PlantNetwork Interviews

Kate is a horticulturist with a very international perspective. We find out more about Kate's varied role and how it all started in a bonsai shop!

We talk to new PlantNetwork Trustee and National Trust Garden and Outdoor Manager, Piers Horry, about his role, his career in horticulture and trees.

Our March webinar focused on biostimulants - if you registered to attend or you are a PlantNetwork member, you can catch-up with the webinar at: https://plantnetwork.org/meetings/webinar/biostimulants-and-plant-health/ This podcast episode carries on the discussion from the webinar and we learn more about the potential of biostimulants for improving plant health and resilience to pests and disease...

This year is the International Year of Fruit and Vegetables so we talk to someone who is passionate abut growing vegetables. So much so that when Matt isn't caring for Global Growth Vegetable Garden at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, he is looking after multiple allotments...

With growing recognition of the health and well-being benefits of gardening, PlantNetwork speaks with horticultural therapist, Imogen Jackson, about her role at Horatio's Garden. Imogen introduces us to her Horatio's Garden and the work she does with patients with spinal cord injuries, as well as how she became a horticultural therapist (and head gardener!)

Volunteers are crucial to many, if not most, public gardens, with Friends' groups often providing considerable support to gardens and their horticultural teams. We hear from Dr Shiona Mackie who has been instrumental in establishing the Friends of Botanic Gardens Forum, linking and supporting Friends' groups across the UK. We also find out about garden guides, the importance of inspirational teach...

In this episode, we talk with Lucy Bell, Botanical Horticulturist at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, finding out about her responsibilities for the Broad Walk, her love of herbaceous perennials, and her plant-related modelling career! We also hear about Lucy's experiences of being on furlough during the first COVID-19 lockdown and how she feels now she is back at work.

We start 2021 with a chat to Juliet Sargeant, RHS Chelsea gold medal winning garden designer and founder of the Sussex Garden School. Find out more about Juliet's design ethos and her secret mission as well as her surprising confession regarding her own garden. Juliet also has advice for anyone wanting to pursue a career in garden design.

In our final episode of 2020, PlantNetwork takes a slightly different tack and talks to a botanist, Dr Waheed Arshad.  We find out more about his role as a botanical data specialist, how he first became interested in botany and plants as well as writing to the Queen (on home-made paper) among many other things.

In this short special edition for Christmas, recorded during National Tree Week in November, we hear from a small number of PlantNetwork members willing to share their favourite trees.

Simon Toomer, Chair of PlantNetwork, interviews Mark Ballard, finding out more about his role at Westonbirt, the National Arboretum. Simon asks Mark about his career, developments at Westonbirt and plans for the future. If you are considering a career change to horticulture, this episode is definitely one for you.

In a change to the usual format, this podcast episode features Christopher Weddell, Senior Gardens Advisor at English Heritage, speaking with Rob Brett, Curator at RHS Garden Hyde Hall. The conversation ranges across career pathways, chats with Charles Darwin, Mick Jagger and orchids, and the importance of baobabs and asparagus on deserted islands. Curious? Dive in!

Cards on the table - Andy isn't a horticulturist. He does, however, work with horticulturists through his role as National TOPSOIL Manager, supplying topsoil and soil-based products to horticulture and other land-based industries. We hope the interview shows that there are a range of occupations out there that link to horticulture.... It was also an opportunity to find out a little more about one...

In this episode, PlantNetwork talks with Shelley O'Berg about her diverse and varied role as First Gardener and Horticultural Training Officer at the beautiful Cambo Gardens. We also hear about her work experience on Ascension and St Helena Islands and what it is like to learn the flying trapeze.

PlantNetwork speaks with Daniel, a Level 4 Diploma student, ahead of his graduation on 27 August from the RHS School of Horticulture. We find out about his experiences as a student at RHS Garden Wisley as well as his training at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, a growing interest in montane flora and hopes for the future. Jazz trumpets at the ready!

The gallery at The Hepworth Wakefield reopens on Yorkshire Day - 1st August - so to celebrate we talk to The Hepworth Wakefield's Cultural Gardener, Katy Merrington, about this very new garden, being open during lockdown (despite the gallery being closed) and why this garden offers something different to visitors.

The latest episode takes a much needed visit to Cornwall in the excellent company of Gary Long, Head Gardener at Trewithen Gardens. Gary tells us about the exciting projects taking place at Trewithen as well as a career that has so far involved the planting of a tea plantation and an unofficial competition to become the longest serving head gardener at Trewithen.

We hear from Stephen Herrington, Head Gardener at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens in West Sussex, who introduces us to Leonardslee and other gardens he has worked in, in the UK and elsewhere. Not many people have discovered a new plant species!

It was a privilege to speak with podcaster, writer and gardener Tamsin about her portfolio career and her gardening aspirations. Find out how Tamsin came to have a number of strings to her horticultural bow... Being a horticulturist can open a whole raft of opportunities.

Pam Smith continues our series of interviews with horticulturists. It was a particular treat for PlantNetwork to speak with Pam as until 18 months ago, Pam was the PlantNetwork Administrator and hence knows a great deal about the PlantNetwork community! Pam is a very experienced horticulturist - find out more about her career, favourite gardens and the plants she can't garden without. Be warned -...

In this third episode, which falls just after the 20th birthday of the National Botanic Garden of Wales, PlantNetwork speaks to curator Will Ritchie about the garden, future plans and what plants he might take to a deserted island. Find out more about gardens and the people behind these gardens in this series - new episodes added every few weeks.

In the second episode in our series of 'Interviews with...', PlantNetwork speaks with Simon about his role with the National Trust, his career, future aspirations, favourite gardens and desert island plants.

As part of the PlantNetwork 'Interviews with....' podcasts, PlantNetwork speaks with Nick about his current role, his career in horticulture, horticultural inspirations and desert island plants....