0:00:03 > 0:00:08With her can-do attitude, love of simple gardens and decades of experience...
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Hello! ..Charlie Dimmock is one of Britain's best-loved gardeners.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Looking good, boys!
0:00:14 > 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...
0:00:25 > 0:00:26Amazing, isn't it?
0:00:26 > 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 > 0:00:44They're meeting frustrated garden owners across the country...
0:00:44 > 0:00:47The photos made it look tiny. It is, isn't it?
0:00:47 > 0:00:50I'm sure you've seen larger! I don't know what to do with it.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53..and will each pitch them a design based on their needs...
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Wow! ..and budget.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56It looks really exciting.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58This doesn't look like it could be our garden!
0:00:58 > 0:01:01The winner... Hey!
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Woo! ..brings their design to life.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Hold on, hold on! Sweet as a nut!
0:01:06 > 0:01:09And the loser has to help them build it.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12I'm getting irritated now with faffing around!
0:01:12 > 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 > 0:01:23This looks like your design!
0:01:23 > 0:01:24Yeah!
0:01:24 > 0:01:27..to turn garden dreams into reality.
0:01:27 > 0:01:28Wow!
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Open your eyes. Wow!
0:01:31 > 0:01:32It's amazing.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34It's beautiful.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46It's time for Charlie and the Rich brothers to reveal today's challenge.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49What are our feelings on Japanese gardens?
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Oh, I love them.
0:01:51 > 0:01:52Yeah? Yeah, done in the right way.
0:01:52 > 0:01:57Well, Nic and Kath went on their honeymoon to Japan and just fell in love with it.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59They've since been back on holiday,
0:01:59 > 0:02:03which has just reinforced they want a Japanese garden.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09Graphic designer Kath and aeronautical engineer Nic moved into their home
0:02:09 > 0:02:11in Blackburn 18 months ago,
0:02:11 > 0:02:13and absolutely love everything Japanese,
0:02:13 > 0:02:15especially the gardens.
0:02:15 > 0:02:20I don't know what it is, but when you walk into them,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22it's so tranquil and calming.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Yeah, and the first time round, we went in spring, so...
0:02:25 > 0:02:28We were so lucky, we got a load of cherry blossom.
0:02:30 > 0:02:37And there's one feature that's a staple of the Japanese garden that Nic has a real passion for.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40We like rocks. I think I love rocks. You love rocks!
0:02:40 > 0:02:43I like rocks too. Yeah, big rocks.
0:02:43 > 0:02:44The bigger the better!
0:02:46 > 0:02:49They may have a taste for the Orient, but as it stands,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51there's nothing Zen about their garden.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53It's nice, it's just not us.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56Yeah. At the moment. There's not really anywhere to go in it.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59You just kind of, like, stand at the edges and look in.
0:02:59 > 0:03:00It's a mess.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03But the eagle-eyed designers have spotted some existing features
0:03:03 > 0:03:05that might help them with the brief.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10So, I mean, the birch sort of says Japanese.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Yeah. And it looks like there's a few
0:03:13 > 0:03:15kind of Japanese-style rocks as well.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18In some ways, it's great there's ponds there.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22I mean, it might mean... Because Japanese gardens,
0:03:22 > 0:03:23it screams out for water, doesn't it?
0:03:23 > 0:03:27Yes. And they would love a Japanese teahouse!
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Oh! That sounds very nice. Very cool idea, I like that.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33With a baby on the way,
0:03:33 > 0:03:37Kath and Nic won't be jetting back to the Land of the Rising Sun any time soon.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42So they want something authentically Japanese on their doorstep to tide them over.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46And they're prepared to spend to get what they want.
0:03:46 > 0:03:52Well, we've been saving up for a while and we've put 7,000 down, haven't we, for it.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54It is a big space as well. It's a massive space.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57I hope we don't end up with a six-grand rock!
0:03:57 > 0:03:58And then just a few plants!
0:03:58 > 0:04:01I'd be happy with that! I wouldn't!
0:04:01 > 0:04:05So we're combining rural Lancashire with Japan.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08I am a little nervous, you know, because they've been twice to Japan.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10I've never been. Have you been?
0:04:10 > 0:04:11No. Have you been?
0:04:11 > 0:04:15No. I'm glad they've come to us for the design, then!
0:04:17 > 0:04:22?7,000 is a serious budget for this project.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25But the elegant manicured look of an authentic Japanese garden
0:04:25 > 0:04:28is extremely difficult to carry off.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Especially in rural Lancashire.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39So it's time for Charlie and the boys to do their homework.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44They each have to come up with a garden design and pitch it to Kath and Nic,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46who will choose which one gets built.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49But it isn't over for the loser,
0:04:49 > 0:04:55as they have to get their hands dirty helping the winner build their garden.
0:04:55 > 0:05:01It's the day of the pitch, and the designers have travelled to Blackburn to present their ideas.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05Here we go!
0:05:05 > 0:05:07None of the designers have been to Japan.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09So can they win over Kath and Nic?
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Hey, guys. Hello! Right!
0:05:14 > 0:05:18'It's time to unveil their plans.'
0:05:18 > 0:05:19Oh, wow! This is our design.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21We really needed to create a garden
0:05:21 > 0:05:25that had a lovely balance between the natural landscape in which you live,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28but also the Japanese landscape which you're inspired by.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30So we've given you this journey,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33but we wanted to give you a destination at the end of the garden.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35The final destination is this teahouse,
0:05:35 > 0:05:39and what we've done here is we've created a kind of solid back with just an open door here.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42So, you know, you can't really see what's there,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45and it's about kind of obscuring the views of the beautiful landscape.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47So when you get there, it opens up.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49So this is like
0:05:49 > 0:05:54a walkway of timbers that are quite narrow,
0:05:54 > 0:05:57leading round and into your pavilion.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00OK. Something simple.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02It's going to look something like this.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05So off the pavilion we've got stepping stones
0:06:05 > 0:06:08that lead you on a journey around the garden,
0:06:08 > 0:06:10to this moon gate.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Which is going to frame the view
0:06:13 > 0:06:19of maybe an Oriental lantern, or it could be a cloud-clipped holly.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21And then we'll have a teahouse here
0:06:21 > 0:06:27which'll be a shed that we've modified so the doors slide back like that.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Wow.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31The boys are using their teahouse
0:06:31 > 0:06:34to frame the view of the surrounding countryside.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37But Charlie's offering two separate buildings.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Will that impact on the other features she can provide?
0:06:42 > 0:06:44What's nice about this building as well is that
0:06:44 > 0:06:47we've done it so that it overhangs slightly on the pond.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50So, when you're sitting there, you feel that connection with the water.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Yeah. The pond is bigger than you have now.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55So, you will lose some of the lawn.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56Yeah.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Water is a crucial element in a Japanese garden.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04And both designers are planning to cantilever their teahouses
0:07:04 > 0:07:06over the pond.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09The next challenge was to give Nic some serious rocks to play with.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12We want to play around with this area and have these lovely, like,
0:07:12 > 0:07:16sculptural boulders that kind of sit within the spaces.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18We've got some large, sort of,
0:07:18 > 0:07:23really attractive rocks that then we just rake the gravel round.
0:07:24 > 0:07:30Both designs have boulders, but the boys have gone for bigger and better.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32But what about the Oriental planting?
0:07:32 > 0:07:34I want to show the seasons.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38So, cherry for the spring, peonies for the summer.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Some evergreens as well.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Cloud clip.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46Surrounding these individual areas,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48we've got these planting beds.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52We're having this modern take on the Japanese stepping stones.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Then, within the planting,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58we wanted to pick out some ornamental cherry blossom trees, of course.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01It's such a massive thing in Japanese gardens, isn't it? It is, yeah.
