0:00:02 > 0:00:04There are few sights more satisfying than a beautiful garden,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07but what do you do if your outdoor space
0:00:07 > 0:00:11isn't quite so picture-perfect and you're short on time?
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Well, meet the Instant Gardener.
0:00:13 > 0:00:14De-dah!
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Danny Clarke is an expert at transforming gardens.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Here's my plan...
0:00:19 > 0:00:21I'm going to rejuvenate this garden.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Each time our gardening guru will show you how to create
0:00:24 > 0:00:26gorgeous garden makeovers.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29That's the art of garden design - delegation.
0:00:29 > 0:00:34Each transformation will be packed with brilliant ideas and tips...
0:00:34 > 0:00:36It makes it easier to cut through.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39..to help you get to grips with your own outdoor space.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42It does feel unnatural, but take your time.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44With his magical ideas...
0:00:44 > 0:00:47These flowers will look like they're floating in amongst the grasses...
0:00:47 > 0:00:51..and advice on spending wisely on a budget.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53- That's why Danny makes me bring a list!- OK.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Oh, my word!
0:00:55 > 0:00:56This is amazing!
0:00:56 > 0:01:00And because he's the INSTANT gardener, everything you see
0:01:00 > 0:01:03will happen in just one day.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Oh, my gosh!
0:01:05 > 0:01:06That looks so much better!
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Today we're in South London -
0:01:15 > 0:01:18welcome to Croydon and its dramatic urban skyline.
0:01:20 > 0:01:21Dominated by large office blocks,
0:01:21 > 0:01:23it's a bustling commercial centre,
0:01:23 > 0:01:25an important transport hub,
0:01:25 > 0:01:27and home to more than 50,000 people...
0:01:30 > 0:01:33..many of whom have created their own small garden paradises
0:01:33 > 0:01:36as a retreat from the hectic metropolis.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41We've come to a quiet residential street in Croydon
0:01:41 > 0:01:43to meet a very special lady
0:01:43 > 0:01:46who is longing for a garden paradise
0:01:46 > 0:01:48that will take her back to her own roots.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Hello. Hi, Helen. How are you?
0:01:57 > 0:01:59I'm very good. Nice to meet you.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Nice to meet you, too. Come on in.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Thank you. Let's have a look at this garden.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Carmen is a much-loved, hard-working grandmother
0:02:08 > 0:02:11who gives much of her time to the community
0:02:11 > 0:02:13by working at a local hospital.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17For the last few years she's also been busy bringing up
0:02:17 > 0:02:19her granddaughter Shanice.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26Seven years ago, Carmen lost her daughter, Natasha - Shanice's mother - in a house fire.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Since the death of Natasha,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32Carmen has been Shanice's guardian and parent,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35raising her throughout the rest of her childhood
0:02:35 > 0:02:38to become the thriving young woman she is today.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43It was Shanice who contacted The Instant Gardner
0:02:43 > 0:02:45to ask for help in giving her grandmother
0:02:45 > 0:02:49a garden that would take her back to her roots in Jamaica,
0:02:49 > 0:02:53a place where family can be together and remember.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Carmen's recently moved into a new home,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03hoping to put her family tragedy behind her,
0:03:03 > 0:03:07but her new garden is a complete and utter mess,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09and totally overgrown.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14In the corner, there's a rickety old arbour that's seen better days.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17There's an old pergola that runs along one side of the garden,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19with what used to be
0:03:19 > 0:03:21a path beneath it.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24The centrepiece is an ornamental pond full of duckweed,
0:03:24 > 0:03:28and surrounded by an assortment of rubbish and unkempt rockeries.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31But it does have some redeeming features,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33including the fact that the patio faces east
0:03:33 > 0:03:35and gets the morning sun.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Because this garden is so full of junk,
0:03:44 > 0:03:46and Danny has only 10 hours to improve it,
0:03:46 > 0:03:51we've allowed him the special privilege of a pre-makeover clear up -
0:03:51 > 0:03:54and with very bad weather forecast, it's an extra blessing.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03It's a moody makeover morning
0:04:03 > 0:04:07and Carmen's granddaughter Shanice is on hand to help Danny out.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10But now it's time for us all to find out just what Carmen
0:04:10 > 0:04:14wants from her instant garden transformation.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18- Rain doesn't stop our team, does it, Danny?- Hello, Helen! How are you?
0:04:18 > 0:04:20I'm good! Tell me about this garden.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22It looks like you've been pretty busy.
0:04:22 > 0:04:23How different was it yesterday?
0:04:23 > 0:04:26You could hardly move through it, it was so overgrown.
0:04:26 > 0:04:27So many nasties everywhere.
0:04:27 > 0:04:28Is that fair?
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Absolutely.
0:04:30 > 0:04:31The garden was a jungle.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33So why haven't you done anything to it?
0:04:33 > 0:04:35You've done a lot of work in the house,
0:04:35 > 0:04:37why haven't you touched the garden?
0:04:37 > 0:04:38It was such a huge job
0:04:38 > 0:04:42and I wasn't able to do anything because I have a bad back.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Now, I know you're back's not been well, but I also suspect
0:04:44 > 0:04:46you are quite a busy lady.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48How hard does she work, Shanice?
0:04:48 > 0:04:50My grandma works really hard.
0:04:50 > 0:04:51She works all the time
0:04:51 > 0:04:53and I don't really see her very often.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56You're always volunteering and doing things for other people,
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- so no time for the garden?- Yes.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01I rarely have time for myself or the garden,
0:05:01 > 0:05:03because I'm always working.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04I can do long hours.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09I can work from 7am until 9pm, so there's hardly any time.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11What would you love to see out here?
0:05:11 > 0:05:15I would love to have a garden to remind me of my childhood days,
0:05:15 > 0:05:17when I was in Jamaica.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19A tropical garden.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22So, when did you move over here from Jamaica?
0:05:22 > 0:05:26I came here when I was, like, 13 years old.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28What do you reckon then, Danny?
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Can you take Carmen back to her teenage and childhood years
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- and remind her of Jamaica? - I hope so. I've got a plan here.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38And there's a list in this plan that is going to make your garden look fantastic.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- OK.- So, happy shopping. - We'll go and do the shopping.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- We can cope with that.- OK. - See you later.- All the best. Bye.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Whilst I whisk Carmen away for shopping and inspiration,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Danny's challenge is to create
0:05:50 > 0:05:54a tropical paradise designed to transport her
0:05:54 > 0:05:56to her childhood home in Jamaica.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58But with just 10 hours to do it,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01he's got a tough job, to say the least.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03So what's the plan, Dan?
0:06:03 > 0:06:05Carmen would like a tropical garden.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08A garden that's going to remind her of her homeland.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10So what we're going to do is create a journey for her.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13And this is the start of the journey.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18So by building a path for her, we're going to come
0:06:18 > 0:06:21in this direction and then bear left.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23With the pond again on our right-hand side,
0:06:23 > 0:06:25we're going to do a right-hand turn
0:06:25 > 0:06:27through the pergola.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31And look at this lovely fence that we've exposed.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33It was completely covered in nasties.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35We're coming back this way.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Pond on the right-hand side, till we get to here,
0:06:38 > 0:06:41and then we've reached Jamaica.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43What a lovely tropical paradise.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45The way we're going to create that
0:06:45 > 0:06:47is by bleeding gravel through this area,
0:06:47 > 0:06:49and up, popping through the gravel, is going to be
0:06:49 > 0:06:51lovely, hardy exotics -
0:06:51 > 0:06:53bamboos, tree ferns, grasses...
0:06:53 > 0:06:56to give us that jungly effect.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58How fantastic is that going to look?
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Sounds amazing, Danny.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04But if you're going to create another country in a day,
0:07:04 > 0:07:06you'd better get on with it.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08And with two major jobs to negotiate -
0:07:08 > 0:07:11an extensive garden path and a complicated tropical planting plan -
0:07:11 > 0:07:13there's no time to lose!
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Luckily, Danny's team - handyman AJ
0:07:17 > 0:07:19and horticulturalist Lou -
0:07:19 > 0:07:21are here to help with this tropical transformation.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Today he's also got Shanice, as well as her boyfriend, Luke,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29who has arrived ready and willing to get his hands dirty.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Good job, too, as Danny immediately commandeers him
0:07:32 > 0:07:36to help with the biggest landscaping job he's planned -
0:07:36 > 0:07:37creating a new garden path.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42First of all, using marker paint,
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Danny draws the outline of the path which will traverse the length of the garden.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Following right behind him is handyman AJ
0:07:48 > 0:07:51who is digging the trench for the path edging.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Now the trench has been dug,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Danny's going to use one of his favourite quick fixes...
0:07:58 > 0:08:02This aluminium flexible edging should speed up this tricky job
0:08:02 > 0:08:05before the garden turns into a bog.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09As you can see, the boys are putting in this lovely aluminium edging.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12This is going to make the edge of the path.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14You can make this in any shape you like.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Now, if you look closely, you've got these little grooves
0:08:16 > 0:08:18which means you can interlock it
0:08:18 > 0:08:20to make it nice and seamless,
0:08:20 > 0:08:22and you just add pegs in here
0:08:22 > 0:08:23and that keeps it nice and secure.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Sounds simple enough, but Luke needs a lesson in edging, first.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30If you look at these grooves...
0:08:30 > 0:08:32here...you can just slide it in.
0:08:32 > 0:08:33Yeah.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36There we go.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38If you can just lift it slightly for me... That's it.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41We've got it exactly right. So that's it nicely in the groove.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- Yeah.- Now we can adjust the length
0:08:44 > 0:08:47by sliding it either inwards, like this...
0:08:47 > 0:08:49or outwards, like that.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Lesson two for Danny's young assistant
0:08:51 > 0:08:54is how to make a neat bend in the edging.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Might be a bit trickier.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59So, we're going to go through the process again...
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- with an angle in it. - OK.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04So what I'm going to do is just
0:09:04 > 0:09:06put it roughly in the position to where I want it to be...
0:09:06 > 0:09:10So now I know it roughly wants to go at right angles
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- from that point.- Just there. - That's brilliant.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Keep your finger on that edge...
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- We need to turn it over the other way.- OK.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20I've put this foot on this post
0:09:20 > 0:09:22to make a nice clean right angle,
0:09:22 > 0:09:24till we've got it
0:09:24 > 0:09:26to where we want it to be.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28So, Luke, you see a nice neat bend,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31almost at a right angle. That's all we need. Nice and simple.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33With a bit of luck...
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- ..we should he able to... - I've got this end.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Now we're going to slide it back in...
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- That's perfect.- I think we've got it there, haven't we?
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- Absolutely brilliant. Do you reckon you can do this on your own?- Yeah.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48OK, Luke. Let's go for it.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51As Luke gets to grips with edging the path,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Danny starts Shanice off with clearing the old pond.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00We want to clear this pond because it's full of duckweed and rubbish.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02So we're going to use this net.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04So skim it over the surface.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09Try and be mindful of any animals - frogs, etc - that might be in here.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Never mind if you catch one or two
0:10:11 > 0:10:13because we'll give them a second chance.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15So if they end up in this bucket,
0:10:15 > 0:10:18like this, right, we can just turn it to one side
0:10:18 > 0:10:21and they can make their own way out on their own free will.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- OK.- OK?
0:10:23 > 0:10:24While Shanice is pond-clearing,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Danny wants to find out just how important grandmother Carmen
0:10:27 > 0:10:30has been to Shanice since the death of her mother
0:10:30 > 0:10:32in a terrible accident.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36So why did you call us in for your grandmother? What was the reason behind it?
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Well, we've been living together for quite a long time now.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41It's been about seven years or so.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Just because she took me in after my mum passed away.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47So, we've just been together quite a lot and I just wanted her
0:10:47 > 0:10:49to have a really nice garden.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52She gives so much back to the community,
0:10:52 > 0:10:54and she has been doing so for such a long time -
0:10:54 > 0:10:56ever since I can remember, really.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58I really think that this is something that she deserves.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00She sounds like an amazing woman.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02We'll get this garden finished.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- Mind out for those frogs. - OK. Will do!
