0:00:11 > 0:00:16Hello and welcome to Beechgrove. Bright, sunny day,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19and I think there's a bit of a theme going on here, Carole.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21- Will you explain yourself?- OK.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Well, one of the trial beds here, or observation beds,
0:00:24 > 0:00:28it's all about cut flowers. We've got 12 different varieties.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29And I think every year,
0:00:29 > 0:00:32we like to try something that we haven't tried before in the garden.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34Or things that we know that are particularly good.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- Or new varieties, obviously.- Totally.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41- So there is a bit of a colour theme. - Mm-hm.- I think this is really cheery.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45This is a cracker. And that, that one there is just an absolute stotter.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49- What's that?- The marigold. An African marigold. Keylime.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Which I think is rather interesting.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55I also think the sunflower, and that's a very popular cut flower
0:00:55 > 0:00:59nowadays, and it lasts a long time. That one's called Sunbright.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- Just take a bit of picking, some of them, don't they?- They do.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Well, that's quite a nice height, isn't it? It's pretty good.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09This, I think, is gorgeous for any flower arrangement.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Ammi. We have grown that before. It's very soft.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- It's stunning.- Do you like it? - I do. Do you?
0:01:14 > 0:01:15Well, it adds a certain something.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18- This airiness to the decoration, it's quite good.- Yes.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21What's the star of this one? Oh, I think it's this.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- What's that? Pennisetum? - Panicum.- Panicum.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Panicum Frosted Explosion. Because I think that's a very apt name.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30To me, it's like a firework, but it is, it's beautiful.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32It's kind of surreal, it's there, but it's not.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35That's right. Ethereal is the word we're looking for.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37- That's better.- And it's every arrangement.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40So, in other words, you can put that in any kind of mix.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42I like the cornflower.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45You see in the plot, the height, the length of the stems.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Absolutely brilliant for cutting when it's like that, because you can
0:01:48 > 0:01:52cut really long lengths, or quite short ones, so it's really good.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54- Do you like the red one?- Yes, I do.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57I like this gaillardia here in the middle.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Quite a strong colour, of course. But no, it's very nice.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03- And that one's Firewheels. - I think that's...
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Yeah, I'm not so sure about that one at the end.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07This is, I would describe as, the morning after.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09THEY LAUGH
0:02:09 > 0:02:11Meanwhile, on the rest of the programme...
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Today, I'm in the most northerly part of the British Isles to
0:02:17 > 0:02:21visit a lady who's got the world in her garden.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27And where would you find a jungle in the middle of a city?
0:02:28 > 0:02:29Join me later to find out.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35During the course of a season, we talk a lot about mulching.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Not only does it conserve moisture, but it keeps weeds down.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40But how much does mulching cost
0:02:40 > 0:02:42if you don't make your own mulching material?
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Well, we've got a little observation here.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46The plant we've used is incidental -
0:02:46 > 0:02:49it happens to be the Beauty Bush, Kolkwitzia.
0:02:49 > 0:02:55One in each plot, which is a metre square. Now this material here is Strulch.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00It's about two inches thick and it cost a fiver just to do one square metre.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02But you would see that it's pretty clean,
0:03:02 > 0:03:04it's holding together rather well.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07This is a commercial composted bark, the same again.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11There's an odd weed here and there. £4.50 for just one square metre.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13But that's quite a thick mulch.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16It's more superfine, brings the price down -
0:03:16 > 0:03:20in this case, to £3. Again, doing a good job.
0:03:20 > 0:03:21And the one that's failed
0:03:21 > 0:03:25in a sense that there's more weeds is our own composted bark.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28And obviously we need to work more on it to get killing weeds,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31because we've got a number of weeds coming through in this.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35But none of them have let us down dramatically.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37A little bit of hand weeding doesn't go wrong.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41Then we reduced the depth of the mulch for this set,
0:03:41 > 0:03:43exactly the same again. Here we have Strulch.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46One or two little weeds coming through here.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48But in the main, it's doing quite nicely,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51and as you can see, £2.50, just a square metre.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54But if it lasts for two or three years,
0:03:54 > 0:03:56and requires very little topping up, so what?
