Scotland Grows Show

Scotland Grows writer Karen Stewart-Russell chats in this episode about so many things: her love of roses, the many things she does with the herbs she grows, and her love of gardening gadgets like an automated greenhouse system, her Bokashi bin, and her hydroponics growing experiment. Karen’s passion for community also shines through as she discusses her local initiatives: a seed library and plant...

Fergus Cumming is the current Vice-President of Busby and Clarkston Horticultural Society , a society which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2022, with roots going back to 1947.   As well as having an excellent monthly winter talks series, an annual members’ outing, and an annual flower show, the Society has hosted the Beechgrove Potting Shed twice and Radio 4’s Gardeners Question Time.   In thi...

The wonderful Richard Baines, Curator of Logan Botanic Garden in southwest Scotland, widely known as Scotland’s most exotic garden, and one of the four gardens of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, uncovers the unique charm of Logan Botanic Garden in this episode. From its vibrant seasonal displays to its impressive collection of exotic plants nurtured by the Gulf Stream-influenced climate, Richa...

Talented garden designer Katie Reynolds demystifies the process of garden planning and design in this episode. From creating a functional wish list to measuring and sketching out potential layouts, Katie shares her top tips on turning your garden dreams into reality - and you should definitely have a pen and paper to hand as this is one episode from which you will want to take notes or replay agai...

The legendary Jim Jermyn , a horticulturist with a wealth of knowledge and a zest for gardening, especially for alpine plants, shares his passion in this episode. Whether you're an alpine enthusiast or just curious about alpine plants , Jim shares inspiration and plant recommendations for growing alpines in Scotland. Jim also recounts the joys and challenges of maintaining the National Trust for S...

Colin Wren, a Gardens and Designed Landscape Manager with National Trust for Scotland, dives deep into the fascinating world of apple growing in Scotland. Colin uncovers the rich history of apple cultivation, touching on everything from historical varieties to the modern benefits of community orchards, and looks at apple identification, record keeping, and DNA testing of apple varieties. Colin’s e...

Colin Crosbie, who amongst many other things is currently President of the Scottish Rock Garden Club takes us through the fascinating world of rock gardening in Scotland, from its roots in plant introductions from China to the modern club which host seeds exchanges and plant shows. Colin shares some of his personal gardening and exhibiting stories, his top plant picks, and advocates for the import...

Discover the beauty and sustainability of local flower growing with Olivia Thomas who’s passion for growing cut flowers blossomed during the summer of the great lockdown when she transformed a portion of her Ayrshire  garden into lush cut flower beds. Producing more flowers than she could use, Olivia began selling the excess, sparking an interest in sustainable floristry which became Lark Rose Flo...

Kate Mawby is a passionate gardener who has nurtured her stunning garden on the Isle of Lewis for nearly two decades. Kate shares her journey of transforming a rugged coastal croft into a flourishing haven, facing challenges from high winds to soil erosion. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, Kate’s advice on her favourite resilient plants like daffodils, fuchsias, and heb...

Ann Steele, Head of Gardens and Designed Landscapes with the National Trust for Scotland, joins me in this episode to dig into innovative changes taking place in Trust gardens across Scotland. Ann shares fascinating insights into sustainable gardening practices, such as scaling back on grassland mowing to promote wildlife diversity, and offers valuable advice for aspiring horticulturists. We'll al...

Sophie Parmenter takes us behind the scenes of her award-winning garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and its incredible journey to a new home in Scotland. Sophie, who co-designed this silver gilt-winning garden for the National Autistic Society, shares the process of creating and relocating a garden, the inspirations behind the planting choices, and the unexpected challenges that came along the...

We’re kicking off this series with a journey through some stunning gardens in the Scottish Highlands with Ernest George of Highland Garden Tours , as we venture into the beautiful Attadale garden, the productive Gordon Castle Walled Garden, and the formal elegance of Dunrobin Castle's gardens. Ernest George, an award-winning landscape architect, has been designing and creating gardens throughout t...

In this episode, M.T. O'Donnell chats with Rona Dodds, the passionate owner of Quercus Garden Plants. Nestled at 850 feet above sea level on a northwest slope with poor clay soil, Rona’s nursery is a testament to resilience and dedication. As she shares her journey of transforming a challenging landscape into a thriving garden space, Rona provides insights into plant propagation, weathering storms...

