0:00:03 > 0:00:06The Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show
0:00:06 > 0:00:09is the most prestigious flower show on the planet.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Chelsea is the best place in the world.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15It's that one time and that one place where everything coincides.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18The best plants, the best designers, the best landscapers,
0:00:18 > 0:00:20the best of materials.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Everything is there, just for that one very special week in May
0:00:23 > 0:00:25that is the Chelsea Flower Show.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Every year the best designers spend hundreds of thousands of pounds
0:00:28 > 0:00:33creating gardens in the hope of gaining global recognition.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34Thank you!
0:00:34 > 0:00:39Now, for the first time, the RHS is offering one talented amateur designer
0:00:39 > 0:00:43the chance to launch a brand-new career by building a garden on Main Avenue.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Hundreds applied for the biggest prize in gardening
0:00:48 > 0:00:51and six passionate designers were chosen.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Now they will have to prove they can cut it with the best of the best.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Once you get through those Chelsea gates,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59you're in with the big boys and there isn't any space for mistakes.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02They'll be advised by Joe Swift,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05one of the country's leading designers.
0:01:05 > 0:01:06That is bad.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08They're going to mark you down for that.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12They'll have to master different garden styles as they design...
0:01:12 > 0:01:14I need it smaller, that's the main thing.
0:01:14 > 0:01:15Construct...
0:01:15 > 0:01:17You've got to be so careful in case it snaps.
0:01:17 > 0:01:18And plant...
0:01:18 > 0:01:21They're just monsters but they're going in!
0:01:21 > 0:01:25..to impress Chelsea Flower Show judge, James Alexander-Sinclair,
0:01:25 > 0:01:29and Gold Medal-winning designer, Ann-Marie Powell.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Every time I try and think about it, my mind just starts racing.
0:01:33 > 0:01:34It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Chelsea is only a short step away now.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Welcome to RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59We're on the hunt for an amateur gardener who can cut it with
0:01:59 > 0:02:01the best of the best.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Someone good enough to design a show garden
0:02:03 > 0:02:06for Main Avenue of the Chelsea Flower Show.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Selected from across the country, these six passionate amateurs
0:02:11 > 0:02:14have all shown they have potential to be great designers.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Over the coming weeks their plant knowledge, design skills
0:02:19 > 0:02:24and creativity will be tested as they make show gardens across the country.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26For me, this means an opportunity of a lifetime,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29without a shadow of a doubt. That's not overplaying it.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31There is so much going through my head at the minute,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33it's hard to find a place to start.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38I'm nervous, but I'm excited, as well.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40This is where it all begins.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Over the next four days, our designers are going to turn
0:02:43 > 0:02:46these plots into fantastic gardens.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Well, hopefully.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- How do we know which one it is? - Apparently, they've got labels on.
0:02:53 > 0:02:54Where are we based?
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Rob... Steph, that's yours.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59I'm in the middle.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02The thing is, is that 3 x 4?
0:03:02 > 0:03:04- They look small!- It does.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08The designers' first challenge is to create a show garden
0:03:08 > 0:03:10in the cottage garden style.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12This is the moment of truth.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14I just want to mark it out with sand.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17They will have to work within the constraints of budget,
0:03:17 > 0:03:21time and plot size - just like a designer at Chelsea.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27This time they have a 4 x 3-metre plot.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30They've spent the last few weeks juggling their daily lives
0:03:30 > 0:03:33whilst designing and planning their gardens.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Cottage gardens like these at Sissinghurst Castle are
0:03:38 > 0:03:41perhaps the easiest of garden styles to create.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44The focus is mainly on the plants, allowing
0:03:44 > 0:03:48the judges to test the designers' plant choice and planting skills.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53The cottage garden is essentially a romantic view
0:03:53 > 0:03:55of an agrarian lifestyle.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59Plants that are really easy to grow, that will self-seed around,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02that you can take cuttings from and pass to your neighbours,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04so anyone can create it.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08Now, the style is very informal, plants aren't designed together
0:04:08 > 0:04:10and there's very little structure.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13It's an eruption of colour through spring and summer.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20So this is a classic cottage garden, really, isn't it?
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Yeah, it is, but the whole idea of the cottage garden is the way
0:04:23 > 0:04:26that people in cities imagine that people in the country lived.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Easy-to-grow plants.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31And also useful plants, plants that could be used for scent
0:04:31 > 0:04:33for medicine or something like that.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36And also herbs and edibles can be combined, as well.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Also any features in the garden would be really easy to make.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Home-spun from materials you can get your hands on,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45like this wicker edging, this bench and this nice backdrop, too.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48You can take it and twist it and turn it and put it into any
0:04:48 > 0:04:51context that you actually want which is really what we're looking for.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55It's different twists on the same idea.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58English, but maybe not essentially English.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03The designers have just four days to complete their gardens.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Experienced contractors are on hand to help with hard landscaping.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13So, basically, you can see it's on a... Rather a slope.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16I'm needing it levelled.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20It will make my overall design a lot stronger.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- Rather than sinking that to there, maybe sink that halfway.- Halfway.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- And then bring that up halfway. - That sounds better.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- That might be an easier solution. - That sounds doable!
0:05:29 > 0:05:33At 23, Steph is the youngest designer in the competition.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37She works part-time in a supermarket in Cambridgeshire.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39As a teenager, she fell in love with gardening.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44She now has her own allotment and spends all her free time there.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48I'm ambitious to do something a bit different and, I suppose,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51for me that's garden design.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53I think that's what I know what I want to do.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Working here gets me by.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58It tides me over so I can buy seeds and pots.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02I suppose, when I'm inside I just want to be a garden designer
0:06:02 > 0:06:05and be outside. That would be my dream job.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08I think about that a lot when I'm here.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10In between shifts at the supermarket,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Steph has worked on her cottage garden design.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16For her brief she's keeping it simple and traditional,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20building a central brick path, framed by a wooden trellis.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22She's relying on vibrant, densely packed planting
0:06:22 > 0:06:24to impress the judges.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27I put a lot of pressure on myself.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29I want to do the best
0:06:29 > 0:06:32and I want to be quick and efficient,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35so it's all done to perfection.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Judging just how good their efforts are,
0:06:40 > 0:06:42and deciding which designer goes to Chelsea
0:06:42 > 0:06:45are James Alexander-Sinclair and Ann-Marie Powell.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50As a judge, I'm looking for really strong design, for tight
0:06:50 > 0:06:55construction and, of course, really, really good horticultural knowledge.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58In order to get that whole package right,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00they have to concentrate on the details.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03James is a prominent member of the RHS Council
0:07:03 > 0:07:07and has judged the Chelsea Flower Show since 2008.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- Thank you very much. - Congratulations.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Ann-Marie is a Chelsea Gold Medal-winning designer
0:07:12 > 0:07:14with over 15 years' experience.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19I'm looking for somebody who can create a garden with great theatre
0:07:19 > 0:07:24and atmosphere. I want to be wowed by their creativity and imagination.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28The judges will be awarding a Gold to the designer who delivers
0:07:28 > 0:07:32to their brief, has a strong design, great horticultural knowledge
0:07:32 > 0:07:35and gives their garden a sense of theatre.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42Gold Medal-winning designer Joe Swift, is on hand to advise.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46If you're worried about anything, if you think, "Am I doing it right?
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- "Am I not doing it right to", ask me first. I'm here to help.- Yeah.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52OK, cool.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55I was terrified when I saw the plot because I thought it looked tiny,
0:07:55 > 0:07:59much tinier than the kitchen floor where I marked it all out.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01I thought at home they were kitchen units
0:08:01 > 0:08:04and it just doesn't look the same.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06I'm pleased with it now I've got it marked out.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- Sean, sorry to interrupt you. - Hello.- Hi.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10What's your day job at the moment?
0:08:10 > 0:08:12- My day job is a nurse.- Oh!
0:08:12 > 0:08:15I'm an occupational health advisor. I work in a factory environment
0:08:15 > 0:08:19supporting people to maintain their health in an industrial environment.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Sean grew up in Northumberland, in a mining community,
0:08:22 > 0:08:24and has always wanted to be a garden designer.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27I've had a fantastic career so far as a nurse.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31It's been very good to me and I've enjoyed that caring element
0:08:31 > 0:08:32and that nurturing element of people
0:08:32 > 0:08:35but to go on to be a garden designer, how many people get
0:08:35 > 0:08:38two bites of the cherry and actually love what they're doing.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40That's, you know, real special stuff.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43What really inspired you to get involved in garden design?
0:08:43 > 0:08:45It's really what I wanted to do when I was 17
0:08:45 > 0:08:47but my life took a different path.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50To get this prize would be wonderful for you?
0:08:50 > 0:08:52I can't imagine what that would be like.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Sean's brief for his cottage garden is to
0:08:56 > 0:08:59create a coal miner's garden that's past its best.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03He's going to hand craft a willow structure along with a rustic bench
0:09:03 > 0:09:07but he's taking a risk by using plants in muted colours
0:09:07 > 0:09:10and that have gone to seed.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14It's a life-changing experience and opportunity to be at Chelsea
0:09:14 > 0:09:16and to experience that from a designer's point of view,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19would just be amazing for one of us.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25First, they must mark out and level the plots
0:09:25 > 0:09:29before starting on the hard landscaping and structures.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34At the moment, I'm attempting... I use the word "attempting,"
0:09:34 > 0:09:37as you can see with this aborted one
0:09:37 > 0:09:39to assemble my gabion baskets.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41It looks like I've got a little bit of an issue
0:09:41 > 0:09:43because it looks like a couple are the wrong size.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45So I'm going to have to work around that
0:09:45 > 0:09:47but we'll find a way one way or another.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Gillian is a former Army officer from the Cotswolds,
0:09:50 > 0:09:55but has worked all over the world for the Serious Organised Crime Agency.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58A year ago she had an epiphany, so changed career
0:09:58 > 0:10:01and pursued her passion for gardening.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04When I left the Civil Service at the back end of last year
0:10:04 > 0:10:06I was applying for jobs in consultancy
0:10:06 > 0:10:10in my old law-enforcement-type field and really was putting
0:10:10 > 0:10:13in poor applications for jobs because I didn't really want them.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16It was over a conversation with my father that he said,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19"Why don't you go and do something you really want to do?
0:10:19 > 0:10:22"Go and retrain into gardening, be a professional gardener and look at garden design."
0:10:22 > 0:10:25I took his advice and that's what I've done.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27For Gillian's brief, she has gone for a bold
0:10:27 > 0:10:32interpretation of the theme by designing a Turkish cottage garden.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36She's using large metal gabion baskets to form an arch
0:10:36 > 0:10:38at the back and is planning to use flowers
0:10:38 > 0:10:42to create a Turkish carpet effect with her planting.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44I believe your garden has been inspired by your travels
0:10:44 > 0:10:48- and living abroad, has it?- That's correct, yes. This is what I call
0:10:48 > 0:10:50my interpretation of a cottage garden in Turkey.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- Do they have cottage gardens in Turkey?- No, they don't.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56A lot of the rural areas, they just tend to, where
0:10:56 > 0:11:00they would want to sit, they would always use Turkish carpets.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- That's part of my planting scheme. - Outside?- Absolutely.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- So, that is a direct inspiration for you?- Yeah, very much so.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- How about colour?- Bright colours. - Clashing.- All clashing.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- This is a risk, I completely concur. - I think we applaud your courage.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- Thank you.- We look forward to seeing it.- Thank you very much.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- Thank- you.- See you later. - Will do, bye-bye.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22I think the judges are slightly bemused, potentially,
0:11:22 > 0:11:26about my design because I think I'm slightly going out on an edge.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29But I'm still confident, if it all comes together the way
0:11:29 > 0:11:31I see it in my head,
0:11:31 > 0:11:33it will have the impact I want.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Fingers crossed!
0:11:36 > 0:11:40With the initial groundwork and marking out under way,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42the designers must now select their plants
0:11:42 > 0:11:46from one of the country's largest wholesale nurseries.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49One of the key judging criteria is horticulture.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53The designers have to know which plants will work together.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56They should choose plants which will bring a sense of theatre
0:11:56 > 0:11:59to their designs and have the ability to change their planting
0:11:59 > 0:12:02plan according to what's available.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05This is where our designers are coming to choose their plants
0:12:05 > 0:12:08- and, lucky them, I'd say. - It's a huge site, isn't it?
0:12:08 > 0:12:10I mean, there's tonnes of things to choose from.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13There are certain plants that we would expect to see, perhaps,
0:12:13 > 0:12:15- in a cottage garden. - At this time of year, definitely.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Look at those roses, they're fantastic.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19They'd look really good. I'd like to see some...
0:12:19 > 0:12:21- That salvia is fantastic.- Yeah.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Achilleas - lots of joyful jewel-like colours,
0:12:23 > 0:12:29- playfully moulding together in an array of gorgeousness.- Get you!
0:12:29 > 0:12:32The other thing just to be serious about this at the same time,
0:12:32 > 0:12:36is it's not just about colour, it's also about horticulture.
0:12:36 > 0:12:37They have to think about that.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40They have to make sure that the plants they choose will actually grow
0:12:40 > 0:12:43with the ones they're putting them next-door to.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45We don't want damp plants next to dry plants, or anything like that.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49It's a mixture of horticulture and artistry
0:12:49 > 0:12:51and weaving and tapestry.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53Atmosphere, that's what they're after.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- We want to see lots of atmosphere.- Impressive.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04I have never been in a nursery quite the size of this before, no.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06It's rather fabulous, really.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08There's too much choice!
0:13:11 > 0:13:14I've got my work cut out, I think, this afternoon.
0:13:14 > 0:13:15Panic!
0:13:15 > 0:13:19Jo from West Yorkshire is a partner in a law firm
0:13:19 > 0:13:21and the mother of twins.
0:13:21 > 0:13:22That would keep most people busy,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25but Jo wants to take her love of gardening to the next level
0:13:25 > 0:13:29and has completed a course in practical horticulture.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32One of my dreams was to have children and to raise a family
0:13:32 > 0:13:35and now that I have successfully done that,
0:13:35 > 0:13:36I'm in the process of doing that,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39I think I'm ready to meet new challenges and, yes,
0:13:39 > 0:13:41horticulture is my next big hurdle.
0:13:41 > 0:13:47Jo's designed her garden to reflect her Italian and English heritage.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Central to her design is a hand-crafted willow arch
0:13:50 > 0:13:54surrounded by fruit trees, vegetables, step-over apple trees
0:13:54 > 0:13:58and flowering plants - all of which fit with the cottage garden theme.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Jo's planting plan included Italian vegetables,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06but they are out of stock.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08She needs to think again.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13I don't think I realised just how little there was
0:14:13 > 0:14:15until I actually arrived.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18And, erm...
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Yeah, I'm just a bit stressed right now.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Sean's been gardening since childhood.
0:14:26 > 0:14:27He knows what he wants
0:14:27 > 0:14:31and how to adapt his plan according to availability.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34I'm definitely having those and I'm definitely having these.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Rob is from Wiltshire.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42He studied botany and works in the plant research industry -
0:14:42 > 0:14:45knowledge that can help him adapt his planting plan.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Yes, I'm just at the minute looking for a substitute for a plant
0:14:48 > 0:14:51that will grow under the silver birch tree that has white flowers
0:14:51 > 0:14:53but, you can see, there's not many white flowers around.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56I'm thinking of maybe changing and using something
0:14:56 > 0:14:57with silver foliage or,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00instead of using a perennial, going for a shrub instead
0:15:00 > 0:15:02and using something like a hydrangea or
0:15:02 > 0:15:05a row of hydrangeas behind which will give that, that same kind
0:15:05 > 0:15:09of white froth but using a shrub instead of a lighter, airier feeling.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12I'm just having a last-minute run-around to see
0:15:12 > 0:15:14if I can find anything else before I make that decision.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23This is my most nightmare shopping trip ever, period.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26It's put me off shopping, believe it or not.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29I think I'm going with the hydrangeas. I've made the decision.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31I think that's the best choice.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Jo has found some replacements.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37They're not vegetables but they are very on-theme.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41Absolutely stunning. I'll have another one of those, please.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45I'm conscious that I haven't seen everybody else's plants.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49Everybody's got very pretty stuff and mine's a lot of foliage
0:15:49 > 0:15:52and I'm aware that the judges might be critical that some of it
0:15:52 > 0:15:54looks like it's gone over a little bit
0:15:54 > 0:15:59but that's kind of in keeping with the whole theme of the garden.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02So, erm, a difficult call, really.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05It'll either pay off or it won't.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Sean is taking a big risk.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Plants in show gardens are usually in peak condition
0:16:12 > 0:16:15and not past their best.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18He's not the only one worrying about what makes a winning garden.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23If there's holes in the planting beds,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26will be murdered by the judges.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29It's got to be rammed in otherwise it won't look right.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31That's what we're going for.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33If we've got too many, it doesn't matter.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Better to be over than under.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37A show garden needs to be in full bloom
0:16:37 > 0:16:40and look well established on the day of judging.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42It is an instant garden.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Each of the designers has spent a £1,000 at the nursery.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51They'll find out if they have enough plants and time to plant them,
0:16:51 > 0:16:55once they finish landscaping back at Harlow Carr.