0:03:56 > 0:03:57You might want to afford that.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01But if there was no mulching done at all,
0:04:01 > 0:04:03that's the kind of growth of weeds we would have had.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Along this whole border.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06But you make up your own mind.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Can you afford it? Fair enough.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Mm, George, what a crop we've got of squashes.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16Isn't that astonishing?
0:04:16 > 0:04:19I mean, look at the size of them and look at the size of the plant.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23I know. And it makes you wonder how it manages to hold on to that
0:04:23 > 0:04:26because they're quite a weight. And that variety is Pink Banana.
0:04:26 > 0:04:27And this one is?
0:04:27 > 0:04:29This is Sunshine. And...
0:04:29 > 0:04:32You know, it says you can eat it raw.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- Almost carroty, isn't it?- Mm.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37It looks carrot, sort of, coloured, doesn't it?
0:04:37 > 0:04:39- Yeah.- I think that would be quite nice in a salad,
0:04:39 > 0:04:40but would you maybe cook it?
0:04:40 > 0:04:43I would maybe grate it into salad or cook it in a risotto, little cubes.
0:04:43 > 0:04:44Mm. But not bad.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49Now, we've already tasted our three varieties of cucumber.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53And, thankfully, we agree - not like Jim and myself - when we taste things.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- No.- So we both like Delistar. - We loved this Delistar,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57which is a great surprise to me
0:04:57 > 0:04:59because these are conventional-looking cucumbers,
0:04:59 > 0:05:01this one has got this look about it
0:05:01 > 0:05:03where you would think that's over-mature.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06You think it's going to be bitter. That is as sweet as a nut.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08- It's lovely.- It's really nice. Very thin skinned,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11and I think what's nice about that then is it isn't tough to eat.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13You eat the whole skin, you eat everything.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15- Whereas Bangkok... - Oh, that's just...
0:05:15 > 0:05:17..the skin is very tough.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19- Take the skin off. - And it is ribbed, as well.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21And Swing I thought was a little bit bitter.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Yes, I'd go along with that.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26So these two, it's a very simple test, isn't it?
0:05:26 > 0:05:27But I like that best.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Yeah, I would grow that one again, and, actually, that's the best
0:05:29 > 0:05:31productive-wise, as well.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Three plants and we've had 37 already.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Well, it's still going, whereas the other ones are struggling
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- but this one is still going, so more to crop.- Absolutely brilliant.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44- So this is two cherry tomatoes. One of them is Sungold...- Right.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47..which always seems to win with flavour.
0:05:47 > 0:05:48The other one is Golden Cherry.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51And they do say that maybe it supersedes.
0:05:51 > 0:05:52So we don't know which is which.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57- Which one we like best is really what we're after. - Shall we try with this first?
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Cos they look very similar, don't they?
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- Mm.- Mm.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- I like that.- That is delicious.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10I mean, when they're just picked off the plant, they're warm...
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Wow. This is going to be difficult, I think.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- Try another one.- Go for it. Right.
0:06:16 > 0:06:17Very sweet, that was.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24I don't know if there's much in it. I think that's slightly sweeter.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26Slightly sweeter, more tender.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31This one, however, when that bursts in your mouth, it's just...
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- I like that.- Do you? I'm going to say I like this.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34Oh, here we go.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- Shall we have a look? - Right, what are you?