0:11:05 > 0:11:08It really does sound like Carmen will get a lot
0:11:08 > 0:11:10out of her new garden.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14Leaving Danny and the team to carry on their race against time and the weather,
0:11:14 > 0:11:15I've got a treat for Carmen.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18I want to give her an opportunity to be inspired
0:11:18 > 0:11:22and get a real sense of what her new tropical garden might be like.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24I've brought her to a local garden
0:11:24 > 0:11:27that has all the elements of a Caribbean hideaway -
0:11:27 > 0:11:29including the tropical rain!
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Carmen, before we get started on Danny's list,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34I wanted you to see a garden
0:11:34 > 0:11:39and realise how beautiful and exotic a tropical garden can be in London.
0:11:39 > 0:11:40OK.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- Do you trust us?- Fully.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43You will after this.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48This sumptuous sanctuary in Camberwell
0:11:48 > 0:11:50is the brainchild of Clive Pankhurst,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53a former botany student who loves jungle plants.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Right.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Come and have a look at this oasis, Carmen.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05Wow.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08This is excellent.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12You kind of don't expect it in a back garden, do you, in London?
0:12:12 > 0:12:13No!
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- Clive!- Hi.- Hello.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- What an oasis!- Thank you.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24It's great, isn't it?
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- Beautiful.- Does this remind you of Jamaica?
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Very much so. All the greenery and the space
0:12:30 > 0:12:32and the different colours.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36Thank you. Well, it's really just getting going again at the moment.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39It's very much kind of a summer garden.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41What you've got at the moment are the very hardy plants
0:12:41 > 0:12:44that form the framework of the jungle garden here.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48Whilst Clive offers tropical tips and gives us a tour
0:12:48 > 0:12:49of his urban jungle,
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Danny is still at the very beginning of his labour of love.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Back in the garden, the team are three hours into the day,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59and they still haven't finished with the fiddly edging
0:12:59 > 0:13:02for the new garden path. The day will be over before they know it!
0:13:02 > 0:13:05They've got to get a move on! Come on, team!
0:13:05 > 0:13:09The last thing we have to do now is knock the stakes in.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11As you can see, we've got the outline of the path now.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14If you look around, it's all in, all in place,
0:13:14 > 0:13:16so let's just move in over here...
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- AJ, can I take the mallet from you? - Certainly.- Thank you very much.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- There you are, Luke. - Cheers.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- And if you just continue around here.- OK.- Knocking them in.- Cool.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26And then...
0:13:28 > 0:13:32Whilst the rest of the team have been tackling the hard landscaping,
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Carmen's granddaughter Shanice has been on pond duty.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40And she's come across something interesting.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Danny, I've found a frog!
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Let's come and have a look.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Ah! Lovely frog.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48With the frog given his freedom,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51he makes his way back to his old habitat.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54But Danny's concerned that the pond plant-life
0:13:54 > 0:13:56is looking a little restricted, too.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58As always, he's got a tip.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Recycling is at the heart of everything that Danny does,
0:14:01 > 0:14:05and he's got a plan to make Carmen's plants magically multiply.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07As you can see, we've a bit of overcrowding happening here
0:14:07 > 0:14:09with these irises.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13That can happen in a bed as well as a pond. So, let me show you
0:14:13 > 0:14:15how we can rectify that. It's very, very easy.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17Just a few quick, easy steps.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Now you can be quite brutal with plants.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22So don't be frightened to get in there and give them a good old cut.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25What I've got here is a pruning saw, but you can use a breadknife -
0:14:25 > 0:14:27that's absolutely fine.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30I'm just going to give them a little tug...
0:14:30 > 0:14:32and then just cut through.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34And try and get through...
0:14:34 > 0:14:37the root or tuber as much as I can.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Look at that.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Look how wonderful that is.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43That's the root of the bog iris.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Now all I'm going to do is drop it in this corner.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51And in time that will multiply.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57So, the idea being, that we can make more plants out of one plant,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59which is really great value for money.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- Do you think you can do that for me, Shanice?- OK.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04I've got to crack on because we need to get this garden finished.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06- Catch up with you later. - See you later.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10I quite agree, Danny,
0:15:10 > 0:15:12there really is no time to lose.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15But the good news is the edging is finally in place.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18That means we can dress the new path with gravel.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21But with two tonnes of gravel to lay, it's a big job.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Stand by your barrows, boys!
0:15:26 > 0:15:29And the reason I'm using gravel is because it is easy to put down
0:15:29 > 0:15:31and it's nice and cheap.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Danny is laying his gravel 7cm thick,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36deep enough to prevent weeds growing through.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Another thing about gravel is that it is eco-friendly,
0:15:39 > 0:15:42and the water will permeate through.
0:15:42 > 0:15:43So that helps with flooding.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46I know it has been raining hard, Danny,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49but let's hope Croydon doesn't flood today.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52It's certainly not dampening Carmen's appreciation
0:15:52 > 0:15:54of Clive's garden in Camberwell.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57We're lucky enough to be getting a tropical masterclass
0:15:57 > 0:15:58from this enthusiastic gardener.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Is there anything here that you would find in Jamaica?
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Because you were keen on getting some plants
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- that remind you of growing up in Jamaica.- Mm.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Absolutely.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09You've things like the palm trees,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11which are perfectly hardy.
0:16:11 > 0:16:12That's a Trachycarpus.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Then we've got things like hardy gingers which give a bit of colour,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17- and the banana trees, as well. - Excellent!
0:16:17 > 0:16:20And will all of those things survive?
0:16:20 > 0:16:21Some of it is a balance.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24With a jungle garden, what you need to do is look for things
0:16:24 > 0:16:27like the Trachycarpus that are very hardy,
0:16:27 > 0:16:29and then supplement them with more tender things.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32So it's about pulling together the right plants
0:16:32 > 0:16:35to make you feel like you've got a bit of Jamaica.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Is that the kind of thing you had in mind, Carmen?
