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Watch Garden Rescue, Season 11 Episode 27 on Dailymotion (2026).
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TVTranscription
00:00Le jardin rescue team est là-bas.
00:03Alleluia!
00:05Ce time Lee, Charlie, Chris, and Flo will be joined by four familiar faces from the gardening world.
00:19Ok, let's gallop on then.
00:21Go on then.
00:21Yee-haw!
00:22Joe, team garden rescue, Sue, we've got a little vignette of pots, Dermot,
00:28I think I've been accepted into the game.
00:31and Francis.
00:32You just can't beat a cherry tree.
00:34In each garden, two of our designers will go head to head.
00:37We've decided to go for...
00:40Flo's design!
00:41Yes!
00:42Come on!
00:44And the winning designer...
00:45Does that make me the boss?
00:47...gets a helping hand from the runner-up.
00:50Stop pulling!
00:51It's garden war!
00:52That is fantastic!
00:54...turning garden dreams into reality.
00:58Open your eyes.
00:59Oh my God!
01:00That is incredible!
01:02Oh my God!
01:04This is gorgeous!
01:06This is our garden!
01:13Today, the team are in Royal Tunbridge Wells, helping a couple with their first garden.
01:20Cup of tea?
01:21Oh yes please.
01:21I'm Ryan, I'm 26 years old and I'm in the Royal Navy.
01:25I'm Rachel, I'm 25 years old and I work in finance and we live in Tunbridge Wells.
01:30We've been together for coming up to eight years now and we met at school so I suppose really we're
01:35like high school sweethearts.
01:37But three years ago, whilst in the Navy, Ryan experienced a spinal stroke which changed their lives overnight.
01:46I went to bed one evening completely fine and woke up the following day paralysed from, well at the time
01:52it was waist down and over the course of a couple of hours it went from waist down to about
01:57shoulders down which really spiced up my working day I suppose.
02:02At just 22, the stroke was life changing for the both of them.
02:08After intensive care, Ryan moved into residential rehab and for the last three years, Rachel's been living with her parents.
02:17Here you are.
02:18Thank you all.
02:20But now, an end to the long distance relationship is on the horizon.
02:24It's really coming along isn't it?
02:26It's getting there.
02:27We found this bungalow, it had a very overgrown garden, it was a bit crazy, but it was in a
02:34lovely quiet spot and I could see that especially if you're going to be working from home, it would be
02:39really ideal for us.
02:41They've spent time renovating and adapting the house for Ryan's needs.
02:45So really all that's left to do is the kind of electrical work, fit in the kitchen, bathroom, a bit
02:51of flooring and then some decorating really to get it all liveable.
02:56And it's not long before the couple can move in and be reunited.
03:01It's been three years, over three years now since I got the phone call that you were in hospital, so
03:09I'm kind of ready to move on.
03:12But before they can, there's one area left to tackle.
03:15So this is our very derelict and muddy garden.
03:19There's not any grass or anything and it's really quite hard to get around isn't it?
03:24Well, for me anyway.
03:26Yeah, a bit frustrating because this is the extent that Ryan can get in the garden, so this area on
03:33this side is out of bounds.
03:35The area behind the trees is out of bounds and the office where hopefully you'll be working one day and
03:41be able to sit and enjoy the garden is currently out of bounds.
03:44And now the garden's even more crucial. As part of Ryan's rehab, he's taken up horticultural therapy.
03:51An unexpected result of the injury is I've actually ended up getting quite into gardening.
03:57Not something I would have been into potentially before, but in the spirit of trying things new, it's something that
04:03we can both get stuck in and both enjoy.
04:06Getting the garden sorted would really change our lives.
04:09Yeah, we can't really move forward with anything until things like your access is sorted, things like the piles of
04:16rubble, the piles of logs and stuff over there.
04:19You can't enjoy it till it's sorted, so it's just waiting for someone to come help us with it.
04:25Yeah, it's another thing to be sorted, yeah. Bit of a builder's yard.
04:30Yeah.
04:33Hoping to level things out is resident garden rescue designer, Lee Berkhill.
04:39Planting is the favourite of our land. Absolutely love plants, yeah.
04:43Along with visionary designer, Dermot Gavin.
04:51Well, Lee, this is Rachel and Ryan in Tombridge Wells. Very sweet. They met in sixth form.
04:58Oh, cute. Yeah, absolutely. So they bought the bungalow because of the garden.
05:03Oh, OK. Yeah.
05:04They've got concrete trees. A little bit of everything, isn't there?
05:07Do you know what? I'm a bit concerned about these levels.
05:10Let's see what they'd really love here.
05:13Hi, Lee. Hi, Dermot.
05:14We would love to create an accessible romantic space filled with calm colours, blues, whites and purples.
