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Short filmTranscript
00:00The Garden Rescue Team are on a mission to make garden dreams come true.
00:07Charlie Dimmock, Lee Burkill, Flo Hedlum and Chris Hull are here to answer your gardening
00:27emergencies. It feels disorganized, a bit chaotic. It's a bit of a shocker. Each week, two of
00:33our designers will go head to head. Pick me and let's do this. The garden we're going
00:38to go with is... John Rye. Lee. Oh yes. And whichever designer loses. The race is on. Go. Helps
00:50the winner build the garden. Good idea. Did you get that on camera? Lee said good idea,
00:55Charlie. Amazing. Turning garden dreams. Open your eyes. That's so overwhelmed. Into reality.
01:02That is amazing. Today, the team is in Stockport with Mike and house proud Christine. Wait, I've
01:18just got to give it a clean for this, Mike. Alright. Who likes to keep busy? I really
01:27enjoy dressmaking. It's something I've been doing since I was six. I made this dress, especially
01:33for the show. It's got an art deco print on it. I really like that art deco style because
01:38I think it invokes this era where there was such creativity. It evokes that great Gatsby
01:45look, doesn't it? It does, yeah. We went to San Diego and it's just full of this absolutely
01:51amazing 1930s architecture. Oh, we just took so many pictures and such an inspiration.
01:59Christine and Mike have worked hard to apply their travel inspiration into the interior.
02:05We've been here for what? Eleven years? Eleven years, yeah. Eleven years. And yeah, we put
02:11our heart and soul into renovating the house. But the interior is where Christine and Mike's
02:18driver design ends. So, this is our garden. It's green, a bit too green in some places.
02:27Especially with the weeds. The weeds are superb. So, walking through here, we've got our patio,
02:34which is a fairly useless area at the moment. Yeah, we can't do anything with this patio. No.
02:39We've tried to plant a few things. Unfortunately, my friend butchered a lavender. She did apologise.
02:47We've got another level here. So, we've got the grass, which is... So, the lawn... Quite spongy.
02:55..which is green and bland. Well, we've got this border here, which is all very heavy clay.
03:00Yeah, heavy clay. All that survives in there is a bit of heather. And weeds. And weeds.
03:06Don't forget the weeds. Definitely weeds, yeah. And then we step up to the back of the lawn
03:10where we've got this fir. Well, I'm not sure what it is, actually. We're not sure what it is,
03:15but this is just going out of control, really. And it's also hiding the acer at the back.
03:22Again, we don't really know what to do with that acer. No.
03:25We want it more in the foreground, if it can be possible. Yeah.
03:30We just need... But we need to hide that. Quite overlooked here.
03:33It is very overlooked. It is, isn't it? Yeah.
03:36Yeah. And then, over here, we've got our magnificent yucca,
03:41which we inherited when we came into the house.
03:44There was only one plan. It's now multiplied into three.
03:48I think it's like us. We've flowered, haven't we? And indeed, a bit of ten. TLC.
03:53Speak for yourself.
03:55It just is a no-go area for us, isn't it? Yeah.
03:58It just leads us down to the bins.
04:00We had vision for the house, but never could quite realise
04:04what that vision was for the garden.
04:06We didn't really know what else to do, did we? No, no.
04:08We're not horticulturists at all.
04:11Oh!
04:13And we just need some knowing minds to put...
04:19..to put its best to it.
04:21It's a lovely day. It's a shame the garden doesn't match it.
04:25Yeah.
04:34That is quite pretty, isn't it? Yeah.
04:36It is lovely.
04:38Nice bedding plants, isn't it?
04:41Charlie and Amelia will be putting their design skills
04:44to work for Mike and Christine's garden.
04:49Right, Amelia.
04:50OK, let's have a look.
04:52So, Mike and Christine.
04:54OK, lovely.
04:56Smiley, smiley, aren't they? Very smiley, yeah.
04:58I don't quite know why. You wait until you see the garden.
05:00Wow, OK. Bit of an interesting shape, isn't it?
05:03Very triangular.
05:05Yeah. And there is paving.
05:06OK, that's sort of good news, isn't it?
05:08It's a bit higgledy-piggledy, kind of...
05:11Doesn't look that even to stand on, does it?
05:13No.
05:14Now, when you see it from here,
05:15you can really see the level changes, can't you?
05:18Yeah, that's going to be quite challenging.
05:20I mean, I think also, actually,
05:22could be an interesting thing to use in the design,
05:24actually working with the levels.
05:26Shall we find out what they want, then?
05:28Let's have a look. OK.
05:29How do you do that? You know me and technology.
05:32What we really want is a garden
05:34that's inspired by this art deco period,
05:37this great Gatsby glamour.
05:391920s garden.
05:41It's one I've never heard of.
05:42I know!
05:43That's a really cool brief.
05:45And we want it to also incorporate
05:47our Californian adventure.
05:49That's really important to us.
05:51OK, so sandy, beachy...
05:54Could go either way.
05:55..palmy, jungle plant, or some of those Hollywood gardens.
05:59Yeah.
06:00They're sort of quite classical.
06:01Yeah, very much so.
06:03And we want somewhere that we could entertain people
06:07and relax at the top.
06:10There's not much to look at beyond the boundaries.
06:12No!
06:13The fences.
06:14Yeah, the fences.
06:15It needs to be accessible for me, my retirement,
06:19and easy maintenance, really.
06:21It's a big wish list, isn't it? It is.
06:23For a small space.
06:24It is quite a lot.
06:25We are absolutely desperate for your skills,
06:28your design skills, your gardening skills.
06:30We really need your help.
06:31Do you know what the budget is?
06:33The budget is £5,500.
06:36OK, not bad, not bad.
06:38The challenge is the shape.
06:41And I'm not quite sure about the great Gatsby art deco gum full on.
06:48I've got a few ideas creeping in.
06:50Have you?
06:51I don't want to whisper them in my ear.
06:52Well, they're not too firmed up yet.
06:54No, who should say?
06:55What did you say?
06:57Charlie and Amelia must create a design that fits Mike and Christine's £5,500 budget.
07:05The couple must pick the one they prefer, which the losing designer will help build.
07:10The designers and top team of landscapers provide the labour for free, leaving the entire budget to spend on materials and plants.
07:20Back in Stockport...
07:21I can't wait for this.
07:23The designers' pitches have arrived.
07:25Are you ready?
07:26Yeah, I am.
07:27Let's go.
07:28As you know, Christine and Mike, it's a slightly interesting shape, this garden, with this triangular format.
07:34So what I've done to kind of draw your attention away from that pinch point here is break into the space with lots of strong, leading, rectilinear lines.
07:44So the actual layout of the garden is very reminiscent of patterns and shapes found in art deco design.
07:51Oh, wow.
07:52Wow.
07:53Look at that.
07:54That is so different.
07:55Here we go, Christine, Mike.
07:57You wanted full on impact.
07:59I wanted the glamour of a sweeping lawn that leads up to a beautiful pergola with a swing seat.
08:06So you can sit up there in the dappled shade.
08:09That's going to be really masking the top of the garden, isn't it?
08:12It will, yeah.
08:13That's really important.
08:14And to get that sort of glamorous Hollywood look, there's going to be these beautiful pedestals.
08:20Planters dotted through the borders to give this height and also impact with this colourful bedding.
08:27Fantastic.
08:28What I proposed is to actually cut into the existing paving and create different planting beds.
08:35And that will allow you to have a lovely nestled seating area here to catch some of the sun at the end of the day.
08:42Oh, that's great, that.
08:43Oh, the seating area.
08:44And it's got that little seating area in the evening as well.
08:47Oh, evening sun.
08:48As you know, you've got these slightly uncomfortable, awkward level changes.
08:52So what I propose to do is actually level that out and create a flush gravel area with lots of Californian style planting.
09:00Oh, those plants look amazing.
09:02When you come out of the conservatory, we've got this decking that runs straight to the lawn, no steps.
09:09And then I've got some art deco detail on it.
09:12It looks really art deco.
09:13It is.
09:14Very art deco, though.
09:15You'll come out of the patio doors and straight onto the lawn, but the deck is big enough to have table and chairs on it so you can socialise.
09:24Oh, Charlie.
09:25Beautiful.
09:26So you've got this lovely pergola section here where you can have barbecues, drinks in the summer, have friends round and really use it as a lovely entertaining space.
09:36Nice.
09:37We've just never had anywhere for friends to entertain.
09:40Well, not that we're proud of anyway.
09:42As you move away from the pergola down this gravel pathway, you'll then get to this really lovely enclosed and private seating area where you can have your swing seat all underneath the canopy of a verdant trachycarpus palm.
09:57Oh, I'm a sucker for a palm.
09:59You certainly are.
10:00Along the boundaries at the moment, it's a little bit worse for wear.
10:04So what I've proposed to really make the colours in this garden pop is to actually paint it a darker anthracite colour and allow the planting to melt and create a sense of depth to the garden.
10:16Super.
10:17Look at the plants.
10:19Charlie and Amelia's designs have different shapes, layouts and planting schemes.
10:26But the ability for Christian and Mike to relax and socialise in an art deco inspired garden is key to both.
10:33So I have splurged the budget by going for big impactful plants, but also I want to add some detail in there.
10:42So through this planting here, we're going to have these bespoke made screens that almost look like leaves, but very stylised in an art deco fashion.
10:53Oh, screens.
10:55Screens.
10:56So it'll just add a bit of interest with some climbers going up through those as well.
11:01So I want to sort of get some jasmines in there for scent.
11:04So as well as the impact of colour, you're going to have the gorgeous scent as well.
11:09So much colour as well.
11:10There is.
11:11So that's my design, Christine Mike.
11:13I hope you love it.
11:14It's got the glamour of the sweeping lawns and a lovely destination seating area and plants that are luscious and glorious.
11:23That art deco vibe is looking great.
