Palmstead Nurseries 2013 workshop is to tackle the topic of native versus non-native planting and try to determine what is the best specification.
Opposing views from designers and BRE promises to provide a stimulating debate at this year’s Palmstead Nurseries Soft Landscape Workshop.
Professor Nigel Dunnett, one of the designers of the Olympic Park will be giving a talk entitled Beauty and Biodiversity: why using non-native species increases the ecological value of our designed landscapes - while Sarah McCarrick from BRE will present Native plants and their importance for BREEAM & Biodiversity, tackling the other side of the argument.
Professor Chris Baines, Tony Kirkham, Kate Bradbury, Helen Bostock and Dr Andy Salisbury from RHS Wisley, Sarah McCarrick from BRE and Professor Nigel Dunnett will speak at the event.
Nick Coslett, said of the topic; “Native versus non native and the drive by organisations and systems such as BREEAM to encourage native only planting has been a topic that has arisen over the last few years at our annual workshops, so we decided to tackle it head on this year.
“The principal behind the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM for development sites to offer better biodiversity after development is not in question, however designers wanting to use non-natives for their longer display season, and in many cases higher ecological values, have to work hard to justify their inclusion.
“I have heard from many top landscape architects and garden designers who are frustrated by this state of affairs and would welcome the topic getting a good airing. I hope that delegates will leave better equipped to negotiate with BREEAM assessors to get their planting schemes accepted. I also hope that they will be energised by the ecological views and diverse range of experience from our speakers who have been working in the ‘native’ field for many years.”
For further information on the event and to register for a press place please contact nick@palmstead.co.uk or vikki@presscontact.co.uk
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