05:20Accessible, romantic, that's lovely. Young love.
05:24We would love a water feature, something like what we experienced when we were at Horatio's garden
05:29whilst Ryan was recovering from his stroke during rehab.
05:32A water feature, so where would we fit in a water feature?
05:37Yeah. And is that ground level or is that safe with a wheelchair or do you know, details, details?
05:43We want a garden design that both of us can look after and create a space of normality.
05:47We'd like some raised beds that are accessible for Ryan and are also filled with woodland planting.
05:53If they have the cover of trees, that dappled light for some of that planting, it could be quite gentle.
06:00Yeah. Lee, Dermot, please can we have a romantic poultry-cultural rehab garden?
06:05Well, you and I will know the value of plants in terms of the joy and the healing
06:11and just getting your hands dirty, so this is the perfect plot for them.
06:16We just now have to make it work. What's the budget for this one? Budget is 5,000.
06:21Mmm. Which is quite tough because accessibility is going to swallow up an awful lot of that.
06:28Yeah, and all that ground prep and levels and ramps and high changes.
06:32Yes, yeah. But I'll be able to do it. Yeah? Yeah? Yeah, absolutely no problem to me, Lee.
06:38I'm kind of half-confident I can do this, but I can definitely do the plants.
06:42Yeah, I'm sure you can.
06:44Lee and Dermot must now create designs that meet Ryan and Rachel's £5,000 budget.
06:52Once their favourite design has been chosen, the losing designer will help with the build.
06:57A trusted team of landscapers will provide their labour for free so all the money can be spent on materials.
07:06Back in Tunbridge Wells...
07:08Oh, look, the designs have come in.
07:09Ooh, let's have a look.
07:11..the pictures have been delivered.
07:12Thanks.
07:14Ryan and Rachel, this is my relaxing horticultural retreat for the pair of you.
07:20Oh, look, that looks really good.
07:21And my garden design uses some clever design tricks to give you a journey through the garden,
07:26whether Ryan, you need to get around, or Rachel, you just want to potter through yourself.
07:30Yeah, it's like two gardens in one.
07:32Rachel and Ryan, it would be my delight to create a garden that suits you both.
07:38I've been working on a plan, and this is it.
07:41Oh, yeah, it looks nice.
07:43We have the open, sunny Mediterranean area up by this terrace here,
07:48and what I'll plant this either side of this rampway up with are lavenders and low-growing rosemary.
07:55Oh, I do like the lavender.
07:56Yeah, you wanted some lavender in the garden.
07:58Yeah.
07:59Dermot's trail around the garden starts as soon as you leave the patio.
08:04Lee, however, is stretching things a little.
08:07So let's start with the first half of the garden.
08:10As we leave your house in the conservatory here, we step onto your new patio,
08:14which I know you've already had put in.
08:16But I wanted to make the space bigger, and I want to give you a pocket garden
08:20as soon as you leave the house without even having to move into the rest of the space.
08:24That's a good idea.
08:25And I've done that by using decking that takes the same level as the paving
08:30and pulls the garden across.
08:32I've given you this raised bed here that's going to be full of cottagey plants.
08:36Next to the raised bed, I've given you a raised water feature.
08:40Wow, that's really, really cool.
08:42So I've created a wooden rampway which will float through some beautiful planting,
08:49bring you down by the side of that new terrace.
08:52It's really nice to go through the plants and take you on a journey around the garden.
08:58Yeah.
08:58And then the garden takes a twist physically, but also in terms of material that we use,
09:04because we leave the one behind.
09:06Once we're settled at this level, we move onto dust-bound gravel.
09:10Now that's the most fantastic material.
09:13It's kind of hard under the wheels of your chair.
09:16It's a great surface, but on top there's a shimmer of softness of Mediterranean gravel.
09:21Plants flop over this champagne-coloured stone.
09:25I think it's really, really beautiful.
09:27I wouldn't have thought to do that.
09:28It's really different.
09:31Dermot's path uses various materials, whilst Lee's designed an all timber trail.
09:38What I've done, Ryan, is give you a series of linked gentle ramps and seated platforms here
09:45to get you around the garden from up here down to the lowest point.
09:49Yeah, Lee's done some clever designs here.
09:50It looks really smart.
09:52The first thing you're going to notice is this centralised raised bed in the middle,
09:57so that when you start off, you're immediately looking at a mirrored selection
10:00of those cottagey plants that we've got in the pocket garden up here.
10:04Beautiful.
10:05And you could perch on any one of these platforms and just take ten minutes soaking the sounds.
10:10Or you can carry on to the second part, which is the big raised deck
10:15that marries up perfectly with your outdoor office.
10:18That looks good.
10:18With both designers solving the issue of accessibility, it's all down to the planting.
10:25Dermot's using the existing trees to create a shady grove.
