Garden Design
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Majestic Trees becomes an EOT
Majestic Trees has become an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), ‘ensuring’ the company ethos and core values can continue. Managing director Steve McCurdy and his wife Janet, have sold 74% of the nursery to its current management team. Made up of Sarah Shynn, sales manager, fern snowling, planting and logistics manager, Carlos Guinand, nursery manager, Helen Morgan, HR and finance manager, Maria Bengtsson, pruning and stock control manager, and Eliot Barden, after care, apprenticeships, and training manager. Collectively the team has over 80 years of experience at Majestic Trees, and will all continue in their current roles. “The team’s future is…
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Navigating Cash Flow Concerns in the Construction Industry
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any successful business. Cash flow is what allows a company to pay its staff, purchase stock, and ensure contractual overheads are paid on time. Once cash flow becomes squeezed, problems can quickly spiral, taking a once thriving company from a position of solvency to one which is struggling to meet its financial obligations surprisingly quickly. Cash flow challenges can arise for a variety of reasons, and in many instances, they are not caused directly by the actions of the company facing these problems. Late – and even non-payment – of invoices is rife in…
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The Renaissance of Denmans Garden
An award-winning, Grade II registered garden, Denmans is renowned for its 50+ year-old gravel gardens, horticultural diversity, strong layout and planting design, and peaceful year-round interest. The contemporary country garden, located on the edge of Fontwell, West Sussex, lies sheltered by the South Downs. It features well-drained alkaline soil, good light, and a mild climate, ideal for growing a large range of plants. “The diversity of its plants and its unique planting style have resulted in a garden with year-round interest, structure, and colour,” says owner Gwendolyn van Paasschen. Far from a traditional English garden composed of carefully considered proportions,…
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Society of Garden Designers announces new chair
The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) has announced its new chair and its continued development of entry level support. Andrew Duff MSGD, managing director of the Inchbald School of Design, has been named the SGD’s new chair, a continuation of the role he held in partnership with Lynne Marcus MSGD since September 2022. After a three-year tenure, Marcus has stepped down from the role of chair, but will continue to support the Society as chair of the SGD Awards. Duff acknowledged his former co-chair’s role in leading the Society’s ‘Say No to Plastic Grass and Plants’ campaign in 2022, and…
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Chelsea garden returns to Battersea
An award-winning garden from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has opened at the Doddington Estate, Battersea, the same estate that inspired its creation. The London Square Community Garden, designed by James Smith, was inspired and built in part by the volunteers at the Doddington and Rollo Community Roof Garden. Key features donated from the gold-medal-winning garden include, an outdoor table inset with chess and draughts, several upcycled chairs, designed by TV personality Jay Blades, and a selection of the garden’s resilient planting. Head of volunteers, Malissa Ritchie, says: “We are beyond excited that our community effort was the catalyst for…
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SoilsCon returns in 2024
After a four-year break, SoilsCon returns next year. The one-day conference, organised by soil scientist and landscape consultant Tim O’Hare, will feature developmental insights, debates and discussions from industry experts. The speaker line-up includes, Tim O’Hare, principal consultant at Tim O’Hare Associates, Helen Elks-Smith, principal at Elk-Smith Landscape & Garden Design, and Dr Iain Gould, associate professor in soil science at the University of Lincoln. Subjects will include soil health and functions in landscapes, the challenges of garden construction, and soil requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain typologies. A Soil Surgery will be held during the day’s networking periods, with members of…
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BALI Chalk Fund sees record number of entries
The BALI (British Association Landscape Industries) Chalk Fund has seen a record number of entries into the categories of the “Landscape” and “Design” Student of the Year awards. Seven students studying a level two or above in both categories have been shortlisted for the award. The winner of each category will be announced as BALI’s Chalk Fund Student of the Year at this year’s National Landscape Awards on 1 December. The shortlist is as follows: Design students Lucy Mitchell, Capel Manor College Catharine Beck, KLC School of Design Craig Atkinson, London College of Garden Design Landscape students Joe Elsden, Active…
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Project Giving Back extends its RHS Chelsea support to 2026
Project Giving Back (PGB) has extended its support of gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to 2025 and 2026. Established in 2021, PGB pledged to fund 42 gardens at RHS Chelsea in 2022, 2023 and 2024, with an original investment of around £12m. The charity supported 15 gardens at this year’s event, including several award winners. The success of the scheme is attributed as the reason for extending support for an additional two years. Speaking at the opening of the 2023 Gardens for Good Causes Exhibition, PGB’s CEO Hattie Ghaui, says: “We know from having to…
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Shortlist revealed for Pro Landscaper Project Awards in association with Provender Nurseries
