0:00:33 > 0:00:35Hello, welcome to Gardeners' World,
0:00:35 > 0:00:39which today comes from the Malvern Spring Gardening Show.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Malvern is known as a plants and people show,
0:00:42 > 0:00:45and we will be looking at the people behind the scenes
0:00:45 > 0:00:47who've worked to bring together
0:00:47 > 0:00:50one of the first and biggest flower shows.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54Well, it's lovely to be back here at Malvern.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Carol, what are you going to be doing?
0:00:56 > 0:00:58You'll be checking out the ride-on mowers,
0:00:58 > 0:01:00heavy machinery, chainsaws!
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Exactly! And while I'm at it,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05I'm going to be on the lookout for unusual plants,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08perhaps something a bit quirky.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13Every year, all these hard-working nursery people bring their very best
0:01:13 > 0:01:17and newest plants to Malvern, and I'm going to see what I can find.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20I'm going to be taking a closer look at the show gardens this year
0:01:20 > 0:01:22and find out what's inspired the designers,
0:01:22 > 0:01:25and also look at some of the elements that we can all take home
0:01:25 > 0:01:28and use in our own gardens.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31I think the key thing about Malvern for me is the timing.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33We've all had such a miserable winter
0:01:33 > 0:01:35and yet the sun has started to shine,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38things are starting to grow, we are all getting out in the garden.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41So, at this stage, to have a show to inspire us
0:01:41 > 0:01:45and provide plants we can take back to our own gardens is perfect.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Yesterday, I had the chance to have a preview
0:01:56 > 0:01:58as the finishing touches were being made
0:01:58 > 0:02:00to the stands in the floral marquee.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05And as well as enjoying all the amazing plants on show,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08I was also doing a bit of window shopping for my own garden.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12And I found a couple here on this stand
0:02:12 > 0:02:15which will do the job perfectly for the Writing Garden.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18The first is Silene fimbriata,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20which has these bladder-like flowers,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22little fringe of white.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25I love the way that it is so light and airy.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29Needs a bit of moisture as it grows, but will take a hot, sunny position.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Whereas on the other side...
0:02:33 > 0:02:37..there's another flower, a Ranunculus aconitifolius.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41And the buttercup flowers are white.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Perfect colour, perfect type of plant.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Unlike the silene,
0:02:45 > 0:02:48this does need cooler, moister soil.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52I put the ranunculus in the shade on one side of the path
0:02:52 > 0:02:55and then the silene can get much more sun on the other.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57I think both will adapt well.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14This is something that I just enjoy when I visit a show,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16which is the bonsai.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19I really admire it, it involves huge skill,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21and attracts a real fanatical following.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25But I don't feel the need to possess it, do it, or include it
0:03:25 > 0:03:28in my garden to get a lot of pleasure
0:03:28 > 0:03:29from seeing it at the shows.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41I love violas.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45They are an old-fashioned plant, but their charm is ageless.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50They have a real vibrancy and energy and freshness.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52And they go on and on.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56You can have violas flowering for about nine or ten months a year.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02Graeme, what is the secret of getting the best from violas?
0:04:02 > 0:04:06Without a doubt, grow them through to late July, early August,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08and then cut them fairly severely back.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11And then the flowers will come intermittently through the autumn
0:04:11 > 0:04:14and flower quite sporadically through the winter.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17And then the following spring, they just explode.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22Yeah. They do have an incredible range of colours.
0:04:22 > 0:04:23They are amazing, aren't they?
0:04:23 > 0:04:26This one particularly, it's called Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow,
0:04:26 > 0:04:30because yesterday it was one colour, today it is another, tomorrow it will be again.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- The petals change colour? - Yes, they do, yes.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36From this lovely white, through lilac and then the deeper colour,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- and then they fade away. - How extraordinary.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43They are a lovely thing, they really are. They're very pretty.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52Not only have I had the privilege of having a look around
0:04:52 > 0:04:56the floral marquee before the crowds come in, I've also
0:04:56 > 0:05:01been carefully selecting the plants that I want to take back home.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04But tomorrow, I'll bring my wallet and I'll buy some.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14When Malvern does get under way, it's clear that I'm not the only one
0:05:14 > 0:05:17on the lookout for that certain something.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25Well, I've never seen anybody so heavily loaded. Are they all yours?
