Gardening with the RHS

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 [https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/bursaries-grants] Subscribe to The Plant Review [https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/publications/the-plant-review] Space to Grow amendment for the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill [https://www.sarahchampionmp.com/news/2025/5/22/sarah-champion-mp-joins-forces-with-horticultural-experts-to-campaign-for-more-allotments-and-community-gardens] Use this template to send to your MP [https://emails.rhs.org.uk/c/AQi-_hQQwaEbGK3JrBkgz4jCBcsj-7Vdwr9Wn2LXWhc2uxKL088FqUP6FJYh7PVEt8Ae] find your MP’s email address here [https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP?utm_campaign=446657_Communities%20newsletter%20-%20June%202025&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Specific%20B2B%3A%20Non-MS%20Dynamics%20%28Ability%20to%20unsubscribe%29%20&dm_i=7DBY,9KN5,VNDT9,18AWZ,1] Saving allotments and community gardens [https://www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/community-gardening/save-allotments-community-gardens]

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 [https://themeconopsisgroup.org/add-Home.asp] How to grow Meconopsis  [https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/meconopsis/growing-guide] RHS Plant Trials and Awards [https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards]

Step into the bloom of RHS Chelsea 2025! In this special episode, we delve into the standout themes, emerging trends, and — of course — the spectacular plants that define this year’s show. Journey with us from Scotland’s wild coastal landscapes to the dappled canopies of urban forests, as we meet the visionary designers behind 2025’s most breathtaking gardens. We’ll also shine a spotlight on the real stars of the show: the plants themselves — and the groundbreaking breeders competing for the prestigious RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year award.   Hosts: Jenny Laville, Gareth Richards, Tom Howard, James Armitage   Links: Chelsea Flower Show tickets [https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/ticket-options] Chelsea Flower Show gardens [https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/gardens] Chelsea Plant of the Year [https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/news/2025/plant-of-the-year] RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival [https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-hampton-court-palace-garden-festival] RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse [https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-flower-show-wentworth-woodhouse]

Biodiverse spaces are important not only for healthy ecosystems but they also bring tangible benefits for our mental wellness as well. Unfortunately new data shows that some of our most loved garden visitors – the Lepidoptera, or butterflies and moths – are in alarming decline. We’ll be finding out from Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, how gardeners can give them the boost they need. Ed Cooper from the trials team down at RHS Garden Wisley shows us another way of welcoming in not only butterflies and moths, but a whole host of other wildlife as well, with advice on sowing annual and perennial wildflower meadows. And finally, we find out how to maximise our outdoor spaces for our four legged friends, with Lead Horticulturist Dawn Grehan, at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.   Host: Gareth Richards   Contributors: Dr Richard Fox, Ed Cooper, Dawn Grehan Links:  Butterfly Conservation [https://butterfly-conservation.org/] Butterfly recording and monitoring [https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/recording-and-monitoring] RHS Plants for Pollinators [https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/research/plants-for-pollinators] RHS Chelsea Flower Show [https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show] How to create a pet-friendly garden [https://www.rhs.org.uk/garden-inspiration/design/pet-friendly-garden-ideas] Potentially harmful garden plants [https://www.rhs.org.uk/prevention-protection/potentially-harmful-garden-plants]

It’s Plant Health Week, and we’re celebrating with expert tips to keep your garden thriving. RHS Plant Health Advisor Helen Latham will be sharing practical advice to help your plants stay strong and resilient. Meanwhile, Nick Turrell returns to shine a light on the unsung heroes of the garden — weeds! Last week, he turned a common garden nuisance into a delicious, nutrient-rich summer salad. Today, he’s back with another surprising use for those persistent plants — and a fresh perspective on why they might deserve a second chance. Plus, as gardens burst into bloom, your questions have been flooding in. We’ve handed a few over to the RHS Garden Advisory Team to get the expert answers you’ve been looking for. Host: Jenny Laville Contributors: Helen Latham, Nick Turrell, James Lawrence, Chris Taylor Links: Plant health in gardens  [https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/plant-health-in-gardens] Previous episode on plant health and passports with Dario Spagnoli [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gardening-with-the-rhs/id605769651?i=1000670043059]