Episode 9 The Beechgrove Garden

Well, hello and welcome to Beechgrove,

this week coming from Gardening Scotland,

the biggest gardening and outdoor living show north of the border.

Now, you might have heard the rumours that we've had a difficult spring.

What has it done to the plants? More to the point,

what effect will it have on Gardening Scotland?

Let's ask a few people who ought to know the answers.

We may have experienced one of the strangest, coldest springs for many, many years,

but one of the benefits of that is

that we get delphiniums, daffodils and dahlias all flowering at the one time.

This has been a complete nightmare to get anything ready for the show.

The planting plan went completely out of the window months ago

because nothing was working out at all.

Flowers that should be in flower just now are not,

and things that should have been finished ages ago are now in bloom.

So there's a completely eclectic look for this year's show.

I'm Jim Jermyn, show manager of Gardening Scotland,

and in charge of what's fresh here at the show.

And in a very difficult season, we're seeing a number of flowers

that we wouldn't normally have at Gardening Scotland.

I'm standing beside these amazing delphiniums.

I guess they probably have been forced from about Christmas time.

Quite amazing.

It's been a tricky year for peonies, but we've managed. Look at these.

Meconopsis are really, really tricky to get ready for a show.

I've tried cooking them every way I can, bar deep-frying.

But we're there at last.

I'm just back from judging Chelsea Gardens, and most unusually,

we saw lots of lovely apple blossom like this, because it's so late.

Maybe it was a good thing things came into growth so late.

When they did, they just exploded.

This give us the potential of an amazing crop this autumn.

Later, we'll see who's growing for gold at Gardening Scotland,

and those exhibits that have hotfooted it from Chelsea with their medals.

And congratulations to our own Chris, who won a gold medal

for his thoughtful garden on arthritis research.

More than that, he won the prestigious popular People's Award.

I like that phrase, the People's Prize.

Because I think that Gardening Scotland is the People's Prize,

for ordinary gardeners like you and me.

This is where the stars of the show are always the plants.

And it seems that the exhibitors have got them flowering their heads off,

out of season, no matter what.

Join us for a glimpse of Gardening Scotland.

It's going to be a classic show, timeless, a great vintage.

And speaking of vintage.

-Off we go.

-Keep your eye on the road, John.

-Watch the speed limit.

-A bit of time travel, eh?

-Absolutely.

-Stop! Oh!

-BRAKES SCREECH

These brakes are funny.

-Trust you to stop in a garden.

-I hope I haven't damaged the garden!

And if this isn't Mr Keith Jackson. How are you? And where are we?

We're in the Vintage Car-den, Jim,

and I thought you could have parked a wee bit better than that, John.

Vintage Car-den! How appropriate!

Vintage car, vintage me, vintage garden.

-And the planting is good.

-Yes.

What we're trying to do here is just to show that the plants

they had in 1935, which is that age of the car,

are just as relevant today as they were then,

using such things as dahlias and foxgloves.

They are very, very popular again.

I mean, I think I actually was very taken with these early new singles

that we've gone back to, but these are stunning.

And of course, a bit out of season!

-Yes!

-Have you seen the veg?

It's just fantastic.

I daresay you wouldn't mind if they were growing in your place.

I would like to have them in my polytunnel, I tell you.

-Where are we going now?

-Take the first left, if you will.

-OK.

-Off we go.

-Show gardens. Thanks, Keith.

-No problem.

-See you later.

Ally, this is Dundee College show garden.

It's called Turning Over A New Leaf,

so what are you trying to portray here?

We are trying to portray photosynthesis.

Water, light, air -

all the things that we require.

In other words, without plants, we wouldn't be here.

We would not be here.

The plants look wonderful, but I have to say,

the real focal point is this beautiful leaf. Who made that?

This was made by Jeff Imrie and his metalwork team at the college.

-It's beautiful. Stunning.

-Absolutely stunning.

And what about the team here? Sitting in the trailer?

Doing nothing! It's terrible! All day long we've been like that. Desperate.

The designer, Ali Macqueen, I don't know where Ali's got to,

but we're all working away.

You've only got a couple of hours left.

-I know.

-Are you going to get it finished?

They'd better get a move on.

MANIACAL LAUGHTER

Double, double, toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

I'm in the Scottish Rural College garden with Jenna and Roma.

Tell me what this is about.

This is a Witches of Macbeth garden and it's based round

plants that would have been found in the early 17th century.

Why did you pick on the 17th century?

Because Shakespeare wrote his play, Macbeth, between 103 and 1607.

So all the plants that are in the play would have...

Been there at that time. Anything in particular?

