About Us
Meet the owner
Hi, I’m Tom. As a child I was always drawn towards water, be it streams, rivers or lakes. A childhood spent exploring the countryside and a fascination with the natural world led to completion of a BSc degree in Fisheries Management and Aquaculture at Sparsholt college Hampshire.
Having qualified and gained experience on estates and rivers I started working for a local pond and landscaping company. After several years I decided that I needed to take my knowledge and expertise to the next level and in 2009 Aquaflora Landscapes was born. More recently we were incorporated in 2018 becoming a Limited company.
Why Aquascape?
As part of my quest for excellence I have searched for the best materials and practices to provide my clients with the best ponds and water features possible. In 2008 whilst on a working holiday in Australia I was introduced to the Aquascape system by Elite Garden Ornaments in Sydney. My enthusiasm and experience began and I returned for a further year in 2013 gaining more knowledge and experience by helping to install more features including several show garden ponds and waterfalls.
After connecting with Mark ‘the pond advisor’ Wilson of Any Pond Ltd in 2019 in the UK I, began my journey to becoming a Certified Aquascape Contractor (CAC). This included trips to Pond College in the UK for events and to enjoy and be inspired by the ponds and features on show.
In 2022 alongside Quintal Water Gardens and DJS Waterscapes & Landscaping, I was lucky enough to be hosted by Garden State Koi in New York State and New England Aquatic Landscaping and to attend Pondemonium pond conference and Aqualand in St Charles, Chicago in the US hosted by Greg ‘the pond guy’ Whittstock. These experiences helped to further my passion for and knowledge of Aquascape products, processes and practices, alongside the biggest and best pond professionals from around the world. As a result, we are proud and excited to offer you our Ecosystem Ponds, Pondless Waterfalls and Fountainscape Water Features alongside our Pond Cleaning and Pond Maintenance Services.
We are dedicated to continued training and development of ourselves and our team so we can remain at the forefront of water garden technology and practices so that we can bring you the best ponds and water features possible.
Recent training and events
January 2023 I have returned to St Charles, Chicago to complete two updated training programs in January 2023. A great trip to fuel my passion and hone my knowledge and skills with the best in the business including Ed ‘the pond professor’ Beaulieu and Brian Helfrich VP.
Early in 2024 I had the opportunity to take part in Aquatic Art Live, a water gardening event held by Mark MJ Wilson ‘The Pond Advisor’ and took part in his Invitational Water Feature Competition. This year was a new challenge as the plots were much smaller than previously. I had a great time competing and creating with my peers across the country. The wider event was a great opportunity to work with and learn from John G Adams of Modern Design Aquascaping, Tennessee, Sean Frost of Nature Scapes, New Hampshire. Both are international Artists of the Year and Gerard Touhey of Water Features by Gerard, Pennsylvania. A great experience all around.
In 2024 I was fortunate to be able to attend the International Waterlily and Water Garden society Symposium. This was conveniently located in Reading, UK this year. It was a great opportunity to meet and learn from specialists from around the world, including a Lily hybridiser from China, European style natural swim pond expert from Germany, our own Lily expert from Kew Gardens, UK alongside our biggest aquatic plant growers and Lily collection curators.
We had the privilege of welcoming Greg ‘The Pond Guy’ Wittstock to the UK on a vlogging tour this year. His team joined me to meet some of our lovely clients and to see some of the Pondless Waterfall features we have installed over the last few years.
In 2024 we have returned to Pondemonium at Aqualand, Ilinois, USA. A great event for sharpening our knowledge, meeting experts from around the world and getting to know our peers and share are knowledge, ppassion and enthusiasm. An invigorating and enlightening experience all around.
The International team, comprising the UK, Australia and several smaller factions brought home the design and build competition with their pond with waterfall, pondless waterfall and water feature build. This was exceptional and constructed within five hours by the team. I was excited and honoured to have played a part in this.
“Having now trained and built ponds, waterfalls and water features on three continents, we are looking forward to what the future holds “
