Rosewood
Irrigation Services of St Albans is seeing increasing interest from the
residential sector for professional irrigation systems.
From small
courtyard-style urban gardens to country houses, property owners are specifying
Rosewood's irrigation systems for sustainability and conservation of water.
Homeowners
who have employed garden design services are also looking to protect their
investment by installing proper irrigation that will ensure their gardens
continue to flourish.
Rosewood
has chosen a high street location for its HQ and interest from passers-by has
paid dividends. Rosewood invites potential customers to see the benefits of its
irrigation systems through a purpose-designed living wall. “ An irrigation
system can be up to 90% more efficient than traditional watering methods. We
introduce our customers to state-of-the-art controllers and products that
irrigate efficiently with minimal environmental impact,“ says Director, Andy
Leaver.
This
philosophy attracted the owners of a new architect-designed family home on a
half acre plot. Following completion, the next step was to transform the clay
and flint wilderness behind the property and the area to the front, into a
landscaped family garden. Gilly Leach Garden Design was chosen as designer with
The Landscape & Garden Company as the contractor.
The
results fulfilled the aspirations of homeowners Mike and Eve, including the
creation of a split-level fully-landscaped rear garden with a large grassed
play area, corners of tranquility and the retention of some existing ornamental
trees. On the lower level, a lawn, full-width patio, raised beds,
perennial-filled borders, planters and contemporary water features provide a
stunning display. To the front, a semi-circular landscaped area complements the
sweeping driveway.
Keen to
ensure that the new garden would remain vibrant for the forseeable future,
Mike's internet search for irrigation led him to Rosewood Irrigation. “ I
decided to go with Rosewood not only because they were a knowledgeable
family-run business, but I was also impressed by Andy's background in civil
engineering and water conservation. "
Rosewood
has decided to use Rain Bird products exclusively, sourced through Landscape
Watering Services.
An
automatic irrigation system managed by Rain Bird's ESP- ME controller was
designed. Surface dripline was specified for the flower beds and borders so
that irrigation could be provided exactly where needed, close to plants' roots
and minimising the risk of wastage through water run-off. 90º and 180º pop-up
sprinklers work in tandem covering the grassed areas.
A Rain
Bird Root Watering System protects investment in new pleached hornbeam
screening, providing essential irrigation in the infancy of the trees' life.
The ESP-ME
has provided the facility to create the 14 different irrigation zones with
three different timed watering programs. “ These were essential with so many
different plant and shrub varieties on-site; shaded areas and sunny locations;
raised planters requiring more water; the need for overnight sprinkling of
grassed areas and separate zoning for the sprinklers for highest efficiency,”
says Andy. A Rain Bird rain sensor monitors rainfall levels and
automatically overrides the controller to curtail irrigation cycles when
appropriate.
" It is easy to set programs with the ESP-ME's dial control
and the whole installation can also be conveniently managed by Mike on his
smartphone/iPad using the Rain Bird app linked to the controller by the LNK
Wifi system,” says Andy. With his previous experience of sustainable
rainwater harvesting, Mike had installed a large tank at the property. It
provides the predominant water source for the installation, and as it is only
topped up by mains water, helps to minimise impact on water usage.
Rosewood worked alongside The Landscape & Garden Company,
laying pipework at the correct time before walls and paths were constructed or
trees planted. They ensured the surface dripline was positioned carefully to
match the planting layout and undertook commissioning of the installation in
stages as the garden was created. The early summer days of 2018 set the trend
for some of the hottest days on record that would follow. “It was vital that
young plants in their bedding in phase and new lawns were well irrigated and
Rosewood ensured this was the case,” says Mike.
The owners
remain delighted with the garden design, landscaping and the irrigation system:
“Investment in the irrigation paid for itself in one season and in 2019 we have
continued to benefit as the gardens continue to flourish. It was a challenging
project and good communication between all parties was key to its success. “
