Latest Stories

  1. Bringing Green Life to Glasgow’s Health Hub

    Bringing Green Life to Glasgow’s Health Hub

    P1 Contractors and Johnsons Nurseries are proud to have played a pivotal role in the successful delivery of the landscaping and planting for the new Parkhead Health and Social Care Hub in Glasgow. This £72 million state-of-the-art facility, developed by hub West Scotland for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and constructed by BAM Construction, is Scotland’s first net-zero carbon in-operation health hub, setting a new standard for sustainable healthcare infrastructure.

    A Transformative Health and Social Care Facility

    The Parkhead Hub integrates essential services under one roof, including GP services, pharmacy, dental care, children’s services, mental health support, training, and social work. In addition, it features community spaces, including bookable rooms, a café, and the relocated Parkhead Library. The inclusion of carefully designed green spaces promotes well-being, biodiversity, and community engagement, making the facility not only a healthcare centre but also a sustainable and welcoming public space.

    P1 Contractors: Leading the Landscaping Installation

    As the lead landscaping contractor, P1 Contractors managed the full soft landscaping installation, which included:

    • Soil preparation and groundwork
    • Tree, shrub, herbaceous, and bulb planting
    • Turfing and grass seeding

    Ryan Whitelaw from P1 Contractors commented: “We’re proud to have played a key role in shaping the outdoor environment of the Parkhead Hub. Our work ensures that the facility’s landscape is not only functional but also a lasting green space for the community.”

    Johnsons Nurseries: Supplying a Lasting Green Legacy

    A leading UK plant supplier, Johnsons Nurseries contributed significantly to the Parkhead Hub’s landscaping, supplying:

    • Over 120 trees, including Acer campestre, Betula pendula, Pinus sylvestris, and Prunus avium
    • More than 23,000 shrubs, grasses, and herbaceous plants, including:
      • 4,000+ Prunus Otto Luyken
      • 1,800+ Pinus Mugo Mops
      • Thousands of Lonicera Nitida and Ilex aquifolium

    Graham Richardson, Johnsons Group Managing Director, said:“Supplying over 120 trees and more than 23,000 plants for the Parkhead Hub ensures a lasting green legacy for the community. From trees to shrubs and herbaceous plants, each plant was carefully selected to enhance biodiversity, air quality, and well-being. It was great to work with our long-standing customer, P1 Contractors, on this transformative project, delivering high-quality landscaping that will benefit generations to come.”

    A Landmark in Sustainable Healthcare

    The Parkhead Health and Social Care Hub is a landmark project that unites essential services in a net-zero carbon facility, setting new standards for sustainability and community well-being. Through collaboration between hub West Scotland, BAM Construction, P1 Contractors, and Johnsons Nurseries, this project creates a welcoming green space that will benefit Glasgow’s community for generations.

    Posted 21st Feb 10:29am
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  2. Plant Supply to Sheffield Hallam: Johnsons Nurseries & ABG Installs Collaborate on Sustainable Development

    Plant Supply to Sheffield Hallam: Johnsons Nurseries & ABG Installs Collaborate on Sustainable Development

    Johnsons Nurseries is proud to have supplied over 1,700 plants for Sheffield Hallam University’s latest city centre development, a project delivered in collaboration with ABG Installs. This state-of-the-art academic building incorporates innovative sustainability features, including blue and green roofs, insulation, paving, planters, and soft landscaping, all expertly installed by ABG Installs.

    Enhancing Sustainability Through Green Infrastructure

    The newly developed university block is a cornerstone of Sheffield Hallam’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and student well-being. Featuring an impressive roof terrace, this space is designed to foster biodiversity, improve air quality, and create a relaxing environment for students, staff, and visitors. The terrace and surrounding landscape benefit from a carefully curated selection of plants sourced from Johnsons Nurseries, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits.

    The diverse plant selection includes Stipa tenuissima, Clematis, Echinacea, Euphorbia, Kniphofia, Salix, Salvia, Sempervivum, Stipa, Carex, and Calamagrostis, alongside a variety of bulbs. These plants were chosen for their ability to thrive in urban environments while supporting local biodiversity and creating a vibrant, green setting.

    A Shared Vision for Sustainable Development

    Graham Richardson, Group Managing Director at Johnsons Nurseries, expressed his enthusiasm for the project:“We take great pride in supplying a diverse range of plants for this development. By integrating greenery into urban spaces, we contribute to biodiversity, air quality, and overall well-being, reinforcing the importance of green infrastructure. We hope the space is enjoyed for many generations to come.”

    Kirstin Forsythe, Sales Manager at ABG Installs, also highlighted the importance of the initiative:
    “We are delighted to have been involved in such a significant project. Our work in delivering high-quality blue and green roofs and landscaping solutions aligns with our commitment to creating sustainable and visually appealing urban environments.”

    A Green Oasis in the Heart of the City

    One of the most notable features of the new development is its two expansive roof terraces, designed to provide a natural retreat from the busy university atmosphere. The terraces incorporate a selection of robust, low-maintenance plants that enhance the well-being of students and faculty while contributing to a greener urban landscape.

    Sheffield Hallam University’s investment in green spaces reflects its broader commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability. By integrating eco-friendly practices into its developments, the university is ensuring that its infrastructure contributes positively to both the local community and global sustainability efforts.

    As the landscape flourishes, it stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between Johnsons Nurseries, ABG Installs, and Sheffield Hallam University in shaping a greener, healthier future for urban spaces.

    Posted 12th Feb 9:47am
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  3. Say it with flowers: Valentine's day in the Garden

    Say it with flowers: Valentine's day in the Garden

    Flowers have long been a symbol of love and devotion, and the Victorians perfected the Language of Flowers—a way to express emotions through floral arrangements. Today, roses remain the go-to Valentine’s flower, with an incredible 220 million roses imported through Heathrow in February 2024 alone!

    But why limit your floral romance to a bouquet? This Valentine’s Day, bring love into your garden with plants that bloom with meaning. From passionate reds to delicate pinks, here are some beautiful choices to create your own love-inspired outdoor space.

    Romantic Plants for a Love-Filled Garden

    🌸 Potentilla ‘Lovely Pink’

    This deciduous shrub is covered in masses of soft pink flowers from late spring until mid-autumn. Its dark green foliage makes it ideal for informal hedging or border planting. A long-flowering beauty that thrives in full sun with moist, well-drained soil.

    🔥 Salvia ‘Hot Lips’

    A bushy, drought-resistant plant with aromatic green leaves and bright red flowers, this Salvia transforms through the seasons. The blooms turn red and white in late summer and become fully white in autumn. Growing 0.5-1m in height, it’s perfect for cottage gardens and sunny spots.

    🌿 Leucothoe ‘Burning Love’

    This evergreen clump-forming shrub is a stunning year-round addition to any garden. Its slender, ovate leaves are deep red and purple in autumn and winter, turning green in summer. In summer, clusters of white, cylindrical flowers add an elegant touch. Low maintenance and perfect for edging, it thrives in full sun to partial shade.

    🍂 Nandina ‘Obsessed’

    A compact evergreen shrub with fiery red foliage in spring and autumn, maturing to deep green in summer. This plant is perfect for year-round color, and its delicate white flowers in summer add extra charm. A great choice for containers, borders, and low hedging.

    🌸 Pieris ‘Passion’

    This evergreen shrub is a true garden showstopper! In early spring, it produces cascading clusters of deep pink flowers that contrast beautifully against glossy, dark green leaves. It thrives in partial shade and is a must-have for a romantic garden setting.

    🍁 Cornus ‘Heart Throb’

    A small deciduous tree or shrub, ‘Heart Throb’ bursts into life in late spring with large deep pink bracts, resembling a floral display of love. In autumn, its foliage turns a stunning crimson-red, making it a striking seasonal feature.

    💕 Hebe ‘Heartbreaker’

    With green leaves edged in cream, turning pink in colder weather, this low-maintenance evergreen shrub brings year-round color. Lavender flowers in summer make it a great choice for patios, containers, or city gardens.

    🌿 Brunnera ‘Silver Heart’

    A clump-forming perennial with heart-shaped silver leaves and delicate pale blue flowers in spring, this plant is a romantic addition to cottage gardens and borders. It thrives in full to partial shade.

    🦋 Buddleja ‘Queen of Hearts’

    Known as the Butterfly Bush, this variety features vibrant magenta flowers that attract butterflies and bees, making your garden both visually stunning and eco-friendly!

    Create Your Own Love-Inspired Garden

    This Valentine’s Day, go beyond the traditional bouquet and plant a garden that celebrates love year-round! Whether you choose passionate reds, delicate pinks, or long-lasting blooms, these plants will bring beauty, texture, and meaning to your outdoor space.

    Posted 3rd Feb 2:45pm
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