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Welcome
What do March and April have in common? Both saw temperatures well above the national average this year –that's quite the punch line.
And while hot weather is a known rarity in the UK, the rays of sun that we do see are only getting warmer, and it’s no mystery as to why.
Climate change is shifting our seasons, nudging spring into early bloom and pushing summer’s heat into unexpected territory. For landscapers and designers alike, this means rethinking not only what we plant, but how we shape and use our outdoor spaces.
Our nation’s greenery is in dire need of diversification; this means introducing more non-native species to the palette – which some studies suggest could actually be more suited to our nation’s predicted climate in the years to come.
Introducing more non-native species leads to a rise in imports, which in turn raises concerns about pests, diseases, and the carbon footprint of transporting plants across borders. It's a delicate balance between future-proofing our planting schemes and protecting our existing ecosystems, without losing that iconic British charm.
In a changing world, it’s no longer just about what looks good today, but what will survive and flourish in the days ahead.
Bethany
BUSINESS
15
Stronger Together
Claire Belderbos reflects on the success a year on from Belderbos Landscapes becoming employee owned
23
Who Owns a Design?
Oracle Solicitors is here to help you avoid a legal battle when it comes to the ownership of intellectual property
27
Let’s Hear It From...Karen McClure
Designer Karen McClure shares how an adaptable team mindset has been fundamental in achieving sustainable business growth
33
A Bloom with a View
See how Chiltern Garden Design helped bring wildlife and functionality back to this family’s space
39 Sky High Sanctuary
Step into Adam Vetere’s award-winning rooftop garden, blooming with lush planting and lightweight solutions
45 School’s In Natural Dimensions delivers the Department for Education’s first pathfinder project, introducing nature to the classroom
62
Rooting Out Trouble
Top tips from Provender Nurseries on how to maintain plant health and buy with confidence from Plant Healthy growers
74 Candy Shop
Tessa Johnstone and Elmtree’s
Paul Lynch take a trip to Cornwall’s own Primal Plants nursery
78 Growth at Garston Docks
Long Rake Spar walks us through the latest expansion of its 15-acre site overlooking the River Mersey in Liverpool
PEOPLE
20
Finding the Right Team
While on site at Chelsea, Gareth Wilson considers what you should be looking for in a show garden team
24
Zero-Rated Landscaping
Accountant Kim Sones is here to help you navigate VAT in the realm of new build landscaping
87
Voices of Nature
Lewis Normand gives thanks to David Attenborough and reflects on others who are putting nature at the forefront of our minds
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
9
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 Review
Find out who secured the top awards and gold medals from the show ground at Chelsea this year
18
FutureScape Global Awards
Discover which projects from five continents showcased at FutureScape Global claimed the top prizes
59
Biosecurity Special
Check out our Biosecurity Special where we announce the winners of Pro Landscaper’s Most Influential Nurseries and Nursery Person of the Year
HTA CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE BORDER “CHAOS”
Ayear since the UK implemented changes to border checks, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is recognising
the damage to horticultural businesses importing plants and materials.
The association has presented the government with several proposals as a means to improve this “persistent chaos in the supply chains.”
Since changes under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) were made, businesses have reported increases in haulage costs, international suppliers ceasing trade due to uncertainty, loss of stock, communication failures and ‘Brexit fees’ from suppliers and haulers.
Nearly 80% of UK nurseries and growers
ROUNDUP Industry Updates
MARK GREGORY NAMED AS FIRST PERENNIAL AMBASSADOR
Perennial’s new ambassador scheme sees garden designer, landscaper and horticulturalist Mark Gregory as its first ambassador. A voluntary role, Gregory will help the horticultural charity to raise awareness with the help of his expertise and networking skills. Gregory, who has been an RHS ambassador since 2022, and is managing director of Landform Consultants in Surrey says he is “honoured and proud” to be part
of the Perennial team.
Jamie Gault, chief executive of Perennial describes Gregory as “the ideal advocate,” and looks forward to working with him.
The partnership was announced at the launch of Landform Consultants’ new Glasshouse Collective; a percentage of earnings made from each event held at the outdoor showroom will be donated to the charity. perennial.org.uk
depend on imports, with 99% originating from the EU.
The HTA has asked the government to improve communication channels and trading systems access, as well as allow businesses to access the Control Point (CP) system, facilitate Authorised Officer Status (AOS) and ‘Place of Destination’ (POD+) systems for eligible businesses, and improve pest, disease and biosecurity testing.
While the HTA backs the ambition for resetting the UK-EU relationship, it urges the government to resolve any problems. hta.org.uk
RESEARCH FINDS LARGE NUMBER OF NATURE COMMITMENTS MISSING FROM DEVELOPMENTS
Research conducted by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has found that almost half of the ecological features outlined in planning proposals were missing from the participating housing developments.
Between June and August 2024, a University of Sheffield team examined 42 developments across five English local authorities, all approved post-2012 and before biodiversity net gain.
Only 53% of proposed enhancements were delivered, with 19% newly planted trees. Missing features included 48% of native hedges, 75% of bird and bat boxes, all invertebrate boxes, 83% of hedgehog highways, and 39% of trees, either absent or dead. Moreover, 60% of wetland and 59% of wildflower grasslands were poorly sown or mown, reducing biodiversity.
The data report accredits these findings to unclear expectations, weak local policy guidance on biodiversity, and poor-quality landscape and ecology management plans.
Research was conducted across 291 hectares, amounting to almost 6000 houses, which equates to 4,658 promised trees and 868 bird and bat boxes. rtpi.org.uk
LONDON COLLEGE OF GARDEN DESIGN ANNOUNCES NEW COURSE LEADER AND MEMORIAL BURSARY
Garden designer and horticulturist
James Aldridge has been named garden design diploma course leader at the London College of Garden Design (LCGD). Teaching for LCGD since 2016, Aldridge will be supported by previous leader Andrew Wilson MBE and
a whole team of experts. Aldridge graduated with a degree in horticulture, before working for The Prince of Wales at Highgrove for seven years. He then set up his own garden design practice covering UK and international projects.
GROW TO KNOW FOUNDER STEPS DOWN AS RHS AMBASSADOR
Founder of grassroots organisation Grow to Know, Tayshan HaydenSmith has stepped down as RHS ambassador for community and young people. Hayden-Smith says, “whilst there have been positive moments to reflect on during my time as an RHS ambassador, the decision to step down reflects a deeper divergence in priorities.”
Part of the charity’s mission was to build a bridge between the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and North Kensington’s local community. According to Good to Know, this decision comes as a result of a strained relationship with the charity.
The charity launched Hands off Mangrove at Chelsea to champion environmental and social justice, and has now introduced a new fundraising campaign, Closing the Green Gap, to
LCGD have also announced the opportunity for students to apply for the Sam Taylor-Hunt Bursary, which commemorates and celebrates graduate Sam Taylor-Hunt who passed away in 2024.
The bursary is worth almost £7000 and will be offered to planting design diploma students with the support of the Professional Gardeners’ Guild (PGG).
lcgd.org.uk
create lasting community gardens inspired by Chelsea standards.
The inaugural garden will be located at Lancaster Youth Hub in North Kensington in collaboration with young people and grassroots empowerment organisations Fit for Life Youth, Young K&C and London Sports Trust.
The RHS responds: “The RHS delivers one of the UK’s biggest national community gardening initiatives, investing millions in school gardening, community outreach and grass roots projects and provided direct funding towards a community garden” in North Kensington with Grow to Know. growtoknow.world
DEFRA CONTRIBUTES TO NEW FUNDED RESEARCH TACKLING PLANT PESTS AND DISEASES
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will contribute £700k of funded research to protect ash trees as part of new funded research projects to tackle plant pests and diseases.
In total the four million funding will enable 17 new research projects to protect plants and treescapes part of government’s Plan for Change.
Online exclusives
SHANE MCCORMICK ON SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: “PREVENTION IS ONE OF THE BIG KEY FACTORS”
Diagnosed with cancer eight years ago, Shane, an avid campaigner for the awareness of skin cancer, for protection and increased awareness.
THE GLASSHOUSE SHINES LIGHT ON SECOND CHANCES WITH RHS CHELSEA GARDEN
With a 0% re-offending rate, The Glasshouse intends to expand female prison by 2030, bringing life to unused resources and offering second chances to ex-offenders across the UK.
AND THE POWER OF NATURE
Once working various office jobs, Dave Green’s understanding of the power of nature and his initial passion for wellbeing gardens stems from his desire to be outside.
Contributing £4.1 billion per year to the UK’s economy, plants and trees are vulnerable to plant pests and diseases which could pose a threat to nature and the economy.
The 17 new Centre for Forest Protection research projects are a collaboration between Forest Research and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It facilitate future tree breeding for resilience.
Defra has planted 2500 young trees at a second UK ash tree archive in Scotland to find resilient trees for a potential seed orchard.
Discover the top award winners and gold medalists on this year’s show ground
Taking place in London last month from 19 to 23
May, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show saw 14 gold medals awarded across all categories, as well as 12 silver-gilt medals, three silvers and one bronze. Among the awards handed out was the newly named RHS Chelsea Garden of the Year award, originally titled Best in Show, which was presented to Japanese designer and RHS veteran, Kazuyuki Ishihara, for his garden, Cha no Niwa –Japanese Tea Garden. BBC presenter and horticulturist Monty Don made his debut at the show with his RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden, paying homage to our four-legged friends.
This year also saw all four designers of the All About Plants gardens making their RHS Chelsea debut, including Ryan McMahon’s for his Seawilding garden, which earned the new designer a Gold medal and the award for Best All About Plants Garden.
It was The Outdoor Room which took home the awards for Best Construction in the Show Garden and Small Show Garden categories, for Tom Massey and Je Ahn’s The Avanade Intelligent Garden and Carey Garden Design Studio’s The Addleshaw Goddard: Freedom To Flourish Garden.
Designed by Kazuyuki Ishihara Built by Ishihara Kazuyuki Design Laboratory
Designed by Ashleigh Aylett Built by Hortus London
Blue Mind Garden
Designed by Carey Garden Design Studio Built by The Outdoor Room
It’s almost one year since Belderbos Landscapes became employee owned, and the decision is already impactful, says Claire Belderbos, who co-founded the business with her husband, Ed.
“Every time we make important strategic decisions, we now take into consideration how these decisions will have an impact on the new company structure.”
When hiring new staff, as well as thinking about their potential to carry out the role, the design and build company is now considering how the applicant might fit into the business in the long term. Do they have the potential to help move the company forward – if they have managerial potential, for instance.
It’s attracting new talent too. A project manager who joined Belderbos Landscapes after it became employee owned says it influenced his decision to accept the role.
One year in, Claire Belderbos shares the successes of Belderbos Landscapes becoming employee owned
“Having been in the landscape industry for nearly 20 years, this sort of opportunity doesn’t come around often,” he says. “Being invested makes me even more driven to succeed, but I am personally also invested in the future of the company.”
Belderbos says, "it’s definitely a draw for people who are ambitious and want to progress. The impact is more meaningful when you’re meeting with candidates in an interview, compared to a traditional job advert; they have the option to ask about the EOT. As the industry becomes more aware of employee-owned businesses then it’s something the candidates might look out for on a job advert in the future.”
Employees are already starting to feel the financial benefits of the EOT. With a successful last year, the company awarded an income tax free bonus to employees, and we hope to do the same again this year.
Claire Belderbos, Belderbos Landscapes
Existing employees are, understandably, finding it motivating too.
“It’s more motivating for people who are keen to progress and are ambitious because they can see a path for growth. The new structure also attracts experienced professionals that are now looking for a permanent 'home' to build their career and future.”
One staff member says it’s given them a “stronger connection” to the company.“There’s a real sense that we’re all in it together now, and that what we do day to day actually matters to the bigger picture and
our own future. It has made the workplace feel more positive, more engaged, and I think we all care a bit more because we’ve got a shared stake in the future of the company.”
Another who has been with the company for five years said it has made “the bond between staff even stronger” because everyone is working towards the same goal.
“The structure hasn’t changed but staff perception has, because they have had more contact with us through the EOT, just by team meetings and company communication,” says Belderbos.“Some employees were concerned that the culture would change, but it hasn’t, and now they feel even more comfortable approaching management.”
I value that the EOT transition was smooth and there were no big changes straight away
It’s hard to put a tangible figure on how transitioning to an employee ownership trust has benefitted Belderbos Landscapes, she says – but the London-based business has just had its best financial year yet.
Belderbos Landscapes team member
"Employees are already starting to feel the financial benefits of the EOT. With a successful last year, the company awarded an income tax free bonus to employees, and we hope to do the same again this year."“I can’t say that was directly because of the EOT, but it’s good to report to staff that the company had its strongest ever year.”
The results are more evident in how people feel, explains Belderbos.“I didn’t have any expectations, but I’m really pleased. I’ve found it really motivating, and I feel more engaged, both with the business and with everybody. And I’m pleased that it’s had the same influence on other people as well.”
Selling their shares to an employee ownership trust has also coincided with the Belderbos’ carrying out an extensive review of the company’s systems across finance and operations.
“That successful integration has helped to bring the staff closer together as well.”
they might not feel comfortable asking with us in the room. It’s an extra step that didn’t occur to us at the time because we had nothing to hide, but it may have been helpful.”
Another tip she shares is to make sure you have advisors that you trust and are acting in the best interests of the employees, the business and the owners.“There was a real collaborative approach with the EOT administrator and our accountant. We were treading a new path, and we didn’t know others who had done it, but we felt we were in safe hands. So, I would recommend making sure that you have people you feel can really help and support you right from the start.”
Having been in the landscape industry for nearly 20 years, this sort of opportunity doesn’t come around often...Being invested makes me even more driven to succeed, but I am personally also invested in the future of the company
Belderbos Landscape team member
There’s always going to be a degree of scepticism when there’s change, says Belderbos; but her and Ed’s approach was to be as open and transparent as possible.
Belderbos's culture has remained consistent since the EOT... I value the opportunity to be part of an employee owned company
“We advised the staff about the EOT beforehand, whilst it was transitioning, and after it happened. You can’t communicate too much. Also, our EOT advisor came to our offices and gave a presentation to all staff, which was helpful because they were hearing it from someone who has no vested interest. In hindsight, Ed and I would probably have stepped out of the presentation to give employees the opportunity to ask questions
Belderbos Landscapes team member
Transitioning to employee ownership might not even have a significant impact to begin with, but it will in the long term.
Belderbos and her husband are one year into a five-year transition period in which they’re being paid incrementally to sell 90% of the company to the trust.
“The business is very important to Ed and me. It has been a privately run company for over 20 years, and we felt that we needed to plan for the next 20 years. It has been a mindset change. Now, we’re not the owners, but we still manage the business – we have to report to a board of trustees at least twice a year. This includes two independent people whose responsibility is to check the health of the business and to act in the best interests of the employees.”
Being employee owned has made the bond between staff even stronger
Belderbos Landscapes team member
The decision is proving fruitful, though. Going into the second year of the transition, Belderbos wants to continue the momentum it has started. Every week, the future plans of the business are being discussed, and she wants that to continue.
“Ed and I are trying to step back more and challenge the staff to come up with solutions. Now we encourage staff to be confident and come up with their own solutions, or at least make a suggestion.”
After all, when the five-year transition period comes to an end, the employees might choose a different model rather than the business being run predominantly by Belderbos and Ed.“We’re trying to encourage them to consider how the business management could look, and it doesn’t have to be the same as how it is now. Every day, we're trying to upskill people and get them to be thinking independently and being part of decisions that they perhaps wouldn’t have been part of before. With the EOT now firmly established, we are now actively seeking management talent at all levels, to build the structure required as we grow into the new model when the transition is complete.”
It’s an opportunity that seems almost too good to be true, but the proof is in the employees themselves, whose connection to Belderbos Landscapes has never been stronger.
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FUTURESCAPE GLOBAL Awards
Debut of the 2025 FutureScape Global Awards
Two projects have become the first to take home the Vision 2030 prizes at the first ever FutureScape Global Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 28-29 April. Four awards were up for grabs, each based on the pillars of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to create a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation. King Salman Park in Riyadh by Omrania was the biggest winner. It took home the Economic Diversification, Quality of Life and Community Engagement awards
The Sustainable Development award was given to Oriente Green Campus in Portugal by LJ-Group. The Graylings in the UK by Matthew Wilson Gardens was Highly Commended as well.
Five projects were vying for these awards, all of which were finalists from round one of judging, which took place on the show's first day.
A total of 20 projects from across five continents were presented to an esteemed panel of judges, which included World Urban Parks’ CEO Luis Romahn, the Japan Landscape Contractors Association’s chairman Takuhiro Yamada, Red Sea Global’s landscape architecture director Ayad Al-Rawi, and Chris Tidswell, president of the International Federation of Landscape Architects’ Asia Pacific Region. RHS full garden judge Mark Gregory, managing director of multi-award-winning
FUTURESCAPE GLOBAL AWARDS WINNERS
THE FUTURESCAPE GLOBAL TEAM
MATTHEW WILSON FROM MATTHEW WILSON GARDENS PRESENTING GRAYLINGS
ALBERTO OTO FROM OMRANIA PRESENTING KING SALMAN PARK
DANIEL ALONSO FERNANDEZ FROM LJ-GROUP PRESENTING ORIENTE GREEN CAMPUS
Landform Consultants completed the prestigious lineup.
Two UK projects picked up category awards. The judges chose the Spirit of Partnership Garden by Conquest Spaces as the winner of the Residential Properties Under $500k category and Matthew Wilson Gardens’ Graylings as the winner of the Residential Properties Over $500k category.
Saudi projects also won big, with King Salman Park by Omrania being announced as the Conceptual Project winner and ROSHN Front by Cracknell picking up the award in the Commercial Project category. LJ-Group’s Oriente Green Campus in Portugal won the CityScape Project category.
From the exhibitors, ArborStakes won the Innovative Product of the Year for its below-ground tree anchoring system, and the Sustainable Product of the Year award went to Cape Reed for its eco-friendly structures.
For next year, regional heats will take place around the world over the coming months, with the leading landscaping, garden design and landscape architecture firms competing for their chance to present in front of an international panel of judges in Riyadh in April 2026.
ROBERT SHAKESPEARE FROM CRACKNELL PRESENTING ROSHN FRONT
LOURENÇO URBANO GIMENES FROM FGMF ARQUITETOS PRESENTING WALKWAY HOUSE
ROSS CONQUEST OF CONQUEST SPACES PRESENTING THE SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP GARDEN
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER CAPE REED
WINNERS
• RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES UNDER $500K
Winner: Spirit of Partnership Garden by Conquest Spaces
• RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES OVER $500K
Winner: The Graylings by Matthew Wilson Gardens
Highly Commended: Walkway House by FGMF Arquitetos
• CONCEPTUAL PROJECT
Winner: King Salman Park by Omrania
• COMMERCIAL PROJECT
Winner: ROSHN Front by Cracknell
Highly Commended: The Newt by Studio Loci
• CITYSCAPE PROJECT
Winner: Oriente Green Campus by LJ-Group
VISION 2030 PILLAR AWARDS
• Economic Diversification
Winner: King Salman Park by Omrania
• Quality of Life
Winner: King Salman Park by Omrania
• Community Engagement
Winner: King Salman Park by Omrania
• Sustainable Development
Winner: Oriente Green Campus by LJ-Group
Highly Commended: The Graylings by Matthew Wilson Gardens
SUPPLIER AWARDS
• Innovative Product of the Year
Winner: ArborStakes
• Sustainable Product of the Year
Winner: Cape Reed
As I’m part way through the builds at Chelsea, I thought I’d discuss the importance of working with the right people/ contractors and having suppliers and bespoke manufacturers that can not only meet expectation but in some cases exceed them – which is something I’ve encountered several times in the last 13 years of building show gardens.
When I first started in 2012 at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, it’s fair to say that I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d end up at Chelsea, let alone building four show gardens there as I have this year.
Despite not running a landscaping company for nearly five years, my old team leaders, friends, subcontractors and I still work together at the RHS shows – it's a winning formula.
This year I've also teamed up with contractors and friends who I've worked with previously and in some cases trained, from up and down the country, who have asked me in the past if they can do a day or two to help on show gardens. This has been a good way of getting to know them better, their temperament and how well they cope under pressure. I have found that the best landscapers don’t always make the best show garden builders. Very good landscapers with a great work ethic who follow instructions to the letter and can think for themselves will always be my first choice.
Twelve- to 14-hour days, sometimes longer, take their toll, and occasionally, tempers and patience wear thin. At these times, contractors with a good temperament come into play. I’ve also learned over the years that there’s nothing worse than a hungry landscaper.
The whole team, including volunteers, should participate in the build-up and pre-planning of the show. This ensures everyone is up to speed with design and specification changes and the all-important day-to-day schedule, where targets must be met or even better exceeded.
Very good landscapers with a great work ethic who follow instructions to the letter and can think for themselves will always be my first choice
RIGHT TEAM Finding the
On site at Chelsea, Gareth Wilson considers what you should be looking for in those you ask to help with building a show garden
Suppliers of plants and bespoke items should constantly be monitored to ensure everything is exactly how it should be.
Pictures and videos aren’t enough; having eyes on the products and plants at regular intervals before the build is the only way to ensure they’re exactly as required.
Lastly, one person runs the project and has the final say, often through the designer with their inclusion and blessing.
Special thanks this year to all who helped, whether you’re a volunteer or full-time contractor – you all have been amazing to date.
Leaving college at 17, Wilson has worked in the landscape industry since 1989. Progressing onto highend projects, he has picked up seven RHS gold medals. He is a member of multiple professional bodies. He provides technical and product advice to large companies, mentors and trains contractors and garden designers in landscape construction and on show gardens logistics across the UK. Wilson also provides mediation services, he is a member of the BS7533:102 committee and is an industry awards judge. gkwilsonlandscaping.co.uk
GARETH WILSON
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MAPPING Pe r formance
Hyphae Learning’s Sam Grayson explains how to change the things that you’re not happy with in your business
In the landscaping industry, performance is everything. Whether you're leading a team on a large commercial project or managing a small group for residential jobs, your results depend on your people. When something isn’t working – missed deadlines, low morale, poor customer feedback – it’s time to dig deeper, not just react. This is where Performance Mapping comes in. It’s a simple but powerful tool to help leaders transform low performance into high performance –without burnout, blame, or confusion.
Identify the performance that needs changing
Before you can fix anything, you have to know exactly what’s broken.“Performance” isn’t just about results – it’s also about how the work is done. Start by clearly identifying the issue. Is it lateness to site? Sloppy work? Missed safety checks? Vague frustration won’t get you anywhere; clarity will. Ask yourself:
• What is the specific performance I’m not happy with?
• Who is involved?
• When and where does it show up? This step is all about defining the gap. It’s your launch point.
• Rushing tasks to meet unrealistic deadlines
• Ignoring preparation or planning before starting a job
• Minimal engagement during toolbox talks Get curious, not judgmental. Ask your team: “What’s making this hard to get right?” Often, the problem is something you can address together.
Define what high performance looks like
This is where the shift happens. Instead of just saying, “Do better,” show your team what “better” means. High performance behaviours could be:
• Showing up five minutes early, prepared and ready to go
• Clear handovers between tasks and team members
• Using checklists to ensure quality and safety
• Of fering solutions, not just raising problems Paint a vivid picture. The more clearly your team understands what good looks like, the more likely they are to move toward it.
Change doesn’t happen by micromanaging or throwing around blame. It happens when leaders influence the process
Understand the behaviours behind low performance
Once you’ve pinpointed the problem, look at the behaviours driving it. Low performance is rarely about ability; it’s usually about habits, systems, or unclear expectations. In landscaping, low-performance behaviours might include:
• Poor communication between team members
Lead the process, don’t just manage the outcome
Change doesn’t happen by micromanaging or throwing around blame. It happens when leaders influence the process. That’s where your leadership comes in. As a leader, your job is to:
• Model the behaviours you want to see
• Give regular, constructive feedback
• Create space for conversations, not just corrections
• Hold the line consistently, but with empathy
Ask questions like:
• “What’s working well right now?”
• “Where are we getting stuck?”
• “What’s one thing we could do differently tomorrow?”
Leading the process means you stay present, proactive, and connected to the team, not just the numbers.
Track progress in real time
Finally, if you want change to stick, you need to measure it. That doesn’t always mean spreadsheets or KPIs (though those can help). It means creating simple feedback loops so you can see whether the new behaviours are taking hold. Ways to track progress:
• Quick end- of-day huddles to review wins and misses
• Peer shout-outs for great performance
• Weekly performance check-ins
• Before-and-after photos of sites Progress isn’t always linear. But if the team is aligned, behaviours are shifting, and the work is improving – you’re on the right track. Performance Mapping isn’t a one-time fix – it’s a mindset. For landscaping leaders, it’s about digging into the behaviours behind the results and cultivating a culture where high performance becomes second nature.
If you want to support your leaders to enable high performance environments, sign up to access Hyphae Learning’s content later this year by joining the waitlist.
Who owns a
DESIGN?
For many businesses, their design plans, specifications, pricing formulas, or marketing materials, are truly their lifeblood. But what happens if a designer leaves your firm and uses them to promote a new venture or pad their portfolio? As a solicitor, I’ve seen this scenario spark legal disputes. Who actually owns those designs? The answer can mean the difference between a smooth transition and a legal battle.
Intellectual Property (IP) can represent significant creative effort and value to a company. Under UK law, if an employee creates such a design as part of their job, the employer is usually the first owner of its copyright. In other words, the business – not the individual designer – holds the rights to works created during employment (unless a contract says otherwise). This applies to any creative work produced on the job by an employee. The situation will be different where IP is created by a consultant or freelancer, with ownership not transferring automatically. In such cases it is advisable to have robust terms agreed which adequately deals with IP rights and ownership before the consultant is engaged and work is commenced.
If
Don’t let your company’s designs walk out the door, warns Kai Sammer
information with non-disclosure clauses, making clear that designs can’t be used outside the business without permission.
• Plan for portfolio use: Consider a policy allowing ex-employees to use select works in their portfolio with written permission and proper credit. Setting this expectation in advance can prevent disputes and maintain goodwill.
• Secure assets on departure: Have an exit checklist to recover all company assets and data – collect company devices/files, cut off access to design software, and remind the employee of ongoing confidentiality and IP obligations.
a design was created during the course of employment, the law treats it as your company’s property
In Penhallurick v MD5 [2021], an employee claimed ownership of software he had partly developed at home outside of work hours. The Appellant Court disagreed, ruling the employer owned the work as it was created in the course of employment. Even though that case was about software, the same reasoning applies: if a design was created during the course of employment, the law treats it as your company’s property. Knowing the law is on your side is reassuring, but prevention is better than a cure. A few practical measures can save a lot of headaches down the line:
• Use clear IP clauses in contracts: Every employment contract should explicitly state that all designs and creative works produced during employment belong to the company.
• Include confidentiality terms: Protect design files and project
Despite your precautions, you might still find a former employee displaying your designs on their new business website or in marketing materials. If that happens, act swiftly to assert your rights. Politely but firmly remind them that those materials are company property and request immediate removal. Often a solicitor’s cease-and-desist letter will resolve the issue. If that proves unsuccessful, you can seek an injunction or file a copyright infringement claim to enforce your rights. Ultimately, protecting your designs comes down to foresight and solid policies. By laying the legal groundwork while relations are good, you can ensure your company’s creative assets stay safely with you – even when talented designers branch out on their own.
ORACLE SOLICITORS
Oracle Solicitors is an award-winning law firm with a deep understanding of the landscape industry and expertise in employment, commercial, litigation, property and contract law. Oracle Solicitors, founded in 2002, has since grown to include offices in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and Africa, please visit: oraclelawglobal.com
ZERO-RATED LANDSCAPING ON NEW BUILDS: what you need to know
Kim Sones is here to help you find out if your work on new builds qualifies for 0% VAT
If your landscaping business works on new-build housing, understanding when to charge VAT at 0% is vital. New-build construction work can qualify for zerorated VAT, a clear advantage to both you and your clients. However, the rules are strict. According to HMRC VAT Notice 708: Buildings and Construction (Jan 2024), only certain types of landscaping work qualify, and only when specific timing and conditions are met. This article outlines which landscaping services qualify for 0% VAT, what HMRC means by "closely connected" to construction, how timing affects VAT status, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Which Landscaping Services
Can Be Zero-Rated?
Qualifying Hard Landscaping
Hard landscaping is zero-rated when it helps make the building usable and is part of the initial construction. This includes:
• Driveways, footpaths, patios, parking areas, and access roads within the site
• Boundary security features like fences, walls, and gates
If your landscaping business works on new-build housing, understanding when to charge VAT at 0% is vital
These are considered integral to the safe and functional use of the new property.
Qualifying Soft Landscaping
Some soft landscaping is also zero-rated if done during construction:
• Laying turf
• Seeding grass
• Spreading topsoil
These items are listed in VAT Notice 708 3.3.4 as closely connected to construction and can be zero-rated when part of the original building works.
What’s Not Zero-Rated
Many landscaping elements do not qualify, including:
• Planting flowers, shrubs, and trees, unless required by planning consent
• Decorative or aesthetic-only features.
Exception: Planning Conditions
If the local authority requires planting (trees, shrubs, etc.) as part of planning approval, that work may be zero-rated. However, routine replacement planting or anything outside the approved scheme does not qualify.
Understanding "Closely Connected" to Construction (HMRC Section 3.3.4)
To apply 0% VAT, the landscaping must be “closely connected” to the construction of a new building. HMRC defines two categories of work that meet this test:
Pre-Construction or Enabling Works
This includes services that enable the building to go ahead, such as:
• Demolishing old buildings
Both hard and soft landscaping may qualify for 0% VAT, but only when the work is directly part of building a new property.
• Site clearance
• Ground levelling and drainage
• Providing access for deliveries
• Securing the site
Landscapers may be involved in site grading or early-stage clearance, which qualifies for zero rating if done during the build.
Post-Construction Works That Make the Building Usable
This includes:
• Building internal access routes (driveways, paths, patios)
• Perimeter security (walls, fences, gates)
• Basic soft landscaping (turf, seeding grass)
These are seen as essential for the building’s use and therefore qualify if done before construction is complete.
What’s Not Considered “Closely Connected”
Some services are excluded from zero-rating:
• Purely decorative landscaping
• Works done outside the site boundary
• Luxury features (e.g., swimming pools, tennis courts)
Tip: Always check the approved planning documents. If a landscape feature is required by planning conditions, it strengthens the case for zero-rating.
Timing is Everything: “In the Course of Construction” (HMRC Section 3.3)
Even if your work qualifies in type, it will only be zero-rated if carried out while the building is still under construction.
What Counts as “Under Construction”?
According to VAT Notice 708 3.3.1, your landscaping must be done either:
• As work on the building itself, or
• As a service closely connected to the construction
This applies only before the building is considered complete.
When Is a Building Considered Complete?
HMRC sets out indicators in 3.3.2 to decide if a building is finished:
• A Certificate of Completion has been issued
• The build meets approved plans and specifications
• The building is habitable or fit for purpose
• The owners have taken possession or moved in
Any landscaping completed after these milestones is considered work on an existing building, which must be standard-rated at 20%.
Example
If turf is laid after a home is handed over to the buyer, it does not matter that it was part of the original plan it is now standard-rated unless an exception applies.
Common Exception:
Weather Delays (HMRC Section 3.3.6)
One exception is where soft landscaping is delayed due to bad weather. HMRC recognises that turf or grass seeding may have to wait for better conditions, such as in spring.
If the delay was outside your control and the landscaping was part of the original contract, you can still apply 0% VAT even if the work is technically after the build is signed off. However, this only applies in limited circumstances and should be documented clearly.
Practical Tips for Landscaping Businesses
Here’s how to stay on the right side of HMRC and offer the best value to your clients:
• Plan Early
Work with the main contractor to schedule landscaping before the completion certificate is issued. Coordinate timelines where possible to avoid slipping into standard-rated territory.
• Check the Planning Approval
Ask for a copy of the planning consent. Landscaping required by planning conditions can qualify but you will need proof if HMRC ever reviews your case.
• Keep Records
Record why you applied 0% VAT. Note the planning requirement, construction timeline, or contract reference. HMRC may request justification during a VAT inspection.
• Split Your Invoices
If part of your work qualifies (e.g., turfing and driveways) but part doesn’t (e.g., ornamental planting), itemise the invoice. Apply 0% VAT to qualifying elements, and 20% VAT to the rest.
Conclusion
Landscaping on new builds can be zero-rated for VAT but only when done as part of the construction, and only if it is closely connected to the use of the building. Follow the guidelines to keep things running smoothly:
• Complete the work before the building is signed off
• Focus on access, security, turfing and groundworks
• Check if planting is required by planning permission By understanding and applying VAT Notice 708, you will stay compliant, protect your pricing, and offer clarity to your clients. When in doubt, it is always worth checking with a professional. Getting it right the first time can save you time and money later on.
Kim Sones, owner of Sones Accountancy Services, specialises in bookkeeping, payroll, and accountancy for the landscaping industry. Guided by her mission to empower business owners with the tools and insights they need to make smarter, faster decisions, she helps landscapers build financial foundations, understand numbers, set goals, and steer their business with confidence.
Talasey – one of the UK’s leading independent suppliers of landscaping solutions – is launching a groundbreaking new collection of composite decking that features 4K high-definition wood imaging. Pioneer is a “first of its kind”, next-generation range of composite decking that captures every grain and texture with ultra-precision and blends an incredibly realistic hardwood timber aesthetic with industryleading board resilience and durability.
Pioneer comes in three options:
• Natural Ipe has a luxurious espresso-brown base with subtle golden undertones.
• Jacaranda has a lively and bold grain, featuring sweeping caramel and honeyed tones intertwined with deeper, smoky contrasts.
• Darker Oak contains deep chocolate hues softened by warm amber streaks on a whitewashed background.
Some of the key benefits of Pioneer, include:
• 4K ultra-high definition with genuine scans of real timber, the surface imaging captures every grain detail and depth in crystal-clear clarity.
• Aerospace-grade technology the PMMA coating, developed for use in aeroplane windows, replacement cataract lenses and luxury watch faces, protects the deck boards. Pioneer’s grain stays true to colour, without fading or
TALASEY LAUNCHES PIONEER:
“FIRST OF ITS KIND”, INNOVATIVE NEW 4K HIGH-DEFINITION COMPOSITE DECKING
distortion, showing zero fade to the human eye even after 4,000 hours under UV light conditions.
• Texture: Precision-crafted for a natural look and feel, every stunning grain is enhanced and captured in lifelike detail to give a smooth and natural surface texture that feels just like freshly finished wood.
• Strength: It is engineered with woven fibreglass strands, foamed pvc and bamboo –a natural material renowned for its steel-like tensile strength and concrete-level compression resistance.
• Allergens and hygiene: Bamboo is known not only for its strength, but also for its natural antibacterial properties, thanks to its kun content. In Pioneer’s bamboo mixed core, these properties actively resist odours, mould, and allergens, reducing the need for chemical
treatments and enhancing long-term hygiene.
Built for sustainability, backed by certifications –this includes:
• 24,000 tons of post-consumer recycled plastic used in the factory annually
• ISO 50001 energy certified – solar power represents 20% of the production energy consumption
• ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 45001 – environmental, quality and safety management certified
• Minimal maintenance – no toxic treatments, no pest risk
• Outlasts timber by up to 4x – fewer replacements, less waste. Proven sustainability, every step of the way.
• Maintenance: It is an easy-toclean surface that resists dirt and moisture, only requiring minimal upkeep with no harsh chemical treatments.
• Installation: Pioneer’s advanced collated clip system speeds up installation by 50%, ensuring
a seamless, secure fit in half the time without sacrificing stability or durability.
GET ON THE TOP DECK WITH PIONEER
To be amongst the first to work with Pioneer, to find out more and request samples, simply go to: https://talasey.co.uk/ pioneer-pro-l
NATURAL IPE
DARKER OAK
JACARANDA
JACARANDA AND DARKER OAK
“WE HAVE NOW BUILT A GREAT FOUNDATION TO WORK UP FROM; MY BIGGEST MISTAKES ARE MY GREATEST LEARNINGS, AND I WILL BE TAKING THOSE WITH ME ONTO MY NEXT CHAPTER”
Garden designer Karen McClure shares how an adaptable team mindset and diverse portfolio of revenue streams can be the driving force to achieving sustainable business growth
WORDS: BETHANY VANN
At first glance, Karen McClure Garden Design is a luxury design studio celebrated for its exceptional quality and ever-evolving approach. But after speaking with founder Karen McClure for this piece, it’s clear that a few more words belong in that description: team-oriented and unwaveringly committed. Throughout our conversation, McClure’s love for her team and work shines through – the latter she accredits to her parents; “they would be working on their garden at the crack of dawn. As a youngster, I didn’t get the hype – I couldn't understand why you would be in the garden when you could be having a lie-in! I didn’t realise at the time their love of the garden would transfer down a generation.”
Between juggling the responsibilities of owning her first home, a full-time job, and her car boot sale side hustle every weekend, you would be justified in thinking there wouldn’t be much time or energy left for anything else, but McClure was “fed up of working in London”, and made the decision to take up an evening course in horticulture, and studied for a diploma at the Museum of Garden History, during which time her tutor remarked that no one working full-time had ever passed the course. McClure says this was like a red rag to a bull and became determined to change that statistic – which she did.
Towards the end of her course, around the time she was preparing to welcome twins into the world with her husband – whom she met
while studying – McClure’s father sadly passed away,“it certainly brought the fragility of life to the surface”. It was this life-changing moment and her father’s words of wisdom; ‘live for today’ that played a pivotal role in McClure’s decision to take on her RHS exams and ultimately make the switch to becoming a garden designer.“Losing my dad so early most definitely taught me to make the most of what we have, and put life into perspective; perhaps I would still be working in London if I hadn’t.”
Armed with her curated scrap book filled to the brim with cut and stick plant photos taken from Woman’s Weekly magazine, and her father’s mantra in her heart, McClure founded Karen McClure Garden Design. From humble beginnings using “a bit of B&Q log roll, one tree fern and [my] beloved scrap book”, McClure recognises she had “zero business experience” and soon found working alone to be very isolating –“I needed help, and the difference a team makes is invaluable.”
Losing my dad so early most definitely taught me to make the most of what we have, and put life into perspective; perhaps I would still be working in London if I hadn’t
When starting out, McClure says she didn’t have a goal in mind for the business; it was all about pursuing a career she loved and building the strong groundwork we see today.“We have now built a great foundation to work up from. My biggest mistakes are my greatest learnings, and I will be taking those with me onto my next chapter.” Fast track to present day,“the business has developed organically in every way,” says McClure; “not something I planned. I didn’t have a clue about running a business and have
built knowledge through experience, a growth mindset and willingness to learn from others.”
McClure recalls getting to the point where she couldn’t cope with the logistics, organising, admin and invoicing alone, and so approached a virtual PA service, a resource that she says is brilliant for small to medium businesses,“where you may not be able to
commit to the outlay of an employee but you know you can’t do it on your own.”
From Fiona Northover, soft landscaping and business development lead, who joined working from McClure's kitchen table a few hours a week, to the company's now current team of six, McClure recognises that while garden design is in the name, it plays a relatively small part of the whole process; “it’s the entire team’s contributions to the whole design journey – from winning the business, bringing a team together, client care, client experience, efficient organising of meetings, immediate responses to keep a client engaged or keep momentum on a build, professional fee proposals, invoicing, next stages, problem-solving, relationship management and communication both internal and external; every member of the team is a vital part of that smooth delivery.” It’s this collaborative ethos that McClure prides herself on, and it’s an obvious core part of the practice as she says; “I have a strong, supportive team, and I’m always learning. The studio – which is located in my home garden –operates as a very open environment, where the team's strengths are encouraged and we learn from each other.”
I have a strong, supportive team, and I’m always learning. The studio (which is located in my home garden) operates as a very open environment, where the team strengths are encouraged and we learn from each other
the company operating as a “well-oiled machine, with great procedures and stages”, notes McClure.
As well as continual review of its internal processes, the growth however doesn't stop there says McClure.“I have aspired to ensure I have an even mix of projects, varying in style, location and size. From large prestigious ventures to small impact projects – each one has a part to play in our success story.” With up to as many as 30 projects on the go in a year, all in varying stages, the company gets support from several, mostly local, businesses.“We can’t do it alone!” Create Balance – accountants and financial advisors; Newmans – IT support; Concepts Conveyed – fly through visuals; Black Watch Media and Parka & Boots – photography and videography; Westgate –website support; Storm 12 – marketing; and got-the-shot-media; all playing a vital role in keeping
But as many of you know, this level of growth doesn’t happen overnight, and in addition to the aforementioned businesses, McClure has continued to upskill herself, taking hold of as many opportunities as she can. Recently, she joined the NatWest Accelerator Programme, which supports entrepreneurs in growing and scaling their businesses sustainably; “and because this is not industry specific, it’s allowed me to really look from outside in”, adds McClure,“it’s very healthy to analyse your own business and focus on self awareness.”
A point she raised when we sat down to speak, citing that the last seven to eight months have been “quite tough in our industry”, but going through this process where I asked her to recap the journey she’s been on to get to this stage, she says was “good to reflect on progress” and even got a “little validation” from it all, which she said was very much needed after the past few months.
She has recently been asked to speak at several events, which pushed her out of her comfort zone, along with her studio manager, Shelley, giving them both the valuable opportunity to again expand on that growth
mindset required for this line of work. Additionally, she has been making use of businesses coaches when work has begun to feel stagnant. This combined with getting involved with industry events, networking opportunities and webinars have all been instrumental in supporting the business as it grows.
The key word back there is "stagnant". We all know that to become stagnant is to move backwards in this industry – everything moves quickly here, from new legislations to financial obligations, and to client needs and environmental considerations, everything changes, to which McClure says; “avoid complacency, that applies to me as an employer as well as my team. It’s a tough gig out there at the moment, our number one focus is always looking for ways to improve our customer care.”
We’ve created a workplace culture that attracts and retains driven and self-motivated people – with shared purpose, and gratitude for loyalty, creativity, and impact
With that in mind, McClure says one of the company’s short-term goals is to continue developing its soft landscaping offerings, “elevating it to a higher standard of delivery and robust aftercare collaborations.” Another is the launch of a new service this year, which offers clients a bolt-on ‘styling and sourcing’ option, which McClure runs as a stand-alone service, aimed at those who may not want a full garden re-design, but a revamp of their outdoor space. She says this has enabled them to be versatile and flexible in the services they
offer; “as a service-led business, it’s important that we diversify income streams.” McClure has also invested in an outdoor showroom, which she notes allows them to “tangibly demonstrate outdoor living”; a market the business has stepped into further with the launch of its debut collection of garden and lifestyle products, and says is a “complementary and consistent income stream”. She has now brought onboard a third-party marketing team to support this initiative, which in her words “demonstrates
commitment to the success of this enterprise”. Social media is self-admittedly not an avenue McClure has explored to its full potential, but there are plans in motion to change this as she teases more insights and “of course, great images of projects.”
All of that is just the tip of the iceberg, as McClure shared many of the goals she has in mind for the business both in the short term and the long run. But at the top of her priorities was to ensure she had a “happy, high-performing team”, adding “we’ve created a workplace culture that attracts and retains driven and selfmotivated people – with shared purpose and gratitude for loyalty, creativity, and impact.” And while as she said these last few months have been challenging to say the least, she remains proud of the company’s continued high reputation, it’s bold proactivity in
exploring new opportunities for income streams, and its “unique collaborative structure with the team – as [we] strive to constantly evolve, improve and elevate, everyone’s voice is valued.” But she says her biggest career-orientated achievement to date wasn’t the business breaking the landmark threshold of a £1m garden build, nor was it the creation of the new outdoor showroom, or even the team’s “work hard, play hard” attitude – all things she is incredibly proud of it – but, the biggest one has been building the team around her, and while self-admittedly she says it hasn’t always been easy, it has resulted in the company culture and ethos we all clearly see today.
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WYEVALE NURSERIES
RAISING THE BAR FOR BIOSECURITY IN BRITISH HORTICULTURE
In a time when the health of our landscapes is under increasing threat from invasive pests and diseases, Wyevale Nurseries Ltd has emerged as a national leader in biosecurity. Based in Herefordshire and with nearly a century of horticultural expertise, Wyevale is not only growing plants – it’s growing confidence in the safety and resilience of the UK’s green infrastructure.
ANDY JOHNSON
At the core of Wyevale’s operations is a robust, science-led approach to plant biosecurity. As one of the first UK nurseries to achieve Plant Healthy Certification, Wyevale has embedded biosecurity into every stage of its production process. From propagation to dispatch, the nursery operates under strict hygiene protocols, pest and disease monitoring, and staff training to ensure that every plant leaving its gates is safe for the environment it enters.
“Biosecurity is fundamental to our business,” says Andy Johnson, managing director. “We’re not just protecting our crops—we’re protecting our customers’ landscapes, public green spaces, and the wider ecosystem.”
Wyevale’s biosecurity measures include:
• Quarantine zones for incoming plant material.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies that reduce chemical use while enhancing pest control.
• Regular audits and inspections to maintain Plant Healthy standards.
• Staff education to ensure vigilance and rapid response to emerging threats.
These efforts have earned Wyevale recognition in Defra’s Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain, where the nursery was featured as a case study for best practice. This national spotlight reflects Wyevale’s role in shaping industry standards and influencing policy through active engagement with the HTA, BALI, and the Plant Health Alliance.
The impact of Wyevale’s biosecurity leadership is felt across the supply chain. Local authorities, landscape architects, and contractors sourcing from Wyevale can be confident they are not inadvertently introducing harmful organisms into sensitive environments. This is particularly critical in public planting schemes, where the stakes for biodiversity and public health are high.
Beyond its own gates, Wyevale is helping to raise the bar across the industry. By sharing knowledge, supporting
certification uptake, and collaborating with partners on plant health initiatives, the nursery is fostering a culture of responsibility and resilience.
While sustainability remains a key pillar of Wyevale’s ethos, with achievements in peat-free production, water conservation, and biodiversity support, it is the nursery’s uncompromising stance on biosecurity that truly sets it apart.
“Every plant we grow is a promise,” says Johnson. “A promise that it’s healthy, safe, and ready to thrive. That’s what our customers expect, and that’s what we deliver.”
As the UK horticulture
We’re not just protecting our crops –we’re protecting our customers’ landscapes, public green spaces, and the wider ecosystem
sector faces increasing biosecurity challenges from global trade and climate change, Wyevale Nurseries is not just waiting to respond, we are leading. For professionals seeking reliability, integrity, and peace of mind, Wyevale is the partner of choice.
As you walk through the nursery, the open ground tree fields or the transplant fields, you can see what we put into practice and how the plants are responding.
Our commitment to our product as well as our environments is critical to our values and the legacy we are creating.
After adding a new indoor swimming pool, the owners of this family home turned their attention to the outdoor space which lies between their new pool and kitchen. The original idea was to simply lay patio slabs down while they devised a plan for the rest of the garden, however, the danger came in the space falling victim to becoming a lifeless rectangle of paving with little visual appeal.
PROJECT DETAILS
Project value
Under £100k
Build time 4 months
Size of project 1,000m2
WITH A VIEW A Bloom
CHILTERN GARDEN DESIGN
FAMILY GARDEN, LITTLE CHALFONT
The team at Chiltern Garden Design couldn’t let that happen, with so much potential space to play with. Instead, they suggested transforming the area into a courtyard garden, complete with designated zones for dining and relaxing, as well as a few other visual points of interest to prevent this family's garden from falling into the in-between void. Sandstone pavers were used to define the zones, edged with warm-toned play pavers, adding a year-round touch of warmth. Running down the middle of the rear garden was a row of old orchard trees. Although it may have been tempting to remove the trees entirely to create an open, blank canvas, only one unproductive tree was removed, opening up space for a through path between the main lawn and the meadow. Designer and founder of Chiltern Garden Design, Sam Proctor MSGLD says that the gnarled and characterful trees were “central to retaining a sense of the history of this garden’s former life.” The trees form a substantial spine down the length of the garden,
PLANTING
• Nepeta x faassenii
• Aster x frakartii ‘Mönch’
• Rosa ‘Nye Bevan’
• Nassella tenuissima
• Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Golf Ball’
• Prunus lusitanica
generously underplanted with perennials and bulbs.
