Previous Gardeners World presenters

[Lampwick]

I very rarely watch Gardeners World, my wife and daughter sometimes watch it and there have been past occasions when one of them have excitedly called me from my computer to see one of the GW team do something magic with alpine plants -  but I have always been disappointed.
Of all the thousands of programs over the years GW has just very briefly dipped their toes into the world of alpine plants.
Click on this link: How to Plant an Alpine Sand Box.

From that link you can scroll down the page to the following:-
How to create a raised bed for alpines
How to plant alpines
How to plant alpines through gravel
How to plant ornamental alliums
Spring alpine pot display

Each video and the planting seems to be rushed and its always the trio — sedum, semps and sax which are used.
Is it any wonder that the majority of gardeners no little or nothing about alpine plants?


Edit by maggi  to correct link to GW video

[Graeme]

I very rarely watch Gardeners World, my wife and daughter sometimes watch it and there have been past occasions when one of them have excitedly called me from my computer to see one of the GW team do something magic with alpine plants -  but I have always been disappointed.
Of all the thousands of programs over the years GW has just very briefly dipped their toes into the world of alpine plants.
Click on this link: How to Plant an Alpine Sand Box.

From that link you can scroll down the page to the following:-
How to create a raised bed for alpines
How to plant alpines
How to plant alpines through gravel
How to plant ornamental alliums
Spring alpine pot display

Each video and the planting seems to be rushed and its always the trio — sedum, semps and sax which are used.
Is it any wonder that the majority of gardeners no little or nothing about alpine plants?


Edit by maggi  to correct link to GW video

If you have no interest in anything other than veg growers weekly and planting box on a boggy site, what do you expect.  There is so much they could do but its the same rubbish every week with a bit of pond dipping.  Helps me get to sleep on a friday night.

With so many people having little or no space you have a gardening programme from a large garden a lot of people would never be able to have - alpines and bulbs etc. are ideal for a small space - but as you say sedum, semps and sax - boring - boring - some are okay, but not the ones they show.

Just hope they get a new presenter in who actually has some idea - but I suspect you will get more of the same

[ian mcdonald]

Perhaps someone such as Chris grey-wilson should be approached by the BBC instead of waiting to see who approaches the bbc?

[Lampwick]

Perhaps someone such as Chris grey-wilson should be approached by the BBC instead of waiting to see who approaches the bbc?

Yes Ian, that is one way to go.
Another way, and one which makes me wonder why this hasn't already happened, is a group of SRG members, or members at the AGS Centre, Pershore. Setting up a workshop on various aspects of alpine plant culture. Constructing a rock garden, planting up a trough, crevice gardening, building a retaining wall and so on. All the knowledge and expertise is here!
The committee gets together and sends a letter to the BBC, decrying the abysmal attempts perpetrated by the so-called   “experts” at the BBC. Offer to demonstrate how it should be done.
The BBC is surely aware of the SRGC and the AGS. If they shun the offer, try the other TV stations.

As an aside: (and hoping this is not out of place here)
Can anyone tell me who the raised wall belonged to?. . . I can’t remember!
I photographed it many years ago, possibly the mid1980s and it was a member of the Birmingham group AGS who opened their garden that day. The house was located on the Alvechurch Highway, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
I think it is lovely. The photo is not very clear as it is taken from a 35mm slide. If the BBC “experts” could do something like that then they could say they have achieved something.