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- They are all the wife's. - Right!- All mine.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- The plants are yours and you are just the porter.- That's correct.
0:05:34 > 0:05:39- Whose is this?- This is mine. This is an Epimedium 'Amber Queen'.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44- Goes with your hair, doesn't it? - Certainly does.- Haven't you got one?
0:06:03 > 0:06:06There are always a number of show gardens here at Malvern,
0:06:06 > 0:06:08and they are a mixed bag.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12Some are young designers cutting their teeth who will go on
0:06:12 > 0:06:15to do much bigger things, say, at Chelsea or Hampton Court.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19Some are absolute perfect gems. And what's fascinating is,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21you never quite know what you are going to get.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Later on in the programme, Joe will be casting his professional designer's eye over them.
0:06:25 > 0:06:30But earlier on, there was one garden which caught my eye, which I want to have another look at.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38This garden is called East Meets West.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42It feels as though it could have been here for years and years.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51Peter Dowle is the man behind this elegantly designed garden.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Wanted it to feel rooted in place
0:06:53 > 0:06:57and really use the Malverns
0:06:57 > 0:06:59as the perfect backdrop to the garden.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02And it just has fitted, and the idea of going with, you know...
0:07:02 > 0:07:07the Japanese theme is shakkei, the borrowed landscape.
0:07:07 > 0:07:13And the whole design was just fitting into the natural surrounds
0:07:13 > 0:07:17- that go beyond.- You've called this garden East Meets West.
0:07:17 > 0:07:23- What and where is the meeting point? - The meeting point is...
0:07:23 > 0:07:27For people who have been lucky enough to visit
0:07:27 > 0:07:30gardens in Japan, you get that tranquillity and calmness.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34I wanted to bring something that was very English that you could see
0:07:34 > 0:07:37in any garden in the UK.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- Are you getting any feedback from the public yet?- It's been very good.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- Has it?- Been very good.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44We've been absolutely delighted with the feedback.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48- I think the judges enjoyed it too, didn't they?- Yes.- Gold medal?
0:07:48 > 0:07:50Gold medal, which we were absolutely delighted with.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- And even better than that, I think.- Best in Show.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Well, many congratulations. That's fantastic.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Now, as I'm sure Peter will endorse,
0:08:04 > 0:08:09preparing any show garden is a colossal amount of work.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12And last week, Joe went to meet one of the regulars who show here
0:08:12 > 0:08:15at Malvern as he prepared for his garden.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22It was here on the banks of the River Severn
0:08:22 > 0:08:24that Malvern veteran Mark Eveleigh
0:08:24 > 0:08:27first spotted the centrepiece for his latest design.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30It wasn't this beautiful countryside that inspired him.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33It was a ramshackle old shed.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42Mark's a carpenter by trade, but he's passionate about garden design.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44He's designed all kinds of show gardens,
0:08:44 > 0:08:48and in the last four years, these imaginative creations have won
0:08:48 > 0:08:51two gold medals, a silver gilt and a silver.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56This year, a riverside boathouse is his chosen theme.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- Hi, Mark.- Hi.- How's it going? - Good, how are you?- Yes, good.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05We are surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in the world
0:09:05 > 0:09:07and you are over here, looking at a load of old junk.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Well, this is where I found the old shed
0:09:10 > 0:09:13which I'm using as my boathouse at Malvern,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16and some other junk as well, as you can see.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- Lovely bicycles. Are you going to incorporate those?- Definitely.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22So, we've got a shed that is now a boathouse, we've got some bicycles.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25What is the story behind the garden?
0:09:25 > 0:09:29Well, what I am thinking is the lady and the gent
0:09:29 > 0:09:31would cycle to the boathouse,
0:09:31 > 0:09:35and then off they'd go, get in the boat and go down the river.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38And, unfortunately, they've moved on, they've passed away,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41but the garden, you know, it's quietly carried on.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43And it's kind of reverting back to nature.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46These are perfect, I'm not even going to clean them up.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48They're just so helpful. They're from 1934,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51which is almost the period that the garden is set in.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54It sounds like a fantastic story. I'm right there.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57But how can you turn that story into a garden?
