Rosy Hardy has been running her Hampshire based nursery since 1988. Winners of 20 RHS Chelsea Gold Medals, Hardy’s Cottage Plants have noticed gardeners tastes are changing year on year. This year the more natural look is popular with a bit of zing, which makes an interesting mix as she explained to Ken Crowther.

Lynne Dibley is second generation, following in her father Rex’s footsteps. He started the Dibleys Nursery in 1976 as a mail order hobby, working on it part time. Lynne and her brother got involved in the 1980s and have taken the business forward. Lynne explained to Ken Crowther how to grow streptocarpus successfully.

Now in its second year the Homebase Garden Academy has been working really well. The programme offers people aged 16 the opportunity to learn about garden planning and design, gain knowledge on planting and landscaping as well as learning practical skills. Mentor Adam Frost told Ken Crowther about the benefits of the scheme.

Doncaster based Taylors Clematis Nursery was started in the early 1980s, at a time when clematis started to become really trendy. The nursery is run by Chris Cox and his wife Suzy who took over the running from Suzy’s parents who founded the company. Chris and Ken Crowther discussed which varieties are popular today.

As a small boy Rob Chapman began growing violas. Over the past eight to 10 years Rob has concentrated on breeding new varieties and saving more of the heritage varieties which have been around for more than 100 years. Rob told Ken Crowther about his breeding programme.

Horticulturalist, author and television presenter Graham Ross has often been described as the Alan Titchmarsh of Australia. They do a lot of similar things, both presented their own versions of Ground Force as well as hosting radio and TV programmes. Graham told Ken Crowther about his work down under.

There is often confusion between pelargoniums and geraniums. Michael Perry from Thompson and Morgan showed Ken Crowther some of the pelargoniums and geraniums they grow and they discuss the difference between the two.

There is often confusion between pelargoniums and geraniums. Michael Perry from Thompson and Morgan showed Ken Crowther some of the pelargoniums and geraniums they grow and they discuss the difference between the two.

Corinne Price is the manager of the Shuttleworth Trust’s Swiss Garden in Bedfordshire, which reopened to the public in July 2014. The £3.5m restoration took 18 months and was funded by through donations and grants. Corinne gave Ken Crowther a potted history of the gardens.

Corinne Price is the manager of the Shuttleworth Trust’s Swiss Garden in Bedfordshire, which reopened to the public in July 2014. The £3.5m restoration took 18 months and was funded by through donations and grants. Corinne gave Ken Crowther a potted history of the gardens.