The Gardening with the RHS podcast

Each week we talk to RHS experts, along with garden designers, scientists, growers, and the movers and shakers of the horticultural world

Our award-winning Gardening with the RHS podcast offers seasonal advice, inspiration and practical solutions to gardening questions.

Trusted gardening professionals give you the latest horticultural advice, scientific research and tried-and-tested techniques to bring out the best in your garden.

Listen to the lastest episodes or subscribe for all episodes.

From rainforests to garden borders: Nature’s wild edges

In this episode, we journey into one of Britain’s rarest and most magical landscapes – the temperate rainforest. Designer Zoe Claymore joins us to reveal how she captured the enchanted atmosphere of these ancient woodlands at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and how you can recreate that wild, mossy magic at home. Then, we turn our attention to a true British garden staple: the hedge. Photographer Gareth Gardner shares what he discovered after receiving over 500 submissions from around the world for his new exhibition On The Hedge, now opening at RHS Wisley. Plus, Gareth Richards gives practical advice on planning ahead with tips on sowing biennials, and Guy Barter shares what he’s been up to in his own garden.

Useful links:  The Wildlife Trusts’ British Rainforest Garden |The magic of moss | On The Hedge exhibition | Annuals and biennials

Call of the wild

In this episode, we venture into the wild with James Armitage, editor of The Plant Review, and Gareth Richards to explore how pockets of wilderness can enrich even the most cultivated gardens with balance, biodiversity, and beauty. We begin with a tribute to botanist John Watson, whose South American plant-hunting uncovered rare treasures, as told by plantsman Robert Rolfe. Next, we visit Vancouver Island’s Garry oak meadows, where Amy Sanderson and Eric Hsu reveal camassias’ surprising drought resilience. Finally, botanist Richard Moore takes us to the Himalayas to meet the hardy, twisty-rooted Roscoea. Plus, learn how you can help protect community growing spaces by supporting the RHS-backed Space to Grow amendment.

Useful links: The Plant Review | Create a wild and beautiful garden | Camassias | Space to Grow amendment

Big blue poppies and easy edibles

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 RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM): What it takes to earn this mark of excellence, and how it can help you choose top-performing plants for your own patch.

Useful links: How to grow Meconopsis | RHS Gardening Advice | Grow your own | RHS Plant Trials and Awards

Special: RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025

Step into the bloom of RHS Chelsea 2025. In this 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.

Useful links: RHS Chelsea gardens | Star plants of RHS Chelsea | RHS Chelsea design ideas | RHS Plant of the Year | Awards

Moths, meadows and mischievous mutts

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. In this episode, we find 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 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.

Useful links: RHS Plants for Pollinators |RHS Plant Trials | Creating wildflower meadows | How to create a pet-friendly garden

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Our podcast is here to help you get the very best out of your garden. For more information, contact the Podcast team by email podcast@rhs.org.uk.

Winner of ‘Best Branded Podcast’ category at the 2021 British Podcast awards
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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.