0:06:37 > 0:06:38I've got the Golden Cherry.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40I've got Sungold. I'm old-fashioned.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42- THEY LAUGH - But both are lovely.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45They're very nice, I have to say. Yeah, beautiful.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57In last year's Beechgrove series I did a little bit
0:06:57 > 0:07:02of investigating into how we grow a gardener these days.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04And there was one important sector that I left out,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07and that is the municipal and scientific sector,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10where there are some fine careers to be had.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13So I've come to visit some apprentices who are employed
0:07:13 > 0:07:15at the Glasgow Botanic Garden,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17this year celebrating its bicentenary.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24As well as celebrating the Botanics' bicentenary,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27this year also marks the 70th anniversary of Glasgow's
0:07:27 > 0:07:30first official horticultural apprentice scheme.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34Today, the current crop of five apprentices are taking part
0:07:34 > 0:07:37in a workshop on orchid propagation.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41The manager and long-time head gardener of Glasgow Botanic Garden
0:07:41 > 0:07:42is Ewen Donaldson.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Well, here we are, Ewen.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47And I know for a fact that you were an apprentice here at one time.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49We won't go too far back.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51No, I was an apprentice here a number of years ago.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55Have you seen it change, the methods and so on, over the years?
0:07:55 > 0:07:57I think in a lot of ways it's changed.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59The work they get at college and so on.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01But what they do in the Botanic Gardens here has maybe not
0:08:01 > 0:08:04changed as much because it is horticultural work that they're
0:08:04 > 0:08:07doing here and they're working with experienced staff.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Well, I guess the students, like most apprenticeships,
0:08:10 > 0:08:12will have a spell in each department.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14We try to do that as much as we can.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Some of them occasionally will work outdoors, but on the whole
0:08:16 > 0:08:20they work under glass and they'll work within the different sections.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22So some of them will have an opportunity to work in display
0:08:22 > 0:08:25in the main glasshouse range or the Kibble Palace,
0:08:25 > 0:08:27and others will work behind the scenes doing propagation,
0:08:27 > 0:08:29cutting, seed sowing and things like that.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32So, even at an early stage, when they're not long with you,
0:08:32 > 0:08:36some of them will have developed a particular liking for or
0:08:36 > 0:08:39an aptitude for, and you can cater for that?
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Oh, yes, they will, and some of them learn very quickly.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43It's not unusual for us
0:08:43 > 0:08:45to have an apprentice who could quite easily look after
0:08:45 > 0:08:49the Kibble Palace - which is a very important glasshouse - on their own.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52It's the very nature of the place, because this is more than
0:08:52 > 0:08:55just a beautiful garden for the public because it's a very
0:08:55 > 0:08:58significant scientific place, so they perhaps get a different view
0:08:58 > 0:09:02and that will lead them on to maybe a different field of horticulture.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03Well, that's right, yes.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06There's the Botanic Garden here with large plant collections,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08but there's a lot of good horticulture goes on, as well.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10It's a good place to learn, and there are people
0:09:10 > 0:09:12who are specialised, and it's good to work with.
0:09:12 > 0:09:13And what's for the future?
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Any developments for the future?
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Well, in the Botanic Gardens we're going to have a HNC
0:09:18 > 0:09:22in horticulture offered through the Scottish Rural College,
0:09:22 > 0:09:25so that's going to be something for people to go onto.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26That's moving on splendidly.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Well, all the things that they're doing here, I'm about to find out
0:09:29 > 0:09:31just how well it's working.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33- OK.- Thanks just now.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40First, to the Palm House.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- John.- Hi.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46Well, that's quite an important job to be doing for an apprentice.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- Yep, thanks.- So you're giving this a real whacking, aren't you?- Yeah.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Is there a particular time of year you do it?
0:09:52 > 0:09:56Normally just when it's about to go through the roof.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58And do you move around each department?
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Yeah, a few times we've been in the different glasshouses
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- and stuff, yeah. - And what do you prefer?
0:10:03 > 0:10:05In here, definitely, yeah.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- In here.- Nothing to do with the nice warm temperature, is it?- No, no.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10It's the plants that you really like.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Would you go on to do the same kind of thing?
0:10:13 > 0:10:14Yeah, hopefully.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16- As long as I get a job, yeah.- Aye.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19But you're not likely to turn over to growing strawberries or onions, are you?
