0:00:05 > 0:00:08There you go, there you go.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Hello, welcome to Gardeners' World
0:00:10 > 0:00:14and in tonight's hour long programme we've got a lot going on.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18I shall be planting grasses and late flowering perennials
0:00:18 > 0:00:20to make my Jewel Garden look at its best
0:00:20 > 0:00:21in late Summer and early Autumn.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25Carol is in her own garden at Glebe Cottage,
0:00:25 > 0:00:29with hardy geraniums to suit every possible situation.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33'These gorgeous, sizzling magenta of flowers.'
0:00:33 > 0:00:36It's a real privilege to grow them.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38She's also visiting Waltham Place,
0:00:38 > 0:00:42which is a garden that specialises in being very low maintenance,
0:00:42 > 0:00:44but very high beauty.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48It says to us, you know, don't worry about control.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49Relax.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50Let nature in.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Joe has been to Cothay Manor, which has a large garden,
0:00:54 > 0:00:58but it's divided into smaller rooms, which are all packed full of ideas
0:00:58 > 0:01:02and inspiration for garden's of any size.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04'I love that fern in the hanging basket as well.'
0:01:04 > 0:01:08It breaks up the eye level here. What a brilliant idea.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Pruning spring flowering shrubs can seem a bit tricky.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Rachel visits RHS Wisley, where she gets expert advice
0:01:14 > 0:01:18on exactly how and when it should be done.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22Let's just chop it all back!
0:01:22 > 0:01:23SHE LAUGHS
0:01:31 > 0:01:35The best of the Spring Garden is now passed, as the snowdrops,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38hellebores and fritillaries have all had their term.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43And as the season has slowly shifted from Spring to Summer,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47the garden slips to sleep until it's time to bloom again.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53Although it's high Summer,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56this is the dormant season for the Spring Garden.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00One thinks of a dormant period for plants as being winter,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04but actually, these plants are recouping their energies
0:02:04 > 0:02:09and most of them will put major growing energy from August and early autumn,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12so that they're ready to flower in late winter.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17And over the years we've left this and just let it be over summer
0:02:17 > 0:02:20and it's accumulated, it's seeded, it's grown
0:02:20 > 0:02:22and it's, sort of, evolved it's own life.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25But about once every five years it does need a clean out
0:02:25 > 0:02:28and a reassessment and that's what we're doing this year.
0:02:28 > 0:02:29Now, the first phase to that
0:02:29 > 0:02:33was to take out all the cow parsley, as it died down.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Not because we don't like cow parsley,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37but simply it obscures the view.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41So, that's been removed, along with any obvious weeds.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Now, the next stage is to take stock of the plants
0:02:44 > 0:02:45that we've actually put in.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49And, by the way, while I'm standing here talking to you, I've noticed,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52what has happened every year is that the Solomon's seal
0:02:52 > 0:02:56is being quietly, but efficiently, devoured by sawfly.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00Now, if you've got Solomon's seal, the chances are you will get sawfly
0:03:00 > 0:03:02and it will eat the foliage, don't worry.
0:03:02 > 0:03:03It happens to almost all of us
0:03:03 > 0:03:06and the reason why it's happening here in particular
0:03:06 > 0:03:08is that there's no ventilation.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Sawfly HATE being disturbed by wind.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Of course, this is beneath a tree, it's very dry,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17it's getting darker by the day because the foliage is getting bigger.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21It'll be fine, it'll come back next year without any problems at all.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24But the lack of ventillation we can see shows itself here,
0:03:24 > 0:03:26with the hellebores.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27These are the oriental hybrids.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30And you've got hellebore blight, which is endemic here.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33It doesn't kill the plants, but makes them look sad.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37At this time of year the thing to do it to go through and cut it out.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44In amongst them we have got all these seedlings
0:03:44 > 0:03:48because the oriental hybrids do hybridise with each other.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52In other words, they cross-fertilise and make new plants
0:03:52 > 0:03:55and those new plants will not be like either of the parents,
0:03:55 > 0:04:00But I don't want to lose the opportunity of keeping
0:04:00 > 0:04:05self-sown seedlings that might turn out to be really cracking plants.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09If you look down here, these are this year's seedlings coming up,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11nice and healthy, and dozens of them.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Hellebores are really expensive.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17So, if you have got seedlings,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20a really good way of saving money is to keep your own.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24And if you're patient, you might end up with a gem.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29Just dig up seedlings or a clump of them.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Just pot it into a bit of compost...
0:04:37 > 0:04:40..and put that to one side for three to four years.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43We are talking about a slow process here,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46which is why hellebores are so expensive.
0:04:46 > 0:04:52That could become one of those perfect speckled hellebores
0:04:52 > 0:04:56that are one of the most beautiful flowers in the garden in February and March.
0:04:56 > 0:05:01On the other hand, it's much more likely to be a muddy colour.
0:05:01 > 0:05:07for every really good self-sowing hybrid, there are probably 999 ones that are a bit ordinary.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09However, even the ordinary ones are lovely.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Now is also a good time to cut back.
0:05:13 > 0:05:19It not only spruces up the border, but also helps to promote a new flush of growth.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23This Geranium phaeum, which is very happy in here,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25grows in the shade, grows in the sun,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28a really good, strong doer.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30I want to cut that down to the ground
0:05:30 > 0:05:32and then start lifting it and moving it around.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Then seeing what else is around there - it is rather obscuring things.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41You can be brave about this - you won't do any harm at all by cutting this back.
0:05:41 > 0:05:42So I'll just get in there.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45Take it right to the ground.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51Once you've cleared away the foliage, you can clearly see those parts of the plant
0:05:51 > 0:05:53that are thriving and the others that are not doing so well.
0:05:53 > 0:05:59Here's a really good example of a clump that, when it was up here and growing,
0:05:59 > 0:06:01looked completely solid.
0:06:01 > 0:06:07What's happened is that the centre here is dying back and this area here has completely disappeared.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11But it's spread, so you've got a good clump there,
0:06:11 > 0:06:15a good clump there and the beginnings of a clump there but this area
0:06:15 > 0:06:16is old and no good,
0:06:16 > 0:06:17so I think...
0:06:17 > 0:06:20I'll dig up one or two of these clumps,
0:06:20 > 0:06:26divide them. That will leave more space and then I can plant something else into it.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36This will divide up perfectly happily
0:06:36 > 0:06:40into one...two...
0:06:41 > 0:06:44..three...four plants.
0:06:44 > 0:06:45No problem at all.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51Although this is not conventionally the time to be lifting and dividing plants,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54actually with the spring-garden geraniums, it's fine.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Cut them back so there's no stress from the leaves,
0:06:57 > 0:06:59plant them out fairly quickly.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02These will take and be growing again literally within days.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08That's a really nice clump which I want to put in the Jewel Garden,
0:07:08 > 0:07:12because it'll grow in the slight shade at the back of one of the borders
0:07:12 > 0:07:15and its deep purple plum-coloured flowers will fit in beautifully.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22Down at Glebe Cottage, Carol grows a wide number of geraniums.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26In fact, a geranium for almost every situation.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39I've been making the garden here at Glebe Cottage for more than 30 years.
0:07:39 > 0:07:44During that time, there's one genus of plants that I've used constantly.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46It's geraniums.
0:07:46 > 0:07:52Within the garden, there's all sorts of situations. Some are hot and sun-baked.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Others are shady nooks.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58You can find a geranium to suit every single situation.
0:07:58 > 0:08:06Here amongst all these billowing plants, geranium pratense is in its element.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07It's in complete control.
0:08:19 > 0:08:26Well, pratense means "of meadows" and that's the sort of place that this geranium loves to grow.
0:08:26 > 0:08:33I suppose beds and borders are really akin to an open meadow with lots of plants mingling together.
0:08:33 > 0:08:39This one can fend for itself. It's always a big vigerous sort of plant.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44But within that figure, there's such beautiful detail.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49These lovely flowers, often with striations - little lines.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52And on the back of it, this beautiful star,
0:08:52 > 0:08:56where the calyx has expanded and now holds the petals.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01And what mixtures it makes! I don't know how it does it,
0:09:01 > 0:09:06because, invariably, it seeds itself in exactly the right place.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10You get these associations, you could never have dreamed of making.
0:09:10 > 0:09:16I love it, with this brown bupleurum. The colour is taken up
0:09:16 > 0:09:19within the geranium head and then reflected again
0:09:19 > 0:09:23in this bronze fennel. So you get this marriage
0:09:23 > 0:09:29of texture and colour and detail. I couldn't have done it as well.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37Sometimes, I want to decide where my geranium pratense are going.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41And the best way to do that is by growing it from seed -
0:09:41 > 0:09:44seeds produced from summer right through to the autumn.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Last year, I collected and stored some.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Now, I am sorting the seed from the chaff
0:09:49 > 0:09:54and then sowing it thinly on gritty compost..
0:09:55 > 0:09:57..covering it with grit
0:09:57 > 0:10:00and pressing it down firmly.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Then, after giving it a thorough watering,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05popping the pot in a shady place.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10And shade is exactly where Geranium nodosum wants to be.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12It's a prolific self-seeder
0:10:12 > 0:10:17but this time, it puts itself about anywhere where there is shade.
0:10:17 > 0:10:23Underneath the trees and between shrubs, that's where it's happiest.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26And unlike most geraniums, it is evergreen,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29so during the winter, you still have this ground cover.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33And you get the benefit of rich autumn colour, too.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Well, out of the shade and into the sun.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52This is Geranium sanguineum and the species is a native plant
0:10:52 > 0:10:58and it occurs in really sunny places and often in thin, chalky soils
0:10:58 > 0:11:01and sometimes in pure sand.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05And because it thrives on poverty, it makes it an excellent candidate
0:11:05 > 0:11:07for growing in a pot.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11And it has several, sort of, strategies, to ensure its survival
0:11:11 > 0:11:12in these really
0:11:12 > 0:11:15very inhospitable kind of places. First of all,
0:11:15 > 0:11:18it has got these very finely-divided leaves,
0:11:18 > 0:11:20which means it doesn't lose much moisture.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23And it has two sorts of roots.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25It has fine fibrous roots, like most geraniums,
0:11:25 > 0:11:29but it has also got these thick, chunky roots,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32which enable it to store water in times of drought.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35And, as gardeners, it also enables us
0:11:35 > 0:11:38to propagate it for root cuttings.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Whether your plant is in the ground or in a pot,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48first, expose some chunky roots.
0:11:48 > 0:11:54Break off several lengths. You can feel the nodules,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57where shoots will develop all along the roots.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Slice them into pieces a few centimetres long
0:12:00 > 0:12:03and, crucially, lay them horizontally
0:12:03 > 0:12:06on the surface of gritty compost,
0:12:06 > 0:12:08so they are in intimate contact with it.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12Wipe them down with grit. Root cuttings will work
0:12:12 > 0:12:22for all forms of Geranium sanguineum.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Let me introduce you to what is possibly my favourite geranium.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31It's geranium psilostemon and it's probably the most versatile
0:12:31 > 0:12:34of a multi-talented troupe of plants.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39It will grow practically anywhere. It loves full sun, it will grow
0:12:39 > 0:12:43in the bitter shade - it is happy wherever you put it.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46And it's even happy in heavy clay soil,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48which is just what it is growing in here.
0:12:48 > 0:12:54Now, 15 or 16 months ago, I stripped these borders,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56took everything out of here.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59There are just three or four clumps of Geranium psilostemon.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02I divided them up, using back-to-back forks,
0:13:02 > 0:13:03and made loads of plants
0:13:03 > 0:13:06and replanted a lot of them.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08And just look at them now!
0:13:08 > 0:13:12They look as though they have been here forever.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16And how beautifully they combine with all these other plants in here.
0:13:16 > 0:13:17They are happy neighbours.
0:13:17 > 0:13:23And when you look at the plant itself, with these dramatic leaves,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25lovely red stems
0:13:25 > 0:13:30and these gorgeous flowers. Sizzling magenta and set off
0:13:30 > 0:13:32with these dramatic black eyes.
