Pro Landscaper October 2020

OCTOBER 2O20

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

JOHNSTONE

LANDSCAPES

TIERED TERRACE

HEADS TOGETHER

IMPACT ON IMPORTS

MIND THE GENDER GAP

A modern overhaul by Daniel Shea Garden Design

Mental health and wellbeing with Headplace

Nick Coslett talks Brexit and buying British

How do women fare in the horticulture industry?

Cover.indd 1

18/09/2020 08:39

PotCo_ViridiPanel_225x300_16_9_20.qxp_Layout 1 16/09/2020 11:41 Page 1

Viridi Corten Steel decorative panels in 16 designs www.thepotco.com/shop/features/landscape-features/walls Advert Template PL.indd 39

16/09/2020 16:15

WELCOME

W E LCO M E W

public health, restrictions and freedom, working from the office or working from home – the list goes on. I do believe this is our new world, with continual change, being flexible and prepared for any eventualities at least until a vaccine is found and maybe, more importantly, delivered. The future is that, now we are all going to have to get used to doing things differently.

We are very proud that Pro Landscaper has managed to constantly publish during this period and we would like to thank Nina, Kara and the team for keeping up the standard and delivering excellent issues – this one being no exception.

This issue is packed, with a great interview with Johnstone Landscapes – a small but extremely well-run landscape company. We look inside Headplace, a non-profit landscape architectural practice working on the issue of mental health in the built environment, and of course the usual mixture of informative, educational and entertaining content.

Enjoy the read,

JIM & LISA

THE FUTURE IS THAT, NOW WE ARE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO GET USED TO DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY

©Tom Baker

elcome to the October edition of Pro Landscaper. We would like to say a few congratulations, firstly to Sue Biggs, director general of the RHS who has just celebrated her 10th year at the helm. Sue has certainly given the UK’s largest charity direction and focus over the last decade and has been a fantastic advocate for the whole of the UK’s horticultural sector.

The second congratulations is to the new chairman of BALI, Richard Kay, who owns Green-tech, a leading supplier of landscape products for the last 25 years. Green-tech also contributes and supports the industry in many ways, championing Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation initiative and our business awards, and being headline sponsor of the BALI awards.

We now seem to be going into another uncertain time, with what seems a never-ending list of changes as to how we can go about our work and personal lives. Each part of the country seems to be dealing with different issues, with no one really sure of what is the best solution: getting the balance right in terms of the UK economy versus

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Leader.indd 3

Pro Landscaper / October 2020

3

17/09/2020 10:33

CONTENTS

INSPIRE

15

INFORM 08 12 15 21 22 25 26 28 29 4

Courting Brilliance Inscapes Tiered Terrace Daniel Shea Garden Design Appealing Avenue idverde Landscape Architect’s Journal Owen Byrom and Headplace Lighting Those Lengths Neil Parslow

News Our monthly roundup of industry news Future Projects St Helier Waterfront, Jersey

NURTURE

Let’s Hear It From Johnstone Landscapes View from the Top Jim Wilkinson How Random?

Andrew Wilson The Rise of Rewilding Ben West Safeguarding Your Business Sean Butler small project BIG IMPACT Enter this year’s awards Oxford Botanic Garden History Repeats Itself

Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Contents-6.indd 4

35 38 42 47 51

55

35

55 59 60 63 64 67

Feature Garden Attadale Gardens Brexit Worries Lewis Normand Impact On Imports Nick Coslett Buying Bareroot Steve McCurdy Topsoil’s Transformation Andy Spetch Nursery Focus If Plants

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/09/2020 09:43

CONTENTS

O C TO B E R 2 0 2 0 E D U C AT E 72 73 75 79 85

Talking Terms Ilan Braha and Jason McKenzie of Oracle Solicitors Move or Improve?

Lee Bestall A Sense of Ownership Angus Lindsay Battery Powered Kit Latest Products Mind the Gender Gap The issue within our industry ©Rachel Warne

71

94

Bonded or Bound?

Learn the benefits of both

PEOPLE

85

89 90 91 93 94 95 98

29

Out & About The Lake District plants@work Awards Revealing 2020 winners

OCTOBER 2O20

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

Decade at the Helm Industry timeline for Sue Biggs

JOHNSTONE

LANDSCAPES

World Suicide Prevention Day What can we learn from it?

Love Horticulture Ian Drummond 30 Under 30 Update Kenny Raybould Little Interviews Questions with the individuals who make up our industry

TIERED TERRACE

HEADS TOGETHER

IMPACT ON IMPORTS

MIND THE GENDER GAP

A modern overhaul by Daniel Shea Garden Design

Mental health and wellbeing with Headplace

Nick Coslett talks Brexit and buying British

How do women fare in the horticulture industry?

Cover.indd 1

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Contents-6.indd 5

18/09/2020 08:39

Pro Landscaper / October 2020

5

18/09/2020 08:49

WE CUT EVERYTHING EXCEPT CORNERS!

At STIGA, we don’t just cater for the discerning domestic gardener we have designed and built machines to meet the needs of commercial operators, from contractors and estate managers, through to groundskeepers and professional landscapers. Powerful engines, advanced functions, ergonomics and high quality construction, STIGA machines are built from the ground up.

Established in Sweden in 1934, STIGA has more than 80 years of experience in producing innovative gardening products To discover the complete range or to find your local STIGA dealer visit: www.stiga.com/uk

Advert Template PL.indd 44

17/09/2020 12:43

CONTRIBUTORS

CO N T R I B U TO R S Neil Parslow When lighting in and around swimming pools, as well as natural pools, you need to consider the surrounding landscape to really make a splash. Neil Parslow explains why pools provide the perfect surface for exterior lighting, and gives his top tips for illuminating pools underwater as well as the usual pitfalls to avoid.

P51

W W W.LIGHTVISUALS.CO.UK

ANDREW WILSON P22

@LIGHT VISUALSUK

Steve McCurdy

BEN WEST P25

Are you asking your nursery the right questions when it comes to buying bareroot stock? If you’re not sure, Steve McCurdy has provided a comprehensive list of the key areas to focus on, and the answers you want to hear for successful planting.

He also asks whether there are alternatives to bareroot to consider first.

P63

W W W.MA JESTICTREES.CO.UK

@MA JESTICTREES

LEWIS NORMAND P59

Andy Spetch Topsoil has come a long way since muck-away was the mainstream, says Andy Spetch. Manufactured topsoil has had to fight to be accepted, and revisions to the British Standard have helped this happen, holding it to the same standard as natural topsoil. But there are still suppliers out there selling unsafe products, warns Andy.

P64

W W W.BSTOPSOIL.CO.UK

NICK COSLETT P60

@ANDYSPETCH

Angus Lindsay

ORACLE SOLICITORS P71

As companies and individuals make do with the kit they have, rather than purchasing new equipment throughout lockdown, it puts a throwaway culture into question.

Angus Lindsay says we need to learn to care for kit, regularly maintaining it to ensure it lasts for longer periods of time, rather than replacing it after a bit of wear and tear.

P73

W W W.IDVERDE.CO.UK

CONTACT

Eljays44 Ltd 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA Tel: 01903 777 570 EDITORIAL Editorial director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 579 Head of content – Nina Mason nina.mason@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 959 393 Deputy head of content – Rachael Forsyth rachael.forsyth@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 578 Equipment editor – Rachel Gordon proarbeditor@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570 Subeditor – Katrina Roy katrina.roy@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 959 391 Subeditor – Sam Seaton sam.seaton@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 959 391

LEE BESTALL P72

@IDVERDEUK

Design – Kara Thomas, Kirsty Turek ADVERTISING Business development manager – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 585 Head of sales – Jessica McCabe jessica.mccabe@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 587 Horticulture Careers – Ben Cumberland ben.cumberland@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 583 Managing director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 589 MARKETING AND CIRCULATION Tel: 01903 777 570 Subscription enquiries – Laura Harris laura.harris@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 580

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

by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2020 subscription price is £95. Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA, UK. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

Whilst every effort has been made to maintain the integrity of our advertisers, we accept no responsibility for any problem, complaints, or subsequent litigation arising from readers’ responses to advertisements in the magazine.

We also wish to emphasise that views expressed by editorial contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden.

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an affiliate member of BALI

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

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

MANAGEMENT Managing director Jim Wilkinson Director Lisa Wilkinson Business development manager Jamie Wilkinson

Cover image ©Jason Ingram/ Johnstone Landscapes

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Contributors.indd 7

Pro Landscaper / October 2020

7

17/09/2020 16:13

INFORM

NEWS SOCIET Y OF GARDEN DESIGNERS ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIR

T

he Society of Garden Designers (SGD) has announced Lynne Marcus MSGD as its new chair, replacing Sarah Morgan MSGD who steps down from the role after her three-year tenure.

Lynne is a registered member of the society and has been a director on the SGD council since February 2019, during which time she has overseen the running and development of the SGD Awards.

Lynne, who took up the post on 7 September, will be supported by a new vice chair: Andrew Duff MSGD, the current SGD council member for education and the garden design faculty director and managing director at Inchbald School of Design.

Speaking at the time of her appointment, Lynne said: “Sarah Morgan has been an energetic, wise and steadfast advocate for the

society over the last three years, unequivocally promoting good practice, good design and good relations.

We have greatly benefited from her experience, which gave her the vision, authority and integrity to lead the council and to streamline, strengthen and standardise our membership adjudication process – arguably the single most important function of a professional body.

“Sarah is a hard act to follow and luckily for me I will continue to benefit from her advice, as she remains on council, responsible for adjudication.” www.sgd.org.uk

GROUND CONTROL TRIALS INDUSTRY-LEADING DE-ICING TECHNOLOGY

G

round Control will be trialling a number of industry-leading, green technologies over the coming months in a move towards making its gritting business carbon neutral. Ground Control and The Gritting Company will replace the secondary diesel engine routinely used to dispense salt or grit on one of its trucks with a fully electric drive, offering six to eight hours of continuous use on a single charge.

Another gritting vehicle will be equipped with brine tanks, allowing the operator to dispense the liquid brine followed by a reduced amount of salt. Not only does the pre-activated solution melt snow and ice quicker, it’s more environmentally friendly – it uses 50% less salt than a typical gritting application, reducing the potential harm done to both the adjacent

vegetation and the road surface affected during the spreading process.

With more than 200 gritting delivery teams serving over 9,000 customer locations across the country, Ground Control hopes the winter season trials will mark a sea change for the industry. www.ground-control.co.uk

T SA

U SEE 17 18 N OV EM BER 20 20

G&L LIGHTING

High quality outdoor lighting • www.gardenandlandscapelighting.co.uk

8

News-3.indd 8

Pro Landscaper / October 2020

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 09:44

INFORM

70 AWARDS CONFIRMED FOR THIS YEAR’S VIRTUAL BALI AWARDS

S

eventy awards have been bestowed on 49 members of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), with 124 entries submitted overall.

Members will now compete for the Principals, Specials and coveted Grand Award at this year’s event, which for the first time in its 44-year history will be held virtually via a special online broadcast on Friday 4 December 2020.

Members will be invited to join BALI for a worldwide broadcast of the event, sponsored

by Green-tech, on the same day the ceremony was due to take place in London.

BALI’s chief executive Wayne Grills says: “This decision was not taken lightly. For months the team has been exploring all avenues for a safe and enjoyable event.

Now the decision has been made, progress on the online experience can continue unabated with the full support of our board of directors. The health and wellbeing of our staff, members and their clients is of paramount importance to us as an association and we have a duty of care to

NEWS IN BRIEF LUC REPORTS STRONG GROWTH IN 2019 Environmental consultancy LUC has reported turnover up 18.6% for the year ended 31 December 2019. The 184-strong employeeowned company ended the year on £12m (2018: £10.1m), following the sale of the business to an Employee Ownership Trust. www.landuse.co.uk

everyone, as well as to set an example for the rest of the industry to follow.

“Our awards event may have lost its physicality, but I can assure you it won’t lose its quality, integrity, professionalism and grandeur. I look forward to celebrating with you online on 4 December 2020.”

Out of the 70 awards announced, seven were from new members who have joined BALI in the last 12 months and 13 were first-time entrants to the awards, with several members also winning multiple times.

Bowles & Wyer and idverde both picked up four awards, whilst Garden Club London and Graduate Gardeners each took home three. www.baliawards.co.uk

VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY RECOGNISES PLANTS@WORK MEMBERS plants@work presented members with 38 awards in a virtual ceremony including a Lifetime Achievement Award, three best category awards plus Gold and Silver Leaf Awards. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Richard Stapleton of Greenscene Interior Display Ltd. www.plantsatwork.org.uk

BDP’S NEW “SPONGE” PARK IN MANCHESTER DESIGNED TO HELP PREVENT FLOODING

L

andscape architects BDP, alongside engineering and design consultancy Arup, has designed a new sustainable drainage park for the community in West Gorton. It uses an interconnected series of swales, rain gardens and bio-attenuation features. The park is part of a scheme to use nature-based solutions to combat the effects of climate change and reduce flooding in Manchester.

Jenny Ferguson, lead landscape architect for BDP, says: “Climate change and the need

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

News-3.indd 9

to plan for green infrastructure is playing an increasingly significant role in our approach to design. West Gorton Community Park has given us the opportunity to create enticing spaces that help us feel connected to others and support the environments we inhabit.”

The new community park, which opened this summer, is the final piece in a £100m regeneration scheme of 500 new homes, new community facilities and school improvements in the area.

Unlike a typical park, the green space in West Gorton has been specifically designed to manage the flow of rainwater into a drainage system to help prevent flooding.

This park is the first UK demonstrator project for the GrowGreen initiative, which is funded by the European Union’s 2020 Horizon programme. www.bdp.com

CAMDEN HIGHLINE LAUNCHES SEARCH FOR DESIGN TEAM The Camden Highline has kicked off a search for a “diverse and radical” team to design and deliver plans to transform a disused railway into a linear park. Inspired by the iconic New York High Line, the linear park would provide a 15-minute walking route between Camden Town and King’s Cross. www.camdenhighline.com

Pro Landscaper / October 2020

9

17/09/2020 09:44

INFORM

DISCOVER CORE LANDSCAPE PRODUCTS’ CORE PATH CORE Landscape Products talks about the benefits of using CORE PATH, its gravel stabiliser system which follows the same design and function approaches as its bestselling CORE DRIVE gravel driveway system, yet has been refined and altered to make it especially suitable for pathways.

Due to the lack of vehicular traffic using these areas, the profile of the grid is reduced down to just 18mm, enabling a reduction in gravel consumption by 50%.

The lower profile also means that CORE PATH is suitable for a smaller sized aggregate; 3 to 14mm is the ideal sizing for this particular grid. At this size and lower profile, one tonne of aggregate will cover 35m2 – making it a true money saver when you come to buy your aggregate to fill the grid.

The honeycomb structure is made from high quality polypropylene (grey – recycled, white – virgin) material and has a geotextile membrane firmly attached to the underside to prevent weed growth.

The CORE PATH grid is available in two sizes: the handy pack and the large sheet.

The handy pack contains six smaller sheets and is perfect for creating garden paths. At an average pathway width of 800mm, the pack will surface a 1.72m long pathway. Each sheet inside the handy pack measures at 575 x 400mm, compared to the larger sheet that measures at 1150 x 800mm and is sold individually per unit. The larger sheet will cover the same distance as four of the smaller sheets in the handy pack on a continuous membrane that covers an area of 0.92m2 – with the same amazing coverage at 35m2 per tonne. www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ discover-core-landscape-productscore-path/

10

Pro Landscaper / October 2020

News-3.indd 10

HORTICULTURAL INDUSTRY SHOWS COMMITMENT TO IPM ESSEN

M

ore than 900 exhibitors have already registered and confirmed their participation in horticultural trade fair IPM ESSEN. The event, which is taking next year from 26 to 29 January, has 907 confirmed exhibitors, which the hygiene of the venue – Messe Essen – being a decisive factor, Nearly 20 Dutch exhibitors had declared to be absent from IPM ESSEN 2021 due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oliver Kuhrt, managing director of Messe Essen, says: “We take note of the cancellation and respect the decision of our customers.

At the same time, it is an absolute exception.

For the majority of the exhibitors, participation in IPM ESSEN as an indispensable communication and sales platform is a matter of course.

“We are currently experiencing, not only in Essen, that large fairs with international participation can once again be held

©Rainer Schimm/MESSE ESSEN

Online Exclusives

successfully. The be-all and end-all is a functioning hygiene concept, and we have proven that.”

Sabina Großkreuz, head of marketing at Messe Essen, adds: “A fair is not a concert or a soccer match. The distances between the participants are greater, and they are also much more widely spread over time. That’s why we are expecting regional shifts due to travel restrictions but assume that not much will change in the overall picture.” www.ipm-essen.de

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH

S

cottish Government funding of £50m will sustain the place of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) at the vanguard of global action to combat the climate emergency and address the biodiversity crisis.

The Low Carbon Fund backing covers five years’ work on the visionary Edinburgh Biomes initiative, creating world-class facilities producing climate, economic, wellbeing and environmental benefits, as part of Scotland’s a green recovery

from the coronavirus pandemic.

By supporting the Edinburgh Biomes project in the institute’s 350th anniversary year, it will safeguard the garden’s public heritage glasshouses while enhancing research facilities and addressing weaknesses in its aging infrastructure.

It also creates important new green jobs, apprenticeships, training and investment in the construction sector post COVID-19.

Redevelopment of the public and research Glasshouses, at the garden’s headquarter Edinburgh site, will safeguard the globally important collection of plants housed within them. A state-of-the-art plant health suite will allow further advancement in this burgeoning area of research. Installation of a modern heating system will cut carbon losses from the glasshouses by 12%, and energy use by up to 50%, supporting the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 and end Scotland’s contribution to climate change completely by 2045. www.rbge.org.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 09:49

20 YEARS’ WORKING IN HORTICULTURE. 5 acres of formal gardens.

30 weddings AND events each year.

1 BRAND OF CHOICE. STIHL LIFE. ƒ

Advert Template PL.indd 3 Pro Landscaper_Landscaping_Andy Wain_RM 655_300x225.indd 1

For demanding work where the highest horticultural standards are required, STIHL has the professional tools to get the job done.

Not only does STIHL set the standard for reliable, quality tools, it’s also easy to maintain them for use throughout the season.

With a range of tools for precision topiary, grounds maintenance and lawn care, STIHL has the machinery to meet the daily needs of a professional gardener.

Andy Wain, Head Gardener at Euridge Manor, with the STIHL RM 655 RS rear roller lawn mower AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL STIHL DEALER. STIHL.CO.UK

14/09/2020 15:20 25/08/2020 17:39

INFORM

St Helier’s Waterfront St Helier , JERSEY GILLESPIES IS CONNECTING THE POPULAR WATERFRONT OF JERSEY’S CAPITAL TO THE TOWN CENTRE

M

easuring only five by nine miles, in the delivery of a bold vision for the future Jersey seems just a dot in a vast of St Helier’s Waterfront in Jersey. ocean. But it’s actually the largest “Working collaboratively with JDC, and our of the Channel Islands, and its experts HETA Architects, ICENI, Watermans rugged coastline and seemingly untouched and WSP, our landscape-led proposals plan to beaches drew in more than 770,000 visitors sensitively transform the existing waterfront in 2019. At its heart is St Helier, one of into a mixed-use quarter set within 12 parishes on the island and, as its a green framework of beautiful new capital, the biggest tourist attraction squares, courtyards, roof terraces, LENGTH OF for Jersey. It’s here, along the green corridors and parks. waterfront, that is set to be “The transformation of this historic revitalised, and who better to take site will help meet the island’s future on the challenge than multi-awardneeds, creating a vibrant and WATERFRONT sustainable new destination for winning firm Gillespies?

The global landscape and St Helier. We particularly look forward masterplanning design practice has to working with the communities of PARISHES St Helier in the coming months, to its name attached to a wealth of high IN JERSEY profile projects, from Manchester’s help shape these exciting proposals.”

MediaCityUK to the new Google HQ The green framework Stephen in King’s Cross. It will now be heading mentions will include a new public AT GILLESPIES up a team of experts to deliver park as well as revamping Les Jardins a landscape-led 'Visionary de la Mer. A “people first; buildings Framework' for the southwest quarter of second” approach – which the Minister for the St Helier after winning a competition launched Environment, John Young, said he wanted by the Jersey Development Company, the fostered in this project – will enhance the government’s property development arm. connectivity between four 'Key Opportunity' Commenting on the appointment, Stephen sites which form part of the Southwest St Helier Richards, partner at Gillespies, said: “Following Planning Framework (SWSHPF), linking the a comprehensive selection process, the urban waterfront and the town centre. design and landscape team at Gillespies are The Waterfront was created from thrilled to have been chosen to partner with JDC reclaimed land in the 70s and was

5

MILES

JERSEY

1970s

CREATED

12

140 STAFF

THE PROMENADE ©GILLESPIES

12

Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Future Projects St Heliers Waterfront.indd 12

turned into a multi-purpose quarter, providing St Helier with new homes, restaurants and commercial space, amongst other additions.

However, a disconnect between the sea and the town centre became evident, so Gillespies will be addressing this with a series of green spaces.

More than 1,000 residential units are also planned for the area, with space for a gym and creche on the ground floor, as well as food and drink amenities and a new 50m outdoor saltwater pool.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF THIS HISTORIC SITE WILL HELP MEET THE ISLAND’S FUTURE NEEDS Lee Henry, managing director of the Jersey Development Company, says: “We’re delighted to have Gillespies as our design partner for the next chapter of work on St Helier’s Waterfront.

Gillespies’ proposals focus on landscaping and connectivity of this new area of St Helier which resonates with the feedback received from the

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 09:38

INFORM

P R OJ ECT D E TA I L S Client Jersey Development Company Urban design, public realm and landscape design Lead consultant: Gillespies Architecture: HETA Community and stakeholder Consultation ICENI Traffic and transport WSP Civils and infrastructure Waterman Group

THE PARKLAND ©GILLESPIES

2019 public consultation. The selection panel was unanimous in its decision and JDC is excited to be advancing proposals and remains committed to delivering a Waterfront that will be landscape led, environmentally focused and available for all members of the community to enjoy.”

CONCEPTUAL VIEW OF ST HELIER WATERFRONT, JERSEY ©GILLESPIES

THE OCEAN PROMENADE ©GILLESPIES

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Future Projects St Heliers Waterfront.indd 13

GILLESPIES’ PROPOSALS FOCUS ON LANDSCAPING AND CONNECTIVITY OF THIS NEW AREA OF ST HELIER Creating a framework for a parish that’s steeped in history, such as St Helier, will no doubt be incredibly challenging for Gillespies, and community engagement – as Stephen Richards says – will be paramount. John Young, in his foreword for the SWSHPF, says that decisions should be community-led, where possible, when it comes to balancing issues such as prioritising pedestrians and cyclists against improving the flow of motor traffic. A tough ask?

Perhaps, but nothing a prolific firm such as Gillespies won’t have handled before, and undoubtedly a challenge in which it will succeed.

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 13

17/09/2020 09:38

FOR EVERY 323 COMPOSITE BOARDS WE MANUFACTURE...

...WE SAVE 1000 KG OF PLASTIC FROM OUR OCEANS & LANDFILL FOR MORE INFORMATION www.piranhadecking.co.uk | 0330 333 8030 | sales@talasey.co.uk

Advert Template PL.indd 4

14/09/2020 15:23

INFORM

Let ’s Hear it From

TESSA JOHNSTONE JOHNSTONE LANDSCAPES

FROM FLOWER BOXES IN LONDON TO LARGE DOMESTIC GARDENS IN THE SOUTH WEST, JOHNSTONE LANDSCAPES HAS GREATLY EVOLVED SINCE IT WAS FOUNDED MORE THAN 30 YEARS AGO. IT’S ABOUT TO START A NEW CHAPTER, TOO. CO-OWNER AND BALI BOARD MEMBER TESSA JOHNSTONE TELLS US MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY’S PLANS, AS WELL AS ITS PROGRESSION FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

T

essa Johnstone might not have been with Johnstone Landscapes since its inception, but her influence on the company has been undeniable. It’s no coincidence that the Wiltshire-based company’s turnover has grown considerably since Tessa joined six years ago – partly from increasing its commercial portfolio, where Tessa’s interests lie, and partly from investing in business coach, Nick Ruddle – a specialist coach for landscaping companies, to help streamline its operations.

“Over the last three years, we’ve managed to increase our turnover through improving efficiencies, by not wasting time with bad processes,” says Tessa. “We were forever

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

LHIF.indd 15

tendering for jobs that the construction company themselves hadn’t even won, and the process would take a really long time. So, just by making ourselves more efficient, we’ve moved our turnover from £300K to £1m, without the team numbers having to grow.”

The team currently stands at eight, covering a healthy split of domestic and commercial projects. This wasn’t always the case, though.

Johnstone Landscapes is well known for its large, domestic projects, which are the passion of Tessa’s husband, Andrew, who founded the business in London more than three decades ago.

“Andrew was always very creative, though struggled academically at school, and he’s the

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 15

17/09/2020 14:33

INFORM

first to admit that,” says Tessa. “He’s a fantastic example of somebody who can really learn when they’re shown how to do something, he’s extremely practical” Whilst living in West London, and with no horticultural qualifications, Andrew started creating flower boxes for local residents.

Speaking warmly, Tessa says: “He’s still got his first order book which, very neatly in pencil, will just say, ‘two x flower boxes for Mrs Jones at number 42’.” He moved onto building small gardens before moving to Wiltshire. It was here that he met designer Michael Balston, who now co-owns Balston Agius – a well established landscape and garden design practice.

“Michael asked Andrew to landscape a large garden,” explains Tessa. “Andrew then realised economies of scale, that you need to find the right people to get a good team together and start doing some exciting projects.”

He built the team up to six people, and the majority have stayed with the company. Team leader and project manager, Jake Stevenson, has been with Johnstone Landscapes for 17 years – since he was 16 years old. One employee has been with Andrew for 13 years, and another for

16

LHIF.indd 16

Pro Landscaper / October 2020

15 years. Now at eight staff, Tessa says both her and Andrew are comfortable with the size of the company. “We’re not huge, and we don’t want to be huge, especially at the moment; we’re more interested in keeping everybody safe.”

IT’S A CLICHÉ, BUT OUR BIGGEST STRENGTH IS OUR TEAM From the start of lockdown on 23 March, Johnstone Landscapes closed for eight weeks.

The entire team was furloughed, including Andrew, with just Tessa continuing. Staff have slowly been brought back, with strict health and safety measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 amongst staff. Jake was one of the first to return to complete a small domestic project the team had started prior to lockdown.

The company then introduced working in pairs, before splitting the eight-strong team in two.

“We’re now operating in two really strict bubbles – a green and a blue bubble – with four

guys in each. This was Dan and Scott’s idea – two of our team members – so we know they are all taking it really seriously. And even though they have recently worked on a project together, they operated separately.”

All sites are now back up and running too.

Johnstone Landscapes has just finished two private gardens in Gloucestershire, one designed by Tom Stuart-Smith and the other

by Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, two of the biggest names in the industry. And working with prolific designers has a number of benefits, of course.

“The beauty of these projects is really the level of organisation [the designers] have in their studios,” explains Tessa. “They have such a vast bank of knowledge and experience which makes dealing with them really easy; we get assigned a wonderful project manager, the paperwork is impeccable, and it’s a pleasure to do.”

The team is also about to embark on putting a green roof on its third hangar at an airfield in Hullavington, Wiltshire, which it is collaborating on with MJ Church and Midland Felt Roofing.

“There is a sense of romance about them because those hangars have been there since the Second World War.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/09/2020 09:22

INFORM

“The project is not as simple as prepping soil and turfing – it is an engineered-led project with SuDS required, and a four-layer bespoke system. Getting involved in a much bigger engineering project has been really exciting; and where Andrew is usually the cautious one, it was me who wasn’t sure whether we should do it – it seemed quite large and out of our remit. But Andrew really wanted to do it, so we called in some extra expertise to help us.”

Tessa describes herself as the impulsive one, keen to further expand the commercial side of the business and not keep all their eggs in one basket. They lost a long-term maintenance contract with a supermarket a while ago when a new facilities management team came on board. So, Andrew now works more on the client relationship aspect of the business, and the company’s work is split 60% domestic and 40% commercial.

“Andrew is a romantic, he adores all the big domestic gardens. Historically, we’ve leaned towards large domestic projects and that’s where the team’s hearts are – they love creating beautiful gardens. I prefer the commercial side because it’s less emotional, I suppose.”

Prior to joining Johnstone Landscapes, Tessa – who is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

LHIF.indd 17

encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), “an organisation committed to social change”, says Tessa – worked at the National Trust for 10 years as executive assistant to the director general. When a new director general came on board, Tessa decided it was time to move on. “The Trust is the most amazing organisation and I knew I didn’t want to go and

WE DEFINITELY WANT TO SEE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE COMING INTO THE INDUSTRY, LEARNING HOW TO DO IT REALLY WELL, AND WE WANT TO PASS THE SKILL ON work for another company, so Andrew and I decided to invest more in Johnstone Landscapes and that I would come on board to help grow the business.”

From its base in Wiltshire, Johnstone Landscapes predominantly covers the south

west, but ventures further depending on the project. It has completed a couple of large waterfront gardens in Bosham, West Sussex, and is currently working on a luxury lodge site in Laugharne, Wales. One area Tessa finds particularly fascinating to work is Bath; its status as a World Heritage Site means there are certain obstacles to overcome on most builds. “Access is appalling, and from the local’s point of view, they’re probably fed up with construction work being undertaken. At a large residential development called Hope House, the site was all on a hill, and the guys had to manoeuvre by hand enormous trees because there was no other way to do it.”

Another Bath-based scheme which stands out for Tessa is a Wessex Water Project. “They

1 A Grade II listed 17th century mill house in the Cotswolds. Johnstone Landscapes worked for Todd Longstaffe-Gowan and delivered a wonderful new walled garden. ©Jason Ingram 2 Echinacea pallida, Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’, Achillea ‘Credo’ ©Jason Ingram 3 Andrew Johnstone 4 Jake Stevenson, project manager and team leader 5 Team members: Jake, Scott, Lee, David, Tom, Dan and Tom 6 Walled garden in the Cotswolds ©Jason Ingram

Pro Landscaper / October 2020

17

17/09/2020 14:40

INFORM

had a very ugly reservoir within the grounds of a school that was basically a large concrete bunker. We covered it, which is extremely hard to do as you’re trying to make a garden on top of concrete.” It was the teamwork on this project which puts it as one of Tessa’s favourites. “It’s a cliché, but our biggest strength is our team.

The majority of our projects require the team to work as a strong group and to find solutions – they always rise to the challenges they are presented with.”

Tessa would like to see more diversity, though, not just within Johnstone Landscapes but also within the wider industry, which is a key focus area for her as a director on the board of BALI. “Currently, the team is all male. We need to find out if we are putting barriers up for people and, if we are, make it easier for them to consider landscaping and horticulture as a career.

“All businesses benefit from a diverse workforce and leadership. All individuals have potential, whatever their starting point, and we should always think about that when recruiting or promoting; considering people we might not always immediately think about initially.

“I have definitely learned that people I have assumed did not want to progress actually don’t say anything because they think they

ALL BUSINESSES BENEFIT FROM A DIVERSE WORKFORCE AND LEADERSHIP can’t progress or feel they have barriers to their progression, not because they don’t want to.

A failing on my part, not theirs. We need to ensure they are considered. We must reach a little further and perhaps make ourselves relevant to others that wouldn’t initially think of landscaping as a future career. It is such an innovative and rewarding industry and one that has roles in so many areas. We need to make sure we are talking to everyone.

“What is clear is that we do not have sufficient data to understand what a lack of diversity looks like and it will vary a lot geographically. BALI is fully committed along with others in the industry, to ensure they commission some quantitative analysis to enable us to see what the true picture is.”

Johnstones Landscapes is dedicated to helping people with a passion for horticulture have access to the industry, and the support they need to earn and learn, by taking on apprentices. One has just passed his exams,

18

LHIF.indd 18

Pro Landscaper / October 2020

so the company has taken on another apprentice, and is hoping to take on a second, depending on the company’s finances over the next six months.

“We definitely want to see more young people coming into the industry, learning how to do it really well, and we want to pass the skill on. Taking on apprentices is really rewarding.

“We don’t pay the apprenticeship rate, we pay them an equal rate to the level at which they come in, because the thing I don’t like about apprenticeships is that they lean towards people who can be supported by family or guardians, which is not fair. I want to know that whoever’s coming in here to learn for two years can support themselves and pay their rent.”

As well as investing in apprentices, and training for existing staff, Johnstone Landscapes is taking a significant step by investing in new premises – a building that will offer more than a design and build service, too.

Under the name ‘& Garden’, the business will act as a showroom and a store, where Johnstone Landscapes will run its administration and design side.

“Exciting stuff always comes out of possible recessions, and ours is that we realise the business is too big to carry on running from its existing base. So, we have taken over a really lovely building on the Berkshire border, in a place called Froxfield.”

The showroom will allow clients to see the products Johnstone Landscapes uses, such as paving and lighting, which Tessa says Andrew has spent a long time sourcing to ensure they are the quality and have the provenance he wants.

There will also be a cutting garden out the front, a small retail space, and a spot where “visitors can have a coffee and a bun – they don’t need to buy a garden”. It’s these extra offerings which led to Andrew and Tessa deciding not to use the Johnstones Landscapes branding above the door, although the landscaping company will certainly be present inside, with drawing desks set up for Jake and

a designer the company works with regularly.

“Although Andrew still does some of the design work, we are seeking to collaborate more with designers. It is exciting and more productive working with a wider skill base.

“We will still keep some of the smaller gardens in-house – not everyone needs a CAD drawing. But when it requires a more formal approach, we work with one of the talented designers we know, and we enjoy that process.

“As a company, we embrace the process of collaboration. Working with the common aim of achieving the deadline and finding solutions that work for everyone without any negative impact on the end vision and to leave the landscape in a better place than when we started.”

As lockdown eases, it is a relief to hear of companies such as Johnstone Landscapes taking the plunge and embarking on a new venture, one which shows that it will take more than a global pandemic to get in the way of this company’s long-term goals.

7-8 Garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, at Grade II listed Cotswold property ©Jason Ingram

C O N TA C T Johnstone Landscapes The Forge, Froxfield Bath Road, Marlborough SN8 3LD Tel 01380 859100 Email tessa@johnstonelandscapes.co.uk

www.johnstonelandscapes.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 14:41

THE WILD FLOWER SPECIALIST ENDORSED BY ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW

Image: Rhiannedd Brooke Garden Design

Break Free.

Go Wild.

Open the door to a flourishing, impactful and beneficial new space with biodiverse benefits.

With our experience, expertise and wide range of products we can help transform your ideas into a space that lives, works and breathes.

Tel: 01256 771222 Email: wildflower@wildflowerturf.co.uk Web: www.wildflowerturf.co.uk

Advert Template PL.indd 5

14/09/2020 15:28

e

ava

ilabl

c i r cl e

tio

ns

city

pa

op

ce

ng

an

u d e space - r

in

load

ca

rn d ne e c on

wi

-

t e 6.5 gin 3 rra spee n / 6 en nty d m o i t anu /3 x op Euro al or o b r yea a t semi-automatic ge ian rs ro l p adsid om e assistance / LEZ c

/f

wa

t/

me

tu

k

ge

rin

to

c Tr u

ing

Isuzu

p ot fo ea ct il pa m com ited im unl ars 3 ye

sa

Isuzu 3.5t Euro 6

Compact footprint, same powerful performance and payload.

Due to Isuzu’s forward cab design we are able to fit equivalent body length to that of European manufacturers but reduce the overall length of the vehicle. Tight spaces and narrow roads complement our range of 3.5 tonne products. Available in two engine capacities, all of which are compliant with low emission zones (LEZ) around the country.

Feel free to call us today to get the lowdown...

0845 2267983 / isuzutruck.co.uk Advert Template PL.indd 22 6

19/02/2020 14/09/2020 10:51 15:38

INFORM

JIM WILKINSON SUPPORTING THE SUPPLY CHAIN

PRO LANDSCAPER’S JIM WILKINSON SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN, AND WHY NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO SHIRK THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PAYING UP

T

hey say that during tough times you really know who your friends are; I guess the same principle can be applied in business. Each business has to buy something and sell something, i.e. a contractor sells their landscaping abilities and buys an array of products, and suppliers sell their end product but may have to buy additional products such as marketing, advertising, etc. This is the supply chain.

The number of times I have heard someone say: “they’re really bad payers”, it makes me wonder how many of them think about what their suppliers think of them? How often do you look at your credit lists? How often do you get your accounts to chase what is owed to you?

I’m sure most owners/directors would know the average time it takes someone to pay them, but do they know the average time it takes to pay their outstanding bills?

resonated with me. I know from our point of view, we have been very conscious of paying our suppliers promptly during this uncertain period.

I know other companies have taken the opposite stance and delayed payment as long as they can, and tried, where possible, to renege on agreements and signed contracts – surely that isn’t the right way to do business and create long-term business partnerships?

WE HAVE BEEN VERY CONSCIOUS OF PAYING OUR SUPPLIERS PROMPTLY DURING THIS UNCERTAIN PERIOD

I also recently spoke to the CEO of a company which has just gone through a complete rebrand, changing its name, direction and how it interacts with staff and suppliers.

One of the big issues that they had to overcome was the relationship, or lack thereof, that they had with their supply chain. The company had a bad name within the industry for late payment and poor interaction with suppliers, this seemed to be ingrained into the business.

They explained that it had taken a lot of time and effort to put this right. The new team were prepared to do this because they see the value of the supply chain, working with them as trusted partners.

There are, of course, lots of benefits from having a strong relationship with your supply

The reason I want to bring this up is that we are going through turbulent times. At a recent Pro Landscaper webinar, industry legend John Melmoe made a real impact when he, in his straight talking way, said: “Do not pass the pain and, just as importantly, if there are issues pick up the phone and have a direct conversation.”

It does make you think – and it certainly

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

VFTT Jim.indd 21

chain, working with them as partners whatever the size of your business – trusting them and having open dialogue. This will definitely work for both parties – if you need something quickly, or are looking for something a bit different, or indeed, if you need to delay or cancel something, they are more than likely to go that extra mile to accommodate you.

One of the questions we ask as part of the entry for the Pro Landscaper Business Awards is about supplier relationships, as we see this as a key part of a well-run company; we can see the companies that make the same effort in building relationships with their suppliers as they do with their customers. A great example of a business that focuses heavily on getting the relationship right with the supply chain is last year’s overall Supreme Winner Oak View Landscapes, with numerous testimonials supporting the fact.

As well as highlighting the good companies and the good supply chain, maybe we should also highlight the bad – just a thought.

ABOUT JIM WILKINSON Jim is the managing director of media company Eljays44. Together with his wife Lisa, and their sons Jamie and Joe, he published the first issue of Pro Landscaper magazine back in 2011, and a year later launched the hugely successful FutureScape event to complement it. Jim has a track record of developing successful business brands, which helped the magazine and event quickly establish themselves as the leaders in the landscape sector.

www.eljays44.com www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 21

17/09/2020 10:22

INFORM

ANDREW WILSON HOW RANDOM?

ANDREW WILSON CONSIDERS ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE YET ALSO THE MOST DIFFICULT TO COMMUNICATE ASPECTS OF GARDEN DESIGN

I

n opening the new academic year at LCGD, I concentrate on drawing and visual communication. Garden design drawing is a combination of architectural drawing and a looser, freehand technique that allows the designer to convey more organic forms and planting.

I introduce and demonstrate what I have for many years called Andrew Wilson’s general foliage line. Having used this technique most of my design life, its production for me is like falling off a log. For many students it takes some time to master. Its character relies heavily on a randomised mix of curves, dots, gaps and lines and it is the randomised rather than the regular pattern that students struggle with.

We tend to look for and register patterns that are regular or repetitive – we recognise regular shapes and forms very quickly and can also easily repeat or mirror these elements. For the designer, they also become easier to explain, describe and therefore communicate either to a client or to a landscaper. A rectangular terrace, a square pool or a circular lawn need little explanation. They can be easily defined, detailed and set out both in drawings and on site. Similarly, in planting design, block planting or formal repetition is easily communicated and the order inherent in these approaches makes for easy interpretation.

22 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Andrew Wilson.indd 22

The move to a more irregular or randomised pattern brings with it a need for more detailed communication in both drawn and written directions. Some say this is easy to draw, but expanding on the general foliage line example, many students find themselves struggling as they start to negotiate less predictable and more randomised patterns in the design as a whole or in paving and planting in particular.

THE MOVE TO A MORE IRREGULAR OR RANDOMISED PATTERN BRINGS WITH IT A NEED FOR MORE DETAILED COMMUNICATION IN BOTH DRAWN AND WRITTEN DIRECTIONS Firstly, we have to train the brain into accepting and defining the random quality we seek. Symmetry is easy but asymmetry seeks to achieve a balance which is more of a gut feeling than a closely followed formula. Paving to a defined edge is easily achieved but paving to a randomised or diffused edge is much more difficult to pull off.

Asking a planting team to randomly mix the different species in a schedule across a given area will result in a range of responses, few of which will be what the designer seeks. In the search for a visible pattern, rhythm or order the concept of the random flies out of the window.

Seeding a naturalistic planting scheme provides an answer, although the client may need some convincing. The quantities of each species can be designed into the mix and then scattered with no real sense of what will grow alongside what.

Planting the same scheme becomes much trickier. Often, I will specify no more than three or five of the same species to be planted together to prevent the planter taking an entire group of the same species and messing up the whole idea. A presence on site is a must at the planting stage, or at least at the outset of planting operations, in order to set out an example area. Sometimes we might do this on the planting plan, selecting a typical area perhaps 5m2 and showing how the random pattern fits together.

It’s a bit like choosing lottery numbers. When three consecutive numbers come out of the hat, we tend to reject them – but this is randomness in action. As for my students, at the start of term I suggest that they take to drink – I’m not aiming to create future alcoholics, but I am trying to get them to relax which allows the random patterns to emerge. Probably quite a good pastime in lockdown I’d say!

Pictured: Drawing exercise to introduce the general foliage line and its random character

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

www.lcgd.org.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 13:53

Join us for the UK’s first ever virtual exhibition in the landscaping industry DIVERSION AHEAD

Live from the safety of your own environment

ONLINE: NOVEMBER 2020 *FutureScape EXPO 2020 no longer taking place at ExCeL London

FS virtual fp.indd 1

17/09/2020 18:40

10 YEAR PORCELAIN GUARANTEE The ultimate peace of mind for you and your clients, London Stone now offers a 10 year homeowner guarantee across all of our porcelain paving products.

London Stone Porcelain online trade prices include a 15% discount and start at £25.50 per m2 + VAT. FREE nationwide delivery on full pack orders and orders over £1,000 + VAT. Apply for your free guarantee today, at www.londonstone.co.uk #ThisIsLondonStone

CINDER PORCELAIN Designed by Karen McClure Garden Design Built by Esse Landscapes

Advert Template PL.indd 8

15/09/2020 09:01

INFORM

B E N W E ST THE RISE OF REWILDING REWILDING IS FORTUNATELY GAINING TRACTION, SAYS BEN WEST, AND WE ALL NEED TO EMBRACE IT

O

f all the global-scale predicaments we currently face, I find biodiversity loss to be the most pernicious.

The systematic, often wilful degradation of the source of our being and the accompanying depletion of the myriad wonders with which it is bejewelled, represent a deep source of personal pain and sorrow.

Furthermore, it’s an embedded phenomena.

In 1987, I joined the Young Ornithologists’ Club and from the outset was haunted by the spectre of declining bird numbers reported through the pages of its quarterly publication.

Later, I developed an interest in botany and lepidoptera and discovered these beset with the same issues: habitat destruction, poor land management, pollution and pesticides.

Across the board, it seems our relationship with nature is a dysfunctional one. This is doubly troubling for those of us who’ve had their lives immeasurably enriched through a love of nature, yet find ourselves complicit in its destruction by dint of being active in a system geared to that end. I’ve been carrying this baggage around for years. None of my school friends or subsequent work colleagues seemed conscious of these problems nor did they appear to care once awakened to them. Older folks, my parents included, dismissed the losses as collateral damage in the wake of ‘progress’. “Toward what?” I asked. A question invariably met with silence or a shrugging of shoulders.

However, lately it seems something has shifted. Awareness has spread and with it a commitment to change. Shoulders that once shrugged now seem set to carry the weight of the work ahead. Solutions are coming to the fore, most promisingly in the form of ‘rewilding’; the idea that depleted landscapes can be

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Ben West-4.indd 25

regenerated by allowing natural processes to re-emerge. In fact, it’s inaccurate to call rewilding an ‘idea’ as it’s now a proven model across Europe and well established in Britain as evidenced by the Carrigan Wildwood, Glenfeshie and Abernethy projects in Scotland and

IT’S INACCURATE TO CALL REWILDING AN ‘IDEA’ AS IT’S NOW A PROVEN MODEL ACROSS EUROPE

ABERNETHY NATURE RESERVE, SCOTLAND

Ennerdale in northern England. The astonishing biological resurrection of the flagship British rewilding programme at the Knepp estate in Sussex and the bestseller status of ‘Wilding’, the story of its genesis by Isabella Tree, suggest this movement may be ready to roll out across the lowlands of southern England. Most recently, the ambitious WildEast initiative has pledged to rewild 250,000ha of East Anglia whilst simultaneously pushing the concept beyond the physical landscape and into the cultural practices and everyday lives of the areas’ inhabitants.

The acknowledgment of this cultural aspect emphasises a key point; rewilding is not just

about the reinstatement of bison, beavers and wolves; nor does it necessitate the acquisition of vast tracts of land. Rewilding works on all levels to weave together the unravelled warp and weft of life’s rich tapestry and recognises humanity as an important thread.

Rewilding is also about wresting back dominion over consciousness from deceptive forces. We must first rewild ourselves before we can rewild our planet. What does that mean?

Well, I’ve written previously of the need to relinquish our received wisdom around what constitutes ‘good gardening’ and acknowledge that we have increasingly been led down the garden path by snake oil salesmen. If you’re looking for evidence, consider how the ‘garden centre experience’ has changed over the past 30 years or so. Too many of our established practices are turning gardens into biological deserts when they are often the last refuge for wildlife in the face of habitat loss. As a reaction to this, I have, over the last couple of years, embraced the concept of rewilding in my own modest plot, and next month I shall share my experiences of that journey with you.

ABOUT BEN WEST Ben West spent his formative years exploring the landscapes of Staffordshire, and studied environmental management at Keele University, prior to moving to Surrey and setting up Landscaping Solutions. The firm has since won many RHS medals and BALI Awards. Ben wishes to use his passion for natural landscapes to direct the firm’s future trajectory, and ensure clients consider nature when planning landscaping schemes.

www.landscapingsolutionsltd.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 25

17/09/2020 09:00

INFORM

SEAN BUTLER SAFEGUARDING YOUR BUSINESS

SEAN BUTLER SHARES HIS ADVICE ON HOW TO PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL ROGUE EMPLOYEES

L

ast month I discussed the impact a rogue employee can have on your business. The process of a disciplinary is time consuming and mentally draining for all involved. A couple of years ago, we invested time in ensuring we had the right policies and practice in place, and when this situation arose, I realised that the time and effort spent had been worth its weight in gold.

Where do you start?

Ensuring you have policies in place that meet employment legislation in the UK is essential business practice and makes practical sense.

Employment law is a very complex issue but getting it right will ensure your company functions productively and that no nasty surprises occur.

So, what should you consider?

There are many HR specialist companies available who, for a monthly subscription, will hold your hand through the process of writing contracts of employment, staff handbooks, inductions and onboarding, managing performance, restructuring, health & safety, and sadly, if required, grievance, dismissal or – in today’s climate – furloughing and redundancy.

If employing an HR company is not a viable option for you, ACAS can provide free and impartial advice for both you and your employees, including free telephone advice on employment rights, rules and best practice as well as a range of online templates and guidance.

Don’t think you need any of this?

In 2019, there were 93,817 claims of unfair dismissal; 9,383 of these went to an employment tribunal and of these only 10% were successfully defended by the employer.

26 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Sean Butler.indd 26

With awards of up to 52 weeks gross salary and a cap at around £88,500, this could be costly.

performance indicators. It also makes explicit any breach that may have taken place.

Where should you go first?

Firmly establish your expectations before your employee starts. A clear job description and contract of employment eliminates any doubts as to what you expect and who they report to, so ensure that both are as detailed as possible.

Any contract you issue needs to be in line with the Employment Rights Act 1996 so should be drawn up by a legal professional. Be aware that full employment rights kick in after two years, and that includes an entitlement to redundancy payments. A contract will cover job

Should you have a disciplinary process?

Absolutely! Having a clear and transparent disciplinary and grievance policy and procedure could save you valuable time and money. The ACAS Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures is a great place to start and is looked upon favourably by a tribunal should this occur.

role: salary; hours of work; holiday; sickness; pension arrangements; discipline, grievance and appeal procedure; termination and notice period; and data protection. It is crucial you also include general restrictions during employment; protection of confidential information; intellectual property and post termination restrictive covenants.

These protect your business interests indefinitely by stipulating that employees cannot be engaged in any business, occupation or undertaking outside of the company and legally binds them from disclosing client information, breaching copyright or using your portfolio for commercial gain. If an employee underperforms, it provides clear key

What else can you do to protect your company in the future?

Have a server to back up all employee work. Use Copyright and Intellectual Property law to prohibit flagrant abuse of your design work, photographs and portfolio of work.

Sending a cease and desist letter regarding any infringement (including future infringement) will often nip this in the bud and will be seen favourably by a court as aiming to resolve the issue through mediation. Keep communication open. Regularly talk to employees, managers, clients and suppliers – it’s amazing what you find out!

ABOUT SEAN BUTLER In 1994, Sean Butler set up his bespoke garden design and landscaping company, Cube 1994 Ltd. With a passion for the outdoor environment, a commitment to training others and a background in civil engineering, his experience is recognised industry wide. Sean is a registered member of the Society of Garden Designers (MSGD) and has collaborated with other designers to build awardwinning show gardens at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival and Chelsea Flower show.

www.cube1994.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 15:18

hanit

®

100% RECYCLED PLASTIC PRODUCTS

Garden Edging

Interlocking Eco Slabs

Planters

Hanpave

Decking & Substructure

Calero High Table & Stool

(Rolled & Straight)

(No substructure needed)

+44 (0)161 850 1965 info@hahnplastics.com www.hahnplastics.com

100% recycled 100% recyclable

dolphin

driftwood

adding a quality, colourful finish to every project IRO - which is Japanese for ‘colour’ - is inspired by yakisugi, the Japanese method of charring timber. We’re combining one of the oldest, most versatile building materials with progressive design techniques to redefine how natural timber can be used in modern spaces, putting you in control.

as seen on:

hello@irotimber.co.uk | www.irotimber.co.uk driftwood decking and dolphin cladding 32 x 150 x 4800mm (decking) // 25 x 150 x 3600mm (cladding)

see us at FutureScape in November!

Advert Template PL.indd 28

17/09/2020 17:51

ENTER NOW ENTRY CLOSES 5 OCTOBER 2020

small project

BIG IMPACT WEDNESDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2020 | ExCeL LONDON

PROJECTS THAT COST £25K AND UNDER ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THOSE IN THE THOUSANDS. SOMETIMES THEY ARE EVEN MORE CHALLENGING AND THE SMALL PROJECT BIG IMPACT AWARDS CELEBRATES THE WORK THAT GOES INTO PRODUCING SOMETHING ‘SMALL BUT BEAUTIFUL’.

CATEGORIES Design and Build under £25,000 Build under £25,000 Design under £25,000 Planting Design under £20,000

Special Feature under £20,000 Hard Landscaping under £25,000 Temporary Installation under £25,000 Closing date: 5 October 2020

Entry fee £145 (additional entries £105) To enter the Pro Landscaper small project BIG IMPACT Awards, contact Laura Harris on 01903 777570 or smallprojectbigimpact@eljays44.com

Advert Template3 PL.indd 41 SPBI FP.indd

16/09/2020 15/09/2020 16:28 11:45

INFORM

HISTORY NEARLY 400 YEARS OF PLANT HISTORY LIVES AT OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN AND ARBORETUM. WE SPEAK TO HEAD OF HORTICULTURE AND CURATOR MARK BRENT ABOUT HOW THE GARDEN BLENDS ITS AESTHETIC VALUE WITH ITS EXTENSIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS

F

ounded in 1621, Oxford Botanic Garden is reaching 400 years of research, education, conservation and inspiration. The garden was originally set up as a physic garden where plants were grown for medicinal purposes – one such plant was the fern Dryopteris filix-mas which has roots with anti-parasitic properties. The garden evolved over the years, as native flora, and exotic plants from abroad were sourced, all the while keeping in mind the aim of conservation and education.

Over the years, there have been many a prominent character grace the garden. A Pinus nigra – sadly now removed from the garden – was a particular favourite of JRR Tolkien, with some remarking that its twisting branches resemble the ents from his novel The Lord of the Rings. Further in the garden, a bench has become significant due to its reference in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy as a place in which characters Lyra and Will meet between their respective worlds.

Among these notable characters is Oxford Botanic Garden’s first curator, Jacob Bobart the Elder, a German botanist known for his beard adorned in silver and a goat which followed him like a dog. Today, Mark Brent is curator, with fewer beard ornaments but just as much passion.

“It’s a challenging proposition,” Mark tells us. “You feel the presence of history all around you, as Magdalen Tower chimes away.”

Botanic Garden Dating back to the Oxford Botanic Garden’s foundation in 1621, The Walled Garden is the oldest. With 17th century walls and Danby Gate as a backdrop, the walled garden is more than your average. Inside the walls lies the 1648 collection as a nod to Jacob Bobart the Elder, a medicinal plant collection, a literary woodland which holds the oldest plant in the garden’s collection, an English yew, taxonomic beds used to teach plant systematics and taxonomy to undergraduate students at the University, geographic borders each representing a different biogeographic region, and a euphorbias collection.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Oxford Botanic Garden.indd 29

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 29

17/09/2020 11:13

INFORM

Since 1983, the garden has been a Plant Heritage National Plant Collection holder of hardy euphorbias. With over 2,000 species, among the most prominent are the Mediterranean species, such as E. characias, E. myrsinites and E. nicaeensis. The collection also contains the rare species E. stygiana, native to the Azores, which the garden has been conserving for over 10 years.

THE GARDEN IS MORE THAN JUST AN AESTHETIC VALUE. WE HAVE A SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATION BRIEF TOO AND WE TRY AND BLEND BOTH

Elsewhere, the Water Garden needs little management, as Gunnera dominate the central island, Iris sibirica, Darmera peltata and the native Caltha palustris fill the area with colour in spring and Rheum, Rodgersia, Ligularia and Hosta add further interest.

125 tonnes of sandstone helped create the rock garden, where plants from around the world now reside. Late winter snowdrops are followed by tulips in the spring, while a number of the euphorbia collection prosper alongside the Mediterranean species of E. rigida, E. myrsinites and E. spinosa.

The glasshouses Through the use of glasshouses, Oxford Botanic Garden is able to create a range of climatic conditions. Within its seven display

glasshouses, visitors can travel the globe.

Though they are now in need of some renovations – having been built in 1970 – what they hold is no less impressive, from the Arid House to the Carnivorous Plant House.

The Cloud Forest holds a collection of carnivorous Nepenthes pitcher plants as well as an array of types of fern – from Platycerium, which grows perched upon the branches of trees, to Stenochlaena, which produce masses of rhizomes on the soil surface.

The Water Lily House dates from 1851 and was built to grow the giant Amazonian waterlily. Today, they grow the more manageable species Victoria cruziana, this is joined by the day-blooming Nymphaea x daubenyana named in honour of Professor Daubeny, Keeper of the Garden from 1834 to 1867.

Within The Lower Garden, borders are bursting. The Merton Borders were developed in collaboration with Professor James Hitchmough from the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield and are an example of sustainable horticultural development. The Plants That Changed the World border showcases notable plants that have changed the course of human civilisations across the globes – plants that proved to be useful for food, medicines, fibres, dyes and so much more. The herbaceous border sees a return to the traditional English border, with peonies, lupins, phlox and asters repeating throughout.

30 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Oxford Botanic Garden.indd 30

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 11:16

INFORM

A jungle environment, the Rainforest House grows tropical crop plants including cocoa, coffee, rubber, avocado and sugarcane.

Medicinal plants are also grown, such as Catharanthus roseus which can provide chemicals used in leukemia medication.

Arboretum Though Oxford Botanic Garden has some spectacular trees, it is limited on space.

Harcourt Arboretum was acquired by the University of Oxford in 1947 and has been part of Oxford Botanic Garden since 1963. Covering 130 acres, it includes some of the world’s rarest species, preserving the collection of North American conifers and growing trees which were too big for the Oxford Botanic Garden or disliked its alkaline soil.

The oldest part of the Arboretum, laid out

by William Sawrey Gilpin in the 1830s, is the Serpentine Ride. The grassy path winds through the beautiful glades, magnolias, rare conifers and giant redwoods which are some of the oldest in the UK. One design technique implemented by William which remains is the use of evergreen trees or shrubs as a back drop to showcase the plants in the foreground, as Taxus baccata highlights Acer palmatum’s autumn colour.

Just as important is the native woodland, made up of a working coppice woodland of birch, hazel and sweet chestnut, a mature woodland of oak, lime and ash, and a recently established woodland of nearly 14,000 native trees.

Within the arboretum, 67 acres of parkland and wildflower meadow support a diversity of wildlife. The meadows are playing an important role in sustaining populations of vulnerable UK wildflowers such as Anacamptis pyramidalis and Lychnis flos-cuculi.

This vast and varied arboretum has come into its own over recent months: “We’ve seen a massive upswing in visits to the arboretum,” Mark tells us. “Perhaps outdoor space is something which fell off people’s radars, was taken for granted. Now they can see they’ve been missing a really fundamental thing, a bit of green space.”

Research Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum isn’t just a pretty face though. “The garden is more than just an aesthetic value. We have a scientific and education brief too and we try and blend both,” Mark notes.

“When the original garden was established, on site there would have been scientific laboratories. They were moved off site back in the early 60s, but we are still heavily involved in

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Oxford Botanic Garden.indd 31

the Department of Plant Sciences within the University of Oxford.”

The research focuses on evolutionary and reproductive biology, and conservation linked to biodiversity hotspots around the world, with the plants grown in the garden and glasshouses often reflecting what the university’s students are studying.

Using genetics and genomics, Oxford Botanic Garden is exploring the processes in plant reproduction and evolution. This focuses on: “the adaptation of Senecio (ragworts) to different altitudes on their native Mount Etna.

Senecio chrysanthemifolius and S. aethnensis grow at low and high altitudes on the volcano respectively, and form hybrids where they meet naturally at mid altitude.”

Material from this zone was grown in the garden, later it escaped and spread across the UK via the clinker beds of railway lines. Over the next few hundred years, these plants became recognised as their own separate species: Senecio squalidus.

35 acres of the world qualify as biodiversity hotspots. These areas as deemed so because they have at least 1,500 endemic vascular plants and 30% or less of their original natural vegetation. Though they represent just 2.3% of the Earth’s land surface, they support more than half of the world’s endemic plant species.

Oxford Botanic Garden has developed ex-situ conservation plant collections derived from these areas, focusing on the Mediterranean

WE WANT TO SHOW THAT PURPOSE OF PLANTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOW THEY SUPPORT THE ECOLOGY OF ALL LIFE FORMS Basin, Ethiopian and Japanese floristic regions.

In conjunction with this, the team is building an extensive collection of critically endangered and red-listed species at the garden and arboretum.

Another concept which the team is keen to explore is that of plant blindness. In its broadest meaning, this is: “the inability to see or notice the plants in one’s own environment, leading to the inability to recognise the importance of plants in the biosphere and in human affairs” – according to Wandersee and Schussler who introduced the term. This can be hugely problematic, as if people do not understand the importance of plants, they will be reluctant to get on board with conservation efforts. “Everything has an importance – a collective importance – we want to show that purpose of plants and the environment and how they support the ecology of all life forms,” explains Mark.

Future plans July next year will mark 400 years of the Oxford Botanic Garden. Celebratory plans will be revealed as we turn into the new year, but will tell the story of the garden – from its physic garden origins to today, as it continues to mould minds and change the world.

1 A view of the Magdalen college tower from The Walled Garden 2 Interpretation boards in the garden’s APG systematic beds (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group) 3 This tropical waterlily pool dates back to 1851 4 View from the Lower Garden by the River Charwell 5 The garden’s central fountain 6 Echinacea paradoxa in the Merton Border Photographs ©Ian Wallman

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 31

17/09/2020 11:18

LANAI OUTDOOR IRIS LOUVERED ROOF OUTDOOR ROOM

There are so many ways for your business to flourish: give your guests more room, let the season last all year, put on a spectacular scenic show, all beneath structures embodying the elegance and originality that do your brand justice.

For more information or a formal site survey please contact:

01223 915822 | www.Lanai-Commercial.co.uk Advert Template PL.indd 15 Lanai.indd 1

14/09/2020 03/09/2020 15:59 15:45

INSPIRE

PORTFOLIO 2 DANIEL SHEA GARDEN DESIGN

P38

I N S I D E I N S P I R E T H I S M O N T H PA G E 3 5 P O R T F O L I O 1 : I N S C A P E S , PA G E 3 8 P O R T F O L I O 2 : D A N I E L S H E A G A R D E N D E S I G N , PA G E 4 2 P O R T F O L I O 3 : I D V E R D E , PA G E 4 7 L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T E C T ’ S J O U R N A L : O W E N B Y R O M A N D H E A D P L A C E , PA G E 5 1 N E I L PA R S L O W

Inspire Cover-2.indd 33

18/09/2020 10:01

@torc_pots

Advert Template PL.indd 9

www.torcpots.com

14/09/2020 16:54

INSPIRE

PROJECT D E TA I L S Project value £286,000 Build time 8 months Size of project 8,000m2 Awards BALI National Landscape Awards 2019 – Domestic Garden Construction Over £250,000

C O U RT I N G

BRILLIANCE B I S H O P S H E AT H INSCAPES A S A R E S U LT O F T H E I R W O R K S AT K E W G A R D E N S , I N S C A P E S WERE ASKED TO MEET WITH THE OWNERS OF A LARGE DOMESTIC P R O P E R T Y L O C AT E D O N T H E E D G E O F W I N D S O R G R E AT PA R K

T

he extensive existing lawns at this property on the edge of Windsor Great Park ranged in size, from 100m2 to 4,000m2. Situated between the main entrance and the house, they were in poor condition and suffering due to dry conditions. The clients initially wanted a quote to turf the area, however, they were advised by the Inscapes team that this would not provide a long-term solution nor would it be cost effective.

1 The main driveway 2 Fish pond overlooking the gardens 3 Formal lawns

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Portfolio 1 Inscapes.indd 35

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 35

17/09/2020 14:47

INSPIRE

Client brief Inscapes were tasked with creating a scheme to improve the lawns and ensure they were able to be maintained to a high level. In addition, the existing tennis court needed to be removed and a pond installed in its place.

Design and build Site investigation and topsoil samples showed poor-quality topsoil, averaging less than 100mm. A heavy clay-based subsoil was overlaid, resulting in the lawns resting wet in the winter and drying out quickly through the summer. A robust primary and secondary drainage system was proposed to improve the lawns through the winter, which was combined with a fully automatic pop-up irrigation system to keep them lush and green in the summer.

A simple pond was designed to sit adjacent to an existing circular paved area and mimic the pond situated in the clients’ Danish home. The pond developed into an area suitable for koi fish and required concrete lining and fibreglass.

The tennis court was broken up and the resulting stone used to create a base for the new irrigation and tank pump area. Piped drainage systems were installed together with irrigation mains. Material from the newly excavated pond was used to soften the profile of the area that had been poorly landscaped previously.

Existing grass was then removed from the site. The secondary drainage system could then proceed to be installed, with sand and topsoil imported to better the existing topsoil, cultivated and ready for turfing.

Additional tree planting included a 10m high willow. A 1.8m tall laurel hedge was planted adjacent to the drive to screen the property, whilst the irrigation system was expanded nicely with a drizzle pipe along the hedge line. Cypress trees adjacent to the gates

36 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Portfolio 1 Inscapes.indd 36

BEFORE

DEMOLISHING THE TENNIS COURT

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 14:44

INSPIRE

of the property were imbedded as well as rhododendrons planted in three beds close to the pond and opposite the willow tree.

Challenges It was important to the client that any storm water and surplus irrigation water was recycled through the irrigation system. Designing the system to do this without existing storm water drawings created a challenge for the team to overcome. Noise and dust were also a trying aspect of the scheme as the clients were living in the property at the time. However, this was managed through regular communication.

A BOU T I N SCA P ES Inscapes is an established sports ground engineering organisation as well as a commercial environmental and landscaping specialist. It has a proven track record in meeting and surpassing challenges. Inscapes’ team of skilled experts bring flexibility and responsiveness to every project, demonstrating a clear understanding of their clients’ visions and expectations throughout the life cycle of each contract, from initial concept to completion.

www.inscapes.org.uk 4 5 6 7 8

Fish pond overlooking formal lawns Lawns to front of property Main entrance Overlooking formal gardens Main lawn

REFERENCES

Turf Inturf www.inturf.com Drainage pipes JDP www.jdpipes.co.uk Irrigation system Rainbird www.rainbird.eu Rootzones and sands Valley Aggregates www.valleyaggregates.co.uk

EXCAVATING POND AREA

Cypress trees and laurel hedging Wyevale Nurseries www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk Fibreglass and pumping system Luxuria Property www.luxuriaproperty.com POND CONSTRUCTION

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Portfolio 1 Inscapes.indd 37

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 37

17/09/2020 14:45

INSPIRE

PROJECT D E TA I L S Project value ÂŁ23,900 Build time 2 months Size of project 50m2 Awards Pro Landscaper small project BIG IMPACT Awards 2019, Design and Build Under ÂŁ25,000 Shortlist

1 Floating corner bench at night 2 Herbs have been used extensively for their form, aroma and culinary use 3 Brick and oak raised beds add a lovely patina to the garden 4 The olive tree and pine uplit at night

38 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Portfolio 2 Daniel Shea Garden Design.indd 38

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 14:51

INSPIRE

TIERED

TERRACE C LY D E R O A D , L O N D O N DANIEL SHEA GARDEN DESIGN AT A V I C T O R I A N P R O P E R T Y S I T U AT E D O N A T Y P I C A L N O R T H L O N D O N S T R E E T, A N E U T R A L Y E T M O D E R N G A R D E N W A S S P E C I F I E D T O R E J U V E N AT E A N D R E D E F I N E T H I S R E S I D E N T I A L S PA C E

A

t this Victorian property in London, the outdoor space consisted of old soft decking which was unsafe, collapsing down onto a tired looking lawn. Along the boundaries were narrow raised planting beds, retained by cheap log rolls.

Located on a slope, the garden was divided into two tiers.

Client brief Being open to suggestions on their garden space, the clients wanted to renovate their tired looking garden, replacing the old decking and log roll beds while injecting some life back into the garden.

The garden was too small for the children to play and enjoy, therefore the suggestion was immediately made to lose the lawn, replacing it with plants and a fitted corner bench on the lower terrace. This would create a more formal alfresco dining area closer to the kitchen doors.

Lighting was to play a pivotal role in the design – uplighting was recommended to highlight the existing olive tree and other features which were to be installed.

Design and build The build was undertaken by Lanwarne Landscapes whose attention to detail and standard of finish did Daniel Shea Garden Design’s design justice.

Grey riven sandstone was opted for due to its neutral, modern tones, which associate well with the modern interiors of the client’s home. The peachy tones of the bricks used for the raised beds blend with the brick façade of the kitchen extension and surrounding houses and roof tiles.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Portfolio 2 Daniel Shea Garden Design.indd 39

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 39

17/09/2020 14:52

INSPIRE

Bulky prefab furniture on the lower terrace would have weighed the garden down, creating too much mass. So, a slim line elegant floating bench provides a lightweight seating option that nestles tightly into the planting borders where plants can be seen up close and the scent of the fragrant herbs is released when brushing past them.

Subtle, well-positioned lights add warmth to the garden as well as uplighting the architectural form of the pine and the olive tree. Bright Earth was responsible for the lighting design, ensuring it was sophisticated and gave a warm glow in the evenings.

Planting has been inspired by the clients’ existing olive tree and their neighbours overhanging conifer tree. A specimen Pinus sylvestris has been placed centrally to link to the existing plants, and a planting triangle has been created linking all the elements.

The pine tree is the focal point of the garden and what the additional elements gravitate around.

Year-round pines and ferns provide scents of sage, thyme and pine. In early spring, the Osmanthus releases a sweet hedonistic fragrance which is prolonged into summer when the jasmine blooms.

The planting of pines, herbs, jasmine and Osmanthus all intoxicate the garden with sweet, woody fragrances, and a soft textural carpet of grasses, perennials and a Pinus densiflora add interest up close.

Challenges Designing a safe, comfortable garden on a sloped terrain was the main challenge for Daniel Shea Garden Design. In order to overcome this, two terraces were fashioned – one for dining and the other for relaxing.

Another challenge was maintaining the mature olive tree and lilac in their current position. They were perfectly proportioned and gave the small garden a real depth of field when viewing from above. The raised beds were designed to incorporate their rootballs, a choice which proved to be successful.

5 A chair to relax on and soak up the sun 6 Late flowering perennials keep this garden going well into autumn 7 Views onto the herringbone path

A B OU T DA N I E L S H E A GA R D E N D ES I G N Daniel Shea is an award-winning garden designer based in Hertfordshire. From large country gardens to pocket sized courtyards, Daniel works closely with his clients to develop a style that complements their home or space. His philosophy is to create harmonious and tranquil spaces inspired by nature, built on contemporary design and softened with lush and elegant planting. Daniel creates gardens that provide year-round interest and improve with age.

www.danielshea.co.uk

40 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Portfolio 2 Daniel Shea Garden Design.indd 40

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 14:54

INSPIRE

BUILDING THE CORNER BENCH

Datum from inside floor 10.00+ Step down

10.00+

Brick paving Herringbone

9.85 +

Cedar batten Fencing H- 1800

Water trough

DURING WORKS

to be supplied

by Client/Designer plumbed in by landscaper

DESIGN PLAN

REFERENCES 900x600 Paving TBC

9.82 +

Designer Daniel Shea Garden Design www.danielshea.co.uk

9.67 +

9.82 +

Contractor 9.82 + Lanwarne Landscapes 3 parts topwww.lanwarnelandscapes.co.uk soil

9.52 +

Raised oak Sleepers 200/100 filled with 2 parts compost

BRICKWORK DETAIL

H-500

Lighting Bright Earth H-500 www.brightearth.co.uk from lower terrace Brick retaining wall

9.82 +

Lights and fittings Lighting for Gardens www.lightingforgardens.com 9.82 +

inside floor 10.00+ Step down

H- 1800 10.00+

Brick paving

Brick London Reclaimed Brick Merchants www.lrbm.com

Herringbone

9.85 +

Cedar batten Fencing

9.82 +

H- 1800

9.82 + Water trough to be supplied

Planting Creepers Nursery location tbc www.creepersnursery.co.uk

by Client/Designer

Brick slot drain

plumbed in by landscaper

to connect to soakaway

900x600 Paving

9.82 +

TBC

Bench Contemporary Fencing www.contemporaryfencing.com9.45 +

Photographs ŠElliot Hook Photography

Datum from

Kandla Grey Sandstone London Stone Cedar battenwww.londonstone.co.uk Fencing

Storage unit with paving top (for seating on upper terrace) and cedar batten door H-800

Brick BBQ

9.67 + 9.82 +

Raised oak Sleepers 200/100

H - 800

9.82 +

VISUALISATIONS 9.52 +

New Gate

filled with 2 parts compost 3 parts top soil

Brick retaining wall

Herringbone

9.82 +

H-500

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Brick paving

made from cedar battens

H-500

from lower terrace

9.50 +

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 41 Brick planter H-500

from lower terrace

Portfolio 2 Daniel Shea Garden Design.indd 41

9.82 + 9.82 +

9.82 +

17/09/2020 14:55

Cedar batten Fencing

INSPIRE

W

hilst many city centres have avenue trees, most of these are of a formal uniform, single species, single variety type. idverde’s client, Glasgow City Council, was seeking to deliver a flourishing Avenue that would emulate a naturalised environment, with an all-season aesthetic appeal, as well as taking account of the city’s flood protection requirements. Sauchiehall Street Tree Avenue is the pilot scheme for the “Avenues” projects across the city centre, within the overall £1bn Glasgow Region City Deal for infrastructure development. The project is working in advance of the other 16 “Avenues” within this Glasgow place-making scheme.

As the first City Deal Region in Scotland, Glasgow is seeking to demonstrate the importance and harmony of good landscape design, civil engineering innovation, and structural design in achieving a sustainable urban greening and flood protection vision.

The method of construction offered by idverde and adopted by the client had never been done before, but it is one that the client intends to replicate across the other Avenues. Similarly, the naturalised aesthetics, from the choice of trees with their year-round appeal, balanced against the climatic challenges, to the sustainability of the trees with the consideration of effective SuDs, is a first.

INSTALLING THE CELL STRUCTURE

42 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Portfolio 3 Sauchiehall Street idverde-2.indd 42

APPEALING

AVENUE

SAUC H I E H A L L ST R E E T T R E E AV E N U E , G L A S G OW

IDVERDE C O V E R I N G A 4 0 3 M S T R E T C H O F S A U C H I E H A L L S T R E E T, G L A S G O W C I T Y C O U N C I L W A N T E D T O P I L O T I T S “AV E N U E S ” P R O J E C T S I N O R D E R T O A C H I E V E I T S S U S TA I N A B L E U R B A N GREENING AND FLOOD PROTECTION VISION Design and build idverde was awarded the contract as principal contractor, with design responsibility of 12 years and build phase responsibility of five years.

The scope of works consisted of: • The installation of geotextile membrane to prevent contamination with existing soil.

• The construction of root cell structure to incorporate 28 trees from Rose Street to Elmbank Street.

• The installation of a new irrigation system with 100mm perforated carrier drain.

• Importation of sub-soil to provide the optimum environment for the trees to thrive.

• A tarmacadam and Type 1 sub-vase layer to support the new Caithness paving.

• A species assessment.

• Landscape design.

• Installation of 28 trees along the avenue.

• Installation of bespoke tree grills.

• And laying of Caithness paving slabs along the length of the Avenue.

PREPARING A TREE PIT

PROJECT D E TA I L S Project value £1,094,000 Build time 13 months Size of project 403m stretch Awards British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) National Award 2019 Soft Landscaping Construction (non-domestic) – Over £500k

ONE OF THE 28 TREES CAREFULLY UNLOADED

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 15:10

INSPIRE

As part of the new SuDs system, there is a requirement for water to run off the paving, over the tree pit, and find its way below. idverde’s design required sufficient attenuation capacity of rooting space and the design of outfalls to remove over-capacity at a controlled rate into the sewers. idverde also needed to ensure the protection of services, drains and basements from root invasion, the safeguarding of the growing medium from contamination, and the irrigation of the trees, while preventing waterlogging.

To ensure adequate surface run-off from adjacent public-realm, idverde used a porous jointing product between paving units and, to support the strength of these joints, it used a proprietary porous concrete as a base material to the paving surface, ensuring the paving construction was robust. idverde carried out infiltration tests to demonstrate water moved away quickly enough. idverde trialled its first engineered designs off-site to test the design principles and programme predictability.

Trees were selected 18 months in advance and air-potted to generate healthy fibrous roots. idverde manufactured a root zone, matching closely with the trees’ indigenous soil, and used manufactured, sterilised soil to give the best possible health for the trees to grow.

Trees The council initially proposed a list of approximately 30 street trees of different species, varieties, and growth habits. From this list, idverde prepared a Tree Risk Register, categorising each tree as red, amber or green, and shortlisting 8 to 10 species and varieties of trees. The final selection basis included colour and interest, suitability for the latitude, climate and wind parameters, resistance to Dutch Elm Disease, avoidance of lateral spread at road intersections, and being less attractive to aphids to avoid residue dropping. idverde has trialled the Japanese species, Ginkgo biloba, positioning them in the most suitable location for survival.

These will be closely monitored, having never

POSITIONING THE TREE

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Portfolio 3 Sauchiehall Street idverde-2.indd 43

LAYING THE CAITHNESS PAVING

1 & 2 The completed project – trees thriving and working with the urban landscape 3 Area of newly-laid Caithness paving

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 43

17/09/2020 15:12

INSPIRE

been tried in Scotland. The final five species selected promote colour variation throughout the seasons and differences in form, maintaining public interest throughout the year. These include six Acer platanoides ‘Deborah’, five Acer campestre ‘William Caldwell’, six Ulmus ‘Columella’, five Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’ and five Ginkgo biloba.

Working with Greenblue Urban, idverde arrived at a bespoke solution for the design and installation of load-bearing soil cells (crates) to create structurally adequate soil systems that are conducive to root growth, provide adequate root spread and nutrients and support the long-term health of street trees.

The council re-routed utilities services to allow each tree to be planted in a self-contained 2.5m deep pit of double-layered crates, with 8-10m between each pit.

Challenges As Sauchiehall Street comprises multiple road intersections, the council’s road department required assurance that the loading from road traffic would have no sideward displacement effect on the rooting zone. This could result in a void being filled by road material causing the road surface to rut. idverde worked with Plean Precast to design a concrete retaining wall structure to absorb the forces from the road and verify the stability of the tree zones. However, once excavations were exposed at the road intersections, there were unexpected communications utilities encased in concrete. These would have interfered

with the design for the retaining structures, meaning our proposed solution could not be incorporated.

Additionally, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was concerned about the depth of excavation and its effect on the stability of adjacent footpaths and buildings. After various engineering testing, idverde moved from a discrete single pitch design to a single layer of crate that spread continuously across three or four trees without spacing, collectively achieving a volume of 22m3 per tree. With this reduced depth of excavation, the concrete retaining structure was no longer required as the concrete-cased communication ducts were enough to satisfy the retention of the single crate layer of the tree zones at carriageway intersections. The excavated area was also reduced to satisfy the HSE.

TREE DELIVERY BY CRANE

ONE DOWN, 27 TO GO...

ABOUT I DVERDE idverde is Europe’s leading provider of grounds maintenance services and landscape creation projects. It offers a holistic range of services to support the creation, maintenance and management of landscapes in the UK, working with both public and private sector clients.

www.idverde.co.uk

REFERENCES Designer and contractor idverde www.idverde.co.uk Consultant for landscape architecture Linda Curr Design Ltd Trees Hilliers Nurseries www.hillier.co.uk ArborSystem tree pits GreenBlue Urban www.greenblue.com

THE COMPLETED PROJECT

44 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Portfolio 3 Sauchiehall Street idverde-2.indd 44

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 15:13

More innovative. More affordable.

The first ever pull-behind Groundsmaster.

The Groundsmaster 1200, the first ever pull-behind rotary mower from Toro.

Where time is of the essence, the three fully articulating contour-following decks and 12ft cutting width of this mower make light work of large cutting areas.

Add the quality of cut you get from a Groundsmaster and there’s no looking back!

reesinkturfcare.co.uk Get MORE from your turfcare partner this year: More products . More advice . More training . More finance

Reesink UK LTD is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Images shown for illustration only.

TG2172Template Pro Landscaper Advert PL.indd Oct 10 CS GM1200_V2.indd 1

10/09/2020 15:45 13:25 14/09/2020

Working together to create landscapes to be proud of We are more than a supplier.

Choose Green-tech and you get a trusted business partner.

• Over 25 years servicing the landscaping and forestry industries • Renowned for our professional advice and technical know-how • Vast warehousing and stock holding capabilities • All your landscaping materials available from one company and on one delivery • Next day delivery • Competitive pricing • Excellent customer care

Call now to pre-order our new 2021 catalogue

SEE US AT T: 01423 332100 E: sales@green-tech.co.uk 17 - 18 NOVEMBER2020

www.green-tech.co.uk @greentechltd

Green-tech.indd 1 Advert Template PL.indd 11

@greentechuk

green-tech-ltd

09/09/2020 15:49 11:01 14/09/2020

INSPIRE

LANDSCAPE I A R C H I T EC T ’S

IT WAS DURING HIS TIME STUDYING ARCHITECTURE THAT OWEN BYROM DISCOVERED HIS LOVE FOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE. SINCE, HE’S WORKED ON A NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING PROJECTS. WE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THESE, AS WELL AS HIS OWN ORGANISATION HEADPLACE AND HOW IT’S PUTTING MENTAL HEALTH AT THE FOREFRONT.

t was while studying architecture that I found out how truly exclusive some buildings can be. This did not sit too well with me,” Owen explains. “I want to create things that are inclusive, where you can’t and shouldn’t control who is using them.” This led him to discover landscape architecture, and with architect Bridget Hansford – who also studied landscape architecture – from SALT Architects as a lecturer, Owen was able to gain insight into some of her coursework, and was sold.

JOURNAL OW E N BY R O M A N D H E A D P L AC E

RHS Garden Bridgewater It was obviously a right career move, as Owen won several awards whilst at university, helping him secure a job at Landscape Projects. It was whilst working there that he got to work on many exiting projects, like forming key drawings for the RHS Bridgewater planning application. At the 154acre grounds of Worsley New Hall in Salford, RHS Garden Bridgewater will transform the historic grounds into a stunning green space. Tom Stuart-Smith was responsible for the masterplan, with Owen having the opportunity to work closely with his team.

At the centre of RHS Bridgewater sits an 11-acre Weston Walled Garden – one of the UK’s biggest – comprising of 11 gardens. Currently the largest gardening project in Europe and RHS’ first new garden in nearly 20 years, it’s set to open 11 May 2021. “It’s going to be a great asset for the North West,” Owen tells us. “Hopefully, it will educate visitors about plants and their many benefits, whilst providing much enjoyment in a variety of great spaces.”

Architecture Owen left LP in 2017 to pursue a role at re-form. Whilst in his new role, Owen encountered a blast from the past, as a project he had previously worked on landed back on his desk: Wirral Waters One. This is the creation of 500 one and two-bedroom apartments, and will include dock walkways, gardens and terraces. re-form is part of the development of a design for the waterside public realm. It’s creating a series of residential streets and courtyard spaces that link down to the dock, with a network of rain gardens lining the dock to create an integrated approach to sustainable urban drainage solutions.

“A change in development direction led to a change in design team. Thankfully, I was able to work on this project again, and landscape was given a much larger role.

“Unfortunately, it is too common for the landscape architecture to be an ‘after-thought’ or garnish for many developments. As someone who studied both architecture and landscape architecture, I’ve always seen merit in both disciplines being primary forces in shaping developments, together if possible. But this is not usually the case in

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Landscape Architects Journal Owen Byrom Headplace.indd 47

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 47

17/09/2020 18:51

INSPIRE

practice. We need to see more collaboration and consideration for landscape-led developments and I hope that imbalance changes soon. It’s not only important for the quality of projects, but also for mental health considerations.”

Headplace Owen then moved on to a more senior role as landscape consultant at Xanthe Quayle – but this isn’t his only focus.

“Headplace has become something I really am proud of.

It’s an avenue to explore my fascination and passion of the environment and mental health.”

Whilst selecting his Master’s thesis, Owen saw an opportunity to combine these two passions. But city-specific data on elements or areas in the city that are difficult for those suffering from mental health disorders, was hard to obtain. It was then that Headplace was born – a non-profit research, design and consultancy organisation working on the issue of mental health in our built environment.

With an organisation name behind him, Owen undertook research which looked at where in cities are the most difficult areas, and how to translate successful psychological approaches into outdoor environments in order to utilise the city. With very few, if any, organisations doing this, Owen had high hopes Headplace would become a potential avenue for him – and that it has. Today, Headplace offers consultancy, research, design work and health impact assessments. Most recently, it has been involved in the Ignition Project.

Bringing 12 partners together from across Greater Manchester, including the RHS, Ignition Projects aims to develop innovative solutions for investment in Greater Manchester’s natural environment. Backed by €4.5m from the EU’s Urban Innovation Actions (UIA) initiative, it will

work with nature to create solutions to socioenvironmental challenges.

The most common mental health problem is anxiety, and this is made worse by overstimulation. Headplace is able to assess a site and see how it can be adapted to improve mental wellbeing. A key move in improving a site can be in reducing stimulus, which can be achieved in simple interventions such as increasing planted areas, to more strategic moves including removing vehicular traffic.

WHAT I LOVE MOST, IS THAT EVERYTHING CONSIDERED GREAT FOR SUSTAINABILITY, IS ALSO GREAT FOR MENTAL HEALTH “What I love most, is that everything considered great for sustainability, is also great for mental health. If the mental health aspect can arrive on that green wave, then I think it’s a win for everyone – but we cannot be reliant on this, we also require change in national policy, such as the NPPF.” Health Impact Assessments (HIA), according to the NHS, “help to ensure that health and wellbeing are being considered in planning policies and proposals”. Currently, HIA’s are not mandatory for all projects. The Public Health of Wales Act 2017 pushes Welsh ministers to make regulations which require public bodies to carry out HIA, but only in specified circumstances. “The Act aims to take a proportionate approach – assessments would be limited to policies, plans and programmes which have outcomes of national or major significance, or which have a significant effect at local level on public health.”

There is no such regulation for England yet.

“Though this is a step in the right direction, it’s not enough. We would love to see HIA’s applied to any project never mind the scale,” Owen says.

Plants for People The fact that not everyone can access green space was specifically highlighted during lockdown, as many were unable to leave their homes for many reasons, including physical and mental ailments – an issue that doesn’t necessarily go away as lockdown restrictions ease. But Owen is determined to not let this stop people from enjoying nature. Plants for People began after there were reports of plants being thrown away during lockdown – due to lack of customers.

Saddened by this, Owen saw an opportunity to distribute these otherwise disposed of plants to those who were isolated and had no access to green space.

“By trying to set up supply networks to those who were most in need of the plants, we realised that many people, even before lockdown, were struggling to fulfil their biophilic need and connect with nature – hence the need for this to go beyond the extent of lockdown.”

Profits from Headplace will continue to be funnelled into Plants for People, but Owen hopes workflow will continue to pick up so both ventures can flourish. This may come as Wales continues to push for mandatory HIA’s and the rest of the

UK follows suit, or as Headplace continues its research and development, including the planned creation of free to use design guidance for all in the architecture and planning industry.

Whatever may come, Owen will continue to promote inclusive design and attempt to further destigmatize mental health.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Market Street concept visualisation Translating psychology – collaboration & reward Piccadilly Gardens concept plan Five-a-side chess – public realm chess board axo Social distancing conversation starters Piccadilly Gardens concept visualisation Headplace social media posts

C O N TA C T Instagram @headplaceuk Twitter: @headplace_org Tel 07895 170 703 Email info@headplace.org

www.headplace.org

48 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Landscape Architects Journal Owen Byrom Headplace.indd 48

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 18:48

It’s not only Pro Landscaper that’s had a makeover, the Friday wrap has a new look too.

THE FRIDAY WRAP DELIVERS THE NEWS, VIEWS AND OPINIONS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED DURING THE WEEK Email laura.harris@eljays44.com to sign up for the weekly newsletter brought to you by Pro Landscaper

Advert Template PL.indd 50

17/09/2020 18:20

STYLISH, CONTEMPORARY LED PATH AND PLANTING LIGHTS Trade Discounts Available Next Day Delivery Free Expert Installation Advice

WWW.LIGHTINGFORGARDENS.COM

014 62 486777

E5531 Advert Template PL.indd 13 LFG144 PLS Ad October 2020 225w x 300h_V2.indd 1

EG1923R

ELR0206A12

ERL0203A12

E5631 14/09/2020 15:53 08/09/2020 09:27

EDUCATE

N E I L PA R S L O W D I V E S I N AT T H E D E E P E N D, SHARING THE DO’S A N D D O N ’ TS O F LIGHTING IN AND AROUND POOLS

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Neil Parslow.indd 51

LIGHTING THOSE LENGTHS so the pool needs to be between this location and surrounding landscape lighting to enable the water reflections to be visible from these viewing locations.

FLAT, CALM BODIES OF WATER – LIKE POOLS – WILL ALWAYS REFLECT THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE LIGHTING THE BEST AND ADD HUGE AMOUNTS OF DRAMA TO A LIGHTING SCHEME Lighting in natural pools tends to be easier to maintain, as the fittings specified are not usually recessed into the walls like in chemical swimming pools, as some fittings can require a partial or complete draining to service or replace. Natural pools will typically use fittings more at home to general submersible landscape lighting, which offers a greater choice of fitting from which the designer can choose. More often than not, natural pools will also have the addition of planting above the water line and will enable depth layering of the lighting composition.

Particular attention should be paid to the location of the lighting inside pools, as it is important that glare from the light source is eliminated, as this could be visible from the main viewing areas from either outside on a deck or patio seating area, or inside a house.

As a general rule, internal pool lighting should be recessed into the walls at the near side of the viewing location and facing in the opposite direction, away from the viewer.

Coloured lighting in pools typically consists of blue light – to most this represents our perception of the colour of water – but with the advent of sophisticated colour changing LED technology, any colour is now possible and can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet. For integration of pool lighting into a landscape lighting scheme, full dimming control of the pool lights is required, and the ability to be able to switch the pool lights off completely will enable the best results of cohesion between the pools dark reflective surface and the surrounding landscape.

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

Neil originally trained as an electrical designer but his passion for lighting and landscapes soon shifted his focus from interior electrical to landscape lighting designs and installations. This led further to product design engineering and manufacturing of high-quality British made lighting products. www.lightvisuals.co.uk

Photograph© George Gruel; Lighting design: Janet Lennox Moyer

G

ardens with chemical or natural pools should integrate this body of water within the overall lighting scheme, rather than as an isolated illuminated feature. Flat, calm bodies of water – like pools – will always reflect the surrounding landscape lighting the best and add huge amounts of drama to a lighting scheme.

During the pool design and construction stage, a little thought is needed regarding the internal pool lighting and its cohesion with the external landscape lighting. The pool lighting must always be constructed as fit for purpose within pools, and preferably of extra low voltage (ELV) to reduce the potential of electric shock.

All lighting within pools must also be protected with suitable RCD protection, and to the current IET wiring regulations BS7671.

It is also important to know whether there are going to be one or several fittings used in the pools design, including the brand of light fittings used, as pricing will vary considerably between brands, and the clients budget will have a big impact on the products specified.

The quantity and type of fittings will depend on the nature and intended use of the pool, such as if there will be a series of steps leading into the pool or unusual shapes and elevations within the pools design.

Another factor to include in the design of garden pools is the location the pool will be built within the garden, as this requires careful planning to enable it to merge with the surrounding landscape lighting. The main viewing areas would usually be near the house,

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 51

17/09/2020 15:37

Some of your customers have recently had lots of time to enjoy their beautiful gardens…

U SEE

‘I couldn’t recommend Majestic highly enough”

T SA

17 18 N

Hannah Leonardi

OV EM BER 20 20 Garden Design

by Acres Wild

Come and explore our 27 acre nursery, where you can personally select the specimen trees you need for your upcoming projects.

Employer of the Year

Over 450 varieties of semi-mature and mature trees and hedging, grown in 35 to 4,000 litre AirPot containers

Supplier of the Year 2020

Grower of the Year: Nursery Stock 2008 • 2011 2015 • 2017

• ADVICE • DELIVERY • PLANTING • AFTERCARE • www.majestictrees.co.uk | 01582 843881 | info@majestictrees.co.uk Chequers Hill, Flamstead, Nr St.Albans, Herts, AL3 8ET

Advert Template PL.indd 14 Majestic Trees.indd 2

14/09/2020 10:27 15:56 03/09/2020

N U RT U R E

FEATURE GARDEN ATTADALE GARDENS

P55

I N S I D E N U R T U R E T H I S M O N T H PAG E 5 5 F E AT U R E G A R D E N : AT TA DA L E G A R D E N S , PAG E 5 9 L E W I S N O R M A N D , PAG E 6 0 N I C K C O S L E T T, PAG E 6 3 B U Y I N G B A R E R O O T, PA G E 6 4 T O P S O I L’ S T R A N S F O R M AT I O N , PA G E 6 7 N U R S E R Y F O C U S : I F P L A N T S

Nurture Cover-2.indd 53

17/09/2020 18:12

PROVENDER

socially distanced

professionally,

SIDE BY SIDE The Landscape Centre, Leydenhatch Lane, Swanley, Kent BR8 7PS Tel: 01322 662315 Web: www.provendernurseries.co.uk

T: 01507 525 000 E: enquiries@crowders.co.uk www.crowdersnurseries.co.uk

W Crowder & Sons Ltd

Advert Template PL.indd 22

@CrowdersNursery

W Crowder & Sons Ltd

17/09/2020 11:59

NURTURE

F E AT U R E GARDEN ATTADALE GARDENS

RECENTLY NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 15 MOST BE AUTIFUL GARDENS IN THE WORLD, WE LE ARN WHAT AT TADALE GARDENS HAS TO OFFER AND FIND OUT FROM CURRENT DIRECTOR JOANNA MACPHERSON WHY THE FUTURE LOOKS SO GREEN

A

t their highest point, along the old rhododendron walk and up rocky steps, views down onto Loch Carron and out towards the hills of Skye frame Attadale Gardens. Below, beds provide an ideal home for hostas, candelabra primulas, persicaria, astilbes, hardy fuchsias and meconopsis – gardening staples of the Scottish west coast. A bronzed crowned eagle by Rosie Sturgis and a cheetah by Hamish Mackie are two of the 20 sculptures that can be found at Attadale.

Attadale Gardens’ history stretches back to 1775 when it is believed the sunken garden was first created, with the beautifully crafted drainage ditches also dating back this far. Then, it belonged to the Mathesons, who owned much of the surrounding area. During her reign, Queen Victoria

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Feature Garden Attadale Gardens.indd 55

made it fashionable to own sporting estates in Scotland.

It was at this time that Baron von Schröder purchased Attadale, having formerly leased the property.

Rhododendrons The Schroder family are responsible for the paths and steps which wind through the 20 acres of gardens and woodland. Possibly the most impressive remnant of the Schroders' time at Attadale, however, is the rhododendrons.

As well as imported trees such as wellingtonias, tsugas and other redwoods, the rhododendrons at Attadale are over 100 years old. On display in the rhododendron dell, Rhododendron arboreum is one of its toughest and healthiest species towering at 100ft. During the months

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 55

17/09/2020 09:59

NURTURE

of April, May and June, Rhododendron yunnanense, davidsonianum, oreotrephes, cinnabarinum 'Roylei Group' and an enormous 'Cornubia' burst into a riot of colour. Over the years, their snaking trunks have been joined by rowan, maple, cherry and birch trees to contrast with the rhododendron and sheltering conifers' dark green leaves. Dwarf rhododendrons have also been planted more recently, to create even more colour and interest – and with the hope that they will grow together and not require weeding.

Evolution In 1952, the estate was sold to Ian Macpherson.

Though his focus was not on the gardens, his daughter-in-law Nicky Macpherson had the opportunity to transform them completely when two huge storms in the 80s destroyed most of the trees, leaving a blank canvas on which to work. “She was an artist,” Joana Macpherson, Nicky’s daughter and current director of the gardens, tells us. “She put all her energy into the garden, devoting the last 40 years to it.”

Born in South Africa, Nicky was greatly influenced by memories of gardens such as Kirstenbosch and Vergelegen at the Cape. In 1989, the garden layout came together with the help of Michael Innes, who trained at Kew and was a garden advisor for National Trust of Scotland. “It was Michael who gave us the best advice we’ve ever had, not to plant on the near side of the pond.” Joanna tells us: “If we had, we would have lost the reflections which are such a huge feature of these gardens.”

The work put into these gardens has certainly paid off, as just this year Attadale Gardens made it onto loveexploring.com's list of the ‘Top 15 most beautiful gardens in the world’, alongside the prestigious likes of Kew

Gardens, Arundel Castle, USA's Portland Japanese Garden and New York's Brooklyn Botanical Garden.

“It was very exciting and completely unexpected.” Joanna tells us: “Obviously I'm biased, but it is a special place. Attadale Gardens is unique, because it's still a private garden and it’s still loved by a family – I think it reflects that.”

Kitchen Garden The only place in all of Attadale Gardens that you will find straight lines, the Kitchen Garden is more than just functional. “Some people are more interested in the kitchen garden than anything else in the garden,” explains Joanna.

ATTADALE GARDENS IS UNIQUE, BECAUSE IT'S STILL A PRIVATE GARDEN AND IT’S STILL LOVED BY A FAMILY – I THINK IT REFLECTS THAT Though it does provide surplus fruit and vegetables, aromatic displays of sweet peas decorate the beds, joined by snowdrops and pink tulips and, at the right time in May, bright blue bursts of meconopsis.

In order to overcome issues with box blight, the team removed all the Kitchen Garden’s box hedging, replacing them with Ilex crenata.

Stretching down the main path, Joanna and the team have also trained apple trees to grow just 18 inches off the ground. “I was in France at Château de Chenonceau and they have stepover apple trees. We took this idea and introduced it into the Kitchen Garden,” explains Joanna.

56 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Feature Garden Attadale Gardens.indd 56

Fern Garden Beyond the Kitchen Garden lies, in contrast, a burst of green from the jungle-like Fern Garden.

Having been left a tender fern collection by Peter Hainsworth – an inspiration and an advisor when they first began developing the gardens – in 2003, Nicky created a geodesic dome to house them. “He was a great believer in the importance of a microclimate for plants,” explains Joanna.

“It’s appropriate that we have built a geodesic dome, a mini Eden project, and that his gift of ferns has formed the nucleus of the collection.”

Attadale’s Fern Garden is currently home to one of the most beautiful collections of ferns in Scotland. The mini Eden Project is surrounded

by New Zealand tree ferns, joined by the broad leaved hostas, meconopsis, Cardiocrinum giganteum, and mini cyclamen, trillium and Arisarum proboscideum.

The Dicksonia antarctica tree ferns need particular protection in the winter months, and though traditionally may have been wrapped in straw, the team has moved with the times and today wrap each fern with bubble wrap. A warm wire is also inserted into each tree, saving them from being damaged by winter frosts.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 10:05

NURTURE

Sunken Garden The sunken garden is one of the oldest areas of the gardens, once part of an elaborate rose garden. It has evolved from small fussy planting beds and topiary birds into planting which better echoes the shapes and colours of the highland scenery.

Surrounded by dry stone walls and hedged with Rosa rugosa 'Rubra' and Rhododendron luteum, the planting changes throughout the year, constantly providing colour. Sedums like Hylotelephium (Herbstfreude Group) 'Herbstfreude' are enjoyed by butterflies, South

African agapanthus and astilbes add texture, while Japanese anemone take the stage as the days get colder, flowering right up to October.

“If you look across the lawn towards the house, you’ll see a white bench. In the other direction, through the trees, you’ll see another white bench,” Joanna notes. “My mother would say a garden is all about looking beyond where you are to where you might enjoy going next.”

Sundial Garden One of the areas at Attadale Gardens with a more personal touch is the sundial garden.

“My mother used to look out of her bedroom window, down at the garden,” explains Joanna.

“She was always trying to find ways of saving time when gardening.” The result, a sundial that stretched 35ft across.

Carved by Graciela Ainsworth, its gnomon is supported by the rampant wild cat of the Skye Macphersons. She has also created a specially carved stone with the initials of Nicky and Ewen Macpherson, together with a protea for Nicky and a thistle for Ewen – their national flower.

The sundial is placed in front of a semi-circle of rhododendrons, Rosa moyesii, with various

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Feature Garden Attadale Gardens.indd 57

hydrangeas and ground cover planned for easy maintenance.

As well as creating the striking giant sundial at the side of the house, Graciela Ainsworth also produced a bench by sitting Nicky and Ewen in cement. However, Joanna explains that: “Frankly, being in the Highlands of Scotland, you can’t tell the time from the sun very often.”

It is fitting then, that carved into the bench is a quote by Hilaire Belloc which reads: “I am a sundial and I make a botch, of what is done much better by a watch.”

Challenges One of the biggest challenges Attadale Gardens faces is water. With over 80 inches of rain a year falling in large quantities, and a railway line between the site and the sea – meaning the old drainage ditches are not quite as effective as they used to be – the team has had to come up with other solutions.

One answer came in the form of a Japanese Garden. Rather than grass, gravel covers the ground. The beds have been raised, drains were re-laid and stepping stones lead you through the space, with five traditional Japanese garden design elements used.

In Japanese, Shakkei translates to 'borrowed landscape'. In Japan, you would look out towards Mount Fuji, but at Attadale, the Applecross hills are the borrowed view. At the River of Life, rocks represent mountains and gravel represent running water, while a fish making its way upstream symbolises the individual who reaches their goal in life by their own efforts. A Tsukubai can be found next to the garden’s lantern, a washbasin provided at the entrance to holy places for visitors.

The final element is the planting. Japanese azaleas and miniature conifers are in proportion with neighbouring rocks, while cherry and maple trees have been used to emphasise the passing of the seasons, and pine and bamboo to symbolise good fortune.

Green tourism Recently, Attadale Gardens registered with Green Tourism and was awarded Silver.

Registering has encouraged Attadale to create its own green policy. For example, converters are

SHE PUT ALL OF HER ENERGY INTO THE GARDEN, DEVOTING THE LAST 40 YEARS TO IT being installed so the site can begin to use LED-lights. Drinking water is treated with a UV-filter instead of chlorine. Eco-friendly cleaning products will mean less harmful substances enter the water. Hedgehogs have begun to return as slugs are no longer poisoned but destroyed by nematodes.

As well as making changes at Attadale, Joanna is also keen to encourage the use of public transport – Attadale has its own train station only a few steps away from the gardens.

Anyone arriving by train will land themselves a free copy of the Attadale Gardens Guidebook.

The area in which Attadale Gardens sits, Wester Ross, is home to one of two UK-based UNESCO biospheres. Named as such due to its array of landscapes, wildlife and culture, the Wester Ross biosphere works collaboratively with local communities to “learn to live in harmony with our environment.”

Based three miles off The North Coast 500, a somewhat controversial 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, Joanna feels positive about the future. She's well-positioned to see the benefits the added tourism will bring for gardens like Attadale Gardens and for the rest of the community.

1 Looking down Loch Carron towards Skye with Cuillin Hills in the distance, 20 miles away 2 Japanese Garden's cloud pruned hedge of Prunus lusitanica and Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' 3 Top pond at entrance with Primula pulverulenta and Iris pseudoacorus 'Variegata' 4 Attadale House from the Sunken Garden 5 A picturesque geodesic dome provides an effective microclimate in the Fern Garden 6 Sunken Garden's sundial view of the white bench 7 Azalea japonica at the Schroders’ Grave 8 Bronze 'Crowned Eagle' by Rosie Sturgis All photographs (excluding photograph 1) ©Tom Baker

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 57

17/09/2020 10:06

M E R

ME

NN

R

PP RR OO VV EE

R S PP

MSTEA

D

PPE ER RF OF RO

From the smallest garden to the largest park, leading producers of quality nursery stock

Garden by Acres Wild

S T E L M A

AL

A

D

our plants your design discover more online...

Live stock availability 10% web discount Articles, events, oers visit

palmstead.co.uk

01428 741655

Pleaching - Topiary - Hedging Specimen Trees & Shrubs www.griffinnurseries.co.uk enquiries@griffinnurseries.co.uk

Advert Template PL.indd 23

17/09/2020 12:08

NURTURE

R

AS BREXIT LOOMS CLOSER, LEWIS NORMAND CONSIDERS THE PROS AND CONS OF THE POSSIBLE CHANGES TO IMPORTING GOODS

egardless of your position on Brexit, it will inevitably come at a time when we are less prepared for it than we might otherwise have been.

All businesses have had a lot on their plates this year, dealing with a changed and changing world through the COVID-19 pandemic.

As such, and with no great progress in negotiations, a ‘no deal Brexit’ is looking ever more likely. The government is currently (as I write this) producing an emergency strategic plan to deal with coronavirus and a no deal Brexit at the same time, suggesting they are pretty clear that this is where we are headed.

The likelihood, it would seem, will be difficulty moving imported and exported resource through our borders efficiently with the additional administration (costs and time) required to do this without a well-formed agreement. Michael Gove is now consulting horticulture and other industries to ascertain our needs, for the Border Control Strategy 2025. This has the potential to introduce a very efficient service, allowing quick movement of goods through our ports, but will come some time after the implementation of any measures required by the end of January 2021 when our transition from the EU ends.

At this point, we will likely either work under the terms of a new deal or have to operate under the World Trade Organization’s standard tariff system applied to imported goods elsewhere in the world. It would seem likely that, whatever happens, some tariff will be applied to pay for the administration required to import and export, as well as to generate revenue under a new system. This, I have come to terms with, but I am anxious about the time it will take for plants, as a living and not ‘shelf stable’ product, to move between the supplier and the consumer. Currently, a trolley of plants from Holland can be delivered to your nursery the following day. Even a slow service will have the plants with you in a week, meeting all legal standards of health check through this process, or on inspection

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Lewis Normand.indd 59

BREXIT WORRIES from plant health at the destination nursery.

In fact, it is commonplace for plants to be inspected both in Europe and then again in the UK. It already seems highly unlikely that this level of efficiency will be possible in the near future.

Our ports handle millions of plants arriving primarily from EU countries each year. New plant movement rules from the EU into the UK have been agreed and although now more costly and time consuming, a working system of registered importers, plant passporting and traceability is in place. However, as we look to

I HATE TO THINK OF THE LIMITATIONS ON AVAILABILITY OF PLANTS THAT COULD VERY QUICKLY APPLY TO US trade with non-EU countries, the systems differ and the EU will likely not health check material prior to arrival in our ports. Instead, the already stretched Plant Health Inspectorate (APHA) will be required to assess these plants at designated Place of First Arrival trade premises (registered nurseries most commonly). This will require a great deal of travel, time and human resource from APHA through Defra to be able to assess the health of these plants.

Since plants will already be in the UK as and when they are found to contain pests or diseases, it seems difficult to conceive that we will be better managing our biosecurity operating this way.

As well as this, in recent months, I have been concerned about some slightly more nebulous

consequences of our exit from the EU. For me, a major worry has been the difficulty in accessing many plants from Europe that are not widely produced in the UK, both new introductions and rarer plants grown by only a handful of small growers. Tightened biosecurity on our borders is important, but our current determination to ban certain plants and families rather than establish safe, clean supply-lines is already causing restrictions on imports to the UK. I hate to think of the limitations on availability of plants that could very quickly apply to us, where once we had the most diverse availability of anywhere in the world.

As always, and thankfully, there is a silver lining. I strongly suspect that increased costs on non-UK produced plants will be a good thing for UK growers. The long-held struggle to be competitive against a cheaper European product could be firmly challenged as British growers become the centre of attention for the consumer. Hopefully, this will encourage a broadening of plant ranges from nurseries, which could compensate for much of what we will likely lose. The balance between quality and price-point would then become less strained and competition from home healthier, rather than struggling against a tide of cheap imports.

ABOUT LEWIS NORMAND 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.

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 59

17/09/2020 14:08

NURTURE

C

urrently, we are in the ‘transition period’ of Brexit, but this will end on 1 January 2021. As I said last month, I’ve read and reviewed the government’s ‘Border Operating Module’ on the future of importing plants into the UK from the EU. It will change – right now, it’s as per the ‘single market’ and plant passporting rules. This requires phytosanitary certificates (PC) on all imported plants listed by Defra/APHA as possibly harbouring a pest or disease of concern to the UK’s plant health (see box below).

Plant

Pest/disease of concern

Plane

Plane wilt

Oak

Oak processionary moth

Sweet Chestnut

Chestnut blight and oriental chestnut gall wasp

Pine

Red band needle blight and pine processionary moth

Ash

Ash dieback

Elm

Elm phloem necrosis (also called elm yellows phytoplasma)

Prunus

Bacterial Shot Hole of Laurel and Xylella fastidiosa

Common Olive

Xylella fastidiosa

All these plants require notification by the importing nursery to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at least a day before these plants are imported into the UK. With the current nature of ‘just in time’ ordering and

THIS WILL MEAN PLANT ORDERS NEEDING MORE TIME, PRICES RISING, AND COSTS OF IMPORTING INCREASING TOO delivery of EU plants, this already adds an administrative burden on nurseries and exporters and puts pressure on customers with ‘I want it now’ orders – who now need to plan ahead. After 1 January 2021, this process will become more onerous and the frameworks by which government agencies are notified are likely to be changed, too. This will mean plant

60 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Nick Coslett-4.indd 60

IMPACT ON

I M PO RTS

NICK COS LET T SAYS THE CHANGES TO IMPORTS NE XT YE AR ME AN IT COULD PAY TO BUY BRITISH

orders needing more time, prices rising, and costs of importing increasing as well.

Growers and any importing landscaper or designer will need: a) To be registered as an importing destination with an EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) number. b) To be registered with UK Government as a plant passport holder. c) To be registered on the APHA reporting portal IPAFFS, which appears to be different to the current eDomero and PEACH portal (Procedure for Electronic Application for Certificates from the Horticultural marketing inspectorate). d) To be registered with and finance a holding account to pay VAT and import duties. e) Possibly to use an agent at the port of entry – Border Control Post (BcP) – with some added costs.

Yes, importing nurseries will have to pay/ finance VAT (at 20%) on imported plants and also an import duty currently flagged as 8.3% if we don’t get a deal and EU is treated as rest of world. Plus, using an agent at the BcP will add further costs. So, costs are likely to rise even if they can reclaim the VAT part back. The importing of plants in the above groups requires

a Phytosanitary Certificate to be with the importer a day or more before delivery/import.

So, supplying export nurseries across Europe will have to have their act together with the correct paperwork. Plus, they will have to finance the phytosanitary inspectors’ fees before sale. The order cut-off deadlines and timescales for importing from EU nurseries will have to be extended to allow more time to fulfil these mostly admin and plant health

certification inspections. The ‘just in time’ system will not flow smoothly.

From 1 July 2021, plant imports will be inspected at the BcP, rather than at the destination/delivery point. So, if plant health inspectors go through the delivery at the port, it will be down to the driver (with their

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 10:51

NURTURE

THE ORDER CUT-OFF DEADLINES AND TIMESCALES FOR IMPORTING FROM EU NURSERIES WILL HAVE TO BE EXTENDED months; others say a year and others the plant's lifespan. Confusing! There is also likely to be a rush to import trees before Christmas, and latecomers will find availability shortages and transport delivery capacity overbooked.

So, don’t delay if your plants are not available UK-grown from your usual nurseries.

However, if all these conditions make supplying UK nurseries too complicated and expensive for EU growers, they may well say, “why am I bothering?” – they could say no to

great horticultural skills and their international driving permit) to repack the load and bring it on to the destination, all undamaged of course!

APHA is currently recruiting more than 100 new staff for training as inspectors.

So, landscape buyer beware – your plant orders will need to be more advanced to give your nurseries time to process and fulfil the import requirements. You will also need to pay more, so check out the validity of those quotes Pre-Import Steps and tenders. Plan that the risks of delays and Apply for a PC & Send PC to the be available for Importer & for interruption in the any inspections high-risk plants in EU & plant product plant supply chain can impact on your Receive PC Register on operations. If you were from Exporter IPAFFS to be able thinking of importing to send import notifications direct, you need to get registered with all the Defra issues agencies to avoid registrations for IPAFFS breaking the rules.

Alternatively, you can buy British. The Process step Exporter definition of UK-grown Interaction Importer is a bit nebulous, with Authority some saying it’s grown in the UK for three

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Nick Coslett-4.indd 61

At the border

UK orders and use their resources to expand into their own and EU markets which don’t have these complications. Then where would we be? UK landscapers may then have a Hobson’s choice of only buying UK grown and whatever is available.

For those who have been channel hoppers like myself, and enjoy bringing back wine – for personal consumption, of course – the UK government is yet to announce if there will be any duty free limits comparable to the current 90 or so litres. Cheers!

ABOUT NICK COSLETT Nick initially trained as a landscape architect, then parks manager, and for the last 20 years, he has worked with Coblands and Palmstead nurseries, running the Soft Landscape Workshops. He’s also been involved with BALI as national and regional chairs. Now, he is a BALI National Landscape Awards judge and Chalk Fund trustee.

Process Map: Plants and Plant Products Information courtesy Defra/GOV.UK 'The Border with the European Union Importing: January 2021'

Send goods & make export declaration via CHIEF/CDS

Submit prenotification on IPAFFS

IPAFFS creates PHIT from relevant system record ahead of checks

Importer receives goods

Goods arrive

FERA: Food & Environment Research Agency PC: Phytosanitary Certificate PHSI: The Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate

PHSI checks identity of goods & documentation for high risk plants & plant products

PHSI updates IPAFFS PHIT. ALVS updates CHIEF

If selected for physical checks results are updated on IPAFFS PHIT

If selected for further lab tests goods are detained for tests

CHIEF updated.

HMRC approves goods prior to releasing.

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 61

17/09/2020 10:51

PLANT IN

AUTUMN FOR AN ASSURED SPRING

Bare Root & Root Ball Hedging and Trees available from November 2020 - March 2021

01423 330234

www.nurserymen.co.uk

One of Holland’s leading suppliers of a diverse range of quality Hardy Nursery Stock London/South Coast Rolf van Teylingen rolf@boot.nl

Rest of the UK Iain Wilson iain@boot.nl

UK Sales Office 01949 876725

www.bootendart.co.uk

Acer rubrum ‘Redpointe’ (‘Frank Jr.’) Lime tolerant with fabulous Autumn colour

Advert Template PL.indd 45

17/09/2020 12:50

BUYING BA R E R O OT

NURTURE

STEVE MCCURDY SHARES THE TOP CONSIDERATIONS WHEN LOOKING TO USE BAREROOT TREES ON A PROJECT

A

t Majestic Trees, a significant amount of our AirPot grown containerised tree production start as bare root. We spend up to two months per year on the road all over Europe from the end of summer through the end of winter tagging the tree stock we buy to grow on, so we know many of the pitfalls. In fact, years of visiting numerous nurseries has taught me many things, so we insist that bare root is preferably lifted the day before loading, and then we pot it at Majestic Trees usually on the day it arrives, or worst case the following day.

You are unlikely to have that luxury, but what are the critical considerations if you have decided to plant bareroot trees? From my 40+ years of experience, I believe they are: How many times were the trees transplanted on the nursery prior to being lifted for your order? A good 10/12 should be twice transplanted; a 12/14 thrice transplanted.

Never buy bareroot trees without inspecting their roots; as you can see in the two pictures below. The more fibrous roots the tree has, the better chance you will have of success. Don’t underestimate the massive difference in the quality of bareroot tree production across Europe!

THERE CAN BE A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE QUALITY OF A BAREROOT TREE DEPENDING ON THE VARIETY, BUT HERE YOU CAN SEE BOTH 1 X AND 3 X TRANSPLANTED ROOTS

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Bareroots.indd 63

MARIA AND BECKY AT MAJESTIC TREES IN FULL SWING ROOT PRUNING TREES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY HAVE ARRIVED, AND BEFORE THEY ARE POTTED

Ask the nursery when the trees were lifted, and how the roots have been protected since lifting. Look closely at the roots; are they dried out? They’re no good if they are all shrivelled up; if so they are simply expensive firewood.

TREES ARE COLLECTED FROM THE FIELD AFTER LIFTING AND BROUGHT TO THE FIELD PRODUCTION NURSERY'S BARN; HOWEVER, SOME NURSERIES WILL LEAVE THEM SITTING OUTSIDE FOR FAR TOO LONG

Are they bagged or heeled in? If so, for how long? Are the roots completely covered? Even if they are, check them closely! I’ve seen trees lifted lying in the winter sun for most of a day, which is far too long, before they get back to the barn.

Even then, there are no guarantees they will be bagged or heeled in; sometimes they will sit around for weeks or even months on end!

Were they lifted too early?

Remember, many of these nurseries have had no income since the end of last year’s winter lifting season, so they can be far too eager to accept your order and literally lift the trees whilst they are still in full leaf! It’s happened to me, through no fault of my own, where we lost eight out of 10 bareroot trees delivered in early November even though they were going into an AirPot; forget it if they are being planted into the ground. The same goes for lifting bareroot once they are pushing through in the spring; too many nurseries will be very happy to take your money, but will they guarantee that 50%, let alone 100%, success?

If the tree variety grows slowly, they will root out slowly! There are some trees that are simply not worthwhile doing as bareroot because the failure rate will be high, and you will end up going back again, and sometimes again. And the access could be almost impossible, especially if your pathway is now blocked, and the cost dramatically higher, let alone the aggravation, than if you had simply planted a rootball tree.

Or, to be absolutely sure, why not consider an AirPot-grown tree in the beginning? Besides the customer will be far happier, the tree will have a full crown on it, rather than the struggling tree you get complaint calls about, do a number of visits to try and save, all the time costing you far more than you saved.

THE DIFFERENCE IN THE QUALITY OF ROOTS BETWEEN PLANTING A BAREROOT, ROOTBALL, BAGGED OR AIRPOT -GROWN TREE IS QUITE REMARKABLE

A B O U T ST E V E M C C U R DY Steve is managing director of Majestic Trees, which he formed almost 20 years ago. He, often with another team member, spends weeks walking the fields of nurseries all over Europe, tagging tree stock he buys to grow on. Last season, he made 12 trips in his search to ensure the best quality and the UK’s highest biosecurity at Majestic Trees.

www.majestictrees.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 63

17/09/2020 10:47

GROUND FORMATION CREATED WITH MANUFACTURED TOPSOIL AT THE OLYMPIC PARK

NURTURE

TOPSOIL’S

T R A N S FO R M AT I O N A N DY S P E T C H D E TA I L S T H E J O U R N E Y O F M A N U FAC T U R E D TO P S O I L , F R O M S K I P WA ST E TO Q U A L I T Y P R O D U C T

I

n today’s construction and landscaping sectors, manufactured topsoil is as ubiquitous and mainstream as ‘virgin’ or ‘as dug’ soil was 25 years ago – but it wasn’t always that way.

Before the reviewing and strengthening of the British Standard for topsoil in 2007, topsoil wasn’t considered to be a valuable resource or input. Landscapers who needed to import topsoil had limited choice: virgin ‘as dug’ soil, with its problems of variability; expensive rootzones produced for the sports industry; or material sold by muck-away companies. It was the 2007 revision of the British Standard that gave the small number of responsible suppliers the support they needed to get topsoil recognised as a valuable resource and as the foundation of any successful landscaping scheme.

Back in the early 2000s – before the 2007 revision – the drive to compost ‘green’ waste was gathering pace (the result of government-led initiatives to increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of organic waste going into landfill), and commercial composters were making a good living by composting botanic waste.

The end product, however, still had to be ‘moved on’ and so they were faced with finding sustainable markets for their compost, or face disposal costs.

A key market for the compost was landscaping and it wasn’t long before skip waste companies taking in builders’ waste were screening out the ‘fines’, blending them with the ‘green’ compost, and selling the end material as ‘quality topsoil’ to unsuspecting landscapers and building contractors. This ‘topsoil’ was of dubious quality and, in some cases, downright dangerous.

There was no testing for such contaminants as poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), heavy metals, sharps, glass and pernicious weeds –

64 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Soils.indd 64

which is demanded by the British Standard for topsoil – and little, if any, attempt to provide a physically and chemically-balanced soil that would be suitable for its end purpose. By using this soil, landscapers and builders were not only compromising the success of their planting schemes but also, potentially, risking the health of those coming into contact with it.

IT WAS THE 2007 REVISION OF THE BRITISH STANDARD THAT GAVE THE SMALL NUMBER OF RESPONSIBLE SUPPLIERS THE SUPPORT THEY NEEDED

STOCKPILE OF QUALITY MANUFACTURED SCREENED TOPSOIL

Whilst there has been a British Standard for topsoil that is ‘moved or traded’ since 1965, it wasn’t until the 2007 revision that ‘manufactured’ and ‘natural’ topsoils were treated equally, with no distinction made in terms of the need for them to meet the same test parameters. This was a game-changer.

Another turning point in terms of the ‘profile’ and acceptance of manufactured topsoil was the creation of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for London’s 2012 Olympics. This 100ha site is, as yet, an unsurpassed exemplar of the successful large-scale cleaning and repurposing of in-situ soils heavily contaminated with

industrial waste, and the design and manufacture of imported soils for specific locations and purposes on the site.

The manufactured soils were used under tarmac areas, in meadow areas where lownutrient levels were required, and as part of designed growing media for the park’s varied and complex planting schemes.

The UK’s largest supplier of manufactured topsoil, British Sugar TOPSOIL, is unique in that its own topsoil products are derived directly from the prime arable soils that adhere to the sugar beet brought into its East Anglian sugar factories. For more than 20 years, TOPSOIL has been working closely with soil scientist Tim O’Hare to develop high quality soils for the landscape, sports and amenity sectors. They undergo rigorous scientific trials to evidence their effectiveness and are regularly sampled and tested, meeting and exceeding the requirements of the current British Standards for topsoil and subsoil.

Advancements in the production and quality control for manufactured topsoils gives landscapers a choice of quality products.

Unfortunately, the skip waste and greenfieldderived topsoils are still out there and need treating with caution – visit, sample and analyse all topsoil before buying.

A B O U T A N DY S P E TC H National TOPSOIL manager Andy Spetch joined British Sugar in 1987 as an agricultural trainee and worked as an agronomist and R&D officer for the company in both England and Poland.

In 1997, he took on the management of British Sugar’s TOPSOIL business, responsible for the production, marketing and sales of the 300,000t of topsoil brought into British Sugar’s factories with the beets.

www.bstopsoil.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 08:37

ÂŽ

Choice.

01386 750585 lindsay@readyhedge.com matthew@readyhedge.com

Our instant hedging is available to order in a huge range of varieties and sizes, ready-spaced in troughs or Readybags.

www.readyhedge.com

SEE US AT

17 - 18 NOVEMBER2020

Advert Template PL.indd 42

17/09/2020 12:05

SEE US

18 N

AT

17 OV EM BER

20 20 Arches • Pergolas • Obelisks • Fruit Cages • Raised Beds Bespoke Planters • Fencing • Garden Furniture

Britain’s finest Turf

Acid Etch Traditional Steel Furniture

Topsoil Bark

Roman Steel Pergola

• Wide range of standard sizes • Bespoke sizes also available • Professional CAD/ technical drawings • Trade Discount Available

Find out why Rolawn is the first choice for professional landscapers who demand Britain’s finest turf, topsoil and bark

www.rolawn.co.uk

Trade brochure:

0333 400 1777 Trade enquiries:

trade@harrod.uk.com harrodhorticultural.com

Rolawn Advert-Generic-92x270.indd 1 Advert Template PL.indd 17

16/01/2020 16:57 15/09/2020 08:54

S

teeped in history which dates back to Roman times, the coastal town of Mataró lies just half an hour’s drive from Barcelona. It boasts a stunning natural landscape and bustling marina, as well as one of the first buildings designed by famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí in the late 1800s.

