2013

Season 8 · 2013 · 15 episodes

Episodes

1Episode 1Alan Titchmarsh and Joe Swift take an exclusive peek around the Royal Horticultural Society's centennial Chelsea Flower Show before the gates open officially. Carol Klein shares her memories of exhibiting at the event and takes a look around the Great Pavilion. Nicki Chapman walks through the Generation Gardens to see how the country's front gardens have changed over the decades, while designer Chris Beardshaw explains how he gained inspiration from his experience of living with arthritis. And Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen explains why gnomes have been granted access for this year's show.
2Episode 2Presenters Nicki Chapman and Andy Sturgeon host the first lunchtime visit to the Royal Horticultural Society's centenary Chelsea Flower Show. The presenters trace the show's rise from humble beginnings to the flamboyant floral extravaganza it is today. There's a look at some of the big showcase gardens and a chance to learn how to create the popular Japanese floral art of Ikebana.
3Episode 3Alan Titchmarsh and Joe Swift mark the contribution local parks and gardens have made to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show over the years with a look at some of this year's most stunning floral displays. Rachel de Thame meets the designer who has sewn, rather than grown, part of her garden.
4Episode 4Alan Titchmarsh and Joe swift launch a week of celebrations as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show reaches its 100-year anniversary. On the day when the royal family visit the show, there's a look at a very special show garden commissioned by HRH Prince Harry. We meet the orchid growers who have exhibited at Chelsea every year since 1913 and catch up with the South African exhibitors mirroring the style of one of the show's earliest stands.
5Episode 5It's medals day at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show. Nicki Chapman is up at dawn to discover who's won what as the medals are handed out in this special centenary year. Andy Sturgeon and Carol Klein take a closer look at the gold medal-winning gardens and exhibits in the Great Pavilion, while Rachel De Thame meets Chelsea's Young Florist of the Year.
6Episode 6It's medals day at Chelsea Flower Show. Alan Titchmarsh and Joe Swift will be revealing the gold medal show garden designs and talking to the designer who has won the prestigious Best in Show award in this special centennial year. Carol Klein finds out what it takes to be named the best of the best in the Great Pavilion.
7Episode 7Nicki Chapman and Andy Sturgeon look at how Chelsea's mission to educate through entertainment has changed over the years. Chris Beardshaw catches up with some of the scientific exhibits which have been at the show since the early days. There's also a visit to the show garden using dead trees to convey its stark environmental message.
8Episode 8Alan Titchmarsh and Joe Swift look back at the environmental history of Chelsea as the show celebrates its 100th anniversary. Designer Christopher Bradley Hole returns to Chelsea after an eight-year break with a show garden inspired by the beauty of the English landscape. Joe shows us how to get the best from Chelsea's ornamental grasses, and actress Judy Parfitt takes a break from BBC Drama Call the Midwife to share her gardening passions.
9Episode 9Nicki Chapman and Andy Sturgeon take a look at the cutting-edge designs making waves at the Chelsea Flower Show this year. While Carol Klein seeks out blooms with a longer flowering season, Chris Beardshaw looks at wall art in the garden and there's even a bonsai masterclass.
10Episode 10Alan Titchmarsh and Joe Swift find out what controversial designer Diarmuid Gavin makes of Chelsea's centenary show. Carol Klein looks at the extraordinary ways that plants pollinate themselves. We meet pioneering plantsman Adrian Bloom who introduced the heuchera back in 1983, and Chris Beardshaw finds the ultimate outdoor rooms.
11Episode 11Exhibitors past and present share their Chelsea memories with presenters Nicki Chapman and Andy Sturgeon. Members of the Barbados Horticultural Society, celebrating their 25th year at Chelsea, explain what brings them back year after year, and designer Diarmuid Gavin treats us to his irreverent view of Chelsea past and present.
12Episode 12There's an accent on anniversaries in tonight's RHS Chelsea Flower Show as Alan Titchmarsh and Joe Swift look at the exhibitors with their own special celebrations. As the show hits its 100-year milestone, we talk to the nursery growers who met and married whilst exhibiting at the RHS shows. Plus, former Chelsea exhibitor David Stevens, dubbed the first celebrity designer, shares his memories of the show.
13Episode 13Alan Titchmarsh and Joe Swift meet the family of nurserymen who can trace their Chelsea heritage back four generations. Roy Lancaster explains why Chelsea is such a special show for him and, as Chelsea lifts its long-standing ban on garden gnomes, John Sergeant traces the story of the first gnome colony to settle in the UK.
14Episode 14Alan Titchmarsh, Joe Swift and Nicki Chapman round off a glorious week at the 2013 Chelsea Flower Shows with the famous plant sell-off. We find out which show garden has enchanted the public and won the RHS Peoples' Award and the team share their favourite moments from this year's centenary show.
15Episode 15As the 2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show draws to a close Alan Titchmarsh and Joe Swift look back at the highlights of this year's centenary event. Memories of the week include a look around a show garden inspired by Lesotho in Africa, commissioned by HRH Prince Harry and a rundown of some of the big medal winners this year.