Big Blue Poppies and Easy Edibles

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.   Host: Gareth Richards   Contributors: Zoe Claymore, Dr Hayley Jones, Josie Stuart   Links: Buddleja aphids Buddleja aphid survey Aphids Earwigs

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. 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

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. 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

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. 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

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. Host: Jenny Laville Contributors: Helen Knowles, Nick Turrell, Edward Cooper Links: The Meconopsis group How to grow Meconopsis  RHS Plant Trials and Awards

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.   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

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.   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

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. 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

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.   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

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. 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