feel of our outdoor spaces, enlivening and adding a new vibe, warmth, and dynamism while adding a great new perspective as dusk falls.

Task lighting is paramount for performing specific tasks such as reading and entertaining. In contrast, accent lighting adds drama creating visual interest by focusing lighting on particular features, such as highlighting trees, planting areas, sculptures, and architectural details. Accent lighting adds drama and visual interest by focusing lighting on particular features such as walkways and doorways and highlighting trees, planting and architectural details.

SWITCHED ON

Functionality is the first thing to consider when introducing light outdoors to keep us safe

DEDON OTHERS''THELANTERN

FATBOY THIERRY LE SWINGER

Water features

PHILLIPS HUE OUTDOOR LUMINAIRES

Post lights and pier mount lights are great for entries, gates, and fences. Wall washing, and wall grazing enhance facades, showcasing architectural materials bring stonework and textured surfaces to life with dramatic e ect. Wall washing gives large surface areas a glow and a smooth and even appearance. Grazing is a dramatic e ect

Cool colours are perfect for a modern look in industrial and commercial settings or anywhere you want to increase brightness. Warm white light is like a fireside glow that gives a relaxed atmosphere.

Flexibility

KONSTSMIDE MONZA WALL LIGHT

Layering light

LEDs are revolutionising how we see architecture. Their range of "white" tones or colour temperatures offers an icy blue-white which is ideal for highlighting crisp architectural details.

The key to the successful execution of outdoor lighting ideas is flexibility. LED exterior spike lights are ideal as you can quickly move them to suit the changing seasons and planting growth. These can be spotlights or floodlights. Spiked floodlights allow you to light your landscape e ectively without feeling guilty about excessive energy consumption.

MERIDIANO OUTDOOR WALL LAMP DESIGNED BY VIDAL AND JORDI VILARDELL FOR VIBIA

Architectural lighting highlighting vertical surfaces, architectural details, and sculpture can be transformative in a project and how we experience it.

LED lighting

Architectural, landscape, task, ambient, feature, and security lighting all play a part in good outdoor lighting design, and the better the lighting is, the more we use our outside areas. A combination of path, spot and floodlights create layered lighting.

used to emphasise surface texture and create a focal point, giving personality to a building. With wall grazing, luminaires placed closer to the wall cause the light to hit the wall at a tighter angle; the distance the luminaire is from the wall will determine the amount of shadowing and textural e ect.

Setting the scene

resulting in a blinding glare; a few wellchosen and well-placed light sources will create subtlety, intrigue, and a more pleasing e ect. Strategically pick out the elements you want to light to create something unique, adding drama and visualLightinginterest.works best when it's subtle and e ortlessly blends with the overall scheme, and functional lighting does not need to be glaring or unflattering.

Position lights within branches and foliage to add a soft, inviting glow, and spiked spotlights angled to shine up onto trees and shrubs. Fittings are available with varying reach (or lumens) and beam widths to create di erent e ects. A single spotlight will work, but two or three spotlights positioned at di erent angles produces a more rounded and elegant result. To light larger, open areas, use broad light sweeps to create dramatic layers. Hang festoon lighting, and string lights, along with candles, and portable lighting for a mood enhancing e ect.

Architectural lighting

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202262 INSPIRE

Water features are an excellent medium for light as the movement and refraction create patterns reflecting and bouncing light on the surrounding area. Weighted spotlights with weighted bases are great for sitting under the water or tucking behind an arc of water. For a magical e ect, add fibre optic lighting within water jets and at the bottom of the pool.

BOVER NANS WALL LAMP

BOVER NANS SPHERE LAMPS

or a pathway, light it by using deflected lighting that gives su cient light to see where you are going but in a more pleasing way.

Tago LuceLight is a drive-over LED linear profile with a built-in power supply that truly brings facades to life. It is available with white light or in an RGBW version that is particularly suitable for architectural lighting, like facades, historic and public buildings, hotels and more. Ultimately, clever lighting lights up your life stylishly allowing you to enjoy more time outdoors.

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 63 INSPIRE

John Cullens Hampton 40 floodlights almost disappear within the garden but work brilliantly, lighting up the topiary and sculpture.

ideal solutions and create an atmosphere and reduce the risk of anyone tripping. Use low-level fittings to uplight a wall or the side of a pot.

MERITXELL VIDAL MERIDIANO 4710 LED OUTDOOR FLOOR LAMP

WATER FEATURE WITH A LINEA LIGHTING STRIP UP LIGHTING THE CASCADE

LIGHTSTRIPGRADIENTLOUISVUITTON

The Garota S/O1 from Bover is a similar hanging light fitting with a nicely rounded shade. Both collections are available in a wall, table, and floor lamp version.

ZANELLATO BORTOTTO PISTACHIO LANTERNS

outdoor collection from Marset that's a portable, rechargeable, and cordless.

The Meritxell Vidal Meridiano 4710 LED Outdoor Floor lamp looks fantastic singly; as a group, they cast architectural lines under the night sky.

Wall and ceiling mounted fittings to posts, paths, and floodlights provide peace of mind and help deter intruders. There are many options available, including sensor activated and smart tech fittings.

BELLHOP BY BARBER OSGERBY&

Fitting selection

changesandStepslevel Adding hidden LED thetherecessedfeature.night-timeintoturnsstripsstepsastunningLightsintosidewallofstepare

Fora from Bover has a handwoven shade with a softly di used soft light. A cast iron base and a shade made of synthetic wicker, making it highly resistant to weathering.

CONCENTRICMARSET'S

Mobile lighting

Security lighting

Whereas most garden light fittings are black, using green lighting among foliage creates the appearance of the sun or moon bouncing o the leaves. Copper fittings are excellent as they patinate to a neutral green colour with age.

Designedlights.by Alex Fernandez, Camps

Light fittings

Marset's Concentric is a visually striking lamp on or o , but at night it's stunning. Playing on the interaction between light and the reflection of colour the light "vibrates" and becomes hypnotic when viewed.

Marset's FollowMe is the pioneer of portable lighting and has become a design icon in just a few short years. It is beautiful and practical with an adjustable light intensity. At the same time, their new Bicoca is a fresh, lightweight,colourful,portable lamp that projects an intimate light that adds warmth. The Chispa is another new

Marset's "Ginger" wall light has a unique rust finish with an increasingly deep, warm glow as the nights become longer. Ginger comes as an adjustable wall lamp with a movable structure that holds the lampshade with a free side-to-side movement.

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. anjiconnellinteriordesign.com

Pathways and driveways First impressions count. Consider how the approach to the house or front garden will look at night, and light-up key features such as trees, shrubs, or facades to create a warm welcome. Rather than floodlighting a driveway

end of the garden, such as a tree or sculpture, extends your view. Lighting key features such as statues and large trees ensure the focus is still on them at night.

PLAY

ABOUT ANJI CONNELL

Barber & Osgerby's stylish Bellhop lamp for Flos is a rechargeable table lamp with a direct light. Phillips Hue outdoor luminaires are fun, allowing you to switch up a smart home, and colour wash the walls, and planting in colourful

Portable lighting is an easy mood enhancer that avoids costly electric rewiring constructionand work.

Whatever you can imagine, we can make it a reality in metal To discuss your ideas, email outdoordesignmail@gmail.com or call James Booth on 07860 456159

Delivering perfection, whatever

JoA4675 - Outdoordesign - ProLandscaper - July issue - Generic AW.indd 1 09/06/2022 14:52

For more information visit: www.outdoordesign.co.uk

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Outdoordesign has built a reputation spanning over 20 years for turning our clients’ vision into a reality. We work with the industry’s biggest and best-known names, on projects ranging from domestic gardens and private residences to prestigious commercial developments and medal-winning show gardens. Our service and how we solve problems, add value, interpret and answer complex briefs, provide technical support, advice and expertise is what makes us unique, and a partner you can trust.

your project

DECKED OUT

CREDENTIALSSUSTAINABILITY

Cuttle©RHS/Sarah

ASHWELLS TIMBER FSC

Greenheart,

CREDENTIALSSUSTAINABILITY

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BENEFITS OF WOOD

“LCA and carbon footprint analysis available confirmed(ISOOfficialinternationalfollowingstandards:LCAstudies14040/44)CO2neutralorbetteroverthefullcyclelifecycle;FSC®certified;continueduseofmostenvironmentallyfriendlyglue(bio-based,fullynon-toxic).”

TYPE OF WOOD USED Bamboo BENEFITS OF WOOD Thermo Bamboo Deck Board is a product of exceptional hardness and tohighlytwistingisdensity,treatmenttostabilitydimensionalandthanksitspatentedheatandhighthematerialnotsubjectedtoandisresistantweathering.”

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NOT ALL ABOUT LOOKS – DELVE INTO THE BENEFITS AND SUSTAINABILITY CREDENTIALS OF THESE WOODEN DECKING OPTIONSINSPIRE prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 65

of heavy duty uses such as decking, pathways and bridges.”

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“IRO decking is manufactured from Swedish imported redwood, which is slowly grown in the low temperatures and high altitudes of Swedish mountain ranges, ensuring the timber is dense and robust. Using timber from a cold climate guarantees stability and consistency, preventing the product from twisting, bending, warping and splitting.”

“Originally imported from South America and British Guyana during colonial times, Greenheart is one of the strongest and most durable timbers in the world with a life expectancy of 25+ years. Its sheer strength and density make it ideal for a wide range

IRORECLAIMEDCERTIFIED,DECKINGTIMBER

TYPE OF WOOD USED reclaimed from the Whitstable Yacht Club slipway following storms in 2018

“All our products are FSC® certified, meaning they are manufactured using material from responsibly managed forests, which Asandenvironmental,providesocialeconomicbenefits.agroup,BSWTimber is committed to supporting sustainable forestry, and as such it plants three trees for every tree it uses.”

