GLAS Special: John B. Smyth reviews the GLDA’s annual seminar
John looks back on the highlights from this year’s seminar ‘Space to Grow’ - How our Gardens and open spaces can help us achieve a liveable future’
Print18 July 2024
The Garden and Landscape Designer Association (GLDA) annual seminar took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dublin, 24 February 2024.
Stephanie Mahon, the editor of Gardens Illustrated, was the MC. Stefano Marinaz, Mark Gregory, Jo Wakelin, Ton Muller, Giacomo Guzzon, and John Little spoke at this year’s event
This years audience at the ‘Space to Grow’ GLDA seminar
Biodiverse future
Stefano Marinaz is like the garden whisperer, using his wit to explain the intricacies of his craft while entertaining everyone. Each garden case study image was like a window into his soul, revealing his deep love for plants and his commitment to creating spaces that were not only visually stunning but also ecologically responsible. He spoke about introducing planting to clients with low maintenance expectations. Stefano’s gardens demonstrate simplicity, good old-fashioned beauty and functionality.
Sustainable gardens
Mark Gregory explained through images, the ‘plot to plate’ paradise within the grounds of an imaginary country hotel to win multiple gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the BBC People’s Choice Award. A Michelin-starred chef forages fresh ingredients every day, and reclaimed materials live harmoniously with edible plants. When he explained that torrential rain threatened to bring down his brick wall, you could almost feel his anxiety.
Low on H2O
Jo Wakelin was invited courtesy of a request to the GLDA from founder member Angela Jupe. A commitment to tread lightly on the Earth is evident in every aspect of her garden, from the soil beneath her feet to the sky above. Jo’s garden demonstrates an innovative use of native plants and permaculture principles. Instead of forcing exotic species into an unnatural environment, Jo let the land dictate what thrived and what faded away
Greening a city
Tom Muller’s description of how the Netherlands legislated to allow green spaces to be created outside people’s front doors; he showed images of the effort householders and businesses made to green that 1m border, with climbers, herbs, and flowers. Concepts include planters being used as biodiversity dumps, Mobile Systems, green roofs on canal barges, and perennial planting schemes with rich diverse use of drifts of perennials and biodiversity needs.
Pictured: (L-R) Stephanie Mahon, Giacomo Guzzon and Ton Muller
Nurturing public landscapes
Giacomo Guzzon’s advocacy for public landscapes as agents of social and environmental change earned him recognition from the Landscape Institute and the Civic Trust. He highlighted the wonderful new book “The Tree Selection Guide” by Arit Anderson and Henrik Sjöman Giacomo communicated the methodologies and recommendations of the book through images which advocated trees for all the new weather.
It’s not all about plants
John Little challenged conventional approaches to garden design by emphasising the importance of structural complexity and ecological functionality.
The recent 35 million spent on Hilltop by the RHS was used as a reference point for more to be spent on gardeners and skills, not just gardens themselves.
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