Gardening with the RHS

There’s a myriad of weird and wonderful beasties out there who feast on flowers, but all is not rosy inside the garden gate. Pollinators are in trouble, and Josie Stuart, RHS Senior Entomologist at RHS Garden Wisley shares some unexpected ways home gardeners can help pollinators thrive, no matter the size of your plot. Horticultural specialist Jim Arbury offers expert advice on a hot topic many RHS website visitors want to know more about: figs. Which variety should you choose? How do you get started? And how do you grow them successfully? As September brings cooler temperatures and an increasingly autumnal feel, RHS Wisley’s Claudia Connal offers her pick for the next instalment of our Bulb of the Week series - the mysterious and beautiful Turk’s cap or martagon lily. Plus, we answer your gardening questions on dealing with tomato gluts, growing echinaceas, and pruning hydrangeas and evergreens. Host: Gareth Richards Producer: Dan Cocker Contributors: Josie Stuart, Jim Arbury, Claudia Connal Plants mentioned: Turk’s cap lily (Lilium martagon); lilies 'Claude Shride’, ‘Golden Morning’, ‘Pink Morning’ and ‘Albi Morning’. Hoop petticoat daffodil (Narcissus bulbocodium), Crocus ‘Vanguard’. Figs ‘Brown Turkey’, ‘Little Miss Figgy’ and ‘Brunswick' Links: Find information on all the topics covered at rhs.org.uk Send your questions to [email protected]

Even though it's still August, the signs of autumn are starting to show. False autumn is a survival-driven stress response where trees shed leaves and change colour prematurely due to extreme heat and drought, and you may find yourself doing the autumn jobs a little early this year.  We dive headlong into seed collecting with RHS horticulturist Lucie Rudnicka, plus find out how best to prune your trained apple and pear trees with RHS Garden Wisley’s fruit tree expert Jim Arbury. And finally, we relish in the joy of wildflowers with our very own Gareth Richards, as today sees the publication of RHS Wildflowers: A Pocket Guide. Plus we answer questions from the listener inbox on late sowings of salads, raspberry pruning and hornets. Host: Gareth Richards Producers: Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring Contributors: Lucie Rudnicka, Jim Arbury, Jenny Laville Links: Seed: collecting and storing Apples and pears: pruning RHS Wildflowers: A pocket guide Send your questions to [email protected]

As we experience one of the most extreme summers on record, how can we help our garden wildlife cope with the heat? RHS Science and Horticulture Editor Olivia Drake explains why ornamental dahlias can be an excellent late summer food source for pollinators, while RHS entomologist Josie Stuart introduces us to the striking cinnabar moth and its close relationship with drought-resistant ragwort. We also visit Where Magic Grows, a new family-friendly immersive exhibition at Leeds’ Thackeray Museum of Medicine, exploring the connections between plants, folklore and medicine, in collaboration with the RHS. Plus, we answer some of your top gardening questions of the week. Host: Gareth Richards Producers: Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring Contributors: Olivia Drake, Josie Stuart, Jack Gann, Holly Tomlinson Links: Dahlias for pollinators Exhibition: Where Magic Grows Lavendars Plums Grey Water Plants mentioned: Dahlia merckii https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/5296/dahlia-merckii-b/details    Dahlia 'Tangerine Gem' https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/510690/dahlia-tangerine-gem-sin/details  Dahlia australis https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/181404/dahlia-australis/details   Dahlia Pretty Woman https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/282403/dahlia-pretty-woman-vdtg43-pbr-dark-angel-series-sin/details  Veronicastrum virginicum 'Lavendelturm' https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/111539/veronicastrum-virginicum-lavendelturm/details Achillea millefolium 'Cerise Queen'https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/97048/achillea-millefolium-cerise-queen/details Email your questions to [email protected]

