Talking Dirty

Get Gardening

Get Gardening's podcast for plant lovers is jam-packed with choice plants.

Hosts Thordis and Alan Gray (of East Ruston Old Vicarage gardens) catch up with their horticultural (or should that be naughty-cultural!) friends to talk about their favourite plants of the moment. It's a bit like a stroll around a fantastic nursery or inspiring garden, but with someone telling you what all the plants are!

There are lots of growing and propagation tips included, and everyone shares their latest FLOMO (FLoral/plant-based fOMO). Check out the show notes or our website (getgardeningnow.co.uk) for a full plant list to accompany each episode.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

196 episodes
Updated June 25

Episodes196

Newest first

Mar 17, 2021 · 58 min
Talking Dirty (Emma Bridgewater - Founder of the British pottery brand, Episode 34)
She's the woman behind one of the most famous of British brands - this week Emma Bridgewater joins Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis Fridriksson, to talk about the botanical inspiration behind the pottery. Plus why Dandelions are front and centre of their latest collection, the people in her life who sparked a life-long love of plants, lockdown gardening endeavours with limited supplies, and a recent discovery she's very excited about. PLANT LIST Chimonanthus praecox Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' Daphne odora f. alba 'Sakiwaka' Carex oshimensis 'Everlime' Rosa x odorata 'Bengal Crimson Rosa 'Mortimer Sackler' Leucanthemum vulgare – Oxeye Daisy Populus × jackii Crocus tommasinianus Eccremocarpus scaber Pelargonium Carex oshimensis 'Everlime'
Mar 10, 2021 · 50 min
Talking Dirty (Joe Sharman aka Mr Snowdrop - Monksilver Nursery, Episode 33)
If you've ever wondered how some plants come into existence, then wonder no more as plant breeder Joe Sharman gives us a fascinating insight into the labour of love behind many of the plants that fill our gardens. Join Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis Fridriksson as they hear about Joe's dreams for Galanthus breeding, plus the work he's doing with Eranthis (Aconites) and Celandines (Ficaria). There are also dreamy, dinky Narcissi, and an elusive Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) and lots of laughs along the way.
Mar 3, 2021 · 48 min
Talking Dirty (Alex Summers - Glasshouse Supervisor at Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Episode 32)
Across the world Botanic Gardens are doing amazing work. And at Cambridge University Botanic Garden, there are wonders to behold in every corner of its 40 acres. But the glasshouses are perhaps the most memorable, packed with exotic plants which will stay in your memory forever. This week on the podcast, Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis Fridriksson are joined by Alex Summers, Glasshouse Supervisor at the Botanic Garden, for a chat about everything from his love of parasitic plants and epiphytes, to plant-collecting trips, the garden's amazing Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys) and database! Plus an exciting gift courtesy of Mike Clifford (@mikesrareplants on Instagram - go follow him, he's amazing!) and a potential Birthday present for Alan! PLANT LIST Strongylodon macrobotrys (Jade Vine) Vasconcellea pubescens Lachenalia viridiflora Ixia viridiflora Magnolia Sapiensis Magnolia insignis Huodendron tibeticum Polyspora Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex' Euphorbia horrida Viscum minimum Viscum crassularae Cyphostemma juttae Cyphostemma currorii Portulacaria afra Rafflesia Lathraea clandestina Amorphophallus titanum Cinnamomum camphora Furcraea macdougallii Furcraea longaeva Tulipa sprengeri Stapelia
Feb 24, 2021 · 38 min
Talking Dirty (Charles Dowding - 'No Dig' Author and Teacher, Episode 31)
The name Charles Dowding has become synonymous with 'No Dig' techniques, but what exactly does 'No Dig' involve? And why is it such a successful and popular method of gardening? This week on the podcast, Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis are joined by Charles to talk about the lattice of ideas that make up the method, plus loofa antics and some Show and Tell that looks good enough to eat! It's a podcast jam-packed with revelations about everything from soil to slugs, paths to weeds - with plenty of ideas for your allotment, potager or kitchen garden. Charles even shares some of his favourite Winter salads for those of you growing your own at home.
Feb 17, 2021 · 1 hr 2 min
Talking Dirty (Brian Ellis & Val Bourne - Galanthophiles, Episode 30)
