Filming for the latest series of Greatest Gardens recently concluded, marking the end of several months of production that involved visiting and evaluating notable gardens across the country. The final episode featured an unusual exchange in which presenter Carol Klein and fellow judge Diarmuid swapped gardens; Klein opened her well-known Devon garden to Diarmuid, while he shared his County Wicklow garden with her.
Despite the usually polished images shared on social media, Diarmuid revealed that much of the lower half of his garden had been left neglected during filming, with invasive nettles, brambles, and bamboo spreading unchecked. Thankfully, friends helped clear the overgrowth ahead of Klein and the crew’s visit. The production team adjusted their filming to focus on the more maintained areas, with Diarmuid stepping out of several shots and Klein offering supportive remarks.
Beyond the challenges of garden upkeep during a busy filming schedule, both presenters noted the impact of shifting weather patterns over recent months. While earlier in the year the region experienced persistent rain, a sudden shift to drought conditions has brought new difficulties. A hosepipe ban is now in place, lawns have browned, and trees such as birches, alders, and maples are showing signs of stress. Even tree ferns, prized for their lush crowns, have seen their fronds struggle under the hot, dry air.
Despite these hardships, Diarmuid described an unexpected opportunity presented by the drought: a slowing of the garden’s usual rapid growth. The usual cycle of staking, trimming, pruning, and mowing has been interrupted, with weeds no longer surging forward as they typically do. This “summer pause” has created a stillness more commonly associated with winter, allowing for reflection and reassessment.
During this period, Diarmuid has spent time clearing and reshaping parts of his garden that had become overgrown or neglected. For example, the crown of a Cornus controversa was lifted to reveal previously hidden palms, and a silver birch that was overshadowing a Tetrapanax papyrifer was trimmed back. Other features, including bay topiaries once displayed at Chelsea and griselinia hedges, have been redefined into more elegant forms. Ordinarily, tackling one area leads to the rapid growth of weeds in another, but the drought’s effect has tempered such regrowth, affording valuable breathing room.
Looking ahead, Diarmuid plans to introduce around 20 new plants to the garden in anticipation of autumn rains that will reinvigorate growth. The dry spell, he suggests, offers a rare chance to stand back, evaluate, and plan thoughtfully for the future rather than responding reactively to constant growth.
The experience highlights how garden management must adapt to environmental changes while underscoring the potential benefits of slowing down in the face of natural challenges.