What to watch
Gardeners’ World BBC TWO, 8.00PM
No fan of the nation’s favourite TV gardening show will want to miss this special hour-long edition celebrating the series’ astonishing 50-years on air. Broadcast from the aptly titled Gardeners’ World Live show at the Birmingham NEC, it is hosted by Monty Don, who looks back fondly across five decades recalling the achievements (and occasional entertaining gaffs) of former incumbents Percy Thrower, Arthur Billitt and Geoff Hamilton. He also meets up with another of that ilk, Alan Titchmarsh, for a wander down an especially florid and well-stocked memory lane. Meanwhile, Carol Klein looks back at the plants that have most defined the past halfcentury (will Pampas grass get a showing?), while designer David Stevens tours us through the garden that he’s created showcasing 50 years of changing trends (decking, anyone?). Of course, Gardeners’
World is a practicalminded show, so it’s not all nostalgia and rose-tinted memories. Joe Swift, Rachel de Thame and a raft of other presenters are on hand, too, exploring the best Birmingham show gardens, and Mary Berry reveals the winner of the Golden Jubilee plant award. Gerard O’donovan