CREDENTIALSSUSTAINABILITY

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PAGE 69 HORTICULTURAL HERO: SARAH EBERLE, PAGE 70 NATURAL THERAPY: THE RHS FOREST BATHING GARDEN, PAGE 72 REUSING SHOW GARDENS, PAGE 74 SHOW GARDENS

PALACE GARDEN FESTIVAL Special 2022

RHS HAMPTON COURT

The rules are simple. You can nominate yourself or a colleague, as long as the nominee was aged 30 or under on 1 January 2022 and currently works within the workedsector.designarboriculture,horticulture,gardenorlandscapeEntrantsmusthaveintheindustryfor at least one year.

Who?Why?

ENTER YOURSELF

www. prolandscapermagazine/ May 2022 .comPro Landscaper ’S CONTACT DETAILS www.prolandscapermagazine.com/30under30 For more information on how to enter, contact 01903 777570 or email 30u30@eljays44.com

OR A COLLEAGUE

Simply email 30u30@eljays44.com to request an entry form. Fill out the form to the best of your ability, picking out key moments from your career and showcasing some of your best work. Email the form back with a high-resolution (at least 1MB) headshot by 31 August 2022.

Under 30: The Next Generation is a great way to gain recognition for your own work or the work of someone you know. Previous winners have expressed that winning the awards is a wonderful way to enhance their careers.

Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation is back for its eighth year. To date, we have celebrated 210 winners from a variety of sectors within the industry – from sales to arboriculture, from construction to design, from maintenance to landscape architecture. These awards should not only highlight the up-and-coming talent within the industry, but also the diversity of horticulture and those working within it. Why not put forward yourself or a deserving colleague for a chance to be recognised?

How?

Proudly supported by

Entering Landscaper’sPro 30

So,boots.itwill likely come as no surprise to the industry that Sarah is the fourth designer to be honoured by the RHS with an Iconic Horticultural Hero garden at Hampton Court, the previous

prolandscapermagazine .com

to my absolute horror towards the end that I had only ordered about a quarter of the requirements for the wildflower turf, so I had to plant the areas and think of other ways to fill it – and actually, it turned out a better garden for it.”

So, Sarah will completing her final show garden at the show where she first cut her teeth. But whether this really will be the last time we see Sarah’s name as part of an RHS show lineup remains to be seen.

three designers to have this privilege being Piet Oudolf, Tom Stuart-Smith and Beth Chatto. It’s a chance for Sarah to showcase what has become her signature style and is “a huge honour to be asked,” says Sarah.

THE MEDITE SMARTPLY BUILDING THE FUTURE GARDEN AT RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2022, DESIGNED BY SARAH EBERLE

Pro Landscaper / July 2022 69 Hepworth©RHS/Neil

ICONIC HORTICULTURALHEROGARDEN–SARAHEBERLE

“I’ve had so much fun along the way; it’s been a gettingthings.onmeit’sjourney,wonderfulbuttimefortomoveanddootherI’mnotanyyounger, so physically I find it quite hard work, and it’s something that I need to bear in mind. It’s time to let other people have a go.”

HAMPTON COURT

SARAH EBERLE ’S FINAL SHOW GARDEN CELEBRATES HER UNIQUE STYLE AND SUCCESS

The walkthrough sustainable garden is bursting with plants, with a noticeable lack of hard landscaping. “It’s all about the plants,” says Sarah. “There’s a self-binding gravel path through it, but it’s to get you through and in amongst the plants. It’s a journey through a temperate rain forest through to exotic meadows and plants for arid conditions – so, it’s a mix of the expected and the Evenunexpected.”withSarah’swealth of experience, there may still be challenges. “You have to be flexible and to be able to think on your feet, making changes where necessary; if you can do that and adapt, then you are more likely to be successful. And sometimes out of adversity comes good things. When I got Best in Show at Hampton Court for the Woodland

resh from her 20th Gold-medal win at Chelsea, Sarah Eberle is already looking ahead to this year’s Hampton Court, to what will be her final show garden –at least, that’s what Sarah says right now. The prolific garden designer has become Chelsea’s most decorated designer and has become known as one of the hardest working people in the industry. For three years in a row, Sarah designed two gardens at Chelsea, and in the third year she racked up the equivalent of six and a half marathons in just nine days walking between these – all in steel toe cap

Experiences such as these will help Sarah as she continues to mentor other designers looking to take part in show gardens – and she hints there may be a couple of books in the pipeline too, with hopefully more time now that she won’t be taking part in the shows herself.

“It’s a journey through my career. I’ve been doing show gardens for more than 20 years and I’ve done a fair few in that time, which has also allowed me to travel a lot. So, my style has become a mix of exotic and very basic and native plant material. It’s something that I’m comfortable with, that I like investigating and pushing the boundaries with, especially when it comes to the climate emergency – looking at new plants and how you can incorporate these with the very familiar.”

You have to be flexible and to be able to think on your feet, making changes where necessary; if you can do that and adapt, then you are more likely to be successful

Natural Th e r apy

very good with that, because it has different sights, sounds, textures and smells – all which can help your senses to focus on where you are at the present time.”

“I went to Japan in 2016 to study with Kyoto University, which runs Ashiu Forest, one of the largest primary forest areas in Japan. They took us on a walk and tried to get us to engage with the spirit of the forest through lots of different activities; that’s when I first experienced it and that’s what helped me to be able to come up with the idea for a show garden,” explains Dave.

Forest bathing in Japan

HAVING HIMSELF,FORESTEXPERIENCEDBATHING DAVE GREEN IS LOOKING TO RECREATE THE EXPERIENCE AT HAMPTON COURT

THE RHS FOREST BATHING GARDEN

t’s a typical story for many gardens at this year’s shows, and so it’s unlikely to come as a surprise that the RHS Forest Bathing Garden has been in the making for two years. But whilst the pandemic might have delayed it, it has arguably made the garden’s concept more prevalent.

Forest bathing is about engaging with the natural environment using all your senses, trying to practicemindfulness and using the forest to help with that

Ashiu Forest Practitioner

“Forest bathing is about engaging with the natural environment using all your sense, trying to practice mindfulness and using the forest to help with that. Most of time, forest bathing is a guided practice, with the practitioner getting you to undertake activities to engage with where you are. A forest is

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202270

Whilst we’re all clued up on the health and wellbeing benefits of nature, though, some might be wondering what exactly forest bathing is and just how designer Dave Green is going to create the feeling of an expansive forest in a show garden. Fortunately, Dave is familiar with the concept of forest bathing.

To create a similar sensory experience at Hampton Court – minus the practitioner –Dave is using a rich planting palette, with large shrubs and trees to create a feeling of enclosure. As a nod to the country where forest bathing originated, Japanese plants such as Pachysandra and Hakonechloa will feature, as well as ferns from different parts of the world and UK woodland plants.

“Nobody wants to see products go to landfill or be taken away, so there has been a big effort this year across all teams to reuse show garden, and it’s good to see. There are so many good quality materials used at the shows, so it makes sense to try to use them in other places and to help others.”

It’s a challenge, admits Dave, to create the atmosphere of forest bathing on a show ground, where sensory experiences can easily be lost. But mounds on either side of the pathway, as well as the trees and shrubs, will help transport visitors to a forest and provide shelter from the business of the show. It’s an opportunity to better inform people of forest bathing too, says Dave. “It’s useful for people to understand that it’s not just a walk in the forest; it’s a supported activity, with experts in mindfulness and meditation techniques to help guide people to change their short-term thinking.”

Hopefully those at Heartlands Hospital benefiting from parts of the show garden will also reap the benefits of forest bathing – or at least the benefits of being surrounded by nature.

garden to ensure the space remains affordable for the hospital.

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Creating gardens for both shows and domestic settings is something in which Dave is now adept,

but he used to be on the other side of Hampton Court, working on the RHS show management team. He would watch with envy as designers would create these extraordinary gardens then watch them come to life. So, he decided to switch from managing shows to featuring within them.

FRONT VIEW OF THE GARDEN

GARDEN EXIT VIEW COURT

Whilst on the team, he studied part-time for an MA in Landscape Architecture, having already gained horticultural knowledge from working at RHS Garden Wisley and Birmingham Botanical Garden. The extra training gave him the confidence boost he needed to move into designing outdoor spaces for other people.

This idea of engaging with the senses is something that everyone could do in gardens and landscapes; the palette that we work with – plants, stone, timber –is all very sensory

Dave now runs a garden design practice, though introduced a small build team around 18 months ago to undertake the smaller projects, whilst he continues to work with other landscapers on larger schemes. He undertakes commercial work too, including a small garden at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham, where he will be reusing materials from his Hampton Court

And whilst forest bathing is a guided practice, the sensory aspect can be brought to more domestic settings. “This idea of engaging with the senses is something that everyone could do in gardens and landscapes; the palette that we work with – plants, stone, timber – is all very sensory and when we’re creating and designing spaces, we can think about how to engage people on this level. It helps to enrich the experience of those spaces.”

HAMPTON

Relocation,Relocation

some from across the globe. So, the impact of these events – and the show gardens which appear each year – has the potential to be huge. Because of this, and for the environmental benefits in doing so, the RHS is ramping up its efforts to ensure that these show gardens are as sustainable as possible, but more importantly that they are rehomed or repurposed after the show.