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- No, not at all, no. - It's this kind of stuff you enjoy?
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- Yeah.- Well, keep up the good work. I'll let you get on.
0:10:24 > 0:10:25Right, thank you.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Now we're off to see how the delicate specimens
0:10:33 > 0:10:38in the Filmy Fern House are being looked after by an apprentice.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41- Hello there, Harry.- Hi.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Describe to me what you're... Well, I can see what you're doing.
0:10:44 > 0:10:45What is the purpose of it?
0:10:45 > 0:10:52Well, I'm feeding the ferns with some iron nutrients.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- Yes.- And that helps keep them healthy.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Do all of the plants get it or is it just the more mature ones?
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Just the mature ones, and some smaller ones, as well.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05But the maturer ones and any ones that's big enough to have it,
0:11:05 > 0:11:06because you don't want to kill them.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09But you're working according to instructions, which is
0:11:09 > 0:11:10- what the course is all about.- Yeah.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12So far you're quite enjoying it?
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- Yeah.- What's your favourite plant?
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- Mine is Dieffenbachia exotica.- Why?
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Because I just find it quite interesting how the crystals
0:11:20 > 0:11:24in the plant can harm you if you ingest them.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26I think it's a fun fact.
0:11:26 > 0:11:27We've actually seen that plant.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30It was next door to where John was doing his pruning,
0:11:30 > 0:11:32and it's a belter of a specimen.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34I like the colours, as well.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36The colours are really good, as well. Something different.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38I admire your choice.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41What will you do when your course ends?
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Hopefully get a full-time job within horticulture.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45- All the best to you.- Cheers.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- You better get on with that job, it's druthy.- Thank you.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01A recent former apprentice is 23-year-old Fionnula.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05She's progressed to a full-time job here at the Botanic Garden,
0:12:05 > 0:12:08and one of her roles is mentoring the new apprentices
0:12:08 > 0:12:09who come in each year.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13This plant here we're looking at is a mint.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15So you get lots of different types of mint,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18not just your regular mint that you'd buy.
0:12:18 > 0:12:19So this is apple mint.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21So it has quite a delicate scent to it.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25So if you give it a wee rub, and then you can smell it,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27let me know what you think.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29- It smells quite sweet.- It is, yeah. - It's quite strong, as well.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32So it's got a hairy leaf, and usually hairs on the leaf
0:12:32 > 0:12:35help to stop the leaf losing water,
0:12:35 > 0:12:38and it also prevents pests from eating them, as well,
0:12:38 > 0:12:40because caterpillars come along
0:12:40 > 0:12:42and they feel the kind of hairiness
0:12:42 > 0:12:44and they don't actually like that.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47And the really strong oils in the leaf,
0:12:47 > 0:12:51they also taste really horrible to insects, as well.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54So it's a good way of kind of preventing pests eating them.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Ah-ha. There you are. I was told
0:13:05 > 0:13:08that I would find Fionnula collecting spores.
0:13:08 > 0:13:09Yes, you're very correct.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12And of course that serves as a reminder to us,
0:13:12 > 0:13:14that whilst the Botanic Gardens is a beautiful place to be,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- it's actually a scientific institute.- Very much so.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- These are the spores there on the back of the leaves that you're collecting, aren't they?- Yes.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Tell me what happens to these spores now.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27So what will happen is they are left overnight to dehis.
0:13:27 > 0:13:28Which means?
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Which means all the spores will pop out
0:13:30 > 0:13:32and they will drop to the bottom of the bag.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35And then they will be put through a sieve and the finest dust
0:13:35 > 0:13:39will be collected and it will be put into a little jar like this,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42and it will be collected and it will be put in the seed fridge.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45So they're kept very cool, and that helps to keep them viable.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- Then you can use them as exchange with other similar institutes?- Yes.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52So what we'll do is in the winter we will offer a seed catalogue out
0:13:52 > 0:13:54and other gardens can request seeds from us
0:13:54 > 0:13:56and we can request seats from them.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- That's what makes the world go round.- Exactly.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02But the fact of the matter is that you were so keen,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05that here you are, back on the staff. So, you've been hooked.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06For me, it's a fantastic career.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09I couldn't imagine myself doing anything different now.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12I fell in love with the Botanic Gardens growing up.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15I did my work experience here at 13.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18So the dream was to get a job in here and so, yeah,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21I would love to continue on as a botanical gardener.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23It's a bonus to be happy in your job, isn't it?
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Definitely. It makes a difference, going to work and being happy.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Thanks for that.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37Well, I can just hear some of you sitting there saying,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40"If only every student that was produced was like Fionnula".
0:14:40 > 0:14:42But listen, there are a lot more that I've met here today,
0:14:42 > 0:14:46and in these other places, who are promising young horticulturalists.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48And thankfully there are some good careers for them.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52So it's time that we had a few more joining our wonderful profession.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02We are into our second year of what is our dig, no-dig observation.
0:15:02 > 0:15:08This is the no-dig side, where we put the compost on the top
0:15:08 > 0:15:11and this side is the conventional plot, where we
0:15:11 > 0:15:12put the compost on and we dig it in.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15So that's the traditional digging side.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16This, no dig at all.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21Last year when we looked at it we had quite a substantial
0:15:21 > 0:15:22difference on some of the crops.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25And I was surprised, because that was just in one year.
0:15:26 > 0:15:27Well, I have to tell you,
0:15:27 > 0:15:31now, in our second year, there are still substantial differences.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35If you think about the crops that you sometimes get from digging,
0:15:35 > 0:15:39look at the crop we've got of the potatoes.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42The early potatoes that we have are absolutely
0:15:42 > 0:15:44outstanding on the no-dig side.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46The dig, less.
0:15:46 > 0:15:47The cauliflower, well...
0:15:47 > 0:15:50The cauliflower heads were bigger, the roots were
0:15:50 > 0:15:54better on the no-dig side than they were on the conventional dig side.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58So there's a great difference there, and I'm almost becoming convinced.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Now, if we take the carrots, for example, look,
0:16:00 > 0:16:02there's the dig and the no-dig.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05And I have to say that the no-dig seems to get it for me.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08So, really, if I'm looking for it,
0:16:08 > 0:16:11I would suggest that I'm swinging towards the no-dig
0:16:11 > 0:16:14because I'm getting old and my back's getting a bit sore!
0:16:14 > 0:16:19Meanwhile, down the path, Jim and Carol are hedging their bets.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- Oh, yes, here we go.- This little project is coming on quite nicely.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25We're trying to find a hedging subject that would take
0:16:25 > 0:16:29the place of boxwood, which is in trouble at the moment.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Yes, with box blight.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34So, Brian was planting a whole range of different varieties.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Yes, Osmanthus.
0:16:36 > 0:16:37Yes, Euronymus.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- And then look at the poor little Berberis here. - CAROLE LAUGHS
0:16:40 > 0:16:42The rabbits obviously like it.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45But interesting. It disappears against the dark earth, doesn't it?
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- It's got to kick up a bit.- Yes. And hopefully that will recover.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Even though it's a prickly plant, the rabbits like it.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52That's rather nice. Baggesen's Gold.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54- I think that could do with a little bit of pruning.- Yes.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Well, we'll come back to that later on to see how well they've
0:16:57 > 0:16:59established, but there's been such a response to this.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- There has. The viewers have responded.- Yeah, yeah.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04And said, look - they've made some suggestions
0:17:04 > 0:17:06and so we've gone for another three.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- This time we've also thought about cost.- Yes, indeed.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12But first and foremost, this is a privet,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- but with a difference, isn't it? - It is. A lovely golden form.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Sinense "Sunshine".
0:17:17 > 0:17:19- I just wonder how hardy that will be.- Yes.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21This is Lonicera "Tidy Tips".
0:17:21 > 0:17:23It is. Really compact.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26And we've got quite a lot of hope for that.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Yeah, I think that would be quite a good box alternative.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31And then this is the real cheap and cheerful one, isn't it?
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Well, the fact of the matter is this is tried and tested
0:17:33 > 0:17:37because we have a bigger hedge of it about 4ft high down there.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40It's Cotoneaster simonsii, which does so well.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41So I see you got the secateurs,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43so are you going to do a bit of pruning already?
0:17:43 > 0:17:45I will take the easy job, if you don't mind.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47OK, you do that. I'll start planting this one.
0:17:47 > 0:17:48Because this has all been nicely prepared.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- It's a case of whacking them in, isn't it?- Definitely.- Good on you.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13Today I'm in Shetland. Almost as far north as I can get in Scotland.
0:18:13 > 0:18:1560 degrees north.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19And I'm almost on an equivalent latitude to southern Greenland,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Alaska, St Petersburg and Helsinki.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27There's not many trees here. This is certainly a gardening challenge.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Who says nothing grows on Shetland? Take a look at this.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40This is a community garden at Weisdale Kirk.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43It was created in, what, 2005, by the Beechgrove team
0:18:43 > 0:18:45and the local community.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48And it's wonderful to see it being maintained the way it is
0:18:48 > 0:18:51and to be in such splendid condition.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55A little bit of care, it's amazing what you can do. Even up here.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58One of the folks involved in the creation of this garden lives
0:18:58 > 0:19:05over that hill and she has created a garden that is just pure magic,
0:19:05 > 0:19:07and that's where I'm going now.
0:19:15 > 0:19:1930 years ago, Rosa Stepanova hitchhiked from Bavaria to the
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Highlands of Scotland.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25She was offered a lift to Shetland and she's been there ever since.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Lea Gardens at Tresta Have been created by Rosa
0:19:28 > 0:19:30and her husband, James McKenzie,
0:19:30 > 0:19:34as a haven for plants of all kinds, sheltered from the Shetland winds.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Gosh, Rosa, everywhere I look there's something new.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43This is like a botanic garden. How many plants have you got here?
0:19:43 > 0:19:48- We've got just over 1,600 now. - That's 1,600 different plants?
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Yes, yes, I counted them.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53That's astonishing.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56There's stuff in pots, here. What's this about?
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Yes, well, these are my ladies in waiting.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01There's pots everywhere in this garden as you've noticed, probably.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- They're called ladies in waiting because they have to wait...- Uh-huh.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08..until I find the perfect spot where to plant them and
0:20:08 > 0:20:12if they get too scorched, I put them somewhere with a bit more shelter...
0:20:12 > 0:20:16If they get rather lush, I think they could maybe do with
0:20:16 > 0:20:20a bit more wind and salt, so eventually, they go in the ground.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- So where do all your plants come from?- The four corners of the earth!
0:20:24 > 0:20:27- All over the world. Would you like a tour of the world?- I would, yes.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- Shall we go, then? - Go on, then.- OK.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Look what's growing over the shed roof.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43- The Scottish flame flower. - Yes, tropaeolum.
0:20:43 > 0:20:44It's early this year.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46It's the first time it actually stayed evergreen,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49this has been here all winter. Right. We've had such a mild winter.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53Normally, it dies down, so that's strange.
0:20:53 > 0:20:54But that is just fabulous.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56And then more - what? - more ladies in waiting?
0:20:56 > 0:21:00Yes, always ladies in waiting! Oh, and this one...
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Ah, now,
0:21:02 > 0:21:03Mitraria coccinea.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06The last time I saw that was in...
