Sully & District: Blooming Cacti, Shallow Depth and Signs of Spring

Sully & District: Blooming Cacti, Shallow Depth and Signs of Spring

From Gardeners' Question Time by BBC Radio 4

March 13, 2026 · 42 min

About this episode

The episode features a panel of horticultural experts answering gardening questions in Sully, Wales, with a focus on climbing plants, cacti, and signs of spring.

What climbing plants thrive in shallow soil? How can you coax your Christmas cacti into a dazzling display? What’s your favourite first sign of spring? Kathy Clugston brings a hand‑picked panel of horticultural experts to Sully, Wales, where they tackle a lively audience’s gardening questions with insight, warmth and plenty of good humour. Joining Kathy are garden designer Chris Beardshaw, houseplant specialist Anne Swithinbank, and Bethan Collerton, head gardener at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Together, they share their practical know‑how, creative ideas, and passion for all things green. Pippa Greenwood meets Samantha Smith from the Horticultural Trades Association to explore the new Simpler Recycling initiative, and what it means for clearing out old pots, containers, and other garden clutter. Producer: Rahnee Prescod Junior Producer: William Norton A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

People in this episode

Hosts: Kathy Clugston, Pippa Greenwood

Guests: Chris Beardshaw, Anne Swithinbank, Bethan Collerton, Samantha Smith

Topics covered

  • climbing plants
  • shallow soil
  • Christmas cacti
  • signs of spring
  • gardening questions

Keywords

  • gardening
  • horticulture
  • recycling initiative

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Christmas cacti, gardening pots, containers

Places: Sully, Wales

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