506: Garden wildlife care for heatwaves: dahlias, cinnabar moths, and more

About this episode

The episode discusses how to support garden wildlife during heatwaves, featuring insights on dahlias and the cinnabar moth.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Gareth Richards

Guests: Olivia Drake, Josie Stuart

Topics covered

• garden wildlife
• heatwaves
• pollinators
• dahlias
• cinnabar moths
• exhibition
• gardening questions

Keywords

• garden wildlife
• heatwaves
• dahlias
• cinnabar moths
• pollinators
• gardening questions
• exhibition

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Royal Horticultural Society

Books & works: Where Magic Grows

Places: Leeds

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