Mataró is also home to If Plants, a nursery IAN FERRI with one of the widest varieties of Spanish plants in the country. Owners Ian Ferri and Ferran Fernandez say it is the ‘premium champagne of plants’ – in other words, they pick from the best plants in Spain and bring them all to one location, in the same way that champagne producers pick the best grapes for their product, and deliver to the UK.

N U R S E RY

NURTURE

FO C U S PRO LANDSCAPER VISITED SPANISH NURSERY IF PLANTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, DISCOVERING THE WIDE VARIETY OF PLANTS EASILY AVAILABLE TO THE UK

IT GIVES BUYERS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES ACCESS TO MORE THAN 7,000 ACRES OF PLANTS Partnering with more than 50 nurseries, If Plants enables these businesses to grow their international footprint, as the language barrier has been an issue for these nurseries in the past. It gives buyers from various countries access to more than 7,000 acres of plants, bringing the stock together in one place and delivering the plants on one truck, offering top-tier price, quality and logistics.

With a full range of plants – from stem trees to shrubs, through to palm trees and olive trees, the latter being its passion – the seven-strong team at If Plants is keen for more Spanish stock to appear in UK landscaping schemes. The UK is the nursery’s fastest growing area of business for If Plants, though its largest market remains France.

Along with providing an incredible offering to its clients,

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Nursery Focus IF Plants.indd 67

If Plants also takes corporate social responsibility seriously. For the last five years, it has been contributing to NGO La Marató de TV3, which is dedicated to promoting biomedical research. Each year, La Marató de TV3 will focus on a different disease, raising funds to further research in this area. This year was initially dedicated to mental illness, but with the ongoing pandemic, the NGO moved this theme to 2021 and is now focusing on funding research into COVID-19.

With strong ethics and a vast offering, as well as strict quality control, If Plants stands out in a crowded market.

For those looking to incorporate more diverse plants into their projects, this Spanish nursery is a great place to look.

C O N TA C T If Plants, Calle Pablo Iglésias, 63, 08302 Mataró, Spain Tel (+34) 931 313 108 Email info@ifplants.eu

en.ifplants.eu

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 67

17/09/2020 14:02

SAVE THE DATE:

Friday 23 April 2021 East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf, London

Enter your company into the

Pro Landscaper business awards For more details contact Laura Harris:

laura.harris@eljays44.com

PLBAAdvert.indd 2

21/08/2020 09:25

E D U CAT E

THE BENEFITS OF RESIN BONDED AND RESIN BOUND

P85

I N S I D E E D U C AT E T H I S M O N T H PA G E 7 1 O R A C L E S O L I C I T O R S – TA L K I N G T E R M S , PA G E 7 2 L E E B E S TA L L , PA G E 7 3 A N G U S L I N D S AY, PA G E 7 5 B AT T E R Y- P O W E R E D K I T, PA G E 7 9 M I N D T H E G E N D E R G A P, PA G E 8 5 R E S I N – B O N D E D O R B O U N D ?

Educate Cover-2.indd 69

17/09/2020 17:55

Introducing…

SEE US AT

Introducing…

PlantBox

17 - 18 NOVEMBER2020

THE CLEVERLY SIMPLE VERTICAL GARDEN AT LAST… A LIVING WALL SYSTEM THAT DOESN’T COST THE EARTH! • • • • • • • •

Jaw dropping value UK manufactured from 100% recycled materials So quick and easy to install Really simple irrigation Freestanding – restraint only at height Full support and training Bulk discounts Trade terms

Join the Growing Revolution!TM Contact us today to get 10% off your first order!

01243 957109 plantbox@growingrevolution.com www.growingrevolution.com/trade

premjoint FOR PAVING THAT’S ON POINT

A Planet Biotecture Company

A high specification jointing compound that will transform your outdoor space.

Superior colours with long-lasting results.

STORM GREY

NATURAL CASHMERE

COSMIC BLACK

A true grey jointing solution that perfectly complements Indian Slate and York Stone.

A warm honey gold that creates a traditional look when used with Cotswold Stone.

Creates a bold statement when used with Quartz or the increasingly popular Carbon Black Limestone.

•

Fast and easy application

•

Excellent colour stability

•

Use in all weathers

•

Walk on in 24-48 hours

•

Frost resistant

•

No waste, left over material can be re-used

Visit ultrascape.co.uk for further information

Advert Template PL.indd 26

17/09/2020 17:16

TA L K I N G

EDUCATE

TERM S

IL AN BR AHA AND JASON MCKENZIE OF OR ACLE SOLICITORS E XPL AIN HOW EMPLOYERS MIGHT CHANGE CONTRACT TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

A

n employee's terms of employment are bound to change in numerous ways during their employment. The most obvious examples include pay rises (annual or otherwise) and promotions. These changes usually happen by agreement and do not therefore cause legal or practical issues for employers. On the other hand, there are changes an employer may wish to make that are not so obviously in the employee’s interest.

The starting point is to consider whether the employer’s plans will require the employment contract itself to be changed (called ‘varied’). There are three main types of terms of employment, which are: • Express – these are explicitly agreed between employer and employee; • Implied – these are ‘read into’ the contract in several ways, mainly through custom and practice; • Incorporated – these terms are those imposed by a law or collective agreement.

If the employer is intending to change a contractual term, there are three possible methods. The best option in legal and practical terms is to obtain an express agreement. This is an agreement with the employee (or employees) directly; or, where

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Oracle Solicitors.indd 71

appropriate, a binding collective agreement with a trade union. Always have the agreement (and the contract itself) in writing. Verbal agreements are legally valid but are much more difficult to prove later if challenged.

The second option is to unilaterally impose the change and hope that the employee does not challenge it. This does leave the employer open to legal claims of breach of contract or even unfair dismissal, depending on the importance of the specific term or terms changed. Where changes are minor or administrative, continuing to work under the new terms may suffice. Even for more substantial changes, employees will be ‘deemed’ to have consented to the change after a while (unless the employee says they are working ‘under protest’).

VERBAL AGREEMENTS ARE LEGALLY VALID BUT ARE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO PROVE LATER IF CHALLENGED The third option is to terminate the existing employment contract and offer re-employment on the new terms. If this option is chosen, then the employer will need to be very careful about properly ending the first contract. In some cases, there may also be bad publicity for the company – there have been recent examples in the media due to perceived unfairness. The employer will need to carry out a careful cost/ benefit analysis of the three options above; the risks do depend somewhat on the specific employees and the employer should take into account what it knows of those it employs.

If the employer chooses the first option (express agreement), it may need to do so as

a ‘selling’ exercise. The employer is ‘selling’ the changes to the employees. The following points should be explained and considered: • Why is the change needed? – frequently, this is the company‘s financial position. If the alternatives are pay cuts or redundancies, the pay cut is obviously more in the employees’ interests. Do not suggest that any decision has been made regarding redundancies.

• Stagger or delay changes – these may reassure employees that there is stability and allow them time to accommodate the new employment conditions.

• Offer incentives – tying a detriment to a benefit can make it more easily accepted.

• Discuss the changes with the employees and make it clear the employer is listening to them, even if it isn’t possible to accommodate all the views expressed.

Overall, it is important that the underlying business reasons for contract changes are communicated to staff and that any contractual changes are documented in writing. This will help to reduce avoidable contractual disputes going forward. For further information, please visit: https://oraclesolicitors.co.uk/what-we-do/ employment-protection-scheme/ Do you have a question you'd like to ask Oracle Solicitors? Get in touch: content@eljays44.com

A B O U T O R AC L E S O L I C I TO R S Oracle Solicitors is an award-winning law firm with expertise in employment, commercial, criminal defence and extradition, personal injury and aviation. Oracle was founded in 2002 by managing director Sajjad Shan and has since grown to include offices in London, Belfast, Frankfurt, and Addis Ababa. It prides itself on its no-nonsense clientfocused approach. It has recently launched its Employment Protection Scheme – please visit:

www.oraclesolicitors.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 71

17/09/2020 15:06

EDUCATE

M OV E O R I M P R OV E ?

ARE YOU CONSIDERING GOING OFFICE-FREE IN THE FUTURE? LEE BESTALL EXPLAINS WHY HE’S KEEPING THE COMPANY’S HQ BUT HOW ITS PURPOSE IS CHANGING

T

he events of this year have made many reflect on their current business practices, and although our industry seems to be booming at the moment, clients and colleagues I’ve spoken to have made some serious changes to their processes and procedures. In many cases, this has included reassessing the benefits of renting premises.

During my ‘panic month’ of April this year, I did seriously consider not renewing our lease; however, after doing the maths and surveying a few of our most valued clients, we decided to keep the offices but transform their use.

Without exception, our designers and management will continue to work from home in the future, so we’ve moved out all the desks and are in the process of repurposing the space.

Some of the area will be used for storage and the kitchen area brought ‘front of house’ and rebranded as a coffee shop style drinks station.

A swish new coffee machine will complete the makeover of that space.

With the help of an interior designer, we’re restyling the other areas into a large, open flexible meeting/working space and samples gallery. Here, we intend to hold one-to-one meetings, client presentations and, hopefully one day, whole team training (although it looks like that will continue to be over Zoom for a while yet).

Many people in the industry will be having similar thoughts when reassessing the need for office space; those who occupy larger premises may downsize and those with very small offices may relocate completely to home offices and

72

Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Lee Bestall.indd 72

garden studios. But by questioning our clients, I realised it’s not all about the numbers. All of those asked did still feel that having a fixed address (not home) was important, and that they often did visit or research a company’s premises to help them make decisions, such as how to view the credibility of a company.

RESTYLING THE OFFICES HAS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO RETHINK THE SPACE AND ALLOW US TO CREATE A FLAVOUR OF WHAT WE’RE ABOUT IN A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WAY Google also likes a fixed address, although this may change in the future, and it’s useful for collecting mail, locating a skip, and as a meeting place for the on-site teams. I’ve therefore shifted some of the budget allocated for ‘premises’ to ‘marketing’ and in the future we’ll definitely be shouting more about the beautiful listed barn conversion building set in the wonderful Italianate gardens at Renishaw Hall.

Restyling the offices has given me the opportunity to rethink the space and allow us to create a flavour of what we’re about in a slightly different way. What does our company look like if it was inside? That’s the theme for the transformation. We’re taking inspiration

from the logo and branding to follow this through inside, combined with the ‘modern country’ look many of our gardens have. This is another way to help clients visualise what we’ll be achieving in their garden, giving them the confidence in our consistency.

We’ve also recently upgraded our basic phone lines to a flexible app-based system, giving us increased flexibility in terms of the location of our staff; it holds our landline numbers and reduces costs for mobile use, all meaning that call divert, emailed voice messages and other features are possible.

As each new day brings new challenges, so does it inspire new ideas, and if you’re creative, resilient and ‘always do the right thing’, then I believe we’re in the midst of some very exciting times.

What changes have you been inspired to make to your business?

Get in touch with Lee to let him know!

Email: lee@bestall.co.uk

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

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 15:46

EDUCATE

I

t’s interesting to see how the events of this year have made us re-evaluate our need for new machines and vehicles.

We have managed to keep going with the same equipment as last year, albeit with a bit more cost to overhaul or refurbish some of the older kit; but when replacements simply weren’t available, what option did we have? This is where those who have looked after their equipment come into their own; a bit of care when operating and a proactive approach to preventative maintenance has meant that they have kept things going with little or no fuss.

On the flip side are those who treat their equipment as a disposable commodity and relegate it to the scrap pile as soon as it stops working or something better comes along.

You’d be amazed how many times I hear that something is old and knackered, when in essence all it needs is a good service and brushes replaced for it to give another couple of seasons’ service.

So, where does this throw-away attitude come from? Or have people just got complacent over the years and started to treat their brushcutter or rotavator the same as their mobile phone or TV? It is fair to say that operations relying solely on hire equipment do get themselves into a world where, when

68 YEARS OLD BUT STILL GOING STRONG, ALBEIT WITH A FEW SAFETY ISSUES

a machine breaks down, it is replaced by another, and things just keep rolling along, until before they know it they have had a £450 hedgecutter on hire for a couple of years that they could have bought ten times over.

Don’t get me wrong, the hire companies around the country provide a valuable service and are a lifeline when equipment breaks down, is stolen, or there is a need for a specialist piece of kit. But it can be very easy to let the costs runaway if you don’t keep control. Some will argue that the cost of the hire is included in the job, which is fine, and there are many situations where changes in requirements dictate that hire is the best and only option. The trick is not to become wholly reliant on it, and to constantly review what you have on hire and how it’s being used. Embracing hire for too long can make the

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Angus Lindsay-3.indd 73

A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP COULD HIRING EQUIPMENT BE PRODUCING A THROWAWAY CULTURE? AN EXASPERATED ANGUS LINDSAY SAYS WE NEED TO LEARN TO CARE FOR KIT, NOT JUST REPLACE IT WHEN IT’S OLD RATHER THAN BROKEN

THEY MAY BE OLD, BUT IT DOESN’T MEAN THEY ARE PAST IT

transition to ownership a difficult and costly process, especially if people are used to returning a broken machine and picking up a replacement.

The concept of ownership is applicable to many aspects of our daily lives, and if not embraced, then the “not my responsibility” brigade will soon be in control and nothing will get done. Maybe I am just getting old and expecting too much from people in the forlorn hope that

EMBRACING HIRE FOR TOO LONG CAN MAKE THE TRANSITION TO OWNERSHIP A DIFFICULT AND COSTLY PROCESS they can think for themselves, but I do find it exasperating that certain elements think the way to address a problem is to get someone else to do it for them. How will people learn if they don’t take a certain amount of ownership and work things out for themselves? If we are all relying on somebody else, then how soon will it be before that circle closes and nothing gets done?

As the UK grain harvest started in late July, I found it somewhat heartening that in a field of barley being cut by a brand new CLAAS combine, the grain was being carted off and the straw baled by Ford tractors with an average age of around 30 years – true ownership.

AN OLD ‘UN BUT A GOOD ‘UN!

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

angus.lindsay@idverde.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 73

17/09/2020 08:31

VERSATILE POWERFUL COMPACT

FREE LOADER

Available with each purchase of a new ISEKI TXGS24 23hp compact tractor*

Watch a TXGS24 demonstration video at www.iseki.co.uk **The free loader offer is inclusive of a Standard Bucket.The Third Function Bucket shown on this advert is available at an extra cost.

*Standard bucket shown in this pic. is included in the Free Loader offer

Contact your local ISEKI dealer today for further information!

01473 599266 | www.iseki.co.uk *Terms & Conditions apply. The free loader offer is inclusive of a Standard Bucket, the third function bucket shown on this advert is available at an extra cost.Available at participating ISEKI Dealers. Mower deck optional extra.

Offer available to machines delivered and installed by 31/12/2020. Available in Great Britain, excludes NI.

Pro L TXGS ad fullPL.indd page loader.indd 1 Advert Template 40

Compact Tractors & Mowers Japanese Quality Built In

16/09/2020 15:12:16 16/09/2020 16:22

EDUCATE

ECHO DPB-600 50V B AT T E RY- P OW E R E D B LO W E R ECHO’s DPB-600 is a lightweight, battery powered blower.

It is ideal for anyone wanting a product that is easy-to-use with low noise, low vibration, low running costs and zero emissions. The 50V system, using the latest lithium-ion technology, provides high-density energy compared to traditional heavier, less powerful battery technology.

• Dry weight: 3.2kg • Max air speed (with standard pipe): 72.5m/s • Run time (with standard 4 Ah battery): up to 15 minutes • Two-year professional warranty • Variable speed control

BATTERY POWERED

KIT

L E A D I N G K I T S U P P L I E R S T E L L U S W H AT W E C A N E X P EC T TO S E E N E X T I N T H E B AT T E RY P OW E R M A R K E T A N D S H OWC A S E A P R O D U C T I N T H E I R R A N G E

Price: £635 (including VAT) (includes 50V charger and 4Ah battery) What’s next in the battery powered kit market?

What’s next needs to focus on people’s changing attitude to switching to battery products for environmental concerns. ECHO has also recently added a battery top handle saw in consideration of this, offering a complete arsenal of battery-powered tools. www.echo-tools.co.uk

MAKITA D U B 3 6 3 T W I N 1 8 V B LO W E R

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Battery Powered Kit.indd 75

This blower is incredibly versatile, with a choice of blower and vacuum functions to tackle a wide range of tasks. Makita’s Twin 18V LXT technology means the DUB363 offers performance similar to a 25cc class engine blower, both in blower and vacuum applications. The DUB363ZV includes an in-built shredder within the fan so that, when used in vacuum mode, it will mulch down any materials to maximise space within the 50L collection bag.

This also helps to compost garden materials better.

• The brushless motor delivers high air volume (13.4 m3/min) and velocity (65m/s) • Cruise control allows operators to lock the variable control trigger at the desired power level • The three-stage telescopic nozzle has an adjustment range of 100mm to increase precision • Powered by two 18V lithium-ion batteries in series to supply energy to the powerful 36V DC motor drive system • Includes a motor interlock system that works to prevent the motor from starting until the nozzle and fan cover have been properly installed

Prices (inc. VAT): • DUB363PT2V (including 2x 5Ah batteries, twin-charger and collection bag): £683 • DUB363PG2V (including 2x 6Ah batteries, twin-charger and collection bag): £735 • DUB363ZV (body only model with a collection bag): £345 What’s next in the battery powered kit market?

Makita is investing heavily in research and development to strengthen and develop its existing range of cordless outdoor power equipment. A core focus is delivering extended run times for maximum on site efficiency. Due to the nature of their work, landscaping professionals need reliable tools that enable them to move around site freely. Recognising this, Makita recently added the PDC01 battery backpack to its range. The PDC01 provides ‘portable fuel’ and neatly holds four 18V LXT batteries – with the 18V or twin 18V adaptors, it can be attached to Makita tools to create a portable power supply. This is ideal for use with high-drain products and reduces the need to frequently stop work to replace batteries. As the LXT batteries can be removed from the backpack for recharging, operators can continue working for longer, reducing downtime and improving productivity. www.makitauk.com

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 75

17/09/2020 09:23

EDUCATE

HUSQVARNA 5 5 0 I B T X B AT T E R Y B AC K PAC K L E A F B LO W E R The Husqvarna 550iBTX is a class-leading professional battery-powered backpack blower comparable to a 50cc petrol leaf blower, but with the added benefit of lower emissions, vibrations and sound levels. It allows landscapers and green space managers to increase productivity as a result of its low noise levels, allowing them work in noise restricted areas without any disturbance to the public.

• Brushless motor – features a high torque-to-weight ratio for increased efficiency and reliability, reduced noise and longer product life • Blowing capacity – the 21N blow force raises the battery blower’s performance to that of a petrol 50cc backpack blower • Ergonomic harness – Includes a comfortable, ventilated and load-reducing harness with a hip belt and wide shoulder straps • Boost mode and cruise control – comprises an easily accessible Boost mode which gives users an unlimited maximised blow force, while cruise control allows the exact blow force required • Li-ion power – Li-ion battery compatible, providing long lasting power and top-class performance Price: £599 (inc. VAT) www.husqvarna.com/uk

STIHL B G A 2 0 0 C O R D L E S S B LOW E R

STIHL’s BGA 200 cordless blower is the most powerful in the range and features a high air speed for coping with wet leaves, making it ideal for professional landscapers working in a wide range of different environments.

• Blowing force of 21N (20% more than the BGA 100), maximum air speed of 84 m/s and air throughput of 941m3/h • Easy to handle thanks to a newly developed comfort carrying system (sold separately or as part of kit) • Quiet in operation with a sound power level of 93 dB(A) • Three differing blowing speed settings, easily selected via the centre control unit • Users can quickly adjust the length of the nozzle for different types of work and operating situations with the help of the adjustment system • 36V lithium-ion battery from STIHL's AP System supplies the energy required to operate the BGA 200. Batteries can be carried either by a battery belt with an AP holster or an AR backpack battery.

For longer periods of use, an AR backpack battery is recommended Price: £384 without the harness, £456 with harness (inc. VAT) www.stihl.co.uk

76

Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Battery Powered Kit.indd 76

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 09:24

’S

CL ASS OF 2019

Green-tech is very proud to be headline sponsor of Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation for another year. I feel it is a really important industry initiative which over the last six years has showcased the talent within our industry across many different sectors.

I’m a strong advocate that upcoming talent in all businesses should be recognised, nurtured, trained and given the opportunity to reach their maximum potential, something which Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation does and showcases well.

Some members of the Green-tech team have been recognised as a winner over the years and it’s been hugely beneficial for their careers. The recognition of the award gave them a real boost and inspired their colleagues to follow in their footsteps.

I would like to personally wish all of this year’s applicants the best of luck in the selection process.

- Richard Kay, Chariman, Green-tech

CL ASS OF 2020

2020 WINNERS REVEALED SOON winners soon FP.indd 1

17/09/2020 16:58

THE LUXURY ARTIFICIAL GRASS BRAND

01425 627832 info@namgrass.co.uk

QUOTE PRONAM WHEN ENQUIRING

Advert Template PL.indd 43

17/09/2020 12:33

EDUCATE

MIND THE GENDER GAP STAT I ST I C S S H O W T H AT T H E R E I S A G E N D E R G A P W I T H I N O U R I N D U ST RY. B U T W H E R E E X AC T LY DOES THE ISSUE LIE? WHY IS IT HAPPENING? A N D W H AT C A N A N D I S B E I N G D O N E TO S O LV E I T ?

T

he first petition asking for women to get the vote was presented to Parliament in 1832. After nearly a century of fighting, The Representation of the People Act of 1918 was finally passed, but this only allowed women over the age of 30 and who met a property qualification to vote. It wasn’t for another 10 years that women were given the same voting rights as men through the Equal Franchise Act of 1928. We’ve certainly come a long way in the 92 years since then. But is there still a gender imbalance?

Worldwide, the answer would be a resounding ‘yes’. According to the United Nations (UN), the global gender gap will not close for another 100 years, if the current rate of change continues.

Whilst the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979, the UN estimates that “more than 2.5 billion women and girls live in countries with at least one discriminatory law on the books.”

The horrifying statistics go on, but how does the UK fare? It ranked 21st on the Global Gender Gap Index Ranking 2020, with Iceland ranking

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Feature Gender.indd 79

first. The proportion of women on companies’ board of directors in the UK was 27.2%, compared with the highest of 43.4% in France.

The Office of National Statistics reckons there’s a steady change in women’s favour, though,

IS THIS DISPARITY BETWEEN GENDERS BASED ON A GENUINE KNOWLEDGE OF THE RESULTING CAREER OR IS IT A SYMPTOM OF HARDWIRED STEREOTYPES? SARAH MORGAN, FORMER CHAIR OF THE SOCIETY OF GARDEN DESIGNERS (SGD)

finding that “the gender pay gap among all employees fell from 17.8% in 2018 to 17.3% in 2019, and continues to decline.”

So, how does the horticultural industry fit into this? It’s difficult to gauge the true figures, as a

company is only required to report on its gender pay gap if it has more than 250 employees. The Horticulture Sector Skills Survey, conducted by Pye Tait Consulting on behalf of the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group in 2019 returned the following results: public gardens 44% female; ornamental plant production 47% female; garden retail 54% female; landscaping 24% female; arboriculture: 20% female. Sue Moss, RHS head of education, says: “The gender imbalance is in the sectors which have traditionally been male-dominated as much of the work is heavy and physical.”

Sarah Morgan, former chair of the Society of Garden Designers (SGD), wonders whether women know about the type of work before dismissing it as a career choice. “Is this disparity between genders based on a genuine knowledge of the resulting career or is it a symptom of hard-wired stereotypes portrayed by schoolteachers, parents and Walt Disney, skewing the opportunities and limitations within our sector?”

It will probably come as no surprise to many that the landscaping and arboriculture sectors have less women, and much is being done to

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 79

17/09/2020 16:04

EDUCATE

address this, but is it only here that the industry is falling short?

Daniel Cook, CEO of the Landscape Institute (LI), states: “We’re unique in that we’re almost 50% women, 50% men. In fact, when you look at new entrants, the women often outweigh the men, and that’s a trend that’s happening around the world.” However, he goes on to say: “As they rise through the ranks, the number of women in seniority positions dwindles and that’s where there is a pay gap.”

The LI’s State of Landscape practice review – which included survey responses from more than 800 professionals – showed that men in the wider profession earning above £50,000 outnumber women 2 to 1 in the same salary bracket, and that “on average, men in our employee team earned around 1.75 times more than women”.

“When I started my role, people told me there wasn’t an issue, but having 50% women in the profession isn’t good enough if they’re not in the senior levels,” says Daniel.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board submitted reports to the Gender Pay Gap Service for 2019/20.

