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Rating

★★★★★

4.8

from

55 reviews

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If you could create your dream garden from pieces of all of your favourite places, and if you could grow any plants in the world, what would you choose? Who would you have as your imaginary head gardener, or garden designer? In Talking Gardens, the podcast from the team behind Gardens Illustrated, host Stephanie Mahon asks the great and the good of the gardening world to construct their ultimate fantasy growing space. Tune in to hear what Great Dixter’s head gardener Fergus Garrett, gardener and broadcaster Monty Don, and garden writer Alice Vincent choose for their dream gardens. Discover 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. Follow now so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to Gardens Illustrated magazine and get your first 6 issues for only £12 and unlock member-only benefits including our members-only newsletter, dedicated members website, and much more. Become a member today ➡ ⁠ourmediashop.com/GIPOD525

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Check latest episodes from Talking Gardens podcast

The future of Chelsea, alternative formats and relocating show gardens

2026/05/22

In our final episode from the show, we ask what is going to happen to RHS Chelsea now Project Giving Back funding is ending, Jack Wallington puts forward ideas for an alternative sort of garden show, Tom Massey tells is what it's like to relocate a show garden, we discover who won People's Choice and some top designers tell us why they keep coming back for more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How to build a Chelsea garden (and get into the show for free)

2026/05/21

Come behind the scenes with us on today's episode of Talking Chelsea to find out what industry types made of the show this year, what's involved in preparing and building show gardens with multi-Gold winning contractor Crocus, how to get into the show for free - ie volunteer - and the personal reason behind why Arit Anderson created her show garden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Planting, the Pavilion… and more plants

2026/05/20

Today’s episode of Talking Chelsea is dedicated to plants and planting at the show. Discover which style of planting is dominating the gardens and standout plants across the showground, as well as Rosy Hardy’s top tips for creating a gold winning plant exhibit, Nigel Slater on naming a new sweet pea, Tom Stuart-Smith on the amazing collection of plants for his show garden, Michael Perry’s top picks and plants for 2027, what it’s like to plant up a show garden behind the scenes and what designers wish they had known before doing the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Medals, magic and take home ideas

2026/05/19

Join us at the Chelsea Flower Show today to get the lowdown on all the medals and best in show winners with Lucy Hall, Sarah Eberle on being the most decorated Chelsea designer in history, and Rhoda Parry on what a ‘naturescape’ is. Plus a day in the life of the Chelsea show manager, how Frances Tophill found collaborating with The King and David Beckham, what the Gardens Illustrated team think the major design trends and ideas are this year and some funny disaster stories designers have shared from previous Chelsea outings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gardens, gnomes and Gold medals

2026/05/18

In the first episode of our Chelsea Flower Show miniseries we are coming to you direct from the 2026 show with all the behind the scenes insights, including a hard first look at the show gardens with Chris Young, some AI design controversy with Matt Keightley, the reason why gnomes are (usually) banned at the show with RHS librarian Fiona Davison, who the judges are and how the judging works according to the judges themselves, what the actual medal are made of and insider tips on how to win a Gold with a host of top Chelsea designers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Midori Shintani

2026/05/11

Stephanie talks to Midori Shintani about her time as head gardener for one of the world’s most influential modern gardens, the Tokachi Millennium Forest, and her next move working with Dan Pearson on the Play Earth Naturing Park in Japan, and launching her own plant nursery. Discover what it was like to share the landscape with bears, and the idea of 72 micro-seasons for gardeners through the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matthew Wilson

2026/05/04

Garden designer, horticulturist and GQT panellist Matthew Wilson is our guest on this episode, and he’s discussing his favourite gardens, from Kent to California. He reveals the things his clients say they don’t want in their gardens, what on earth hydroseeding is and the one temperamental plant he wishes he could grow. Plus, we discuss the benefits of urban greenspace, the sustainability of concrete and why he’s wary of rewilding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cath Kidston

2026/04/27

Our guest this week is the British designer and businesswoman Cath Kidston, whose body care brand C. Atherley celebrates her love of scented pelargoniums. Cath describes the gardens she has created, from a beautiful riverside plot in Chiswick to her current Cotswold garden with a view. She discusses her love of ‘pellies’ and why a greenhouse is an essential in her garden. Plus, we touch on gardening with deer, Cath’s approach to low-maintenance gardens and her surprising dream plant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jamie Butterworth