11:26It really is, yeah.
11:27I really hope you love this design.
11:29I'd love to build it for you.
11:31I think it's an amazing brief.
11:33I think it's going to be really special, really verdant and very evocative of those art deco and California themes that you love.
11:40It's going to be a really difficult choice, that, isn't it?
11:43Yeah, it's going to be difficult.
11:45Right, you ready?
11:51Are you ready?
11:52Yeah, I'm ready.
11:53Yeah.
11:54Let's go and have a look.
11:55Watch your step.
11:56Ooh!
11:57Well, here we are for the designs.
12:00Yeah.
12:01So, shall we start with Charlie's?
12:03Start with Charlie's.
12:04I love that decking area.
12:05Yeah, I think that's lovely, that decking area and that seat up there.
12:10Coming out to the conservatory onto the deck and the art deco look as well.
12:16Yeah?
12:17So, shall we have a look at Amelia's?
12:18Yeah.
12:19OK.
12:20Oh, I absolutely think this is stunning, this layout, isn't it?
12:23Having this seat here where we can capture the sun in the evening.
12:26Yeah, it's lovely.
12:27Never had that.
12:28That's a real feature.
12:29And just cutting into the patio is great.
12:32Yeah.
12:33And the use of the screen where it just screens the bins off.
12:37It's going to be difficult.
12:38It is going to be very difficult, yeah.
12:40It is.
12:41Amelia, Christine and Mike have come back to us with their choice.
12:47Shall we have a look?
12:48Go on then, press that button.
12:49OK.
12:50Hi, Charlie.
12:51Hi, Amelia.
12:52Hello.
12:53Thank you very much for your designs.
12:54They're really well put together.
12:56They always say that.
12:58Charlie, I love the patio.
13:00We also love your cypress trees.
13:03The colour, the planting.
13:05Absolutely.
13:06Ooh, lovely.
13:07And Amelia, just your take on the garden was just so different.
13:12Ooh, look at you.
13:14We loved that the entertaining area was central.
13:18And that palm tree was absolutely superb.
13:21Big palm trees.
13:22Always a winner.
13:23Yeah.
13:24It was a really difficult decision, though, between the two.
13:26It was.
13:27Ooh.
13:28We can only choose one.
13:29And that one is...
13:33Amelia.
13:34Amelia.
13:35Oh, wow.
13:36Well done.
13:37Thank you very much.
13:39Amelia, just the inspiration that you took from 1930s and Californian, and you really fused
13:44them together.
13:45So, yeah, thank you.
13:46Really excited.
13:47Really excited now.
13:48Yeah.
13:49Ooh, well done.
13:50Brilliant.
13:51Thank you, Charlie.
13:52They'll think they're in Hollywood.
13:54Hopefully, we'll have Californian weather.
13:56Yeah, hopefully not central rain.
13:57Project manager Dan and an expert team of landscapers have just two days to bring Amelia's
14:14design to life.
14:15Morning, all.
14:16Morning.
14:17Morning.
14:18Right.
14:19This is the area where it's all going to come out, so quite a bit to do.
14:24Get rid of the grass, we're going to have a nice pergola here.
14:27Okay.
14:28Underneath the pergola, we're going to have this little paved area, swing seat at the
14:32back, and decorative stone all around the edge.
14:35A lot of levels in this garden, so we're definitely going to try and reduce them.
14:38Good to go?
14:39Yep, ready.
14:40First, the whole team is getting stuck in, clearing weeds at the front patio area.
14:47I haven't told these to me, but this is actually the correct way to weed the garden.
14:52Get a chair out.
14:53And take it nice and slow.
14:55I prefer the old blunt screwdriver technique.
14:59Gives me good results.
15:01There's 25 square metres of weed-filled patio to get through.
15:08It could be quick if you've got the goat in here, to be honest, wouldn't it?
15:13It's looking a lot better now.
15:15Susie's moved on to clear the back of the garden, ready for Amelia's design to take shape.
15:21This is a U. It's just going to get bigger and bigger and bigger and take up this whole
15:26space, which will be a shame because their garden's not big.
15:29So, we're going to, sadly, have to get rid of it.
15:32And also, because Mike's retiring, the last thing you want to be doing in your old age
15:37is having to wield a heavy hedge cutter around and trimming large shrubs.
15:43The uncontrollable shrubs will be replaced, and the uncontrollable Acer will be rehomed out the front.
15:50Thunderbirds are go.
15:53Yeah, you're alright. It's a beautiful Acer. It's got a lovely form to it.
15:57And it would be a shame to lose it.
15:59Having dug out the extent of the roots, Danny and Susie ensure as much of the Acer's root ball is intact
16:06and then wrap it in membrane, ready to transport.
16:10Someone's going to have to tell me where I'm going because I cannot see a thing.
16:14Amelia's agreed a new home with Mike and Christine in the front garden,
16:18and Susie makes sure the roots can fully spread before firming up around it.
16:23Lovely. Like it's always been there.
16:25Amelia's design calls for more manageable planting and a new shape to Mike and Christine's garden.
16:39The main part of this garden is about the straight lines and ensuring that we get everything in proportion.
16:48So we've got the sleepers just here now, kind of as a guide to where the new area will be.
16:55Dan is finalising rectangular markings that reduce the size of the existing patio and divide the front and the back of the space.
17:04As you can see, this was the existing line where Carl's has taken up the last few bricks now.
17:09As you can see, what we've done now with the new sleepers, this extends the gravel area and the actual garden now is in parallel.
17:17This line now is in parallel with the conservatory and the garden actually just reads better overall.
17:22Once the garden is cleared, Susie and Danny can more accurately measure up for the new paving.
17:30That flat line is a good thing and it means that the top of this peg is in level with my sleeper,
17:36which is the finished height of my paving.
17:39So then I can go down from that, put the scalpings in, membrane, block paving and we're good to go.
17:47Amelia's small rectangular pavers will create a connection to the larger garden shapes.
17:59We're going to lay these pavers, we're going to put slurry on the back so that's effectively a cement glue
18:05and then they're going to get laid onto a one in five cement and sand mix.
18:11And then we'll remove the frame, haunch it up and point it. Dead easy.
18:17And the newly renovated existing patio, which is being reduced in size, will complement it nicely.
18:24Right, so we're just finishing touches with the existing patio, we've jet washed it now.
18:31Now just to put the grout in, bring it all together nicely.
18:36So as to show, you know a little bit of TLC, you can bring the old patio back to life.
18:42After just one day of hard graft, Christine and Mike's garden really is taking on a new shape.
18:48That looks alright, doesn't it?
18:50Ready for Charlie and Amelia to add their expertise in the morning.
18:55Here we are. Wow. It's almost sunny. Sunny Stockport. Gorgeous garden, isn't it?
19:04Pretty little roses and jasmine and great for the wildlife.
19:07Yeah, absolutely.
19:08Oh wow. Look at this.
19:12That's looking pretty good already Amelia.
19:14This has changed a bit, hasn't it?
19:16Still looks triangular-ish.
19:18It does at the moment Charlie, but I am very confident that the planting is really going to address that.
19:23Oh yeah, so we've got a lot to do still though.
19:25Yeah, I think I could really use your help on this seating area with the lovely oak pergola we've got going in.
19:31Ooh, oak pergola. And what are you going to be doing?
19:34I will be focusing on this main vista up here, which is going to have a lovely swing seat, lots of green planting.
19:41So you're going to be right at the point then?
19:42I will be right on point.
19:44Right on point. How is your ballet?
19:45Not too bad, yeah. Quite well known for my plie.
19:48Oh, okay.
19:49Well you've got a lot to do.
19:50We do, let's crack on.
19:52Okay.
19:53The landscapers are already busy.
19:56Kylie baby!
19:57Finishing paving and preparing ground for the pergola.
20:01What I wanted to do is really just take inspiration from those sort of strong leading lines, patterns, tessellations that you find in Art Deco
20:09and apply that to this unusual triangular space.
20:13So the way I've sort of gone about it is actually dividing the garden up into thirds.
20:18This area here is really the biggest third of the garden.
20:23So what we wanted to do is really create a lovely, welcoming seating area and then have another seating area further down here, but really get rid of that vast swathe of paving, which Christine and Mike had before.
20:38Amelia's design creates a relaxing area for Christine and Mike at the top end of the garden with the swing seat snugly fitting in the spot.
20:47It's 185, so it is just about.
20:51So it's just over, isn't it?
20:52So we could, I think then, actually have it here.
20:56Yeah.
20:57Rather than this gravel section here because, although it is wide enough just, I think it's going to feel a little bit more purposeful in this section.
21:08Yeah, definitely.
21:09Particularly if we can get that lovely planting around the edges.
21:11So if you're happy with it going here, that would be great.
21:15Yes, definitely.
21:16Yep, no problem.
21:17Okay, lovely.
21:19A mix of tropical and closer to home planting will envelop Christine and Mike throughout the garden.
21:26Oh, look at that.
21:27Look at that colour.
21:28A riot of colour.
21:29Isn't that gorgeous?
21:30I'm loving the hot colours.
21:31Wow.
21:32Very hot colours.
21:33Look at those gorgeous rudbeckia there.
21:35Oh, and the crocosmias and some jungly plants.
21:39I'm feeling very excited now I'm seeing all the plants, I have to say.
21:42I think Christine's going to love them.
21:44Shall we get them out then?
21:45Okay.
21:46Okay.
21:47Woohoo.
21:48Here we go.
21:49Happiness in a crate.
21:50Can't help but smile when you see those gorgeous colours.
21:56Woohoo.
21:57Wow.
21:58Look at this tracking carpus Charlie.
21:59It's lovely.
22:00Look at the shadows already.
22:01It's gorgeous.
22:02Look.
22:03Woo.
22:04And I've not got just one, I've got three going in the garden.
22:06Three?
22:07Yep.
