Supporting biodiversity at Chelsea 2010
The RHS will mark the 2010 United Nations’ International Year of Biodiversity at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show by highlighting that gardens have an important role to play in helping to slowdown the global decline of biodiversity, yet are increasingly threatened by development.
The exhibit designed for the RHS by Fisher Tomlin will explain that if we must develop on gardens, those that remain need to be used to support biodiversity to maximum potential.
Before the 1970s, residential development often included big gardens that were great for biodiversity with good populations of trees, ponds and hedges. Since then gardens have got much smaller, with the trend set to continue.
Garden Organic predicts that over the next ten years we’ll lose 2010 hectares of garden, which is the equivalent size of around 14 Hyde Parks.
The garden will show that gardens are Britain’s biggest wildlife reserve, for example highlighting that they have a greater density of bumblebee nests than any other habitat** and what we can do to help wildlife in our outside spaces.
Guy Barter, head of RHS Advisory, explains “Any garden, whether contemporary or more traditional, is full of living organisms and is remarkably rich compared to other environments, such as some kinds of modern farmland.
“In fact, diversity in garden types and styles, taken with other nearby features, railways, canals or parks for example, provide the range of habitats that make urban environments so effective in sustaining biodiversity.
“Gardens are precious and biodiversity is a key part of their value. It is important that they are preserved to play their part in supporting biodiversity in urban areas.”
The garden has been designed by Andrew Fisher Tomlin for the RHS Advisory Team who help thousands of people every year to support garden life.
New collaboration with English Garden Joinery
Dan Bowyer, Director of Fisher Tomlin, is collaborating with English Garden Joinery on a new modern edition of obelisks for contemporary gardens. Dan said “ we are being asked to design modern flower borders and contemporary kitchen gardens that require fresh thinking for elements such as obelisks for climbers. I hope that with this new edition we’ll create new ideas for working in timber whilst retaining traditional craft values”.
New commissions celebrated
Fisher Tomlin have ended 2009 by winning some key commissions in the Caribbean and Europe. Founding Director Andrew Fisher Tomlin said “we are delighted to have been selected to create new gardens in France and Mustique for private clients and are in advanced talks on several new public commissions in Europe” He added “2009 has been a challenge for all our clients but we are confident that our award-winning service and the quality of our construction partners’ work will continue to benefit all our customers in 2010”
Fisher Tomlin in Philadelphia
Founding Director Andrew Fisher Tomlin has been asked to speak at the prestigious Philadelphia International Flower Show in 2010. This leading show supports The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and its acclaimed urban greening program, Philadelphia Green. Contact us for more details if you are planning to attend.
Meet us at the Flower Shows
Andrew will be at both the RHS Malvern Flower Show and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May. Give us a call if you'd like to meet up and talk about your project.
Fisher Tomlin have been awarded new commissions across London and the South East this spring ranging from small courtyard gardens in Clapham to large country gardens in Kent. We've won them based on great ideas, keen prices and an attention to detail. If you'd like to hear about our great service and see our portfolio then checkout our projects or archive above and give us a call on 020 8542 0683.
Its our 20th anniversary this year and we’re celebrating! We’ll be at all the big flower shows and Andrew is even travelling to New Zealand to judge and speak at their show in March. We’re hoping to build a conceptual garden at Hampton Court this summer with our ice specialist partners. We’ve now created over 1000 gardens and are well on our way to 2000 so let us know if we can help.
For many years we have rewarded our customers who have referred new projects and commissions to us. We’ve installed new driveways, revamped planted borders or sourced garden offices and furniture for the friends and family of our customers. And because we appreciate this support we’ve rewarded you with gifts from Fortnum & Mason. In 2009 we’re expanding our rewards scheme. If you know someone who is looking to have their garden re-designed, wants to re-think a corner of their garden or install lighting and irrigation then please pass on our details. For every successful new commission we’ll reward you with a voucher of your choice to the value of £100 (subject to minimum order of £500).
We're going to be at the following shows this year. Ellerslie International Flower Show in New Zealand (March), Malvern Spring Show and Chelsea Flower Show in the UK (May), Hampton Court (July) and have planned visits to France, Cyprus and the West Indies so let us know if you'd like us to visit or come and meet us at the show!
