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GreatBritish1
  • 6/13/2025
Garden Rescue 2025 episode 12
Transcript
00:00The Garden Rescue Team are on a mission to make garden dreams come true.
00:10Charlie Dimmock, Lee Burkill, Flo Hedlum and Chris Hull are here to answer your
00:27gardening emergencies. It feels disorganized, a bit chaotic. It's a bit of a shocker.
00:32Each week two of our designers will go head to head. Pick me and let's do this.
00:37The garden we're going to go with is... Drumroll!
00:46And whichever designer loses... The race is on.
00:49...helps the winner build the garden. Good idea. Did you get that on camera? Lee said good idea Charlie.
00:56Amazing. Turning garden dreams... Open your eyes.
00:59I'm so overwhelmed. ...into reality.
01:03That is amazing.
01:10Today, the team are transforming a family garden in Bristol.
01:15Three, two, one.
01:18I grew up in the UK and I've been living in Bristol since 2008.
01:24I'm from Japan. I came to the UK to learn English and we met in Bristol.
01:31Married in 2017, Song and Emi now have two children.
01:36Are you going to try and build a big tower? Ellen, who's five years old. She is very energetic.
01:43Oh dear. Ethan, our son. He's one year old.
01:48Eleven. Eleven blocks.
01:51The growing family moved to their new home in 2019.
01:55Coming here, there's lots more space. It suits us as a family much better.
02:01And the garden.
02:03Yeah, and the garden.
02:05Emi and Song thought their garden would be ideal...
02:09...for family time and traditional summer fun.
02:12Is that yummy?
02:14We went back to Japan last spring after many, many years.
02:18And Ellen loves Japanese food and Japanese culture.
02:23Beyond the occasional get-together, the bulk of the garden is a difficult space for the family to enjoy.
02:30This is the patio area. We spend most of the time here.
02:34But I don't like these colours. It looks so old.
02:38It's just a bit dangerous with the uneven slabs.
02:41And when it rains, because it's uneven, you get ponding as well.
02:46So here's the main lawn area.
02:49And it's very uneven. It's on a slope as well.
02:53When we first moved in, there are a lot of trees at the back.
02:58We took the big trees down that were bigger than the house.
03:01But yeah, we are left with a few tree stumps.
03:04And yeah, we don't know what to do with them.
03:08The gnomes like it, but they could do with a better place.
03:11There's the veg patch in the corner that, you know, nothing grows on it.
03:15It wasn't successful at all.
03:17This is a play area.
03:20But you can see the grass has an angle.
03:23So we put a mat to stabilise.
03:26Yeah, but we're starting to get growth through the mat as well,
03:29which needs a bit more maintenance.
03:32But if it was safer, that would be amazing.
03:36So we have red bed here.
03:38I tried to plant some flowers. It died.
03:41Nothing really grows here because there's so much shade from the tree.
03:44We rarely come down here.
03:46The garden is three different zones, but they feel a bit disconnected.
03:52Yeah, but you don't know where to start with it.
03:54So we really need your help.
04:01Lee and Flo are hoping to create Emmy and Song's perfect garden.
04:06So this lovely family, we've got Song and Emmy and Ethan and Ellen children.
04:12Oh, let's have a look at what they're contending with.
04:15Yes.
04:16Wow.
04:17A lot of challenges by the look of it.
04:18That patio is literally just there.
04:21Yeah.
04:22And is that height level change as well?
04:23Oh, definitely.
04:24Look at that there.
04:25And then there's that hidden bit around the side of that shed of doom.
04:29I think it's just such a strange shape, isn't it?
04:31You've got the front bit, the patio, the side, and then the bit at the other side.
04:35Yeah.
04:36And none of them really speak to each other.
04:37That's right.
04:38How on earth do you make this look like one cohesive?
04:39I don't know.
04:40Well, if anyone can, we can, right?
04:42Let's see what they want.
04:43Yeah.
04:44Hmm.
04:45So we'd like a modern garden and unite Japan and the UK.
04:51A loose interpretation of Zen.
04:54So maybe roses next to a gate.
04:56Right.
04:57So Emmy and Song want a Japanese-UK fusion garden.
05:00Fusion garden.
05:01So we'd love to have some plantings and for children to get involved.
05:05And when I think of, like, fusion gardens, and especially Zen, I don't think of child-friendly.
05:10No.
05:11It'd be really nice to get the garden done so we can extend our family time outside and relax together.
05:18To have help with that garden would be absolutely amazing.
05:22So what's the budget for this one, Flo?
05:23The budget is 5K.
05:24Oh, okay.
05:25Which is quite healthy.
05:26The only thing that worries me is it's a wraparound garden.
05:29So to give it that cohesion, the money will soon disappear.
05:32Yeah.
05:33So are you going to go full-on Japanese or more UK?
05:35I'm not saying.
05:36My lips are sealed.
05:37Woo!