22:08Power of three.
22:09Are you putting them all as the focal point?
22:11Yeah, I think so because actually it would be nice to sort of bulk it out so that really
22:17becomes a lovely central viewpoint in the garden.
22:20Wow.
22:21They're fabulous.
22:22They are good aren't they?
22:30Already you can see, and particularly once these have grown in a little bit, that you
22:35really do lose that harsh point at the end of the garden.
22:38And what felt like a really strong apex before sort of just melts away.
22:43Right.
22:44Let's get her in the ground.
22:45Great stuff.
22:49In front of the swing seat will be a second seating area.
22:52That's good.
22:53That's bang on.
22:55Set within a pergola that Charlie and Kyle have been planting posts for.
22:59I'm loving the design that Amelia's done.
23:02It's quite a modern pergola.
23:04So we've got these uprights with a timber going across, but then Amelia's put these lovely
23:10stainless steel wires in, so it gives quite a modern vibe to a pergola rather than traditional
23:17rafters.
23:18Now one thing to remember when you're putting in perglas, if you're within two metres of
23:24your boundary, your fence line, you can't go over two and a half metres high, unless
23:30you go and get planning permission.
23:32But we're way within that, aren't we?
23:35I'm not tall enough for this job.
23:37You're better off out of the way really, aren't you Charlie?
23:39Oh, we're OK.
23:40Is that why?
23:41They've just given me this to keep me out of the way.
23:44Happy there?
23:45Are you happy?
23:46Yeah, I'm happy.
23:47To create a contrast between planting structures, the team have been busy adding new colour to
23:52Mike and Christine's boundary fencing.
23:54And it's great because you can already see how much the green is popping against that
23:59dark colour.
24:00And I also think when you've got sort of slightly awkward shapes around the boundaries, this
24:06kind of colour just makes them fade away completely.
24:09And what you focus on is actually the planting rather than the fencing.
24:13You're happy.
24:14You're happy as Larry.
24:15Why was Larry always happy?
24:16I don't know.
24:17We are pretty much done.
24:32Amelia's using a mix of materials throughout the garden.
24:35How many people does it take to build a pergola?
24:38Three!
24:39Ha ha!
24:40Charlie, Kyle and Dan are creating a wire roof for the pergola to encourage climbers.
24:47Now, picking up on Amelia's theme of threes, we've done the same thing with the pergola.
24:54So there's nine cross rafters, so that's three lots of three.
24:59So it's picking up that whole theme over and over again.
25:03Can I have a quick technical question?
25:06Do we want the hole up or down?
25:08Probably like that.
25:09Like that.
25:10Yep.
25:11Give it a bit of structural support then, won't it?
25:13Yeah.
25:14Yes.
25:15Yes, Kyle.
25:21There we go.
25:22Last eyelet going in.
25:24Sorted.
25:25Now we've got the really fiddly bit.
25:27Attaching the wires.
25:29Is that an inch?
25:31Susie and Amelia.
25:33Flat pack furniture.
25:34Who doesn't love it?
25:35Are working together to build an off-the-shelf swing seat.
25:39So you can actually make your own swing seats, but there are a couple of things to think
25:43about when you are making them yourself.
25:45Obviously it needs to be able to hold the weight of a couple of people sitting on it.
25:49So in this instance, we have gone for something that we know will work.
25:53This was about 180 quid, but I mean, sky's the limit to be honest.
25:57It can go all the way up to thousands.
25:59So, you know, do a bit of research, see what you like, see what style you like as well.
26:04Because this is a little bit more of an old school coming into that art deco theme.
26:09But you can get really nice modern ones made out of metal.
26:12So lots of different options out there.
26:14S4, S3, S5.
26:17S5, S5.
26:18S5.
26:19To create a relaxing view from the swing seat, Amelia's asked Danny to hide where the bins are kept to the side of the house.
26:26We're going to make a little bespoke trellis panel with some baton to go across.
26:31So a little bit of light through, but it will hide the bins.
26:34That's what we're trying to achieve.
26:35But we've got solid concrete everywhere here.
26:38I cut through the top bit and I thought, I've cracked it.
26:41But unfortunately, I've gone straight through the top bit into another layer of concrete.
26:45So the solution to getting a post in here, I can bolt this plate down into the hole.
26:51That'll all be hidden with some extra concrete.
26:53And then with the post going there, it'll be nice and firm.
26:56Then I can make the trellis panel.
27:00The team are determined to create unspoiled, clean lines in the art deco inspired garden.
27:06Right, what can go wrong?
27:08And Charlie and the team are ready to attach the pergola's wire roof.
27:12Right.
27:13Oh, wow.
27:14Here we go.
27:15The truth.
27:16Here we go.
27:17Twist it.
27:18Twist it, yeah.
27:19Get it right around.
27:20I have to say, Charlie, you've done a pretty good job on this.
27:24Well, I don't either.
27:26Kyle and Dan kept me under control.
27:28They only let me do the simple things.
27:31It was the patio and pergola that convinced Mike and Christine that Amelia's design was their favourite.
