Tonight the fourth and final episode in a beautifully-shot documentary series on Kew Gardens will be aired on Channel 5.

The documentary, Kew Gardens: A Year in Bloom, was filmed at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst, Kew's wild botanic garden in Sussex during lockdown in 2020.

Each episode focuses on one of the four seasons, and tonight's episode will be all about autumn.

The autumn episode features the Kitchen Garden at Kew as produce is harvested for onsite restaurants; how scientists at RBG Kew are collecting wild relatives of major food crops to help ensure their survival; conservation grazing in action at Wakehurst; Kew's 7,000 strong Alpine bulb collection; and the Tree Gang rescuing a fallen tree from the lake.

Richard Deverell, Director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew said: "This year has been incredibly difficult for many visitor attractions, and we have most definitely felt this at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

"Watching this life-affirming series has reminded me of the many fabulous moments during 2020 which has been so dominated by the global pandemic.

"I am very proud to see how this new TV series shines a light on our staff and the important work they do to care for our collections and the vital research they undertake.

"They really are the backbone of our glorious organisation."

Channel 5 were granted unprecedented access to film across both sites and had special permission to film behind the scenes during lockdown.

Filming took place between January and October 2020.

The series includes never-before-seen footage of the gardens during the spring lockdown, and behind-the-scenes access to expert staff from RBG Kew's world-leading horticulture and science.

The series of hour-long episodes launched on Channel 5 on Thursday May 13 and can be watched on catch up here.

You can follow us on FACEBOOK and TWITTER