0:16:38 > 0:16:39Yes, more or less.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42I love the palm trees,
0:16:42 > 0:16:44and I love the bananas.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46I just love the different colours.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Something like this would be gorgeous.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Because, I mean, it is quite overgrown,
0:16:51 > 0:16:53but that's the sort of style, isn't it?
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Yes, that is what I'm aiming for -
0:16:55 > 0:16:56a sort of naturalistic planting,
0:16:56 > 0:16:58where it feels a bit like the plants are in control.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00A feeling of the jungle being there,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03which is why I've got the bamboos quite close.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06You've got so much colour, so many different textures...
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Is that a conscious decision by you
0:17:09 > 0:17:11to make a little kaleidoscope?
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Yeah, I'm aiming for a very leafy garden. There's lots of leaves.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16And when I do have colour, I try to have big stab of red.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Less is more, I think.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21But it's definitely about these big leaves, big plants,
0:17:21 > 0:17:22and feeling small.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24It works. They're amazing.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26What are those?
0:17:26 > 0:17:28We've got some more hardy palms.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30This is a Chamaerops.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32And then these are giant Echiums -
0:17:32 > 0:17:34so they're biennials or triennials.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- At the moment they're growing about a foot a week, I think.- Wow!
0:17:37 > 0:17:39They just go huge, kind of shooting up,
0:17:39 > 0:17:43and then they're a tower of flowers which the bees love.
0:17:43 > 0:17:44My word! That is incredible.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46- What sorts of colours?- Erm...
0:17:46 > 0:17:47They're kind of blue,
0:17:47 > 0:17:49but you can have white, as well.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Another thing you might like to try is the Cordyline.
0:17:52 > 0:17:53These plants here.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Again, they're very easy.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57And they're pretty hardy,
0:17:57 > 0:17:59and give that nice exotic feel.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01This is undoubtedly amazing
0:18:01 > 0:18:03but how are you feeling, Carmen?
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Are you excited or intimidated by this?
0:18:06 > 0:18:08I'm excited!
0:18:08 > 0:18:11This is so pretty and tropical!
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Absolutely.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16I feel like you'd have to travel halfway round the world
0:18:16 > 0:18:17to experience something like this.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19It does feel very exotic, doesn't it?
0:18:19 > 0:18:22He has the perfect hiding place, hasn't he?
0:18:22 > 0:18:24- I think we're going to lose you, aren't we?- You are!
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- "Where's Carmen?"- "Oh, she's at the bottom of Clive's garden."
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Yeah!
0:18:29 > 0:18:32This garden has had quite an effect on Carmen.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34If it has also had an effect on you,
0:18:34 > 0:18:36then here are a few tips
0:18:36 > 0:18:39to help you recreate this taste of the tropics.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42To survive our less-than-tropical climate,
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Clive has chosen a lot of hardy exotics -
0:18:45 > 0:18:47plants which look exotic,
0:18:47 > 0:18:51but can actually withstand our cool, wet UK climate.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Choose Cordylines, Chamaerops and giant Echiums
0:18:54 > 0:18:58to transport you to your very own jungle.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Position your plants in a naturalistic style -
0:19:01 > 0:19:04large leaves mixed with narrow pathways
0:19:04 > 0:19:06help to create the idea of a jungle hideaway.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11But do be realistic about the climate where you live.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14Hardy exotics may not thrive in more northern parts of Britain.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18But there are still plenty of luscious-looking evergreen plants
0:19:18 > 0:19:20that will tolerate harsher conditions
0:19:20 > 0:19:23and give this leafy jungle effect.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Keep an eye out for the National Garden Scheme
0:19:26 > 0:19:29which lists hundreds of private gardens, including Clive's,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32that are sometimes open to the public.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34I wanted Carmen to truly appreciate
0:19:34 > 0:19:36the beauty of a tropical garden
0:19:36 > 0:19:39and it's clear that one of Clive's garden's strengths
0:19:39 > 0:19:41is in his choice of some truly wonderful plants.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Back at the house, the team are halfway through their day,
0:19:52 > 0:19:56and Danny and Lou are starting to bring in a veritable jungle of tropical beauties
0:19:56 > 0:20:00ready for the second major part of Danny's design plan -
0:20:00 > 0:20:02the exotic planting.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03If they're going to get it right,
0:20:03 > 0:20:07it's essential to plan where everything is going to go.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08What Lou and I are doing,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11we're bringing the plants out and putting them in groups.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14So we're going to put the tall plants in one area,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16the medium-sized plants in another,
0:20:16 > 0:20:19and the smaller plants - the infills - in another area.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Then we're going to decide where the plants are going to go.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Whilst Danny and Lou have been on plant duty,
0:20:29 > 0:20:31AJ has been busy creating a viewing platform
0:20:31 > 0:20:34for the pond out of decking boards.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36He's also spotted a bit of a problem.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42All right, hello, AJ. What's happening here?
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Well, yesterday the digger came in
0:20:44 > 0:20:48and it's broken the edging stones for the pond.
0:20:48 > 0:20:49We can't leave it like that.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53Let's get them out, fill this area here with the stones
0:20:53 > 0:20:54that you're doing in the pathways
0:20:54 > 0:20:56to tie in the front and back of the garden.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- Yeah, that sounds like a great solution, AJ.- OK, cool.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- Great, brilliant. - Excellent, AJ. Problem solved.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04But with pond-repair going on
0:21:04 > 0:21:07and the gravel laying still incomplete,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10this emergency repair is adding time to the job.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14The team haven't really started on part two of Danny's plan -
0:21:14 > 0:21:17the plants aren't even in position yet, never mind planted!
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Danny is going to have to crack the whip
0:21:19 > 0:21:22if the garden's going to be ready for Carmen's return.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27While the team get on with the digging,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30I want to learn more from Carmen about her life
0:21:30 > 0:21:32and the tragic set of circumstances
0:21:32 > 0:21:34that brought her and her granddaughter Shanice
0:21:34 > 0:21:36under the same roof.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40Now, Carmen, your Shanice said that you work pretty hard -
0:21:40 > 0:21:41and she wasn't kidding!
0:21:41 > 0:21:44You can work seven days a week, 7am to 9pm.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46What is it that you do?
0:21:46 > 0:21:50I work for a hospital for mentally impaired people.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53I used to work in their rehabilitation centre,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56but now I don't because of my back.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58I'm not able to carry out certain duties,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01so I'm in the reception area now.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03I mean, this isn't just a bit of a twinge, is it?
0:22:03 > 0:22:06You were out of action for quite a while because of your back,
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- weren't you?- Yes, I was laid up for four months. I was unable to walk.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13I think I was diagnosed with sciatica
0:22:13 > 0:22:18but I think it was all down to stress, because I don't know
0:22:18 > 0:22:24if you know, but I lost my daughter, which is Shanice's mother, Natasha.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26And I think my body just caved in.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- Natasha died in a house fire, didn't she?- She did.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33So quite a traumatic circumstance and after that, her daughter,
0:22:33 > 0:22:37Shanice, your granddaughter, came to live with you. How has that been?
0:22:38 > 0:22:41It's a joy to have Shanice around.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43Shanice is a wonderful person.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45She's welcome.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48I never see Shanice as my granddaughter,
0:22:48 > 0:22:53I see Shanice as my granddaughter and daughter rolled into one.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57Shanice takes the place of the daughter that I lost.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Have you been quite a good support for each other?
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Because I imagine you need each other at a time like that.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04We are very good support of each other.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08We're always leaning on each other. I'm always leaning on Shanice.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10SHE LAUGHS
0:23:10 > 0:23:14Shanice is always a happy, jolly, friendly person.
0:23:14 > 0:23:15She's always ready to help.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19Bearing in mind how hard you work, how much you've had to deal
0:23:19 > 0:23:23with over the last few years, how nice would it be to have a
0:23:23 > 0:23:27garden to just sit in and have a moment for yourself?
0:23:27 > 0:23:28To be honest with you,
0:23:28 > 0:23:32words cannot explain how nice it would be to have a garden space.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36We could spend more time together, we could socialise
0:23:36 > 0:23:43and we could have friends over, so, it's a nice thought to have a garden.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Would it be somewhere that you might be able to go
0:23:45 > 0:23:49and have a moment and think about Natasha and, sort of, reflect?
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Well, Natasha has never left my thoughts.
0:23:53 > 0:23:59Natasha is always in my thoughts, whatever I do, wherever I go.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03If we were in the garden, we would be talking about Natasha, no doubt.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05She'd be the topic of the conversation and I think I'd
0:24:05 > 0:24:10like to have something in the garden to remind me of Natasha.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Natasha will never be forgotten, not by me, anyway.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Back at Carmen's, things seem to have barely progressed.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Danny and Lou are still positioning the plants.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30It should be a race against time now as there are less than three
0:24:30 > 0:24:32hours to go before our return.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35I'm not sure there's time for lengthy discussion, you two.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38I reckon we should put plants in the gravel here.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41So, she is forced around that way.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Only because there's a bit of a lip here. We'll put stuff in here.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47I'll tell you what we could put in here, one of the pittosporums.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51- Bosh, in the middle. Yeah?- Perfect.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55Danny's important rule is... plan before you plant.
0:24:55 > 0:24:56There are all sorts of tricks
0:24:56 > 0:24:59and techniques to creating the perfect garden,
0:24:59 > 0:25:03but good plant choice and where you place each one is critical.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08I think we should put things into some sort of positioning.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11We don't really want it in shade though, do we, the bamboo?
0:25:11 > 0:25:15- I'm just thinking we've got three. - So we're going to put one here.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19The best approach is to place big statement plants first, to
0:25:19 > 0:25:23define the structure and lead the eye around the space, then add
0:25:23 > 0:25:27the middle-sized plants, dotting them around to break-up the formality.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Finally, use the small plants as under planting
0:25:29 > 0:25:31below the larger specimens.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35This is an example of a structural plant. Just look at this.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38This is going to give you height in the garden and it's going to lead
0:25:38 > 0:25:40your eye upwards, which is fantastic,
0:25:40 > 0:25:42because you need that in the garden.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45You don't want your eye to be at the same level all the time.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48The eye needs to bounce up and down and this will certainly do it.
0:25:48 > 0:25:49Not only that, it'll give...
0:25:49 > 0:25:52When the wind blows through it, it'll give you sound.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57What Danny is doing with the bamboo, is creating a focal point
0:25:57 > 0:26:00which will draw your eye to a particular place in the garden.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03But plants aren't the only way to achieve this.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Other objects, such as sculpture or pieces of furniture, can also
0:26:06 > 0:26:09be placed to draw the eye to a particular spot.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13Your ferns were going to go with the tree fern, weren't they?
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Depends where you want it, really.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- We'll put the tree fern in the front, shall we?- Yeah.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21It feels that we're getting on top of each other now, doesn't it?
0:26:21 > 0:26:24- It does.- I'll tell you what will look nice down there,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26one of the fatsias will look nice down there.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Here's a great example of a plant that we can infill under
0:26:31 > 0:26:32the structural plants.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35It's ophiopogon nigrescens or black grass.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Look how lovely that is.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40This will fill out in time so after I plant this in the ground,
0:26:40 > 0:26:45it'll send out little runners and multiply. Great value for money.
0:26:45 > 0:26:46You know what we can do with this?
0:26:46 > 0:26:49What we talked about earlier when we were talking about the pond
0:26:49 > 0:26:53and we can divide to make more, we can do exactly the same with this.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56Let me show you how to do it. We can be very brutal with this.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00I'm going to put this down on the ground, get a nice sharp spade
0:27:00 > 0:27:04and just cut into it. There we are.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08As easy as that and I'll put that in the ground all around the garden.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Great idea, Danny.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14Finally, the plants are actually starting to go in the ground.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Meanwhile, Carmen and I, armed with Danny's list,
0:27:17 > 0:27:20have come to her local garden centre to buy a few more.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Danny's golden rule is stick to the list.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26It's all too easy to be tempted to buy the first colourful thing
0:27:26 > 0:27:30you see, but it's much better to do your homework first
0:27:30 > 0:27:33and then just seek out the plants you know
0:27:33 > 0:27:34will do well in your garden.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37Don't give in to temptation.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40I'm sure Carmen's absolutely the type of lady to follow the rules.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44- I feel like we've got plenty to pick from.- I hope so.
