Welcome back Garden Gabbers!! Today we are wrapping up our English Gardens Summer Series with a proper treat... and our very first Garden Gab guest! The one, the only… DEAN CHARLTON!🇬🇧🌿

Pull up a chair (preferably with a mug of Yorkshire Tea) as we catch up with our dear friend Dean—gardener, printmaker, plant propagator, and all-around delight. Molly and Tessa first met Dean while working with him at the legendary Great Dixter, where Dean was a gardener for 6 years. Dean was Molly’s housemate and Tessa’s garden “handler”... and alongside Dean the girls learned everything from dividing perennials... to the sheer panic of accidentally over-pruning one of the most famous hollies  in England. 😅✂️

Dean now runs Hooton’s Walled Nursery in his hometown of Rotherham, England in Yorkshire with his dad, Glenn. In this episode we're chatting about what it really takes to grow a nursery from the ground up, why some of the best plants come with the best stories, and why the world could use a few more mad keen gardeners.

As the girls chat with Dean they wander through Great Dixter memories, British folklore, the yearly flow of nursery work, old-school growing techniques, the beauty of slowing down, and why gardening stubbornly demands time and attention in an instant gratification world.

Whether you have an interest in growing some plants yourself, or just want to be transported over the pond for a bit… pop the kettle on. This one's for you. 💚

Thanks for joining the Gab! Be sure to stay in the know on all things Garden Gab by subscribing to our show Substack HERE! 

SHOW NOTES

Shout it from the rooftops… Tessa and Molly are planning their first Garden Gab field trip to MOTHER ENGLAND! If you are interested we would love for you to read through the FAQ and register your interest HERE!

Check out more about the story of Hooton’s Walled Nursery and read all the press Dean has received for all the waves his nursery is making in the THE NORTH!!

If all our chat about Dean’s art background perked up your ears, look no further than his lovely Etsy shop. You can join Molly and Tessa in collecting the complete Dean Charlton Garden collection!

What happens when you spend a month gardening at one of the world's most celebrated gardens... and then come home to the heat, humidity, clay soil, and deer of the American South?

In Part 2 of our Summer Series on English Gardens, Tessa takes us behind the scenes at Great Dixter, where every morning begins with a broom, every planting is a thoughtful experiment, and being called "a dinosaur in the beds" is about the worst thing that can happen to a gardener.

But this episode isn't really about England.

It's about what happens when those lessons come home.

We unpack how working at Great Dixter changed the way we both garden in the South—not by copying English gardens plant-for-plant, but by embracing the posture behind them. We talk about creating gardens that are always evolving, learning to observe before acting, taking creative risks, developing your own style instead of chasing the safest landscape, and discovering that the real art of gardening doesn't end when the design is installed... it begins.

Along the way we chat about succession planting, tea breaks, sweeping paths, why "low maintenance" might actually mean "low brain-tenance," and how curiosity and experimentation can transform even the most ordinary backyard into something deeply personal.

We also squeeze in a classic Garden Gab round of Brag or Bust (RIP to one vintage terracotta pot), celebrate some long-awaited wins in the garden, compare Bobo and Little Lime hydrangeas, check in on Molly's bees, and admire a brand-new pair of glasses.

Whether you're dreaming of visiting Great Dixter one day or simply wondering how to create a more joyful, creative garden right where you are, we hope this conversation inspires you to garden a little more courageously—and to remember that a beautiful garden isn't about recreating someone else's masterpiece. It's about cultivating one that's uniquely your own.

In this episode, we chat about:

Plus, we share more about our upcoming Garden Gab England Tour, where we'll be taking listeners behind the scenes of some of our favorite gardens—including Great Dixter itself. Register your interest HERE!!

And be sure to subscribe to the show Substack HERE to stay in the know on all things Garden Gab!

Welcome to Part 1 of our three-part Summer Series on English Gardens!

Cheers Garden Gabbers! What is it about English gardens that captivates gardeners around the world? Is it the romance, the history, the overflowing borders... or something deeper?

In this first installment, Molly and Tessa explore why England has become one of the world's great gardening destinations and why its influence can still be found in gardens across America. Molly also shares the remarkable story of her ten-month Royal Horticultural Society Interchange Fellowship, where she trained at some of Britain's most iconic gardens—including RHS Wisley, Great Dixter, the Eden Project, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Kew Gardens, and more—and how that experience completely changed the course of her career.

Along the way, we chat about the unique culture of gardening in England, what makes English gardens feel so magical, and why understanding their history can make us all better gardeners.

This episode is the first stop on our summer journey across England. In the coming weeks, we'll head deeper into some of our favorite gardens, share stories from behind the scenes, and explore the people and ideas that continue to shape the way we garden today.

Put the kettle on, settle into your favorite garden chair, and join us for the first chapter of our English garden adventure. 🇬🇧🌿

If you want to stay in the know with all things Garden Gab Club, be sure to subscribe to our Substack HERE! And if you feel so inclined, we would love for you to share Garden Gab with someone you think would like to be a part of the club!

CLUB NOTES:

+ Tessa and Molly are planning their first Garden Gab field trip to… you guessed it… MOTHER ENGLAND! If you are interested we would love for you to read through the FAQ and register your interest HERE!

+ If you are a garden history dork like Molly and Tessa, you might enjoy dipping into “Landscape Design : A Cultural and Architectural History."

+ Today’s final quote is from our boy Humphrey. Molly had the chance to see some of his infamous Red Books at the Garden Museum in London, who put together this amazing video of his process!

+ The lion’s share of this episode is Molly gabbing about her experience as the RHS Interchange Fellow where she had the opportunity to work in some dreamy British gardens. If Her gabbing wasn’t enough you can read her final report from the fellowship HERE

Grab your sparklers, pour yourself something fizzy, and report to the backyard—because this year's Fourth of July celebration comes with a guest list straight out of American history. While we go hard for America’s 250th birthday, make sure you stick around for an exciting chance to get more info on joining us for our first Garden Gab Club Field Trip, perhaps across the pond to the Motherland?!

In this delightfully unhinged episode, we're hosting the ultimate patriotic garden party and inviting George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, Ben Franklin (every party needs some fun uncle energy), and a few fabulous First Ladies to join us around the table. Naturally, the conversation quickly turns to the important questions: Which Founding Father is bringing heirloom tomatoes? Who shows up with hard cider? Which one quietly judges your vegetable garden? And who is absolutely giving the children ice cream before dinner despite Abigail Adams' best efforts?

Along the way, we're dreaming up a red, white, and bloom tablescape using flowers fresh from the garden, sharing stories from Tessa's beautiful cottage garden workshop, surviving the Great Southern Heat Dome of 2026, swapping tomato triumphs and tragedies, and closing with a few gardening quotes from America's founding gardeners themselves.

So raise a sparkling lavender lemonade (or perhaps something a little stronger…. Right Ben?!), ring the Liberty Bell, and join us for an episode that's equal parts history lesson, garden party, and backyard barbecue.

Because nothing says "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"... quite like fresh tomatoes, flower arrangements, and Ben Franklin causing just a tiny bit of chaos.

Happy (belated) Fourth from Tessa and Molly Garden Gabbers! 🇺🇸🌿

**and Happy ninth Birthday Lady *Liberty* Belle!!!

Show Notes:

Welcome back to the Garden Gab Club people! It's the lazy, hazy days of summer... and we are loving it. The garden has entered that glorious, slightly chaotic point in the season where the zucchini won’t stop coming, the weeds are winning (until they’re not), and every day seems to hold a small excuse to stay outside just a little longer.

In this episode, we’re settling into the rhythms of midsummer—celebrating the summer solstice, sharing simple adventures close to home, and talking about the gardens that are teaching us patience, abundance, and joy. From Cahaba lilies blooming in Alabama rivers to neighborhood dinners, overflowing vegetable beds, and the plants quietly carrying our gardens through the hottest days of the year, we’re reflecting on why the simplest moments often become the ones we remember most.

We also wander into a conversation about beauty (you’ll need to check out this wedding of the century!) that can’t be manufactured, why real experiences matter more than perfect pictures, and how gardens continue to offer hope—even in the hardest places.

So grab something cold to drink, find a shady spot, and come spend an hour in the garden with us!

Links:

This book might sounds like a downer, but wow… War Gardens is filled with such HOPE!

Molly’s BF introduced her to the magic of… Mater Magic! And let’s just say… her raised beds be lovin’ it!

The girls popped a cold one today because the pod is officially 21 people! They are settling into summer with a proper catch-up episode, or should we say… just a good ole fashioned gab!

This week, Tessa shares what she's learned from opening her own garden for workshops. They discuss why waiting for the "perfect" space might be keeping us from doing the things we dream of right now. What if people were invited into imperfect and personal gardens?? Down home is filled with the surprising questions visitors ask, meadow updates, goldfinches, and the simple joy of homemade cake shared under a garden pavilion.

Then the girls head out and about as Tessa recounts a whirlwind trip to New York City, from wandering Central Park with a stroller to dining at the legendary Blue Hill at Stone Barns and exploring the ever-evolving plantings of the High Line. Along the way, they reflect on Frederick Law Olmsted's vision for public green spaces, the restorative power of landscapes, and why travel is almost always money well spent!

