In one of the most ambitious and environmentally progressive education projects in the UK, Johnsons Nurseries played a pivotal role in delivering the landscape planting scheme for the new Woodmill and St Columba’s RC High School campus in Dunfermline. Officially certified as the world’s largest Passivhaus school in June 2025, the 26,666 m² development brings together two secondary schools on a single, low-energy campus designed to lead the way in sustainable public infrastructure.
Commissioned by Fife Council and delivered by Hub East Central Scotland, the project was constructed by BAM UK & Ireland and designed by AHR Architects to meet the rigorous Passivhaus Classic certification standards. Johnsons was appointed by P1 Contractors Ltd, one of Scotland’s leading landscape construction specialists, to supply the entire plant stock for the external soft landscaping scheme—an integral part of the school’s sustainability goals and visual identity.
This project presented several complex challenges that demanded precision, coordination, and deep horticultural expertise. As a flagship development for Scotland’s Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard, the landscaping needed to do more than just look good—it had to enhance biodiversity, support climate resilience, and integrate with features such as pollinator meadows, rain gardens, and outdoor learning spaces. The scale was significant, requiring the supply of more than 200 semi-mature trees, 19,000 shrubs and herbaceous plants, and 2,000 bulbs.
Timing was also critical. The phased construction program meant plant deliveries had to be aligned carefully with installation windows, and all stock had to arrive in prime condition, ready for immediate planting. Furthermore, all plant species had to be carefully selected to ensure they met the design intent, could thrive in local conditions, and would support the long-term environmental ambitions of the site. Meeting these objectives required not only high-quality plant material but a dependable partner who could ensure on-time, on-spec delivery at every stage.
To meet these challenges, Johnsons Nurseries worked in close partnership with P1 Contractors from an early stage of the project. Our team grew and sourced the full range of required stock to precise specifications, ensuring that every plant—from semi-mature trees to fine-textured herbaceous perennials—met the highest standards of health, size, and resilience. We carefully coordinated delivery schedules to match the evolving site conditions, avoiding delays and reducing plant stress.
In alignment with the school’s sustainability ethos, we provided a diverse palette of plants that supported native biodiversity, promoted pollinator activity, and contributed to the school’s low-maintenance strategy. This included species selected for seasonal interest, structural diversity, and suitability for integrated rainwater management systems. By working collaboratively with landscape designers, contractors, and site managers, Johnsons ensured the planting scheme delivered both aesthetic value and ecological functionality.
The finished campus stands not just as a remarkable feat of energy-efficient architecture, but as a living, thriving green environment that enhances student wellbeing, supports climate resilience, and sets a new benchmark for public education infrastructure. The landscaping delivered by P1 Contractors, supported by Johnsons Nurseries’ expert plant supply, has become an essential part of the school’s identity and function.
Our contribution helped the project meet and exceed the standards required for Passivhaus Classic certification, while also providing outdoor spaces that are educational, beautiful, and environmentally responsible. Students now enjoy access to a campus where green spaces are learning environments, and the planting contributes to a deeper connection with nature. The site’s landscape will continue to grow and mature, offering value to future generations of students, staff, and the surrounding community.
“We’re proud that our plants are helping shape such a pioneering space,” said Graham Richardson, Managing Director of Johnsons Nurseries Ltd. “This project is proof of what’s possible when sustainability, quality, and collaboration come together.”
“Our stock is now part of a green space that will benefit pupils and the wider community for decades to come,” said Graham Richardson, Managing Director, Johnsons Nurseries Ltd.
