0:00:03 > 0:00:06With her can-do attitude, love of simple gardens
0:00:06 > 0:00:07and decades of experience...
0:00:07 > 0:00:11Hello! ..Charlie Dimmock is one of Britain's best loved gardeners.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Looking good, boys.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17But the new kids on the gardening block are the Rich brothers.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21We want to be the brothers that change people's perceptions of gardens.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Winners of multiple medals at the Chelsea Flower Show...
0:00:24 > 0:00:25Oh, good turn. Amazing, isn't it?
0:00:25 > 0:00:31..the boys have become known for their dramatic outdoor spaces.
0:00:31 > 0:00:36Now these two different generations of gardening are going head-to-head.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40I know they've got a gold medal, but I can come up with a few ideas.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43They're meeting frustrated garden owners across the country...
0:00:43 > 0:00:46The photos made it look tiny.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48It is, isn't it? I'm sure you've seen larger.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52I don't know what to do with it. ..and will each pitch them a design
0:00:52 > 0:00:54based on their needs... Wow!
0:00:54 > 0:00:56..and budget. That looks really exciting.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58It doesn't look like it could be our garden.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00The winner... Ta-da!
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Woo!
0:01:02 > 0:01:03..brings their design to life...
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Hold on, hold on!
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Sweet as a nut. ..and the loser has to help them build it.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Oh, I'm getting irritated now with faffing around.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13This is what happens...
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Does he ever get irritating? All the time.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18..when different styles collide...
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Who chose these? One, two, three.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24This looks like your design. Yeah.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27..to turn garden dreams into reality.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Wow! Open your eyes.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Wow! It's amazing.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34It's beautiful.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43It's time for Charlie and the Rich brothers to discover whose garden
0:01:43 > 0:01:45they'll be battling over this time.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48If you look up blank canvas in the dictionary,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50I think this garden may crop up.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54We've got Lewis and Rhys and they recently moved into a new build in
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Stoke-on-Trent, and they've made their house their own, but they're
0:01:57 > 0:01:59struggling with inspiration for the garden.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Lewis, an HR advisor, and Rhys, a catering manager,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08both work full-time and for the last couple of years
0:02:08 > 0:02:12have dedicated all their spare time and money to creating their perfect
0:02:12 > 0:02:15home. We've spent so long doing the house and decorating that
0:02:15 > 0:02:17and prioritising that,
0:02:17 > 0:02:21that we kind of forgot about the garden. I wouldn't call it a garden.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Yeah, that's definitely not a garden, what's out there at the moment.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28It's just a mud bath.
0:02:28 > 0:02:29Really, really muddy,
0:02:29 > 0:02:33waterlogged and waiting for us to do something with it.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36Rhys and Lewis would prefer their garden
0:02:36 > 0:02:38to remind them of sunnier times.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41We're thinking a Mediterranean theme. Yeah.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45Cos we really enjoy holidays over in the Mediterranean and we quite like
0:02:45 > 0:02:48the plants and the feel of being on holiday.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51But the garden is currently more Costa Del Sog
0:02:51 > 0:02:53than Mediterranean bliss.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56The only things living in it are a few blades of grass,
0:02:56 > 0:03:01the odd weed and the couple's bunny rabbit, Milo.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06We're not very creative in the sense of we knew we'd want somewhere to
0:03:06 > 0:03:09entertain, but how to make that look really good,
0:03:09 > 0:03:11we're not full of ideas.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13I think that's a problem with these new builds.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Everyone can see what they're going to do with the house, with
0:03:15 > 0:03:19individual rooms, but when it comes to the garden, when they're given four fence panels...
0:03:19 > 0:03:23It's going to be daunting, probably, isn't it? You can see why they've had problems.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26It's - "Where do you start?" Yeah. Yeah.
0:03:26 > 0:03:32Not only that, but Rhys and Lewis don't always see eye to eye.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35I like really minimalistic and modern, a bit different.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Whereas I'm not so much. Definitely play it safe.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40We have differences of opinion sometimes, don't we?
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Not liking the same colours, not liking the same furniture,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45the list is endless.
0:03:45 > 0:03:46THEY LAUGH
0:03:47 > 0:03:51But two years of disagreeing and dithering has enabled the couple
0:03:51 > 0:03:54to save a tidy sum for the garden makeover.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57And the budget is...? The budget is ?4,000.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59Oh! That's quite healthy, isn't it?
0:03:59 > 0:04:03It's quite healthy. It's not a huge garden, is it? No, not at all, no.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06The possibility of a four-grand budget to do up this space
0:04:06 > 0:04:08has whetted our designers' appetites.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13But their design will have to win over both Rhys and Lewis,
0:04:13 > 0:04:14and that won't be easy.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21So our rival designers are going head-to-head for the chance
0:04:21 > 0:04:24to transform this bleak backyard,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27with each of them drawing up a design for Lewis and Rhys' garden
0:04:27 > 0:04:30that will work within their budget.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Then they're travelling to Stoke to pitch their designs to the couple
0:04:34 > 0:04:37and whoever loses the pitch will have to help
0:04:37 > 0:04:39the winner build the garden.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41So, who will the couple go for?
0:04:41 > 0:04:43It's time for the pitch. Here we go.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47Will they go for Charlie, with her years of experience
0:04:47 > 0:04:51or the boys who are known for their contemporary spaces but might
0:04:51 > 0:04:55struggle with the Mediterranean theme that Rhys and Lewis love?
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Kind of grasped the fact that you want this kind of contemporary,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01stylish, social outdoor space that's really going to entice you
0:05:01 > 0:05:03inside the house to outside.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07You've got some very strong, simple lines.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10It's very stylish and stylised.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13This is going to be a lovely area to sit in the morning, but then
0:05:13 > 0:05:16this area of an evening, a bigger area.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18You can spill down onto the lawn.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22And the deck, I was going to go with cedar, and rather than have it
0:05:22 > 0:05:25parallel like that, I've got it on a diagonal.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29Stops it looking like a pallet, all right?
0:05:29 > 0:05:31As you can see with the design, we've created two levels.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34We've created this lovely kind of entertainment space.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38It's got two sofas, a fire bowl and you can really sit down and just relax.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42We've increased the terrace space. It gives you plenty of room for the barbecue.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45While the boys are playing it safe with the structure of their garden,
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Charlie is upping the ante.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52She's on the ball and has remembered that the couple are overlooked in their new build.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54To give you some privacy,
0:05:54 > 0:05:57I've got a very simple cedar pergola,
0:05:57 > 0:05:59and then we've got a couple of...
0:05:59 > 0:06:01They're called small trees, they're actually large shrubs.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04One's a Cornus controversa.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07It's lovely because the leaves are quite small, so it doesn't create a lot
0:06:07 > 0:06:10of dense shade, so you can still plant underneath it.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13But it has a beautiful shape to it. In that corner,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15an evergreen that will screen out those roofs.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Arbutus. It's known as the strawberry tree.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Oh, right. It has flowers and fruit at the same time.
0:06:23 > 0:06:24But not to be outdone,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28the boys have done their homework too, incorporating the holiday theme
0:06:28 > 0:06:30into the planting.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33The social area is surrounded by Mediterranean-style planting,
0:06:33 > 0:06:37so we want to use things that you like, like cordylines and phormiums.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40We're straying away from cottage style and into soft and floral and giving you
0:06:40 > 0:06:44that real flavour of the Mediterranean, bringing back some good memories of holidays.
0:06:44 > 0:06:45And we've also put in two trees
0:06:45 > 0:06:48and three shrubs, and they're great for vertical interest.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Just gives it a bit of architecture in the garden
0:06:50 > 0:06:51and great for privacy as well.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55When you're sitting down here, you feel a bit more immersed, a bit more private. Yeah.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Rhys and Lewis like what they see,
0:06:58 > 0:07:02but Charlie is about to play her trump card.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06I'd like to give you the structure of the garden, but your taste is
0:07:06 > 0:07:07quite different from mine.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Personally, I would go for focal points, something like this,
0:07:11 > 0:07:16but I can see that's not your type of thing, so I have three focal points.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19One here, back-dropped with Mediterranean planting.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24One here and one over there, so when you're sat on the patio or sat here,
0:07:24 > 0:07:29you can see them. But I would like you to take that budget of about ?150
0:07:29 > 0:07:34for each one and buy something that you would like to see in the garden.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35Interesting.