0:27:46 > 0:27:47Right, we do have a list.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Exotic plants that can withstand cold, wet weather are the order
0:27:52 > 0:27:55of the day and there's a plethora of flora on offer here.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00- That looks nice.- Let's go for it.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01If we're going to get the right stuff,
0:28:01 > 0:28:03we need some professional help.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07Luckily, there's an expert on hand to help with all things tropical.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Garden centre manager, Oliver Cranley.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13- Good afternoon, can I help you?- Hello.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Yes, you probably can help us.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18We're after some hardy plants that would create
0:28:18 > 0:28:20a bit of a tropical environment.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22OK, no worries, we've got
0:28:22 > 0:28:24some cordylines that I can show you just up this way.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26OK.
0:28:28 > 0:28:29Just up here on the left.
0:28:29 > 0:28:34- Oh, so this is what Clive had in his garden, isn't it?- Cordylines, yes.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37- Very tropical.- Palms. They're hardy in the south-east.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40They have... When they're more established,
0:28:40 > 0:28:44they have a nice white fluffy flower that's got a really strong scent.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46It'll take a few years before it flowers.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48- Are they hard to look after? - Not really.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Just in the winter, if it gets really cold, you can
0:28:51 > 0:28:56fleece them up, gather up all the leaves and put some fleece round.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Most gardens around here, it's quite sheltered,
0:28:59 > 0:29:02- so you should be fine.- OK.- OK. Anything else we should be getting?
0:29:02 > 0:29:06Yes, we've got some more tropical palms that go along the same
0:29:06 > 0:29:09kind of lines of the cordyline, so some nice palms and things
0:29:09 > 0:29:11at the top I can show you.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15- Please.- We'll have a look. I'll reverse. It's easier than...
0:29:20 > 0:29:23- They're nice. - He had these in his garden.
0:29:23 > 0:29:28- I remember I was admiring them and he said they were pretty hardy.- Yeah?
0:29:28 > 0:29:29Are they hardy?
0:29:29 > 0:29:31In the south-east, it's pretty sheltered,
0:29:31 > 0:29:36so just protect it in prolonged cold spells, but they'll be OK.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Clive definitely had a trachycarpus, but it was huge.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42- Will these grow quite big? - They'll grow eventually, yeah.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45- But his was not in pots. - Yeah, he put them in the ground.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49If it's a really established one, they do get hardier.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51- There we go.- Great stuff.- Good.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54Carmen's sticking to the plan and with the help of Ollie,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57we're getting some really lovely plants.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Back in the garden, with less than an hour to go,
0:29:59 > 0:30:03Danny's still in the midst of a planting plan summit with Lou.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05He needs to get a move on now.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09These grasses, I don't know where these are going to go,
0:30:09 > 0:30:11but we'll find a place for them.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14- And they're going to need a lot of planting.- What do you reckon, Lou?
0:30:14 > 0:30:17I think you've achieved what you wanted to with Carmen's journey
0:30:17 > 0:30:20- around the garden.- I think so.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24I think every stop and turn, there's something of real interest there.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28Yeah, I think so and, you know, this is part of the journey, isn't it?
0:30:28 > 0:30:31This is part of the journey into Jamaica, let's say.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35She had a jungle before, but she'll have a nicer jungle now.
0:30:36 > 0:30:42Now for the star of the show - the tree fern, Dicksonia antarctica.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46When Carmen sees this, she's going to absolutely love it,
0:30:46 > 0:30:49and we're going to plant it in a very prominent position.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53I'm going to dig a hole about a spit deep,
0:30:53 > 0:30:56which is about a length of a shovel.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06You really need a deeper hole than you intend,
0:31:06 > 0:31:09because you need enough space to put some compost in.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14And that's the same for any plant.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17Now, I'm going to mix in the soil I've dug out the hole,
0:31:17 > 0:31:18with a bit of compost.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20Now, here's a little nugget for you.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23By mixing the compost and the soil,
0:31:23 > 0:31:26the roots of the plant are not hitting the bad soil straightaway.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29They're getting used to the soil, so the plant won't be in
0:31:29 > 0:31:31so much shock when the roots get there.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42I thought a wacky thing to do would be to put
0:31:42 > 0:31:47it at a bit of an angle, rather than putting it upright.
0:31:47 > 0:31:48The choice is yours.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52You can have upright if you prefer, or you can have it slightly leaning.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57Now, Luke, can you just told that for me? Thanks very much.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01And now I'm going to backfill with this lovely soil that I've
0:32:01 > 0:32:06just mixed in. As you backfill, you want to tap the soil down.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11This way, I'm getting rid of as many airlocks as possible.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13You don't want any water going down there
0:32:13 > 0:32:16and then it freezing in the cold.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Luke is now tapping down for me, because he's seen
0:32:19 > 0:32:22what I've been doing, so now he's taken over.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24He's a very fast learner, is Luke.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29Just keep going until we're there.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35Now, Luke, I think you can let go of that now. That's brilliant.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37How's that?
0:32:39 > 0:32:45Now for the great unveiling, so, I tied this one up earlier to
0:32:45 > 0:32:47protect the fronds in transportation.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50I've just found an old belt that I've got. Mind you,
0:32:50 > 0:32:54that's probably why my pants are falling down at the moment.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57I should use the belt for what it's intended for.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02And look at this. What a beauty. You've got to admit.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04What a wonderful specimen of a plant.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08Now, this is where the growth is. This is the root system.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12This fibrous root system. Look how great that is. Fantastic.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16I almost feel something prehistoric is going to pop out from behind it.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20What a wonderful specimen of a plant.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23It's got to be a real show stopper for Carmen.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27Good job, Danny, Carmen is going to absolutely love it,
0:33:27 > 0:33:32but can we crack on and get the rest of those plants in the ground?
