This half-hour show explores the artistic “avant-garde” of today’s gardens, landscapes and

outdoor spaces that transcend the ordinary to inspire both layman and professional alike.

n Concept

This show would speak to audiences from novice home gardeners to professionals, as well as the growing number of amateur yet sophisticated gardeners. As people who garden become more sophisticated, they seek out new and more interesting ways to take their gardens to the “next level.” In an article titled “Gardening Trends in 2003,” author Keith Muraoka states that “…gardeners have become more sophisticated… People are looking at the garden in terms of the whole function, as a living space, not just a yard full of plants.”

As gardeners become more sophisticated, they also consider more unusual varieties of plants, and become more open to adding sculpture or a piece of art to the garden, or working with different materials or hardscape features such as colored concrete. As Muraoka writes…”If it moves, it’s in. Anything in the garden that moves is likely to attract attention.... Some things are not particularly sophisticated, like a whirligig. Others are more interesting like a spinning spiral copper piece of sculpture or folk art.”

More media support for the concept:

§ The Garden Media Group, a public relations firm specializing in horticulture, lists “simple chic” in its trends list for 2004. They further state that “…designs with dramatic use of color and texture are the new look.”

§ HGTV website home page, article by Veronica Sliva: “In 2004, new introductions will fuel increasing enthusiasm for unusual plants.”

As HGTV states, “One trend that is sure to continue into 2004 is the soaring interest in gardening.”

n Media Comparison

The concept for the show is a twist on the successful BBC show, Homefront on the Garden – a kind of Extreme Gardens. Other comparisons include the magazines Garden Design and Gardens Illustrated. These magazines cover some of the same themes in printed form. Gardens Illustrated is printed in the UK.