10:30Underneath that grove, we'll be planting some beautiful woodland plants,
10:34like ferns and hellebores and digitalis.
10:37Everything that you love for that romantic cottage garden feel.
10:41Yeah, lots of lovely soft plants around the edge.
10:44That's really nice.
10:45And then you'll whiz past some raised planters here.
10:49So this is the area that will make it very easy for you to grow fruit and vegetables.
10:54And then on to a little stopping off area right beside your contemporary pavilion.
11:01That's a nice sunny spot.
11:02Yeah, we'll get the sun all day there.
11:04I know you really like those woodland relaxing gardens.
11:07So rather than everything being cottagey and full of pollen and flower,
11:11I want to give you a space that really calms down.
11:14Yeah, just to be able to chill out will be good.
11:15This shrubbery down here is going to be full of UK native shrubs.
11:20Things like the Gelder rose, viburnums.
11:22I'm going to keep all of your existing trees to make sure that the whole garden feels mature and established.
11:28Love that he's keeping all the trees.
11:30The feel of this garden is loose, English, romantic.
11:34I think with this plan, we'll do it better than anybody else will.
11:38I feel like I'd be really proud to have people around and see that garden.
11:42So Ryan and Rachel, if you want to switch off in the garden and get some green healing,
11:47then this is the two-stage design for you.
11:50I've got no clue how we're going to be able to choose.
11:52I think we need to have a chat with a few different people on the other side.
11:59Ryan and Rachel must now discuss which design they prefer.
12:05So I really like the metal-raised planters in Dermotts.
12:09Very contemporary. I like it too.
12:11I really like the way that Dermotts' pathway comes round this decking area that we're on.
12:18And I like the soft planting that he's put round the edge as well.
12:22And that it loops round the front.
12:23Lavender as well. You love the lavender.
12:24And then what I liked about Lee's design is having that main water feature at the centre of the garden.
12:31So as soon as you come out, you'll see a water feature.
12:34It'll be right there, yeah.
12:36So with Lee's, I really like the kind of separation of the different areas.
12:40You've got the patio. You've got the area where you can sit next to the water feature.
12:44But then you can come down and off.
12:45And then you've still got somewhere else to sit by the garden room.
12:49It's going to be difficult.
12:50It's going to be really hard.
12:57So, Lee, Rachel and Ryan have got back to us.
13:00Oh, okay. You excited?
13:02Yeah, yeah. This would be a nice one to do, wouldn't it?
13:04Yeah, it would be interesting.
13:05Hi, Lee. Hi, Dermot.
13:06We've both watched the pictures numerous times.
13:09And we've both really, really struggled to make our minds up.
13:12Oh, we've given them some sleepless nights with this one.
13:14Dermot, we love that you've meshed together the two styles of Mediterranean and forest garden.
13:20Oh, I love Mediterranean planting schemes.
13:23And we love the choice of metal planters giving us that contemporary and modern style
13:27combined with the floral elements that we both really, really like.
13:31They're really invested, aren't they?
13:33Yeah, they are.
13:34Whereas, Lee, we love the large water feature.
13:36It'll be a big statement coming out with it being just there
13:39and being able to put some seating around there as well.
13:42Oh, I do love a big statement.
13:44After watching the pictures numerous times, we eventually came to a decision.
13:48Oh.
13:49And for many reasons, we've decided to go with yours.
13:56Lee.
13:57Hey, well done.
13:59Oh, it's going to be a wonderful garden for them, Lee.
14:02Thanks to both of you, and we can't wait to see the design as a real garden.
14:06But I think, really, this is going to be an exciting garden for both of us
14:09to build a fully accessible space, get right into every nook and cranny of the garden.
14:13Yeah.
14:14And I think that extra element, I suppose when you're just sitting there,
14:17looking down on the water feature, you see the reflection of the sky,
14:21sunshine, clouds going over it, and the wildlife it brings in.
14:24It's going to be a lovely one for them.
14:25It's making me feel really relaxed all day.
14:30Lee and Dermot have just two days to transform Ryan and Rachel's garden,
14:36along with a trusted team of landscapers led by project manager Ben.
14:44Here we are then, team. We are in Tunbridge Wells.
14:47Now, we have a brand new patio, which we're standing on, which they've got all sorted for us.
14:52So that's one less job for you. Look at him. Look at him. He's all happy.
14:55So Ryan needs to get down to the new garden room that's been installed at the bottom of the garden.
15:01Now, our challenge is to create ramps that lead you down to a big decked area that's in front of
15:10that garden room.
15:11To the side here, Lee has created a little pocket garden just here.
15:16So right behind you, Wayne, is going to be a raised water feature.
15:21So I think we'd better go on with it. Let's start moving things about. Yeah, let's do it.
15:30We have loads of sleepers that need to come out.
15:32There's a huge array of pots, but Rachel and Ryan want to keep them.
15:36We're going to move it to the front to create the space ready for the platforms and the ramps to
15:42go in.
15:43Each ramp is going to softly go down safely so Ryan can get into his new garden room.
15:52Because the deck outside the garden room is lower than the patio, the path will gently slope as it turns.
15:58So I'm just trying to get my head around the levels.
16:01Whilst Jamie head-scratches through the complex angles...
16:04I think he's still too much. Yeah, I...
16:07Raphael's got some simpler equations to work out.
16:12I'm making some box frames for the platform for the decking.
16:18Oh, here's a tip for you.
16:19Any time you're doing your cutting, you double check your first one.
16:24And then you use your first one to cut every other one following.
16:30Super smashing. Love it.
16:44Jamie and Andy are sorting out, now, the raised bed. That will be the centrepiece of the ramps and the
16:50platforms going around.
16:55Second hole.
16:56Second hole.
16:57Excellent.
16:58Off we go.
16:59First post going in.
17:01You started pouring the cake mix.
17:04Is that level there, Randy?
17:09We've fixed the wall plate to the patio.
17:12So we can start to build the top layer of the ramp.
17:15And we've got a nice secure fixing.
17:17So we transfer from the patio to the decking.
17:20It's nice and secure.
17:20And we're kind of starting to head down the first ramp now.
17:24So it's all good.
17:28Down a bit.
17:32All right.
17:34Super smashing.
17:35Now what I'm doing is the wall to feature.
17:39I've cut it all to size.
17:41I've cut the necessary bits.
17:44And I've also staggered my joints.
17:46Now the reason you stagger the joints is to add strength to it.
17:50Bit like a brick wall.
17:51What I've left to do now is to number it.
17:54So as I know where everything goes.
17:57Although I could mix it up.
17:58I don't want to do that because sometimes that adds a little bit of flavour.
18:02And I don't need no extra flavour.
18:03Not today.
18:06The team motor on.
18:08Getting the middle planter built.
18:09Andy could you just lift that long end up for us.
18:13And the base of the ramps installed.
18:18Even a bit of rain doesn't dampen their spirits.
18:22It suits you.
18:23Does it?
18:23Yeah.
18:24It's Andy Poppins.
18:25Andy Poppins.
18:27This is horrible.
18:28To make room for the pocket garden.
18:31Andy shifts the earth into the newly built central planter.
18:37As Jamie finishes the ramp that goes around it.
18:41Finally, after pretty much a full day, we're onto the decking boards.
18:45So now the fun begins.
18:48But with around 30 square metres of boards to cut and fit, it's a big task.
18:55Still absolutely loads to do.
18:57So we need Lee, we need Dermot here.
19:00The team needs them desperately so we can get this job over the line and hopefully it's not raining tomorrow.
19:19So we're in Royal Tunbridge Wells today, Dermot.
19:22Fab.
19:22Famous for its mythical spring water to rejuvenate the royals.
19:26Are you ready to spring into action today though?
19:29I absolutely am.
19:30Because you've got a right treat in store for you.
19:39I'm all that bad.
19:41Take a look at this.
19:43It's a bit of a building site isn't it?
19:45I mean the whole point of this garden is to make it fully accessible.
19:49Yes.
19:49And also a garden where they can grow their own stuff.
19:51Yeah.
19:51And really feel like they're connecting with nature.
19:53But I bet you're wondering which part of the garden are you in?
19:56I was a bit.
19:57I'm going to put you in the shrubbery in that back corner.
19:59And I know it looks a bit of a state at the moment.
20:01You want to get rid of me.
20:03Temporarily.
20:03Because once you've done all that kind of difficult work.
20:06There's a really big raised bed in the middle.
20:08And I'd love it if me and you could plant that together.
20:10Great.
20:10Yeah.
20:11It's a nice garden.
20:12It's going to be alright.
20:12You might need a harness to winch you into that corner there.
20:15Okay.
20:16Let's get going.
20:19So the design challenge is to build a series of ramps that gently takes Ryan and his guests down.
20:25As you can see without the decking boards it's a bit precarious.
20:28But what it will do is give him and Rachel a journey through the garden.
20:33So we started off in garden one and then all of a sudden we are migrating through the shrubbery.
20:38Which is really shady.
20:39Very cool and calm.
20:40Before finally reaching the end destination in the lower part of the garden.
20:45And this is all going to be decked.
20:47And it means that Ryan and Rachel can traverse through the shrubbery into this lower part.
20:51Both to get into the office but also to get a different viewpoint of the garden.
20:55So whilst this is a garden of two halves I want to make a start on that top area.
20:58So that we get that bit done and then we can move down into the lower part.
