Nurture
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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…
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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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Pro Landscaper Podium Awards 2021
The Pro Landscaper Podium Awards, created to celebrate excellence in podium landscaping and design. As one of the fastest-growing areas for the landscaping market, podium landscapes will play a huge role in the future of construction in the UK, and this country will be a global leader in this specialism. This year, we have increased the number of categories. 2021’s Pro Landscaper Podium Awards will see landscape architects, garden designers and landscapers battle for 7 awards. The categories are: Residential Commercial Public Retail Hospitality Future Project Podium Product The awards will be taking place at central London Venue ExCel on…
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Johnsons of Whixley celebrates 100 years
As a family run business Johnsons of Whixley celebrates its centenary this year, group managing director Graham Richardson explains how the Yorkshire based nursery has grown and the secrets behind its success. How was Johnsons of Whixley first founded? Mr Eric Johnson founded the business in 1921 on his return from service in the great war. After the armistice, Mr Johnson remained in Europe, assisting with de-mobilisation and policing the turmoil that followed the ‘war to end all wars’. Mr Johnson had studied botany and had a natural passion for growing – his new wife’s family owned malt kilns throughout…
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Johnsons of Whixley receives Plant Healthy certification
Johnsons of Whixley, the 100-year-old commercial nursery, is now Plant Healthy certified. The Plant Healthy certification scheme makes it easier to identify businesses who are trading and growing plants to a high plant health and biosecurity standard. In return, this helps reduce the risk of introducing or spreading destructive plant pests, whilst also helping to protect the horticultural industry and other cultivated plants and natural habitats. Plant Health is important to Johnsons and many other nurseries for many reasons, such as protecting our woodlands from pests and diseases such as ash-dieback and oak Processionary Moth, to safeguard native flora and…
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Provender Nurseries launches new Going Green Range
Collated from their present stock range and in response to customer requests for environmentally friendly products, Provender Nurseries have grouped all shop products that are either organic, wildlife friendly, child and pet friendly or have natural ingredients as their main components to create the Going Green range. Dan Brown, Sundries Manager at Provender Nurseries, said: “We had quite a few enquiries for environmentally friendly products with many of our customers not realising we already held these products in stock. As a response we reviewed our current sundries and collated all relevant products together to create the Going Green range.” Creating…
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Johnsons of Whixley helps restore world heritage site to its former glory
100-year-old commercial nursery, Johnsons of Whixley has supplied thousands of plants to help restore the grounds of the historic Studley Royal water garden to their former glory. The estate is just 18 miles from Johnsons’ HQ in North Yorkshire and is one of Europe’s finest examples of an 18th-century garden. The planting is part of the National Trust’s long-term vision for the garden. The scheme involves planting thousands of Taxus baccata (yew), supplied by Johnsons, to replace overgrown and dying hedges. The work includes restoring all bosquets – formal plantations of trees and shrubs with growing space inside, designed to…
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Flourish Nursery presents £25,000 Taxus Cloud Bonsai tree
Flourish Nursery is delighted to display their newest arrival, a huge Taxus Cloud Bonsai tree. During a trip to Tuscany in September last year, Alex and his colleagues agreed to purchase the most expensive tree their Italian suppliers had to offer. The tree stands in a 2.5 ton wooden pot and is 3.5m in height and width. It is important to the nursery that they showcase the weird and the wonderful. Alex Bayman, director at Flourish Nursery, said: “We go out to the Tuscan Hills to buy amazing specimens for our nursery. We aim to have that extra special wow…
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Crowders Nurseries contributes to ‘Planting Our Future’ initiative
Crowders Nurseries is delighted to have helped Solihull Council’s ‘Planting Our Future’ project by planting 11,887 trees across standard and native forestry. The campaign aims to plant 250,000 trees over the next ten years. It was coordinated by Love Solihull, which is an environmental initiative co-ordinated by Solihull Council. They are planning to achieve their goal through local engagement with schools, residents, businesses and community groups. In July 2020, the #LoveSolihull team partnered with the Woodland Trust, who agreed a long-term partnership and helping them get closer to their goal in the first year. Crowders Nurseries is a nationally renowned…
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Johnsons of Whixley and Whiting Landscape team up
