James is professor at the Department of Landscape at Sheffield University where he is researching the use of naturalistic herbaceous plantings within urban settings. His approach may be scientific but the reactions from those who see the swathes of colourful prairie and meadow-like planting are heartfelt. James, Noel and Tim discuss the implications of sustainability in this work and its cultural and aesthetic impact.

Gardens Illustrated Presents Joy Larkcom - Garden Heroines Series.

Gardens Illustrated Presents Penelope Hobhouse - Garden Heroines Series.

Gardens Illustrated Presents Beth Chatto - Garden Heroines Series.

Acclaimed garden designer, garden historian and writer Penelope Hobhouse talks to VISTA hosts Tim Richardson and Noel Kingsbury about her life as one of our most respected gardening figures. She discusses her travels in Italy and Iran and their effect on her approach to garden design, a sense of spirituality and whether one feels a sense of virtue when creating a garden.

With spring in the air we indulge in the scent of flowers as writer Caroline Beck travels to the rose fields of Iran to give us a wonderfully evocative report that perfectly complements her feature in the magazine.

We have an interview with the curator of the current British Museum’s Babylon: Myth and Reality exhibition. Also, columnist Frank Ronan brings some garden fugitives in from the cold to cheer him up.

Back in summer 2008, the founder of the UK's Guerrilla Gardening movement Richard Reynolds was joined by designer Brita von Schoenaich and urban geographer Dr Felicity Callard to talk about their experiences and opinions on this growing phenomena and public planting in general.

The internationally renowned garden and landscape designer talk about some of the projects undertaken by his studio, including one of his early designs at Home Farm in Northamptonshire and the ongoing Millennium Forest project in Japan.

The Gardens Illustrated team gather round to discuss their favourite features from 2008 and chat about their Christmas gift ideas. Columnist Frank Ronan continues the theme with his own thoughts on the most suitable presents for gardeners.