0:09:57 > 0:10:02I'll take you to my local pub, which is where I got my inspiration for the planting. How's that?
0:10:10 > 0:10:14I used to come here with my granddad and he would have a pint and I would
0:10:14 > 0:10:18come around and run around the back, while he was out at the front.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21It's got the most wonderful overgrown garden.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Most gardeners would want to come in here, get the shears out,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- dig the whole thing over... - No, no. Don't do that.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28I can understand gardeners wanting to tidy it up,
0:10:28 > 0:10:32but that's not for me. I take my inspiration from this.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Because I want that neglected feel. This is perfect.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38Look, we've got primroses, green alkanet, all sorts of things.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- A good old mix.- No, it's gorgeous. I can totally see the charm.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45It is a fading old garden and plants have self-seeded
0:10:45 > 0:10:48and crept in, and weeds taking over at the same time.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- Is that what you are trying to create?- If you like, if you would like to call them weeds!
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Well, some of them are! There's nettles over there, that's a weed!
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Joe, I love nettles. I've got nettles in my garden this year.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04I've used manicured spurge, that the judges would like to see,
0:11:04 > 0:11:06because I can't just have weeds.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08You need some architectural plants, don't you?
0:11:08 > 0:11:11And it is a show garden, after all.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Have a look at these trays that I have made.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19I planted these maybe two months ago, something like that.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22My favourite, the old stingers there.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25And then I've drifted through, so quite naturalistic,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28I've dotted the odd wallflower in, which you can see here.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Pink campion, absolutely love pink campion.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Oh, I can see the sort of tapestry, the naturalistic feel,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36with a few recognisable garden plants.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39And the little periwinkle at the front, that's gorgeous. I love that.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42It's the old show garden trick, of planting them up in trays
0:11:42 > 0:11:44in advance and then dropping them straight in on site.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47I'd like to get down and see how the garden's coming on.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51- OK, shall we go and have a look? - Yeah. I've got it.- Got it? Let's go.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- It's heavy, isn't it? - It is heavy, yeah.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01- Just down here by these sleepers, how about that.- Just down here?
0:12:04 > 0:12:07What I really love about what I see is that you have used
0:12:07 > 0:12:11your local plants, you are a local lad, you know what's around you
0:12:11 > 0:12:16and you have brought it all together with a story, in a garden.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20I'm very passionate about the Malvern Hills which are just behind us.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23I have been walking on those hills all my life.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27You will see hawthorn, digitalis, spurge in the woods up there,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30so I have tried to recreate some of that within this whole
0:12:30 > 0:12:33driftwoody, naturalistic garden.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38That's what I'm hoping everyone will get when they see this old shed.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42- You've got a way to go.- Yeah.- Lots to do. I'll leave you to it. Good luck.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- Cheers, Joe.- Nice one.- Thank you.
0:12:55 > 0:12:56And here I am, on the finished garden.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58And it looks absolutely fantastic.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00All the plants are overgrown,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03it feels like it's slightly neglected, the way the plants
0:13:03 > 0:13:08go into the boathouse here, it just feels like it has been here for ever.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13- Where are the bicycles? Mark!- Hello. - Mark, where are the bicycles?
0:13:13 > 0:13:14The bicycles we carried over here?
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Right, I did try it, against that post there. Lovely oak post.
0:13:18 > 0:13:19But it was just too overpowering.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- It was detracting from the boat. - Is that the pub?
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- Which was where I was last night. - I bet you were!- So I'm a bit ropey.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- Celebrating your silver-gilt. - Yet, chuffed with that.- Well done.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- And lovely garden. - Cheers, thank you.- Well done.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Paul, you've created a wonderful garden.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47I love the big backdrop, it makes it very dramatic,
0:13:47 > 0:13:51but also keeps the focus within the garden. This stone is gorgeous.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Is it from Cornwall?
0:13:53 > 0:13:56It is, it from a small quarry outside Tintagel.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58And the colour in it is absolutely amazing.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01I took a visit down there, picked all the stone out.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02About 30 tonnes altogether.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- And it's been beautiful to work with.- Oh, yeah.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08It really adds the character, doesn't it? And the walls, it's slightly...
