Pro Landscaper Team
- Community
HTA’s growth strategy a “resounding success” in Scottish Parliament
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) launched its Scottish Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy at the beginning of March – and it was this plan that was the topic of conversation for the Gardening and Horticulture Cross Party Group (CPG) in Scotland’s Parliament last week. The CPG brings together members from across Scottish Horticulture, MSPs and government officials. There are over one million regular gardeners in Scotland and millions more utilising green spaces. Moreover, horticulture and landscaping supported contributions of £2.8 billion towards GDP and over 64,000 jobs in Scotland in 2019. The HTA’s Growth Strategy has seven key ambitions for Scotland:…
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Yorkshire School of Garden Design launches sketching course
The Yorkshire School of Garden Design is launching a new course to equip budding garden designers with drawing skills. The Freehand Sketching for Designers course will “explore and demystify the principles of perspective, teaching students how to capture the character and texture of planting on the page, while trying out a range of media for applying impactful colour and learning about how to use computer software to add those all-important finishing touches”. Taking place at the Yorkshire School of Garden Design’s studio at Harewood House, the course will apparently combine a series of “easy-to-follow steps and shortcuts” with exercises designed…
Read More » - Business
fabrik becomes employee-owned trust as Rath confirms sale
fabrik Limited is now a 100% employee-owned trust. Founding director Johnny Rath confirmed the sale this week after 20 years at the helm. In a LinkedIn post, Rath stated, “fabrik is changing and evolving. Key to me from day one of setting up fabrik was the emphasis we placed on the people within the business. At the top of our core values is, and always has been, the principle that first and foremost, we respect and value the people who work for us. Those people are now the owners of fabrik.” He added that as part of the sale, an…
Read More » - IQ Features
£1.1bn in social value delivered across UK construction industry in H1 2022
New research has revealed that the UK construction industry delivered £1.1bn of social and local economic value in the first half of 2022, providing a 30.33% return on investment. Published by public sector procurement authority Scape, the new report highlights how social value delivery is evolving and becoming more sophisticated across the construction industry. A total of 520 construction contracts with a combined total value of £3.6bn and ranging from £12,000 to £130m, were analysed to establish the scale and scope of social value delivery across the UK. The findings show that ROI is up by more than 10% compared…
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Three cost-of-living effects that may be here to stay
From Brexit to COVID-19 to the cost-of-living crisis, businesses worldwide have had to adapt to a host of unpredictable, evolving economic conditions. For instance, as lockdowns came to a close, over eight in ten employees who had been working from home said they planned to adopt a hybrid model. Pro Landscaper looks at which changes are here to stay. Mental health awareness Mental health has been at the forefront of society’s mind for some time now, so it is no surprise that this is one of the predictions on the list! With resources such as Perennial’s free Health and Wellbeing…
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Dripline check valve technology offers water conservation and consistent irrigation for sloped landscapes
The Rain Bird XFS-CV Dripline irrigation system features a heavy-duty 0.3 bar check valve. This practical and water saving feature makes it suitable for installation in landscapes with slopes as either a sub-surface or on-surface solution. Dripline can, of course, also be used on level gradients. The check valve, with its silicon pressure regulating diaphragm, features in every emitter and keeps the Dripline charged with water in elevation changes of up to three metres. It can therefore be used in installations where other drip irrigation technology will not work. By keeping water in the XFS-CV Dripline at all times, it…
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HTA appoints new media relations lead
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has named Melissa Gerbaldi as its new media relations manager. Gerbaldi joins from the Royal Meteorological Society, where she served as communications manager. She has also previously worked for English Heritage. According to the HTA, her “wide range of experience and personal passion for plants” will “further boost the HTA team and “strengthen its commitment to increasing communications and cut-through of the voice of UK environmental horticulture”. Gerbaldi said, “I am excited to be joining the HTA at a critical time when there are so many stories to share from our members and industry as…
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SGD, RHS and LI team up for artificial grass campaign
The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) has joined forces with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the Landscape Institute (LI) as the trio look to tackle the “extreme environmental damage” and “decline to wildlife” caused by artificial grass and plants. The ‘Say No to Plastic Grass & Plants’ campaign is calling on homeowners, gardeners and garden designers to return to traditional laws or look for alternative natural solutions “to help cut down the pollution and ecological destruction caused by plastic grass and to create more habitats for birds, bees and other wildlife”. Citing Google Trends, the SGD stated that interest…
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Green-tech appoints business development manager
Green-tech has appointed Adam Topliss as its business development manager. In a newly-created role, he will be charged with supporting the Green-tech sales team and “help deliver the next phase of business growth”. Topliss arrives following a decade at Berry, most recently serving as key accounts manager across brands such as Tubex and Terram. Green-tech sales director Richard Gill said he was “thrilled” to have Topliss on board. “Having worked with him as our major supplier of tree shelters and Terram products over the last ten years. I know he will be a perfect fit for Green-tech,” said Gill. “This…
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RHS Chelsea: Women-led design teams dominate small space category
RHS Chelsea will host a third Balcony and Container Gardens category at its 2023 show in May, with all of the design teams headed up by women. The category, which “brings the beauty of gardens to unused spaces on train platforms, and the cosy feel of a pub to an inner city balcony”, aims to assist emerging designers raise their profiles. All of this year’s entrants have been mentored by RHS Chelsea designer Paul Hervey-Brookes. The RHS said, “[The entrants] have incorporated some of the biggest issues facing the nation into their designs, with a wealth of ideas for how…
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RHS Malvern Spring Festival unveils 2023 plans
‘Gardening for Everyone’ is the theme of the 2023 RHS Malvern Spring Festival at Three Counties Showground from 11-14 May. The show organisers are said to be keen for visitors to “feel inspired to make the most of their outside spaces, regardless of their gardening expertise and size of their plot”, and for the event to maintain its reputation for welcoming both established and newer designers, and encouraging creative freedom. As usual, the show will host a range of classical, contemporary, conceptual and experiential show gardens. Villaggio Verde, Leaf Creative’s Peter Dowle and Stonebarn Landscapees Jon Wheatley will deliver feature…
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Bognor Regis Sunken Gardens receives council progress visit
Councillors from Arun District Council made a progress visit to Bognor Regis Sunken Gardens to see how works are advancing. Blakedown Landscapes, the appointed contractor, is said to have completed works to the southern entrance and new ramped footpaths, reconstruction of the stone walls, grading soil to adjacent shrub beds and removal of vegetation, which will aid accessibility and open up the views. Improvements are now focused on the play area renovations where existing play equipment, such as the swings and climbing equipment, will be refurbished and new play elements added. Further upgrades will see new paving and brightly coloured…
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‘Noah’s Ark for plants’ surpasses 40,000 species
A seed conservation programme led by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is celebrating a major milestone in its efforts to preserve “rare, threatened, and important” wild plants. As of 1 March, the Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) is said to have banked more than 2.4 billion individual seeds representing a total of 40,020 different species of wild plants. Described by scientists as ‘Noah’s Ark for plants’, the MSB is the world’s biggest wild seed storage facility, situated at Kew’s ‘living laboratory’ and wild botanic gardens, Wakehurst, in Sussex. Within the bomb- and flood-proof building are 98,567 seed collections sourced from 190 countries…
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RHS People Awards winners announced
The Royal Horticultural Society has announced the winners of its RHS People Awards 2023. The awards range from the Veitch Memorial Medal, which is awarded annually to persons of any nationality who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the science and practice of horticulture, to the Harlow Carr Medal, awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to horticulture in the North of England, through length of service, commitment to projects or unique capabilities, combined with reliability and professionalism. A few awards that have been announced this year are: The 2023 Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH)…
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Marshall CEO named Supplier Influencer
Marshalls CEO Martyn Coffey has been named a Supplier Influencer by the Builders Merchant Federation (BMF). Coffey has led the hard landscaping, building and roofing products supplier for over nine years and is joined on the prestigious list by National Sales Manager Victoria Fiddies. It comes after Nick Sharpe, Managing Director of the Marshalls domestic business, was added to the list in January. “I’m very pleased to be nominated as a Supplier Influencer,” said Coffey. “I want to thank my exec team and all staff at Marshalls for their continued hard work, drive, and determination.” Fiddies added, “I’m delighted to…
Read More » - Features
Pro Landscaper’s Top 10 Most Influential Women
For International Woman’s Day, Pro Landscaper has compiled a list of its Top 10 Most Influential Women in the industry. All 10 women below were shortlisted for Pro Landscaper’s Most Influential Awards 2022. In no particular order: Sarah Eberle – Garden designer: Eberle is a decorated garden designer across RHS shows, with 20 Gold medals to her name as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the SGD. Jane Findlay – Director, Fira & Immediate past president, Landscape Institute: Findlay laid the foundations for a modern Landscape Institute and a more forward-thinking profession, with a focus on the next generation.…
Read More » - Features
In conversation with Mollie Higginson
Mollie Higginson, co-founder of the Young People in Horticulture Association, sits down with Pro Landscaper as she reflects on building a community, redefining the perception of horticulture and being a woman in the industry. Mollie Higginson is fast becoming a household name within horticulture. Having been named among Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30 in 2022, she is one of the founders of the Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA), as well as an operations supervisor and sales representative at New Leaf Plants. The YPHA – founded by Higginson, Natalie Porter and Liam Cleary, set out to create a network and…
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Q&A with Tessa Johnstone
For International Woman’s Day, Johnstone Landscapes’ director sits down with Pro Landscaper to talk diversity, education and authentic changes. What has been the most exciting change for Johnstone Landscapes and/or the British Association of Landscape Industries in recent years? Johnstone Landscapes’ ability to work on projects we choose and want to undertake and work with clients we enjoy working with. I never take it for granted that the projects keep coming, but I am no longer inclined to accept a project if we are not happy with the elements that I know will make it a fun and worthwhile…
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Yorkshire School of Garden Design launches new diploma in planting design
The Yorkshire School of Garden Design is launching a diploma in planting design offering students the opportunity to learn about the craft and science of designing with plants. The diploma will be launched at the school’s Spring Open Day on 11 March, with the event offering the “ideal opportunity” for those with a passion for plants to explore the route to a career in garden design. According to the institution, the one-year part-time course will be delivered by “leading experts who all have successful careers in the fields of horticulture and garden design”. The course will run alongside the “extremely…
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Princess Eugenie casts thumbprint for RHS Chelsea Flower Show at Horatio’s Garden
Princess Eugenie of York, Patron of Horatio’s Garden since 2019, has cast her thumbprint to be featured in the charity’s show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May 2023. The clay thumbprint will join thousands of others including Horatio’s Garden patients, staff and volunteers within its gardens in spinal injury centres – as well as those involved in bringing the show garden to life. Her Royal Highness’ thumbprint will be displayed as a piece of artwork in a woodland room within the charity’s garden designed by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg from Harris Bug Studio in collaboration with architects…
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Plans submitted for redevelopment of Blackbird Leys
Catalyst, part of the Peabody Group, and Oxford City Council have submitted plans to build affordable homes, retail space, and new community facilities in the heart of Blackbird Leys. The planning application contains detailed plans for 294 new rented and shared ownership homes across two sites, the district centre and Knights Road. It also contains outline plans for a new community centre and community square. Plans for the district centre include 210 new homes, 83% of which will be for rent and 17% shared ownership. The site will also provide green open spaces including a community garden, shops, a community…
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New funding for National Parks announced
England’s national parks are set to benefit from new funding announced by the government this week. £4.4m will be provided to the country’s ten National Park Authorities to support services such as visitor centres and park rangers. The funding award is in recognition of the vital role that our national parks play in protecting our precious wildlife and landscapes and the importance they have for tourism, the regional economy, and public access. Each authority will be awarded an equal share of the grant. Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said, “Our National Parks are the jewel in our cherished landscapes. They support…
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Studio Moren greenlit for residential development in Essex
Studio Moren has gained planning consent from Tendring District Council for a scheme of 86 new homes on the edge of the village of Great Oakley, Essex. The 3.7ha development, for Great Oakley Development Ltd, features a mix of bungalows, terraced, detached and semi-detached homes. The development design is said to have involved various stakeholders such as the Parish Council, the Tendring Planning Authority and members of the local community. Studio Moren partner Mark Wood said the result will be a “highly contextualised extension to the local village, with architecturally rich and varied streetscapes, acting as a positive contributor to…
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Royal Foundation supports Life at No.27’s mental health mission
The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales is collaborating with horticultural therapy and mental health counselling provider Life at No.27 to create therapy allotments and gardens in South Wales. Their Royal Highnesses visited the site where the first garden will be developed at Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, near the town of Pontyclun. The project will form the second in a series of “community impact” pilots from The Royal Foundation, designed to leave a “lasting legacy” in the communities Their Royal Highnesses visit. The allotments and garden are being developed over the coming months and will offer free and…
Read More » - Promotion
Five great reasons to choose British Stone
Indigenous British natural stone is in high demand, and why wouldn’t it be? The UK offers a great range and variety of stone which has been used in UK architecture and landscaping for centuries due to its myriad of admirable features. In this article, we go through just some of the reasons we at Stoneworld love working with Great British stone. The weather It’s no secret, the weather in the UK could be more stone-friendly. With frosts in winter and constant variations in temperature and rainfall, the weather can take it out of a hard surface. However, over years of…
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