Talking Dirty

The nights may be drawing in and the temperatures dropping, but our gardens can still be full of treasures as Joe Sharman of Monksilver Nursery proves in this week's episode. In Part One, Joe wows Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis with Chrysanthemums galore, plus the lesser-spotted Autumn-flowering Snowdrop. Next week, even more delights for the Autumn garden. PLANT LIST Galanthus '...

Last week Helen and Ross from The Picton Garden dazzled us with daisies, as they shared their favourite varieties of Aster and Symphyotrichum. This week they're wow Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis with a supporting cast of Autumn treasures, from Ferns and Colchicum to Cyclamen and Succulents. PLANT LIST Polygonum scoparium Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii Rudbeckia fulgida var. sulli...

This week on Talking Dirty, Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis are dazzled by Daisies as Helen Picton and Ross Barbour join them with a host of their favourite varieties. And if you're going to delve into the world of Michaelmas Daisies, who better to introduce you to them than The Picton Garden and Old Court Nurseries, who've specialised in this plant since 1906 and hold the Nationa...

This week Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis are joined by wildlife author Kate Bradbury to talk about her new book 'The Tree in My Garden', plus share great planting choices for our plots. From the effects of climate change, to whether to choose a native species, Kate's bound to have you thinking differently about how and what you plant. PLANT LIST Paulownia tomentosa Fagus sylvatic...

Time for Part Two of our Alpine Extravaganza with Paul Spriggs and Kenton J Seth. The pair have decades of Crevice Garden experience between them, captured in their book 'The Crevice Garden' from Filbert Press. Last week we took a look at their plots at home; this week we hear about more of their favourite Crevice Garden plants and their FLOMO* *FLOMO = the FLower or plant that gives you a fear Of...

Crevice Gardens are on the rise and whether you're creating a small version in a trough or Crevice Gardening on a giant scale, they provide excellent opportunities to grow some amazing plants. This week's guests joining Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis certainly know their Crevice Gardens and their Alpine Plants. Paul Spriggs and Kenton J Seth are the brains behind 'The Crevice Gar...

With the publication of his much-anticipated new book 'No Dig', Charles Dowding joins Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis to share amazing insight into the soil we grow our precious plants in, and also Show and Tell some of his favourite varieties from his plot this year. PLANT LIST Brussel Sprout 'Evesham Special' Celery 'Victoria' F1 Beetroot 'Boltardy'  Tomato 'Sun Heart' Aube...

Mike Clifford returns with a bumper crop of unusual plants. We've got leaves as big as dinner plates and flowers like ducks wearing bonnets! Plus a FLOMO* inspired by a trip to RHS Wisley. *FLOMO = FLoral/plant-based fear Of Missing Out PLANT LIST Pterospermum acerifolium Aristolochia fimbriata Ricinus communis Hoffmannia ghiesbreghtii Coniogramme emeiensis Brillantaisia ulugurica Lindau Lobelia g...

Mike Clifford is back on Talking Dirty. The master grower of unusual and rare plants has some fabulous things to show and tell, from rare Strobilanthes to a bleeding flower. And great propagation and plant care tips as well. Part two follows next week with more fabulous plants and FLOMO*! *FLOMO = FLoral/plant-based fear Of Missing Out PLANT LIST Nesocodon mauritianus Lobelia laxiflora var. angust...

Something a bit different this week on The Talking Dirty Podcast. You may have heard a couple of weeks ago Jimi Blake popped to East Ruston Old Vicarage to take a look around with Alan Gray. Afterwards, before Jimi shot off to Beth Chatto's garden in Essex for a Symposium on Rewilding, the pair sat down to share some of their thoughts from the day. PLANT LIST Lophosoria quadripinnata Dicksonia ant...

Time for Part Two of our fun-filled, plant-tastic trip around Derry Watkins' Gravel Garden at Special Plants. Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis are particularly inspired, considering the drought they've both experienced in East Anglia this summer! Look out for some of these plants at East Ruston in coming years... PLANT LIST Potentilla × hopwoodiana Allium senescens ssp. montanum Ge...

The Wonder Woman returns! Derry Watkins of Special Plants is always inspiring and this week, returning to chat with Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis, is no different. Last time she appeared we took a tour of some of her garden, but we were left wanting more...we only just glimpsed the gravel garden before phone battery forced us to head inside. So this time round we're dedicating t...

Last week Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis heard about Jack Wallington's new garden near Hebden Bridge. This week we're taking a trip through some of his favourite plants of the moment, from those he's grown from seed to new planty purchases. PLANT LIST Monarda didyma 'Panama' Monarda 'Cambridge Scarlet' Astrantia Pittosporum Agapanthus Eucalyptus Foeniculum vulgare Trachycarpus fo...

A brand new guest this week for The Talking Dirty Podcast. Jack Wallington is a horticultural powerhouse - Landscape Designer, Author and Wildflower lover - he's got heaps of enthusiasm and knowledge to share. This week we get to hear about his new adventures near Hebden Bridge, the challenges of his new garden and how he incorporates Wildflowers into the mix. Next week more wonders from Monardas...

Following on from last week's exciting news about Cliff Bank Nursery, Ben Preston returns with part two of his podcast, packed with interesting plants and propagation tips! PS: To read our Newsletter, head here: https://www.getgardeningnow.co.uk/newsletter PLANT LIST Hebe hulkeana Hebe x fairfieldensis syn fairfieldii Bergenia ciliata Cyperus involucratus Azolla Salvia patens 'Cambridge Blue' Salv...

He's back! York Gate Head Gardener Ben Preston returns to wow Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis with inspirational plants, plus some very exciting news! Next week more wonders from New Zealand, Salvias and Monardas! PLANT LIST Lathyrus odoratus 'Betty Maiden' Salvia atrocyanea Dianthus 'Elizabethan Pink' Geranium 'Rozanne' Geranium wlassovianum 'Lakwijk Star' Geranium 'Tiny Monster'...

He's back! Author of The Jungle Garden and Head Gardener at Walmer Castle, Philip Oostenbrink, is an authority on fabulous foliage. In this appearance on Talking Dirty he wows Alan Gray (East Ruston Old VIcarage) and Thordis with zany Zantedeschias and beguiling Boehmerias. Your FLOMO* list is sure to increase! *FLoral/plant-based fear Of Missing Out PLANT LIST Hakonechloa macra Ophiopogon japonic...

Before we return to a string of wonderful guests from the horticultural world, we must take a moment to savour the treasures currently on show at East Ruston Old Vicarage, a thirty-two acre wonderland on the Norfolk coast. From the big, bold and brilliant Brumansias to the tumble of climbers filling up the walls on the house and a look at some of the stars in the Desert Wash, owner Alan Gray is jo...

Award-winning garden writer and organic gardener Val Bourne returns with part two of her Talking Dirty Podcast appearance. After a tour of the Hoverfly-friendly plants in her garden and her shoehorn method of gardening, this week we chat through some of her favourite Roses, Clematis and an array of Self-Seeders which make themselves at home in her plot. PLANT LIST Erigeron annuus  Thalictrum...

We always love welcoming award-winning garden writer Val Bourne back onto the Talking Dirty Podcast. This week she shares some of her organic methods with Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis, as she takes us on a tour through her Hoverfly friendly plants, and explains why these particular pollinators are essential in the garden. PLANT LIST Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' Dactylorhiza Orlaya...

If you love to sit down with articles about gardening, then you've undoubtedly read something beautiful penned by this week's guest on The Talking Dirty Podcast. Matt Collins writes for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Hortus, Toast...the list goes on and on. Somehow he also devotes his time to being Head Gardener for The Garden Museum in London and this week he's sharing his story, planting schemes f...

As we all swoon at the sight of Bearded Irises having their moment in the spotlight, we thought it was time we caught up with one of the specialist nurseries selling hundreds of varieties of these eye-catching plants. Chris Davey may have only taken on Seagate in the last few years, but his knowledge and enthusiasm shine through. Get ready for a look at some very tempting varieties, plus get inspi...

Talking Dirty favourites Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones of Crûg Farm Plants return to the podcast with an awe-inspiring array of plants to Show and Tell. After a first instalment packed with Rodgersias, Illiciums and Polygonatums, the pair regale us with yet more gorgeous plants and tips on how to grow them. PLANT LIST Lindera triloba Lindera obtusiloba Hylomecon japonica Hylomecon hylomeconoides Asar...

Talking Dirty favourites Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones of Crûg Farm Plants return to the podcast with an awe-inspiring array of plants to Show and Tell. Part Two has yet more treats in store from Fuchsias to Neolitsea to Impatiens. PLANT LIST Rodgersia podophylla 'Crûg Colossus' Actinidia kolomikta Actinidia kolomikta 'Tomoko' Actinidia kolomikta 'Yazuaki' Schizophragma integrifolium Hydrangea petiol...

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of the greatest flower shows on earth and a highlight of the horticultural calendar. Here on Talking Dirty we get just as excited about it as everybody else and - as you'd expect - we've been lapping up all the plants and combinations!  So, fresh from Main Avenue and the Great Pavilion, Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis are here to share their...