Open Association of Landscape Industries
Has rockery had it's day?
Hi all,
This is my first post here so go easy please.
As a supplier of Garden & Landscaping materials, we are trying to gather as much feedback as possible from UK landscapers to establish the current position rockery products have within the landscaping arena at the moment.
We have seen sales of rockery vary wildly over the pasy few years and are struggling to make a deffinite decision whether to reduce our range kept in stock, at the risk of not having what our customers need right away or continuing with the current line-up, at the risk of having ££££'s worth of rockery sitting in our yard?
What's your thoughts on rockery?
This is my first post here so go easy please.
As a supplier of Garden & Landscaping materials, we are trying to gather as much feedback as possible from UK landscapers to establish the current position rockery products have within the landscaping arena at the moment.
We have seen sales of rockery vary wildly over the pasy few years and are struggling to make a deffinite decision whether to reduce our range kept in stock, at the risk of not having what our customers need right away or continuing with the current line-up, at the risk of having ££££'s worth of rockery sitting in our yard?
What's your thoughts on rockery?
Tags: current, landscaping, rockery
Replies to This Discussion
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Brett
Why not just have a display area with the different brands of rockery and keep an extensive library of photos and videos online (or in a folder/album if it's just photos) so that any potential clients can preview the products but then build a relationship with your supplier so that you just get paid your margin for passing on any sales?
I know that some clients might want to select individual feature stones and this complicates any process described above,
-
Permalink Reply by Paysage Durable on -
Rockeries are certainly not 'trendy' any more, but I would state that they are one of the best sustainable attributes for a landscaper to use in design. From the screening of bunding contaminated / waste materials, through to wildlife homes they have a purpose in the 21st century garden. I feel the genre has been subject to a lot of feeble attempts at a 'Rockery' and the very name is associated with 1970's suburban gardens, which is a real shame as they were often an oasis in such gardens for wildlife.
New rockeries built with a monoculture of grasses or other plants can be stunning and with little work hidden homes for a plethora of beasties can find welcome accommodation in them. The last one I helped construct was the top of an Otter Holt, unfortunately I have no photos and promised never to mention the location.
-
Permalink Reply by Brett Sheridan on -
Hi everyone, thank you for your comments.
There's some interesting views appearing here so it seems our gut instinct was wrong and rockery does still warrant it's place in today's gardens.
I think we will take a look at the way we're marketing the products rather than the range itself. Maybe we've just been pushing the wrong message?
-
Permalink Reply by Jane Stewart on -
I never design rockeries for my clients
-
Permalink Reply by Bigyin on -
From a business point of view, whether demand goes up or down, dead stock is bad news so I think something along the lines of Phil's advice would be the way to go. Whether you're supplying retail customers or professionals, I doubt if they're going to be upset if there's a lag in availability ? Just my opinion.
-
Permalink Reply by Dave Sewell on -
Must admit we haven't built one in years but maybe that's because they're out of favour with the designers...
Jane, you don't say why you never design them into gardens. Personal preference or you never get asked to incorporate them?
Dave
-
Permalink Reply by a design and build company on -
Now't wrong with rockeries in theory. They can look amazing in the right place when planted up with succulents etc.
In practice, they need to be constructed with at least enormous "2 man"/jcb moveable boulders to look half decent which are a) hard to get hold of in certain areas b) cost a fortune. Even when you have access to this stone it is a rare skill to get them to look anything like "natural".
I love the idea of banded slate "dry-stone" walls though with succulents popping out of them, maybe you should stock something like that?
-
Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Jackson's Landscape Design on -
When asked what can you do with the rockery? My same reply to any prospect is, "Throw it in a skip"
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gardens4u.co.uk on -
samples is a must . and get a quick order delivered and tell customer all about it . too much stock of one product is 'bad' news
Bigyin said:From a business point of view, whether demand goes up or down, dead stock is bad news so I think something along the lines of Phil's advice would be the way to go. Whether you're supplying retail customers or professionals, I doubt if they're going to be upset if there's a lag in availability ? Just my opinion.
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gardens4u.co.uk on -
ive taken one away to turf over a few yrs ago . made one from old stone laying about by a pool too.
i love them myself planted up well.
-
Permalink Reply by Cesare Harradine on -
I love my rockery but it's been a long time since I've had a client with one.
-
Permalink Reply by Cesare Harradine on
-
With you on the sentiment, just not sure on the relevants
colin said:a big poo is only a good idea with lots of toilet roll. if youve only got a few sheets its a big risk
© 2013 Landscape Juice ® Limited - Registered in England 08356644
Badges | Report an Issue | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
