0:00:02 > 0:00:05Britain has a long and proud gardening heritage.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08And a passion for plants that goes back centuries.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12But all is not well in our once green and pleasant land.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16- Front gardens paved over. - Our lawns lacklustre.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19And rare wild flowers on the brink of extinction.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21So we need you...
0:00:21 > 0:00:22..to help us...
0:00:22 > 0:00:24..in our campaign...
0:00:24 > 0:00:25..to help rediscover...
0:00:25 > 0:00:27..our passion for gardening.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30We're going to give you the best gardening tips.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33And revealing British gardens
0:00:33 > 0:00:36that will quite simply take your breath away.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39It's time to plant...
0:00:39 > 0:00:40..and prune...
0:00:40 > 0:00:42..and sharpen your shears.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46Let the Great British Garden Revival begin!
0:01:26 > 0:01:30'On tonight's show, Matt James wants us all to get planting shrubs.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33'But first, I'm on the glasshouse revival campaign.'
0:01:38 > 0:01:43For me, these grand glasshouses show the best that Britain has to offer.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Cutting edge architecture and horticulture under one roof.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50'Under this immense glass construction are plants
0:01:50 > 0:01:52'from right across the globe.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55'Golden cestrums from Chile...
0:01:55 > 0:01:57'rain daisies from South Africa...
0:01:57 > 0:01:59'and kangaroo paws from Australia.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02'But this type of exotica is rare.'
0:02:04 > 0:02:07In our own gardens we've lost sight of the great potential
0:02:07 > 0:02:08of growing under glass.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12Where once we grew the world under glazed canopies,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16now our greenhouses are full of a humdrum collection
0:02:16 > 0:02:18of plants and boring veg.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22I want to restore adventure, flair and excitement to our gardens.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25I want to push our plant collections to their very limits.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30So join me, Diarmuid Gavin, for my Great British Glasshouse Revival.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33'To help with my revival, I've been meeting people
0:02:33 > 0:02:36'who are restoring our great glasshouse heritage...'
0:02:36 > 0:02:40I mean, it's like the last of the great conservatories to be restored,
0:02:40 > 0:02:42it's a work of art.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46'..showing you how to make your very own mini-glasshouse wonderland...'
0:02:46 > 0:02:49What I'm doing here is creating a miniature world.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53It does bring me back to those days of watching Blue Peter
0:02:53 > 0:02:54during my childhood.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57'..and I get a lesson in tropical pruning from a lady
0:02:57 > 0:03:00'whose plant collection is not to be trifled with.'
0:03:00 > 0:03:03- So what about this bit up here? - No, no, no.- What's wrong with it?
0:03:03 > 0:03:05You'll be in serious trouble.
0:03:09 > 0:03:10'To start my revival,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13'I've come to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales to visit
0:03:13 > 0:03:16'the largest single-span glasshouse anywhere in the world.'
0:03:20 > 0:03:23This is really a perfect example of what great
0:03:23 > 0:03:25glasshouses are all about.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28A beautiful space that's been filled with interesting
0:03:28 > 0:03:33and exotic species, talking points at every turn.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37This place really knocks your socks off with its grand
0:03:37 > 0:03:39architectural ambition.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42What better place for me to host my revival?
0:03:45 > 0:03:48'Under this elegant dome is a 3,500 square metre spectacle
0:03:48 > 0:03:51'of my favourite sort of flora.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53'And growing under glass like this allows us
0:03:53 > 0:03:57'to massively extend the range of plants in our gardens.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02'But if we don't maintain and use our greenhouses,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05'that potential will be lost, and our gardens could become
0:04:05 > 0:04:09'identikit spaces filled with the same old boring varieties.'
0:04:12 > 0:04:14I like adventurous design,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17and sometimes I even like to break the rules.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20So it should come as no surprise that I'm absolutely
0:04:20 > 0:04:24fascinated by glasshouses and greenhouses.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27I remember seeing my first ever glasshouse.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30I was about six or seven.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32We went to the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37It was hot and there were plants like big triffids coming at you.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41Huge bananas shooting up and even producing fruit.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Absolutely gorgeous. Ever since then, I've been hooked.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56'But I'm not the only one who's been bitten by the glasshouse bug.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59'Simon Goodenough, the gardens' curator, is a kindred spirit.'
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Simon, what is it that you love about glasshouses?
0:05:04 > 0:05:08Oh, I think, when you walk into a glasshouse like this, I mean,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12the structure is just so awe inspiring, but the ability to
0:05:12 > 0:05:15grow such a wide range of plants and bring it to the people and say,
0:05:15 > 0:05:19"Look at this, this is nature, and we've tamed it."
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Why do you think it's important that we still have these things,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25because people are travelling to all sorts of different countries
0:05:25 > 0:05:26and seeing everything?
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Without a doubt, the pressure is on,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32particularly countries where these plants come from.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Mediterranean zones, a great deal of pressure on the land
0:05:36 > 0:05:39and many of these plants are extremely vulnerable,
0:05:39 > 0:05:41they're on the point of extinction in some cases.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44We've got plants in here that are almost impossible to grow
0:05:44 > 0:05:46that we've had success with.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49So it's that sort of excitement which gets me going.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52And people can take that excitement back home?
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Yeah, you can do it in your own home.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58Get some seeds of something unusual, grow it, happy days.
0:05:58 > 0:06:04'I want everyone to join my revival and celebrate growing exotic plants.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07'And whether you call them glasshouses or greenhouses,
0:06:07 > 0:06:09'if I've inspired you to get one,
0:06:09 > 0:06:11'there are a range of things to consider.'
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Now you've made the decision, you are going to buy a greenhouse
0:06:17 > 0:06:20and you're going to fill it with loads of lovely plants.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24But the problem is there's so much choice! Where do you start?
0:06:24 > 0:06:26Well, let me guide you through.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29'Glass, plastic, aluminium, wood,
0:06:29 > 0:06:31'lean-to's or free-standing,
0:06:31 > 0:06:33'there's a whole language to get to grips with.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35'But first things first, size matters.'
0:06:35 > 0:06:39I just know that you're going to fall in love with your greenhouse,
0:06:39 > 0:06:42and you're going to want to spend so much time there,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45so at the very start, make the decision
0:06:45 > 0:06:46to make it as big as you can.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50This one is perfect, shelves on one side for potting up
0:06:50 > 0:06:54and you can grow tall tomatoes on the other side.
0:06:54 > 0:06:55Loads of space.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00'But lean-to greenhouses are often smaller, more economical
0:07:00 > 0:07:03'and cheaper to heat, and great if you're short on space.'
0:07:04 > 0:07:07So, where are you going to put this new greenhouse?
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Well, choose a spot that's nice and bright and light
0:07:11 > 0:07:13and sheltered from the wind.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Make sure you have access all the way round the structure
0:07:18 > 0:07:20so you can clean the glass.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23'Some greenhouses are made from polycarbonate, which means
0:07:23 > 0:07:28'they can be a lot more economical but they may not last as long.'
0:07:28 > 0:07:31I like real glass in a greenhouse because it's traditional.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35It's easy to keep clean but I like to use toughened glass
0:07:35 > 0:07:40because if it does break, it won't shatter into very dangerous pieces.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43'Next think about the frame.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46'You've got two main choices, wood or aluminium,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49'which can be cheaper and maintenance-free.'
0:07:50 > 0:07:55But you know what I think, wood is always going to be the best.
0:07:55 > 0:07:56It's a natural material
0:07:56 > 0:08:00and it'll look beautiful in the natural surroundings of your garden.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Ventilation is a must in every greenhouse.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05You need good air circulation.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Adding some heat might be an important factor.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14One source of heat could be this wonderful big paraffin lamp.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18This one you just plug in.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21'Overall, my best piece of advice is to take a little bit of time
0:08:21 > 0:08:23'and consider your choices.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26'And then the right greenhouse for you will give you
0:08:26 > 0:08:28'a lifetime of gardening adventures.'
0:08:32 > 0:08:36'A glasshouse provides an opportunity to grow all types of
0:08:36 > 0:08:37'botanical treasures,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40'but first you need to decide which types of plants you really
0:08:40 > 0:08:44'want to grow, and which types of climate they'll need to thrive.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48'Hot, humid and jungly, or warm, dry and sunny?'
