This year’s seminar focused on managing large projects. Nigel Dunnett discussed his much admired and sustainable planting at the Barbican. Renowned landscape architect, Dominic Cole, explained the challenges involved in surveying different historic landscapes and how to create a document which is accessible for the people on the ground. Selina Pappa from the Heritage Lottery Fund gave us a practical insight into how to make an application to the HLF while Scotscape’s Niall McEvoy shared his knowledge of the benefits of living wall systems.

In the afternoon, Andrew Williams and Scott Taylor, from the Kew Projects Team, recounted the mammoth job of renovating the Temperate House. This glasshouse is due to re-open to the public in May.

The seminar was a good opportunity to meet with fellow professional gardeners as well as catch up with friends and colleagues. One of the aims of the London Gardens Network is to encourage students and apprentices so it was god to see a high number attending the 2018 seminar.