“We are talking to our designers, we are talking to our judges, we're talking to everybody linked to the industry to keep up to date, and the rest of the RHS is linking with our RHS sustainability policy to make sure that we are where we need to be, and we keep evolving it, and that is really knowingenjoyensuresustainabilitylikeItimportant.”mightsoundatoughapproachfromtheRHS,butinaclimateemergency,ittakesdecisionssuchasthistodriveandtowecanstillRHSshows,thattheyhave

housands of visitors attend the RHS shows each year,

HAMPTON COURT

The RHS is expecting all gardens at its shows to be re-located as part of its sustainability plans

JOHN KING BRAIN TUMOUR FOUNDATION GARDEN, DESIGNED

It is expected that all gardens which appear at all the RHS shows to be rehomed or repurposed. “We have a sustainability policy in place, and we’re wanting to do due diligence and make sure that we are doing everything we can to make sure these gardens have a life afterwards.

Ensuring show gardens have a legacy is just one of the changes the RHS is making to ensure its 2023 shows are more sustainable. “All our gardens for this current year have had to complete sustainability questions, but we have enhanced and improved these for 2023, and they have to meet our sustainability criteria in order to get into the show.

For as long as I’ve been with the RHS, gardens have often gone on to other places, but we’re really pushing it now so that all gardens coming to an RHS show will need to have plans for a home afterwards.”

to help designers through the process, and there is typically a garden each year which is relocated to a RHS garden such as year’sGardenNewSargeant’sJulietTheBluePeteratthisChelsea,which is going to be reimagined at RHS Garden Bridgewater.

Pro Landscaper / July 202272

BY RHIANNON WILLIAMS

REPURPOSING GARDENS IS SET TO COMPULSORYBECOMEATRHSSHOWSNEXTYEAR

prolandscapermagazine .com

It's not an easy ask, admits Sarah. “It does add a whole extra layer of complications to the application, so it can be time consuming to work out the logistics and it can be expensive.” But the RHS is offering advice and guidance where it can,

a positive environmental impact when they close their doors.

“We want to make sure that we are giving the best messaging to our visitors, and from a visitor point of view, they are very much invested in a garden on site when they hear the whole story of where it is going afterwards and that the general public will benefit from the garden in the long term, not just in show week,” says Sarah Poll, RHS head of shows development.

So, this year, designers are being encouraged to relocate their gardens after the shows, and the majority at the upcoming RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival are doing just that. Take the John King Brain Tumour Foundation Garden designed by Rhiannon Williams which is being taken to a hospital after the show to benefit neuroscience patients and staff.

HAMPTON COURT

Contractor Ashworth Specialist Landscapes

Designer Ryan McMahon

Sponsor Mediatech Ltd

DISCOVER THE SHOW GARDENS AT THIS YEAR’S EVENT

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Landscaping and London Stone

Contractor HCDT mentored by Burnham

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Using repurposed materials, this Beautiful Abandonment Garden explores how existing materials and naturalistic planting can create an attractive and welcoming space for a family. It will relocated after the festival to the Blue Diamond’s Bridgemere Show gardens at Bridgemere Garden Centre in Cheshire.

Show Gardens

Contractor Monte Engineering building with MUSA Landscape With his own family having been affected by dementia, Ryan McMahon wanted to create a garden which shows how

Designer Samuel Moore

This fun and vibrant garden features a colourful planting scheme which does not need intense watering. It celebrates design, plants and colour, but also teamwork, individual skill and craftmanship, with a sunburst being the central feature to which the eyes are drawn.

RHS Hampton Court

A dining area and bespoke fireplace make it the perfect space for outdoor entertaining too.

THEGARDENSUNBURST

Designer The Blue Diamond Group Team

Designers Charlie Bloom and Simon Webster

Visitors can aspire to this display of luxurious outdoor living, where a room has been created by a pergola with glass doors and sun loungers lie next to a plunge pool space.

Contractor Character Oak and Worthington Oak Landscapes

THE OUTDOOR‘SUNSLIFESTYLE’LIVINGGARDEN

Sponsor The Blue Diamond Group Team

THE BLUE DIAMOND GROUP ABANDONMENTBEAUTIFULGARDEN

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Sponsor Macmillan Cancer Support

Contractor Garden Club London Sponsor Creepers Nursery

Pro Landscaper / July 2022 75

THE JOY CLUB GARDEN

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Designed to aid recovery and offer a refuge, this hospital rooftop garden will be relocated to the Atkinson Morley Wing at St George’s Hospital for neuroscience patients and staff to use. Numerous tributes to the NHS feature, including a sculpture by Emma Rodgers.

Palace Garden Festival

GIFTLEGACYMACMILLANGARDEN:THEFUTURE

Contractor Agents Green

Designer Matthew Childs

OVER THE WALL GARDEN

Designer Zavier Kewk

Contractor Yoreland Design Sponsor Takeda UK, supported by Over the Wall Matthew Childs has designed a colourful, vibrant garden to celebrate the work of children’s charity Over The Wall and Japanese healthcare company Takeda UK, which supports seriously ill children and their families. It’s designed to be uplifting and symbolise new possibilities.

Contractor Tom Robinson and Josh Arnold Sponsor The Joy Club Embodying the purpose of The Joy Club, this garden showcases the importance of social interaction later in life, highlighting how isolation and loneliness can take their toll. It provides sociable and inclusive spaces across a bridge, representing the need to reconnect.

JOHN KING BRAIN TUMOUR FOUNDATION GARDEN

Designer Rhiannon Williams

Macmillan is encouraging people to leave a gift in their will to the cancer support charity, as more than a third of its income is through this method. This garden celebrates those who have done so and who help provide hope for those living with cancer.

Designer Sean A. Pritchard

RIVER MARKETCOTTAGEGARDEN

RHS Feature Gardens

RHS FOREST BATHING GARDEN

The head gardener of Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall’s River Cottage has created an immersive walk-through garden which embodies what the popular destination has become renowned for – the ethical and sustainable production of food, which aligns with the RHS’ Planet-Friendly Gardening campaign.

Designer Pollyanna Wilkinson

THE VITAMIN G GARDEN

The ancient Japanese practice of forest bathing is being brought to the show ground, with a canopy of trees to evoke the feeling of being surrounded by nature. The garden will stimulate the senses of its visitors and allow them to reap the health and wellbeing benefits forest bathing can provide.

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202276 HAMPTON COURT

Designer Dave Green Contractor Dave Green Gardens

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be commemorated at Hampton Court in the form of the RHS Rose Tea Garden, with seven cultivars to represent each decade of Her Majesty’s reign. It will appear alongside the event’s Festival of Roses and details of a themed afternoon tea are to be announced.

Designer Adam Crofts Contractor Mark Whyman Landscapes

The benefits of garden were proven in an RHS study published last year, and are showcased in The Vitamin G Garden, which encourages visitors to get their daily dose of ‘vitamin G’ through different areas of the garden, all designed for different purposes, from reflection to social interaction.

Designer Alan Williams with Jo Whiley Contractor Landform Consultants

Designer Sarah Eberle Follow Sarah Eberle’s journey as a designer, exploring the mix of

ICONIC HORTICULTURAL HERO – SARAH EBERLE

RHS ROSE TEA GARDENS

Those looking for an easy-to-maintain space can take inspiration from #knollingwithdaisies, which Sue Kent has designed for those with busy lifestyles or those who would find a high maintenance garden challenging. Repurposed materials and wildlife-friendly planting make it a low environmental impact space too.

Those looking for a respite on their lunch break would benefit from a space as this, which showcases the health and wellbeing benefits of gardening but also aims to improve gardening skills. The designers have kept it simple, with eight varieties of herbaceous perennials as the teaching tools.

Contractor Bowood Landscapes Ltd

TURFED OUT

Designer Hamzah-Adam Desai

Sponsor London Stone

The typical patch of grass and small patio for a newbuild home are being ‘turfed out’ and replaced with a herbaceous border and gravel garden, offering a low maintenance but environmentally friendly garden which will attract biodiversity and be mostly drought-tolerant.

Designers Jude Yeo, Imogen Perreau Callf, Emily Grayshaw

Designer Sue Kent

Elements of a conventional garden have been switched out for low maintenance alternatives, following a Twitter poll which found out what puts people off gardening. A labour-intensive lawn, for instance, has been replaced by a sunken terrace.

Contractor Frogheath Landscapes Ltd

Sponsor Norman Industries

THE WOODEN SPOON GARDEN

Pro Landscaper / July 2022 77

prolandscapermagazine .com HAMPTON COURT

LUNCH BREAK GARDEN

Designers Toni Bowater and Lucy Welsh

Sponsor The Wooden Spoon Trust & FJP Systems LLP

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INSIDE NURTURE THIS MONTH PAGE 81 FEATURE GARDEN: LEVENS HALL, PAGE 85 MATT HADDON, PAGE 88 NICK COSLETT, PAGE 91 NOEL KINGSBURY, PAGE 93 LEWIS NORMAND NURTURE BENCHMARKING BIODIVERSITY IN GARDENS: MATT HADDON P 85 GardensHaddon©Matt

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LEVENS HALL GARDEN FEATURE

LEVENS HALL ’S WORLD TOPIARY DAY HAS SPARKED WORLDWIDE INTEREST

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“It wasn’t overly special when it was set out, but it has become special since,” shares head gardener Chris Crowder, who has held the top title at Levens Hall for 36 years and counting. “As fashion changed, and the lakes and trees of the Capability Brown style became popular, gardens were ripped out and replaced; but at Levens Hall, the garden remained largely unchanged, and the topiary garden remained. It’s more than 300 years of care and attention that you see today.”

team at Levens Hall wondered how they could celebrate its more than 100 pieces of topiary when they look their best in spring. “Everything looks

in September and takes a good six months to complete, with staff using a hydraulic cherry picker and batterypowered long-reach clippers to reach the highest points. Unfortunately, the media takes a keen interest in autumn and winter, when this work is being undertaken and the visitor season of Easter through to October has come to a close.So,the

Not only does this impressive topiary draw in thousands of visitors each year, but it also attracts the attention of the media. “Each year we tend to get at least one or two TV crews in; it’s well loved by all sorts of different programmes. Last year, it was on Gardeners’ World’s Christmas edition, the Landscape Artist of the Year on Sky Arts –which was a particularly fabulous programme for the garden – as well as appearing on BBC One’s Antiques Road Trip.”

he topiary at Levens Hall has long been its main attraction. It’s the “world’s oldest topiary”, according to the estate, spanning back more than 300 years at the Elizabethan manor near Kendal in Cumbria.

