Hinter den Hecken

Chur, in the Grisons, is renowned as the oldest town in Switzerland, with its historical heart still intact. Between the narrow streets, painted houses and old churches, no-one would expect to come across a large garden laid out in the formal French tradition, as at Versailles.

In Riehen, near Basel, we discover a garden that is truly tiny. In an area that's home to a large number of terraced houses little space is left between them. A quick look at the little front garden and it is immediately obvious whether the occupant enjoys gardening or not...

Rossinière is a charming Alpine village in the Vaud, with its attractive chalets so typical of the Pays-d'Enhaut. Nearly six hundred people live here and a large number of them obviously have very green fingers. The garden we have come to discover lies in the alpine meadows above the village...

We head for Gossau, in the canton of Saint-Gallen. One of the largest municipalities in western Switzerland it is not only home to some sublime painted houses but also a vast biblical garden with more than a hundred different plants.

We discover a magnificent garden in Neuenhof, in the canton of Aargau, a municipality that grew from a small farming village to an urban agglomeration. Despite the many modern houses and blocks of flats, some farms remain in the old district of the town, where we meet a fuchsia enthusiast...

In the canton of Berne, we discover a village that has retained its agricultural character despite the major motorway route nearby. A community with plenty of impressive farms, traditional houses, cow-sheds and farmyards... Each has its own large garden, but Katharina is attracted by one of them in particular.

Soleure, a town where the baroque style remains ever-present and where the age-old tradition of Swiss gardening still flourishes. The Gorges de Sainte-Vérène shelter part of this heritage along with the Hermitage of the same name. The pathway wending its through has been designed in the informal English garden style...

In the canton of Le Tessin, southern Switzerland, Katharina visits the village of Gudo to discover a garden where nature appears untamed. From small cacti to large shrubs, rhododendrons and the rare magnolia insignis, the garden is home to an incredible number of plants.

In Wuppenau, in the canton of Thurgau, Katharina visits a natural garden where indigenous plants and animals have taken control. The pathways allow water to soak through and no artificial fertiliser is used. Campanula grow happily next to wild plants and a riot of roses.

In Münsingen, in the canton of Berne, Katharina visits a community garden, a garden open to all those who love gardening. The aim: to harvest quality vegetables and flavoursome fruit but also to create a community experience. A place where everyone and every age can meet together.

Over a period of three months, Katharina Locher travelled Switzerland to discover its most extraordinary gardens, meeting those who created them and who care for them. Today Katharina Locher has brought these passionate enthusiasts together to look back over the programme and discuss the issues raised.