Our Plant Stories

In October, 140 years ago, Mr R. Gilbert of 'the Gardens Burghley House in Stamford' exhibited the Peasgood's nonsuch apple at the National Apple conference held by the RHS in Chiswick. In Episode 5, we learned of the Peasgood's nonsuch; apples the size of small training footballs.

Mr R. Gilbert was a prize winning Victorian gardener in charge of the walled and pleasure gardens at Burghley House. His staff: 120 gardeners! The walled gardens have hardly been touched since the late sixties.

The current Head Gardener has a passion for walled gardens and a vision to bring this one back to life and there will be Peasgood's nonsuch apples in there. Join Joe Whitehead for a tour.

You can see pictures of the fruit galleries, mushroom house and walled garden on the website.

Music: Fade to Black by Howard Levy

https://ourplantstories.captivate.fm/buy-me-a-coffee

We return to two lovely florists with a passion for flowers in this Offshoot episode. We first met Hannah and Maya in Episode 9, when Hannah told us the story of her plant tattoos, which honour and remind her of her mum. Maya introduced us to floriography - the language of flowers.

Hannah offered to take me to New Covent Garden Market where she goes to buy flowers which is a place I have always wanted to go. So this Offshoot takes us to the market and hears more from Hannah and Maya about working as florists.

You can see pictures of New Covent Garden Market on the website.

Music: Fade to Black by Howard Levy

https://ourplantstories.captivate.fm/buy-me-a-coffee

We first visited the Manor in Hemingford Grey in Episode 8, admiring the topiary: crowns and orbs that were shaped for the Queen's coronation. But this is a garden that holds many stories, including airmen from the second world war, picnicking on the lawn and the adventures of the children from the Green Knowe story books.

You can see photographs of this special garden on the episode page.

Check out Episode 8 for everything you need to know about topiary including how to start your own.

Presented and Produced by Sally Flatman

Music: Fade to Black by Howard Levy + Abide with Me - Ernest Lough

https://ourplantstories.captivate.fm/buy-me-a-coffee

Imagine taking your 'babies' from show to show to show. That's what Vicky Meads has been doing with her Hostas all Summer. We first met Vicky back in May when she was gearing up for the season. I caught up with her first at RHS Malvern and then at the big one - the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. This is a chance to see the shows through the eyes of the grower. Can she achieve that prestigious Gold Medal?

Check out Episode 7 and the shownotes for everything you need to know about growing hostas.

Presented and Produced by Sally Flatman

Music: Fade to Black by Howard Levy

https://ourplantstories.captivate.fm/buy-me-a-coffee

Jane Perrone, as a small child was given a very responsible job in the school library, involving Spider plants and look what it has led to - a houseplant podcast called On the Ledge and a book 'Legends of the Leaf'. I hope, if you have a forgotten Spider plant somewhere in your home, this episode will inspire you to repot it and show it a little more love! We learn where and how Chlorophytum comosum to give it the Latin name grows in the wild in South Africa and we hear from two people who hold National Plant collections of them. I have been learning about Variegatum, Vittatum, Ocean and Bonnie - there's a lot to learn.

You can find lots of photographs of these plants growing in the wild and more information about them on the website ourplantstories.com

If you have a plant story you want me to investigate you can email me: [email protected]

Music: Fade to Black by Howard Levy

In Episode 3 we heard about Fig Tree cuttings carried by the Italian Immigrants to new homes in America. In this Fig tree Off-Shoot we hear about Fig tree cuttings that were a gift from the Pope in Rome to the Archbishop of Canterbury, 500 years ago! And the three Fig Trees are still growing in the Lambeth Palace courtyard in London. Nick Stewart Smith has just published a book called The 1000 Year Old Garden about Lambeth Palace garden and in this episode he describes what it is like to garden in a place with such a long history.

You can find all the information about this episode on the website www.ourplantstories.com

Presented and Produced by Sally Flatman

Music: Fade to Black by Howard Levy

Over 30 years ago Emma Dogliani planted a Magnolia tree. The reason she planted the tree was a sad one, a miscarriage in her first pregnancy. But that tree over the years also became a great source of joy. Recently she moved house. She would really like to take a cutting from that tree for her new home. She's tried once but it didn't work, can we help her?

You can find all the advice and photos on the website www.ourplantstories.com

Presented and Produced by Sally Flatman

Music: Fade to Black by Howard Levy

It's 200 years since the first Camellia arrived at the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney, Australia. This is truly a plant story that spans continents and history but it's not all about the past. A new Camellia garden is about to be planted and there's been a 'Camellia Ark' to find and collect plants from across Australia.

You can find photographs, information and bonus audio on the website www.ourplantstories.com

Presented and Produced by Sally Flatman

Music: Fade to Black by Howard Levy

As Summer approaches and we shed the sweaters, I am sure you will start to notice people's tattoos. Hannah is a florist, so if you met her, you might not be surprised by her plant tattoos. But the selection of each plant has a story and they are interwoven with her Mum.

This is an episode that touches on love, grief and memory.

You can see Hannah's plant tattoos and learn this week how to grow freesias, on the website.

Music: Fade to Black by Howard Levy

Presented and produced by Sally Flatman

"The individual trees take on their own character - it's like your garden is peopled and generations of humans have passed by, scurrying about at their feet". Two gardeners discuss slow gardening; topiary. Planting a yew bush that could live up to 1000 years.

Find lots of pictures and information on the website: www.ourplantstories.com

Fade to Black by Howard Levy

Presented and Produced by Sally Flatman