0:08:01 > 0:08:02I'll leave you to think on it.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04OK.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09The couple are giving nothing away, and rightly so.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13With seven grand to spend,
0:08:13 > 0:08:17they need to choose a design that gives them everything they want.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19It's hard, isn't it?
0:08:21 > 0:08:26Will it be Charlie, with her twisting path to two separate buildings and a moon gate?
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Or the Rich brothers,
0:08:28 > 0:08:32with their giant boulders and dramatic cherry trees?
0:08:32 > 0:08:34The decision is theirs.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36It's been a really tough decision,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39because you both kind of hit the nail on the head, really.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42That's good.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46But we've made a decision. And...
0:08:48 > 0:08:51BROTHERS: Yay!
0:08:51 > 0:08:52Perfect decision.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55It was the cherry trees that swung it!
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Awesome. Great news!
0:08:58 > 0:09:00What made you decide...
0:09:00 > 0:09:04Because this was probably something we wouldn't have done.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06There was quite a lot in it that we thought oh, gosh.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10But actually... It just feels like something that we'd just never be able to do ourselves.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12I hope we've made the right decision!
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Yeah, you have! It's good, it's good. We're professionals!
0:09:17 > 0:09:19So, it's sayonara to Charlie's design,
0:09:19 > 0:09:22and down to the Rich brothers to deliver
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Kath and Nic's dream Oriental garden.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27But this is going to have to be a team effort,
0:09:27 > 0:09:29because not one of them has even set foot in Japan.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Go on, crack on, then!
0:09:37 > 0:09:41It's a sunny start on day one of the build in Blackburn.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45and the boys have set the landscaping team to work, clearing out
0:09:45 > 0:09:47the old pond.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50More sludge, vicar. More sludge!
0:09:50 > 0:09:55Including carefully removing any resident wildlife.
0:09:55 > 0:10:03Before the hole can be expanded with the help of a digger, to make a much larger pond.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Meanwhile, the Rich brothers are briefing Charlie on their plan.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11So, this has given me quite an interesting one today.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Got some really big elements to put into this garden.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16And, you know, these boulders are going to take some moving.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18So, it's going to be about logistics.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20It's mega-logistics, this, isn't it?
0:10:20 > 0:10:22There was already a little pond and kind of boulders in there.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25We've taken them out, but we're putting a pond
0:10:25 > 0:10:27and we're putting bigger boulders in, so...
0:10:27 > 0:10:29But we're doing it really well.
0:10:29 > 0:10:30Yeah, so on the pond, please.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Yeah, that's OK, then.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36Yeah. And then also salvaging lots of plants that are existing in the garden.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Is that because you've spent all the money on the rocks?
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Well...
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Yes. Yeah, budget is definitely tight on this one.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46OK. Right, get on. Let's get on.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Come on.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Oh, that's...
0:10:54 > 0:10:58While Charlie considers the bomb crater Andy has created,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01the brothers are getting excited.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05The boulders that are crucial to their design are on their way.
0:11:05 > 0:11:06So, the boulders we've got coming.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Andy knew a farmer in the Peak District,
0:11:08 > 0:11:10so a beautiful place in the country.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13And these rocks were in a middle of a field, overgrown, naturalised.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Exactly what we wanted for this garden.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17We don't clearly know what they look like,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20because we've only seen them in pictures.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23So, you know, they were loaded up late last night and they're on their way now, so...
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Hopefully, hopefully, they will be what we imagined.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30Meanwhile, all the way from the Peak District, the rocks are here.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32And they are massive.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35They're amazing! Look at them!
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Have we got enough garden to fit those rocks in? Yes.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40You wait till you see them all together!
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Stunning. Put them on top of each other, they'll be fine.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47They are amazing. Big old boys, aren't they? They are.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50I reckon Nic and Kath are going to be really kind of excited about seeing these.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53I think they don't really have an idea either, do they?
0:11:53 > 0:11:56I didn't have an idea they were this big, not even from the pictures,
0:11:56 > 0:11:58so I think they're going to be shocked!
0:11:58 > 0:12:00Beautiful as they are,
0:12:00 > 0:12:04waxing lyrical about them all day isn't going to get them into the garden.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06And with each one weighing over a tonne,
0:12:06 > 0:12:11the boys have to decide exactly where to put them before they can be moved.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Him, by the pond. He'd look amazing by the pond.
0:12:14 > 0:12:15Yeah. Yeah.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Rocks are essential in Japanese garden design.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30They represent mountains, and are revered by some as sacred spirits.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35Japanese gardens are full of symbolism, and use elements like rocks, ponds,
0:12:35 > 0:12:40bridges and paths to create miniature reproductions of natural scenery.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46Bridges to islands symbolise health and longevity.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Paths are important too,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51as they lead visitors traditionally to different areas of the garden
0:12:51 > 0:12:53for quiet contemplation.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01And water symbolises cleanliness and is normally found in the form of natural ponds.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10And for Charlie, ponds are familiar territory.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13So, it's pretty obvious this is the pond.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15So it's a lovely, simple shape.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19And I know the boys want to get some of those glorious rocks sort of
0:13:19 > 0:13:21touching the water.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Yes! So, what's going on here, then?
0:13:23 > 0:13:27Show me the... That's where I've been, I've been out with my plan,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29doodling. Putting names to boulders.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Have you? What do you mean, giving them names?
0:13:31 > 0:13:32What? George, Sharon...
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Trapeze. Trapeze!
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Peg Tooth. Peg Tooth.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Cow Poo. Cow Poo?
0:13:39 > 0:13:40Big Round.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43So, we've got Trapeze.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47Here. Yeah, we just thought it would be nice actually bringing it into the water.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49So the level of the water will be about here,
0:13:49 > 0:13:51which is just beneath the deck.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54And then we're going to sink this boulder in so you don't
0:13:54 > 0:13:56really see the end of it. I think that'll be perfect.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00It's going to be glorious, isn't it? So this is going to be a really natural pond, isn't it? Yes.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03'It's a good job Andy's got his digger.'
0:14:03 > 0:14:07You're just going to hit the tree there, Andy.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Just go down as soon as possible.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14That's all right. That's OK, it's only the weeping bits.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Whilst the boys play with their rocks,
0:14:17 > 0:14:21Charlie's commandeered Paul to help her line the pond.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24To start with, she's lining the hole with bonded fibre fleece.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28So, this material is synthetic.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30So it won't rot away.
0:14:31 > 0:14:36It's meshed so tightly together that roots and stones can't pierce through it.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40So it will really protect the rubber.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45The pond has been dug to a depth of 70 centimetres.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Deep enough that the water won't freeze in the winter,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51so any wildlife will be protected.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52Right.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Are we just going to do another layer with this, then?
0:14:56 > 0:15:00The first layer of fleece is topped with a rubber pond liner,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03and then another layer of fleece will be added on top of that.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06It gives the liner further protection.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Would you rather do that bit first, over there?
0:15:09 > 0:15:10No, do that bit there. OK.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14Organising boys, it's like herding cats!
0:15:14 > 0:15:17There's quite a few cats on this job, in't there, Charlie?
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Yeah, it is a bit...
0:15:23 > 0:15:25So, the next thing is get soil in.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32Adding soil back into the pond gives any plants something to root into.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36Good for the pond, not so good for Charlie's laundry bill.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Now the pond's prepped,
0:15:42 > 0:15:45the boulder that will sit on its banks can be manoeuvred into place.
0:15:48 > 0:15:49It is as clean as a whistle.
0:15:53 > 0:15:54It's so exciting!