27:38I'm looking forward to the whole aspect of how the planting mixes in with the pergola.
27:44I am really looking forward to seeing the clay pavers because Amelia referred to them as the art deco, the repetition of design.
27:54That's what really sold it to me.
27:56So I am really looking forward to seeing those in the garden because I can't imagine them at the moment.
28:01Here we go.
28:04All the wires are in.
28:06We've tensed them up, but not over tensing them because otherwise it will pull the timbers in.
28:12But there's still a little bit of adjustment.
28:14So once the concrete's gone off totally, they can tighten them right up.
28:18It was a bit fiddly because as you tension them, if you tension one up too much, then it makes the others go slack.
28:25So it's a little bit on each one.
28:27But we got there in the end.
28:29Woo-hoo!
28:31There's just a few screws to tighten on the swing seat.
28:36Ta-da!
28:37Wow, look at that.
28:39Go on then.
28:40Have a seat in it, Amelia.
28:43So, ready to test drive.
28:45You should fan over the tracheacarpus, Lee.
28:47Yeah, come on Charlie.
28:48Let's get a nice breeze going.
28:51So, next up, planting.
28:53We've already got the tracheacarpus in, which I actually think that will work quite well there, just as a little pop behind the seating.
29:00Right then, bit of a tidy up.
29:02Okay.
29:03Get the planting.
29:04Here we go.
29:05Look at that.
29:06Thank you very much.
29:07Good teamwork.
29:08With the swing seat and patio in place.
29:11So, is that fancy about there?
29:13Charlie and Amelia.
29:14Look at this gorgeous variegated colour here.
29:17Just absolutely stunning.
29:19Are keen to start planting.
29:21Brilliant.
29:22Perfect.
29:23Do you want it opposite or staggered?
29:25I think a little bit staggered.
29:27So, if we bring her a little bit that way.
29:29Her?
29:30I think it's a she.
29:31It's Phil, hello.
29:32Do you reckon?
29:33Yeah.
29:34What?
29:35We need to name her next.
29:36She needs to be the focal point.
29:37Yeah, absolutely.
29:40Now the greens really don't need to be the only pop of colour against the fence.
29:44Go for things like this gorgeous agapanthus.
29:47Look at that dusky blue against the fence.
29:49It just works so well.
29:50And it's so simple.
29:52Now I'm just popping in another unusual shrub.
30:01Calacanthus.
30:02This one is heartless wine.
30:04And it's got these really gorgeous wine red flowers.
30:09Flowers May, June time.
30:11But then it often gets another flush of flowers in August.
30:15They're almost hypnotic.
30:17They sort of draw you in.
30:19That or I've had too much sun today.
30:22Tell me about it.
30:23Hot day of the year, isn't it?
30:25Scorchioso.
30:27Now this here is a convolvulus.
30:42And I think it's a really lovely shrub.
30:45It's very compact.
30:47And you can see it's really just glistening in that sun.
30:50It kind of has an almost silvery hue to it.
30:53And the other thing that I love is that they are evergreen.
30:56So at times of the year when maybe the garden is looking a little bit drab,
31:00this is bound to give the beds a little pop of that gorgeous silvery colour.
31:05For me, I think it's a bit of a winner.
31:07It kind of does everything.
31:09Right.
31:10We've got the post in here.
31:11We've got the wall plate at that end.
31:12And then we're going to have the horizontals going across to hide the bins.
31:27So, yeah, we're making good progress.
31:30In contrast to the sunnier side of the garden over there, this side of the garden is a little bit shadier.
31:40So we've got these gorgeous Carex ever sheen grasses, also known as Japanese sedge.
31:46And when I talk about drifts in planting, this is exactly what I mean.
31:49You've got this group of three here, which is a really naturalistic way of planting,
31:53because you'll just have this really gorgeous swathe coming through here.
31:58The other thing is they're nice and rustly, so they're quite textural and sensory.
32:02And when it's a bit windy, they'll make a lovely rustling noise.
32:06Gorgeous.
32:15It's looking fantastic already.
32:17Thank you very much.
32:18Class make the difference.
32:28That's the hole dug for my climbers.
32:31Amelia's chosen two climbers that are quite vigorous, which is great,
32:35because they'll come up and give a lovely dappled shade over the seating area.
32:40Both evergreen or semi-evergreen.
32:42So we've got Clematis armandii, snowdrift, lovely white flowers in the spring.
32:49And then on this side, we've got a honeysuckle.
32:52This honeysuckle is called Lonicera henrii copper beauty.
32:57And it flowers later in the summer.
32:59And it's self-twining, so it will actually wrap around on its own.
33:03But it's definitely worth, when you're starting out with a climber,
33:07tying a few in just so it sort of is tied in,
33:11and it stops the wind from bashing it around as well.
33:14Lovely.
33:15Right.
33:16Gorgeous.
33:17At the side of the garden, the team have laid down gravel for a gravel garden.
33:33This section here is our Californian garden.
