Greenholme House Care Home, Burley in Wharfdale

One of a long portfolio of residential care homes for which J Paxman Landscapes (JPL) have completed the gardens and soft landscaping over their 30 years, Greenholme House Care Home near Ilkley has accessible, sensory gardens with carefully designed beds, borders and boundaries to maximum green visual impact and health benefits. The original planting plan, designed by PDP Landscape and Urban Design for client Avery Healthcare Limited, was delivered in 2025.

The soft landscape and gardens

Working alongside other sub contractors on site completing the roadways, paths and hard landscaping elements, the JPL soft landscape team completed seeding, turfing, shrub and perennial planting as well as creating native hedgerows and low hedges, peppered with the delivery, handling, ground preparation and planting of extra heavy standard trees.

From the retention and preparation of topsoil and the import of fresh soils to the planting in raised planters with perennial mixes, the team demonstrated both their careful horticultural handling and their meticulous attention to detail in matching the planting to the specified palette.

Amongst seating, gazebos, features and storage outbuildings, paved and resin-bound surfaces have been flanked by specimen shrubs including Ilex, Pittosporum and Taxus balls, Hydrangea, Skimmia and Viburnum.
Species-rich grass seeded areas have been accompanied by native tree planting and hedges along the boundaries, with complementary ground cover planting around the car parking areas and parterre.

Managing the sourcing, supply, delivery and careful planting of twenty large trees included multi-stemmed Betulus utilis Jacquemontii, Prunus serrula Tibetica and extra heavy standard Sorbus aucuparia. The feathered Carpinus betulus Franz Fontaine, multi-stemmed Catalpa bignoniodes and extra heavy standard Tilia completed the impressive tree planting programme.

Smaller native trees were dotted around the gardens, with shrubs and herbaceous including Hosta, Lavendula, Penstemon, Perovskia and Hebe  for foliage, flower and seasonal contrast throughout the year.

Handover after 12 months’ maintenance

The completed landscape allows for sensory interest and easy access for safe and enjoyable pathways through the gardens for residents and visitors. The JPL soft landscape team have now handed over the gardens after their 12 month maintenance programme and can take a step back and admire what is a beautifully crafted softworks delivery.