Book Launch: The Dynamic Landscape

The Green Estate CIC and Pictorial Meadows are delighted to welcome Nigel Dunnett (Professor of Planting Design & Urban Horticulture), James Hitchmough (Emeritus Professor of Horticultural Ecology) and Dr Helen Hoyle (Lecturer in Healthy Landscapes) for the launch of the new edition of The Dynamic Landscape.

Join us on Thursday 30 October at Manor Oaks House in Sheffield for an inspiring evening celebrating innovation in ecological design and urban nature management.

About the Book

The much-anticipated second edition of The Dynamic Landscape builds on the original’s reputation as a game-changer in urban planting design, ecology and management. This new work fuses ecological science, horticultural artistry and practical design philosophies to inspire the creation of sustainable, resilient and visually-rich landscapes. It also includes a chapter by Dr Helen Hoyle on the social aspects of urban naturalistic plantings. With vivid photography and insights drawn from over 20 years of research and practice, this edition offers both hope and practical guidance for professionals, students and nature enthusiasts alike.

What experts are saying:

• “The Dynamic Landscape was a transformative book… breaking down the silos between landscape architecture, horticulture and ecology… this promises even more, drawing on 20 years’ experience from the world’s leading practitioners.” 
• “The first edition of The Dynamic Landscape was way ahead of its time… this new edition casts the thinking even further, offering hope-instilling insights.” 

Our Partnership

Pictorial Meadows originated more than twenty years ago from an innovative and productive partnership between the University of Sheffield and The Green Estate CIC. A seed of an idea initially sown by Professor Nigel Dunnett has been nurtured and extensively tested by this forward-thinking social enterprise, in ongoing collaboration with Nigel, James and others at the University of Sheffield. From revitalising brownfield sites to pioneering ‘future nature’ wildflower seed mixes and perennial meadow turf now traded across the UK and EU, this partnership is helping cities flourish with beauty, biodiversity and climate resilience.

Event Programme

Join Nigel, James and The Green Estate team on Thursday 30 October at Manor Oaks House to learn more about this innovative work for people and nature, and be one of the first to get your hands on a signed copy of the book.

• Site Tour with James Hitchmough | 2:30pm – 4:45pm 
  Discover the headquarters of The Green Estate and Pictorial Meadows on Manor Lane, and explore the stunning Manor Fields Park and Pictorial Meadows display fields.
• Talk, Q&A and Book Signing | 5:30pm – 7:30pm
  Hear from Nigel Dunnett, James Hitchmough and Helen Hoyle as they discuss the new edition of the book, share their vision for urban planting design, ecology and management, and answer audience questions. Concludes with an exclusive book signing. 

Author & Speaker Biographies

Professor Nigel Dunnett
Nigel is Professor of Planting Design and Urban Horticulture in the Department of Landscape at the University of Sheffield and is one of the world’s leading voices on innovative approaches planting design. Along with James Hitchmough he is a pioneer of the new ecological and sustainable approaches to gardens, landscapes, and public spaces. His work revolves around the integration of ecology and horticulture to achieve low-input but high-impact landscapes that are dynamic, diverse, and tuned to nature. Nigel’s work is based on decades of detailed experimental work, delivering a wide range of innovative approaches to achieving transformational and multifunctional urban greening. His work has had widespread application in practice: he works as a designer and consultant and regularly collaborates with a wide range of other professions. Nigel was the first winner of the Landscape Institute Award for Planting Design, Public Horticulture and Strategic Ecology in 2018. In 2020 Nigel was made an Honorary Fellow of the Landscape Institute, and in 2023 an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and appointed as a Royal Designer for Industry. Nigel’s 2019 book ‘Naturalistic Planting Design: The Essential Guide’ (Filbert Press) is a market leader in the field and won ‘European Garden Book of the Year, 2021. Nigel founded the company ‘Pictorial Meadows’. In December 2022 Nigel was named as one of the top three most influential people in the UK landscape Industry. Projects include: Tower of London Superbloom 2022; The Barbican, Beech Gardens and High Walk (Phase 1 2013, Phase 2 commencing 2026); Grey to Green, Sheffield (2015-2020); Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (co-principal planting design consultant 2008 – 2014 and ongoing, with LDA Design); Grosvenor Square, London (implementation 2025-6, with BDP); Battersea Power Station (2022, with LDA Design); Diamond Garden, Kings’ Gallery, Buckingham Palace 2013, Queen Elizabeth Memorial, St. James Park (2025 – ongoing, with Foster & Partners) Nigel takes a ‘People-First’ approach to bringing sustainable and biodiverse urban greening into the mainstream.

Emeritus Professor James Hitchmough
James commenced as Reader in the Department of Landscape, University of Sheffield in 1995, was appointed Professor in Horticultural Ecology in 2004, and Head of Department from 2014-18. He retired in September 2022. In parallel with his academic career, James worked as a consultant on landscape projects around the world, often using these to translate his research into practice and policy. With Nigel Dunnett he was lead planting designer at the London Olympic Park (2007-14), following the publication of the first edition of “The Dynamic Landscape” (2004) a seminal text on the application of nature-like planting to the urban realm. After 2010 he focused on projects in China, often in collaboration with Chinese Government agencies to advance the use of local native species in large scale nature-like design projects, involving more than 50 visits/expeditions. James designed the the first native woodland gardens in Beijing at Lotus Lake, the acclaimed “New Silk Road Garden” at the Beijing International Expo, and very recently the planting of the Monet Garden in Chengdu. Post his retirement James has been engaged in design and management projects in the UK and internationally, for example the Melbourne Arts Precinct Project. He continues to speak and write on landscape and horticultural issues, and was recently appointed to the Council of the RHS.

Dr Helen Hoyle
Helen is a Lecturer in Healthy Urban Landscapes in the School of Architecture and Landscape at the University of Sheffield and a NIHR School for Public Health Transdisciplinary Research Fellow in the Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research. Her research lies at the intersection of nature and human wellbeing, informing policy and practice to prioritise biodiversity and wellbeing in the context of a changing climate. She believes passionately in collaborating closely with those who juggle these priorities on the ground. Much of her research involves introducing nature-based interventions in partnership with policymakers, practitioners, and communities, and measuring the impacts. She is a member of the Adaptation Committee of the Irish Climate Change Advisory Council where she shares expertise in nature-based solutions and biodiversity.