From Mushrooms to Matrix Planting: Exploring Nature’s Design
This week, Dr Jassy Drakulic returns to guide us through the hidden zones of your garden, uncovering the fascinating world of fungi and the mushroom magic that may be thriving right under your nose. RHS Principal Entomologist Dr Hayley Jones joins us to introduce the charming yet troublesome vine weevil — a notorious menace for potted plants — and reveals how we can give a helping hand to the beneficial insects that prey on them in our gardens as winter approaches. Finally, horticulturist Louisa Neale takes us on a tour of the breathtaking Oudolf Landscape at RHS Garden Wisley, sharing practical tips on how to bring a touch of Piet Oudolf’s iconic matrix-style planting to your own outdoor space.
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Dr Jassy Drakulic, Dr Hayley Jones, Louisa Neale
Links:
RHS Fungi for Gardeners book
Science & Collections at the RHS
Info on vine weevils
The Oudolf Landscape
--------
33:46
--------
33:46
Hidden Worlds: From Fungal Networks to Literary Landscapes
This week, RHS Senior Plant Pathologist Dr Jassy Drakulic shares her passion for the mysterious world of fungi, revealing the hidden lives of their fruiting bodies and the ingenious ways they spread their spores. At RHS Garden Rosemoor, horticulturist Alex Paines takes us behind the scenes to explore the art of shaping formal hedges and offers expert tips for keeping them looking their best. And finally, Fiona Davison, RHS Head of Libraries and Exhibitions, delves into the gardens and landscapes that inspired the pages of Jane Austen’s beloved novels.
Host: Guy Barter
Contributors: Dr Jassy Drakulic, Alex Paines, Fiona Davison
Links:
RHS Fungi For Gardeners book
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Chawton House
--------
34:44
--------
34:44
Living Libraries: Stories from The Plant Review
Gardens are more than places of beauty — they’re living archives, preserving stories of the past. In this episode, we leaf through the September issue of The Plant Review to uncover what history can teach us about the gardens of today.
RHS horticulturist Jack Aldridge recalls the rare purple-leaved Stachyurus—first spotted in a Devon garden in the 1970s, lost for decades, then rediscovered at a Cornish plant fair. Judith Taylor, a 91-year-old retired neurologist and garden historian, explores the legacy of Roy Genders, one of the most prolific gardening voices of the 20th century. And plant taxonomist and collector Jamie Compton joins James to untangle the thorny mysteries of the Banksian roses.
Host: James Armitage and Gareth Richards
Contributors: Jack Aldridge, Judith Taylor, Jamie Compton
Links:
The Plant Review
--------
39:32
--------
39:32
The Autumn Shift: Hibernaculums, Snowdrops, and Jane Austen
As astronomical autumn settles in, the rhythm of our gardens begins to change — plants, fungi, and wildlife all adapting to cooler days and longer nights. This week, horticulturist Tim Smith shows us how to support our hibernating garden visitors by creating your very own hibernaculum at home. Camilla Bassett-Smith shares her expert tips on planting snowdrops now for a stunning early spring display. And Fiona Davison from the RHS takes us into the archives to uncover the surprising connections between Jane Austen and the Royal Horticultural Society.
Host: Jenny Laville
Contributors: Tim Smith, Camilla Bassett-Smith, Fiona Davison
Links:
RHS Garden Rosemoor
How to grow snowdrops
RHS Digital Collections
--------
30:11
--------
30:11
From Soil to Plate: Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Garden
This week we’re heading down to the world famous, double Michelin star Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in deepest Oxfordshire, to speak to chef Raymond Blanc about his ethos towards growing delicious produce, appreciating the soil, and letting veg take centre stage on the plate. From tasty veg to truly enormous ones, Fiona Davison will be telling us about the quirky tradition of giant vegetable growing competitions. And Jenny Laville will be joining us to give us the scoop on what's new for RHS shows in 2026.
Host: Gareth Richards
Contributors: Raymond Blanc, Jenny Laville, Fiona Davison
Links:
Simply Raymond Kitchen Garden: Seasonal recipes from my place to yours
Malvern Autumn Show
RHS Shows and Events
'Gardening with the RHS' offers seasonal advice, inspiration and practical solutions to gardening problems. Trusted gardening professionals give you the latest horticultural advice, scientific research and tried and tested techniques to bring out the best in your garden.
Topics covered include: growing your own vegetables, flowers, garden design, lawn care and gardening with children. Plus expert masterclasses in topics ranging from cottage garden plants, growing orchids, to pest control and eco-friendly gardening.
Plus we’ll have behind the scenes reports from the country’s most prestigious flower shows. There’s something in these podcasts to interest every gardener, whatever your level of expertise.
For more info see www.rhs.org.uk/podcast
A Pixiu production.
France