Scotland Grows Show

Have you ever wondered how green spaces can transform lives? In the latest episode of the Scotland Grows Show, we dive the world of therapeutic gardening with Chelsea Lowe, Head Gardener at Horatio’s Garden Scotland. From her unique journey transitioning from filmmaking and photography to horticulture, we explore the lush landscapes of Horatio's Garden at the National Spinal Unit in the Queen Eliz...

Inverewe Garden is garden like no other. It’s a lochside garden amid a barren wilderness on the Atlantic coast in the North West Highlands. Aided by the effects of the Gulf Stream on the west coast of Scotland, amazing plant species thrive there from pre-historic trees like Wollemi pines to rhododendrons from China, Nepal and India, Himalayan poppies and Tasmanian eucalyptus.   Our guest in this e...

Clive Johnson-Cooper, winner of Gardeners’ World ‘Garden of the Year’ 2023, chats about his jungle-themed, urban garden in Stockbridge, Edinburgh. Clive has created a garden from scratch and the results of his passion, in his tiny, courtyard space, won him the Judges’ Choice vote. Listening to Clive talk about the creation of his garden and his bold planting choices is nothing short of inspiring....

Eli Appleby-Donald, one half of ' In the Garden With Eli and Kate ', shares her incredible gardening journey that began with a simple desire for outdoor space and grew into a passionate affair with growing food and connecting with a global audience.   Eli tends an urban garden in East Lothian which she has managed to make beautiful and productive. She considers herself a perpetual learner gardener...

Simon Jones is a Gardens & Designed Landscapes Manager for the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), managing gardens such as Threave, Culzean, Broughton, Greenbank, Hill House, Geilston, Crarae and Arduaine.    Previously he was Curator of Plants at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland based at Edinburgh Zoo, designing and constructing over 30 exhibits during this time.   Look forward in thi...

Inspiring gardener Kim Light is well known on Instagram for her absolutely gorgeous cut flower garden, at @my_scottish_garden , but it is no regular cut flower garden that Kim has created in Wishaw, just outside Glasgow: she ripped up her traditional front garden to transform the space, and the results are just wonderful!   We explore Kim's favourite blooms, the evolution of her plant preferences,...

With ‘Beechgrove’ in its 45th broadcasting year, Scott Smith and his team are always busy behind the scenes, and in this episode we get the secrets behind the screen from the man left in charge once the cameras are gone!   Scott came to Beechgrove after Head Gardener positions in Pitmedden Garden and Haddo House for the National Trust for Scotland and we discuss his favourite National Trust garden...

Theresa Talbot, a boutique florist and garden consultant based in Glasgow, offers seasonal advice on the best blooms and vibrant foliage for your floral arrangements.   Following a successful broadcasting career with the BBC, and being a well-known fiction author, Theresa embarked on a new path, training with some of the best florists in Scotland and the UK, to launch  Willow & Herb  at the st...

Stan Green is an influential voice in promoting horticulture through his long and illustrious career in Scottish horticulture, starting behind the scenes at Beechgrove Garden; serving as President and Chairman of the Horticulture Trades Association UK Board, and awarded the Scottish Horticultural Silver Medal for contributions to Horticulture.   Stan has always been active in the horticultural ind...

Kirsty Wilson is well-known to many as a ‘Beechgrove’ presenter but her day job as Herbaceous Supervisor at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh keeps her very busy where she is responsible for the team looking after various areas in the garden, including the famous 165m-long herbaceous border, the Queen Mother’s memorial garden, and the Chinese Hillside, looking after the largest collection of Chin...

Fiona Thackery, CEO of Trellis and author of 'Plastic Free Gardening' guides us through practical ways to reduce plastic use in our gardens, exploring tips for swapping single-use plastics for sustainable alternatives, creative DIY options, and the exciting innovations in the horticulture industry driven by consumer demand. From the importance of small, consistent changes to engaging local busines...

George Anderson, a Scottish gardening legend, known for his work on Beechgrove Garden since 2005 amongst many other things, takes us behind the garden gate to his own garden in Sunny Joppa.   George describes the diverse sections from dry gravel gardens to vegetable patches in his garden, highlighting his approach to pruning and plant care, as well as sharing some of his tp plant recommendations....

In this episode, M.T. O'Donnell, editor of Scotland Grows magazine, talks to Laura Frances, a beginner gardener, with advice for her north-facing garden.   They chat about planting for sunny and shady areas, growing tomatoes, strawberries, and other edibles, and some general gardening tips.   Welcome to the Scotland Grows Show, the podcast which celebrates everything that is good in Scottish garde...

Chris Wardle, the National Trust for Scotland's Gardens and Designed Landscape Manager for Aberdeenshire and Angus, moved to Scotland 23 years ago, and the National Trust for Scotland has become his life’s work.   Chris talks in this episode about the exciting developments going on in National Trust gardens, which ones are his favourite to visit, and his attempts to create a tropical jungle feel i...

Helen Cross, has just published her first book, ‘Grow, Cook, Inspire’, and is passionate about food, horticulture, and farming. She is driven to encourage more communities and families to grow and cook their own to uncover the health and environmental benefits that come from gardening and cooking seasonally.    With a history of her own mental health problems for over 20 years, Helen has sought so...

Our guests in this episode are Lizzie and Malcolm Schofield of Cuthbertsbrae Garden in Buckie, Moray, winners of the Gardeners' World 'Garden of the Year' 2020.   Lizzie and Malcolm talk about how they started with no gardening knowledge; the challenges of gardening in an exposed coastal garden on a steep slope; their complete amazement at being shortlisted, and then going on to win the 'Garden of...

Tune in to hear Liz Stewart, CEO of Scotland's Garden Scheme, talk about the wonderful gardens open around Scotland for charity, her own garden, her favourite plants, and of course, all the ways you can get involved with Scotland's Garden Scheme by opening your garden, volunteering to help at an opening, or by visiting inspirational gardens across the country!   Welcome to the Scotland Grows Show,...

Welcome to the Scotland Grows Show, the podcast which celebrates everything that is good in Scottish gardening, as we join gardeners around the country to find out what grows well where they are, and pick up tips and stories along the way.   Our first guest is Brian Cunningham, Head Gardener at Scone Palace, presenter on 'Beechgrove', and the driving force behind Scone Place Garden Fair. Tune in n...

Welcome to the Scotland Grows Show, the podcast which celebrates everything that is good in Scottish gardening, as we join gardeners around the country to find out what grows well where they are, and pick up tips and stories along the way.   Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.   Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates...