This week David finds out more about the ultimate easy to grow plant – the peony. Grower Alec White explains why he gave up a career in law when he fell in love with their brilliant blooms and why they are a worthwhile investment, lasting over 50 years in the garden. Also on the programme, James Shippen on the biomechanics of digging and Jekka McVicar reveals the first of her herbs of the month.  In studio Cherry Townsend will join David to answer questions and provide some winter gardening inspiration.  Contact the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk 

Easy to grow peonies, the right way to dig and herb of the month

The weekly gardening programme for keen gardeners, with the latest advice, news and visits to gardens large and small around the province. Presented by David Maxwell.

Home & Garden

Leisure

In this special programme, Gardeners’ Corner celebrates those who have passed on their passion for plants: from the parent with cuttings on the windowsill, to the high profile gardeners who have inspired through writing and broadcasting. David Maxwell hears touching listeners’ stories and heads to two gardens that have inspired millions.  Firstly, to the garden of the late Christopher Lloyd at Great Dixter where he meets head gardener Fergus Garrett who continues to inspire the next generation of gardeners, and then to Barnsdale which was the home of the late Geoff Hamilton and played host to the BBC Gardeners’ World cameras for 17 years. Geoff’s son Nick reveals how well his dad’s gardens have fared three decades on and how they are still used today to teach and inspire.  

Gardeners’ Corner special: Garden Inspirations

As summer weather arrives, David visits Cherry Townsend at Kilcoan Gardens in Islandmagee, where she has a brilliant collection of flowering plants that bridge the gap between spring and summer.  Geums, Trollius, Aquilegia and Tellima are among the highlights in the borders.  One of the biggest gardens in London is found across the river from Westminster behind the walls of Lambeth Palace.  It’s the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury but the 10 acre garden is opening for the National Garden Scheme later this month and head gardener Lindsay Schuman gives David a sneak peek.  Gordon Finch joins David in studio to talk about his fascination with ferns and restarting the local group of the British Pteridological society. Robot mowers have been gaining in popularity – producer Nicola chats about her experience with one she has nicknamed ‘Mervyn’. And Oliver Shurmann reveals his perennial of the month. In studio, Anna Hudson will be chatting about her veg patch at Ballywalter and she’ll take questions live in studio. Contact the programme gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk
  

Plants that take you from spring to summer, Lambeth palace garden and ‘Mervyn’ the robot mower

This week on Gardeners’ Corner, David Maxwell heads to a garden with purpose at Musgrave Park Hospital in south Belfast. Its spinal centre has been gifted an outdoor space for patients and staff by the charity Horatio’s Garden. David Maxwell meets Matthew Lee who is in charge of the garden designed by Chelsea gold medal winning designer Andy Sturgeon. Also on the programme, gardening in pots all year round with Sarah Raven and why you shouldn’t cut your grass this month! Expert Claire McNally joins David in studio to answer questions.  Contact the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk 

Sarah Raven’s passion for pots, Horatio’s Garden Belfast and  No Mow May

It may have been a wet start to the year outside, but inside our homes, it can be a desert for plants – especially if you forget to water!  That’s perhaps why Cacti are the ultimate house plants and this week on Gardeners’ Corner with David Maxwell, Brendan Little reveals he’s inherited his dad’s obsession with these prickly plants. Also on the programme, daffodil enthusiasts from around the world arrive in Northern Ireland for the World Convention and David heads to a rare collection of shrubs and trees at the Bluebell Arboretum in Derbyshire.  In studio, expert Ann Fitzsimmons will answer questions including one from a listener who has seen seed for sale for ‘blue’ marigolds – can it be true?  Email the programme at gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk 

Why cactus are the ultimate house plant, the World Daffodil Convention and blue marigolds?

Gardeners’ Corner heads to Ballymena as part of the BBC ‘Comes to Town’ roadshows marking 100 years of broadcasting in Northern Ireland.  In front of a live audience at Ballymena Library, David Maxwell and experts Reg Maxwell and Mary Doris take questions from novice and experienced gardeners who live near the County Antrim town.  Also on the programme, David visits the nearby Britain in Bloom winning village of Cullybackey, and the allotments at Scullery O’Tullagh which volunteer Billy Millar describes as a place to nourish the body and the mind.  Contact the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Easy to grow peonies, the right way to dig and herb of the month

Download our free app to listen on your phone