0:21:06 > 0:21:09When I was travelling in South America two years ago and I saw it
0:21:09 > 0:21:13growing in the forest there, just in little light bits in South America.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- That is a cracker.- Well, it shouldn't be here,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18this should actually be in South America.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20- You think it has to move there today?- Yes, I think so,
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- we could take it up there, if you want.- We could.- Mm-hm.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33So, George - here we are,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36in South America.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- What's that over there? That's what, Francoa?- Yes, Francoa sonchifolia.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42I love it and it is of course South American,
0:21:42 > 0:21:45but there is also special history attached to that.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49I first came across that in Graham Stuart Thomas's book
0:21:49 > 0:21:52on perennials and he described it as
0:21:52 > 0:21:56"for the warmer counties only", so of course I gave it a wide berth.
0:21:56 > 0:21:57And many other plants, as well,
0:21:57 > 0:22:01because I had entered a sort of horticultural wilderness -
0:22:01 > 0:22:05every expert, everybody I asked for advice kept going on about
0:22:05 > 0:22:09"You're up there, so the plants you can grow have to be hardy,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12"ultra-hardy, the hardiest of the hardy",
0:22:12 > 0:22:14which is of course utter nonsense.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Because hardy means a plant's ability
0:22:17 > 0:22:19to withstand low temperatures,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21which we don't get up here. Shetland...
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Is one of the warmer counties!
0:22:23 > 0:22:24Yes, it is!
0:22:24 > 0:22:27I know it sounds crazy, 60 degrees north, but it is.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29You can grow all this stuff.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Yes, if we just look at what's here - behind us
0:22:32 > 0:22:34is Crinodendron hookerianum.
0:22:34 > 0:22:35- Yes.- With a flower out.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- And then round this corner...- Mm-hm.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40I had caught sight of a little gem,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43something called Philesia magellanica.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44It's my pet and my darling!
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- I love it.- It's a lovely little plant.- Under the fire bushes, there.
0:22:47 > 0:22:48Yes.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51And then right in the corner, there's something else.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54That's another really interesting plant, actually.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56This plant, believe it or not,
0:22:56 > 0:22:58has saved countless lives.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01People used to go on long sea voyages in the days of sail,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04they could only take dried food and whatever with them,
0:23:04 > 0:23:08so they died of something called scurvy, or fell very ill,
0:23:08 > 0:23:12and this plant, Drimys winteri,
0:23:12 > 0:23:14known as Winter's bark, is the highest,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17or one of the highest vitamin C contents of any plant
0:23:17 > 0:23:22in the world and they used to take it on these voyages and survive.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25I wouldn't be surprised if there were even some Shetland seafarers
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- who had their lives saved by this and now it's in Shetland.- Brilliant.
0:23:29 > 0:23:30And it tastes good, too!
0:23:30 > 0:23:31THEY CHUCKLE
0:23:43 > 0:23:45So, Rosa, where are you taking me now?
0:23:45 > 0:23:50- I thought maybe a trip to Latvia, via the Alps.- Oh!- How about that?
0:23:51 > 0:23:53- Miniature Alps, here.- Ah!
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Well, I can see the Alps on the end of this building,
0:23:58 > 0:24:00but where is Latvia?
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Well, you may well ask.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Latvia's just here.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07- But it's actually Latvia via Japan. - Right.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11See, this wonderful Rugosa hybrid was spread by a botanic
0:24:11 > 0:24:14garden in Latvia and they gave this to me as a gift.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18That is exquisite, because it looks as though it's got a double
0:24:18 > 0:24:22row of petals and the centre, the yellowish centre, is just superb.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Now, what...
0:24:31 > 0:24:35What is this? I've never seen a thing like that flowering before.