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Is that a herringbone style? Has it got a name?
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Yeah, they actually call that Jack and Jill.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16That's what they call it down in Cornwall.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18It's literally the way that is laid,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21if it's frosted or damaged at all, it literally gets tighter,
0:14:21 > 0:14:25and tighter. So it's like a dry stone wall with so much strength in it.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- And it lasts for ever? - Apparently, these walls have been going on for 5,000 years!- Really?
0:14:29 > 0:14:30So, that's not bad.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33And the planting here is very subtropical.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35A very protected climate.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37But with the wind, I do feel like we are in Cornwall.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39You have got cordylines and tree ferns,
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- and even agaves, plants like that, too.- Yeah.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46It was to literally follow the planting from Trebah Gardens
0:14:46 > 0:14:49down in Cornwall where the inspiration came from.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51We are trying to bring a little slice of Cornwall up to
0:14:51 > 0:14:54the Malvern show, and I hope we have sort of done that.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07Light Is The Load is a garden with exceptional build quality
0:15:07 > 0:15:08and it's causing quite a stir.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12The well-proportioned boundaries of stone and green walls
0:15:12 > 0:15:16are a good example of how to combine soft and hard landscaping together.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22The living wall is beautifully planted, but it is quite costly.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25However, you could achieve a similar look in your garden
0:15:25 > 0:15:27with a simple combination of climbers.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32I think the light-coloured stone is an ideal surface
0:15:32 > 0:15:33to brighten up a shady garden,
0:15:33 > 0:15:37while the many varieties of euphorbia drifting through the planting
0:15:37 > 0:15:41make an excellent foil for the more vibrant flowers alongside.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43A well-deserved gold medal.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- Bonjour!- Hello.- Bonjour! I thought I'd find you here somehow.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03I was just sitting with my eyes closed,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06and you really could be in Provence.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- You could, couldn't you? - This is an extraordinary location.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13It's beautifully done, isn't it? The detail is just wonderful.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17- The plant choices - spot-on. - You know France, I know France.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- This is pretty damn accurate, isn't it?- Yes.- This is supposed to be...
0:16:21 > 0:16:24I think it's one of those little resting points on the Tour de France,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27top of a mountain in the 1950s, you can imagine these guys
0:16:27 > 0:16:32cycling up, stopping, having a glass of wine and then going on...
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- It gets that Provencal feel.- Yes. - Just beautiful.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40The choice of plants here are so authentic.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43The olives and the convolvulus and the lavenders and stuff.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47And even these pots. I love the way that, you know, the herbs really...
0:16:47 > 0:16:52You can almost feel the sun baking on them. They love well-drained soil.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- You know, they can be left for months in the summer... - When you go to France.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Well, you can go on holiday and come back and they will still be alive.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02I think the other thing is, is that what I get from this
0:17:02 > 0:17:07is you can play, you CAN treat your garden as a bit of theatre.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10And if you want to make, you know, the things that inspire you
0:17:10 > 0:17:14and have got happy memories then it's the details, it's the touches that count.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Though the show gardens are delightful, for me,
0:17:32 > 0:17:38the whole point about the Malvern show is finding all these wonderful plants.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42A few weeks ago, we went to visit a small nursery in Devon
0:17:42 > 0:17:45and meet a man who's absolutely passionate
0:17:45 > 0:17:48about a particular sort of primula.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04Primula sieboldii I found in the wild around Japan and parts of Asia,
0:18:04 > 0:18:05around there.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09And I just love the simplicity of them.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11This is actually the first time we are going to be
0:18:11 > 0:18:14in the marquee at Malvern.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18The public tend to respond very well to the sieboldii when they see it,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21so we are looking forward to going out to a wider audience.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26The Japanese, with their love of plants,
0:18:26 > 0:18:31are the ones that have made the sieboldii into the variety it is today.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34It's identified in the earliest gardening books in Japan,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37so it's an old and established plant form.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41There's a Japanese short poem, or haiku,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45and it translates along the lines of, "Even grasses have
0:18:45 > 0:18:48"cherry blossom flowers in Japan, the land of the cherry blossom."
0:18:50 > 0:18:53The Japanese gods used to cultivate these most beautiful gardens
0:18:53 > 0:18:57with the wonderful cherry trees that bloomed over the streams and lakes.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01But unfortunately, the blossom tended to fall too quickly
0:19:01 > 0:19:03and the gods were so upset after all their efforts
0:19:03 > 0:19:07that it was such a short blooming, that they decreed that in future
0:19:07 > 0:19:10when the blossom fell, it would come up through the grass
0:19:10 > 0:19:16and the grasses would flower, and it happened to be a little primula down there when they decreed this,
0:19:16 > 0:19:18and that then formed the Primula sieboldii.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27It's just such a wonderful plant. The blooms are so nice.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29And there's such a nice variation in them,
0:19:29 > 0:19:33it's typical of many plants the Japanese like to grow.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35They will look for the variety.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Primulas generally are quite good for that
0:19:37 > 0:19:40because they're quite promiscuous, quite variable.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42But the Sieboldii in particular,
0:19:42 > 0:19:47the range of colours goes from a deep magenta, deep pink,
0:19:47 > 0:19:51through the blue shades up to the pure whites, like this.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55And because they feel almost pastely in colour,
0:19:55 > 0:19:59you can actually put any different varieties together
0:19:59 > 0:20:02and will look as if they're suited and complement each other.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10In the wild, the closest form we have here is "Sumizomegenji"
0:20:10 > 0:20:16and it is the closest you can get, as far as I'm aware, to the wild form
0:20:16 > 0:20:19We've found that they will grow in reasonable levels of sunlight,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22but they've got to have a cool root run,
0:20:22 > 0:20:24they've got to be in quite nice organic soil
0:20:24 > 0:20:27that never dries out fully, but doesn't flood either.
0:20:27 > 0:20:32We've also tried semi-woodland, edge of woodland conditions,
0:20:32 > 0:20:35which again they thrive in because they love leaf mould
0:20:35 > 0:20:39and they do well, but obviously you need a bit of light
0:20:39 > 0:20:41for the flowers to come out.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Very popular form,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46this one is called Snowflake.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49It looks really delicate, but actually they are very reliable,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52they are quite happy in our soils, our conditions,
0:20:52 > 0:20:55and they normally come into flower mid to late February.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59And you'll have them in flower to about mid to end of June.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02Don't be deceived by the fact that they look so delicate,
0:21:02 > 0:21:04they are really quite forgiving.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08And if you put them in the right place, they'll reward you for years.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12We'll always be nervous when we try to put on an exhibit
0:21:12 > 0:21:15because the primulas can be... They're not fussy,
0:21:15 > 0:21:19it's just that they grow according to their own desires and speed.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23You can't force primulas along, you can't put them in a warm house
0:21:23 > 0:21:26to speed them up because that will just kill them,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29so we have to go with nature on it.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32We just hope that they'll be enough in flower for Malvern
0:21:32 > 0:21:35that we can put on a good display.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Well, I have to say, it's beautiful.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- Thank you.- Absolutely exquisite.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46But how did you get on?
0:21:46 > 0:21:49We got a silver gilt, we're really pleased with that.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51The weather hasn't helped us,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54but I think it's come out nice, we like it.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58And what's people's reactions to seeing so many Sieboldii together?
0:21:58 > 0:22:02I think they've been impressed. The main message we have to keep giving
0:22:02 > 0:22:06is that it might look delicate, but they are very good garden plants.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- And I suppose the best thing is that everybody can grow them.- They can.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Yes, it's a nice, friendly plant.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29Along the plant avenues, or in here in this wonderful marquee,
0:22:29 > 0:22:33the whole of the Malvern Show is packed with plants.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44All plants are special, but occasionally, you come face to face
0:22:44 > 0:22:47with something that you've never seen before.