0:13:32 > 0:13:38The whole thing is irrestible and whether it is Geranium psilostemon
0:13:38 > 0:13:41or any of the other members of this marvellous family,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44it's real privilege to grow them.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06The plants in Carol's garden do always look astonishingly healthy.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08That is because she is brilliant gardener
0:14:08 > 0:14:11and looks after them really well, but also because she is careful
0:14:11 > 0:14:14to make sure that the right plant goes in the right place,
0:14:14 > 0:14:16where it's happiest. And that boils down to
0:14:16 > 0:14:19where it is getting the nutrients that it needs.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23All plants need a mix of them, but at this time of year,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25there is a call on potassium.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30Now, potassium is what plants need to form good flowers and fruit.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34And fruiting plants, like tomatoes or gooseberries,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37really have quite high potassium demands and you can boost that
0:14:37 > 0:14:40at this time of year and improve fruit production.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43One way is to go to a garden centre and buy
0:14:43 > 0:14:46liquid or granular fertiliser, but if you are organic and do not want
0:14:46 > 0:14:50to do that and also because there is no need - you can grow your own
0:14:50 > 0:14:54supply of potassium really easily,
0:14:54 > 0:14:58through comfrey. Now, comfrey happens to be a weed in this garden.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03It gets washed in by the floods and we have to remove much more
0:15:03 > 0:15:04than we keep.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08It actually makes brilliant compost, so that's not a hardship.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10But its main use for me in this garden is to provide
0:15:10 > 0:15:14the raw material for a liquid feed that is high in potassium.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18And to that end, I harvested a load of plants a few years ago
0:15:18 > 0:15:20and lined them out in the top veg gardens.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27The comfrey that I grow, Symphytum officinale, is the most common.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Now I planted a row all the way up this side of the hedge.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35This is south-facing, so it's very sheltered.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38In fact, it was a double row, so we have had to dig it up
0:15:38 > 0:15:41to make these beds and it is popping up all over the place.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Now, a word of caution about comfrey is,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46once it gets established - it has got deep roots -
0:15:46 > 0:15:48and is quite hard to get rid of.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53However, you don't want to get rid of it too much, because it is so useful.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56If you want to use it, the thing to do is to cut it back,
0:15:56 > 0:15:57low down.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Take that whole plant like that,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07because that will stimulate good re-growth just of leaves,
0:16:07 > 0:16:09and it's the leaves that are most valuable.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17Now, it's a question of just picking off the leaves
0:16:17 > 0:16:22because that has the most potassium in it.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25But the stems are very good for the compost heap.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29And the idea is to either loosely fill a bucket
0:16:29 > 0:16:32or just put what leaves you've got.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Then we're going to put water in on top of that
0:16:35 > 0:16:39and leave it to brew for three weeks.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43And then, when it's properly made,
0:16:43 > 0:16:48it'll form a black vile-smelling sludge and I'm not exaggerating.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50It smells disgusting.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57And I have got a brew on the go that's about a week old. It's here.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02You can see it's covered - not to protect the brew,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05but to protect us from its vile smell.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09There it is. It's doing nicely.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11It's gone brown and green and just be thankful
0:17:11 > 0:17:14that your television doesn't have an olfactory system!
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Cos this is not a good place to be.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19Phwoar!
0:17:19 > 0:17:23And I'll dilute that ten to one.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26So, strain it, strain the leaves out, filter it off
0:17:26 > 0:17:30and then mix it with water ten to one and just water it on.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32You can use it as a foliar feed or to the roots.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37But if you've got spare leaves, you can also put them down as a mulch.
0:17:45 > 0:17:51Now, I put any extra leaves I've got as a mulch around tomatoes.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56And I just put them on as thickly as I can spare them.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00It doesn't have to look pretty and there's no set thickness.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03And that will very quickly start to decompose.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06And, as it does so, the goodness will go into the soil
0:18:06 > 0:18:09which will get taken up by the roots.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12The nice thing about this is it doesn't smell vile, unlike the tea.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16And, of course, at the same time, it's suppressing weeds
0:18:16 > 0:18:19and keeping in moisture so it's working on every level.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Now, this is all fine-tuning,
0:18:21 > 0:18:24trying to get the very best from our garden.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28But sometimes we need to think about the bigger picture too.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35Joe has been to Cothay Manor, which, although it's a large, grand garden,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38is made up of smaller rooms,
0:18:38 > 0:18:41each with a different theme and each full of inspiring ideas.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49The UK is full of fantastic historical houses.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52And Cothay Manor, nestled deep in the Somerset countryside
0:18:52 > 0:18:55is up there with the best of them.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01To create and nurture a garden to sit comfortably with such a stunning
0:19:01 > 0:19:04and important house needs the talents of a very special gardener.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20I always think of the long corridor, which is 200 yards long,
0:19:20 > 0:19:25as the corridor of a house. And then in the middle is the hall,
0:19:25 > 0:19:29off which are all the little garden rooms and, like any house,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32they are all different in character.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36So are you a real hands-on gardener, Mary-Anne?
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- Well, I like to think so, yes.- Cos you're in your dungarees.- Absolutely.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Do you like to get stuck in?
0:19:42 > 0:19:46Yes, and although I haven't got them on now,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49I always wear gloves because I hate having potato hands.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51HE LAUGHS
0:19:52 > 0:19:55This is a gorgeous garden, isn't it? It's very soft and blousy.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58I love the repeat planting. I repeat plant everywhere.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01So you just keeps the eye just running...
0:20:01 > 0:20:07Draws the eye and always, always soft colours under our pale English skies.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08The alstroemeria there
0:20:08 > 0:20:12with the crambe cordifolia at the back is wonderful.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13And then the verbascum,
0:20:13 > 0:20:17the nice vertical spires of the verbascum chaixii - is it that one?
0:20:17 > 0:20:20That's what I call it, verbascum chaixii.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22The alstroemeria is a good one, too. Which one's that?
0:20:22 > 0:20:25This one is one of the ligtu hybrids.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27They're so good for cut flowers.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31They cut them but it's best always to get your hands
0:20:31 > 0:20:34right down the bottom and pull.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- Pull it out. - And leave space for more growth
0:20:37 > 0:20:40and it'll flower right through the summer.
0:20:41 > 0:20:47You do it with bluebells and tulips and various other bulbous plants.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- Pull 'em out. - Pull 'em out, not cut 'em.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- So which one's this, then? - So, we're in the cherry garden,
0:21:00 > 0:21:05so-called obviously because of the old cherry tree Ukon.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07I love that fern in the hanging basket as well.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11It breaks up the eye-level here. What a brilliant idea! It looks great.
0:21:11 > 0:21:12It's rather beautiful, isn't it?
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Yeah. It comes from Fiji. It isn't hardy.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16If you lift up the fronds...
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- Wow!- ..you'll see why it's called the rabbit's foot fern.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22It's quite easy to propagate.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27You just break off little bits and then shove it in some potting compost
0:21:27 > 0:21:31with some grit, and it takes quite easily, it takes about six weeks.
0:21:31 > 0:21:37I like the planting in this garden as well, not being tempted to throw in lots of colour,
0:21:37 > 0:21:38just relying on cream, really.
0:21:38 > 0:21:44Absolutely. With the hostas that don't have any holes in it.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46I think it's because we've seen so many frogs here.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51And also they're really long lived if they're happy where they are. They can last 15 to 20 years.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54I didn't realise that. They were long-lived, yes.
0:21:54 > 0:22:00The Veratrum viride, with the wonderfully plated leaves,
0:22:00 > 0:22:02which takes a long time from seed.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- I love green flowers.- So do I.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Against that U-backdrop, a lovely, simple composition.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18I love the way it's divided up into these rooms.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20I can relate to the smaller spaces myself,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24and the rose, this rose over here with this sweet pea.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27It's lovely! It's called Raubritter.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32I think in English it means "thief in the night".
0:22:32 > 0:22:35You always think it's going to open more,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38but it never does, it just remains like that.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40They're little pink peony flowers.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43- The sweet pea that's running through it.- It's lovely, isn't it?