0:07:35 > 0:07:40Charlie's giving the couple a chance to make their own mark on the garden.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42But will it sway them?
0:07:42 > 0:07:44What's your initial impression of this one, then?
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Will they choose Charlie's geometric layout...
0:07:47 > 0:07:50I like how they've got a separate seating area up here.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53..or the Rich brothers' secluded and stylish design?
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Concrete is a nice look, personally, I think.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59You see, I'm not sure about that. Oh, right, OK.
0:08:00 > 0:08:01It's decision time.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07It's taken us ages to decide. I'm sorry to keep you waiting.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09We've picked one in the end.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11We've decided to go for...
0:08:14 > 0:08:15Oh!
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Cool. I'm pleased about that.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Well done. I'm really pleased.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25Good. I think it will make this a nice little oasis of greenery.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29I agree. We can't really go wrong, guys, can we?
0:08:29 > 0:08:31The boys' faces say it all.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34They clearly fancied getting their hands on that four grand,
0:08:34 > 0:08:38and what's more, they now have to take orders from Charlie.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42But she's going to need them to help realise her very modern design.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52It's early morning in Stoke and work starts on the garden.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58The new garden will feature a lot of hard landscaping,
0:08:58 > 0:09:01so while she's off organising the plants,
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Charlie has sent the contractors in
0:09:03 > 0:09:05to get started on her radical design.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11The design features three contrasting areas of landscaping
0:09:11 > 0:09:15that interlock like giant pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18We've got this paving coming out from the house. We've got a bit of
0:09:18 > 0:09:21planting either side of it and then the main bit for us... Is this deck.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23..is this deck.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25With four grand to spend,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Charlie has gone for decking boards made from high-end cedarwood,
0:09:28 > 0:09:34which rejects moisture, so it's less prone to splitting and twisting.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Now keen to make sure her landscaping jigsaw fits flawlessly,
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Charlie's arrived on site with the boys.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47This garden is all about laying it out right in the first place because
0:09:47 > 0:09:51it's all about getting those lines exactly right. Otherwise,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53it's going to look a little...
0:09:53 > 0:09:57pants. You've got that circular paving, haven't you?
0:09:57 > 0:10:00Everything runs off that. It's all about the lines in this garden, isn't it?
0:10:00 > 0:10:01It is indeed. There's lots of them.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Lots of lines. THEY LAUGH
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Let's go and wrangle with angles.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07THEY LAUGH
0:10:07 > 0:10:12Charlie's design is all about creating a chic, stylish space,
0:10:12 > 0:10:13but in order to achieve that,
0:10:13 > 0:10:17she has to take care of some practicalities first.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Right, now we need to move this.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Rhys and Lewis' plot has a slight dogleg,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27which is the perfect place to hide the shed.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30So it and Milo the bunny need to be moved.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Onto the deck.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Oh, hello, there we are.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38Oh, I'm crushed. Hang about, hang about!
0:10:38 > 0:10:40And with the shed out of the way,
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Charlie's asked the brothers to build it a new base.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48It's nice having this little bit here, isn't it? Yes, you can't see it from the house either.
0:10:48 > 0:10:49Which is quite nice.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Meanwhile, landscapers Andy and Falklan
0:10:57 > 0:11:01can get on with laying the circular patio by the back door.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03To save time and money,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07Charlie's chosen a patio kit of ready-cut stones.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Circular kits are a bit more difficult.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12You need to lay them out dry,
0:11:12 > 0:11:15play around with it until you get them absolutely bang on to what you
0:11:15 > 0:11:17want. It'll save you time in the long run.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22That's why you set them out dry.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25If you lay them wet, you get that.
