Landscape Juice

Insight into the work of the gardeners and stonemasons of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission care for cemeteries and memorials at 23,000 locations, in 154 countries. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission owes its existence to the vision and determination of one man - Sir Fabian Ware. Neither a soldier nor a politician, Ware was nevertheless well placed to respond to the public's reaction to the enormous losses in the war. At 45 he was too old to fight but he became the commander of a mobile unit of the British Red Cross. Saddened by the sheer number of casualties, he felt driven to find a way to ensure the final... Read more →

Should our rural landscapes be listed?

I've just read an very interesting blog post - Only one chance to get it right - by David Fursdon about an idea "of listing the landscape in the same way as buildings are listed grade I,II or II". David makes a good point about how any system that might be put in place is in danger of being abused and that the likes of English Heritage are too resource starved to deal with running such a scheme. As someone who's helped carve out and alter landscapes over many years I can see why, in certain situations, a block should... Read more →

The role of Kew Gardens during World War 2

Although not a primary target, Kew was bombed during the 2nd World War. Plants, library books and scientists were sent to safe areas of the Kingdom so as to protect Kew's priceless and irreplaceable plant collection. Whilst male gardeners were re-directed to other aspects of the war effort, many women were drafted in to keep Kew Gardens operational. A depletion of scientists and big changes at Kew meant big challenges. Kew wasn't just a major plant collection and many important experiments were done there to find ways of using plants and plant material in aspects of material production. One example... Read more →

Jeremy Barrell on the Kingston Lacy Duke of Wellington cedar

[The magnificent Duke of Wellington Cedar, more than 20m in height and with a trunk diameter of 2.3m (14/09/13)] If, like me, you care about trees and their part in Britain's heritage you will no doubt be worried about the decision bt the National Trust to cut down a magnificent cedar tree planted by the Duke of Wellington in the garden at Kingston Lacy. I've been in contact with tree consultant Jeremy Barrell, who has written this update for Landscape Juice. Update on the felling of The Duke of Wellington Cedar to supplement the existing press briefings (Landscape Juice -... Read more →

Looking after Hadrian's dry stone wall

Visitors to Hadrian's Wall this summer may have seen parts of the ancient structure being carefully restored? The work is being carried out by the Hadrian's Wall Trust and is due to be completed this Autumn. (Image above: Workers from the Hadrian's Wall Trust repairing part of the wall) The hope is to improve access to Hadrian's Wall and to help attract more visitors to explore the Roman frontier. The project is being financed by a grant of £537,185 from the SITA Trust. Detailed survey work began in June and the full project will be completed in October. Some of... Read more →

Fascinating history of the Stanley Tool Company

The Stanley Tool Company has a very rich history. I bet there are not many landscapers who haven't used at least one of Stanley's tools over their career? In 1843, Frederick Stanley started the Stanley Works in New Britain, Connecticut, to manufacture bolts, hinges, and other hardware from wrought iron. The Stanley Rule and Level Company was later founded in 1857 by Fredrick's cousin Henry Stanley. In 1920, the two companies merged and formed the hand tools division. It's tools have been used in some of the worlds's greatest construction projects, such as the Empire State Building. They've even landed... Read more →

Buddhist garden treasure sells for over half a million pounds

Have you got any old carved stone statuary or ornate metalwork adorning your garden? You might want to take a closer look if you have, because you never know, you may just be sitting on a small fortune. Bronwyn Hickmott, of Exeter in Devon, recently used a semi-circular carved stone as a door step until it was identified as a rare Buddhist treasure. Bonhams experts identified the stone as a step was in fact a Sri Lankan Temple Moonstone (Sandakada pahana) of the late Anuradhapura Period, 10th or early 11th Century. Bonhams described the stone: of semi-circular form, depicting a... Read more →

Wakehurst Place remembers the great storm of 1987

Wakehurst Place, the Sussex country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, will mark the 25th anniversary of the 1987 hurricane next month to highlight how the gardens were restored in the aftermath of the great storm. Wakehurst’s botanical gardens and surrounding woodland lost more than 20,000 trees when winds of more than 75mph tore across southern England in the early hours of 16 October 1987. Centuries old trees fell like matchsticks at the 500 acre estate at Ardingly, near Haywards Heath. It took five years to completely clear the damage. A quarter of a century on, the anniversary will... Read more →

What's the oldest plant you've planted still thriving?

(image: walled garden just after completion 1991) Having worked in landscaping and horticulture all of my life I've planted thousands and thousands of trees and shrubs around southern England. Whilst I was paid for my work I still feel a great deal of pride for the work I achieved and the legacy I've left (hopefully) for generations to come. With the aid of Google maps, I can see some of my work. My earliest recollection of planting is along the first fairway at Blackmoor Golf Club. I cringe to think now but we planted conifer, alder and whitebeam on what... Read more →

December in the Victorian Kitchen Garden

Peter Thoday and Harry Dodson plant a Maltster cooking apple in the kitchen garden. Thought to be lost, the Maltster was re-produced from the last known remaining tree in the Brogdale collection in Kent. Watch out for the whip and tongue grafting of a scion to the root stock bound in clay, straw and cow manure. Stored potatoes are removed from their frost free clamp to feed the big house during the dormant months of winter. In the forcing house, sea Kale is almost ready to pick and rhubarb is harvested in time for Christmas. Read more →