0:22:43 > 0:22:48It's one of my favourite plants. It's Lathytus tuberosus.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53- And it seldom sets seed.- That's the perennial one?- The perennial one.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57And seldom sets seed except after a very hot summer.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Ah! Wow, look at this!
0:23:06 > 0:23:11- This is so different from the other gardens, as it were.- Yes.
0:23:11 > 0:23:12I think it's the simplicity of it.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15It's just a very different mood, isn't it? It's beautiful!
0:23:15 > 0:23:17It used to be the kitchen garden.
0:23:17 > 0:23:23These robinias holding the whole thing together. And using the whole length of it.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- I took these as cuttings. - Did you?- Yes.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Oh, gosh, years and years ago.
0:23:37 > 0:23:42The containers are very important, especially this one,
0:23:42 > 0:23:49which is where I am going to have my heart cut out when I die,
0:23:49 > 0:23:53and it's going to be buried...
0:23:53 > 0:23:57I'm not sure where, whether we'll have to take the whole thing up,
0:23:57 > 0:24:01or just in the bottom there, and I have spoken to the butcher...
0:24:01 > 0:24:05- Don't! Stop it!- He said no, but my son will do it!
0:24:06 > 0:24:09It shows how wed you are to this garden.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12You want to stay here forever. This is your place.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14I just like beautiful things,
0:24:14 > 0:24:18and I would love to be able to paint.
0:24:18 > 0:24:19In my dreams, I can paint.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23But when I pick up a paintbrush, it doesn't work.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25But I can make a garden instead!
0:24:51 > 0:24:52Go on.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57I went to Cothay Manor about 10, 12 years ago.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Looking fantastic then, and looking even better now.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Still to come on tonight's programme,
0:25:02 > 0:25:06I shall be adding plants to late summer colour.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Rachel is getting expert advice on the pruning of spring-flowering shrubs,
0:25:10 > 0:25:14and Carol is visiting the extraordinary garden at Waltham Place.
0:25:22 > 0:25:28The main Jewel Garden is really all about the controlled use of colour.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32And it's very labour intensive, and always work in progress.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36It's never quite right, but often really very good and pleasing.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Whereas these four beds here have a completely different goal.
0:25:40 > 0:25:47The idea behind these is to have tall, loose,
0:25:47 > 0:25:49elegant plants that do their own thing.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54In other words, very low maintenance, but very high impact.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57Grasses are great for this kind of planting,
0:25:57 > 0:26:01because they have an elegance, need practically no maintenance at all,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03and also, you can see through them.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06You can plant with and around them.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10Here, some stipas that I'd bought from Gardeners' World Live,
0:26:10 > 0:26:14and by the way, if you contributed to the bring-and-buy stall at Gardeners' World Live,
0:26:14 > 0:26:18thank you very much indeed, and you were part of an amazing effort
0:26:18 > 0:26:21that raised over £6,000 for Children In Need.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25These are Stipa calamagrostis. I say these, because I have got three.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27One, two, three.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29I planted them as soon as I got home,
0:26:29 > 0:26:31and they're already beginning to get settled.
0:26:31 > 0:26:36Stipas all need lots of sunshine, lots of drainage.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40I have got Stipa gigantea here. This is the oat grass.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42This is one that I moved from the dry garden.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46It's taking time to adapt, but last night, I was looking through
0:26:46 > 0:26:50the sun as it filtered through these oat heads, and they catch fire.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54They blaze with light. Fantastic grass for midsummer.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59I have got the pheasant grass, Stipa arundinacea, over there.
0:26:59 > 0:27:00which has this bronze-y form.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04Stipas are really good, but you must give them good drainage.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06And I put lots of grit under these.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10I have got other grasses that adapt very well to a rather heavier soil.
0:27:20 > 0:27:27This is a miscanthus. And it's Miscanthus sacchariflorus.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31And it has these plum-coloured stems,
0:27:31 > 0:27:33and really bright green leaves.
0:27:33 > 0:27:38But the great thing about miscanthus is that it stands upright.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41It doesn't flop, so you can put it in the middle of a border,
0:27:41 > 0:27:43and it's a really good focus piece.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47This is a fabulous big plant. It can divide up perfectly easy.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50And I intend to make two or even three plants from this.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52So if we take that out of the pot...
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Although it's a great focal plant,
0:28:01 > 0:28:05this particular miscanthus will only flower if there's a long, hot summer.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09And if that looks slightly alarmingly semi-circular,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11and obviously divided, don't worry.
0:28:11 > 0:28:16It'll very quickly fill, and very quickly become natural.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20But it won't invade. Miscanthus spreads, but slowly.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25This is Miscanthus malepartus,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27that will flower, reliably.
0:28:27 > 0:28:32Fantastic plum-coloured plumes that then change to silver,
0:28:32 > 0:28:34and they'll last most of the winter.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36And it's particularly rigid.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39It's dead upright.
0:28:39 > 0:28:44However, if you've got wet, heavy soil,
0:28:44 > 0:28:47and a bit of shade, this is perfect.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49This is deschampsia.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Deschampsia cespitosa.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54You have these bright green leaves,
0:28:54 > 0:29:00and then they throw up a great mass of these elegant, feathery wands.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02So there are grasses for every situation.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06And finally, you don't have to buy the plants, you can sow them.
0:29:06 > 0:29:12I sewed these in May. This a panicum or a millet grass.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16And this also has a wonderful plum-coloured flower.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18I have got it growing already in here.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21It's an annual, but it will last.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24It'll seed itself and spread.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28The only disadvantage of this is that it can get into nooks and crannies where you don't want it.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30It can be slightly invasive.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34But in these borders, I don't mind, because we're going to let it do its own thing.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58I have been very influenced in this very style of gardening,
0:29:58 > 0:30:00which is very free and very easy.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03I paid a visit a few years ago to Johannesburg
0:30:03 > 0:30:05and a garden called Brenthurst.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07That's owned by Strilli Oppenheimer,
0:30:07 > 0:30:12and Strilli has another garden here in England called Waltham Place.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14And Carol has paid it a visit.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20At first glance, Waltham Place contains all of the elements
0:30:20 > 0:30:24you expect to find in the garden of an English country house.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30There's a kitchen garden, some beautiful mature trees,
0:30:30 > 0:30:31and a long border.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37But that's where all resemblance to a traditional garden ends.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Look at these huge, dramatic clumps of plants!
0:30:44 > 0:30:48But not at all what you expect from a double herbaceous border.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52Usually it's tallest at the back, shortest at the front,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55and the whole thing very regimented right the way down.
0:30:55 > 0:30:56Not here.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00All these huge clumps of plants, mixing and mingling,
0:31:00 > 0:31:02and just being themselves.
0:31:02 > 0:31:07And then, suddenly, this interruption of this great horseshoe of beech,
0:31:07 > 0:31:10with a semi-circle of stipa in the front.
0:31:10 > 0:31:15And this marvellous plant. What a statuesque plant is that.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Look what it's doing.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21It's actually the support for a bindweed,
0:31:21 > 0:31:23and the bindweed isn't pulled out.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26It's celebrated, it's a beautiful plant,
0:31:26 > 0:31:30and everywhere is full of the buzz of insects,
0:31:30 > 0:31:31and the songs of birds.
0:31:34 > 0:31:40Bindweed, bryony and docks? Most gardeners would pull them out.
0:31:40 > 0:31:45But in this context, you can see them as the beautiful plants they are.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47Not as a menace to be eradicated.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51And they jostle for space with choice perennials,
0:31:51 > 0:31:54like this veronicastrum on equal terms.
0:31:55 > 0:32:00To me, it's incredibly exciting to see plants re-evaluated
0:32:00 > 0:32:02and used in this way.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04This unique and beautiful garden is the result
0:32:04 > 0:32:09of a ten-year collaboration between its owner, Strilli Oppenheimer,
0:32:09 > 0:32:12and Dutch garden designer Henk Gerritsen.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19It was in 1999 that Strilli Oppenheimer persuaded Henk Gerritsen
0:32:19 > 0:32:23and to visit the gardens at Waltham Place and advise her.
0:32:24 > 0:32:30It was to prove to be one of the most creative garden relationships of all time.
0:32:31 > 0:32:36Strilli brought to the table a wide understanding of plant communities.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Henk, a depth of knowledge of plants,
0:32:40 > 0:32:44and an understanding of the relationship between gardening and nature
0:32:44 > 0:32:51that was to result in one of the most innovative gardens ever.
0:32:51 > 0:32:56The core of what they created is a garden full of plant communities.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00Things that will thrive together without the need for constant control.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03Either by gardeners, or chemicals.
0:33:05 > 0:33:10They're allowed a free rein, but only within the confines of the structural elements of the garden,
0:33:10 > 0:33:14closely mown lawns and clipped hedges.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18These two are their own character.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22The lawn cut in a sweeping arc,
0:33:22 > 0:33:25hedges that could be clouds, or caterpillars.
0:33:28 > 0:33:34Even the paths punctuated by fountains of stipa get in on the act.
0:33:34 > 0:33:41Head gardener at Beatrice Krehl worked with Gerritsen before his death in 2009.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45He keeps this formal structure, doesn't he?
0:33:45 > 0:33:50And just subverts it, and changes it into something quite different.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53And he's introducing something playful with the caterpillar hedge,
0:33:53 > 0:33:56connecting the different parts of the garden
0:33:56 > 0:33:58but also separating plantings.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02It forms a boundary here with this big, vigorous planting.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Yes, I call it our jungle.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10Here we have competitive plants that are able to grow with ground elder.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12These plants, they have elbows,
0:34:12 > 0:34:16- they're strong enough to keep up. - Yeah, push each other out of the way.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20The whole thing is fizzy and jostling, isn't it?
0:34:20 > 0:34:21It's got this wonderful energy,
0:34:21 > 0:34:24you feel as though plants can be themselves.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28I'm always very impressed when you cut this planting back in March.
0:34:28 > 0:34:33Afterwards it takes two months and you have this jungle up again,
0:34:33 > 0:34:38- walking through two-metre tall plants.- And you leave everything to seed?- Yes, everything is left.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42We allow the plants to fulfil their life cycle
0:34:42 > 0:34:45and then we get some seedlings.
0:34:45 > 0:34:46Plants are moving around.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50The stipa tenuissima has been planted in the gravel,
0:34:50 > 0:34:54but it rather goes into the path, and it's growing there.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57You feel like rolling up your trouser legs
0:34:57 > 0:35:00so you can literally walk through there, can't you?
0:35:00 > 0:35:06Just feel it touching you. You know, they always look apt when they've chosen their own spots.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09- They're bound to look right, aren't they?- Exactly.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18At the very end of Waltham Place is the new garden,
0:35:18 > 0:35:24where beds planted naturalistically link the garden to the fields beyond.
0:35:24 > 0:35:29- There's lots of native plants.- Yes. - Beautiful burnet, isn't it?
0:35:31 > 0:35:33It's my favourite part of the garden.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36It's a beautiful combination, isn't it?
0:35:36 > 0:35:40These really rigid, short paths, and crisp edges.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43I bet it took you a while to do that.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46Yes, most of the work we're doing here is keeping the edges
0:35:46 > 0:35:49well cut, to define the beds.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53So do you do any gardening in here at all?
0:35:53 > 0:35:58- I've had an instruction from Hank to garden like a cow.- Right!
0:35:58 > 0:35:59What do you do, get down and graze it?
0:35:59 > 0:36:02I fortunately don't need to eat it,
0:36:02 > 0:36:07but he meant, not going to weed, but like cows do, pull it.
0:36:07 > 0:36:14- Can I have a go?- Yes, of course you can also play...- Play cow!
0:36:20 > 0:36:23When you come to a garden on this sort of scale,
0:36:23 > 0:36:27sometimes you think to yourself, "Well, it's wonderful,
0:36:27 > 0:36:30"but what's it got to do with my little plot?"
0:36:30 > 0:36:34But we can learn so much from Waltham Place.
0:36:34 > 0:36:39The way that plants are just allowed to do their own thing,
0:36:39 > 0:36:45to be themselves, it says to us, "Don't worry about control, relax.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48"Let nature in."
0:37:20 > 0:37:25Here's an accident that is giving us a lot of pleasure.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29The accident is the corydalis growing amongst the pots. It's a weed,
0:37:29 > 0:37:33and it's gradually spread across this part of the garden.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37We used to weed it up, but then we realised that it looked really good.
0:37:37 > 0:37:43This wavy sea of yellow flowers with these controlled bobbles
0:37:43 > 0:37:45rising above them is a perfect combination.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49And just for a few weeks now in July, they look fantastic.
0:37:49 > 0:37:50And just next to it,
0:37:50 > 0:37:55the lilies that I potted up in March are now at their best too.
0:37:55 > 0:38:00They don't just look amazing, they have the most fabulous fragrance as well.
0:38:02 > 0:38:07The intense sight and fragrance of summer flowers
0:38:07 > 0:38:10is one of the highlights of this time at Longmeadow.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13But here in the lower Jewel Garden, I want to create a space that is
0:38:13 > 0:38:16low-maintenance and feels very natural.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18So alongside the grasses,
0:38:18 > 0:38:21I'm also adding a variety of perennials for late summer colour.
