Retreat all ready to bloom thanks to 20,000 plants
MORE than 20,000 plants have become part of the finishing touches to the transformation of a holiday park near Ashbourne.
Rivendale Lodge Retreat, previously known as Rivendale Caravan Park, has been redeveloped by its new owners Darwin Escapes, which took over the picturesque former quarry over in the spring of 2018.
The £50,000 wildflower makeover was completed by one of the UK’S largest nurseries, Johnsons of Whixley, and it added the final polish to the 36-acre site, on the outskirts of Alsop-en-le-dale, ahead of its reopening last month.
Following the bumper delivery of new greenery the resort has been planted with hedging, shrubs, herbaceous plants and aquatics, which all compliment the hard and soft landscaping that has been carried out around the site.
Johnsons delivered more than 4,000 ferns such as Dryopteris affinis, thousands of grasses, including Luzula sylvatica, and hundreds of geraniums.
The site now includes woodland areas, pastures and a pond that attracts ducks, geese, frogs and even newts.
Ellie Richardson, Johnsons of Whixley’s marketing manager said: “The UK’S tourism industry is booming with staycations proving incredibly popular.
“People realise they don’t need to go abroad to enjoy a break so new destinations such as Rivendale will be on many people’s lists to visit next year.
“Our plants have beautified and enhanced d the th new luxury l resort’s grounds.
“We hope holidaymakers and wildlife enjoy the plants for many years to come.”
Group grounds and utilities manager for Darwin Escapes, Kris Sutton said: “We’re delighted to have worked with the Johnsons of Whixley team again at our newly redeveloped dri Rivendale d lld Lodge Retreat. Rt t
“They have been our main suppliers for many resorts in the Darwin Escapes portfolio, and we always receive topquality stock. “The recent supply of plants for Rivendale has ensured the resort blends with the natural surroundings, and we are really pleased with the finished look.”