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546 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Plants for Purpose: How Research is Reimagining Our Gardens
6 november 2025 · 31 min
This week we’re taking a moment to look ahead. Carol Barrie from the RHS Science and Collections Department joins us to talk about Plants for Purpose, an ambitious new project she’s leading in collaboration with the University of Nottingham. It’s using the power of AI, alongside the RHS’s vast Herbarium, to build a living knowledge bank of plants that benefit the environment. We’ll also turn our gaze to spring, as now’s the perfect time to get tulips in the ground before the ground gets too wet or freezes. We revisit Arundel Castle, where back in 2022, 80,000 tulip bulbs arrived for a spectacular spring display. And finally, we head to RHS Rosemoor to meet Emma McFarline, who’ll be exploring the practical, and sometimes surprising, uses of familiar garden plants, from their roles in history to their value today. Lees meer
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Carol Barrie, Martin Duncan, Emma McFarline
Links:
Plants for Purpose Project
RHS Plants for Pollinators
Planting tulips for seasonal colour
Scientific overview of rosemary
Biomedical research on rosemary as a therapeutic agent
Therapeutic effects of rosemary on nervous system disorders
Calendula in modern medicine
Common mullein, pharmacological and chemical aspects
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Halloween in the Garden: From Bats to Deadly Blooms
30 oktober 2025 · 36 min
As the days grow shorter and Halloween marks the end of harvest and the beginning of winter, we explore the mysterious, the nocturnal, and the beautifully eerie corners of nature. Ecologist and bat expert Greg Slack joins us to uncover the secrets of these misunderstood night flyers — essential to our ecosystems but increasingly under threat. Then, houseplant expert and author Jane Perrone takes us on a chilling journey through the world’s most intoxicating and poisonous plants, revealing the strange allure of nature’s most dangerous creations. And finally, we turn toward the light again. RHS Garden Rosemoor’s Emma McFarline shares how she’s preparing her cottage garden for the seasons ahead, proving that even in the darkest months, there’s always something growing just beneath the surface. Lees meer
Host: Nick Turrell
Contributors: Greg Slack, Jane Perrone, Emma McFarline
Links:
The Atlas of Deadly Plants
RHS Garden Rosemoor
RHS advice on gardening for bats
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Grow Forward: Designing Resilient Gardens and Stronger Communities
23 oktober 2025 · 33 min
It’s time to look ahead to the future: From the coming season to the years beyond, the way we garden must evolve with a changing world. Award-winning garden designer Tom Massey joins us to share his tips on how to be more water-wise in the garden. We’ll also explore the growing importance of community gardens, as the RHS unveils its landmark Space to Grow report: the first comprehensive mapping of the scale, impact, and needs of community gardening across the UK. Sarah Galvin, Head of National Community Programs at the RHS, will join us to discuss some of the most inspiring findings. And finally, we’ll take a step into the wonderfully eccentric world of competitive fruit and vegetable growing with Pumpkins and Prizes, a new exhibition at RHS Garden Wisley. Curator Fiona Davison will be on hand to share the stories behind this vibrant tradition. Lees meer
Host: Jenny Laville
Contributors: Sarah Galvin, Tom Massey, Fiona Davison
Links:
RHS Waterwise Garden by Tom Massey
RHS Space to Grow
Pumpkins and Prizes Exhibition
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From Mushrooms to Matrix Planting: Exploring Nature’s Design
16 oktober 2025 · 34 min
This week, Dr Jassy Drakulic returns to guide us through the hidden zones of your garden, uncovering the fascinating world of fungi and the mushroom magic that may be thriving right under your nose. RHS Principal Entomologist Dr Hayley Jones joins us to introduce the charming yet troublesome vine weevil — a notorious menace for potted plants — and reveals how we can give a helping hand to the beneficial insects that prey on them in our gardens as winter approaches. Finally, horticulturist Louisa Neale takes us on a tour of the breathtaking Oudolf Landscape at RHS Garden Wisley, sharing practical tips on how to bring a touch of Piet Oudolf’s iconic matrix-style planting to your own outdoor space. Lees meer
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Dr Jassy Drakulic, Dr Hayley Jones, Louisa Neale
Links:
RHS Fungi for Gardeners book
Science & Collections at the RHS
Info on vine weevils
The Oudolf Landscape
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Hidden Worlds: From Fungal Networks to Literary Landscapes
9 oktober 2025 · 35 min
This week, RHS Senior Plant Pathologist Dr Jassy Drakulic shares her passion for the mysterious world of fungi, revealing the hidden lives of their fruiting bodies and the ingenious ways they spread their spores. At RHS Garden Rosemoor, horticulturist Alex Paines takes us behind the scenes to explore the art of shaping formal hedges and offers expert tips for keeping them looking their best. And finally, Fiona Davison, RHS Head of Libraries and Exhibitions, delves into the gardens and landscapes that inspired the pages of Jane Austen’s beloved novels. Lees meer
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Dr Jassy Drakulic, Alex Paines, Fiona Davison
Links:
RHS Fungi For Gardeners book
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Chawton House
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Living Libraries: Stories from The Plant Review
2 oktober 2025 · 40 min
Gardens are more than places of beauty — they’re living archives, preserving stories of the past. In this episode, we leaf through the September issue of The Plant Review to uncover what history can teach us about the gardens of today. Lees meer
RHS horticulturist Jack Aldridge recalls the rare purple-leaved Stachyurus—first spotted in a Devon garden in the 1970s, lost for decades, then rediscovered at a Cornish plant fair. Judith Taylor, a 91-year-old retired neurologist and garden historian, explores the legacy of Roy Genders, one of the most prolific gardening voices of the 20th century. And plant taxonomist and collector Jamie Compton joins James to untangle the thorny mysteries of the Banksian roses.
