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1. Great Gardens: Gertrude Jekyll

Episode 1 of 3

Penelope Keith meets James Wong, Catherine Horwood and Annabel Watts at the home of the great garden designer, Gertrude Jekyll.

The great gardener, Gertrude Jekyll, once said:

"A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust."

Through her fascination with colour, cottage gardens and experimentation, it has been said she "changed the face of England more than any save the Creator and perhaps Capability Brown".

In the first of three programmes, Penelope Keith explores Miss Jekyll's own 10-acre garden – the enchanting Munstead Wood in Surrey.

Penelope discusses Gertrude's influence and changing horticultural fashions with broadcaster and author, James Wong, author Catherine Horwood and Munstead Wood's head gardener, Annabel Watts

Penelope also unearths some horticultural wisdoms and delights from the Âé¶¹Éç sound archive:

* GREAT GARDENS - Gertrude Jekyll meets Chris Serle - Âé¶¹Éç Radio 4 - 1984

Made for Âé¶¹Éç Radio 4 Extra by Pier Productions and first broadcast in February 2014.

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1 hour

Last on

Sun 12 Apr 2026 05:00

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