Growing forward: The Next Generation

allgrowth began in 2008, established and run operationally and administratively by founders Peter Middlicott and Andrew Smissen.  The pair have a long and rich history in tree production and sales and have continued to invest and grow the business from their Bedfordshire/Cambridgeshire base for almost 20 years.

Alan Middlicott (left) and Andrew Smissen (right)

In January 2025, Andrew will step down as Head of Production, hanging up his secateurs and taking a well-deserved retirement. Stepping up and representing the next generation of Middlicotts in the business is Peter’s eldest son, Alan. Alan joined the company in December 2023 and has been immersing himself in to the company’s tree production practices and the allgrowth ethos with a view to taking over the reins when Andrew retires.  Alan follows Amy Wiltshire into the business, Peter’s step-daughter, who has been magnificently managing the office and sales administration from allgrowth HQ for over seven years.

allgrowth ethos

Both family members have already learnt and inherited The allgrowth Way from their father, who has been leading the business forward in the supply of large trees to the landscape, estate, commercial and high end residential sectors since it began.

allgrowth development

Based just down the road from allgrowth HQ, the nursery is home to over 1000 semi-mature containerised trees; over 500 large field-grown and containerised trees between 8-12 metres in height; 800+ field-grown topiary shapes and specimens; a busy production and despatch facility and a source and supply service for nursery stock.  The company sources to order and prides itself on its personal service, offering Peter’s legendary horticultural support and advice on a consultancy basis.

Alan will be responsible for the everyday operations of the business, managing production, despatch, order collation and liaison with sales to fulfil orders and match customer expectations.

Amy supports Peter on the sales and order administration, fielding customer enquiries and managing the team’s HR and financial commitments.

Andrew will retire in January 2025 and the company will be ensuring he has a hearty send-off with everyone’s well wishes and gratitude for the part that he has played in allgrowth’s foundation and success to date. He will leave the business with many exciting prospects and developments in the pipeline.

allgrowth sponsors Bridgeman to Legends Car Masters Cup glory

Oulton Park International Circuit was host to an exhilarating finale in the 2024 Legends Cars Championship this weekend (28 September 2024). Will Gibson became a two-time Legends Cars Champion, winning the crown by 20 points and entering the record books for a second win.

In a third successive season, allgrowth have supported driver Nick Bridgeman and his Bridgeman Motorsport team in 2024.  In the Masters Cup, Nick Bridgeman took the field by storm after a nail-biting weekend at the previous Snetterton meet. He produced yet another strong and consistent outing to ensure his win of the Gerard McCosh Napoleon Award, taking the crown by more than 300 points.

The allgrowth team would like to congratulate Nick and the Bridgeman team and another successful season in Legends Car racing.

Legends Cars are bodyshell replicas of American cars from the 1930s and 1940s – Ford Coupes and Sedans – and are capable of reaching speeds beyond 120mph.

Trees, Shrubs, Topiary and Hedging for your landscape, garden or estate

If you have a landscaping project or are looking for the best plants and trees, from UK-grown stock or sourced from UK and Europe’s most reputable nurseries, contact us today.

Call Peter on 07525 652042 or
email us at enquiries@allgrowthltd.com

Beautifully planned and planted

A practical landscape with beauty and visual impact

“In April (2024), there was nothing here. Now we have an amazing outdoor space filled with colour, form and structure. Everyone who visits thinks it’s been established for years – it’s beautiful.”

The homeowners had been looking to build a new home within an area of land nestled deep in the Bedfordshire countryside. The land, previously a pony paddock, was flanked on each sound by hedging and peppered with a handful of established trees. Two previous attempts to gain planning had failed and the couple looking to build their own home were keen to meet all criteria to help get their dream home plans over the line. The key elements were access and visual impact within and beyond the area, and everything within their plans needed to be carefully considered with this in mind.

Multi-level outdoor space with visual impact

To realise the plans and ensure success at the third attempt, the couple engaged a local garden designer. Carefully detailing every element of the external works down to gravel choice and material specification, their plans were submitted and finally accepted after four years of trying. Works could then begin on translating the landscape plans, satisfying the planning conditions, maximising views out whilst minimising views in and any interruption of the visual amenity to the local environment.

“I love Peter’s honesty. If something isn’t going to work, he’ll explain why it won’t – and suggests alternatives that will.”

The outdoor living space needed to be functional to accommodate the construction of a pool and effectively screen the large expanse of the barn’s timber cladded structure. It would of course be beautifully planted to extend its visual appeal to the homeowners themselves as they looked out across it to the countryside views beyond.

Plant expertise in selection and sourcing

The homeowners knew of Peter and allgrowth’s horticultural expertise having worked with him on her garden at a previous property in the area. With the nursery local to both properties, the client could visit and select trees, topiary and specimens herself, guided by Peter’s 30-years of expert recommendations. Understanding the brief, the plans, the aspect and the soil conditions across the outdoor space, Peter was able to interpret and propose sensible options for screening, structure, form and ground cover.

The planting plans and landscape outlook was ever-evolving. As the building and pool construction progressed, the views across and from beyond became clearer, and with that a greater need for screening and privacy from both sides. The landscape itself was multi-levelled and this had to be considered in greater detail as the window placement and views became clearer.

“The contrast in forms from the pleached trees to the multi-stems trees; the topiary shapes; borders and underplanting – every element has purpose and appeal.”

Finding the best options on all levels

Visiting the development regularly with the clients, Peter could help assess heights and forms of trees and match with availability within the nursery’s breadth of larger container trees and topiary shapes – or a wider network of growers and suppliers where necessary. Selecting from allgrowth’s pleached tree stocks, Peter was able to propose certain heights to match and mask at the optimum levels. He was also mindful of the heavy clay ground into which they would be planted.

Evolving landscapes

As the landscape evolved, so did the plans, reducing the hard landscaping elements in favour of softer planted options for a more natural flow. New to the appeal of topiary and enthused by Peter’s promotion of the effect their shapes and forms could have on structure and flow, Mel chose some stunning specimens. As they were planted, their impact was instant, and the landscape began to take on a more mature feel, despite its recent creation.

“The allgrowth planting team were superb from start to finish: well-mannered, tidy and helpful.”

This evolution was clearly seen in the turfed banks at the sides of the pool and driveway. The client suggested planting these instead of grass, both for practicality of maintenance and for aesthetic appeal. Peter set to work with a planting design and from this, the beds were envisioned, filled with colour and foliage to create drama and movement in the wind. This softened the space and created a natural backdrop which would give interest across the seasons too.

The Plant Palette

Differing heights, shapes and borders were softened with planting in curves and swathes in contrast to the lines and structure of the pleached trees. An ever-moving feast, the planting choice was a blend of ideas from client and advisor. If the client wanted colour beneath the lollipop trees, Peter would suggest the deep red blends of heucheras, which worked really well.

“I love the softening we’ve achieved on the banked beds. The two multi-stem birch and poplars at the bottom corner are the first to sway in the winds – it’s very relaxing to sit and watch.”

Adapting and resolving

Along the way, Peter worked with the client to resolve any issues post-planting. Some of the trees were more waterlogged than expected due to the level changes and heavy clay soil. The allgrowth team returned to add drainage to the root area which helped alleviate the issue. One of the topiary trees did not establish as well as expected; this was replaced with a second option and is now thriving.

The finished landscape

From the clients perspective, the garden is faultless. It delivers on their brief to screen views and soften levels, creating a landscape with beauty and structure, lines and curves, that appears as a long-established garden rather than one completed this year.

“In April, there was nothing here. Now we have an amazing outdoor space filled with colour, form and structure. Everyone who visits thinks it’s been established for years – it’s beautiful. We didn’t want to wait 5-10 years – we wanted to enjoy the landscape vision from day one, and we do! I’ve loved Peter’s honesty throughout – if something isn’t going to work, he’ll explain why it won’t – and suggests alternatives that will. It wasn’t just Peter – the whole allgrowth planting team were superb from start to finish: well-mannered, tidy and helpful.”

“We love the contrast in forms from the pleached trees to the multi-stems trees; the topiary shapes; borders and underplanting – every element has purpose and appeal. I love the softening we’ve achieved on the banked beds and the multi-stem birch and poplars at the bottom corner are the first to sway in the winds – it’s very relaxing to just sit and take this in.”

allgrowth, September 2024

Wildlife and nature amongst the trees

Over nearly 20 hectares near the borders of Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, the allgrowth tree nursery nestles deep in the countryside. Home to over 1000 containerised trees, 500 field-grown and container trees up to 12m in height, over 800 field-grown topiary specimens, a production facility and despatch yard, allgrowth’s tree nursery is also a natural haven for birds and wildlife.

The local RSPB branch is based at Sandy, Bedfordshire. Local enthusiast and RSPB surveyor Peter Bradley regularly visits sites to assess bird sightings across the region.

