by Holly Chapman | 20 Jan 26 | Nature & Biodiversity, News, Sustainability
North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire has announced plans to plant up to 134 million trees over the next 25 years.
The White Rose Forest Partnership has launched its Strategic Plan 2025-2050 which aims to create a “greener, healthier and more climate-resilient Yorkshire,” says the organisation.
The new plan acts as part of the wider Northern Forest scheme which stretches from Liverpool to the Yorkshire coast.
With key aims including increasing tree and woodland cover from 12% to 16.5% by 2050 which equates to 134 million trees.
David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire says “By working with West Yorkshire to plant millions of trees, we are connecting our communities with nature, tackling climate change and growing our White Rose Forest.”
Plans also include increasing funds for trees and woodland by up to 50% from non-public sector sources whilst engaging up to 16,000 people each year in tree planting and management.
by Holly Chapman | 11 Sep 25 | Garden Design, Long Reads
Friends turned business partners, Joy Taylor and Claudia Willard began their planting design career with freelance work shortly after completing their garden design course. “We then realised we would like to work together. ” And so, they did.
From friendly introductions at the Yorkshire School of Garden Design to founding a planting design company together, Taylor and Willard welcome Studio Mōr to private clients, landscapers and garden designers.
Founded just a couple of months ago, in June, Studio Mōr is a planting design company eager to work with the industry to deliver bespoke and tailored planting designs. The studio has already enjoyed a busy summer working on a variety of planting projects ranging from country locations to townhouses.
The planting vision
Based in the Yorkshire Dales, Taylor and Willard came up with the name entirely based on their location. Mōr is the old English term for moor, referring to the Yorkshire Moors in which they reside. “We’re surrounded by them, we’ve spent so much of our lives in this sort of landscape. It’s really informed who we are as planting designers and we take a lot of inspiration from the moors,” explains Willard. Based up in the rolling hills of the Dales, the studio also welcomes projects from further afield.
Often described as ‘intuitive’, the pair realise that they have the ability to read a client, their needs and the surrounding landscape when it comes to planting design:
“We’re able to pick up on subtle cues of a client and identify their vision.”
The Studio Mōr founders recognise the time they are willing to put into planting design. Joy and Willard dedicate themselves to constant learning and updating of their plant knowledge by visiting contemporary gardens around the country and overseas. The pair want to translate learnt planting knowledge to their industry clients to enhance outdoor spaces. “We’re here to make our clients’ lives easier,” they agree.
The Mōr process
As the climate warms, research trips are important for Taylor and Willard. Not only does this ignite inspiration for future projects, but travelling to the warmer areas allow the pair to explore climate resilient plants they can bring back to the UK as England experiences warmer temperatures. Willard adds:
“Our climate in the north is heating up, so it’s something we need to take into consideration. We’re bringing those combinations back and then seeing how we can adapt them for our landscape, our client and our weather conditions.”
Studio Mōr’s planting design service is offered in two stages. Firstly, it offers a concept led guide that includes mood boards, planting themes and curated planting list which is known as The Plant Book. Next, the second step in the process leads to The Planting Design Book is a technical planting plan that is constructed to be used by landscapers before installing the plants. Taylor and Willard reiterate that their services are bespoke and curated to guide every client from concept to installation. “We’re not just one size fits all, or we really, we really care, and we really think about what we’re doing,” explains Taylor.
The founders look forward to meeting new clients as they embark on this new journey. Find out more about Studio Mōr.
by Holly Chapman | 09 Sep 25 | Landscape Architecture, News, Sustainability
English Cities Fund (ECF) has submitted plans for the first phase of the new sustainable community, Bradford City Village.
A partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse, ECF has developed these plans with Bradford Council.
Featuring 1,000 new homes within a new public space alongside three new landscaped green spaces, the plans complement recently completed city centre walking and cycling improvements.
Bradford City Village has previously secured major inward investment including £13.2m in funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, alongside £30m of government funding via Homes England.
Simon Dew, director of development management at Yorkshire and North East at ECF explains the plans “have been informed by community conversations and reflect the positive feedback we have had”.