21:12So the job that Lee has given me to do in this garden is to assess this area and get
21:20it ready for replanting.
21:21And there's some nice things here like this beautiful small oriental maple.
21:26But there's also other plants that we now consider weeds.
21:30But we're kind of always looking at this again and understanding that every plant has their place.
21:36So for instance the nettles are very important in the life cycle of butterflies.
21:41So normally I would encourage the householders to keep some of these beneficial plants.
21:47In this case because access isn't going to be available to the furthest regions of the border from the chair.
21:56I'm going to kind of do a clear out of anything that isn't easy to look after.
22:14So we've got all hands on deck at the moment.
22:17We've got Jamie and Andy continuing the anti-slip decking.
22:23Then we can start on this decked area that wraps around another border in the middle there.
22:28Once we've done that we just start working our way out of the garden.
22:33As the timber work continues for the hard landscaping...
22:36The plants have arrived.
22:39It's the exciting part of the day, Dermot.
22:40Lee and Dermot get their first look at something more colourful.
22:46Nice.
22:46Look at those.
22:47We've got the shrubbery layer which is where you are in the garden.
22:50But then we've also got kind of a bit of a cottagey...
22:52Yeah.
22:53Full sun.
22:54Yeah, nice colours.
22:55I think often people confuse low maintenance with boring blobby evergreen shrubs.
23:00But you can still use herbaceous perennials and deciduous shrubs that work really well.
23:04Yeah, it's going to be great.
23:10So I think we need a sun and a shade pile here, Dermot, because we've got two very distinct plant
23:15groups.
23:17So, I mean, they'll go anywhere, but...
23:20These are going to be very useful to get some height and, in this case, early colour into the garden.
23:25That is the snowy messable and look at that lovely pom-pom viburnum.
23:32There it is.
23:33With the plants stored, Dermot continues prepping the dappled shaded area.
23:40So the way I tend to attack weeds is kind of slowly and carefully.
23:45I want to find out what's going on.
23:47I can see what's going on above ground, but I want to understand the root system that's there,
23:51because many weeds will be travelling as runners right along the roots.
23:56And nettles are a great example of that.
24:00If I take up this clump here, I'll show you what I'm trying to remove.
24:05So there's the root system of a nettle, and I really want all of this out.
24:10There's another plant that I see is starting to invade the garden, and we can just see bindweed.
24:16It'll climb through everything and strangle many plants.
24:19It has a white, fleshy root, and I want to make sure to get every single bit of that root
24:24out.
24:24So let's investigate.
24:29Let me know the ceiling.
24:32As Dermot digs under the ground for weeds, Lee's making things safe above ground.
24:39Now, as beautiful as this maple is, these branches are actually in the way.
24:44And when Ryan comes round in his chair, he's going to catch his head, which I don't want.
24:47Now, whenever you're pruning big branches like this, you want to take them back in sections.
24:51And a good tip is to make a cut underneath first before you cut all the way through, which stops
24:56tears and snags.
24:57But this is still mega-heavy.
25:00So, Jamie, can I use your arms to make sure that we don't, A, damage the beautiful deck.
25:06And the land on top of it. Yeah.
25:11Thank you very much.
25:12Now, I know this looks drastic, but rather than remove the trees, at least Ryan and Rachel can get past
25:17them.
25:18And these can be recycled.
25:26As work starts on filling the large three-by-one-metre central raised bed with topsoil...
25:32Whoa! Don't get any on the deck here!
25:36..the water feature also starts rising.
25:39So, from yesterday, when we were clearing the garden,
25:42we'd find not just the new sleepers that were in there, we'd find some offcuts as well.
25:47So, we're going to reuse them to create the pond for Ryan and Rachel.
25:51And then we're going to put the bed in.
25:53We can start building the frame, ready for the deck in.
25:56Still loads to do there.
25:58For Rachel and Ryan, the water feature was a key part in picking Lee's design.
26:04We wanted a wildlife-friendly garden,
26:06and I can imagine so many birds coming to sit by the water feature,
26:10and I'm looking forward to sitting there and enjoying it as well myself.
26:13Yeah, for me.
26:16My only concern is that it becomes this huge fountain
26:21and people that are sitting by it get completely splashed.
26:24That would be my only worry.
26:25Before there's any risk of splashing...
26:28Pull it all together.
26:31..the big timber sleepers need to be screwed into place
26:34to form the three-and-a-half by one-metre box.
26:38Oh, look at that!
26:39Oh, my gosh!
26:41That's the first time I've seen you smile all day!
26:43Right, crack on.
26:45With things coming together...
26:47Pick this little tree of Dermot up.
26:49Plants!
26:50..it's time for the designers to come together at the central flower bed.
26:54Dermot!
26:55Yesy?
26:56I can see you've been working tirelessly on that part of the garden.
26:59Would you like to come and play with some plants?
27:00I'd love to.
27:01Easy stuff to plant into as well.
27:03Come on.
27:04I think I've been accepted into the gang.
27:07Thank you, Lee.
27:08I'd love to.
27:08Well, you've been working so hard digging up all those weeds
27:11and it can't all be stick and no carrot.
27:16One of the really great ways of planting
27:18is to drift plants through each other
27:22and then when you repeat that through a bed,
27:25it just gives a really nice flow through the space.
27:30Is that what you were after, Lee?
27:32Exactly.
27:32And what I love about drifting plants and being more naturalistic
27:35is as certain plants go over throughout the season,
27:38you've got other things to support them,
27:39whereas when things are very formal or in triangles
27:42and one plant species goes over, you're left with a void.
27:45But this is kind of lovely but lazy.
27:48Yeah, it's very pleasing.
27:58Now, down here, planting one of my favourite all-time plants,
28:01which is this, Thalictrum.
28:03And this one's Thalictrum aquilesia folium.
28:05What they do is they fill a space in any garden
28:08that's really awkward to plant in,
28:10which is usually dry, part shade.
28:12And these plants absolutely love it
28:14and once they're established,
28:15they send out these really tall plumes
28:17of either purple or lilac flowers.
28:20Now, there's one called Ellen
28:21that grows to about two and a half metres tall.
28:23So, if you've got a dry, shady spot under a tree
28:25and a big gap and you think,
28:27I'd love something beautiful,
28:29then Thalictrum could be the plant choice for you.
28:43In the middle of all the mayhem of a garden build,
28:46it's nice to share some time with Lee and plant up this bed together.
28:51And what I'm going to pop in now is this beauty.
28:53It's a herbaceous perennial and that means it comes back every year,
28:58but it doesn't produce a woody stem.
29:00It has beautiful fern-like foliage
29:02and on top of that you get these plumes of flower.
29:06It does well.
29:07It's a kind of naturally edge of woodland plant,
29:10likes a bit of moisture in the soil
29:13and if you have very rich soil it'll flower all summer long.
29:27With the water feature walls built...
29:29Right, come on Ben, handy.
29:31..the team lay sand at the bottom before it's ready to be lined.
29:35I think I need about another four or five of them.
29:39No problem.
29:40Now, we're moving on to the pond
29:41and it is the focal point of the garden.
29:43It's huge and what I wanted it to do
29:45was to draw Ryan and Rachel out of the house
29:47and give this huge reflective surface.
29:49It also serves another key purpose,
29:51which is that I didn't want handrails
29:53all the way across the top part of the garden
29:55like an old-fashioned style garden.
29:57I wanted to use this, the retaining wall,
30:00which addresses the level change.
30:01So not only is it beautiful,
30:03it's also secretively rather functional.
30:05Ready?
30:14This is the job I like the least of all gardening jobs,
30:18which is cutting fleece and liner,
30:20but it's very much necessary,
30:21so I need to grip my teeth and get it done.
30:32So the fleece is in, I've put the liner on top,
30:35and I've just stapled one end
30:36because I need to fill it first
30:38because it's going to pull the rest in
30:39and I want to get it neat.
30:40If I staple all the ends and then fill it,
30:42if I've got any gaps and it pulls in,
30:43I'm a bit snookered.
30:44So on with the tap and then go and do something else for a while.
30:55It's been heavy going with this bed.
30:58There's been a big weed infestation
31:00and what I'm trying to do is clear as much as possible.
31:03We're doing well, but it's monotonous.
31:06Over in the pocket garden,
31:08Lee's got his hands on some sun-loving plants.
31:12So I'm just putting the finishing plant placement touches
31:16to this border in the garden,
31:17and this is the main money shot
31:18when you look out from the house.
31:20So when Ryan leaves,
31:21I want him to feel really relaxed on this first bit of deck.
31:24So you'll notice that all the plants
31:26are using a very similar colour palette,
31:28purple and white, to keep it really calm.
31:30So hopefully when they're on this part of the deck,
31:32they feel really calm,
31:33but they'll still look down and think
31:35there's something else going on
31:36and go for a bit of a wonder.
31:49For an area of dappled shade in your garden,
31:54I would say there is nothing more beautiful
31:56than Japanese forest grass,
31:58and especially this golden variety.
32:00It comes from the hills of Hakone in Japan.
32:04That's where it's native to.
32:06In autumn, it turns the most beautiful russet gold colour
32:10before fading away gently for the winter.
32:12It's going to look great here,
32:14and the reason for that is just under these trees,
32:17it'll be that really bright golden pool
32:21of foliage dancing in the breeze.
32:33With not long to go, the team race ahead
32:36with the final bits of decking.
32:38What, I've got to keep up with Andy!
32:40Keep me going, aren't we?
32:49I've got a real gem of a shrub here,
32:52which is this, Spiria naponica.
32:55Now, Spiria is usually known as a bit of a car park shrub.
32:58You just, people look at them and don't take them in
33:00because you see them all over the country
33:02as just blobby deciduous shrubs.
33:04But this species is absolutely wonderful.
33:07It has these absolutely wonderful tiny vanilla flowers
33:12with little yellow centres.
33:13And the fact that it arches over means that it's a shrub
33:15that's great for small spaces.
33:17So, if you've got a small space and you want high drama,
33:21give this plant a whirl.
33:32Now, I've just dug a hole for the perfect plant
33:37for this spot in the garden.
33:39It's a hydrangea.
33:41The variety is white ball.
33:42And this particular one, it's very interesting
33:45because if you look at the stems here,
33:47there's a plastic ring.
33:48That's because the flowers are so big,
33:52they can be too heavy for the stems.
33:54So, this will help to give it support.
34:00It'll do very well in dappled shade.
34:03I'm going to backfill with soil net.
34:08And look at that, already it's acting like a torch.
34:12Absolutely beautiful.
34:18With the pond filled, Lee's aim is to now make it a haven for wildlife.
34:24Fantastic. Right.
34:25I think we're nearly done.
34:32It's really nice whenever I get to build ponds,
34:35when I get time to put in some wonderful plants.
34:37Whilst ponds are great for wildlife,
34:39by encouraging extra plants in the pond,
34:41you're going to be bringing in even more wildlife to the space.
34:44And this plant here is a beautiful specimen.
34:47It's Iris suedochorus, otherwise known as the yellow flag iris.
34:51Now, yellow flag iris is considered slightly invasive
34:54because once it starts, it will propagate everywhere.
34:57But the great thing is, if you're a beginner gardener,
34:59you don't have to do anything to it.
35:01It will quite happily bulk up.
35:02Now, because it's in this pond in a container,
35:05it's going to curtail its growth.
35:07If you were just to plant it straight out into the bottom
35:09with aquatic compost, it would run riot.
35:11So, although they are a pretty voracious plant,
35:14I think for Ryan and Rachel, they're going to bulk up in this pond
35:17and give an instant blast of yellow.
35:25Pond complete, the last strips of decking go in.
35:31The edging is secured before it's readied with some homely touches.
35:46Well, that was another level of challenging gardens.
35:50It really was, wasn't it?
35:53But look, it's a triumph.
35:54It doesn't feel it's all about ramps or structure.
35:57It's very nice.
35:58I think our bed in the middle, actually, is my favourite part
36:01because it just softens these otherwise quite hard materials.
36:04It's absolutely beautiful
36:05and it's reflective of everything else going on in the garden.
36:09Talking of reflections,
36:10this pond kind of stretches out this part of the garden.
36:13I'm quite pleased with that.
36:14Shall we see if they like it?
36:15Let's do that.
36:16I'm going to cheat.
36:21Before, Ryan and Rachel's garden was a tangle of overgrown weeds, concrete and old sleepers.
36:31It was completely inaccessible for Ryan, with mounds of earth and shrubbery pinning him to the confines of the patio.
36:40But in just two days and 5,000 pounds later, it's been transformed into somewhere both Rachel and finally Ryan
36:51can explore.
36:53A new decked ramp means Ryan can access all parts of the garden.
37:00Raised planters filled with a beautiful cottage planting scheme and a soothing pond tie everything together.
37:14Ryan will come to your left and then we can just walk straight forward.
37:19Will it meet Ryan and Rachel's expectations?
37:23So, whenever you're ready, open your eyes.
37:26Oh, my God.
37:28Oh, my gosh.
37:31Oh, my God.
37:32It's better than anything I imagined.
37:34Oh, my God.
37:35It looks amazing.
37:37Oh, my God.
37:38It doesn't look like ours.
37:42How have you done this?
37:44Literally, how have you done this?
37:46It's different, isn't it?
37:47It's so different.
37:49I wouldn't have said this was ours.
37:52I'm gobsmacked.
37:53I don't know how you balance this.
37:56Wow.
37:57Should we go on a journey through a new garden?
37:59Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
38:00Follow me.
38:06Before, a small patio led to a mound of earth, with not much space for Ryan and Rachel to host
38:13friends and family in.
38:16Now, the ground's been levelled, making way for timber decking, extending this new entertaining area.
38:25A planter filled with purples, whites and blues the couple love, now greets guests as they come out.
38:32And next to it, a standout water feature, complete with relaxing fountain, creates calm and reflection.
38:42Now, before, you had a patio, and then just a drop that went nowhere.