0:24:35 > 0:24:40- What is it?- This is called Notholirion campanulatum.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Now, I've heard the name before, but I've never, ever,
0:24:42 > 0:24:44seen that in flower.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Well, there you are. It comes from Western China, I believe, Sichuan.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49And it's monocarpic.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53This actually dies after flowering, but it leaves little baby bulbs.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Was one of the first things I ever
0:24:56 > 0:25:00raised from seed from the Scottish Rock Garden Club seed exchange.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04So it's been here for 30, 35 years now.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07- That's just fabulous.- It's lovely, isn't it?- It's fabulous.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15What a garden. I think you've got everything here.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18I've seen stuff from the sub-Antarctic islands here.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Yes, we do have two of the famous mega herbs -
0:25:20 > 0:25:24the fat yellow one is Bulbinella rossii.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27And the one next to it, it looks like a vegetable crocodile,
0:25:27 > 0:25:29it's Anisotome latifolia.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33And then we come up here and we've got these candelabra primulas
0:25:33 > 0:25:35and the Ligularia round the pond.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38I mean, it's just fabulous, but you know, it leaves me with a dilemma.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40- Oh.- Because the more I find out,
0:25:40 > 0:25:45the more I realise just how much there is left to discover.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49This is a sentiment so close my heart. I feel the same.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52And I sometimes feel that one lifetime just isn't enough.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03A seasonal job for me to do is to start bending over the tops of the
0:26:03 > 0:26:06onions, which starts the ripening process,
0:26:06 > 0:26:08so that you get really good onions.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10And that starts the process. The next one,
0:26:10 > 0:26:14in another week's time or so, is to ease them out and break the roots.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17And George Anderson just told me a few minutes ago that
0:26:17 > 0:26:21if you do that and you've got a problem with white rot,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24easing them up will stop it from spreading and affecting the bulbs.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26So there you go. Seasonal job. Done.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Well, I thought I'd bring you in to the eight-by-six greenhouse,
0:26:31 > 0:26:35just again to have a look at the pineapple flowers
0:26:35 > 0:26:38because they are in full bloom now.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42Quite a tremendous flowering spike, so many flower heads here,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45and the insects seem to really enjoy them,
0:26:45 > 0:26:47cos they give off a little sort of musky scent.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52I'm frequently of the opinion that it doesn't really matter what
0:26:52 > 0:26:54a plant is called.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56If you like it, you grow it in your garden.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59The trouble arises when you try to replace it.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Then you have to know the correct name.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05When we were in Orkney, we spoke about the daisy bush.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08It was an absolutely astonishing
0:27:08 > 0:27:11thing called Olearia semidentata.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Nobody was able to find it in Plant Finder. The reason?
0:27:14 > 0:27:17It should be called Olearia "Henry Travers."
0:27:17 > 0:27:19That's the one to look for.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Then you'll find it.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26So from Orkney to Shetland, and a little hint from Rosa Stepanova.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31If you look behind me, you see sawdust.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33And Shetland has a massive rabbit problem.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37Somebody introduced them for sport, and they're all over the island.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40In a garden this size, there's no way one can rabbit-protect,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43so we use wood-based used cat litter.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Smells of predator,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48just like lion dung is said to keep deer at bay, and it works a treat.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50No rabbits.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- Salad, anybody?- Yes, of course. - Right, help yourselves.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56Where's it come from, George?
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Well, this is from the gardening in small spaces area,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02which has been going all year, and also from the dig/no dig,
0:28:02 > 0:28:04so you have to work out whether it's dig or no dig.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06- I had a broad bean. That was nice.- Was it good?
0:28:06 > 0:28:09- This is an interesting colour. - Yeah, that's right. That's borage.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11- Now, have you tasted it?- I haven't.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- Because it's like cucumber.- Is it?
0:28:14 > 0:28:16More cucumbers. And this is colourful round here, as well.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19- It is. This is good, isn't it? - Really nice.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21But if you'd like any more information about this week's
0:28:21 > 0:28:23programme, it's all in the fact sheet,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26and the easiest way to access that is online.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28- That's about it, isn't it? - Where are we next week?
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Next week, we're off on our travels.
0:28:30 > 0:28:3426 miles south of here into the Howe of the Mearns. Join us there.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37- Until then, bye-bye. - Bye-bye.- Goodbye.