Ask Alys special 2016: Sow, Grow, Repeat

From the plastic-wrapped Phalaenopsis crammed on the shelves of your local supermarket to the vanilla seeds in your ice cream, orchids are one of the biggest and most fascinating plant families. Find out more in our latest podcast

A new exhibition of modernist paintings at the Royal Academy of Arts puts plants and gardens at the centre of the show

From good king henry to three-cornered leek, there’s a whole new world of tasty, easy to grow perennial vegetables out there for the adventurous gardener to try

What does the NHS have to do with horticulture? We’re finding out in this week’s podcast, as Sow, Grow, Repeat embraces a Guardian-wide special on the NHS.

Alys Fowler digs into our virtual postbag of gardening questions from listeners and readers

From mistletoe to Norway spruce and cyclamen to Christmas cactus, Jane Perrone finds out how to make your Christmas plant-filled (and preferably poinsettia-free)

Books editor Claire Armitstead and a panel of experts join Jane Perrone to leaf through their favourite books about plants and gardens from the past year

Are your children handy with a trowel, or do they hate getting their hands in the soil? We talk to the experts to find out how to get children hooked on plants

Succulents are the perfect houseplants: architectural, beautiful and fascinating. These days they’re popping up everywhere, from terrariums to picture frames - but how easy are they to grow?

From robins to ring-necked parakeets, wood pigeons to wrens, gardens are great places to see birds. Find out how to lure more birds to your outdoor space