2026/04/20

Plantsman, author and TV presenter Jamie Butterworth joins Stephanie this week, tracing his horticultural beginnings from Young Gardener of the Year on TV to working with Monty Don. Jamie talks candidly about the highs and lows of setting up his own nursery during the pandemic, and his plans for his brand new home and garden in the Lake District. Plus, we find out why Jamie loathes ‘boring’ evergreens and why he harbours serious shed envy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matthew Pottage

2026/04/13

Our guest this week is Matthew Pottage, who became RHS Wisley’s youngest-ever curator aged 29 and is now head of horticulture and landscape strategy at London’s Royal Parks. He reveals his love for Chilean plants and why monkey puzzle trees often struggle in the UK, as well as the controversial return of conifers and pampas grass in our gardens. We discuss why many people are afraid to plant tall trees, and Matthew talks about being challenged as a gardener, how to create a fabulous garden in a rented home, and his own striking houseplant collection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Luciano Giubbilei

2026/04/06

Landscape designer Luciano Giubbilei joins host Steph to reveal all about his dream garden. He describes growing up in Italy, his own landscape inspirations, including Villa Gamberaia in Florence and Rousham in Oxfordshire, and his own new landscape project at The Field in Mallorca. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pollyanna Wilkinson

2026/03/30

This week’s guest is the award-winning garden designer Pollyanna Wilkinson. She reveals her ‘uncool’ love of romantic planting and the literary gardens she’s always admired, and discusses finding space for veg beds, chickens and a football pitch in her small suburban plot. Plus, Polly tells us the one plant she avoids putting in client gardens, and asks: do we actually need our sheds? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam Frost

2026/03/24

Gardener, designer and TV presenter Adam Frost talks to host Stephanie about growing up with two very different gardening grandmothers, the advice Terence Conran once gave him at Chelsea and how his world fell apart during Covid. Find out about his new dog-friendly garden he is creating with his wife, his favourite multi-purpose gardening tool and the dangerous TV show he’d make if he had his way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Talking Gardens is back for Season 6!

2026/03/10

Talking Gardens is back this spring with Stephanie Mahon, and all-new brilliant guests from the world of gardening. We’ve got TV presenter Adam Frost singing Steph happy birthday; and Insta star Pollyanna Wilkinson on loving deeply uncool cottage gardens. Matthew Wilson will be telling us what on earth hydroseeding is and designer Luciano Giubbilei tells us all about how he found his own magical garden; plus there is geranium joy with British designer Cath Kidston and plant perfection with gardeners Matt Pottage and Midori Shintani. Discover what they would all like to include in their dream gardens, from people to places, what they can’t stand and anything else along the way. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Hit follow now so you never miss an episode and don’t miss our extra episodes dropping every day of the Chelsea Flower Show 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Pearson

2025/04/21

Steph talks to lauded landscape designer Dan Pearson about his dream garden and what he would want to include in his fantasy space, from a temple garden in Kyoto and the landscape of Joshua Tree National Park to the architecture of Mexico and the high glades of the Himalaya. He talks through his design process and the plants he would love to grow, and discusses how to manage client’s expectations and some of his new projects plus why he can’t stand tennis courts. Talking Gardens is created by the team at Gardens Illustrated magazine. Find lots more garden inspiration and planting ideas at www.gardensillustrated.com Enjoyed this episode? Tell a friend, make sure to leave a review, or a comment to let us know who you would like to hear talking about their dream garden next time. Follow now so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Podcast reviews

Read Talking Gardens podcast reviews

4.8 out of 5

55 reviews

★★★★★

blaine1066 2025/06/09

Inspiration!

While recovering from surgery I discovered your pod and fell in love and in inspiration. I could sit in my garden, listen to the possibilities, and re...

★★★★★

malp31987 2025/04/14

Wonderful, informative podcast

I may not be the target audience (as a fairly young American listener), but I adore this podcast. The host asks great questions of guests and facilita...

★★★★★

lls404 2024/05/08

Inspirational, Therapeutic

The ideas and stories are so interesting. They are horticultural therapy to me at the end of the day.

★★★☆☆

red queen on square one 2024/03/31

host talks

someone said this already. i agree.

★★★★★

Rabbit Tail and Foot 2024/02/21

Love it!

Finally an inspiring gardening podcast! What a pleasure to hear from so many gardening masters. The host is lovely, and so clearly knowledgeable. She ...

★★★★★

LPOregon 2023/11/26

Suggestion: the host should speak less

Excellent podcast but host sometimes reacts to everything and speaks too much.

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