If plans are approved, demolition of the Oastler site is expected to begin later this year, ahead of phase one work to begin in spring 2026.
by Bethany Vann | 31 Aug 23 | Garden Design, News, Topics
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 were showcased at the event, with a lecture from award-winning landscape designer and broadcaster, Matthew Wilson.
“When I heard about the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the industry, in a face-to-face environment, I jumped at the chance,” says graduate Tim Gray after making the switch to horticulture.
“The Diploma in Garden Design is such a unique course, as it offers students the opportunity to learn the fundamental tools required for a career in garden design, as opposed to solely landscape architecture or gardening.”
The Yorkshire School of Garden Design is now accepting applications for the 2024 Diploma in Garden Design and has released the details of its various 2023-2024 short courses, including An Introduction to Garden Design, Designing with Plants, and Seasonality and Layering.
by Bethany Vann | 23 Aug 23 | Landscape Architecture, Nature & Biodiversity, News, Supplier News, Topics
Green infrastructure provider, ANS Global has acquired a new plant nursery in East Yorkshire, to support the “significant increase” in market demand.
The 10-acre site will include a climate-controlled glasshouse and an automated irrigation system to support living wall and green roof growth externally and internally all year round.
ANS Global aims to grow in excess of 20k m2 of living walls annually, the company has already integrated over 35m plants across its almost 6k projects.
Richard Silcock, managing director of ANS Global says: “This is a major investment for our company, and it will allow us to meet the growing demand for green infrastructure solutions. We are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality products and services, and we believe that this new nursery will help us to achieve that goal.”
The company plans to offer tours of the nursey in spring through to summer of 2024, in collaboration with its RIBA approved CPDs.
by Bethany Vann | 14 Aug 23 | Commercial Landscaping, Garden Design, Grounds Maintenance, News
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 works to raise an existing flood bank.
York Museum Trust garden manager, Steve Williams says: “We are committed to improving the biodiversity of our city-centre gardens which welcomes over 1.3 million visitors a year. The plants have helped us to implement a new biodiverse scheme for our Riverside walk in an area which has recently undergone flood scheme alleviation.
“We selected plants that would flower at different times of the year, including pollinator and butterfly-friendly flowers which will help insects to thrive and also support the lifecycles of wider wildlife in the area.”
The gardens and museum were given in trust to the City of York Council in 1960 and have been managed by the York Museums Trust since 2002.
by Bethany Vann | 31 Jul 23 | Commercial Landscaping, Grounds Maintenance, News, Topics
Harewood House Trust has appointed award-winning garden designer Matthew Wilson, in partnership with Yorkshire based The Landscape Agency, to lead the development of Harewood House gardens.
The project will see the creation of several new gardens surrounding Harewood House, with each set to feature seasonal planting and to be maintained through sustainable gardening techniques.
The Grade-II listed Bake House is scheduled to be renovated into a new welcome centre. There will also be a family activity space and an inclusive playground situated within the wooded landscape.
Matthew Wilson photo credit Tessa Newmark.
RHS medal winner, Matthew Wilson says: “It’s fantastic to be working on this prestigious and important project. Harewood House is a much-loved part of Yorkshire’s heritage with national and international significance, so to be able to contribute to the reframing of part of the landscape is a real privilege, and along with my colleagues at The Landscape Agency is a challenge we relish.”
The overall project will be fronted by Yorkshire-based firm, Bauman Lyons Architects and will be made possible by donations to the Harewood House Trust.
Harewood House is a Grade I listed house of national significance. It sees over 250,000 visitors a year.
by Bethany Vann | 27 Apr 23 | News, Supplier News, Topics
Commercial plant nursery Johnsons of Whixley has launched a 15 million step challenge as part of Move More Month in April.
The initiative is to raise funds for horticulture mental health charity Perennial, which is dedicated to helping those in the horticulture sector, including those employed by Johnsons of Whixley.
The charity provides free and confidential advice, information and support on a variety of topics including legal and debt advice to health and wellbeing challenges.
English gardener and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh MBE, VMH, predominantly known for his involvement in the BBC’s Ground Force which aired from 1997 to 2002, is the charity’s president.