Camomile in the cauldron at the front,

that would have been used for calming tea and ointments.

And the lemon balm at the front as well,

that would have been used for an antiseptic.

And the cauldron at the back, what's that about?

Just to signify that there's still magic on the land.

Steve from Rococo, nothing evil about this garden.

It's called Reflections, and it's all about mood and colour.

The aim of the garden is to show how planting and design can influence human emotion.

We got three different areas within the design.

In one area, we're using warm, vibrant colours.

-That makes you feel happy?

-Happy and excited.

In the second area, we're using whites and blues

-to create a feeling of calm.

-And then the third area,

now, that's very different. What's that all about?

The naturalised planting area.

We used waterside plants,

and basically, the right plant in the right place.

It's been a very difficult season,

so how easy has it been for you to source these plants?

It's been a bit difficult.

We substituted some plants for other plants

and we've got round it that way.

Well, I think it's looking good, but it is work in progress.

Very much so.

So, Ray, this garden's been built

as a collaboration between Turffit and Gardening Leave, hasn't it?

Tell me a bit about Gardening Leave.

Gardening Leave is a charity

for ex-veterans and ex-military personnel

that suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

And how does that connect with this garden, then?

Well, I served with the British Army in Hong Kong,

and the garden's based around the five themes of the Orient,

as you can see. All the elements around the garden.

Brilliant. Well, I certainly think

the panda who's sitting in the background there with the bamboo,

he's got plenty to munch on, hasn't he?!

Interesting structure on the Cartmore Landscape garden.

Alan, what's all this about?

Yes, what we've got here, George, is the Forth Bridge crossing.

The new Forth Bridge crossing.

We wanted something that would be seen, so we have that.

But what we've really got here is an outdoor living area,

showing various paviers, slabs, coloured gravels, that can be used.

My main involvement here has been the plant material,

the choice of plants, and what I've gone for is something that's

low maintenance, that won't need a lot of work,

but gives colour and interest throughout the year.

I've also selected some flowering plants

just to give that inspiration, if you like, to the garden.

-So, low maintenance ideas?

-Yes, uh-huh.

The Dry Stone Wallers of Scotland

have come up with a unique take,

I think, in the Celtic knot garden here.

In fact, the knot is created using stone and not plants.

The planting inside is intriguing as well.

The St Andrew's Cross there

and the white is delineated with a little Euonymus.

Absolutely lovely.

This show garden has been created

by the team at Scotland's Rural College in Ayr,

and sitting inside the garden

in his grotto is the designer, Barry Small.

So where did the idea come from for this garden?

Well, it was borne out of a need

for a sort of personal space to be creative in. Quiet, tranquil...

OK, and this planting here is gorgeous.

Yeah, that's the living wall panel

that's in to sort of give you ideas for colour.

It's really nice. Lots of ferns and things for shade.

And out here, this palette is absolutely stunning, it really is.

Well, the planting outside, again,

is different leaf shapes and colours and textures

to give you sort of inspirational ideas

and it's in a contemporary style

to match in with the rest of the design.

What's also really good is the garden's quite small,

only sort of five by four metres, and there's masses going on.

A building, water, stepping stones, lots and lots.

It's a really good way for people

to get inspiration from a tiny wee garden, so it's great.

Sheena, you're from Elmwood, one of the Scottish rural colleges,

and this is your second time here.

Last year, you were actually one of the students,

and now you're a lecturer.

Yes, I was invited back to Elmwood to lecture in garden design,

and this year, our garden celebrates the Year of Natural Scotland 2013.

I've depicted five landscapes

and incorporated the SNH Big Five wildlife species.

We can see the harbour seal behind us here. I think that's fantastic!

But, of course, it's not just about the animals. It's about the plants.

So what's looking good at the moment?

The Royal Fern is looking stunning.

No flowers, but, I mean, wonderful foliage.

Yes, the native orchids are beautiful,

and the bracket fungi,

the Turkey Tail on the tree stump at the back is quite amazing.

It is absolutely superb.

And have you got a handy hint for the viewers?

Yes, we're sitting here in a coastal area,

where the plants are adapted for the salt spray conditions.

Things like the sea kale here, which you can even eat.

Now, that's a really good tip.

In fact, we've been going round

some of the other show garden exhibitors

and we've had some hints and comments from them.

Here's just a few of them.

This garden is made to make children appreciate wild flowers.

And wild flowers are very important.

All over the countryside, children are passing wild flowers

and not paying any attention to them.

We would like to think that after they've seen our stand,

that they would appreciate wild flowers better.

Azaleas, rhododendrons, and ericaceous plants

respond very well to a good dose of Epsom salts.

