Just got around to seeing the recording I made of the last Monty Don's 'Around The World In 80 Gardens' on BBC2 (Wed...link below), on China and Japan... http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/ ... d=b0093641 I was hoping for more coverage of the smaller private designs of garden, with more watery features, bonsai collections and so on, but it seemed to dwell heavily on the Zen gardens of raked gravel, which was interesting but a bit too 'dry' for me.
I agree Pete, I saw one programme and it was ok but, as you say, dry... Are you experiencing gales again where you are? It was really blowing a hooley here last night!
We have been following them and seen all but the first one. I have to say that I am not swept-away with Monty as a gardening presenter, but his programs are usually pretty good. I'm with you folks about this past program. I am, however quite looking foreward to next week's visit to the Alhambra and the Generalife gardens. My partner and I lived in Granada for a year and visited them every week. It will be great to see them again. It is such an enchanting place.
Gales? I hate 'em, Sharon Mc. All quiet on the western front at the moment but what's in store for Sunday evening heaven only knows. 'Not quite as bad as 1987' they are saying. Right. :-|
I'm sure the series will be speeding its way over in due course - maximum production cost effectivity via TV franchising, etc, etc. But don't hold your breath. A lot of it I've enjoyed so far (when I remembered to watch, that is), but a bit disappointed in the 'willow pattern' department.
devonpete, You did a wonderful job there! I wish you could come to NC. We have an arboretum with over 100 bonsai trees. They are designed after our southern appalachian mountain landscape. Here are a few links to the site, and some pic links also. http://www.ncarboretum.org/Horticulture ... ew_042.jpg http://www.ncarboretum.org/Horticulture ... mages.html
That looks like a very stylishly presented collection. The plain and hefty solid boldness of the concrete surroundings make the bonsais look even more meticulous and delicately formed. That's clever. My own humble 'bonsai' collection (can you call three a collection? ) consists of a dwarf conifer (species unknown) which started to grow sideways and downwards, so it leans out over and hangs right down. But it only puts on about a cm a year, if that. It looks ancient, but is around 20 years old now. The next one was a present (the inevitable ficus retusa), age unknown. The third was dug up two years ago growing wild under a hedge (species again unknown). I removed the top leggy stem to get it to branch more nearer the base (which it has done), and removed the tap root. In leaf it looks pleasing, and I think the size of leaves are smaller than they would normally be, so it seems to be working. All are happily healthy which is the main thing. I also have a couple of so far unchecked young lemons about 8" high, and wondering when the best time would be to pinch out the top - otherwise they'll presumably just keep putting on height and won't branch. They also haven't shed any leaves since my brother gave them to me which was several months ago. Maybe they're evergreen lemons :-?
