A Little Piece of Paradise
Ten gardens which open for the National Gardens Scheme in Wales are set to star in their own television programme. The five part series, presented by ITV Wales’ weather presenter Ruth Wignall, will feature two NGS gardens in each programme. Ruth is joined in the series by Bill Lee, ITV Wales’ gardening expert. During the series Bill will offer advice and tips as to how viewers can achieve the same design ideas and planting schemes in their own gardens.
Bill Lee said: “One of the things that I have learnt about gardening over many years is that for the gardener the most valuable aid is time. This series shows what gardeners with all their other commitments can achieve if they recognize that a garden is always a 'work in progress'. The gardens we visit demonstrates how individuals can achieve their own particular objectives with fascinating results.”
The featured gardens range from a transformed backyard to a 9-acre formal garden and highlight the variety and splendour of the gardens that open for the NGS in Wales.
A Little Piece of Paradise starts on August 2, at 8pm, on ITV Wales.
Episode 1 - 2nd August – 8pm
Brynheulog, Neath
This keen plants woman’s hillside garden perfectly reflects the dramatic setting and surrounding natural beauty. ¾-acre plot with many levels with cottage style planting, tropical greenhouse, wildflower areas, large rockery and ponds. Polytunnel houses all year-round vegetables. Lots of scent and colour with roses and lilies. Wildflower area & wildlife garden
Japanese Garden, Rhiwbina, Cardiff
Typical Japanese style garden with undulating ground, small stream, pond and tea house. Seeks to evoke and imitate nature with the elements being tranquillity, simplicity and harmony.
Further details of Episode 1 can be found here
Episode 2 - 9th August – 8pm
Aderyn y Mor, Llanion, Pembrokeshire
An imaginative, dramatic and colourful garden on a steep cliffside with a wide marine backdrop. Access by attractive, extensive, robust stairway. Variety of plants, some exotic. 2 ponds, small waterfall. Seating areas at top and bottom of garden.
Gwyndy, Y Fron, near Caernarfon
Exposed 1½-acre hillside garden (altitude 1000ft). Mainly shrubs, small trees, perennials, lawns and small vegetable garden. Totally organic with wildlife in mind. Glorious panoramic views of the Nantlle Ridge and surrounding area
Further details of Episode 2 can be found here
Episode 3 - 16th August – 8pm
The Bell at Skenfrith
A productive organic kitchen garden arranged in two sections. Formal area of raised beds edged with edible delights. Less formal area where more space consuming plants are grown. Produce grown including herbs, salads, vegetables, flowers (edible and cutting), soft and hard fruits. All produce used in the restaurant at The Bell
Blaen Wern, Waen, Bodfari
The garden at Blaen Wern is a working dyer's garden. Over fifty plants are used to dye fibres to provide the raw materials for felted landscapes. Visitors are shown around the garden, the dye studio and summerhouse where pictures are exhibited. Demonstrations of natural dyeing from plants grown in the garden
Episode 4 - 23rd August – 8pm
Dewstow Gardens and Grottoes, Caldicot
5-acre Grade 1 listed unique garden which was buried and forgotten after World War 11 and rediscovered in 2000. Created around 1895 by James Pulham & Sons, the garden contains underground grottoes, tunnels and ferneries and above ground stunning water features. You will not be disappointed.
11 Arno Road, Barry
Small plant lovers garden with ponds, rock garden and alpine sinks, climbers especially late flowering clematis. Fernery with Dickinson Antarctica and rare climbing fern. Dwarf hardy geraniums are a favourite as are winter flowering shrubs, snowdrops and hellebores for winter interest.
Episode 5 – 6th September – 8pm
Grandma’s Garden, Machynlleth
Inspiration for the senses, unique, fascinating, educational and fun. Strategic seating, continuous new attractions, wildlife abundant, 9 acres of peace. Sculptures, poetry arboretum. Seven sensory gardens, wildlife pond, riverside boardwalk, stone circle, labyrinth. Azaleas and bluebells in May. Children welcome.
Delacorse, Laugharne
3-acre garden beside Tâf Estuary, in peaceful, beautiful landscape with fine views. Scented walled garden; sheltered courtyard with exotics; fernery; mixed borders for all-yr interest; living willow work; mill pond; lawns; orchard and carefully managed informal areas merging into woodland, reed beds and salt marsh. Extensive organic kitchen garden
Tour and information on living willow work, notes and tips on organic cultivation of fruit and vegetable including pest control.