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 affordab...
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 ...
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. Se...
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, wit...
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 f...
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 fan...
This is a special episode with sponsors of series 18 of the podcast - it's British Garden Centres! Eve Kerrigan spills the beans on the business of selling plants, some best selling plants and changes in the garden centre business over the past few years. Followed by a car based gossip with @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening chatting Tulips, slow eating and RHS Malvern. Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden...
In this weeks episode, Michael is joined by two good friends, Meg and Gemma, as they have a really lovely gossip. These fab ladies have very interesting jobs in the industry, so make sure to listen and find out all about that, as they all put the world to rights, which is rather fun to listen to. Please excuse the bad quality sound, technology was working against us that evening, and Michael was also laying down across two armchairs trying to get the signal out of the window on the Isle of Wight...
If you've heard the word permaculture used in horticulture but unsure what it means, this episode will answer some of your questions. Jack is a permaculture designer discussing with @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening how we can grow realistically in a sustainable and self-sufficient way, with permaculture principles. Afterwards, Michael and Ellen gossip about whatever springs to mind, from the Isle of Wight to Norfolk. Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres a...
In this weeks episode, Michael travels to Boston, in the UK, not the US, to find out about the last commercial conifer nursery in the UK, Golden Grove. He talks to Zoe and Karolina about their love of conifers, and why it’s time to look at them through a different lens. We think you’re gonna love this episode and we dare you to go and buy a conifer ASAP. The ideal place to pick up your conifer is one of British Garden Centres locations, and they are the sponsor of the season of the podcast! Plan...
Stephen Flynn, one half of The Happy Pear joins @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening for this everything plant based episode. Twins Stephen and David are best selling authors, cafe and bakery owners, recipe club creators with a 4 acre regenerative organic farm. From the emerald Isle Stephen chats about plant based eating, growing and overall health. Afterwards Michael and Ellen gossip from Coal Yard Drops about plants, getting too close and men… Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres....
As we kick off series 18, we are beginning with a gardening legend, and good friend of the podcast. He started his working life as an electrician and now, via the Blue Peter garden, he is a government recognised ambassador for children's gardening in the UK. It's the gold sequinned wearing, SKINNY JEAN GARDENER. The first gossip of series 18 comes after the guest interview, with @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening chatting about anything that 'springs' to mind, April fools and plant life. Seri...
Andrew Jackson is a man with a mission. After working in social housing for more than 10 years, he had a yearning to make outdoor spaces better for residents. Upon buying his own new build home, he realised how daunting it can be to suddenly have a blank canvas, full of promise, yet not have a clue what to do with it. Years later, after finding his feet with that new garden, Andrew has put together a rather fantastic New Build Manifesto, which makes some strong suggestions for how housing develo...
By now you have probably heard of social prescribing and perhaps even social and therapeutic horticulture and as gardeners we know that gardening makes us feel good, but what about everyone else? What about people with no access to green space, people with mental and physical health issues and what about those tasked with giving advice, support and suggestions to help - such as a medical professional. In this episode guest Dr. Richard Claxton -a champion of promoting positive health and wellness...
On the podcast in this episode is the editor of one of the most popular gardening magazines in the UK, Amateur Gardening. The magazine was founded in 1884, but sadly stopped production back in late 2023… but thankfully resurrected just a few months later, with a whole new look, making a whole nation of gardeners of all ages very happy. Editor and author Kim Stoddart is with @ellenmarygardening and @mr_plantgeek to talk all about editorial deadlines and of course, gardening! Afterwards Michael an...
Todays podcast is with Beth Williams, multidisciplinary artist and fashion designer who creates living textiles with incredible designs based around plants and nature. Beth centres around an inaccessible world as well as the relationship between human and environmental sustainability. Afterwards, @ellenmarygardening and @mr_plantgeek gossip separately with news of what they have been up to recently. Sponsors of series 17 are Lava-Lite - Naturally The Best Effortlessly nourish and protect your pl...
In this bonus episode, Michael is at the International Plant fair, the IPM Essen, and he’s having a gossip with his good friend Nat Porter! We think you’re gonna love this meeting of two crazy plant minds, as they chat about everything from bedding plants to sushi trains!
New plant breeding is big business, but often people ask why we even need new plants. In this episode @ellenmarygardening and @mr_plantgeek with Garry Grueber who is well known in the world of plant development, with over 40 years of experience. It's an insightful chat into the world of new plants. Afterwards, Michael and Ellen chat about plant catwalks, conveyor belts and the cold. Sponsors of series 17 are Lava-Lite - Naturally The Best Effortlessly nourish and protect your plants with a colle...
