Gardeners' Corner

With Christmas just around the corner, David heads to a Christmas tree farm on the outskirts of Belfast where Tony Johnston is planning for the Christmas rush in 10 year’s time, as he plants trees for Christmas future. At the Chelsea Physic Garden, new head of plant collections Emily Hazell offers a look at the newly restored Pelargonium House. Oliver Schurmann chooses a grass as his final perennial of the month and gardener Claire Woods and wildlife expert Katie Bell join David in studio. Contact the programme on [email protected]

As autumn officially ends and winter begins David Maxwell heads to a frosty Mount Stewart on the Ards Peninsula where the Sunken Garden is getting a refresh. Rob Wilson explains why they are emptying and replanting beds originally laid out by Lady Edith with a little help from legendary Victorian plantswoman Gertrude Jekyll. Ann FitzSimons on creating a bulb lasagne and Amy Kelly on the winter veg she is growing in four small table top containers. Also on the programme Oliver Schurmann picks his perennial of the month and Rosie Maye joins David live in studio to answers questions. Email the programme at [email protected]

Autumn highlights from the Gardeners’ Corner archive with David Maxwell including, a visit to the Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park, Jekka McVicar with her herb of the month for November, Neil Porteous is ‘heeling in’ rhododendron at Glenarm Castle and Reg Maxwell is planting bulbs for an indoor winter display. Claire Woods takes questions in studio with David. Contact the programme on [email protected]

What trees work well in small spaces? This week David Maxwell visits two experts who have the answer. Amy Kelly’s small suburban garden is full of fruit trees including the mysterious Medlar fruit. Once commonplace in Britain and Ireland, the fruit, which has to be left to over-ripen, has fallen out of favour. Amy thinks the tree still deserves a place because it provides several seasons of interest and fruit to boot! In Ann FitzSimons’ Killinchy garden, she is growing a variety of shrubs and trees in pots. It makes for a permanent display and offers those with limited space or those renting the chance to have an interesting garden space. Also on the programme, David visits Billy Alexander in Kells Bay where he is preparing for his biggest display of ferns yet at next year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. In studio, Colin Agnew, takes questions and provides some Autumn inspiration. Email the programme at [email protected]