Gardening with the RHS

Latest Episodes:

Plants for Pollinators Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

A third of British pollinator species are now in decline — but there’s still hope, and gardeners can be part of the solution. This week, the RHS launched its updated Plants for Pollinators list: over 10,000 plants scientifically shown to support pollinating insects throughout the year. Dr Andy Salisbury, head of plant health at the RHS, will take us behind the science — revealing how smart planting choices can help reverse pollinator decline. Gill Perkins, CEO of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, will bring us into the world of the charismatic bumblebee, shedding light on the growing pressures they face, from shrinking habitats to shifting seasons. And finally, horticulturist Rosie Yeomans will spotlight a pollinator favourite: salvias. After leading a three-year hardy salvia trial at RHS Garden Wisley, she’s here to reveal which varieties truly stole the show.

Host: Jenny Laville

Contributors: Dr Andy Salisbury, Rosie Yeomans, Gill Perkins

Links:

Plants for Pollinators hub

About Plants for Pollinators

Plants for bees

Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Hardy Salvia Trial Results

Dead Hedges, Magical Mints and a Mycelial Menace Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

This week Sam Southgate from RHS Garden Rosemoor is teaching us how to rethink garden waste by transforming it into amazing structures for both you and your garden wildlife to enjoy. Mary Coates who’s doing her summer studentship with the plant health team at the RHS tells us about her research into the dreaded honey fungus, and how you can help her out. And finally we share some love for the mint family, as we dive into this expansive genus with some of the designers of the lamiaceae borders at RHS Hampton Court this summer.

Host: Guy Barter

Contributors: Sam Southgate, Mary Coates, Gareth Richards, Tom Howard, Marlene Lento, Yvonne Price and Victoria Stanton

Links:

Privet species and honey fungus Survey

Help our research at the RHS

More about Honey Fungus

The Nest at Wisley

Lamiaceae borders at RHS Hampton Court

RHS Wentworth: A celebration of great northern gardens and growers Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

This week, we’re coming to you live from the very first RHS Flower Show at the magnificent Wentworth Woodhouse in South Yorkshire. We’ll be chatting with the rising stars of garden design – young talents competing for the coveted RHS Young Designer of the Year award. We’re also shining a light on some of the North’s finest growers, showcasing their extraordinary plants inside the vibrant floral marquee. And of course, we’ll be exploring the fresh ideas and inspiring themes blooming across the show’s breathtaking gardens.

Hosts: Gareth Richards, Jenny Laville, Mallissa Mabbitt

Contributors: Paul Hervey-Brookes, Luke Coleman, Colin Hickman, Dean Charlton, Mairi Longdon

Links:

RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse

The Story of Strawberries Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Nothing captures the spirit of a British summer quite like Wimbledon and the iconic pairing of strawberries and cream. This week we’re diving into the fascinating history of strawberry cultivation with the RHS Head of Libraries and Exhibitions Fiona Davison, who uncovered a hidden story of pioneering strawberry-focused citizen science. Wisley’s Liz Mooney returns to run us through exactly how to keep on top of the vegetable patch during one of the busiest times in the growing season. And finally, we journey to Somerset to meet Georgie Newbury of Common Farm Flowers. Her cut flower farm is a haven for bees, butterflies, and all things that flutter and buzz.

Host: Gareth Richards

Contributors: Fiona Davison, Liz Mooney, Georgie Newbury

Links:

How the RHS transformed British strawberry growing

RHS Digital Collections

RHS Plant Trials and Awards

Common Farm Flowers

Growing Ideas: Highlights from RHS Hampton Court Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

This week, we're coming to you from the stunning RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2025; the UK’s most spectacular summer celebration of all things green, growing, and gloriously garden-inspired! Join us as we dive into the cutting-edge sustainability solutions, and thought-provoking exhibits that reveal how gardening connects us to nature, to each other, and to ourselves. We explore the Healer’s Hollow, where ancient plant-based healing traditions are brought back to life, and visit Surrey County Council’s visionary garden, which imagines a greener, more sustainable urban future. Along the way, we hear from passionate exhibitors and garden designers about how we can support endangered garden wildlife—and they share their top tips for keeping your garden thriving, even in this summer’s scorching heat.