Epsom salts, if you buy them in the garden centre,

are a wee bit more expensive.

But if you go to the chemist, it's nice and cheap.

And you can put some in your bath later on,

after you've been gardening.

Borage is a very interesting plant

that was used in the 17th century for medicinal purposes,

and it still used today in beauty products.

And for those of us who like a little tipple,

you can freeze it and put it in your drinks.

If you're thinking of edging your lawn for easy maintenance,

it's a good idea to leave the lawn slightly above the edging surface

so you can run the mower over it

without causing any damage to the mower.

Well, they say that first impressions are what counts,

and people coming into this floral hall, Billy Carruthers,

-what an impression you've created!

-Afternoon, Jimmy.

Tell us a little bit about the design of this set-up here.

Well, this year, we've got Summer Days, and Woodland Haze.

Well, tell us about the Summer Days.

Well, here we have all these bee-loving plants

and a little area where you can sit and have your G&T in the afternoon.

Absolutely. It's individual plants that are your trade.

What about this new one you've got here?

Yeah, this is the native Angelica sylvestris.

This is a purple one called Ebony.

-And you expect that one to do extremely well?

-Very well.

It's the skill of putting them together

that I find is so remarkable.

Now, this side?

Well, this is much more subdued.

This is the moisture-loving woodland plants.

And not a mark on these hostas!

-Yes!

-THEY LAUGH

But, listen, your greatest triumph has got to be the peonies.

-Of course.

-Every year, you outdo yourself.

"Oh, he'll never get better." And you do!

They are my passion. I just love them to bits.

We've got quite a few new varieties this year.

Great. So you do create a most wonderful impression.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

And over here is a stand called 80 Years of Rock.

MUSIC: "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones

-MUSIC STOPS ABRUPTLY

-No, not that sort of rock!

80 years of the Scottish Rock Garden Club.

Stan, this is a fantastic display.

Well, the members have been celebrating the 80 years

by contributing plants growing literally

the length and breadth of Scotland to represent an even wider area.

We've got plants in the stand

from every continent in the world, other than Antarctica.

Really? That's fantastic.

Now, so we've got stuff on the mountain top here and then, what?

As we move down from the windswept top with the little

dwarf willows and cushion plants,

we're looking at damp alpine meadows, we're looking at dry river

beds with things like lewisias from North America.

Then, as we come down into the valley, we're looking at things like

meconopsis primulas from places like China

and the foothills of the Himalayas.

So, wherever we look, there's just little gems everywhere.

It's absolutely outstanding. What do you think of it?

I think that most of the members will be fairly pleased.

I think, overall, it's not too bad a display.

Not too bad.

And so, for the second time at Gardening Scotland,

it's the Dalgety Bay Horticultural Society.

And Michael's one of the creators of the garden. So, what's the title of it?

Through The Back And Then The Front.

So it's a back garden and a front garden? And a bit about the back, then.

Members grow the plants and they are heated greenhouses which

we need in this weather.

Definitely this year! And the design is lovely.

Yes. It draws people in. It's angled so it draws people in to the sheds.

-I want people to stand about.

-What about the sheds?

-Can people go through the sheds?

-Please, do.

So will people be able to walk through the sheds at the weekend?

-Yes, that's what we want them to do. We want people to use them.

-Lovely.

There's so much going on in there.

-This is the ornamental side, then?

-Yes, this is the front garden.

-It's just like my front garden.

-I think it's a brilliant concept.

Thank you very much.

Stella, it's great to see you again from Kevock Plants.

And you're just back from Chelsea with some wonderful news.

Yes, we're really excited, we got a gold medal at Chelsea.

Which is wonderful. Tell me a little bit about these plants here,

-cos they are really unusual.

-Yes, it's Rheum alexandrae. It's a rhubarb.

And it's just one of the really rare and unusual plants that we have.

-Do you think that helped you get the gold medal?

-I'm quite sure, yes.

Now, it's rather strange to see you actually setting up your stand.

Normally it's completely finished. But it's in the making this time,

so we see some of the tricks of the trade.

Yes. Old boxes, pots, bits of polystyrene, bubble wrap.

And then we have two cover it all up with moss and gravel.

You've really got to be meticulous, so you don't see any of this.

Perfect presentation.

-Well, I hope it's a double gold for you.

-Thank you very much.

Now, Stella is an absolute expert with her alpines

and we've actually been round the Floral Hall and seen

some of the other exhibitors and got some comments from them too.

Well, we've got a lovely range of plants here at Garden Scotland.

We've got delphiniums,

dahlias, foxgloves and a whole range of superb filler plants

around the base, all of which have been grown especially for the show.

The theme of my exhibit is hosta development through the ages.

What I have here is some landmark popular varieties such as Halcyon,

in family groups, such as Halcyon

with its daughter June and Catherine.

Anita, here, she's a very unusual one.

Very unusual colouring, but a tender type.

Has to come indoors in winter, that one.

Whereas Kat Jan up at the top there, she's a hardy variety.

Very unusual, she flowers all the way along the stands,

but hardy even up here.

We're moving the excess sprouts from the potatoes and we'll polish

the skin with some cooking oil, just so it gives it a nicer finish.

It does make a big difference when they're on display,

if they've got nice, clean skin.

# I love you

# Most of all

# My favourite vegetable... #

Jim, the National Vegetable Society always put on a good show

and you've been working really hard on the stand here.

Slightly different, because more salads.

We have very much emphasised the salads this year,

because we feel you should be able to go into the garden

and pick fresh salad produce every day of the year.

-365 days a year.

-Indeed.

And if you grow them in pots like this,

with cut and come again type lettuces,

there's no reason why you can't do it

and you'll see we've got sprouts on the stand as well

and if you grate a few sprouts on your salad with

a bit of vinegar oil, they taste wonderful.

Sounds delicious. You don't need a big garden, do you?

No, definitely not. Just a small patio.

-No reason why you can't do this.

-Something unusual, that tomato.

Very nice tomatoes, grown by the Clyde Valley growers.

They reckon they're going to cost about £4.50 each.

Hope they taste good.

# One potato

# Two potato

# Three potato, four

# Five potato... #

-That's enough of that. 667 potato more.

-Incredible!

What a range of varieties. Absolutely fantastic.

Somewhere you can pick one that just you would like.

Because we all like different tatties.

Of course we do. There is a division, North, South of the border.

I mean, they say that south of the border people prefer a waxy potato.

Whereas, here in Scotland, we prefer a floury potato.

-As long as there's a wee bit of butter with it.

-Which do you prefer?

Mashed, chips...

-Oh, right. Mash. Yes.

-There's more to see. Off you go.

# Seven potato more... #

And exhibiting here for the very first time,

Rumbling Bridge Nurseries.

We're talking there at the tatties about 600 odd varieties.

These plants are all grown at 600 feet,

where the temperatures are quite cool.

But just look at the range!

Absolutely fantastic. I would call it a stoater.

And who said you can't garden meaningfully in a small space?

Just look at this.

# Keep you head up

# Keep your heart strong

# No, no, no, no

# Keep your mind set

# Keep your hair long... #

Cool conditions would suit these camellias.

This one, introduced in North America 250 years ago. Perfect.

You could pick it off the page.

Fresh as you can be. Thousands of flowers.

Absolutely stunning fuchsias from

Roualeyn Nurseries in North Wales, gold medal winners at Chelsea.

One of our most popular plants. Aren't they stunning?

Well, from the sublime of the fuchsias

over there to the "cor, blimey" of this stand here, which is

set out by the South of Scotland Fuchsia Society

and its definitely in Edinburgh.

Here's Greyfriars Bobby.

There are the trams, very topical at the moment.

I can tell you, the thing that really stuns me

every time I see them are these little bonsai fuchsia trees.

# Keep you mind set in your ways

# Keep your heart strong... #

Hostas galore. There's nearly 90 on this stand.

Two stonkers, Devon Desire and the well-named Devon Giant.

# I'm happy to have you... #

Warmenhoven, specialist growers of Amaryllis and Allium.

Chelsea, best of the best, not just gold. Here, mathematical precision.

Superb.

# Keep you mind set

# Keep you hair long

# My, my darling

# Keep you head up

# Keep you heart strong

# No, no, no... #

Isn't this just amazing?

Fir Tree Pelargoniums, all the way from North Yorkshire

and they come here every year.

And I mean, they bring these huge plants.

The one at the back is 17 years old. A big standard. Imagine carting that all that way.

It's like handling a baby.

And they start right from the back, don't they?

And they measure it all out and it just looks meticulous.

It's all very carefully done and every plant is perfect.

There's not a dead leaf to be seen.

And if you were to pick one?

I like this one, Ashby, because I like a good, strong pink.

That would be my favourite. What about you?

I actually like an Oriental Regal. It's called Rising Sun.

-Perhaps slightly more delicate.

-And they've got some scented ones.

Nice orange scented, and lemon scented as well.

-Let's find some more colour.

-You go that way, I'll go that way.

Hotfooting it straight from a gold medal at Chelsea

are Chrysanthemums Direct, and look at this display.

Everything from interesting flower shapes,

big, blousy blooms like this, and then onto the sprays.