A standout feature in the garden is the new wildflower meadow that was established on one side of the orchard trees leading away from the kitchen doors, enriching the space in biodiversity and connecting the garden with nature for the family to enjoy. A mown path curves through the meadow, leading down to a cosy reading nook, with a trio of freshly planted espaliered pear trees acting as another loose partition between the meadow and the productive garden, which also features new fruit cages for growing strawberries and raspberries, as well as the existing greenhouse which was also retained.
Throughout the courtyard shades of lilac, white and lemon are held together by a strong cast of clipped topiary shapes to create a sense of serenity and provide the perfect relaxation spot. Key plants include Nepeta x faassenii,
Aster x frikartii ‘Mönch’, Rosa ‘Nye Bevan’, Nassella tenuissima, Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Golf Ball’ and Prunus lusitanica domes. Hot colours, including Helenium ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’, Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’, Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ and Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Little Goldstar’ amongst grasses Anemanthele lessoniana and Calamagrostis brachytricha call from the end of the garden to provide contrast and interest by a curved mini-deck for the existing swing seat. Scented climbers – Wisteria sinensis ‘Prolific’ and Trachelospermum jasminoides – adorn the traditional oak pergola which provides dappled shade over the dining zone, and acts as focal point of the garden, alongside the new copper water feature.
1 Courtyard dining
2 Hot b order by swing seat
3 Red Kite sculpture overlooking meadow
4 Self-watering planters
5 Courtyard with birdbath and zoned paving
6 Copp er water feature and view down the lawn
One challenge became evident after its installation – the supplier had undersized the reservoir, which proved not large enough to catch all of the water dripping from the feature’s plant leaves, resulting in
water being lost. The team enlarged the feature's catchment area by adding a skirt of EPDM, camouflaged with an extended circle of Scottish pebbles, which were already in place hiding the reservoir grid, which served to capture the drops and guide them back towards the reservoir.
Due to the family's commitments in the summer, it was decided that the design would forgo the introduction of irrigation to the cedar planters on the lounging terrace to break up the hard expanse of paving. Instead, the team introduced self-watering cell devices which water the plants at the roots and can be refilled and left for up to four weeks at a time. This method actually saves water, requiring 30% less than if watered from above.
The result is a warm-toned, summer-inspired multifunctional space for all the family to enjoy. The newly established zones add structure to the space, which now, despite its size, has a feeling of comfort and tranquillity, with spaces for the whole family to enjoy.
Chiltern Garden Design is the brainchild of Sam Proctor MSGD, who creates beautiful gardens to suit the needs and lifestyle of her clients. She created her first award-winning show garden in 2024, The Water Saving Garden, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, highlighting ways to capture, store and reuse rainwater in domestic gardens. chilterngarden design.com
Harvest smooth sawn natural stone paving London Stone londonstone.co.uk
Mint sandstone setts London Stone londonstone.co.uk
Seville clay pavers –Chelmer Valley London Stone londonstone.co.uk
Composite decking Millboard millboard.com/en-gb
Fruit cage Harrod Horticultural harrodhorticultural.com
Trees Deepdale Trees deepdale-trees.co.uk
Plants Robin Tacchi Plants robintacchiplants.com
THE GARDEN BEFORE
LIVING LANDSCAPES:
SHAPING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
By combining decades of expertise from Origin Enterprises’ diverse businesses, the Living Landscapes divison provides complete, sustainable solutions for a greener future for those involved in the Sports, Landscaping and Environmental sectors.
SPORTS. LANDSCAPES. ENVIRONMENT.
From high-performance turf care and green solutions to ecological consulting and biodiversity management, our businesses provide the tools and knowledge to create sustainable spaces. Find out how we can support your projects today.
SANCTUARY
ROOFTOP GARDEN
When the client first stepped onto the roof terrace of her new apartment, she was greeted with a vast expanse of wooden decking and not much else. The potential, however, was immediately evident. With an area equivalent to the size of her lounge, kitchen, and dining room combined, this blank canvas offered the perfect opportunity to create an outdoor sanctuary that would both reflect her personal style and expand her living space into the open sky.
She had a clear vision: a place to relax in solitude, entertain friends and family, and enjoy the changing light and seasons. The roof terrace needed to be as functional as it was beautiful with a dining area for six, a lounge space for quiet reflection, and subtle lighting that would make the evenings as inviting as the days. The gentle sound of running water was a must, as was ensuring the garden could be admired from the apartment’s main living area.
Transforming a 100m² rooftop into a sophisticated, weight-conscious garden was no small feat. With a weight limit of 300kg m² every decision made was informed by this limitation and extreme consideration was taken to ensure the site and finished space remained safe, but also that the client got the desired rooftop terrace in the end. Due to the site's elevated position, a crane was used to lift the bespoke glass reinforced plastic planters onto the terrace, while all other hard and soft landscaping materials and consumables were required to be brought in by hand through the communal building.
From a soulless space void of planting to a now contemporary terrace with 40% of its space dedicated to soft landscaping, the site’s overall ecology and biodiversity value has dramatically
PLANTING
• Elaeagnus
× ebbingei
• Agapanthus Poppin' Purple
• Cistus × purpureus 'Alan Fradd'
• Pinus mugo
• Pittosporum tobira 'Nanum'
• Achillea tomentosa 'Aurea'
• Salvia nemorosa Sensation Rose
• Santolina chamaecyparissus
• Teucrium × lucidrys
• Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny'
risen, with a good many number of birds and pollinators visiting the space every day, much to the client’s delight. Due to the site’s south-east positioning, the planting scheme was carefully chosen to tolerate the terrace’s extreme microclimate and associated wind stresses. While lightweight soil substrates were used across all raised planters to reduce soil weight by 60% compared to regular soils; several of the lightweight layers also act as insulators against frost and heat. On average, planting depths were calculated at 150mm of lightweight soil. Selecting trees shrubs and perennials which would thrive in these growing conditions was quite a challenge. Despite this, a richly diverse planting scheme full of colour, interesting structure, textures and form was achieved and with the aid of a targeted feeding programme.
1 View of the dining terrace
2 View of the water feature
3 Secluded seating area
4 Aerial view looking east
5 Aerial view looking west
All of the site’s original wooden decking tiles were removed and were gifted to a neighbouring property to be reused. In its place a high quality, durable and anti-slip, modular podium system was installed to protect the building’s waterproof
CLIENT FEEDBACK
“Adam and Bryan did an amazing job when designing my 100m2 roof terrace. They were professional, courteous and efficient throughout the process. The design exceeded my expectations in every respect. The greatest hurdle to overcome with designing a roof terrace is to work with considerable weight limitations yet still come up with a pleasing result and make it all look effortless. Adam and Bryan achieved all that and I could not be happier with the results. Working with them on this project was a pleasure.”
membrane, while also creating space for integrated drainage, cabling, and an irrigation system. Careful consideration was also paid on wind loadings at height; screening for privacy had to be natural, as heavy wind conditions ruled out most manmade options. The thoughtful placement of planters and evergreen plants provide both intimacy and shelter, as well as an acoustic barrier to the upward travelling nearby sounds.
The design’s inspiration came from the geometric light pattern casted by the client’s favourite copper light pendant in the living room. The triangular angles have been translated into
the geometry of the different zones within the roof terrace space, with some of the interior colours and materials – particularly the copper –replicated outside to create a seamless narrative between the interior and exterior, which has resulted in a secluded sanctuary enriched by pops of colour and personal detailing, perfect for catching the midday rays to enjoying the night time breeze with friends.
Adam Vetere is a multi-awardwinning Garden and Landscape Designer, member of the SGLD, APL and BALI, who has been honed from a unique background in horticulture, graphic design training, practical landscaping and business design. He is enthused by his continued passion for plants and sustainable design. adamvetere.co.uk
Water feature (OASE Cube) Landscapeplus landscapeplus.co.uk
Irrigation System Landscapeplus landscapeplus.co.uk
Lighting Landscapeplus landscapeplus.co.uk
Plants Premium Plants premiumplants.co.uk
Project value
£1m (external)
Build time 11 months
Size of project 7.64ha
HSCHOOL’S IN
NATURAL DIMENSIONS
MERSTHAM PARK SCHOOL
itting the snooze button is hopefully a thing of the past for students at Merstham Park School. The new secondary school in Redhill, Surrey, aims to give teenagers and their teachers a better connection to nature so they can reap the health and wellbeing benefits that this can provide.
It’s the first school the Department for Education (DfE) chose as a pathfinder project for both low carbon technologies and biophilic landscape design to serve as a template design for future schools.
A dilapidated building has now been replaced with a new 6,850m2
building which includes 600m2 of solar panels as well as air source heat pumps, which have achieved a predicted regulated energy use saving of 73.2% over the original notional building design. Natural Dimensions was brought on board to design the grounds for the pioneering project. It produced the tender documentation, the landscape management plan, and the initial Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment and landscape strategy for planning.
1 View of school courtyard and stage
The brief was put together from cross-team workshops, which were a chance to feed into the vision of how Natural Dimensions saw biophilic design looking in a school environment. It had researched biophilic design guidance extensively and then developed designs which were discussed and refined until all the stakeholders were happy.
Many of those involved in the project were new to the term ‘biophilia’. Helping them understand it and staying on track to deliver the scheme’s aspirations was sometimes problematic, but people did buy into the vision to ensure it was delivered.
the natural environment around the school’s outdoor spaces to improve psychological health and wellbeing, increase levels of relaxation, concentration and cognitive performance, and motivation to learn.
Natural Dimensions also tied in the DfE’s own strategic aspirations for future school developments to enhance biodiversity and increase access to and connection with nature in and around education settings.
The biophilic design intended to greatly enhance the students’ sensory connection with
The overall design itself borrows shapes and patterns found in nature as a framework to guide the geometry and detail of the various social spaces and planting beds whilst still providing the necessary durability and safety requirements for school social spaces.
Spirals, arcs and fluid curved shapes underpin the design language through the outdoor space providing organic biomorphic forms and patterns. The design is imbued at a large and small scale with meaningful connection to natural form to create a visually pleasing environment which actively engages people within it. The visibility of natural elements
provides an immersive natural experience within the landscape and from classrooms.
One key element of the strategy was to embed the school in the wider landscape to allow nature to wrap around the site. Landform modelling with planted mounding and scrapes on the northern and western elevations helps obscure the building so it sits into the landscape, while design elements create a sequence of habitat types around the school. These include native woodland pockets, stands of specimen trees, and extensive diverse ground flora, all connecting a teaching environment with the natural world.
The strong natural embrace starts as soon as you enter school grounds as Natural Dimension’s founder and director, Nicholas
believed in, while yew hedges help define the space and long flowering, blue Geranium Rozanne, Achillea ‘Moonshine’ and Erigeron glaucus 'Sea Breeze' combined with tactile grasses provide a reflective feel. The memorial garden has become a particularly important space for the school and includes plaques for other members of the school community who are no longer with us.
The school buildings form an approximate C-shape to the south facing towards the greenbelt and the playing fields. In the centre, a courtyard provides the main social space, with its omega motif and areas for outdoor dining under a pergola – some of it glazed, runoff from which feeds a rain garden below, which is just one of the ways sustainable urban drainage is promoted throughout the wider scheme. The dining canopy joists which support the covered canopy were deliberately extended to reach into the planting which surrounds the dining space, to allow the
Atherton, wanted the design to provide a clear mood transition as you leave the street. Arms of planting reach out and wrap around the entrances to bring the school children towards the building. The use of ethereal grasses such as Sesleria, Molinia, Calamagrosotis, Stipa and Miscanthus provide beautiful winter skeletons during the colder months of the school year. In combination with perennials, they are laid in organic patterns to structure the beds, creates a strong place identity.
One special area, and part of the arrival experience is a circular memorial garden for a much-loved former headmaster. Here, glass panels are engraved with the key principles he
transport of water from the canopy across the joists and down into the planting beds.
The courtyard design provides a strong green setting to the central social space edges and there are also sub spaces surrounded in greenery and a stage area. The edges provide a combination of large and small trees with a low ground cover layer of grasses ferns and perennials, within an evergreen structure.
Tree canopy layers provide shade and dappled light, and they provide interest at different seasonal stages; Amelanchier and prunus blossom in early spring, whilst Acer palmatum give leaf colour in spring and autumn under a taller canopy of Liquidambar and Betula.
2 Seating embedded into planting areas
3 Planted mounding embeds school into nature
4 View over courtyard to playing fields
5 Complex planting embraces seating areas
6 View of northern pedestrian entrance
7 Martin Beard Memorial Garden
Specific areas for dining are close to planting beds, and small corners and nooks allow for immersed seating to help students feel as though they are sat within a natural environment. Wildflower turf and long grass margins give a naturalistic backdrop to the courtyard and encourage biodiversity.
Views across the courtyard out into the wider landscape are maintained by the low ground cover layer and ensuring tree canopies are well above eye level. Trees are positioned close to the building so that the effect of trees canopies, their beauty, sound and shadow effects are immediate classroom and school building experiences.
Permeable paving allows rainwater to be collected and then used to flush toilets. All surfacing at the school is permeable, including the tarmac and part of the subbase for the tarmac is
derived from recycled rubble from the former building, whilst Tobermore Hydropave permeable paving has been used for all new pedestrian areas. The rainwater harvesting included in the
project is estimated to offset approximately 1,112m3 (1,112,000L) of mains water annually. Water captured is directed through the soft landscape to promote slow flow of surface water capture, irrigation for planting and absorption of rainwater back into the water table.
Bringing the concept of Merstham Park School to life has been a big undertaking for Natural Dimensions, which faced the pressure of delivering the landscape in time for the school start dates. Fortunately, it was allowed to plant during school half terms and protect planting areas in the meantime. Students now enjoy an environment that immerses them in nature – some may even want a detention to spend a little longer in it.
Natural Dimensions creates culturally impactful and meaningful designs to inspire a joy of nature and outdoor space. Its designs are underpinned by a highly creative use of materials and detailing. Its work encompasses private gardens, roof gardens, public art, landscape planning, street design, city space, and Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. naturaldimensions.co.uk
Chris Nangle Furniture chrisnangle furniture.co.uk
Glass panels
Proto Glass Studios protoglassstudios.com
MEDITE makes it real
MEDITE’s go-to digital hub for MDF enthusiasts provides a professional network for MEDITE users to showcase their innovative creations and draw inspiration from MDF’s versatile applications
At the heart of the MEDITE Makes It Real community is the creativity shown in projects ranging from private landscape solutions to impressive installations. One such installation was featured at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022 when MEDITE SMARTPLY partnered with renowned designer Sarah Eberle to feature a centrepiece crafted from MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME (MTX). The installation entitled the ‘Building the Future’ garden received the Gold and Best Construction Award (Show Garden).
SMARTPLY's commitment to innovation and sustainability.
MEDITE SMARTPLY
‘Building the Future’, really does encompass the ethos of the garden and its longevity
The MTX centrepiece, inspired by natural vertical rock strata, combines aesthetic appeal with environmental resilience, highlighting the versatility of wood panels in challenging weather conditions. This remarkable material guarantees up to 50 years above ground and 25 years in the ground, demonstrating MEDITE
Going even further than being an eye-catching and awe-inspiring creative installation, the MTX centrepiece has been given a new lease of life as the entirety of the MEDITE SMARTPLY ‘Building the Future’ garden has been reused, truly living up to its name. A large part of the garden has been donated to Andover Trees United – a volunteer-led environmental charity which works closely with schools and local authorities.
The charity’s evolving woodland site ‘Harmony Woods’ represents a 10-year planting project, which gives children and young people in local communities the chance to help turn 12 acres of farmland to the north of Andover into a natural urban woodland, increasing biodiversity and providing a wealth of opportunities for learning about the environment.
The impressive garden structure, featuring MEDITE
TRICOYA EXTREME and SMARTPLY STRONGDECK, has been relocated to a local school in Andover, which Andover Trees United works closely with. The buttresses and turf will also be relocated to the community school, along with the self-binding gravel featured in the garden.