0:11:26 > 0:11:27So we start again.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33The humble patio has served the British garden well for decades.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37But in some modern gardens,
0:11:37 > 0:11:41the traditional, rectangular area of pavers is a thing of the past.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Using different shapes and contrasting materials can
0:11:46 > 0:11:48turn any area of hard landscaping
0:11:48 > 0:11:51into a feature and focal point.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56Creating circles and semicircles makes a narrow space seem wider.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03And replacing the odd paver with planting, particularly centre plants,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06means your patio can smell nice as well as look nice.
0:12:10 > 0:12:11In Rhys and Lewis' garden,
0:12:11 > 0:12:16the landscaping will seamlessly lead the couple from the back door
0:12:16 > 0:12:17to a decked seating area.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21But the patio kit the boys are using doesn't quite fit properly.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27Making a cardboard template first avoids wasting stones by cutting them to
0:12:27 > 0:12:30the wrong size. That's perfect!
0:12:30 > 0:12:33I'm happy with that. Do you think we could get away with just laying
0:12:33 > 0:12:35the cardboard instead of a bit of stone?
0:12:35 > 0:12:39I don't think we'll quite get away with that. It doesn't rain in Staffordshire, does it?
0:12:39 > 0:12:41THEY LAUGH
0:12:48 > 0:12:50And a perfect one. Yeah, smashing.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Meanwhile, whilst Charlie assembles her plants,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Rhys and Lewis have asked the boys to meet them out front.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02On Charlie's suggestion, they've been shopping.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06What have you bought? We've got these two large pots.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Nice. They're big, aren't they? Thought the curved effect was quite nice.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11They're modern and tall. We like that sort of thing.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13And you've got something in here as well, have you?
0:13:13 > 0:13:15We've overspent on the budget.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17Don't tell us off. We really, really love it.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19It's really modern. The sky.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21It's actually a water feature.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24It's certainly very shiny and contemporary, isn't it?
0:13:24 > 0:13:26I think it's going to look beautiful in the garden.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28So you said it was slightly over budget.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31How much did you spend on the water feature? ?300.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34So it was ?300 but there is that added cost of an electrician
0:13:34 > 0:13:36to fit it as well, isn't there? OK.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39We really love it. We both really love it.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Sometimes it's worth spending a little bit more and let Charlie worry
0:13:43 > 0:13:45about the rest. THEY LAUGH
0:13:45 > 0:13:49Harry and David can't wait to give Charlie the good news.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Charlie? Yo! Look what we've got.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55What's that? This is the water feature.
0:13:55 > 0:13:56I don't recall ordering that.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00No, you didn't. Whoa, that is quite big, isn't it?
0:14:00 > 0:14:03It's definitely a feature. They've done well, I think.
0:14:03 > 0:14:04They've spent the cash, though.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07They've spent it all? Well... And more.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10So no going out and getting a few more plants, then? No.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13With the budget and more now well and truly spent,
0:14:13 > 0:14:17there better not be any more surprise costs for Charlie to deal with or
0:14:17 > 0:14:21she'll be unable to give Lewis and Rhys the garden they were expecting.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Do you want me to give it a little wiggle, maybe? Yeah. Yeah, not that way.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26T'other way. That way.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29She has no choice but to try and accommodate the water feature
0:14:29 > 0:14:30into her design.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33It's important to keep the customer happy.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35You spray it out first. Oh, yes!
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Make some marks and then we'll dig away. But you've got to keep it level.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40It's a nightmare putting these in.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42People always think it's going to be easy.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46But you have to dig out the hole bigger than you need, put sand down,
0:14:46 > 0:14:50level it and then as you backfill it, make sure you don't put it on the tilt.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54So Charlie sets the boys to work.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57The black tank needs to sit underneath the ground and will be filled with
0:14:57 > 0:15:00water. Once that's done,
0:15:00 > 0:15:04Rhys and Lewis' water feature will be fixed to the top.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11The focal points that Charlie is incorporating
0:15:11 > 0:15:15will draw the eye away from the less attractive parts of the garden
0:15:15 > 0:15:17and focus them on the areas of interest.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25The use of focal points in garden design isn't a modern idea.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29It began in the formal Italian Renaissance gardens of the 15th century and
0:15:29 > 0:15:33some of today's most famous gardens are continuing the tradition.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38Art historian and dedicated gardener Sir Roy Strong
0:15:38 > 0:15:41has filled his own garden, the Laskett Gardens,
0:15:41 > 0:15:44with distinctive points of interest.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Focal points, I think, are absolutely fundamental.