38:47And now you've got this huge patio with the deck, and this really big herbaceous border.
38:52Yes.
38:53All these lovely, beautiful purples that we like.
38:56Because you wanted like a really naturalistic, relaxed planting scheme where you could sit and chill.
39:01We've got some Prosecco in the car, actually.
39:04Oh, amazing.
39:05We've already thought about it.
39:08This garden is going to change their lives.
39:10What do you think of your humongous wildlife pond?
39:14It's great.
39:14I love it.
39:15I said I couldn't wait to have a pond.
39:17Yeah.
39:17I'm so excited.
39:19It's just lovely colours.
39:20It does look amazing.
39:21It was just sad before.
39:22Yeah.
39:22The ground was just covered in rubble.
39:24So I think I'm currently sat on what was the mud pile.
39:29It's no longer here.
39:30Well, shall we take a journey through the shrubbery?
39:33I'm really excited about this part.
39:38A mesh of weeds, rubble and overgrown shrubbery meant everything but the patio was off limits to Ryan.
39:46It also meant Ryan and Rachel's newfound love of gardening couldn't be put into practice.
39:53But now, a bespoke anti-slip timber ramp makes the whole garden accessible.
40:00Level platforms mean Ryan can pause and take in the garden.
40:06And in the middle of it all, the central raised bed gives another space for the couple to get their
40:11green fingers dirty.
40:16So Dermot's been really busy weeding out all of the perennial weeds and creating this tapestry of shrubs both deciduous
40:23and evergreen that are just going to run through all the way through the year.
40:27Everything's so tactile and soft and it's lovely. I can imagine all of this flopping over.
40:32It'll just go more beautiful as it matures.
40:36Well, it's already so full.
40:37Yeah.
40:38Isn't it?
40:39Yeah.
40:39It's already so full with plants.
40:41Ryan is so looking forward to spending time in this garden.
40:46He's been frustrated about looking stuff but not been able to get involved.
40:50But now he can.
40:51Shall we take a final sweep round to the lower part of the garden?
40:55Yes, please.
40:56After you.
40:56Thank you.
40:59Their garden office lay out of reach in the corner, blocked by weeds, earth and debris.
41:08Now a canopy of trees and shady woodland plants line the new path to the deck outside their office.
41:16It's amazing.
41:17I think this is the first time I've seen the earth down here.
41:20Yeah, yeah.
41:21I think this is the first time I've been down here.
41:24Ryan can now work from home with ease and attend to all parts of the garden.
41:30This is gorgeous.
41:31This and a Stilby.
41:31These are Stilby's, yeah.
41:32So you know what you're doing.
41:34You're getting me fast.
41:34I'm learning.
41:40How does it feel finally being down here?
41:42It feels great.
41:44I know it sounds really cheesy but there's nothing better than somewhere that you want to be.
41:48Yeah.
41:49But you can't through no fault of your own and then like finally being able to get down there or
41:53get up there.
41:54It's really nice.
41:55Well, that's it.
41:56I want you to get in every nook and cranny in this garden so there's no excuse for weeds or
42:00anything that needs brooding.
42:01Oh, you don't have to tell me twice.
42:02So the million dollar question, has it been worth it?
42:06Yeah.
42:06Thousand percent.
42:07Absolutely.
42:09Well, well done, Lee.
42:10You've given them an amazing garden that they can both get into gardening and really enjoy.
42:16Now this was pretty much a Herculean effort to address the levels, get all this decade in and we've had
42:23a great team here today and also Dermot.
42:27What do you think?
42:28It's amazing.
42:29It's stunning.
42:29It's stunning.
42:30From the rubble that we had before.
42:33Yeah, yeah.
42:34It worked very hard.
42:35It's something else, isn't it?
42:36So many different areas and levels and beautiful planting.
42:40Yeah.
42:41100%.
42:41Thank you so much.
42:42Yeah, thank you both.
42:43You're more than welcome.
42:44You're very welcome.
42:45Should we let them enjoy it?
42:47Absolutely.
42:48It was a book down the road.
42:49See you later.
42:50Just talking in my language.
42:51See you later.
42:52Thanks so much.
42:52Thank you.
42:53Enjoy it.
42:53Bye.
42:54Thank you.
42:56So, so, so nice.
43:03The garden was an inaccessible mess, like a complete dump. And now it's absolutely perfect. You know, it's everything we
43:10could have dreamed of.
43:12This is genuinely make a huge difference, isn't it?
43:15Yeah.
43:16For both of us.
43:20I'll get the spade for you.
43:22Yeah, thanks.
43:22Yeah.
43:23It could get you started.
43:24Put to work.
43:25Water in can.
43:26Go.
43:27Go.
43:27Go.
43:29Go.
43:30Go.
43:30Go.
43:31Go.