Plants don’t always follow the expected rules or genders, and it’s not a big deal for them, yet why is it for us? Connor Butler gives us some some truths about everything LGBTQ+ in the botanical world…and it’s fascinating! Afterwards @ellenmarygardening and @mr_plantgeek have a new years gossip while driving to Heathrow about travel and of course plants, amongst other random things. Sponsors of series 17 are Lava-Lite - Naturally The Best Effortlessly nourish and protect your plants with a colle...
If you're part of the garden centre world, you may have heard the name Boyd Douglas-Davies. Boyd has had a long year career in ther garden centre industry, most recently heading up the PR and Communications of the popular British Garden Centres brand. He is now working as a freelance consultant, and chair of Greenfingers Charity. Boyd has a wealth of knowledge about garden centres, so if you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes, this is the episode for you. Afterwards, @mr_plantgeek a...
If you need some winter garden inspiration, this is the episode for you. @ellenmarygardening and @mr_plantgeek chat with Benjamin Pope @theworkinggarden all about how to add plenty of winter interest to your garden. Not just in larger gardens, but even in containers. Ben provides some really exciting combinations to brighten up any patio pot for the colder months of the year. Plus hear all about Ben's career and exciting 'retirement' project. Afterwards Michael chats with Julie Parker @parkers_p...
Houseplants have always been 'trendy' in our eyes but over recent years the boom hasn't slowed up. Or has it? @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening chat with the experts Sarah Gerrard Jone and Urban Jungle to find out what they think about the future of houseplants. From upcoming trends to favourite plants, it's a plant packed podcast episode. Afterwards, Michael and Ellen gossip about whatever comes to mind in the moment from Michael's birthday (that he doesn't want to be mentioned) to bulb las...
Do you get lost in the constant online stream of social media? Do you ever wonder how other people feel about it? Does it help or hinder horticulture? @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening catch up with @skinnyjeangardener @kmgardendesign and @ourdaleyhome to get three different opinions and views on how to enjoy social media and how being in the garden community has benefits - mostly! Afterwards, Michael and Ellen gossip about whatever comes to mind in the moment from creating textured containe...
This episode is with journalist, author, designer and garden consultant, Naomi Slade. Naomi works extensively within the gardening and lifestyle media as a writer and broadcaster plus lectures on a range of specialist subjects. She has written a number of popular gardening books and is an award winning designer often with an environmental focus. So with all of that and a new book about Chrysanthemums recently released, Naomi chats about how to grow them, and why they are set to make a comeback. ...
Starting the new series off with a bang, its wildlife expert and author Kate Bradbury. Kate is a wildlife writer who manages to attract an astounding number of wildlife species into her urban Brighton back garden. She has written for numerous publications over the years, and also features on BBC Gardeners World and is an RHS Ambassador. In this episode we get oodles of inspiration from her to help you bring wildlife back into built-up areas. Grab your notepad, there will be plenty of tips and tr...
In this episode @mr_plantgeek acts suspiciously in a parked car while @ellenmarygardening does the domestic chores. It's the end of series 15 and the podcast will be on summer break - back with a brand new refresh in September 2024. Ellen Mary tries to get Michael to talk about plants but he had too much coffee. Thank you to everyone who has downloaded the podcast and to all of our guests who are equally inspiring. Also thank you to series sponsors Hydria Fountain, go check them out. Proud to an...
After disease wiped out the greenfinches in Dick Woods garden, Dick decided to create a high quality, easy clean bird feeder, manufactured in the UK. Dick, along with Andrew, are on the podcast to talk about how to prevent the spread of diseases in the garden and keep birds safe, plus why their products at Finches Friend will help to do this. Check out Finches Friend at: www.finchesfriend.com for unique feeders, easy clean and helpful for your garden friends....
This weeks episode is all about biosecurity and why should it matter. @ellenmarygardening and @mr_plantgeek chat with Dario Spagniolo The RHS Shows Biosecurity Specialist. Learn about how we can safeguard our gardens, and the UK, from invasive plants, why sneaking back cuttings from your holidays might not be the best souvenir, and other important subjects which safeguard our horticultural landscape. If you'd like to learn more, visit the RHS website and click on the science link. Afterwards Ell...
Kim O'Brien also known as @dahliafarmarama designed a showcase garden at BBC Gardeners World Live 2024. So straight after returning home with a Silver Merit @ellenmarygardening chats with Kim about her experience. What was the design inspiration? How was the build process? And what's coming up in the future? Ellen Mary asks the questions in this episode of the podcast. Proud to have Hydria as the series 15 sponsors! Hydria™ is the world’s first all-in-one water fountain kit that fits any planter...