This delicate white and the limey green. Lovely.

Chrysanths are a flower really close to my heart.

My grandfather grew these years ago. So did my father.

So, for me, this display is just perfect.

Yet another gold winner from Chelsea.

This is Harts Nursery with beautiful liliums.

They make a great cut flower, the fragrance is absolutely superb.

Rather interesting way of displaying them with this gel.

But I did say we were looking for colour.

And this is the bloom I would pick,

a vibrant yellow called Golden Tycoon.

And from bright yellow to a slightly more subtle version of yellow.

And a relatively recent introduction into the colour of streptocarpus.

And look at the rest of the range of colours in this fantastic display

from Dibleys.

They like a bright situation, moderate watering

and they will bloom from May till October.

In my book, that makes them the ideal houseplant.

But if you're looking for something to grow outdoors,

you can't go wrong with clematis.

Grow it in a sunny border or even in a pot.

And then grow it up an obelisk or even up a trellis.

And as for this combination, isn't it beautiful?

The white of Miss Bateman

and then the blue at the top there with Arabella.

And over here, some cool whites and icy blues of the agapanthus.

One of my favourite flowers.

And they've got so many uses in a garden. Right at the back,

these tall ones will punch through a border and make a real statement.

This mid-range look great in a pot on a warm patio in a nice

terracotta pot.

And over here, these little tiny ones look wonderful

right at the front of a border.

And staying with the small, aren't these violas absolutely great?

We've got all of the colours of the rainbow. And take a closer look.

There's whiskers, there's little faces.

They are cheery, happy chappies. And that's what it's all about.

And if you keep deadheading them, they will flower for you for months.

One of the things that really excites me about Gardening Scotland

are the pallet gardens and the container gardens.

This year is no exception.

I've been up early, judging them,

and this year there are 40 pallet gardens

and round about 30 container gardens.

There's a golf theme here, from the golf greens and fairway,

through the planters in the town of North Berwick In Bloom.

Some rather unusual planters.

There seems to be a bee theme running through the pallet gardens

this year, and this one is particularly interesting.

We've got bees to pollinate the bushes,

to give us the fruit for the Jeely Piece Garden.

Fabulous range of vegetables grown by Liberton High School.

Innovative group of containers

and a bird scarer that will really whisk them away.

True to the theme of the pallet gardens,

the Health And Well-Being Garden.

Look at this. Cures for all ailments.

If you want something to put a smile on your face,

you can't beat the pallet gardens.

Amazing.

I walked out this morning and found the silver gilt on the little step there

and then I walk to the floral hall and got presented with Best In Show.

So, I'm well chuffed.

Premier gold. We are absolutely delighted. It's great for the whole team.

It just means everyone can go away happy, knowing they've done their best.

The news is very good news for the National Veg Society today.

They've been awarded a gold medal by Gardening Scotland,

so well done to all the members that put the display up.

I think it's my fifth consecutive gold medal at Gardening Scotland,

so rather a special occasion.

Well, here we are - four very, very happy chappies.

-They got a silver gilt for this.

-Yes, it's a lovely garden, isn't it?

-Superb.

-What a cracking show!

-Oh, Jim, this has been magical.

And the weather couldn't be better, could it?

-And the forecast is great for the whole weekend.

-Yes, my phone told me.

-My phone told me as well.

-Must be right!

And, you know, we've seen so many plants

but I think we've missed out on carnivorous, cacti...

-There's so much more to see.

-I've not gone to see the heucheras yet.

And don't miss the craft fair. I've already been there this morning.

Pocket money again. Shelling out. But what about plants?

I bought a little fuchsia.

It's slightly old-fashioned. It's called Koralle.

I'd like to add it to our collection at home.

I know what it's called. I can't believe it, I got exactly the same.

Great minds.

I thought about our anniversary for Beechgrove, 35 years,

and of course, one of the colours is coral.

It's lucky that I managed to find another one.

-And I thought about you, Carolyn.

-Oh, how nice.

-Soppy stuff.

-I've gone one better.

I managed to get our anniversary colours, coral and jade.

And one plant called Aquilaria.

It's a houseplant which is going back up

-to the conservatory at Beechgrove.

-Well, that's a real stunner.

It's nice, isn't it? Really interesting.

I went some way different. I thought I would just strike a purple patch.

-Are these not just stunning?

-Yes, lovely. Lovely.

Absolutely fabulous plants.

If people have a chance to get to the show, they will be gobsmacked.

When you consider the weather we've had leading up to this,

-gardeners have really come up trumps again.

-The gardeners have made it.

-They really have.

-That's it for this week. See you again next week.

ALL: Bye-bye!