Softworks
Like Hardworks, Softworks also encompass a huge range of approaches: herbaceous to woodland, ornamental to ecological.
We provide planting schems which are appropriate to the site and the expected level of maintenance. Through good design and associated contract management, it is possible to hand over a well-established and well-maintained scheme to the client. However, the long-term success of a planting scheme is greatly affected by the commitment of the client to the management and maintenance requirements of a scheme.
Ornamental planting can contribute to the setting of any site or building and provide visual interest all year round.
More natural planting, such as wildflower meadows, used to be regarded as appropriate for rural situations only. With the increase of creative horticulture - such as the prairie approach to planting, driven by shows like Chelsea; more people are beginning to appreciate that a "wilder look" can really offset a house or commercial and industrial developments. Wildflower planting has the benefit of being native, whilst the prairie approach draws on a wider variety of herbaceous species. However, both approaches are beneficial to insect and bird populations and therefore help to boost local biodiversity.
Planting scale can range from large industrial and commercial schemes to detailed domestic designs. With our professional partners we can also offer woodland development and landscape maintenance and management.
It is vital to choose appropriate species for the site conditions, taking into account exposure, sun and shade, soil and moisture; but it is also important to consider relevant aesthetic and environmental issues, and possibly, planning and statutory issues.
Project examples:
South Humber Bank
South Humber Bank - planting mitigation for NGC
The largest planting project we have been involved in, this was planting mitigation on a huge scale, designed to reduce the effects of a new overhead transmission line. Roadsides and hedgerows were planted or improved across a 30km stretch of North Lincolnshire. The above plan covers around 6km. Such plans were converted to detailed CAD drawings for contract purposes.
South Humber Bank - planting mitigation for NGC
This is the first of a sequence of images showing the difference that a decade's-worth of plant growth can make. This is 1997, the first season after planting, just west of Thornton Curtis.
South Humber Bank - planting mitigation for NGC
The same view in 2007 - a landscape transformed. Try jumping back-forward with your keyboard left-right arrows. Note the fixed items like the transmission towers.
South Humber Bank - planting mitigation for NGC
1997 - further down the same road. The new line is running parallel and to the left of the existing line. Note the open character of the intensively farmed landscape.
South Humber Bank - planting mitigation for NGC
2007, the same view. As well as reducing the direct visual impact of the transmission lines, the aim was to balance their negative impact with an overall positive enhancement of the landscape.
South Humber Bank - planting mitigation for NGC
1997, the A1073 runs parallel to the existing and new transmission lines.
South Humber Bank - planting mitigation for NGC
Ten years later, in 2007, the transmission lines are far less obvious to the users of this highway.
This substantial mitigation scheme has made a massive contribution to the area's landscape and biodiversity.
Mersey Life Green Infrastructure
Mersey Life Green Infrastructure
We have included this project in Softworks because Green Infrastucture has the potential to be a huge driver for substantial planting-based improvements in town and country. In the case of Mersey Life (see also
Master Planning), we see from the above plan that Warrington has a benefical relationship between green spaces (including significant nature conservation assets) and socially deprived areas (red in the plan). The obvious green wedge forms a great foundation for natural enhancement of the urban area.
Mersey Life Green Infrastructure
This view along one of the tributaries of the Mersey shows the potential: imagine if all walking and cycling links could share some of this character. Health benefits, like improved air quality, opportunity for exercise and well-being, are amongst the multiple benefits of Green Infrastructure (GI). In turn, GI generally anticipates substantial planting programmes to enhance urban-rural linkages and to improve biodiversity and social and economic well-being.
Commercial Planting
Commercial Planting
In commercial settings, like this supermarket car park, robust ornamental shrubs tend to be the answer, although these are increasingly being supplemented by softer herbaceous material as tastes in planting design become more sophisticated.
Commercial Planting
This planting scheme, to mitigate the effects of a power station and access road, is in a rural area. The planting will, quite rightly, comprise native species, like Oak, Ash, Birch, Hawthorn, with Holly for evergreen interest; with perhaps some Pine, which is already evident in the local area.
Planting Gallery
Gallery - Woodland Cemetery
This Woodland Cemetery proposal was for Hull City Council (see also
Master Planning > Open Space > Woodland Cemetery) and recognised that people are increasingly seeking an alternative to serried ranks of gravestones. In the woodland cemetery, there are no markers other than perhaps in a Garden of Remembrance. Rather, there is an acceptance of the interconnection of nature, that from death comes new life.
Gallery - Ornamental Vegetable Garden
Even vegetable gardens can be designed. With increasing awareness of the importance of growing food locally, we should recognise that vegetables can also make a great visual contribution to our environment.
Gallery
Well-designed planting can delight us, even in the depths of winter - this photo was taken in February.
Gallery
Planting keeps our clocks tuned to the seasons. As our population is increasingly urbanised, the importance of keeping in touch with natural cycles becomes more urgent. Sorbus rehderiana in Spring...
Gallery
... and in Autumn
Gallery
Landscape design with plants is not about control, it is about creating opportunities for nature to delight us. A combination of colour and texture, a shaft of sunlight...
Gallery
Opportunity, not control. Spider web in November mist.
Gallery
Opportunity - Cherry leaves in Autumn
Gallery
Opportunity - Of course, we don't plant just for our own aesthetic pleasure. Here, the last of four baby song thrushes calls to its parents, before leaving its nest, in the Garrya bush, and joining them.
isoft