Pro Landscaper has revealed the shortlist for its Project Awards, in association with Provender Nurseries. The Pro Landscaper Project Awards celebrate landscaping projects with a value under £50k, giving companies within the sector the opportunity to showcase the remarkable feats achievable on smaller budgets. More than 60 projects have been shortlisted across the 11 categories, with the winners and this year’s Supreme Winner to be announced at a ceremony at FutureScape on Tuesday 21 November, at London’s ExCeL. “It’s been a record year again for entries, and what’s been really good to see is the number of new businesses putting…
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When root barrier is the solution
Root barriers can prove a key asset in landscaping and construction projects. Used in a targeted way, long-term cost-saving benefits can be gained by eliminating maintenance repairs caused by root damage. However, they can also play a role in preventing legal disputes by stopping root encroachment onto neighbouring land. Installing a bamboo barrier at home, for plant containment, is a project many are now prepared to tackle. Protection & benefits At the heart of their functionality is protection, but root barrier membrane offers other benefits. They can facilitate the retention of valuable trees, curbing the need for removal and its…
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RHS and other industry members share how they’re embedding inclusivity at EDI event
Members of some of the industry’s leading charities and organisations gathered together on Friday at RHS Garden Wisley to hear the initial results of an industry-wide Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) survey. Following the signing of the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter for the Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscaping & Garden Media at FutureScape last year, signatories have created a survey to provide a baseline figure for the diversity of the industry. So far, findings from the survey – which is still open for the industry to complete – show that the majority (36.4%) of the respondents are aged 45-54 and just…
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Andy Sturgeon Design plans approved for Canada Water development
Southwark Council has given planning permission to Andy Sturgeon Design for the development of the Canada Water Eastern Dockside in London. It is part of a wider 1.5 million sq ft commercially-led scheme at Canada Water Dockside, one of the London’s largest developments, led by Art-Invest Real Estate. London-based studio Andy Sturgeon Design won a competition to design a hub for the local community at the Eastern Dock Edge as part of the regeneration to deliver a new town centre, which is underway. The hub needed to “knit together” with the wider masterplan and development by British Land and reflect…
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From Chelsea to the Biome, the Fauna, and Flora Garden
Working closely with conservation partners in over 40 countries, saving nature and boosting awareness, Fauna and Flora focuses on protecting and restoring habitats, saving species from extinction, and developing sustainable livelihoods for those living closest to nature. Cornish-based Garden designer, Jilayne Rickards approached Fauna & Flora to design a garden to best portray their work and messages. It was hard to encapsulate all of its work in just one garden since it does so many wonderful projects, says Rickards, so they “decided to focus in on the gorilla project, because of the link to their vice president, Sir David Attenborough.…
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The HTA promotes new T Level courses
The Horticultural Trades Association is promoting the new Agriculture, Land Management, and Production T Level which have opened enrolment. Technical Levels, introduced in 2020, are equivalent to three A levels. They include 80% classroom-based learning and 20% industry placement, allowing for nine weeks of practical experience, as 56.6% of job seekers identify their main barrier to employment as a lack of work experience. The two-year course offers 16-19-year-olds a range of occupational specialisms: livestock production, crop production, horticulture, land-based engineering, trees and woodlands, or floristry. They cover sustainability, climate change impact, health and safety, business management, professional responsibilities, attitudes, and…
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BALI Chalk Fund announces Student of the Year
The BALI Chalk Fund has announced its Garden Design Student of the Year for 2023. Garden designer Catharine Beck has been recognised by KLC School of Design having passed her diploma with distinction. Now working at Ann-Marie Powell Gardens, Beck is “putting her talents to great use, creating planting plans, tree plans, concept presentations, lighting plans, construction detail drawings and specifications, maintenance and plant schedules, plant nursery quotations, materials research and selection,” say the British Association of Landscape Industries. Course leader Humaira Ikram says: “An excellent student, Catharine was quick to learn and her projects, especially her construction file, were…
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World Suicide Prevention Day
Winners of the Best Show Garden award at Tatton Park 2023 are raising awareness for the struggling mental health within the construction industry for World Suicide Prevention Day, taking place on 10 September. Jon Jarvis and Carolyn Harden designed and built the Constructing Minds garden, to highlight the message. There are 2.6 million workers within the construction industry. On average, in the UK, two construction workers die each day due to suicide. In 2022 there were 507 suicides. Mates in Mind is “aiming to provide clear information to employers about the available support and guidance on mental health and wellbeing,…
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JJH Landscapes wins top award at BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair
Association of Professional Landscapers’ Skills Competition JJH Landscapes from Oxfordshire, with team partner Radial Landscapes from West Sussex won the Association of Professional Landscapers’ Skills Competition. “It’s important to recognise the technical skills of professional landscape teams whose talents often go unsung when it comes to building show gardens,” says Rachel Poletti-Gadd, portfolio director – gardening division at Immediate Live, organisers of the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair. Best Showcase Garden The Best Showcase Garden was awarded to Lucy Chamberlain, head gardener at East Donyland, Gemma Sturges and Kelly Fowler. The trio’s ‘Edible Garden Through Time’ showcases three significant periods…
