Gardening on the Edge

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Gardeners' World, 2010 Episode 15 of 32

Duration: 1 hour

Toby Buckland sets out on a coastal odyssey to meet the passionate men and women who garden on the edge.

He visits some of his favourite coastal gardens and discovers how, despite the tricky and tempestuous locations, the gardens around the coast of Britain are at the forefront of horticulture and are amongst the most beautiful in the country.

Music Played

8 items

  • Headland Garden

    An almost vertical garden with panoramic views from the Fowey estuary to the open sea, owner Jean Hill’s perfect day consists of a swim, gardening then a bit of sailing.

    Toby and Jean talked about Hebe, Cistus (rock rose), Jasione laevis (Sheep’s bit scabious) and palms.

    “Headland"
    3 Battery lane
    Polruan by Fowey
    Cornwall

    Open every Thursday 2pm - 6pm between 29 April - September 2010

    Headland Garden

  • Lamorran House

    Lamorran is haven for exotic plants, protected by a shelterbelt of Pinus nigra (European black pine) it has a micro-climate all of its own where plants like Acacia dealbata (mimosa) grow to their full potential.

    Upper Castle Rd
    St Mawes
    Cornwall
    TR2 5BZ

    Open every Wednesday & Friday 10am – 5pm between April - September 2010

    Lamorran House

  • Minack Theatre

    Developed in the 1930s, the cliff gardens that surround the theatre at Minack are some of the “finest naturalistic rock gardens” in the country, with wonderful examples of Lampranthus, Aeonium, Agave and Leucadendron.

    The Minack Theatre
    Porthcurno, Penzance
    Cornwall
    TR19 6JU

    Open every day from 10am - 5.30pm apart from Weds and Fri when they close at 12pm

    Minack Theatre Garden

  • Trengwainton gardens

    A grand 10-acre Victorian garden filled with tree ferns and other exotics. Trengwainton also boasts a fascinating walled garden with 19th century features designed to combat climate change.

    Madron
    Near Penzance
    Cornwall
    TR20 8RZ

    Open Sunday to Thus 10.30am – 5pm until 31 October 2010

    Trengwainton Gardens

  • Yewbarrow

    Tucked into a sheltered corner of Grange-over-Sands, Yewbarrow looks more like a sun-drench Italian estate than a part of our very own Cumbrian coast. With Cupressus (cypress) adding height and structure and Dahlia imperialis (Tree dahlia) injecting bolts of colour you’re forgiven for thinking you were on the Med’ instead of Morecambe Bay.

    Yewbarrow House
    Hampsfell Road
    Grange-over-Sands
    Cumbria
    LA11 6BE

    Open days for 2010 are 4 July, 1 August and 5 September.

    Organised groups are welcome on other days, by arrangement.

    Yewbarrow House

  • An Cala

    Gouged out of the surrounding slate cliffs this garden was built as a love token in the 1930s following Thomas Mawson’s mountain garden style. The current owner, Sheila Downie, is keeping the style and spirit of the garden alive.

    An Cala
    Isle of Seil
    Argyll
    PA34 4RF

    Open every day between 1st April - 31st October 2010, 10am to 6pm

    An Cala

  • Gruinard

    Waterfalls and streams run throughout this garden in Northwest Scotland which is sheltered from the harshest winds. Clipped plants like Ulex europaeus (Gorse) hunker down and create a soft structure for plants such as Armeria (Sea thrift) to flower between.

    Gruinard is not generally open to the public except for Gardens of Scotland charity days and by appointment.

    Gruinard

  • Inverewe Garden

    Situated on one of the most windswept coastlines in the world this garden is also closer to the Arctic Circle than St Petersburg, the cool maritime climate is perfect for plants such as Meconopsis grandis (Himalayan blue poppy).

    Inverewe Garden
    Poolewe
    Ross-shire
    IV22 2LG

    Open 30 May - 28 August, 10am – 6pm daily; 29 August - 2 October,10am – 5pm daily; 3 October - 31 October, 10am – 4pm daily; 1 November - 31 March 10am – 3pm daily.

    Inverewe Garden

  • Greyhope Road Allotments

    Following the trail of self-seeded Myrrhis odorata (Sweet Cicely)
    Toby came across one of the most extreme allotments in the UK. Greyhope Road overlooks a very busy industrial harbour, is backed by a golf course and exposed to some incredibly rough weather, but it doesn’t faze the gardeners, they love the view and grow everything from sweet peas to strawberries.

  • Dungeness

    This huge expanse of shingle is home to a delicate ecosystem and many residents who hunker down in the now iconic wooden shacks. Arguably the most famous resident was Derek Jarman who created, like current resident Paddy Hamilton, a garden which can survive the bleakest of weather.

    Dungeness Nature Reserve

Credits

Presenter
Toby Buckland
Director
Andy Francis
Producer
Andy Francis
Executive Producer
Gill Tierney

Broadcasts

More expert gardening advice

More expert gardening advice

Find out more about the gardens featured in the show and get some topical tips.

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