PICK OF TODAY’S TV

KEW GARDENS: A YEAR IN BLOOM, 8PM, CH5

THE Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew are formed of two spectacular sites, spanning more than 300 acres in south-west London and 535 acres at Wakehurst in Sussex. It’s a centre of scientific innovation, a place of historical interest, a world-famous tourist attraction and home to one of the most amazing plant collections in the world. This restful series returns to again follow the dedicated staff who care for the plants over the course of a year. As we head back, it’s spring, and as the daffodils, crocuses and magnolias come into bloom, Simon, the new head of living collections, has the massive job of evaluating nearly 17,000 different plant species in the gardens to decide what stays and what goes. The Great Pagoda (pictured) is set to reopen for the season, and we are treated to a guided tour by Rachel from Historic Royal Palaces. Built in 1761 for the Gardens’ founder, Princess Augusta, the ten-storey Chinese-style tower has recently been restored to its former glory — including the painstakingly carved rooftop dragons. Rachel also reveals a surprising chapter in its history, when it was used to test smoke bombs during the Second World War. Meanwhile, down in Sussex, conservation supervisor Steve is helping to keep an ancient craft alive as he coppices hazel trees and uses the stems to create hedgerows.