Sky's the limit as Boningale's roof garden business soars

By working in partnership with its green roof division, one of the UK’s leading horticultural suppliers to the landscaping market saw a huge growth in roof garden business in 2015 - and predicts further grow in 2016.

Shropshire-based Boningale Nurseries said that by combining its horticulture experience and the cutting edge research from its award-winning green roof department, GreenSky, landscape architects working on designs that require a roof garden, have been able to benefit from the whole package. From specialist advice on how to plant a roof garden to supplying all the planting stock required – both for the roof garden and the surrounding landscape.

Such has been the success of the venture that the group saw a significant rise in its roof garden business in 2015.

“This has proven to be extremely popular because many of our clients appreciate the ease of working with a single supplier that has the in-depth knowledge required to provide high-quality advice and planting options,” said Frank Sandford, Boningale’s Sales and Marketing Director.

“Thanks to combining our expertise, roof gardens became one of our key growth areas in 2015 and we expect this trend to continue into 2016 and beyond.”

He said that the decision for Boningale Nurseries and Boningale GreenSky, which are located in Albrighton, to work more closely together came after an increasing demand from landscape architects for advice on creating roof gardens as part of their overall landscaping plans for both new building projects and for existing developments.

Maggie Fennell, Head of Boningale GreenSky added that these have included herb projects where GreenSky was able to recommend the correct substrate for the nursery’s rosemary and lavender.

“By working more closely with the Nursery, our combined expertise has enabled us to work with contractors who are trying to create as much useable green space as possible,” confirmed Maggie. “Because we have a ‘one-stop shop’ for landscaping and green roofs, we can provide our semi-intensive SkyPlugs and substrates, plus intensive roof options using plants from our nursery. This has led to our clients winning more projects, too.”

Boningale GreenSky is the green roof division of Boningale Nurseries, a member of BALI and GRO (Green Roof Organisation).