The team head to North Norfolk to fill their boots with inspiration from the show gardens, floral exhibits, specialist growers, and innovative designs on display at RHS Sandringham Flower Show. Gareth Richards speaks with Catherine MacDonald, who designed The RHS Royal Legacy Garden in collaboration with King Charles III, with a special focus on climate resilient trees. Jenny Laville catches up with designers Joe and Laura Carey in their playful Pollywiggle Garden, designed for amphibians. And producers Poppy and Dan glean some top tips from the growers and nurseries in the Floral Marquee. Hosts: Gareth Richards, Jenny Laville Contributors: Catherine MacDonald, Laura Carey, Joe Carey, John Cullen, Louise Batchelor, David Reynolds, Paul Dibley, Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring Links: RHS Sandringham Flower Show Plants: Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Rubylace' Gleditsia triacanthos 'Rubylace' | thorny locust 'Rubylace' Aeonium ‘Pink Witch’ Aeonium 'Pink Witch' (v) Rosemary-leaf willow - Salix rosmarinifolia Salix rosmarinifolia L. | rosemary-leaved willow Achillea ptarmica ‘Peter Cottontail’ Achillea ptarmica 'Peter Cottontail'PBR | sneezewort 'Peter Cottontail'

Join us at the inaugural RHS Flower Show at Badminton in Gloucestershire! It’s a brand-new addition to the gardening calendar, the next in a massive year of RHS events that celebrate the greatest shows in earth, and Gardening with the RHS is here to take listeners on a journey through some of the show’s highlights. Size matters, and we speak with renowned designer Tom Stuart-Smith about one of his most ambitious undertakings ever: designing and building the biggest show garden in the history of the RHS. We learn about another RHS first, the introduction of the Young Designer Gardens, giving early-career designers a major national platform. Plus, we meet the world’s leading growers and nursery experts exhibiting at Badminton, for some take-home tips and vegetal inspiration. Host: Gareth Richards & Melissa Mabbitt Contributors: Tom Stuart-Smith, RHS Young Designers Abigail Stoyle, Sophie Sturgeon, Sophie Leo, And from the Floral Marquee: Rachel from The Tetbury Flower Company, Lee from sedum specialist Plants Let's Grow, Colin from Roualeyn Fuchsias, Luke from D'Arcy & Everest

Insects are vital ecosystem engineers in our gardens. Small but mighty, they help create healthy, balanced environments where plants can thrive. Of course, not all insects are flying or scuttling above ground all the time, so to mark Insect Week, we’re going underground with RHS Principal Entomologist Dr Hayley Jones to explore the beetle larvae living in our soils. We’ll learn how to identify the species that benefit our gardens, and what to do about those that can cause problems. Bee expert Rachel Richards from conservation charity Buglife joins us to reveal the remarkable diversity of solitary bees that may be nesting right outside your door, and share simple ways to support these important pollinators. And finally, as the heatwave continues, we turn our attention to a seasonal favourite: strawberries. RHS Horticultural Advisor Chris Taylor shares his top tips for growing healthy, productive plants and getting the very best harvest. Plus a roundup of top tips based on the latest enquiries on rhs.org.uk Email your questions to [email protected] Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Hayley Jones, Rachel Richards, Chris Taylor Links: How to help hoverflies Vine weevil Chafers in garden borders Ground beetle larvae and other predatory gardener allies More in depth ID features for chafers and stag beetles Previous episode on Hoverfly Heroes with Josie Stuart How to help hoverflies Strawberries

In this summer edition of the Plant Review podcast special, we get stuck into the plants which love to bask in the sun. Journalist Phil Clayton shares his tips for success with bearded irises, and tackles one of the conundrums associated with this antisocial plant – what to grow them with! Taxonomist Julian Shaw introduces us to a striking new Arum hybrid that's been causing quite a stir among plant enthusiasts. And we dissect what lessons we can learn from mediterranean gardens. Hosts: Gareth Richards and James Armitage Contributors: Phil Clayton, Julian Shaw

As the UK experiences some of the hottest May weather on record, we share practical tips for helping your garden cope during heatwaves. And if the soaring temperatures have you seeking shade indoors, we’ll hear from houseplant experts about their favourite indoor plants and their advice for tackling common houseplant problems. We also catch up with Chris Potts from Sienna Hostas to discover a breakthrough in hosta breeding that has produced the first truly red-leaved cultivar Hosta RED NINJA in the genus. And with the warm weather set to continue, why not visit an RHS Garden this weekend? We head to RHS Garden Bridgewater, where curator Tracy Snell tells us more about the transformation of this remarkable historic garden as it celebrates its fifth birthday this month. Plus a tribute to horticultural legend Matt Biggs, who sadly died last week. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Natalia (Conservatory Archives), John (Hugo & Green), Alice (Botanica Studios), Chris Potts (Sienna Hosta), Tracy Snell, Tim Upson