Host: James Armitage and Gareth Richards
Contributors: Jack Aldridge, Judith Taylor, Jamie Compton
Links:
The Plant Review
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The Autumn Shift: Hibernaculums, Snowdrops, and Jane Austen
25 september 2025 · 30 min
As astronomical autumn settles in, the rhythm of our gardens begins to change — plants, fungi, and wildlife all adapting to cooler days and longer nights. This week, horticulturist Tim Smith shows us how to support our hibernating garden visitors by creating your very own hibernaculum at home. Camilla Bassett-Smith shares her expert tips on planting snowdrops now for a stunning early spring display. And Fiona Davison from the RHS takes us into the archives to uncover the surprising connections between Jane Austen and the Royal Horticultural Society. Lees meer
Host: Jenny Laville
Contributors: Tim Smith, Camilla Bassett-Smith, Fiona Davison
Links:
RHS Garden Rosemoor
How to grow snowdrops
RHS Digital Collections
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From Soil to Plate: Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Garden
18 september 2025 · 32 min
This week we’re heading down to the world famous, double Michelin star Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in deepest Oxfordshire, to speak to chef Raymond Blanc about his ethos towards growing delicious produce, appreciating the soil, and letting veg take centre stage on the plate. From tasty veg to truly enormous ones, Fiona Davison will be telling us about the quirky tradition of giant vegetable growing competitions. And Jenny Laville will be joining us to give us the scoop on what's new for RHS shows in 2026. Lees meer
Host: Gareth Richards
Contributors: Raymond Blanc, Jenny Laville, Fiona Davison
Links:
Simply Raymond Kitchen Garden: Seasonal recipes from my place to yours
Malvern Autumn Show
RHS Shows and Events
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Pioneering Women Gardeners, Daffodils and Climate Lessons
11 september 2025 · 36 min
This week we’re exploring the lives of the pioneering women gardeners of the 20th century who paved the way for women in horticulture today… through music. Composer Omri Kochavi will be sharing how he was inspired by the book ‘An Almost Impossible Thing’ by Fiona Davison to create what he calls a 'horti-musical'. Now's the perfect time to think ahead to spring, and daffodil devotee Camilla Bassett-Smith will be joining us to share some of her favourite cultivars, and top tips on getting the most out of your bulbs. And finally we’re taking stock after a hot, dry summer. We visit Alex Paines at RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon to explore how the gardeners there are adapting what, where, and how they plant. Lees meer
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Omri Kochavi, Camilla Bassett-Smith, Alex Paines
Links:
An Almost Impossible Thing: The radical lives of Britain's pioneering women gardeners
Omri Kochavi’s website
Ladies in Bloomers
RHS Daffodils
Daffodil Diaries project
RHS Garden Rosemoor
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Autumn Abundance: How to Harvest All Year Round
4 september 2025 · 28 min
Autumn may be here, but your garden’s productivity doesn’t have to slow down! This week, join us as Liz Mooney from RHS Wisley’s World Food Garden reveals how she keeps her allotment bursting with fruit and veg all year round. We’ll also hear from entomologist Dr Hayley Jones, who’s back to shed new light on wasps — the much-maligned but fascinating insects who’ve had a buzzing bumper year in 2025. And for those thinking beyond the traditional lawn, RHS advisor Nick Turrell offers fresh ideas to transform your garden into something truly inspiring. Lees meer
Host: Jenny Laville
Contributors: Liz Mooney, Dr Hayley Jones, Nick Turrell
Links:
Social Wasps
RHS Plants For Pollinators
Plants for Pollinators Special Podcast Episode
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Wading into wisteria, managing mildew and an existential conundrum
28 augustus 2025 · 33 min
Many of us have experienced the surge in powdery mildew, ushered in by the hot, dry summer we’ve had. To find out more about this unwanted fungal force and how to manage it, we’re speaking to RHS Senior Plant Pathologist Dr Jassy Drakulic. Late summer is also the perfect time to prune your wisteria to ensure the best blooms next spring. We’re speaking to this custodian of Wisley’s Wisteria Walk, Liam Anderson to pick up his top tips for success at home. And Nick Turrell returns with a curious question. He’s shining a spotlight on one familiar feature found in almost every garden in the country, asking us to think about why it’s really there. Lees meer
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Jassy Drakulic, Liam Anderson, Nick Turrell
Links:
Powdery mildews
Pruning Wisteria
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Gardening Through Extremes: Survival, Heatwaves & Budget Hacks
21 augustus 2025 · 32 min
This week we are diving into extremes. Tom Hart Dyke shares his amazing story of misadventure in the Panamanian jungle that led him to the brink of death… and to the founding of a ‘World Garden’ deep in Kent. Guy Barter shares some top tips on how to keep your garden looking luscious in the extreme heat and drought we’ve experienced across the UK this summer. And are you gardening on an extreme budget? Nick Turrell from the RHS advisory team has some top tips just for you! Lees meer
Host: Gareth Richards
Contributors: Tom Hart Dyke, Guy Barter, Nick Turrell
Links:
Lullingstone World Garden
Managing water in your garden
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Allotments: Spaces that Grow Us
14 augustus 2025 · 32 min
Allotments are powerful spaces of regeneration, nourishment, and community, and this National Allotment Week we’re celebrating these impactful sanctuaries. Mike Farrell, Chair of the National Allotment Society talks us through how they have evolved and why in a fractured world, the diverse communities they serve are more vital than ever. Garden designer and allotmenteer Zoe Claymore explores the versatility of container gardening, and RHS Horticultural Advisor Lenka Cooke shares her hacks for dealing with any invading weeds AND how to feed your allotment at the same time. Lees meer
Host: Nick Turrell
Contributors: Mike Farrell, Zoe Claymore, Lenka Cooke
Links:
National Allotment Society
Zoe Claymore website
More on homemade fertilisers