Levens Hall’s new owner at the time, Colonel James Grahme, commissioned French garden designer Guillaume Beaumont to create the gardens in 1694, and the formal style he put in place –which was typical in the 17th century – has stood the test of time ever since.

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But all of this publicity seems to come at the time of year when the topiary is “looking fuzzy”, says Crowder. The extensive job of clipping the topiary starts

sharp and the 30,000 bedding plants are looking their best in May, so we thought a date in this month would be ideal for World Topiary Day,” explains Crowder.

but also long-term visitors. People might come on the actual day, but all the publicity is about putting Levens Hall in people’s mind. So, the next time they’re in the Lake District and are casting about for something to do, they might visit Levens.”

“It has a lot, and that’s before the medieval deer park and mile-long oak avenue entrance drive. The garden itself is not huge; it’s about four hectares, but it’s fairly labour intensive and we thoroughly garden every bit of it.”

borders and lawns and features and a willow labyrinth to look at, but the topiary is the one thing that nobody else has or could try to get in because it’s an old, large collection of treesHerbaceousnow.”

There’s more to Levens Hall’s gardens than topiary too. “There are all sorts of

borders in various colour schemes, from pastels to reds and purples to yellow, line the garden, alongside annual pollinator-friendly species, the first recorded ha-ha, vegetable and herb gardens and wildflower meadows.

Crowder is the tenth head gardener at Levens Hall and has been there for nearly four decades, which is a testament to how much he genuinely enjoys his role, despite its intensity. He’d previously worked at a local parks department and had undertaken a diploma at Kew Gardens before applying for his dream position as head gardener at Levens “AnybodyHall.working in this sort of heritage garden becomes part of the history themselves; they work through the seasons towards the next year and five or 10 years. These old houses tend to be fairly static, whereas the garden has varied bygardenenjoyingthecangarden,ofplanting.differentwe’llandgivegardenyear;throughoutinteresttheit’salivingandifyouitafewyearscomeback,beplayingwithtypesofThat’sparttheappealofthisandpeopleprobablyseethatgardenersarethemselves.“Fortunately,theisstillownedthefamilyandso

it isn’t a restoration; it’s a garden that has been with the house down through the years, and there is no written management document today. There is no big book that a landscape architect composed for us; it’s just gardeners having fun, with a great appreciation for history and for those who have come before us. Lots of people have worked in the garden throughout its time,

The art of clipping trees into shapes and forms is now celebrated on 12 May each year, having first been kicked off in lockdown by Levens Hall, and now nearly

60 gardens around the world celebrated it this year. Crowder offered topiary tours to visitors as part of its own celebrations and there were other topiarythemed publicitycertainlyavailableeventstoo.“Itnowdrivesandinterest,

AT LEVENS HALL, THE GARDEN REMAINED LARGELY UNCHANGED , AND THE TOPIARY GARDEN REMAINED .

IT’S MORE THAN 300 YEARS OF CARE AND ATTENTION THAT YOU SEE TODAY

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202282 NURTURE

Collectively, it’s a four-strong team at Levens Hall, caring for and maintaining the gardens, with volunteers also eager to work on the prolific site. And as Crowder says, each leaves their mark and will undoubtedly be appreciated by the next generation of gardeners that comes along.

IT’S JUST GARDENERS HAVING FUN , WITH A GREAT APPRECIATION FOR HISTORY AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE COME BEFORE US

and we appreciate what has been passed ontoWhilstus.” the garden does remain largely unchanged, each generation of gardeners has been adding to it. Crowder himself has been growing its collection of topiary bushes and annual planting changes, as does the way the herbaceous borders are laid out. It continues to offer reasons for visitors to return. “We really appreciate visitors. It makes it all worthwhile when you have people visiting and appreciating your hard work to get the place as perfect as it can possibly be and working against nature day to day, season to season. So, we like visitors coming around and being able to share that with them.”

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 83 NURTURE

1 The Great Umbrella Tree 2 A rare phenomenon – snow at Levens Hall 3 Chris Crowder conducting a tour of the gardens 4 Levens Hall and Topiary Gardens 5 A living sculpture gallery 6 The Crowned Arch 7 Beaumont's Cottage 8 Two Peacocks 9 The Toppling Wedding Cake

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Also, I believe that, although devolving parcels of land into numbers and the application of algorithms to the landscape as a whole may have its place across the macro scale, such an approach is unlikely to drive increased biodiversity at the scale of individual gardens when applied uncritically.

BENCHMARKING BIODIVERSITY IN GARDENS

biodiversity and have been designing gardens to maximise these for my entire career, I feel that sometimes there can be a difficulty in concisely explaining exactly how you can increase biodiversity when designing a garden. Indeed, this question was the genesis of an idea to put this onto a more solid footing within our studio.

Gardens are therefore essential reservoirs of biodiversity even if they are not actively managed or created as such. Simply designing a garden to have more planting and layered interest should therefore achieve a biodiversity increase, contributing to the very real efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity declines across the globe.

However, as a studio, we wanted to adopt an active approach to maximising biodiversity rather than taking a more passive role. Indeed, in the realms of development projects, the imminent mandating of biodiversity net gain (BNG) is just over the horizon. A definition for BNG is given as “an approach to development, and/ or land management, that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand.”

Fortunately, this is essentially correct. In her 30-year study within her garden on the outskirts of Leicester, Jennifer Owen demonstrated that if you look hard enough a modest garden with lawn, shrubs, planting

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lthough I have a ecologyinterestlifelonginand

BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN NEITHER APPLIES TO NOR FITS DOMESTIC PROJECTS, SO WHAT CAN DESIGNERS DO TO ENSURE THEY’RE REACHING – OR BETTER YET, EXCEEDING – THE STANDARD? MATT HADDON IS SEEKING AN ANSWER

Crucially, amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act – expected to become law in 2023 – mandate a minimum 10% biodiversity gain across habitats secured for a minimum 30-year period.

I have been developing a tool for formalising this process and believe it would be useful to share our high-level thoughts so that others can consider a similar approach – the overarching aim for us all being to reverse the declines in biodiversity seen globally and more locally.

AS A STUDIO, WE WANTED TO ADOPT AN ACTIVE APPROACH TO MAXIMISING BIODIVERSITY RATHER THAN TAKING A MORE PASSIVE ROLE

We should therefore seek ways to ensure that consideration of biodiversity plays a much more active role in the development of our designs for gardens and landscapes which fall outside of a mandated BNG regime. Indeed, a 10% increase in biodiversity across a garden should really be a minimum, rather than a target, however narrow our scope of work may be.

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I think for many people increasing garden biodiversity has relied on the maxim: "Build it and they will come". We ‘know’ what increases biodiversity – ponds, meadows of wildflowers, and wildlife habitat boxes form the mainstay in people’s minds. But within our industry we also understand the importance of complex, layered planted habitats and eco-tones (the points where two habitat types intersect).

beds, and productive area (and certainly not a garden maintained solely for biodiversity) will attract more than 2,673 species.

The relatively complex biodiversity metrics for such projects, though, do not apply directly to a more modest garden setting – indeed, a vegetated garden is assigned a Distinctiveness score of ‘Low’ within the metric itself.

As a studio, we will return over the coming years to actively monitor the wildlife presence against the baseline we formed at the start of the process to ensure that our interventions work and continue to add benefit into the long term.

boots on the ground and undertake a field survey during the site analysis stage of a new design, using our site survey to locate specific habitats – areas of wet ground, areas of scrub, and ponds, for example –as well as identifying key native flora and signs of wildlife (from latrines to owl pellets on the ground, to the presence of bats and the songs and calls of birds at dusk). We are not trained ecologists (although we will call them in where required), but we are able to provide enough detail to gain a benchmark for the presence and range of nature in a garden.

A 10% INCREASE IN BIODIVERSITY ACROSS A GARDEN SHOULD REALLY BE A MINIMUM , RATHER THAN A TARGET , HOWEVER NARROW OUR SCOPE OF WORK MAY BE

As designers then, I think our task therefore is to seek to implement specific solutions that link initial biodiversity assessments to defined and documented design intentions, through to the realisation of the design on the screen and beyond.

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202286 NURTURE

First is a desktop survey using readily available satellite imagery. This allows us to see the site within its wider landscape context – looking for broad habitat types and corridors between those habitats to understand the matrix of landscape within which the site

The fourth part of the pre-design process is to agree the goals for biodiversity with the client, always aiming for a 10% minimum increase in biodiversity on the site. As stated, these goals must be rooted in the site and link to specific, measurable, and achievable actions both during the build phases and through to later management tasks, thus ensuring a longer-term commitment and engagement with the garden and landscape.

therefore prioritised three elements within the overall design to achieve this: the provision of suitable nest-boxes – open fronted, not single hole, sited two metres off the ground, hidden behind foliage; consideration of planting choices to create perches for the birds to sit on when hunting; most importantly, though, was agreement to work without pesticides of any kind and to maximise the available insect life through careful plant selection – ensuring that plants could thrive on the site without needing chemical interventions.