Love them or loathe them, garden gnomes are back… and this time, they’ve even got royal approval as they’ll be appearing in the Kings Foundation garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which returns next week. Fiona Davison, head of Libraries and Exhibitions at the RHS talks us through the history of the show’s infamous gnome ban. Science and Horticulture Editor Olivia Drake joins us to marvel at the beauty of verbascums, which are this month’s wildlife wonder plant thanks to their multifaceted appeal to all kinds of garden insects, including birds, bees and mullein moth caterpillars. And if you’ve ever been inspired by a TikTok or Instagram video to try growing your own fruit and veg from supermarket leftovers, Dr Helen Latham from the Plant Health team joins us with words of wisdom about how plants for free can sometimes come with hidden dangers. Host: Nick Turrell Contributors: Fiona Davison, Olivia Drake, Helen Latham Links: May Wildlife Wonder plant - verbascums Gnome ban lifted Chelsea Flower Show Plant Health

Today we’re getting wild in the garden and taking a look at some of the abundance that's on display as spring hits its peak. The RSPB’s Emma Marsh joins us to unpack the results of this year's Big Garden Birdwatch, offering a revealing snapshot of the health of some of our most cherished garden visitors. Emma also shares how new research is informing New RSPB advice on feeding birds seasonally and safely. One key food source for young chicks at this time of year is juicy caterpillars; RHS Principal Entomologist Dr Hayley Jones shares her advice on how to live with these misunderstood critters, and why moths in general deserve some more credit in the garden. And finally, we turn to a seasonal highlight: crab apples. Nurseryman Nick Dunn of Frank P Matthews nursery joins us to celebrate these remarkable trees as they burst into bloom, offering beauty, abundance and a vital source of food for birds, insects - and even us. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Emma Marsh, Dr Hayley Jones, Nick Dunn Extra links: Wild About Gardens: magical moths RHS Wildlife gardening advice Remembering Nigel Dunnett

This week Grace Johnson from the Hedgehog Street Campaign joins us once again to tell us more about what we can all do to support the recovery of hedgehog populations, right where they need it most: in our gardens. RHS horticultural advisor Jenny Bowden joins us with a clever money-saving tip, showing how you can make your own potting mix from scratch at home. And to round things off, Liz Mooney heads down to the veg patch with everything you need to know about growing cabbages. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Jenny Bowden, Grace Johnson, Liz Mooney Links: How to make a footprint tunnel Get involved in some Hedgehog citizen science

This week we head to RHS Wisley's Hilltop where the science and advisory teams are working tirelessly to come up with solutions to some of the biggest pressures facing horticulture and gardeners today, and few are bigger or more pressing than climate change. RHS advisor Jenny Bowden talks us through an experiment she's working on to find out which plants are best suited to the extremes in summer drought and winter flooding UK gardens are increasingly experiencing. Horticulturist Liz Mooney runs us through the Lettuce extravaganza she is sowing at Wisley's world food garden. And bulb expert Muhammad Hafiz Ullah, gives us a masterclass in growing gladioli Host: Nick Turrell Contributors: Jenny Bowden, Liz Mooney, Muhammad Hafiz Ullah Links: Choosing plants for seasonally wet and dry soils How to grow lettuces Gladioli Gladiolus trial

This week, we’re focusing on the edible garden, and the simple yet radical act of growing your own food in an age of convenience. Food writer Nancy Matsumoto explores how our globalised food system is impacting both people and planet, and why women-led initiatives could help shape a more sustainable future. RHS Garden Wisley’s Liz Mooney joins us from the World Food Garden to answer everything you ever wanted to know about growing potatoes. And finally, Nick Turrell and Jenny Laville sit down to look at how you can get started growing your own – without ending up with a mountain of plastic along the way. Host: Nick Turrell Contributors: Nancy Matsumoto, Liz Mooney, Jenny Laville Links: Reaping What She Sows book Nancy Matsumoto’s substack ‘Reaping’ Liz Mooney’s top tomato cultivars Liz Mooney’s guide to aubergines, sweet peppers, and chillis Liz Mooney’s guide to peas How to go plastic-free in your garden