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Johnsons Nurseries Supplies Plants For Rockliffe‘s Multimillion-Pound Transformation



One of the UK’s largest plant nurseries, Johnsons Nurseries Ltd, has continued its long-standing relationship with the five-star luxury resort, Rockliffe, supplying more than 17,000 plants and trees for its newly landscaped grounds as part of its multimillion-pound transformation.


Set within 375 acres of historic parkland near Darlington, Rockliffe has undergone an extensive transformation, including the restoration of its Grade II-listed Old Hall, enhanced accommodation, new dining experiences, and the creation of a standalone restaurant pavilion named Atlas.


The ambitious project has seen the resort's gardens and outdoor spaces transformed to complement the renovated and new buildings, creating an attractive and welcoming environment for guests.


The landscape and planting scheme was designed by Colour Landscape Architects, while Johnsons Nurseries supplied an extensive selection of shrubs, trees, instant hedging, ornamental grasses, flowering perennials and topiary, creating year-round interest throughout the newly landscaped grounds.


Among the varieties supplied were mature Scots pines, multi-stem Amelanchier lamarckii and Magnolia trees, alongside instant Carpinus betulus hedging and ornamental Taxus baccata topiary. The planting scheme also features an extensive mix of flowering perennials and ornamental grasses, including Anemone 'Honorine Jobert', Geranium 'Rozanne', Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm', Calamagrostis and Deschampsia, providing seasonal colour, texture and movement throughout the gardens.


The landscaping was carried out in-house by Rockliffe’s Estates team, led by Head of Engineering & Estates Phil Mennell.


Despite one of the hottest and driest summers, the team worked tirelessly to establish thousands of plants and trees, extensive hedging and new lawn areas, overcoming challenging conditions and tight deadlines to complete the grounds ahead of the resort's reopening.


Group Managing Director at Johnsons Nurseries, Graham Richardson, said:

"We're incredibly proud to have supplied the plants for Rockliffe’s newly transformed gardens as part of this prestigious development."

"From the restoration of the historic walled garden to this latest transformation, it's rewarding to see how the grounds have evolved. The finished gardens look fantastic, and we're delighted to have played a part in creating outdoor spaces that guests can enjoy for years to come."


Phil Mennell, Head of Engineering & Estates at Rockliffe, added:

"This has been one of the most ambitious landscaping projects we've undertaken at Rockliffe, and I'm incredibly proud of what our Estates team has achieved. Working closely with Johnsons Nurseries has been invaluable, ensuring we had the quality and variety of plants needed to bring the designs to life."

"It's been fantastic to see the gardens transform, and I'm looking forward to watching them establish and mature for our guests to enjoy for many years to come."


Emma Fletcher, Director at Colour Landscape Architects, said:

 “Johnsons have been a great support on the delivery of the new gardens at Rockliffe, assisting us on species choices and availability from early design stages and providing flexibility in deliveries to align with the challenging project programme."

"We are delighted that the completed gardens have been so well received, and a large part of that is the impact that the planting beds and stock have had.”


The completed gardens complement the resort's historic parkland setting, enhancing the guest experience and marking another chapter in Johnsons' long-standing relationship with Rockliffe, which reopened at the beginning of September.


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Dec 20, 2023
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An accountancy and business advice firm has gifted more than 350 baubles and donated £325 to a Hampshire hospice charity after a fun Christmas competition.


HWB Chartered Accountants invited clients, staff, visitors and the public to guess the exact number of baubles which were put on display in their Chandler’s Ford reception. A one-metre-tall, 300mm-diameter clear cylindrical tube was packed full of the coloured decorations in HWB’s brand colours.


Within days, the firm received more than 100 entries, with resulting proceeds quickly rising and exceeding the fundraising target of £250 for HWB’s chosen charity, Mountbatten Hampshire. The answer was 355. The closest guess was made by Liam Heffernan of The Brain Tumour Charity, based in Fleet, who won a Christmas hamper worth £100. Liam said:

“I am delighted to win this fantastic Christmas hamper from HWB. The Brain Tumour Charity has been a client of HWB for many years and I have always been impressed with HWB’s efficient, helpful and friendly service.”

The baubles have now been donated to Mountbatten Hampshire to sell on in one of their charity shops, so recycling their use.


Caitlyn Sherry, Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser at Mountbatten, said:

“This was such a lovely Christmas present. We provide free-of-charge services to around 1,000 families every day, with demand predicted to grow by 40% in the next 18 months."

“It is only through the generosity of our amazing community of supporters and volunteers that we can provide the best possible care for local people in the last years of their life."


“Christmas can be an especially difficult time for those living alongside death, dying and bereavement, so we can’t thank HWB Chartered Accountants enough for their timely support. It is very much appreciated.”

HWB Managing Director Tracy Jenkins said: “Our bauble challenge was an ideal way to have fun, sprinkle a little Christmas magic and support Mountbatten Hampshire all at the same time."

“Congratulations to Liam for being so close with the answer. We thank everyone who entered the competition and did their bit to help us raise much needed funds for Mountbatten Hampshire.”


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