Calling all Galanthophiles, this week Alan Gray (a self-confessed Snowdrop addict) and Thordis (doing her best to resist!) are joined by two gardeners who long ago succumbed to Galanthamania. Award-winning Garden Writer, Val Bourne, shares her experiences of growing Snowdrops in the Cotswolds, while Brian Ellis, who sells many special varieties of Galanthus talks from the Norfolk perspective. The conversation winds from the extraordinary people who make the Snowdrop community so special, to the varieties Val and Brian hold most dear. And while the gang didn't get to mention all the things they wanted to, there's certainly no shortage of specatular Snowdrops to set your heart racing. PLANT LIST Galanthus lagodechianus Galanthus 'S. Arnott' Galanthus 'Primrose Warburg' Galanthus plicatus 'Priscilla Bacon' Galanthus plicatus 'Joe Sharman' Galanthus 'Phil Cornish' Galanthus 'Matt Bishop' Galanthus plicatus 'South Hayes' Galanthus elwesii 'Kite' Galanthus 'Green Tear' Galanthus 'Dryad Gold Sovereign' Galanthus 'Dryad Gold Medal' Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus 'Lady Elphinstone' Galanthus plicatus 'Sarah Dumont' Galanthus x valentinei 'Belvedere Gold' Galanthus plicatus 'Golden Fleece' Galanthus 'Lapwing' Galanthus plicatus 'Yaffle' Galanthus valentinei 'Saraband' Galanthus nivalis 'Alan's Treat' Galanthus elwesii 'Godfrey Owen' Galanthus plicatus 'Diggory' Galanthus elwesii 'Mrs Macnamara' Galanthus elwesii 'Margaret's Star' Galanthus plicatus 'Amy Doncaster' Galanthus 'Hans Guck in die Luft' Galanthus × valentinei 'Wind Turbine' Galanthus ‘Anglesey Double Spikey’ Galanthus nivalis 'Alburgh Claw' Galanthus 'Onkel Oskar' Galanthus nivalis 'Trois Jardins' Galanthus 'Percy Picton' Galanthus nivalis 'Magnet' Galanthus 'Long John Silver' Galanthus plicatus 'Trym' Galanthus plicatus 'Trimmer' Galanthus elwesii 'Margaret Biddulph' Galanthus elwesii 'Claud Biddulph' Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus 'Blewbury Tart' Galanthus 'Ding Dong' Galanthus 'Green of Hearts' Galanthus 'Washfield Colesbourne' Galanthus 'E.A. Bowles' Galanthus 'Ailwyn' Galanthus 'One Drop or Two?' Galanthus nivalis 'Kirtling Tower'
Feb 10, 2021 · 51 min
Talking Dirty (Ben Preston's back - York Gate Garden, Episode 29)
Three months after his last appearance, Ben Preston is back with Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis Fridriksson for another plant-filled appearance on the podcast. From the regimental precision of seed-sowing at York Gate Garden, to the sad demise of their favourite Galanthus, he brings us all up to date with what's been going on in his patch. Plus an impressive Lobelia grown from seed, grass inspiration, a diminutive darling of a Narcissus, and a show-stopping Prunus!
Feb 3, 2021 · 47 min
Talking Dirty (Jimi Blake - Hunting Brook Gardens, Episode 28)
If you've never been to Hunting Brook Gardens in Ireland, get ready to be transported by its owner Jimi Blake. He tours us through his favourite plants for structure and foliage, plus his newer forays into houseplants and the latest additions to his Snowdrop collection. As usual Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis share their FLOMO (the plants at the top of their wishlists) and it turns out Jimi has quite a few as well! PLANT LIST Lindera triloba Pseudopanax lessonii 'Moa's Toes' Pseudopanax crassifolius Pseudopanax laetus Schefflera delavayi Schefflera Rhododendrifolia Schefflera taiwaniana Schefflera alpina Musa basjoo Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' Daphnephyllum Fatsia polycarpa Pseudopanax lessonii 'tuatara' Galanthus plicatus 'Lucy' Galanthus 'Phantom' Galanthus elwesii 'Godfrey Owen' Galanthus plicatus x rizehensis 'Tryzm' Podophyllum difforme 'Starfish' Pseudopanax 'Fiddlesticks' Musa 'Siam Ruby' Dahlia 'Brown Sugar'
Jan 27, 2021 · 47 min
Talking Dirty (Matthew Pottage - Curator, RHS Garden Wisley, Episode 27)
This week Matthew Pottage - the man behind one of the UK's five gardens run by the Royal Horticultural Society - shares his love of conifers, variegated plants and houseplants. We get a tour of his collection of plants in his house plus a peek at his London garden at home. Get ready for FLOMO galore!
Jan 20, 2021 · 46 min
Talking Dirty (Ian Roofe - The Plant Doctor, Episode 26)
Get ready for an avalanche of evergreens from variegated wonders to a cacophany of conifers ((Ilex and Cryptomeria to Griselinia and Astelia). The Plant Doctor brings some serious show and tell to the table for his latest appearance on the Podcast. And, not to be left out, Alan Gray shares some of the treasures found in his garden. Also including a fantastic tip to help with your forced Hyacinths, a must-have plant for scent and some exquisite Irises!
Jan 13, 2021 · 43 min
Talking Dirty (Prof Jane Rickson - Soil Scientist, Episode 25)