05:38You're keeping your cup of tea close to your chest.
05:40I am very much.
05:43Flo and Lee must create a design that fits Emmy and Song's £5,000 budget.
05:48The couple must pick the one they prefer and the losing designer will help the winner build it.
05:54Along with an expert team of landscapers who provide their labour for free.
05:59Which leaves the full budget for materials.
06:05Back in Bristol.
06:06All right.
06:07Oh, exciting.
06:08The designer's pitches are in.
06:11Here we go.
06:12Hi, Emmy and Song.
06:13This is my Taste of Japan garden for you.
06:17Looks very modern by this style.
06:20The way that I design this garden is using the seasons.
06:23And I want the space to feel as if you're travelling through the seasons each month of the year
06:28and really getting to know nature.
06:30Which is a truly Japanese way of designing a space.
06:33That's very clever.
06:34Yeah.
06:35I'd like to present to you a garden I've designed,
06:38which is modern and contemporary and freshen of the moment.
06:42Oh, it's quite bright colours.
06:44So let me take you through the design.
06:46You step out of the house and you've got a brand new patio.
06:50I'm using large size slabs for the patio.
06:54Now the shape hasn't changed, but by using big slabs it's going to create the illusion that it's bigger.
07:00And we've taken off the coping stone of the retaining wall and I've replaced that with nice oak sleepers.
07:08And the beauty of this is you've got additional seating.
07:11And seating.
07:12Yeah, amazing.
07:13Lots of seating.
07:14The first thing I've done is to give you a facelift to your current patio.
07:18So what I've done is to use wood effect porcelain pavers that will look like wood.
07:25So it's all about softening the garden and making it feel more natural rather than man-made.
07:30Mmm.
07:32I like that.
07:34Both Lee and Flo plan to improve the patio and entrance to the garden.
07:39The central feature in this garden is the torii gate.
07:43And the lovely thing about the torii gate is it symbolises protection and prosperity.
07:48Whoa.
07:50And what I've done is I've used that as a way to fuse the UK and Japanese themes together by adding some trellises to the side of the torii gate and growing roses up it.
08:03Oh, that is, that is spot on.
08:04That is a good fusion.
08:05Yeah, she listened to us quite very well.
08:07As we move through them into the garden, what I've done is to give you a series of arches.
08:12As we move through the arch, we'll let down this meandering gravel path.
08:16We're then at the main seating area in the top part of the garden, which is this custom pergola.
08:22And the base of it is going to be decked.
08:24So a bit like those traditional Japanese tea houses, once you walk through the gravel path, you could take your shoes off, step onto the deck.
08:31This area is going to be where you can entertain and eat or just sit and contemplate.
08:36That would be a really nice corner of the garden with shelter as well.
08:40At the top here, I've planted a maple tree.
08:43It stands here at the top of the garden and will dominate the garden.
08:46But also, I want to create that sense of calm and relaxation in the garden.
08:51So the planting wraps all the way on both sides.
08:54Yeah, I think it would be really nice to sit on the patio and look at all that.
08:58Look at the flowers and trees.
09:00To give you that true feel of being in Japan, I've also designed you your custom Torrey gate here.
09:06It's painted a rich red colour.
09:08As we pass through the Torrey gate, we're now in the child-friendly part of the garden.
09:12Oh, the children's placer.
09:14Yeah.
09:15I've taken your current tired shed and I'm going to give it a facelift by extending the front into a child-friendly tea room.
09:21It's not just any tea room. It's got a swing in, a bit of a climbing frame, and I'm also going to attach the current slide that you've got now to the side of it.
09:29That's a really good idea.
09:30Yeah, that's a really good idea.
09:32I know the ground's a little bit uneven here.
09:35So what we're doing is we're digging down, making it level, putting this rubber mat down.
09:39That'll give some stability and then the play equipment can go on top and boom, it's nice and sturdy and safe for the children.
09:46Ellen would love that.
09:47Yeah, she would love it.
09:49And then as we come down here, we've got the shed. I painted it that same yellow as the walls.
09:57If you want to just, you know, open it up and it become a play area for the kids, they've got space out here, which feels very secure under four.
10:05Yeah, exciting.
10:06So pick me and let's do this.
10:09It's very tough.
10:10Yeah.
10:11So if you want a taste of Japan here in the UK, then pick this.
10:14Both great designs.
10:16Yeah, indeed.
10:17But we need to decide.
10:22Okay, we've got two really good designs.
10:25Let's talk about Lee.
10:27I like the Pagla, which is amazing.
10:30And a nice barbecue area over there.
10:33And a Tory gate.
10:35On the other hand, we have got Flo's design.
10:38Flo's design.
10:39This is really colorful.
10:40Loving the seating all along here.
10:42And this one has more of a fusion of the flowers with the gates.
10:47Which is lovely.
10:48Yeah.
10:49It's difficult, yes.
10:54We've heard back from Emmy and Song.
10:56Oh, okay.
10:57But which one of us has hit the right level of fusion between Japanese and UK?
11:01Well, let's find out.
11:03Hello, Lee and Flo.
11:04Hello, Lee and Flo.
11:05Your designs are fantastic, and you both listen to our wishes.
11:09Aw.
11:10Lee, we like your idea of exchanging shit.
11:13And making slides, swings.
11:15Oh, for the kids.
11:17And Flo, we like the modern feeling and openness of the garden.
11:22Oh.
11:23Both would be fantastic for barbecues, but we can only choose one.
11:27Oh, these are two very different designs.
11:29It's going to be difficult for them, yeah.
11:31So, the designer we have chosen is...
11:38Flo!
11:39Yay!
11:40Oh, well done.
11:42Flo, this is the perfect infusion of Japan and the UK.
11:46And we look forward to seeing you in our garden.
11:48Yeah, thank you.
11:49Oh, well done, Flo.
11:51Oh, I'm pleased about that.
11:53I wanted to build that Tory gate.
11:55Oh, I went far too Japanese, but do you know what?
11:57I can't wait to help me build this one.
11:59Yeah, the Tory gate is going to smash it.
12:10Project manager Ben is in Bristol with an ace team of landscapers
12:14who will go all out to rescue Song and Emmy's garden in just two days.
12:22Here we go.
12:24So, sunny Bristol.
12:26Here we are.
12:27You can see we've already come up the slope
12:29to the highest point of the garden.
12:31And we're going to start up here.
12:32This area is going to become a little paved area.
12:36We have this main feature, Lee, which is the Tory gate.
12:40Down by the house, Andy, we have the second paved area.
12:44At the back of the garden, we have the shed.
12:47Flo would like that painted yellow.
12:49So, not much to do, is there?
12:50Hell no.
12:51What are we doing after dinner?
12:52Let's do it.
12:55To make way for a more inviting entrance to the 100 square metre garden,
12:59the team are stripping out the old patio and wall coping stone.
13:04So, these are all just laid on sand.
13:06I think that's what Emmy and Song said that this wasn't draining really, was it?
13:09Oh.
13:10So, that'll be why all the water's not going through.
13:12It's just sitting there, getting soaked up by the sand.
13:15Yep.
13:16Previous issues with the patio uncovered.
13:23Let's go see what this yellow paint goes on like.
13:26The team start to introduce the colour from Flo's design.
13:29What do you think, Andy?
13:30It gets all easy jobs, don't it?
13:32That's yellow, that is.
13:33It's definitely yellow.
13:35The patio is a wider gateway to the rest of the sloping garden.
13:39It's not like I haven't got enough to do with all the woodwork I've got to do.
13:42Which is currently accessed by a slope.
13:45You're lovely.
13:49All right.
13:51Andy's using the micro digger to create a sunken growing area at the top end of the garden.
13:58We are going to come this side of that stump and Flo wants to take it down about 400.
14:05There's a lot of stuff to come out of there, Ben, 400 deep.
14:15All roots.
14:16Uh-oh, boys.
14:17In we come.
14:18But old tree stumps and roots are in the way of the proposed raised growing beds.
14:36Why are you calling me?
14:37What's going down?
14:39We have a slight problem.
14:42Ben needs some design decisions from Flo.
14:45We can rip the roots out with the digger.
14:48Yeah.
14:49But the stumps behind it, we're worried it's going to rip the fence out as well.
14:53Ah, okay.
14:54Our solution, we give an illusion of a sunken area.
14:59By raising the sides, we blend in either side with soil with the raised bed in there that they can still walk around.
15:08Nice.
15:09Okay.
15:10I trust you guys implicitly.
15:11So, if you have the vision that it can work and you can pull it off, then yeah, let's do it.
15:16I got the vision.
15:17I'm going to make it work.
15:19To accommodate the tree stumps into the design, the team will create a raised wooden border for the growing space.
15:26Meanwhile, Lee's building the wooden seat atop the wall at the entrance to the garden.
15:31Get them all cut first, then we can sand them, route them, so they'll be nice, lovely, continuous, flowing cappings, hopefully.
15:42Next to the top growing area, Flo's designed a patio for Emmy and Song to unwind and socialise.
16:02But there's more tree stumps to contend with.
16:07What we're going to do is we're going to retain some of these areas with timber edging.
16:13We're going to then bring it all in front of the wall down to this point here so we can get this patio leveled
16:21and the stumps around it aren't going to do any damage to the patio area.
16:26With the corner patio area levelled, Tori creates a retaining wall so stumps can be hidden within a planted border.
16:35Got a bit of digging to do first. It didn't fit first time.
16:40With the digging complete, the next job for Andy is laying the oversized tiles just outside the house.
16:50The slabs went over the drain before, which is not good, so we're going to utilise the drain now and it'll get rid of the water.
17:03The garden cleared and levelled.
17:05Is that a twirl?
17:06Retaining walls and seats in place, the space is already looking more vibrant after just one day's work.
17:12The landscapers have made some great progress for Flo and Leigh's arrival in the morning.
17:19So today, Leigh, we are in sunny Bristol. Look at that. Look at that. And today is all about finding our zen.
17:35Oh, I could do with a bit of inner peace.
17:38I know.
17:43Oh, wow! The guys have been breaking ground, quite literally, Ben.
17:48Flo, you promised me Japanese zen. Yeah.
17:51This is like some weird builder's purgatory.
17:54What? It's work in progress, OK? Yeah.
17:56You've got to see, you have to take the long view.
17:58OK, I'm going to have to somehow get this vision, so go on, tell me which bit of this.
18:02All right, so, I mean, you know, I want you in the sunken growing area.
18:06OK.
18:07The sunken veg area.
18:08Right, so I've got the sun, I've got a sunken growing area.
18:10Yes.
18:11And I just need to find my zen, yeah?
18:12Find your zen.
18:17Now, this garden is full of challenges.
18:20We have a garden with some really unusual angles, which I've actually used in the design,
18:26but we have come up against a number of issues.
18:29There are lots of tree stumps there, and so the design is going to have to change to accommodate that,
18:34because literally we can't go through it, we have to go around it.
18:41The landscapers have already started to navigate the stumps, creating the unique growing area in Flo's design.
18:47What we're going to do is, by using these timber edges, we're going to lift it up, use some raised beds,
18:55so that it's still got this amazing impact on unusual shape and form,
18:59but without having to excavate tons of soil and start disrupting the walls.
19:03Lee, the landscaper, is building the raised edging, using plants attached to three-by-three posts.
19:10So, yeah, we'll get a bit of water in this hole, eh?
19:13Yeah.
19:14Monty's dealing with tree stumps to the right of the growing area to make more planting possible.
19:26Normally you can just rip out stumps or roots of a digger, but we're quite close to the fence on the boundary here.
19:31We don't want to undermine that, so we've got a reciprocating soil,
19:35we're just going to cut through the roots and try and rip them out.
19:37They are roots for a stump, not a live tree, so we can do it with a clean conscience, which is nice.
19:42The stumps and roots are the remains of trees that Song and Emmy previously removed,
19:48which can take around ten years to decay naturally.
19:58Flo wants to bring new life and colour to both ends of the garden,
20:02including the old shed that she plans to incorporate into the children's play area.
20:07Yes!
20:09There we go.
20:10Look at that, lovely, lovely.
20:12You've got a little power shoulder.
20:13Mm-hm.
20:14I need a belt, I think.
20:15Let me see if I can go and find a bit of rope to sashay.
20:17Yeah, cinch it in.
20:19Look at that, PPE complete.
20:22Let's do this.
20:24There we go.
20:25So, my choice of yellow was inspired by the yellow inside the house.
20:33I thought, it's a nice thing to unify the inside and the out,
20:37so I've utilised it on the wall, just in the patio,
20:40and then I thought, actually, do you know what?
20:42Such a fun colour.
20:43Let me take it down here, translate it down the garden.
20:47And it's a really good trick you can do in your garden.
20:51You could choose a colour and use it on furniture, use it on structures,
20:56use it on a wall.
20:57Yeah.
20:58A really simple way to just create a bit of drama in the garden.
21:03I love a bit of drama.
21:04Lee is working on the angular raised bed that will sit in the middle of the growing area.
21:15Now, Lee has kindly cut all of these really crazy angles that I'm a bit naff at,
21:20but what we're doing now is we're gluing them
21:22and then screwing through each of the edges to join it together,
21:24but because the angles are all over the show,
21:26we've got to be really delicate so that the screws go in perfectly straight
21:30rather than coming out either side.
21:32So we've just got one more to do,
21:34and then it's a case of positioning this in the garden.
21:38And what I like about this is that it's that lovely 40 centimetres high,
21:42great for kids because it's just at that right level,
21:44and for adults you can just perch on it whilst you're doing your gardening.
21:48Well, you can because we've got little legs.
21:49We've got little tiddly legs, but I tell you what,
21:51I reckon we won't really know until we get it in.
21:54Get it in there, yeah.
21:55We're about to position it, so.
21:56Once you get them in.
21:57All right?
21:59Yep.
22:00What we want is this little 60 to 80 centimetre path so that the children can run round it,
22:14and the adults, and all of a sudden you can get in to every bit, and then soil and plants.
22:21Yeah.
22:22Well, that's your job.
22:24Plants and flowers, Flo's chosen, emphasise the Japanese-UK fusion of Emmy and Song's dream garden.
22:31This is always the best bit, isn't it?
22:33Oh, plants!
22:34Yeah!
22:35Oh, these are nice.
22:36Wow.
22:37Roses.
22:38That's the first thing that grabs my attention.
22:40Look at those.
22:41And blood red.
22:42I know, I know.
22:43The colour of good fortune in Japan.
22:44Yes.
22:45Yes.
22:46Now, Emmy in particular loves roses, so.
22:48Yeah.
22:49I mean, they're not often seen in Japanese gardens, but because this is an English fusion
22:52garden, we're taking the colour of Japan.
22:54Absolutely.
22:55With a plant from England.
22:56Absolutely, yeah.
22:57The colour.
22:58Fusion.
22:59Yeah.
23:00Right, shall we get these out?
23:01Let's get them out.
23:02Come on.
23:03Let's unload.
23:04Any previous attempts at planting have been unsuccessful.
23:09This area is going to be packed with shade-loving plants, and it's going to bring this area
23:16to life, because it was a part of the garden that they probably didn't come down here that
23:20much.
23:21The shed is looking great, that bright yellow.
23:24This is Japanese anemone.
23:26Now, I love this plant, and it is so versatile.
23:30It works in shade, it works in sun, but happiest, I think, in part shade.
23:37And what's lovely about it is these beautiful elongated maple-like leaves that come in clusters
23:44of three, and from midsummer right through to the first frost, they will be in flower,
23:51these beautiful open white flowers.
23:53And the thing about white flowers, particularly in a shaded area, is that it just lights up
23:58the corner, so it's bringing the whole garden, every area of the garden, to life for them
24:05and for them to enjoy.
24:12Flo wants to create a plant-filled safe space for the children to play in the middle section.
24:18That's going out and the fake grass out.
24:21Sling you up.
24:22So the team are taking out the worn artificial mats...
24:25Oh, it's satisfying, isn't it?
24:27...which can be recycled by specialist waste management companies.
24:32Lee's swapping in more durable, bouncier play mats...
24:36Red side up.
24:37...which will be framed by fresh wheel grass to absorb any bumps at the play area.
24:43So how's it looking, Monty?
24:46Yeah, we're getting there.
24:47We're just going to go along with this, just to make sure we're nice and level everywhere.
24:54So the moment of truth, Monty, is this level.
24:57Let's see that they're level and they fit.
24:59Yeah.
25:00Ugh!
25:01Well, that's not too bad.
25:02I mean, these are really heavy, aren't they?
25:03They look quite light, but...
25:04They are, yeah.
25:05They're not going to be drifting anywhere.
25:06No, I think once they're on this bed and they've settled in a bit,
25:08and we've got the heavy play equipment on.
25:10Yeah.
25:11It's going to be a nice bed so the kids can't have themselves.
25:12Yeah, it's going to look really good.
25:14Yeah.
25:15The potential for playing and planting in this garden
25:18was a key reason why Song and Emi chose Flo's design.
25:22Yeah, we're excited for everything, to be honest.
25:29I think the veg patches...
25:30Veg patches, yes, it's really exciting.
25:33And the kids' area.
25:34And the kids' play area.
25:35And the kids' play area.
25:36Ellie is really excited to have our play area.
25:40That I'm happy with.
25:43Lee's been tasked with creating a tori-gate,
25:46a Japanese symbol of good tidings.
25:49So I screw these pieces together now,
25:51and the rest can be sanded.
25:52I can write all this up, ready then for the next piece,
25:56which is going to be shaped, which is going to hold the top.
26:01He's building the top of the tori-gate
26:03to Flo's traditional specifications
26:05of two horizontal crossbeams
26:07with one slightly curved sitting on top.
26:12Oh, Lee!
26:15This is amazing!
26:17Is it all right?
26:18Yes.
26:19I suppose now you won't tell me
26:20what all these bits are called, are you?
26:22Yes.
26:23Exactly.
26:24You ready for the lesson?
26:25Oh, really?
26:26Yeah, yeah, yeah.
26:27So this top bit here, this curved bit here,
26:28is called the kasagi.
26:29OK.
26:30And then this straight bit, this straight beam,
26:32is called the nuki.
26:34OK.
26:35And then the uprights are called hashira.
26:38That's my homework.
26:39Every day's of school.
26:40That's the extent of my Japanese tori.
26:42Is it?
26:43It's a lot more than me.
26:44Often found at the entrance to Shinto shrines.
26:47Happy with the centre there?
26:48I'm happy with the centre here.
26:50Flo's keen that this tori takes a prominent position too.
26:54Awesome.
26:57I'm going to dig the holes for you.
26:58Yes.
26:59So traditionally, tori gates are painted red.
27:04And the colour they generally use is vermilion.
27:07Vermilion, which has an association with warding off evil spirits.
27:11And red, also the colour of blood,
27:14which is associated with vitality and life force.
27:18Wow.
27:20Really, really.
27:21I mean, it's almost got a kind of slight pink to it,
27:24but it's very, very bright.
27:26I am going to just put a little onto the top bit here.
27:32I'm loving it already.
27:33I'm loving it.
27:34It is quite a statement.
27:40Ben and the team are building up the vertical posts of the tori.
27:44I've got it.
27:47And the major structures of this garden are coming along nicely.
27:54There you go.
27:55Yes.
27:56Yes.
27:57100% yes.
27:58All good?
27:59Yes.
28:03The raised beds filled with soil.
28:05Lee's bringing some more colour in the form of plants.
28:08I've got a wonderful plant here.
28:10Now, it's a honeysuckle.
28:11Well, Onesera hecrotii called American Beauty.
28:16Now, honeysuckles are fantastic climbing plants,
28:18and some of them are actually native here in the UK.
28:20But the interesting facts about this henrotii is that it grows as wide as it does tall.
28:26So, sometimes honeysuckles tend to grow to the gods and not much else happens.
28:30But with this one, you get the lateral growth as well.
28:32Now, it has these really beautiful, almost peachy orange flowers,
28:37with these little pink sepals around the outside.
28:40But in the September time, you're going to get red berries,
28:42so it's going to pick up on the tori gate, and the yellow will pick up on the shed.
28:46It's a nice little plant to tie things together.
28:48And if you're brave enough, going for a colour clash can work really well.
29:00Well, this is looking rather impressive.
29:02I know, right?
29:03Yeah.
29:04Yeah, it's kind of like semi-nude though.
29:06Yeah, it needs another coat of red down here.
29:08But I love the fact that Japanese link colour to different moods and emotions and good luck.
29:13Yes.
29:14And red is the one of fortune and bringing material wealth to a family.
29:19Absolutely.
29:20So, yeah, this is our gift to them.
29:21So, let's splash on some dollar.
29:23Absolutely.
29:24Here we go.
29:25I reckon if we're really canny, we only need one coat.
29:30Yes.
29:31If we put it on really thick.
29:33With colour and structure to the garden taking shape, there's just three hours until reveal.
29:40The landscapers are preparing to lay the new lawn across the top of the garden.
29:44And the final planting is coming together.
29:51The key plants in this design is this Acer.
29:54Now, Acer's are synonymous with Japan and they come in lots of different colours.
30:02You can get ones that are green.
30:04This is a dark purple one.
30:07This tree is going to give them so much pleasure.
30:10Particularly in the autumn when the leaves will turn to this fiery orangey red colour and really light up this corner.
30:18Putting this quite centrally in this border to give it space to spread out.
30:23It is a bit protected and Acer's do like a bit of protection.
30:27Don't really like to be in the fire of winds.
30:31So this is a good position for it.
30:33Oh!
30:34Winesa planted.
30:36You're welcome.
30:37Terrific.
30:38It wouldn't be a Japanese garden without a good old fashioned cherry tree.
30:55And Flo has chosen this Prunus kanzin, which has probably the most bubblegum pink blossoms in spring.
31:03Now, the Japanese are absolutely obsessed with blossom because it signifies spring.
31:07And they've actually got a festival called Hanami, which means viewing flowers.
31:11And people will have picnics under blossom trees.
31:13Restaurants will even adorn the roofs with the blossom branches of different prunus species.
31:19Now, if you've got a small garden and you want a tree with a big impact, then a dwarf cherry like this is a really good specimen to have.
31:27Because what will happen is the sun will come over as it is doing now.
31:30And when it's in blossom, it will cast all these beautiful little shapes inside the house.
31:34And who knows, maybe next spring, Emi and Soren will be sat here with the children looking up, having their own blossom festival.
31:49Perfect.
31:55This border is a combination of herbaceous and some shrubs.
31:59The shrubs that are going in here are very tough.
32:02And this osmanthus, really, really tough old plant that will work well in shade as well as sun.
32:11And I'm putting it here so it will give some year-round structure because this part of the garden needs it.
32:19It needs seasonal colour, but it also needs plants that are going to be there throughout the year and just give some presence.
32:26It's a really good plant for, like, beginner gardeners.
32:29Plant it, feed it.
32:30It doesn't even need pruning.
32:32It's that self-managing.
32:35A good plant to have in, you know, areas like this that might be a little bit difficult.
32:41Oh, Lee, that fills my heart with joy.
32:54You like it?
32:55Yes, yes.
32:56It's the final touches, isn't it?
32:58Like, care for the wood.
32:59It's bringing out all the grain, isn't it?
33:02Oh, it's lush.
33:03Emi and Song want to be able to grow their own vegetables that they can use in cooking, but also in teaching the children about nature and the natural world.
33:16And in this little tiny raised bed here, we've got things like dwarf patio tomatoes.
33:21We'll just give them those little cherry tomatoes that they can have in salads.
33:25We've also got courgettes, which will properly go a bit bonkers.
33:28They will ramble around this bed and fill it up, and the kids will just love picking off the courgettes.
33:34So if they leave them to get huge, they'll turn into marrows, which are a little bit bitter, but good fun either way.
33:40But also things like lemon balm, which again will run riot, but will add that sensory element to this bed.
33:46So it's not just a vegetable bed.
33:49It's almost a learning tool for the children and the parents just to get to grips with nature.
33:55Flo's picked some really beautiful specimen ferns.
34:15And again, they are a traditional Japanese garden design plant.
34:19Now we've got this copper shield fern.
34:21We've got the Japanese fern here as well, and they just really contrast well with each other.
34:26Now, they are super tough garden plants, and if you're short on time and you've got a shady border,
34:31then things like the fern are a really bulletproof plant.
34:35And when you look at the detail in the leaves and the fact that they don't mind damp conditions,
34:39they're great plants for tough spots.
34:41So if you're struggling to know what to do with a shady north-facing garden,
34:44or anywhere that's a bit damp, why not plant some ferns?
34:51Oh, look at that for red. Red on red.
34:58For red on red.
35:00So this is the final bit of planting.
35:04So you've chosen these really vibrant rambling roses.
35:07So go on. Yes.
35:08Explain your logic to me, Flo.
35:10Why a rambler? Because I want it to scramble up over this Tory gate.
35:14And it's like the Tory gate and the English rose,
35:17that epitome of the Japanese-UK fusion in one moment.
35:23They will fire up this. They'll get to about three metres.
35:25But the beauty is if you're a beginner gardener, as long as you feed it in the spring,
35:30you can even prune it with some shears once it finishes flowering,
35:33because it's such a vivid, quick, vigorous climber.
35:36Yes, yes.
35:37Who doesn't want to be overrun with rambling roses?
35:39Right?
35:42The team have done all they can to create a Japanese-UK fusion garden in Bristol.
35:48They've worked hard these last two days.
35:51One final thing, Flo.
35:53Oh, the bench. Shall we?
35:56Oh, my...
35:58What a day!
36:00You promised me Zen, but for most of the day,
36:02it's felt like a bit of a battle.
36:04However, now that we're here...
36:06This is the Zen moment that I promised you.
36:09Do you know what?
36:10And you've really used colour theory,
36:12and it's been bold and brash, but it's just what Emmy and song want.
36:15And I think because they've got children as well,
36:17it's going to really invite them out into this space.
36:19Yes, yes.
36:21I mean, for me, that Tory gate is the centrepiece of the garden with the roses.
36:26That alone I'm happy with.
36:28Do you think we should see what they think?
36:29What do you reckon?
36:30If I can pull myself off the bench.
36:32Come on, you can do it.
36:33Come on, I'll help you.
36:34Oh, thank you.
36:39Emmy and song's garden was once a lifeless drab space
36:43with old tree stumps and shady spots spoiling any potential for growth.
36:49But with a £5,000 budget, it's been transformed into a colourful and playful patch.
36:59Inspired by the family's heritage fusing UK and Japanese planting.
37:05Oh, that's it.
37:06Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
37:08I'll take your hands.
37:10Open your eyes.
37:11Wow.
37:12Wow.
37:13Oh, wow.
37:14Wow.
37:15Oh, it's beyond expectation.
37:16Absolutely beautiful.
37:17What a difference.
37:18Fantastic.
37:19Oh, thank you so much.
37:20Oh, thank you so much.
37:21Oh, it's so lovely.
37:22Yeah, it's awesome.
37:23Yeah, let's go home.
37:24Good home.
37:25Well, I can't believe it's our garden.
37:26Yeah, the complete transformation of this area.
37:30Very, very bright.
37:31Mm-hmm.
37:32Oh, this garden is a right colour explosion, but do you know, I think they really like it.
37:37Here we are standing on the patio.
37:40Where an uneven and broken patio once lay, there is now modern porcelain tiles framed by sleepers for seating and a bed of herbs.
38:05It's not any bigger, but because of the light colour stone, it feels bigger, doesn't it?
38:12It feels a lot more open, definitely.
38:13Yes.
38:14It's very modern.
38:15Yes.
38:16Yeah, I love it, yeah.
38:17Absolutely lovely.
38:18And this colour, wow, that's amazing.
38:20I've done a bit of planting just on that level there, some lovely lavender, which is, you know, a classic English cottage garden plant.
38:29Yes, and the smell.
38:30Lovely smell, exactly.
38:31So, why don't we take a tour through the garden, so let's step this way.
38:38The previous plain, uneven back garden is now zoned into distinct areas, with the traditional Japanese tori offering entry to a special space.
38:50Yes.
38:51It's amazing.
38:52I see.
38:53Like, we can pray like this, like we do in Japan.
38:57Ah, Emi is praying in front of the torii gate, which just shows that symbolism that Flo has got bang on for this garden.
39:02Shall we step through?
39:03Yeah.
39:04Yes.
39:05Good.
39:06Lovely.
39:07So, if we just take a quick look at the torii gate, you'll notice I planted roses on either side, because what I wanted to do was to bring that idea of the fusion together in one moment.
39:20Wow.
39:21The shape of the gate is amazing.
39:22It's just beautiful.
39:23So, coming up from the house, through the torii gate, and you land in this patio here.
39:27Previously riddled with tree stumps, the lawn once offered no interest.
39:39It now hosts a relaxing seating area, nestled by raised beds and planting, that encourages adults and children to get involved in gardening.
39:49More lives now.
39:50Yeah.
39:51That's amazing.
39:52I can't believe there are more flowers than plants.
39:57This is sort of the peaceful corner in the garden.
40:00Peaceful, yeah.
40:01In the garden.
40:02Yeah, and maple leaves.
40:03Yes.
40:04One of the key plants for this garden for me was putting in an Acer, Japanese maple, because I wanted you to have that autumn fire in the leaf.
40:14That Acer near the bench is a perfect place to sit and just relax and feel like you're in Japan.
40:20And then when you're sitting here, there are a number of plants along the back.
40:23So, you've got this trellis running all the way along the back, and there are different climbers.
40:28This plant here is a wisteria, so that's going to cover over that part of the trellis.
40:34Beautiful wisteria in the spring.
40:37And then we've got honeysuckle over there.
40:39So, this area is going to be full of scent.
40:42Amazing.
40:43I don't know what to say.
40:46They seem bowled over by the fact that before it was lawn, and now they've got all these opportunities.
40:51Well done, Flo.
40:52Part of your brief was you wanted an area for growing produce.
40:55You wanted to grow herbs and salads and some produce.
40:58And there's much for you to grow, but also to teach the children about growing food.
41:02So, this area here is dedicated to that.
41:05Yeah.
41:06Wow.
41:07That's amazing.
41:08We can grow some veg.
41:10Do you think Ellen is going to enjoy this space?
41:13Yeah, definitely.
41:14He likes digging and watering as well.
41:18Yes.
41:19Oh, this is going to be a garden that the whole family can use.
41:21And then in that final bed over there, there's a cherry tree in there.
41:26So, that idea of spring blossom.
41:28Wow.
41:29You know, it's there.
41:30I can see it.
41:31Yellow, purple.
41:33I mean, what's not to love about a Japanese cherry?
41:36There's also the other end of the garden.
41:38Let's take a trip down there and show you what's happening down there.
41:44The once tired children's play area has been updated with thicker play mats surrounded by new grass and plants.
41:54A perfect shady spot and a colourful bright shed brightens up the space.
41:59What we've done is put down this very thick rubber matting, which is very child safe.
42:05She's got a much bigger landing zone now.
42:08Yes.
42:09Ellen just…
42:10Yeah, yeah.
42:11So, when she goes at speed, she can just bounce off the ends.
42:14Yeah.
42:15Great.
42:16Like…
42:17Yeah.
42:18And then if your eye travels down the garden…
42:20Yeah.
42:21Yeah.
42:22Nice.
42:23Shared yellow colour.
42:24Mm-hmm.
42:25Which matches with patio area.
42:27Yes.
42:28Wow.
42:29It's full of life.
42:30Yeah, full of life.
42:31Flo's designed a garden that's now super safe for the kids.
42:34Whether it's that rubber matting, we're getting rid of all of those hard edges.
42:37And, of course, I didn't do it by myself.
42:39I had my partner in crime, Lee.
42:41He's going to come in.
42:42Hi.
42:43Hello.
42:44What do you think?
42:45It's fantastic.
42:46Thank you very much for your help.
42:47Amazing.
42:48It's nice and bright, isn't it?
42:49Yeah.
42:50We've got red, yellow.
42:51Yeah.
42:52All sorts of other beautiful colours.
42:53Mm-hmm.
42:54It's beautiful.
42:55Yeah, it's like a picture.
42:56Aw.
42:58Wonderful.
42:59Well, it was a pleasure to make this garden for you.
43:01So, I really hope that you as a family just enjoy it.
43:04Just every single element of it.
43:06Definitely.
43:07Without doubt.
43:08Good.
43:11When I opened my eyes, it was a complete transformation.
43:14Absolutely beautiful.
43:15More colours, modern feelings.
43:18We feel like we are in Japan.
43:20It's another room.
43:22You know, just come out of our living room.
43:24And we're out here.
43:25Lovely.
43:26Lovely.
43:27Lovely.
43:31Love you.
43:33Bye.
43:34Lovely.
43:36Lovely.
43:37Aww.
43:38Absolutely.
43:39Bye.
43:40Bye.
43:43Bye.
43:45bye.
43:46See you next time.
43:48Bye.
43:50Bye.
43:52Bye.
43:53Bye.
43:54Bye.
43:55Bye.
43:56You