It compared median hourly wages, finding

WHEN I STARTED MY ROLE, PEOPLE TOLD ME THERE WASN’T AN ISSUE, BUT HAVING 50% WOMEN IN THE PROFESSION ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH IF THEY’RE NOT IN THE SENIOR LEVELS DANIEL COOK, CEO OF THE LANDSCAPE INSTITUTE (LI)

80 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Feature Gender.indd 80

women to earn 81p for every £1 earned by men, with their median hourly wage being 19.2% lower than that of men.

Despite RHS employees being 63.4% female, the society’s 2018 Gender Pay Gap Report shows the gap being 7.73% in favour of men, due to traditionally lower paid jobs being made of up of 65% women.

This begs the question, why are we seeing less women as we reach these senior levels, and what can we do to readdress this balance?

Recruitment is an issue throughout the industry and promoting it as a viable career option would help bring in a more diverse range of candidates, says Holly Youde, director of Urban Landscapes. “We need to get away from stereotypical assumptions and pressure towards young people being pushed into the most lucrative careers rather than doing what they love. So many career changers come into this industry, many of them female, so why were they not inspired to be here in the first place?”

Tessa Johnstone, owner of Johnstone Landscapes and British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) board member explains: “A gender gap most certainly does exist. The industry is taking steps to make itself

SO MANY CAREER CHANGERS COME INTO THIS INDUSTRY, MANY OF THEM FEMALE, SO WHY WERE THEY NOT INSPIRED TO BE HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE? H O L LY Y O U D E , DIRECTOR OF URBAN LANDSCAPES

more relevant to everyone, but we have a long way to go. We all have a responsibility to seek out those who perhaps wouldn’t immediately consider landscaping as a career.

“I have been looking at where we place adverts for upcoming roles and how we word them. Am I writing the same old stuff for men to read or am I making it known that we want both men and women to apply for these roles?”

As part of RHS Flower Show Tatton Park at Home, the RHS will be shining a spotlight on the variety of careers available within the industry, with its website showcasing a number of people in fantastic roles. Sue Moss says: “The sector needs to continue to be open to recruiting female workers and ensure they are accurately represented in marketing, recruitment and training centres.”

This doesn’t necessarily solve the issue of a lack of female representation in senior roles.

Jane Findlay was encouraged to stand for the LI presidency whilst looking at a wall of past presidents. Although the LI had its first female president in the 50s, Jane is only the fifth female president.

“It’s pretty sparse,” says Jane. “I thought, you can’t complain about it if you don’t have a go yourself. I’d now love to be followed by another woman, just to break the cycle.”

Creating role models is a key part of the LI’s Diversity and Inclusion Working Group.

“You need to be proactive,” Daniel explains.

“You won’t find a non-diverse panel at any of our events, and we’ve made a point to welcome new Fellows into the institute, women who were already leaders in our industry.”

Tessa Johnstone agrees: “As an industry we need to show women we are supporting them just as much as men. We need to promote more women in the industry to speak about the subject at events. If you

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 16:07

EDUCATE

are arranging a conference or event, seek out those women – they do exist.”

LUC regularly reviews its gender pay gap – though it is not required to do so – so it can monitor its diversity and inclusion issues and enable transparency. Its gender balance has been around 60% female and 40% male for 10 years. “We have had prominent female leaders within the organisation for many decades,” Helen Ash, HR manager, tells us.

“A change we have seen over recent years is a more balanced representation in different roles and at different levels and this is absolutely key to reducing the gender pay gap.

It requires the right culture and leaders who appreciate the importance of equality and diversity. Both our current MD and his predecessor have made this a priority.”

Claire Belderbos of Belderbos Landscapes says: “Ed and I are both directors and so you have fair representation there already. This perhaps attracts people to the business, because they can see, even right at the top, it’s a balanced organisation.” In fact, Belderbos

WE NEED TO PROMOTE MORE WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE SUBJECT AT EVENTS. IF YOU ARE ARRANGING A CONFERENCE OR EVENT, SEEK OUT THOSE WOMEN – THEY DO EXIST TESSA JOHNSTONE, OWNER, JOHNSTONE LANDSCAPES AND BALI BOARD MEMBER

Landscapes has women in every single team, right through to senior positions.

It’s not just companies striving to have a fair representation at the top.

Philip Tremayne, general manager of the Association of Professional Landscapes (APL), says: “We have always welcomed women on to the APL committee and we are fortunate to have Holly Youde as our vice chair. I believe she will be the first female chair

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Feature Gender.indd 81

of a landscaping association and we hope this will inspire many others to follow her path.”

BALI’s GoLandscape is an education, skills and careers initiative, designed to inform and inspire new recruits. As part of this, GoLandscape enters schools to promote the sector and encourage young people to take up a career in landscaping – these schools include all girls’ schools.

But is a welcoming environment the only problem? “There’s still an elephant in the room,” Jane Findlay tells us. “And that’s having children. I was told by senior leaders in a construction profession, if I wanted to be made a director that I couldn’t start a family.

They all had loads of children, but their wives stayed at home and looked after the kids. It’s demoralising when you hear that when you’re enthusiastic about all things in your life, but it made me determined to do it in spite of them.”

The career break to have, and possibly raise, children could certainly be the reason that women aren’t progressing into senior roles as often as men.

So, what can companies do to support women back into work? Jane believes that it is down to the employer to make the

IT REQUIRES THE RIGHT CULTURE AND LEADERS WHO APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY HELEN ASH, HR MANAGER, LUC

juggling of home and work life easier, something the LI supports with Dan pushing the advertisement of roles for four, three and even two working days. This is an attractive prospect and has helped many people return to work after child rearing.

LUC has adopted an Agile Working Policy available to everyone. Since this overhaul in 2017, its gender pay gap dropped from 18.8% to 12.7% in 2019. “This led to more senior female appointments externally, a cultural normalisation of flexible working, better retention of mid- and senior-level female employees and in turn, helped drive further company growth in a competitive labour market,” Helen Ash explains.

Flexible working could become more common too, as lockdown showed many companies that they can survive and thrive without being in the office 9 to 5. But getting back to work can sometimes be about more than just flexibility. “We need to equip people with the right business skills,” Jane Findlay

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 81

17/09/2020 16:07

EDUCATE

I WAS TOLD BY SENIOR LEADERS IN A CONSTRUCTION PROFESSION, IF I WANTED TO BE MADE A DIRECTOR THAT I COULDN’T START A FAMILY J A N E F I N D L AY, P R E S I D E N T O F THE LANDSCAPE INSTITUTE (LI)

explains. “It’s something that doesn’t come naturally to everyone.”

The LI has started doing CPD programmes on different types of business skills. “I think that helps to build to confidence and bring out the entrepreneurial spark in women to go it alone.”

These courses can also be accessed at any time, offering the flexibility that is needed.

82 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Feature Gender.indd 82

The LI’s Diversity and Inclusion Working Group has further plans to develop a leadership development programme, Dan explains: “This would address gender but also other diversity issues where people are underrepresented in senior levels in our sector, particularly people from BAME backgrounds, people with disabilities and from different social backgrounds.”

The APL also has diversity and inclusion at its forefront, with this being one of Worldskills UK’s – of which it is an organising partner – Key Performance Indicators, competitions and promotions are aimed at an equal gender participation. Though this can sometimes be a struggle, it remains a large focus.

Though they may have very different root causes, many solutions to readdress the gender balance can help to readdress wider issues of diversity too. “Gender is just the start,” Helen Ash explains. “Our wider diversity and inclusion agenda contains many possible

actions and interventions which have potential to remove barriers relating to (for example) age, disability, ethnicity or social background as well as gender.” And a more diverse workforce is only going to benefit the innovation and revenue of the business – as numerous studies prove.

There was some reluctance when asking for contributions for this article as many believed that as an industry our gender gap isn’t all that large. But we can always do better. Change is in the air, and it has been for a while, but we need to continue to make conscious, proactive efforts to make this industry more gender balanced, more diverse and, in turn, more successful.

THE WIDER ISSUE OF DIVERSITY When we approached people to discuss the industry’s gender gap, there was some concern that we needed to address the issue of diversity as a whole, not just focus on one aspect. Whilst we agree that this is vitally important – a report by the LI shows that 95% of the profession is white, compared to 82% of the UK population – there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Each area of diversity needs to be addressed individually, so in this month’s issue, we’re tackling gender. In last month’s issue, we focused on race and ethnicity. We encourage you to read our recent article, ‘Changing the Landscape’, as well as Juliet Sargeant’s article The Time for Change is Now which can also be found on our website: www.prolandscapermagazine. com/the-time-for-change-is-now

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 16:08

SUPPLIERS AND GROWERS OF SEMI-MATURE & MATURE, ROOTBALL & CONTAINERISED TREES, SHRUBS AND INSTANT HEDGING

From our Buckinghamshire nursery we are conveniently located to service the whole of the UK, which we do with our own fleet of fully equipped vehicles.

With over 15 miles of Instant Hedging Troughs and more than 3,000 Pleached and shaped trees from Box Heads to Multi Stem umbrellas, we have the finest stock for Garden Designers, Landscapers, Architects and Developers you can find.

We look forward to receiving your enquiries.

Contact Us: 01296 399585 sales@instanthedges.co.uk

Quality hard landscaping supplies

Leading flower bulb suppliers to the landscape industry since 1961

Thu nde r sto r m P or ce l ai n pa vi n g an d Ch ar coal Sa i ge C on te mp or ar y de ck i ng De si gn by M i stl e to e Ga rd en De si gn Farnborough,

Advert Template PL.indd 30

www.instanthedges.co.uk

call or email us for a quote visit us online...

M 3

www.kebur.co.uk J 4 | 0 1 2 5 2 5 1 7 5 7 1 | N a t i o n a l

d e l i v e r i e s

Gee Tee Bulb Company . Field Works . Common Road Moulton Seas End . Spalding . Lincolnshire . PE12 6LF

17/09/2020 16:38

Strulch was developed at Leeds University by Dr Geoff Whiteley. It is made from wheat straw, is an earthy brown colour has a neutral pH and lasts on the surface for up to two years.

Strulch stops weeds germinating by blocking light, retains moisture in the soil and the added minerals and texture deters slugs and snails.

150 litre bags of Strulch are available on pallets of 12, 25 or 48 bags.

Delivered within 4 working days.

Trade discounts available

www.strulch.co.uk

01943 863610

SEE US AT

info@strulch.co.uk

WE ALL NEED SUPPORT WHEN WE’RE UNDER PRESSURE

17 - 18 NOVEMBER

Genuine Genuine

DRY STONE WALLING DRY STONE WALLING UK DELIVERIES Loose • Bulk Bags • Pallets Full product list, sample and UK delivery details on our website UK DELIVERIES Loose •service Bulk Bags • Pallets Full product list, sample service and UK delivery details on our website

01869 331281 01869 331281

Advert Template PL.indd 48

www.smithsbletchington.co.uk www.smithsbletchington.co.uk

Cost-effective grass reinforcement solutions Fast and easy to install Allows the grass to stay as grass Ideal for use in SuDs source control applications Suitable for cars, pedestrians and wheelchairs Ideal for grass car parks & walkways Planning permission usually not required www.sure-green.com 01376 653353 sales@sure-green.com

17/09/2020 16:44

EDUCATE

BONDED OR BOUND? ADDAGRIP AND HMS DECORATIVE SURFACING EXPLAIN THE BENEFITS OF RESIN BONDED AND RESIN BOUND SURFACING, PROVIDING EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS WHERE THEY PLAYED A VITAL ROLE

THE BENEFITS OF

RESIN BONDED

R

esin bonded systems provide an attractive, hard wearing, low maintenance surface by bonding or fixing loose gravel aggregates to a suitable base such as concrete, asphalt, wood and metal. Resin bonded surfacing is non-porous, offering a paving option for those projects where a permeable surfacing would not be suitable.

A wide range of natural aggregates are available, making it ideal for heritage sites, landscaping schemes, visitor attractions, parks, paths, driveways and roads. As well as being aesthetically pleasing, the range of aggregates are chosen for their hard-wearing properties to offer a durable and resilient surface with good slip resistance for pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The product is low maintenance, requiring occasional sweeping or pressure washing.

This system is particularly popular for heritage sites such as castles and monuments which require a natural looking ‘loose’ gravel appearance. As a surface dressing, its minimal depth makes it a suitable option where there are threshold restrictions, weight loading limits on podium decks and roof terraces.

Typical expected lifespan of this type of surface ranges from five to 15 years depending on usage and choice of aggregates.

Addastone Resin Bonded surfacing offers the look of loose gravel without the challenges of migrating stone and is perfect for those projects such as heritage sites and public parks where a natural looking textured aggregate finish is required.

CASE STUDY

URQUHART CASTLE

THE BENEFITS OF

RESIN BOUND

R

esin bound paving is a permeable, SUDS compliant surfacing system that enables water to permeate the overlay and seep into the ground. In built-up urban areas it reduces flooding, relieves pressure on main drainage systems and is perfect for spaces that include trees and foliage, enabling water to reach the root systems.

Similarly, resin bound paving is the perfect surfacing solution for swimming pools, water features and areas prone to poor drainage or standing water. Essentially, it is the best in-class surfacing choice to reduce standing water, limit surface run-off and increase slip resistance. Resin bound surfacing systems normally consist of natural, coloured, or recycled aggregates to produce a surface that is guaranteed to last for a minimum of 20 years. Not only does it have a smooth finish, it has little or no stone migration and is completely slip resistant.

With a wide choice of aggregate colours available, it is a truly decorative surface that can harmonise with any surroundings. Its durable and easy-care properties ensure it stays looking great and reduces upkeep and maintenance costs often associated with public footpaths or landscaped areas.

This hard-wearing surfacing solution can also handle heavy traffic, which is ideal for access roads, bus lanes, car parks or driveways. It is a beautiful alternative to gravel, concrete, and block paving that creates unique designs to compliment any project.

“The transformation resin bound paving brings to any project is incredible. It creates an aesthetically impressive and safe, usable space for many years to come.” - Simon Green, Managing Director, HMS Decorative Surfacing.

CASE STUDY Addagrip Location Drumnadrochit, Inverness, Scotland Product Addastone Resin Bonded was chosen for pathways for a heritage look and Terrabase Rustic Resin Bound for the castle viewing area requiring a minimum-dig solution. www.addagrip.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Resin bound bond copy.indd 85

KING’S MILL VIADUCT

HMS Decorative Surfacing Location Mansfield, Nottinghamshire Product HMS Decorative Surfacing installed bespoke resin bound surfacing to the viaduct, transforming the existing footpath from overgrown scrubland to an attractive space with a nod to its former heritage. www.hmslimited.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 85

17/09/2020 18:27

www.getpotted.com

trade@getpotted.com 0203 929 3445

ONE STOP SOL UTION FOR YO UR PLANTER N ONLY TRUSTE EEDS D UK AND EUR OPEAN BRAND DON'T SPEND S IN ONE PLA TIME ON SEAR CE CHING, FOCUS ON YOUR BUS INES Lite | Premium | Corten

SEE US AT

Raised steel planter walling

Made from steel, our AKRI® planter is a robust and cost-effective solution for roof terraces, podiums and public areas.

Choose this lightweight planter walling system for its aesthetics, as well as speed and simplicity to install.

17 - 18 NOVEMBER2020

S

The other way to create large planting beds

— Custom-panel — Straight or curved — Stainless steel, Corten or Powder coated mild-steel — A range of lengths and heights — Optional timber seating — Made to order

www.akriplanter.com 020 8378 3200 | sales@furnitubes.com search ‘Furnitubes’.

AKRI HP ad 198x128mm SEPT 2020.indd 1

Advert Template PL.indd 24

03/09/2020 16:24

17/09/2020 17:19

P EO P L E

30 UNDER 30 UPDATE KENNY RAYBOULD

P95

I N S I D E P E O P L E T H I S M O N T H PA G E 8 9 O U T & A B O U T: T H E L A K E D I S T R I C T, PA G E 9 0 P L A N T S @ W O R K A W A R D S 2 0 2 0 , PA G E 9 1 S U E B I G G S : D E C A D E AT T H E H E L M , PA G E 9 3 W O R L D S U I C I D E P R E V E N T I O N D AY, PA G E 9 4 L O V E H O R T I C U LT U R E : I A N D R U M M O N D , PA G E 9 5 3 0 U N D E R 3 0 U P D AT E : K E N N Y R AY B O U L D , PA G E 9 8 L I T T L E I N T E R V I E W S

People Cover-2.indd 87

17/09/2020 18:32

BESPOKE GALVANISED & POWDER-COATED STEEL PLANTERS With decades of experience, our expert craftsmen hand-form our planters to create striking sharp lines and shining surfaces; designs which provide an eye-catching addition that fits perfectly with any planting scheme.

Our online bespoke planter service allows you to create your ideal planter, calculating the cost instantly. Choose from our elegant Galvanised Steel collection or our range of vibrant Fibreglass options - all weather and sunlight resistant!

01932 862473 landscaping.co.uk sales@landscaping.co.uk

UV Stable Resin Bound System

TRANSFORM • RENOVATE • RENEW

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

• Over 50 years experience in the resin industry

• Affordable contractor training nationwide

For more information call us on:

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

facebook.com/resinbonded @ResinBondedLtd

@resinbondedltd

TRAINED CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE

Advert Template PL.indd 25

BoundWorx® is a registered trademark of Resin Bonded Ltd

14/09/2020 16:51

PEOPLE

OUT & ABOUT

THE LAKE DISTRICT A S C OV I D -1 9 H A S C A U S E D A R I S E I N STAYC AT I O N S , W E V I S I T E N G L A N D’ S L A R G E S T N AT I O N A L PA R K

N

ow a World Heritage Site, The Lake District is home to Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, Wastwater, its deepest lake and miles of stunning scenery.

At 10.5 miles-long and 219ft deep, Lake Windermere is England’s largest lake. Though there are a number of activities to do on and around the lake, a boat trip was a pleasant – and a much more relaxing way – to take in the surrounding fells.

Though Ullswater lake is still sizeable – indeed it’s England’s second largest lake at seven and a half miles long – it is less than a mile across.

From Glenridding you can hire kayaks and canoes to explore the lake further, mooring at islands and beaches when your arms give up the ghost.

But it’s not all about the lakes. Aira Force is one of many hikes around the Lake District, its waterfall drawing in visitors for 300 years. As rainwater runs from the fells into Aira Beck, it crashes down into one 65-foot leap. A series of trails weave their way down, leading visitors past Himalayan firs, red squirrels, woodland glades and dramatic views out across Ullswater.

It’s easy to forget the beauty this country has to offer, but when faced with the Lake District, it’s hard to remember why we don’t do staycations more often.

ULLSWATER VIEWS

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Out and About Lake District.indd 89

ULLSWATER HEIGHTS WILDFLOWER MEADOW

LAKE DISTRICT PONIES – BE CAREFUL, THEY BITE!

AIRA FORCE

LAKE WINDERMERE

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 89

17/09/2020 08:55

PEOPLE

VIRTUAL AWARDS

PLANTS@WORK AWARDS WITH THE UK STILL IN LOCKDOWN, THE ASSOCIATION’S AWARDS WERE HELD VIRTUALLY THIS YE AR

P

lants@work presented members with 38 awards in a virtual ceremony, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, three best in category awards plus Gold and Silver Leaf Awards. Members had entered the Leaf Awards by the end of January this year. The independent panel of judges had visited and assessed the sites, but lockdown prevented the usual annual awards’ ceremony from taking place. Instead, a virtual ceremony rewarded members’ creativity, design skills, care and dedication.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Richard Stapleton of Greenscene Interior Plant Display Ltd, who is celebrating 50 years of outstanding contribution to the interior landscaping and the horticultural industry.

The award for Best Project 2020 Design & Installation went to two schemes – Marlin Hotel in Dublin by Greenscene Interior Display Ltd and Societe Generale by Plant Designs Ltd. Ambius collected the top prize in the Best Project 2020 Maintenance category for its work at the Roslin Innovation Centre in Edinburgh.

Indoor Garden Design won a number of awards this year, including a Gold Leaf Award for the Design & Installation at London restaurant Amazonico. This marked its 100th Gold Leaf Award, of 101 in total to date. plants@work chair Madeleine Evans, of Tivoli Services, says: “The calibre of this year’s awards didn’t disappoint even though we had to wait an additional five months to find out the results.

“As usual, our independent panel of judges visited all sites to justify the awards given using a similar formula to the judging at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show where there can be more than one gold, one silver and one bronze in each category.

“Awarding Best Projects in Design & Installation and Maintenance ensures there is also some clarification and division in members’ attainments.

Congratulations to all of the members who entered.

We hope to see even more entries next year as we celebrate our 20th birthday.” www.plantsatwork.org.uk

90 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Plants at Work Awards.indd 90

PLANTS@WORK CHAIR MADELEINE EVANS AND DEPUTY CHAIR KENNETH FREEMAN PRESENTING THE AWARDS IN THE VIRTUAL CEREMONY

RICHARD STAPLETON, RECIPIENT OF THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

BEST PROJECT 2020 DESIGN & INSTALLATION: MARLIN HOTEL IN DUBLIN BY GREENSCENE INTERIOR PLANTS DISPLAY LTD

BEST PROJECT 2020 DESIGN & INSTALLATION: SOCIETE GENERALE

BY PLANT DESIGNS LTD

AMBIUS WON BEST PROJECT 2020 MAINTENAN CE FO R TH E ROS L I N INNOVATION CENTRE IN EDINBURGH

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 10:58

2012

The RHS Vision was launched. As part of this, the RHS embarked on a £160m investment programme. Last year, this saw the RHS Garden Wisley Welcome Building and Plant Centre open, welcoming more than 1.2 million visitors to the garden in 2019. Work continues on the National Centre for Horticultural Science and Learning, a state-of-the-art home for RHS Science after more than 100 years in the laboratory.

2017 gi Mabee ©RHS/Geor

R H S C H AT S WO R T H FLOWER SHOW ADDED TO PORTFOLIO The RHS added Chatsworth to its portfolio of world-renowned shows with the aim to create a new show to champion horticultural innovation in the Midlands. While sadly it has now been cancelled due to COVID-19, RHS Chatsworth explored innovative designs and the best of British horticulture.

ow rth Flower Sh RHS Chatswo

2017 L E A D I N G R H S S C I E N C E ST R AT EGY A N D R E S E A R C H TO H E L P T H E 2 7 M I L L I O N G A R D E N E R S P R E PA R E FO R T H E F U T U R E A N D P R OT EC T O U R G A R D E N S Fifteen years after Gardening in the Global Greenhouse, the RHS launched its Gardening in a Changing Climate report. The updated report played a key role in outlining how gardeners can adapt to climate change through sustainable plant choice, techniques and garden design. In the same year, Sue was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year Honours in recognition for services to the environment and horticulture.

2018 U N V E I L E D T H R E E -Y E A R PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H T H E N H S

Hepworth ©RHS/Neil

The RHS joined forces with the NHS to promote how gardening, gardens and green spaces are good for health, happiness and general wellbeing. The ongoing partnership has generated a greater awareness of gardening for mental health through the RHS Feel Good Garden and RHS Back to Nature Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2018 and 2019. Both gardens have been relocated to live on at NHS trusts. to Nature RHS Back

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Sue Biggs decade as DG.indd 91

Sue and Alan Titchmarsh launched the RHS Horticulture Matters campaign to address the growing skills crisis in the sector. Under Sue’s guidance, the campaign continues to support, champion and encourage new talent. More recently, Sue has overseen the society launch its new careers resource on the RHS website.

2015 PLANS FOR RHS GARDEN B R I D G E W AT E R A N N O U N C E D

PEOPLE

D EC A D E

AT T H E H E L M SUE BIGGS S U E B I G G S I S C E L E B R AT I N G 10 YEARS AS DIRECTOR G E N E R A L O F T H E R H S . H AV I N G ACHIEVED SO MUCH WITHIN THIS TIME, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO LIST ALL OF SUE’S HIGHLIGHTS, BUT HERE’S A GLIMPSE OF THE REEL

Sue Biggs announced the society’s plans to create a fifth garden from scratch in Salford, Greater Manchester. It is not only the charity’s first new RHS garden in 19 years, but also currently the biggest gardening project in Europe. It is now set to open on 11 May 2021.

RHS Garden Bridgewater masterplan’

2017 R H S CA M PA I G N FO R S C H O O L G A R D E N I N G C E L E B R AT E S 1 0 Y E A R S The RHS Campaign for School Gardening celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2017 and, alongside RHS School Gardener of the Year and Green Plan It, the initiatives promote gardening to millions of pupils across 40,000 schools and youth groups throughout the UK.