0:22:48 > 0:22:54The Malvern Hills are blue at the moment, alive with bluebells.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57But not this bluebell. This is a very special one.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59It's a bracteate bluebell,
0:22:59 > 0:23:04so called because it's got these wonderful sort of whiskery growths
0:23:04 > 0:23:07that separate these brilliant blue flowers.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12It's such a graceful, gorgeous plant and so unusual too.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16And it's the very first time it's been seen in a British flower show.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19It's its first public outing.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23It's the sort of plant that you can't increase rapidly,
0:23:23 > 0:23:25like ordinary bluebells cos it's sterile.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30So each of these plants has been grown individually from side bulbs.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34It's such a special plant that it's the sort of thing
0:23:34 > 0:23:38you'd want to put into a secret corner of your garden
0:23:38 > 0:23:41and go there occasionally to commune with it.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Just as the trees are coming into leaf is a time
0:23:52 > 0:23:55when woodland plants are at their very best.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59Most of us have a bit of shade in our gardens,
0:23:59 > 0:24:02and these plants are ideal in that kind of situation.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06And there's one here that is just so beautiful.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12It's Cornus canadensis, so called because it's from Canada
0:24:12 > 0:24:14where it carpets woodland.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16It's a very easy plant to grow,
0:24:16 > 0:24:20providing you've got slightly acidic conditions.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25We have lots of native shade-loving plants.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29All of them are beautiful, but nothing is more special
0:24:29 > 0:24:32than this lovely Melittis melissophyllum
0:24:32 > 0:24:34otherwise known as Bastard Balm.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39I don't know what it is that draws you to it, it's a quiet plant,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42perhaps it's these lovely soft, fresh green leaves,
0:24:42 > 0:24:46each one sheltering a beautiful white flower.
0:24:46 > 0:24:47They all have
0:24:47 > 0:24:51sticky-out pink tongues too that adds to the charm.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09Our native wood anemone, Anemone nemorosa, often produces
0:25:09 > 0:25:12all sorts of quirky variations.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14But none more quirky than this.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18This is Anemone nemorosa "Bracteata Pleniflora".
0:25:18 > 0:25:24And in its centre, lots of petals have turned into these glorious
0:25:24 > 0:25:27delicate little bright-green bracts.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30The whole thing's got the appearance
0:25:30 > 0:25:34of a sort of green and white powder-puff, it's charming.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Whatever kind of plants you're looking for,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38whatever your garden's like,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Malvern Show is packed with all sorts of wondrous things.
0:25:41 > 0:25:46And I know that my car boot's not going to be nearly big enough.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11Now, it's wonderful to get out and get inspiration at flower shows,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14but still the garden at home needs looking after.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19And here are some jobs I was doing at Longmeadow earlier this week.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28As the flowers develop on your strawberry plants,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31it's a good idea to cover some of them with cloches.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Leave the ends open so the bees can get in,
0:26:36 > 0:26:38but once they're covered,
0:26:38 > 0:26:42this will encourage the development and ripening of fruits.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45And you'll get a staggered fruit production
0:26:45 > 0:26:48rather than just one big glut in midsummer.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54You can't beat the flavour of home-grown sweetcorn
0:26:54 > 0:26:56and now is the time to sow them.
0:26:58 > 0:27:04I sow one seed to a module and then pot these on in a few weeks' time.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09These are plants that need warmth
0:27:09 > 0:27:12from the moment you sow them to harvest.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Put them under cover to germinate
0:27:14 > 0:27:18and wait till the nights have warmed up before you plant them out.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26It's really important to harden off
0:27:26 > 0:27:28any plants that have been raised under cover,
0:27:28 > 0:27:31and that includes garden centre plants.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34A cold frame is ideal for this.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39But if you don't have one, a sheltered corner will do the job.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Then, when they've acclimatised
0:27:41 > 0:27:45after one or two weeks, they can be moved to their final position.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Well, I couldn't resist buying my White Robin and ranunculus
0:28:12 > 0:28:15and they'll go in the Writing Garden when I get home.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19And I'll be bringing back a lot of inspiration from this year's Malvern too.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21If you want to come and see for yourself,
0:28:21 > 0:28:23the show is open until Sunday night.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25The details on our website.
0:28:25 > 0:28:30And I hope to see you back again at Longmeadow next week.
0:28:30 > 0:28:31Till then, bye-bye.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd