John Woods Nurseries part of student showcase at the 104th Ideal Home Show
John Woods Nurseries is playing its part harnessing some of this country’s best young horticultural talent by becoming an integral part in the ‘Ideal Young Gardeners of the Year 2012’ competition which is being run in Association with the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment.
This prestigious competition throws together six UK colleges whose students have been challenged with creating inspirational and sustainable show gardens which will be exhibited in the forecourt of Earls Court during next year’s 104th Ideal Home Show, running 16th March– 1st April 2012.
The Suffolk-based company has been chosen by organisers to supply some of the plants for the gardens, which will be judged by a panel of experts including John Woods Nurseries’ managing director, John Lord.
The competition aims to highlight the very best examples of sustainable practice in British garden design amongst students. Each college will be given a 5.5m x 4m plot to plan and design a unique and sustainable garden based on the theme of ‘landcraft techniques in an urban setting.’
MD John Lord said: “So far two colleges have visited our nursery, Writtle College from Chelmsford near Essex, and Capel Manor College in Enfield, Middlesex, who won the inaugural 2011 competition, and whose garden was visited at last year’s show by HRH, the Prince of Wales.
“We are delighted to be supplying plants for the gardens, focusing on our new introductions and signature lines.
“This is a fantastic showcase for our plants, with more than 275,000 people expected to view the students’ creations over the course of the 2012 London show. It offers the students fantastic exposure plus a solid industry platform to build upon.”
The 2012 competition, which is staged in association with the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment, was officially launched last week (November 30th) by Channel 5’s TV gardener, David Domoney, who is also on the judging panel.
Each college will be given one week to build and plant their garden outside Earls Court ready for the Ideal Home Show opening day on March 16th. During this time they will be monitored and supported by Domoney in preparation for the judging panel.
Each garden will then be judged at the show on March 16th, by the panel which also includes award-winning garden designer Adam Hunt, who created the edible garden at HRH the Prince of Wales’s START festival at Clarence House in the summer 2010.
This year, the participating colleges will be awarded gold, silver or bronze medals, with two further prestigious titles presented for ‘Best At Show’ and ‘The People’s Choice’.
Colleges competing this year are:
- Askham Byran College, North Yorkshire
- Bridgwater College, Somerset
- Chichester College, Sussex
- Capel Manor, Middlesex
- Shuttleworth College, Bedfordshire
- Writtle College, Essex
The Prince’s Foundation has set clear guidelines for the competition based on organic and sustainable principles. In addition, each garden should inspire city dwellers, showing just what can be achieved in the most impossible of tight urban locations.
Hank Dittmar, Chief Executive of The Prince’s Foundation, said: “The importance of green spaces both in urban living and sustainable lifestyle is often overlooked and we are pleased to once again be launching this competition, particularly ahead of the launch of our landscrafts programme later this year.
“The Prince’s Foundation considers this to be a great start to the crafts programme – giving young people at the start of their careers an opportunity to learn about sustainable garden design and craftsmanship.”
David Domoney, organiser of the competition added: “Last year over a quarter of a million people at the Ideal Home Show got to appreciate the show gardens designed by our young students. This kind of exposure, with support from The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment, can prove a great fuel injection in those young people's career paths and help them stand out from the competition when they come to apply for work.”
For further information about John Woods Nurseries, visit: www.johnwoodsnurseries.co.uk
For more details on the 2012 ‘Ideal Young Gardeners Competition’ and the participating colleges visit www.idealhomeshow.co.uk
The Ideal Home Show will open its doors for 17 days from 16th March 16th to April 1st 2012, at London’s Earls Court. Tickets can be booked online via www.idealhomeshow.co.uk
Ends
Editors’ notes
John Woods Nurseries
John Woods produces hardy nursery stock on a ninety-five acre site in Suffolk. Sixty acres are currently in production, with the remaining thirty-five available for expansion.
The company’s product range extends to 1,500 lines in a range of sizes across shrubs, perennials, roses, ericaceous plants, climbers, trees and fruit. More than 1.3million units are produced annually.
ISO14001 and ISO9001 accredited, John Woods Nurseries is one of the UK’s top five nurseries supplying the garden retail market. Annual turnover is approximately six million pounds.
Industry Awards
Garden Retail Awards ’11 - Best New Plant
Silver-Gilt Flora - BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2011
Silver-Gilt Flora - RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2011
Garden Retail Awards ’10 - Most Successful New Plant
Gold Award ’10 - RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2010
Gold Medal ’10 - RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2010
Grower Awards ’09 - Trade Marketing Campaign of the Year
Garden Retail Awards ’09 - Most Successful New Plant
Grower Awards ’08 - Trade Marketing Campaign of the year
Garden Retail Awards ’08 - Most Successful New Plant
For pictures and more information, visit John Woods Nurseries press room at www.cisionwire.com/john-woods-nurseries
For more information contact redheadPR:
Sara Tye on 07786 176 617 or email: sara@redheadpr.co.uk
Emma De Maio on 07921 160 134 or email: emma@redheadpr.co.uk
