From tiny terraced houses to large estates, local landscape gardener and designer Hugh Netley has watched the seasons come and go since setting up Netley Landscapes 39 years ago, as he told Elestr Lee
HAVING GROWN up in Caversham then settled with his wife Rebecca and family in Emmer Green, Hugh Netley never nurtured a burning ambition to be a gardener. However, he knew that he wanted to be his own boss and loved being out of doors. “Nature was always important,” he revealed. “For example, my mother was in despair as I took so long to learn to read. But then a friend taught me – through using bird books. And I’m still a birder!”
Aged 18 he was employed for a year working at a nursery in Worplesdon, where he started to learn the Latin names for plants (“learning Latin at school proved very useful!”). He then went on to Merrist Wood College, near Guildford, where his three year course covered landscape, design and construction. Qualifying in 1986, his plan was to start work and earn enough to be able to go travelling, “But the business took off, so I never did the travelling!” he joked.
Looking back, Hugh is grateful he started out when he did. “Although the 80s were tough, it was so much easier to set up a business. There was the Enterprise Allowance, which was so helpful. Nowadays there is so much to do if you employ someone, then there is VAT…”
Despite the 80s’ recession, Hugh managed to build up a client base. “My mother worked at the new Balmore Park Surgery in Hemdean Road, so I worked on some of the doctors’ gardens. Apart from my regular advert in Caversham Bridge, most of my work has come by word of mouth – I have rarely advertised anywhere else!”
Indeed, ‘word of mouth’ found Hugh a major and longstanding client quite early in his career. “A friend had recommended me, so he picked me up and drove me through the gates of Friars Park, near Henley. I had no idea who lived there – but then I recognised George Harrison, with his family!
“George had just started to get into gardening. He had said to his wife Olivia that she could do the kitchen garden, and that’s why they wanted me. However afterwards, George asked me to work on projects all round the garden.” This included working on the vast rockery recently featured on Monty Don’s series Great British Gardens – although not involved when George Harrison first restored it, in later years Hugh worked on replanting it.
Hugh has been pleased that his two sons (and their friends) were willing to help him out; now grown up they are starting their own careers. So how has life changed since the 80s?
“People still look for the same things from their gardens,” he explained. “Today there is so much more choice, for example of the type of natural stones you can choose from.
“On one of my first jobs, I saw something lying on top of a briefcase – it was the first time I saw a mobile phone. Mobile phones have really changed things.
“But it’s the climate, and the weather generally that has changed a lot. At college in the 80s the winters were always cold, but we’ve only had a few cold winters since then. Now it’s damper, and greyer. But it’s warmer, so plants can be in full leaf in March. When I started out, people would say of certain plants, ‘You can’t grow that, it’s not hardy’ – but now you can.
“The climate isn’t predictable. It is hard – for example, if we are doing a patio and it needs to be pointed or grouted, it can be a problem when there is a long spell of damp weather. And while we are lucky to be outside when it’s sunny, I don’t like it too hot. When it hit 40c a couple of summers ago, it was unpleasant.
“I am now a lot more cautious about new planting. I used to want to plant in April-May, but if we then enter a very hot spell, the plants won’t reach their full potential.“Another change is that so many nurseries have now closed – it’s where I buy my plants, rather than at garden centres. It’s a shame that things are so much more difficult!”
Being out of doors all day does have its compensations – Hugh retains his love of birding, and keeps his eyes peeled for the more unusual species. “I was once distracted when talking to a client in Caversham – there was a firecrest behind her!” he laughed. Meeting clients is another pleasure – “I have met so many lovely people through my work, and many who have used us again and again, and as a result I have had the privilege of getting to know these clients very well.”
And making beautiful gardens remains his passion: “It is very creative,” he said
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