Advertise on podcast: The Plant Based Podcast

Today's guest is someone many of you will already know from Instagram — a passionate plant collector, educator, and all-around plant enthusiast who has built a thriving community around a love for houseplanys. With a feed full of lush houseplants, practical tips, and honest moments from life as a self-confessed plant addict, Jonny Balchandani has inspired thousands to bring more plants into their homes and lives. You might know him better as The Bearded Plantaholic. In this episode, we're talking about how his plant journey began, how social media helped grow his community, the realities of caring for a serious plant collection, and of course a few favourite plants along the way. Michael and Ellen then proceed to gossip as usual, from feeling defeated during a drought and taking up drawing. There might be some chat about plants but who knows! Series 20 of the podcast is sponsored by Garden on a Roll - the perfect solution for beautiful, ready-made garden borders. If you love the look of professionally designed planting but don't have the time, knowledge, or patience to plan it yourself, Garden on a Roll has you covered. Each border is expertly designed by Award Winning Garden Designer Antony Henn and delivered with a simple, pre-planned biodegradable template you can roll out and plant in one go. No guesswork. No stress. Just follow the instructions and enjoy the results. Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round.  Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.  www.gardenonaroll.com

In this lively episode of The Plant Based Podcast, Michael sits down with the wonderfully candid Kim Stoddart, editor of Amateur Gardening magazine, for a chat that's equal parts insightful and delightfully gossipy. They dig into Kim's journey through the horticultural world, her passion for resilient, climate-friendly gardening, and what really goes on behind the scenes of one of the UK's most beloved gardening publications. Along the way, Kim shares her thoughts on the trends shaping modern gardening, from sustainable practices to the renewed love for growing your own food.   But it wouldn't be a proper catch-up without a bit of juicy industry chatter! Expect plenty of laughs, honest reflections, and a warm, down-to-earth conversation that feels like a good natter over a cup of tea—perfect for anyone who loves plants, people and the stories that connect them.   Series 20 of the podcast is sponsored by Garden on a Roll - the perfect solution for beautiful, ready-made garden borders.   If you love the look of professionally designed planting but don't have the time, knowledge, or patience to plan it yourself, Garden on a Roll has you covered. Each border is expertly designed by Award Winning Garden Designer Antony Henn and delivered with a simple, pre-planned biodegradable template you can roll out and plant in one go.   No guesswork. No stress. Just follow the instructions and enjoy the results.    Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round. Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.   www.gardenonaroll.com

Have you ever heard a plant talking? To kick off series 20 of the podcast Ellen Mary and Michael Perry visited Cambridge Univeristy Botanic Garden to chat with Raffy and Kathryn about the Talking Plants Exhibition. Imagine a Jade Vine chatting or an Ant Plant explaining how it grows! Running until 12th April 2026, this exhibition is about using AI for education and engagement at the garden. Find out more: https://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/talking-plants/ As always, Ellen and Michael have a gossip about anything and everything but there is always plants involved...at some point! Series 20 of the podcast is sponsored by Garden on a Roll - the perfect solution for beautiful, ready-made garden borders. If you love the look of professionally designed planting but don't have the time, knowledge, or patience to plan it yourself, Garden on a Roll has you covered. Each border is expertly designed by Award Winning Garden Designer Antony Henn and delivered with a simple, pre-planned biodegradable template you can roll out and plant in one go.   No guesswork. No stress. Just follow the instructions and enjoy the results.   Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round.   Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door.    It's planting by numbers!   Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.      

Believe it or not, but this does include Christmas plants - you'll just have to wait until Michael has released his anger about the festive season first! Joking aside, Ellen and Michael are finishing off series 19 gossiping about all the things they've been up to, giving Christmas plant care advice, predicting what's to come in the plant world for 2026 plus theres some weight lifting involved...  Happy Christmas plant lovers! Thanks for downloading The Plant Based Podcast.    Series 19 has been sponsored by Queen and Fine - the new floral design studio by Ellen Mary.  www.queenandfine.com

In this episode, Michael sits down with Mattias Redlefsen, an industry leader at Benary GmbH, one of the world's most respected companies in ornamental plant breeding.    With more than 175 years of history, Benary has shaped the global horticulture industry- and Mattias offers a rare inside look at how the company continues to thrive through innovation, research, and a deep commitment to quality.   Mattias shares his perspective on the evolution of modern seed breeding, how Benary balances tradition with cutting-edge technology, and sustainability and the future of the horticulture sector.   ********   Series 19 is sponsored by Queen and Fine Floral Design - the new floral design studio by co-host of the podcast, Ellen Mary. Find out more: www.queenandfine.com Instagram: @queenandfine 

Today's guest is Martin Fish, a horticultural expert with over 45 years of experience as a gardener, writer, broadcaster, RHS judge and educator. Known for his practical advice and warm, approachable style, Martin has shared his passion through radio, television, magazines and live events across the UK with The Potting Shed, which he runs with his wife Jill. In this episode, Ellen and Michael dive into Martin's lifelong journey in horticulture, what continues to inspire his work and how gardening can bring joy, connection, and creativity into everyday life.  ******************* Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created by co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations. Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine.