0:15:56 > 0:15:59That's the one! Well done.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04Boulder in place, now it's time to fill the pond with water.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07We're going to put the hose on,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11but weight it down in the bucket so the bucket will slowly fill up and
0:16:11 > 0:16:13gently overflow.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17And hopefully it won't disturb too much of the soil.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19That's the theory, anyhow.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22OK, do you want to pop the hose on?
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Here it comes.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Filling the pond will take a while,
0:16:31 > 0:16:35so the team crack on with the enormous job of placing the remaining boulders.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40This boulder coming in now, we've nicknamed the sleeping crocodile.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44Because, if you kind of get it at the right angle, it looks like a crocodile head.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46With no eyes! Well, they're closed, you know!
0:16:48 > 0:16:52The boys have to get these stones in the ground and make it snappy,
0:16:52 > 0:16:54as there's plenty more still to do -
0:16:54 > 0:16:58including marking out where their concrete lintels will go
0:16:58 > 0:17:01to create a path of stepping stones.
0:17:01 > 0:17:02How wide is that?
0:17:02 > 0:17:07We are going to have two, four, 600, plus 300 is 900.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09So if you measure 900 off the deck.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Then we've got the start.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14What are you laughing at?
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Your maths. I was just saying how impressed I was.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24'Meanwhile, the subframe for the teahouse has been put in place.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28'The plan is for it to sit six inches over the edge of the pond.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32'But to get the perfect finish,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34'it's critical that none of the liner is visible.'
0:17:37 > 0:17:40All we are doing here is putting a bit of soil over the membranes.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42That is just a bit wide. And from over that side of the pond,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44you can just see underneath.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47The water level is going to raise a bit, but just to be sure,
0:17:47 > 0:17:49we want to cover it with a bit of mud, and then you won't notice it.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Yeah, that's it.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Oh, perfect.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01'This garden is slowly coming together, stone by stone.'
0:18:01 > 0:18:04So we've got the last boulder coming in now.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06It's been a really long day of bringing in
0:18:06 > 0:18:08these huge bits of stone.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13So it will be a nice day tomorrow, having all this in place,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16and we can start bringing the trees and plants in,
0:18:16 > 0:18:18and start creating different spaces.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27It's the next morning,
0:18:27 > 0:18:31and the first task is to offload seven tonnes of fine gravel
0:18:31 > 0:18:34to create the meandering path that will take Kath and Nic
0:18:34 > 0:18:39to different parts of their Oriental garden.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41I'm concerned.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44Why? You've got 20-plus tonnes of rocks,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47you've got seven tonnes of gravel.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51We've got loads of concrete lintels, and not a plant to be seen.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Don't worry, Charlie.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55The boys have got it covered.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Another big delivery has just arrived.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Wow!
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Beautiful.
0:19:03 > 0:19:09With a ?7,000 budget, the boys have invested in mature plants.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13In a Japanese garden, the planting is often very architectural,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16with a smaller number of impact trees and shrubs.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21As its name suggests, the Japanese maple, or acer, is a stalwart.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25It gets to two metres, so it is basically at full height.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Gorgeous. I love the bark on it.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28It looks like bamboo, doesn't it?
0:19:28 > 0:19:31It does. So, where is it going, boys?
0:19:31 > 0:19:34I am just about to start chopping my liner.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39Before the acer can be planted, since the pond is now full of water,
0:19:39 > 0:19:41Charlie needs to neaten the edge of the pond liner
0:19:41 > 0:19:43by cutting off the excess.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46When it comes to trimming the liner back,
0:19:46 > 0:19:48people get a bit concerned about how much they need to leave.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52You really only need to leave four inches, five inches.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56That's plenty to anchor the liner in place.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59And it allows you to be able to plant right up to the pond edge.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Meanwhile, the boys are placing the other trees,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09and they have decided to make some changes.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13In their design, cherry trees were dotted throughout the garden,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16but now they've arrived, the boys can see they're too big,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18and have changed tack.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23We have got the one cherry, which will give them the blossom,
0:20:23 > 0:20:25but we've got two smaller amelanchier, which blossoms,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28beautiful autumn colour, and links with the natural as well.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31And it is definitely a point of right tree or right plant for the right place.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Those cherries were too tall, they were going to grow too large,
0:20:35 > 0:20:37so it is the right decision to just keep one of them.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Whether as focal points, or for creating a journey in the garden,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46trees play a key role in Japanese garden design.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53Just like the boulders, the trees have all got an individual character,
0:20:53 > 0:20:55so what we are trying to do is fit them best in the garden,
0:20:55 > 0:20:58and this big one here is a bit fuller,
0:20:58 > 0:21:00it's going to block out the view nicely,
0:21:00 > 0:21:02so what we are going to do is we are going to put him in here.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06I will grab him. So we are going to put him in his space here,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09and he will really block off the pond area, especially the acer,
0:21:09 > 0:21:12so you will have to walk the whole garden, move in to the teahouse,
0:21:12 > 0:21:16and then you will be able to see it, all will be revealed.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18'While the boys play around with the trees,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21'Charlie is finishing the pond to prepare it for planting.'
0:21:23 > 0:21:26It is a bit of a faff, but it's worth taking your time.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Cos, of course, we've got lots of time. We haven't got much to do(!)
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Just a little planting.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37About 600 plants!
0:21:39 > 0:21:42'With so many plants to find a home for,
0:21:42 > 0:21:44'Charlie starts with the aquatic ones for the pond.'
0:21:46 > 0:21:48When it comes to your pond,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51you want it to stay clear by just using plants,
0:21:51 > 0:21:53you need three different types.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58You need marginals, so we've got the water mint, we've got the irises.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01You need oxygenators, which aren't overly pretty,
0:22:01 > 0:22:03but they do a really good job,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06and then you need something to shade the water surface,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09and these have got to be the easiest plants in the world...
0:22:10 > 0:22:12..to plant. There you go!
0:22:13 > 0:22:16They will sink down and root into the soil that we put over there,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18so this is the oxygenator.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21You want half the base eventually covered with oxygenators,
0:22:21 > 0:22:26and about half the surface covered with lily pad leaves.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31And, that way, the pond will stay clear and balanced and support wildlife quite happily.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37Nic and Kath's garden is finally coming together.
0:22:37 > 0:22:38The rocks are all in place.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40The trees are in.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Charlie's pond is taking shape,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45and the concrete lintels are starting to be laid.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Ten mill, five mill.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Stepping stones are often used in Japanese gardens,
0:22:54 > 0:22:58as they slow down movement around the space, and encourage contemplation.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Once you get this sorted, it goes down really quickly.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04That is bang on.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Meanwhile, Charlie is on to the last stage of her pond planting,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10and she has got a neat trick for submerging her water lilies.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Normally, you would plant water lilies up in containers like this,
0:23:16 > 0:23:20baskets, but because we want this to look as natural as possible,
0:23:20 > 0:23:24I am going to plant them up in a piece of hessian.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26First, she gets a hessian square,
0:23:26 > 0:23:28adds pebbles to weigh the sack down,
0:23:28 > 0:23:33then adds soil, and the plant itself, with the crown poking out.
0:23:33 > 0:23:34Then ties it all up in a parcel.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41And then it's just a case of throwing them in.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Meanwhile, Lee has finished the component parts of the teahouse,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54so they are ready to be fixed into place.
0:23:54 > 0:23:59But this is a sturdy structure, so all the lads, including our director, Rich,
0:23:59 > 0:24:02are needed to get the roof on.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04My armpit!
0:24:04 > 0:24:08It seemed a really good idea to build it outside and then carry it in!
0:24:08 > 0:24:12I'm sure someone is going to end up straight in there!
0:24:16 > 0:24:18It don't fit! Take it back!
0:24:19 > 0:24:20Oh!
0:24:20 > 0:24:22Yeah! All right!
0:24:27 > 0:24:30'But there's no time to let the muscles recover.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33'It's all hands on deck to get the remaining plants in the ground.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39'The boys have designed beds to flank the sinuous path around the garden...
0:24:41 > 0:24:45'and are now focusing on shrubs like this rhododendron.'
0:24:45 > 0:24:48What I have done is I have placed it here next to the boulder,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50and that is because, in nature, you'd find they are quite shallow rooted,
0:24:50 > 0:24:53and they grow over rocks and, in a Japanese garden,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55it's all about replicating the larger landscape,
0:24:55 > 0:24:56but putting it into your own garden.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59'As well as the shrubs,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02'the brothers have chosen a mix of grasses and flowers
0:25:02 > 0:25:06'that will add texture to Nic and Kath's garden across the seasons.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11'Charlie's making good use of all the salvaged plants
0:25:11 > 0:25:16'from around the old pond by creating a border behind the new one.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21'The brothers are giving the sides of the teahouse an Oriental feel,
0:25:21 > 0:25:23'using simple wooden batons.'
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Then, with a last push from the team on the planting,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37and a last whack from the whacker plate,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40this garden is done.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49In a previous life,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Kath and Nic's garden was a mishmash of tired, old features.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Now it's had a ?7,000 transformation.
0:26:01 > 0:26:07And Harry and David's design has turned it into a Japanese-inspired oasis.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10Harry and David have created a path
0:26:10 > 0:26:13using a modern take on Japanese stepping stones
0:26:13 > 0:26:15in the form of these concrete lintels.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19With the gravel, they cost ?535,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22and create a journey around the space.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32The teahouse is delicate and elegant...
0:26:32 > 0:26:34and cost ?650.
0:26:34 > 0:26:39From here, Kath and Nic can watch the sun go down on their new garden.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45The pond is a beautiful link to the landscape beyond the garden,
0:26:45 > 0:26:49and cost ?600 for the liner and the plants.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52In no time at all, it will look like it has been there forever.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57The boys went for an instant impact with mature trees,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00at a combined cost of ?2,700.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04And the pieces de resistance are the huge rocks.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07They add drama and structure to this space,
0:27:07 > 0:27:09but that drama doesn't come cheap,
0:27:09 > 0:27:13and the rocks put a ?2,500 dent in the budget.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17But the real test is what the clients think.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Here they come.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Please open your eyes and have a look.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24Whoa!
0:27:24 > 0:27:25Wow.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30What do you think? It's not our garden!
0:27:30 > 0:27:32It's completely different.
0:27:32 > 0:27:33Wow.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36And the boulders? What do you think about the boulders?
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Oh, they're amazing.
0:27:38 > 0:27:39Yeah, they're big enough.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42They have got moss on and everything.
0:27:42 > 0:27:43Oh, wow.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Wowzers.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49And you enter the teahouse, and here's the new pond.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Can you imagine spending some time here?
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Absolutely, yes. The pond looks so natural as well.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56It's gorgeous.
0:27:56 > 0:27:57It's quite tranquil here, isn't it?
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Do you feel Zen?
0:27:59 > 0:28:02This is very much like some of the rooms in Japan.
0:28:02 > 0:28:03It's perfect.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Does it bring back fond memories of when you were in Japan?
0:28:06 > 0:28:07It does, yeah.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Definitely. There is a little route around that we haven't explored yet.
0:28:11 > 0:28:12So it is quite a big budget, guys,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15so are you happy that we spent the money well?
0:28:15 > 0:28:19Absolutely, yes. I think it's the best money we've spent.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22It's like getting another room for the house, really, isn't it?
0:28:23 > 0:28:24When it's sunny!
0:28:25 > 0:28:27We would never have done this ourselves, ever.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29We would have never got to this.
0:28:29 > 0:28:30It's brilliant.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05Dip into the BBC Proms.