The Plant Based Podcast S18 Bonus - A gossip with the queens of houseplants

In this weeks episode, we get an exclusive behind the scenes at the Horticultural Trades Association, as Michael speaks to the team about their activities  across the growing world- as we learn about their awards programme, how they lobby and influence government, and even the way they study how we shop in the garden centre!    

In this gossip episode, @mr_plantgeek talks through some of the plants he loved from the Flower Trials held in the Netherlands and Germany during June. From bedding Roses to an Elmo inspired Dahlia, Michael gets emotional over his love of plants!   Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. “We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team.” – The Stubbs Family.  With garden centres offering plants, food  and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com  

In this episode @ellenmarygardening chats with James Wylie from the Victoria & Albert Museum in Dundee about the new exhibition - Garden Futures: Designing with Nature. James talks through the exhibition, its importance and how it will inspire visitors. Take the journey through the exhibition in this episode and book your tickets to go! www.vam.ac.uk and check out the socials @vadundee   Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. “We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team.” – The Stubbs Family.  With garden centres offering plants, food  and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com

Hayley Stephens is the guests on this episode to talk about rescuing cacti and succulents, the future for houseplants and of course plenty of cacti care tips. Hayley owns Mint Plants in Bristol, and runs the business with her emotional support team member, Mum Tina. Mint Plants has a huge collection of rare, old and interesting plants which can be found at www.mintplants.co.uk Afterwards @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening gossip about floral design, tattoos and progression in horticulture.    Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. “We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team.” – The Stubbs Family.  With garden centres offering plants, food  and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com

Have you heard of the Titan Arum? It’s not only the largest inflorescence in the world, but it’s also the smelliest plant in the world, unofficially! Michael popped into Kew Gardens to speak to Leif Starkey about this botanical phenomenon, which has just bloomed in the Palm House. Check Instagram for photos of its rather beautiful withered form!     Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. “We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team.” – The Stubbs Family.  With garden centres offering plants, food  and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com

Hot off the press! Michael Perry in his exhausted and exhilarated state, tells us what he enjoyed about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, the plant of the year winner, some celebrity spots and why next time he might wear a wig.    Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. “We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team.” – The Stubbs Family.  With garden centres offering plants, food  and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com

In this episode, @ellenmarygardening speaks to the designers of two incredible show gardens for the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. First, Katy Terry from Good Grounding Garden Design who was inspired to design 'The ADHD Foundation Garden' after her personal diagnosis of ADHD in 2023.   Then Duncan Hall and Nick Burton of Burton Hall Garden Design who have designed the 'Down's syndrome Scotland Garden' taking inspiration from Duncan's nephew Liam who aged 8 has been supported by the charity. Two fantastic gardens supported by Project Giving Back. Check out all of the information below:    The ADHD Foundation Garden: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/gardens/2025/adhd-foundation-garden   Down's syndrome Scotland Garden: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/gardens/2025/downs-syndrome-scotland   YouTube video: https://youtu.be/95d_ptO1sCM?si=NhRC9ND_0aPCKRjF     Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. “We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team.” – The Stubbs Family.  With garden centres offering plants, food  and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com

This is a special episode with sponsors of series 18 of the podcast - it's British Garden Centres! Eve Kerrigan spills the beans on the business of selling plants, some best selling plants and changes in the garden centre business over the past few years. Followed by a car based gossip with @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening chatting Tulips, slow eating and RHS Malvern.    Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. “We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team.” – The Stubbs Family.  With garden centres offering plants, food  and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com

In this weeks episode, Michael is joined by two good friends, Meg and Gemma, as they have a really lovely gossip. These fab ladies have very interesting jobs in the industry, so make sure to listen and find out all about that, as they all put the world to rights, which is rather fun to listen to. Please excuse the bad quality sound, technology was working against us that evening, and Michael was also laying down across two armchairs trying to get the signal out of the window on the Isle of Wight! Enjoy!   Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. “We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team.” – The Stubbs Family.  With garden centres offering plants, food  and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com

If you've heard the word permaculture used in horticulture but unsure what it means, this episode will answer some of your questions. Jack is a permaculture designer discussing with @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening how we can grow realistically in a sustainable and self-sufficient way, with permaculture principles. Afterwards, Michael and Ellen gossip about whatever springs to mind, from the Isle of Wight to Norfolk.    Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. “We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team.” – The Stubbs Family.  With garden centres offering plants, food  and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com