Chris King, managing director – commercial at MEDITE SMARTPLY comments: “To be able to give back to the community and educate people from a young age about the importance of trees and how they contribute positively to the climate change emergency is an incredible opportunity. The garden name, MEDITE SMARTPLY ‘Building the Future’, really does encompass the ethos of the garden and its longevity. As a company, we are very proud to be taking a steer on this.”
This relocation forms part of MEDITE SMARTPLY’s legacy campaign. Every part of the garden has been relocated for reuse in new projects, reducing waste and promoting circularity – a key message embraced by all partners involved in the garden’s creation and relocation.
JOINING MEDITE MAKES IT REAL
Joining MEDITE Makes It Real is free, and new members receive an exclusive gift as a welcome. To join the MEDITE MDF community and stay updated with the latest exclusive news and innovations, visit meditemakesitreal.com. MEDITE SMARTPLY’s digital members-only platform is open to landscape architects, garden designers, urban planners, outdoor living space designers and anyone interested in MDF
About MEDITE SMARTPLY
MEDITE SMARTPLY is part of Coillte, an innovative, FSC certified Irish forestry and forest products manufacturer. Based in Clonmel and Waterford, Ireland, MEDITE SMARTPLY produces a versatile range of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) and Oriented Strand Board (OSB) building products. mdfosb.com
Global Stone’s managing director on how the company’s new Dinamika range bridges the gap between natural stone aesthetics and everyday practicality
What sets the Dinamika range apart in the market?
I think the porcelain marketplace is very saturated and there are some great products out there, but our Italian partners and ourselves were looking to introduce something different.
A lot of porcelain ranges look three dimensional, and they’ll have a visual texture to them; like wood grain, but when you touch it, it obviously doesn’t feel like a piece of wood. Whereas Dinamika’s biggest selling point is that it is actually three dimensional.
What was the inspiration behind the range?
People love natural stone for the characteristics it offers, and when you have a porcelain product that mimics that, they don’t offer the texture as well, which is a big part of the experience. Dinamika means they can now have that texture and three dimensional fundamentals of stone, but in a porcelain product that is easy to maintain – that is what we wanted to give people, and what we have achieved.
Our Italian partners realised that to stay ahead in the current marketplace, they’ve got to look at new technologies, and this range is an example of that innovation
With how many economically made porcelain products now out there, our Italian partners realised that to stay ahead in the current marketplace, they’ve got to look at new technologies, and this range is an example of that innovation.
What variations and colourways are available?
We have three distinct ranges available at the moment, and two of those three both come in a variety of colourways.
The Outdoor Range comes in a wide variety of textures, from marble to travertine, and you can see the patterns of these materials in the veins as you’d expect to with a non-porcelain product.
DINAMIKA OUTDOOR TRAVERTINO
• Invisible Grey
• Breccia Capraia
• Van Goph White
THE DÉCOR TILE
• Moving THE OUTDOOR EDITION RANGE
Then we've got the decor range, which offers a unique style and is quite different to anything else out there in the market. It is very design led with its mosaic design, and it is the perfect addition to a feature area, opposed to a complete patio sized area.
OUTDOOR WOOD EDITION
• Mahogany
• Natural
• Onice Verde
• Travertino
• Paradise White
THE DÉCOR TILE: MOVING
If you're new to porcelain, you just assume that our Outdoor Wood range might have a bit of texture, as would any other porcelain wood replica, but what sets Dinamika apart is that its wood-inspired designs are created using real timber as a guide to give it a that three dimensional texture and high finish – it really is something new and we’re the first ones to be bringing something like this to market.
What maintenance is required?
Out of all the paving products, porcelain needs the lowest amount of maintenance. Most porcelains are very similar in terms of their physical characteristics because they've been fired in glaze, but the biggest one for porcelain is that the water absorbency is incredibly low; you don't have to worry about water saturation damaging the tiles. And one of the biggest benefits is you won’t see the tiles get discoloured over time, nor will they fade.
What benefits does Dinamika offer?
You’re getting a man-made material that is created in a highly controlled environment, and you're getting the characteristics of stone, which everyone loves, with minimal maintenance and hassle. At its core Dinamika is a new innovative luxury product that offers design flexibility and unique visual appeal, with hassle free installation – it's something unique for our customers. globalstonepaving.co.uk
At its core Dinamika is a new innovative luxury product that offers design flexibility and unique visual appeal, with hassle free installation –it's something unique for our customers
DINAMIKA OUTDOOR NATURAL
with a View A Room
A garden building can be multi-faceted, and there are plenty of options, explains Matt
Evans
Post-covid, we’ve all seen a huge uptake in clients wanting to incorporate garden buildings within their spaces. As the cost of living increases, people improve rather than move, but space is at a premium, so storage, entertaining and making the most of the space they have is key.
With the improvement of materials, clarity over planning laws, and rise of off-the-shelf building solutions, we’ve seen an evolution of the humble garden shed. Less damp potting bench and more electronic standing desk – an energy efficient, comfortable year-round space.
Sustainable
Those of us who are sustainably conscious might like to think about how – when building a structure – they might recycle materials or incorporate living roofs into their design. We installed a scheme a few years ago, where clients converted an older summerhouse into what’s now their business office. Repurposing an existing structure and designing their garden around it. Harvesting rainwater from
the roof of a building was highlighted at the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show by many of the designers, and this is something we should all be doing. Think about how your building can add value to your garden. As I sit writing this, we’re three weeks into one of the driest starts to spring/summer that I can remember.
Connecting clients to nature with biophilic design influences is a key way of seating a structure into a garden; living walls, natural patterns and immersive planting are all key concepts to consider.
Studies suggest that connecting a workspace with nature improves productivity and workplace satisfaction, and if the building isn’t used for work, we all know the benefits of relaxing immersed in a garden!
Flexible space
a separate level of planning consideration, so we always make sure clients have ticked the planning box before putting pen to paper.
Modern garden living
There is a growing trend for clean lines, neutral palettes and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions
Multifunctional spaces in a residential setting are often good value and part of the brief. Garden buildings are no exception and often need to wear multiple hats and serve many purposes, from office to gym, art studio or guest accommodation. We are often asked to assist with interior layouts, designing modular furniture that folds, slides away or is multi-functional.
Larger and more complex builds often require tech integration, lighting design and security. These projects always require
The style of a building will be governed to an extent by the site and surrounding architecture, and there is a growing trend for clean lines, neutral palettes and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions. Drawing on Scandinavian cabin or Japanese garden architectural influences, these modern spaces are often magazine-worthy, simple and light focal points for a space that add soul, structure and style to a space.
Outdoor living and wellness
Outdoor dining, cooking and entertaining spaces need to seamlessly link with garden buildings. Not only are they a place to run to and hide when it starts raining, but they also have a utilitarian purpose, housing services, switches, gas supplies and water pumps. Garden dining pavilions are a nod to classical styles of garden design, focal points, places to
gather, drink and relax. Not all of us are fortunate enough to have projects that afford us the creativity to work on such concepts, but we all know there’s nothing better than enjoying a bottle of wine with friends in a beautiful garden. More contemporary schemes can utilise louvred roofs, for shelter and style. None of the aforementioned would be complete without a complementary outdoor kitchen design.
No space, no worries!
Designing small garden buildings for urban gardens is something that’s becoming increasingly popular; clients are looking for extra storage, space to keep furniture, garden equipment and children’s toys. Vertical gardening and using living walls to disguise garden buildings is also something that’s become very popular in urban gardens. Compact studio or store type buildings with hidden storage that are immersed in planting are definitely something we’re seeing more of. They can provide structure in a space that otherwise can’t accommodate it.
Wellness, our environmental consciousness, lack of living space and spending more time at home are all reasons that garden buildings have become key to our landscape schemes. These reflect broad and far-reaching socioeconomic and environmental shifts. If you have an existing structure that’s either not fit for purpose or needs updating, think about how you can work with it rather than remove it entirely. If it’s been there for years, the chances are it’s because it’s well built, or in the perfect position in relation to the site’s aspect or function. If not, get it out and let the garden evolve.
TOP TIPS FOR GARDEN BUILDINGS
• Ensure it is seated in the landscape and in context; if it’s a shed, don’t make it the focal point, for instance. But if it’s a dining and entertaining space, seat it as the likely more interesting building adjacent to a terrace that complements it in terms of form and function. Think about the journey to it through the garden – make sure planting is complementary, and that the structure isn’t too dominant in the garden.
• Choose your materials wisely – for example, don’t paint a store black in the shade as it will likely go green over the course of a damp winter.
• Maintain balance within the garden design by scaling the building appropriately. If a client wants a huge studio but the garden can’t take it, try and steer them into scaling back their plans –they’ll thank you for it later.
• Building bespoke isn’t necessarily more expensive
• Consider the interior and how it links with your home. If you/the clients are spending the budget on a nicely designed and constructed building, we should be spending as much time considering how it feels inside as how it looks from the exterior.
MATT EVANS
Matt Evans is the managing director and design lead at The Garden Room Living and Landscape Studio, based in Poole, Dorset. The Garden Room is a young, creative design studio founded by partners in life and design, Matt and his wife Elle Evans. Located just a stone’s throw from the shores of Poole Harbour and the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, they operate across Dorset, London and the south of England offering garden design, project management and planting as well as specialist aftercare. thegardenroomstudio.com
Crane Garden Buildings
The Holt A luxuriously sleek, modern garden room serving many uses –from hobby room to handy home office or tranquil reading nook. Price: From £19,650 cranegardenbuildings.co.uk
Dzome pods
Opulent, nature-inspired Dzome pods are digitally crafted using laser cutters and 3D printing. Multiple sizes available. Price: From £17,500 dzome.com
Bakers Garden Buildings
Rachel Goozee ‘Sound body & mind’ yoga studio and garden A relaxing, immersive space with London Stone Designclad in dark steel and Corten exterior, along with planting from Architectural Plants. Price (incl. VAT): From £26k bakersgardenbuildings.co.uk
Dzome
MARSHALLS
Ardara Porcelain Paving Price: £61.44 per m2
Bringing together elements of industrial concrete, with a highly contemporary architectural style, Ardara provides a simple but stylish feel to any space. Available in three subtle grey colours and one large format, this paving has been produced using high quality raw materials to re-create that polished concrete look.
• Technically very strong and less prone to staining, algae and moss growth
• Hard-wearing and durable, with extremely low water absorption
• Slip skid rated at R11, making it perfect for outdoor use
• Perfect clean lines to achieve extremely tight and uniform joints
• Sourced from first choice tiles so colour variation is minimal marshalls.co.uk
Slabsolutely Stunning
Sleek, sturdy, and weatherproof, these porcelain paving products are built to last and sure to leave a lasting impression
PAVING SUPERSTORE
County Anthracite –Porcelain
'Select Range'
Price: Dependent
County Anthracite is a popular choice for 2025. With its blend of dark to mid-grey tones and subtly textured finish, it offers the look of natural charcoal stone.
• Aesthetic and colour: A colour that offers a modern, dark grey or charcoal tone
• Durability: Extremely hard, dense, and durable, suitable for high-traffic areas
• Slip resistant: Vitrified products are lightly textured which greatly improves slip resistance
• Low maintenance: Easy to clean, highly resistant to staining or the growth of moss and algae pavingsuperstore.co.uk
TALASEY
800 x 800mm Porcelain Pavers
Price: This product retails at various prices across different outlets
Talasey’s Vitripiazza collection of vitrified porcelain paving is timeless and elegant and offers a superior, luxurious finish. It is also extremely durable. The collection includes 16mm Anno Lite, Bellezza Lite and Sofia – which are the perfect way to showcase all the benefits of 800 x 800 mm pavers.
• Using larger paving slabs means less grouting, creating fewer lines
• Quicker installation because fewer tiles are required for large areas
• The larger format means fewer cuts
• Available in 20mm and 16mm thicknesses
• A stunning alternative to smaller paver sizes talasey.co.uk
S typhnolobium japonicum ‘Funnel
Shape’ is a beautiful, multi-stemmed tree with a funnel-shaped crown that acts like a natural parasol. Its fine, airy foliage offers pleasant, filtered shade – perfect for city squares, promenades, terraces, and gardens. This tree thrives in tough urban conditions, resisting heat, drought, and pollution. In late summer, it adds charm with creamy-white flowers, followed by warm autumn colors. A sustainable, low-maintenance choice that boosts biodiversity and creates a healthier, more comfortable environment.
Boom & Bonheur – because trees give life and bring happiness
LUX UNIQUE
Cor-ten steel pond
Price: £1,939
This Lux Unique Cor-ten steel pond has been commissioned for an RHS x UBS feature in the heart of the floral marquee. It is one of three ponds that have been supplied to feature in the display. All Lux Unique products are made to order on site in the UK and can be fabricated in any size required. Instant price and sizing are available through the Lux Unique website.
• 3mm thick Cor-ten
• Dimensions: 3256mm long x 2000mm wide x 300mm high
• Top lip detail: 75mm x 50mm double fold
• Fully welded and watertight construction
• Weight: 275kg luxunique.co.uk
As seen in the RHS x UBS 'Moments of Reflection' located in the heart of the Great Pavilion
LANDSCAPEPLUS
Aquascape Professionals Kits
Price: from £584.00
Aquascape Professional Kits contain everything required to create your very own eco-system ponds, pondless waterfalls, and standalone water features.
• Pond Kits available in five sizes
• Pondless Waterfall Kits available in four sizes
• Fountain Kits available with a variety of standalone features
• Eliminate the guesswork and calculations of creating bespoke water features
• A simple way to introduce water in any garden landscapeplus.com
Elements of these kits were used to create the water features on the Killik & Co ‘Save for a Rainy Day Garden’ and the Boodles Raindance Garden
As Seen at Chelsea
the products featured on the
LANDSCAPEPLUS
in-lite AIM
Price: from £103.48
The in-lite® AIM modular spike spotlight range is a clever concept with excellent customisability, suitable for a wide range of lighting applications from planting to paths to trees and more. The AIM is available in three different riser sizes, the AIM EXTRA LOW (160mm), AIM LOW (400mm) and finally the AIM (800mm).
• Each riser stack three separately adjusted LIGHTHEADS
• Available in three heights; 160mm, 400mm & 800mm
• Suitable for a wide range of lighting applications
• Built-in KILLFLASH honeycomb lens to aid the prevention of glare
• Also available as ceiling/wall fitting landscapeplus.com
MEDITE SMARTPLY MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME (MTX)
Price: Dependant MTX panels provide exceptional durability and dimensional stability, making them suitable for applications previously restricted to materials like concrete, plastics, or metals.
Featured in The Glasshouse Garden (SITEPROTECT and TRIMAX), and The Hospitalfield Arts Garden (SITEPROTECT and MTX (dunescape)
• MTX guaranteed outdoors for 50 years
• Outstanding durability and dimensional stability
• Resistant to rot and fungal decay
• Smooth surface
• Consistent quality and thickness mdfosb.com/en
Discover
showground of this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The biodiversity and climate crises are two interconnected global emergencies that threaten the stability of our ecosystems and human societies, head of nature-based solutions at BioScapes, Terry Smithson says. Combatting both was the driving force behind the development of the company's patented Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Planter Unit.
Designed for both domestic and commercial properties, Smithson says the SuDS and BNG Planters “create a self-contained ecosystem for wildlife and capture storm water to reduce the risk of flooding.” Adding that its design helps to “support an abundance of creatures from pollinating hoverflies to snail-munching hedgehogs – all of which are essential for healthy plants and gardens.”
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO INSTALLING A SUDS AND BNG PLANTER?
• Simple to set up and maintain
• 10 habitat features to support a self-contained ecosystem
• Water storage to reduce the risk of flooding
• Compact design suitable for small spaces
• Made from stainless steel with a 10-year guarantee
SuDS and Buds
Terry
Smithson shares how BioScapes’ SuDS and BNG Planter can support biodiversity in urban spaces
crisis without nature restoration. It’s the biosphere which absorbs carbon from the atmosphere and locks it away.” In the State of Nature report published last year, it shows that UK wildlife is experiencing significant declines, with species declining at an average rate of 19% since 1970. Nearly one-in-six species (16.1%) are threatened with extinction, and only 14% of important habitats are in good condition – the need for nature-based solutions that enhance, support and protect our biodiversity has become crucial, but as Smithson says “we are often limited for space in urban areas, and planters can be a great solution for this”, but how can we utilise them to maximise the benefits for biodiversity?