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Speaking of Carmen, back at the garden centre,
0:33:34 > 0:33:38the lady who follows the rules has just decided to break them.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40Anyone ever heard of a rhododendron in the jungle?
0:33:40 > 0:33:42I thought not.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46If you're going for something quite tropical and jungle-esque,
0:33:46 > 0:33:47can you mix and match?
0:33:47 > 0:33:51- Can you get something like that and then a rhododendron?- Yes.
0:33:51 > 0:33:57- Yes, you can, yes.- The customer is always right. Yes, you can.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59Yes, because they are going to be blooming, aren't they?
0:33:59 > 0:34:01Yes, they're flowering.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04We aren't really sticking to Danny's list, are we?
0:34:04 > 0:34:08- No, but this is Carmen's choice. - Exactly, it's Carmen's garden.- Yes.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10- I'll deal with Danny.- Yes.
0:34:10 > 0:34:16Carmen is so stoic and so humble and grounded, but what I'm
0:34:16 > 0:34:19learning here at the garden centre, is that she's also very cheeky.
0:34:19 > 0:34:23She's just tried to tell me that these olive plants are tropical.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25I'm pretty sure they are Mediterranean,
0:34:25 > 0:34:26but I'm not going to argue with her.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29If she wants one, she can have one.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34- Jasmine.- Is it hardy? - Jasmine's are hardy, yes.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38- Pink buds and it opens into white flowers.- Where are they from?
0:34:38 > 0:34:41- Say Jamaica, say Jamaica, say Jamaica!- They're not.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46- I believe they're from...Jamaica. - Yay, excellent.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49And there's no stopping Carmen, now.
0:34:50 > 0:34:55- Another random plant has taken her fancy.- Look, look what she's found.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58- That's a climber. - That's a climber. There you go.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02- That's an evergreen clematis. - They're nice.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04- And clematis spread quite a lot, don't they?- They do.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07Until this point, I feel like you were nervous,
0:35:07 > 0:35:09but now I feel you're excited about this garden.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Oh, I'm very excited because I'm buying things.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- Because you're getting some control back?- Absolutely.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16When will this start flowering?
0:35:16 > 0:35:18The buds are just about to open, so in the next week.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21- So I'll have flowers in the next week?- Yeah.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25- Well, you will if we get them back and get them in the garden.- OK.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Thank you, Ollie. Thank you.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32In a garden, we have a gardener tearing his hair out because we've
0:35:32 > 0:35:35just ripped up his plan, but we've got some lovely plants, haven't we?
0:35:35 > 0:35:36- Yes.- Thanks, Ollie.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41Well, that was a turn up for the books, or maybe the rule book
0:35:41 > 0:35:43just got thrown out of the window.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47Time now for Carmen to have a sit down and for me
0:35:47 > 0:35:51to head back to the garden and break the news to Danny.
0:35:51 > 0:35:52You have been busy.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55We've been busy. What a transformation. What do you think?
0:35:55 > 0:35:58I'm really, really impressed. And, look, I wanted to help.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01- Here's a tropical plant. - Yes, this is definitely tropical.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03This will definitely work in the garden.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06This one is not quite so tropical but Carmen really wanted it, so...
0:36:06 > 0:36:08I'm not so sure about this one, Helen,
0:36:08 > 0:36:11but as it's Carmen, as she chose it, we'll find a place for it.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14- I didn't want to argue with her. - You can't argue with it.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17- It's her garden.- You wouldn't want to argue with her at any stage.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20- Right, what can I do to help? - I'll show you.- OK.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23Well, that went easier than expected.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26I just need to break the clematis to him now.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Everyone is really getting stuck in as it's nearly time to reveal
0:36:29 > 0:36:31the garden to Carmen.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33But Danny wants to add a special something
0:36:33 > 0:36:36he's personally chosen and brought here.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39A wonderful old bench to fit in with her tropical theme.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Danny, this is a gorgeous bench. Have you made this?
0:36:42 > 0:36:45I haven't made it, but it's something that I'd like
0:36:45 > 0:36:48Carmen to have. I think it's absolutely beautiful.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50It's a place where she can sit and reflect
0:36:50 > 0:36:54and enjoy the garden, and also, we've put this trellis in.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58We recycled it, because it was on the other side of the garden and
0:36:58 > 0:37:02by taking it off that fence, we've revealed a beautiful piece of wood.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05You've used things that were already here, but you've also added a lot.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07There's a lot to take in and I think you've hit the nail
0:37:07 > 0:37:10on the head by saying this is a good place for her to sit and reflect.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12She's a very stoic lady, all about her family.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15Hopefully, this garden, in particular, this place,
0:37:15 > 0:37:17is going to give her a real chance to reflect,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20- reminisce and celebrate the good things.- Which will be fantastic.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22So, on here, are we going to put something?
0:37:22 > 0:37:24- Yes, you brought back a clematis, didn't you?- Yes.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26So, shall we put that in place?
0:37:26 > 0:37:28I was going to try and sneak that into the garden
0:37:28 > 0:37:30- but that's allowed, is it? - That's allowed.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32- I'm getting it before you change your mind.- OK.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Do these grow quite easily and rapidly?
0:37:40 > 0:37:43They grow very easily, very rapidly and you know the bonus
0:37:43 > 0:37:47- with that, is they get a lovely scent...- OK.- And it's an evergreen.
0:37:47 > 0:37:52Most clematis shed their leaves.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55Well, Carmen is really keen on flowers and this is
0:37:55 > 0:37:57a flowering plant, isn't it?
0:37:57 > 0:37:59That will do the job. Very fast-growing.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02- It'll cover this trellis in no time. - OK.
0:38:02 > 0:38:07One of the things we've got to do here, Helen, plant it at an angle.
0:38:07 > 0:38:12So what we're going to do, if you, sort of, put it like that...