Hear the nitty gritty of what's in our soil, from the minerals to the earthworms and everything in between, all in the company of Soil Scientist, Professor Jane Rickson. She joins Alan Gray and Thordis Fridriksson to share her knowledge and enthusiasm about how we can best look after our soils and what's in them. Plus some FLOMO and Show and Tell.
Jan 6, 2021 · 50 min
Talking Dirty (Matthew Wilson - Garden Designer & GQT panellist, Episode 24)
Top Garden Designer and Radio 4 'Gardeners Question Time' panellist Matthew Wilson joins Alan Gray and Thordis Fridriksson to talk about his busy year designing gardens, the joys of Wildflower mixes, a houseplant he holds very dear and other plants he holds less so (get ready for Anti-Flomo!)
Jan 6, 2021 · 36 min
Talking Dirty (Happy New Year Bonus Episode)
Alan Gray and Thordis wish everyone a Happy New Year and look back on some great gardening gifts received this Christmas. Plus of course, a spot of FLOMO because there's always FLOMO (Fear of Missing Out on a Fabulous Plant!)
Dec 16, 2020 · 40 min
Talking Dirty (Tamsin Westhorpe - Stockton Bury Gardens & 'Fresh From the Pod', Episode 23)
The super-talented Tamsin Westhorpe joins Alan Gray and Thordis to Talk Dirty! RHS judge, Co-Chair of the Garden Media Guild, writer of new book 'Diary of a Modern Country Gardener' and much more besides, Tamsin shares stories from the historic family garden at Stockton Bury. Plus air kisses under the Mistletoe, thermal underwear and the double-flowered Nasturtium that got away!
Dec 9, 2020 · 49 min
Talking Dirty (Val Bourne's back - Organic Gardener & Writer, Episode 22)
Organic gardener and recent award winner Val Bourne joins Alan Gray and Thordis Fridriksson to share some of her favourite plants...from her top picks for easy Galanthus to an unusual umbellifer, cracking Clematis for Winter, Sassy grass and a rose that's caught Val's eye.
Dec 2, 2020 · 45 min
Talking Dirty (Rosy & Rob Hardy - Hardy's Plants, Episode 21)
Get ready for loads of laughter and planty inspiration! Rosy and Rob Hardy are greats of the gardening world, the brains behind Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants. In this podcast, they tell Alan Gray and Thordis Fridriksson about their final Chelsea Flower Show next year, plus share their own FLOMO (Fear of Missing Out on a Fabulous Plant), why you mustn't buy Rosy an Orchid, and why you must say yes to yellow!
Nov 25, 2020 · 51 min
Talking Dirty (Ian Roofe returns - Plant Doctor, Episode 20)
Alongside serious seasonal Show & Tell, Ian Roofe returns to the podcast to help Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis Fridriksson come up with some great gardening gift ideas, particularly if you're looking for something different, or on a budget. There's Miscanthus, Cornus and Sorbus appreciation; vintage tools; plus tree-tastic FLOMO and a LOT of laughter!
Nov 18, 2020 · 41 min
Talking Dirty (Tamara Bridge is back - Garden Designer, Episode 19)
Garden designer Tamara Bridge joins Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis Fridriksson to chat about the increasing demand for designers, plus her go-to plants for instant impact and how aquascaping has captured her imagination this year. If you've got a question for the team, don't forget you can email it to hello@getgardeningnow.co.uk.
Nov 11, 2020 · 38 min
Talking Dirty (Alexander Laver - Master Arborist, Episode 18)
Alan Gray and Thordis Fridriksson catch up with another of their horticultural pals, this time focussing on trees and hedges with Master Arborist Alexander Laver. From his go to book for choosing and managing trees in his garden, to a tiny FLOMO, via mixed hedges, topiary and cloud-pruning.
Nov 3, 2020 · 40 min
Talking Dirty (Derry Watkins -Special Plants, Episode 17)
Purveyor of particularly Special Plants, Derry Watkins, joins Alan Gray & Thordis to share a whole host of wonders, from prairie plants as you've never seen them before, to a portable Isoplexis, serious Salvia envy, fabulous FLOMO, and Nerines on steroids! Don't forget if you've got a gardening question you can email hello@getgardeningnow.co.uk and the team will try to answer on a future podcast.
Oct 28, 2020 · 39 min
Talking Dirty (Jane-Ann Walton -Auricula specialist, Episode 16)
If you've ever fallen under the spell of a magical Auricula, then this is the podcast for you. Jane Ann Walton grows hundreds at her home in Norfolk, where she also has Snowdrops flowering for months a year and a whole host of unusual plants. She joins Alan Gray and Thordis Fridriksson to chat Auricula care, beautiful berries, Tassel Hyacinths, and share a top tip for Delphinium staking! There's FLOMO galore so get your wishlist ready for an update!