Episode 15 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Hello, and welcome to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and invent

supported by M G investments. The show is over but before we say

goodbye to this floral exam -- extravaganza, we want to share some

of the highlights of what has been a scorching week. There's been a

wealth of innovative gardens as well as stunning plants and flowers

brought to you by the best the horticultural world has to offer.

Keeping with tradition it all started last Monday as the gates

opened the world media, VIPs and, of course, Her Majesty the Queen. The

showground came with visitors -- exhibitors pulling out all the stops

to grab the public and pressure -- press attention.

But, of course, the real head turner 's arbour plants and gardens, be

they big or small. The sheer amount of effort planet goes into creating

a garden at Chelsea is awe-inspiring. Here are some of the

main gardens that pulled in the crowds this year -- effort and

planning. Based on the Maltese quarry, James Basson's design is

like a labyrinth in a land that Time forgot, thanks to changes of level

and giant monoliths that dominates the site. It is a garden that has

surprises round every corner, from the table for alfresco dining to

this cool pool. There is the wiry yellow Rose Educ, the fluffy tops of

bunny tail grass, and this, and I've not seen this plant before at

Chelsea, it's called squirting cucumber and it has Kiwi sites

brutes that can propel themselves across your garden some 30 feet --

Kiwi size fruits. The stones are offcuts from a quarry, matched with

the wild planting, it is the sort of garden that is a match between two

people, one who likes to keep things neat and tidy and another who does

not. The Linklaters garden for Maggie is designed by Darren Hawkes

takes, as its inspiration, the importance of green, calming spaces

for patients recovering from cancer. It is very much an enclosed garden

with a tall hedge running around it. The only way to view is either

through the slatted garden gate or up on the walkway. The core of the

garden is this granite cuboid which has been broken apart, and all of

the other elements are made from the same material, the chippings down at

ground level, the furniture, and the water feature. And then it is also

often by planting. And we have the colour picked out with the Rosa

glauca. Then there are other touches of colour. We have the bright

purples of the irises and the pinks of the geraniums, and the airy

planting from elections. -- the election. A walk on the wild side.

That sums up the world of Charlotte Harris, because her garden is a

representation of the boreal forest in northern Canada. This is a vast

wilderness ravaged by fire in summer and covered in snow in winter. The

fire releases nutrients that causes lush growth, and she got that in the

Borders here. The flames are also referenced in the scorched would on

the bridge and furniture in the pavilion. -- the scorched award.

Boulders are strewn through the borders given a whole garden a

rugged field. It is so much more than a forest garden, the patio is

big enough to use to have a table. And this is all soft and around the

edges by wild planting, and the bees are already working on the blooms --

softened around the edges. This 500 years of Covent Garden is inspired

by the famous part of London and leave has used the same materials

you would find, so the cobbles, paving stones, the London brick

wall. To these arches, which are very much how the structure looks in

Covent Garden market itself. Surrounding it, you have a hornbeam

hedge and then each of the corners, you pick up on the history of the

market with these old apple trees. And there is also corners at the

back here, and there are pale colours on that which filter through

the garden, whether it is on the foxgloves, the still those, and

there are still these hummocks creating mounds throughout the

border. As you come to the front of the garden, clouds of grasses are

punctuated by the warm pink of roses and Lupin 's. From vibrant colours

to delicious smells. Our senses were bombarded this year. Something the

RHS made a fabulous beach of with their five feel-good gardens

celebrating radio to's 50th anniversary. Each of them focused on

one of the five sentences -- senses and was championed by a Radio 2 DJ,

who were not frightened to get their hands dirty. Jo Wiley, I've seen you

here at Chelsea so many times on the opening day, and you have swanned in

here with your own garden. I have swapped my posh shoes and got some

hobnail boots on and this jacket, and I wouldn't be any happier. It

was the best time I ever had when I was asked to get involved, and this

is our garden. I know you are a really good gardener and you have a

wonderful garden at home but this is different doing it at Chelsea. It is

fascinating coming here and seeing the walls being constructed, the

truckers and diggers on the lorries going round, it is so transformed by

the end. It is lovely. We have these racks of plants you can just pick

and choose. It's like the best place in the world you can be to see what

is on offer and what you can create but it's 1 million miles from my own

garden. I'm going to be planting this rose in here with the

designers. My gosh, Sophie, this is hard work. The power of Sophie

Raworth conquers again. This looks like somebody's garden from last

year. What do you think? I think it looks pretty good. Basically we are

their slaves. I love all the words engraved in the wall. A nice touch.

I love this one. Dusty vinyl. I love that. A great ambassador here. I

just happened to be your servant of the day. What next? Put her to work.

How is she doing? The truth? She's brilliant. It's so fabulous to have

somebody who wants to get stuck in. Keep going. It's all right for you,

sitting over there. You can join in, you know? And look at this. I know.

And what a difference a few days makes. All your hard work, Joe. You

must be delighted with what you have achieved. I am wowed by the garden.

It is amazing. It is so wonderful. Just the realisation that all the

conversations we had going to the nursery, seeing the plants and

seeing them put in place and seeing them work together. The water is

trickling to the side in the pool. It is gorgeous. There are beautiful

details and the water feature is one of them. Are there anything juicy

that made you think you must do it at home? The Angelico all around us

-- anything you see. What a wonderful thing you have done.

You've been here so many years, but to have your own garden... It is

great, me and Jo Malone came here to get the garden, and I don't know

where I go from here. Shall we just stay here? Gin and tonic, I think.

Fine by me. Whilst Joe wallowed in the scent

garden, over at the garden dedicated to taste, Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans was

joined by fellow champion, Mary Berry. Mary, you are famous for your

culinary skills, but also a very keen gardener. I love gardening.

When you finish cooking and you are exhausting -- exhausted, go into the

fresh air and pick some herbs, do some gardening. It makes you feel

good. Chris you've had quite a crowd. You were even broadcasting

first thing this morning. We have the 5 cents gardens and I didn't

realise how good the gardens would be, and Mary has been very involved

in the architecture. But they really held their own. They are beautiful.

They are drawing the crowds in. They are the sort of gardens you can take

home. You can do it yourself. Somebody has to invent smelly

vision. Then we need taste for the tasting garden. I've had a good

taste of many of the things, and that dear little mulberry tree.

You've got your ion that. That could be disappearing by the end of the

week. Yes, underneath my arm. Mary, Chris, thank you both so much.

As ever, the Chelsea Flower Show was the hottest ticket in town with a

host of famous faces eager to see and be seen.

What is not to love about Chelsea? It is seeing all of these gorgeous

colours and flowers. How do they keep everything alive? I swear, I go

to buy a planted a garden centre and I can hear the plants screaming no!

Completely overwhelmed by it. You see it on the TV over the years, but

it is absolutely stunning. This is incredible. Living plants, all put

together under a marquee. What I love this year is that I have

someone with me. I feel very spoiled. -- I have a rose named

after me. It is a beautiful oasis in the heart of London. I love the

variety this year, and maybe I love the stands, because I am a bit of a

shopper. Oh, my gosh, it's exciting, it's so creative. People think you

have to know about flowers to come here, but no, you have do come here

and worship. And also paying homage to Chelsea this year was the

brilliant funnyman Peter Kay. Peter, welcome to Chelsea, a first

experience. It's like Glastonbury without any music. Is it better than

Glastonbury? I've never been. What was your impression as you walk

through the gates? It's beautiful. Can I call you Nicola. Can I tell

everyone at home, I met Nicola ten years ago when I was a woman on a

programme called written has got the pop factor. I was dressed as

Geraldine -- Britain's got the pop factor. Now we meet again at the

Chelsea Flower Show. What a place to meet, because you and your mother

loves flowers, don't you? My mum loves flowers and it's a birthday

treat for her, this. There she is, over there. Enjoying the day. A

lovely day, beautiful. It's a wonderful place. Are you inspired as

you walk around? When you were a little boy did you have a garden? We

had a hedge and that was it. I had a window box. My mum has a nice garden

in the bungalow. You did that too. The next tour is called my mum wants

a villa. We are moving up. Anything caught your eye? Like the Artisan

gardens? This is my favourite. Do you like what they have done? I like

the things, I've not seen them hanging down. Lovely. There's some

lovely things. It's a gorgeous bod. There's so much to explore. But we

thought we would drive you around in a homage to Ka Share. It's American.