0:15:47 > 0:15:48They draw the eye.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53They depend on what we know as perspective, which is mathematical.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55The converting lines mean distance.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57You can also achieve it through planting colour,
0:15:57 > 0:15:59getting softer into the distance.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02They hold the whole composition together.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Roy uses a range of plants,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09statues and pots to give visitors a glimpse of something in the distance
0:16:09 > 0:16:13and tempt them down that path.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Anything can make a focal point, can't it?
0:16:15 > 0:16:18It can be rather grand, as this garden is,
0:16:18 > 0:16:21sort of classical or mock classical bits of statuary.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Or you may have some fabulous plant or clipped evergreen.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27A piece of topiary can hold a whole garden together.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31It can be a little fountain, it can be a piece of modern sculpture.
0:16:31 > 0:16:32It can be a massive thing,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35so I think it has to be something that has year-round value.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38It's no use having something that comes out in the spring and
0:16:38 > 0:16:42it's just a heap of dead leaves for the other ten months of the year.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Hopefully, Sir Roy would approve of Lewis and Rhys' choices.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51The water feature will glisten all year round and the plants in those
0:16:51 > 0:16:54elegant statement planters can be swapped with the seasons.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Whilst the electrics for the water feature go in,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02the boys are digging the hole to house the ample reservoir.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07And Charlie is supervising the building of the bespoke pergola.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Rather than buy one in kit form,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Lee's constructing the pergola out of cedar that matches the deck.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15The pergola is really just adding a bit of height.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17And also, once the climbers are on,
0:17:17 > 0:17:22it will screen those houses overlooking into this garden.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23What do we think, boys?
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Hate it. No, only joking.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29It looks great. Definitely breaks the light at the back.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32It brings it down, doesn't it? It sort of brings it down a bit.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35They can grow something up there, as well. So it's even more screening. Yeah.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39But once the final screw is in, it's time to start measuring again.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43In Charlie's design,
0:17:43 > 0:17:46the lawn and the flower beds all work off the arc of landscaping.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52And David has a starring role in making sure they're perfect.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54I'm pretty pivotal. HE LAUGHS
0:17:57 > 0:17:58By using a line,
0:17:58 > 0:18:02Charlie can create a perfectly straight edge, which Harry then marks out
0:18:02 > 0:18:04with line-marking paint.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10The boys are used to building gardens with perfect lines and angles.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Yeah, that's about perfect.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15But Charlie's finding it all a bit fiddly.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17When I was drawing this up,
0:18:17 > 0:18:21I thought this was a really simple, straightforward design.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25It was easier to draw than it is to make.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Charlie's much more at home amongst her plants,
0:18:31 > 0:18:33and she's ordered some beauties.
0:18:33 > 0:18:39This is ?800 worth of plants, so it's a lot of plants.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42When it comes to planting a garden from scratch
0:18:42 > 0:18:43and there's nothing in it,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46I would suggest the best thing to do is have something for structure that
0:18:46 > 0:18:49is going to be there year in, year out. Something like evergreens.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51We've got fatsias and yuccas.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54And some pittosporum. Something for height.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58So we've got some small trees and climbers that will give you height, and then
0:18:58 > 0:19:00the third thing is colour,
0:19:00 > 0:19:05so we've got some wallflowers and some lavenders
0:19:05 > 0:19:07and some heucheras to give,
0:19:07 > 0:19:10you know, a bit of pizzazz and seasonal interest.
0:19:12 > 0:19:17Another design trick Charlie is using to give the garden a professional finish
0:19:17 > 0:19:19is to edge the borders.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25So all I'm doing now is putting in some wooden edging, and we don't want it
0:19:25 > 0:19:29to be showing too much, so I'm just digging a trench ready to peg it in.
0:19:29 > 0:19:35That will really accentuate the lines from this paving area down the garden.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Whilst the boys have the hard job of building the borders,
0:19:38 > 0:19:40the boss has the fun job of filling them.
