Landscape and garden expert

The perfumed Garden wind down from Hampton Court

2009-07-16T11:04:24+01:00

After the frantic and energetic build-up, Jill and Simon Foxley are finally taking a weekend off. We have shared the emotion of their Hampton Court Show build-up - now it is time to wind-down - Here is Jill's final blog of The Healing Garden.

What an amazing few weeks we have had at The Perfumed Garden. The Healing Garden was completed at the eleventh hour on the Sunday night before judging on Monday morning, writes Jill Foxley.

There were only a few glitches with the main one being when the copper guttering length was 40cm short - Coppa Gutta answered our call of despair and despatched the extra piece the very same day.

Everything seemed to be running smoothly but the planting, which took an eternity. So much of it and so detailed that we ran and I made a last minute dash to Jackson's at Chobham to fill the van to the brim.

As always seems to happen, the two star plants in the show were from the late plant run and therefore not included in the plant list, those being Sidalcea 'Elsie Heugh' and Agapanthus 'Nova Blue'. I would have liked a pound for every time we named them to the visitors.

Judging (or judgement?) was less tense than last year and we were told we would receive our 'medals' early this year at 4pm on Monday. As the clock ticked past that dreaded hour, I became aware that I had become so nervous I could barely breathe.

The whole atmosphere of D section was electric. With TV cameras recording every move, we were handed the medal that I thought was bronze for a split second. Unbelievably it was gold and there were tears from all at the team including the somewhat bewildered Macmillan contingent!

Gala night came and went in a blur of celebratory champagne and chats with all kinds of hitherto hallowed gardening celebrities as if we had known each other for years. "Gold!" - we were still unable to believe that the dream had come true. I never thought it possible and still am amazed that we did it.

Hoards of visitors streamed through the gates on the Tuesday and we began the endless chat about the garden. Radio interviews, TV, quotes for this and sound bites for that - it was another world and one that I think I could only do for a short spell. Thank goodness for the volunteers from Macmillan who helped us with leaflets and 'manning' the garden.

Only one prickly moment with a punter when I was told I shouldn't have plants in the garden so I 'could display the sculptures as works of art in their entirety'. My response? "This is Hampton Court Palace Flower Show not an art gallery" said in my best hoity-toity accent and I still stand by every word and wish I had the energy to add a bit more too!

Every day seemed busier than the last and Saturday saw the Director of Shows lurking around our gate. In a swift ad stealthy move he grabbed my wrist and marched me up the path, announcing to the assembled crowd that we had been awarded 'The People's Choice' award for the favourite small garden. Amazing and once again totally unexpected - I didn't even know such a thing was voted upon.

Then of course it was Sunday and the dreaded sell off at 4.30pm. My thanks go out to one particular member of the public who put her arm round a sobbing garden designer and told her that "It will be OK, you can do another garden next year", as the tears rolled down cheeks when the plants started being wrenched from their moorings!

Once that milestone was crossed there was no stopping us. All the plants were sold and cleared bar a handful and the place changed character in the space of hour.

Now it is all a memory - even more so as I mistakenly wiped a huge chunk of photos off my laptop - and the site cleared of any trace of the Healing Garden at all.

Many thanks to everyone that took the time to come to the show and especially those who introduced themselves to us - it was really good to meet you. Thank you too for your support and good wishes over the last few months, and those that took the time and trouble to vote for us.

The Healing Garden has been a truly positive experience and one that will stay with us all forever in the very best way. Hurrah!

Read Jill's Healing Garden blog.

Robert Buelteman's amazing electric plant photographs

2009-07-15T16:44:37+01:00

The process starts when Robert Buelteman selects a living plant and takes it back into his specially fitted photographic studio; after which a creative process begins by sculpting the plant material and opacity.

The plants material is then moved into the darkroom to manipulate the subject onto an imaging easel - the easel is surrounded by a safety fence of wood so as to avoid electrocution but in essence it is composed of an aluminium sheet floating in a solution of liquid silicone, held in place by two sheets of Plexiglas.