0:08:50 > 0:08:52I've done some gardening in South Africa
0:08:52 > 0:08:56and one of the plants that I love to use in a planting scheme
0:08:56 > 0:08:59is their national flower, and that's the protea.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Aren't they wonderful, structural and exotic?
0:09:02 > 0:09:06But did you realise you could grow some of these
0:09:06 > 0:09:10proteas in your own garden if you had a temperate glasshouse?
0:09:10 > 0:09:12A temperate house is really quite simple,
0:09:12 > 0:09:14it's like the house I'm standing in.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17It just means a very bright glasshouse that's well
0:09:17 > 0:09:22ventilated but one that's kept free from frost, so you may need
0:09:22 > 0:09:27some insulation and you may need some heat on those frosty evenings.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Otherwise just keep it nice and bright. Don't let it be too steamy.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Get some seed into a gritty compost
0:09:33 > 0:09:36and after a while something like this should germinate.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43'But maybe a warm Mediterranean-type climate
0:09:43 > 0:09:45'isn't quite doing it for you.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49'If that's the case, you might want to turn the heat and humidity up.'
0:09:54 > 0:10:00We've just seen the temperate house, but now we're in my favourite,
0:10:00 > 0:10:02the really exotic tropical house.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Look, I'm swinging out underneath the arches of one of these
0:10:09 > 0:10:11massive philodendron leaves.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13It is a type of species,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16a type of foliage you'd expect to see in a jungle.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Look at these dramatic aerial roots.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21These plants will want to be really quite warm,
0:10:21 > 0:10:22they'll want an awful lot of moisture
0:10:22 > 0:10:26so a good maintenance system of coming in every morning,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29damping down, using a hose, letting steam rise.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33And because they're so vigorous, they'll need some re-pruning,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36and you'll need to train them up along the rafters.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38In the past we've used a lot of these plants
0:10:38 > 0:10:41such as the philodendron or the Monstera,
0:10:41 > 0:10:43the Swiss cheese plant, as house plants.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45They don't want to be there, set them free!
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Build a tropical greenhouse.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52'And I'm certainly not the first person to fall under the spell of
0:10:52 > 0:10:53'growing these magical plants.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57'It's a passion that has captivated people for centuries.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03'In Britain, a desire for exotic foods
0:11:03 > 0:11:06'gave birth to the first glasshouse.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08'In the 17th and 18th centuries,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11'orangeries became popular for growing citrus trees,
0:11:11 > 0:11:15'and simple wooden-framed glass structures were utilised for growing
0:11:15 > 0:11:17'tropical fruits such as pineapples.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20'But the golden age of the glasshouse was the Victorian era,
0:11:20 > 0:11:24'and the elaborate conservatories at Kew are evidence of the desire
0:11:24 > 0:11:28'to collect, cultivate and master nature that soon became
0:11:28 > 0:11:31'the obsession of the aristocracy as well as scientists.'
0:11:32 > 0:11:36Any self-respecting Lord or Earl would have their own glasshouse,
0:11:36 > 0:11:38or collection of glasshouses,
0:11:38 > 0:11:43to show off their expansive and expensive collection of plants.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50'This is the Victorian Conservatory at Wentworth Castle near Barnsley.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54'Its restoration is nearing completion, and I've come to
0:11:54 > 0:11:59give the curator, Michael Klemperer, a hand with a few final stages.'
0:12:00 > 0:12:02So, Michael, how old is this building?
0:12:02 > 0:12:08This building was commissioned in 1876 by the Earl of Wentworth.
0:12:08 > 0:12:09He was an extremely rich man,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12he was almost like the Abramovich of his day.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14It was right up to the minute, he had electricity in it.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Buckingham Palace didn't have electricity at the time.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20He wanted a tropical hothouse to show off to his friends.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24He also wanted it as a showcase of his power and wealth really.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27'In the late 1800s,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30'this really was the ultimate in horticultural bling,
0:12:30 > 0:12:32'state of the art in its design
0:12:32 > 0:12:35'and home to an incredible selection of plants.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37'Visitors would have been amazed
0:12:37 > 0:12:40'as they first entered the conservatory.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45'After the Second World War, and then the Earl's death in 1951,
0:12:45 > 0:12:47'the estate fell into disrepair,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50'and the glasshouse slowly became derelict.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54'But in 2002, the Wentworth Castle Heritage Trust was formed
0:12:54 > 0:12:59'and raised £3.7 million for work to begin on restoration.'
0:13:00 > 0:13:05It was taken off to a big workshop in Barnsley, er, shot blasted,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09any parts that needed repairing repaired and all stuck back together.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12And how many layers of paint were found on the...?
0:13:12 > 0:13:15There was over 50 layers of paint found on the metalwork,
0:13:15 > 0:13:17so it was held up by paint almost.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22To see a true original come back to life must be hugely exciting?
0:13:22 > 0:13:26It's magnificent. I mean, it's like the last of the great conservatories
0:13:26 > 0:13:29to be restored and it's truly fantastic. It's a work of art.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34'With the beds and borders full of freshly raked soil, it's time for
0:13:34 > 0:13:36'the first leafy arrival.'
0:13:36 > 0:13:39So, I've had the great honour of
0:13:39 > 0:13:43planting the first plant in the new life of this wonderful glasshouse.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47But by next week, this little guy will have plenty of friends.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48Oh, yeah.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52All of this will be planted up with nearly £20,000 worth of new plants
0:13:52 > 0:13:55that have been specially selected from around the world.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57And the new life, the new era of
0:13:57 > 0:14:00this magnificent glass palace really begins.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02It's a magical moment.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11'Back in the conservatory of the Botanic Gardens of Wales,
0:14:11 > 0:14:15'I'm going to show you how a glasshouse doesn't need to be grand.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19'You can capture their magic in the tiniest space imaginable.'
0:14:23 > 0:14:27When explorers from this country were going to foreign lands and
0:14:27 > 0:14:30discovering wonderful species that they wanted to bring back to
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Britain two or three hundred years ago, it was very hard to get them
0:14:33 > 0:14:38here until somebody discovered a thing called the Wardian Case.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41What they discovered was you could create miniature environments
0:14:41 > 0:14:44and trap moisture and allow for plenty of light,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47and when they arrived in Britain, all their plants,
0:14:47 > 0:14:50all their cuttings were still good and fresh.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53'The Wardian Case was the direct forerunner of the modern terrarium,
0:14:53 > 0:14:57'and I'm going to show you all the stages of setting one up.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01'The first ingredient is some grit or gravel
0:15:01 > 0:15:03'to line the bottom of your container.'
0:15:04 > 0:15:07It does bring me back to those days of watching
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Blue Peter during my childhood, seeing things being created.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14'The next layer is some fresh multi-purpose compost,
0:15:14 > 0:15:18'mixed with grit, and, importantly, charcoal.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22The charcoal will continue to purify any gases
0:15:22 > 0:15:25that are released by the plants or their roots.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27'The design for my terrarium landscape is
0:15:27 > 0:15:30'a mini-shop of horrors featuring a range of carnivorous plants.'
0:15:32 > 0:15:35What I'm planting now is a pitcher plant.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40It seduces flies to come in with some scent that it gives off.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44'Pitcher plants like these grow naturally in moist boggy areas,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46'and for extra texture and colour,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49'I'll be using the dramatic pink leaves of Fittonias.'
0:15:51 > 0:15:55I think the effect that we have to go for today is Jurassic Park.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57With a bit of a Jurassic gardener.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01Mind you, not as Jurassic as some of the others.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04'The final plant to add to the terrarium is my favourite,
0:16:04 > 0:16:06'and quite a naughty little monster.'
