Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) Awards 2011 Latest News
Holland Landscapes reign supreme at the APL Awards
Essex based Holland Landscapes have been named the supreme winner at theAssociation of Professional Landscapers (APL) Awards 2011. This year’s sell out event took place at Kensington Roof Gardens in London today (10th February 2011).
The awards, sponsored by Bradstone, which celebrate their 15th anniversary this year, recognise and promote the very best in landscaping undertaken by APL members in categories that range from smaller projects to garden maintenance to contracts of over £100,000. The awards are a celebration of the high standards that have been achieved by members demonstrating the APL’s commitment to quality landscaping.
APL members attending the event heard from Andrew Fisher-Tomlin, former Chairman and fellow of the Society of Garden Designers who spoke about changing trends in homeowner garden use. Motivational speaker, Jake Meyer who broke Bear Grylls’ Everest record at just 21 and is Ambassador for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards scheme, Youth Sport Trust and the Princes Trust, spoke about his inspirational global adventures with the APL audience.
Commenting on the awards, APL Chairman and Chairman of Judges Mark Gregory said, “It is fantastic that this years awards have been so well supported, with a record number of APL members, growers, garden retailers, manufacturers and suppliers attending – demonstrating the importance of landscaping across the whole supply chain.”
This year’s judging panel consisted of APL Chair Mark Gregory (Landform Consultants), Stuart Marler (TVG Landscaping), James Alexander Sinclair (Garden and landscape designer), Chris Young, Editor The Garden Magazine and Mark Wood of Bradstone, sponsors of the event.
The Award categories for 2011 are: The Supreme Winner, Landscape/Garden scheme (under £15,000, £15,000 – £30,000, £30,000 – £60,000, £60,000 – £100,000 and over £100,000), Hard Landscaping, Maintenance, Commercial Garden, and Special Feature.
The Winners
Winner – Supreme Winner, Project value £15,000-£30,000
Holland Landscapes is the winner of both the Project value £15,000-£30,000, and is the Supreme Winner for turning a large existing lawn at Yew Tree Cottage, a 14th century cottage in rural Essex, into a picturesque garden. Designer Karen Chamberlin incorporated all of the clients brief to create a formal gravel garden, a small secluded terrace, a semicircular terrace, a large informal lawn, a gravel path to the summer house, and informal planting surrounding the terraces and lawn. Brick pathways and trellises’ weave their way around, segregating the spaces. The judges commented that the garden was “well thought out’ and had, ‘a good story, clean lines, and good craftsmanship.”
Winner – Project value under £15,000
Outdoor Creations client entrusted them with the vision and scope to entirely makeover her existing rectangular front space, creating a stunning new entrance to this home. The garden embraced a new central theme: complete with a terracotta urn as the focal point, new brick walls, large Scottish set in cobbles and smaller loose beach pebbles. While providing a low maintenance solution for the retired homeowner, Outdoor Creations used high quality materials and laid an interesting and visually stunning display, being praised by the homeowner for “your patience, attention, and listening skills.” The judges commented it was a value for money and a real transformation.”
Winner – Project value £30,000 – £60,000
Silvas Garden LLP fulfilled client requests to turn a once used children’s nursery playground into a multi-use garden – complete with outdoor kitchen and barbeque area, a first floor patio, log store, and a children’s playhouse. Landscapers were up to the daunting task struggling through one of the worst winters in the UK, but crafted a high quality finish using top quality materials throughout. Portland Limestone pavers, Sweet Chestnut decking, living walls, and stainless steel finishes achieved the goals of a simple functional design with clean contemporary lines. A full lighting plan highlights the raised beds and water feature ensuring pleasant evening patio entertaining. The judges commented it was a ,’a great professional presentation, with good range of skill on display.’
Winner – Project Value £60,000 to £100,000
Original Landscapes immediately identified the need to alter every surface within the external area The Old Rectory in Somerset, due to lack of upkeep by previous tenants. Unusually, they replaced every plant with the exception of a single willow tree, and a pair of Box in the front garden. The front garden was changed relaying the flags as crazy paving, and formed rose beds were surrounded by gravel walks for easy maintenance. Stone retainers were constructed with salvaged and local Sherborne stone, capped with sawn York stone. The centrepiece of the final area was a formal natural swimming pond with an adjacent yellow Balau deck and second circular deck, surrounded by prairie style planting. The area was enclosed on one side with willow hurdles and a new hornbeam hedging and cordon fruit trees. Judges commented it had, “good walling and design, and living pool.”
Winner – Project value over £100,000
The Gardenmakers constructed the main garden at new build Crimscote Hill House in Warwickshire, turning a blank canvas into a work of art. The design relies on precision symmetry and comprises 3 levels using locally-sourced stone. Central to the theme and running alongside the back end of the property is the majestic waterfall, spilling over into two pools down the centre of the garden, and feeding off into others. The inset pools mirror planting beds running alongside, and benches welcome residents to take a moment and reflect. The judges commented the project was “well laid out, had quality construction, build quality and paving.”
Winner – Overall Design and Build
Hillier Landscapes amalgamated the gardens for two properties into one at Nash Villa, after the clients purchase of the neighbouring property. The boundary fence between the two gardens was removed and hard and soft landscaping commenced to re-structure the garden as one item. The garden now allows space for both adult entertaining and children’s play. Purbeck natural stone was used for walling, paving, and carving, providing a warm but sophisticated finish in the minimalist style. The planting scheme is specified to enhance the existing forest/foliage character, but with a contemporary edge. The judges commented it was a “great project.”
Winner – Hard Landscaping
Keyscape Design & Construction Ltd. were approached by the owners of Heath Manor to renovate the outside of the property as it had stood empty for a while. York stone slabs were used from a quarry in Huddersfield as they transformed the exterior with a number of projects. The brief included terraces along the rear of the property, together with a sunken herb garden. A stunning sunken pool with pathway and oak and brick pergola edges the lawns and leads back to the Orangery terrace. The judges commented the project had “good levels and workmanship” with “good eye to detail, lines, and setting out; a quality project.”
Winner – Maintenance
Tendercare Nurseries Ltd. is the winner of this category for the maintenance of The Brit Oval – Living Screen, that is 200 metres long, has 2000 climbers and groundcover plants suspended in the air at 20 metres. The maintenance involves regular visits to attend the plants with horticulturists using high level working platforms. The groundcovers have fully covered the troughs and Lonicera nitida has been a good performer, outcompeting some of the variegated hederas. The ‘hanging’ hederas need to be pruned regularly to reduce the heavy effect of foliage at the lower base. This project is of the Duchy of Cornwall and Prince Charles’ personal interest, and is a potential horticulture icon. The judges commented the project was, “amazing, with exceptional maintenance and neat trimmed plants.”
Winner – Special Feature
The Garden Builder’s clients required a fun, safe and funky play area for their two young children and requested the materials be child friendly, robust, and contemporary. Colour, shape and surface define the area, combined with lush planting to give it a wow factor. Twisting Yews, soaring Cypresses and elegant Elaeangus ‘Lolly-pop’ trees provide tall and interesting shapes. Domes of Box and Pittosporum are set amongst various smaller plans such as grasses and bamboos to add movement and the fantastic Acer Fire glow adds a bold splash of colour set against the dark Yew background. The whole garden is lit at night with child friendly LED lighting with the sand pit area illuminated with colour changing LED’s. The judges commented it was a “quality project, with a good eye for detail and great features.”
Winner – Commercial Garden
Haywood Landscapes Ltd. worked in conjunction with Pilgrims Hospice Therapeutic to create a Labyrinth garden to be used as a spiritual ‘tool’ to benefit patients, family, carers and staff. This prestigious labyrinth installation offers attractive space for relaxation and visually stunning ‘art installation’ in the form of the labyrinth, its prime function is in the therapeutic resource that the labyrinth provides.
Highly Commended and Commended
Project value under £15,000
Highly Commended:
Hambrook Landscapes
Project value £15,000 – £30,000
Highly Commended:
The Millbrook Garden Company
Commended:
Outdoor Creations
Project value £30,000 – £60,000
Highly Commended:
The Garden Builder
Project value over £100,000
Highly Commended:
Arun Landscapes Ltd.
Commended:
Hillier Landscapes
Commercial Garden
Commended:
Naio Environment Ltd.
Highly Commended:
Landscape Design
Special Feature
Commended:
Strong Landscapes
Contacts
Gill Ormrod or Claire Donkin
APL Press Office
Tel: 0118 930 3132
Email: [email protected]
Images are available from the APL press Office
The Association of Professional Landscapers represents landscapers who meet a required standard of professionalism. Members of the Association are registered with the government endorsed Trustmark Scheme. They are regularly inspected and agree to follow a customer charter with clients. The APL is part of the Horticultural Trades Association which is the trade Association for the UK gardening industry. It is dedicated to helping develop the industry and its member businesses, including most garden centres and other garden retailers, growers, landscapers, manufacturers and service providers.
www.landscaper.org.uk
Sincerely,
Claire Donkin
Communications & Public Relations Executive
The Horticultural Trades Association
The Horticultural Trades Association
Horticulture House – 19 High Street – Theale – Berks – RG7 5AH
Tel: +44 (0)118 930 3132 Fax: +44 (0)118 932 3453
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1 thought on “Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) Awards 2011 Latest News”
Congratulations to all the award winners. Well done.
An excellent day surrounded by excellent professionals.
Stuart
TVG Landscaping – Professional landscapers.