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Get Gardening this Summer Holidays
7 augustus 2025 · 27 min
School’s out and summer’s in full swing, which means it’s the perfect time for the next generation of green thumbs to dig in and discover the joys of gardening! The always-inventive Lee Connelly, better known as the Skinny Jean Gardener, joins us with some fantastic garden projects to keep little hands busy. We also hear from keen gardener and parenting podcast host Giovanna Fletcher, who shares how gardening brings her family closer and why her kids love it so much. And for those of you not entertaining children this week, don’t worry – we’ve got something for you too. We’re heading to RHS Rosemoor, where horticulturist Sam Southgate is challenging traditional ideas about formal gardening. He’s passionate about boosting biodiversity, and he’ll show us how to make room for wildlife in even the most polished garden spaces. Lees meer
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Giovanna Fletcher, Lee Connelly, Sam Southgate
Links:
Summer holiday fun at RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Summer holidays at RHS Garden Wisley
Summer holidays at RHS Garden Rosemoor
Summer holidays at RHS Garden Bridgewater
Summer holidays at RHS Garden Harlow Carr
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Plants for Pollinators
31 juli 2025 · 30 min
A third of British pollinator species are now in decline — but there’s still hope, and gardeners can be part of the solution. This week, the RHS launched its updated Plants for Pollinators list: over 10,000 plants scientifically shown to support pollinating insects throughout the year. Dr Andy Salisbury, head of plant health at the RHS, will take us behind the science — revealing how smart planting choices can help reverse pollinator decline. Gill Perkins, CEO of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, will bring us into the world of the charismatic bumblebee, shedding light on the growing pressures they face, from shrinking habitats to shifting seasons. And finally, horticulturist Rosie Yeomans will spotlight a pollinator favourite: salvias. After leading a three-year hardy salvia trial at RHS Garden Wisley, she’s here to reveal which varieties truly stole the show. Lees meer
Host: Jenny Laville
Contributors: Dr Andy Salisbury, Rosie Yeomans, Gill Perkins
Links:
Plants for Pollinators hub
About Plants for Pollinators
Plants for bees
Bumblebee Conservation Trust
Hardy Salvia Trial Results
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Dead Hedges, Magical Mints and a Mycelial Menace
24 juli 2025 · 30 min
This week Sam Southgate from RHS Garden Rosemoor is teaching us how to rethink garden waste by transforming it into amazing structures for both you and your garden wildlife to enjoy. Mary Coates who’s doing her summer studentship with the plant health team at the RHS tells us about her research into the dreaded honey fungus, and how you can help her out. And finally we share some love for the mint family, as we dive into this expansive genus with some of the designers of the lamiaceae borders at RHS Hampton Court this summer. Lees meer
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Sam Southgate, Mary Coates, Gareth Richards, Tom Howard, Marlene Lento, Yvonne Price and Victoria Stanton
Links:
Privet species and honey fungus Survey
Help our research at the RHS
More about Honey Fungus
The Nest at Wisley
Lamiaceae borders at RHS Hampton Court
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RHS Wentworth: A celebration of great northern gardens and growers
18 juli 2025 · 31 min
This week, we’re coming to you live from the very first RHS Flower Show at the magnificent Wentworth Woodhouse in South Yorkshire. We’ll be chatting with the rising stars of garden design – young talents competing for the coveted RHS Young Designer of the Year award. We’re also shining a light on some of the North’s finest growers, showcasing their extraordinary plants inside the vibrant floral marquee. And of course, we’ll be exploring the fresh ideas and inspiring themes blooming across the show’s breathtaking gardens. Lees meer
Hosts: Gareth Richards, Jenny Laville, Mallissa Mabbitt
Contributors: Paul Hervey-Brookes, Luke Coleman, Colin Hickman, Dean Charlton, Mairi Longdon
Links:
RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse
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The Story of Strawberries
10 juli 2025 · 30 min
Nothing captures the spirit of a British summer quite like Wimbledon and the iconic pairing of strawberries and cream. This week we’re diving into the fascinating history of strawberry cultivation with the RHS Head of Libraries and Exhibitions Fiona Davison, who uncovered a hidden story of pioneering strawberry-focused citizen science. Wisley’s Liz Mooney returns to run us through exactly how to keep on top of the vegetable patch during one of the busiest times in the growing season. And finally, we journey to Somerset to meet Georgie Newbury of Common Farm Flowers. Her cut flower farm is a haven for bees, butterflies, and all things that flutter and buzz. Lees meer
Host: Gareth Richards
Contributors: Fiona Davison, Liz Mooney, Georgie Newbury
Links:
How the RHS transformed British strawberry growing
RHS Digital Collections
RHS Plant Trials and Awards
Common Farm Flowers
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Growing Ideas: Highlights from RHS Hampton Court
2 juli 2025 · 47 min
This week, we're coming to you from the stunning RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2025; the UK’s most spectacular summer celebration of all things green, growing, and gloriously garden-inspired! Join us as we dive into the cutting-edge sustainability solutions, and thought-provoking exhibits that reveal how gardening connects us to nature, to each other, and to ourselves. We explore the Healer’s Hollow, where ancient plant-based healing traditions are brought back to life, and visit Surrey County Council’s visionary garden, which imagines a greener, more sustainable urban future. Along the way, we hear from passionate exhibitors and garden designers about how we can support endangered garden wildlife—and they share their top tips for keeping your garden thriving, even in this summer’s scorching heat. Lees meer
Hosts: Guy Barter, Mellissa Mabbitt, Tom Howard
Contributors: Jude Yeo, Emily Grayshaw, Lilly Gomm, Coralie Thomas, Adrian Thomas, Alan Partridge, Helen Currie, Tom Pilgrim, Laura Strand, Sam Stark-Kemp, Henry T Pope
Links:
Visit RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
RHS Healers Hollow Garden
RSPB and RHS Swift Garden
Surrey County Council: Reclaiming spaces, creating healthy streets garden
Hot Pocket, City Pocket Planting Garden
Teucer Wilson: Green the Gap Garden, City Pocket Planting
Welcoming Wildlife, City Pocket Planting Garden
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Aphids, Earwigs & Allies: Insect Week with the RHS
26 juni 2025 · 33 min
This week we’re diving head-first into the long grass, under the flowerpots, and behind the compost bin to celebrate National Insect Week! The Wildlife Trusts’ collaborator and garden designer Zoe Claymore shares her top tips on wildlife friendly gardening. RHS Principal Entomologist Dr Hayley Jones will be busting some myths around one critter which has been dominating our gardens this year – aphids! And another RHS entomologist – Josie Stuart – explains why earwigs are excellent insect predators to encourage into your plot. Lees meer
Host: Gareth Richards
Contributors: Zoe Claymore, Dr Hayley Jones, Josie Stuart
Links:
Buddleja aphids
Buddleja aphid survey
Aphids
Earwigs
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Blooms, Beaks & Beets: Summer in the Garden
19 juni 2025 · 30 min
As the UK bursts into bloom, we celebrate British Flowers Week with flower farmer Georgie Newbery, who shares how to create stunning, sustainable bouquets from your own garden. At RHS Garden Wisley, Liz Mooney guides us through successional sowing for a summer full of salad crops, and at RHS Bridgewater, Carolyne Jones reveals how to turn your garden into a haven for nesting birds. From vibrant wildflowers to fledgling robins, it’s a glorious season of growth – and there’s still time to get involved. Lees meer
Host: Jenny Laville
Contributors: Georgie Newbery, Liz Mooney, Carolyne Jones
Links:
Common Farm Flowers
The carbon footprint of flowers
Say it with British flowers study
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From Rainforests to Garden Borders: Nature’s Wild Edges
12 juni 2025 · 36 min
This week, we journey into one of Britain’s rarest and most magical landscapes — the temperate rainforest. Designer Zoe Claymore joins us to reveal how she captured the enchanted atmosphere of these ancient woodlands at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and how you can recreate that wild, mossy magic at home. Lees meer
Then, we turn our attention to a true British garden staple: the hedge. Photographer Gareth Gardner shares what he discovered after receiving over 500 submissions from around the world for his new exhibition On The Hedge, now opening at RHS Garden Wisley.
Plus, Gareth Richards is here with practical advice on planning ahead with tips on sowing biennials, and Guy Barter shares what he’s been up to in his own garden. A lush, leafy episode not to be missed.
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Zoe Claymore, Gareth Gardner, Gareth Richards
Links:
British Temperate Rainforest - British Wildlife Trusts
British Rainforest - How to Guide
Lindley Late - Urban Gardening Club: Balconies, Pots and Patios
On The Hedge exhibition at RHS Wisley
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Call of the Wild
5 juni 2025 · 38 min
This week, we’re stepping off the garden path and into the wild. James Armitage, editor of The Plant Review, joins Gareth Richards to reflect on how a little wilderness can bring balance, biodiversity, and unexpected beauty, to even the most cultivated spaces. Lees meer
We begin with a tribute to the intrepid botanist John Watson, whose plant-hunting adventures in South America unearthed a treasure trove of wild flora. Plantsman Robert Rolfe shares stories of Watson’s passion and the remarkable plants he helped bring into cultivation. Then, it’s over to the Garry oak meadows of Vancouver Island, where nurserywoman Amy Sanderson and writer Eric Hsu are rethinking everything we thought we knew about camassias – revealing their surprising resilience in dry climates.
Finally, we ascend to the Himalayas with botanist Richard Moore to meet the hardy Roscoea – a plant both wild and wonderful, whose taxonomic tale is as twisty as its mountain roots. All this, plus a call to action: find out how you can help protect community growing spaces by supporting the RHS-backed Space to Grow amendment in Parliament.
Hosts: Gareth Richards & James Armitage
Contributors: Robert Rolfe, Amy Sanderson, Eric Hsu, Richard Moore
Links:
RHS Horticultural bursaries
Subscribe to The Plant Review
Space to Grow amendment for the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill
Use this template to send to your MP
find your MP’s email address here
Saving allotments and community gardens
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Big Blue Poppies and Easy Edibles
29 mei 2025 · 24 min
Late May bursts with life – and this week’s episode celebrates the full force of the season. We revisit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to explore the mystique of Meconopsis, the Himalayan “Big Blue Poppies” that have captivated British gardeners for over a century. Then, Horticultural Advisor Nick Turrell shares clever shortcuts for growing your own edibles – even if you’re short on time and space. And Edward Cooper from RHS Garden Wisley unpacks the Award of Garden Merit: what it takes to earn this mark of excellence, and how it can help you choose top-performing plants for your own patch. Lees meer
Host: Jenny Laville
Contributors: Helen Knowles, Nick Turrell, Edward Cooper
Links:
The Meconopsis group
How to grow Meconopsis
RHS Plant Trials and Awards
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The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
21 mei 2025 · 44 min
Step into the bloom of RHS Chelsea 2025! In this special episode, we delve into the standout themes, emerging trends, and — of course — the spectacular plants that define this year’s show. Journey with us from Scotland’s wild coastal landscapes to the dappled canopies of urban forests, as we meet the visionary designers behind 2025’s most breathtaking gardens. We’ll also shine a spotlight on the real stars of the show: the plants themselves — and the groundbreaking breeders competing for the prestigious RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year award. Lees meer
Hosts: Jenny Laville, Gareth Richards, Tom Howard, James Armitage
Links:
