Pro Landscaper Team
- News
Entries now open to Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation 2023
Pro Landscaper is launching the search for this year’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation winners, in partnership with Green-tech. The awards recognise not only the up-and-coming talent within the industry, but also the diversity of horticulture and those working within it. Now in its ninth year, the initiative has celebrated 240 winners so far from a variety of sectors within the industry – from sales to arboriculture, construction to design, or maintenance to landscape architecture. Since winning the award, previous winners have gone to achieve a variety of goals, be it winning an RHS Gold medal, receiving a promotion or…
Read More » - News
Pro Landscaper launches new Project Awards
Pro Landscaper has announced the launch of an award initiative to celebrate landscaping projects with a value below £50k. The Pro Landscaper Project Awards in association with Provender Nurseries will recognise these projects which are just as important for the industry’s reputation as their larger counterparts. Previously known as Pro Landscaper’s small project BIG IMPACT Awards, the Project Awards’ new branding leaves an opportunity for growth within this sector of awards and recognises the increase in material prices, with the maximum value for each category having grown to reflect this. General manager Joe Wilkinson says: “Pro Landscaper is celebrating…
Read More » - Featured Slider
4 questions landscapers ask us about natural stone & porcelain
As expert natural stone and porcelain suppliers and masons, we work with landscapers and garden designers to help them create unique and beautiful projects which use the best possible products. Often, we are asked questions around stone and porcelain, and how we can help ensure successful outcomes. We’ve summarised our four most common questions in this article, with some short insights into each. Thickness When it comes to natural stone and porcelain, there are a wide varieties of thickness available in the market, and which is right for which project can depend on a large number of factors. For…
Read More » - Featured Slider
Provender Nurseries achieves FORS silver accreditation
FORS silver accreditation has been awarded to Provender Nurseries. The Kent-based business can now deliver to construction sites requiring this level of accreditation in and around London, which managing director Richard McKenna says “opens a new realm of opportunities.” The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is designed to drive up standards with operations and recognise best practice in safety, efficiency and environmental protection. Provender Nurseries’ transport manager Kevin Davies-O’Malley, who worked with team members to achieve the accreditation, says: “Running our own fleet efficiently and safely is of utmost importance to us as a business and to our clients. To be…
Read More » - Featured Slider
Prioritising going peat-free
Professional horticulture might be exempt for now, but a ban on using peat is looking ever more likely by 2030. The government announced last August that sales of peat to amateur gardeners in England will be banned from 2024, and it pledged to help the professional horticulture sector speed up its transition to peat-free alternatives, recognising that it faces “additional technical barriers that will take longer to overcome.” There are growers, though, which are already taking the leap. Take Greenwood Plants, which says it is on track to be fully peat free by the end of this year. One in…
Read More » - Featured Slider
Wellbeing Garden completed in Lewisham
The Wellbeing Garden at the University Hospital Lewisham (UHL) has been completed. The original concept for the garden began in 2020 when Maria Leong, an anaesthetist registrar at the hospital, applied to the Healing Gardens Programme, a collaboration between the RHS and the NHS to create green spaces at hospitals around the UK where “staff and patients can reflect and recharge”. Designed by award-winning landscape designer Adam Frost in consultation with the RHS and UHL community, the first phase of the Wellbeing Garden opened in June 2022, with the remaining elements scheduled to take place later. “The garden makes use…
Read More » - Community
Vectorworks’ $10,000 design competition open for submissions
Vectorworks’ has opened up its 2023 Design Scholarship. The global design and BIM software provider’s competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students in major disciplines related to architecture, landscape architecture, landscape design, entertainment and interior design. Students can submit a new design or past project from any of their classes for the chance to win up to $10,000. “It’s clear that today’s student designers have limitless potential. We’re honoured to have the opportunity to showcase their creative talents and innovative designs but also help to foster their future careers through the exposure and financial assistance this competition can provide,”…
Read More » - Community
Green-tech’s Jackson awarded Chartered Manager status
Green-tech head of sales Dean Jackson has been awarded Chartered Manager status after completing the accreditation at Leeds University Business School. He said, “The course provided the perfect opportunity to learn new things and enhance my existing knowledge. I started it in October 2021, and I have had great support from Green-tech over this time. It was certainly challenging balancing my new head of sales role whilst keeping up with the university work and getting married in the middle of all of it! There were points where it was incredibly stressful, but I do appreciate the support and time I…
Read More » - Featured Slider
O2 Centre ‘Masterplan’ approved by Camden Council
Landsec’s ‘O2 Centre Masterplan’ is set to go ahead after Camden Council granted planning permission in Finchley Road, London. The ‘Masterplan’, said to be the largest planning application in Camden since Kings Cross, will deliver a new mixed-use urban neighbourhood on a 14-acre site. “At the heart of the proposal is a plan to deliver new homes and green, public spaces on an under-utilised car park sitting behind the O2 retail centre, in a highly sustainable urban location well-connected by five train stations,” read a Landsec statement. According to Landsec, the development will bring 1,800 energy-efficient homes alongside 180,000 sq…
Read More » - Community
Garden designer Rose McMonigall passes away
Rose McMonigall, designer of three RHS Hampton Court show gardens, has passed away at the age of 46. She had been suffering from an eating disorder for many years. McMonigall studied Classics at Oxford University, followed by Fine Art at The University for the Creative Arts at Farnham. This background complemented a lifelong passion for garden design, landscape and horticulture. Her award-winning show garden career included The Dream of the Indianos in 2019, The Pazo’s Secret Garden in 2018 and in 2016 The Route of the Camellia all in conjunction with the Spanish Tourist Office and Turismo de Galicia. Rose’s…
Read More » - News
Pro Landscaper Business Awards 2023 shortlist announced
The shortlist for the Pro Landscaper Business Awards 2023 has been announced. 78 submissions have been put forward to the esteemed panel of judges. The winners of the 16 categories will be announced at Old Billingsgate on Friday 21 April 2023. The shortlisted entries are: Apprentice of the Year, in partnership with The Association of Professional Landscapers Maxwell Dingley-Butt, Artemis Tree Services Chloe Ryman, Azpects Ltd Tommy Garland, Graduate Landscapes Ltd Bailey Flood, Oakmore Green Ltd Max Nardone, Utopia Landscapes Owen Williams, Wright Landscapes Ltd Arboriculture Company, in partnership with Beechwood Trees & Landscapes Ltd Connick Tree Care Glendale Countryside…
Read More » - Business
“A valuable opportunity”: HTA joins government’s red diesel advisory group
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has grasped a “valuable opportunity” to become a signatory of the HMRC’s Memorandum of Agreement on rebated fuel. It follows the change in regulations governing the use of ‘red diesel’ in April 2022. “This establishes a formal route to engage on a policy change which has seen cost increases impacting HTA members and with key grey areas remaining,” read an HTA statement. Jennifer Pheasey, director of public affairs at the HTA, said, “This is a valuable opportunity and another step in increasing the role of horticulture in policy development. Becoming a signatory means that HTA…
Read More » - Community
Land Studio working with schools to reduce flooding and boost biodiversity
Land Studio is working with three schools in Wales to help them combat climate change. The landscape architecture and civil engineering practice is helping schools to combat flooding while also “educating children about the value of nature-led design and biodiversity”. The Chester-based studio said it has designed a sustainable drainage system for Ysgol Cedewain SEN School, a new £22 million school currently being built in Powys, Wales. Rain gardens wrap around the play areas, catching surface water and leading it to designated planting beds. These will be filled with wildflowers and ornamental grasses, which adapt to drought or wet conditions…
Read More » - IQ Features
“Stuttering” UK infrastructure could lead to missed economic and net zero goals
The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has said that the last year has seen UK infrastructure delivery “stutter further just as the need for acceleration has heightened” and that “in a range of areas, the government is off track to meet its targets and ambitions”. The NIC has published its Infrastructure Progress Review 2023 and has called for the government to make fewer, bigger and better-targeted initiatives to deliver the infrastructure needed to reach its long-term net zero and economic goals. It believes that “infrastructure is a key part of the solution” to reaching net zero because the climate is primarily…
Read More » - Features
The green road ahead
The TV programmes of Sir David Attenborough, Chris Packham and the like have informed us that our future world must be greener and that we ought to be the technologists to affect this. So, we want to do the right things to journey ourselves, our clients and the public down this road. But do we know what the right things are, or are we just tinkering with minor items? Do we understand what sustainability is, what our most sustainable choice of materials are, and what is the impact of our carbon footprint? How do we foster biodiversity net gain? Surely…
Read More » - Business
Hallstone relaunches as trade-only offering
Hallstone has been relaunched as a trade-only offering. The landscaping supplier, owned by Rolawn, said it is “taking steps to more effectively support the industry” by making products available only via stockists. “Having intentionally chosen to enhance its trade offering at a time when many in the industry are facing challenges, from supply chain issues to rising costs, Hallstone is confident it can help support its customers,” read a company statement. Ken Brewster, marketing director for the Rolawn Group, said, “Relaunching Hallstone is an important step for us in ensuring that we are moving in the right direction for our…
Read More » - Business
UK Landscapes concludes Cut N Clear acquisition
UK Landscapes has completed its acquisition of woodland and arboricultural business Cut N Clear (CNC). The purchase, made possible by UK Landscapes’ investor Mercia, will “strengthen our footprint in and around the South West and integrate us into the local housing sector”, said managing director Leigh Preston. “With Mercia’s backing, we will continue our growth journey through a combination of acquisitions and organic growth whilst retaining our ‘family business’ ethos and continuing to directly employ 95% of our delivery team,” added Preston. “We believe there is a real opportunity to disrupt the landscaping sector and create a sustainable and reliable…
Read More » - Business
LI “proud” as Landscape Character Assessment launches
The Landscape Character Assessment (LCA database for the UK and Ireland is now available. The database, developed by the Landscape Institute (LI) with the support of Natural England, NatureScot, Natural Resources Wales, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and DAERA Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), includes over 500 LCAs from local to regional scale across the UK and Ireland. It is designed to offer “a single resource for the landscape profession”, providing “a starting point for the sector”. The database includes information such as the scale of assessment, publishing authority, author, format of data and date of last update and is organised into…
Read More » - Community
Normand appointed Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society president
The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society has named horticulturist and garden designer Lewis Normand as its new president. The appointment was announced at the society’s 214th AGM and awards ceremony and comes following the retirement of Colin Ainsworth. Normand, who works as sales manager at Bernhard’s Nurseries, will lead the society into its 200th year of Royal Chartership in 2024. Normand said, “Taking over responsibility for anything with the history, reputation and significance of The Caley is always daunting. It is humbling and a huge honour to be trusted to deliver here. “I have been a council member for the charity…
Read More » - Community
Tony Benger reshuffles leadership team
Tony Benger Landscaping (TBL) has formed a new leadership team. The company has appointed four directors to sit alongside founder Tony Benger “in order to safeguard our future” and to “maintain the brand and culture”. Existing senior managers Gabriele Pangonyte, Oliver Hemson, Mark Pritchard and Olivia Warren-Benger “have collaborated to take over the reins in the upcoming years”, said TBL. “With a strict handle on our current bearing, culture, dynamism, passion and shared values, this team will continue to shoulder responsibility for our course and our cause.” Posting on LinkedIn, TBL added: “All staff are pleased to remain a secure…
Read More » - IQ Features
‘One million tradespeople can’t afford to run their vehicles’
Last week’s Budget saw the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt unveiling plans to maintain the 5p cut in fuel duty for a further 12 months as inflation remains high – saving the average driver £100 next year. Whilst the freeze in fuel duty is a much-needed measure for tradespeople, Fix Radio, the UK’s only radio station dedicated to tradespeople, reveals a landmark study analysing other obstacles the industry is facing such as plans to increase the ULEZ to greater London and the ‘Transit Tax’. News of the expansion to the ULEZ in London, which is due to be enforced from August 29th,…
Read More » - Features
Why a horticultural approach to grounds maintenance will bear fruit
Time for a dirty secret. Years ago, when I was coming into the grounds maintenance business, I was told, “you make your money doing the work you don’t do”. You price the work into your contract and then work your hardest to avoid delivering it. From an ethical perspective, this never sat well with me or for many of us in the profession that work hard every day to deliver on our promises. But that cynical view is sadly still out there – particularly when contractors are racing to the bottom on pricing grounds maintenance as a commodity rather than…
Read More » - News
Wildlife Trusts “bitterly disappointed” as Defra sets 2030 peat-free ban
The Wildlife Trusts said it was “bitterly disappointed” after the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs set out plans to ban all peat products by 2030. Defra confirmed that while some peat products will be banned in 2027, others will be exempt for a further three years. Last year, the government pledged to ban the sale of bagged peat compost in England by the end of 2024, and the Trusts had hoped that this would lead to a ban on all peat products “shortly” after. Ailis Watt, peat policy officer at The Wildlife Trusts said, “The destruction of irreplaceable…
Read More » - News
London Stone goes carbon-neutral
Carbon Footprint has accredited London Stone as a carbon-neutral company. Back in 2021, the business, which claims it is the first UK hard landscaping supplier to achieve carbon-neutral status, began working with Carbon Footprint to “identify areas for improvement, which were then rectified, and resulted in the company running as sustainably as possible”. London Stone managing director Steven Walley said, “The thought of leaving the planet in a worse shape than when we inherited it, with fewer sanctuaries and less habitat for wildlife, is unthinkable. We have a duty to slow and ultimately reverse the environmental destruction that humans have…
Read More » - Community
Hillier expands BBC Gardener’s World Live sponsorship
Hillier is expanding its sponsorship of BBC Gardener’s World Live in 2023 after some “amazing responses” to its first show as a partner last year. The company will sponsor the Let’s Talk Plants Stage for the second year running while also supporting two show gardens by Paul Stone and Lucy Hutchings. Chris Francis, Hillier Garden Centre and Wholesale Nurseries director, said: “Last year’s show was our first time as a sponsor and we loved it – it was a fantastic show for us and we had some amazing responses from visitors. So much so that we wanted to return with…
Read More »