Johnsons of Whixley recently became a platinum partner for Perennial and says mental health is of critical importance. Its step challenge is part of Move More Month in April, an annual celebration that encourages individuals to become more active due to the positive impact it has on health and wellbeing.
Eleanor Richardson, marketing and office manager and qualified mental health first aider at Johnsons of Whixley says: “Not only will we be supporting Perennial, which has helped a number of our team members in the past, but we will be getting together as a team and building bonds across departments, getting some exercise and supporting one another towards a shared goal.”
The nursery has successfully delivered mental health training to its entire team, with 34 managers and deputies receiving additional mental health first aid training from MHFA England qualified team members.
The training equips each team member with the necessary information to provide and or seek support in their workplace.
Li Crane, fundraising administrator at Perennial, says: “I would like to thank the whole team at Johnsons of Whixley for undertaking this fantastic Steps Challenge throughout the month of April. It is a great example of how our industry can support Perennial through fundraising initiatives and by finding ways of spreading our message that Perennial is here for all those working in horticulture that need our help.”
Johnsons of Whixley has created a range of resources to support its staff members, with plans to continue its efforts to spread awareness of mental health and provide support throughout 2023 to ensure all Johnsons of Whixley employees have the resources they need to create a positive and supportive working environment.
by Nina Mason | 20 Apr 23 | News, Partner Content, Supplier News, Sustainability
Yorkshire-based supplier Green-tech has been announced as an official partner for a recently launched recycling scheme by tree guard manufacturer Rainbow Professional.
The Rainbow Recycling Scheme for old PVC spiral or PVC vole guards is available to any professional end user.
Dean Jackson, head of Green-tech sales, says: “It is not currently feasible to eradicate plastic totally, but we can do the next best thing – we can use recycled plastic. And in partnership with Rainbow Professional, we can collect and recycle old tree spirals and give them a new life rather than leave in the environment or commit to landfill.”
Bags can be ordered from Green-tech or direct from Rainbow. Once full they will be collected and transported to Rainbow’s manufacturing facility in Hull where they will be shredded and washed if needed. Depending on the quality, they may be immediately usable to process into new spirals, processed further into pellets, or used as in-fill for window frames.
“It is recommended to remove hedge spirals between September and March when hedge plants are bare of leaves and the bird nesting season has finished,” adds Jackson. “For collections of 6-15 bags (each bag will hold approximately 700 spirals), the scheme will run from April to September, outside of the planting season. However, for collection of over 15 bags, the scheme will run all year round.”
PVC can be used up to nine times, making it “one of the most recyclable polymers in the world.” Rainbow Professional uses 100% recycled materials, which it says is estimated to save at least two million kilograms of carbon every year and 50 million kilograms to date over the past 25 years.
Green-tech is running several free webinars, each lasting around 30 minutes, to explain the scheme and the process in detail. The first is being held on Tuesday 25 April. To reserve your place, click here.
by Nina Mason | 18 Apr 23 | News, Supplier News, Sustainability, Topics
Tubex has announced a major expansion of its Tree Shelter Collection and Recycling Programme as a “convenient way” for customers to handle the products “responsibly” at end of life.
The tree shelter specialist is providing hubs around the UK where tree shelters can be dropped off to be recycled. Tubex will be covering the costs to ensure the service is free of charge. This includes bailing, washing, recycling and re-pelletizing the material so that it can be used to create more shelters. All types of tree shelters will accepted, providing they are made from Polypropylene.
The scheme is a joint initiative with charity Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT), which opened several hubs of its own in 2021. There will be a total of 14 national hub locations launched this year. Tubex’s parent company Berry Global will provide five of the hub locations, while forest and woodland management company Tillhill is also supporting the scheme by offering two locations for shelter collection.
Tubex’s marketing & product development director, James Taylor explains: “Since its inception, our plan has been to continually progress the Tubex Collection and Recycling Programme and offer the opportunity for our customers to recycle their shelters locally. This new hub scheme is a significant investment from Tubex into the industry to ensure responsible solutions for the tree shelters at their end of life.”
The news of the scheme comes after the company’s recent announcement of its Grow Together Programme, a charitable planting initiative where Tubex is offering tree shelter donation to a different voluntary planting project each quarter.