In total darkness, Robert then goes on to building an exposure matrix on top of the easel and a colour transparency film is laid flat on the surface with the light sensitive paper facing upwards.

The plants material is then placed onto the film, either with or without separate layers of diffusion material, it is wired to a grounding source by cable and clamp; high frequency, high voltage electricity is then passed through the plant to begin the exposure process - a blue aura of ionised gas that surrounds the subject is created.

A variety of light sources including xenon-strobe, tungsten, and fiber-optic light are used to illuminate the subject by hand so the light is scattered through the diffusion screens, through the subject, and onto the film where the exposure energy is recorded.

Robert developed this method of imaging in March of 1999, but says that the component parts have a long and well-known history.

The essence of Buelteman's method is recognised as “Kirlian Photography”, and the electrical component of his method is associated with Russian scientists, Semyon and Valentina Kirlian.

The technique is as old as photography itself, having been used by Henry Fox Talbot in 1834 in early experiments with silver-nitrate paper that is considered by many to be the birth of photography.

Robert has introduced fiber-optical devices to provide a greater degree of control in the delivery of the exposure energy and adds his own interpretation to the art form.

The first picture is of Eucalyptus polyanthemos and the second id of Robert in his hi-tech Montara studio.

Images reproduced with the permission of Robert Buelteman"

An open letter to the APL and BALI - A time for change

2009-07-15T13:32:32+01:00

I write to you on behalf of all good landscapers and garden maintenance workers who are employed within the horticulture trades.

Times are hard - for many it will not get better. For some businesses and individuals, things will never improve and they will be forced to give up what they love; For others, time has already run out.

The writing had been on the wall for the five years before the recession finally arrived. Only fickle people could ever imagined that the boom years would continue to provide wealth forever and so many gardening businesses were, and remain, unprepared for a long struggle and they need help.

I am not going to go over old ground but save to say, I think that there have been selfish and catastrophic mistakes made by BALI and the APL in the last ten years that have caused a vacuum in our industry - many mistakes could have and should have been avoided if your organisations had connected and talked to each other and reached out to everyone who aspired to be better.

It is wrong that we have a very small group of elitist companies and individuals who appear to benefit whilst the vast majority are discarded on the outside without industry representation.

I wish to see a new start where the ethos and model changes. Otherwise insulation and a lack of communication could lead to a complete breakdown at the centre of landscaping.

It is time to break down the barriers and reform your organisations to lead by example, put transparency at the core and help educate and transform our industry into something that we should all feel proud - but more importantly, working for everyone and not just a few.

I would like to see the formation of a horticulture working policy party that is made up of BALI and the APL, as well as the SGD and a wide representation from ordinary people at the heart of British horticulture from across many connected trades and create a framework to assist people from the very start of their careers and throughout their business life - Whether that is as a single person employed within a small or large business or as a fledgling business or indeed a long established company.

It is my belief that insular organisations cannot exist as they have been allowed to for so long. The Internet has opened up a whole new world for sharing information and interacting with others. We now have the opportunity - perhaps obligation- to change the system so that the industry is represented across the board and not in lightly populated and detached groups.

I can agree with a vetting system to a extent but I also feel that what is often overlooked is the ability of every individual and business to tell the world what is good about themselves - the client is the best possible judge as to whether that business has delivered on its promises.

I am not sure exactly how many businesses there are within UK landscaping and horticulture but it will run into thousands. We need to create a hub that is funded proportionately by everyone across the UK who wishes to help propel the industry and their own careers and businesses to a level that can compete.

Horticulture is worth billions of pounds to the UK economy yet we remain the poor relation in industry eyes. For example, how on earth has B&Q been able to impose a 90 day settlement on the goods it receives from its suppliers?

The key areas that we should all work for are:

Good horticulture education from the start with better and bigger facilities.

Business advice and financial planning.

Group buying powers.

National pricing guidelines.

One of the most popular queries on Landscape Juice is 'what does a gardener charge' and 'how much does landscaping cost' - with the right business education and consultation within horticulture, our customers could rely on the information that is produced by our industry.

As organisations, I believe that you all have responsibility to release information to the industry that is not just for the eyes of your membership. If I read your intentions correctly, your ambition is to create excellence - this ambition conflicts greatly with your money making ambitions and this is where the concept falls down.

There is no reason why your organisations cannot continue to work as specialist groups within the industry but the label needs changing so that it is clear. APL membership stands at circa 370 and BALI at 500 - are these the only businesses in the UK worthy of your badge? - I think not.

It is now time to talk before time runs out - I am willing to facilitate a debate and participate with coordinating a consultation that crosses all organisations - please be good enough to consider it.

RSVP

Philip Voice

Helen Nock makes bespoke garden furniture

2009-07-14T17:57:09+01:00

Since Helen Nock joined the Landscape Juice Network I have marvelled at her garden furniture designs and the style of her art.

Helen appears to be no ordinary artist; Initially training in fine art and design leading to professional sketching before moving into mosaics and a yearn to set up her own practise, making, among other things, bespoke garden furniture with wrought iron and reclaimed non-corroding materials - Helen even moulds her own ironwork in her blacksmith's forge.

Garden design and landscaping is turning increasingly to the sensory powers of the perfect garden space. All too often that the style of the garden furniture isn't designed into a garden scheme and is often spectacularly out of place in a new garden.

Helen creations allows garden designers the opportunity to provide furniture to fit the style and the atmosphere of any design.

For more details on Helen and her garden art - visit her website.

How to run a successful garden design company

2009-07-14T17:23:14+01:00

Earth Designs will be holding and open day and seminar at the Earth Designs Studio on the 25th September 2009 from 9am - 5pm.

As well as hearing what it takes to be a successful garden designer you will also hear tips on marketing and branding your business, finance and legal information as well as aspects of health and safety.

The day will include a site visit and discussion on how to present your plans to a client.

After lunch of sandwiches the discussion moves onto dealing with site surveys, budgets, sourcing materials, dealing with contractors, suppliers and staff and how to proceed once you have secured your client.

The day concludes with a question and answers session.

For more information, contact Katrina or Matthew Kieffer-Wells at Earth Designs.

Email address: info@earthdesigns.co.uk
Website: http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/

Download the Download TheEarthDesignsOpenDay

Tree professional needed by Microbee

2009-07-14T12:38:57+01:00

Microbee are looking for a Tree Surgeon/Arborists/Climbers/Groundsman to work across London operating from Wimbledon SW19.

Qualifications: CS30, 31, 38 & 39 plus 2 Years experience.

Full Driving license with a maximum of 3 points.

Salary: £19000 also participation in group-wide discretionary bonus scheme.

Benefits: Fully equipped vehicle, refresher training and a wide variety of work

For more information, contact David Channon at Microbee.

Email: info@microbee.co.uk

Do you have a job to advertise - Place a free job listing

Tracmaster at Saltex

2009-07-14T11:01:43+01:00

Saltex grounds care, sports facilities, amenities and landscaping show at Windsor racecourse in September, where they will be exhibiting their CAMON C8 Hydraulic Rotavator for the first time.

Tracmaster can be found on stands DAA56/58/58A

Why not enter the Tracmaster free competition before going to Saltex and try and win a C8 rotovator as a prize in their anniversary celebrations.

London Underground in Bloom competition

2009-07-14T10:36:20+01:00

Did you know that fifty percent of the London Underground is actually above ground and the land LU manages accounts for over ten percent of London's entire wildlife habitat?

Much of it is inaccessible to the public for safety reasons but nevertheless this land needs to be managed in order to maintain its bio-diversity in and around the capital.

Many of the London Underground staff have created small gardening displays in depots, control rooms and around stations to help brighten the daily lives of anyone who travels through, or works in and around London's tube stations.

These displays range from simple hanging baskets through to flower borders and bedding displays and even vegetables.

This year over a quarter of stations and depots are entering into the annual Underground in Bloom competition; high profile stations like Oxford Circus, Sloane Square, South Kensington and Victoria will be competing - judging takes places between 27th July to 7th August 2009.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said of the competition: "Making London greener brings a host of benefits and this competition promotes the message that unusual places anywhere can become flourishing gardens."

'The standard of gardens being created at London's Tube stations for this competition is just incredible.

Chair of London Food, Rosie Boycott, who recently visited a a London station garden, said: "These gardens are showcasing to millions of people the pleasure of gardening and even, in some cases, showing how easy it is to grow fruit and vegetables in the heart of an urban environment."

Taking some time away from the computer

2009-07-11T08:21:43+01:00

I am going to take a couple of days away from the computer and head up country to see some friends - I won't be back until Monday afternoon.

If you are bored then why not take a look at the Landscape Juice Archive at some of the older posts.

I will leave you with this view (click to enlarge) that greets me every day as I walk out of my front door. The sunflowers are at their best at the moment (although it hasn't rained for ages so the heads are probably smaller than they could have been).

See you all next week.

Tim Richardson takes on the RHS at Hampton Court

2009-07-10T17:24:24+01:00

What a brave fellow Tim Richardson is to stand up to the RHS. I mean, take a swipe at the bastion that is British horticulture and then have the audacity to attend one of their events.

Writing on today's Telegraph, Richardson tells how he was 'ambushed' by RHS members in the Telegraph Gardening Theatre by members who were unhappy with his swipe at the RHS' archaic judging system for its shows.

I will let you read the article for yourself but I have to say that I am with Richardson and there has to be a much more democratic way of judging.

I am always very suspicious of 'clubs' who organise an event and then hand out awards to its own favourites. It is surely the case that awards are given by a very small group of people that cannot possibly accurately represent the views and taste of a broad audience; who knows what agendas a judge can be harbouring.

The RHS need to find a way of letting the gardening public decide what they like - shouldn't they?

Lord Heseltine gets RHS vice presidency at Hampton Court

2009-07-09T11:04:16+01:00

Michael Heseltine took another step closer to horticultural dominance this week when he was awarded his badge of office at the RHS President's award lunch - Heseltine is now a Royal Horticultural Society Vice President.

The Right Honourable The Lord Heseltine, is seen here standing between RHS President Giles Coode-Adams (right) and show judge Jim Buttress.

It did cross my mind that this closeness between the RHS and the owner of Horticulture Week (Haymarket) would become a conflict of interest for Heseltine.

I have always had the greatest of admiration for Heseltine and I still have vivid memories of the Westland affair; Although I think Margaret Thatcher to be the best thing (in my life time) to happen the Great Britain, I also thought (at the time) that she sold herself on Westland and Heseltine showed great dignity and honour by walking out on his job in the Cabinet of Defence Secretary.

I loved Heseltine's style and the way he handled himself and my thoughts of the possibility of mixed interests disappeared when I read what Heseltine's partner at Haymarket, Simon Tindall said of Heseltine in the article 'Me and my partner' back in 1999.

Tindall said: "Michael spent a lot of time in the Commons when in Opposition. He knew what was going on in the company, although we never talked business in any detail. But once he was a minister, things changed.

"I was having a particular problem and wanted to find the right person to talk to, and I asked Michael whom I should see. He said: "I am sorry, I can't tell you. You mustn't talk to me about it, because if I met the individual, I want to be able to look them in the eyes and say `I have no idea what you are talking about'."

"Michael's incredibly correct about it. That was our relationship from 1970. Later on, I would occasionally see him at the House of Commons."

Is your garden insurance covering everything

2009-07-08T12:35:34+01:00

I have just spent over £600 on a new laptop computer and I am very pleased too. It's not top of the range but hey, it has a fast processing speed, 4gb of memory and enough storage to suck in the highest resolution photographs - it does the job.

I now have the flexibility to travel and take my everyday office with me and the built in wi-fi lets me hook up to adhoc networks wherever. I also have the flexibility to work in the garden if I so wish.

It crossed my mind that if I did choose to work in the garden, I would not leave my laptop unattended if I decided to pop to the shops or go out for the day.

I would lock it in the house, out of sight and secure in the knowledge that my insurance would cover the cost should the house burn down or the house was broken into and the laptop stolen.

It's funny how I take this view on a piece of high tech equipment - it applies to my Cannon G10 camera too - yet I think nothing of leaving a £2,000 patio set on the terrace.

I have read an article on the Moneysupermarket site today that highlights how so many householders are under insured for their garden.

"Whether you've picked out new sun loungers or bought a brand new barbecue in recent weeks chances are that the value of the items you keep in your garden reaches £1,000s - indeed the average garden contains more than £700 worth of plants, trees, bushes and shrubs alone according to research from Marks & Spencer.

Yet despite this, most home insurance policies only cover outdoor items up to a value of around £500 - meaning you could be well under-insured in the event of a theft, malicious damage, storm or other type of loss."

It's so true. I can think back to my last garden - I spent so much on plants and materials. Some ironwork that had been specially commissioned by a blacksmith but I can also picture many of my clients gardens which were left exposed to unscrupulous raiders when the house was left unattended for a day or more.

One of my clients even had the patio stolen one day. I kid you not - an old stone cottage on the outskirts of Selborne in Hampshire dating back to about the 1600's.

The property was left empty most weekdays as the clients lived primerily in London because their work was there. At least four days of the week the house, located in a sleepy lane and surrounded by trees and hedges, was an easy target for thieves and, in a single day the old York stone flagged patio - about four tonnes of it - was lifted and driven off site.

There was so much else that I can remember would have been vulnerable. An expensive submerged pond pump, a tennis net in the court behind the house, large stone garden ornaments, wheel barrows and gardening tools not to mention thousands of pounds worth of plants.

If you are planning to employ a gardener or landscaper then it is worth doing your homework before hand.

The BBC reports a group of 'cowboy' gardeners who are currently working in the the mid Wales area near Llandrindod Wells, Powys, who are not only carrying out shoddy work, they are using the opportunity to distract householders to steal from them.

It's worth checking your policy.

Tree survey software launched by Bluesky

2009-07-08T11:35:32+01:00

Building subsidence is said to cost the insurance industry an estimated £500 million every year - only fire exceeds it as a greater insurance liability.

A mature tree can remove hundreds of gallons of water from the soil every single day; if a tree is adjacent to a house and has been there for many years then its presence will be influencing the soil structure and water content in the proximity of house footings.

Bluesky have launched ProximiTREE, a new digital map layer that accurately marks the location of trees and their proximity to buildings and is designed to aid insurance assessors, property developers and planners to the extent of a trees root system, the spread of its canopy, height and location and used to assess the impact on and existing or proposed property.

Concern about the location of trees is a major worry to house owners, not only when trees cause damage through subsidence but also because the proximity of trees can jeopardise house purchases, insurance claims, planning applications, mortgage loans and even cause disputes between neighbours.

A Gold Medal for the perfumed garden at Hampton Court

2009-07-08T09:29:06+01:00

Congratulations to Jill and Simon Foxley and the team, for their gold medal success with The Healing Garden in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Trust.

Regular readers will know that this success has been achieved through extremely hard work, the generosity of sponsors and Jill's dogged determination.

Just as soon as she has dusted herself off and, I suspect, had some sleep, I sure Jill will blog about her last few days and the feelings when the gold medal award was made.

Here is a list of all the small garden medal winners.

Read Jill's Healing Garden blog.

Sunflower's cheerful smile all night long

2009-07-07T19:59:04+01:00

I am watching the all American tribute to Michael Jackson on the television. My Daughter Fleur is listening to Michael Jackson's ABC.

I cannot say that I was a great follower of his music, collected his albums or even hankered after going to a concert but I do realise now that for a very long time, Michael Jackson's music has featured throughout life.

My children, who are fifteen and a half and eleven, were just finding his music. Here is France, Michael Jackson's music was starting on its second wave. The irony is, the youngsters don't connect with the now and then. I am sure that my kids think he is a new found talent.

I don't want to make any corny gestures but I took this photograph as the sun set a couple of evenings ago. Even when the sun goes down, this sunflower will continue to shine all night long.