Working to increase biodiversity is an investment in long term changes and necessitates working closely with our clients. The key to the success of any scheme is designing to ensure its longterm maintenance, with continuing engagement through positive wildlife increases over time.

Weincreased.thenget

Second,sits.

we utilise online resources – perhaps the most relevant being each Local Authority’s Biodiversity Action Plan. Although many of these are dated for periods now long past, they still contain essential data (which will remain broadly unchanged) such as key habitat types for the region, specific areas of interest, and specific species whose numbers could be

Matt Haddon is a garden and landscape designer and the principle at Matt Haddon Gardens, a design studio committed to creating contemporary gardens, naturalistically planted, where people and wildlife coexist. With a passionate interest in ecology, Matthew is leading with a project to formulate processes to benchmark and then increase biodiversity within the gardens the studio designs. matthaddongardens.co.uk

Throughout the design process we want to primarily ensure that the changes we will make for wildlife are targeted, achievable, and site specific. Therefore, prior to the design getting to the drawing board, there are four tasks we undertake:

ABOUT MATT HADDON

For example, we recently worked in an area where spotted flycatchers were a species identified as locally present but declining. Within the garden context, we

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AN EXAMPLE OF DEVELOPER'S REMOVAL OF INCONVENIENT TREES

• Trees in a conservation area (without a TPO) larger than 100mm diameter when measured at 1.5m above ground level are protected and any works require formal application and have a six-week reply period.

Well, the “following orders” excuse didn’t work for those criminals in World War II and this chap was a cowboy without Stetson. Neither would he disclose the name of the landowner. It subsequently turns out the land is now owned by a developer who was

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202288

• Trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) under the Town and Country Planning Acts cannot be worked on or felled without formal application to the local planning department who will give or refuse consent. They have up to eight weeks to reply and any permission is valid for up to two years. Hazardous TPO trees have a shortcut route and a five-day approval window from the planning department.

Nick is now retired but has worked in landscape o ces, parks management and horticultural nurseries. For the past 20 years, he has also run soft landscape workshops at Coblands and Palmstead. He has been involved in BALI at a regional and national level, and is a trustee of the BALI Chalk Fund, as well as an awards judge.

The land was untouched and had gone wild, creating habitat for a multitude of wildlife including badgers and nesting birds. The boundary trees which topped the railway cutting are over a century old and are actually protected by tree preservation orders. The land is not marked for any development in the neighbourhood plan and planners would desire the land be turned into a public footpath along the old route.

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• Hedgerows are protected from removal if they are more than 20m long and/or connect to other long hedges. The Hedgerow Regulations 1997 protects important hedgerows from removal and owners/managers must get permission to remove.

So, if you don’t know, first check it yourself or you could be liable and fined if you don’t.

The contractor, when confronted, was unclear of the actual boundary and any tree protections. He pleaded ignorance of restrictions to cutting hedgerows during the nesting season, saying: “I am only following my instructions and if I can’t cut these, I won’t have any work at this time of year.”

ABOUT NICK COSLETT

THE AVARICE OF DEVELOPERS RUNNING ROUGHSHOD OVER WILDLIFE PROTECTIONS IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE

here was a hoo-ha in my village this week. Land above the disused railway had been filled in decades ago after the trains stopped running almost 60 years ago. A contractor/tree surgeon was clearing the land and felling trees – all to the concern of neighbours and residents.

The avarice of developers running roughshod over wildlife protections is a fairly common occurrence. Contractors who carry out these instructions are liable to be committing an offence and it is their responsibility to check for protection orders; it’s not too difficult – my council have it all mapped on their website. Ignorance is not an excuse.

having a pre-development clearance to de-nature the site prior to submitting a planning application which would be scrutinised by ecologists and arborists, getting rid of or making the space less attractive to wildlife before they could prevent or delay any development.

• Hedges should not be cut during bird nesting season between 1 March and 31 of August; this protection comes from the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, where wild birds, their eggs and nests are protected. Wild animals such as bats, badgers and plants (especially those on the red list) are protected too.

Concerned residents called on the local authority and police. Tree and planning officers attended the following day as did the police wildlife officer. However, by the time of their arrival, most of the scrub had been cut down including trees more than 100mm in diameter. Fortunately, most of the large trees were saved. However, the developer had claimed back a sizable clear space now of low habitat value.

A REFRESHER FOR ANYONE BEING ASKED TO CARRY OUT SITE CLEARANCE AND TREE FELLING:

A RECENT INCIDENT NEAR NICK COSLETT SERVES AS A REMINDER TO THINK FOR YOURSELF WHEN IT COMES TO LAND CLEARANCE CONTRACTS

“I WAS JUST INSTRUCTIONS…”FOLLOWING

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to be taken seriously. There are times when I almost have to cut people off, to clarify that I am the engineer – not an intermediary for, or assistant to, the man they subconsciously expected to be there.”

Perhaps we could make a start by dropping the language of 'hard' and 'soft' to describe the inanimate and living elements of the landscape; 'hard' links psychologically to masculinity, 'soft' to femininity, so the latter is more likely to be seen as fluffy, inconsequential and perhaps crucially, secondary to the dominant character of the project.

ave you ever seen a landscape of any size or scale that has been designed by a woman,” asks landscape engineer Laura Brady Birkin. “I sometimes wonder, would places look different if there were more women designing them?” She went on to talk about how the landscapes we have as models are mostly designed by men and that it might take several generations of women designers before we might see a different type of landscape develop.

A PROFESSION WITH A GOOD GENDER BALANCE IS ONE WHERE EVERYONE'S TALENTS CAN DEVELOP UNHINDERED BY STEREOTYPICAL PERCEPTIONS

ADHERING TO GENDER STEREOTYPES WITHIN THE WARNSHINDERPROFESSIONLANDSCAPECOULDITSPROGRESS, KINGSBURYNOEL

to asyourgiveCVinorder

Noel Kingsbury is a freelance designer, writer and researcher who has long promoted naturalistic planting design. He also teaches at Boston Architectural College. noelkingsbury.com

Interestingly, she says that she finds “landscape contractors, particularly those who work for the big garden designers, can be a lot more self-reliant in design than the civil engineering contractors from my original background. They have delivered some really fantastic landscapes, for big names, and so they are definitely less inclined to be open to input on site, from anyone, but in my personal experience, even less so from someone who doesn’t look like a site foreman, which I do not. So, I have to work harder than someone who does 'look the part', very quickly, to gain their respect and be listened to. That can be exhausting, it takes up valuable effort that could be spent on solving the actual design problems.”

“It can be difficult getting the boys interested in planting design,” reports Nigel Dunnett, of Sheffield University's Landscape Department. Given that planting is such an important part of so many projects – the major part of many, and often the most obvious to the public –this should clearly be a major problem.

ABOUT NOEL KINGSBURY

There is a big and somewhat speculative discussion to be had here. More fundamental, however, is why we have the gender roles we do in the landscape profession and asking how this impacts young people coming into the industry and the choices they make. I'm not just talking about how women get pushed into stereotypical roles, but men too. So often I have run a planting design workshop with an audience overwhelmingly female. I find that sad – partly because it means men are missing out on an important and hugely creative part of the business, but also because the general tendency has always been for sectors that become dominated by women to get gradually downgraded, with respect, importance and renumeration declining.

“The balance is so extreme,” Laura says, noting that having to prove herself has always been essential. “I do not know any other female landscape or engineering people who do the role that I do. When you arrive in a new role, or site, or meeting, as an introduction you almost have

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 91

A profession with a good gender balance is one where everyone's talents can develop unhindered by stereotypical perceptions and where outcomes reflect a diverse range of perspectives. A profession needs to make the most of its talents, and it cannot do this if only half the possible candidates can contribute to a given aspect of the job. At the end of the day, we all benefit from breaking down these traditional barriers.

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PART 2 prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 93 NURTURE

freight forwarding charges and plant health inspections. As of 1 July, we will also see a new charge to use our private venture ports being built around the UK. We do not yet know the cost of these charges, but they will include the plant health charges to inspect imported plants. In all, over the last year, we have seen an increase of around 20% in cost as a result of new plant import charges directly related to us leaving the EU.

L ast month, we looked at availabilityreduced and significantly increased demand, and now we get to price. Unlike the fairly static plant prices found in UK produced stock, the price of plants coming from Europe has always been something that fluctuated.

MUCH OF THE NEW COST ISN’T FROM EUROPE THOUGH; IT COMES INSTEAD FROM THE UK GOVERNMENT

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

LEWIS NORMAND CONTINUES TO EXPLAIN THE RISING COST OF PLANTS, WITH ONE PERHAPS SURPRISING CULPRIT

Many plants are sold at auctions and so demand set against availability causes an increase in costs and, subsequently, this ends up being passed on to the end consumer. When oil prices are high, making fuel to transport plants higher and the material to make plant pots and labels more expensive, plant prices understandably rise. The war in Ukraine has shown us just how volatile the oil market can be.

is good that we have such a strong position on it in the UK through Defra and the APHA inspectorate.