0:38:23 > 0:38:29What I'm using here is an American plant. This is Rudbeckia maxima.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32It's a great big daisy, and that's going to give me
0:38:32 > 0:38:35the late summer colour I want to add to these borders.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37The grasses is the structure.
0:38:37 > 0:38:42We can see through it, it adds texture, elegance and movement.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44But this will give us the colour.
0:38:44 > 0:38:50Now, rudbeckias are a big family, and they're all essentially coneflowers
0:38:50 > 0:38:54and daisies, but this one is the biggest of the lot,
0:38:54 > 0:38:59and will grow over two metres tall.
0:38:59 > 0:39:04This is just one, and it's not going to do an awful lot on its own,
0:39:04 > 0:39:08but I'm planning to divide it. There's a little off-shoot coming from it.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11We'll be able to increase our stock over the years.
0:39:11 > 0:39:16Right, that's one rudbeckia, and now I want to add another.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20Now, this is Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24The perfect daisy, brilliant yellow.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37That will spread, become a clump, and I can divide it and work that through.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41But it'll fill that space, and rise to about this sort of height.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46Now, this may not look like much in this state,
0:39:46 > 0:39:50but it's Inula magnifica, and it is magnificent.
0:39:50 > 0:39:55It's one of those daisies that has very fine petals that spray off
0:39:55 > 0:39:59from it, and again, it'll grow about two metres tall,
0:39:59 > 0:40:03and flower and flower, August to September and into October.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07This is a plant I bought at Gardeners World Live, and I haven't
0:40:07 > 0:40:11planted yet, though I have put in a couple of others I bought there.
0:40:11 > 0:40:16It's Cephalaria gigantea, and it will grow to six foot tall.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20It's got these beautiful ivory-coloured flowers,
0:40:20 > 0:40:22like fluffy daisies.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27Again, that daisy theme keeps coming for late summer colour.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30It sort of works perfectly, attracts insects,
0:40:30 > 0:40:33and the shape and form of these flowers, although they come from
0:40:33 > 0:40:37different parts of the world, have different colours, repeats itself.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40I want to thread this through the borders.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Instead of planting them in groups, plant one over here.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45So we're just picking up and repeating the refrain.
0:40:53 > 0:40:59The last plant I'm going to put in is a kniphofia.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02Kniphofia 'Gladness'.
0:41:02 > 0:41:07I want these to link the Jewel Garden with these beds, because
0:41:07 > 0:41:11if you've got two separate pieces of garden or two separate borders,
0:41:11 > 0:41:14it's no good having a dramatic change from one to the other.
0:41:14 > 0:41:19There's got to be some continuity so the eye can easily make
0:41:19 > 0:41:21that transition, and also so they can mingle.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24It's not a separate garden, it's a separate idea.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27These kniphofias work perfectly for both.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29They come from South and Central Africa.
0:41:29 > 0:41:34In fact, they're named after a Dr Hieronymus Kniphof,
0:41:34 > 0:41:36and we should call them "nip-hoffias".
0:41:36 > 0:41:39They're beautiful, and you don't just get red hot pokers,
0:41:39 > 0:41:42You can get kniphofias in every shade of yellow
0:41:42 > 0:41:46and orange that will take you right through the summer into autumn.
0:41:46 > 0:41:51You can see here I've got little offshots coming,
0:41:51 > 0:41:56so next year I can divide that and I'll get two free plants.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06That gives us an instant flare of colour.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08That'll be picked up by the coneflowers and daisies
0:42:08 > 0:42:12and carried right through into autumn. You don't need a big garden to do this.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16Just a small patch of ground, you can get the idea of that
0:42:16 > 0:42:21and translate it, and it will work really well on any scale.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24Now, we've had a number of queries.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29I've got a couple here about shrubs and pruning them.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32One from April Axton in Gloucestershire, saying
0:42:32 > 0:42:35her small shrubs are becoming trees, and how does she cut them back?
0:42:35 > 0:42:40Another from Shirley Lane saying her shrubs are dying in the middle. What does she do?
0:42:40 > 0:42:45Well, Rachel has been along to RHS Wisley, specifically to find out
0:42:45 > 0:42:50from the experts the best way to prune spring-flowering shrubs.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01So, midsummer, surely a lot of people are going to want to sit
0:43:01 > 0:43:05in the garden and enjoy it, but there is pruning to be done, isn't there?
0:43:05 > 0:43:08There is. This is a very good example.
0:43:09 > 0:43:14We've got three flowering here, and we need to cut them back now,
0:43:14 > 0:43:18because they'll put on a lot of new growth which will ripen over the rest of the season
0:43:18 > 0:43:20then the flowers will come from that.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24So this is one of the classic shrubs that flowers on the previous year's growth.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27So partly about improving the flowering for next year,
0:43:27 > 0:43:31but also the overall shape, the height of where the flowers come.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33Yes, because of the nature of the growth,
0:43:33 > 0:43:37they can tend to start looking a bit bare at the base,
0:43:37 > 0:43:42and look a bit like flowers on stilts, which isn't really ideal.
0:43:42 > 0:43:46So the more we're getting in there in the summer and cutting out
0:43:46 > 0:43:50the older growth from the base, you'll get new growth,
0:43:50 > 0:43:55a bit of flowering, right throughout it, and much better flowering, anyway.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58So first, the obvious targets - the three D's.
0:43:58 > 0:44:02Anything diseased, damaged, dead, get the chop straight away,
0:44:02 > 0:44:03just above the node.
0:44:05 > 0:44:09Next to go are crossing stems which will rub each other,
0:44:09 > 0:44:11letting infections into the plant.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14I've got quite a lot of crossing going on here.
0:44:15 > 0:44:21We could take one piece of that out for the moment. Still keep this.
0:44:21 > 0:44:22Give that one benefit of the doubt.
0:44:22 > 0:44:27- It's like being judge and jury, isn't it?- I know!
0:44:27 > 0:44:30Thing is, you can step back and take more out later.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34The worst thing is stepping back and thinking, "I wish I could glue it back on."
0:44:34 > 0:44:37Because we want to give it an elegant shape,
0:44:37 > 0:44:42out go any twisted branches or any growing at a crazy angle.
0:44:42 > 0:44:46- So we're starting to get a bit of shape.- Mmm.
0:44:46 > 0:44:48Let's have a quick look at it.
0:44:48 > 0:44:52How do you decide what proportion of the big, thick,
0:44:52 > 0:44:54older stems you're going to take down to the base?
0:44:54 > 0:44:57Cos then you get lots of lovely new growth.
0:44:57 > 0:45:00Usually you wouldn't take out more than about a quarter.
0:45:00 > 0:45:06With quite well-established shrubs you can get away with a little bit more, but that's what you'd aim for.
0:45:10 > 0:45:12I'm getting in the flow now.
0:45:13 > 0:45:17Isn't this typical? You start a job in sunshine.
0:45:17 > 0:45:22Have you got a jacket there? Let's put them on.
0:45:22 > 0:45:24And don't be afraid to cut them back hard.
0:45:24 > 0:45:28That way, next year, you'll have flowers at eye level.
0:45:29 > 0:45:33We're nearly there. What about this? That's touching there.
0:45:33 > 0:45:36Yeah, we did miss that one, and actually,
0:45:36 > 0:45:40it's crossing this new one back here, so that could be our final...
0:45:40 > 0:45:43This one here.
0:45:43 > 0:45:47So again, we talked about not taking out more than a quarter.
0:45:47 > 0:45:50We haven't been counting, but we kind of know.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54I would've thought it's probably about a quarter.
0:45:56 > 0:46:01- Yes, that's better, isn't it? Much better. Lovely.- OK, next?- One down!
0:46:01 > 0:46:05Next target, a physocarpus in need of a haircut.
0:46:05 > 0:46:09This is a really big specimen, isn't it?
0:46:09 > 0:46:12I love Physocarpus 'Diabolo', one of my favourite shrubs.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14I absolutely love it, and I do like it
0:46:14 > 0:46:17when it's allowed to do its own thing, if you've got a huge garden.
0:46:17 > 0:46:21Most people don't, so what do you do when it gets this big?
0:46:21 > 0:46:22We have an enormous garden,
0:46:22 > 0:46:24but it's growing into things beside it.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27Also this hasn't been pruned back in quite a while,
0:46:27 > 0:46:29there's a lot of old wood.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32As much as we'd like to keep these lovely fruit,
0:46:32 > 0:46:35which are gorgeous, we are going to cut this back.
0:46:35 > 0:46:38It's been a few years since this physocarpus has been pruned,
0:46:38 > 0:46:43so cutting it back hard will really rejuvenate it.
0:46:43 > 0:46:48The aim is to keep flowering shrubs like these in a juvenile state so
0:46:48 > 0:46:52they produce lots of attractive new growth and an abundance of flowers.
0:46:53 > 0:46:56Fortunately, or should I say unfortunately,
0:46:56 > 0:47:00this is a job you can do whatever the weather.
0:47:00 > 0:47:04It's so wet that you just want to get it done, don't you?
0:47:04 > 0:47:07You feel, let's just chop it all back!
0:47:12 > 0:47:15Right, so now we've perhaps got rid of the main stuff,
0:47:15 > 0:47:16it's just the tidy up.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19So what do we want to encourage next?
0:47:19 > 0:47:21We want to encourage young growth,
0:47:21 > 0:47:24we want to keep some of the nice young growths
0:47:24 > 0:47:29that are coming from round the base, so actually coming from the ground.
0:47:29 > 0:47:33But we've got an awful lot still in here.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36We can go through and anything we think is a bit spindly,
0:47:36 > 0:47:38we can take that out as well.
0:47:46 > 0:47:50The temptation is just to keep on snipping, isn't it?
0:47:50 > 0:47:52- Move away from the shrubs! - Step back.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55This probably looks a bit unsightly,
0:47:55 > 0:47:59but we're leaving some of the decent big wood in as well,
0:47:59 > 0:48:02so that we're not completely going to the ground.
0:48:02 > 0:48:07Leaving this old wood as well as new growth ensures that the plant
0:48:07 > 0:48:10doesn't go into shock, despite a really good pruning.
0:48:10 > 0:48:13Come back next year and help us to do the formative prune
0:48:13 > 0:48:15and we'll see how it goes.
0:48:15 > 0:48:19Next year? You'll be lucky! Come on, let's clear up.
0:48:47 > 0:48:49It does show that when it comes to summer pruning,
0:48:49 > 0:48:51you've just got to be brave.
0:48:51 > 0:48:54Go for it and trust the plant, that's the key.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57It'll respond and sort itself out.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00When we sorted the Jewel Garden out last winter,
0:49:00 > 0:49:03and cleared as many plants as we could lift,
0:49:03 > 0:49:05to get rid of the bindweed predominantly,
0:49:05 > 0:49:08but also to have a sort through, clear it, divide,
0:49:08 > 0:49:12that was quite a shock to us as well as to the garden.
0:49:12 > 0:49:17It was like emptying a room that you've lived in all your life.
0:49:17 > 0:49:22But that room has filled and these glorious poppies have appeared.
0:49:22 > 0:49:25And almost out of nowhere because none of these have been sown.
0:49:25 > 0:49:30All these poppies have germinated as a result of disturbing the soil.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33And that has given us this great rash of colour.
0:49:33 > 0:49:38Whilst it's fantastic and I wouldn't dream of removing any of it,
0:49:38 > 0:49:41it's not exactly the colours we want to promote
0:49:41 > 0:49:43for this part of the garden.
0:49:43 > 0:49:45What we're looking for here are rich colours,
0:49:45 > 0:49:48strong, jewel-like intensity.
0:49:48 > 0:49:52So I'm marking the ones that I know I want to keep.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56That, for example, is fabulous, that plum colour there.
0:49:56 > 0:50:00That's fine, that's good, but for example this here, is not.
0:50:00 > 0:50:04A really nice poppy and it would look great in the walled garden,
0:50:04 > 0:50:07but wrong for the Jewel Garden.
0:50:07 > 0:50:11So we'll pull that up later. There's one in there I want to get.
0:50:11 > 0:50:16Just by tying a bit of twine round the stem, when the petals drop,
0:50:16 > 0:50:20I'm bound to forget what the colours were, I know to keep that one
0:50:20 > 0:50:22and either just to leave it there and let the seeds
0:50:22 > 0:50:28drop around the parent plant, or to pull it up
0:50:28 > 0:50:32and store it carefully and then sow the seed next year.
0:50:34 > 0:50:38The idea is not just to mark those I like,
0:50:38 > 0:50:41because in the end they're all beautiful, but those
0:50:41 > 0:50:46that are special and that you would really happily pay good money for.
0:50:48 > 0:50:52Those are going to provide beautiful plants for next year.
0:50:52 > 0:50:56So those are the parents of the next generation.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18Right, there's a decent hole.
0:51:18 > 0:51:22I've been wondering for the last few weeks,
0:51:22 > 0:51:25on where I was going to grow my pumpkins and squashes.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28They've been sitting in a cold frame for about a month longer
0:51:28 > 0:51:32than I would have liked them to have done, because it's been too cold.
0:51:32 > 0:51:34There's no point in putting out pumpkin or squash
0:51:34 > 0:51:36if the temperature is cold.
0:51:36 > 0:51:40They just won't grow. Now it's warming up I can get them out.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42But I haven't got any room for them to spread,
0:51:42 > 0:51:45and suddenly I thought, I know, I could grow them up.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48I then thought about some beansticks I had,
0:51:48 > 0:51:52lovely bits of wood, chestnut, but they just feel wrong for beans.
0:51:52 > 0:51:56But perfect for growing a pumpkin or a squash up.
0:51:56 > 0:52:02So I've put four in a bed over there, and another four in this bed.
0:52:02 > 0:52:07I've started by digging a pit, which I will fill with compost
0:52:07 > 0:52:11because pumpkins and squashes are very greedy plants.
0:52:11 > 0:52:14Bit of soil over the top.
0:52:16 > 0:52:18So that's in position.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22And then I'll put up the structure.
0:52:23 > 0:52:28I've got a bar here, so make a hole for them.
0:52:32 > 0:52:36Now if you think about it, a pumpkin can be a very heavy thing.
0:52:36 > 0:52:40So this is no good for pumpkins or squashes bigger than
0:52:40 > 0:52:44a football, but perfect for acorn squashes or butternuts,
0:52:44 > 0:52:46or any of the Japanese squashes.
0:52:46 > 0:52:52They come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them really quite small.
0:52:52 > 0:52:56Nevertheless, the support does want to be robust and strong.
0:52:56 > 0:53:01So I've sharpened a stake, and just drive it in the hole.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17Now, that is really robust, which it will need to be
0:53:17 > 0:53:19because with any luck we'll have three, four,
0:53:19 > 0:53:22maybe even five, good size squashes on there.
0:53:22 > 0:53:24Right, let's go and get one to plant.
0:53:41 > 0:53:45This is a squash called Blue Ballet and I've never grown it before.
0:53:45 > 0:53:49But anything with a decorative skin, anything that looks good
0:53:49 > 0:53:52I think is a great virtue in a pumpkin or squash because
0:53:52 > 0:53:58although they're delicious to eat, they're very decorative plants too.
0:54:08 > 0:54:12I will tie these trailing stems up the tripod, so instead
0:54:12 > 0:54:16of spreading along the ground all that growth is being channelled up.
0:54:16 > 0:54:20And with any luck it'll rise up, respond to it and flourish.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25That way I get to grow a really big,
0:54:25 > 0:54:31sprawling plant in quite a confined small space.
0:54:31 > 0:54:34But I would say if you're going to do this, make sure the support
0:54:34 > 0:54:37is really firm, cos come October they'll be a lot of weight on there.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40Now I'm going to finish these other three.
0:54:40 > 0:54:44But here are a few other jobs you could get on with this weekend.
0:54:44 > 0:54:48If you're growing tomatoes, especially if you're growing them
0:54:48 > 0:54:52like me in a greenhouse, you do need to keep them well ventilated
0:54:52 > 0:54:56now the days are getting hotter and the plants are getting bigger.
0:54:56 > 0:54:58Other than keeping doors and windows open,
0:54:58 > 0:55:01the best way to do this is to gradually remove
0:55:01 > 0:55:02the foliage from the ground up.
0:55:02 > 0:55:06Start by taking off leaves up to the first truss,
0:55:06 > 0:55:10and as the fruit ripen, continue the process up the plant.
0:55:10 > 0:55:14By the end of the summer you can remove all the leaves
0:55:14 > 0:55:17without harming fruit production at all.
0:55:17 > 0:55:19As your delphinium and lupin flowers fade,
0:55:19 > 0:55:23the spikes develop a mass of seed pods.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26These will take energy away from the plant
0:55:26 > 0:55:28and stop any further flowering.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31If you cut back to the first set of healthy leaves,
0:55:31 > 0:55:35you could well get repeat flowering later in the summer
0:55:35 > 0:55:39and also a stronger plant for even better flowering next year.
0:55:43 > 0:55:47One of the best things about this point in the summer is that
0:55:47 > 0:55:51the harvest in the veg garden starts to really roll in.
0:55:51 > 0:55:55All that work, all that preparation throughout April, May
0:55:55 > 0:55:58and really a lot of June starts to bear fruit.
0:55:58 > 0:56:00These are purple podded mangetout peas.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03They're a new variety, they don't have a name,
0:56:03 > 0:56:08These are a trial variety that I'm growing, and they are fantastic.
0:56:08 > 0:56:11You eat them just like that, you don't have to pod them.
0:56:11 > 0:56:13They look beautiful.
0:56:15 > 0:56:19They taste good and I suspect these will be on the market soon.
0:56:19 > 0:56:23But you can get purple podded peas, named varieties,
0:56:23 > 0:56:28and they're well worth growing because they do look good.
0:56:28 > 0:56:32These are particularly nice just mixed in with a stir fry,
0:56:32 > 0:56:34lightly fried.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36Or eaten raw. Very good.
0:56:38 > 0:56:41Although I love growing vegetables I think the greatest pleasure
0:56:41 > 0:56:45is from going out with a basket and just marketing.
0:56:45 > 0:56:49Just going around seeing what's ready,
0:56:49 > 0:56:53picking a bit of this, picking a bit of that.
0:56:53 > 0:56:56It's like shopping in a really good market
0:56:56 > 0:56:58and yet it's in your back garden.
0:57:03 > 0:57:07And I think it's as much a pleasure to make them
0:57:07 > 0:57:11look good to the eye, so when you're picking them, you're creating,
0:57:11 > 0:57:14like making a bouquet of flowers but with vegetables.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17If they look really attractive in the basket,
0:57:17 > 0:57:21it's all part of making a delicious meal.
0:57:21 > 0:57:24And it's likely to look better on the plate.
0:57:30 > 0:57:33Right, so far, so predictable.
0:57:33 > 0:57:37Lovely veg, but I'd expect that this time of year.
0:57:37 > 0:57:40But I don't know how my potatoes are.
0:57:40 > 0:57:43Yet, today is my birthday and we have this tradition
0:57:43 > 0:57:46that's grown up over the years that we don't dig the new potatoes
0:57:46 > 0:57:50until my birthday, but we always see what we've got
0:57:50 > 0:57:53and then eat them on July 8th.
0:57:53 > 0:57:56Oh, that's a good start. I like that.
0:57:59 > 0:58:01Let's have a rummage.
0:58:01 > 0:58:06There's something about rummaging in the ground for those first potatoes.
0:58:10 > 0:58:13Right, I shall go straight in now and prepare my birthday meal.
0:58:13 > 0:58:17I shan't be back here in a week's time because it's the proms.
0:58:17 > 0:58:20But in a fortnight, I'll be back here at Longmeadow
0:58:20 > 0:58:23and Carol and Joe and myself will also be visiting
0:58:23 > 0:58:25the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show.
0:58:25 > 0:58:28So join us then. Bye bye.
0:58:35 > 0:58:39Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:39 > 0:58:43E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk