By Nadia Cheddi (Lighting Designer) In recent years, garden lighting has become a very popular trend. Whether it is uplighting huge feature trees to give structure and height, or downlighting the façade of house, more and more people are wanting to venture into the world of garden lighting. However, we need to make sure Read more »
By Wil Heeney Often when people talk about wildlife gardening, they conjure up images of gardens left to grow into backyard jungles. However, improving our back gardens for wildlife doesn’t have to mean carrying out your own re-wildling experiment. Even the slightest changes in the smallest spaces can promote native biodiversity. Below are two Read more »
By Ruby Simpson June is here! And because we have all been busy celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, I thought why not go for a red(ish), white and blue(ish) theme? I have included some Roses in the mix, as June is the month of the Rose. Not only that, but it’s the 60th Anniversary Read more »
By Steve Malsher I consider myself extremely lucky in the work that I do. Working in not only beautiful gardens, but in a beautiful part of the world, The North Cotswolds, Oxford and South Northamptonshire. Simply driving from once place to another can open up vistas that could grace the cover of any landscape Read more »
By Victoria Sherbourne Synonymous with freshly cut grass, blooming flowers and blossoming trees is the Chelsea Flower Show. This year, we are thrilled to be returning to the Show to build a considered and captivating garden named, “Connected by EXANTE,” for Finnish designer, Taina Suonio. Our passion is to lead on sustainability, not only Read more »
By Will Beament Increasingly in the contemporary world, Environmentalism is slowly being incorporated into every facet of modernity. Whether this is through policy via the encompassing umbrella of ‘Sustainable Development’, through direct-action following law, or simply through the desire of ‘grass roots’ change. Being in the industry of green infrastructure and designing Landscapes, one Read more »
By Jared Hutchings Have you ever picked up one of those bags of seed with a title like “Wildflower Meadow Mix” and a dreamy image of a grassy swathe, speckled with colour, like something painted by Monet. Did you imagine yourself sprinkling those seeds on a worn-out patch of lawn, and then sitting back Read more »
Nicholsons Lockhart Garratt are to return to RHS Chelsea Flower Show to build the most magical garden “Connected by EXANTE” for Finnish designer Taina Suonio. We could hardly believe our luck when we received the invitation to join forces with Taina at Chelsea in 2022. Our beating heart is to lead on sustainability, not Read more »
By Jarka Valasheek (Assistant Designer & Planting Specialist) Don't just smell the roses! If you really love them, do go ahead and enjoy the fragrance that they can produce. I particularly enjoyed ‘Paul’s Himalayan Musk’ at Upton House in their Rose Garden last summer. However, if growing roses is not an option for you, Read more »
By Libby Reeves Damp, wet or boggy areas in the garden are usually caused by two separate issues: Poor drainage High water table Poor drainage has various causes: a heavy, impermeable clay soil; compaction; a physical barrier such as a concrete slab or pond liner; soil pans to name a few. A high water-table Read more »
Stronger together – providers unite to expand environmental services for clients Two of the environmental, landscape, forestry and planning industry’s most experienced service providers are celebrating the merger of Nicholsons and Lockhart Garratt, offering a unified range of environmental, landscape, planning and forestry services – all under one roof. With a combined 65 Read more »
By Libby Reeves Biological controls are tiny creatures that we can use within our gardens to control pests and disease. It is a more recent method, but a highly valued version of pest control that is encouraging farmers, growers and gardeners alike to move away from chemical use. This is important. Chemicals are dangerous, Read more »
By Libby Reeves & Maria Laskey Many hours are spent in our gardens caring for our trees and flowers, and sometimes despite all our best efforts, things can go wrong. And oh...can they go wrong! Disease may not always be the first thing we think of when we see a poorly plant, and indeed Read more »
By Maria Laskey Welcome to our first instalment of Pest and Disease control on the Nursery. This month, we have had to contend with pesky pigeons and the evil weevils, but we have also encountered lots of lovable lacewings and their lioness-like larvae. Pesky Pigeons We noticed damage on Read more »
Perhaps one of the most prestigious events in British society, the world-famous Flower Show will be returning in September 2021 following an 18-month hiatus due to the global COVID-19 crisis. Our stand can be found on Main Avenue, the garden designed by Nicholsons working with Savills, the revered luxury real estate provider. The concept Read more »
By Iona Milne Home A sculpture in the garden can add an extra layer of interest in many different ways. It can serve as a focal point, as a destination, or as a visual surprise to be discovered amongst greenery. It can be traditional in style, or contemporary, light or dark, complementary or contrasting. Read more »
By Libby Reeves Our gardens are home to all sorts of plants and animals - some that we put there, and some that have arrived by themselves. They can be both beautiful for us to enjoy and functional for our local wildlife to thrive. Some of the local wildlife Read more »
By Iona Milne Home Benedict Pollard is a supplier of ‘oaklings’ grown from ancient, veteran or characterful oaks, and for the last 2 years, some 250 of his oak saplings have been growing here at Nicholsons nursery. There are two native oak species in the UK - Quercus robur (Common/Pedunculate/’English’ Oak) and Quercus petraea (Sessile Read more »