Similarly, though, Brexit has added to costs. From the morning after the 2016 referendum vote, I noticed a 10-20% rise in European prices. Since Brexit has been implemented, much of the new cost isn’t from Europe though; it comes instead from the UK government. Phytosanitary documents must be produced to import plants safely and these have a cost – as do import taxes,

It would all be so easy if the UK produced more plants and was less reliant on imports, but decades of non-investment or support from multiple UK governments has meant that we have a significantly reduced nursery industry and we first need to rectify this in order to have a chance of stabilising our plant production set against our need to import. It can be done but this will take time – and requires a government which really wants to support the horticultural industries. The latter is the bit that I am yet to see.

The UK government has now quietly backtracked on the start date of the new Border Control Points, removing the 1 July 2022 date as they recognised that it would not work effectively and would add significant cost to plant imports. We await a revised plan.

ABOUT LEWIS NORMAND

It’s impossible to say currently what the new cost will be, but most importers are expecting at least another 5-10% as new Border Control Points are established. Costs have and will continue to rise for a while yet. Market instability will take some years to settle and tree supply may be reduced, especially for larger specimens for a decade or Biosecuritymore.isunderstandablyapriority,soit

MORE EXPENSIVEIN 2022? WHY ARE MY PLANTS

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INSIDE EDUCATE THIS MONTH PAGE 97 ALISON WARNER, PAGE 98 GARETH WILSON, PAGE 99 ORACLE SOLICITORS, PAGE 100 ANGUS LINDSAY, PAGE 103 PANEL DEBATE: FENCING PRODUCTS, PAGE 106 LITTLE INTERVIEWS EDUCATE FENCING PRODUCTS P 103 PANEL DEBATE:

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So, how do you ensure that your business does not fall into this trap?

Listen!

Here are my top tips:

Whether you are growing or simply want to ensure your operating standards are consistent, it’s important not to get complacent and stay close to both your paying customer and your team. My recommendation would be to implement a customer survey that becomes part of your everyday process, and conduct regular team meetings and 1-2-1’s to promote an open culture.

L ast week I ofLorraineinterviewedBridgesBarePRfor

Plan for growth

ALISON WARNER ON WHY IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE THE BIGGESTEDUCATEIMPACT

To find out how Evolve and Grow can help you grow your business, take our free BUILD system scorecard, available on our website: evolveandgrowcoaching.com

It’s the small things that make the difference, whether that’s informing the customer of an expected time of arrival, showing genuine care for customers and

ABOUT ALISON WARNER

my podcast show, about her experiences when working with trades –the good, bad and the ugly. It struck me once more that those who win in the game of any business have their communication nailed. Be it with their customers or team, the most successful have slick systems that ensure consistency, promptness and transparency.

their property, or a simple thank you for the business. These are the things that help you stand out from your competition and don’t actually cost anything!

REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE OF ORGANISATION, POOR COMMUNICATION LEADS TO UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS , UNHAPPY TEAMS AND POOR RETENTION OF BOTH

I have worked in large organisations and now work solely with small-to-medium businesses. Regardless of the size of organisation, though, in my experience, poor communication leads to unhappy customers, unhappy teams and poor retention of both.

Regularly seek feedback

If you’re a growing business, it’s essential to look ahead and try to predict what you’ll need to do to manage the next hike in business. Whether this be implementing a CRM system, a job management system or upgrading those that you currently have. Always aim to be ahead of the growth curve as opposed to constantly fire fighting and being on the back foot.

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WHY COMMUNICATION WINS THE GAME!

There are some great systems out there that can automate simple tasks; for example, sending an acknowledgement that an enquiry has been received, through to managing key steps of workflow. This ensures that you respond to customers quickly and your team is notified about what task needs to be done and when. This creates efficiencies, saves costs and will help you lead the way in customer service.

Automate simple tasks

Alison Warner is the founder of Evolve and Grow, a business coaching rm that specialises in the trades and construction industry. She is also the author of bestselling book ‘How to go from Tradesperson to Managing Director in the Construction and Trade Industries’.

Pay attention to detail

Yes, effective communication isn’t all about talking; a key part is the listening, both to your customer and your team. Practice active listening as opposed to listening to respond! Ask questions to clarify your understanding and note the difference it makes.

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 97

33 years ago, I was working in Marsden in Yorkshire and the brick layers were the filthiest outfit I’ve ever seen. I remember the final straw was that the owner of the house had hired them a large diesel site mixer and then had to hire a breaker to free the mixer of all the mortar they’d dumped at its base.

We then booked a Zoom meeting for toolbox talks and general site tidiness. One of the team didn’t last the following week before he and the landscaper parted company. I’ve now been told by the landscaper things are running a lot more smoothly and a semblance of order has been restored.

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 202298

t’s been a funny few weeks to say the least, with my agreeing to consult on and build several RHS show gardens. So much for show garden retirement, hey?

requiring servicing and filter changes. His next purchase was a compressor and airline to clean off all his tools on a regular basis.

The first thing I did was to ask the landscaper to bring one of his lads off site and tidy the lock-up, and the other lad to tidy the site I’d just visited. We discovered that approximately 45% of the tools were in need of repair, a further 15% were only fit for the skip, and some were worth keeping for parts. I next discovered that not only did the landscaper have no tool repair company on his books, but he was also buying new tools to replace broken but repairable kit. So, my first job was to book all his tools into the nearest repair centre over the next four weeks and book his vans in for service.

NOT ONLY DID THE LANDSCAPER HAVE NO TOOL REPAIR COMPANY ON HIS BOOKS, BUT HE WAS ALSO BUYING NEW TOOLS TO REPLACE BROKEN BUT REPAIRABLE KIT

EDUCATE

Now a retained consultant to The Landscape Academy, Gareth is a member of multiple professional bodies. He provides technical and product advice to companies, mentors and trains landscapers across the UK, and provides arbitration and mediation services.

We met on site, which I could only describe as close to a bomb site. There was a cut-off saw with the pull cord hanging out, shovels full of dried mortar, a wheelbarrow which was three quarters of gone-off mortar mix in it from the day before and materials not stacked neatly and strewn all over. The ultimate sin was a beaten-up, relatively new mixer which had lump hammer craters all around the drum and part of the mix had been left inside. It was quite clear that

Anyway, down to business. A couple of months ago, I was asked for some advice from a contractor who was going through a tough time where nothing seemed to be going his way at all despite his having work coming out of his ears. He was seriously thinking of packing it in and taking on a driving role for an easier life. I see and hear a lot of similar stories up and down the country, especially since lockdown. Specifically, the landscaper stated all his tools seemed to break down at once and he was constantly hiring tools from TP.

Leaving college at 17, Gareth has worked in the landscape industry since 1989. Progressing onto high-end projects over the years, he has picked up 30 RHS medals, including Gold at Chelsea.

gkwilsonlandscaping.co.uk

I said I would come and visit him, and I wanted to see everything, from his yard and lock up to how he runs his sites. As he was only 20 miles or so away, I said I’d meet him first thing in the morning so he wouldn’t have time to change anything, and I’d get an actual insight into how he ran things without hiding anything.

The owner of the house asked me to come and see him and to bring my hand tools. The house owner asked me if I could finish off the concrete block walls. The client looked at my basic tools and said I had the job. I asked why he wanted to see my tools, and I’ll never forget his reply: “If you’ve not got pride in your own tools, how can you have pride in the work you do?”

the two lads on site had lost pride in their work. We then went to the lock up to find some tools piled up in the corner and other tools dumped all over the place including drills, batteries and chargers without boxes – the list went on and on.

MAINTENANCE IS KEY

TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR TOOLS, SAYS GARETH WILSON

ABOUT GARETH WILSON

I then set about starting up a maintenance programme with a white board set up in his lock-up to log broken tools and shelves built to separate the tools that required repair and those that worked. I had a large A0 calendar mounted on the wall with dates of all the tools and vans

a) Whether the employer can request that the employee is available in certain circumstances.

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 99

EDUCATE

• The commencement and duration of the break

• Clarity regarding training, social events, access to the office and keeping in touch

• The application process (information to be included, periods for consideration, etc.)

Historically, sabbaticals have been seen as a benefit for employees and they are utilised for a variety of reasons, including:

WHETHER YOUR EMPLOYEE HAS ASKED FOR A SABBATICAL, OR YOU’RE THINKING OF TAKING ONE YOURSELF, ORACLE SOLICITORS’ JASON MCKENZIE AND KUMSAL KALELI OFFER KEY CONSIDERATIONS

b) Whether the employee can work for others during the break.

• volunteering projects

The length of a sabbatical will depend on the agreement between the employee and the employer and also the employer’s sabbatical policy, if there is one. They generally last longer than the employee’s regular periods of annual leave and typically last anywhere from two months up to a year or more.

• Conditions for taking a break (periods that breaks can be granted for and the impact on employment status)

• Obligations and rights on returning from the break

• Responsibilities during a break

• Clarity regarding pay, benefits and any other remuneration during the break – sabbaticals can be paid or unpaid (although, with certain exceptions, the majority of sabbaticals are unpaid)

Employers should consider all requests fairly. It is therefore essential to address all the key aspects in sabbatical agreements and policies which will prevent misunderstandings, discrimination, and other claims or difficulties later on.

• Responding to an application (factors taken into account, what happens if a request is accepted or rejected)

It is important to carefully record the arrangements for any agreed sabbatical, whether or not there is a policy in place. It is strongly recommended that an agreement

• Eligibility (length of service requirement, for example)

A key legal issue for both employees and employers is whether the employment contract remains in force during the sabbatical. This is largely dependent on the employer’s policy, or the terms agreed between the employer and employee.

ABOUT ORACLE SOLICITORS

What happens to the employment contract during a sabbatical?