2018

©RHS/Joanna Kossak

LEADING AN HISTORIC £160M INVESTMENT PROGRAMME

©Tom Stuart-Smith

2015

R H S L A U N C H E D ‘ H O R T I C U LT U R E M AT T E R S ’ C A M PA I G N

RAISING THE PROFILE OF GARDENING AT GOVERNMENT LEVEL In 2018, the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group commissioned a report which revealed that the industry supported 568,700 jobs and generated £24.2bn GDP footprint in 2017. The group, chaired by Sue, continues to call on government to support the industry to ensure that everyone can enjoy gardening and the many benefits it brings for years to come.

2019 ACHIEVED THE HIGHEST MEMBERSHIP IN RHS HISTORY AND RECORD NUMBER OF VISITORS TO RHS GARDENS In early 2019, the RHS reached its highest membership in its history when it welcomed its 500,000th member. Sue has been at the helm in achieving this important milestone, an increase of around 50% since she joined. This year also saw a record year for visitors to RHS Gardens, pulling in approximately 2.3 million visitors last year, with more surplus generated to fund RHS charitable work.

TREE PLANTING CEREMONY CELEBRATING SUE’S 10 YEARS

2 0 2 0 & B E YO N D NAVIGATING THE RHS SUCCESSFULLY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND A GOLDEN ERA OF GARDENING In March, following the cancellation of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Sue announced a Virtual Chelsea. This online show was pulled together in less than eight weeks. During its first three days, the website saw the biggest increase amongst the younger demographic with visitors under the age of 35 forming 28% of the online audience. Sue also launched the ‘Grow at Home’ initiative to promote and share gardening advice as thousands more people began to take up gardening during the UK’s lockdown. As a result, the RHS website has already received more than 17 million users this year, compared to nearly 20 million users in 2019 overall.

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 91

17/09/2020 15:59

TTC_LE_198x128_Ad-p1.pdf

1

11/02/2020

15:30

Legacy Steel Edging is a unique, strong

and versatile steel edging system. It creates a clean separation between driveways and lawns leaving a seamless front face. Supplied and installed in mild steel, galvanised or corten steel finishes.

Choice of finishes, including naturally rusting mild steel

Pre-formed internal and external right angled sections Flexible for gentle curved features

Solid steel locating and locking pins Securely fixed below surface

Strong and durable ground fittings

For further guidance, advice and information visit our website or call us:

www.thetraditionalco.co.uk Telephone: 01664 431759 Pro Landscaper Speaders Resized_Layout 1 28/08/2020 09:13 Page 1

rootgrow professional TREE PLANTING • LANDSCAPING • HORTICULTURE

Sustained plant nutrition Better natural vigour Reduced plant mortality Improved drought tolerance Reduced replant problems Chemical free

GAM Spreaders Fertiliser Broadcaster

Towed Disc Spreader

Salt Broadcaster

Towed Broadcaster

Pedestrian Spreader

Broadcasters & Spreaders

SCH manufacture a vast selection of heavy duty broadcasters and spreaders suitable for areas of all sizes and budgets.

Contact us today for a FREE brochure featuring over 200 British products, or visit our website to find out more.

rootgrow.co.uk • info@plantworksuk.co.uk • 01795 411527 Manufactured under Licence granted by the Royal Horticultural Society. Registered Charity no 222879/SC038262

Advert Template PL.indd 46

01473 328272 • sales@schsupplies.co.uk • www.schsupplies.co.uk

17/09/2020 12:57

PEOPLE

D

eaths by suicide rose 10.9% in 2018, according to Samaritans, with more than 1 in 20 people making a suicide attempt at some point in their lives. Overall, men accounted for three-quarters of UK suicides in 2018, with the 2019 rate for men at their highest level since 2000, according to Mental Health Foundation.

Mental Health Foundation goes on to say: “Our own research shows significant numbers of people expressing suicidal thoughts as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.”

World Suicide Prevention Day aims to start the conversation about suicide, show that recovery is possible, and provide ways in which we can help prevent suicide.

Mental Health Foundation were active online throughout the day, using #WorldSuicidePreventionDay to give practical solutions about how you can support others, and get help yourself. Posts supported Scotland’s new approach to suicide prevention – which unites people in a shared belief that each and every one of us has a role to play in preventing suicide – encouraged people to leave messages of hope and shared its advice: WAIT. “This is a good way to remember how you can support someone who may be suicidal,” Mental Health Foundation writes. “It stands for:

W A I T

WATCH OUT for signs of distress and uncharacteristic behaviour. e.g. social withdrawal, excessive quietness, irritability, uncharacteristic outburst, talking about death or suicide.

ASK “are you having suicidal thoughts?” Asking about suicide does not encourage it, nor does it lead a person to start thinking about it; in fact it may help prevent it, and can start a potentially life-saving conversation.

IT WILL PASS. Assure your loved one that, with help, their suicidal feelings will pass with time.

TALK TO OTHERS. Encourage your loved one to seek help from a GP or health professional.”

Many people shared this helpful visual, with the likes of Lendlease and Maylim showing their support. Project managers across all Maylim sites delivered a very important Tool Box Talk. Before the busy day commenced and tools hit the ground, vital information and resources were shared with their staff.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

World Suicide Prevention Day.indd 93

WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY THURSDAY 10 SEPTEMBER MARKED WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY. WE FIND OUT WHAT CAN BE LEARNT FROM THE DAY AS WELL AS HOW DIFFERENT COMPANIES SPENT IT SUICIDE PREVENTION ADVICE

Watch out for signs of distress and changes in behaviour Ask “are you having suicidal thoughts?”

It will pass – assure your loved one that, with help, their suicidal feelings will pass with time Talk to others – encourage your loved one to seek help from a GP or health professional

Call Samaritans

116 123

Registered Charity No. England 801130, Scotland SC039714.

Company Registration No. 2350846.

Fundamental topics included; signs or behaviours to look out for, what can we do to help and what to do if we are having suicidal thoughts ourselves.

WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY AIMS TO START THE CONVERSATION ABOUT SUICIDE Chris Hall, head of HSEQ at Maylim commented: “The wellbeing of our staff is a key priority for Maylim. This has been escalated in response to the current situation with COVID-19.

It is vital that we educate both ourselves and our people in regard to mental health and suicide prevention. We must all work collectively to help reduce the stigma around talking about mental health. Engaging in awareness days is just one of the many ways we can get people starting the conversation”.

But World Suicide Prevention Day is about more than one day – it’s an effort that needs to be made daily.

18 months ago, Maylim pledged its on-going commitment to the ‘Building Mental Health’ charter. It also has eight fully-qualified Mental Health First Aiders and has trained another 30 full-time staff in Mental Health First Aid Awareness. It is also very proud to say that the majority of its workforce have the bronze Building Mental Health sticker adorning their hard hat, meaning they have taken part in the Construction Industry Line Tool Box Talk.

Before the pandemic, Maylim looked to provide support in the form of setting up the ‘Wellbeing League’ – a six-a-side friendly football league open to all staff and contractors.

It has been proven that both exercise and socialising can help to boost our mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and the league was a positive experience for all involved.

The teams are looking forward to getting back on the pitch as soon as COVID-19 restrictions allow them to.

USEFUL INFORMATION Samaritans Tel 116 123 Twitter @samaritans Facebook samaritanscharity Instagram samaritanscharity Web www.samaritans.org

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 93

17/09/2020 08:41

PEOPLE

WHY I...

# LOV E H O RT I C U LT U R E Ian Drummond C R E AT I V E D I R EC TO R A N D C O - OW N E R , INDOOR GARDEN DESIGN

I

grew up in a council flat in central London without any green space, yet one of my earliest memories is plants! My first plant that I ever owned was a spider plant, bought for me by my parents. I was around four years old. My collection of houseplants soon grew and became my green playground – it was my happy place.

By the age of seven, my aunt – who lived nearby – became disabled and allowed me the free run of her garden. By 13, I was working part-time for a local florist, putting flowers in buckets of water and sweeping the floor. It was not glamorous, but I loved it and knew then that I wanted a career in horticulture. It was not something that was encouraged at school, but my parents were amazing and supported and allowed me to follow my dream. I left school at 16 and started an apprenticeship learning interior landscaping and floristry whilst studying horticultural courses.

My first career foray working with houseplants came at Indoor Garden Design when I was 20. Right there, I made the decision not to think of it as a job but part of my life. I knew that I wanted plants to be my future – I was obsessed! I really do feel blessed to be in an industry that I love. I feel very fortunate to be doing what I love and wanted to do it from such a young age. It really did feel like a vocation. Twenty-eight years later I am still at Indoor Garden Design; I am the creative director and co-owner and it is still such a big part of my life – there is never a dull moment! We’ve recently launched an off shoot called In Tray (pardon the pun), a direct delivery service of the most stunning houseplants.

Our industry is filled with so many wonderful people that I have been lucky enough to have worked with and have as friends, and who I continue to learn and be inspired by.

I feel incredibly fortunate to also be involved in the wider industry from BALI, RHS to Efig; and it’s now such a honour to be an ambassador for plants@work. My job has opened so many doors and has enabled me to travel extensively, create medalwinning gardens at RHS Chelsea and become an author. In 2017, ‘At Home with Plants’ was published; it was co-written with interiors journalist Kara O’Reilly. I never imagined that my love for houseplants could take me on this fantastic journey.

©Rachel Warne

I NEVER IMAGINED THAT MY LOVE FOR HOUSEPLANTS COULD TAKE ME ON THIS FANTASTIC JOURNEY

T W E E T U S @ P R O L A N D S C A P E R U K A N D T E L L U S W H Y Y O U L O V E H O R T I C U LT U R E U S I N G T H E H A S H TA G # L O V E H O R T I C U LT U R E

94 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Love Horticulture Ian Drummond.indd 94

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 09:17

PEOPLE

3 0 U N D E R 3 0 U P DAT E

KENNY RAYBOULD AFTER NEARLY THREE YEARS WORKING AT LONDON’S PRESTIGIOUS COVENT GARDEN, KENNY RAYBOULD IS TAKING THE NEXT STEP AND VENTURING INTO FREELANCE

W

hen Kenny Raybould first started as horticultural manager of Covent Garden, he was tasked with bringing the garden back to the rich, cultural London district, which has become a hub of luxury stores, from the beautifully British Burberry to the unmistakable interlocking C’s of Chanel. And throughout his nearly three years of working there, that’s exactly what he did, with some of the most outlandishly memorable displays.

“Covent Garden was a hit for horticulture for many years, selling produce with a cut flower trade running though it,” explains Kenny.

“So, we wanted to do a little nod to this, with some flower barrow, for instance, and it quickly erupted into something completely different.

I discovered that I could do certain things that I’d never done before.”

These include having Britain’s biggest pumpkin craned into central London and being part of the floral couture installations by Canadian floral events company Fleur de Villes, which lined the market for a five-day showcase.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

30 Under 30 Kenny Raybould.indd 95

And not forgetting the floral piano. “That, of everything, is our most talked about, iconic piece in the last two years. I don’t regret anything. I came, I planted, we hit headlines and we were f**king fabulous. But now I recognise that it’s my time to step back.”

Kenny is packing up and moving nearly 200 miles to Devon, where he is starting up as a freelance horticulturist. “I’ve loved my time here, but Covent Garden will continue to bloom

DEVON IS GOING TO BE MY HOME, BUT THE WORLD IS GOING TO BE MY DESK in the new hands that she goes to, and I wanted a change. Devon is going to be my home, but the world is going to be my desk.”

Part of the reason is lockdown instilling the values of spending time with your loved ones – “my other half is based in the Royal Navy; he’s based in Plymouth, so we’ve bought a house there,” – but also a potentially changing industry post-pandemic.

"I’ve been looking at horticulture and what is going to happen to the UK economy, and I think we’re going to see a lot more money moving out.

London will recover, but it’s not going to recover in the same way, and a lot more people who work and live in London are going to move to more rural places. So, the money is going to travel with that, and the work.

"I always dub the west of England ‘the great western flower house’ – it has a raging horticultural industry which no-one really talks about. There are some great flower houses and growers, fantastic climates, but it’s sort of hidden.”

As a freelancer, Kenny will be able to use the extensive horticultural knowledge he has gained thus far, from working at Covent Garden but also from previous roles at Leeds Castle and Regents Place. He boasts a BSc (Hons) Horticulture Commercial from Hadlow College, as well as a foundation degree in Garden Design, and will now be looking to apply these experiences and qualifications to a vast range of global projects and clients across the globe.

“I thrive off diversity, and the pace that comes with that,” says Kenny. “I want to be able to do a multitude of things for different people because that’s how we learn, how we experience, and how we have fun as well. I’m 30 in a couple of months, and I’m really happy with what I’ve achieved in the last 10 years. I’m not leaving the profession, I’m just freelancing now, and I’m able to take what I’ve done so far further afield – this next step allows me to do that.”

With boundless ambition and enthusiasm, it’s unlikely that the floral piano will be the last time Kenny’s work in the world of horticulture hits the headlines.

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 95

17/09/2020 08:26

JOBS

For full details on all jobs, please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk Call 01903 777 570 or email ben.cumberland@eljays44.com with your vacancy

LANDSCAPING TEAM LEADER

SKILLED HARD LANDSCAPER

Creative Roots is looking for a talented landscaper to join its multi-award-winning garden design and build business, leading a small team working throughout Nottinghamshire. Applicants will be multi-skilled with an ability to carry out all landscaping tasks such as paving, walling, joinery and groundworks to a high standard and be confident in working from detailed plans. They must have a clean driving license, be able to manage a team and have a drive for quality of finish and design, but also recognise the need to keep to a schedule. Creative Roots offers incentives such as a loyalty holiday scheme, giving staff up to 33 days’ holiday a year.

Garden Club London is looking for proactive staff members who are passionate about working in the industry and in delivering high quality landscapes. Skilled landscapers will support our foremen on site to work independently on detailed works as well as part of a team and help to train junior operatives. You will have the opportunity to work various of projects, including show gardens, residential and commercial podium landscapes and domestic gardens. You should have at least two years’ experience in paving, decking, general carpentry, irrigation, turfing and fencing. Applicants should be to able communicate effectively with our clients, the operations team and designers.

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

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

SENIOR HORTICULTURIST

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE OPERATIVES (ALL GRADES)

CREATIVE ROOTS Location: Nottinghamshire

GARDEN CLUB LONDON Location: London

Garden Club London is an award-winning landscape design company based in Vauxhall. It is looking for proactive staff members who are passionate about working in the industry and in delivering high quality landscapes. Duties will include completion of SSRA, updating notes and photographs of garden development, getting stuck in on site to work independently on detailed works as well as working as part of a team and helping to train junior operatives. You will have the opportunity to work on a range of projects including show gardens, residential and commercial podium landscapes and domestic gardens.

GARDEN CLUB LONDON Location: London

WILLERBY LANDSCAPES Location: Kent, London

This is an opportunity to join one of the UK’s leading landscape contractors, Willerby Landscapes, based in Edenbridge, Kent. You will work as a team member carrying out landscape maintenance to both commercial and domestic high-profile schemes throughout London and the South East. Punctuality, enthusiasm and excellent attendance along with a full driving licence are essential. Willerby Landscapes is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating and sustaining a nondiscriminatory, positive, fair and supportive working environment for all staff.

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

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

IMPLEMENTATION TEAM LEADER

HARD LANDSCAPE FOREMAN

The successful candidate will be responsible for the timely delivery of all planting and aftercare aspects of Bestall & Co’s garden builds. They will need to set out and plant up clients’ gardens and accessorise with products where necessary with the assistance of an implementation assistant. This includes receiving and unloading deliveries, quality checking plant health, following planting and setting out plans, and planting to agreed planting procedures. The implementation team leader is responsible for undertaking regular aftercare schedules in clients’ gardens. They must be committed to personal development and growth, which includes attending CPD days and performance reviews.

Garden Club London promotes ingenuity and collaboration. It ultimately strives to create a great working environment for all its employees. The company is looking for a well organised and highly skilled hard landscape foreman who is driven and passionate about materials, finishes and in delivering high quality landscapes to the required timeframe. The successful candidate will oversee a small team on site, work independently on detailed works, be part of a team and help to train junior operatives.

If you think you would enjoy working in an innovative and expanding company that rewards and continually develops employees, get in touch.

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

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

ARBORIST CLIMBER

ARBORIST

Bartlett Tree Experts has opportunities for experienced arborists for its office near Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. The role will involve working in a team undertaking a wide variety of tree work including ground-based chainsaw work, aerial tree surgery, pruning, identifying basic trees and shrubs and plant healthcare services. Applicants must be able to demonstrate sound knowledge of health and safety, work to best industry practice, focus on providing a high level of customer service, and have a desire to produce the highest possible standard of work. Applicants must have minimum of CS30, CS31, CS38 and CS39 (or equivalent) and a full driving licence.

Bartlett Tree Experts, a member of many local, national and international associations and support with time, equipment and expertise, has exciting opportunities for professional, self-motivated, experienced arborists for its office near Guildford. The role will involve working in a team undertaking a wide variety of tree work including ground-based chainsaw work, aerial tree surgery, pruning, identifying basic trees and shrubs and plant healthcare services. The company offers an excellent basic salary, dependent on qualifications/experience, as well as provision of all uniform, PPE and climbing kit. It also has a team building programme, EAP and a Cycle to Work scheme.

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

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

BESTALL & CO Location: Yorkshire

BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS Location: Bedfordshire

96 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Hort Careers.indd 96

GARDEN CLUB LONDON Location: London

BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS Location: Surrey

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 09:12

CLASSIFIED

unfogable mesh eye protection

FOR ALL YOUR IRRIGATION NEEDS

Design and Advice • Irrigation Parts Catalogue 24/7 Online Parts Ordering

01254 377 467 www.meshsafetyglasses.com

www.access-irrigation.co.uk • sales@access-irrigation.co.uk

01788 823811

Shade Solutions   

For all your golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs.

Buy online at www.lws.uk.com

www.shade - solutions.com  





Tel 0345 230 9697 • www.lws.uk.com

Starscape Fibre Optic Lighting 01289 332900

info@starscape.co.uk

starscape.co.uk

While the long life of LEDs does make them suitable for landscaping projects, each has a finite life and the possibility of premature failure.

Using fibre optics to distribute light to multiple end points from a single light source offers benefits in terms of maintenance and running costs, with the added benefit of an openended upgrade path. Starscape’s up-lights at London Westfield, Stratford use this principle.

TREE PLANTING • LANDSCAPING • HORTICULTURE Design, Installation & Maintenance of Landscape Irrigation Systems and Water Features

rootgrow.co.uk • info@plantworksuk.co.uk • 01795 411527 Manufactured under Licence granted by the Royal Horticultural Society. Registered Charity no 222879/SC038262

Advert Template PL.indd 30

@waterscapesltd

01963 824166 info@waterscapeslimited.com

14/09/2020 16:42

PEOPLE

98 Pro Landscaper / October 2020

Little Interviews.indd 98

IN LOCKDOWN

T H E L I T T L E I N T E RV I E W

PRO LANDSCAPER ASKS QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS TO GAIN A SMALL INSIGHT INTO THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP OUR INDUSTRY. TO TAKE PART, EMAIL CONTENT@ EL JAYS44.COM

SARAH JONES-MORRIS

NIGEL GIBSON

Director, Landsmith Associates

Quoted sales team, Provender Nurseries

www.landsmithassociates.co.uk

www.provendernurseries.co.uk

You’re self-isolating – who’s your favourite person to be locked up with?

My two sons, who are equally as fun and crazy.

You’re self-isolating – who’s your favourite person to be locked up with?

Obviously my wife and three dogs and three cats.

One thing that’s changed in your daily routine that will continue post-lockdown?

Pre-lockdown life was pretty full on. Postlockdown life is a little slower and simpler.

One thing that’s changed in your daily routine that will continue post-lockdown?

Checking the tracker for a pair of sandals I ordered on 28 May. I think the pandemic could be over before they arrive!

What is your background noise when working from home?

When the kids are not here, quiet or Spotify. When they’re here, chaos!

Best new series or book you’ve discovered?

Series: ‘Twin’, a Scandi crime drama.

Book: ‘The Dark Forest’ by Cixin Liu.

Is the government doing a good job of keeping you informed?

Pretty good, though more recently have had news fatigue and, with regular changing of rules, it has been confusing.

What is your background noise when working from home?

Sound of the road (now), but before it was birdsong and wind in the trees.

What’s your predicted date for returning to normality?

I hope things don’t return to how they were and it becomes better, kinder, slower and greener.

Country you will be visiting first?

I don’t fly anymore so the distance I can travel depends on the time I have; France will be first on the list.

One outdoor space which has been your go-to?

I think Bristol has the best and most varied city parks in the world.

My favourite has been Eastville Park.

Best new follow on social media?

Zakiya Mckenzie @zakiyamedia – an emerging nature writer, for her work with Forestry Commission, Black and Green Ambassadors and Caribbean heritage.

In hindsight, what would you have prepared in advance?

Shares in toilet roll companies.

What’s your predicted date for returning to normality?

I think it’s going to be a year or two before they can make us feel safe.

Country you will be visiting first?

New Zealand if I had the money, but then I might not come back!

One outdoor space which has been your go-to?

My garden/greenhouse and Jeskyns Community Woodland (Forestry Commission) to walk the dogs.

Best new follow on social media? alirezamokhtari5252 on Instagram. He (I think) posts wonderful pictures of wild flowers in Iran. Everyone should follow.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/09/2020 09:08

PEOPLE

TA M A R A B R I D G E

P H I L I P PA O’ B R I E N

LAURA ANSTISS

Owner, Tamara Bridge Garden Design

Owner, Philippa O’Brien Garden Design

Owner, Anstiss Gardens

www.tamarabridge.co.uk

www.pipobriengardendesign.com

www.anstissgardens.co.uk

You’re self-isolating – who’s your favourite person to be locked up with?

Charlotte Dujardin.

You’re self-isolating – who’s your favourite person to be locked up with?

I just want to be alone!

You’re self-isolating – who’s your favourite person to be locked up with?

My teenage children are a constant source of amusement.

One thing that’s changed in your daily routine that will continue post-lockdown?

Less traveling to see clients means more time in my garden, with dogs and Mr L and at the stables with Totty, my horse.

One thing that’s changed in your daily routine that will continue post-lockdown?

Online Spanish lessons.

Best new series or book you’ve discovered?

The Amos Decker series

by David Baldacci.

DIY or gardening?

Gardening.

What is your background noise when working from home?

Birdsong and dogs barking.

In hindsight, what would you have prepared in advance?

Stocked the larder with tins, pasta, rice and flour!

Is the government doing a good job of keeping you informed?

I have found that the information I needed was available.

What’s your predicted date for returning to normality?

I don’t think things will ever be as before; we are in the ‘new normal’ now.

Which restriction were/are you most looking forward to being lifted?

Being able to see family again.

Country you will be visiting first?

Brecon in Wales.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Little Interviews.indd 99

Best new series or book you’ve discovered?

I find that I enjoy Sky News’s ‘Press Preview’ at 10.30pm.

DIY or gardening?

Gardening – my walls are too shaky for DIY. What is your background noise when working from home?

It was birdsong in lockdown, but now back to sirens.

In hindsight, what would you have prepared in advance?

Probably 20lb of bread flour and some yeast.

Which restriction were/are you most looking forward to being lifted?

Face masks – I hate them as you can’t see smiles.

Country you will be visiting first?

With a bit of luck Peru, hence the Spanish lessons.

One thing that’s changed in your daily routine that will continue post-lockdown?

I have a power hour to work on the business each day as it’s so easy to get hooked on working in the business.

DIY or gardening?

Gardening 100%.

In hindsight, what would you have prepared in advance?

A stock of toilet roll – NOT! What was that all about?

Is the government doing a good job of keeping you informed?

It must be incredibly difficult given that we are in unchartered waters; information is changing all over the world by the minute, so I guess everyone is doing their best in these very difficult times.

Which restriction were/are you most looking forward to being lifted?

Travel, I love holidays.

Country you will be visiting first?

Turkey for some late summer sun.

One outdoor space which has been your go-to?

My allotment.

One outdoor space which has been your go-to?

We have a lovely local council-built wildlife lake which is ever changing and we walk there every day.

Best new follow on social media? @alanmcfadyen – Scottish wildlife photographer on Instagram. I think it’s the kingfishers I can’t resist.

Best new follow on social media?

Dean Finnegan, my business coach who I found on LinkedIn at the start of the pandemic and has been invaluable.

Pro Landscaper / October 2020 99

17/09/2020 09:08

S EE AT US

17 18 N OV EM BER

20 20

Even better than the real thing.

We have created one of the largest ranges of wood-effect porcelain. From clean Scandinavian lines to reclaimed and rustic finishes, complete with knots, grain and characteristic woodworm holes. Extremely realistic wood finishes without the warping, splintering, general degradation and ongoing maintenance associated with using timber.

casatuaoutdoor.com

Casa Tua.indd Advert Template1PL.indd 2

11/09/2020 08:45 10:28 15/09/2020