0:19:44 > 0:19:49I just want to get a few key shrubs in first, then the water feature, so
0:19:49 > 0:19:51I can work out what plants go where.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Since this garden is all about focal points,
0:19:55 > 0:19:59Charlie has gone to town and chosen some really special plants.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03The tree peony is one of her favourites.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05It's got these really
0:20:05 > 0:20:07architectural leaves that are a bluey-green colour.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11And look, they look fantastic against the cedar deck.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Just beautiful. Look down there.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19And Charlie has also kept in mind Lewis and Rhys'
0:20:19 > 0:20:21fond memories of their holidays,
0:20:21 > 0:20:23evoking that Mediterranean vibe
0:20:23 > 0:20:28with the striking spiked leaves of the yucca.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32So, how to deal with spiky plants. Because when it comes to planting
0:20:32 > 0:20:34them, these are very, very sharp.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37I'm not worried about putting them in the garden because Rhys and Lewis
0:20:37 > 0:20:40are grown-up adults, so they know they're spiky.
0:20:40 > 0:20:46But the best thing to do is wrap the sandwich film round and it gently
0:20:46 > 0:20:48holds them in place.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52You can plant them. And then at the very, very end, a pair of scissors,
0:20:52 > 0:20:54zoop, boing!
0:20:54 > 0:20:55Job done.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59With some of the statement plants in place,
0:20:59 > 0:21:03it's time to bring in the budget-busting water feature the boys selected.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Now the reservoir is level,
0:21:08 > 0:21:11the boys have filled it with water and submerged a pump.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17They've connected a hose to it that will circulate the water over
0:21:17 > 0:21:18the feature when the pump is turned on.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Shall we take all the fittings out?
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Right. Take them out, put them to one side.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Put the lid on securely.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Water features don't just have to be focal points.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33There are many other benefits to adding one to your plot.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40Water in a garden is fantastic for wildlife and particularly for birds,
0:21:40 > 0:21:43as it can provide an opportunity for a drink or a bath.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48The gentle trickle or gurgle of water is also fantastic
0:21:48 > 0:21:51for drowning out background road noise.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Whatever your garden, there's a water feature to suit it.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Rhys and Lewis's water feature, with its super shiny finish,
0:22:04 > 0:22:08should add a luminance to the garden even on the dullest of days.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17The other focal points they've chosen are a couple of tall metal planters.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Because this pot here has a really deep base,
0:22:23 > 0:22:27I'm going to fill this with gravel and then put the pot in,
0:22:27 > 0:22:29drill some holes where the base is
0:22:29 > 0:22:32and then that's going to act as a water reservoir for the plants.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35The water levels are just going to hit the soil so it can draw it up,
0:22:35 > 0:22:37but not too much that it gets swamped.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43And Charlie is finishing it off with a pop of colour
0:22:43 > 0:22:45to brighten up the corner.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Don't they look nice?
0:22:47 > 0:22:52And the great thing about these is these Senetti aren't 100% hardy,
0:22:52 > 0:22:56so it does mean that Lewis or Rhys can lift them out and pop them in the shed
0:22:56 > 0:22:59if they think it's going to be a cold night.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Charlie's solved the problem of focal points.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08Her next job is to put some more height into the garden.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12It's overlooked from three sides, so she wants to make it more private.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16This is one of my favourite trees.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18It's really a large shrub.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22It's known as the wedding cake tree because it grows in these layers and
0:23:22 > 0:23:24it's got a variegated leaf,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27so it's got a light green with a white edge
0:23:27 > 0:23:31and it just looks beautiful and architectural.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33And it adds some height to the garden
0:23:33 > 0:23:35and picks up the height of the pergola.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37And you can still grow things underneath.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41That's why it's an ideal small tree for a small garden.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49To offset the areas of landscaping and swathes of planting,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Charlie has given Harry and David the task of laying
0:23:52 > 0:23:53a new section of lawn.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58So I'm just preparing the soil now,
0:23:58 > 0:24:02having this loose layer on top, which really allows the turf to knit in and root.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05After I've done this, it's really key not to stand back on it,
0:24:05 > 0:24:10so as you can see, Dave's on a board here and it enables you to not mess up what I've already done.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12And you just move the boards up each time and,
0:24:12 > 0:24:16you know, work away from the prepared soil.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Rhys and Lewis are going to have to be vigilant about watering this lawn
0:24:19 > 0:24:23every day for the next six weeks until it's firmly rooted.