• The status of the existing contract of employment during the break (and, if the contract is to continue, which provision of the contract apply or are suspended during the term of the sabbatical)

A sabbatical policy (where there is one), should normally cover:

• an extended break to alleviate stress or burn out (particularly with high-pressure roles)

Many public sector organisations have sabbatical (or “career break”) policies in place and some provide employees with a contractual right to take a sabbatical every few years. Whilst it is less common, such policies and contractual provisions are also available to employees in the private sector.

• acquiring new skills (e.g. an educational course of interest)

• Work during the career break, in terms of both:

• adventurous pursuits

Sabbaticals are periods of paid or unpaid time away from work (usually extended periods) which are agreed between the employer and employee. A sabbatical is sometimes also referred to as an ‘adult gap year’ but is most commonly referred to as a ‘career break’.

is fully set out in a letter signed by both parties covering:

What is a sabbatical and how can an employee (and an employer) benefit from it?

Oracle Solicitors is an award-winning law rm with a deep understanding of the landscape industry and expertise in employment, commercial, litigation, property and contract law. Oracle Solicitors, founded in 2002 has since grown to include o ces in London, Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester, Frankfurt, and Addis Ababa – please visit: oraclesolicitors.co.uk

TAKING A BREAK

SABBATICALS CAN ALSO BE USED BY EMPLOYERS FOR THEIR BENEFIT

• Returning from a break

How long does a sabbatical last?

Sabbaticals can also be used by employers for their benefit. Employers can offer unpaid sabbaticals as an alternative to redundancy, for example; this can potentially help to reduce salary overheads while preserving valued employees, where it is anticipated that there will be an increase in business in the longer term (e.g. during the COVID-19 downturn for some businesses).

always the case. This change affects not just the end user but those who supply and deliver this type of equipment whose standard trailer is a flatbed with individual pull-out ramps.

KEEPING AN EYE ON THE DETAIL

Angus spent several years working on arable farms in Scotland before joining VSO in Egypt, implementing a mechanisation programme, managing eld operations for a commercial cotton plantation in Nigeria and working as a contract instructor for Massey Ferguson in Yemen. He has an Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation Management MSc from Silsoe, and joined Glendale as machinery manager in 1994, then idverde UK in 2009. angus.lindsay@idverde.co.uk

OUT WITH THE OLD? IN WITH THE NEW? SAFETY DECALS: THERE TO BE ADHERED TO

our people to work safely. With the specific ramp dilemma, we need to accommodate the direction given by the manufacturer, even if it means having to adapt the way we work and/or further investment.

This was recently highlighted following the delivery of several new zero-turn machines which, unbeknown to us and even the supplier, now feature a warning sticker indicating that this type of machine is not suitable for loading with individual ramps and should only be loaded using a full width ramp. That’s all well and good if you have these at your disposal either as part of a vehiclebeavertailorgoodstrailer,butthisisnot

Even the humble panel van is not exempt; with more of these being used to give security when on site, it can make sense to use a couple of ramps out the back or the side to get a pedestrian machine in/out of the van. But what of the pedestrian roller,

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 2022100 EDUCATE

ABOUT ANGUS LINDSAY

low

level is one thing, but I still see operators loading large machines up and onto the back of 3.5t trucks (flat-bed trucks or tippers using individual ramps or even worse, using unsecured scaffolding boards). This, in anyone’s eyes, should be seen as an accident waiting to happen.

The bottom line is that we all need to be operating as safely as possible within the guidance and instructions given. We must all ensure we have suitable and sufficient risk assessments and proper instructions for

UPDATES TO SAFE PRACTICE MIGHT THROW UP CHALLENGES, BUT THEY NEED TO BE ADHERED TO, SAYS ANGUS LINDSAY

I totally understand the thinking behind this warning, especially where zero-turn type machines are concerned.

rotavator, heavy-duty mower and of course the small ride-on, some of which can weigh up to 300kg and can be particularly difficult to manoeuvre up a couple of aluminium ramps safely, especially when arriving into the confines and contents of the panel van? Is this an acceptable practice?

As employers, we all need to conduct our own risk assessments to ensure we operate in a safe way, but when the manufacturer introduces a significant change or important safety instruction, this should not be solely down to the spotting of a decal on the machine or a picture in an operator manual. This requirement should be known well before the point at which the equipment is being delivered or even used for the first time.

occur.operationpayload,alongequipment,withunderstandingasitisduringthiswhenaccidentsLoadingtrailersata

This change will ultimately make us safer and protect our people, so it is an initiative that will be fully supported; if we choose to ignore the guidance and there’s an accident which is investigated by the HSE and/or insurers then we become liable.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT WE ALL NEED TO BE OPERATING AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE GUIDANCE AND INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN

e all fittedbethem,usetheyto

A further point to consider is that with the recent change to driver licences, whereby we are no longer required to undertake an additional test to tow a trailer. Part of the programme for inexperienced drivers to gain towing experience should be the safe loading of materials and

trailers or vehicles and made of aluminium, steel, composite, or maybe even scaffolding boards – loading ramps are an everyday part of our logistics arsenal when it comes to moving machinery and equipment. They are also part of an operation which can carry a significant amount of risk, especially in wet or muddy conditions or when using pairs of individual ramps.

It’s Your World. Rain Bird offers the broadest range of controllereasy-to-usesolutions. Explore our entire lineup at rainbird.com/TakeControl-en LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES Renowned for the quality of our specialist soils and lightweight materials, which are developed with and tested to the British Standard and beyond by Tim O’Hare Associates. Our products are regularly specified by leading Landscape Architects and Designers and widely used by the Landscape and Horticultural Trades and Industries. Supplying orders from one bag to many thousands of tons, we can undertake the most challenging deliveries using our own fleet of Silver Fors specialist delivery vehicles. Please call us to discuss your next projects needs. SPECIALIST LIGHTWEIGHT SOILS DELIVERED EFFORTLESSLY REGARDLESS OF THE LOGISTIS! Tel: 01306 877540 or buy online www.buryhilltopsoilandlogs.co.ukatEmail:sales@buryhilltopsoil.com BUILDING AGGREGATES • WILDFLOWER TURF & SEED • DECORATIVE STONE•PREMIUM&CONTRACTSOILS•ERICACEOUS&SPECIALISTSOILS•LOWFERTILITY&BESPOKEBLENDEDSOILS •LIGHTWEIGHTROOFSOILS•SPORTSLOAMS&DRESSINGS•SOILCONDITIONER COMPOST&MULCHES•BARKS&WOODCHIP•PLAYSAND&PLAYGRADEBARK•LAWNTURF&GRASSSEED•• www.cadmap.co.uk • info@cadmap.co.uk Surrey 01483 429385 London 020 81111 385 Brighton 01273 027327 Southampton 0238 2023881 Cadmap Ltd provide detailed Topographical Land Surveys for award-winning landscape design architects, many who have won Gold medals at RHS Shows and other prestigious awards around the United Kingdom. Cadmap Ltd are experienced at providing detailed Land surveys for landscape design compared to standard Land Survey detailing for housing developments. The company is a full member of The Survey Association, fully insured and holds 5m professional indemnity cover. If you require a Topographical Land Survey please contact us on the below details and Cadmap Ltd will provide a fee proposal free of charge for any size project you require. Landscape Survey Specialists HERETOHELPYOU createamazingspaces NEXTDAYDELIVERY LOYALTYREWARDS DEDICATEDSUPPORT T 5minsfromM3,J4|www.kebur.co.uk|01252517571 KeburContempoValleyGreyPorcelainandWillowProPorcelain PavingwithRedCedarslattedfencing.Photocourtesyof MistletoeGardenDesign Hundredsofnaturalstone&porcelainoptions Bespokesourcing,accessories,lighting&more

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Size(s) available 2.7m high Material Timber

• Designed to make fencing simpler.

What is needed for installation? Concrete or timber fence posts; concrete or timber gravel boards; fence capping; and post mix concrete.

Material Western red cedar or Iroko

• Suregreen offers fast nationwide delivery alongside competitive prices.

Price including VAT: From £186 gardentrellis.co.uk

• 15-year timber guarantee.

SUREGREEN LTD FEATHER EDGE CLOSE BOARD FENCE PANELS

• Suregreen offers a bespoke cutting service to fulfil orders of any size, handmade on-site in Essex using British timber.

SLOTTEDANGLED JAKPOST

What is needed for installation? Post fixing mix to secure into the ground. Selling points

FIND OUT WHY ONE OF THESE FENCING PRODUCTS COULD BE PERFECT FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT DEBATE PANEL

JACKSONS FENCING

Size(s) available Available in 1800mm widths and six height options from 450mm to 1800mm. Bespoke sizes also available.

Size(s) available As standard, Suregreen offers the following sizes but is able to fulfil bespoke orders too: 3ft x 6ft (900mm); 4ft x 6ft (1200mm); 5ft x 6ft (1500mm); 5ft 6in x 6ft (1650mm); and 6ft x 6ft (1800mm).

Price including VAT: £59.32 jacksons-fencing.co.uk

Selling points

Material Sustainably sourced timber, pressure-treated (either green or brown) to improve longevity.

THE GARDEN TRELLIS CO RHS PRESTIGE WEAVE PANELS

• Innovative design that allows a change of direction between 30-45°.

Price including VAT: From £31.95 (trade price) sure-green.com

What is needed for installation? Compatible with timber or concrete posts. Selling points

• Guaranteed for 25 years against rot and insect attack.

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 103 EDUCATE

• Endorsed by the RHS, these provide a stylish screen to a garden.

• The panels are fully framed to create a strong, yet lightweight panel.

