Coventry

Chris Hull and Lee Burkhill travel to Coventry to help mother-and-daughter nurses Barbara and Tate transform their completely empty garden into an exotic jungle retreat. At the moment, the space is bare and lacks any structure, with potted plants scattered everywhere, making it feel disjointed and unfinished. Having removed all the paving, they’re unsure what to do next, but they need a design that can bring harmony to the chaos and create the perfect home for their impressive collection of tropical plants.

Barbara, who is originally from Zimbabwe, has a deep love for bold colours, big leaves and fragrant tropical plants that remind her of home. She dreams of a garden that makes sense of the big ferns, banana trees, scented roses and tetra panax she already owns – a vibrant outdoor space that feels like a journey, with winding paths and a new focal point at every turn. She and Tate also long for a cascading water feature, a cosy seating area with a pergola and plenty of visiting birds.

Tate and Barbara bought their first home in 2024 after moving from Bristol to Coventry, and they have fallen in love with both their new house and the strong sense of community in their neighbourhood. With their demanding NHS nursing schedules, they have had little time to bring their dream garden to life.

Can Chris and Lee create an exotic, low-maintenance jungle paradise on a £5,500 budget?