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Gardenlink constructs five gardens at Chelsea Flower Show
Gardenlink has constructed an impressive five gardens at Chelsea Flower Show (CFS) this year – something believed not to have been done before. Constructing Cityscapes St Mungo’s Garden, the Blue Peter Garden, Lottie Delamain’s Garden (a student of Inchbald School of Design), BBC’s Gardener’s Question time garden, and finally the Omved Gardens for Chelsea Fringe, there has been a significant amount of work to do. According to Dan, much of what has been involved in the construction this year has varied immensely and the Gardenlink team has enjoyed being able to work on a variety of different garden designs. He added:…
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A grand slam of a day for Green-tech and BALI Award Winners at Wimbledon
BALI Awards headline sponsor Green-tech has resumed its annual VIP tour of Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet for all Principal award winners. Supported by ICL, Green-tech hosted 11 principal award winners in a behind the scenes tour of the world-famous facility last week. This is the fourth time that Green-tech has organised this tour as a celebration for the BALI award winners. Head of Courts and Horticulture, Neil Stubley and Head Gardener, Martyn Falconer delivered an informative presentation and tour of the facilities which were well received by the guests. Rosemary Coldstream of Rosemary Coldstream Garden Design comments:…
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Marcus Watson completes 1,400 mile charity bike ride
After a long 28 days in the saddle, Marcus Watson, director of Ground Control, has completed his epic 1400-mile bike ride for charity. Setting off on the zig-zag journey on 10 April 2022, Marcus covered the four main corners of mainland Britain. Cycling from Land’s End in the southwest of Cornwall, on to Lowestoft Ness Point in the east, to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse in the west, then to the most northerly point of Britain, Dunnet Head, and finally, he finished at John o’ Groats in the far north of Scotland. Marcus said: “I am very pleased to have been able to…
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David Holdsworth appointed as new APHA Chief Executive
David Holdsworth has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). David started in the role on 25 April 2022. The appointment follows a competitive recruitment round and he will take up the role on a permanent basis. David Holdsworth, Chief Executive of APHA, said: “I feel very privileged to have joined APHA at this important time. The agency plays a vital role in safeguarding animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy. “I am hugely looking forward to working with APHA’s world class experts, as well…
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Tree health laboratory opens to help protect UK forests
A state-of-the-art laboratory conducting innovative research into tree pests and diseases has been officially opened by Defra and the Forestry Commission, as part of National Plant Health Week. The £5.8m Forest Research Holt Laboratory, located within the Alice Holt Forest in Surrey, will bring together leading scientists to undertake research on pests and pathogens which could be detrimental or seriously damaging to our forests. This will inform UK-wide efforts to combat ongoing pest and disease outbreaks, including from Oak processionary moth, Ips typographus and Phytophthora pluvialis, as well as emerging potential threats from abroad as a result of our warming…
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UK’s highest tropical garden in a residential setting launches at landmark pinnacle
Landmark Pinnacle has unveiled the ‘Panoramic Sky Gardens’ occupying the entire 27th floor of the UK’s tallest residential tower. Over 3,500 plants have created a spectacular tropical garden and a space dedicated for children to play and be inspired into gardening. The indoor garden embraces biophilia to ensure residents benefit from connecting with nature including wellness, productivity and socialising with other residents against a backdrop of London’s iconic Skylines of both East London and West London. Chalegrove Properties, the developer of Landmark Pinnacle working with Squire and partners and Farrer Huxley evolved the vision for all the garden floors and…
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Aura Landscapes wins Marshalls National Award
Last week, Aura Landscapes won Marshalls National Award for Best Use of Ethically Sourced Fairstone for their project in the New Forest. The 12-year-old landscaping and garden design company is a family run business, and was chosen as the winner by the Marshalls community of landscaping industry professionals. Over 450 projects from 156 different businesses were entered into the ten award categories. Mike Warman, owner, Aura Landscapes, said: “It’s fantastic to be recognised as a quality contractor in the UK and the whole Aura Landscapes team are proud of this achievement.” The awards celebrate the best in hard landscaping in…
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Tubex marks 35 years of production at flagship tree shelter facility
Tubex, a manufacturer of tree shelters, celebrated 35 years of production at its site in Aberdare, Wales last week. To mark this milestone, key stakeholders and influencers from the forestry sector visited Aberdare in May to see Tubex’s tree shelter manufacturing processes first-hand. The anniversary comes at a time of significant growth for Tubex, a brand of Berry Global, given growing awareness of the need for widespread tree planting nationwide. Tubex has received investment (from Berry( to boost its ability to better support customers through increased stock, capacity, automation and sustainability. In particular, Tubex’s Aberdare site is leading the drive…
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Talasey Group relocates to larger site in Scunthorpe
Strong and consistent sales growth over recent years has led to Talasey outgrowing its former site. Now, the company has moved to a 4-acre site at St Vincent House on Normanby Road in Scunthorpe. The new site enables Talasey to easily accommodate the company’s increasing headcount and support the company’s ambitions in making the site a UK centre of excellence for the landscaping industry. With plenty of new workspace available for the team, St Vincent House has around 1.5 acres of mature landscaped gardens available to showcase Talasey portfolio of products, and conference facilities too – including a room that…
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Winners of Marshalls Register Awards 2022 crowned
In a celebration of skill, talent and expertise, Marshalls plc held their annual domestic contractor awards in Chester on 13 May 2022 and crowned winners in ten garden and driveway categories. The Marshalls Register Awards are for the 1000+ businesses which are accredited by the leading hard landscaping business. The prestigious event was held at Carden Park Hotel, with over 200 guests. Over 450 projects from 156 different businesses were entered into the awards. The big prize went to Dawson Landscapes based in Hartlepool, who were given the highly esteemed title of “Contractor of the Year 2021/22” for which they…
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Impressive UK construction growth unlikely to continue, says GlobalData
GlobalData currently forecasts that construction output growth will stand at 3.4% in 2022 as a whole, which means that in constant prices terms, output will just be marginally below the 2019 level. However, the downside risks to the outlook have intensified given the sharp increase in prices for key construction materials, supply chain bottlenecks, and higher energy costs. Danny Richards, construction analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Construction output in the UK has continued to edge higher in recent quarters having rebounded quickly in late 2020 following the slump in Q2 2020, when the country went into lockdown to contain the spread of…
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Pattern made possible outdoors with new additions to Verona’s Al Fresco tile collection
Outdoor tiles have never been more popular. With their ability to transform external spaces into something special and provide an ‘extra room’ outside of the home, it’s no surprise that the industry is anticipating another year of demand for outdoor porcelain. To coincide with summer renovations and consumer demand for garden scaping, Verona has launched a series of new additions to its Al Fresco porcelain tile collection including new extra-large formats, neutral colours and eye-catching patterns. Sherborne Victorian Graphite brings bold, monochrome geometrics to courtyards and gardens. Influenced by Victorian hallways, these tiles are available in a 600x600x20mm format with…
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RHS Young Designer garden to be built at a community hospital after the show
A garden designer from Marlow has been picked from hundreds of applications across the country to build her first show garden titled ‘The Covid Recovery Garden’ at Tatton Park in July. After the show, the garden will be relocated in its entirety to Brookside Clinic, a spine and brain rehabilitation hospital in Aylesbury. Rachel Platt (25) has become one of five garden designers under the age of 28 to compete for this year’s RHS Young Designer of the Year. The competition aims to highlight emerging talent and give aspiring designers the opportunity to launch their career and gain exposure at…
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Outdoor kitchen range set to take Trex to the next level
Homeowners have a new upgrade option for their outdoor space thanks to the launch of the Trex Outdoor Kitchen range this spring. The latest addition to the Trex outdoor living collection will allow homeowners to create bespoke outdoor kitchen spaces with Trex’s signature high-impact, low-maintenance style. The stainless steel, frameless cabinets are designed with versatility in mind, and can be combined with the homeowner’s preferred worktops and outdoor appliances such as barbecues, wine coolers, and bars to create a unique space for entertaining Trex Outdoor Kitchen cabinets are available in four signature colours, including Ash Grey, Anthracite, Pearl Night Blue,…
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Construction output increases for fifth consecutive month
Monthly construction output grew 1.7% in volume terms in March 2022 compared with February 2022. This is the fifth consecutive month of growth and is the largest single-month growth since January 2022 (2.1%). Monthly construction output in March 2022 is now at its highest level (£14,944m) since monthly records began in January 2010 (Figure 1). The stormy spells caused by storm Dudley, Eunice and Franklin brought heavy rain and winds across much of the country and, for the construction industry, lots of working days were lost during this time. However, demand continued to be strong and anecdotal evidence received from…
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Mental Health Awareness Week: Tackling loneliness
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week (9 – 15 May), an opportunity to raise awareness and take action. The strong and continuing impact of COVID-19 has been tough on people’s mental health and, whilst remaining restrictions were lifted in February, the two years of isolation periods and social distancing has highlighted just how much loneliness affects people. The World Health Organization (WHO), ‘loneliness’ is “the pain we feel when our social connections do not meet our needs.” ‘Social isolation’ is “the state of having a smaller number of social contacts, which may contribute to loneliness.” Over recent years, we’ve…
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Spotlight on Ecodek’s innovative signature range
The Signature AT range of composite decking from Ecodek is an innovative collection of reversible composite decking boards, offering homeowners the choice of two contemporary finishes. Designed by the experts at Ecodek, a UK-based designer and manufacturer of Wood Polymer Composite (WPC) decking, Signature AT is a solid composite decking board with a ribbed finish on one side and a grooved finish on the other. This uniquely designed deck board allows consumers to choose between two distinctly different surfaces without having to compromise on quality. Manufactured from 95% recycled or sustainably sourced materials, Signature AT echoes the beauty of timber…