Looking for a Christmas present that's thoughtful, versatile, and guaranteed to delight? In this episode, we unwrap the magic of the National Garden Gift Card—the ideal festive gift for anyone who loves plants, gardening, or simply spending time outdoors.   Run by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), these vouchers are accepted at thousands of garden centres, nurseries, and retailers across the UK, making them one of the most flexible and well-loved gardening gifts available.   Whether you're shopping for a seasoned gardener, a houseplant newbie, or someone who enjoys home and outdoor living, the HTA Garden Gift Voucher gives them the freedom to choose exactly what they love—from tools and décor to plants, pots, and everything in between.   You can buy them online for instant gifting or pick up a beautifully presented gift card in store, perfect for popping under the Christmas tree.   Tune in as we explore why this simple gift brings joy long after the decorations come down—and how it can spark creativity in gardens of all sizes!   *******************   Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created by co-host Ellen Mary!    From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations.    Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine

In this epsiode Ellen Mary is joined by Lisa Bauer, known online as @happy_plant_collector - a rising star on social media and founder of Another Plant Swap.  For this weeks episode get some down-to-earth advice on keeping your indoor jungles thriving, how the houseplant community has evolved and learn more about the plant swap events.  https://www.anotherplantswap.com Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created byt co-host Ellen Mary!   From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations.  Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine     

Ellen Mary is joined by two of Ireland's most inspiring and creative floristry educators — Deirdre and Janette from Kay's Flower School who help budding florists blossom into pros. In this episode learn about their journey, the changing floristry industry, their favourite flowers, new trends and their recent exquisite collaboration with former podcast guest Sarah Campbell of Intrigue Designs. Are 80's flowers back? Download to find out. Find Kays Flower School on social media and via the website: www.kaysflowerschool.com Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created byt co-host Ellen Mary!   From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations.    Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine

In this episode Ellen and Michael are joined by Gwen Hines, CEO of Plant Heritage — a charity dedicated to saving the UK's garden plants from being lost forever. From rare roses to forgotten fuchsias, they're on a mission to protect the incredible diversity found in our gardens and to support the passionate individuals keeping these plants alive for future generations. You can even find out how to be a national collection holder yourself, even if you have little garden space!  Also hear about Michaels trip to visit Ellen in the USA plus the usual nonsense gossip.  Find out more about Plant Heritage: www.plantheritage.org.uk   Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created byt co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations.  Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine    

Welcome to today's episode, where we'll be diving into a topic that's been a hot topic for the UK horticultural industry—the EU Reset, announced in 2025. In this episode, we're joined by Sally Cullimore and Jennifer Pheasey from the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA). Both have been at the forefront of lobbying for change and advocating for the horticulture industry's needs. They'll talk with co-host Michael Perry, through the details of the reset, what it means for businesses, and how the HTA has worked tirelessly to ensure that the sector's voice is heard. Find out more: www.hta.org.uk Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created byt co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations.  Check out the website:  www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine

This episode is all about trees, with the ultimate tree experts in UK - Frank P Matthews. Fresh from their first exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, we have Steph Dunn-James, director of the company to talk us through why there could be a tree for everyone, wherever you live. Check out Frank P Matthews trees: www.frankpmatthews.com Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created byt co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations.  Check out the website:  www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine

Sarah Campbell isn't just known for magnificent floral designs and installations but also for always smiling! After appearing on the Netflix show 'The Big Flower Fight', Sarah has grown her event design business along with teaching the art of creating flower filled weddings all over the world. We can definitely say that Sarah is OBSESSED with flowers! Ellen Mary asks all the floral questions in this episode from top design tips, to must use flowers and behind the scenes gossip from show.  Check out Intrigue Designs and Intrigue Teaches:  Instagram:  @intrigue_designs @intrigueteaches Website: www.intrigueteaches.com Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created by co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations. Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine

This episode is all about the much loved plant - Lavender! Lorna Maye from Mayfield Lavender guides us through the history of the plant and the organic, family run lavender farm on two sites in Surrey, UK. Learn about the many varieties of lavender, how to grow the fragrant herb and whats coming up next for Mayfield.  Check out the fields: www.mayfieldlavender.com Follow on Instagram: @mayfieldlavender Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created by co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations. Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine.

In this episode, Michael steps behind the scenes of hydrangea breeding with Leo, the plant breeder behind the renowned Living Creations Hydrangea series. Discover what it really takes to create new hydrangea varieties— from selecting parent plants to years of patient trials.   You'll hear a live demo of the breeding process, as Leo walks us through the delicate steps of pollination and explains how breeders decide which traits to keep or discard. We'll also explore what makes the Living Creations hydrangeas stand out, and why they're such resilient performers in gardens today.   Whether you're a passionate gardener, a plant collector, or just hydrangea-curious, this is a rare chance to hear directly from a breeder shaping the future of one of our most-loved shrubs.   Series 19 of the podcast is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created by co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations. Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine.