Gardens Illustrated launches a new podcast, Talking Gardens

Gardens Illustrated is launching a brand new podcast featuring a host of horticulture's top talent on 21st March.

The Talking Gardens podcast features conversations with the great and the good of the gardening world about their dream gardens.

Gardens Illustrated's new podcast: Talking Gardens

In conversation with Gardens Illustrated editor Stephanie Mahon, guests choose the places, people and plants that have shaped their love of gardens and pick the things they would most like to have in their fantasy spaces.

In season one, Stephanie chats to head gardener Fergus Garrett about his fantasy garden, from the borders of Great Dixter, where he has worked since 1992, and the spirit of its creator Christopher Lloyd, to the wild landscapes of Turkey. We also hear from garden designer Tom Stuart-Smith about his new Plant Library at the Serge Hill Project, his work abroad in India and Morocco and his dream of eliminating plastic from gardens. Alice Vincent, author and Gardens Illustrated columnist, tells us why her dream garden would have to include Piet Oudolf-style naturalistic planting and a glasshouse for entertaining friends such as Diana Ross (the garden writer, not the disco diva).

Tune in to find out why head gardener Troy Scott Smith is no longer watering the borders at Sissinghurst; why herb expert Jekka McVicar loves a moon gate; and how gardening saved the life of Charlie Harpur, head gardener at Knepp Castle Walled Garden. We also learn what ethnobotanist James Wong’s imaginary Eden would look like, and what garden designer Sarah Price would never allow in her garden.

Talking Gardens - Season One release dates

• Episode One: Fergus Garrett 21/03/2023
• Episode Two: Alice Vincent 28/03/2023
• Episode Three: Tom Stuart-Smith 04/04/2023
• Episode Four: James Wong 11/04/2023
• Episode Five: Troy Scott Smith 18/04/2023
• Episode Six: Jekka McVicar 25/04/2023
• Episode Seven: Charlie Harpur 02/05/2023
• Episode Eight: Sarah Price 09/05/2023

New episodes will be released every Tuesday, subscribe so you never miss one! The Talking Gardens podcast is sponsored by J Parker's Bulbs