This week Gareth Richards and James Armitage journey to RHS Garden Wisley’s Hilltop Science Centre to hear how cutting edge research on the changing climate is shaping the way we think about our gardens. From coping with drought conditions and mitigating the flooding potential of our front gardens to helping pollinators in our urban environments, this week we hear from the world's leading thinkers, and unpack what it means for gardeners.  

Links:

Sustainable planting combinations

Hear more about Leon Davis’ UnPave the Way garden at Tatton

RHS climate change survey

As the cooler weather of autumn settles in, there's still plenty to do when it comes to keeping your garden in top shape. We’ll be hearing from RHS Garden Rosemoor’s Catherine Mawdsley about how to store your homegrown apples, pears, squashes, and pumpkins through the winter months. We’ll also be finding out the results of the recent Muscari (grape hyacinth) trial with horticulturist Roz Marshall, who shares some of the standout varieties ready to get in the ground now. And finally RHS senior plant pathologist Dr. Jassy Drakulic shares her love of fungi with us, ahead of National Fungus Day.

Host: Guy Barter

Contributors: Roz Marshall, Catherine Mawdsley, Jassy Drakulic

Other Links: 

Bumbles on Blooms (a citizen science project)

Finding Fungi at the RHS

Muscari trial results

On this week's show we take a trip to Holehird Gardens nestled in the beautiful Cumbrian landscape, with chair of the Lakeland Horticultural Society, Maggie Mees. Next, host Jenny plunges into the mysterious world of plant biosecurity with the RHS’s self-proclaimed plant policeman Dario Spagnoli, to find out why plants need passports, and what to do if you suspect an invasive pest has hijacked your new shrub. Finally, we cast our eyes to houseplants, specifically the rosette-shaped succulents, the echeverias, with passionate plantswoman Tracey Coogan.

Host: Jenny Laville

Contributors: Maggie Mees, Tracey Coogan, Dario Spagnoli

Other Links: 

National Plant collections episode of Gardening with the RHS

Holehird Gardens

RHS Plant Finder

As September rolls in, there's a crispness in the air and the first signs of autumn are upon us. In this episode we demystify the peat-free with Jenny Laville and the RHS’s Peat-Free Transition Coordinator, Nikki Barker – including what the definition means for exhibitors at RHS Flower Shows who will be affected by changes to the rules. Author and vertical veg grower Mark Ridsdill-Smith reveals his top tips for turning even the tiniest balcony into a thriving, productive garden. Plus, he shares which winter greens you can start sowing now for a delicious cold-weather harvest. And as the nights draw in, it’s also mating season for bats! We chat with Jo Fergusson from the Bat Conservation Trust about how you can make your garden a haven for these fascinating nocturnal creatures.

Host: Gareth Richards

Contributors: Jenny Laville, Nikki Barker, Mark Ridsdill-Smith, Jo Fergusson

Other Links: 

RHS Peat-Free Gardening hub

The RHS Transition to Peat-Free Fellowship

Research areas at RHS Science

Vertical Veg

Bats in your garden

Bat Conservation Trust - Sunset Survey 

This week, renowned nurserywoman Claire Austin shares her top picks of stunning bearded irises – the perfect blooms to plant now for a burst of beauty next spring. Plus, join us as we explore the vibrant world of asters with Helen Picton, discovering how these late-flowering gems can add a splash of colour to your garden just when it needs it most. And finally, we'll take a look at the remarkable conservation success story of the bittern, a bird that owes its booming comeback to the vital wetland habitats many of us can help protect.

Host: Guy Barter

Contributors: Claire Austin, Helen Picton, Jarrod Sneyd, Kate Bradbury, Helen Bostock

Other Links:

How to grow irises

Claire Austin Plants

Old Court Nurseries

Malvern Autumn Show

Leighton Moss Nature Reserve

This week, we're teaming up with The Plant Review magazine to explore how to future-proof your garden in the face of our changing climate. We discover resilient plants that thrive in both flood and drought conditions, and take a fascinating trip to a nursery that’s successfully cultivating greenery in pure sand. Plus, we find out why the unusually named Ungnadia could soon become a common sight in urban landscapes. 

Host: Gareth Richards and James Armitage 

Contributors: Jenny Bowden, Elisabeth Karlstad Larsen, Thomas Freeth, Philip Clayton 

Other Links:

The Plant Review

How to choose plants for seasonally wet and dry soils

Planting for the Future report 

RHS Feedback email address: [email protected]

Become a member of the RHS 

This week we head to the Sussex South Downs to explore RHS Partner Garden, Denmans – and hear about its unique history intertwined with the lives of two unsung garden pioneers, Joyce Robinson and John Brookes. We also bring you top tips for the perfect blueberry harvest and we talk to Plant Heritage about the gaps in their collections and what they’re on the lookout for. 

Host: Jenny Laville 

Contributors: Gwendolyn van Paasschen, Pavlina Kapsalis, Gwen Hines

Other Links:

Denmans Gardens - RHS Partner Garden

RHS Partner Gardens

RHS Blueberries

Plant Heritage - Missing Collections

Become a member of the RHS

Do you get confused between your “sepals” and “stigmas”? This week Jenny Laville will be studying the anatomy of flowers, with the help of RHS botanist James Armitage. Guy Barter shares top tips for August allotmenting as we celebrate biodiversity in National Allotment Week. And RHS fruit specialist Jim Arbury talks apples and pears, with a guide on harvesting and pruning. 

Host: Gareth Richards

Contributors: Jenny Laville, James Armitage, Guy Barter, Jim Arbury 

Other Links: 

How Plants Reproduce 

RHS The Plant Review

The National Allotment Society 

Apples and pears: summer pruning

Allotments – all you need to know

Fruit identification

This week we talk about all things lavender, exploring the array of varieties and sharing top tips for growing. We hear from a group of gardeners with a passion for growing and showing dahlias. Plus, we bring you a wisteria masterclass and put your mind at ease when it comes to questions about pruning.

Host: Guy Barter

Contributors: Tim Upson, Alessandra Sana, Vanessa Penn

Other Links:

RHS Wisley Garden Flower Show

National Dahlia Society

National Dahlia Society Facebook Page 

RHS-Affiliated Societies 

Become a member of the RHS

How to grow lavender

How to grow dahlias 

How to grow wisteria

This week we explore the life and work of William Robinson and look at his enduring legacy. We take a tour of an Arts and Crafts inspired show garden at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. Plus, we have the ultimate guide to collecting and storing seed from your own garden. 

Host: Gareth Richards

Contributors: Emma Raymond, Heather Cooke, Callum Bain MacKay 

Other Links: 

RHS Members’ Seed Scheme

William Robinson Exhibition