Gardeners' World

Episode 4 (44x4)

: 01, 2011

As April gets under way, at Longmeadow Monty Don begins the process of reinvigorating his Jewel Garden where, over the coming months, he will be using plants which will give an evolving tapestry of colour over the seasons. Beginning with structural plants, Monty recommends shrubs to give any border a richness of colour, either through their leaves or their flowers. Evergreen shrubs that are in their flowering prime right now are camellias, and Carol Klein revels in the glory of one the world's most renowned camellia collections when she visits Mount Edgcumbe on the banks of the River Tamar in Cornwall. Meanwhile, Rachel de Thame goes behind the scenes at the Royal Horticultural Society's main garden at Wisley, where she reveals the secrets of a mysterious brew they've been using to keep their plants looking at their very best. Back at Longmeadow, the soil has warmed up sufficiently for Monty to be able to get his allotment under way.