33:36And it's a real nod to Christine and Mike's travels.
33:40So we've got Potentilla, we've got Verbena benariensis,
33:44Artemisia silver queen, and some yuccas as well, drifting through.
33:48And these sort of plants love dry, arid, quite poor soil conditions,
33:54which is why we've planted them in this gravel here.
33:57But over time, these yuccas here, these variegated yuccas,
34:01will get a little bit bigger.
34:03And what they will do is throw out really tall spikes of flowers.
34:07You're also hiding the bins, which are over there,
34:10because your eye is just completely drawn
34:12to this amazing selection of plants.
34:23Now, Amelia has chosen one of my most favourite shrubs.
34:27It's known as lantern tree, and you can see why.
34:30It's got these gorgeous pendulous flowers that hang down
34:34and they look like lanterns, exactly like lanterns.
34:37It's quite an upright shrub, and it's reasonably slow growing.
34:41It will eventually get to about four metres high,
34:44but it takes quite a long time.
34:46And it flowers May, June, July time.
34:49It is evergreen, so it adds the structure to this border.
34:53Now, it likes a neutral to acid soil, free draining,
34:58but it is absolutely fabulous.
35:01It's really fantastic, and a great talking point.
35:11Amelia and the team have put their heart and soul
35:13into creating an art-deco-inspired space in Stockport in just two days.
35:21The last little bit.
35:23The finishing touches.
35:25Look at that.
35:26That actually works really well with all the other timber, doesn't it?
35:30Yeah, it does.
35:31It's really good.
35:33Are you pleased?
35:34I'm so pleased.
35:35I think Christine and Mike are going to love it.
35:38I hope.
35:39I do as well.
35:40And it's got that art-deco vibe to it
35:43with the structure of the plant leaves and the paving.
35:47Yeah, very vibrant.
35:48You know, they wanted lots of colour and warmth,
35:50and I think the planting itself really delivers that.
35:53Right, you're going to get them out?
35:54Because I would love to sit here all the time.
35:56I think let's bring them out.
35:57Let's see what they think.
35:58Moment of truth.
36:01Christine and Mike's garden was once weed ridden,
36:04with overgrown shrubs and tricky levels in an awkwardly shaped space.
36:09But with a £5,500 budget, it's been transformed into a colourful, curated plot.
36:23Inspired by the couple's love for art-deco,
36:26it's now perfect for socialising or simply spending time in.
36:34Okay, so if you guys come this way.
36:36Right, so you really wanted art-deco,
36:43big wow factor, hints of California, colour, glamour.
36:47Yep.
36:48So I really hope this garden delivers that for you.
36:51Are you ready to open your eyes?
36:52Yep.
36:53Yeah.
36:54Okay.
36:55All right, go for it.
36:59Oh, my goodness!
37:00It's incredible!
37:01Wow!
37:02Get out of town!
37:03That is magnificent!
37:05Is this our garden?
37:06No.
37:07I take it you're pleased.
37:08Oh!
37:09That is incredible!
37:11I think they like it!
37:12Oh, Amelia!
37:13Oh, my God!
37:14That's absolutely incredible!
37:15Oh!
37:16That was magnificent!
37:17Thank you very much!
37:18Fantastic!
37:19So, yeah, you've got your lovely swing seat at the end now, nice focal point.
37:30Absolutely!
37:31Mike, that's somewhere you can enjoy in retirement, I hope.
37:34Absolutely!
37:35Yes!
37:36Put Christine to work in the garden.
37:38Oh, wow!
37:39Oh, wow!
37:40I can just see myself up there.
37:41Oh, it's just beautiful, couldn't have asked for more.
37:45The couple once stepped onto a weed-filled, overwhelming patio, but they now arrive onto
37:53renovated tiles surrounded by planting and bordered by the California-inspired gravel garden.
37:59It's got that kind of dusty, arid, Californian style.
38:03Yeah.
38:04It's magnificent.
38:05Yeah, thank you.
38:06Now, you can hopefully have a lovely, relaxing coffee here in the morning.
38:11We've never sat here.
38:12Right.
38:13We've never used it, never known how to make it usable.
38:16Right, how to sort of deal with it in a way.
38:18Yeah.
38:19Yeah.
38:20I think that we can use some of this space.
38:21Yeah, this catches the sun at the end of the day anyway, so it's perfect.
38:23Yeah, beautiful.
38:24Absolutely beautiful.
38:25Now I've got a little bit of privacy as well from neighbours.
38:27I know, I love that.
38:28It is amazing.
38:29It made the patio smaller by the house, but it actually looks bigger because of the planting.
38:36I'm dying to show you the rest of the garden if that's all right, so follow me.
38:39I'm dying to see it.
38:42The centre of the garden was once boring, with an uneven lawn bordered by nothing but weeds.
38:50It now hosts the wire-roofed pergola, primed to be covered by climbers.
38:56Set over the patio with clay pavers, perfect for socialising.
39:03This is really the social hub of the garden, and I know that was really important to you
39:09guys to have somewhere to be able to have friends, family, have a barbecue.