I'm in control. I have to ask you, there is a vicious rumour the show

is not coming back? It's not coming back. I cried once she got out of

the car. You were meant to be together. Tell her that. It's been

lovely, and I've been overwhelmed by the reaction, but I think we should

get out while the going is good. Is it the pressure to keep doing it

again and again? But you need good content and good stories and there's

all sorts you can do in a car. What would you call it? It is a floral

fancy. That's what it is. Hopefully you will see things that you can

take back and you will take up gardening? Have you been to the

Great Pavilion? Yes. Stunning flowers. My favourite one was 166.

It sounds like the lottery. I've got a picture of it on my iPhone.

Talking of flowers and gorgeous arrangements, the florist who Her

Majesty the Queen supported has done this for your mum to celebrate her

birthday. This is yours, mum, for your birthday. It's for you, this.

Bring them home on the train. We are so delighted you have joined us

today. Thank you very much. Your first experience and I hope your

comeback. I want to come back to that store that sells orthopaedic

pillows. From comedians to demons,

professional horticulturalists to garden enthusiasts, we saw more than

165,000 visitors come to the Chelsea Gates. -- from comedians to games.

Including Her Majesty the Queen. The Queen has come to Chelsea more than

50 times and it is always a very big moment for the flower show. The

Queen is now talking to Ricky, who has been at Chelsea for 50 years but

he keeps a scrapbook at home all the members of the Royal family he has

met over the years. You have probably been here as many times as

the Queen! I don't like to mention that but probably! This is an

exhibit that the Queen knows very well. This is Raymond Everson's

clement tests. Her Majesty is always very impressed by our climate is.

Ian is from Belfast in his garden here is a representation of his

struggle with depression and it is something of a Duchess of Cambridge

is particularly keen to see. You were showing her around the garden.

How did she find it? She was commenting on the fact that it felt

completely different from the outside looking in to when she was

inside. She was excited to go inside the garden and experience that

directly. That is what this garden is meant to be about, that feeling.

What a day for you. It has been brilliant. The Duke of Edinburgh is

here, or your regular at Chelsea. He has been here so many times over the

decades, although now that he has announced he will be stepping down

from royal duties after the summer, who knows whether he will return

again? Hello, Sir. We have something of a royal traffic jam there. It was

amazing, wasn't it? And the Queen was very interesting. She said she

listens to you this morning. Radio 2, apparently. Well done with the

garden. Thank you so much. I shall be listening tomorrow. With the

Queen! OK. And in celebration of the Royal visit, Carol Klein went to

discover the Regal plans rolling out the red carpet and holding court in

the great Pavilion. The great Pavilion has plenty of royal

subjects, whether it is because of their name or their colour. But

amongst this sea of contenders to the throne, some plants have a

Majesty all of the run. -- all of their own. Hark, the trumpets

announced the entrance of the royal court. These wonderful plants, with

ears saturated colours, are really straightforward to grow. Keep them

frost free during the winter and don't water them at all. And then,

in spring, start to water them and they will burst into growth. And

they will fill the whole place with their glorious music. In the royal

court, surely the planet that lends itself to the role of footman is the

Del Finian? Tall, stately, often in lines, they form the basis of a

brilliant border. -- delphinian. Every court needs its Royal Jester.

To keep the aristocracy entertained and bring a touch of frivolity to

the proceedings. In this case, it is a happy medium, with its little

jester hats. Such reliable plans and so easy to grow, and the perfect

solution if you have dry shade, bringing dancing showers to really

liven up the proceedings. This stand is fit for a king. In fact, it's

full of Kings. The national plan of South Africa. Like most Kings, it

likes constant attention and if you want to grow it in this country,

make sure you either grow it under glass or move to Cornwall or the

Scilly Isles. Sssh, we are in a royal presence. The Queen of hearts

is in attendance, presiding over this lovely stand. This plans takes

centre stage, and is often known as bleeding hearts. With its beautiful,

elegant, delightful flowers. During the summer months, it dies down, and

if it doesn't do so of its own accord, then take a tip from the

Queen of hearts. Off with its head! There was floral fun to be had

throughout the week. Exhibitors and designers with big ambitions, often

in the smallest of spaces. The Artisan and fresh gardens were full

of visitors and a personal favourite of mine. Take the city living

garden, packed full of take-home ideas and designed by Cate ghouls.

-- Kate Gould. Congratulations. When I first saw this garden, I knew you

would do really well with it. It has been a bit of a mega bills. This is

huge, even by my standards, probably borderline insanity. And you have

pretty much just build a house. Yes, three stories, 15 guys constantly.

It is down to them that it is here. Come on, the design is fantastic. It

combination of landscaping and plans, really demonstrating the

future of gardening. Small space gardening, where space is limited

but you can still cram plants in and make them relevant. You can get

close up to them. I think so. We have a huge history in London of big

parks and gardens, but we are now building more apartment blocks

closer and closer together so smaller spaces, wildlife corridors

are very important. And will this be a community garden, is that the

plan? It absolutely could be cut because the spaces are not big and

the plans are not challenging. And it is a diverse selection, shady

downstairs and hot and sunny up here. We are catering for the right

plant in the right place. I love the green wall on the outside, because

it is quite flat and you have real volume to it. It feels like it is

growing horizontally. It really is a lovely garden, beautifully designed.

While some medals make designers' dreams come true, there were a few

surprises. You've got a silvergilt medal and I

was shocked. I thought it was a definite gold medal. Have you had

feedback? I think the garden speaks for itself. You know, we didn't

necessarily come here chasing medals. I think that is a lost

cause. You come here presenting what you believe has integrity and

reality, garden people can connect with, you do the very best that you

can. Actually, listen to the response of gardeners, rather than

the self elected, you suddenly realise that actually what matters

is the fact that you produce this beauty, which mar such as the soul

in a way that is just indescribable. Gardening changes people's lives.

This is a garden. Do we have replications of landscapes here, but

yours is a garden and that is what people want. It is a garden design

show. It is a garden which pulls together many strands. It is about

not only getting communities and children involved, whether it is the

artwork in the roof year or the school that will be the recipients

of this musical stage, the planting goes on to communities and

stimulates community gardens in east London. That is why we're here. It

is about talking about the beauty of gardening inspiring people. Well,

you have inspired so many people. Your class. I love your gardens. And

I was not the only one singing Chris' praise. All his hard work

really paid off later in the week. You have been voting for the

People's choice award, and voting close at 9:30pm yesterday and we can

now announce the winner. The winning garden is, of course, the Morgan

Stanley garden but the designer, crispier chart, has no idea that he

has won your vote. He is about to find out. Let's go. This is the nice

thing, you just have to balance between one plant and the other and

it is all about catching the eye. Can I interrupt? We're not here to

talk about trees, we're here to tell you that you are the winner of the

BBC RHS People's choice award. Congratulations. I am so pleased

that you have won. You deserve this so much. Thank you very much. A

beautiful garden, absolutely beautiful. Show it to everyone here.

It means a lot to you. I'm not sure once in that. -- what is in that. It

is always a joy producing a garden at Chelsea. You come and do what you

can. You do what you believe in. Fantastic that gardeners, thank you

very much, all of you gardeners out there who voted for us and saw the

beauty and integrity in it. What was it that struck a chord with the

public? They voted for you and you have won again. I think this is

about six. But I love using plants, I love the fact that when you

combine plans and choreographed plans and orchestrate them in a way

that touches people's emotions, that is what I love doing. It is

unashamedly a gardeners garden. Very well done. Congratulations.

With over 12 hours of coverage on the BBC, let's pay one last look at

what has been an incredible week. What a week it has been. I have got

to say, for me, my favourite moment has still been during the bills. The

public are not here, and you have the teams of designers and

construction workers on site, and you really see the hard graft that

goes into creating something like this. I have so enjoyed this week

and a lot of these gardens are still growing now. The iris have just come

into flower today. Well, that is it from a sun-kissed, magical Chelsea

Flower Show. We have had loads of floral fun bringing you the very

best the horticultural world is to offer. The inspiring people and

plans have proved once again why this event remains the most famous

flower show on Earth. And we will be back in July with coverage of the

Hampden court Palace flower show. But from all the team here, goodbye.

Bye-bye.