The water lily is probably the nation's favourite aquatic plant, and Nathan James Dodd previews the next episode of 'Plant Odysses' in which Carol Klein celebrates its unique characteristics.
In the programme, which is the last in the series, she traces the water lily's remarkable botanical history and explains her love for a plant which is in reality virtually a living fossil.
We see how human intervention and natural evolution have influenced the plant's journey from the Far East which involves elements of economics, the arts and spiritual life along the way.
This is an intriguing story from the time that the first flowering plants emerged in Asia. To illustrate how important the water lily is in that part of the world Carol travels to South Korea.
There she drinks tea made from lotus flowers with Buddhist monks. The lotus is a close relative of the water lily and is so revered that there is a festival held in its honour.
After discovering the early evolution of the plant, we return to Europe to learn about how the water lily can dramatically interact with insects, how it adapts to the environment and its ancient system of pollinating.
Stars of the show are undoubtedly the Giant Amazonian Water Lilies at Ventnor Botanic Garden on the Isle of Wight where the film crew has captured some unique night shots.
The water lilies' flowers open after midnight to attract scarab beetles who will pollinate it. When daylight arrives, the flower closes trapping the beetle.
What is amazing is that the flower is initially white and female but when opening again on the following night it has changed both colour to red and sex to male.
This is clearly a programme that will hold the interest of all plant lovers and Carol Klein's Plant Odysses can be seen next Monday 17 August at 7.00pm on BBC2.
Robert Hall, senior partner at GardenSite.co.uk has been elected to sit on the Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) Judging Panel for 2017. The news was announced on 31st March 2017 on the GIMA website.
Written by David Coton.
Published on Friday, 31st of March, 2017.
The Bermuda brand is back! That's the great news GardenSite partner Andrew Hall has received from Bob Meacham, National Accounts Manager for the new owners Evolution Aqua.
Written by Martyn Loach.
Published on Wednesday, 14th of December, 2016.
They'll be no shortage of gardening programmes on TV next year with several old favourites returning and also some new series. Andy Taylor has been finding out what's planned for 2017.
Written by Andrew Taylor.
Published on Tuesday, 8th of November, 2016.
Aquatic expert Dan Everton has this advice on how to maintain your pond during November, when the days are short, frost threatens and leaves are falling from the trees.
Written by Dan Everton.
Published on Sunday, 30th of October, 2016.
After all the dry hot weather that much of the country has experienced over the last few weeks, the lavender in David Coton's garden is at its most colourful and scented, he's cutting the flowerheads to make lavender biscuits or drying them for pot pourri. Here are more jobs you can do in the garden during July.
Written by David Coton.
Published on Sunday, 25th of June, 2017.
As a yearly visitor to the Hampton Court Flower Show, I'll be enjoying much of the show's inspiration and fabulous florals this year, but I'm equally excited to see the fantastic gardening range provided by Forest Garden Products.
Written by Robert Hall.
Published on Friday, 23rd of June, 2017.
Robert Hall takes an in-depth look at the new Titan Range from Barlow Tyrie in his latest guide to choosing and buying garden furniture…
Written by Robert Hall.
Published on Thursday, 8th of June, 2017.
Robert Hall reviews which metal shed would best suit you and your garden's needs in this detailed guide about the benefits, types, brands and most commonly asked questions customers ask when buying a metal shed.
Written by Robert Hall.
Published on Wednesday, 7th of June, 2017.
Nathan James Dodd