91Èȱ¬

Ornamental bedding was at its glorious, colourful peak during the Victorian era but high costs and high maintenance meant it ran out of steam and crashed out of fashion. Christine Walkden has always loved this decadent style of gardening and wants it back in our gardens.

In fact, it was one particular bedding plant she encountered at school that ignited her interest and ultimately set her on the path to become a gardener. Christine’s campaign begins among the elaborate floral bedding displays at Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire. On her revival, she meets the passionate people working hard to keep this heritage alive. She discovers the new innovations in plant breeding which are breathing new life into bedding and in Bournemouth, we find out how the local council are encouraging locals and visitors alike to develop a taste for ornamental bedding with their edible displays.

Throughout the show, Christine shares her tips and advice, she shows us how to create our own portable carpet bed and how to grow one of the most popular bedding plants – geraniums – from cuttings.