Pour yourself something cold, pull up a chair on the porch, and join us for a midsummer Garden Gab!!

Don't forget to subscribe to stay in the know on our show Substack, leave a review, and share the show with your favorite garden friend!

Show Notes:

+ Tessa might call this Italian Lemon Olive Oil Cake a peasant cake after her illustrious career as a wedding cake designer, but you will feel rich the second it hits your tongue!!

+ Molly's life (and the lives of those who she has shared these with) has been deeply altered by this Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe! And they really are that easy.

+ If the girls were emphatic enough about watching Chef's Table on the episode, take this as another nudge to do yourself a favor and at least watch Dan Barber's episode!

+ Check out Experiencing Olmsted: The Enduring Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted's North American Landscapes, the book that started Tessa's Central Park curiousity!

Welcome back, garden gabbers. This episode is a little more reflective as Molly and Tessa remember Nigel Dunnett who was a giant in ecological planting design and someone whose work deeply shaped both of their own work as designers. In the wake of his passing at the end of April, it only feels fitting to pay tribute to a man who deeply influenced so many. 

Molly shares stories from her time working with Nigel in Sheffield, and together the girls unpack what made his work so powerful... planting that brings the feeling of wild, immersive, and living landscapes into urban spaces—for people!

From Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the Barbican in London to countless other project across the UK and the world, Nigel’s legacy is everywhere. In light of his passing, the conversation turns a bit deeper... why does this work matter? And can we do it here, where we are?

It also only feels fitting to wrap the episode with a bit of Garden Busts, noting that sometimes we hold the weight of hope of where we want to go and what we are still learning with joy.

Thanks for joining the gab! Don’t forget to subscribe to the show Substack HERE and share the show with a garden friend!

Show Notes:

+ Gardens Illustrated Talking Gardens interview with Nigel

+ To read more in depth about Nigels work, check out his books The Dynamic Landscape (written with James!) and Naturalistic Planting Design. 

+ Read more about the Heemparks in the Netherlands that Nigel discusses in the podcast linked above. 

The time has finally come! Tessa and Molly discuss the final three Main Avenue show gardens for the 2026 Chelsea Flower Show… and let’s just say this last batch has some big expectations on their shoulders! Can Tom Stuart Smith raise Best in Show once again? Will Kazuyuki Ishihara defend his 2025 sweep of Best in Show AND People’s Choice Award? The girls also unpack what it takes to get a gold medal at Chelsea, and even more, what sets a Best in Show apart. But most importantly, Tessa and Molly make their picks for top honors as well as possible dark horses in other categories.

What are you most excited to watch at this year’s Chelsea? We would love to hear!

Thanks for joining us for this special Chelsea Flower Show hype!! Stay tuned for our follow up with Don and Janice (Molly’s parents) who will be at the show on opening day!!

Thanks for joining the Gab!!

Garden Gabbers… did we forget to tell you that we are going to have on the ground correspondents at the 2026 Chelsea Flower Show?! It’s not Tessa…. and not Molly… IT’S DON AND JANICE, Molly’s beloved parents. Although it is rude they are not taking Molly with them, we can put that aside and live vicariously. So stay tuned for a post show recap with our boots on the ground.

The girls review the next round of gardens which are all centered around worthy causes including raising awareness for preserving the countryside of England, giving children peaceful havens in nature, and advocating for teens to find careers in the green industry.

There are Chelsea veterans alongside newer names, all coming to bat for a gold medal this year! Stay tuned for our third round of Chelsea Flower Show draft picks where we will also make our picks for Best in Show, People’s Choice Award, and our Dark Horse thoughts!

Welcome back Garden Gabbers for Episode 19, our final episode in our teenage years! And let’s just say in the words of Tessa Pinner, mama’s hot! The girls jump straight into the woes of a hot and dry spring, which has Tessa pinning for… a plunge pool baby!  You know it's officially the kick off are gardening season with talk about drought, strawberry picking, and the ever-present feeling of being just a little behind in the garden.

Speaking of plunging, the girls dive straight into what makes something art versus craft, and how that question shows up in both creative work and garden design. The two introduce a new concept—the “Shagginess Metric”—to explore where gardens fall on the spectrum between wild and perfectly buttoned-up, and how client preferences shape that balance. Are you more of the ballerina bun type, or do you let your hair down a bit?? Do let us know!

Buckle up for some bonus stories this episode include a strawberry freezer disaster, a memorial Japanese maple, and why April might just be the best month in the garden. Thanks for Joining the Gab!

Show Notes: