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.
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
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
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
In this episode, RHS Plant Health Advisor Helen Latham shares 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! 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.
Useful links: Protecting biodiversity |What’s on: Plant Health Week | Identify common weeds | RHS Gardening Advice
In this episode, Nick Turrell from the RHS Gardening Advice Team shines a spotlight on one so-called ‘weed’ that’s actually packed with nutrients – a perfect addition to your summer salads. Liz Mooney from the Edibles team at RHS Garden Wisley is back to share her top tips for growing beans – whether broad, runner, or French. And Horticulturist Alessandra Sana dives into the crowning jewel of any summer pond: the glorious, timeless waterlily.
Useful links: How to grow broad beans | How to grow runner beans | How to grow French beans | Waterlilies
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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.
