Growing Places
Breathe fresh life into your outdoor space into a latter-day Eden with the aid of Wyre Gardens’ team of inspirational experts, writes Bridget Rowan
A flourishing gardening enterprise has sprung from a combined love of all things nature. Charismatic entrepreneurs Mark Sargeant and Ashley Illman pooled their artistic talents to form thriving landscape design and build business Wyre Gardens two-and-a-half years ago.
And the Garstang-based company has already had a massive impact.
Landscape gardener Mark and garden designer Ashley started their fledgling business as a two-man enterprise. But it rapidly took off and the co-directors now have a staff of nine across three teams.
While Mark and Ashley share a love of nature and gardens, their backgrounds couldn’t be less alike.
Mark is very much the action man who loves climbing and canoeing in the Lake District or skiing off-piste in the Alps. He spent many summers as an outdoor pursuits instructor and worked in construction before moving into landscape gardening.
Ashley, however, decided a change of direction was in order after a decade spent touring the world with theatre productions. So, he turned his creative flair to garden design where his knowledge of traditional techniques and technology is used to dramatic effect.
With all its expertise and know-how, Wyre Gardens has it covered, whether it’s a cool green oasis, a woodland retreat or an easy-care patio and path area that you want.
Ashley said: “We are a local professional company with a team, which is quite unusual in this profession, where you normally find sole traders. It means we can offer a complete service.”
The team also ensures that each project is carried out with full input from clients.
“It is always a collaborative effort,” explained Ashley. “I will go to meet a client, give advice and take measurements then come up with a 3D design. We may have the experience and knowledge, but people have their own ideas as they know how they are going to use the space.
“As people see the project developing they start to get enthusiastic about it all. They often need a lot of guidance about plants, but by the time we are done you can see the bees and the butterflies starting to settle immediately.”
This flair for designing and building gardens has attracted widespread attention. Not only have Mark and Ashley been called on to turn dreams of paradise into reality across an area stretching from Lancaster to Bolton, but they have become the stars of their own video show.
“We were contacted by Volkswagen who wanted to make a film of us for their Van Diaries feature across their social media,” laughs Ashley. “It was a bit of a surprise. We use a VW Caddy in the business, so that’s why they contacted us. It’s a ‘day in the life’ thing. It was interesting to do.”
The love of the great outdoors is very much reflected in the business, particularly in the use of names like Grizedale, Calder and Parkhead – all Wyre tributaries which join the river in Garstang. So for blue-chip gardening expertise with a truly local flavour call on Team Grizedale, Team Calder and Team Parkhead at Wyre Gardens.
Wyre Gardens
Garstang
01995 676882
wyregardens.co.uk