This Oxfordshire team o ers a wide range of domestic gardening services in Southmoor and surrounding villages. This includes designing and creating new gardens as well as maintaining existing ones. Due to continued high demand, it is looking to take on an assistant landscape gardener. You will be a hard-working individual quali ed to at least NVQ Level 2 or equivalent and share the passion for nature and creating gardens. This role is suitable for a newly quali ed apprentice or amateur gardener looking to progress.

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

GARDENER

LANDSCAPE OPERATIVE

SOUTHERN LTD T/A ATLANTES LANDSCAPES

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

Elmtree is a landscape construction and grounds maintenance company based in Bristol. It was awarded Employer of The Year and Supreme Winner at the recent Pro Landscaper Business Awards 2022, and was Supreme Winner previously in 2019. It has full time permanent positions available for experienced fencing operatives, carrying out duties such as erecting closeboard fencing, gates, post and rail fencing on high-end new build schemes. Three years of commercial timber fencing experience is required.

GLENDALE

Whiting Landscape is looking for experienced individuals to join its grounds maintenance teams across the East and West Midlands. Candidates must be reliable, take pride in their work and keen to work as part of the team. Experience in landscaping is preferred but not essential as on-the-job training will be provided. Valid driving licence is preferable but not essential, as is a PA6 spraying licence.

SORBUS GARDEN CARE

Location: East and West Midlands

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

FENCING OPERATIVES

The Landscape Gardener Southern Ltd T/A Atlantes Landscapes, a multidisciplinary landscape design and installation company, seeks candidates with least 8 to 10 years experience in the landscape industry. It is looking for someone competent with all areas of soft landscaping, installation of all hard landscape elements as well as reading and understanding all types of landscape drawings and setting out the project on site.

Location: Bristol

ELMTREE GARDEN CONTRACTORS

Location: Oxfordshire

LEAD GARDENER

The Garden Room is a young, dynamic design-led business operating across the south of England. It designs, installs and manages beautiful garden spaces and is looking for a passionate person to join the growing business and to assist with managing the expanding aftercare portfolio. Reporting directly to the managing director on a daily basis, the right candidate will look after gardens as well as assist with installation and planting during the project phase.

WHITING LANDSCAPE

QUALIFIED AND TRAINEE ARBORISTS

Location: Somerset

Glendale is one of the largest green space management service providers in the UK. Glendale's o ce in Bristol has witnessed signi cant growth, and with contracts now secured for the next ve years it has a unique opportunity to recruit apprentices, trainee, and quali ed arborists to develop its teams. As well as core technical arboricultural tasks, services o ered from this o ce include woodland and estates management, vegetation management, fencing, tree surgery, forestry and environmental engineering projects.

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

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 2022104 JOBS For full details on all jobs, please go to horticulturecareers.co.uk Call 01903 777 570 or email mark.wellman@eljays44.com with your vacancy.

LANDSCAPEEXPERIENCEDGARDENER

C.A.R. Gardens is looking for a gardener to join its garden maintenance teams on the Isle of Wight. You’ll need experience and a good set of gardening skills. You’ll need to be hard working, physically t and able to take direction whilst at the same time make decisions. You’ll need to take pride in your work, with attention to detail essential. This job includes all aspects of organic gardening. You’ll also be calculating, collecting and ordering of materials and equipment whilst overseeing and helping less skilled team members develop.

SORBUS GARDEN CARE

THE GARDEN ROOM

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

This Oxfordshire team o ers a wide range of domestic gardening services in Southmoor and surrounding villages. This includes designing and creating new gardens as well as maintaining existing ones. Due to continued high demand, it is also looking to take on an experienced landscape gardener. The ideal candidate will be a hard-working individual, able to work independently as well as possessing good horticultural knowledge and practical skills.

THE LANDSCAPE GARDENER

Location: Dorset, London and Southern England

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

LANDSCAPING TEAM LEADER (x2)

Location: Hampshire

Location: Devon

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

C.A.R. GARDENS

ASSISTANT LANDSCAPE GARDENER

Location: Oxfordshire

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

Design, Installation & Maintenance of Landscape Irrigation Systems and Water Features 01963 824166 info@waterscapeslimited.com@waterscapesltd sales@screwshop.co.uk 0121 559 8866 FOR ALL YOUR FASTENER AND SCREW REQUIREMENTS rootgrow.co.uk • info@plantworksuk.co.uk • 01795 411527 www.access-irrigation.co.uk • sales@access-irrigation.co.uk 01788 823811 FOR ALL YOUR IRRIGATION NEEDS Design and Advice • Irrigation Parts Catalogue 24/7 Online Parts Ordering www.shadewww.shade -solutions.comsolutions.comShade SolutionsShade Solutions        Tel 0345 230 9697 • www.lws.uk.com For all your golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs. Buy online at www.lws.uk.com CLASSIFIED

What was your first job? Butchers shop assistant.

What was your first job?

What would you like to see happen next in the landscape industry? A unified, industry wide sustainably metric/accreditation. We need something that is recognised across the industry to help give the customers of suppliers/products sustainability credentials.

prolandscapermagazine .comPro Landscaper / July 2022106 EDUCATE

What’s the latest tool you refuse to work without? iPhone 12.

Marketing manager, Eco Sustainable Solutions TRISTAN DAMPNEY

What would you like to see happen next in the landscape industry? Creation of more outdoor workspaces.

If you could win an Olympic medal for anything, real or made up, what would it be? 100m would be nice.

If you had to live in another country, which would it be? Portugal.

Besides horticulture, what are you most passionate about?

Which garden inspires you the most? Madeira Botanical Garden in Funchal, Portugal.

Describe yourself in three words. Positive, thorough and fun.

What is at the top of your bucket list? Trip to Sri Lanka.

What’s the latest tool you refuse to work without?

Which garden inspires you the most? My parents’ garden – my grandfather designed it, my dad developed it and it’s where my parents, my brother and my sister all got married!

Food! Either going out for food or making a massive mess by cooking at home.

My iPad – trying to move away from paper (including my notepad) and having everything connected digitally is a game-changer.

If you had to live in another country, which would it be? South of France, mainly because of the thisiseco.co.ukfood!

Besides horticulture, what are you most passionate about? Family, sports and keeping active.

Best piece of advice you’ve been given? "Keep your eyes and ears peeled!"

What is your biggest pet peeve? Hair going everywhere.

"Be nice to people as everyone is fighting a battle you can’t see."

Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

adtrak.co.uk Account director (media), Adtrak BEN SHAW

INTERVIEWLITTLETHE

PRO TAKEASKSLANDSCAPERQUICK-FIREQUESTIONSTOGAINASMALLINSIGHTINTOTHEPEOPLEWHOMAKEUPOURINDUSTRY.TOPART,EMAIL ELJAYS44.COMCONTENT@

In the Pizza Hut kitchens. Still getting over the stress of a Saturday night!

If you had to live in another country, which would it be?

Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Garden Chilterndesigner,GardenDesign

What was your first job?

Besides horticulture, what are you most passionate about?

“You don’t need to watch the mixer.”

Which garden inspires you the most?

The new Mumby Machinery Power Box Rake; it’s a lot more robust and leaves a great finish for soil prep areas.

The industry needs to have a more visible presence in our schools and beyond. For example, gobby people like me could give talks to young people and others about the benefits of horticulture on both physical and mental health.

Don’t forget to take time to stop and listen.

If you had to live in another country, which would it be?

What would you like to see happen next in the landscape industry?

Best piece of advice you’ve been given? "You can be anything you want to be."

I was always drawn to Singapore because of the tropical nature and variety of species, as well as it having similar standards to the UK.

Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Snowboarding in Utah, for the champagne powder.

Managing director, Land Technology Ltd

I like gardens which have strong architectural lines, with lots of bold evergreen planting, plus a cheeky mix of cottage style perennial plants.

Describe yourself in three words. Determined, active, gritty.

I loved a recent visit to Sculpture by the Lakes in Dorset.

What’s the latest tool you refuse to work without?

I have recently ramped up my Munro bagging efforts, adding 11 of the highest peaks in the UK to my tally in the last four months.

City break or beach holiday? Neither – I prefer the countryside.

Besides horticulture, what are you most passionate about?

Describe yourself in three words. Adventurous, friendly, chocoholic.

Which garden inspires you the most? My mum’s garden. She is forever pottering around there, and she has the most amazing array of flowers and little nooks with interesting features you won’t find anywhere else.

What is at the top of your bucket list?

What would you like to see happen next in the landscape industry? More youth development and guidance from secondary schools.

If you could win an Olympic medal for anything, real or made up, what would it be?

What would you like to see happen next in the landscape industry? More diversity across the industry.

land-technology.co.ukoasisgardendesign.co.uk chilterngardendesign.com

What is at the top of your bucket list? Be a TV presenter.

Vectorworks 2022.

Switzerland. I’m always uplifted by the Alps (the chocolate is excellent too!).

What was your first job? Advertising executive for an upmarket glossy magazine.

Garden designer, writer, event speaker, Oasis Garden Design

prolandscapermagazine .com Pro Landscaper / July 2022 107 EDUCATE

Check-in at Heathrow Terminal 2 for Air France. Not where I thought I would land after my degree in modern languages!

COLIN SMITHJACQUIE FELIX-MITCHELL SAM PROCTOR

What is your biggest pet peeve? Shortcuts.

What’s the latest tool you refuse to work without?

I'm really passionate about the talks I give for a range of organisations –not just on garden design, but on other topics too. I really enjoy wild swimming in the river Dart too!

Which garden inspires you the most?

Snowboard Cross (if I were 25 years younger, I’d be training for it!).

What is your biggest pet peeve? Racism.

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