We are often limited for space in urban areas, and planters can be a great solution for this
In the north of England, rail operator TransPennine (TPE) employed the use of a BioScapes SuDS and BNG Planter in an effort to bring a touch of greenery to the otherwise grey area and support surrounding wildlife. Environmental delivery lead at TPE, Steve Gilder comments on the installation, saying: “This is so much more than just a planter – it will provide so many benefits at Northallerton station, from increasing biodiversity and housing wildlife to reusing and attenuating rainwater and combatting flooding.” Over in Fulham, London, BioScapes also installed one of the planters at the Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, the process of which became a hands-on learning experience for the students, as they got stuck in with the planting during installation and engaged with the team to explore how the planter will support the natural world around them. Smithson says this demonstrates how integrating sustainable, biodiverse solutions can transform educational environments, highlighting the multifaceted benefits of the SuDS and BNG Planter in different locations.
bioscapes.co.uk info@bioscapes.co.uk
Insect diversity is a foundation of life, says Smithson; “we cannot address the climate
UK GROWN
Could stronger demand for UK provenance trees help support UK growers?
As the climate crisis continues to heat up and our nation’s biodiversity balances precariously on a tightrope, we’ve seen a significant push for UK nurseries to diversify their offerings in a bid to strengthen our greenery, resulting in more imports and non-UK provenance species making their way into schemes. And while this is helping support a stronger ecosystem, could we be forgetting about UK provenance trees and the role they play in supporting UK growers.
Managing director at New Wood Trees, Philip Nieuwoudt argues if there was more awareness and demand for UK provenance trees, it could help smaller nurseries thrive. But he adds this is in large part due to the lack of funding given by the government; “there's not a lot of support for small nurseries over here - compared to European countries - they do it all from their own pockets.”
native trees having UK provenance that would create a snowball effect.”
Nieuwoudt says the undercutting in prices has led to more trees coming in from Europe, “flooding the market and killing UK growth.”
If there was a bit more pressure on our native trees having UK provenance that would create a snowball effect
Adding that to receive government support one must jump through a multitude of “elusive” hoops, which arguably puts many off seeking the support they need, noting that several he’s known throughout his career have had to close their doors due to a lack of funding.
He says the support given to nurseries overseas enables them to offer UK native trees at a lower price, essentially undercutting home grown varieties: “If there was a bit more pressure on our
This disparity in pricing and the resulting business closures is not helping the already exacerbated skills shortage plaguing our industry, Nieuwoudt comments: “There's a big drive to get younger people into the industry, and for people to grow things [–] we have a lot of young people that want to grow and want to start up nurseries, but there’s no help out there for them.”
However, he notes that there has been a rise in inquiries regarding UK provenance trees which he says is a move in the right direction, adding that if we increase awareness and specification on UK provenance trees, we’ll “undercut” the European market and bolster UK growers in the process, which he says can only strengthen our biosecurity, making it a win-win for our nurseries.
Rooting Out TROUBLE P
Provender Nurseries shares its top tips for maintaining plant health and buying with confidence from Plant Healthy growers
KEEP CLEAN
Clean all tools and footwear between site visits to help stop the spread of potential pests and diseases.
rovender Nurseries has been Plant Healthy certificated since February 2021; following good husbandry and being aware of all biosecurity practices is something that we believe in from purchasing through to despatch. Whether you're growing or buying, here are some of our top tips to ensuring high-quality outcomes through plant health best practices.
BE UP-TO-DATE
Have a dedicated member of staff that is responsible for biosecurity and maintaining plant health and issue all plants with a plant passport for traceability.
01
DEDICATED STAFF MEMBER TRADE ASSOCATIONS
03
02
Work with relevant trade bodies to stay up to date and visit your suppliers regularly to check on their biosecurity practices.
Tips for trade nurseries
PLANT HEALTHY SCHEME
Register to become Plant Healthy certificated or a relevant certification scheme, and inform your customers of your biosecurity practices, requirements and changes.
04
Keep your team informed of any changes to biosecurity policy, new pests and diseases, and movement restrictions of certain species.
05
07
06
TRAINING IS ESSENTIAL
Train all team members that handle plants to recognise common pests, diseases and weeds, and make sure they are kept up to date with what the correct course of action is if any of these are found.
ADVICE FROM APHA INSPECTOR
Use your APHA inspector as a valuable information source and always undertake crop walks when they visit your site.
Always use a plant supplier that is Plant Healthy certificated. Using a Plant Healthy nursery gives you assurance that all biosecurity checks are being undertaken on your behalf.
ALWAYS USE PLANT HEALTHY ASK ABOUT POLICY
Tips for landscapers and designers
ADVICE FROM TRADE ORGANISATIONS
Keep up to date with your trade organisations latest news and always ask them for advice if you need to – they're there to help!
PLANT PASSPORTS
Record plant passports; all suppliers will have their own unique plant passport number that should be attached to the plant or plant batches.
LOCATION OF PLANTING
Record where plants end up being planted. APHA have the authority to follow plants supplied to you to their final destinations, and may ask to visit the gardens where planted.
Ask your supplier what their biosecurity policy is.
PLANT HEALTHY CERTIFIED VISIT SUPPLIERS
Visit your suppliers on a regular basis to have peace of mind that good biosecurity and husbandry practices are being followed.
From battling extreme weather conditions to navigating legislation and import changes, nurseries are arguably the backbone of the landscaping industry. Their continued dedication to preserving the environment and unwavering commitment to fostering the new era of softscapes is a large part of what gives us a fighting chance against the climate and biodiversity crises.
We launched Pro Landscaper’s Most Influential Nurseries to show recognition for the incredible work being undertaken by nurseries around the country, and with your help we’ve been able to shine a well-deserved spotlight on them.
So, without further ado, here are the winners of Pro Landscaper’s Most Influential Nurseries, as voted for by you.
WINNER: NURSERY PERSON OF THE YEAR
“I'M AN ETERNAL STUDENT OF THE INDUSTRY, AND I'M ALSO A HUGE SUPPORTER OF THE INDUSTRY”
SI may have an opinion that's my own, but I'll also listen to everyone else's
ince graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Garden Design from the University of Greenwich in 2001, Lewis Normand has amassed an expansive 20+ years career in the world of horticulture. He has seen success designing gardens across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East under the banner iPlantsman – a company he founded – and he continues to share this accumulated knowledge to the next generation through giving lectures at colleges and universities to thousands of students. In 2011, his focus shifted to nursery sales, and is now sales manager at Bernhard’s Nurseries, where his experience and knowledge has seen the nursery go from strength to strength. And now he can add Most Influential Nursery Person of the Year to his already impressive portfolio. Many will also recognise Normand from his monthly columns with us where he continues to share his insights; exploring a variety of topics that are impacting our industry, from carbon offsetting and the climate crisis, to the decline in nature and the ongoing transition to becoming peat free, to all of which he says: “I don't write about anything I don't know enough about. I'm only writing on the subject areas that I'm confident in.” And while
Lewis Normand
humbly reluctant to say why he believes people resonate with his on-going work, he concedes and admits, “one of my strengths is that I am pretty reasoned – I'm good at bridging the arguments; I may have an opinion that's my own, but I'll also listen to everyone else's.”
This train of thought feeds into his work in the Cross-Party Group for Gardening and Horticulture, a venture he says is vital for getting the changes the industry needs pushed forward; “It's important that our politicians understand what we offer and since we've engaged with politicians they've really seen what horticulture has to offer – because there are so many good messages that come out of horticulture”; a notion he brings with him to his roles as president of The Caley Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society.
Every new venture undertaken is another feather to the horticultural hat, all which shape both his opinion, he notes: “There are a lot of things that I’m involved in that give me different little corners of insight.” It’s his obvious love for the industry and respect for the “amazing” people he works with that go into this, and there seems to be no signs of him slowing down. “I'm an eternal student of the industry, and I'm also a huge supporter of the industry.”
Since we've engaged with politicians they've really seen what horticulture has to offer
WINNER: CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Bernhards Nurseries
Founded in 1948, Bernhard’s Nursery has a long preceding reputation for being ahead of the environmental curve; the UK wide distribution nursery began its transition to using a peat-free growing medium back in 2013, a choice sales manager, Lewis Normand says wasn’t driven by demand but rather the company’s own personal desire to protect the environment and offer its like-minded customers the same, a desire that Normand says has influenced all of the nursery’s sustainable business practices. He does however note that there has clearly been a substantial shift in the way people are now seeking more climate resilient products from environmentally sound sources, noting; “we've got people designing not just beautiful spaces, but beautiful spaces with a message about sustainability and about the environment and about rewilding – all these kind of buzz subjects which are important.”
“PEOPLE ARE NOW DESIGNING NOT JUST BEAUTIFUL SPACES, BUT BEAUTIFUL SPACES WITH A MESSAGE ABOUT
SUSTAINABILITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT ”
Alongside its timely transition to peat free, the nursery also made the switch to use taupe recyclable pots “as soon as they came to market,” says Normand. As well as operating a rainwater capture system across its site, the nursery also uses minimal chemical intervention and instead uses bark toppings in its pots to reduce weed growth – which Normand notes also helps the soil retain moisture and has led to the nursery lowering its water usage; “these are all sensible decisions that are good for the environment –environmentally sound decisions are just sensible.”
The general idea is you grow plants, so your focus is on improving the environment one way or another
Many of the sustainable practices currently in place were established by managing director, John Marsden, prior to Normand’s joining; as the two share similar if not identical ideals for the best environmental
practices; “the general idea is you grow plants, so your focus is on improving the environment one way or another.”
As the climate crisis goes on, the need for more climate resilient planting on both a domestic and commercial scale is only heightening. We expect our schemes to enhance biodiversity, support wildlife, and improve overall ecosystem health, and this ultimately falls to our nurseries, and as Normand says making those ecological decisions and being transparent in your environmental considerations,“is not rocket science and more people will want you for it.”
On a global level, Normand says the “sustainable element of horticulture can be amazing”, and the buildup of that “natural capital is a phenomenal resource.” And it’s nurseries like Bernhards that are facilitating this capital and making the climate-resilient and awe-inspiring projects and green spaces we see today possible.
JOHN MARSDEN
“FOR
WINNER: BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
THE LAST 125 YEARS WE’VE BEEN CUSTOMER ORIENTATED”
Established in 1900, J. A. Jones specialises in field grown trees, with a growing site of 130 acres; the Southport-based nursery has been recognised for its top-quality customer service, a recognition director Mike Vickers says is a “testament to what we’ve achieved throughout our history”, adding that “for the last 125 years we’ve been customer orientated.”
Much like the rest of the industry, J.A. Jones continues to evolve not just its product offerings, but also, its service offerings, as Vickers notes, “everybody wants everything in a hurry,” noting that the nursery works to meet tight deadlines regularly – “if you want something, and we've got it, we’ll do it.” Adopting a never-say-no attitude that sees the nursery delivering stock around the country day and night. With this mentality
Mike Vickers
at its core Vickers says the nursery has become, “increasingly good at anticipating what [our] main customers are going to want. A majority of our customers are old existing ones who have been with us for years.”
crucial the nursery maintains open and reliable lines of communication through its workforce and customers; “we probably speak to all our major customers every day.”
Reflecting on the nursery’s journey thus far, Vickers says: “We started with a little that quarter acre market garden, and now we've got seven nurseries in the Southport area covering 130 acres with 100 plus staff – we're a normal business trying to do a good job, and that's the ethos” – an ethos that resonates with its long-standing customers throughout the UK.
We're a normal business just trying to do a good job, and that's the ethos
To maintain its current production rate of over 800k container grown plants, covering over 600 species, the nursery has developed strong trading links with independent growers throughout the UK and Europe, vetting those that match the same high quality standards, Vickers comments: “Everything has to come through us so that we can have control and inspect the stock to make sure we're happy with it before delivering it to our customers.”
Operating at this level of overview on all its deliveries, both in and out bound means it is
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TAN GREY RAVEN
WINNER: BEST CONTRACT GROWER
“ABOUT 30% OF OUR ORDERS ARE
CONTRACTS
AND WE HAVE 330 ACRES
OF GROWING
CAPACITY – A GOOD 80% OF WHICH IS ALWAYS IN PRODUCTION”
Growing since 1798, Crowders has been operating advanced procurement contracts since its inception, which commercial director James Carter says has positioned the nursery as a trusted and innovative supplier in the industry. Back in 2017, the nursery was awarded the contract to grow the first tranche of up to seven million native trees and shrubs for the UK’s flagship HS2 railway project.
The nature of contract growing means that the nursery will be growing thousands upon thousands of units at a given time, Carter adds “we’ve got orders on the ground right now for one and a half million units”, with order notice on average of two to three years – “the longest notice we’ve ever had is eight years.” Staggeringly high numbers in both regards, but this is nothing out of the ordinary for Crowders, as Carter explains: “In terms of order quantity, about 30% of our orders are contracts and we have 330 acres of
James Carter
growing capacity – a good 80% of which is always in production.”
all down to advanced procurement and advanced planning”, adding that contract growing encourages “crop consistency” and working with a single contract grower is the “best route every single time.”
We’re Plant Healthy certified now and we’ve got our own plant health champions, which includes our directors
Biosecurity and plant health is a fundamental consideration when working with multi-year long contracts in such high volumes, as Carter explains: “we’re Plant Healthy certified now and we’ve got our own plant health champions, which includes our directors.” He adds that while there is an argument to be made that trees and plants don’t show significant changes every week, pests and disease can, and that’s the secret he says, “you’ve got to do regular crop inspections – in our business, we have about a nine-and-a-half-year life cycle from our youngest product to our oldest,” which, as he says requires constant vigilance – “it's
WINNER: BIOSECURITY AND BEST PRODUCT RANGE
“THE
RANGE OF PRODUCTS IS IMPORTANT BUT THE QUALITY
OF
WHAT
WE OFFER IS ALSO IMPORTANT, IT’S ALL LINKED”
Founded in 2003, Provender Nurseries has secured a double win in the Pro Landscaper Most Influential Nurseries Awards for both Best Value for Money and Biosecurity, two victories that go hand in hand, explains managing director Richard McKenna: “To offer our customers the wide range we do, we need to import and that means we need to give [the customer] the best confidence in the way we do this.” Over the last five years, 80% of
Richard McKenna
stock sold by Provender was imported, making it no surprise the nursery has become known for high-level biosecurity practices, a recognition McKenna says wasn’t the intention: “We just wanted to do the job right.”
In July 2024, Provender became the first trade supplier to establish its own Control Point (CP) after significant changes were introduced to the Border Target Operating Model. McKenna notes the process was a “learning curve” and
required collaboration with departments –from HMRC, Border Force, and Defra – to make it possible, adding: “It was quite challenging and time-consuming, but doing what we do,
we get on with it.” While he’s sure more changes are coming, McKenna says: “Nursery people are generally very adaptable; we always find the solutions.”
Provender’s CP has given the nursery more control over what stock comes in, when, and how, helping avoid potential delays in its supply chain. But as McKenna says: “Biosecurity is more than just the Control Point,” and he’s right. While Provender is known for its CP, much more goes into supplying the range it does. McKenna explains: “We visit nearly all of our suppliers annually and do a lot of hand-selecting,” adding this includes reviewing growing facilities and checking paperwork – steps needed to maintain its Plant Healthy Certification. After becoming the ninth nursery in the UK to achieve the certification, it is now audited
annually and every team member is trained by Defra in best biosecurity practices.
Over its 20-plus years, the nursery has evolved to meet changing customer demands, resulting in the range we see today.
The nursery has become widely known for its high-level biosecurity practices
As McKenna notes: “The good designers, the good landscape architects – they're all looking for more interesting material. We've worked hard to offer a more interesting, wider range.” But as he adds,
bringing in new material also requires education:
“When we get new products, we always try to inform and educate our customers. We can introduce something new, but unless our customer knows about it, they won't necessarily buy it.” He recalls a recent training session on importing and plant selection, noting those customers now have an “elevated knowledge of plants” and more insight into what’s available.
McKenna says this helps in combating the climate crisis: “We need leaders in the landscape and design sector to demonstrate how good new varieties and materials can be, and that’s where the education side comes in. We offer
products that can be interpreted, shaped, and grown differently for various projects – it shows the real scale of how those materials can enhance the environment.”
McKenna recognises that the nursery is accountable for each plant it grows, imports, and sells, concluding: “We must make sure that what we’re offering our customers is right. The range of products is important, but the quality of what we offer is also important.”
When I step inside the nursery and see the colours in the growing tunnels, I am reminded of an old-fashioned sweet shop. Parma violet, lemon sherbet, aniseed reds and sugar-coated rose shades are spread across large swathes of this intense, tropical space. There is an enthusiasm in this grower’s approach that is reminiscent of Gene Wilder’s 1970s interpretation of that famous confectioner, Willy Wonka.
Primal Plants sits in a corner of Cornwall near the port towns of Hayle and St Ives, just a short swashbuckle away from Penzance. The nursery, although new, feels established and immersed in the local vernacular. Owner Mark Lea understands Cornwall, and this temperate county provides him with the right conditions to grow these sultry, lush plants. Beauty and resilience are combined in the form of palm trees, Yuccas and succulents.
A modern showcase reception sets the stage. During one of the many masterclasses – each drawing over 100 attendees – you’ll start your day with a coffee and a saffron bun. Lea is a plantsman through and through, with an energy and knowledge that is addictive –and he’s keen to share it. There are 14 RHS Gold medals on show that support this enthusiasm – two of them from Chelsea. With us is Paul Lynch of the constantly evolving and developing Elmtree Garden Contractors, based in Bristol. Lynch too has his
Candy Shop
Tessa
visits Primal Plants in Cornwall with Paul Lynch to discover the wonders of this forward-thinking nursery
Lea is a plantsman through and through, with an energy and knowledge that is addictive – and he’s keen to share it
Tessa Johnstone
fair share of awards. He is innovative in his thinking – but first and foremost, he cares about his team, his clients, education, mental health, as well as the landscape that provides him with the infrastructure for his business.
He’s not afraid to try new things as he pursues more climate-adaptable schemes. Lea and Lynch are like peas in a pod.
The two struck up a friendship when Lynch spent a week in Cornwall a few years ago, having based himself in one of the holiday cottages next to Lea’s nursery. Lea had been asked to plant the gardens of the cottages and
Lynch loved the architectural structure and calm, muted shades in the gardens.
As a result of that meeting, Lynch has now incorporated Lea's signature planting at various sites in Bristol, having done his research and thoroughly gleaned what conditions the plants would thrive in. Lea remarks that, “in my opinion, these plants are easier to look after than your usual perennial planting. Yes, they need the common theme of free draining soil; but they can be happy in clay too.”
Lynch asks whether UK clients still prefer more traditional seasonal plants – simply because it's what they're used to. Lea is quick to explain that many of his plants offer striking seasonal interest too, often showing their boldest colours in winter. Lynch agrees, recalling unexpected flashes of deep reds and purples he’s seen. Lea adds an example: the Mexican Snowball (Echeveria elegans), which turns from blue in the summer to pink in the winter.
Sustainability and a climate-smart approach is key to Lea. "Our commitment to responsible horticulture extends to the materials we use – peat-free growing media in the form of coconut coir and soil, and rice husks for the palms and yuccas.”
Lea believes that growing plants is only the beginning. After a broad career in design and higher education, he’s keen to share his knowledge and encourages people to consider incorporating these plants into UK gardens. He’s also developing an online platform, which he hopes will become the go-to resource for anyone interested in climate-smart plants.
Johnstone
MARK LEA AND PAUL LYNCH
Primal has also spent a long time developing a breeding programme for a semponium. Having had success growing aeoniums but occasionally falling foul of its tenderness, Lea started to research how he could make an aeonium plant be hardier. The results are not yet conclusive, but as Lea puts it, the research has opened the door to developing much hardier aeoniumlike plants – making them accessible to a wider audience.
plantings in public open spaces. Lynch then asks Lea what needs to happen for more clients to shift direction and embrace these, currently niche, climate-resilient plants.
Lea's workshops that he runs throughout the year are a step in the right direction.“People are always surprised by how hardy these plants are! We are also working really hard on our labelling to give as much information as possible and to be clear.”
Lynch describes a recently completed residential garden that is south-facing and a real sun trap. Lea developed the design, and the garden has been a huge success with the client. Lynch notes a steady increase in demand for these types of plants and is always looking for solutions for clients where water availability might be a concern. One such example is a show home for a new housing development, where the plants are thriving despite minimal watering.
Our commitment to responsible horticulture extends to the materials we use –peat-free growing media in the form of coconut coir and soil, and rice husks for the palms and yuccas
Lea is quick to point out that while maintenance is still necessary, it’s far less intensive. This reduced workload allows more time to be spent on other tasks such as maintaining balancing ponds, weeding, or managing wildflower
at the Treliske Royal Cornwall Hospital. He recalls many poignant moments at the hospital with various family members, and says he has a strong desire to plant a garden there and to bring his kind of gardening to those in need of the hospital facilities and to those visiting loved ones.
Lea is brimming with ideas for things to move the business forward. A couple of days after we met, he visited his quarantine compound in Spain. He has invested heavily in this to ensure his plants are as healthy as possible and meet the conditions for bringing them into the country.
During this time, I attended a BALI regional meeting where I met a prominent garden designer, and we talked all things Cornwall –I mentioned I had interviewed Lea. The designer smiled, and said: “Here’s something you won’t know about Mark; he was a fellow instructor when I taught at Falmouth University. He actually saved someone’s life.
They discuss whether the plants Lea grows can be integrated with more traditional choices, and Lea talks about “mixing it up” by planting drought-tolerant species like Alstroemeria in vibrant pinks and reds among grasses, showing how the two styles can work in harmony.
"There was a student using an angle grinder whilst wearing a voluminous piece of clothing. The clothing caught alight. Without hesitation, whilst the rest of us took in the scene for a second or two and slowly registered shock, Mark just downed tools, raced across the room and dived onto the woman and managed to put the flames out; his hands were burnt to ‘s**t’. Mark really is a warrior.” Lea’s previous 12 years as a lifeguard at Sennen Cove have instilled an instinct to help and rescue.
Mark Lea
Their shared passion is clear – not only in their thoughtful conversation but also in the rapport they share. During the photoshoot, they are both brought to stomach-clutching belly laughs, requiring the patience of a saint for our photographer.
Lea is keen to continue with the education side of the business. One thing he also has on his wish list is planting a garden
This warrior wants us to think more about the planting we use in our schemes, as well as how we can use less of our most valuable commodity – water. I for one am going to incorporate these incredible life forms in gravel gardens at a new site in Cornwall. I’d be happy to try them elsewhere in the UK too.
Go and see for yourself. Just ensure you’ve got room in your car to bring back that Yucca!
TESS JOHNSTONE
Tess Johnstone is joint owner and new business lead of Johnstone Landscapes Ltd, based in Wiltshire and now a new set up in South Cornwall, serving the two areas in high-end residential landscaping and maintenance. She is passionate about ensuring more people feel able to join the industry and works with the British Association of Landscape Industries in this area.
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Garston Docks is proving to be somewhat of an attraction for Long Rake Spar. The 15-acre site overlooking the River Mersey in Liverpool is drawing in visitors – including Pro Landscaper.
Acquired by Long Rake Spar in 2020, its brand-new facilities – as well as its stunning riverside location, no doubt – are impressing customers who are keen to see exactly how the supplier’s decorative aggregates go from ship to site.
There’s a state-of-the-art washing plant, for instance, that gets through around 70t of aggregates an hour, water from which is filtered and reused, whilst the silt goes into a recycling bay and is sold for pipe bedding. Then there are the four fully robotic packing lines which place the aggregate – which has been automatically weighed and bagged – onto each pallet to be hood wrapped.
It’s one of the company’s four production sites across the UK, producing 150,000t of finished stock each year –a fifth of Long Rake Spar’s overall capacity. Twenty-one storage bays hold up to 50,000t of stock, and that’s set to grow. Garston Docks is being expanded by 20%, with another 3.2 acres being added onto the current site to allow for even greater stock holding capacity during Long Rake Spar’s peak season.
Growth at GARSTON DOCKS
It’s about excellent service, excellent products, and quality support
Shane McCormick, national sales director
“Garston Docks is a big site for us, and there are a lot of opportunities,” says Shane McCormick, who was recently promoted to national sales director and board member after being at the company for the last 18
months or so. He’s “on a bit of a high” at the moment, having also been made a liveryman for the Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants and being given the keys to city of London. McCormick visited the RHS Chelsea Flower Show during the build-up too, handing out sun cream to those working on site. Since being diagnosed with skin cancer eight years ago, he’s been raising awareness of melanoma and trying to prevent others from a similar diagnosis.
“There’s a lot going on at the moment,” he says, and the expansion at Garston Docks is just one focus for Long Rake Spar this year. There are new bag designs hitting branches as well as
a series of new products that are now available, including Schist Tumbled Edging, a “beautiful product from the slate family.”
Long Rake Spar is expanding its production site in Liverpool as it continues to cement itself as a premium supplier
There’s also Spanish Gold, a 12-20mm premium white angular marble with flecks of bronze and grey stones throughout.
“There’s nothing on the market like it,” says McCormick. Azzuro Blue is also new for 2025, a Spanish marble aggregate available in 8-12mm, along with fellow Spanish marble Artico White in 8-10mm – all three part of Long Rake Spar’s Premium Collection.
There are the 20-30mm Mediterranean Pebbles too, which are part of the Pebbles & Cobbles range.
“When I joined, I really wanted to emphasise what we do as a company and the service that we offer and to continue building our relationships with customers. We sell decorative aggregates, which is great; but having strong relationships with customers and clients is vital too. So, it’s about excellent service, excellent products, and quality support. It goes back to what our managing director Trevor [Broadhurst] says – that there’s no substitute for quality and service. He wants to make sure that customers get the right products, that they’re clean and that the customers are looked after.”
"We’ve had a range of customers come up and see the site, not just because they want to see the facilities, but also because they want to see the stock that we have and how we can transport it and facilitate the orders.”
It’s not the only site Long Rake Spar is looking to invest in, though.“There’s a lot of focus on Garston, but whilst we’re doing that, we’re still looking at the facilities on all our sites, adding in car charging points and solar panels to improve efficiency.”
Rye Harbour in East Sussex – which, like Garston Docks, is a dock side production site – was acquired in 2015 and has become Long Rake Spar’s flagship site for renewable energy, for instance, with newly installed solar array powering the entire site.
We’ve had a range of customers come up and see the site, not just because they want to see the facilities, but also because they want to see the stock that we have and how we can transport it and facilitate the orders
Shane McCormick, national sales director
That also means investing in its facilities, and Garston is currently the centre of attention. Stock levels and sales and new product innovation have all driven the necessary expansion of the site.“We’re dredging some of the Mersey so that we can get our boats closer to the dock and we are adding bays to hold more stock as well.
“The business isn’t standing still,” says McCormick. From ambitious expansion plans, premium product launches and other developments in the works, the only way for Long Rake Spar is up.
“We’ve introduced a variety of products across different collections,” he says –a purposeful move as Long Rake Spar continues positioning itself as a premium supplier not just through its products, but also through the service it offers, says McCormick.
TECH-SCAPING
Lilidh Matthews on how digital tools are reshaping landscapes
Imagine a landscape where lawns mow themselves, plants signal when they’re thirsty and urban parks self-adjust to boost biodiversity gain. This isn’t science fiction, it’s happening now. From AI assisted design to robotic maintenance, a digital revolution is sweeping across the landscape sector, reshaping how we think, build and nurture the green spaces of tomorrow.
Once, the most advanced tools in a landscapers kit might have been a strimmer or a simple CAD (Computer-Aided Design) sketch. Now, traditional craftsmanship still matters, but the skill is being amplified by technologies that boost efficiency, spark creative innovation, deepen client engagement and support sustainable ways of working.
Designing with data:
The new creative toolkit
Digital innovation is transforming how landscapes are imagined, visualised and designed. The digital shift isn’t simply about adopting gadgets, it’s about rethinking every stage of the process, from solving sustainability challenges to overcoming labour shortages and meeting evolving client expectations in a world demanding environmental resilience.
A digital revolution is sweeping across the landscape sector, reshaping how we think, build and nurture the green spaces of tomorrow
These days, robots, drones and AI simulations are just as likely to show up on a project as spades and sketch pads. Landscaping isn’t just about soil and stone anymore, it’s also about bytes, bots and big ideas.
With climate change, biodiversity loss and urbanisation accelerating, the landscape professional’s role has never been more vital – or more complex. Fortunately, a new wave of digital tools is emerging to help.
As technology reshapes industries worldwide, it’s no surprise that landscape design and construction are undergoing a digital renaissance.
Take Geographic Information Systems (GIS), now a staple tool for large-scale landscape planning. GIS integrates multiple layers of data, including land use, soil types, topography and water resources, to create visual formats like maps, charts and 3D models. The result? Faster, smarter, informed decisions from the very beginning. According to the 2025 Landscape Industry Report by Aspire, 73% of landscape professionals consider digital transformation to be important to their business.
Generative design, powered by AI, enables landscape architects to create multiple design models simultaneously, quickly testing variables such as shade patterns, drainage and biodiversity outcomes early in the process. This agile modelling speeds up workflows and improves design resilience. Even familiar tools like CAD or BIM (Building Information
Modeling) software are evolving, with AI plugins now optimising layouts, automating complex and repetitive tasks and predicting project challenges before they arise. Yet innovation doesn’t end at the drawing board, it continues to reshape the construction site too.
Robotics and automation: Landscapers’ new best friends
One persistent challenge in the landscaping industry? Labour shortages, especially in specialised roles.
Robotic solutions are stepping in to help. Autonomous mowers are already maintaining commercial parks and estates, freeing human
teams for skilled horticultural tasks. On construction sites, robotic earthmovers, automated planting systems and drone surveying platforms are boosting build speeds and precision, critical advantages as projects face tighter timelines and rising costs. While automation doesn’t replace the human eye for detail, it empowers landscapers
Five Tech Tools
LANDSCAPERS SHOULD EXPLORE IN 2025
Drone surveying and mapping
Allow fast and accurate site surveys, perfect for large parks, estates or complex urban projects. Drones can be used later in the process to monitor plant health via infrared imagery.
Smart irrigation systems
Watering systems now come as WiFi connected and weatherresponsive, cutting water use by up to 30%. Perfect for drought resilient gardens of all sizes.
AI based planting assistants
Able to suggest planting combinations based on soil type, sun exposure and maintenance needs.
Robotic maintenance
Autonomous mowers mean less labour is needed for ongoing lawn care, particularly in commercial settings. They’re also quieter and reduce emissions.
AI plugins for CAD & BIM software
Tools allow designers and architects to collaborate in 3D, plan infrastructure under the surface (irrigation, cabling, utilities) and simulate climate impact before construction begins.
to deliver high-quality work faster, at scale and with fewer hands on deck, a vital advantage in today’s competitive market. Behind each robot or drone, an even bigger force is at work – the power of data driving smarter landscape decisions and more sustainable outcomes.
Big data, smart landscapes: Predicting the future
The rise of aerial drone photography and satellite imagery over the past decade has given landscapers unprecedented insight into the land they shape and the historical changes landscapes face over time.
Multispectral imaging monitors plant health across entire estates, identifying disease or drought stress long before it’s visible to the naked eye. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, meanwhile, is a remote sensing tool using light to measure distances, create 3D models of the environment and helps to identify terrain changes that might otherwise impact planting or construction, including underground utilities.
Even simple tools like Google Street View now allow virtual pre-construction walkthroughs, while open source datasets (such as urban traffic flows) help to create more people-friendly, resilient public spaces. This ensures new landscapes are truly designed for the way people move and live. These technologies mean designs are no longer based on intuition alone, they’re backed by layers of real world evidence, helping create smarter, more adaptable outdoor spaces.
Olympic Park in London, for instance, teams are using real-time biodiversity tracking, with sensors monitoring wildlife and habitats, with the potential to allow teams to fine tune their management strategies as conditions change.
With climate and urbanistation pressures mounting, these technologies aren’t just helpful, they're quickly becoming essential tools for embedding resilience, regeneration and biodiversity into an adaptable landscape that can thrive.
The most successful professionals will be those that can combine traditional skills with digital thinking
Armed with this deeper understanding, landscape professionals are better equipped to address one of the sector’s key challenges: building landscapes that are truly sustainable.
Digital tools driving greener landscapes
Climate resilience is no longer a bonus – it’s a necessity. Predictive modelling software can now simulate stormwater flows, soil erosion risks and urban heat island effects, allowing designers to anticipate and mitigate environmental issues before a shovel even hits the ground.
AI driven environmental impact tools assess the carbon footprint and biodiversity gains of different planting schemes or material choices, enabling greener decision-making from the outset. Robotics and digital monitoring are becoming powerful allies in sustainable landscape management. At Queen Elizabeth
Landscapers of the future: Where bytes meet boots
As digital tools become part of everyday practice, tomorrow's landscapers will need to be as comfortable with a digital dashboard as they are with a trowel.
The most successful professionals will be those that can combine traditional skills with digital thinking to craft landscapes that aren’t just beautiful, but smart, resilient, sustainable and built to thrive in a changing world.
LILIDH MATTHEWS
and strategic advisor connecting horticulture and landscaping with emerging digital technologies. With a background in commercial horticulture, she supports organisations to grow greener, smarter and more resilient, through innovation, insight and future-focused strategy.
The images in this article have been generated by AI.
Lilidh Matthews is a writer
TRADE WARS
Chris Churchman is back with his latest quarterly report to share how he sees the government’s current plans affecting the industry in the months to come
impactful). I confess, I don’t see much tangible evidence of the wave of new building yet, but we are assured it's coming. If Labour get anywhere close to these targets, then anyone in the construction sector should be looking at five years of sustained profitability.
If you are reading this it is probably late May, even early to mid June. As my words were written toward mid April you can perhaps forgive me if they are slightly out of date. I promised this year to reflect on policy changes as I see them affecting the industry. Trying to stay up to date with recent shenanigans from across the pond is nigh on impossible, an hour and a half is a long time in Donald Trump’s world, so a month and a half is an eternity.
Needless to say, the tariff turmoil has been challenging for everyone to keep on top of. Unless I am mistaken, and unless people are either selling stock to the States or importing from there, for the moment at least the landscape sector should be largely unaffected. So long as the trade war does not become more multi-dimensional, such that the UK and the EU are imposing tariffs on each other’s transactions, then we should remain out of the main battle. It is possible that all sectors could be hit if global trade takes a real battering, which then generates a global slump in demand, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the current 10% BNG baseline figure is increased, thereby shifting more of the responsibility for the funding of nature onto the development sector, and ultimately of course the house buyer
One development that will probably have been missed by many is the focus on private investment to deliver the government’s biodiversity targets. Labour hope to lever in £1bn of private funding per year through initiatives like biodiversity net gain (BNG), mainly because it wants to stop subsidising farming. It wouldn’t surprise me if the current 10% BNG baseline figure is increased, thereby shifting more of the responsibility for the funding of nature onto the development sector, and ultimately of course the house buyer. I don’t necessarily see this as a bad thing, makes more sense for the purchase of a new house to be paying to offset the loss in habitat.
I do understand that the arrival of the lower threshold for Employers NI will have hit the industry badly in the short term, as much of the workforce is likely to be on relatively low wages and so will have been added to the NI Bill. I do suspect this is a relatively short term pain, as new opportunities come through those added costs should be recouped.
So, despite the palavar, I remain optimistic that the industry can still thrive in these challenging times, I feel that the next five years should offer good opportunities for consolidation and expansion. Where we go after 2030 is anyone’s guess.
I still believe the environmental sector should remain buoyant. For the time being Labour remains committed to its 2024 pledges, 1.5m homes by 2030, plus a transformation of the National Grid (something not talked about unless you have a solar farm on your doorstep, but probably much more
CHRIS CHURCHMAN
Chris Churchman is the founder of cquester, a notfor-profit venture seeking to raise awareness of the value of nature in addressing climate change. cquester.co.uk
KINGS Comeback
Humaira Ikram returns with her series this time championing the misunderstood Alstroemeria
Alstroemerias – are they everyday plants or elegant and exotic beauties? Let's discuss!
I love an Alstroemeria and often have used Indian Summer or the much more elegant psittacina, in my schemes that require a hot and tropical accent, however, I was surprised by the strength of feeling that some of my colleagues had towards them and one even called them “ petrol station forecourt flowers”. Never chosen, but only bought as a last resort.
The Alstroemeria, Lily of the Incas or Peruvian Lily are native to South America, and originate from the cool mountain regions of Peru, Chile, and Brazil. This natural habitat has influenced their hardy and adaptable nature.
The Incas believed they were magical plants gifted by the Sun Gods and that they had mystical abilities including invisibility and transformation.
We have no record of what these plants were originally called, but in the late 18th century they were named Alstroemerias, after the Swedish botanist Clas Alströmer, who obtained seeds and sent them to Carl Linnaeus (of the Linnean system of taxonomy), introducing them to European horticulture.
still need a little support with pea sticks or stakes.
They grow in clumps, so you can dig up and divide every few years and make the original clump healthier and gain free plants. Once the plants are well established, pull the flower stems out for arrangements or when spent rather than cutting them, as this stimulates new growth. They are on the RHS list of Plants for Pollinators and to top it all they have a huge range of colours that you can combine and use in your schemes.
They are on the RHS list of Plants for Pollinators and to top it all they have a huge range of colours that you can combine and use in your schemes
In the 19th Century, European gardeners started to plant and cultivate alstroemerias mostly due to their exotic, colourful and long-lasting flowers. In the 1980s, the plants were hybridised and the Chilean (winter growing) and Brazilian (summer growing) plants were crossed and produced evergreen babies –which led to global cultivation for the cut flower market.
Alstroemeria originate from cool mountain ranges so can tolerate low temperatures to -10 and prefer a moist but free draining soil. They are perennials that grow from bulb-like tubers that once established are robust. They like all soil types and are tolerant of most pHs too and grow well in both full-sun and part-shade. As robust as they are, some of the taller varieties may
The trumpet-shaped flowers come in all shades and tones from pastels to exotic and vibrant, but as an added bonus have extra streaks of colour along the petals too.
The Alstroemeria Inca Vito are blood red, with a yellow throat and deeper almost black stripes and make a statement, but you can go for a much less fussy and smaller, Alstroemeria
‘Claressa’ with her white petals with a soft lemon splash at the throat and tiny flecks of russet with larger margins of a fresh vibrant green. Variegated leaves lift the foliage colour.
But my all-time favourite is Alstroemeria psittacina, which has a longer more delicate trumpet shaped flower with deep red petals dipped in a vibrant green. They stand well over their tidy green clump of foliage and flower from July onwards until the frosts. These pair well with nepetas, salvias, artemisias and some of the smaller, softer grasses. She is a class act.
Even though these plants may have been found in less salubrious places, I think that they deserve a second look in your gardens!
HUMAIRA IKRAM
Humaira Ikram has been working as a professional garden designer at Studio Ikram for over 10 years. She runs the Garden Design Diploma at the KLC School of Design, is a gardens advisor to RHS Hyde Hall, and a judge and on various selection and advisory panels for the RHS. She is co-curator of the newly established thehub.earth, and is an award-winning broadcaster who has contributed to BBC Radio 4 Gardeners Question Time, been part of garden focused TV and media campaigns and programmes and writes for various gardening magazines. studioikram.com thehub.earth
LANDSCAPING LEADERSHIP FORUM TOP FIVE REASONS TO ATTEND THE
Join us in London on 26 June for this key industry event, brought to you by Pro Landscaper Premium Plus that will bring together businesses engaged in the sector and the wider supply chain. The Landscaping Leadership Forum will help inform and identify where action may be needed to realise growth and initiate new connection and collaboration with existing and new stakeholders in the UK landscaping market.
Here are FIVE key reasons to make sure you secure your place:
1
Get the holistic view from within the landscaping marketplace and the sectors it intersects with to build a clearer picture of the market(s), factors, and strategic issues that will impact your business. This will include updates on policy and how this is shaping and influencing wider project investment.
3
2
Immerse yourself in the industry/business conversations that need to happen – understand strategies and approaches being taken by leaders on how they are managing growing cost pressures and risk. Is Biodiversity Net Gain driving the wider collaboration that will help it realise ambition and is how is this playing out in projects being planning through expert perspectives and case studies presentations.
Access exclusive industry research – what are the key focuses and priorities for the wider sector and how is it setting itself up for future growth? Join us on the day for access to the insight and commentary from industry leaders. Attendees will also get access to the full report in addition to key points, presentations and takeaways from the day’s programme.
4 5
Programme yourself to succeed – our programme concludes with a Masterclass on mindset, providing some key tips so that you can implement key actions from the day and help deliver optimal performance.
Make connections that can supercharge your growth – meet with peers attending from key stakeholder groups and the wider supply chain and develop existing and new relationships that can help realise your ambitions.
Who will you hear from? Julia Baker, Mott MacDonald | Kevin Barton, Robert Bray Associates | Andy Corcoran, Glendale | Sam Grayson, Hyphae Learning | Tim O’Hare, Tim O’Hare Associates Chris Wellbelove, Blakedown Landscapes | Joe Harris, WSP | Nick White, Natural England | Robert Cunliffe, Nurture Group Check the website for the full list of speakers
We’ll help you select your plants. We’ll source and deliver your order. We offer planting and installation options. We’ll support you with our warranty and our follow-up care.
“Tendercare has been one of our key suppliers for nearly 15 years, providing an exceptional range of over-sized and unique material for many of our projects. Across the nursery the team are knowledgable, friendly and a pleasure to work with.”
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specimens to
NATURE Voices of
As David Attenborough turns 99, Lewis Normand reflects on those who are putting nature at the forefront of our minds to impact change
It is no secret that I love David Attenborough and have done for a very long time indeed. He has been the voice of the nation when it comes to wildlife and the environment for decades and that – along with his brilliant decision to put snooker on the BBC when he was the controller of BBC2 in the 1960s – has made him a national treasure and a personal hero to me. One of my most prized possessions is a letter from Attenborough in response to one I sent to him in 2020. My letter was one of thanks for everything he has done for nature and as a presenter, how much he has educated me on the flora and fauna of the planet
(and the joy of watching snooker).
birthday (8 May), I think about how he and others have affected my career and personal interests.
In recent years, I have seen other presenters getting more and more TV time as Attenborough winds down his monumental career.
Most of us know the work of Chris Packham and, if you are active on social media, you will have seen him very openly call out criminal and morally unjust acts against nature regardless of how big a name or organisation the perpetrator is.
It is our responsibility as the species that has caused the damage to also be the one who helps recover it
Attenborough recently acknowledged his mortality and, as I write this on his 99th
Two other presenters forging their own path in this field are Gordon Buchanan and Hamzah Yassin, both of whom have had their own special focus shows filling some of the niche that Attenborough once did.
I am happy to see that these presenters along with several others in solo or group projects –Springwatch being a particularly good UK example – are making
sure that nature and landscape are represented in the media. We have recently even had Tom Hanks voicing an excellent series on nature in the Americas.
My point, if indeed there is a point to
this, is that we needed David Attenborough to highlight so much of the way the natural world operated and the stressors that climate change and human activities have put on it. Going forward, we will need these other presenters to be as, if not more, vocal in addressing our troubles and we all need to take a stand for nature – some quietly with positive interventions, some militant and chained to trees to protect them, and some vocally encouraging us all to do better.
While I want to see an increased range of presenters showing us nature at home and abroad and highlighting its plight, I want to see solutions too. There are millions of people around the world doing wonderful acts of varying sizes to support nature. It is our responsibility as the species that has caused the damage to also be the one who helps recover it.
no trampling and higher summer temperatures mean much of the sequestered carbon is leaving the soils in summer. These keystone species were removed from these landscapes through hunting and the balance between nature and the environment lost.
There will always be a place for the people who call out egregious crimes against wildlife and landscape, and we need to make our voices heard
De-extinction is an interesting concept; bringing back extinct species like the Tasmanian tiger (thylacine), dodo in Mauritius, mammoths and woolly rhinoceros on the Siberian Tundra and more sounds fanciful, but there are great arguments for it. Mammoths and woolly rhinos used to trample the Siberian Tundra, compacting the soil in dense perma-frost and subsequently locking in carbon. Now,
The thylacine in Tasmania was an apex predator and kept wallaby species under control along with removing the weak and diseased animals from other species. When we purposefully hunted them to extinction in the 1930s the balance changed, and the ecosystem still struggles. Dire wolves have become the first example of the de-extinction of a species. Not in the truest sense yet as the two wolves bred by Colossal Biosciences have dire wolf DNA edits, making them a dire wolf DNA edit of a grey wolf. Still, finding the natural balance in a landscape is essential and there will be a place for de-extinction of some animals that humans have removed from the planet as well as some we are yet to. There will always be a place for the people who call out egregious crimes against wildlife and landscape, and we need to make our voices heard. We should not be tolerant of sewage
companies polluting waterways, just as we shouldn’t accept any other environmentally unsound or nature harming industries.
Lewis Normand 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, he has focused on nursery sales, now working as sales manager at Bernhard’s Nurseries, and has helped to launch a number of new plants into the UK plant market. He is a specialist supplier to show gardens, supplying more than 100 gardens at major shows.
LEWIS NORMAND
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On the Grounds of
CHELSEA
We caught up with the people behind the gardens at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show to learn more about the inspiration, innovation, and hard work that brought these designs to life
"There are about 10 trees that are all linked to an AI system through Avanade and Microsoft. That sends data back to the hub, which is a mycelium building made out of mushrooms. You can ask questions about the trees and it will respond with an update on their health."
"It's been a really fun project, and Tom Massey and Je Ahn have been lovely to work with. Most of the materials on site are reclaimed from other show gardens that Tom's done, or pieces of rubbish from people's yards – massive lumps of concrete that were probably old footings at some point were used in the water feature as stepping stones. So, when it comes to the carbon footprint, it's very low. There's very little in that garden that's brand new. He's been very clever in designing old pieces of show gardens into a whole new concept that's just seamless."
Mark Britton, The Outdoor Room
The Wildlife Trusts’
“We’ve created something perfectly imperfect and that’s exactly what I wanted – this is a low impact garden. I’ve been running around the county trying to find the right stone and moss, and now it’s all come together – this is essentially my five-yearold self's play palace.”
Zoe Claymore, Zoe Claymore Garden Design
James Sponder, The Outdoor Room
Designed by Tom Massey and Je Ahn Built by The Outdoor Room
The IntelligentAvanadeGarden
Designed by Zoe Claymore Built by Frogheath Landscapes
"For the floor, we've not used sand and cement, we used recycled products. We used CircaBuild by Carbon8, little spherical waste products that are carbon neutral. We mixed that with grano dust, which is another waste product, and with lime. Then in order to make it go harder quicker - because lime is a slow setter - we used Argical M1000. The quantities in which you add that in determine whether you can reuse that mix, so it's getting that ratio right. So, we've used that on the main body of paving, and on the smaller units where the public and guests would be, we've used a low carbon cement called Cemblend."
Paul Cowell, PC Landscapes
“We've made this accessible path for future pensioners to use, as well as this seating area, which was donated, for them to gather and socialise. It's been a very busy build week, but the team and I are happy with the way it has turned out.”
Dave Green, Dave Green Gardens
"This garden encourages conversation about planting into sand. It's a bit like Marmite – you love it or you hate it. But some of the horticulture in it gets people talking about the possibilities...For me, Chelsea is about starting conversation and experimentation."
Mark Gregory, Landform Consultants
The Hospitalfield Arts Garden
“I had the most amazing team behind me; they were the A team – from Justin and Els, to my planting team, they were absolutely fantastic. One has to remember that these gardens don’t happen with the designer alone, it’s all teamwork. Great landscapers, great suppliers, and great planting teams make these gardens come to life. I have a vision as a designer, but I can’t do this by myself, I need the whole team to make this come alive.”