Hosts: Guy Barter, Mellissa Mabbitt, Tom Howard

Contributors: Jude Yeo, Emily Grayshaw, Lilly Gomm, Coralie Thomas, Adrian Thomas, Alan Partridge, Helen Currie, Tom Pilgrim, Laura Strand, Sam Stark-Kemp, Henry T Pope

Links:

Visit RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

RHS Healers Hollow Garden

RSPB and RHS Swift Garden

Surrey County Council: Reclaiming spaces, creating healthy streets garden

Hot Pocket, City Pocket Planting Garden

Teucer Wilson: Green the Gap Garden, City Pocket Planting

Welcoming Wildlife, City Pocket Planting Garden

Aphids, Earwigs & Allies: Insect Week with the RHS Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

This week we’re diving head-first into the long grass, under the flowerpots, and behind the compost bin to celebrate National Insect Week! The Wildlife Trusts’ collaborator and garden designer Zoe Claymore shares her top tips on wildlife friendly gardening. RHS Principal Entomologist Dr Hayley Jones will be busting some myths around one critter which has been dominating our gardens this year – aphids! And another RHS entomologist – Josie Stuart – explains why earwigs are excellent insect predators to encourage into your plot.

Host: Gareth Richards

Contributors: Zoe Claymore, Dr Hayley Jones, Josie Stuart

Links:

Buddleja aphids

Buddleja aphid survey

Aphids

Earwigs

Blooms, Beaks & Beets: Summer in the Garden Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

As the UK bursts into bloom, we celebrate British Flowers Week with flower farmer Georgie Newbery, who shares how to create stunning, sustainable bouquets from your own garden. At RHS Garden Wisley, Liz Mooney guides us through successional sowing for a summer full of salad crops, and at RHS Bridgewater, Carolyne Jones reveals how to turn your garden into a haven for nesting birds. From vibrant wildflowers to fledgling robins, it’s a glorious season of growth – and there’s still time to get involved.

Host: Jenny Laville

Contributors: Georgie Newbery, Liz Mooney, Carolyne Jones

Links:

Common Farm Flowers

The carbon footprint of flowers

Say it with British flowers study

From Rainforests to Garden Borders: Nature’s Wild Edges Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

This week, we journey into one of Britain’s rarest and most magical landscapes — the temperate rainforest. Designer Zoe Claymore joins us to reveal how she captured the enchanted atmosphere of these ancient woodlands at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and how you can recreate that wild, mossy magic at home.

Then, we turn our attention to a true British garden staple: the hedge. Photographer Gareth Gardner shares what he discovered after receiving over 500 submissions from around the world for his new exhibition On The Hedge, now opening at RHS Garden Wisley.

Plus, Gareth Richards is here with practical advice on planning ahead with tips on sowing biennials, and Guy Barter shares what he’s been up to in his own garden. A lush, leafy episode not to be missed.

Host: Guy Barter

Contributors: Zoe Claymore, Gareth Gardner, Gareth Richards

Links:

British Temperate Rainforest - British Wildlife Trusts

British Rainforest - How to Guide

Lindley Late - Urban Gardening Club: Balconies, Pots and Patios

On The Hedge exhibition at RHS Wisley

Call of the Wild Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

This week, we’re stepping off the garden path and into the wild. James Armitage, editor of The Plant Review, joins Gareth Richards to reflect on how a little wilderness can bring balance, biodiversity, and unexpected beauty, to even the most cultivated spaces.

We begin with a tribute to the intrepid botanist John Watson, whose plant-hunting adventures in South America unearthed a treasure trove of wild flora. Plantsman Robert Rolfe shares stories of Watson’s passion and the remarkable plants he helped bring into cultivation. Then, it’s over to the Garry oak meadows of Vancouver Island, where nurserywoman Amy Sanderson and writer Eric Hsu are rethinking everything we thought we knew about camassias – revealing their surprising resilience in dry climates.

Finally, we ascend to the Himalayas with botanist Richard Moore to meet the hardy Roscoea – a plant both wild and wonderful, whose taxonomic tale is as twisty as its mountain roots. All this, plus a call to action: find out how you can help protect community growing spaces by supporting the RHS-backed Space to Grow amendment in Parliament.

Hosts: Gareth Richards & James Armitage

Contributors: Robert Rolfe, Amy Sanderson, Eric Hsu, Richard Moore

Links:

RHS Horticultural bursaries

Subscribe to The Plant Review

Space to Grow amendment for the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill

Use this template to send to your MP

find your MP’s email address here

Saving allotments and community gardens

Big Blue Poppies and Easy Edibles May 29, 2025

Show notes

Late May bursts with life – and this week’s episode celebrates the full force of the season. We revisit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to explore the mystique of Meconopsis, the Himalayan “Big Blue Poppies” that have captivated British gardeners for over a century. Then, Horticultural Advisor Nick Turrell shares clever shortcuts for growing your own edibles – even if you’re short on time and space. And Edward Cooper from RHS Garden Wisley unpacks the Award of Garden Merit: what it takes to earn this mark of excellence, and how it can help you choose top-performing plants for your own patch.

Host: Jenny Laville

Contributors: Helen Knowles, Nick Turrell, Edward Cooper

Links:

The Meconopsis group

How to grow Meconopsis

RHS Plant Trials and Awards