0:16:08 > 0:16:12This is the one that all children really love, the Venus fly trap.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16Once the flies, tiny flies wander in they touch some almost
0:16:16 > 0:16:22invisible hairs and trigger these jaws to shut very dramatically.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24I'll show you how it does it.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Here's one that's very open, just to the front.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29We'll see if this takes to it. Ah! There you go.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33And I still find that very exciting.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37It's a great project for kids, very cost-effective,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40and it's not only terrariums you can use,
0:16:40 > 0:16:45here's a collection done in glass dishes, or jars, or bottles.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Look at that wonderful orchid growing in a bottle,
0:16:49 > 0:16:52and because it has aerial roots it doesn't need compost.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56With the cacti you're creating a lovely dry environment
0:16:56 > 0:16:59and very warm environment by surrounding that by glass.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02There's a lot of grit and sand around the base.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04'To help me with a few final touches,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07'I've taped some old cutlery to some bamboo canes.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11'And to build some decorative layers to my landscape,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13'I'm adding sand...'
0:17:13 > 0:17:15I'll smooth that out.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18'..and two different types of moss.'
0:17:18 > 0:17:21I'll just make it a little bit more textural by putting in
0:17:21 > 0:17:25sphagnum moss and then this wonderful Spanish moss.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29'To finish, lightly water the plants,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32'and clean off the glass and foliage.'
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Don't let them dry out but they don't want to be too moist.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38'And then one last addition.'
0:17:38 > 0:17:40For my final flourish,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43you can't have a terrarium, can you, without a dinosaur?
0:17:43 > 0:17:45So this little lad
0:17:45 > 0:17:49is going to have his new home
0:17:49 > 0:17:52that he's going to be wandering through.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55And pretty much there you have it.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58A new indoor world.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03A miniature glasshouse...
0:18:05 > 0:18:06..for your home.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14'I defy anyone not to be the most popular dad in the world
0:18:14 > 0:18:15'after making this.'
0:18:28 > 0:18:31If you'd like to transform your greenhouse from something
0:18:31 > 0:18:34ordinary into something really special,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37you need to consider your plant collection.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41The right choice of plants could make your greenhouse come alive.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47'If there's one plant that screams exotic and is absolutely
0:18:47 > 0:18:51'tailor-made to be grown in a greenhouse, it's the orchid.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56'I've come to Burnham Nurseries in Devon
0:18:56 > 0:18:57'to meet Sarah Ritterhausen,
0:18:57 > 0:19:01'the third generation of one of Great Britain's most knowledgeable
0:19:01 > 0:19:03'orchid growing families.'
0:19:03 > 0:19:05What do you love about these creatures?
0:19:05 > 0:19:08I think the fascinating thing about the orchid family is it's just
0:19:08 > 0:19:12so huge. There's thousands and thousands of species and hybrids.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15And they're all united by, really, one thing in people's minds,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- they're exotic, aren't they? - Yeah, yeah.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20You've got cooler growing orchids from higher up the mountains,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23higher altitudes, and then the lower down the mountains you go,
0:19:23 > 0:19:27it's warmer and more sort of steamy and tropical.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30The idea of the glasshouse to greenhouse is to recreate
0:19:30 > 0:19:33the conditions that you'd find in the jungles.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36That humidity is probably the main thing,
0:19:36 > 0:19:39and the warmth, keeping that warmth in, definitely, yes.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43'In recent years, moth orchids have been bred to survive in our dry,
0:19:43 > 0:19:48'centrally heated homes, and have become readily available and cheap.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51'But there's so much more to orchids than this,
0:19:51 > 0:19:55'and with a glasshouse comes a wonderful opportunity to grow
0:19:55 > 0:19:57'a much more exciting and diverse range.'
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Immediately you come in here, the atmosphere changes.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04- It's that bit warmer. - Yeah, a little bit warmer,
0:20:04 > 0:20:06little bit more humidity because of that,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09and that's just what these slightly more tropical orchids need.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12So what we're looking at here is a hanging orchid.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16This is a Vanda, which, erm, grows with lots of
0:20:16 > 0:20:18aerial roots hanging down,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21and if you can give them enough humidity and moisture
0:20:21 > 0:20:23then they'll grow like this quite happily.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Now, Sarah, this collection really shows
0:20:32 > 0:20:37the variety in terms of flower shape, size and colour.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39What have we got here? What's this one?
0:20:39 > 0:20:44This is an Oncidium type, erm, which has a very highly patterned lip.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48And I'm getting a very strong scent. Oh, that's amazing.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50There are lots of scented orchids.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53People don't realise that orchids have fragrance because,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56you know, a lot of the house plant types, it's been bred out of them.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58This is a Prosthechea garciana, pretty little pairs of kind of
0:20:58 > 0:21:01back-to-back flowers which are really nice.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04This is the octopus orchid, this is another species of Prosthechea,
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Prosthechea cochleata.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09This is actually the first tropical epiphytic orchid that was
0:21:09 > 0:21:13flowered in this country in Kew Gardens in 1787,
0:21:13 > 0:21:15so there's a lot of history attached to this plant.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- It's wonderful, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21And this is almost a profusion of cherry flowers.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25It is so beautiful and each one so delicate, and all this collection
0:21:25 > 0:21:28could be grown in that greenhouse you abandoned five years ago
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- cos you didn't want to grow any more tomatoes.- Definitely.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Just to make a few alterations to the greenhouse,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37make it orchid-friendly, put a bit of shading on there,
0:21:37 > 0:21:40get a bit of heating in there, erm, a bit of humidity,
0:21:40 > 0:21:43then you can grow things like this, definitely.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47The passion and the enthusiasm that Sarah has
0:21:47 > 0:21:49is really quite infectious.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54It's amazing to find a nursery that is keeping up that great tradition
0:21:54 > 0:21:59of finding plants that usually grow in jungles in Borneo and Chile,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01propagating them, and we can have
0:22:01 > 0:22:06our own miniature version of this right down the end of our gardens.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Wouldn't that be great?
0:22:20 > 0:22:24'At the Botanic Gardens of Wales, orchids and exotic blooms abound.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28'I'm meeting Ann Maloney, who's cared for the tropical conservatory
0:22:28 > 0:22:30'since it was first planted.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32'Today she's going to share her tips
0:22:32 > 0:22:36'in a mini-masterclass in how to care for a jungle display.'
0:22:42 > 0:22:46- So, Ann, the tropical house is your domain.- Yes, it's my baby.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48And what do you like about the plants that we're
0:22:48 > 0:22:50surrounded by in your greenhouse?
0:22:50 > 0:22:53A lot of them are very big and then they give that tropical feel,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56and you can lose yourself in another world as soon as you come in here.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00So the big jobs would be keeping everything nice and moist?
0:23:00 > 0:23:01Absolutely, the humidity is crucial.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05OK, so damping down every morning, spraying the hose everywhere.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- Absolutely. - And look what you've given me.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11- I know, aren't they nice and shiny? - We're going to have some fun here.
0:23:11 > 0:23:12This is a bit untidy, Ann.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15It's very untidy, I'm sorry you're looking at this bed, Diarmuid.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19- You would choose this one, wouldn't you?- What have we got growing here?
0:23:19 > 0:23:21We've got Piper nigrum, which is pepper.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24This is where you get your black pepper and your white pepper from.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Ah, OK, from the seed heads, is it?
0:23:26 > 0:23:30The seed heads, they dry off, and that's how you get your black pepper.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Then they're put through a process and you get your white pepper.
0:23:33 > 0:23:34- OK.- So you get two things from one plant.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- But somebody's gone very heavy on the pepper here.- Er, just a wee bit.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40You can just cut it back, it stands any amount of pruning
0:23:40 > 0:23:42because you can see it's pretty vigorous.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44It'll climb through everything
0:23:44 > 0:23:46and it's all up this tree up here as well.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49- OK, I'm not going to do it on my own.- I've got to do it as well?
0:23:49 > 0:23:51- Yes, you have to help me. - Oh, for goodness' sake.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53You've to help me and keep an eye on me.
0:23:53 > 0:23:54You've got to keep the balance
0:23:54 > 0:23:57- between it looking tidy for the visitors...- Yes.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59..but not too manicured at the same time.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03- Ann, I'm told that any dirt around the place really upsets you.- Yeah.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07- What about this bit up here? - No, no, no.- What's wrong with it?
0:24:07 > 0:24:11No, I want that to grow up tall. Not that bit, definitely not. No.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14You'll be in serious trouble.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17'Ann's got me on a tight leash, but keeping on top of climbing
0:24:17 > 0:24:21'and scrambling species like the black pepper is crucial,
0:24:21 > 0:24:24'as they can soon swamp slower growing plants.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27'But my brief apprenticeship seems to be going well.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30'In fact, she's even going to let me plant a tropical fruit
0:24:30 > 0:24:32'in one of her beds.'
0:24:32 > 0:24:37So, Ann, you've been very kind to me, and letting me plant...
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Yeah, I am, but you're honoured cos I don't usually let
0:24:39 > 0:24:41anybody in here do that, so...
0:24:41 > 0:24:44- OK, and what is this plant? - This is a pawpaw, it's a Carica.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48And by the look of it I think it's a dwarf.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52It is a dwarf, you're right there. It grows to 50 centimetres.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54- And you've grown this from seed? - From seed, yes.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57- Very healthy looking specimen. - Shall I hold it for you?
0:24:57 > 0:24:59No, no, you're grand. I can hold it and I can...
0:24:59 > 0:25:01I can multitask.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Oh. How unusual.
0:25:03 > 0:25:04Ooh!
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Right. What do you think that looks like?
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Yeah, that's not too bad.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11No, that is absolutely perfect.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13'This dwarfed pawpaw plant should be
0:25:13 > 0:25:17'bearing its first fruits in just a few months' time.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21'So, it's the perfect exotic plant for a small hothouse.'
0:25:23 > 0:25:26And it is one of the joys of hothouse gardening,
0:25:26 > 0:25:28that you can grow stuff like this.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31You've pawpaws, you've bananas.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33All in a tropical greenhouse.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34We've even got coffee.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- When this fruits, are you going to send me one?- Hmmm...
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Yeah, if you finish the job properly and put a label in.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45- I wouldn't dare not finish the job properly.- Thank you very much.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46You're very welcome.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56'But, it's not only Ann and I that are passionate about glasshouses
0:25:56 > 0:25:58'and growing exotic foods.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01'There are others that have already taken up my revival.'
0:26:04 > 0:26:07I'm visiting St Anns Allotments in Nottingham and, hidden amongst
0:26:07 > 0:26:12the hedges, there's a wonderful Heath Robinson range of glasshouses.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Some made from recycled doors and windows
0:26:15 > 0:26:18and some from plastic drink bottles.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20They are totally ingenious.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25'I'm meeting Don, who has a total of five structures, all craftily
0:26:25 > 0:26:29'put together and perfect for growing his hothouse favourites.'
0:26:30 > 0:26:34- Don, it's not often I'm lost for words.- Yeah.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38- I can't get over what you've done here.- Really?
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Yeah. It's astonishing. It's overwhelming.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43When did you start building this world?
0:26:43 > 0:26:46I started this one about ten years ago.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50But you've been 30-odd years on this site?
0:26:50 > 0:26:55- 33 years.- 33, that's not easy for an Irishman to say. 33 years.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57- Where do you come from? - I'm from Jamaica.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01So, you're trying to recreate the type of food you would have
0:27:01 > 0:27:04- had in Jamaica back here.- Yes.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07- In the middle of England. - That is correct.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- So you need heat.- You got it.- Wow.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15'In this home-made structure, Don's growing cucumbers,
0:27:15 > 0:27:17'chillies and peppers.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20'But, in another greenhouse, his range of exotic crops gets
0:27:20 > 0:27:25'even more colourful and includes his beloved vegetable, callaloo.'
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Peppers again, chillies.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- Those oxheart tomatoes.- Yes.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34- Callaloo.- Chinese one.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37- When did you build this one? - Three years ago.- And why?
0:27:37 > 0:27:39- You just needed more space for callaloo.- That's it.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42How much callaloo can one man eat, or how many people can he feed?
0:27:42 > 0:27:44It's not just one man.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Friends, among friends.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50'It's so good to meet gardeners who have approached growing under
0:27:50 > 0:27:52'glass in such an inventive way.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55'And, on another part of the site,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58'a group of allotmenteers have wasted no time
0:27:58 > 0:28:01'in roping me into their latest construction project.'
0:28:03 > 0:28:05You wouldn't get Monty Don doing this, would you now?
0:28:05 > 0:28:09What you're really trying to achieve today is building something
0:28:09 > 0:28:13- much simpler that we could all make use of in the garden.- Yes.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16'The lads are using recycled railway sleepers
0:28:16 > 0:28:19'and some discarded windows to make a set of cold frames.'
0:28:21 > 0:28:23So, what can I do to help?
0:28:23 > 0:28:25Well, you can make the tea.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Make the tea. That's all a bit dismissive.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33'Cold frames are glasshouses in miniature -
0:28:33 > 0:28:36'transparent roofed enclosures built low to the ground
0:28:36 > 0:28:40'and used to protect plants from adverse weather.'
0:28:41 > 0:28:44So, this is the cold frame
0:28:44 > 0:28:46and the soil there will warm up.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49You'll be able to put cuttings directly into the ground.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51How would you rate my work?
0:28:51 > 0:28:53Brilliant. You can come here again.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56'These structures are an asset, as they enable seedlings
0:28:56 > 0:29:00'and young plants to steal a march early in the growing season.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03'And they can help save the gardener a stash of cash.'
0:29:03 > 0:29:06There you go. That's great.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08Easy action. Solid.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11It'll last pretty much for ever.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13So, listen, there is no excuse.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15Everybody can garden under glass.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Everybody can rediscover that idea of propagation
0:29:18 > 0:29:22or starting off things early and making use of this wonderful
0:29:22 > 0:29:25material to heat up the soil, to heat up the pots.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27You can build it yourself or you can go and buy it.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Everybody should do it.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37Glasshouses are a really important part of our heritage.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40We should appreciate them an awful lot more
0:29:40 > 0:29:43and revel in the exotic species that they allow us to grow.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47So, come on, join my revival and have a look at your garden
0:29:47 > 0:29:52and maybe make a space to add a house made of glass.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58Next, Matt James is on another garden revival.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06There is no greater experience than walking into a beautiful garden where
0:30:06 > 0:30:10there's scent in the air and there are plants in every form,
0:30:10 > 0:30:13colour and texture imaginable.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16And, at the heart of my favourite gardens are a real
0:30:16 > 0:30:19group of unsung heroes, shrubs.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23From the beautiful flowers of magnolia to the colourful
0:30:23 > 0:30:25stemmed dogwood and fragrant daphne.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29Great for privacy and screening, backdrops, focal points,
0:30:29 > 0:30:31fragrance, flower and foliage,
0:30:31 > 0:30:34shrubs deliver by the bucket-load.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39But, these days, the poor shrub is often ignored
0:30:39 > 0:30:42and overlooked, which is such a shame.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Shrubs give a garden so much.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48I'm Matt James and I want people to rediscover
0:30:48 > 0:30:52and appreciate the importance of this amazing group of plants,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55in the Great British Shrub Revival.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01'I want to know why shrubs have lost their appeal.'
0:31:01 > 0:31:03They're seen as the sort of backdrop to flowering plants.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05They're anything but that.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06'To find out what will happen
0:31:06 > 0:31:09'if we don't fall back in love with these wonderful plants.'
0:31:09 > 0:31:13If they don't, there's a danger of becoming an arid landscape.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17'And I'll show you my tips on how to get the very best from your shrubs.'
0:31:17 > 0:31:19To be honest, don't worry if you get it wrong.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Plants are pretty forgiving and will bounce back,
0:31:22 > 0:31:23whatever you do to them, really.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38I think every garden needs shrubs.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42Smaller than trees, more permanent than perennials
0:31:42 > 0:31:46and ornamental grasses, shrubs are the backbone of any plot.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49There's a shrub for every spot too, a shrub for every season.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51And they're particularly useful in autumn and winter,
0:31:51 > 0:31:53when there's little else about.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55And that's why I'm here at the
0:31:55 > 0:31:57Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Hampshire.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01These amazing gardens cover 180 acres
0:32:01 > 0:32:05and are home to over 42,000 trees and shrubs.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09It's an ideal place to start my revival campaign.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14I thought I'd set the record straight on what a shrub actually is.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16Well, shrubs can be this big -
0:32:16 > 0:32:18a lavender, for example -
0:32:18 > 0:32:23or they can be four to five metres high, like a stately magnolia.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26But they all share one common characteristic -
0:32:26 > 0:32:29a series of stems emanating from their base,
0:32:29 > 0:32:31just like this mophead hydrangea.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33And when is a shrub not a shrub?
