News

From a Press release by the research and conservation societies ZSL and Froglife

Conservation charities the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Froglife are calling for the public to look out for and report cases of sick and dead frogs – and other amphibians like toads and newts – in an attempt to expand vital research into the state of the nation’s amphibians. The UK’s amphibians are being affected by two significant diseases, ranavirus and the chytrid fungus. Ranavirus kills thousands of frogs, toads and newts in the UK each year and the chytrid fungus, implicated in extinctions of amphibian species around the world, has recently been identified in the UK.

Both diseases are harmless to humans, but in amphibians result in a variety of symptoms that could include lethargy, thinness or unexplained mass-deaths of adults or juvenile amphibians. Internal bleeding and open skin sores have also been reported. Members of the public who have come across unusual amphibian deaths in their gardens are urged to submit their information on the Froglife website: www.froglife.org. This information will then be used by ZSL in its research on diseases affecting UK amphibians.

Best Show Garden: Cheshire's Year of Gardens 08
Best Back to Back Garden: Reaseheath Alumni
Aughton Green Landscapes and the Big Pond Company
Best Display in the RHS/Ball Colegrave National Flower Bed Competition: Conwy County Borough Council
Best Exhibit in the RHS Floral Marquee: Hampshire Carnivorous Plants
Best Exhibit in the National Plant Societies Marquee: North of England Orchid Society
Best Exhibit in the Flora Design Studio: The Black Rose

The Flower Show at Tatton Park is very much the Cinderella of the Royal Horticultural Society Flower Shows and many southerners seem loath to wend their way to the outer reaches of this fabulous part of Cheshire. For those that do go, they know they are in for a treat. The gardens are not big but they always make up for them with acres of inspiration.

'A Midsummer's Day' by Russell Watkins
So there was less of the wildlife meadows or recycled gardens and
depressingly pristine veggie plots, more of the excercising and
hammering out of single strong concepts. Perhaps the subtleties of
gardens at the previous shows of this year were lost on me or perhaps
it was just the exhuberant unhibited friendliness of this show and its
paricipants and organisers that made the displays glow with a familial
warmth.

And for water gardeners it was an especial treat, because water wasnt just a feature in most of the gardens, it was often the dominating feature. The main reason being perhaps that the gardens were smaller and more compact. In fact water gardeners could be excused for thinking that the special section of Water Gardens reserved for the Hampton Court Flower Show had moved to Tatton:
Paul Dyer with 'My Own Little Bit of the Lakes!'

Aughton Green and the Big Pond Company always have at least one big stream and waterfalls to match and were on top form with 'Go with the Flow'.

'A Midsummer's Day' by Russell Watkins was a quiet formal affair with a central square pond and fountain.

Paul Dyer, veteran of Chelsea, Hampton Court and Malvern and one of the great waterscapers in the country had 'My Own Little Bit of the Lakes'.

'East Meets West' by Dan Sterry'East Meets West' was designed by Dan Sterry that had two spectacular water features that blew the power and their transformer when they turned it on - they justly deserved a gold for an innovative design that had elements from East and West and to my mind a little bit from 'down under' and those Aussies that always get to Chelsea!

'At the End of My Garden' was a natural looking stream to end all natrual looking streams. This was for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

An unusual design for what was essentially a water garden that didn't seem to work on paper was the garden 'Always There' by Paul Hensey for the the Samaritans. In actual fact it'Always There' by Paul Hensey for the Samaritans looked brilliant, confidently crafted with flair and with an unusual range of plants. It may not havestuck to the origial brief and therefore was marked down on this, but I would say the end result was better than the garden on the original plan.

'Aqua Life' was more than just a water garden and a water feature, there was also a swimming pond and a paddling pool for kids. This was the perfect 'place at the opposite end of the garden, where you can sit and relax in front of a water featuer in an area that is slightly secluded'.

Geoff Whiten 'Real Life by Brett'.
Geoff Whiten had put in no less than three water features just so that I could mention him on these pages. This was his 'Real Life' Garden for Brett. There is a touch of class about Whiten designs with straight forward practicality. It comes with his lifelong varied experience which has mellowed him like good wine.

Jackie Knight was back with 'Natural Distinction' carrying on the family tradition of great waterfeatures - no trade mark bridge this time, just strange oak arches and a shelter from Handspring Design Studios.

This year was a year a particular year to celebrate because it was the 10th show to be staged at Tatton and also it was the Year of Celebrating the Great Gardens of Cheshire (designated Celebrating Cheshire's Year of the Gardens 08). Among those gardens that were designed to pay especial tribute to the occasion was Chris Beardshaw's simple creation with the stunning plantsmanship of Peter Dowle Plants and Gardens and also the craftsmanship of Jes Oughton Landscapes. For its immaculate and seemless presentation it received a Gold Medal and Best in Show Award. No water feature though.

The RHS flower shows have long provided an excellent platform for exhibitors to highlight how climate change impacts on gardens and gardening, and how they can promote environmentally responsible gardening through talks, demonstrations, gardens and exhibits. The RHS is committed to increasing the environmental content of its flower shows, and to finding more environmentally friendly ways of working. There is still work to be done, but the RHS flower shows can help to educate and inform both visitors and exhibitors about environmentally responsible gardening.

Below are some of the environmental initiatives at RHS flower shows:

Environmentally responsible trade stands

The RHS bans the sale of certain products from its shows at Cardiff, Chelsea, Hampton Court Palace and Tatton Park. The list of banned products includes:
• gas patio heaters
• fossil stones
• petrified wood

Waste from RHS flower shows

In 2008, exhibitor waste will be monitored, measured, photographed and detailed to create a base line for future measurement of the environmental impact the flower shows. The ultimate objective of this action is to encourage the reduction of waste, and increase the level of recycling.

Currently the RHS flower shows at Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace achieve a recycling rate of 65% for waste managed by the RHS, and at Tatton 75% of waste is delivered to the waste plant.

For Landscapers in the USA, the National Association of Pond Professionals (NAPP) is now offering its certified contractor testing online. This great opportunity allows contractors to gain certification credentials at their own convenience. NAPP certification is the customer's assurance that the contractor has mastered the competency level and necessary knowledge to design and install water features. Testing takes just two hours and comes with a certificate of completion, welcome kit, and listings on NAPP’s website and monthly press release. Earn customers’ trust and increase business leads with the NAPP certified contractor program.

Rain and a surfeit of vegetables made the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show something a little more than a little less than its former days of awesome splendour. Gone were the gobsmacking head turning mind numbingly brilliant concepts. Now its back to 'Dig for Victory' with dull puritan austerity as the self-inflicted economic doldrums come grinding over the horizon. I love vegetables and have grown them for sustenance since my early twenties, but I dont charge people to come to see my brussel sprouts or my curly calabrese. There are some things best kept private.