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New releases from wildflower organisation offer ecological benefits
The UK’s most prominent wildflower experts, Wildflower Turf Ltd, are committed to providing innovative landscaping solutions that also provide considerable ecological and environmental benefits. With a dedicated in-house research and development team, on-site laboratory and extensive trial facilities, Wildflower Turf Ltd are using their expertise and constant desire for knowledge to push boundaries within the landscaping industry when it comes to wildflowers. In line with public concern about the damage peat extraction does to our natural environment, the business is committed to an annual reduction in the use of peat as a growing medium and has already made excellent headway,…
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Dryrun: evaluating and adjusting irrigation system design in advance for water savings and optimum performance
Dryrun is the latest addition to Rain Bird’s IQ4 Central Irrigation Control Platform. It enables users to see in advance what performance to expect from an irrigation system. Dryrun’s visualisation capability takes away the need for painstaking manual recalculation of irrigation schedules and programs. It especially offers major benefits for professionals involved with more complex systems, typically larger commercial applications or sports turf installations, where multiple programs and large numbers of sprinklers are involved. Users can see immediately the effect of making adjustments to irrigation times, watering delays and switching stations on or off. Once the irrigation controller has been…
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Society of Garden Designers launches new affiliated business partnership
Recognising the many disciplines involved in creating, maintaining and promoting gardens and landscapes, the category will be open to a wide range of experts and professions including suppliers, contractors, nurseries, lighting specialists, water consultants, architects, engineers and photographers, allowing SGD members to benefit from a closer association with them, and giving the SGD the opportunity to showcase the best of the landscape industry. SGD treasurer John Wyer FSGD said: “Garden Designers are at the heart of a collaborative network of other experts and consultants who all contribute to the finished scheme. The idea behind the Affiliated Business partnership is to open the SGD to a wider community of all those…
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In memoriam: Neil Huck 1954 – 2022
It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Neil Huck, past Chairman of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), following a short illness. Neil worked tirelessly for many years in and around the landscape industry and contributed enormously to the Association during his 18-year tenure on the board, including as Chairman of the board 2004 – 2006. He was highly respected and deeply valued and gave so much to the Association both in time and passion, whilst fulfilling his role at Ground Control. During this time Neil spent over 10 years on the board of…
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Bridgman & Bridgman team embark on car rally for horticultural charity
This May, Bridgman & Bridgman will be taking on a new challenge for charity: Benidorm or Bust! The Rover and Out team, consisting of eight staff and friends of the company, will embark on the famous car rally from Dover to Benidorm in Spain, to raise money for horticultural charity, Perennial. Over five days, the team will travel 1,400 miles in their £500-budget car (a Rover 216GSi) through Rouen, Poitiers, Pau and Zaragoza, undertaking various mini challenges along the way. Complete with a “green”-themed car and fancy dress costumes, the team hope to raise as much as they can for…
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Ten architecture and design projects to see during H22 City Expo
H22 City Expo invites visitors to explore the future landscape of architecture, design, and urban planning with contributions from a range of leading experts, architects, and designers during the 35-day expo in Helsingborg, 30 May-3 July. A diverse programme of exhibitions, seminars, guided city tours, and architectural installations shines a light on the very latest in modern construction technology, smart architecture, and sustainable material choices. 1. Helsingborg’s majestic water tower – A new architectural landmark in Sweden: One of Sweden’s most esteemed living architects, Gert Wingårdh, and his team have created Helsingborg’s new water tower. The water tower won the…
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New head gardener gets dug in at one of the UK’s finest gardens
Yorkshire’s famous floral landmark Newby Hall has a new head gardener, Lawrence Wright, and he has his sights set on revamping less visited parts of the historic garden to make them bloom. A former Chartered Institute of Horticulture Young Horticulturist of the Year, Lawrence has joined from Cornwall’s Tregothnan Estate and is now in charge of Newby’s magnificent forty acres of gardens and woodland – including its flagship double herbaceous border, one of the longest in the country. On his new ‘to do’ list is a five-year project to replace the overgrown internal garden shelterbelts at Newby that provide protection…
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Tyler Grange trialling 4-day week
UK-based landscape planning, ecology and arboriculture consultancy, Tyler Grange has become the first in their industry to sign up to the 4-day week pilot programme – beginning in June. More than 3,000 workers at 60 companies across the UK are taking part in the trial. In association with 4-Day Week Global, UK think tank Autonomy and researchers at Cambridge University, Boston College and Oxford University, the pilot programme will initially run for six months and will see reduced hours but no loss of income for Tyler Grange’s employees. Simon Ursell, managing director at Tyler Grange said: “Our discussions around this initiative began four years ago.…
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