0:32:33 > 0:32:36When it's a tree, like that oak there,
0:32:36 > 0:32:38which has one single stem, a trunk.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40It's that simple.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46As a garden designer, I'm always spoilt for choice
0:32:46 > 0:32:49when it comes to deciding which plants to include in a garden.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53Yet, shrubs are always in the forefront of my mind.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58For me, the shrub is number one in more ways than one.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00The wintersweet here, Chimonanthus praecox,
0:33:00 > 0:33:04was the first plant I ever fell in love with and it was
0:33:04 > 0:33:05the first plant I ever bought my mum.
0:33:05 > 0:33:10The first plant I propagated, Euonymus alatus, the winged spindle,
0:33:10 > 0:33:12which I also think was the first plant
0:33:12 > 0:33:14I ever pinched from the prop bench at college.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17For me, the shrub is number one and I'm hoping soon
0:33:17 > 0:33:21that it will be number one on your list of favourites as well.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26Many people think that shrubs are dull and boring,
0:33:26 > 0:33:30the eternal horticultural bridesmaid and never the bride.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34With perennials and ornamental grasses stealing their thunder
0:33:34 > 0:33:38and an unfair reputation of being difficult to manage,
0:33:38 > 0:33:41the shrub is often overlooked.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46If we want to rekindle our love affair with shrubs,
0:33:46 > 0:33:49we need to look back in time to an era
0:33:49 > 0:33:52when they really were the stars of the show.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59I'm on my way to Croome Park in Worcester.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02This stunning landscape was created in the mid-1700s for the
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Earl of Coventry by Capability Brown.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08He was famed for his use of shrubs
0:34:08 > 0:34:11and Croome was a classic example of his work.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14'Sadly, the shrub, though, fell victim to the changing
0:34:14 > 0:34:17'fashions in the early 20th century
0:34:17 > 0:34:19and Croome's shrubberies were removed.
0:34:19 > 0:34:23'But property manager Michael Smith is heading up an exciting project
0:34:23 > 0:34:28'that aims to restore the park to its former 18th century glory.'
0:34:28 > 0:34:32This is a shrubbery. It's a collection of shrubs.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34- Or a bit more than that? - Definitely much more than that.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36And in the 18th century, this would
0:34:36 > 0:34:39have been one of the most fashionable places to be seen -
0:34:39 > 0:34:41in amongst the collection of exotic plants drawn from the
0:34:41 > 0:34:44four corners of the world to create a wonderful shrubbery.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46So the plants we're looking at were essentially
0:34:46 > 0:34:48the height of fashion at that time?
0:34:48 > 0:34:50They were, and what we've got to remember is that Britain
0:34:50 > 0:34:52had a particularly poor native flora.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54So, there wasn't a lot to work with.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56So it was as much about a collection of plants to show off?
0:34:56 > 0:35:00Yeah, the shrubs are the bling of the plant world.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03It would have been a great status symbol to be able to bring
0:35:03 > 0:35:06guests round and show them plants that had been collected from China,
0:35:06 > 0:35:08the Mediterranean, even North America
0:35:08 > 0:35:10towards the end of the 18th century.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17'In its day, this shrubbery was one of the finest in the country.'
0:35:17 > 0:35:20Michael, that's something I really love.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24The spindle, Euonymus europaeus. Such a gorgeous plant.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29'Although the restoration isn't complete, the new planting is
0:35:29 > 0:35:34'incredibly rich and the park is now full of many wonderful shrubs.'
0:35:34 > 0:35:36Here's another favourite of mine. The Laurustinus.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39- Such a reliable, hardy evergreen shrub, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42And provides colour from December through to March.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45Just at the time when you need colour in the garden.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48Behind each one of these shrubs, there's a fascinating story.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50Laurustinus, originally from the eastern Mediterranean.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53Visitors wouldn't have just walked through a shrubbery,
0:35:53 > 0:35:55they would have stopped and admired each and every plant,
0:35:55 > 0:35:58spoken about their origins, how they came to Croome.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00- A talking point?- Absolutely. In the archives of Croome,
0:36:00 > 0:36:03there are letters from the British ambassador to the Spanish court.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06He's doing no diplomatic business, but he's finding seeds,
0:36:06 > 0:36:09you know, Spanish brooms, sending them back to Lord Coventry.
0:36:09 > 0:36:10So, all those stories behind them.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12What an incredible place of excitement.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16For me, it's that passion for shrubs that's been lost, hasn't it?
0:36:16 > 0:36:18Yeah. And somehow now they're seen
0:36:18 > 0:36:20as this sort of drab backdrop to flowering plants.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22They're anything but that.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24They are the most exciting plants that we could have to hand.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26I couldn't agree more.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31'With such a rich heritage,
0:36:31 > 0:36:36'I'm curious as to why we fell so out of love with the shrub.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40'To find out, I'm heading to John Woods Nurseries in Suffolk
0:36:40 > 0:36:42'to meet plant buyer Colin Dale.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45'Colin has been in the business for over 30 years,
0:36:45 > 0:36:48'witnessing the decline and demand for the shrub.'
0:36:51 > 0:36:56So, Colin, how have our plant buying habits changed in terms of shrubs?
0:36:56 > 0:36:58There's been quite a change, I think, really.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00There has been a real fear factor.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03- I think people have been afraid about complicated pruning.- Yes.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06They're probably not doing the research into shrubs
0:37:06 > 0:37:08and all the wonders of shrubs.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10I mean, one of the examples,
0:37:10 > 0:37:13I've brought along one of these very old catalogues from the 1970s.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15- Right.- And in here, I can show you, for example,
0:37:15 > 0:37:19there's two whole pages with 29 varieties of just Viburnums.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22Now, if you compare that with the average garden centre now...
0:37:22 > 0:37:25You might have two, maybe three, maybe four.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27And even then, you'd only have them when they're doing their thing,
0:37:27 > 0:37:30whether it be flowering or whether it be autumn colour.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35'The lovely Viburnum is only one example of this decline.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37'If we don't do something about it now,
0:37:37 > 0:37:41'we may lose cherished varieties from our gardens altogether.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44'Fortunately, there are people like Colin working to
0:37:44 > 0:37:47'cater for the changing trends in gardening.'
0:37:47 > 0:37:49So, these are some of the ones that you're now growing,
0:37:49 > 0:37:52which are smaller, more compact versions and better flowers, etc?
0:37:52 > 0:37:56That's right. Just a small sample of some of the improvements
0:37:56 > 0:37:58that the breeding has made.
0:37:58 > 0:37:59This is Forsythia, isn't it?
0:37:59 > 0:38:01This one's called Gold Mine.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04And, as its name suggests, it's a mass of colour.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06And the beauty about this one is it flowers
0:38:06 > 0:38:08on the current season's wood.
0:38:08 > 0:38:09So none of that complicated...
0:38:09 > 0:38:12You don't have to worry about pruning.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14It picks up that whole fear point about making it
0:38:14 > 0:38:16nice and simple for the customer.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Santolina 'Lemon Fizz'?
0:38:18 > 0:38:20This is now a lovely golden form.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22It's got that sense of foliage, as well.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25- And it's just a lovely, bright, happy shrub.- Yes, absolutely.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28And we've got hydrangeas in front, big hydrangeas.
0:38:28 > 0:38:29This is called Endless Summer.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33It flowers, really, from early summer, right into the autumn.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36So, to cut a long story short, with all the work that growers
0:38:36 > 0:38:40and breeders are doing to produce plants which are easy to prune,
0:38:40 > 0:38:44easy to care for and are colourful or flower for a lot longer,
0:38:44 > 0:38:46there's no reason that we shouldn't be putting more
0:38:46 > 0:38:48shrubs in our gardens, is there?
0:38:48 > 0:38:49I totally agree.
0:38:54 > 0:38:59The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens are overflowing with shrubs.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01In fact, they have more than 800 varieties,
0:39:01 > 0:39:05some of which you will find flourishing in a centenary border.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09'I'm meeting fellow shrub fanatic, garden director Wolfgang Bopp,
0:39:09 > 0:39:13'to find out how he gets the best from a buddleia.'
0:39:13 > 0:39:16Tell me, we're sort of deadheading this buddleia here,
0:39:16 > 0:39:18which to me is slightly odd, I have to say,
0:39:18 > 0:39:20because I don't do a lot of pruning,
0:39:20 > 0:39:21a lot of work with my shrubs.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- Lazy gardener. - Well, yeah, a little bit.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26And the thing I like about shrubs, most of them, at least, if you pick
0:39:26 > 0:39:30the right shrub for the right place, is that they take care of themselves.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32You don't need to do anything. Why are we deadheading here?
0:39:32 > 0:39:35It's really because, when you look at that,
0:39:35 > 0:39:36this is now beginning to go over.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39You can leave that for another five days.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42But then these side shoots have got buds on them.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45If you deadhead it, it means they will develop more quickly.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Cos, at the end of the day, a plant,
0:39:47 > 0:39:51it's not designed to flower, it's actually designed to produce seed.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53Once it does that, it puts its energy into that.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56And, by deadheading, what you're doing is telling that plant,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59"Oh, actually, I've lost the first production of seed,
0:39:59 > 0:40:01- "so therefore I've got to produce more."- Sure.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03And that means it carries on flowering.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06- Encouraging more flowers, being greedy.- Yep.
0:40:06 > 0:40:07Nothing wrong with that.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11What I like about buddleias is that, yes, they grow quite strongly,
0:40:11 > 0:40:13but because you can prune them hard every year, you can
0:40:13 > 0:40:15actually keep them contained.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18So, this shrub, there's no reason why that has to get any bigger.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20If you want to allow it to, yes,
0:40:20 > 0:40:22it will carry on building up and building up.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25Do you think we should be using more shrubs in your garden?
0:40:25 > 0:40:27- Because I certainly do. - I think so. Yes, yes.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29There's so much richness out there.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33I go into a plant centre, I go into a nursery and I see,
0:40:33 > 0:40:36that's looking good, I'll buy it now.
0:40:36 > 0:40:37And there's nothing wrong with that.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40But what you should do is also go around gardens
0:40:40 > 0:40:43and see what different shrubs do at different times of year.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46And then think, "Right. What I want is something which
0:40:46 > 0:40:48"I can enjoy in the winter."
0:40:48 > 0:40:50And you might go for Hamamelis, for instance.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52Oh, yeah. Witch hazel. Absolutely gorgeous.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Co you come home in the evening, it's pitch black,
0:40:54 > 0:40:57but when you walk past Hamamelis 'Pallida',
0:40:57 > 0:41:00for instance, that will be scented at eight o'clock in the evening.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03- So choose them for different times of year.- Good stuff.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05There's a fair bit more pruning to do, isn't there?
0:41:05 > 0:41:08So we better crack on and stop nattering.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15Commonly called the butterfly bush, buddleia's flower power gives
0:41:15 > 0:41:19fabulous colour and a subtle fragrance from June to September.
0:41:19 > 0:41:24Plus, as the name suggests, it's a magnet for butterflies.
0:41:30 > 0:41:35Without doubt, there is a shrub for every situation
0:41:35 > 0:41:38and no matter the month, the week of the year,
0:41:38 > 0:41:41there's always something which will look spectacular.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47That's an ethos that lies at the heart of the Old Vicarage
0:41:47 > 0:41:48in East Ruston, Norfolk.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52It's made up of 20 individual gardens,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54each one different to the next.
0:41:54 > 0:42:00But one thing they all have in common is they all contain wonderful shrubs.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03Well, that's a bit different from your average roundabout.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06And when all this colour dies away,
0:42:06 > 0:42:08what's at the heart of this display?
0:42:08 > 0:42:09Shrubs.
0:42:09 > 0:42:14These stunning gardens have been lovingly created over the last
0:42:14 > 0:42:1622 years by shrub enthusiast, Alan Gray.
0:42:16 > 0:42:21Your garden is, in part, famed for its exuberance and vibrancy,
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- but shrubs are a very important part. - Yes, because without shrubs
0:42:24 > 0:42:27we wouldn't have the garden we have today.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Shrubs are the backbone of any garden.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33I look at shrubs as the walls of a garden, they're the reliable,
0:42:33 > 0:42:35dependable plantings.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38Absolutely. When people are new to gardening, they think of shrubs
0:42:38 > 0:42:42as being spring-flowering plants. But you and I know that
0:42:42 > 0:42:45- shrubs flower throughout the year. - It's a huge world.- Absolutely.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47There's a flower for every month,
0:42:47 > 0:42:51plants with spectacular architectural interest, and those that recede
0:42:51 > 0:42:54into the backdrop of the garden and then, suddenly,
0:42:54 > 0:42:57- for two weeks of the year scream at you.- There are numerous varieties,
0:42:57 > 0:43:00not just the one. And there'll be one that shines out for you
0:43:00 > 0:43:02on a personal level
0:43:02 > 0:43:05- better than anything else, and go for that. Do your homework.- Yes.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11Alan's passion and knowledge of shrubs is evident in every
0:43:11 > 0:43:13aspect of these beautiful gardens.
0:43:13 > 0:43:17- Look at this.- No matter how many times you see a big bank
0:43:17 > 0:43:22- of mophead hydrangea in flower, it's still exciting, isn't it?- It is.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25I think every time you look at it, it reminds you of the seaside,
0:43:25 > 0:43:27- do you know what I mean?- Yes...
0:43:27 > 0:43:29It has a strong visual ecology,
0:43:29 > 0:43:31we associate it with place, so when we see it,
0:43:31 > 0:43:33it evokes memories of that place.
0:43:33 > 0:43:35We do see them by the seaside,
0:43:35 > 0:43:38and they're usually planted beside a front door where they grow too big!
0:43:38 > 0:43:40Yes, yeah, that's true!
0:43:40 > 0:43:44These gardens really demonstrate how versatile shrubs can actually be.
0:43:46 > 0:43:50A prime example of shrubs used as a backdrop to all the frothy colour
0:43:50 > 0:43:52- in front, isn't it?- Absolutely.
0:43:52 > 0:43:56On the left we have an ilex, a holly, it's called Golden King.
0:43:56 > 0:43:58Here we have a Box Ball,
0:43:58 > 0:44:01Now that Box Ball doesn't give a great deal of interest in the summer
0:44:01 > 0:44:03but in the winter, when all that's gone,
0:44:03 > 0:44:05it gives you interest in the dark months.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07Absolutely, absolutely.
0:44:07 > 0:44:09I've noticed a lot of people are doing this now -
0:44:09 > 0:44:12they're not using Box Balls, they're using clipped columns.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15It could be yew, or it could be even a semi-evergreen,
0:44:15 > 0:44:17which is what I call beech because beech retains its leaves
0:44:17 > 0:44:19- in the winter.- Yeah, marcescence.
0:44:19 > 0:44:21- Absolutely.- What was that word?
0:44:21 > 0:44:23- Marcescence.- I've learnt a new word, I love it!
0:44:29 > 0:44:33Alan's use of shrubs to create structure varies in each garden,
0:44:33 > 0:44:37from the classical, to the far less conventional.
0:44:38 > 0:44:42This is an unusual area to have in a British garden.
0:44:42 > 0:44:46It is, I suppose. We affectionately call it the desert,
0:44:46 > 0:44:50because it's home to many plants that grow in places like Arizona
0:44:50 > 0:44:54- which is what this kind of landscape is inspired by.- Yeah.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57In here shrubs are an integral part of the scheme, aren't they,
0:44:57 > 0:45:00- they're the architecture.- Absolutely.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03They go from the huge things like the cordylines
0:45:03 > 0:45:06and these enormous yuccas here, great colonies of those,
0:45:06 > 0:45:08to this diminutive little chap down here
0:45:08 > 0:45:11which is called Haloragis erecta, Wellington Bronze.
0:45:11 > 0:45:13which comes from New Zealand.
0:45:13 > 0:45:14A little story I'll tell you
0:45:14 > 0:45:17I got that from Ventnor Botanic Garden, I was given a piece
0:45:17 > 0:45:19to bring back. And the head gardener,
0:45:19 > 0:45:20he grudgingly gave me a piece
0:45:20 > 0:45:24- saying, "You'll never grow that in Norfolk."- And there you go.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27It goes to show, it's worth a go.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29What do you think will happen if people don't start planting
0:45:29 > 0:45:32- more shrubs in their garden? - Well, it affects everything.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34The flora, fauna.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36If they don't, it is in danger of becoming an arid landscape.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39You might think this is an arid landscape, but if you look at it,
0:45:39 > 0:45:43it's surrounded by banks of shrubs, we need shrubs, we need the shelter
0:45:43 > 0:45:48- we need them for the kind of order that they bring.- Of course.
0:45:52 > 0:45:55This special place confirms one thing and that is that shrubs
0:45:55 > 0:45:58are an integral part of the garden.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00They can offer privacy and screening,
0:46:00 > 0:46:04or, from the beautiful fragrance of the wintersweet
0:46:04 > 0:46:06to the gorgeous colour of the buddleia,
0:46:06 > 0:46:09they can be the stars in their own right.
0:46:09 > 0:46:13Plant shrubs in your garden and you really will reap the rewards.
0:46:20 > 0:46:25With such a vast range of shrubs to choose from, it's easy to get
0:46:25 > 0:46:27confused about what to plant at home, but don't be put off.
0:46:27 > 0:46:31Using the Sir Harold Hillier gardens for inspiration,
0:46:31 > 0:46:34here's my advice on how to get started.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41One of the most obvious things to look for is colour.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44Here's a cornus, or dogwood,
0:46:44 > 0:46:47which is prized, treasure, for its black, yellow,
0:46:47 > 0:46:50but, more often than not, red stems,
0:46:50 > 0:46:53and when these shrubs lose their leaves,
0:46:53 > 0:46:56left behind will be a scarlet firework display
0:46:56 > 0:47:00which will pretty much last until spring.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03And colour doesn't only come from the stems and bark.
0:47:03 > 0:47:05This is callicarpa,
0:47:05 > 0:47:09and you can see it's got these berries which are just about to turn
0:47:09 > 0:47:12the most iridescent purple you have ever seen,
0:47:12 > 0:47:15and they'll last right through until February.
0:47:21 > 0:47:25These berries of the guelder rose are pillar box red, just like the leaves
0:47:25 > 0:47:28when they flame up in autumn.
0:47:28 > 0:47:29And, of course,
0:47:29 > 0:47:31everybody loves flowers.
0:47:31 > 0:47:33Exochorda x macrantha, The Bride,
0:47:33 > 0:47:36blossoms for six months during spring
0:47:36 > 0:47:38with masses of pure white blooms.
0:47:40 > 0:47:44But remember - shrubs don't only blossom in the spring and summer.
0:47:44 > 0:47:49This is a sarcococca, or Christmas Box, a really valuable
0:47:49 > 0:47:51ever green plant especially for small gardens
0:47:51 > 0:47:54because it rarely gets higher than chest height.
0:47:54 > 0:47:59It's called Christmas Box because of these fairly inconspicuous
0:47:59 > 0:48:01white flowers which open at Christmas,
0:48:01 > 0:48:04and, boy, when they do, do they pump out the most intoxicatingly
0:48:04 > 0:48:09sweet scent. But the best thing about it is it thrives in shade,
0:48:09 > 0:48:13AND it needs virtually no maintenance whatsoever.
0:48:14 > 0:48:17Fragrance really does add another dimension to your garden.
0:48:17 > 0:48:20Ask any gardener what their favourite scented shrub is,
0:48:20 > 0:48:23and I bet you that this will top many people's lists.
0:48:23 > 0:48:28It's a Daphne. It really is a fragrant flirt.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30Come February, the pinky-purple flowers emit
0:48:30 > 0:48:34the most gloriously sweet scent which will perfume this path.
0:48:38 > 0:48:43And I defy anybody who says they don't love lavender,
0:48:43 > 0:48:47with its gorgeous flowers in summer, a top ever green, silver foliage
0:48:47 > 0:48:49which looks good all year round.
0:48:49 > 0:48:51If you've got a sunny spot
0:48:51 > 0:48:55and pretty much any soil, as long as it's not shallow chalk,
0:48:55 > 0:48:59how about one of these? This is a flowering dogwood,
0:48:59 > 0:49:01a beautiful, elegant group of shrubs
0:49:01 > 0:49:04that grow to about 4cm to 5m in height.
0:49:04 > 0:49:07I love flowering dogwood, or Cornus cusa,
0:49:07 > 0:49:09because they offer a lot throughout the year.
0:49:09 > 0:49:12In June, the white bracts, or flowers,
0:49:12 > 0:49:16followed by these wonderful raspberry-like fruits
0:49:16 > 0:49:18and then gorgeous autumn colour.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21It's a shrub worthy of any garden,
0:49:21 > 0:49:23because it performs right throughout the year
0:49:23 > 0:49:27and the fruits taste good, too.
0:49:33 > 0:49:38There is another aspect to my shrub revival that can't be overlooked.
0:49:38 > 0:49:42Shrubs are essential for our native wildlife.
0:49:42 > 0:49:45They're an important food source and also provide vital cover
0:49:45 > 0:49:49and shelter for many animals, insects and birds.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51Here at Flatford Mill in Suffolk,
0:49:51 > 0:49:56the RSPB are promoting shrubs to all their visitors.
0:49:56 > 0:50:00Garden manager, Shirley Boyle, tells me why she thinks
0:50:00 > 0:50:01shrubs are so significant.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04Let me ask you this - what do you think is going to happen
0:50:04 > 0:50:07if we don't plant more shrubs in our gardens?
0:50:07 > 0:50:08Since the Second World War
0:50:08 > 0:50:13we've lost 200,000 miles of hedgerow in this country.
0:50:13 > 0:50:15That's eight times around the world.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18Our gardens cover something like 8,000 square kilometres
0:50:18 > 0:50:21in this country. That's the biggest nature reserve in the country.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23If we were trying to help wildlife in our gardens,
0:50:23 > 0:50:27planting shrubs and creating that cover and shelter is critical.
0:50:27 > 0:50:31I've set up my shrub store to hopefully inspire
0:50:31 > 0:50:36some budding conservationists and tell them about the virtue of shrubs.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39- Who here likes wildlife? ALL:- Yeah!
0:50:39 > 0:50:42- Who here like plants and flowers? ALL:- Yeah!
0:50:42 > 0:50:45- Fantastic. Who knows what a shrub is? - A small tree.
0:50:45 > 0:50:47It's like a small tree, absolutely.
0:50:47 > 0:50:51So we've got these bushes, OK, which will attract
0:50:51 > 0:50:55all sorts of different wildlife, what are your favourites?
0:50:55 > 0:50:59- I like...- You like that one? What do you think that shrub's
0:50:59 > 0:51:04- going to attract into a garden? - Red wings, maybe.- Bees and wasps.
0:51:04 > 0:51:06- Right.- Bees and wasps.
0:51:06 > 0:51:10What we've got here is lots of different shrubs,
0:51:10 > 0:51:12which are going to attract lots of different wildlife
0:51:12 > 0:51:14and they look good, too.
0:51:14 > 0:51:17So we should plant more of these our gardens, shouldn't we?
0:51:17 > 0:51:20- ALL:- Yeah.- We should plant lots more of these in our garden.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23It's time for my future gardeners to get hands-on
0:51:23 > 0:51:26with some wildlife friendly shrubs.
0:51:26 > 0:51:28The fishbone, cotoneaster,
0:51:28 > 0:51:32so-called because it looks like the bones of a fish.
0:51:32 > 0:51:37- Look at the lovely red berries on there. Who likes that? ALL:- Me!
0:51:37 > 0:51:39That's a nice thing, isn't it? That's a lovely thing.
0:51:39 > 0:51:43This is called pyracanthor, or fire thorn.
0:51:43 > 0:51:46A good wall shrub, ideal for a shady wall.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48And you get the white flowers in summertime,
0:51:48 > 0:51:51and this particular one which is called golden charmer,
0:51:51 > 0:51:55you get golden orange berries, which are great for the birds.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57- Who likes this one here? ALL:- Me!
0:51:57 > 0:51:59That's what we like to see.
0:51:59 > 0:52:03If I give that to you, is that all right, will you go home and plant it?
0:52:03 > 0:52:04Watch the prickles.
0:52:04 > 0:52:10I really do hope these starter shrubs encourage little and big kids alike
0:52:10 > 0:52:12to get planting.
0:52:12 > 0:52:14Take that home. If you're not allowed to plant it in a corner,
0:52:14 > 0:52:17pop it in a little corner at the back of the garden.
0:52:17 > 0:52:18So, what you need to do now is
0:52:18 > 0:52:21you need to go home and plant those shrubs in the garden,
0:52:21 > 0:52:23but don't just stop at one shrub.
0:52:23 > 0:52:25There's a shrub for every single month
0:52:25 > 0:52:28which will not only look good, but it will also attract wildlife.
0:52:28 > 0:52:33I like the berries and it will attract birds for dad's bird feeder.
0:52:33 > 0:52:37I've learnt that this plant... Butterflies like this plant a lot.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40That was fun, but underlying is an important message -
0:52:40 > 0:52:42shrubs are important.
0:52:42 > 0:52:47And, hopefully, I've now got more converts to my cause.
0:52:51 > 0:52:54Here at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens,
0:52:54 > 0:52:57shrubs are just as revered for helping wildlife.
0:52:59 > 0:53:02A great way to bring both colour and wildlife
0:53:02 > 0:53:06into your garden, especially over autumn and winter,
0:53:06 > 0:53:09is to use gorgeous berrying shrubs, like this cotoneaster.
0:53:09 > 0:53:11A plant this size may need pruning,
0:53:11 > 0:53:16but unfortunately it is pruning that puts many people off buying shrubs.
0:53:16 > 0:53:19But it's actually pretty straightforward.
0:53:19 > 0:53:23So I've got a few tips to help you make the most of yours.
0:53:25 > 0:53:31This is a deutzia, a wonderful summer shrub with white flowers
0:53:31 > 0:53:35and it looks gorgeous with roses and lilac.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37It has a romantic elegance to it, I think.
0:53:37 > 0:53:41This one has finished flowering so I need to go in
0:53:41 > 0:53:45and give it a prune to get a fantastic display the following year.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48You always need to remove the three "Ds"
0:53:48 > 0:53:50- dead, diseased or damaged wood.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53Dead wood is relatively easy to spot on a plant like this
0:53:53 > 0:53:55cos you'll find there won't be leaves
0:53:55 > 0:53:59and when you give the bark a little scratch with your fingernail
0:53:59 > 0:54:02the growth underneath will be brown rather than green.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05Damaged wood, again, easy to spot. It'll either be broken,
0:54:05 > 0:54:09or where branches are rubbing together, there's damaged area.
0:54:09 > 0:54:14And disease, look for lesions and oozes coming from the stem.
0:54:14 > 0:54:19And always cut above a bud or a leaf axle.
0:54:19 > 0:54:23It's basically the bit where the leaf joins the stem.
0:54:23 > 0:54:27This way, you won't create a snag, which will only die off,
0:54:27 > 0:54:30potentially get diseased, and infect the bud below.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32Of course, not all shrubs need pruning.
0:54:32 > 0:54:35But here's how to deal with the two main groups that do
0:54:35 > 0:54:39if you want if you want to encourage more flowers.
0:54:39 > 0:54:42When you are pruning, you might need a pair of loppers
0:54:42 > 0:54:44or even a saw, as well as your secateurs.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47A pair of loppers like this, for example, is ideal
0:54:47 > 0:54:50for growth which is thicker than your finger.
0:54:50 > 0:54:55I'm just going to remove a third of the old shoots to the base
0:54:55 > 0:54:57to encourage new youngsters to come up.
0:54:57 > 0:55:01Look. There's a new youngster in there, so I'm also...
0:55:01 > 0:55:02Out of the way, youngster.
0:55:04 > 0:55:06When you're pruning flowering shrubs,
0:55:06 > 0:55:12plants like philadelfus, weigela, forsythia, and deutzia
0:55:12 > 0:55:15flower on shoots which started to grow the previous year,
0:55:15 > 0:55:16the previous summer,
0:55:16 > 0:55:21and these need to be pruned in summer after flowering.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23Shrubs such as buddleia and hydrangea,
0:55:23 > 0:55:25which flower in late summer,
0:55:25 > 0:55:27should be pruned in late winter
0:55:27 > 0:55:30to encourage a prolific display that year. Cut that one out.
0:55:32 > 0:55:35And, then, one more, right down to the bottom.
0:55:37 > 0:55:39This is fairly drastic,
0:55:39 > 0:55:43but necessary for a good display the following year.
0:55:43 > 0:55:45Oh, look, that's really opened it up.
0:55:45 > 0:55:49That's a third of the old shoots, right down to the base.
0:55:49 > 0:55:54Now all I'm going to do is reduce shoots that have flowered this year
0:55:54 > 0:55:59back by a third, leaving these shoots behind which are next year's flowers.
0:55:59 > 0:56:03So, we'll come in there, pruning above a bud.
0:56:04 > 0:56:07Come in there, pruning above a bud.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13What you may find is some of the really young shoots
0:56:13 > 0:56:16might be growing really whippy. If in doubt, or if they are,
0:56:16 > 0:56:19you can just take of the tip. That won't affect the flowering.
0:56:23 > 0:56:25To be honest, don't worry if you get it wrong.
0:56:25 > 0:56:29Like most gardeners, I've butchered plenty of shrubs in my time.
0:56:29 > 0:56:33But plants are pretty forgiving and will bounce back
0:56:33 > 0:56:34whatever you do to them, really.
0:56:37 > 0:56:40Given a little sun, deutzia is a pretty tough shrub
0:56:40 > 0:56:45and will cope in any reasonable garden soil, including clay.
0:56:50 > 0:56:52In a small town in Gloucestershire,
0:56:52 > 0:56:54there is a group of local residents
0:56:54 > 0:56:58who are already pioneering our great British shrub revival.
0:56:58 > 0:57:01Formed in 2005, the Tetbury In Bloom Committee
0:57:01 > 0:57:06have been planting shrubs in their displays to transform the town.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09The volunteers who've joined Tetbury In Bloom over the years,
0:57:09 > 0:57:12they've all wanted to be part and parcel of our group
0:57:12 > 0:57:14to make a difference within the town.
0:57:14 > 0:57:18Except when there's a hard frost or there's thick snow on the ground,
0:57:18 > 0:57:20we will still go out.
0:57:22 > 0:57:26Municipal planting does have a reputation for being dull
0:57:26 > 0:57:29and unimaginative, but these guys are changing that.
0:57:29 > 0:57:32I joined because I loved the sustainable planting
0:57:32 > 0:57:34that had been put in place.
0:57:34 > 0:57:38The shrubs and the perennials, they're real gardens.
0:57:38 > 0:57:42The Committee believe in using shrubs to create sustainable gardens
0:57:42 > 0:57:45which look great all year round.
0:57:45 > 0:57:48We've got shrubs that lend themselves to being
0:57:48 > 0:57:52trimmed and shaped here. We've also got looser shrubs
0:57:52 > 0:57:55that come out and arch and form very good shapes.
0:57:55 > 0:57:58The team began with one roundabout and now
0:57:58 > 0:58:00they've gardens all over town.
0:58:00 > 0:58:03We would encourage other people to do exactly as we have done
0:58:03 > 0:58:06in the towns and villages where they live.
0:58:06 > 0:58:08Take ownership of where they live.
0:58:14 > 0:58:17Shrubs are the backbone to any space,
0:58:17 > 0:58:20but they're also beautiful things in their own right.
0:58:20 > 0:58:23Adding shape, scent and seasonal interest,
0:58:23 > 0:58:26plus they're vital for wildlife, too.
0:58:29 > 0:58:34Join my campaign, buy a shrub, plant a shrub, love a shrub.
0:58:34 > 0:58:39They really do need to be centre stage once again in all our gardens.