The Plant Based Podcast

This episode is all about the much loved plant - Lavender! Lorna Maye from Mayfield Lavender guides us through the history of the plant and the organic, family run lavender farm on two sites in Surrey, UK. Learn about the many varieties of lavender, how to grow the fragrant herb and whats coming up next for Mayfield.

Check out the fields: www.mayfieldlavender.com

Follow on Instagram: @mayfieldlavender

Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created by co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations.

Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine.

In this episode, Michael steps behind the scenes of hydrangea breeding with Leo, the plant breeder behind the renowned Living Creations Hydrangea series. Discover what it really takes to create new hydrangea varieties— from selecting parent plants to years of patient trials. You'll hear a live demo of the breeding process, as Leo walks us through the delicate steps of pollination and explains how breeders decide which traits to keep or discard. We'll also explore what makes the Living Creations hydrangeas stand out, and why they're such resilient performers in gardens today. Whether you're a passionate gardener, a plant collector, or just hydrangea-curious, this is a rare chance to hear directly from a breeder shaping the future of one of our most-loved shrubs. Series 19 of the podcast is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created by co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations. Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine.

In this episode Michael and Ellen Mary are joined by Steven from Growing Crazy, a UK nursery that specialises in the wonderful world of Pelargoniums. Find out the history, different varieties, how to grow them at home plus their edible and fragrant uses...and even a tricky to grow rare Pelargonium!

Find Growing Crazy at: www.growingcrazy.co.uk

Series 19 of the podcast is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created by co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations. Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine

In this weeks episode, we get an exclusive behind the scenes at the Horticultural Trades Association, as Michael speaks to the team about their activities across the growing world- as we learn about their awards programme, how they lobby and influence government, and even the way they study how we shop in the garden centre!

In this gossip episode, @mr_plantgeek talks through some of the plants he loved from the Flower Trials held in the Netherlands and Germany during June. From bedding Roses to an Elmo inspired Dahlia, Michael gets emotional over his love of plants! Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres.

British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres.

"We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family.

With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre.

www.britishgardencentres.com

In this episode @ellenmarygardening chats with James Wylie from the Victoria & Albert Museum in Dundee about the new exhibition - Garden Futures: Designing with Nature.

James talks through the exhibition, its importance and how it will inspire visitors. Take the journey through the exhibition in this episode and book your tickets to go! www.vam.ac.uk and check out the socials @vadundee

Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres.

British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres.

"We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family.

With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre.

www.britishgardencentres.com

Hayley Stephens is the guests on this episode to talk about rescuing cacti and succulents, the future for houseplants and of course plenty of cacti care tips. Hayley owns Mint Plants in Bristol, and runs the business with her emotional support team member, Mum Tina. Mint Plants has a huge collection of rare, old and interesting plants which can be found at www.mintplants.co.uk

Afterwards @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening gossip about floral design, tattoos and progression in horticulture.

Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres.

British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres.

"We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family.

With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre.

www.britishgardencentres.com

Have you heard of the Titan Arum? It's not only the largest inflorescence in the world, but it's also the smelliest plant in the world, unofficially! Michael popped into Kew Gardens to speak to Leif Starkey about this botanical phenomenon, which has just bloomed in the Palm House. Check Instagram for photos of its rather beautiful withered form! Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres.

British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres.

"We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family.

With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre.

www.britishgardencentres.com

Hot off the press! Michael Perry in his exhausted and exhilarated state, tells us what he enjoyed about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, the plant of the year winner, some celebrity spots and why next time he might wear a wig.

Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres.

British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres.

"We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family.

With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre.

www.britishgardencentres.com

In this episode, @ellenmarygardening speaks to the designers of two incredible show gardens for the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. First, Katy Terry from Good Grounding Garden Design who was inspired to design 'The ADHD Foundation Garden' after her personal diagnosis of ADHD in 2023. Then Duncan Hall and Nick Burton of Burton Hall Garden Design who have designed the 'Down's syndrome Scotland Garden' taking inspiration from Duncan's nephew Liam who aged 8 has been supported by the charity. Two fantastic gardens supported by Project Giving Back. Check out all of the information below: The ADHD Foundation Garden: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/gardens/2025/adhd-foundation-garden Down's syndrome Scotland Garden: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/gardens/2025/downs-syndrome-scotland YouTube video: https://youtu.be/95d_ptO1sCM?si=NhRC9ND_0aPCKRjF Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres.

British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres.

"We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family.

With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre.

www.britishgardencentres.com