Johnsons of Whixley has teamed up with Whiting Landscape Ltd. The partnership will enhance outdoor areas at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. The Oxfordshire-based science, innovation and technology campus occupies over 700 acres. More than 200 organisations are based there. It is home to a scientific community of more than 6,000 people. Harwell is now looking to expand. It will add millions of square feet of new buildings, extra public areas and campus amenities. At 48,000 sq. ft, Zeus is the latest building on campus to reach practical completion. Whiting Landscape Ltd has been responsible for the…
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Provender Nurseries is certified Plant Healthy
Provender Nurseries is now certified ‘Plant Healthy’. This makes the nursery one of the first to gain certification so far. Plant Healthy is a new quality assurance scheme. It was created to protect horticultural supply business against destructive pest and diseases. Plant Healthy, developed by the industry with input from Government, sets out key requirements for plant health management. The Plant Healthy initiative is a high level of voluntary certification for plant health in the UK. It shows that Provender Nurseries has a responsible and ongoing approach to plant health and biosecurity. The aim of Plant Healthy…
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Hillier Nurseries Bidding Farewell to 2021 Chelsea Flower Show
After 80 years as an exhibitor, Hillier Nurseries is bidding farewell to the 2021 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Hillier was due to exhibit in 2020, celebrating the company’s 155-year history and hoping for a 75th gold. With the show postponed until September 2021, The business has made the decision not to exhibit. Chris Francis, Wholesale and Retail Director says: “Chelsea has always been a significant event on the Hillier calendar. It’s held at the perfect time for the business to show off all the great plants through the spring. “The unprecedented events of 2020 have been…
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Johnsons donation helps rejuvenate Henshaws grounds
Johnsons of Whixley has donated £150 worth of winter interest plants to Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough. As part of the 100-year celebrations, Johnsons is giving 12 donations in 2021 to charities across the local region. Henshaws provides training, including horticulture workshops, for people with a wide range of disabilities. Plants donated by Johnsons include Hamamelis, Skimmia, Sarcococca and Helleborus. The plants will be in the sensory garden and other prominent places around the Centre. They will bring a splash of colour for the art makers and staff currently attending. Henshaws Fundraising Manager, Gemma…
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Wyevale Nurseries receives ISO for peat reduction targets
Wyevale Nurseries has revealed it has passed its ISO 14001 Environmental Audit this year with its prime objective for 2021 being further peat reduction and taking it below 50%. The Hereford-based business has been awarded a certificate for its Environmental Management System, which meets requirements for the production and supply of container-grown stock to garden centres and amenity markets. Steve Reed, production director container division at Wyevale Nurseries, said: “We’re delighted to announce we’ve just passed our ISO 14001 Environmental Audit for the 10th year running with our prime objective being peat reduction, followed by a continued decrease in the…
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HS2 set to reach 730,000 planted trees landmark by spring 2021
HS2 will plant more than 300,000 trees this winter as part of the project’s Green Corridor programme. This adds to the 430,000 trees already planted across Phase One, taking the total to over 730,000 by the spring. Up to seven million trees will eventually be planted along Phase One, with many new grasslands, meadows and recreational areas for local communities. Some of the UK’s most experienced and leading ecological consultants are working with HS2, with the winter programme being carried out by a number of specialist ecology companies subcontracted to HS2’s enabling works contractors, in locations between London and North…
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Maelor Forest Nurseries appoints new managing director
Maelor Forest Nurseries Ltd has announced the appointment of Mark Appleton as its new managing director. Mark took up his post on 18 November 2020. He will take over the day to day running of the nursery from long-standing managing director and founder, Mike Harvey, who will be taking retirement in 2021. Mike was pivotal to the successful acquisition of Maelor by BSW Timber Ltd in 2019. Mike and Mark will be working in tandem over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition is achieved. Mark brings with him many years’ experience operating at a senior level, notably holding…
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Former RHS show manager joins Provender Nurseries
Provender Nurseries has strengthened its online presence with the newly appointed online sales manager, Lizzy Patterson. The position is new to Provender Nurseries and has been created in order to improve the customer journey on Provender Nurseries’ website. The role involves close contact with the sales director, marketing manager, business development manager and online sales order processors. The new role will involve overseeing many aspects of Provender Nurseries website including: managing and supporting the online sales orders, organising promotions, dealing with any customer issues on the website and maintain and facilitate continuous development of the website and inventory. Lizzy joined…
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Provender Nurseries strengthens its focus on biosecurity
Provender Nurseries has changed the role of its nursery manager to reflect his work on biodiversity. Stuart Tickner, who has been nursery manager for the last six years, now has the title of nursery production and biosecurity manager. Stuart has seen the job role change enormously throughout his time at Provender Nurseries due to change in biosecurity procedures, associated paperwork and managing APHA inspections on site. Stuart manages the biosecurity onsite and at all of its developing, newly acquired offsite growing facilities that require paperwork for plant procurement and traceability. Working closely with APHA and other advisory bodies, biosecurity used…
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Provender Nurseries employs two Hadlow College students
After working closely with the potting on and growing of hardy nursery stock, Provender Nurseries has taken on two former Hadlow College students on a part-time basis. They will work under nursery manager Stuart Tickner and with the nursery team undertaking general nursery work and learning new skills. Working within the existing nursery team, their daily tasks include unloading lorries, watering, weeding, labelling and feeding plants on site. New skills have been gained already, including creating plant displays, interacting with customers, pruning of topiary plants and biosecurity. Whilst working at Provender Nurseries both students are also being tested with regular…
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Johnsons of Whixley creates extra growing capacity
Johnsons of Whixley has created more than 5000 sqm of additional bed space for plants of the future at two of its nursery sites located In Kirk Hammerton and Roecliffe, North Yorkshire. Johnsons, one of the largest commercial plant suppliers to both the landscape and garden centre sectors in the UK, has increased its production capacity as a result of reduced sales brought about by the recent crisis and as a reaction to potential Brexit trading constraints. Recent projects have delivered sufficient growing space to produce an extra 320,000 extra landscape and garden plants per year. The facilities comprise of…
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Brambledown and Johnsons team up for lakeside services scheme
Durham landscaping firm Brambledown Landscape Services Ltd and Yorkshire-based nursery Johnsons of Whixley have created lakeside gardens at the new Skelton Lakes service station on the M1 near Leeds. Johnsons supplied plants worth more than £110K to the scheme, which aims to bring new levels of design and quality to visitors when it opens this summer. The area, at Junction 45, will include a business centre and community facilities, in addition to a range of food and drink outlets, a visitor area and lakeside viewing deck across a total of 30 acres. The main building will feature exposed timber beams…
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Ashlea Ltd and Johnsons team up to help Waterfront Business Park bloom
One of the UK’s largest landscaping companies, Ashlea Ltd, has teamed up with commercial nursery Johnsons of Whixley to enhance the grounds of the new Waterfront Business Park in Barrow-In-Furness. The £3.5m project comprises of offices, workshops and industrial buildings that are already home to several businesses including BAE, which has occupied a sizeable unit since phase one of the scheme opened in 2017. Located at the gateway to Britain’s ‘energy coast’, the development is regarded as a hotspot for growing businesses. The team at Ashlea completed the groundworks and planting for the grounds of the business park, choosing to…
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All female nursery business expands export sales to the UK
Two nurseries in Tuscany are cooperating to significantly expand their market by developing sales to the UK. Operating from Pistoia, the two nurseries – Vivai Masetti Sabino and Vivai Biagini – cooperate together under the brand Tuscany Growers. This is entirely owned and operated by women, making it the only female-run organisation in the Italian nursery industry. Owned and managed by Gianna Masetti, Vivai Masetti Sabino was established in 1960 and has 22ha of production. Three of these hectares are for container production with plants produced in pot sizes ranging from 12L to 700L. Specialisms include medium to large plants…
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Crowders to help landscapers ‘get back on their feet’
Crowders has announced it will offer extended credit terms up to 120 days for all new business received from 1 June to 31 August. The decision comes after recognising that many companies within the landscape sector now getting back to work after may struggle with cash flow to begin with, until they are able to make claims for and receive payment. James Carter, sales director, explains “We recognise that cash flow will be one of the biggest challenges facing those in the landscape sector after such a long lay-off. Many will have had few or no invoices to raise in…
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Firms transform old council site into an award-winning mixed-use development
Commercial nursery Johnsons of Whixley teamed up with four other businesses as part of a £40m transformation project where a former council depot has been converted into an award-winning mixed-use development. The King’s Stables Road site, situated in a historic quarter of Edinburgh, includes a seven-storey private apartment block. This mixed-use development consists of 166 premium student accommodation, private roof terraces, a four-star apart-hotel, and a series of ground-floor commercial spaces, complete with stunning private and public courtyards. Construction firm Bowmer & Kirkland delivered the scheme designed by award-winning architecture firm Fletcher Joseph Associates and landscape architects HarrisonStevens, with p1 Contractors…
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