39:13Yeah.
39:14I love these tiles.
39:15Oh, these tiles are beautiful.
39:16So these are clay pavers.
39:18Love them.
39:19And they're picking up again that sort of tessellating, art deco feel.
39:22Yeah.
39:23It's fantastic.
39:24I love the colour.
39:25Now this pergola is made from oak, which is a hardwood.
39:28Oh, amazing.
39:29So it's very durable.
39:30Beautiful.
39:31It will stand the test of time.
39:32And then we've got these tension wires up above, and this clematis armandii will cover this in no time.
39:38So we're going to have a real canopy.
39:39Absolutely.
39:40Oh, yeah.
39:41That is the dream.
39:42Amazing.
39:43So have a nice hot day, like today, you might find you need that bit of shade.
39:47I mean, I always felt quite embarrassed to entertain people.
39:50Right.
39:51So just having somewhere now, and surrounded by all these beautiful plants.
39:55Yeah.
39:56It's a real garden I feel proud of.
39:58It is gorgeous.
39:59And when all those plants are growing up, you'll just be in a cocoon of colour and scent.
40:06I can't wait for these to fill out, because they just feel so tropical.
40:09Yeah.
40:10And I think that's also part of that Californian inspiration is to have that sort of tropical feel.
40:16Glamorous.
40:17In Stockport.
40:18Yeah, exactly.
40:19Exactly.
40:20Bring California here all day long.
40:22Mike and Christine rarely ventured to the overgrown rear of the garden.
40:27But a swing seat enveloped by tropical planting now make it the perfect space for unwinding and admiring the whole space.
40:36Now this is really the pinnacle of the garden, Christine and Mike.
40:41So hopefully you can enjoy some lovely, relaxing evenings.
40:44This is magnificent.
40:45I love it.
40:46Absolutely love it.
40:47This is the dream.
40:48This has been the dream for quite a few years.
40:50We kept going to these gardening shows and seeing wooden swing seats and then sitting in.
40:55This is nice.
40:56This is lovely.
40:57This is nice, yeah.
40:58Where do we put it in the garden?
40:59Right, yeah.
41:00How do we make it work?
41:01So this is the dream.
41:02Do you want to have a little trial now or?
41:04Yep.
41:05Yeah?
41:06Absolutely.
41:07No time like the present.
41:08Okay.
41:09So how's that?
41:10Oh, that's lovely.
41:12Then you've got a lovely focal point looking down the garden, surrounded by plants.
41:16I've never seen the house in this direction before.
41:18No, I've not either.
41:19Mike is going to spend all his time up there, I am sure.
41:23Where's the sun setting, Mike?
41:24See?
41:25Actually, we need to label it just so that there's no confusion.
41:30You've got these trachycarpus palms here at the back and this hibiscus and fatsia japonica.
41:35And after a couple of years those will really mature and fill out.
41:39So it should hopefully feel like a lovely verdant corner of the garden.
41:43Yeah, and I think once they grow it's going to add to that tropical feel.
41:47Absolutely.
41:48Which is really important.
41:49So, Christine and Mike, has it been worth it?
41:52Oh, a hundred percent worth it.
41:53A hundred percent.
41:54Yes, it has.
41:55A hundred percent.
41:56I think it's beautiful.
41:57It's better than I thought.
41:59Fantastic.
42:00It's a garden to be proud of.
42:01Yeah?
42:02Yeah.
42:03I haven't done this alone.
42:04Let's bring in Charlie.
42:06Charlie, are you...
42:08I'm here.
42:09I'm here.
42:10She's here.
42:11They...
42:12Amelia, Amelia, they've stolen your seat.
42:15I know.
42:17Do you like it?
42:18Absolutely.
42:19Marvellous.
42:20It's a beautiful garden, isn't it?
42:22It's absolutely gorgeous.
42:24And you always think, oh, I'm not green fingered, I can't do this.
42:27But I'm going to learn about this.
42:29I'm going to have a go and...
42:31The best way to learn is to have it, and then you're going to be watering it,
42:36and you'll notice things, and you just learn by doing it.
42:41It's the best way.
42:42It's the best way.
42:43It's the best way.
42:44So that's the payoff.
42:45You get the swing seat if you do the gardening.
42:47But...
42:48That's the retirement plan.
42:49Seems like a reasonable trade.
42:51Can I go back on this now?
42:52No.
42:55Too late.
42:56It's on camera.
43:01I really wasn't expecting to be so overwhelmed and to have such an emotional reaction.
43:09But it's got all these memories of family and our trip, and it's everything intertwined.
43:16I love it.
43:17Truly magnificent.
43:18Truly magnificent.
43:19Truly magnificent.
43:21Truly magnificent.
43:23Have a great day.
43:24Bye today.
43:26Bye José.
43:27Bye.
43:28Bye.
43:30Here you are.
43:41Bye.
43:42And now we have all your usual gifts here.
43:45Today I've started going back on a,-
43:49capelex.com.
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