0:17:02 > 0:17:03How was your shopping trip?
0:17:03 > 0:17:07I managed to find some sorrel, that looks like beetroot.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09We'll see.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11So have you got a change of plan?
0:17:11 > 0:17:15Have you got a change of plan towards the back and will carry on with the ornamentals?
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- Yeah. I've gone for a lot more herbs.- OK.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Just two hours left of the first day and the
0:17:23 > 0:17:27designers need to finish their hard landscaping to stay on time.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Tossing the caber.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33Paul's love of gardening stems from growing up in the countryside in Surrey.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36After giving up his high-flying City job two years ago,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39he now wants to be a garden designer.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43We need to make a few adjustments to get them to the right height.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45We're getting there.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48His design is influenced by New England in America.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51He's using large wooden posts to create his structure
0:17:51 > 0:17:53and to give the garden theatre.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55This competition means so much to me.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58I spent the last couple of years training to become
0:17:58 > 0:18:00a garden designer.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03This really is a competition with a prize
0:18:03 > 0:18:07that is the creme de la creme in garden design
0:18:07 > 0:18:09to design and build it at Chelsea.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11This means everything.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15If I go through, and if I'm successful and win,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18I just, you know, I couldn't be in a better place.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20It's the best opportunity ever.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23All the designers have to include a structure within their gardens
0:18:23 > 0:18:25that gives height.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Paul's large posts are casting a shadow of doubt
0:18:28 > 0:18:30over the other designers.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Structurally, Paul has created these ginormous towers
0:18:33 > 0:18:35which look so impressive, even from a distance.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37As you walk towards, it really stands out.
0:18:37 > 0:18:42So, erm, I thinking maybe I need to go a bit higher!
0:18:42 > 0:18:47Rob is using bug hotels on posts to bring height to his garden
0:18:47 > 0:18:50and to help fill it with wildlife.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52He wants his design to reflect his own move
0:18:52 > 0:18:54from the city to the countryside.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02Right, everybody, time is up today.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Look forward to tomorrow.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11So, end of day one, what do you think?
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- I'm quite excited, aren't you? - I'm really excited.
0:19:14 > 0:19:15And they've really cracked on.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Has anybody really come to the forefront yet?
0:19:17 > 0:19:20That's pretty obvious, isn't it? I mean, look, Paul.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23They're looking at each others because they haven't seen each other's drawings.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Now, seeing what everybody else is doing, "Am I ambitious enough?"
0:19:26 > 0:19:29I think they're starting to question whether their own garden
0:19:29 > 0:19:33is going to be good enough to get them through this round.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35They should all be thinking that.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37They should be worrying what the other people do because this is
0:19:37 > 0:19:41a competition and someone is going home and none of them want to go.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54It's day two and the designers
0:19:54 > 0:19:57need to complete the structural elements of their designs
0:19:57 > 0:20:00as the flowers and shrubs arrive tomorrow.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05The schedule's looking great, I think that I'm...
0:20:05 > 0:20:09You know, the weather's holding up, got to get this gravel
0:20:09 > 0:20:12onto this path and then, just start to think about the planting.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15Yes, I'm happy enough with the way the time's going.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17I put a lot of work in yesterday,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20I felt like I'd really grafted and got the bones of the design in,
0:20:20 > 0:20:25so today, I just want to continue that and kind of get a bit closer to the goal.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28But, yeah, I'm enjoying the process, it's great. So, I'm trying
0:20:28 > 0:20:31not to be too intimidated by what other people are doing.
0:20:31 > 0:20:32BIRDSONG
0:20:34 > 0:20:38My schedule? I guess for the amount of hours, I'm on track...
0:20:38 > 0:20:40so far.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43I'm going to get these posts painted.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Once they've had a second coat,
0:20:46 > 0:20:50start laying the path and the gravel once these are done properly.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- This is coming on. Are you a bit more upbeat today, Jo?- Yeah.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- You seem to be.- Now I can see something going in the ground.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- Yeah, it's looking great. - I'm happy. I love my willow.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- Have you done a course in willow? - Yeah, I made some little animals. - JO LAUGHS
0:21:03 > 0:21:10- Right. OK.- I made a little hare and I made a little angel. Just like me.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- It is so nice to see someone just using a craft though.- Yeah.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- Actually, it's going to give your garden such identity, different from anybody else's.- It is.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Not just a square piece of timber being put in the ground,
0:21:20 > 0:21:22- you're creating something.- Yeah. - It's wonderful.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35I'm significantly happier with how it's looking.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37I've got my gabions set, I've got my two towers set,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39I've got my platform set.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Top bit to go on. And after that, it's the fun bit, which is plants.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44Yeah!
0:21:47 > 0:21:50All the designers are working hard to keep on schedule,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53but the pressure is nothing compared to what the winner
0:21:53 > 0:21:56will experience if they build a garden at Chelsea.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59As Ann-Marie knows only too well.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03I think Chelsea is absolutely the hardest thing that I've ever done.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05You're up against other designers
0:22:05 > 0:22:07and you're constantly looking at each other's plots.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Everybody involved in your plot is at the pinnacle of their careers
0:22:10 > 0:22:13and as the designer, you're in charge.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16You need to make sure that you know exactly what you're doing.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Steph is the youngest designer on site,
0:22:18 > 0:22:23she's never run a team before and her lack of experience is showing.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26As a designer, you don't have to be able to build,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29but you have to be able to instruct other people to do it.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30So, if you get that path down...
0:22:30 > 0:22:33But it's quite important to me, to be a designer, that I have
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- knowledge of what they're doing. - No, totally, absolutely.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38You have knowledge, you know, but at the same time,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41he's going to be able to lay that path a lot quicker than you.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- Yeah, I know.- Listen, I started off as a landscaper, I'm now a designer,
0:22:45 > 0:22:47but I don't build any more.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Because I'm a designer, I get other people to build for me,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52so I use their skills and I delegate to them. Yeah?
0:22:52 > 0:22:54- OK.- And that's what it's all about.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58While Steph is struggling with her construction,
0:22:58 > 0:23:02Sean is already thinking about the finishing details.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05It's getting there. This structure's just about complete.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08I'm just hiding these cable ties with this nice green twine.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11And...ready for the items to go in here
0:23:11 > 0:23:16and to finish the whole thing off. It kind of reminds me,
0:23:16 > 0:23:18in the '70s, people used to have those things on the wall,
0:23:18 > 0:23:20I think they were called a whatnot,
0:23:20 > 0:23:24and people used to collect thimbles, spoons and things in them.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25And I'm thinking my struggle will be
0:23:25 > 0:23:28to kind of leave some of these tins as an empty space,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30as part of the design, cos my temptation will be
0:23:30 > 0:23:34to fill them with lots of knick-knacks, which is not the idea.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36So, I have to be restrained tomorrow
0:23:36 > 0:23:38when I'm completing this part of the design.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50The trees arrive and with them, a new problem for Jo.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54Oh, no, I didn't say it was small. I never lied.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Steph has taken Joe's advice and has started to delegate.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02This one needs finishing and that one. And then...the trellis.
0:24:04 > 0:24:09Oh, that looks lovely. That's the correct perspective, actually, as you had it. It's beautiful.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12I love that, but can I try it there as well, please?
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Sorry. Yeah, yeah.
0:24:20 > 0:24:21STEPH LAUGHS
0:24:25 > 0:24:29- Does it weigh a lot?- Not too much. - No, not at all.- My God!
0:24:29 > 0:24:31I'm amazed it fits!
0:24:32 > 0:24:33Blimey!
0:24:36 > 0:24:40Nearly the end of day two. Do you think anyone's falling behind?
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Yeah, I think that Jo is kind of falling behind.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- But her structure's nearly done! - Yeah, but I think she's got
0:24:45 > 0:24:47an awful lot of work to do with her planting
0:24:47 > 0:24:50to get it up to speed with the rest of the gardeners.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52- Steph?- I'm worried about Steph. Are you worried about Steph?
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- No, I'm not worried about her. - You were never worried about Steph!
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Her paving isn't finished, her pergola isn't finished.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00She is getting all the help she needs. She's good,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03she was directing her build, she knows what she's doing,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06- she's getting all the input she needs.- She is learning to delegate.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09The most exciting thing about today, we had naked gardens yesterday,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12suddenly some trees appeared, some plants appear.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Jo's had her whopping great olive tree arrive.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Two days of hard graft
0:25:23 > 0:25:27and nearly all the structures and landscaping are complete.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Tomorrow, the plants arrive
0:25:29 > 0:25:33and with them the designers' gardens will either flourish or fail.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45It's the third day on site.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Time for planting.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53It's crucial to get this right. Too many? Too few?
0:25:53 > 0:25:56They must be the right height, colours and texture.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00The judges will be scrutinising every decision the designers make.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04In. Now, this is where you kind of go,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06"I hope I got it right first time."
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Yeah, that's fine, cos I'll backfill.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16I love it. I think I've fallen in love with it already.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Perfect. Oh, God! It's too small!
0:26:19 > 0:26:22I'm joking.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Yeah, that is a beautiful cercis, isn't it?
0:26:24 > 0:26:26It is. It's a beautiful colour and I was seduced by it
0:26:26 > 0:26:28- at the garden centre. - That's where you saw it?
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Yeah, I walked past it twice and I said, "I've got to have that."
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Well, that's it. Is it a cottage-garden plant, really?
0:26:34 > 0:26:36Erm...probably not and I'm going to be criticised,
0:26:36 > 0:26:38but I need to be able to justify it. The colour
0:26:38 > 0:26:42goes with the scheme, the branches echo the shape of the arch.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46I don't think I could walk past that without buying it either. It's a lovely plant.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Yesterday, we were looking at what was a building site
0:26:48 > 0:26:52and today, we are looking at a series of developing gardens.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Sean's cercis is, I think, the best tree on site.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58I completely agree with you. It's really rather beautiful.
0:26:58 > 0:26:59It's a really great proportion,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02it's got a wonderful break to the stems, the right size.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04There is a bit of dead, but I was delighted to see
0:27:04 > 0:27:07he was getting his secateurs in and taking away all of that, which is good.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Sean is the king of the detail.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12He is, but in the detail, I have also noticed
0:27:12 > 0:27:14he's got these quite etiolated,
0:27:14 > 0:27:16slightly over, candelabra verbascums,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19which look like they've been perhaps a bit too close together
0:27:19 > 0:27:21at the nursery. I would never have selected them.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24No, he said he was going to put in some things that had gone slightly
0:27:24 > 0:27:26over the top, seed heads and things.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- He's doing what he said he was going to do.- I don't think they'll work,
0:27:29 > 0:27:31simply because of the height if nothing else.
0:27:31 > 0:27:32But, you know, we'll see.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36Paul, his garden is really starting to look like a Cape Cod garden,
0:27:36 > 0:27:38an American cottage garden, which is fab.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41So, he's really considered the whole design
0:27:41 > 0:27:44- right from the start through to the planting. It's cohesive.- Yeah.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Gillian, I really like the vines.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50She's got the vines going around her...her Stonehenge arch.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52I think that works quite well.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56And her garden, which yesterday was looking very sort of sterile,
0:27:56 > 0:27:58now she's putting plants in.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01I absolutely love Gill's garden in one sense,
0:28:01 > 0:28:02because it just makes me smile.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Every time I think about it, it makes me smile,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07but I think the planting is rather muddled and a bit of a jumble.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10I mean, she's just chosen, "I love that! I love that!"
0:28:10 > 0:28:14And I think her scheme is kind of a bit all over the place.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16When I look it now, I'm thinking, "Have I gone too crazy
0:28:16 > 0:28:19"in terms of plant selection, too much variety?"
0:28:19 > 0:28:22Erm...but then, I think...no.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26My argument in my own head, which is the only one that works,
0:28:26 > 0:28:29is that cottage-garden planting can be a bit random and mad and crazy.
0:28:29 > 0:28:34So, as long as the overall effect works, I should... I might be OK.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38But I've not done it like this before ever in my entire life,
0:28:38 > 0:28:41so you know what, this is my first!
0:28:41 > 0:28:43So, what the heck!
0:28:43 > 0:28:46The judges aren't only looking at plant choices.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48They also want to see good horticulture,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51an understanding of how plants work together.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55One of my concerns about your garden is,
0:28:55 > 0:28:57- how do plants grow naturally?- Yeah.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01- You know, you've got a tree, you've got how many shrubs...- Yeah.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04- ..in one square metre? - Yeah, absolutely.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07It looks absolutely crammed. They're not going to survive.
0:29:07 > 0:29:08You know, these judges, it's all,
0:29:08 > 0:29:12"Horticulture, horticulture, horticulture." You're a botanist.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15- Yeah.- Just one main plant under-planted
0:29:15 > 0:29:17- with another block of something else, done.- OK.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Do use your botany and think about
0:29:19 > 0:29:21- how these plants are going to really grow.- OK, thank you.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Tomorrow is judging day.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Good planting could make the difference
0:29:31 > 0:29:33between winning Gold and going home.
0:29:33 > 0:29:39It's a time-consuming process and Steph hasn't even started.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42- How's it going, Steph?- The guys are just showing me how to...
0:29:42 > 0:29:45Lay a block? Why? Why? Steph, this is planting day.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49You've got two landscapers watching you lay a block.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51You've got to let them lay the blocks
0:29:51 > 0:29:54and you've got to start thinking about the plants.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56- You know, it's nearly 11 o'clock. - Yeah, I know.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00- You've got to get these plants going in. You've got to think about...- OK.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02- You've really got to get a move on. - OK.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04You're running out of time.
0:30:09 > 0:30:10- Hi there, Jo.- Hello.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13We've been having a look at your Italian cottage-garden planting,
0:30:13 > 0:30:18and you've got a good mix of herbaceous, herbs, edibles.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20What's the thinking?
0:30:20 > 0:30:23Well, I originally did want more edibles in my garden,
0:30:23 > 0:30:26but they just weren't available, so I had to think,
0:30:26 > 0:30:29"Well, what else reminds me of a typical Italian cottage garden?"
0:30:29 > 0:30:31And the herbs are a big element of it.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34And it smells wonderful in this corner of the garden.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36- English and Italian.- Are you happy with your step-overs?
0:30:36 > 0:30:39- Because if I'm stepping over... - LAUGHTER
0:30:39 > 0:30:46- It's, yeah... So, yes.- They're not tremendously wonderful, are they?
0:30:46 > 0:30:48They're a little bit...probably a little bit high at present.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51But they're not...they're not as I expected them.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53I think they're hop-overs rather than step-overs.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56- Hop.- Yeah, I don't know if that's quite a hop though, is it, James?
0:30:56 > 0:31:00- It's not a very elegant hop.- Yes.- OK.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Can you turn it?
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- More.- Steph has finally begun her planting.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15Keep going.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Keep going.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19But even that's a slow process.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22- No, go back.- Sorry.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25Yeah, that's better.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28None of the designers have ever bought this many plants before
0:31:28 > 0:31:30and some are only now coming to grips
0:31:30 > 0:31:33with how long it takes to plant a show garden.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37We've still got two hours today, Gillian, and three hours tomorrow,
0:31:37 > 0:31:38so we've still got five hours.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42So, that's like 20 plants an hour, we could get 100 plants in.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44I understand your calculations,
0:31:44 > 0:31:46but reverse it back from where we started and average out,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49we'll never get there cos the maths just don't add up.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51- We'll work faster, then.- OK. - LAUGHTER
0:31:51 > 0:31:55I'm going to try various trees around the place, as well.
0:31:55 > 0:31:56Where's my quince tree?
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Jo managed to find alternative plants at the nursery,
0:32:01 > 0:32:05but now she can't decide where she places her new choices.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10Oh, I just can't decide where.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13I don't want it to look too busy in the corner.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16- I just don't like that quince. - JO LAUGHS
0:32:16 > 0:32:18Nothing personal, I just don't like it.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22Decision made. In with the herbs, out with the flowers.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Just there...
0:32:29 > 0:32:31BIRDSONG
0:32:31 > 0:32:32- These pots?- Yeah.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35- Is that it, finished? - Yeah, the pots are finished, I hope.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Obviously, I've got to just tidy away the little soil and...
0:32:38 > 0:32:40- I've got a tip for you. With some of your pebbles...- Yeah?
0:32:40 > 0:32:42Pass over a handful... Right, OK.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- Now this, you're just mulching the pot, OK?- Uh-huh.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Yeah, all the way round. You do it all the way round.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50It's a nice decorative finish,
0:32:50 > 0:32:52but also, yeah, with something like citrus,
0:32:52 > 0:32:54- you're locking the moisture into the plant, yeah?- Yeah.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58You're suppressing any weeds and you're keeping the heat off the roots of the plant, as well.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02So it's good horticulture, and it looks good and ties harmoniously
0:33:02 > 0:33:05- into the rest of your garden. - Thank you. Yeah, I'll follow that.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07- Steph.- Hiya!
0:33:07 > 0:33:11- You have got a job on your hands with those ivies, haven't you?- Yes.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13I wanted clematis "Cezanne",
0:33:13 > 0:33:16but they were about this big, the clematis that they had...
0:33:16 > 0:33:19The ivy will be fine, you've just got to make it look natural.
0:33:19 > 0:33:20And that's going to take time.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23- Isn't it?- Everything is going to take time.- The clematis or this?
0:33:23 > 0:33:26Oh, no, it's all going to take time. And what about the rest of it?
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Cos the colour is beginning to come into this garden,
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- this garden is no longer exclusively brown...- No.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33- ..which must be a nice feeling for you?- It is, yes.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Colour is really important.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38I think, for me, it doesn't need to be perfect, it needs to be bold,
0:33:38 > 0:33:41but the plants individually need to be looked after. For me,
0:33:41 > 0:33:43a cottage garden is overflowing,
0:33:43 > 0:33:46it's feeling encased in the warmth.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48The sunny rudbeckia just making you want to smile.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51That's the whole point of a cottage garden for me.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53We don't want to see any earth.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55You won't see any earth the amount of plants I've got!
0:33:55 > 0:33:57LAUGHTER
0:33:57 > 0:33:59We shall see. We look forward to it.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01- Thank you, Steph.- Bye-bye.- Thank you.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05The designers have to create
0:34:05 > 0:34:07the right visual effect with their plants.
0:34:07 > 0:34:12Cottage show gardens have to look well established and full.
0:34:17 > 0:34:22Jo's decision to remove the flowers has left her with lots of bare soil.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25I wonder if I could use Joe Swift's trick for the whole of my garden?
0:34:25 > 0:34:28- Just cover it in pebbles.- Sorry? - Could I use Joe Swift's trick
0:34:28 > 0:34:31for the whole of my garden and cover the whole thing in pebbles?
0:34:31 > 0:34:34I might have to, I've run out of plants.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44One piece of advice, is your crocosmia,
0:34:44 > 0:34:48they're running all the way through, they're going to drift through?
0:34:48 > 0:34:49Great colour, really good plant,
0:34:49 > 0:34:51but because they're all the same size pots,
0:34:51 > 0:34:53they're incredibly uniform, OK?
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Now, a cottage garden has got to have that feeling as if it's self-seeded,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59the plants have just sort of popped up here and there, right?
0:34:59 > 0:35:01So, pass one over.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06OK. Now, you're just plonking these in all the same size, right?
0:35:06 > 0:35:09Take one out of the pot, you've got loads of them.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11- Split it?- Split it. Yeah?
0:35:11 > 0:35:13Split it into half.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15OK? Split into one. Yeah?
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Just start dropping them in wherever you need them.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21- And then it will just feel...more natural.- More natural.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24- Like it's been there for a while. - Rather than boom, boom, boom,
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- it's going to give a nice flow to the garden.- Uh-huh.- OK?
0:35:35 > 0:35:37BIRDSONG
0:35:37 > 0:35:41End of day three. We now have six gardens with plants.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45- But how do you think they're getting on?- I think that Jo...
0:35:45 > 0:35:48I was excited this morning, but the more her plants have gone in,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51there's loads of gaps and her liatris isn't straight.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54- But it's a sweet plot.- What, you mean, the execution of her planting,
0:35:54 > 0:35:56- you're worried about? - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58And some of the plants look lovely,
0:35:58 > 0:36:01but they're in straight lines if you look at them from the side.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03I think she's panicked slightly about the whole thing
0:36:03 > 0:36:05and she's let the panic take over what she's doing.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08So, as a result, she's sort of lacking attention
0:36:08 > 0:36:10and she's panicking and thinking, "Oh, I've got to get that one in!"
0:36:10 > 0:36:14Without standing back enough and looking at what she's doing.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Although it looks quite cottagey, it's not coming together.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20- She's still got time to pull it back.- What about Paul?
0:36:20 > 0:36:21Paul with his huge white structure.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23Now, when you get some plants in there,
0:36:23 > 0:36:26- it gives a very different feel, doesn't it?- Yeah, it does.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28And he's sort of lost his way, personally,
0:36:28 > 0:36:31at the moment, with the planting, because what it looks like
0:36:31 > 0:36:33he's done is he's lost his confidence a little,
0:36:33 > 0:36:37so he's injected colour and you've got orange and pinks going in.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39And, to me, the garden doesn't need it.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42I think, it's a confidence thing, he's over-compensating.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45I'd like to see those plants ousted to be quite honest,
0:36:45 > 0:36:46the colourful stuff, too bright.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49Oh, you're mean, Ann-Marie. OK, now, Sean's garden.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51He's very confident. You know,
0:36:51 > 0:36:54he seems very in control, very calm,
0:36:54 > 0:36:56he seems to know actually what he's doing.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58- Are there any problems there, at all?- Yes.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01I think there are, cos looking at his brief,
0:37:01 > 0:37:05he's got this lovely story of the coal miner coming back from the pit
0:37:05 > 0:37:07and go into this thing, and the garden is supposed to be
0:37:07 > 0:37:09slightly shabby and slightly overgrown.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12In the middle of it, is this beautifully clipped topiary.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15This is not the idea of a garden that is going over.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17But aren't you just nit-picking now?
0:37:17 > 0:37:20No, I'm not nit-picking, I think it's quite important.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22This is one of the things that he said in his brief is important,
0:37:22 > 0:37:25I don't think it's quite what he said it's going to be.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28Got to stick to your brief or you'll get deducted points,
0:37:28 > 0:37:30there's no doubt about that.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33Now, Steph. OK, she's been struggling, yeah, time-wise,
0:37:33 > 0:37:36but now she's excited, her plants are in there,
0:37:36 > 0:37:38she's got some mad colours. Do they work?
0:37:38 > 0:37:40Yes, I think that they really do.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43There's a mixture of colour and shape and form
0:37:43 > 0:37:45that's what we're looking for in a cottage garden.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47The planting is looking good, it's looking strong.
0:37:47 > 0:37:48But it is very simple,
0:37:48 > 0:37:51it's a path surrounded by a kaleidoscope of plants,
0:37:51 > 0:37:54which look excellent at the moment, but she still got a lot to do
0:37:54 > 0:37:56in her hard landscaping. Her trellis isn't finished.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58I do worry about her finishing.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00I want to finish, I really want her to finish,
0:38:00 > 0:38:03- but I'm not sure she will be able to.- She HAS to finish.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20It's the last day of the competition.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25The fledgling designers have spent three days
0:38:25 > 0:38:28toiling to create their gardens,
0:38:28 > 0:38:31but it's these last few hours of finishing
0:38:31 > 0:38:33that can make all the difference.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36They will be judged on four criteria.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39Design, horticulture, sense of theatre
0:38:39 > 0:38:41and have they met their brief.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44That is, have they achieved what they set out to do?
0:38:47 > 0:38:51Rob is the only designer to create a water feature.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55It's to attract wildlife, but water can be problematic.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00I've been scrubbing everything, each rock and each bit of gravel so that it's got no mud on it,
0:39:00 > 0:39:03cos if that gets into the water, it'll make the water cloudy.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06- Jo, you're right up against it now. - Yeah, I know.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Do you want to ask me anything?
0:39:08 > 0:39:11Yeah, I'd like to ask you whether it's a good idea
0:39:11 > 0:39:12to put bark chip around the edges?
0:39:12 > 0:39:14What on the planting?
0:39:14 > 0:39:18Yeah, around the bases of the planting to hide a few rough edges?
0:39:18 > 0:39:21- Yeah, to hide a few roots?- Yeah. - Something like this here?
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- Yeah, like that sort of thing. - I mean, that is...is bad.- I know.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27That... They're going to mark you down for that,
0:39:27 > 0:39:31so you've got to disguise it somehow. There's quite a lot of 'em showing.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33- I would focus on that. - Yeah. Thank you.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36The gaps and bare earth are a problem
0:39:36 > 0:39:38and Jo needs to find a solution.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43But at least she's close to finishing her garden.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52- Steph, Steph, Steph!- Hello.
0:39:52 > 0:39:53- Not long.- No.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55Is your trellis done, yeah?
0:39:55 > 0:39:57If your trellis isn't done, it doesn't look good.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59I know. I'm just trying to... I hate it.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02I'm not happy, but I'd rather have the overall effect,
0:40:02 > 0:40:05so at least they have an idea of what I'm trying to portray.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Yeah, totally. Listen, if you get your trellis done,
0:40:08 > 0:40:10you've got a couple of plants to go in here, right?
0:40:10 > 0:40:13- Bosh them in. You really are into boshing stage.- Yeah, I am.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16If you get these plants in, get them tied in, get the paving done
0:40:16 > 0:40:18and then start titivating. Yeah?
0:40:18 > 0:40:21I won't have time to titivate, not to my level anyway.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25- Slap it on, just start slapping it on.- Thank you.- OK.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28"Titivating" means taking care of the fine details -
0:40:28 > 0:40:33making sure everything is as good as it can be.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36The judges will be looking at every detail
0:40:36 > 0:40:40and a simple mistake could cost them the chance to go to Chelsea.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47OK, everybody. A mad horticultural half-hour.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49That's all you've got left, half an hour.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54Oh, my God. I'm feeling really nervous
0:40:54 > 0:40:57because I've just seen a lot of other new areas
0:40:57 > 0:41:00that need covering up with soil so I'm going to do that.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03I don't know what the judges are going to be doing, I don't know
0:41:03 > 0:41:07if they're going to be crouching down and peering among the bushes.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11I'm just trying to make everything look as pristine as I possibly can.
0:41:14 > 0:41:19As the pressure mounts, mistakes start to happen.
0:41:19 > 0:41:20What I've managed to do,
0:41:20 > 0:41:23I've managed to snip off one of the few flowers
0:41:23 > 0:41:26so I'm just going to stick it there and hopefully
0:41:26 > 0:41:30they won't touch it and they'll think it's still planted.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33Which looks ridiculous, I know, but...
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Don't fiddle, girl, don't fiddle.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38(Stop, stop, stop it...)
0:41:38 > 0:41:40As an occupational therapist,
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Sean knows how to deal with stress.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45Now, on your brief, you said you were going to have
0:41:45 > 0:41:48plenty of time for yoga in your garden before judging.
0:41:48 > 0:41:49How's the plan?
0:41:49 > 0:41:52Um, I've got about 20 minutes so, yeah,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54I'll get myself on that seat for two minutes.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- Do a bit of sun salutation? - Yeah.- Oh, that's good.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00Maybe the tree would be more appropriate in a garden.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02Well, come on, you've got to get on with the yoga, you know,
0:42:02 > 0:42:06- if you've got it on your brief, you've got to do it.- Thank you.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22Oh, don't worry, I've got it.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40Tools down. Time is up.
0:42:40 > 0:42:45Leave your beautiful creations behind and leave site, please.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47We've done it!
0:42:47 > 0:42:48It's alive!
0:42:48 > 0:42:50LAUGHTER
0:42:52 > 0:42:54I feel like I'm probably going to be out of the competition
0:42:54 > 0:42:58which is a shame because I think my garden has a lot of potential.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02But I didn't have enough time and we all have the same time at the
0:43:02 > 0:43:07end of the day and, you know, I'm going to beat myself up about it.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11I know what needs changing and what's not right
0:43:11 > 0:43:15so I can understand if the judges say, "You're going home."
0:43:15 > 0:43:17I'm just wondering if I've done enough.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20There's some beautiful gardens there and mine's looking a bit small.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22There's so many big structures around, I'm worried mine
0:43:22 > 0:43:24looks a bit dwarfed in comparison.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27'I'm amazed that I've managed to create something that looks
0:43:27 > 0:43:29'beautiful out of a bare patch of earth.'
0:43:29 > 0:43:31Just to get the opportunity to do that again
0:43:31 > 0:43:35and get more critique and more feedback will be great.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37For me, it's an opportunity of a lifetime,
0:43:37 > 0:43:40without a shadow of a doubt, that's not overplaying it.
0:43:40 > 0:43:45This time last year, I was still a civil servant, employed.
0:43:45 > 0:43:49So, less than a year later, to be sitting in Harlow Carr,
0:43:49 > 0:43:53having built a garden, it's just incredible.
0:44:02 > 0:44:04It's time for judging.
0:44:06 > 0:44:11Weeks of designing and planning, followed by four back-breaking days,
0:44:11 > 0:44:13have led to this point.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19Now, Ann-Marie and James will cast their expert eyes
0:44:19 > 0:44:23over the gardens and pass their verdict.
0:44:27 > 0:44:31Paul pushed the boundaries of the cottage garden style
0:44:31 > 0:44:36with a New England-inspired garden dominated by his large structures.
0:44:37 > 0:44:40He's planted blue and white agapanthus,
0:44:40 > 0:44:43pheasant's tail grass and wisteria
0:44:43 > 0:44:46but have they softened the effect of his white posts
0:44:46 > 0:44:49and bought the garden into scale?
0:44:49 > 0:44:52I think what's interesting about it is it's not a pastiche, is it?
0:44:52 > 0:44:54You know, there's New England cottage garden
0:44:54 > 0:44:56and it's got this sort of essence of it.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59It's got the white picket fence but without the pickets
0:44:59 > 0:45:01and then these structures that...
0:45:01 > 0:45:03I was very worried about the scale of them.
0:45:03 > 0:45:07I think they are slightly too large still. But ambitious, aren't they?
0:45:07 > 0:45:08He's taken it to a new level.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11He's designed a garden that works for him
0:45:11 > 0:45:14and I think that's wonderful to see, especially in the first round.
0:45:14 > 0:45:16You know, it's really hard, finishing,
0:45:16 > 0:45:18and then just being taken away,
0:45:18 > 0:45:21I kinda want to stay with it and just have an hour or so with me
0:45:21 > 0:45:24- and my baby.- Yeah, it is your baby. - Yeah, it really feels like that.
0:45:24 > 0:45:26But your baby's being judged.
0:45:26 > 0:45:29I think the juxtaposition of the shapes down here works well,
0:45:29 > 0:45:32but the colour, I think it might be a bit too vibrant.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34But if we look at our brief and things like that,
0:45:34 > 0:45:36how do you think he's interpreted the story
0:45:36 > 0:45:38because I think he's done a wonderful job, actually?
0:45:38 > 0:45:42- It's undoubtedly theatrical. - Oh! Theatre, wonderful.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45But I have a real problem just here in that this is really, really tight.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48- Yep.- I mean, the idea was that it's a quiet room,
0:45:48 > 0:45:51it's somewhere where you're supposed to come and sit
0:45:51 > 0:45:53and there's no room for two people in there.
0:45:55 > 0:45:59Sean's brief was to create a coal miner's cottage garden.
0:46:01 > 0:46:04He's chosen plants from a muted colour palette -
0:46:04 > 0:46:09nepeta and heuchera...
0:46:09 > 0:46:11phlox...
0:46:11 > 0:46:13and blue sea holly.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16But he has taken a risk
0:46:16 > 0:46:20and used some plants that are past their best -
0:46:20 > 0:46:23mint and verbascum that have gone to seed
0:46:23 > 0:46:25along with allium seed heads.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29They fit in with his brief, but is it a detail too far?
0:46:30 > 0:46:33I'm standing in a coal miner's cottage garden.
0:46:33 > 0:46:34I have no doubt about that.
0:46:34 > 0:46:40I feel very, very sure that his narrative is absolutely spot on.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43I'm surprised at how eloquent it is, actually.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46No, I absolutely agree with you. I think it's a lovely story.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49How does it feel now that the judges are on your garden?
0:46:49 > 0:46:52I mean, you handed it over in a way.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54I just hope they like it and I hope they can see
0:46:54 > 0:46:56the level of detail that I've tried to put in there, really.
0:46:56 > 0:47:01Theatre is absolutely top notch in this garden, I have to say.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04I do think that he could relax maybe a little bit, do you think,
0:47:04 > 0:47:08- with the planting?- I have a slight problem with his planting,
0:47:08 > 0:47:12it has to be said, and it's basically the fact that, in his brief,
0:47:12 > 0:47:16he said that the coal miner was basically too busy to do much
0:47:16 > 0:47:19gardening and you arrive at the place and it's pretty much perfect.
0:47:19 > 0:47:23It's almost too perfect and he also said that it was a garden
0:47:23 > 0:47:24that was just past its best,
0:47:24 > 0:47:26that was just going over the top and going to seed -
0:47:26 > 0:47:29I don't see that here, I see perfection.
0:47:29 > 0:47:31I have to disagree, James, on that score.
0:47:31 > 0:47:33I mean look, look what I'm standing in front of.
0:47:33 > 0:47:35You've got all of this verbascum which is completely over.
0:47:35 > 0:47:36I know, but that's all.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39No, no, there's some seed heads down here, as well,
0:47:39 > 0:47:43- so there are little touches here and there.- Hang on.
0:47:43 > 0:47:46- Those are seed heads that are arranged, they're not natural.- Mm-hm.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49But look at all of the attention to detail, I think that's a good thing.
0:47:49 > 0:47:51Look, we've even got eggs in the bird's nests.
0:47:51 > 0:47:55That's dressing, that's set dressing and that's theatre.
0:47:55 > 0:47:58Which is part of theatre and it's part of Chelsea.
0:47:58 > 0:48:01I think we've agreed that the theatre is sensational.
0:48:03 > 0:48:05Steph kept her design simple
0:48:05 > 0:48:08and wanted to create a higgledy-piggledy garden
0:48:08 > 0:48:10filled with a huge variety of plants.
0:48:10 > 0:48:12It is a riot of colour.
0:48:12 > 0:48:17She's stuffed it full of typical cottage garden flowers -
0:48:17 > 0:48:21yellow rudbeckia, orange crocosmia,
0:48:21 > 0:48:24hot-pink salvia, achillea,
0:48:24 > 0:48:27agastache...
0:48:27 > 0:48:29verbena bonariensis
0:48:29 > 0:48:31and echinacea.
0:48:31 > 0:48:34Bad time management plagued Steph throughout the build,
0:48:34 > 0:48:38but did she leave enough time to plant it properly?
0:48:38 > 0:48:40I think this area is really well placed,
0:48:40 > 0:48:43I think she's considered the plant associations.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45They're considered.
0:48:45 > 0:48:47Not quite so sure if it echoes on this side.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50I think that was because all the way through, she was pushing,
0:48:50 > 0:48:53she was pushing, she was rushing and I think that this bit was done first
0:48:53 > 0:48:57when she thought she had lots of time and this bit was done in a hurry.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00I was always worried about her time and she hasn't finished.
0:49:00 > 0:49:02But the design is very safe, isn't it?
0:49:02 > 0:49:05I mean, there's nothing particularly difficult
0:49:05 > 0:49:07and yet she was still racing along.
0:49:07 > 0:49:09It's a path and a couple of beds, basically,
0:49:09 > 0:49:12so it's not a sophisticated design but it's effective design.
0:49:12 > 0:49:14You should be really, really proud of yourself.
0:49:14 > 0:49:17You've worked so hard and you've created a lovely garden.
0:49:17 > 0:49:20And it's a cottage garden you've created, don't you think?
0:49:20 > 0:49:25Yeah, I'd like to think that it's relatively cottage-style but,
0:49:25 > 0:49:27- yeah, I can see loads wrong with it. - Just really unfinished.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30This side again, which you said was the better side,
0:49:30 > 0:49:32it falls over the paving rather nicely. Here, it's all,
0:49:32 > 0:49:34"Oh, quick. Bang, bang, bang, sweep it."
0:49:34 > 0:49:36We don't want to any earth at the edge, do we?
0:49:36 > 0:49:38We want to see plants in the cottage garden,
0:49:38 > 0:49:41we want them to be tickling our ankles.
0:49:41 > 0:49:46Jo wanted her garden to be a mixture of edibles and flowering plants.
0:49:46 > 0:49:51But she struggled at the nursery and had to adapt her planting plan.
0:49:51 > 0:49:55In the end, she used achillea, honeysuckle and roses
0:49:55 > 0:49:58and combined them with some edibles -
0:49:58 > 0:50:00an orange tree and lots of herbs.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04But has she used enough of the right plants
0:50:04 > 0:50:07to create a sense of theatre?
0:50:07 > 0:50:09This is England into Italy.
0:50:09 > 0:50:13- And does it feel very cottagey? - Yes, it does.
0:50:13 > 0:50:16I think, all the way along, it's been cottagey,
0:50:16 > 0:50:17and that's mostly because of this,
0:50:17 > 0:50:21because of this rather wonderful thing that Jo actually made.
0:50:21 > 0:50:22It's a home-spun structure
0:50:22 > 0:50:24and that's what you want to see in a cottage garden.
0:50:24 > 0:50:29- That looks kind of squeezy to me. - It's very tight, it's very tight.
0:50:29 > 0:50:34I mean, it's a lovely structure but it's very difficult to walk through.
0:50:34 > 0:50:36I was worried it wouldn't be tall enough.
0:50:36 > 0:50:37You can't get willow any taller than that.
0:50:37 > 0:50:39When we're looking at theatre,
0:50:39 > 0:50:42It's not one of the gardens that you walk into and you go...
0:50:42 > 0:50:44- HE GASPS - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:50:44 > 0:50:46Oh, God, I can't bear it. I'm not looking.
0:50:46 > 0:50:49You can't look? You don't have to.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51I'm not looking. I'm not looking.
0:50:51 > 0:50:53There's an awful lot of earth visible.
0:50:53 > 0:50:55I mean, it'd be nice if it had that mulch,
0:50:55 > 0:50:57maybe the gravel could have come through.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59Maybe she could have just had more plants.
0:50:59 > 0:51:01So, what about the plant choice?
0:51:01 > 0:51:02SHE EXHALES
0:51:02 > 0:51:04I think the plants are a bit disparate.
0:51:04 > 0:51:05I mean, they're not grouped.
0:51:05 > 0:51:07We don't have any height so you don't have
0:51:07 > 0:51:10that kind of jolly joviality that you expect in a cottage garden.
0:51:10 > 0:51:14I like these herbs though, I think that works really rather neatly.
0:51:14 > 0:51:16- Yeah.- That rose there upon that tripod is
0:51:16 > 0:51:18a very pretty little touch.
0:51:18 > 0:51:20- I think it's a gorgeous rose. - Yeah, really beautiful.
0:51:22 > 0:51:23Rob wanted his garden
0:51:23 > 0:51:26to reflect his move from the city to the countryside.
0:51:28 > 0:51:31He used his background as a botanist to pack his garden
0:51:31 > 0:51:34with plants that will attract wildlife.
0:51:34 > 0:51:38White hydrangeas and campanula...
0:51:38 > 0:51:42verbascum, purple scabious,
0:51:42 > 0:51:45nepeta and French lavender.
0:51:46 > 0:51:50But has his love of plants made him cram in too many
0:51:50 > 0:51:52and forget his horticulture?
0:51:52 > 0:51:53I'll go in.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56I'd like to stay outside because I want to look at this border
0:51:56 > 0:51:58because I thought that they were really beautifully full,
0:51:58 > 0:52:01but I think he might have overstuffed them.
0:52:01 > 0:52:02But with some great plants, actually,
0:52:02 > 0:52:04and it's really alive with flower, isn't it?
0:52:04 > 0:52:07But the theatre though, James, what do you think?
0:52:07 > 0:52:08I want to get in there.
0:52:08 > 0:52:10Come from the entrance here, I'll go out this way.
0:52:10 > 0:52:11Are you worried about the height?
0:52:11 > 0:52:14Yeah, if you look at the other gardens, the structures are much
0:52:14 > 0:52:17taller than mine so that was one of my other worries, as well.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20You know that one of the things we were concerned about before
0:52:20 > 0:52:23was whether there was going to be enough height and scale in that corner.
0:52:23 > 0:52:25- Fabulous, fabulous. - And that has lifted it right up.
0:52:25 > 0:52:29You've got homes for bugs, for birds, all of the material is
0:52:29 > 0:52:32really working hard attracting insects in there.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34I'm going to include the lawn on the planting
0:52:34 > 0:52:36and there were two things about the lawn.
0:52:36 > 0:52:38Firstly, I do think it's too small.
0:52:38 > 0:52:41Secondly, I'm very worried about the way that the plants fall onto
0:52:41 > 0:52:45- the lawn the way that they do. - You'd mow the flowers off, wouldn't you,
0:52:45 > 0:52:47actually, when you were cutting the grass.
0:52:47 > 0:52:49- How you would mow it, I do not know. - No, I agree.- Eh, pond?
0:52:49 > 0:52:52He's the only contributor who has actually used any water in any of
0:52:52 > 0:52:55his gardens and for your first shot, I think that's quite ambitious.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58I'm enjoying that. You need water if you're going to have wildlife
0:52:58 > 0:53:00and he's thought about the garden,
0:53:00 > 0:53:03as far as that's concerned, on every single level as far as I can see.
0:53:07 > 0:53:11Gillian took a gamble with her vision of a Turkish cottage garden.
0:53:11 > 0:53:15She wanted to create a Turkish carpet with flowers
0:53:15 > 0:53:19and used pink echinacea and orange rudbeckia,
0:53:19 > 0:53:20salvia seed heads,
0:53:20 > 0:53:22Japanese anemone,
0:53:22 > 0:53:24agastache,
0:53:24 > 0:53:27purple verbena and dahlias.
0:53:27 > 0:53:34It's an explosion of colour but has her planting delivered her brief?
0:53:36 > 0:53:39The planting, there are a lot of mistakes and problems.
0:53:39 > 0:53:40It's a jumble.
0:53:40 > 0:53:43It's a carpet, it's supposed to be a carpet which I was expecting
0:53:43 > 0:53:48something sort of neater and tighter and in fact, what it is, it's...
0:53:48 > 0:53:50OK, I'm going to be brutally honest at this point,
0:53:50 > 0:53:55and I have a fearful worry that this garden is basically a mess.
0:53:55 > 0:53:56What are you worried about?
0:53:59 > 0:54:03The finish. I'm not the most neat and tidy person in the entire world.
0:54:03 > 0:54:07- You're looking nice and neat and tidy now.- No, I'm filthy-dirty.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10If we think about her brief, it's a Turkish cottage garden
0:54:10 > 0:54:14and that's a risk and a mess just to begin with so has she done it?
0:54:14 > 0:54:17- Has she created a Turkish cottage garden?- Well, do you know?
0:54:17 > 0:54:20I have to say that this does remind me of a carpet
0:54:20 > 0:54:23and it's bizarre and I can't believe it myself.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26But these are kind of the threads, we've got the jewel-like colours,
0:54:26 > 0:54:29we've got the edging and it's joyful.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31She's loved it, she's done it with passion.
0:54:31 > 0:54:34You have very lumpy carpets, Ann-Marie. SHE CHUCKLES
0:54:34 > 0:54:35But it's an inspiration.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38It's not a literal translation, it's an inspiration.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41So, one of the things that I do really like about this garden
0:54:41 > 0:54:44is she has set her brief, she's gone at it, it looks a bit untidy,
0:54:44 > 0:54:47but there is a story and it's a very clear narrative.
0:54:47 > 0:54:50The other thing I like about it is theatre.
0:54:50 > 0:54:53It undoubtedly has lots and lots of that. It has a wonderful entrance.
0:54:53 > 0:54:54You come in and you've got this big...
0:54:54 > 0:54:57HE SIGHS I'm not quite sure what it's for
0:54:57 > 0:55:01but this big sort of triumphal arch with sandbags at the bottom of it,
0:55:01 > 0:55:03and I love, actually, the buckets hanging off it.
0:55:03 > 0:55:07I think that's extraordinarily theatrical and it's an innovative use
0:55:07 > 0:55:09of plants and it's the sort of thing that you would see
0:55:09 > 0:55:13maybe in a Turkish house with things hanging off in tins.
0:55:13 > 0:55:16But then if you sort of take a step back and look at it
0:55:16 > 0:55:18sort of scientifically, it's still a mess.
0:55:18 > 0:55:21Horticulturally, there are, as you pointed out,
0:55:21 > 0:55:23a lot of things that I would worry about.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26- This is a tough one, you know. - It is, they're all tough.
0:55:26 > 0:55:27Let's judge.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34Having scrutinised all six gardens,
0:55:34 > 0:55:37the judges now have to decide who gets Judges' Gold
0:55:37 > 0:55:42and whose dream of designing a garden at Chelsea ends here.
0:55:42 > 0:55:46To know, that in a very short of time, I could be sent home is...
0:55:46 > 0:55:48Yeah, it's not a nice feeling.
0:55:53 > 0:55:57It would mean the world to me to get through to the next round.
0:56:02 > 0:56:06Going home would be really, really upsetting.
0:56:12 > 0:56:15I want to definitely carry on. I do not want to go home, absolutely.
0:56:19 > 0:56:20- OK. Thank you.- Mm.
0:56:30 > 0:56:34Thank you all for coming. It's been a wonderful few days.
0:56:34 > 0:56:38We hope you've all enjoyed it and learned a lot.
0:56:38 > 0:56:41The judges have decided...
0:56:41 > 0:56:42that Sean...
0:56:45 > 0:56:51- ..you have won the Judges' Gold Medal award. Congratulations.- Thank you.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54- Congratulations.- Congratulations.
0:56:55 > 0:56:58Sean took a risk and it paid off.
0:56:58 > 0:57:01He delivered on his brief and design.
0:57:01 > 0:57:04His plant choice and attention to detail impressed the judges
0:57:04 > 0:57:08who felt his plot really did evoke a coal miner's garden.
0:57:09 > 0:57:12I feel absolutely amazing to have had that
0:57:12 > 0:57:15recognition from the judges who are at the top of their game, that they
0:57:15 > 0:57:19singled my garden out to receive a little bit of extra praise
0:57:19 > 0:57:22so, yeah, I'm ecstatic, I'm gobsmacked.
0:57:22 > 0:57:24It's a fantastic feeling.
0:57:24 > 0:57:28As you all know, one of you will be leaving us today.
0:57:31 > 0:57:34The judges have decided...
0:57:34 > 0:57:36the person...
0:57:36 > 0:57:39who will not be going to Chelsea...
0:57:44 > 0:57:46- ..is Jo.- OK.
0:57:46 > 0:57:48- Thank you so much, Jo. - No, that's all right.
0:57:48 > 0:57:53- We hope you enjoyed it and keep designing gardens.- Thank you.
0:57:53 > 0:57:54Well done.
0:57:54 > 0:57:56Jo created a cottage garden,
0:57:56 > 0:58:00but her planting and plant choice let her down.
0:58:00 > 0:58:03There was very little height and there was too much bare soil.
0:58:03 > 0:58:08The judges decided it lacked the theatre that a show garden needs.
0:58:08 > 0:58:11Ahh, I'm really disappointed. I'm just feeling tired.
0:58:11 > 0:58:13It's been really hard work.
0:58:13 > 0:58:15I am very much looking forward to seeing my kids
0:58:15 > 0:58:19and to actually have some time off to sleep.
0:58:19 > 0:58:21It'll be really nice so, yeah, I'm looking forward to that.
0:58:21 > 0:58:23I definitely thought I was going home.
0:58:23 > 0:58:28I think I escaped that by the skin of my teeth so very relieved.
0:58:29 > 0:58:33Next time, the designers tackle formal gardens...
0:58:33 > 0:58:37The structures are one thing but if the planting's not right, forget it.
0:58:37 > 0:58:38..get to grips with topiary...
0:58:38 > 0:58:39It's just so big!
0:58:39 > 0:58:42..but for one designer, it's the end of the road.
0:58:42 > 0:58:45The person that will not be going to Chelsea...