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Bowles & Wyer celebrates 30 years of ‘looking forward’
Bowles & Wyer celebrated its 30th anniversary last night at the venue of one of its most prolific projects. The design and build company, which was founded three decades ago by Chris Bowles and John Wyer, brought its colleagues, partners and clients together for an event at 78 St James Street. The Grade II listed building in central London is where Bowles & Wyer designed and built a series of outdoor areas and roof terraces, with the largest terrace featuring a living wall and planters with edibles and herbs. It won the National Landscape Award for Best Roof Garden over £100k, and…
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National Landscape Award winners announced
The winners have been announced for this year’s National Landscape Awards 2023. Winners span across 25 categories, with 50 companies being recognised, including Ground Control – which has won five – and Wright Landscapes and GP Plantscape, which both have won three. In total, 69 awards were presented. “The willingness to partake in this process highlights our members’ continued commitment to driving the industry forward, promoting excellence and encouraging fresh talent,” says BALI chief executive, Wayne Grills. The National Landscape Awards ceremony will be held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane in London on 1 December. The event…
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Yorkshire School of Garden Design celebrates first anniversary
The Yorkshire School of Garden Design celebrated its first anniversary with an exhibition of works from its inaugural graduates. The event, which was held at the school’s 100-acre Grade I listed Harewood House residence, was attended by landscape designer, Alistair Baldwin, who founded the school in August of last year. The school’s ‘flagship’ Diploma in Garden Design is a one-year part-time course, structured to prepare students for the challenges in professional practice, with industry professionals at the helm. “I can’t believe it has been a year”, says Baldwin. “This generation of landscape designers are truly something to behold.” Students’ portfolios…
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Volunteers needed to rebuild show garden
An award-winning show garden from this year’s RHS Flower Show Tatton Park needs volunteers to help rebuild it at Clatterbridge Hospital in Liverpool, where it is being donated. The Constructing Minds garden designed by Carolyn Harden and Jon Jarvis won Silver Gilt and Best Show Garden at Tatton, where it raised awareness for suicide rates in the construction industry. Inspired by the Japanese practise of shinrin-yoku (‘forest bathing’), the belief that immersing in nature can have revitalising benefits, the garden is now being relocated to the hospital to afford patients and staff a space for “sanctuary” and “rejuvenation.” Harden and…
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Two Yorkshire businesses “refresh” 10-acre museum gardens
Commercial plant supplier, Johnsons of Whixley has partnered with landscaping contractor ATM Ltd to supply thousands of plants to the York Museum Gardens as part of the recent Environmental Agency flood defence improvements project. The planting design was developed by Steve Williams, garden manager at York Museum Trust and consultants AECOM. Some of the planting had to be removed, whilst others needed rejuvenation. Johnsons of Whixley supplied a multi-seasonal range of plants to ensure flowering throughout the year to support local pollinators. The plants used included Astrantia, Helleborus, and Hydrangea. ATM contributed the soft landscaping for the project following engineering…
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The Frustrated Gardener is here to help
The Great Comp Summer Show, scheduled to take place this weekend, will feature over 25 specialist award-winning exhibitors, including Dan Cooper. Many will recognise Cooper from his acclaimed gardening blog, The Frustrated Gardener, which he launched in 2012. It quickly took root and he was celebrated in the press for creating a ‘subtropical paradise dominated by dramatic colours and shapes.’ “I decided that I needed some kind of project to really reignite my interest in plants and gardening and to share that with other people. “[The blog] really took off and I enjoyed it, the opportunity to research the content…
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30 Under 30: A catch up with Rachel Platt
A year after becoming one of Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation winners, Rachel Platt has scooped a hat-trick of awards at this year’s RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, including the coveted People’s Choice Award. Platt’s show garden at this years Tatton Park, ‘Chained to Tech’ in partnership with J. Parkers, explores the behavioural and psychological repercussions of excessive screen-based technology usage in young people. “The theme was important to me because I’ve experienced it myself, and I think everyone I’ve spoken to has a son or a daughter that is addicted to technology in some way,” explains…
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The Landscape Service relocates to The New Forest
Award-winning landscape and garden design practice The Landscape Service has relocated to a new studio space in the heart of The New Forest. Located directly off the M27 J1 in Cadnam, the new location will increase connectivity to projects across the South, expanding The Landscape Service’s reach. Luke Mills, director of The Landscape Service, says it is now in a “better location for existing and potential clients being in the centre of the New Forest with great transport routes across the South. The space is also better located for our staff with reduced commuting time.” The location affords The Landscape…
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