Sperrin Landscapes and Foliage

Sean O’Neill, Sperrin Landscapes and Foliage, 25a Coolnamonan Road, Feeny, Co Derry, N.Ireland, BT47 4TW.

I started my business Sperrin Landscapes and Foliage in 2000 the year I finished the Higher National Diploma in Horticulture at Greenmount Campus (CAFRE). I had completed the National Diploma in Horticulture in1998.

Greenmount gave me the background and broad scope of what’s what in the industry which helped give me the confidence to go out and start my own business. I think attending college is what you make it. The more you put in the more you get back.

I am proud to have set up a business which makes a contribution to local enterprise. At the moment I employ two full time people and one casual member of staff. What I like about the foliage business is producing locally and selling locally.

I enjoy working with the wholesalers and florists and becoming part of a chain directly replacing imports

When I was a student at Greenmount I completed my specialist study on ‘Cut foliage production in Ireland’ To help with this I spent 2 weeks in Tralee, Co Kerry  with Forest Produce who export a wide range of foliage to the main markets in Europe.

When I came home I was able to gather Rhododendron and Birch foliage from my own locality and I got my first export order to Holland via Tralee. This gave me the encouragement to continue. I have now planted 4 acres of foliage crops mainly Eucalyptus and have plans for more. The foliage business keeps me going over the winter and the landscaping is busier in the summer.

Since leaving Greenmount I have kept up to date by attending short courses run by the college for example in foliage production.

I have also been talking to David Kerr, who looks after the foliage project at Greenmount. This project helps give more information on how different species perform and how best to grow them. I have also been pleased to contribute my ideas from my own experience as to how the project can best move forward.

We as growers need good information from this project to help us grow foliage crops on a larger scale for export.

I see scope to expand the foliage industry and we are lucky to have a sought after brand in that Irish foliage is fashionable.