“For the third year in a row, these awards celebrated projects with a value under £30k, a budget range which can often go underappreciated. The seven categories recognised different aspects of a project, from design and build to sustainability and planting.”
Adam's winning design, the Ravine Garden
Inspired by The Lost Gardens of Heligan, The Ravine Garden was created to deliver a truly vibrant planting scheme which would provide interest throughout the year and would increase the biodiversity of the site significantly.
The site conditions are unique with a cool, damp, and shady valley floor, which graduates through east and west facing banks to the hot and dry planting of the southerly facing banks. As such, the conditions were both a challenge and an exciting opportunity to blend diverse, yet fascinating planting schemes which could thrive in a Ravine-type environment.
In addition to thriving in the diverse conditions, the overall requirement for the planting was to add year-round interest, varied form, interesting textures and a sense of intimacy within the space. The intimacy was intended to allow the client a cool, relaxing space to chill out and unwind from the pressures of modern-day life.
The key to the plant selection within The Ravine was to fully understand the environment created and therefore selecting the right plants for the right location:
Area 1 - South facing bank, well drained, and full sun:
Chamaerops humilis, Astelia nervosa ‘Westland’, Agapanthus africanus, Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, Eucomis ‘Zeal Bronze’ and Aloe striatulata. Grasses used – Stipa tenuissima, Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’ and Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’.
Area 2 - North facing bank, well drained, and deep shade:
Euphorbia ‘Robbiae’, several Hellebores, Liriope muscari, Anemanthele lessoniana, several Dryopteris and Epimediums.
Area 3 - North facing bank, wet/damp, deep/partial shade:
Digitalis purpurea, Gunnera manicata, Astilbe ‘Ellie’, Rheum palmatum, Matteucia struthiopteris, Dicksonia antarctica, Asplenium scolopendrium, several hostas, Rodgersia ‘Bronze Peacock’ and Acanthus mollis.
Area 4 - East and west facing banks, well drained, and partial shade.
Primula bulleyana, Primula beesiana, Primula denticulata, Primula japonica, Hydrangea quercifolia, Cornus ‘Mid-winter Fire’, Matteucia struthiopteris, several Hellebores, Several Camassias, Echium pininana and Osmunda regalis.
As parts of the garden were open, trees and larger shrubs were added to create a dappled shade (partial shade) on the east and west facing banks. Here, Betula utilis Jacquemontii, Amelanchier lamarkii, Japanese maples, Rhododendrons, Camelias and Cornus Kousa were used to good effect.
Nina Mason, 16 November 2021, 'Winners announced for Pro Landscaper’s small project BIG IMPACT Awards', www.prolandscapermagazine.com
The standard of entries to the APL Awards 2022 exceeded expectations and Adam Vetere Landscape & Garden Design was picked from a record number of submissions.
Adam's shortlisted project, an Artist's Garden
“The client, an Artist and Glass Sculptor, has an eye for bold use of colour, striking lines and forms, contrast textures, which in turn were replicated in the final design. The overall scheme has delivered life and vitality to the garden, which it previously lacked. The key was to create a feeling of intimacy and seclusion, while delivering an environment for the client to enjoy by herself or with friends and family, including the grandchildren. She is an avid gardener and loves to garden, so raised beds and an inspirational planting scheme were delivered. From a practical standpoint, I had to incorporate a large artist studio (4m x 2.5m), several seating/terrace areas, raised and sunken areas, an area for the grandchildren, which had to be coupled with an exquisite planting scheme which works hard from March - October, but retains interest and structure throughout the winter."
Adam's shortlisted project, the Ravine Garden
“Inspired by The Lost Gardens of Heligan, The Ravine Garden was created to deliver a truly vibrant planting scheme which would provide interest all through the year and would increase the bio-diversity of the site significantly. The site conditions are unique with a cool, damp and shady valley floor, which graduate through east and west facing banks to the hot and dry planting of the southerly facing banks. As such, the conditions were both a challenge and a huge opportunity to blend diverse, yet fascinating planting schemes which would thrive in The Ravine."
These awards are here to recognise the value smaller projects bring to the landscaping industry. Although the projects are on a smaller scale, they can be deemed just as important as larger schemes and can sometimes be more challenging. For many landscaping companies, smaller projects are the main source of work.
The awards applaud the brilliance of how people within the industry overcome budget boundaries and smaller spaces while creating iconic landscapes.
Adam's shortlisted Design, an Artist's Garden
Adam's shortlisted Planting Design, the Ravine Garden
Pro Landscaper has revealed the shortlist for its small project BIG IMPACT Awards. For the third year in a row, the awards will celebrate projects with a value under £30k, which often go underappreciated.
This year marks a huge development for the Pro Landscaper small project BIG IMPACT Awards. With FutureScape moving to the ExCeL and taking place over two days, the awards will be an afternoon ceremony held at the event, complete with lunchtime drinks and canapes, on Tuesday 16 November.
Jim Wilkinson, managing director, said: “Pro Landscaper’s small project BIG IMPACT awards just keeps getting better and better. This is not only in terms of entries, but the quality of the submissions is impressive too."
“The whole purpose of the awards is to highlight the quality of the UK landscaping sector, the quality of design, build, plants and products that can be used on a small budget to really maximise impact."
“Congratulations to all those shortlisted and we look forward to announcing the winners live at this year’s FutureScape.”
With thanks to our sponsors: Provender Nurseries Ltd, Azpects Ltd, Palmstead and Rolawn.
Gemma Lloyd, 15 October 2021, 'Shortlist revealed for Pro Landscaper’s small project BIG IMPACT Awards 2020', www.prolandscapermagazine.com
Garden designer Adam Vetere believes that to start with the key to a successful meadow is to get the ground conditions right. In an ideal situation, the topsoil will be stripped back and a low fertility substitute (low in phosphorous) will be used as the base for the meadow. He advises: “Always ask your designer or landscaper to add in late winter and early spring bulbs to extend the flowering period.” *
* Extract from Dream Garden Magazine, August 2021
Adam Vetere’s design transformed our garden from a wild, overgrown space into a beautiful contemporary garden. Adam introduced us to TS Landcapes and together they have created stunning features which retain the garden’s original character, whilst introducing innovative new designs.
Rachel and Steve
I have always loved the tranquility and eternal nature of traditional Japanese gardens, so was delighted when Adam agreed to bring a little bit of Japan to my little bit of Berkshire.
The design evolved with much arm-waving and looking at many photographs from many books. It needed to incorporate a collection of toro (Japanese stone lanterns) and my favourite rocks recycled from previous gardens, a watering system and lighting for night-time viewing of the garden.
What Adam came up with was deceptively simple but there is interest everywhere you look in the sculptural plants and cloud-pruned trees, the yin-yang of weathered granite stepping stones set against smooth almost-white patio tiles, and the classic grouping of a toro overlooking a reflective pool.
The hard landscaping was done by JJH Landscapes and it was obvious from Adam's regular site visits that they knew each other well, so the whole process was as smooth as construction work can be.
Now that I have my own beautiful little corner of Japan to enjoy, it's almost a shame that I don't have another garden for Adam to design.
Victoria
Adam did an amazing job when designing my 100 sqm roof terrace. He was professional, courteous and efficient throughout the process, and his design exceeded my expectations in every respect. The greatest hurdle to overcome with designing a roof terrace is to work within considerable weight limitations and yet to still come up with a pleasing result and make it all look effortless. Adam achieved all that and I could not be more happy with the results. Working with Adam on this project was a pleasure. He was always available and helpful on the phone or by email when I had a query … not a ‘given’ these days. I can highly recommend Adam.
Christina
From the outset, working with Adam has been an absolute pleasure. He listened to my ramblings, asked me insightful questions and managed to capture every nuance of those conversations.
The end result is beyond anything I could have imagined and is the essence of everything I had hoped for. The garden entices me in and indeed commands my attention, but the focal point is the pergola; its bold, structural form is the perfect foil for the lush, architectural planting and the natural elements which surround it. It is stunning - as soon as I saw the design, I knew I had to have it in my garden.
I’m now looking forward to watching it develop into an even more beautiful space to share and enjoy with family and friends.
Tana Travers
Adam has designed the most beautiful garden for us, which was implemented and finalised in September 2023. I was really impressed by Adam’s design process, details attention and professionalism. He managed to transform a very awkward shaped garden into the angled garden, which captured all that we asked for on day one. I would highly recommend Adam.
Anna
From the beginning to the end of my garden project it has been a pleasure to work with Adam. Adam laid out the process very clearly so I knew my options and we agreed a brief. Having been invited to see his own garden I knew I could trust his judgement and I wasn’t disappointed when he talked me through the design idea. He had designed a garden that fitted the features of the house as well as my own artist style which made it extra special; incorporating my fused glass was an unexpected chance to put my own stamp on the garden. Adam project managed the whole process brilliantly too. The planting has amazing combinations of plants in textures, scents and colours, many of which I had not been familiar with. With a plant list and maintenance instructions I feel equipped to help his vision develop as the months go by. Every day I look forward to seeing what new delights the garden offers. A patch of grass has been turned into a beautiful garden and a space to enjoy all through the year.
Jean Thomas
First met Adam at his garden while on a group visit. I was instantly impressed with him and his eye for detail. Sometime later I asked him if he would come up with a design for a patio area with a couple or raised beds. We discussed some very basic requirements and Adam presented several options, all which had merit but one fitted our requirements exactly. Adam is always keen to offer advice regarding landscaping and choice of plants. I would highly recommend him and would certainly contact him again for any future projects.
Graham Powell
Adam has been excellent in his approach to our garden design, he has captured all our views and designed a garden so all children especially special needs children can access the garden like their friends. He has been very approachable and very sensitive to the project, and has looked at all access.
I can't recommend Adam enough in his design, approach and more importantly kindness.
Sabrina Merritt
Through every stage from the initial planning to the implementation Adam and his team provided the highest level of service. The design reflected both Adam's ideas and our own contributions ensuring that our objectives were achieved. All the work was carried out on the specified dates, in a non-intrusive way, and an excellent dialogue ensured that we were kept fully up-to-date with progress. Despite difficult weather at the time the work was completed absolutely to schedule, and already it is clear that Adam will provide follow-up and advice when needed. Interaction with the team was pleasant and everyone worked in a very tidy and organised way. We would have no hesitation in recommending this company.
John Spinks
We are eternally grateful to Adam, who came to the rescue on our new build landscaping project, creating an innovative contemporary garden design to maximise the views from our difficult sloping site and reflect the contours of the surrounding landscape. In addition to his obvious expertise, Adam has shown great flexibility in dealing with our difficult deadlines and liaising with the builders and architect. We felt that Adam really understood us as people and incorporated this, helping us design not just the garden but our whole outside entertaining space. Adam's detailed presentation helped us understand how the garden will look across the seasons - we can’t wait to see the finished planting. I can't recommend Adam highly enough - Thanks Adam.
Zoe Taylor
We asked Adam to help us with a design for our long but quite narrow garden that had been neglected for a number of years. We had a few ideas and knew what we wanted to include in the finished garden, and Adam's final design ticked all the boxes! He was friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable and we would highly recommend his services. We felt he really took on board what we were hoping for and his attention to detail was excellent, the extremely professional final presentation was easy to understand and looked fab! Thanks for all your help Adam!
Elizabeth Davis
I would like to shout from the hill tops about Adam and Katherine, they have worked together on designing our amazing magical garden for our early years children with multiple needs. They have embraced all our individual children, parents and their needs for fun, play and learning, through a garden of excitement. Their approach to working with us as a service has been outstanding. Thank you for all your support!
Ann-Marie Boxall – KIDS
Adam is dedicated to providing the best and most fitting garden experience to the most demanding of customers. His thoughtful accommodating and unique approach is second to none.
He is certainly far above the average garden architect - give the guy a chance. You will not regret it.
Clive McArdle
Adam has been amazing in his wonderful, caring and delicate approach to our garden design, he has captured all our ideas and visions for our children with disabilities. He has worked endlessly to get the vision right for all our children, so they can have a safe, but wonderful experience of being in a garden. I thank you from all our families/children, and most importantly my team who will love it... Thank you.
Jane Woodhouse
We would like to thank you for designing and transforming our run down vegetable garden and situating the glasshouse in its midst. We have appreciated your input and greatly valued your guidance.
Olga Barber