Chelsea Flower Show tickets
Chelsea Flower Show gardens
Chelsea Plant of the Year
RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse
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Moths, Meadows and Mischievous Mutts
15 mei 2025 · 35 min
Biodiverse spaces are important not only for healthy ecosystems but they also bring tangible benefits for our mental wellness as well. Unfortunately new data shows that some of our most loved garden visitors – the Lepidoptera, or butterflies and moths – are in alarming decline. We’ll be finding out from Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, how gardeners can give them the boost they need. Ed Cooper from the trials team down at RHS Garden Wisley shows us another way of welcoming in not only butterflies and moths, but a whole host of other wildlife as well, with advice on sowing annual and perennial wildflower meadows. And finally, we find out how to maximise our outdoor spaces for our four legged friends, with Lead Horticulturist Dawn Grehan, at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Lees meer
Host: Gareth Richards
Contributors: Dr Richard Fox, Ed Cooper, Dawn Grehan
Links:
Butterfly Conservation
Butterfly recording and monitoring
RHS Plants for Pollinators
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
How to create a pet-friendly garden
Potentially harmful garden plants
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Plant Health Week - Get Your Garden Thriving
8 mei 2025 · 29 min
It’s Plant Health Week, and we’re celebrating with expert tips to keep your garden thriving. RHS Plant Health Advisor Helen Latham will be sharing practical advice to help your plants stay strong and resilient. Meanwhile, Nick Turrell returns to shine a light on the unsung heroes of the garden — weeds! Last week, he turned a common garden nuisance into a delicious, nutrient-rich summer salad. Today, he’s back with another surprising use for those persistent plants — and a fresh perspective on why they might deserve a second chance. Plus, as gardens burst into bloom, your questions have been flooding in. We’ve handed a few over to the RHS Garden Advisory Team to get the expert answers you’ve been looking for. Lees meer
Host: Jenny Laville
Contributors: Helen Latham, Nick Turrell, James Lawrence, Chris Taylor
Links:
Plant health in gardens
Previous episode on plant health and passports with Dario Spagnoli
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May Day, Welcoming in Warmer Weather
1 mei 2025 · 29 min
This May Day we’re embracing new growth in the garden — even from the unexpected plants that pop up on their own! Nick Turrell from the RHS Gardening Advice Team will be shining a spotlight on one so-called ‘weed’ that’s actually packed with nutrients — a perfect addition to your summer salads. Liz Mooney from the edibles team at RHS Garden Wisley is back to share her top tips for growing beans — whether broad, runner, or French. And horticulturist Alessandra Sana will be diving into the crowning jewel of any summer pond: the glorious, timeless waterlily. Lees meer
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Nick Turrell, Liz Mooney, Alessandra Sana
Links:
How to grow broad beans
How to grow runner beans
How to grow French beans
How to grow waterlilies
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Spring in Full Swing
24 april 2025 · 36 min
Spring is stretching its limbs, and the garden is stirring to life. As the days grow longer and begin to warm, there’s a tangible energy in the air – a heady mix of birdsong, budding leaves, and the unmistakable scent of fresh soil and blossoms. This week horticulturist Liz Mooney will be sharing her expert tips on getting the best from beetroot, turnips and parsnips – perfect for anyone looking to grow a productive plot from the ground up. The RHS Gardening Advice Team will also be joining us to answer your most frequently asked questions this month, and Elizabeth Medal of Honour winner Clare Hermans will be sharing her enduring fascination with Madagascan orchids and the stories behind these rare and remarkable plants. Lees meer
Host: Gareth Richards
Contributors: Liz Mooney, James Lawrence, Chris Taylor, Nick Turrell, Clare Hermans
Links:
Previous episode on growing potatoes with Liz Mooney
Previous episode on growing tomatoes with Liz Mooney
RHS Gardening Advice -
Earth Day Special
17 april 2025 · 35 min
As gardeners, we understand the deep connection between people and the planet. The choices we make in our own green spaces – no matter how small – can ripple outward, creating real impact. This Earth Day, ecological home grower Poppy Okotcha invites us into her world of regenerative gardening. Dr. Hayley Jones explores how welcoming all creatures – even the less popular ones – can nurture a thriving, balanced ecosystem. And campaigner Russell Ball shows us simple, powerful ways to give our urban trees the care and attention they deserve. Lees meer
Host: Jenny Laville
Contributors: Poppy Okotcha, Dr Hayley Jones, Russell Ball
Links:
A Wilder Way: How Gardens Grow Us
Poppy Okotcha
RHS Slugs: Friend or Foe?: Know Your Slugs and Learn to Live With Them
How to stop slugs and snails: what works?
Slugs and Snails advice
Strangling Tree Ties #FreeTheTree
Fund4Trees -
Dark Corners, Bright Ideas
10 april 2025 · 36 min
We start this week with a journey back in time, exploring some of the oldest and most resilient plants on the planet: ferns. Gardener, botanist and author Ben Dark has been uncovering some surprising stories about these living fossils as part of his sweeping journey – 2.5 billion years deep – into the fascinating history of plants. Ferns thrive in damp, shady garden corners — but they’re not the only ones. Horticulturist Alessandra Sana faced this exact challenge when she took on the north-facing wall of RHS Wisley’s walled garden. She shares her go-to plants and creative inspiration for transforming those tricky, low-light spots into lush, green sanctuaries. And finally, we cross the Atlantic to hear from John Sonnier, Head Gardener at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. His pioneering sustainable gardening practices have just earned him the prestigious Elizabeth Medal of Honour from the RHS. Lees meer
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Ben Dark, Alessandra Sana, John Sonnier
Links:
The Grove: A Nature Odyssey in 19 ½ Front Gardens
Shade planting: annuals, bulbs and perennials
What can I grow in a dry shady spot?
Sustainable planting combinations: shade collection
RHS People Awards -
The Gardener’s April Checklist: Spuds and Summer Bulbs
3 april 2025 · 30 min
April is in full bloom, and with it comes a gardener’s to-do list bursting with promise! This week, Liz Mooney from RHS Garden Wisley shares expert tips on growing a bumper potato crop, while Guy Barter reveals how to plant summer bulbs for a dazzling display. Plus, we celebrate horticultural excellence with Victoria Medal of Honour recipient Martyn Rix, reflecting on a lifetime dedicated to plants. Lees meer
Links:
How to grow potatoes
RHS People Awards
RHS Grow Your Own -
How to be a Hoverfly Hero
27 maart 2025 · 32 min
This week we’re finding out how to be a hoverfly hero. These masters of mimicry are vitally important pollinators, decomposers, and aphid predators, but their populations are in steep decline in the UK. RHS entomologist Josie Stuart will be telling us more about these garden friends, and how we as gardeners can help. Keeping our gardens blooming for as long as possible is a great help for all our pollinators and Cosmos shows off its delicate flowers all the way from late summer through to the first frosts of autumn. We’ll speak to National Collection holder Jonathon Sheppard for his recommendations of the best cultivars to try this year. And from one remarkable collection to another – Sarah Cook has dedicated years to researching and reviving the lost irises of Cedric Morris. These striking blooms, once thought to survive only in his famous paintings, have been brought back to life thanks to her tireless work in the RHS archives and in Cedric’s garden at Benton End. Lees meer
Host: Jenny Laville
Contributors: Josie Stuart, Jonathan Sheppard, Sarah Cook
Links:
Be a hoverfly hero
Help hoverflies: 5 top plants and 5 fun facts
What are hoverflies?
Read Jonathan’s cosmos and hollyhock blog
British cosmos (seed sales)
Plant Heritage, home of the National Plant Collections
Benton End
The Nurture Landscapes Garden at Chelsea Flower Show
RHS People Awards -
Tasty Toms, Hydrangeas & Bokashi
20 maart 2025 · 34 min
Spring is in the air, and it’s time to get your hands dirty! This week, we’re diving into the juicy world of tomatoes with Liz Mooney from the RHS Garden Wisley edibles team. She shares some of her best tried and tested cultivars and expert advice on how to grow a bumper crop. Plus, if hydrangeas are on your planting list, renowned woody plant collector and hybridizer Maurice Foster will be picking out some of his favourites. And finally, we’re tackling food waste head-on – Jenny Laville and composting guru Heather Gorringe break down worm farms, compost heaps, and bokashi bins to help you turn scraps into garden gold! Lees meer
Host: Gareth Richards
Contributors: Liz Mooney, Maurice Foster, Jenny Laville, Heather Gorringe
Links:
How to Grow Tomatoes
Wiggly Wigglers
How to stop throwing away food waste – with or without a garden
Bokashi composting
The Hydrangea - A Reappraisal
White House Farm Garden and Arboretum
White House Farm Hydrangea open days: June 28th and August 23rd -
Early Spring in the Garden: Edibles, Nettles, and Petals!
13 maart 2025 · 31 min
Spring is starting to unfold, and with that in mind, we’re heading back to the vegetable patch with kitchen gardener Lucy Chamberlain for the final instalment of her "Grow Food Anywhere" mini-series. This time, Lucy guides us through which crops thrive in those tricky, shady spots that can often be a challenge in the garden. Nick Turrell from the RHS Advisory Team gives us the lowdown on why Leylandii – once a garden favourite – has since earned a notorious reputation, and says what you can do about it! And finally Jamie Walton, the familiar face behind the Nettles & Petals social media account, shares some of the benefits and ecological gardening mindset can bring to your plot. Lees meer
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Lucy Chamberlain, Nick Turrell, Jamie Walton (Nettles&Petals)
Links:
Grow Food Anywhere
Pruning Leylandii
Grow Food. Eat Weeds. Save Seeds. pre-order -
The Magic of Magnolias + Growing in Tough Spots
6 maart 2025 · 30 min
This week we’re returning to the vegetable garden with author and kitchen gardener Lucy Chamberlain to find out what delicious goodies will thrive in some of the least loved corners of your garden. We’ll also be discovering more about the rich history of the magnolia genus, and the stunning range of varieties available today with horticulturalist Seamus O’Brien. Rosemoor’s Alex Paines will be sharing how you can employ the chop and drop mulching technique in your own garden without it looking messy. And Alan Tichmarsh CBE launches an appeal to save some of the important work being done at RHS Garden Wisley. Lees meer
Host: Jenny Laville
Contributors: Lucy Chamberlain, Seamus O’Brien, Alex Paines, Alan Titchmarsh
Links:
Grow Food Anywhere
National Botanic Gardens Ireland
Magnolias
Chop and Drop
RHS Garden Wisley petition -
Bountiful Gardens: Edibles, Floral Bouquets & Homegrown Tea
27 februari 2025 · 34 min
With the right approach, your garden can give back just as much – sometimes even more – than you put in. This week, we’re finding out how to get the most out of our edibles plots with kitchen gardener and writer Lucy Chamberlain who will be proving you really can grow food anywhere. We’re also heading back to Roz Chandler’s Field Gate Flowers to discover the perfect mix of annuals, perennials, biennials and foliage plants for stunning arrangements year-round. And finally, how about a cup of tea? Jonathan Jones – head gardener of one of Europe’s largest and most diverse tea gardens – shares how to cultivate tea at home and take your plants from bush to brew. Lees meer
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Lucy Chamberlain, Roz Chandler, Jonathan Jones, Jenny Laville
Links:
Grow Food Anywhere book
How to plan a cut flower garden episode 1
Field Gate Flowers
Tregothnan -
Under The Radar
20 februari 2025 · 44 min
This week we’re exploring some of the plants which may have flown under your radar. Plantsman Chris Sanders will take us on a journey that began with a casual flick through a rare horticultural book and spiralled into a decades-long obsession with rare Japanese cherry cultivars, never seen before in the UK. Horticulturist Scott Galloway makes a compelling case why the resilient favourite of Gertrude Jekyll – the much overlooked bergenia – could be a game-changer in an era of shifting climates. And Abbotsbury Subtropical Garden curator David Pearce proposes why African boxwood makes the ideal box alternative. Lees meer
Hosts: Gareth Richards and James Armitage
Contributors: Scott Galloway, David Pearce, Chris Sanders
Links:
Subscribe to the Plant Review
Grow bergenias
Scott Galloway’s website with more info on bergenia
Find Matsumae cherries
Plant Heritage -
Love in Bloom
13 februari 2025 · 31 min
Valentine’s Day and flowers go hand in hand, so what better way to celebrate than by dedicating this week’s programme to the stunning blooms you can grow right in your own garden? Over the past four years, the RHS has been on a mission to find the best red roses for home gardens. We’ll be revealing the top contenders with Wisley’s Roz Marshall. If roses aren’t your thing, Roz Chandler from Field Gate Flowers will be guiding us through the process of starting your own cut flower garden from bare earth to vase. And finally, nothing signals the arrival of spring quite like the golden explosion of daffodils! This year, the RHS is launching a nationwide appeal to track their varieties, flowering times, and distribution across the UK. RHS Principal Scientist and daffodil enthusiast Dr. Kálmán Könyves will share their fascinating history and his hunt for rare—and possibly lost—cultivars. Lees meer
Host: Gareth Richards
Contributors: Roz Marshall, Roz Chandler, Kálmán Könyves
Links:
Red Roses Trial results
Field Gate Flowers
Seed To Vase Course
Daffodil Diaries -
The Dark Art of Rhubarb
6 februari 2025 · 33 min
This week, Guy Barter takes us through some essential gardening tasks for the season ahead and we explore a hardy favourite: as Caroline Williamson from RHS Garden Bridgewater reveals the fascinating (and surprisingly dark) art of forcing rhubarb. And finally, mother-daughter duo Ellie and Claudia of Elka Textiles will show us how to turn garden plants into beautiful, sustainable dyes—perfect for a creative winter project! Lees meer
Host - Jenny Laville
Contributors - Guy Barter, Caroline Williamson, and Ellie Fisher & Claudia Gosse from Elka Sustainable Textiles
Other links
How to grow rhubarb
How to force rhubarb
More jobs to be getting on with in February
Green Futures Gardening Club
PDF tutorial ’Natural Dyeing with Brown Onion Skins’ -
Sowing Success: Garden Planning & Front Garden Inspiration
30 januari 2025 · 33 min
This week, Jenny Laville explores the incredible world of seeds with RHS botanist James Armitage, uncovering their diverse shapes and dispersal methods. We’ll also be embracing this time to start planning our gardens for the growing season ahead, RHS Senior Wildlife Specialist Helen Bostock will be describing all the key things to consider when it comes to creating wildlife friendly spaces bursting with key habitats. Plus, in the final part of our front garden mini-series, RHS Gardening Advisor Nick Turrell offers practical advice on designing a space that’s both beautiful and functional. Lees meer
Host Guy Barter
Contributors Jenny Laville, James Armitage, Nick Turrell, Helen Bostock
Links
The Great Seed Swap at RHS Garden Wisley
Wildlife Gardening -
From beak to branch - how gardeners can help our feathered friends
23 januari 2025 · 33 min
Join us as we celebrate garden birdlife ahead of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch! The RSPB’s Adrian Thomas gives us a crash course in birdwatching from the comfort of your own kitchen window, while scientist Arran Folly discusses the threats facing our feathered friends and what we as gardeners can do to help. Plus Nick Turrell from the RHS advisory team shares how front gardens can play a vital role in reducing flood risks in our communities. Lees meer
Host: Gareth Richards
Contributors: Dr Arran Folly, Adrian Thomas, Nick Turrell
Links:
The Big Garden Bird Watch
RHS guide to identifying garden birds
The Vector-Borne RADAR project -
Unlocking the potential of your garden in midwinter
16 januari 2025 · 28 min
There’s plenty to do at this time of year to get your garden prepped for the growing season ahead. This week we’ll be finding out how hellebores can bring some winter joy to your garden with passionate plantsman John Grimshaw. It’s also time to start planning your veg patch and Liz Mooney from RHS Garden Wisley’s edibles team will be explaining the principles of crop rotations and why they are great for some growers (but not all). Finally Nick Turrell, one of the encyclopedic minds on the RHS Gardening Advice team, is on a mission to help us unlock the potential of one of the most overlooked parts of our outdoor spaces…
Host: Jenny Laville
Contributors: John Grimshaw, Liz Mooney, Nick Turrell
Links:
RHS guide to Hellebores
RHS guide to crop rotations Lees meer -
Winter pruning, alpine plants, and the beauty of hedgerows
9 januari 2025 · 32 min
It may be bitterly cold outside but there's still plenty to get excited about in the garden. This week we’re joining Fruit Specialist Jim Arbury in the Orchard at RHS Garden Wisley to find out how to prune your apples and pears at this time of year. Horticulturist Alex Hankey shows us around the diversity and delicate beauty on display at Wisley’s alpine glasshouse, and RHS Garden Rosemoor’s Alex Paines shares his passion for the ancient hedgerows which lace the Devonshire landscape. Lees meer
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Jim Arbury, Alex Hankey, Alex Paines
Links:
Apples and pears: winter pruning
Devon Hedges Group
RHS advice on hedges -
Grow Your Own in 2025
2 januari 2025 · 32 min
Let’s make 2025 the year we all embrace growing our own fruit and vegetables—whether you’ve got a sprawling garden, a small balcony, or just a windowsill! No matter how much space or time you have, we’ve got plenty of inspiration to get you started and keep you going all year round.
First, we’ll hear from Shelia Das and Liz Mooney from RHS Wisley’s talented edibles team, who will share their expert advice on growing delicious produce across every season. Then, we’ll check in with Lucy Chamberlain, author of Grow Food Anywhere, as she reveals how to make the most of your space—whatever its size, shape, or location.
And what about all that fantastic homegrown produce? Don’t worry! We’ll revisit our fascinating chat with Canadian chef and photographer David Zilber, a fermentation expert who’s worked in some of the world’s top kitchens, including the renowned Fermentation Lab at Restaurant Noma. He’ll inspire you with creative ways to preserve and enjoy your harvest.
Host: Gareth Richards
Contributors: Shelia Das, Liz Mooney, Lucy Chamberlain, David Zilber
Links:
RHS Grow Your Own Veg Through the Year: 365 Days of Homegrown Vegetables & Herbs
Grow Food Anywhere Lees meer -
Gardening highlights from 2024
26 december 2024 · 35 min
Today Guy, Gareth, and Jenny reflect on the past twelve months of beautiful blooms and bountiful harvests, but also wet weather and guzzling gastropods! Join us as we revisit some of our favourite stories from 2024, and share what garden tips and seasonal advice we’re taking with us into the new year. Lees meer
Hosts: Gareth Richards, Guy Barter, Jenny Laville
Episodes mentioned:
Dr Hayley Jones discussing slugs from episode ‘Critter camaraderie: Slugs, Snails, and Guerilla Gardening Tales’
Gareth Richards and James Armitage take a walk through Chelsea from episode ‘Notes on hardiness’
James Lawrence and the sustainable planting combinations from episode ‘Sustainable plant combos, GYO tips (for tomatoes, beetroot, squash), flowering shrubs’
Jassy Drakulic on encouraging mycorrhizal relationships in your soil, from episode ‘Compost, fungi, and giant vegetables’
Anya Lautenbach’s money saving advice from episode ‘Growing on a budget’Additional Links:
Become an RHS member -
Welcoming wreaths and mistletoe tales
19 december 2024 · 31 min
This week we’re bringing the garden indoors and welcoming in the Christmas cheer. RHS Horticultural Advisor Jenny Bowden will be sharing her love letter to the tradition of the Christmas wreath, and Freddie Garland – founder of Freddie’s Flowers – will be sharing his tips on how to make your own (among many other seasonal crafts to get stuck into). And finally, we’ll be learning all about our favourite festive parasite, mistletoe, with Oxford PhD student and mistletoe expert Oliver Spacey. Lees meer
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Jenny Bowden, Freddie Garland, Oliver Spacey
Links:
Christmas with the RHS
Freddie’s Flowers
MistleGo!
RHS plant profile: mistletoe
Hippeastrum
Amaryllis belladonna -
Festive foliage and natural decorations
12 december 2024 · 23 min
This week we’re decking the halls with seasonal foliage, as RHS Garden Hyde Hall’s Sarah Wilson-Frost shares her ideas for natural decorations foraged from your own garden. Gareth Richards is here to inspire you to try a different type of Christmas tree this year and consider bringing a potted plant indoors for the festive season. And we’ve got the perfect gift idea to brighten up a dreary January day, as Chris Lane of Witch Hazel Nursery explains why he fell in love with these winter gems. Lees meer
Host: Jenny Laville
Contributors: Sarah Wilson-Frost, Gareth Richards, Chris Lane
Links:
Grow your own Christmas
Witch hazels
Chris Lane - Witch Hazel Nursery
Become a member of the RHS -
Great garden reads and botanical books
5 december 2024 · 33 min
With the festive gift giving season just around the corner, this week we’ve turned our attention to the botanical wonders awaiting us on the bookshelf. We’ve invited journalist, author, and gardening enthusiast Ann Treneman and horticultural hero and authority on all things plants, Guy Barter to join our host - head of Libraries and Exhibitions at the RHS, Fiona Davison, to chat about some of their favourite garden reads from the past 12 months. Lees meer
Host: Fiona Davison
Contributors: Ann Treneman, Guy Barter
Visit the RHS Bookshelf
Books mentioned:
Horti Curious: A Gardener's Miscellany of Fascinating Facts & Remarkable Plants by Ann Treneman
RHS Garden Almanac 2025 by Guy Barter and Zia Allaway
The Accidental Garden: Gardens, Wilderness and the Space In Between by Richard Mabey
Good Nature: The New Science of How Nature Improves Our Health by Kathy Willis
Brutalist Plants by Olivia Broome
Small Space Revolution by Tayshan Hayden Smith
A Year Full of Pots by Sarah Raven
A Garden A Day by Ruth Chivers
How Plants Can Save Your Life: 50 Inspirational Ideas for Planting and Growing by Ross Cameron
100 Herbs to Grow by Jekka McVicar
The Crevice Garden: How to Make the Perfect Home for Plants from Rocky Places by Kenton Seth and Paul Spriggs -
Indoor passionflowers, Begonias, and miniature Christmas cactus
28 november 2024 · 43 min
This week, we're teaming up with The Plant Review magazine for a houseplant special. Jenny Laville talks to Rebecca Hilgenhof of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to learn about the exciting prospect of growing passionflowers on the windowsill. James Armitage is in conversation with former RHS Director of Horticulture Jim Gardiner to chat all about his favourite houseplant, Begonia masoniana, and the famous plantsman who it is named for. Plus, Kevin Mann shares his love of the miniature Christmas cactus. Lees meer
Passionflowers mentioned: Passiflora citrina, Passiflora murucuja and Passiflora boenderi.
Host: Gareth Richards and James Armitage
Contributors: Rebecca Hilgenhof, Jim Gardiner, Kevin Mann, Jenny LavilleOther Links:
The Plant Review
The Orchid Review
RHS Plant Finder 2025
Passion Flower Cultivation
Become a member of the RHS