Ray Cox is a seasoned professional photographer who has specialised in garden photography for over 22 years. Ray’s deep-rooted passion for horticulture has carried him through a diverse career that includes farming, journalism, and environmental writing. His stunning photography work has graced the pages of national newspapers, magazines, and iconic garden publications.    Ray shares his journey f...

Meet the inspiring Katrina Gelderbloem, a passionate gardener and permaculture enthusiast from East Ayrshire. Katrina, alongside her family, has transformed their quarter-acre plot into a thriving food forest and a productive vertical garden, practicing permaculture principles, reducing and repurposing waste whenever they can.  Their eldest son, Clayton, is autistic and nonverbal, and Katrina delv...

Have you ever wanted to chuck your corporate job and retrain as a gardener? Or even try your hand at designing a garden to be judged at a national competition?   Kate McClorey did both, leaving a high-powered IT career to turn her gardening hobby into a new career. Kate talks us through completing the RHS L2 with distinction, a 6 month course at RBGE in practical gardening to help back up the theo...

Michael Lawrie, Head Gardener at Threave Garden at Castle Douglas in Dumfries & Galloway, and Head of The School of Heritage Gardening there, is the guest in this episode.   Threave’s wonderful garden has been created over the years by students at the National Trust for Scotland’s School of Heritage Gardening and is a fine example of landscaped beauty, and we chat not only about the garden but...

Season 5 of the Scotland Grows Show kicks off with horticultural heavyweight Dougal Philip taking us on a Director's journey through the thriving community of over 120 member gardens united under Discover Scottish Gardens .     We unfold the map to these botanical beauties and discuss how this organisation not only markets, but supports member gardens throughout the seasons and encourages a slow t...

We dive deep into the world of sustainable garden accessories with the inspiring Karen Sawyer, co-director of Scottish company Livingreen Design Ltd . in this episode and discuss their mark on the world with their sophisticated planters, setting the standard for green luxury in hotels, banks, and airports alike - even in James Bond's 'Casino Royale' - and why their fiberglass planters were the tal...

Pam Whittle served as President of The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society (The Caley) for 5 years and currently co-ordinates The Caley Shows. This is a great episode to learn more about these shows and the role The Caley plays in Scottish gardening and horticulture.   Passionate about the benefits of gardening, Pam has a large garden of her own – although she says never finds enough time to de...

Head Gardener Andrew Hinson delves into the enchanting world of Greenbank Garden , a National Trust for Scotland property nestled less than six miles from Glasgow city centre which features a two and a half acre walled garden and a 16 acre woodland.   Andrew completed his BSc in Horticulture with Plantsmanship at SRUC in 2020, was a finalist in the Scottish Regional Young Horticulturist of the Yea...

Janice Clyne, a well-versed food scientist, gut health enthusiast, and foraging expert delves into the unexpected treasures of your very own garden: weeds like nettles, dandelion, sorrel, rosebay willowherb, and ground elder that are often overlooked but pack a punch for your immune system, liver, and overall detoxification. Janice will inspire you to rethink these wild plants as potent sources of...

Victoria George is the National Organiser for the Chartered Institute of Horticulture’s ‘Young Horticulturist of the Year’ competition, a competition open UK and Ireland wide to find the brightest horticultural minds under 30 years old, and in this episode, we’ll find out much more about what the competition involves, and how you can enter , as well as hear from Victoria about starting her own car...

Are you ready to fall in love with snowdrops in this episode with Helen Rushton, arguably Scotland’s Queen of Snowdrops!   Helen has a rural garden in Aberdeenshire with a snowdrop collection that extends to over 550 named varieties, all from a chance find of double snowdrops in the garden. The collection was awarded National Plant Collection status in 2020 by Plant Heritage and you may have seen...

This is a special episode with a giant in Scottish horticulture. A man who’s career has covered not just gardening, but teaching, advising, writing, and broadcasting about all aspects of horticulture, north and south of the border. A man that a nation of Beechgrove fans took to their hearts, as well as taking his timely weekly advice, and a presenter who has won the Royal Television Award for ‘Pre...