In just one morning on a cool sunny day this Spring, Peter spotted many of the common species, in number, some in full song and with some nesting. The full list of species is shown below:

The wryneck

Eurasian Wryneck

Just beyond the outskirts of the nursery, he did spot a much rarer bird, the wryneck. Just to the south of the tree fields, the rare find was spotted, probably seeking a mate. A member of the Woodpecker family and normally found around the Mediterranean, it was quite remarkable to be seen in UK woodland. Though it was spotted in its search for about two weeks, it must have been unsuccessful and had moved on thereafter.

Our own Peter had also spotted treecreepers, a regular visitor to the trees on the nursery, and also noted that there seemed to be more

RSPB’s Peter also noted evidence of badgers and although the south western corner of the nursery was less densely planted and therefore lacking in birds, there was one skylark holding their own, in full song, spotted towards the east where the ground had recently been rotavated and resown.

Peter will return in the Spring to survey again and report on any changes in activity and species.

Trees, Shrubs, Topiary and Hedging for your landscape, garden or estate

If you are a landscape architect, specifier or designer looking for the best plants and trees for your next landscape project – from UK-grown stock or sourced from UK and Europe’s most reputable nurseries, contact us today.

Call Peter on 07525 652042 or
email us at enquiries@allgrowthltd.com

allgrowth welcomes top team of landscape architects to nursery

A group of landscape architects from leading practice Periscope joined Peter Middlicott and allgrowth on the nursery in Autumn 2023, stepping through the avenues of semi-mature trees – the majesty of Pine and Oak; the form and bark interest of Birch and Acer; the seasonal flower or foliage explosion of Magnolia and Liquidambar. Alongside Andrew, Peter’s Production Director, the allgrowth team shared their extensive insight into growing, securing and maintaining large trees in AirPots, as well as outlining how best to manage the logistics once these large specified trees arrive on site.

Tagging and Professional Development

Nurseries grow plants. But the trees, consultancy and expertise offered at allgrowth extends much further than that.  Regularly accompanying landscape architects and designers on the nursery for tagging, training and professional development, allgrowth is driven by Peter Middlicott. Peter’s career has seen him lead UK tree production forward at prestigious and renowned UK and European tree growers before securing his own land on the cusp of Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. And for the last 15 years, allgrowth has been supplying large trees, topiary and specimen plants to major status landscape schemes across the UK and Europe.

Not just trees we have, but the RIGHT trees

From species choice, to sourcing, handling and delivery, Peter helps clients consider the location, the soil, the conditions, climate, proximity to buildings, the plants’ purpose (shade, berry, foliage etc.) and the overall integrity of the landscape itself, as well as other project-specific factors.

All too often, nurseries and plant suppliers simply offer the varieties and plants they have readily available in production rather than the RIGHT PLANTS FOR WHAT THE CUSTOMER WANTS.  At allgrowth, plant logic is applied from the offset.  Peter looks at the best plants for the end game, makes sure they are actually readily available in the numbers needed, and at a price that fits the budget.  That means not just pushing allgrowth ready-to-go trees: if they do not have the right plant match, they will source the ones that do – and that is pretty unique in this nursery game.

UK tree nursery and British source of semi-mature trees

With a capacity for over 1000 semi-mature trees, the 40 hectare nursery is home to topiary, shrubs and hedging solutions for every landscape question. allgrowth’s extensive network of suppliers across UK and Europe means the team can also reach out, sourcing nursery stock to provide the complete planting package for any landscaping scheme – not just through the nursery gates, but beyond with ongoing consultancy and support.

The Periscope team have added details their own research pages, detailing the visit from a landscape architect perspective.

Trees, Shrubs, Topiary and Hedging for your landscape, garden or estate

If you are a landscape architect, specifier or designer looking for the best plants and trees for your next landscape project – from UK-grown stock or sourced from UK and Europe’s most reputable nurseries, contact us today.

Call Peter on 07525 652042 or
email us at enquiries@allgrowthltd.com

PROJECT NEWS: 35000 plants bring colour, depth and foliage to London’s North Circular

“For planning and completion, the professional collaboration from Peter and his team was absolutely vital.”

Adding a much-appreciated splash of nature along the A406 North Circular in Golders Green since 2015, the Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Woodlands Wall has been replanted and restored this Summer.

Plants for living walls

The Cambridgeshire-based living wall specialist company Tiga installed and planted the original living wall seven years ago. They returned from June to August 2022 to replant the 335 square metre expanse. The wall retains the land and trees behind, providing both a healthy living green walkway for pedestrians and a welcome natural distraction from the busy A406 it lines.

Holding plants for scheduled deliveries

Its tight roadside location deep within the M25 made the replanting project a little more complex. With space at such a premium, Tiga and allgrowth had to work together on site and at the production nursery.  The 200 linear metre wall was to be replanted with 35,000 plants in 9cm pots, each of which had to be stripped from the plant before placing in the Dutch-designed living wall structure. To ensure the plants arrived at the wall in their freshest condition, the deliveries were managed in batches of 5,000 plants at a time. Sometimes unpotted at the nursery, sometimes on site, the plants – a blend of 8 varieties including the purple foliage of Heucheras, the green and yellows of Euonymus and the shape and foliage interest of Alchemilla and Bergenia – were then transported carefully by Tiga to site, ready for careful repotting directly into the cells of the living wall.

Healthy and fresh plants for quick establishment

Improving not only the visual impact but the air quality and a healthier outlook for passing road and foot traffic, the plants have enjoyed the best conditions to thrive – a hot summer, good irrigation and a regular maintenance programme.

“Timing, logistics and space were paramount. As ever, Peter and the allgrowth team were both regimented and flexible in equal measure.  This allowed me to meet the project’s planting schedule with quick, regular deliveries, keeping the plants fresh from nursery to site and holding stock where and when we needed it. We allowed 3 days of stripping pots for each day of planting. If there were gaps in the programme, allgrowth would step up quickly. For planning and completion, the professional collaboration from Peter and his team was absolutely vital.” – Nik Adams, Director of Tiga, responsible for managing plant sourcing and executing the programme of planting.

Plant procurement and advice

The Tiga team has worked on a number of landscape projects with allgrowth over recent years: for plant procurement and advice; plant supply and stockholding; project management and supply chain support.

Call in a professional. Plant sourcing and advisory service

If you have a landscaping project or are looking for plant sourcing and advice, contact us today.

Call Peter on 07525 652042 or
email us at enquiries@allgrowthltd.com

PROJECT NEWS: Farmhouse Restoration with Front Garden landscape

“Once again, our experience with Peter and the allgrowth team has been faultless.  I’m looking out at a fabulous, luscious green garden that looks like it’s already been here for years – full of colour and form and a second great example of Peter’s horticulture excellence.”

Having already advised on plant choice and then supplying and landscaping the customer’s garden at a previous home, they were once again keen to get Peter and the allgrowth team involved at their next home to ensure the same high level of plant quality, consultancy and support was received.

Historic property in Cambridgeshire

The owner of this Grade II listed farmhouse restoration was looking to turn the hitherto derelict outdoor space into a garden to enjoy and develop.  Overgrown and unloved for twenty years, the front garden of the renovated historic property is flanked by two village roads in this quiet hamlet near Ely, Cambridgeshire.

The right place for plant advice and sourcing

Already discussing the design, plan and construction with their own garden designers and contractors, the homeowner knew there was only one place to go for the plants themselves – and that was allgrowth.  Peter’s horticultural expertise and industry knowledge allowed not only an understanding of the design brief and planting palette, but a depth of experience that would also throw up alternative suggestions that may suit the location, soil type, aspect or end purpose better.  Therein lies Peter’s Holy Grail of Horticulture: a realism and integrity in knowing which plants and trees will work best…and then how to source them if not from his own allgrowth nursery.

Close collaboration for project flow

The beauty of working with Peter, selecting, sourcing and securing the supply of the trees and plants you want, is that the customer can manage the build efficiently, calling off the plants as and when they need them. Peter’s close collaboration and regular communication keeps projects flowing and allow for the build phase to be as agile as required, particularly in landscape schemes contending with weather conditions, access and unforeseen changes on site.

Seasonal interest and a considered planting palette

The plant list offered elements of colour, seasonal interest, foliage, form and height for every aspect of the garden.  From the regular standard fruit trees – pears, cherries and apples – to the herbaceous hues of perennials including Astilbe, Campanula, Rudbeckia, every corner and spot has been carefully considered. Box balls, roses and grasses create statements, scent and flowing movement and a Japanese Maple and multi-stem Amelanchier add those elements that make the garden look instantly settled and established.

Privacy and visual appeal

Solving privacy concerns from its front-facing aspect and potential street views, the garden has been shielded by pleached trees, commanding impressive visual impact as well as screening along its outer perimeter.  The hedging and shrubs have enjoyed the healthiest of establishment over the Summer months, being well-watered and flourishing into a garden that looks mature in years rather than the two months since planting.

A keen amateur gardener, this homeowner will now take the garden forward and the team will stay in touch with her and watch its development with interest.

Call in a professional. Plant sourcing and advisory service

If you have a landscaping project or are looking for plant sourcing and advice, contact us today.

Call Peter on 07525 652042 or
email us at enquiries@allgrowthltd.com