0:38:12 > 0:38:14- Towards the trellis? - Towards the trellis.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16Then, do you feed this through?
0:38:16 > 0:38:21- Feed this through. - Without breaking it.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24Break it and then, there you go.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26There are so many different plants in here,
0:38:26 > 0:38:28loads of different textures.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Is there going to be much colour once these bed in?
0:38:30 > 0:38:31Yes, they'll be a lot of colour.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34In fact, it won't look any different to how it looks now.
0:38:34 > 0:38:35Most of these plants are evergreens,
0:38:35 > 0:38:39so the colour you see now is the colour you'll see in the winter.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42And is there going to be much for her to do in terms of maintenance?
0:38:42 > 0:38:45Not a lot. It's a low-maintenance garden and once these fill out,
0:38:45 > 0:38:48there'll be not much space for weeds to grow.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51My maxim is where there's a plant, there isn't a weed,
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- which is great.- Brill.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Well, I love this, I love this bench, I love the pond,
0:38:57 > 0:38:58I love it all.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02It's important to plant climbers such as clematis at an angle,
0:39:02 > 0:39:06because this will encourage them to grow towards a trellis or wall.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Don't forget to leave a healthy gap between the plant
0:39:08 > 0:39:12and the fence, around 20cm should be fine.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16Whilst the team work feverishly to get this job finished,
0:39:16 > 0:39:20Danny and AJ are adding an important final touch to the bench,
0:39:20 > 0:39:23a plaque engraved in memory of Carmen's daughter.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26We're just putting the plaque on,
0:39:26 > 0:39:28one of the finishing details to this bench.
0:39:28 > 0:39:33This is a place where Carmen is going to sit to contemplate
0:39:33 > 0:39:36and to while away the hours while she enjoys her garden,
0:39:36 > 0:39:39so we thought it would be a nice little touch to do this for her.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44- That's a brilliant touch. Beautiful, isn't it?- You like it?- Yeah.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48- It's fantastic.- It's fantastic, it's great, isn't it?- Personalise it.
0:39:48 > 0:39:49Personalise it. Absolutely.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56With that, the garden is finished at last.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01Before, it was an overgrown mess, strewn with rubbish
0:40:01 > 0:40:03and lacking shape or structure.
0:40:04 > 0:40:09A broken down arbour dominated the far end of the garden,
0:40:09 > 0:40:11whilst a neglected pergola ran the length of the fence.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18A crowded, stagnant pond took centre stage, but with no clear pathways
0:40:18 > 0:40:22or lovingly tended plants. The whole garden looked like a wasteland.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28In just one day, it's been completely transformed.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34A gravel path twists and turns around the garden,
0:40:34 > 0:40:36creating a journey.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45The pond has been cleared and the overgrown irises
0:40:45 > 0:40:47split and re-deployed to give balance.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53The collapsing arbour has gone and the pergola has been restored.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56There's even a bench dedicated to Carmen's daughter, Natasha,
0:40:56 > 0:40:58for moments of quiet reflection.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02And, finally, there's the planting,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05designed to realise Carmen's Caribbean dream.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10Cordylines, grasses and other hardy exotics with a stunning tree fern
0:41:10 > 0:41:14as the centrepiece, transport you away to a tropical paradise.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Danny and the team have excelled themselves to create this
0:41:20 > 0:41:23exotic space for a very deserving lady and her family.
0:41:25 > 0:41:30But it's the moment of truth. Time for Carmen to see her garden.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36- OK.- This is your new garden after a day.
0:41:39 > 0:41:40Oh, my Lord!
0:41:42 > 0:41:43Wow!
0:41:45 > 0:41:49Oh, this is magnificent.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53I just saw you in the shop.
0:41:53 > 0:41:58Oh, my God, this is absolutely wow.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02- Come in, team. Shanice, you made this happen.- Yes.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06- From that reaction, are you glad you did?- Yes, I am glad I did.
0:42:06 > 0:42:11This is a beautiful garden. More than I expected. Shanice, thank you.
0:42:11 > 0:42:12That's OK.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22Whoa, this is a fabulous garden.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30- So pleased you like it.- Already, appears to be peaceful and tranquil.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34It's a lovely garden.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38You've spent most of the day telling me that you want your Shanice
0:42:38 > 0:42:42- and your kids to be happy.- Yes.- But they really want you to be happy.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Do you think you'll have a nice time out here?
0:42:45 > 0:42:47I'm sure it's going to bring us happiness
0:42:47 > 0:42:52and I'm sure we'll spend many happy moments out here and I have all this
0:42:52 > 0:42:55to thank you for, Danny. Thank you very much.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59- You're most welcome. - Thank you.- Most welcome.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02There's one more surprise in store for Carmen.
0:43:02 > 0:43:03Danny's tribute to his daughter.
0:43:04 > 0:43:12- Danny's put a bench in for you to have a moment.- Natasha.- Yeah.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19Fabulous.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25We thought you'd like somewhere to sit and to contemplate and think
0:43:25 > 0:43:27about life, and we thought this would be
0:43:27 > 0:43:29a beautiful setting for you.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31And it is. Absolutely beautiful.
0:43:36 > 0:43:41I want to remember Natasha because we have nice memories of her.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44And we'll continue to have nice memories of her,
0:43:44 > 0:43:47and while we sit here, we can reminisce.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50It's a beautiful garden, Danny, thank you very much.
0:43:50 > 0:43:54Well, thank you all round. Danny, thank you for the garden planning.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57Shanice, thank you for the hard work and Carmen,
0:43:57 > 0:44:01thank you for allowing us in here to create your instant garden.
0:44:01 > 0:44:05It's a fabulous garden. Thank you. Thank you, Danny.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07You're most welcome.
0:44:07 > 0:44:10Danny has really gone above and beyond to give Carmen
0:44:10 > 0:44:14the tropical, tranquil outdoor haven she's craved.
0:44:15 > 0:44:19A space where she can drift away in a tropical daydream.
0:44:19 > 0:44:25A place to relax in, to remember in, and to share with all the family.