0:24:28 > 0:24:33This garden has tested Charlie's design skills and patience to the limit.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35With such a big budget to spend,
0:24:35 > 0:24:39the pressure to deliver something truly special has been intense, but
0:24:39 > 0:24:41as the water feature is turned on...
0:24:41 > 0:24:43It's coming.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Woo! Look at that.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48It's quite nice because the whole brightness and shininess of it has
0:24:48 > 0:24:51disappeared now the water is going down, hasn't it? Yeah. It's quite a nice sound.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54It's not going to make you want to...
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Run to the loo. ..go to the bathroom.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59I don't know. ..and the very last Mediterranean-style plants go in...
0:25:01 > 0:25:04..the garden is finally ready for its grand unveiling.
0:25:08 > 0:25:09For two years,
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Rhys and Lewis' sad plot has barely deserved to be called a garden.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Void of life, it was neglected whilst the couple focused
0:25:18 > 0:25:20on kitting out their dream home.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Now it's had a ?4,000 face-lift.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33Charlie and the team have spent every penny of the budget to give
0:25:33 > 0:25:37the garden a high-end gloss that she knows the couple will be hoping for.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43She focused much of the budget on different areas of high-end landscaping.
0:25:48 > 0:25:54A ?900 circular patio is the ideal spot for morning coffee,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57whilst the cedar deck adds a touch of luxury,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00and is perfect for a glass of wine at the end of the day.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07The bespoke pergola was an indulgence at ?350,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10but adds height to the previously flat and boring plot...
0:26:13 > 0:26:16..and will look amazing when it's covered with flowers.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25Charlie chose to allocate more than ?1,000 to plants,
0:26:25 > 0:26:27but the impact is immense.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31They add privacy and intimacy to the garden,
0:26:31 > 0:26:34and have that Mediterranean feel that the boys asked for.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40And Lewis and Rhys have stamped their personality on the garden too,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44with focal points in the form of this stunning water feature
0:26:44 > 0:26:45and two statement planters.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Before they called the Garden Rescue team,
0:26:50 > 0:26:51Lewis and Rhys had no idea
0:26:51 > 0:26:54what to do with the blank space they called their garden.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00And to get the ultimate transformation, they staked ?4,000.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04Keep your eyes closed.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08It's time to find out if Charlie and the boys have delivered the garden
0:27:08 > 0:27:10they dreamed of. Rhys, this way.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12SHE GIGGLES
0:27:12 > 0:27:14You can open your eyes now.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Bloody hell. Wow! Oh, my word!
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Is that a good "goodness me"?
0:27:22 > 0:27:24Wow! That's very good.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Yeah? Oh, wow. That is really nice. Oh, thank you.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Loving it. Of course they are.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Is that Mediterranean enough for you? Yes.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36That's the type of view. The yuccas...
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Oh, wow. It's amazing.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Let me get on your shoulders now, mate. Get on, get on up.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47I have to say, you did a good job with the water feature.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Yes! THEY LAUGH
0:27:49 > 0:27:52I'll give you that, even though you blew the budget.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57This will make this your own private little sanctuary in this area.
0:27:57 > 0:27:58Oh, it's fantastic.
0:27:58 > 0:27:59Really pleased.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Good. Would you employ us again, then?
0:28:02 > 0:28:03Absolutely.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07Right answer. We might not let you go out shopping again
0:28:07 > 0:28:10cos we slightly blew the budget but, hey.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12What's a budget? What's a budget?
0:28:15 > 0:28:18This garden has been built from scratch.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22There was absolutely nothing for Charlie and the boys to work with,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24and they've succeeded in pleasing two clients
0:28:24 > 0:28:26with very particular taste.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31We're going to come out here for weeks, possibly months and think,
0:28:31 > 0:28:33"Wow, it's transformed our garden."
0:28:33 > 0:28:35Money well spent, definitely.